The Journal Times Online - Racine, Wisconsin

I am a 38 year old African-American male who lives in Kenosha, Wisconsin (near 65th St and 22nd Ave). I used to live on the north side of Racine, Wisconsin (on Superior - between St. Patrick and High St. - Red Apple area). Yes, I lived in a so-called "troubled neighborhood" - or no wait - "changing neighborhood" - and I loved it.

I am currently divorced and I have custody of my three children: Shontelle, 18; LeRon 15; and Travian, 9. We also currently are helping to raise my sister-in-law's two kids: Jamarcus, 12 and Deontae, 10.

I used to drive a truck for a shipping company in Oak Creek and worked security part time at a meat processing plant in Kenosha County. I was recently laid off from both jobs.

I am originally from Birmingham, Alabama. When I was 8 years old my mother died and I moved to Milwaukee to live with my grandmother. I grew up on the north side of Milwaukee and I graduated from Milwaukee Hamilton High School in 1988. I moved to Racine a year later in 1989 to work at Case and have lived here ever since. Got laid off from Case in 1997 and worked at In Sinkerator a few years and for a few other places. Almost 20 years a proud resident of Racine.

I am one of the few people who still believes in Racine and still enjoys Racine and all it has to offer. Racine has problems, but it is also a city that has some strengths and I for one believe that diversity IS a strength. I see a community made up of so many different races, ethnicities, economic and political backgrounds - Racine County truly is a sample of the entire nation.

I do not have a lot of patience for people who whine and complain and offer NO solutions but to rail on the community or claim how happy they are to be OUT of Racine (good - thanks - now leave the comments to those still here - LOL) - or for people who love to think they are experts about things they do not personally experience.

Don't sit at your computer and tell me about what MY neighborhood needs unless you know people here or are familiar with what people who live here go through.

As far as JT blogs - I am interested in intelligent discussion and in learning from others and with others about issues - not about political gamesmanship and "bumper sticker" talk based on twisted facts and "I-am-right" attitudes.

Labels hide the views - can we refrain from using "liberal" "right-wing" "progressive" , etc. if it doesn't relate to the actual facts or opinions but is used to just discredit a view. If it is "conservative" in nature or "liberal" in nature - how does that relate to the issue, the opinion, any solutions, or the possible outcomes? If it doesn't - than who cares what you label it?

People have different perspectives based on their life experiences and the JT forums should be a way to get different viewpoints to be heard. But please support your views with more than flimsy anecdotes (i.e. "well I know a person who....") or simple repeating of talk radio spin lines. Use your personal experiences, actual facts, and articles or research studies to support your views. Also - realize that they are just YOUR views and that others may not see it the same way. Respect that.

Also - thanks to my guy Kev for letting me use his pics of me and my peoples - I am not computer literate enough to get pics on here. I have little computer experience and not much time to be blogging.

Peace.