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I was one of a handful of black students at my high school. I didn’t have a black teacher until my third year of college; and in most of my classes, I was the only black student. Discussions about race were rare among my classmates and in my high school classes. I have very fond memories of those years and strong connections with many of my classmates and teachers. However, in many situations it felt as though conversations about race were too uncomfortable, taboo for the classroom, so they were mostly avoided. When race was brought up among my peers, it was usually coupled with some joke: “You don’t talk like you’re black.” “You’re black, you can dance, right?” “Of course you’re good at basketball, Myriama. Black people are so athletic!” These words were always said with a smile or a pat on the back, and they weren’t meant to upset me. I was too afraid of being labeled an angry black woman to speak up, but in truth I felt isolated.

When a joke or a comment did come up, it was often followed by “It’s just a joke” and then “I don’t see color.” These words were meant to be reassuring. They were supposed to make me feel included, as though there was no difference between me and my white classmates. The truth is, the words “I don’t see color” scared me. They only made me feel more invisible than ever, as if my struggles and my people’s history were unimportant.

I’ve been seeing color my whole life. I see it when I’m the only black person in the room. I see it when I’m the only black person in the store and the only one being followed by security. I saw my classmates glance over their shoulders to check if I was upset when we discussed slavery in our history classes, one of only two units about my people while the rest of the school year was spent learning about mostly-white American history. If I was the only person seeing these things, that meant I was completely alone. Nobody seemed to recognize my isolation. Nobody seemed to want to. If they didn’t see my color, did they see me at all?

What needs to be understood is that there’s nothing wrong with seeing color. In fact, I want you to see my color. People need to recognize that the struggles of a white man and a black man in this country are not the same, partly because society has perceived the black man as a threat his whole life. People must recognize that the way a white woman maneuvers through each day is not the same as the way a black woman has to. The black woman faces an intersectionality of oppressions based on being both a woman and a person of color. People need to recognize that when black people are included in conversations, they bring personal experience and knowledge about the depth of oppression in U.S. institutions–in the criminal justice system and in education, among other things. By really listening to what black people have to say and then working together, we can help make progress in relation to these issues.

You can recognize differences in experience without making assumptions about the black men and women you are seeing. Don’t assume that we love fried chicken, that we can’t swim or that we need tutoring. Don’t assume that a black man walking after dark is committing a crime. Don’t assume that a black woman is living in poverty. And if she is, don’t assume that you know how she got there.

Denying you see color is an attempt to protect yourself from being seen as part of the issue and to deflect potential criticism. How can you be racist if you don’t see a difference in races, right? The thing is, when you say you don’t see color, there are many components of race that you’re blinding yourself to. You’re refusing to see the racial disparities that are an unjust part of life in our country. You’re excusing yourself from the self-examination that is necessary in order to change racial biases. Instead of making yourself an advocate of black lives, you contribute to their oppression by ignoring their stories. How can you recognize that black drivers are 20% more likely to be pulled over than white drivers if all you see are drivers? How can you recognize that a black woman makes $0.67 to every $1.00 that a white man makes if all you see are employees? How can you recognize that black men serve 19.1% longer sentences than white men for committing similar crimes if all you see are inmates?

Denying you see color doesn’t keep you from being part of the problem, it keeps you from being part of the change. It’s impossible to fix a problem that you can’t see. The question is if you shouldn’t say that you’re color blind, what should you say? The answer is that it’s not really about what you say right now, it’s about listening and learning from the experiences and stories people of color have to share, and it’s about acting on what you learn. Don’t seek to be innocent of racism, seek to be actively anti-racist.

As a black teenager, I should have been taught about people like W.E.B Dubois, Maya Angelou, Sojourner Truth, and so many more. I should have been taught about black history and the current realities of the black community. I should have been taught to be proud of the skin I’m in and the history that comes with it, instead of being rendered invisible. The good news is that it’s not too late. Now is the right time to educate yourself on the reality of black lives and how you can become an effective advocate for racial justice. You can start by seeing color.

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Myriama Smith-Traore is a 2017 graduate of Whitewater High School. A shorter version of this op-ed was published in The Gazette on July 10. The Banner appreciates Myriama providing this thought-provoking writing for our readers. She has completed her third year of college at Saint Louis University, where she plays basketball and is majoring in English. Myriama told the Banner that her intention is to be an English teacher.

(WHITEWATER – Whitewater Arts Alliance Press Release) Peter Jablokow’s art will be displayed at the Whitewater Arts Alliance’s Cultural Arts Center on 402 West Main Street  on July 31 to August 23 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.:  Fridays (for at risk individuals only – age 65 and over or with immunocompromised health conditions), and Saturdays and Sundays for all others.  Visitors will be asked to participate in health and safety measures in light of COVID-19, to include wearing a mask at all times (masks will be provided), entering via the elevator and exiting via the front door (unless they require the elevator), and keeping six feet apart.  There will be a ten-person maximum in the building at all times.

In his artist statement, Peter said, “I create watercolors of buildings, bridges and machinery with a messy, rusty, chaotic feel that comes with age and lack of use. The patterns, textures and colors of large, old, decaying equipment has a feel I don’t quite understand, but am attracted to, and have a desire to record before it’s gone.

I start my process by defining every line and detail in pencil. Perspective angles and vanishing points are refined with a ruler to line everything up cleanly, helping me feel my life is in control. Next, chaos ensues when, what feels to me like arbitrary layers of watercolor are thrown on the paper. While feeling lost, I add and delete many layers of color back and forth until the painting eventually comes back into focus. I hate the chaos, love the order, and feel gratified when I end up with a combination of both.

I paint with transparent watercolor in many layers on 300lb Arches paper and often splatter masking fluid or rip the surface to create a chaotic, weathered look.”

As the son of an artist growing up in Lagrange Park, Illinois, drawing and painting has always been part of Peter’s life. Frank Lloyd Wright’s houses close to his in nearby Oak Park, IL, influenced his decision to pursue a degree in architecture at Iowa State University. 

A trained architect, Peter started migrating towards art by becoming an architectural illustrator, working with Rael Slutsky Associates, and later Manuel Avila associates. Peter loves the technical aspects of drawing perspective images and is drawn to its exactness of detail.

Peter’s full transition to artist came while taking classes with Peggy Macnamara at North Shore Art League in Winnetka, IL. Peggy activated his love for loose, fresh watercolor, igniting his current series of work, which overlays a looser, more colorful painting style on top of a tight drawing style.

Peter is a signature member of American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society and Transparent Watercolor Society and has won awards from the Transparent Watercolor Society, American Institute of Architectural Illustrators and Illinois Watercolor Society, among others. He is published in Splash 15, 16 and 17, an annual watercolor compilation, and has exhibited in numerous group and individual shows and fairs. He teaches watercolor in group and individual classes.

Peter received a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Iowa State University, and an associate’s degree in Illustration from the American Academy of art in Chicago.

More information on Peter can be found here: http://peterillustrator.com/ 

 Big thanks to our sponsor!

Whitewater’s Cultural Arts Center is located on 402 West Main Street in the historic White building near the Birge Fountain.  Parking is behind the building, with an elevator available from the parking lot entrance.  Parking is also available on side streets. 

 The mission of the Whitewater Arts Alliance is to promote the visual and performing arts through an alliance of artists, individuals, educational resources, and organizations to promote creativity and diversity that will serve to educate and enrich the lives of the residents of the Whitewater community and surrounding areas.

By Lisa Dawsey Smith
Whitewater Banner staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

At its regular virtual meeting on Tuesday, July 21 at 6:30 p.m. the Common Council will consider an ordinance that would require the wearing of a face covering when indoors in buildings that are open to the public. You may read the entire proposed ordinance at the end of this article. It is indicated that the reasons for the proposal include:

• COVID-19 cases have increased in Wisconsin, Walworth and Jefferson Counties, and the city in recent weeks.
• The virus is primarily spread via respiratory droplets when people are in close proximity with each other.
• People can be infected and have no symptoms and still be able to transmit the virus.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates there is emerging evidence that face masks reduce the spray of respiratory droplets, and the effectiveness of masks in reducing the spread of the virus is highest when masks are widely used by people in public settings.

Masks would be required in these settings:

• INDOORS IN CERTAIN AREAS – By persons age five and older in a building open to the public and in an area open to the public.
• VERY LIMITED AREAS OUTDOORS – At the Whitewater City Market. Also if outside a building to pick up food, drink or goods or in a line waiting to enter a building.

Exceptions would include the following:

• Persons who fall into the Center for Disease Control’s guidance for those who should not wear face coverings due to a medical condition, mental health condition or developmental disability.
• Persons who have a written note from a healthcare provider excusing mask use.
• Persons who have upper-respiratory chronic conditions or other conditions or disabilities that make wearing a mask inappropriate.
• Persons in settings where it is not practical or feasible to wear face coverings when obtaining or rendering goods or services to the extent necessary to obtain or render such goods or services including, but not limited to, the receipt of dental services or medical treatments or consuming food or beverages.
• Public and private K-12 schools, childcare or youth facilities that have a comprehensive safety plan in place.
• In private residences and residential apartment buildings.

Owners/operators of public buildings would be required to ensure that all persons present in the building area open to the public comply with the mask requirement. They would have the right to refuse entry or service to any person for failure to comply.

The Police Department would be responsible for enforcing the requirement by issuing a warning for first offenses and would only issue a citation for first offenses if an individual refuses to comply with the ordinance after receiving a warning or for second and subsequent offenses. The penalty to a building owner/operator or to a person violating the ordinance, upon conviction, would be between $10- $40 for a first offense and $50- $150 for second and subsequent offenses.

The Banner is aware of two petitions that have been created on change.org where people are expressing their opinion on whether Whitewater should adopt a mask ordinance.
“Mandatory Mask Use in Whitewater, WI” endorses an ordinance and indicates it was started by Johanna Wentworth – Click here
“Prevent forced mask wearing for Covid 19 in whitewater wi” opposes an ordinance and states it was started by Christopher Walters – Click here

In order to submit Public Comments before the meeting, please e-mail comments in advance of the
meeting to City Clerk at msmith@whitewater-wi.gov. Comments received by 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21, 2020 will be distributed to the Common Council prior to the meeting.

Information on how to view/listen to the meeting via Zoom/telephone may be found on this page. As usual, the Council will accept public comments via Zoom/telephone.

The following invitation was posted by the Banner on May 25: “The Banner does not normally include announcements regarding businesses. However, we have done so during the “Safer at Home” order, and we recognize the ongoing challenges as businesses continue to reopen. Consequently we are happy to announce that for the next several weeks we will include a continuously updated article for business updates. Owners/managers are welcome to submit information for our review and consideration for posting. We encourage mentioning any steps that you are taking in an effort to minimize the risks of COVID-19 transmission to your staff and customers. Among the items that restaurants may wish to include is if they are offering curbside pickup and/or delivery. The Banner may be reached at whitewaterbanner@gmail.com.” As of the evening of June 10, the following submissions have been received.

Culver’s: As of the evening of July 18, there’s a sign on the Culver’s door indicating, “We have chosen to close temporarily.” No reopening date was given. The only explanation was that “our genuine care for our guests extends beyond the four walls of our restaurant and into the communities we serve.” The same explanation was given for a temporary closing for “cleaning” for the Culver’s at 2633 Milton Avenue in Janesville in late May.

Willow Brook Golf Course: We are now open for Friday Fish Frys from 4:30 – 8:00 p.m.  Featuring homemade clam chowder, potato pancakes, shrimp cocktail, cod (baked and beer battered), 4 piece fried chicken dinner and more.  Dine in or carry-out available (262-473-3305).

Golfing hours are 7 a.m. until dusk.  Tee times should still be made in advance over the phone at  262-473-3305.  Bar hours are 7 a.m. until close.  Leagues available, junior golf available, etc.  Motorized golf carts are available for rent, as well as pull carts and they are all sanitized in between uses.  We are still taking extra precautions to keep everyone safe and healthy. 

The SweetSpot Bakehouse & The SweetSpot Cafe
[Whitewater, WI, JUNE 10, 2020] – The SweetSpot Bakehouse and The SweetSpot Cafe are
excited to announce official reopening dates, June 16 and June 17. The reopening dates have
been set based on the latest information from Wisconsin DHS which has reported a 14-day
downward trajectory in COVID-19 cases for the State.
Both locations of The SweetSpot (Bakehouse at 1185 W. Main Street and Cafe at 226 W.
Whitewater Street) closed to the public before the Safer At Home Order was put in place. The
safety of the staff and customers of The SweetSpot were the driving factor in the decision to
close and central to the plan to reopen.
The Bakehouse, on West Main Street, is set to reopen on Tuesday, June 16, and will operate
Tuesdays through Saturdays from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Orders may be picked up curbside, in
the front of the building, or through the drive-thru window.
The Cafe, in downtown Whitewater, will reopen on Wednesday, June 17, and will be open
Wednesdays through Sundays, 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The SweetSpot team is installing a
walk-up window counter at the front of the building to allow for outdoor pickup of orders. The
team will also meet cars curbside when requested.
At both locations, there will be no indoor service or seating for the time being. Customers will be
encouraged to order ahead of time online or by phone. Both locations will also be following strict
safety and health guidelines to protect the SweetSpot team and customers. These guidelines
include heightened sanitation, mask use by employees, and new sick-day policies including the
addition of paid sick days. We are also encouraging all customers to use contactless payment
methods, wear masks when picking up orders, and maintain 6 feet of distance from other
customers and our staff when possible.
Any bakery orders that were previously placed for pickup during the time the Bakehouse was
closed have been handled individually and either rescheduled or refunded as needed. The
Bakehouse has resumed taking special orders and orders for cakes but is limiting the number of
cakes that can be made weekly. Cake orders can be placed on the website,
www.sweetspotwhitewater.com.
The SweetSpot would like to thank their customers for their support and patience during this
time. Look for more updates, including the launch of The SweetSpot’s online menu, on
Facebook and their website in the coming day

SSM Health Dean Medical Group: Beginning June 15, SSM Health Dean Medical Group – Whitewater will resume clinical operations that were temporarily relocated as part of SSM Health’s COVID-19 response. The clinic is located at 1305 West Main Street, Whitewater, where staff and providers are excited to welcome patients for both in-person and telehealth visits. We truly appreciate the community’s patience and understanding over the past several weeks as our Whitewater team cared for patients from the Fort Atkinson location.

We are open M-F 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. We are seeing patients for all services at this time including annual physicals, chronic disease management as well as acute care. We continue to offer telemedicine services (such as phone and video visits). Family members are able to accompany patients to visits of course when it is helpful and necessary for the care of the patient. 

Please know that the health and safety of our staff, providers, patients and community remains our number one priority. As we resume services and move closer to full operations across the Wisconsin region, all clinics will continue to follow our established safety precautions including:
•       Visitor restrictions to limit non-essential traffic in our facilities
•       Entrance screening for all patients, visitors and staff at our facilities
•       Adherence to all CDC guidelines and protocols regarding appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for providers and staff
•       Requiring all patients, visitors and staff to wear masks or other face coverings when they enter our facilities
•       Enhanced cleaning/disinfection processes
•       Plexiglass barriers at check-in and registration to ensure appropriate distancing
•       Realigned waiting room seating to ensure appropriate physical distancing

The Whitewater providers are very excited to return to their home site and are very appreciative of our patients’ understanding and patience during the time we practiced in Fort Atkinson. Our displacement has made us even more appreciative of what a great community we have in Whitewater. If you have specific questions about your health or need to schedule an in-person or telehealth visit, please call us at (262) 473-4548.

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Dale’s Bootery has reopened for instore shopping. We have implemented safety precautions to keep our staff and customers safe, including a redesigned floor plan to aid in social distancing and temporarily requiring facemasks.
For those that aren’t ready for the instore experience, we offer curbside delivery or free shipping on purchases over $150. Give us a call or visit us at dalesbootery.com for online shopping. Please note that due to various restrictions not all brands are shown. We appreciate the support we received while closed and look forward to seeing all of our friends soon. Stay healthy!

Jessica’s Family Restaurant is now open for dine-in customers. We are using all 3 dining rooms, so we can social distance our customers. We have disinfected the restaurant and continue to clean after every customer. We continue to have take-out and curbside deliveries for our customers who would rather eat at home. We will continue to have our daily specials for both dine-in and carryout. Jessica’s would like to thank the community for their continuing support during these ever changing times.

Rick’s Eastside Pub and Grill:. Please note that we are back open M-Thur 11am-12am, Fri & Sat. 11am-2:30 am, and Sun 11am-10pm.  Our dining room is open with limited seating & social distancing. We are continually sanitizing everything (door handles, tables, pens, chairs, etc.) to make sure your experience is safe. We don’t have any outdoor seating, but if you prefer you’re welcome to bring a card table and chairs in order to eat in the parking lot! Curbside is also available and payment can be made when ordering over the phone. 262-473-9879

MADISON (July 16) – Gov. Tony Evers granted pardons this week to eighteen individuals. The Governor’s Pardon Advisory Board heard from applicants virtually on June 23, 2020. Applicants whom the Board recommended for pardon were forwarded to Gov. Evers for final consideration.   The Wisconsin Constitution grants the governor the power to pardon individuals convicted of a crime. A pardon is an official act of forgiveness that restores some of the rights that are lost when someone is convicted of a felony, including the right to serve on a jury, hold public office, and hold certain professional licenses. A pardon does not result in an expungement.  Under Executive Order #30, individuals convicted of a Wisconsin felony may apply for a pardon if they completed their sentence at least five years ago and have not committed any new crimes. Individuals currently required to register on the sex offender registry are ineligible for a pardon.     “A pardon won’t fix the challenges facing our criminal justice system, but it can have a tremendous impact on a person’s life,” said Gov. Evers. “Each of these people earned a pardon by serving their sentence and making positive contributions to society.”    Gov. Evers granted pardons to the following people:   James Hernon, now 59 years old, was struggling with addiction when he assisted another individual in burglarizing a home 20 years ago in exchange for the proceeds and drugs. He now works with the Milwaukee Rescue Mission, the same organization he credits with helping him recover from his drug addiction. Mr. Hernon lives in West Allis.  Steven Johnson, now 58 years old, was 23 when he caused a tragic car accident in which his best friend was killed. He was a pallbearer in his friend’s funeral, and he has garnered the forgiveness of the victim’s mother, who supports a pardon. He has been diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor and has asked for this pardon before dying. Mr. Johnson lives in Marshfield.  Taranda Westmoreland, now 45 years old, made several unauthorized charges on a credit card when she was 26. She has since obtained a master’s degree and now works to serve others in need, including minors, folks with special needs, and persons experiencing homelessness. Ms. Westmoreland lives in Milwaukee.  Barry Plotnick, now 65 years old, was 21 years old and struggling with addiction when he and his friend broke into a drug store and stole several bottles of valium. After completing his sentence, he went on to become a successful small business owner in the produce industry and is married to his wife of 20 years with children and grandchildren. Mr. Plotnick now lives in the State of Georgia.   Loretta Childs was 22 years old when she knowingly wrote bad checks to obtain some items for resale. She quickly took responsibility, is now 38 years old, and has maintained employment while raising her children. Ms. Childs lives in Milwaukee.  Matthew Raasch, now 41 years old, was struggling with drug addiction when he cashed fraudulent checks to support his addiction. He now volunteers and works with Waukesha County inmates and drug and alcohol treatment courts as a mentor to those struggling with addiction. Mr. Raasch lives in Waukesha.  Elandis Peete was 18 when he sold cocaine to an undercover police officer. Now in his forties, he opened his own trucking business, mentoring and hiring formerly incarcerated folks to help them become productive members of the community. Mr. Peete lives in Wauwatosa.  Shelesia Parham, now 51 years old, was 23 when she forged her mother’s name on multiple withdrawal slips for her mother’s account. Her relationship with her mother is mended and she fully supports a pardon. She has become an owner of multiple newspapers in Racine and previously hosted a weekly gospel hour on local radio. Ms. Parham lives in Racine.  Kerry Brunner, now 59 years old, was in his early twenties when he was convicted of several offenses connected to a drug addiction, including delivery of cocaine and cashing a stolen check. He is married with children and grandchildren, has been a small business owner, and is currently working in his local school district as a custodian. Mr. Brunner now lives in the State of Missouri.  Keith Butler, now 40 years old, was 23 and homeless when he was caught selling drugs to undercover police officers. He now is a devoted father who volunteers in his community, including previously as an assistant coach with the Green Bay Packer Pee Wee League Neighborhood Youth Sports Organization. Mr. Butler lives in Milwaukee.  Markeese Walker, now 40 years old, was 22 when he was convicted of fleeing an officer. He has since become an active community member and volunteer, who received adamant support from many, including a former Milwaukee law enforcement officer. Mr. Walker lives in Milwaukee.  Andrew Ophoven was arrested by three plain-clothed detectives for selling marijuana 20 years ago. He has since gone to school for culinary arts and hospitality management. Mr. Ophoven hopes someday he will be able to own his own restaurant.  Mr. Ophoven lives in Waukesha.  Michael Andersen, now 40 years old, sold marijuana and shoplifted 20 years ago. He now has a daughter and has obtained associate degrees in marketing and business. Mr. Andersen lives in West Allis.  Yusef Moore, now 49 years old, was convicted of several offenses relating to his addiction to drugs in his early thirties. He has taken remarkable steps including obtaining a master’s degree from Loyola University of Chicago, helping others struggling with addiction by becoming a substance abuse residential counselor, and working with persons experiencing homelessness. He received support from the Court in his application for pardon, works the 12-steps, and is an active member of his faith community. Mr. Moore lives in Greenfield.    Terry Howell-Dixon is 65 years old and nearly 30 years ago failed to report an increase in income which resulted in an over-grant of public assistance and food stamps. She has maintained steady employment, is a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and is heavily involved with her faith community. Ms. Howell-Dixon lives in Milwaukee.    LaFondra Thomas was 19 when she committed a series of check forgeries. She since obtained her HSED and worked for the same company, AT&T, for 21 years. Ms. Thomas now lives in the State of Texas.  Sonny Valeriano, now 34 years old, was 20 years old and struggling with a death in the family when he decided to sell marijuana for some quick cash. He began his pursuit of higher education while still in confinement and has since pursued multiple degrees to become a massage therapist. Mr. Valeriano lives in Milwaukee.   Richard Baker, now 39 years old, made a series of mistakes as a young man that resulted in several convictions including bail jumping, obstructing an officer, and escape. He credits his turn to religion as the reason for his reform. He has since obtained his HSED and works as a hunting and fishing guide in Minnesota, where he resides.   The pardon application and instructions for applying are located on the Governor’s website: www.evers.wi.gov/Pages/pardon-information.aspx. The Governor’s Pardon Advisory Board will continue to meet virtually monthly and will be reconvening again on July 21, 2020 and will air on wiseye.org/live.