White Keys/Black Lives

Clem L Richardson

Description

For so many youth, especially for those of color in poverty-stricken areas of large cities, the path forward seems like a hopeless one. One obstacle or problem compounds another: joblessness, dysfunctional families, absent fathers, abusive relationships, failure in education, sexual promiscuity, unwanted pregnancy, abuse of and addiction to drugs and alcohol, the obscene amounts of money that can be made by dealing drugs, youth gangs, crime, stints in prison, no fear of God…the list goes on and on.

Sujets

• Vie de famille
• Relations familiales
• Inspirational
• Philosophie et théologie
• Religion

Informations

• Publié par: Xlibris US
• Date de parution: 14 avril 2023
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781669873457
• Langue: English

Extrait

White Keys/ Black Lives
 
 
The Rebirth from the Crack Cocaine Era
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Clem L Richardson
 
Copyright © 2023 by Clem L Richardson.
 
ISBN:
Softcover
978-1-6698-7346-4

eBook
978-1-6698-7345-7
 
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
 
Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rev. date: 04/13/2023
 
 
 
 
 
Xlibris
844-714-8691
www.Xlibris.com
851279
CONTENTS
Foreword
Introduction
 
Chapter 1       Growing Up
Chapter 2       The Dysfunctional Family
Chapter 3       Experimenting with Drugs
Chapter 4       The GANGS
Chapter 5       Crack Cocaine
Chapter 6       White Keys Black Lives
Chapter 7       Relationships
Chapter 8       Recovery
Chapter 9       The Rebirth
Chapter 10     Conclusion
Foreword
“We are better than the worst thing we have ever done.” This is a quote from Sister Helen Prejean from her book Dead Man Walking. It articulates what we in prison ministry believe, that individuals can be redeemed from past mistakes and become leaders and role models in our community. I can think of no other person in our society that better reflects this sentiment than Clem Richardson.
Growing up in the inner city of Milwaukee to a single mother with seven siblings, Clem had to deal with stressors that many of us cannot imagine but far too many experiences. As is too often the case Clem was drawn to the street life and was soon engulfed in the gang lifestyle. He saw his future in the streets, associating with individuals whose main goal was to survive from day to day, get a little cash in the process through any means necessary and gain the respect of their cohorts. While his actions are deemed unacceptable by the law, it was a right of passage for so many in the inner city.
For so many that have followed this path the story ends in the streets or in prison, through death or incarceration. But there is another path, the path less taken. This path leads the individual to a realization that they have more to offer the world, that they are a person worthy of universal respect. This path is a rocky road, filled with potholes and dangerous curves. But for those that navigate it they find the longer you stay on the road the smoother and more manageable it becomes.
Clem found this road. He developed relationships with mentors who helped to guide him down the path, leading him to a life of service to others and change in our community. “That’s a shining star to me that I had a part helping him climb that ladder. I appreciate him and honor his effort,” Cleon Suggs, who mentored Clem through the twists and turns, said at a recent awards ceremony celebrating the work of Clem. At the same award ceremony LT Austin, a mentee of Clem had this to say about his mentor, “He gave me hope (of leaving the street life)….When I finally found my way out I found Pastor Clem and I started following the bread crumbs he left. I found out he went to MATC, so I went to MATC. I found out he went to Upper Iowa, so I went to Upper Iowa. I found out he worked for WCS so I went to work at WCS. My mama always told me if there is something you wanna do find somebody doing it well and follow their steps. So I did that, even though Clem didn’t know I was doing it.”
In the following pages you will read about a life of redemption, healing, sacrifice, and, most importantly, love. Clem Richardson has lived a life we all can learn from. Every time I talk to Clem I am amazed at how blessed I am to have him in my life and that I can call him a brother in arms in the fight for peace and equality in our community. But most importantly I am proud to call him a friend. The world is a better place because of Clem Richardson!
Wendel Hruska
Executive Director
Project RETURN
www.projectreturnmilwaukee.org
 
White Keys, Black Lives is a thought-provoking must-read book; that takes on the necessary task of exposing readers to the disadvantages and struggles many minorities encounter within one of the most impoverished zip codes in the city of Milwaukee, 53206.
Yet, within the same pages that reveal deep pain, like the day breaking after the darkest night, a story of hope emerges as Pastor Clem Richardson illustrates how, through his faith, he found the will to persevere, overcame many challenges, and became a pivotal leader within that same community and abroad.
I do not doubt that after you read this book, your heart will be more encouraged to believe that despite the odds, as the scripture states, “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).
Pastor Jeremy Gilbert
Living Epistles Community Church
www.leccmke .org
Introduction
How does a young man steeped in gangs, crime and drugs become a mentor, and counselor, pastor leading young people, especially adult men out of gangs, crime, drugs and other destructive lifestyles? “By the grace of God, “Clem explains in this book “White Keys, Black Lives.” He unpacks how the crack cocaine epidemic devastated and destroyed every urban community across America, sentencing some to life in prison for nonviolent drugs offenses, poverty, addictions, systemic oppression and single parent homes. Despite what you hear on the news or social media, Milwaukee is the 4 th poorest City in the Midwest, 53206 has the highest incarceration rate for Black/African men than any other City. Clem grew up in that area in a single parent home with his mother and seven siblings. Some were involved in prison, college, addictions, prostitution, jail, and near-death experiences. Clem has always called Milwaukee home. He attended Benjamin Franklin Elementary School and Franklin Annex (trouble kids) and Daniel Webster Middle School, barely graduating from Harold S. Vincent High School. His feet then followed the path so many other young men pursued; one best by negative peer pressure from his family, friends and environment. By the grace of God, he realized he was on a dead-end-street after going jail and numerous attempts to get out of the street life in 1996 he entered rehabilitation. Some of his counselor’s suggested he return to the halfway house he completed to help men with back grounds similar to his. Clem stated his mentors told him “The only way to keep it is to give it away.” And that is what Clem has been doing for his entire adult life.
Chapter 1
Growing Up
I was born in a single parent home my mother was a strong, smart, and strict parent. My father believed in being fruitful and multiply he was fearless, trendsetter and a wise man. Nevertheless, me and my younger brother are the youngest on both sides of our family.
My mother moved from Little Rock Arkansas in 1955 with my four older siblings. She was living in the housing projects near downtown area. Most African Americans resided in the area after moving there from the South. They migrated up North to an industrial city for what they hoped would be a better living. My older brothers and sisters went to High School. I was told my older brother went on to college to pursue his education. Shortly after that he met his wife and they became inseparable. They had two beautiful children, and then moved out of town.
My other brothers moved on to become a part of the street life. My mother would take us on some weekends to visit the different prisons and see them.
The most I can remember my mother from the projects to various neighborhoods. Then she finally got off welfare and purchase a house in the 53206 area. In our new home, my younger brother and I slept downstairs across the hall from my mother’s bedroom. My older sister slept upstairs my mother had seven children. My sister was four years older than me. Like any teenager she was rebellious but cool. I remember one time she was brought because she had situation at school. My brother and I was concern about her laying on the floor which appear to be unconscious. She had on a white turtleneck sweater and a checkered green maxicoat. After she woke up my mother told my sister to go upstairs to dry out. She would deal with her later. With much profanity, she told my sister how she needs to get herself together.
I heard my mother dial the phone and tell my sister father to come by the house to discipline her. He agreed and soon came over. My brother and I heard the doorbell ring and we both listened inside our bedroom door. We heard our mother call our sister downstairs. Her father took my sister in the bathroom and closed the door. All we could hear was horrific sounds and bumps, and my sister screaming, “I won’t do it anymore!!” Her turtleneck was white when she went into the bathroom, but when she came out. My sister’s sweater was a different color when she came out of the bathroom. I felt badly for her even though I was only 10 years old and she was 14. Me and brother was angry at her father and my mother. Because we loved our sister and wanted to protect her but we were too young.
Shortly thereafter, my sister was removed from our home then my brother and I were home alone. My mother worked for the County as a custodian at this time. She worked from 3:00 pm until 1:30 am, so when we got home from