A few weeks ago, I wrote about the absence of positive media images of local brown people.  Here's the first of a few follow-up posts about people who counter those images through their daily lives.

  This is Mari Maldonado.  She is a first generation natural-born citizen, the middle child of four who was born to parents who are originally from Puerto Rico.  She's funny, obviously beautiful, outgoing, passionate -- and compassionate about what she does.  Mari's the Fund Development Coordinator for the Guest House of Milwaukee, a men's homeless shelter located in the heart of the city.  Their goal is to move the men that live there -- the "guests" -- from homelessness to independence by providing onsite alcohol and drug abuse counseling, along with case management and other critical services.  According to Mari, they've had residents as young as 18 and old as 82.

So how did Mari -- this former salesperson of "everything from cameras to insurance" and now also a student of Mt. Mary College -- end up here?  Because (as she puts it) she has a heart for serving others.  Her heart led her to volunteer in the Guests House's dispensary (I didn't know what a dispensary was either....it's the place where guests get razors, toothpaste and other personal items.)  One year later, Mari was asked to join the staff as the fundraiser and volunteer coordinator.  This is really her calling, and it comes across loud and clear in Mari's voice when she talks about "the guys."

What I saw and heard during my short visit at the Guest House confirmed what I already knew: the tough economic times are hitting everyone; many of the men finding themselves at the Guest House are citing layoffs as an element in their homelessness.  It really made me wonder how many of us could only be a paycheck or illness or accident away from homelessness; and that people who -- by either bad choices or bad luck -- end up homeless were kids once upon a time...and their parents probably had the same hopes and dreams for them that I have for GG right now.  It made me sad inside, but it also made me grateful for places like the Guest House that are here to help.

One of the Men's Dorms

I left our interview wanting to do something...and that's what Mari's about: (in her words) Inspiring people.  She says "we're all here to do something -- even the little things can change and affect other people's lives."  So what are the little things?  Honestly, it's the stuff I never think about.  Like donating body wash, spray deodorant, razors, toothpaste, toothbrushes, gloves, socks.  These are things that places like the Guest House are always in need of.  I'm not proud to say it, but for me, these items are afterthoughts that I just throw in the shopping cart without thinking...but they can mean the whole world to someone trying to get back on their feet.

I initially went into this interview with the intent of shining a light on a brown person who counters the negative images that we all too often see.  And while Mari definitely does just that, I walked away from my visit with so much more: an appreciation for the blessings I have and the inspiration to start doing more to help.  Even if it's just the little things.

Thanks for doing so much more than shining a light, Mari. 

Mural by a Formerly Homeless Resident

*If you want to learn more about the Guest House, just visit their website at guesthouseofmilwaukee.org.*

When I worked at a different organization over ten years ago, Emmy's (not her real name) and my boss did volunteer work together.  We had talked and joked with each other while we did meeting scheduling and those types of thngs over the phone; so although we had never met, we had a great relationship.  One day I called Emmy to see if her boss received the mailing I sent out.  He hadn't yet, and Emmy let me know that it was probably being held up with the temps in the mailroom because "Well.....they're [the temps] black.  You know how they are."  The confrontation just wasn't worth it, so I just got out a "Uh, yeah....I know what you mean.  Let me know when he does get it.  Thanks."  Guess I didn't sound like I was black -- whatever that means.

Calm down, it happens.  It wasn't the first time I ran into that, and it probably won't be the last.  And Emmy's genuinely nice -- its not like she burns crosses on people's lawns in her downtime; she was just talking out of her....ignorance.  And let's face it, even though Milwaukee's brown population -- Hispanic and Latino American, Asian, Black, and mixed-race -- is growing, the images that we see of these local "brown people" are kind of out of balance.  We see perpetrators or people in poverty, but not much in between.  So I can't completely place all of the blame on Emmy.  When we don't see positive images balanced with those of the negative, I think we (and I'm including myself here) subconsciously buy into believing that that specific people groups are the sum total of what we see.  This concerns me particularly as we raise GG.  I mean, she obviously has me and some of my other family members to see as positive brown images, but not many others.  Her primary exposure to local brown people (Hispanic and Latino, Asian, Middle-eastern) is what we see on television news or in the paper....and I just wonder how much of it she's buying into.

I know there are many brown people who counter the images.  They're dedicated individuals who quietly work to sustain our community through philanthropy, volunteerism, and just doing their day-to-day jobs.  Like I said in my first post, I am hopeful about our community's future, and a lot it of has to do with these kind of folks.  So, in periodic future posts, I'd like to shed light on a few brown people who counter the negative images that we see.  By uncovering the work they do, I believe I can re-educate myself, and in so doing provide better images for GG -- and hopefully for you and your kids too.

Now, don't misunderstand me, I'm far from an expert on "all peoples brown."  I know about some who are working in and/or leading great organizations, but I don't claim to know about all; so I'd like for you to help me out in this fact-finding mission.  Here's how:

*Email me at the link below if you know of a "brown person"  (that means black, Hispanic or Latino, Asian or other ethnic minority) who's doing something to uplift the community.  (Coaches, foster parents, people in business, teachers, EMTs, bus drivers, volunteers, you-name-it); or

*Email me at the link below IF YOU ARE a brown person who's doing something to uplift our community.  I'd like to hear your story; and, as always:

*Keep the comments coming.  The more we all talk and hear each other's views, the more educated we'll be.  Just click on the comment button below.

I'm looking forward to hearing from you.  I know we can't change the images we see overnight, but together we can uncover some new, positive ones....for ourselves and our kids.