NAACP remembers Wallace, Faubus; condemns ad linking Doyle to them

Jerry Ann Hamilton of the Milwaukee NAACP deplored school choice ads comparing Gov. Jim Doyle to Orville Faubus and George Wallace Wednesday, and reminded people what Wallace and Faubus represent:

In 1957, Gov. Faubus declared that “Blood will run in the streets shall Negro students attempted to enter Central High School.” On the first day of school, Faubus ordered 250 Arkansas National Guardsman to allow only white students to enter Central High School. Later under Federal protection, nine brave school children endured horrific treatment and entered Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.

In 1963, Gov. Wallace uttered these disheartening words to a generation of citizens who dreamt of a better America for themselves and their children “segregation now, segregation tomorrow and segregation forever.” It was against this backdrop that on June 11, 1963, he stood in the doorway of Alabama University to block the attempts of Vivian Malone and James Hood to register at the University of Alabama.

In contrast, in 2005 Governor Doyle stated before the NAACP National Convention last summer that we have made much progress but victory cannot be declared until we “are free from segregated neighborhoods and discrimination and until opportunity is truly equal for everyone.” These are not the words of a segregationist.

Hamilton took part in a news conference with other African American leaders to express support for Gov. Jim Doyle's efforts to reach a reasonable compromise on school choice in Milwaukee.

Among those attending was Doyle's son, Gus. Others: Michael Morgan, Antonio Riley, Cory Nettles,Martha Love,Cecelia Gore,Ralph Hollmon,Greg Wesley,Danae Davis, Rev. Roland Womack,Rev. Charles McClellan,Donsia Strong-Hill,Wendell Harris Sr., Genyne Edwards, Felmers Chaney,Tamiko Dorgan, Martha Toran, and Rosie Caradine-Lewis.

Meanwhile, word apparently has reached City Hall that there's a debate going on about school choice caps. Mayor Tom Barrett weighed in with his own plan.