Interesting Info on Trauma & DNA.

This is an interesting study that links the traumatic stresses of parents can leave an imprint on their unborn/future children. For me, while VERY interesting, it is not surprising, because I have suspected something similar for a long time. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/aug/21/study-of-holocaust-survivors-finds-trauma-passed-on-to-childrens-genes First, our biology has not caught up to our technology. Our biological systems, as amazing as we are, are still sitting back there behind the agricultural revolution. Until then, many peoples of the planet were nomads, people practicing the migration following herds of animals with their hunter/gatherer knowledge to get their food sources. Even though quite a few peoples have had farms, mostly subsistence farming, to take care of their own family by having enough food for themselves off of their own land, and the rest would go to the country store to sell or trade for fabric or flour and the other things that don't grow or can be made on your farm.

Second, if we look at a little anthropology, the study of humanity, especially in biological and physical anthropology, we see some similarities and differences between Homo Sapien-Neanderthals and Homo Sapien-Sapiens. You see where in modern humans, we have a bigger capacity in front, where our logical - thinking parts of our brains are. With the neanderthals, it is the cerebellum, is larger. For us, this is our "little brain", but, studying our previous ancestors, this is the main part, where they store "memories" and instincts make up this part. As we come forth, sure, we are adapting to so many things, still, we don't necessarily outgrow the need for certain brain parts.

Anyway... with our biology telling us to eat during fall, for the winter famine, it goes to show that our old farming practices as well as hunter/gatherer ancestors' gave us this natural trend, but the modern farming, storage, and transportation all lead to the fact that we don't have a famine to worry about, and then the modern technology such as microwaves and prepackaged meals aid in our weight gain, as well as the fact that old fashioned farming was a lot more physically demanding than many other jobs we have today. The way we used to eat is still programmed into our system, yet, our way of life looks so different, we need to catch up... In the mean time, hey. Learn how to make real food like our old time farmers did, and dump the hormonal livestock, modified produce, and what ever other junk that gets put into our stuff that has nothing to do with food.

Racine Promise Zone: Input Needed!

The efforts to help our fine city of Racine, WI with our bleak status of economics gone bad, this is supposed to be a cooperative effort with area legislators which include Representative Cory Mason, Racine County Economic Development, City of Racine, Mayor John Dickert, Racine County Executive, Workforce Development, and of course, we the people who live here, and would like to work here, if it’s possible.

The purpose of this zone, is to apply to be on a top priority list to enable Racine’s high poverty level, because despite those numbers that show that unemployment is down a significant level, poverty is actually up, due to part time status, low pay, no room for upward growth, or what ever it may be... It is a multi-faceted issue, and there is no single right answer to deal with this. If our city & county leaders, which includes Gateway Technical College (of Racine) president are successful in succeeding to get us on the list, the federal government will have Racine on their priority list for 10 years, and when it comes to applying for various grants to make Racine, WI a better place to live, work, play, and visit, we will be able to be considered to get higher amounts of grants and/or be on the top of the list to be able to get the grants first. This is what makes it a promise zone, if I am understanding correctly.

The goals of the promise zone: 1) Create Jobs 2) Increase Economic Activity 3) Improve Educational Opportunities 4) Reduce Violent Crime 5) Promote Health & Access to Healthcare.

These are excellent goals, and ones that really do need to be addressed in a direly desperate way. There are other issues that are relevant that is either a separate issue or fit under many of these topics. Racism is always an issue, especially in difficult economic times, and the immigration issue is another hot topic added to an issue that is already an issue that needed to get eradicated a long time ago. We cannot properly address all of the goals without looking at the fact that too many people from our black community are getting arrested at higher rates than the rest, for smaller crimes with higher sentencing; not able to access high quality education due to differences in communication styles; even with higher education, satisfactory employment is still not happening; wage gaps that include race and gender differences; the list goes on... Then, of course there is the problem of our Latino community where there may be language barriers and other linguistic issues that while a lot is being addressed (good for Latinos, bad for black people), on the flip side, there are a lot of people saying that the Latinos need to go “back to Mexico”, as if every single one is from there? Regardless if the majority or not, not all Latinos are Mexican, and many are here lawfully, maybe even citizens. These types of attitudes make it so that poverty can be eradicated as much as possible.

In any way you look at it, regardless of the cultural population demographics, there are some facts that hold true for all of us. When we attain a high level of retention of students in our educational system as well as have more opportunity for gainful employment, these, by themselves will automatically stimulate the economy, reduce violent crime, and make the access to healthcare happen, only leaving up to the employers to promote health in the workplace so staff can bring this knowledge home to their families and friends. But, that can take a LOT of time, waiting for education and jobs to improve, so the Rely Local program has the right idea of when you promote spending at “Mom & Pop” stores, the majority of the money stays in the local economy, because this is where they live and work, thus increasing economic activity, which will help directly at the local level.

Some of MY ideas & suggestions for closing the gap, and can improve the economy:

1) Increase Economic Activity: The best way to improve the economic activity here, we need to get on board with the Rely Local program here, which will stimulate spending, which circulates more money into the local community, which will also ensure that more donations are going to area food banks, shelters, and other programs which need some money to run, aside from just volunteers. This way, the local economy benefits 2 fold, because of the help now, and improvement later.

2) Improving Education: This is a 2 part issue at least, and this is what I am suggesting. First, have a breakfast plan that isn’t so high in carbohydrates and sugars. The standard breakfast includes cereal, a piece of fruit, a small juice packet, a mini muffin, Trix yogurt, milk, string cheese, and a single serve of a graham cracker type. Granted the milk, cheese, and fruit are all healthy, but, remember, all fruit has natural sugars as well as dairy product also having some naturally occurring sugars (fructose and sucrose). Fruit and dairy products have good vitamins, minerals, fiber, etc. So, get a healthier cereal, such as a 3 grain raisin/nut bran, nix the juice and opt for a second fruit, and instead of the sweet mini muffins and sweetened yogurt, a hard boiled egg and maybe a blueberry/oatmeal muffin. Second, have a good set of school counselors at the schools, because it’s not just mental illness that can stress everyone out, and be available for other issues such as a death in the family, homelessness, bullying, being gay or transgender (and be sensitive & supportive), and the simple state of being chronically poor can be a huge stressor, especially during holidays and birthdays where the child may not be able to get even basics... or can’t even have a quarter for popcorn days.

3) A good jobs program, and no, we do not need another restaurant which pays less than $7.25/hr, and has to rely on tips to make the minimum wage, most of which is difficult to attain, especially when large groups come in and have a $100+ tab, and then only tips $1.00 - Seriously? 1%? If the service was terrible, speak up to the management, and at least 5%, which sends a message, and if the service was fine, tip 15%, and for excellent service, 20%.

4) Improving Education/Increase Jobs: Most of the programs are dealing with those who may not be skilled in the reading, writing, and arithmetic departments, and of course there are adult literacy courses which target these issues, to be able to get higher education either through a community or technical school, or even a bachelor’s. People need to develop the skills, and while the Workforce Development Center and ResCare are fairly good at offering free classes for resumes, networking, volunteering leading to work, where and how to apply for open positions (especially when only 20% of the jobs are posted on an online site, they help you find avenues to tap into finding at least some of the other 80%). There is also interviewing skills, cover letter workshops, how to dress for the job, and a lot of good stuff...

But, what if we do all of that, and STILL can’t land the job? Go back and revise your resume? Learn other interviewing skills? How do we do better, and how can we work with gaps in work history and/or a job only lasting a ridiculously short amount of time? What’s next? How do we, as educated people, who have had a solid work history but the company down sized, moved across the country or overseas, or just plain isn’t around anymore? In our cases, we already understand the importance of arriving on time, dressing appropriately, and what ever else, and it is either a skills gap or the fact that we are displaced, where do we fit in? I had volunteered to go through the ResCare program, and the orientation was great, I got a lot out of it, including getting to meet Linda and Demetri, and Linda and I graduated together, and didn’t know until this. But, sad thing is, the community service volunteer jobs were not what I needed to get an office job. They were to help establish a work track, and the choices were cleaning graves or house keeping. I’m sorry, for those of us who are above 25, this is going backwards. There HAS to be a better way to get those of us over 40 yet under 65 who may be in dire need of a well paying job to support our teenagers, or our elderly parents. To have to go through remedial testing/classes when we have a bachelor’s or a master’s degree is just not helping, and then, it’s as if now we have the “proof” that we meet and/or beat the minimum requirements, there is nothing, we’re left to our own devices.

5) Jobs: For those traveling from the north side, maybe an outlet of the Workforce Development Center, or being able to use the Racine/Kenosha Community Action Agency (RKCAA) would be easier, just because the public transportation here in Racine stinks. It would help if they didn’t have to go all the way over to Taylor & DeKoven, just to get a referral to RKCAA. Also, if there are various career fairs, how do we get the notice out to those who need it most? Many who are in poverty cannot afford to pay for internet services, so, people could post as much as possible on Facebook, Linked In, Twitter, etc. still will not reach everyone. Also, if the various agencies, both public and private, could work together to shrink the holes in covered services, as well as to avoid too many overlaps would be a good thing.

The agencies I’d like to see work together for a better coverage of services are, http://www.wdc.racineco.com/”>Workforce Development Center

, https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dvr/”>Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, http://www.rvmracine.org/”>Racine Vocational Ministries, < a href=”http://www.thevineministriesnow.org/...”>The Vine Ministries, http://www.rkcaa.org/RKCAA.htm”>Racine/Kenosha Community Action Agency, http://www.shepherdscollege.edu/>Shepherds College, http://www.rcoc.us/”>Racine County Opportunity Center”, http://www.ricracine.org/”>Racine Interfaith Coalition, and any other agency which helps people gain skills to get a career, not just a job or temporary employment.

To give your input, here are the ways to get in touch with the group pushing for the Racine Promise Zone are:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/RacineProm...

Email - RacinePromiseZone@goRacine.org

Another thing, is the saying of ‘there are makers and there are takers’. While this is true, the nuance is that takers are either greedy, not smart enough to have a descent job, uneducated, helpless (but not really), and the fact is, most of us want to be able to work, and be a maker, even if it’s only to make ends meet. We are all people, and yes, while we have so many safety nets to help us, such as food share, medicaid, housing assistance, food pantries, energy assistance, if we are lucky, good friends & family, and more, there is this attitude toward people that can be harmful, because if anyone who is impoverished and complains, I’ve noticed how others get annoyed and such, about how poor people should be appreciative of everything, and just shut up about the inequalities... So many people take for granted that they can afford to get things, to buy things, and out of their own hard earned money, and to not have to explain why you are buying what you are buying... Granted, those on welfare exist, where they may be taking advantage of the situation, but, there will always be at least a little bit of that. There are so many times, when people use food stamps, though, that if we buy the 12-packs of soda 3/$8.88, a couple of family size potato chips at 2/$5.00 or @ $1.99 each, and some dip which really isn’t on a good sale, but a little bit, and then to get some caramel dip to go with the 3# bag of apples on sale for $1.49... the looks. The glares. The looking down the nose at people... As if those on food stamps should NEVER buy these luxuries... Because as a poor person, are we less of a person than if we are wealthy, or even middle class? Then there is the budget one has vs. the amount of food necessary to eat... Always a balancing act when we are trying to be conscientious, and then to talk, whisper, etc... I don’t know how many times I’ve been accused of being a spend thrift, when it’s really none of anybody else’s business... Poor people are just as human, and it irks me how poor people are demonized, and how many medical services are denied to us based on what kind of insurance we have. I could go into detail, but, it’s not for that purpose. Just remember, many poor people DO work, some work 2 or 3 part time jobs, none of which pays insurance, and so sometimes it’s nice to be able to splurge when the price is right...

Please take time to be a part of the solution to bring economic success back to Racine. The request for federal grants are due by the end of the month, so the sooner we can give input, the better. Write to them today.

p.s. Racine Citizens, please give your suggestions, and take part in this important issue, to get Racine, WI a great place to live again.