Wednesday, July 11th, 2012

THE HISTORY OF July 11th, I'm___________________ .

AND I'm ___________________ . Today in 1914: Amid controversy about African Americans' use of Madison's municipal beaches, the Reverend C.H. Thomas of the Free African Methodist Church writes this letter to the Wisconsin State Journal: quote "I certainly don't see why anybody should fuss over this question. We ought to get credit for the desire to keep clean. As far as the risk incurred by a white man using a suit that a Negro has used, I would like to say that soap and water has the same effect on black skin that it has on white".

He continued, "Any white person that is too exclusive to rent a suit that a colored man has used should buy his own suit. I tell you how we can fix it. Why not have the white people take one lake and the colored people the other. That would fix it fine, and there would be no annoyance on either side.

He concluded, "I would suggest that the Negroes be assigned to Lake Mendota, because the lake is deeper and naturally the waters are, ah --a trifle darker".

Wednesday, July 11^th, 2012

It’s Today’s Action Calendar!

This month, East Madison Community Center, a non-profit community service organization, is partnering with Men’s Wearhouse for the fifth annual National Suit Drive, the nation’s largest collection of gently used business attire for men. Items being collected include men’s and women’s suits, shirts, jackets, ties, belts, and shoes. Transform your unwanted businesswear into a fresh start for disadvantaged workers still facing joblessness. Your gently used items may be donated at either of Madison’s Men’s Wearhouse locations - 7874 Mineral Point Road or in West Towne Mall. For more info, visit eastmadisoncc.org or call 249-0861.

Tonight, the public is invited to a public forum: “Meet the Progressive Candidates in the 44th district.”  This will be held tonight at the Basics Food Cooperative, 1711 Lodge Drive in Janesville.  There will be a ‘snack potluck’ at 6 PM, with speakers beginning at 6:30 PM, followed by discussion until 8:15 PM. More info at rockcountyprogressives.org.

The Clean Sweep Hazardous Waste Site summer hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays from 7a.m. to 2p.m.  The site is located on 2302 Fish Hatchery Road.  During reconstruction of Fish Hatchery Road, please use the Badger Road entrance. More info at danecountycleansweep.com