We know tragedies like today's shooting at the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek can happen anywhere, but today we share the trauma with our Sikh neighbors and we offer our condolences and support in the face of an unspeakable event.
We know that the hearts and minds of Americans across the country, and, indeed, folks around the world, will offer their sympathies -- just as happened all too recently in Aurora, Colo.
We ached deeply at news of that shooting and today we agonize over yet another.
We are a segregated city, yes, but we are also a caring city of neighborhoods and neighborliness and we know we have the ability to pull together.
God willing, there may be no better opportunity for all Milwaukeeans: black, white, Asian, Latino, Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Sikh and beyond, to come together and to say no to violence and drive it out of our homes, on our streets, our schools, our places of worship.
We must find a way to heal together.
My heart burns at the news of bloodshed here in our own backyard. At the same time, I hold out fervent hope that we will not allow this horrible occasion to pass without allowing it to lead us, together, to a better Milwaukee for all.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
