May God bless the family of Lodewikus "Vic" Milford in their time of tragic grief. I can’t even imagine their pain even though living where I live, pain and loss is something that I have observed often.
Yet, something isn’t right about this story.
Here’s the rub. All men and women may have been created equal, but they are certainly not treated equally, even in death.
Forgive me for thinking “out loud.” It’s just that the tone of this story is discombobulating. It doesn’t read like other Metro Milwaukee crime stories. Why? My guess is because Mr. Lodewikus Milford was not your average Milwaukeean, now was he. He was a wealthy foreign executive, and his killers were Hispanic.
Not your everyday Milwaukee murder story.
I am not playing the race card, but when I first read the story on TMJ’s website and in the Journal Sentinel, it was obvious that this wasn’t a black thing (primarily because I read it in the Journal and it led on the TMJ website -- both news sources that have stopped making murder in black Milwaukee a prominent story).
Why are some lives worth front page stories, while others don’t even warrant a mention?
South-side residents reacted last night. They are outraged! They should be. The mayor is angry. Miller Brewing is all over this story. Mr. Milford belonged to a powerful community.
And that’s a good thing.
Here’s my prediction:
The two killers will be caught, Walker’s Point will be cleaned up, and the family members of Milwaukee’s central city murder victims, if they are lucky, might find the names of their loved ones in News and Briefs.
“Sigh.”
Curious that the Milwaukee media has not reported on the name of the bar from which this "gentleman" went to his death OR the description of the offenders (Latinos?) OR called on the City Aldermen to shut down that Bar as they did for one where there was a justifiable killing of thugs by armed security guards.
Posted by: James Pawlak | January 30, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Homophobia rears its ugly head.
Posted by: Zach W. | January 31, 2008 at 04:02 PM
Yes indeed, a very sad day for the whole family and his fiends. Vic was one of the kindest most generous people I had the prvilege to know. Not just another wealthy executive! Vic came from a very loving but certainly not 'wealthy" family. Everything he owned was as a result of hard work, self sacrifice and dedication. Not only did he support himself and loving partner but his elderly parents who are living in Zimbawe (we all know what that is like). I was told of his memorial service today as I was unable to attend and all my Mum could tell me was how absolutely devistated the parents are.
Posted by: Bev | February 21, 2008 at 08:26 AM
Vic was a kind hearted person not exuctive and not wealthy by any standars , he gave all his money away to family and workers. Something the money hungry Americans would never understand.May his killers rot in hell. It is not about rich or poor , it is about cruelty and evil behond comprehension to a kinder , happier , soft-spoken person than only helped , his exteded family in Africa will now suffer hardship which an American wealthy executive could never understand. describing Vic as this should shame a person shortsighted and idiotic in their own small worl without any information of any sort.
Posted by: Christiaan Scholtz | February 21, 2008 at 01:30 PM