The Milwaukee Drum broke the story, and I heard that Earl started talking about it yesterday on his show, so I guess I am the last to know…
But YES, yours truly will be Mr. Earl Ingram's guest on "The Evening Rush," tomorrow from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. That's right. A full three hours of The Beautiful Man and The Beast going toe-to-toe. (Just kidding, Earl. You're beautiful, too. Sort of...)
It’s being billed as the "Brew City Battle," the "Thrilla in MKE-nilla," the "Fight for the Fresh Coast," and the "Central City Sound Off"…
If you say so…
I’m sure there will be fireworks, because I reside on the right and Earl is just wrong. Well, not all the time. We've actually agreed on a few things. (Need for reforming the NAACP, for example.) We also reside in the same inner-city neighborhood. But more importantly, what you have with Earl and me are two Americans of African descent with differing opinions. We are both of the same ethnic background, but we are of different generations. Our outlook on life is shaped by our own experiences. Both of us have experienced racism in various ways, but we deal with it differently.
Tune into the show to hear more, but basically this is about perspective. It's about cultivating a true marketplace of ideas in Milwaukee. It's about embracing (ideological) diversity in our central city. If Milwaukee is ever going to truly thrive, we have to get over this idea that everyone in the "black community" has to walk in lock step with one another. Discussion, debate, thoughtful consideration of opposing views -- these are GOOD things. Actually, these are vital attributes for any healthy community.
Conversation is the spice of life.
Earl and I have sparred for years. First as callers on Milwaukee’s most listened to morning and afternoon radio talk shows, then as radio talk show hosts on our respective shows. Once, we even debated in person, but that was in a private fourm. (Thanks largely to Common Council President Hines' assistant, Alex Runner, who knows both of us and set the event up.)
Fireworks ensued. And like any Fourth of July, it was entertaining and impassioned.
Earl has called in to my show, "The National Conversation," on many occasions and left the phone lines ablaze. I am honored that Mr. Ingram has invited me to his house. I do appreciate his hospitality.
Having said that, Ya’ll better behave! Don’t let my beauty fool ya -- I ain’t no easy win!
See ya tomorrow. AM 1290 WMCS. 3:00 p.m.
You can listen over the net at www.1
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