Joe Biden Visits Grace
Date of the Event: September 3rd
What's The Gist?
Joe Biden came to the Grace Welcome Center in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake, in the church sanctuary where representatives from Biden's campaign. Biden’s visit was not intended as a public appearance; the Rev. Jonathan Barker, Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church states, “Vice President Biden intentionally listened to the pain of our community."
Crowds gather for Biden's visit to the Grace Lutheran Church.
President Joe Biden can be seen giving folks a thumbs-up through his vehicle as he leaves Grace Lutheran Church.
What are the details?
Joe Biden started his visit by meeting with members of the Blake family, and talking to Jacob Blake on the phone, then traveled to Grace Lutheran Church.
Biden made sure to visit the Blake family and go on call to pray and have a conversation with Jacob Blake, for one of the main reasons, to listen to the pain in our community. Then he went to the Grace Welcome Center to listen to community leaders, local and religious leaders, business owners, activists, and of course police officers- again to listen to the pain of our community.
“Vice president Biden intentionally listened to the pain of our community”
This is a key idea because, during 2020, many people were going through hardships, and having someone to express to is key.
In his remarks, Biden “named things he’s passionate about; things that would matter for our community, like a living wage and fair housing,” Barker said.
This tells us the president thought we had many qualities in a very dark city (at the time).
"Biden’s listening and remarks were a good first step to changing things, said Barker. “It was very good the vice president facilitated listening, and if we start listening we have a chance at justice and reconciliation,” Barker said.
Biden's speech was a good stepping stone for the recovery in uptown Kenosha, It also says that Biden listening to the GWC was a really good thing as it opened a way to change for the better .
“I am quite hopeful, but the real pain here can’t be fixed in one afternoon,” - Pastor Barker
This really took a toll on the people to where it will always be remembered. And it did not just take a toll on locals but the entire Country, And chose a place of light and hope to meet at to reflect and recover from the events of the Jacob Blake Shooting.
Who was involved? How were they were involved?
Joe Biden: Gave a speech and support to Uptown Kenosha during this time.
Pastor Barker: The co-founder of the Grace Welcome Center since 2017. He was involved by allowing Biden to have his speech at the Grace Welcome Center.
Tim Mahone: He was the one who facilitated the conversation . Tim has been very supportive and has funded many events and things for the Grace Welcome Center over the years.
Members at Grace Lutheran Church: Involved in the discussion with Biden and allowed the event to happen there
Community leaders-Business owners: Involved in the discussion with Biden by talking about racial justice and safety issues in the community.
The Blake family-including Jacob Blake on call: They were involved because of one of the main reasons Biden came to Kenosha, to listen to the pain of our community.
Why is this event/moment important to the Uptown Community and greater Kenosha?
This event is important to our community because it showed that people, even outside of Wisconsin, cared about what was happening in Kenosha. It gave the community as a whole a glimmer of hope in a dark time. This event also shows how significant the events of the Jacob Blake shooting was and how social injustice can effect a community. Even if some people didn't want Biden here he stayed; he needed to talk and listen to people who lost their businesses, people who were trying to stop things from happening, and people who went through hard times during this time. During this period in time, people had been seeking welfare and guidance on what to do, one of them being GWC and just by a powerful group of people giving them their full attention, they felt they could accomplish some of these issues.
Sources:
Biden holds discussion at Grace Lutheran Church _ Local News _ kenoshanews.com.pdf(Kenosha News Sept 3rd 2020)
(Time.com Sept. 3rd 2020)
(U.S.A Today Sept. 3rd 2020)
(CNN Sept. 3 2020)
Author of Web Page
Valerie Korsmo 7th Grade; Makenna Zaninni 8th Grader at Harborside Academy (May 2022)