Library Director
bcummings@mykpl.info
Are you looking for safe and effective ways to communicate your liberal values and beliefs in environments where conservative ideas are assumed to be correct—and where more liberal people may be seen as ignorant, misguided, or even immoral? If so, you’re in luck.
The Kenosha Library system is holding a controversial event tonight, Monday October 21, 2024, at 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. called “Being Blue In A Red Environment.”
It’s a workshop that is described on the website as follows:
We’ve partnered up with Braver Angels to bring you this *FREE* workshop for political progressives, liberals or any blue-leaning individuals who are surrounded by conservatives in key areas of life like work, family, social circle, religion, or community.
The idea for the workshop came from conversations with individuals who said they are looking for safe and effective ways to communicate their liberal values and beliefs in environments where conservative ideas are assumed to be correct—and where more liberal people may be seen as ignorant, misguided, or even immoral.
Although there will be examples of the challenges you may face with conservatives in your world, this will be a “no whining” zone. We will focus on the question, “What can I do?” rather than “Aren’t they awful?”
“Who can come? Please respect the requirement that this workshop is for blue leaning participants only.”
That’s right, in order to attend, you must be ‘blue leaning.’ “But what does that mean? How does one prove they’re ‘blue?’ How can a democrat group exclude republicans when they declare themselves the party of inclusion?” one women asked rhetorically to KCE.
The workshop goals are as follows:
- Learn new strategies for handling the challenge of being a political minority in a mostly conservative environment.
- Develop new skills for communicating liberal values and beliefs in a way that others might hear.
- Feel more confident as a liberal in environments where everyone else is trying to make you red.
There is a disclaimer at the bottom of the event’s website that reads “This workshop is not designed or intended to change your political beliefs, or give you the skills to change the beliefs of others, for more information about the Braver Angels Organization, please visit: BraverAngels.org.“
bcummings@mykpl.info
Like her predecessor, Barbara Brattin, Brandi Cummings is using tax dollars to further her own personal agenda.
Brattin, who scheduled this event, was known celebrating International Transgender Day of Visibility, trying unsuccessfully to ban guns from the libraries and using the library to interfere in the local elections, by sending out surveys to candidates for office. Then-Mayor Antaramian was the person who put an end to this political survey. KCE spoke with Kenosha City Administrator John Morrissey who told us that the Mayor learned about the survey and was “pretty upset” and called Brattin into his office. He told her “she needed to keep him more informed, before she made decisions like this.”
Even withstanding the Mayor’s directive, she still persisted and asked the City Attorney’s office for a legal opinion on January 28, 2022. Then-City Attorney, Ed Antaramian, told Brattin that the survey was a bad decision because government shouldn’t take political positions or engage in political activity on company time. So with that, the attempt to interfere in an election was over.
The interim, and assumed to be permanent library director, is not taking the former City Attorney’s advice. Residents have said that she is turing the library system into her own far-left Political Action Committee, using tax dollars to further her extreme views.
The library board, who are all liberals, are searching for a new library director after Brattin left. They published their “diversity statement” on their website that reads: “The mission of the Kenosha Public Library is to create an inclusive, welcoming environment. The only way for us to achieve this mission is by creating a team that reflects the diversity of our community who believes in the importance of equity and inclusion for all people. We welcome all candidates to apply. All qualified candidates will receive equal consideration without regard to age, ancestry, race, color, creed, disability, veteran status, national origin, race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression.”
KCE contacted the interim library director Cummings, the mayor, and the City Administrator for comment. John Morrissey, the City of Kenosha Administrator told KCE:
“The Director of the Library is the individual that is responsible for the scheduling of events at the libraries and is governed by the Library Board of Directors. In reference to the issue you are inquiring about, I have been advised that these events were previously scheduled by the former director. The particular event is the second in part of a two part series. The first in the series, Being Red in a Blue Environment, was scheduled for Monday, October 14. If this was limited to one political party, I would question the session, however, since it was a series of events and the information on attendance was the same for both events, I do not see an issue with the library being used as the location of the events. Libraries play a vital role in providing a safe space for people to access diverse viewpoints so the individuals can make informed decisions.”
While Morrissey is technically telling the truth, the event Being Red in a Blue Environment was canceled.
The library board of trustees no longer follows the open meetings laws and hasn’t posted their meeting dates since June of 2024. Here are the members:
Nancy Humphrey, President
71st Street
Kenosha, WI 53143
nhumphrey@mykpl.info
nance176@gmail.com
(847) 530-6787
Atifa Robinson, Vice President
17th Avenue
Kenosha, WI 53140
arobinson@mykpl.info
atifarobinson@yahoo.com
(262) 945-4792
Chris Allen, Treasurer
28th Street
Kenosha, WI 53144
callen@mykpl.info
chrisallen@kenoshahistorycenter.org
(908) 693-2771
Victor Escobedo
87th Place
Kenosha, WI 53143
vescobedo@mykpl.info
escobedo.hugo@icloud.com
(262) 496-8037
Sonya Gaines
31st Avenue
Kenosha, WI 53144
sgaines@mykpl.info
sonya.gaines@yahoo.com
(262) 358-2039
Ellen Kupfer
75th Street
Kenosha, WI 53142
ekupfer@mykpl.info
kupfer11e@aol.com
(262) 496-7855
Jean Lee
31st Avenue
Kenosha, WI 53142
jlee@mykpl.info
jeantheresalee@gmail.com
(262) 515-7917
Georgia Owens
25th Street
Kenosha, WI 53144
gowens@mykpl.info
jowens3949@gmail.com
(352) 584-5520
61 Responses
I have heard the Interim Library Director is married to a transgender man….
Whats your point? Does that offend you? What a silly comment.
It’s not offensive. It’s biased. If having blue meeting should have red meeting. Best one would be purple of course
The red meeting was Oct.14.
It is more of a description of the belief structure of the person. It is an understanding what they will deem important.
Sick in the head
So she’s married to a woman who dresses like a dude.
Bring back insane asylums!
Does anyone know if Hypnosis can cure urges for the same sex? Asking for a friend…
Yea, this friend, who is a dude, just can’t stop fantasizing about having sex with another dude. He just can’t get these thoughts out of his mind.
We know you can’t Joel.
No cure. God will sort them out
She could stand to lose a few (like 50) pounds. Oink oink little piggy fascist Marxist
You mean a woman? No such thing as transgender. (It’s just a mental illness)
This has to be a joke. Wisconsin, especially the city of Kenosha, is loaded with Libs.
This isn’t a small, rural county in Bama. Roll Tide!
I prefer gain over tide.
How about as “interim” director for the library she hold workshops on reading and why reading is of value. Support students close the reading gap.
Is that in the job description, to educate the community on social values and norms?
You should show up there tonight Kevin.
I’d rather gouge out my eyeballs
Did you attend the conservative workshop?
Do both! I dare you!
You first.
I’d love to go and wear all red 😊
And a MAGA hat. Trigger all of them‼️
Lots of tears would be shed.
Can we be clear on this please?
Is this the city of kenosha library or the system covering all of the county?
City only
Tax dollars used to keep the lights on? I want my tax dollars refunded for this!!
Wow. I was pretty alarmed until I saw that there was also a comparable program for “the other side.” There is a difference between programs that a library hosts and those that they put on, of course. By that I mean that the libraries have community meeting rooms that various groups can use for their programs as opposed to a program put on or sponsored by the library. These events say that the presentations are a partnership. I found the notice for the prior event:
Being Red in a Blue Environment
October 14 @ 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm CDT
Host Organization: State
Partner Org(s): Kenosha Public Library
State/Region: WI
Setting: In-person
* Local Focus: Kenosha, WI
Learn safe and effective ways to communicate conservative values and beliefs in environments where liberal ideas are assumed to be correct.
About this event
Focus of the workshop
This free workshop is for political conservatives who are surrounded by liberals in key areas of life like work, family, social circle, religion, or community. The idea for the workshop came from conversations with individuals who said they are looking for safe and effective ways to communicate their conservative values and beliefs in environments where liberal ideas are assumed to be correct—and where conservative people may be seen as ignorant, misguided, or even immoral. Although there will be examples of the challenges you may face with liberals in your world, this will be a “no whining” zone. We will focus on the question, “What can I do?” rather than “Aren’t they awful?”
Workshop Goals
Learn new strategies for handling the challenge of being a political minority in a mostly liberal environment.
Develop new skills for communicating conservatives values and beliefs in a way that others might hear.
Feel more confident as a conservative in environments where everyone else is trying to make you blue.
For Registration Details: Contact Michaela Beltran at mbeltran@mykpl.info
This workshop is a free event brought to you by Braver Angels as part of our mission to depolarize America. Braver Angels is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. We invite you to consider a gift to Braver Angels; all donations are tax deductible. Your support will allow us to offer more workshops and debates with the ultimate goal of uniting America.
………..
And all of this begs the question, of course, of whether there will be a third workshop for independent voters who can’t stomach either party these days!
Or Libertarians. I’d love to talk about how taxation is theft all night.
I called the interim library director. She said this is a free workshop. So Braver Angels is simply u sing the space. She said that t here was a workshop for the ‘red’ last week. i did ask if those front he braver Angels were part of our community, who are these people and where are they from. She said she would get back to me. Frankly, I don’t care if its free or if there was a workshop fro Republicans the week before. Who are these “braver angels”? What gives t hem validity to do th is? And if we need to resort to title conversations between those of like kids, that tells me that things are really messed up and this group is simply validating the problem instead of correcting it.
I checked out their website (pretty thorough, btw) at braver angels dot org
Our Mission
Building a House United
The Challenge We Face
As we separate into groups that increasingly do not even know, or interact with, people of differing opinions, we lose trust in our institutions, eroding the ability to govern ourselves and lowering the caliber of citizenship.
This growing trend coarsens public debate, produces policy gridlock, shrinks our capacity for goodwill, and harms our family and personal relationships. Effective self government depends precisely on what this type of polarization destroys.
We believe the American Experiment can survive and thrive for every American who contributes to the effort.
Where we go from here is up to us.
This is the driving force that fuels our mission:
Bringing Americans together to bridge the partisan divide and strengthen our democratic republic.
Our Vision
We envision an America with respectful embrace of political disagreements, where civic friendship flourishes and competing perspectives strengthen our nation.
Embracing values of respect, humility, honesty, and responsible citizenship, our goal is not to change people’s views of issues, but to change their views of each other.
Our Approach
As individuals, we try to understand the other side’s point of view, even if we do not agree with it.
In our communities, we engage those we disagree with, looking for common ground and ways to work together.
In politics, we support principles that bring us together rather than divide us.
The Braver Angels Rule
We’re guided by the rule that Red and Blue leaders are equally represented at every level of organizational guidance. Our members range from working class to affluent and come from many backgrounds. Our constant striving is to be an organization reflective of the country we seek to serve.
The Braver Angels Way
We state our views freely and fully, without fear.
We treat people who disagree with us with honesty, dignity and respect.
We welcome opportunities to engage those with whom we disagree.
We believe all of us have blind spots and none of us are not worth talking to.
We seek to disagree accurately, avoiding exaggeration and stereotypes.
We look for common ground where it exists and, if possible, find ways to work together.
We believe that, in disagreements, both sides share and learn.
In Braver Angels, neither side is teaching the other or giving feedback on how to think or say things differently.
The goals posted seem to contradict Braver Angel’s mission and are different from their other workshops, which include members from both political sides. The organization sounds helpful in helping people with differing opinions find common ground and increase civility. Look them up. This meeting with only a single side seems sus.
They already held a meeting for conservatives. They have plenty of events. It’s about promoting conversation and civil discourse between opposing views. I tend to lean left. I don’t have any trouble having conservative friends. I think we need more workshops that teach people to listen. I applaud this organization that has just as many conservatives as liberals.
Also our library rules. Not perfect, but really serves our purple community well.
I don’t understand why there was no outrage for the being red meeting that was also publicly advertised.
They hold plenty of meetings for everyone. They held two split meetings to give left/right leaning individuals to feel more comfortable while learning to use civil discourse.
Library Director Brandi Cummings (D) certainly demonstrates why you need to get out and VOTE!
Keep in mind this is your hard earned tax money being used to further Brandi’s twisted ideology.
I don’t see any proof of favoring one ideology over the other. There were parallel programs offered from both a liberal and conservative perspective. Maybe they should have been offered concurrently.
If you are concerned that tax dollars are being used and that this isn’t a free event, you can request financial information from he library. This information is public and will be given to you.
Kenosha Republicans should “flood the zone” this afternoon at this leftist workshop with an appearance en masse.
Yes and wear Trump gear.
Calling all idiots! Put on your covid mask and goofy glasses,grab a fat friend and come to the library
Did you go to the workshop for conservative leaning individuals?
Those resemble butt plugs.
ill they serve drinks, or should we just bring a bottle to pass around?
Will.
Anyone that votes for far-left leaning Communist/Marxist Harris/Walz is responsible for the children missing thru the Dept. of Homeland Secretary.
Over 325,000 children have been lost in the system that these DEMONS have set up. Pray for these innocent lives that have either been trafficked for sex and/or slavery. There is much evidence out there if you would only take off your blinders. Tucker Carlson just released a video called “Line in the Sand.” There are many more with undercover video.
Did you see the movie “The Sound of Silence”? It was based on FACT!
You may not like Trump, but his policies were GREAT!
Let conservatives have and do everything they want !
So that these SUCCESSFUL Conservatives will then have enough money to help all their broke liberal friends and family.
Liberals want the money without thinking where the money comes from or who creates it !
Conservatives know that answer and wonder why liberals don’t ! It’s simple math
I hate to bust your bubble but Trump’s proposals will hit the deficit twice as hard. Seems like these candidates have forgotten balancing the budget.
If we quit sending hundreds of billions of dollars overseas, and start charging countries that sell their products here in the U.S., but we can’t sell our products over there, and STOP SUPPORTING illegal invaders.
Trump did it before and he WILL do it AGAIN! It’s not going to be easy with a trillion dollars of just interest on our loans, EVERY HUNDRED DAYS. We also must clean out the UNI-PARTY that wants to Spend, Spend, Spend!
No bubble busting here. We’re well aware of the economic situation in this country.
Tariffs are paid by the importer of the foreign product. If it is a business, then the cost will likely be passed along to the end user. If the case of the end user, we will pay the increased cost. We created the environment where manufacturing was shifted to China and reversing that trend won’t be easy. I would prefer that we look at Latin American countries for this instead. If we can build up their economies and people have decent jobs then they would be less likely to come here. Win-win.
The last balanced budgets were in 1998 (Clinton) and 2001 (George W. Bush).
Let me know when they do an event for the historic masterpiece, Mein Kampf. There and then we can have serious discussions on the political left and right but more importantly on who controls these two fronts that have so many disillusioned.
When we can show the people who their real enemies are, greatness will follow. True history lessons are needed instead of fairytales that have people of this country complacent and willful participants of their own demise.
When I leave the meeting I want them all to come together like butt cheeks
The irony is so delicious. A workshop about dealing with opposing views and your first instinct is to attack and rile everyone up. Chef’s kiss
I am so glad I stopped paying taxes many years ago before I bolted the non united states of israel. complete shithole
All of us are glad you left. Don’t come back.
Physiognomy undefeated.
The interim library director would be well served to read books on nutrition and how to lose a 150 lb mole.
I’ll be there wearing my Trump t-shirt! What will they do, kick me out of a public library?!
How was it?
This is disgusting! If i had seen this sooner, i would have gone to the meeting and let my feelings be known. I think our tax dollars could be better spent
Gender Identity Disorder is in fact a mental illness. Gender dysphoria: A concept designated in the DSM-5-TR as clinically significant distress or impairment related to gender incongruence, which may include desire to change primary and/or secondary sex characteristics. Not all transgender or gender diverse people experience gender dysphoria. Whenever you reinforce a patient’s delusions, hallucinations, or blurred behaviors you are only doing more damage than good. We need to acknowledge that this is an illness and treat it as such.
They need to look into how this “Director” was hired. I heard the group was forced to hire her because her friends were on the selection group and anyone that brought up issues were “talked to” by them to force the rest of the group to hire her.