Wisconsin Journalist Eugene Kane Fought for his Community


Longtime Milwaukee Journal Sentinel columnist Eugene Kane unexpectedly passed away this month. He was 63.

As a Black man, Kane served as a voice for the voiceless. Dedicated to fighting the good fight and challenging conventional ideas on humanitarian grounds, Kane demonstrated courage and sensitivity through his writing. Because of these attributes, he was a two-time National Headliner Award winner for Best Local Column, hosted the Milwaukee Public Television show “Black Nouveau,” and earned a Knight Fellowship at Stanford University.

Kane regularly received hate letters for his adamant views. However, this only fueled his determination to break new ground in the cultural, political, and racial climate of our times. For example, Kane once initiated a discussion with Wisconsin Pro-Gun Movement President James Fendry. The two men then watched together the movie “Bowling for Columbine,” which explores the history of events leading up to the Columbine Massacre of 1999.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett expressed his admiration for Kane’s outspoken views and acknowledged Kane’s contributions to civic debate in Milwaukee.

“I knew him for decades. There were times we worked closely together. There were times when he challenged me and challenged the city. And, every time that he challenged us, I took it very seriously because I knew that he was speaking from a place of wanting to do what’s right for the people of this community," Barrett said.

Shortly after Kane’s departure from the Journal Sentinel in 2012, concluding his 28-year service, he was inducted into both the Milwaukee Press Club Hall of Fame and the Wisconsin Media Hall of Fame.

His devotion to field of journalism made Eugene Kane an icon in Wisconsin. His 28 years of service at the Journal Sentinel made Kane a powerful voice in Milwaukee and throughout our state. Eugene Kane touched his community in many ways, but most importantly he beat the drum for justice.

It’s a drumbeat all young journalists can learn from and emulate.

[Sources: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel ; urbanmilwaukee.com ]

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