Father's Day is Sunday, June 21, 2009 and I wanted to wish my husband, Frank, and all the fathers to please have a happy day. 

Dear Readers,

The sky wept on the earth as it opened a chasm of daylight. Slowly, like time broken down into half pasts, then minutes as I pondered the ticking of time down to seconds. I exhaled and turned into the driveway of the cemetery of Chapel Hill.  I recalled my meeting with a mother, Vivian Bodiford, who was still in an conscious state of shock that her only son had been murdered.

My most memorable experiences on the campaign trail are starting to pile up.  I will probably have many memorable experiences but I have been taken in and loved by some in the complexes that we have in Lansing for the senior citizens and the disabled. 

Dear Readers,

I want to say thank you to those of you who are supporting my run for City Council At Large.  I want you to know that I am not planning on stopping the production of this newspaper.

I own a newspaper that is published and distributed in Lansing.  I have been volunteering in Lansing at all levels for nine years.  I volunteer for different ages, cultures and schools.  The entire city of Lansing has been a part of my life, not just the 4th Ward.  I actually live on the border of the 4th Ward and very close to the 1st Ward.  I do more within the walls of the 1st Ward than the 4th.    I know my neighborhood very well after being involved with it for over  20 years but after driving around and delivering in the entire city,  I know it well too.

It was about 7:00 a.m. in the morning.  The birds were beginning to chirp.  The children were ready for school and the coffee was percolating in the pot.

After a long conversation with myself, I took my daughter to see the “Color Purple”.  My daughter, Anissa, is 7 years old.  The “Color Purple” is a play that begins with youthfulness and the promises it holds.  However, the innocence of youth begins to quickly unravel.

Hello, from the campaign trail.  I’m so excited about running for City Council.  It has been great. I’m learning a lot about people.  I knew that politics stirred emotions but I want people to think about this.

I am running for City Council at Large.  I have had many citizens of Lansing say that they don’t know much about local government but that is one of the reasons why we should begin to learn.

Happy 8th Anniversary edition to us!!!  We have completed our survey.  It was interesting finding out what people thought.  I can tell you that our readers are very educated.  Even though most our readers are African-American, The New Citizens Press offers news about our burgeoning multicultural community.  We also offer a wide spectrum of opinions from our novice and experienced writers across the nation and the world.

I'm upset.  I'm actually livid right now.  Reality sets in when you realize that there's a person who ruined the lives of thousands if not millions.  The atrocities that he dealt demands a special assembly, a call for action, a verbal uprising, a civil march or something cataclysmic.

This cruel, insensitive man is 70-year-old Bernard “Bernie” Madoff (pronounce MADE-OFF).  He “made off” with 1 life and 50 billion dollars ($50,000,000,000) so far. In my opinion, he's a murderer and a thief.  He swindled both the extremely rich and the extremely poor.

Above:  During better times Bernard L. Madoff smiles.  More recently he has been accused of fleecing money from investors all over the world.

In the last edition December 7, 2008 - December 20, 2008, my teenage son, Gianni, wrote about bike riding.  But it was not his article that sparked something in me, it was an e-mail that I received from Pastor Edward A. Thomas of Antioch Church in Lansing.

Holiday shopping is about to begin. As I read the stories in this edition,especially the one about the Nyaka School, I begin to cringe at the thought of overspending this Christmas.

Dear Readers,

       A new President will be in the White House.  It’s interesting to me that even in my short lifetime. I’ve seen so many things happen that show the world is changing for the better.

I was recently reading an article on Black PR Wire and recalled an interview that I had with a reporter at the “State of Our Health: Through the Voices of Our People” symposium.  The reporter asked me which Presidential candidate, John McCain or Barack Obama had the best health care plan.  I said neither because we need a health care plan now to deal with issues that are escaping the politicians.  I don’t understand why Congress isn’t working harder to deal with these issues.  Readers, if you’re in a job and uninsured   or even if you’re in a job and insured by a third party, please note the best thing that you can do is to vote.  Readers, if you’re paying a large portion of your paycheck to a hospital because you waited too long to go to the doctor, please vote. 

Off to school again for the 1st and 2nd grade children in the Risper household.  I think that summer dragged on this year and I was starting to feel it in my bones.  Labor Day marks less labor for me. It seems like I work harder in the summer.  I think that children get lazy and restless.  They stay up late and if you have the leisure, you don't have to worry about them getting up to do anything.  Early morning cartoons and late night features become a major part of their lives and then Labor Day hits.

We’re having a symposium and we would love to see you there. Bethlehem Temple is a beautiful church and has welcomed many people from all walks of life.  It’s close to the highway and the CATA bus line so it will be easy for people to get there.

I felt very special covering my first Presidential rally.  Barack Obama spoke on August 4th (Obama's birthday) at the Lansing Center.  I was up early and excited about the opportunity.  I was so comfortable and nervous at the same time.

I hope that your summer is  going well.  I’ve finally calmed down after my son Gianni’s graduation.  I don’t remember a time when I was more joyful.

I carried an article around with me in 1996 when JonBenet Patricia Ramsey was murdered the day after Christmas.  My birthday is December 27, so to hear about such a heinous crime on a day that was supposed to be so joyful for me stuck to the hairs on the back of my neck like a yoke.

As we prepare ourselves to go through the next growing phase at The New Citizens Press, we’re beginning to experience growing pains.

When we saw each other we just smiled.  The last time I saw her was in May.  I spoke to her briefly on the telephone several times but never met her in person.  She works at an organization that helps children who are in the worst situations.  How could we ever forget the children in our community?  We can write about the tsunami and Hurricane Katrina but what about the children who don't have the same type of parents that you're to your own children. 

On Saturday, March 17, 2008,  the 5th Annual Jasmine Miles Memorial  “Walk of Stars”  was held.  Anna Williams (red sweater) and Nancy Thelen (not shown), who are avid quilters at the Capital City Quilts, 635 S. Waverly Rd., Suite F, Lansing MI 48917  made a quilt for Michelle Miles (yellow shirt) out of material with a lilac print.  Rina Risper (far right) spoke about the quilt.

Before her daughter, Jasmine Miles, was killed in an auto accident, she gave her mother a bouquet of lilacs.
Courtesy  Photo

If You Aren’t, the Prison Population Is...

During a speaking engagement at Mid Michigan Leadership Academy,  a student looks over a portrait of Rina Risper.  It was painted by David Jones who is incarcerated in a Michigan prison. 
Photo by Yohnny Cardena-Abad, 8th Grade, Mid Michigann Leadership Academy

This past week, I had a surprise visit from my mother who lives in Georgia.  Surprise wasn't the half of it.  On a Saturday night at 11:59 p.m., she contacted me to let me know that she would be flying into Grand Rapids at 12:00 p.m.  Grand Rapids?  Did she know how much gas was?

In this  edition, I decided to print an interview that I did with “Wordz in Motion” a telelvision program based in Detroit.  It gives some insight to questions that I have been asked over the years and I thought that I would share them with you.  I’ve been interviewed for radio, newspaper and television programs most recently in Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Florida.

I want to share with you why we do the types of stories that we do.
    I’ve finally come to terms with the fact that I’m a journalist.  I thought since I didn’t go to school for journalism, I wasn’t a journalist. It’s sometimes hard when you work alone to get a grasp on what your role is and what you’re doing.

No matter what, 2008 will be remembered as one of the most exciting times in political history.  My 6-year old daughter, Anissa, made it quite clear to me as we watched CNN, a 24-hour news channel, while ironing clothes. 

Having children is one of the greatest gifts in the world.  With each anniversary that I celebrate, I'll always celebrate my children, who have been a part of this newspaper journey as well.  My children have taught me to pay attention and to watch carefully.

I believe that people who are assaultive - verbally or physically- have no love for themselves and need to rethink what their priorities are in this life.  I was recently at a place that I frequent and often see the same people.   One of “the regulars” is extremely negative and gossips about others.  She reminds me of an egocentric high schooler, who likes to find the weak to prey upon.

    In 2008, we’re revamping the paper.  Thank you to all of the people who have helped us through it.

My father took pictures.  He was always documenting the lives of others as if he had no existence of his own.  I never really thought about how much of my life is preserved on paper.  I mean photo paper.

     Sometimes we forget how much we actually do for others.  Moreso, some forget how much others do for them. 

There have been some disturbing incidents that have rocked the core of our nation and informs me that racism still exists.

Three days before Thanksgiving, I received a box in the mail from my youngest sister, Kendra. It has been very hard since, my father passed away in late September.

   There are so many things that are necessary to talk about and misleading advertising is one of them.  I try to read the Lansing State Journal almost every day.  I consider them as one of my co-existers.

I've decided that there's a club I don't want to belong to.  I'm one of its newest members and I detest it.  It's a club that consumes you in your waking hours and haunts you while you sleep.

      Do you ever get that sinking feeling every single time you get a phone call?  Kids, haircuts for the boys, hair appointment for my daughter, the last newspaper deliveries and yes of course, food shopping was what was on my mind when I got “the call”. 

It seems as soon as I get comfortable with summer it is over. The summer of 2007, flew by without incident at the Risper household. My children kept...

Since I last wrote we’ve had two more murders. Lansing lost Debra Waidelich and 64-year-old Sandra Eichorn. As of press time a 56-year-old Lansing woman was beaten in her home on Jones Street.

It has been a scary time for everyone.  In Lansing there have been 11 homicides and 2 of the victims were very prominent figures. 

It has been a hot dry summer so far in Lansing, MI and I am loving it.  The children are out of school and I just realized that Amir will be 5 and will be in school all day.  I’m looking forward to spending more time on the newspaper.  It seems like I just had him yesterday.

When I write to you, I do it from the perspective that you are my friend.  My feelings are true and there are not too many people who are honest anymore.  They aren’t honest about themselves.  They don’t take time to make assesments of their lives and ponder it from the perspective of a novel.  I mean take a look at yourself from the outside.  Sit in a chair in your office and watch yourself.

Today, is the first day of the rest of my life.   Imagine if you woke up every day, thinking  that to yourself.

 I watch siblings as they interact with each other.  I am a sister.  I have blood sisters and a blood brother.  But I also have sisters of the soul, who I consider my friends.

     Aging affects all of us differently.  I find it very difficult to comprehend the people who send their children away to go to school without thinking about long-term ramifications.  When my children become college age, I hope they stay right here with me. I shudder when I hear a parent proudly state, "I don't want my child to stay in Lansing (you can fill in any town). He is going out of state to school."

      As it is Mother’s Day, I thought why not write about being a mother.  It’s a time to give thanks and to recognize that the gift is primarily found in the ones who you have brought into the world.

    Summer is  almost here and school is almost out.  It seems like I just had Amir, who is 4 and Anissa who is 6.

          The week before March 31, 2007, which was the date of our first CCCAN's (Capitol City Community Action Network's) first Town Hall Forum, I prepared with feelings of contentment and sentiments ranging from anxiety to excitement.  The members of CCCAN were giving the community a forum to express their concerns and actually be heard.

     Sunday, March 4, 2007.  When I think about Robert Busby, I no longer feel as overwhelmed as I used to.  I felt a sense of anger.  Murder can make you feel that way.
     I told my friend and Robert's friend of 20 years, Suellen, that I was very angry.  She told me to let go of the anger because there was not anything I could do about Robert's murder.

I knew that as soon as I started writing about my children again that it was going to be the impetus for some interesting experiences.

I've been having a grand time with my two youngest children, Amir, 4 and Anissa, 5. Gianni, 14, is in high school and that's been an interesting experience for me.

A man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." - Genesis 2:24

In our last edition we featured a story entitled "Always & Forever:  A Story of Life and Death - Part I

Dear Readers, It has been a tumultuous two weeks.  I was on City Council on Monday, October 2, 2006 to complain about our Poetry program

The air is getting crisp and the squirrels have started collecting food for the winter.  The birds and people who fly south for the winter are making preparations to leave.

A mural that includes Trinidad Sanchez, Jr. is evidence of how well
loved he was in San Antonio, Texas.  His likeness was added to the
wall after his death.

On August 20, I made a pilgrimage to San Antonio, TX to say goodbye to my mentor and friend, Trinidad (Trino) Sanchez Jr.   It was one of the the greatest spiritual experiences of my life.

It was beautiful.  I could only believe that we would be done before the rain.  The poetry finally came to an end but it was a performance by all that I will never forget.

Dear Readers,
I was reading Duke University's newspaper and found that they did an interesting study on friends.  The study reveals that Americans have fewer friends outside of the family.  Go figure.

Anissa finally had an opportunity to see the ocean and she “wasn’t even afraid of it”.

Dear Readers,

(This is a continuation of the column in the June 25, 2006 - July 8, 2006 edition)

I told you that I was going to take it slow and I have been.  I realized that I was moving just a tad bit too fast and not taking care of myself.  I started to revisit a lot of things that I was not paying attention to like why I could not pick up heavy items any more.  Well, I found out from a recent doctor’s visit that I my muscles in my stomach were separated.  She told me that it was from childbirth but she still checked me for a hernia.

Dear Readers,
    Imagine my fear as I tried to put the final touches on pages 1 and 2 of the last edition and my computer system froze.  No disk space!!  I looked at my computer like it was on a crazy mission to ruin my day.  I called one of my good friends and she tried to calm me down about the whole situation.

  Sometimes I wish that I could do all and be all but I am not, will not and can not.
    First I would like to apologize for the typographical errors in the last edition.
    It was very difficult edition.  I wanted to quit after it.  I wanted to throw in the towel.  The duty of compiling the information was overwhelming to say the least even though we received so many positive responses from the edition.

I am a Repubilcrat.  I am a Demopublican.  I am an independent, intelligent, person, college graduate, homeowner since 19, mother, wife, small business owner (I should say micro business owner), sister, daughter, radical, conservative, neither right nor left.  Who am I?  I am most of you.

   I am a Repubilcrat.  I am a Demopublican.  I am an independent, intelligent, person, college graduate, homeowner since 19, mother, wife, small business owner (I should say micro business owner), sister, daughter, radical, conservative, neither right nor left.  Who am I?  I am most of you.

  “My name is Rina Risper.  When I was just out of high school I found a lump in my breast.” I told the group  of young ladies who were sitting before me.

    At the start of 2005, I told myself that I was not going to make any stupid New Year’s resolutions.  I said that I am going to start off having monthly goals.  If I get 70% of my issues taken care of as of March, I am doing exceptionally well -- you have to give yourself a margin of error, in case of bad weather, tornados, the moon crashing to the earth and all the other things that could prohibit you.

I heard Anissa yell out, “ Get in Amir.... Yucky, you have a booger in your nose, go wipe your nose first.”
      What could they possibly be doing I thought to myself.  I half had the mind to tell the  guy on the phone that I had to go.  But he was at the good part.... he was telling me that big office supply stores were giving out free cartridges but there was a catch.
     In the background I heard,  “Put your feet in, put your feet in.  Come on, you’re taking too long.”
     I had to remind myself the next time I get on the faxphone to make sure the cord was not a twisted mess, this multitasking business was not working out...

(This Edition Celebrates our start of our Fourth Year.  Celebrate with us by sending in letters or e-mails about the edition that you like or hated the most.  If you just have something to tell us that you learned, that would be great.  Also let us know what you would like to see.  We are working on some great articles for 2005.  I have started a  wall of fame in my office so call and come  by and visit .)