MILWAUKEE — The Journal Sentinel issued an apology for a trivia question in Saturday's newspaper. The question found in the GreenSheet section of the paper read, "A 3-year-old girl was shot and killed in Milwaukee last Saturday morning. Where was she when it happened?" It then listed four multiple-choice answers.
The paper originally was called out on Facebook by community activist Tory Lowe on Sunday. Hours later, the paper issued an apology on social media. On Monday, the paper printed this response: "In Saturday morning’s printed Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, a weekly news quiz included a question relating to the circumstances of the tragic death of 3-year-old Brooklyn Harris. We apologize for our insensitivity, and regret that this occurred.”
Monday afternoon, the Black Panthers of Milwaukee stormed into the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel building, demanding answers.
"The Journal Sentinel was insensitive and disrespected the family of our 3-year-old princess that was murdered by violence in Milwaukee," said King Rick of the Black Panthers of Milwaukee.
Editor George Stanley met the Black Panthers members in the lobby of the building. He said when he saw what was printed, he contacted Reggie Moore with the Office of Violence Prevention and the mother of Brooklyn to apologize.
"She was very gracious. I talked a little more with the grandmother; she was very forgiving," said Stanley.
Stanley said the editor of the GreenSheet section was on vacation, and other employees rarely see this section of the newspaper. He said the news quiz section is meant to be a review of the week's important news in Milwaukee.
"As soon as I saw it, I knew it was an inappropriate question. It was a mistake. The person who did it didn't mean any disrespect," said Stanley.
"The Journal Sentinel was insensitive and disrespected the family of our 3-year-old princess that was murdered by violence in Milwaukee." — King Rick of the Black Panthers of Milwaukee
King Rick said he wants a full-page apology and for whoever is responsible to be terminated immediately.
"This should have never happened! She should not have have been killed, and this paper should not have disrespected this family," said King Rick.
Stanley said he is working with Moore and the Office of Violence Prevention to see what can be done to prevent this from happening again.
