In his August 28, 1963, “I Have a Dream” speech, Martin Luther King Jr. stated, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
This powerful vision from Dr. King resonates deeply with Rev. Joseph Baring, a Madison resident and lifelong social justice advocate.
“I hope for the day when color doesn’t impact our friendships or jobs,” said Baring. “True friendships don’t see color; they look past mistakes and avoid judgment.”
Baring’s advocacy is rooted in his own experiences with racial inequities. While stationed in Vietnam as a member of the U.S. Navy, Baring faced discrimination, which shaped his future commitment to social justice.
After the Navy, he and his first wife raised their three children in Milwaukee, where he worked as an ironworker foreman, becoming the first Black ironworker in Wisconsin.
Baring’s journey in activism began in 1967 when he joined the NAACP as a Youth Council Commandos, a group of young men formed to protect people during civil rights marches.
“For 200 consecutive days from August 1967 to March 1968, local activists participated in marches demanding school desegregation and housing rights,” said Baring, referring to the marches infamously called “The March of Milwaukee,” which contributed to the national fight for civil rights for African Americans and to passage of the federal Fair Housing Act in 1968.
Despite facing violent opposition, including bottles, rocks and even tear gas, Baring and fellow activists remained committed to peaceful protests.
While nonviolent, these marches faced tremendous challenges. Baring recalls being met by thousands of hostile demonstrators when crossing the 16th Street bridge, which divides north and south Milwaukee. Yet, he emphasized the importance of their message: “We just wanted to make a statement and draw attention to the disparities.”
In Milwaukee, Baring also became involved in church leadership at St. Mark AME Church, serving as a steward and vice-president of the usher board. He went on to study theology at the Wisconsin Lutheran College and the Milwaukee Theological Institute and is a graduate of Payne Seminary ATEP Program.
In 1995, he began pastoring at Bradford Memorial AME Church in Milwaukee and later served in churches in Iowa, Minnesota and finally Madison at St. Paul AME Church.
One of Baring’s proudest accomplishments was helping transform a building across from his Milwaukee church into a community recreation center. The center became a sanctuary for local youth, especially those involved in gangs, and helped reduce crime in the area.
“The center changed the complexion of the neighborhood,” Baring said.
For the past two years, Baring has commemorated Martin Luther King Jr. Day by lecturing on social justice and civil rights in communities across Wisconsin.
Reflecting on the current state of racial equality, he noted, “Nothing has really changed dramatically since the 1960s. Housing integration led to factory jobs leaving Milwaukee, leading to increased unemployment and crime, and health disparities remain. Black people still face systemic inequality.”
Now in his late 70s, Baring continues to advocate for equality. He is involved in numerous local organizations, including the Mayor of Madison’s Ethics Board and Dane County’s Equity & Inclusion Advisory Board.
“Helping people is part of social justice,” he said, stressing that all people, not just people of color, are affected by injustice.
Baring’s work isn’t limited to social activism. He serves on boards such as Black Leaders for Brain Health and Blacks for Political & Social Action of Dane County.
“Social justice has always been part of my life,” he said. “I took action because I didn’t want my children to face what I experienced.”
Although he retired from full-time ministry in 2020 after 35 years of service, Baring hasn’t slowed down. He continues as an assistant to Bishop Godfrey Stubbs at End Times Ministries in Madison, still living his commitment to improving society and advocating for equality.
This Martin Luther King Day, Baring will be at the Capitol with his Mason Lodge, carrying on his social justice mission.
“We are all connected as people. What I want in my community, I want in all communities,” he concluded.
