Council on Black Minnesotans next to fall?

For many months in this column, we have addressed the accelerating rate surrounding the demise and collapse of Black institutions. It is misleading to think this is a great nova exploding upon the scene without warning, without advance declarations of problems, as if Black institutions and organizations are “all of a sudden” disappearing and going out of business.

Cecil Newman and Nellie Stone Johnson continually gave warnings about wayward Black institutions taking their eyes off the prize. I covered this in detail in my 2002 book, The Minneapolis Story (see Chapter 14 online at www.theminneapolisstory.com/solutionpapers/37Chap14.htm).

Next up on the demise list: the Council on Black Minnesotans.

Rumors are currently circulating that several members of the Council on Black Minnesotans (CBM) suddenly resigned without explanation. Well, not exactly. Their terms did expire January 3, 2011, and a fellow columnist did indicate it should happen.

What is troubling in this corner is the peculiar timing: It has happened before a full accounting has taken place, especially of the great tobacco windfall of 2005-2006 received by the CBM.

Why has there been no year-end report on the results of the CBM’s African American Tobacco Education Network anti-smoking campaign, for which the CBN has statutory responsibility as established by the legislature? Documents show $2.8 million have flowed through the CBM pipeline since 2006.

Yet there appears to have been no audit since 2008. The last newsletter on the CBM website is dated January 2006. The site’s “Statement of Revenues and Expenditures” makes no mention of the tobacco money.

Under Minnesota law, the governor’s office is the appointing authority for the Council on Black Minnesotans until the legislative auditor has signed off on an audit. How can there be CBM resignations or appointments without the audit?

Taxpayers, through the State, are owed an accounting of the responsibility exercised by the overseers entrusted with the State’s taxpayer money. Doesn’t fiduciary responsibility require an audit before one resigns and steps away from the table? Rumors of malfeasance, incompetence and lack of performance by the CBM can only be proven or disproved with an audit.

These are very tense times at the State Capitol for organizations such as the CBM, as the Republican majority in both houses is talking of eliminating bodies like the Council on Black Minnesotans. The CBM is very important for the African American community. It is an important way for the Black community to stay in contact with state government and vice versa.

Rumors suggest that the resignations were submitted after serious conflict within the council.

What were the conflicts and how were they resolved? Unproven rumors left to fester offer a golden opportunity to Minnesota conservatives to cut off the head of a council important for Black Minnesotans. We need the CBM to play a meaningful role in addressing state action that involves the future of the African American in Minnesota.

I call upon the governor to not accept resignations until maximum protection can be afforded the survival of the Council on Black Minnesotans. To do anything less is to betray the legacy and vision of Hubert H. Humphrey, Nellie Stone Johnson and Cecil Newman.

The council must remain. It is the right thing to do for the right reasons.

Meeting by invitation only

How is it that the Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights director is now escalating secret government in the city? Director Velma Korbel has decided to hold “by invitation only” meetings leading up to the public hearing on the Disparity Study, a meeting already pushed back to March 2 at 1:30 pm, and to be held before the Public Safety Committee. The Public Safety Committee will also be looking at possible police budget cuts, which guarantees the presence of large numbers of police.

Think of it, my friends: Blacks showing up to discuss inclusion in jobs in the presence of a group, the Minneapolis Police Department, that traditionally opposes enabling talks about Black inclusion in this city.

And think of this: bringing together in the same room on the same day two groups that are extremely opposed to each other, one side wearing guns. To the Black community, such scheduling is like mixing kerosene and gasoline with the Minneapolis City Council striking the match.

The obvious question is why would a study dealing with disparity and race be sent to the Public Safety Committee when everyone had agreed three months ago that the city council, acting as the Committee of the Whole, would conduct the public hearing? Is this about naked intimidation and retaliation, Cairo style?

Stay tuned.

Ron hosts “Black Focus” on Channel 17, MTN-TV, Sundays, 5-6 pm and co-hosts Blog Talk Radio’s “ON POINT!” Saturdays at 5 pm, providing coverage about Black Minnesota. Order his books at www.BeaconOnTheHill.com. Hear his readings and read his solution papers and “web log” at www.TheMinneap olisStory.com.