Twins’ diversity lags far behind league progress Second in an occasional series The 2012 Major League Baseball Racial and Gender Report Card (RGRC) released earlier this year gave the league an A for its racial hiring practices. “MLB has done an excellent job in continuing to increase the number of people of color in the […]
October 2012
Posted inNews
Scholars discuss Emancipation Proclamation at University of Minnesota
Dr. John Wright, Morse-Amoco Distinguished Teaching Professor of Afro-American & African Studies and English at the University of Minnesota, presented his perspective on the preliminary release of the Emancipation Proclamation (1862) and President Lincoln’s strategy as the Civil War was ending. Dr. Wright’s segment of the discussion was presented to an audience of over 115 […]
Posted inNews, Opinion
Fragments of the Ark: Civil War saga tells of Black soldiers and survivors
Gifted novelist Louise Meriweather followed Daddy Was a Number Runner with Fragments of the Ark (Pocket Books/Simon and Schuster) a fascinating work of “faction” — well-crafted, fictional characters in an exciting tale steeped in a setting of historic fact. It’s something of, as it were, a blast from the past, having been published in 1994. […]
Posted inNews
Geoffrey Canada creates ‘A Small Army of Love’
Harlem Children’s Zone founder gives feedback on Northside Achievement Zone By James L. Stroud, Jr. Contributing Writer If a revolutionary is a person dedicated to change in any establishment, like a school system, business, or a government agency, then one might consider the appointment of Geoffrey Canada as the commander and chief of an education […]
Posted inNews
Local businessman seeks to enliven entrepreneurial spirit
Solutions to Black unemployment lie in more Blacks buying Black By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Local Black entrepreneur Duane Johnson believes that the issues that vex the Black community, such as unemployment, can be addressed by stronger support of Black-owned businesses. He and his business partner Sean Armstrong have developed a way to get this message […]
Posted inNews
Short films’ premiere celebrates voting power of communities of color
By Vickie Evans-Nash Editor-in-Chief On Thursday, October 11, between 6:30 and 8:30 pm, the Parkway Theater in Minneapolis will host a unique red-carpet event. Guests will be greeted at the door, and as they arrive their entrance will be streamed live on the theater screen. Entertainment will include local performers, and community members will introduce […]
Posted inNews
Black farmers fight to retain land ownership
Modern-day struggle renews, redefines 40-acers-and-a-mule promise By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Land ownership, which signaled both privilege and power, was a European concept brought to the country. “The way we think about property is a European tradition,” notes Maria Wiseman, an assistant solicitor in the Division of Indian Affairs with the U.S. Interior Department. Wiseman […]
Posted inArts + Culture
This week’s Entertainment spotlights
When a Man Loves a Diva Every Thurs.-Sat., Oct. 18 — Nov. 10, 8 pm The Lab Theater 700 N. 1st St., Mpls., 612-333-7977 or http://thelabtheater.org Sanford Moore leads Dane Stauffer, Ben Bakken and Julius Collins, III in singing songs about love that made divas of the women who recorded them. Tickets are $29.50 […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Wenso Ashby releases latest CD with classy listening party
Longtime collaborator Zsamé featured at party, on album Wenso Ashby featuring Zsamé, premier Twin Cities neo-soul purveyors (Midnite Walkin’, Wenso Ashby Live and Love Is So Amazing) are in transition. Namely, on the newest offerings, The Moment of Truth and Signature, ace pianist-composer-producer Wenso Ashby goes solo. Sterling vocalist Zsamé Morgan and sax wizard Willie […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Lack of oral healthcare a crisis for poor children, children of color
Current supply of dental providers inadequate to meet provisions of new healthcare law Twelve years after issuing a landmark report that offered a framework for improving access to oral health, former Surgeon General David Satcher said that profound oral health problems still exist for large portions of the population. He issued a renewed call for […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Join me on a journey to a new and better self
Years ago, after I delivered my wonderful daughter, I found myself eating out of depression; love of course played a part, but so did broken dreams. I also felt anxious, overwhelmed, and at times hopeless. When my daughter was three months old we would wake up in the middle of the night, and I would […]
Posted inLocal & State, News
Report examines coverage of LGBT issues in Black, Latino media
FIRST OF A TWO-PART STORY By Charles Hallman Staff Writer A new report from The Opportunity Agenda points out that favorable public opinion about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people of color is slowly growing among Blacks. The national communications, research and advocacy organization released “Public Opinion and Discourse on the Intersection of LGBT […]
Posted inOpinion
What happened when we got off the bus?
October 16 will mark the 17th anniversary of the Million Man March on Washington, D.C. I remember that day because I stood in support of the beautiful brothers that had sent such a loud message to the world. I remember listening to great speeches, hearing proclamations, and seeing a spark in the eyes of African […]
Posted inOpinion
Taxation without representation
Force of contract law needed to ensure Black contractors/workers for stadium Action: $34 million contract awarded September 28, 2012, by the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (FSFA) and the Minnesota Vikings, their largest stadium contract to date, to HKS Sports & Entertainment Group, Dallas, Texas (they did stadiums for the Colts and Cowboys). My concern is […]
Posted inOpinion
Poor MPS test scores show leadership’s lack of commitment to students
“We exist to ensure that all students learn” is the mission of the Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS). Superintendent Bernadeia Johnson states on the MPS website that she believes “more strongly than ever that our top priorities lie in narrowing the achievement gap and offering all of our students a high-quality education that prepares them for […]
Posted inOpinion
Blacks with means have a responsibility for those without
Belafonte is right; celebrities do have a responsibility. I feel bad for the old crooner Harry Belafonte, Jr. He has almost lived too long. He bemoaned the fact that Beyoncé and her husband Jay-Z haven’t done more to raise the social consciousness of young Black people. He bemoaned their seeming lack of social responsibility. Beyoncé […]
Posted inOpinion
Letter to the Editor: Voting for marriage amendment is ‘religious and political hypocrisy’
Many profound teachings were given to all of us from an evolved, merciful God during the life of his son, Jesus. Early on, Jesus said, “Judge not, lest you be judged.” Matthew 7: 1-6. The Sadducees and Pharisees, early versions of conservative Republicans and Libertarians, kept trying to trap Jesus. The Pharisees questioned whether it […]
Posted inSports
Minnesota suits Puerto Rican native just fine, weather and all
It’s been almost a year since Daly Santana’s first-ever experience of Minnesota. “It was real cold,” she quickly recalled of her visit here last December. The cold weather didn’t discourage the Puerto Rico native from signing with the Gophers. “Still, I knew this was the place I had to be. I just love it,” says […]
Posted inSports
At 4-1, Vikings among NFL’s best
Five weeks into the season, the 2012 Vikings remain one of the surprise stories in the NFL. Last year the Vikings, 3-13, lost several games in which they blew early leads and made mistakes that cost them. So far in 2012, Head Coach Leslie Frazier has a team that has bought into his quiet, respectful […]