On a crisp winter night, my siblings, a few cousins and I were camped out in our living room dimly lit by the Christmas tree lights. Our peaceful slumber was abruptly disturbed when the front door came crashing in. Splintered wood from the door frame torpedoed through the air. The razor-sharp winter wind flushed throughout […]
February 2013
Posted inOpinion
George Washington and his Black slaves
By Dr. Luke Tripp Guest Commentator The sanitized image of America is built with a chronological sequence of myths and distortions. The American Revolution is falsely presented as a righteous struggle of American colonists against British tyranny. Actually, this war had little to do with lofty values and beliefs in freedom, justice, liberty, and the […]
Posted inOpinion
If Mark Henderson had been White, he’d be alive
Those in control do an injustice to us all when they do not address the race factor when it comes to the killing of 19-year-old Mark E. Henderson, Jr. by three Woodbury police officers. No one will heal when taking this end-around approach. Let us get it out in the open, force a discussion. Henderson […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Godmother of rock to get her due — Rosetta Tharpe the focus of PBS documentary
By Charles Hallman Staff Writer A new documentary that celebrates one of the most influential but largely unknown musicians of the 20th Century, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, premieres later this month on PBS. American Masters opens its 27th season nationally with Sister Rosetta Tharpe: The Godmother of Rock & Roll nationally on Friday, February 22 […]
Posted inArts + Culture, Opinion
Black and Single Blues: Keith weighs commitment to the best of the best
When last we left our intrepid hero, he was wondering what the hell good it was doing to stand at the window and watch the street below as he pondered the future of his relationship with Lesli, who was still asleep in his bed. Not much, he decided. Push unquestionably had come to shove. He […]
Posted inOpinion
Will Blacks finally get a fair share of work on this stadium?
Chair of stadium authority raises serious questions about past inclusion Michele Kelm-Helgen, chairwoman of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA), who oversees design and construction of the Vikings’ “People’s Stadium,” told Minnesota Public Radio in an interview on February 8 that serious questions have been raised about the Equity Plan implementation passed by the MSFA that […]
Posted inOpinion
Beware of ‘official’ violence
Government creates ways to punish without due process While much of the talk around violence centers around crazed folks with guns, the events and information that has come out over the last week has added “official” violence by government and government agencies and law enforcement as institutions that are to be feared as well. A […]
Posted inOpinion
Don’t get so bent out of shape you act a fool
”Don’t Get So Mad,” which Jeffrey Osborne wrote with fellow veteran Michael Sembello and someone named Don Freeman (by the by, there’s a bangin’ live rendition up on You Tube), should be one of the 10 commandments of love. It spells out an all-too-familiar image we’ve seen illustrated at a club or maybe over at […]
Posted inOpinion
Mental illness of gun control: Weapons bans make no sense
By Donald Allen Guest Commentator Never in the history of weapons has a handgun, assault rifle or a sharp blade randomly picked a crowded group of bystanders and killed at will. I think we agree that for an act of senseless murder by weapon, human intervention is necessary. But misguided education on guns and the […]
Posted inSports
Budding lawyer became educator and top sports official instead
Someone recently told me that people sometime confuse Jimmy Robinson for Jimmy Lee. We asked Jimmy Robinson to talk about his career and help make the distinction clear. The late Jim “Jimmy” Lee, who’s featured on this week’s MSR front page, was among the first local group of Black officials that included Dwight Reed, John […]
Posted inSports
West is best in NBA All-Star shootout, 143-138
HOUSTON — When you get four starters in an All-Star game from the same city, that’s a big advantage. And boy, did the West make the East stars pay for the third straight year. The West stars shined the brightest in a 143-138 shootout in Houston. Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and Dwight Howard […]
Posted inSports
A special day at Robbinsdale Cooper as 14 players sign letters of intent
A couple of weeks ago, I got invited to witness the signing of Robbinsdale Cooper football player and defensive back MALIK RUCKER. The senior was to sign his letter of intent to play and further his education at the University of Iowa. The event was scheduled for 2:30 at the school. Though the invitation was […]
Posted inSports
Another strong-arm tactic to divert taxpayer dollars to franchise owners’ bottom line
Short of a new building, local taxpayers should pay for improvements to the downtown arena where the Minnesota Timberwolves play, according to NBA Commissioner David Stern. These “Stern comments” came a couple of weeks ago prior to his meeting with City officials “just to talk about where things stand in respect to centering back to […]
Posted inNews
Who was Jimmy Lee?
His name on a recreation center is no assurance of recognition in St. Paul history By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Who is Jimmy Lee and why is a St. Paul community center named for him? “I never met him or knew who he was,” admits Dusty Horton, a Jimmy Lee Center recreation leader. “There’s a mural […]
Posted inNews
Minnesota griot honored by Turning Point
Mahmoud El-Kati talks about race and democracy By Dwight Hobbes Contributing Writer Mahmoud El-Kati. Mention the name and you’ve said it all: icon historian, scholar and griot. And he can talk your ear off. That’s okay. When he’s finished, just put it back on. I used to say, “Ask Mahmoud what time it is […]
Posted inNews
Personal care attendants looking to unionize
In-home healthcare workers caring for family members feel they deserve better pay By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Personal care assistants (PCAs) are persons who care for elderly and disabled folk at home. Clara R. NaKumbe, age 72, gave up her private daycare business to take care of her adult son Siran, who was stricken several […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Youth-focused Black History Month celebration planned
Black parents also encouraged to participate By Youthprise Staff Contributing Writers “Renewing Hope in the Promise of Minnesota’s Youth” is an opportunity to commemorate Black History Month with a series of events on February 26-27 that embrace the insight, resourcefulness and energy of today’s youth, while also tapping into the strengths of African American culture […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Blacks have a different agenda from Whites on gun control
Let me state what’s important to African Americans on the gun issue. White Americans who have invented the Black boogieman will never give up their guns that they feel will protect them from the American Black uprising, which has always been a myth, because all we have tried to do is stay alive in America. […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Financial aid workshops, free ACT exams to boost college applications
Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) is sending a strong message to students, families, staff members and the community that we believe it is imperative that all students be prepared for college, career and life. Providing more students with the right preparation will advance our whole nation. We know that when college is affordable, the chances of […]