May 2013
Changing of the guard with the T-Wolves
Flip Saunders’ good calculations will replace David Kahn’s poor ones Because of my November 7, 2012 column (“The smartest White team in the NBA: T-Wolves team return to the 1950s?”), we took heat from those who took exception with our prediction that there would be a “day of reckoning” (being fired) if David Kahn’s “smartest White […]
Bangladesh tragedy reveals the realities of capitalism
While we cower and agree to give up more of our hard-earned rights as citizens, the real bogey man the real terror of our lives gets little notice, and that is the system of economic exploitation called capitalism. I realize for a lot of folks living in the U.S. this is no real concern because […]
Does Minnesota need a ‘13th’ grade?
By Donald Allen Contributing Writer The Minnesota House of Representatives have enacted a bill attempting to establish a “13th” grade pilot project based in north Minneapolis. The bill, H.F. 1149 is part of an education and employability solution for young adults who are unemployed, underemployed and not enrolled in postsecondary education. Co-authored by Senators Jeff […]
Critics of Rosenbloom column skirt around statements by Sanger
Columnist Lucky Rosenbloom’s commentary [column of April 11] on abortion and its devastating effects on Black America is the dirty little secret Black activists, most Black clergy, Black scholars and, of course, the liberal White left are silent about. There’s no virtue in supporting abortions, just what is vile to the human race, regardless of […]
Gopher shortstop leads team in runs, hits, doubles, triples and home runs
The leadoff hitter in baseball is mainly expected to be speedy and a regular on-base player. After her last home game of the season, we asked U of M shortstop Tyler Walker, who bats leadoff for the Gophers, if there is a similar expectation in college softball. “I think it’s different only because the dynamics […]
Numbers say Tiger is the best
There is an old saying in sports that numbers don’t lie, and Tiger Woods continues his assault on the record books of golf. Tiger, for the second time, wins the rich $9,500,000 Players Championship at the Stadium course in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida just outside Jacksonville. It was Tiger’s fourth win this year in seven […]
Twins’ Hicks more comfortable not batting leadoff — for now
By Charles Hallman Staff Writer It’s not unusual that a rookie struggles early. However, a month and a half in the books, first-year Minnesota Twins centerfielder Aaron Hicks was “demoted.” Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire is known as a player’s manager, and as expected he looked out for the rookie, sparing him from sports talk knuckleheads […]
Recognizing and treating Molluscum Contagiosum
What is Molluscum Contagiosum? Molluscum Contagiosum is a viral infection that produces small, flesh-colored, dome shaped bumps that can often become irritated or painful. They may appear to have a shiny surface in a small central indentation, or white core. Why should I care about Molluscum Contagiosum? Molluscum Contagiosum is a benign condition that will spread […]
African American teen dating abuse is a learned behavior
As summer begins to approach us quickly, school is beginning to come to a close. Many youth just experienced one of the best moments of their lives: Prom. Many of us remember how special that night was. We got dressed up to a T, got someone in our family to rent a car for us, […]
Local churches take up fight against diabetes
By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Diabetes is the “gateway disease” that often can lead to other health concerns, especially for Blacks. According to the Centers for Disease Control, one of every three Blacks in this country either has diabetes or is pre-diabetic, and nearly 39 percent of Black Minnesotans’ deaths are caused by diabetes. As […]
The rewards of putting your health first
Last year I came to the realization that for me to live my life to the fullest, I had to take better care of myself. I weighed over 200 pounds and suffered from lower back and knee pain, low energy, and simply didn’t feel attractive. I had never really noticed the severity of the weight […]
Taking care of yourself with some down time
Beach front, salty ocean and exotic beverages with the cute li’l umbrella…all sound really good right now! Vacations are always right on time! But when was the last time you went on one? Are you constantly putting it off? Do things always “come up” to keep you from getting a li’l R&R? Nowadays, air travel […]
Black suspensions more than double other students’ in suburban schools
Hopkins students feel disrespected by school officials By Charles Hallman Staff Writer On April 26, Black Hopkins high school students walked out during the school’s last hour of the day. They complained of unfair treatment when it comes to disciplinary issues. “We want equality. We are here for an education,” says Junior Malika Musa, […]
Adding race to the ACE (Study)
Currently, in social service circles across the nation the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) study is becoming a focal point on understanding and treating clients. Dr. Vincent J. Felitti originally conducted the ACE study in 1985. The original study was created from a weight-loss program for people with obesity. That study produced a result that showed […]
Park Board as ‘hostile workplace’ revisited
MPRB officials, NAACP see positive change; workers still ambivalent By Charles Hallman Staff Writer The MSR last year published a series of stories on the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) about unfair discipline of Black employees and other discriminatory concerns (“Black employees call Mpls Park Board a ‘toxic’ workplace,” Jan. 5, 2012 and […]
Spoken Hero: Terrence DuJour
Teen finds greatest satisfaction helping others News Analysis By Dwight Hobbes Contributing Writer People in our community and their giving spirit to others often go unnoticed as “Unspoken Heroes. Our Spoken Heroes gives the community the opportunity to recognize these everyday heroes and their accomplishments. Without looking for something in return, these heroes are […]
Why should I care about DPNs (face flesh moles)?
Dermatosis papulosa nigra (DPN) is a unique skin condition seen primarily in persons of color. It appears as small, dark bumps and most commonly affects the forehead, cheeks, and neck. The bumps increase in size and number over time, initially appearing in people ages 20-30. Some people call them “flesh moles.” Bill Cosby, Morgan Freeman […]
Lesli grew under Keith’s skin and into his brain
A long week. Spent in good spirits, but it was long. After leaving Lesli off at the airport, Keith had ridden back to the hotel and gotten his regular routine in gear — looking over the sheets, running fingering scales. Then he’d punched in and, throughout the show, guitaring in the orchestra pit for The Lion King, his […]
Racial wealth gap grows
Why have middle-income Blacks and Hispanics seen little, if any, improvement in their economic status relative to Whites? New research from the Urban Institute’s Opportunity and Ownership Project points to an ever-widening wealth chasm. In 2010, White families averaged six times the wealth of Black and Hispanic households ($632,000 versus $98,000 and $110,000, respectively), up […]