The recent killing of Terrence Franklin by Minneapolis police by shooting him in the back of the head five times and in the back twice fits the pattern of police abuse of their powers. Those of us who have been around or haven’t been lulled to sleep by talk of color blindness in our society […]
June 2013
Posted inHealth + Wellness
This barbeque season, try something new!
Barbeque season has arrived at last! Time for outdoor cooking under the sun with friends, family, and good music! Having a special meaning for many Black people, the barbeque feast is a tradition that dates back many generations and has passed the test of time. While the layout and form of our barbeque meals may […]
Posted inLocal & State, News
Family suspects police cover-up in Terrance Franklin shooting
Uncle says ‘crazed individual’ profiled in media is not his nephew Something happened May 10 after he allegedly was earlier involved in a theft. Exactly what happened in the basement of that South Minneapolis house May 10, the day Terrance Franklin was shot and killed by Minneapolis police, remains a mystery to all but the police […]
Posted inNews
Community involvement now emphasized in Mpls Park Board planning
By Jamal Denman Online Editor Over the years, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) has had its fair share of critics. Often the criticism has come from residents concerned about the amount of effort the Board and its members have put into providing resources to the community and maintaining park grounds and facilities. Some […]
Posted inNews
Black school suspensions twice the population rates in St. Paul suburbs
Claims of progress challenged By Charles Hallman Staff Writer FIFTH IN A SERIES According to 2010-11 and 2011-12 Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) suspension data, nine of 11 St. Paul suburban school districts reported Black double-digit suspension rates. Although these districts reported lower Black suspension rates than other Twin Cities-area schools that the MSR […]
Posted inArts + Culture
In love or not, Keith gets bored just hanging around
Editor’s note: This is the 17th episode of “Black & Single Blues” since the series began in our February 14 issue. Thus far, Dwight Hobbes’ continuation and expansion of a story that originally appeared in Essence magazine has taken Keith Jackson through prolonged reflection on his relationship with Lesli Hall, who remain unaware of Keith’s […]
Posted inArts + Culture
This week’s Entertainment spotlights!
The Music Nicole Henry Fri., June 7, 7 pm • Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., 612-332-1010 or www.dakotacooks.com • Nicole Henry has firmly established herself as one of the most acclaimed entertainers in jazz. Her powerfully expressive voice and her soulful, sophisticated and uplifting energy has earned her three top-10 albums. […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Up-and-coming playwright Junauda Petrus shows There Are Other Worlds
By Jamal Denman Online Editor Junauda Petrus had been living in New York when she was initially inspired to begin the creative process of writing and developing the concept for the gripping play entitled There Are Other Worlds. Her original idea for the performance, which sold out each night of its four-night run, was a […]
Posted inSports
Being ‘the Only One’ can render one invisible
The little boy in the 1974 movie Claudine told James Earl Jones’ character that he wanted to be invisible. When asked why, the frustrated youngest son of Diahann Carroll’s character simply replied that since his older siblings regularly ignore him, he might just as well be invisible. This reporter can easily relate to that boy, […]
Posted inSports
It’s Heat vs. Spurs in NBA finals
Thursday, June 6 the begin in Miami for the third-straight year. The Miami Heat have won the Eastern Conference and will play for the Larry O’Brien Trophy against the San Antonio Spurs. Miami was pushed to the limit a seventh and decisive game against the Indiana Pacers. The Heat dominated game seven, winning 99-74. To […]
Posted inSports
Devoted Lynx fan honored — Might this suggest the team is finally acknowledging its Black fan base?
By Charles Hallman Staff Writer She’s seen it all — the team’s first-ever victory in 1999, the endless roster changes, the hiring of two Black female head coaches, a rookie-of-the-year winner and sixth woman winner, and a league-record four all-stars two seasons ago. She also took part in the area’s first championship season since 1991. Debbie […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Many unaware of Park Board’s huge impact on inner-city youth
Candidates of color encouraged to run for commissioner seats News Analysis By Charles Hallman Staff Writer The public positions on this November fifth’s Minneapolis municipal ballot to which candidates will be seeking election will include the mayor, 13 city council seats, and two seats on the Board of Estimate and Taxation. All nine Minneapolis […]
Posted inOpinion
Justice for David Cornelius Smith — David C. Smith In spite of obstruction of justice from the Mpls. Civil Rights Dept.
On Friday, May 24, 2013, Minneapolis City Council awarded $3.75 million to the family of David C. Smith, a 28 year-old African American. The case was handled by the Bennett Law Firm. All tax payers’ money. Since 2006, the City of Minneapolis has paid over $17 million dollars in tax payer money for wrongful death […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
The Good Wife Works – On having to prove one’s self-worth
Ossie Davis (1917-2005) remembered a Southern sheriff pouring syrup on his head as a child. Davis regarded this incident as pivotal, instilling what he called the “ni***r” effect in his mind: a form, function and reaction of cowardice as a self-protective device. “In the presence of [threat],” he wrote, “you do what you have to […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
‘Good hair’ is healthy hair
Hats off to the May Sister Spokesman event with the theme of “Loving Your Hair.” Many women shared the feedback that bringing attention to hair care in that forum was fun, educational, informative and appreciated. I was in the house as well, and the panel had the women engaged, responding to questions from hair history […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
From picky eaters to overeating: childhood nutrition in a nutshell
By Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD and Tamiko Morgan, M.D., FAAP Childhood nutrition has taken the spotlight recently, especially due to the fact that childhood obesity has at least tripled in the past three decades. Many parents are seeking answers to the questions “What should my child eat? How much? Why?” Although we are currently living […]
Posted inArts + Culture
The community should hold musicians accountable for glorifying negativity
By A.J. Briscoe Guest Commentator I have taught myself to always begin with myself in every assessment I make. I shall start with this method in referencing to how the power of music effects me. Music is a mood altering element in my world. I can listen to it and be inspired, uplifted, nostalgic, infuriated, […]
Posted inOpinion
Don’t jeopardize stronger families and safer communities
By Artika R. Tyner Guest Commentator Martha Wright is an 87-year-old grandmother and a retired nurse. When her grandson, Ulandis Forte, went to prison in 1994, she was determined to keep in touch. Wright knew her grandson had made a mistake, but she did not want him to feel abandoned. More than grandmother’s intuition, research […]
Posted inOpinion
Cherryhomes’ reign of shame
By Jerry Freeman Guest Commentator In view of the former city council president Jackie Cherryhomes’ return to the political scene with her current mayoral campaign, the MSR is reprinting, with the author’s permission, a commentary that appeared in these pages August 23, 2001, two months before the Fifth Ward elected Natalie Johnson Lee to replace […]