As the director of golf for the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB), I was surprised and concerned with the misinformation and allegations contained in Ron Edwards’ June 1 commentary in the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder “Racism inside Theodore Wirth Golf Course.” I think it is unfortunate Mr. Edwards did not verify the information in his opinion column.
Mike Baker is a valued employee and is not being fired. No hiring manager at the golf courses or throughout the organization has ever, nor will ever, be fired for hiring African Americans. The MPRB has been successfully working diligently to increase the diversity within our workforce. Park Board leadership has openly shared this information with the community by providing a summary of the MPRB workforce to community members who have requested it and by posting in on our website.
The organization has also been candid in acknowledging there is still much work to do to address racial equity within the park system and the workforce. For details about the MPRB’s workforce, racial equity efforts over the past five years, and current efforts to develop and use racial equity tools within our work, please visit www.minneapolisparks.org/racial_equity.
Keith Kalny
Director of Golf
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
Reach the MSR staff at msrnewsonline@spokesman-recorder.com.