• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Subscribe
    • Become a print subscriber
    • Sign up for e-Newsletter
    • e-Editions
Monday, May 29, 2023
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Opportunities
      • Legals
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Opportunities
      • Legals
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
No Result
View All Result

Portland, Oregon:  a city on the brink

by MSR News Online
June 7, 2017
38
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on LinkedIn

Two Muslim teenage girls of color were attacked on a Portland, Oregon light rail platform on Friday afternoon, May 26, 2017, by a hate spewing anti-immigrant White supremacist. Three White American men came to their defense and saved them. Two of the three men were killed and the third seriously wounded.

Was it indifference by the White House to delay response until the third day, and then only to call it “unacceptable?” Why was it that the White mayor, Ted Wheeler, and the White ecumenical community spoke up immediately, but not the major Black organizations in Portland?

Mayor Wheeler presides over a city on the brink of the chaos, the result of negative racial bias. He is asking the federal government to revoke a June 4, “Trump Free Speech Rally” and a June 10, “March Against Sharia” event. Some say both rallies are anti-Muslim. Both permits were issued prior to attacking the two young girls.

The rallies are scheduled to be held at the plaza where the federal government controls issuing the permits.  To keep the peace, Mayor Wheeler wants to cancel the permits. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) supports the demonstrators, saying permits cannot be revoked based on the viewpoint of demonstrators.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

If not for the voices raised by the White ecumenical community and the White mayor of Portland, the knowledge of the action of these three White men against the well-trained White supremacist, might have been suppressed. The three White men were assisted by courageous additional White by-standers who prevented the assassin from escaping.

Young people of color in Portland and in cities across the country are asking anxious questions: Is there no one in our communities who care about their safety and future?  Is there no one who will speak to the threats against young Americans of color?  The White mayor and the White ecumenical community in Portland have spoken in support of the three White Americans who put their lives on the line to protect the young women of color.

Portland is known as the “Whitest city in America,” but Portlanders did not wait — they acted, which is why the men who were attacked will be forever memorialized as individuals who stood for righteous justice and protection for all. They would not stand idly by as a White terrorist tried to kill two teen age girls of color whose “sin” was being out to enjoy the spring beauty of America’s Rose City. May we make it so for all.

Why are there no panel discussions on major cable and broadcast networks regarding how we have reached this dangerous plateau of racial chaos? Two young ladies of color owe their survival to three White Americans who acted and made a difference to preserve life. This is what all of us must do, if we are to have peace in our cities. Portland citizens have shown it can happen. Will we see it in Minneapolis?

I write this about Portland within the context of the upcoming peace summit to be in held in North Minneapolis, June 17. “[The purpose of that summit] will be to reach out to members of subcultural organizations (formerly called gangs) “in hopes of quelling violence … in the area.” It will address “some of the root causes of violent behavior — including poverty and unemployment,” and “will encourage a greater role for both local churches and families in dealing with violence.” Stevie Wonder will be the keynote speaker.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Will White and Black leaders of Minneapolis listen to questions and suggestions offered at the peace summit? Watch for a suggested violence intervention initiative outline to be added to our website’s solution section.

Stay tuned.

 

For Ron’s hosted radio and TV show’s broadcast times, solutions papers, books, and archives, go to www.TheMinneapolisStory.com. To order his books, go to www.BeaconOnTheHillPress.com.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Support Black local news

Help amplify Black voices by donating to the MSR. Your contribution enables critical coverage of issues affecting the community and empowers authentic storytelling.

Donate Now!

ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Local media key players to deal with Park Board obstacles

Next Post

Thank you for weekly WNBA coverage

MSR News Online

Reach the MSR staff at msrnewsonline@spokesman-recorder.com.

You Might Also Like

Community remembers, looks forward three years after George Floyd’s police killing
Local

Community remembers, looks forward three years after George Floyd’s police killing

In history-making selection, Biden picks Gen. Charles ‘CQ’ Brown, Jr. as chair of Joint Chiefs of Staff
National

In history-making selection, Biden picks Gen. Charles ‘CQ’ Brown, Jr. as chair of Joint Chiefs of Staff

Black-owned farmers market in full swing this spring
Local

Black-owned farmers market in full swing this spring

Honoring Black Americans’ role in the inception of Memorial Day
National

Honoring Black Americans’ role in the inception of Memorial Day

Saints pitcher Woods Richardson keeps on trying
Sports

Saints pitcher Woods Richardson keeps on trying

Black Business Spotlight: West Indies Soul Food
Black Business Spotlight

Black Business Spotlight: West Indies Soul Food

Next Post
Parents shouldn’t be punished for helping their child

Thank you for weekly WNBA coverage

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ADVERTISEMENT

The Latest News

Community remembers, looks forward three years after George Floyd’s police killing

Community remembers, looks forward three years after George Floyd’s police killing

In history-making selection, Biden picks Gen. Charles ‘CQ’ Brown, Jr. as chair of Joint Chiefs of Staff

In history-making selection, Biden picks Gen. Charles ‘CQ’ Brown, Jr. as chair of Joint Chiefs of Staff

Black-owned farmers market in full swing this spring

Black-owned farmers market in full swing this spring

Honoring Black Americans’ role in the inception of Memorial Day

Honoring Black Americans’ role in the inception of Memorial Day

Saints pitcher Woods Richardson keeps on trying

Saints pitcher Woods Richardson keeps on trying

Black Business Spotlight: West Indies Soul Food

Black Business Spotlight: West Indies Soul Food

Minneapolis
◉
66°
Clear
5:31 am8:49 pm CDT
TueWedThuFriSat
88/66°F
86/66°F
88/68°F
91/68°F
88/64°F
Weather forecast Minneapolis, Minnesota ▸
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Upcoming Events

Apr 1
April 1 @ 7:30 pm-May 29 @ 9:00 pm Recurring

Wit by Margaret Edson

Apr 14
April 14 @ 9:00 am-August 12 @ 5:00 pm

Paper Is People: Decolonizing Global Paper Cultures

May 29
10:00 am-4:00 pm Recurring

Preserving Nature Photos by Walter Griffin: REFLECTIONS

May 29
10:30 am-4:00 pm

Memorial Day Community Celebration at Lakewood Cemetery

View Calendar

Read our latest e-Edition!

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Subscribe

  • Home/Office Delivery
  • Weekly e-newsletter
  • e-Editions

Support

  • Donate
  • Subscribe
  • MSR Newsstand Locations

Connect

  • About
    • MSR Staff
  • Contact
  • Send a news tip
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

No Result
View All Result
  • News & Features
    • Local
    • National
  • All Sections
    • Arts & Culture
    • Health & Wellness
      • MN Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Business
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
      • Small Business Month Celebration
    • Opinion
    • Sports
  • Events
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • Donate
  • Subscribe

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

 

Loading Comments...