At least one first-timer found inspiration A political party convention is typically loud rah-rah speeches, constantly bashing the loyal opposition at every opportunity amidst waving campaign signs. The 2016 Minnesota DFL State Convention last weekend at downtown Minneapolis’ Orchestra Hall, for the most part, wasn’t any different from past gatherings. It was Amber Jones’ first […]
Charles Hallman
Charles Hallman is a contributing reporter and award-winning sports columnist at the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.
Posted inNews
World mourns loss of great champion
Muhammad Ali dies at 74 Once scorned by many Americans, Muhammad Ali later became a worldwide hero. The “People’s Champion” lost his nearly two decades battle with Parkinson’s disease June 3 in an Arizona hospital at age 74. Ali, born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. on January 17, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky, got into boxing in […]
Posted inOpinion
Trouble in Gopher city
It’s been said what’s done in the dark often comes out in the light. Borrowing from a famous tune in The Music Man: We got trouble, my friend, right here in Gopher city with a capital ‘G’ and it rhymes with ‘P’ which stands for “Pinch Daddy,” otherwise known as former Minnesota AD Norwood Teague, […]
Posted inSports
2016 NBA Finals preview
Golden State will be making its second consecutive Finals appearance in as many tries when they face Cleveland Thursday in a rematch of last year’s championship series. The Warriors won a NBA record 73 games in the regular season, and became only the 10th team in league history to win a conference series from a […]
Posted inNews
Richard Green remembered on field day/birthday
With the school year winding down, holding outdoor field days aren’t unusual. It gives students a chance to be physical in a not-so-seriously competitive fashion. Last week’s annual field day at South Minneapolis’ Richard Green Central Elementary, however, had a definite twist this year. May 27 would have been Richard Green’s 80th birthday, and physical […]
Posted inLocal & State
MPS goes to Alaska for a superintendent
Student impressions may have tipped the scale The Minneapolis Public Schools Board last week voted to hire Ed Graff as the new superintendent. He and Minnesota Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius were both finalists for the job to succeed Bernadeia Johnson as the district’s top leader. If MPS is indeed willing to finally serve all its […]
Posted inTwins/MLB
Twins visit the hood
Major League Baseball’s Reviving Baseball in the Inner Cities (RBI) youth baseball and softball program operates in all 30 MLB franchise cities. This season the Minnesota Twins, through its Community Fund, is handing out free baseball gloves to all participants ages eight and under in Minneapolis and St. Paul. An estimated 5,000 youth in the […]
Posted inSports
Magazine cover gives WNBA some overdue respect
For 20 weeks, to commemorate the WNBA’s 20th season (the MSR having covered each season), the MSR sports section will feature a column or article on the W in our “20 in 20” series. This week: a 20th anniversary layup line Minnesota Lynx forward Maya Moore led the current and former WNBA players’ layup line […]
Posted inNews
Traveling exhibit tells the story of WGPR-TV
Detroit boasts of having aired first Black TV channel Before there was Black Entertainment Television (BET) and other Black-themed channels, there was Detroit’s WGPR-TV. “This is where it began,” declared Tracy Irwin, director of exhibitions and collections at the Detroit Historical Society, which hosted “America’s Broadcasting Pioneer: WGPR-TV 62” from January 23-April 3, 2016. Artifacts, […]
Posted inGo Green
MN pollution control officials review community input on Clean Power Plan
Listening sessions used to collects common energy concerns across the state The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) over the past several months conducted community listening sessions around the state on the federal government’s proposed clean power plan. “We have been working closely with the PCA,” notes local environmental justice organizer Karen Monahan of MPCA officials, […]
Posted inSports
Youngsters inspired by WNBA trailblazers
For 20 weeks, to commemorate the WNBA’s 20th season (the MSR having covered each season), the MSR sports section will feature a column or article on the W in our “20 in 20” series. This week: That first thought of playing professional basketball These are the post-1997 players. These women hoopsters saw first-hand America’s longest […]
Posted inSports
Creating opportunities for coaches of color
The headline writers for the local Minneapolis daily newspaper — well known in our community for its culturally conditioned coverage, especially in sports — were recently in rare form: The headlines “In Good Hands” and “We finally got it right” were placed above photos of White faces along with one columnist’s thesis that they provide […]
Posted inNews
Allies of color fight for ethnic studies
MPS gets on board…for now Recent studies suggest that ethnic studies classes in schools can help create “more equitable schooling environments” for all students. During the 2015-16 school year, such classes were offered to Minneapolis Public School students for the first time. Jonathan Hamilton, research director for the Minnesota Minority Education Partnership, has written in “The […]
Posted inSports
Tales of the Only One: Privileged mistreatment
My normal sports journalist routine is to arrive at the ballpark or the arena at least two hours before game time. It allows me time to work without being bothered by noise or noisy people. I usually get a good start on some pre-writing details before White privilege arrives like a Billie Holiday song “Good morning (or evening) headache.”
Posted inSports
A ‘simple’ job: marketing the WNBA
It’s not often when the head of a pro sports league is seen taking selfies and glad-handing with common fans, sitting among them as well. Or fist bumping this reporter and politely correcting him afterwards on the proper way of flashing the “W.”
Posted inSports
Saints triple their Black players (from one to three)
Last year’s “Only One” installment subject St. Paul Saints outfielder Alonzo Harris quickly pointed out this year, “We got a few more brothers on the team.”
Posted inNews
MN House Republicans: Black lives don’t matter
With the Minnesota State Legislature’s 2016 session slated to end next week, the issue of addressing economic inequality among its state citizenry of color may once again be ignored.
Posted inNews
Escaping the athletic fortress
Natasha Moore plans to graduate from the University of Minnesota this December with her African American Studies degree. She is considering attending graduate school, possibly somewhere down South, her years at the U of M not what she’d hoped for when she was recruited.
Posted inSports
NBA playoffs: Two Black coaches take center stage for Raptors vs. Caviliers series
This year’s Eastern Conference winners will ensure that the 2016 NBA Finals will have a Black head coach on the sidelines. Black coaches oftentimes aren’t given enough credit, especially during game telecasts of their leadership ability on and off the court.
Posted inArts + Culture
“What’s Up Doc?”exhibit at MN History Center celebrates animator’s genius
The colorful animation work of Chuck Jones, the creative genius behind the popular Looney Tunes cartoons, is now on display at the Minnesota History Center (MHC) in St. Paul.