During the era of greatest influence in this country the Nation of Islam’s most influential figure was Malcolm X (el-Hijj Malik el Shabazz). Malcolm thought violence that was meant to control, eliminate or intimidate Blacks should be “reciprocal.” He said, “When you drop that violence on me, then you’ve made me go insane and I’m […]
MSR News Online
Reach the MSR staff at msrnewsonline@spokesman-recorder.com.
Posted inUncategorized
Murder in the streets of Minneapolis continues
The myth of good times are here again I write this column Halloween night, following more tricks in the form of murders, violence and misleading statistical reporting, and fewer treats of honesty. There has been three murders over the three-day Halloween weekend of October 28-30. Our community’s darker spirits again inflict pain and suffering on […]
Posted inUncategorized
Vision loss preventable for African Americans with diabetes
You can’t feel it. You can’t see it — until it’s too late. Diabetic retinopathy, the most common form of diabetic eye disease, is the leading cause of blindness in adults age 20–74. It occurs when diabetes damages blood vessels in the retina. Diabetic retinopathy affects 7.7 million Americans, and that number is projected to […]
Posted inNews
Those struggling to rise from poverty deserve more recognition
I believe the war on poverty is a more American idea than the war on the war on poverty. – Bruce Springsteen, 1996 You can’t have a United States if you are telling some folks that they can’t get on the train. – Bruce Springsteen, 2012 Recently someone shared with me an interesting quote that […]
Posted inUncategorized
What community support means to the incarcerated
A biweekly column in which various contributors from both sides of prison walls explore common ground for effecting change. I’m a special event organizer for the youth with the Bridge Partnership, and I’ve been incarcerated for the past 13 years. I would love to share my views on why I feel bridging the gap between […]
Posted inUncategorized
Polyester fleece clothing: a huge contributor plastic in our oceans
We’re all familiar with the issue of non-biodegradable plastic debris (shopping bags, soda bottles, fishing nets etc.) clogging up our waterways and making its way out to sea. But what you might not realize is that even if you are responsible about recycling and not littering, you may still be contributing to the ocean’s plastic […]
Posted inUncategorized
Five easy ways to live more sustainably
It might not feel like you alone can have an impact on the environment, but over time, small lifestyle changes can make a substantial difference. Over 75 percent of residential waste is recyclable, but most people only recycle 30 percent, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. While it may be unrealistic to produce zero waste […]
Posted inNews
President Obama calls for unity and a smooth transition of power after election
President Obama called for the nation to come together after a hard-fought and often divisive election cycle which saw the election of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States. While acknowledging ideological differences between his party and President-elect Donald Trump, Obama said he instructed his administration to provide a smooth transition of power to […]
Posted inSister Spokesman Highlights
Sister Spokesman Small Business Showcase encourages and informs local entrepreneurs
Fun and informative are two words to describe the event In advance of 2016’s Small Business Saturday on November 26, Sister Spokesman: Small Business Showcase and Shopping Extravaganza, held on Saturday, November 5, provided information to current and perspective entrepreneurs. The ballroom at Midpointe Event Center in St. Paul was packed with excited shoppers and […]
Posted inObituaries
Remembering Robert “Bob” Blakeley
Robert “Bob” Blakeley, one of the greatest athletes in St. Paul and St. Paul City Conference history passed away October 30. “I saw him in action — he was the best I had ever seen in our conference,” wrote longtime St. Paul youth coach Billy Peterson in an email. “I was very fortunate to know […]
Posted inUncategorized
Robert “Bob” Blakeley — remembering one of St. Paul’s greatest athletes
Robert “Bob” Blakeley, one of the greatest athletes in St. Paul and St. Paul City Conference history passed away October 30. “I saw him in action — he was the best I had ever seen in our conference,” wrote longtime St. Paul youth coach Billy Peterson in an email. “I was very fortunate to know […]
Posted inUncategorized
Non-voting Blacks could help make USA a shame again
At a time when African-Americans – especially millenniums -should be running even pole-vaulting to the polls because not voting could help shift the race to Donald Trump. But so far this isn’t happening. Early voting polling shows a decrease in turnout from 2012. Perhaps the apparent lack of enthusiasm can be explained because in 2012 […]
Posted inUncategorized
Fighting for democracy: Our votes matter
For decades, the NAACP has used its mighty voice and its strength in numbers to force change: change in our schools, change in our police departments, change at our state capitols and in Congress. This year, the first presidential election in 50 years without the full protection of the Voting Rights Act, we will need […]
Posted inUncategorized
How will this election affect our bottom line?
You can only camouflage who you are for so long. If you watched the debates between Trump and Clinton, you saw firsthand mudslinging in politics like I have never witnessed before. If Obama acted like Trump did during his presidential bid, with all the accusations, Obama would most likely be in jail. Trump has a […]
Posted inOpinion
Election 2016: the worst of two evils
Even Clinton supporters believe attacking Iraq in 2003 was a war. How else could their conscience support Hillary Clinton? Britain’s recent Chilcot report has the Iraq invasion and “subsequent turmoil causing 461,000 deaths from 2003 to 2011.” Clinton supporters must believe that attacking Iraq in 2003 was not an act of terrorism. They must believe […]
Posted inUncategorized
Be an active, present, participating parent
A new school year has started and the end of the first quarter is fast approaching. Ideally, the best approach when school starts is to monitor your child’s academic performance each week and ask them how things are going at school. As a parent, you should know what is going on at all times. Yes, […]
Posted inNews
Ten times more infants die in sleep than in car crashes
Parents wouldn’t leave the hospital without a car seat for their newborn, and evidence shows it is just as important to know the ABCs of safe sleep for babies. To promote this message, Governor Mark Dayton has proclaimed the week of October 23-29 as Infant Safe Sleep Week in Minnesota. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) […]
Posted inUncategorized
Body-worn cameras now used by police throughout Minneapolis
Press release from the City of Minneapolis The citywide rollout is a culmination of community input to enhance accountability, transparency Nov. 2, 2016 (MINNEAPOLIS) The Minneapolis Police Department has completed the introduction of body-worn cameras to the police force. The cameras will now be worn by officers who respond to 911 calls in all five […]
Posted inUncategorized
Governor requests citizen input on state government
Those having experience, positive or negative, with State human rights, affirmative action, contracts or employment are encouraged to weigh in An independent review, recently announced by Governor Mark Dayton, will recommend solutions to ensure Minnesota state government better reflects the diversity of the people it serves. The audit of the State’s procurement, human rights, and […]