A biweekly column in which various contributors from both sides of prison walls explore common ground for effecting change. Art doesn’t happen by itself. It comes from work and drive and soul. Beauty comes from toil and the nicks and scrapes of the unforgiving world. People work to make their lives meaningful. My best friends […]
MSR News Online
Reach the MSR staff at msrnewsonline@spokesman-recorder.com.
Posted inOpinion
Prince’s home state: the land of 10,000 disparities
On Thursday, April 21, 2016, Minnesota lost one of the greatest performers, artists, and down-to-Earth individuals the world has ever known. Prince Rogers Nelson was a legend who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, sold more than 100 million records, and won seven Grammys. At the 2015 Grammys, Prince was provided […]
Posted inOpinion
A city in pain
Two year old loses life to Minneapolis violence As we have warned, without implemented solution plans, summer would bring more violence and death. The latest is a two-year-old baby, Le’Vonte King Jason Jones, shot and killed, and his 15 month old sister, Mela Queen Melzina Jones, shot in the leg but survived. What madness when […]
Posted inBulletin
Excessive Heat Warning in Minnesota: July 20-23
Dangerously hot and humid conditions are expected Wednesday through Friday. A heat wave will settle in beginning tomorrow. Heat indices of 100 to 110 degrees are possible starting Wednesday afternoon through Friday afternoon. Overnight lows will remain in the mid to upper 70s, and possibly lower 80s in the Twin Cities metro. Offering little relief […]
Posted inNews
President Obama implores nation to temper words and unite after Baton Rouge attack
President Obama delivered brief remarks regarding an attack on six police officers who were shot in the line of duty in Baton Rouge, La., July 17. Three officers have been killed, according to city officials, with two officers in the hospital — one reportedly in fair condition and the other in critical condition. This is the second statement regarding […]
Posted inUncategorized
MSR Top Five Happenings — A snapshot of events around town
Free Book Leveling Pizza Party Every child goes home with free African centered books and pizza! July 15 | 4:30-7:30 pm NdCAD 655 Fairview Ave. N., St. Paul More info: 651-209-3355 Femi Kuti & the Positive Force with special guest The eldest son of musical giant Fela Kuti, Femi Kuti has paved a new […]
Posted inOpinion
Are we becoming little Chicago?
On the highway to self-imposed genocide Are we heading for a self-imposed crown for again becoming “Murderopolis,” as Minneapolis was called in 1992-93, when we averaged nearly 70 homicides per year? It was two homicides per year in the 1950s, five in the 1960s, 11 in the 1970s. Then, nearly 30 per year in the […]
Posted inOpinion
After humiliation and ridicule, what now for St. Cloud?
Evidently St. Cloud was devastated again after Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton attended Somali Night at St. Cloud State University (SCSU) this past spring. Dayton’s scathing criticisms certify St. Cloud “White Cloud” as the state’s most dysfunctional community. (“Minnesota Governor Dayton: ‘Don’t like immigrants? Get out of Minnesota;’” National Vanguard, October 20, 2015; “Dayton attends SCSU’s […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Poem | Philando, et al.
A poem by Regina M Brown (Photos by Chris Juhn, except where noted)
Posted inBulletin
Saint Paul Public Schools Student Placement Hours
The Saint Paul Public Schools Student Placement Office will have extended hours during the month of August in an effort to give families more time to choose and enroll in the best SPPS school for their family. Regular office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on most days. See the schedule below and let […]
Posted inEducation
Thinking Black and knowing that you know
Looking back over my childhood experiences with learning, I see people around me who taught me how to live a good life. Living a good life was a high priority for the older adults around me. A good life meant having enough of all that we needed in order not to be driven to steal, […]
Posted inObituaries
Jimel Glenn Metcalf III
Our beloved son, Jimel Glenn Metcalf III, age 16, passed away on July 3, 2016. He is survived by his mother, Danyelle Ballard; father, Jimel G. Metcalf II; and his two sisters I’lia Ballard and A’nyah Metcalf. The memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 16, 2016 at 12 pm at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 451 Central […]
Posted inObituaries
Robert L. White, Jr.
Robert L. White, Jr., age 86, of Minneapolis passed away July 9, 2016. He is preceded in death by his son, Carl, and survived by his loving wife Marjorie; daughters Sharon, Oleda, Benita, Dottie and Regina; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; brother, Carl; and sister, Gloria. Interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery; Service Monday, July 18 at 11:30 am, with […]
Posted inNews
Black Bike Week Rolls through the Twin Cities July 10-17
The The Cultural Wellness Center, The North Minneapolis Bicycle Advocacy Council, Nice Ride MN, The Minneapolis Bike Coalition and the My Bike Project present Black Bike Week, July 10-17. This full week of advocacy, education and inspired riding will build awareness and highlight the growing Bike Culture and active cycling lifestyle in the Twin Cities […]
Posted inNews
Black Bike Week Rolls through the Twin Cities July 10-17
The The Cultural Wellness Center, The North Minneapolis Bicycle Advocacy Council, Nice Ride MN, The Minneapolis Bike Coalition and the My Bike Project present Black Bike Week, July 10-17. This full week of advocacy, education and inspired riding will build awareness and highlight the growing Bike Culture and active cycling lifestyle in the Twin Cities […]
Posted inNews
VIDEO| President Obama aims to unite a divided nation at Dallas memorial
Today, President Obama addressed the families of the fallen and the Dallas community at an interfaith memorial service to honor the five police officers who died in the line of duty last Thursday, July 7. Earlier in the day, the president placed a phone call to Philando Castile’s mom, Valerie Castile, and informed her that he would mention her son […]
Posted inLocal & State, News
Judge Hatchett vows to ‘aggressively pursue justice’ for Castile Family
News Brief Judge Glenda Hatchett and The Hatchett Law Firm announced in a press conference today that they will represent the family of Philando Castile in all civil legal matters related to his fatal shooting by police after a traffic stop Wednesday, July 6. Appearing with Valerie Castile, Philando’s mother, on the St. Paul Capitol Grounds Tuesday morning, Judge […]
Posted inOpinion
‘Violent offenders’: the language of the oppressor
November 2, 2015 President Barack Obama boldly, in the name of justice, released 6,000 nonviolent offenders from federal prisons across the country. This was a great first step in the unified approach in the movement to heal some of the carnage that was created by the “War on Drugs” and ensuing mass incarceration. The campaign […]
Posted inNews
President Obama calls Dallas shootings “vicious, calculated, despicable”
While in Warsaw, Poland for the NATO Summit, President Obama offered remarks regarding the shooting of law enforcement officers in Dallas, TX. At this point, this is what we know: On the night of July 7, the police officers in downtown Dallas were targeted during a peaceful protest against recent police shootings in Louisiana and Minnesota. […]
Posted inNews
Video captures aftermath of fatal police shooting in Falcon Heights
This article will be updated as more information becomes available. A Black man was shot and killed by a St. Anthony police officer during a traffic stop in Falcon Heights Wednesday. According to the Star Tribune, the man, identified by family members as Philando Castile, 32, died from his injuries at Hennepin County Medical Center. He was a supervisor at […]