“The Court has concluded that the FEIS [Final Environmental Impact Statement] was deficient in its consideration of lost business revenue as an adverse impact of the construction of the CCLRT… “The Court recognizes the validity and magnitude of Plaintiffs’ concerns with respect to the impact that the CCLRT Project could have on the previously disrupted […]
MSR News Online
Reach the MSR staff at msrnewsonline@spokesman-recorder.com.
Posted inNews
Contentment is a nice home and few needs
Cecilia Holmes -Photo by James L. Stroud, Jr. “I’m glad there’s no Black people in the building,” Cecilia Holmes flatly states, staring at with me a concentrated gaze and a perfectly straight face. It may sound like a bigoted statement, but Holmes, who is Black herself, doesn’t say this because she thinks White people are […]
Posted inNews
Mpls firefighters share tricks of trade with Kenyans
By Charles Hallman Staff Writer (seated l-r) Wallace Jackman (second from left), Minneapolis City Council Member Gary Schiff, MFD Chief Alex Jackson, Eldoret Fire Chief Olweny Ouma, Retired Judge LaJune Lange, and Eldoret City Council Member Stanislas Ondimu. MFD mechanic Dave Van Patter is standing behind Jackman; Assistant Chief Dave DeWall is standing behind Jackson; […]
Posted inArts + Culture, News
Stormy Weather movie party spotlights Black Hollywood
By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Penumbra Theatre Education Director Sarah Bellamy will discuss the film with Stephanie Curtis. -Photo courtesy of Sarah Bellamy “I’m hoping that people leave feeling like this is one of the great American movies,” says Stephanie Curtis, who will emcee a screening of Stormy Weather this weekend. Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) […]
Posted inArts + Culture, News
This Week’s Spotlights
Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant 1010 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., 612-332-1010 or www.dakotacooks.com Sun.-Mon., Feb. 27-28, 7 pm: Jason Marsalis Quartet Tickets are $20. Wed.-Thurs., Mar. 2-3, 7 pm: Glen David Andrews Tickets are $20. Guthrie Theater 818 S. 2nd St., Mpls., 612-377-2224 or www.guthrietheater.org Feb. 10 — Mar. 6: Penumbra Theatre Company presents Ma Rainey’s […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Disability awareness, access includes clear sidewalks, trash bins
In the United States of America, one in five persons has a disability. People with disabilities are protected from harm and discrimination by two major sets of laws: The Civil Rights act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1973. These laws were passed in response to the continued unfair and unequal treatment […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
New North High School a MPS priority
Dear North Minneapolis families and residents, Creating a new North High School that successfully prepares students to be productive global citizens remains one of my top priorities. Our youth in North Minneapolis must have a rigorous educational experience, and our community must have a community school that it can be proud of. My commitment to […]
Posted inOpinion
Council on Black Minnesotans next to fall?
For many months in this column, we have addressed the accelerating rate surrounding the demise and collapse of Black institutions. It is misleading to think this is a great nova exploding upon the scene without warning, without advance declarations of problems, as if Black institutions and organizations are “all of a sudden” disappearing and going […]
Posted inOpinion
Now is the time for genuine ‘alternative certification’
Our state legislators have just finished debating the details of a law that would open a new path or way (a.k.a. alternative certification) for top college graduates, mid-career professionals, and teachers licensed in other states to teach in Minnesota classrooms. The governor ultimately decides. No matter what, we as Black folks must be clear on […]
Posted inOpinion
Critical thinking in the Black Independence Movement
“Someone told a lie a long time ago, a lie that said that everything ‘White’ was good, and everything ‘Black’ was bad.” — Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. If we grew up in America, we grew up “White.” We grew up drowned in myths of Black inferiority and White supremacy, our bellies full of […]
Posted inOpinion
Egyptian protesters dealt U.S. a ‘stunning blow’ as well
Trying My Best Frank Erickson When it comes to our government’s exported violence, their words do not coincide with their actions — and our mainstream media are more than happy to further it along. A McClatchy newspaper article in the Feb. 12 Pioneer Press stated that “if the Egyptian revolution delivers on its promise of […]
Posted inOpinion
Decision looms on new football stadium
Among the many things that the new governor, Mark Dayton, has on his agenda is the decision to support a new football stadium. His decision on this matter could turn out to become one of the (if not simply the) defining decisions of his early tenure. The decision is important first because of its timing. […]
Posted inSports
This columnist’s best-evers have Detroit roots
Conclusion of a three-part story The best basketball player I’ve ever seen is someone not named Michael or Magic. His name is Dana Coggins, and he never played college ball or the NBA even though he easily would have done well in either venue. I had the pleasure of being on the same grade-school team […]
Posted inSports
Anthony goes to New York — finally!
Los Angeles — I don’t know about you, but for me the melodrama is over. The last three months of constant trade-to-New-York speculation and rumors involving Denver All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony, the sixth-leading scorer in the NBA, was getting on my last nerve while I was covering the 60th NBA All-Star weekend. Clearly Anthony wanted […]
Posted inSports
You can be more than you are: How to be a good student-athlete
Having the opportunity to work with aspiring athletes, it is my feeling that proper academics, physical training and spiritual experiences must go hand in hand for a student-athlete to gain the maximum benefit from such a well-rounded and versatile learning experience. Black athletes would be much better physical performers if they had more self-confidence. The […]
Posted inNews
Proposed state bill draws Black ire
By Charles Hallman Staff Writer St. Paul City Council Member Melvin Carter (l) and Rep. Rena Moran both oppose the bill. Current state law that says children have to be at least age 14 before being charged as adults. However, a new bill is being considered that, if passed, would allow a judge to certify […]
Posted inArts + Culture, News
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom: ‘Wilson delivers a jaw-dropping kick in the gut’
Theater Review By Dwight Hobbes Contributing Writer Photo courtesy of the Gutherie Theater Last time Penumbra Theatre Company did August Wilson’s hallmark drama Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, all, to say the least, did not go well. In fact, it was a train wreck. Company member Terry Bellamy, playing the lead, “Levee,” tossed in a line […]
Posted inNews
Diversity woven into national LGBT conference
News Analysis By Stephani Maari Booker Community Editor A workshop entitled “The Pink Elephant in the Room: White Privilege and Racism Within the Queer Community” packed a room with over 60 people. Local activist Farheen Hakeem led a “Fighting Islamophobia and Homophobia” workshop. Roxanne Anderson, local LGBT activist and conference organizer -Photos by Misha Oneby […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Half the Sky: Book an account of justice for women and girls
Man’s boundless inhumanity to woman is by no means news. All the more reason to read Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide (Vintage Books/Random House, $15.99). This exhaustive account details, as one would expect, hellish sexual slavery and gender-based violence including honor killings and mass rape. There is, however, something surprisingly […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Felix Hampton Brown: artist and ‘edgertainer’
By Donavee Chappell Contributing Writer F.H. Brown, among other things, is a spoken-word artist, hat designer and painter. Photos courtesy of F.H. Brown Felix Hampton (F.H.) Brown is a self-named “edgertainer”: educator and entertainer with a satirical, political edge. He is also a painter and fashion designer. This man wears many hats — in fact, […]