Recently, I sat in on a panel discussion. The topic was how college graduates should prepare for life after college, especially in this economic climate. Jobs appear to be scarce, and a U.S. national unemployment rate of 9.8 percent is daunting to think about. As the panel discussion proceeded, one word was repeated continuously: flexibility. […]
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Posted inHealth + Wellness
College degree is no employment guarantee
By Elizabeth Ellis Originally published Aug. 4, Ellis says why she chose this column as her best of 2010: ”MSR’s own Vickie Evans-Nash thanked me for this column’s particular slant on education and its impact; at end of year the column still reflects our country’s current economic conditions as well as the way we strive […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Givens Black Books recommends Homemade Love
J. California Cooper short story collection a classic “Life is more like the rain. The river and the lake lay down for you… But life don’t do that…You don’t go to the rain, the rain comes to you…And if it keeps coming down on you, you got to learn to swim to the top through […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Your Black book gift list for the holidays
By Terri Schlichenmeyer Contributing Writer All of the following books are authored or edited by people of African descent: What happens when you take two very different women and put them together in circumstances they wouldn’t normally ask for? You’ve got the novel Butterfly Rising by HBO star Tanya Wright. This beautiful novel features a […]
Posted inOpinion
Letter to the editor
Too many ‘experts’ on child development I find it very interesting to hear and read as people discuss, evaluate and analyze our children based on their little or no experience, training or education in childhood development. Many of them have learned and heard catchy phrases about our children and repeat them as certainties. Some make […]
Posted inOpinion
The Real Meaning of Christmas
Bob Geldof said recently that he regrets writing “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”, which was probably one of the most heart-felt songs of compassion ever written. While I do agree that some of the lyrics were a bit inaccurate — there is snow on the continent of Africa — the intention was more than honorable. […]
Posted inOpinion
‘Safe Streets’ or ‘Street Safe’ — take your pick, it’s all the same
During the spring and summer of 2010, there was much discussion throughout the city about a program known as Operation Ceasefire. The entire odyssey was covered in great detail in my August 4, 2010 column in which we reported $2.2 million expected to come into the city, with at least $1 million being allocated to […]
Posted inOpinion
Free at last, free at last? Check again.
By Donald W.R. Allen, II Contributing Writer After the election of President Barack Obama, civil rights spokespersons have become too Black or too radical to address White America on the ongoing and ever-rising list of disparities facing Black America. Usually, being too Black or too dark is something we experience in room lighting. The […]
Posted inSports
Black coaches 52-54 by week 15
Black NFL coaches were 3-5 in week 15. Winners last week were Cincinnati (MARVIN LEWIS) 19, Cleveland 17; Indianapolis (JIM CALDWELL) 34, Jacksonville 24; Chicago (LOVIE SMITH) 40, Minnesota (LESLIE FRAZIER) 14. Losers were Denver (ERIC STUDEVILLE) 23, Oakland 39; San Francisco (MIKE SINGLETARY) 7, San Diego 34; Tampa Bay (RAHEEM MORRIS) 20, Detroit 26; […]
Posted inSports
Story of jersey numbers links Syracuse, DeLaSalle
I was looking at the movie The Express the other day. The film tells the story of Syracuse University running back ERNIE DAVIS. Davis was the first African American football player to win the Heisman Trophy in 1961. The Heisman is awarded to the top football player in the country. However, after watching it, two […]
Posted inSports
Gophers’ football coaching staff not quite all-White
Leah Cotton As earlier predicted by this columnist, new U of M Football Coach Jerry Kill’s coaching staff evidently will lack diversity. The lone exception: Last week Kill retained as his only Black assistant Thomas Hammock, who will continue as running backs coach. He also was co-offensive coordinator this past season. “He’s a good fit […]
Posted inSports
Bears win NFC North, dominate Vikings
My how time flies. I was there 29 years ago, and I was there Monday night for the first time since December 20, 1981 to see the Vikings playing a regular-season NFL game outside. Yes sir, in the cold, in the snow, in the wind — 29 years ago it was the Met Stadium in […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
A letter to North Minneapolis
By Bernadeia Johnson Dear North Minneapolis families and residents, When I became superintendent six months ago, I promised to do whatever it takes to make sure that all students enrolled in the Minneapolis Public Schools receive a high quality education. I remain committed to that promise. I know that the past three months have been […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Julianne Malveaux’s salvos: renowned Black intellectual on economics, history
Photo courtesy of Julianne Malveaux Julianne Malveaux is the 15th president of Bennett College for Women. Recognized for her progressive and insightful observations, this brilliant economist and author has been described by Dr. Cornel West as “the most iconoclastic public intellectual in the country.” Malveaux’s insights on issues such as race, culture, gender and their […]
Posted inNews
Youth instruct elders, peers in the principles of Kwanzaa
By James L. Stroud, Jr. Contributing Writer Pictured in the large photo at top left, are, first row, l-r: Ania Larkin, Kiaree Jackson, Salom Ametor, Abdiquani Dhimbil; second row, l-r: Arieanna Williams-Bass, Sienna Echols, Margaret Myers, Makaila Miller, Jonea Wilson-Hardy, Tiffany McGowen, Asjiauna Boswell, Anika Logan, Maryan Farey, Victoria Myers, Kyalah Allbritton, Ananda White; third […]
Posted inNews
Practicing the seven principles of Kwanzaa
By Titilayo Bediako Contributing Writer Kwanzaa is an African American holiday that was created in 1966 by a professor in California named Dr. Maulana Karenga. He saw things in the African American community that bothered him. He saw Black people growing up not knowing about their rich African history and culture. Karenga felt that when […]
Posted inNews
Love Covers spreads holiday cheer with a universal message
By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Around 20 local individuals comprise the cast of Love Covers, a play staged last Saturday, December 18, at the Women’s Club of Minneapolis. Dorie McKnight is the author of the play, which is based on her book Cover Girls in the Church. “It is talking about how people come to […]
Posted inNews
All they want for Christmas is a Section 8 Voucher
By Sharon Rolenc Contributing Writer Christmas came early this year for Shirley Gipson. After nearly a decade on the waiting list for a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, her name finally came up. “It’s the best Christmas present I can get. I’m just so thankful it finally happened,” she said. She’s one of just a handful […]
Posted inSports
Gopher Volleyball Coach Mike Hebert to retire
Our special coach-reporter relationship will be hard to duplicate by Charles Hallman Many years ago, Mike Hebert stood up at a school function and publicly told the audience that I was one of the few local reporters that didn’t unfairly judge him after he was hired as Gopher volleyball coach in 1996. To paraphrase Rick’s […]
Posted inSports
Favre streak ends, Vikings lose 21-3
by Larry Fitzgerald How about that — a “Monday Night Football” game in Detroit, and the Vikings in a so-called home game imitate the Lions: New York 21, Vikings 3. Playoffs? The Vikings’ playoff hopes are over. Vikings quarterback Brett Favre did not play. That’s what I said — it’s the first time since 1992. […]