The BeMore Campaign knows that Black M.E.N. C.A.N be the solution. BeMore has become the frontrunner in increasing healthy nonviolent relationships, decreasing teen dating violence, and engaging men and young men to end violence against women and girls inside of homes and in communities around the world. The BeMore pledge goes hand in hand with […]
MSR News Online
Reach the MSR staff at msrnewsonline@spokesman-recorder.com.
Posted inOpinion
Trump’s Budget a “Setback” for Civil Rights
When he was running for President of the United States, “45” asked African-Americans what we had to lose by electing him. Embracing the most dystopian view of the African-American community, he attacked our schools, our streets, crime rates, and unemployment and suggested that we were so far down, that electing him could only improve things. […]
Posted inEducation, MSR Legacy Archives
My parents’ pursuit of education has inspired me to succeed
Morgan Bettin-Coleman is a 2017 Cecil E. Newman Scholarship recipient. Her scholarship-winning essay appears below. Even when I was a little girl, I would often pass time sprawled on the floor, usually reading a book. Close by, both of my parents sat at desks, spending hours typing up documents or highlighting pages in long, seemingly boring […]
Posted inOpinion
The visit is a catalyst to keep families connected
A biweekly column in which various contributors from both sides of prison walls explore common ground for effecting change. Conclusion of a two-part column The author has a son serving a life sentence, currently at the Stillwater Correctional Facility. The first part of this column described a prison visit when “the anticipation, the anxiety, the […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Study finds that racial discrimination can increase diabetes risk
Discrimination can have a negative impact on health in a variety of ways. For the first time, researchers at the University of Minnesota took a closer look at the relationship between discrimination and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. “There is growing research showing that individuals who experience higher levels of discrimination are more […]
Posted inBulletin
Mpls. mayor proclaims May 30th as ‘Marsha Pitts-Phillips Day’
Aspiring to pursue what she describes as new adventures, former Director of Public and Media Relations Marsha Pitts-Phillips announced her retirement from Greater Twin Cities United Way capping just over a decade of leadership in communications, public and media relations service with the nonprofit. Her tenure included serving as a strategic communications advisor, and community […]
Posted inOpinion
Is United Way equal opportunity?
Over 18 months ago, AALF’s executive director met with Sarah Caruso, the CEO of the Greater Twin Cities United Way (United Way), to discuss the “poor” reputation that the United Way had among many leaders in the African American community, who do not consider the United Way to be a friend of the community, and […]
Posted inOpinion
Thank you for weekly WNBA coverage
Thank you for your weekly WNBA coverage. I’ve been enjoying learning more about the Lynx — especially when the mainstream news can’t be bothered to do such work (but instead print endless feature stories about off-season men’s teams). Your work is very much appreciated. I teach media classes at Anoka Ramsey Community College and talk to […]
Posted inOpinion
Portland, Oregon: a city on the brink
Two Muslim teenage girls of color were attacked on a Portland, Oregon light rail platform on Friday afternoon, May 26, 2017, by a hate spewing anti-immigrant White supremacist. Three White American men came to their defense and saved them. Two of the three men were killed and the third seriously wounded. Was it indifference by […]
Posted inOpinion
Local media key players to deal with Park Board obstacles
The letter to the editor by NAACP President, Jason Sole, (May 25-31) calling for action against the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is long overdue. It took a fellow veteran and me 18 months to correct civil rights violations, health violations and quality of life issues inflicted by the MPRB on the homeless veterans facility, […]
Posted inOpinion
Dr. King’s ‘tragic’ warning rings true 50 years later
“We as a nation must undergo a radical revolution of values. We must rapidly begin — the shift from a thing-oriented society to a person-oriented society. When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights, are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, extreme materialism, and militarism are incapable of being conquered. […]
Posted inGo Green
Hennepin County surveys residents on how to recycle more trash
For better or worse, garbage is something that we all deal with, but by reducing the amount of waste we create we can build a healthier environment and more vibrant communities. Take survey by June 16 and help Hennepin County reach recycling goals Hennepin County is currently in the process of writing the 2018 Solid […]
Posted inEducation
I am ready to flourish, thanks to my mom and teacher
Dominique Johnson is a Cecil E. Newman Scholarship recipient. Below is her scholarship-winning essay. I am a biracial, only child, who was raised by a single mother. Growing up, like many other families, my small family had financial hardships. My mom had me at a young age and due to that her academic career came to […]
Posted inEducation
Adversity can be a great teacher
Nia Kline is a 2017 Cecil E. Newman Scholarship recipient. Below is her scholarship-winning essay. I look at life as a puzzle. It is one big picture full of mystery. You learn to use your observation skills, you learn to not force it if it doesn’t fit, you learn patience, and finally, you learn tolerance and […]
Posted inEducation
I am grateful for my parents and the opportunities they’ve provided
Ananda White is a 2017 Cecil E. Newman Scholarship recipient. Below is her scholarship-winning essay. The two most influential people to guide my life and education are my parents Angela and Brian White. It’s a cliché, but it is the truth. In fact, my parents will say they want me to have more opportunities than they […]
Posted inEducation
Two women inspired me and showed me my potential
SharLamar Wren-Buchanan is a 2017 Cecil E. Newman Scholarship recipient. Below is her scholarship-winning essay. Shortly after I was born, my grandmother was murdered. We had to move to get away from that harsh setting. We were living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at the time and decided to come to Minnesota. It was similar to Wisconsin […]
Posted inSister Spokesman Highlights
Natural hair celebrated at Sister Spokesman: ‘Loving Your Hair’
“This feels very special because this is the first time. I’m grateful for everyone who voted for me and for Sister Spokesman for even having this available to honor natural [styles],” said Sydney Plunkett, who was crowned the first “Miss Naturalista” at Sister Spokesman: “Loving Your Hair” June 3. The event celebrated natural hair in […]
Posted inEducation
I believe in myself because my father and brother believed in me
Noah Branch is a 2017 Cecil E. Newman Scholarship recipient. His scholarship-winning essay appears below. Throughout my life, I have been blessed to have received a significant amount of tutelage, but in recent years there are two people who stick out in my mind as both mentors and inspirations for me: My father and my […]
Posted inEducation, Special Editions
My father and uncle taught me to follow my heart
Molubah Seley is a 2017 Cecil E. Newman Scholarship recipient. His scholarship-winning essay appears below. “I’m not mad, just disappointed.” If you’ve ever had someone say those words to you, you’ll recall the hurt in letting them down. Dealing with one person is tough; how about your entire family, church and community? I’ve been through […]