Black people are redefining excellence on their terms by quitting traditional 9-to-5 jobs and seeking peace of mind, as the expectation of perfection without reward continues to disproportionately negatively impact them.
Opinion
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Posted inOpinion
Rollback of DEI will deepen racial divisions
Walmart has reversed its commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging, dismantling its “Belonging” program and restricting the sale of products such as chest binders for minors, following pressure from conservative activists and the incoming Trump administration.
Posted inOpinion
Culturally relevant education needed now more than ever
Public school educators must become trained and prepared to create classrooms and learning experiences that center their students and honor who they are, as private schools and homeschools may not be a viable option for many Black parents.
Posted inOpinion
White American men are not oppressed
Rep. Jasmine Crockett delivered a fiery speech on the House floor criticizing Republicans for their ignorance of Black history and their attempts to dismantle workplace diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
Posted inOpinion
Gun violence is a crisis we can’t ignore
Gun violence is a public health crisis in the U.S., with Black Americans having the highest rate of homicide deaths from firearms, and policymakers must take action to prevent and reduce the harm caused by firearms.
Posted inYour Voice Matters
Your Voice Matters: December Questions
The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder is asking readers to share their seasonal favorites and reflect on the past year to help shape content for the new year.
Posted inYour Voice Matters
Your Voice Matters: November Highlights and December’s Questions
The MN Spokesman-Recorder surveyed readers to determine their interests in entertainment, Black cultural heritage, social justice, community stories, civil rights history, community-based activism, Black-owned businesses, and holiday traditions, and will act on the feedback by featuring more profiles of up-and-coming Black artists and creators, local events, local history and landmarks, and solutions-focused stories on social justice.
Posted inOpinion
Don’t obey in advance
José Luis Vilson, a veteran educator, writer, speaker and activist in New York City, reflects on the recent election results and the cultural problems that have led to the re-ascendance of Donald Trump, and calls for a shared humanity and the need to build a better world.
Posted inLetter to the Editor
Destroying public housing worsens housing crisis
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has denied that the homelessness crisis is caused by a lack of affordable housing, despite the fact that city leaders have privatized, demolished and eliminated Section 9 Public Housing, leaving people to freeze while profiting from their displacement.
Posted inOpinion
The giving legacy of Black women
Black women have been at the forefront of philanthropy since the abolitionist movement, using their wealth, time, and resources to empower their communities and promote social change.
Posted inOpinion
GOP chopping block threatens Obamacare
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has reached historic highs in enrollment, with more than 45 million nationwide, driven by enhanced subsidies, but the subsidies are only guaranteed through 2025 and could be lost if Congress fails to renew them.
Posted inOpinion
Black America, let’s plan for the next 100 years
The Republican Party has been planning for the next century of American apartheid for decades, while the Democratic Party must begin planning for the next century of progress and equality.
Posted inOpinion
Neglected civics lessons imperil our democracy
The National Civics Bee, a nonpartisan initiative launched by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Daniels Fund, aims to reinvigorate American democracy by encouraging middle school students to learn about civics and actively participate in their communities.
Posted inOpinion
Why we should all celebrate Head Start’s success
Head Start programs provide tailored support for children with disabilities, eliminate barriers to health services, engage families in their children’s education, and aim to break the cycle of generational poverty.
Posted inLetter to the Editor
No warnings of active shooter
A resident of Minneapolis criticized the city’s lack of action to secure the neighborhood and inform citizens of the danger after a shooting incident, despite the presence of an active shooter.
Posted inOpinion
Farewell, Mike
Mike Tyson’s final boxing match at AT&T Stadium in Arlington was a poignant chapter in the annals of boxing lore, as he fought against the young and agile Jake Paul, demonstrating courage and resilience in the face of the fading of strength.
Posted inOpinion
The threat of truth decay
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Donald Trump’s alliance could be problematic for public health in Black communities, as they plan to remove fluoride from the water system and are skeptical of vaccines, which could worsen existing health disparities.
Posted inOpinion
Has Donnie Swaggart lost his mind? More important, have we?
Donnie Swaggart, son of televangelist Jimmy Swaggart, has criticized the Black Church for not adhering to “biblical values”, but his views are rooted in the history of white “Christians” using Christianity to justify slavery and attempt to pacify Blacks against working in their own best interests.
Posted inOpinion
Biden can still grant clemency for people on federal death rowÂ
President Joe Biden has the power to grant clemency to prisoners on federal death row, but has yet to follow through on proposed reforms to the clemency process.
Posted inOpinion
Black men redefine what masculinity means
Black men in America are experiencing higher rates of chronic disease and mental health issues due to chronic stressors related to structural racism, rather than traditional gender expectations of masculinity.