Prisoners at MCF Rush City are not provided with adequate dental care, despite the constitutional right to medical care for serious medical needs.
Opinion
The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder (MSR) welcomes thoughtful commentary and feedback from the community. All articles in this section are edited for clarity and space; the views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the positions of the MSR. MSR does not provide payment for commentary. To submit an opinion piece, please send inquiries and submissions to submissions@spokesman-recorder.com.
Posted inOpinion
Long-term housing solutions needed for many Minnesotans
Minnesotans are encouraged to support a constitutional amendment for sustainable and consistent funding for long-term housing solutions, as it will provide stability for families and make Minnesota a more vibrant state.
Posted inOpinion
Twin Cities United Way promotes trauma-sensitive care
The 803 initiative of Greater Twin Cities United Way is working to create a trauma-sensitive early childhood care network in the Twin Cities to reduce the impact of adverse childhood experiences on children’s well-being.
Posted inOpinion
Prostate cancer is no longer a silent killer
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has made a significant pledge to spread awareness about prostate cancer, a silent killer in the Black community.
Posted inOpinion
Vice President Harris stands up for reproductive freedom in the face of opposition
Kamala Harris has been a forceful voice for reproductive freedom in the wake of Roe v. Wade’s overturn, and her leadership is important as more states are considering anti-abortion legislation.
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Do Minnesotans condone the enslavement of human beings?
Minnesota’s Constitution declares slavery and involuntary servitude legal as a punishment for a crime, and the state’s prisons are a violent, dehumanizing, and coercive slave labor.
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The most unprotected person in America is still the Black woman
Black women are disproportionately murdered compared to white women in the United States, with the highest disparity in Wisconsin.
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An unwinnable situation led to a racist Electoral College
The U.S. Constitution was created in 1787 as a compromise between the North and South, resulting in the 3/5ths Compromise.
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Is the Dept. of Corrections knowingly inflicting pain upon prisoners?
Minnesota prisoners denied medication: Cruel and unusual punishment?
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Transforming Changemakers
As the first votes are being cast for the 2024 presidential election, many Americans are thinking deeply about their part in our democracy right now.
Posted inOpinion
Earth to the far-right wing—please join us in the 21st Century
Charlie Kirk, a far right-wing activist, podcaster, talk show host, and MAGA booster, expressed his antipathy to Diversity Equity & Inclusion.
Posted inOpinion
Artificial Intelligence can be friend or foe to communities of color
Artificial Intelligence presents a dual-edged sword for marginalized communities.
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Killer Mike’s arresting Grammy night and Jay-Z’s quest for validation
Killer Mike was arrested for Misdemeanor Battery at the Grammy Awards.
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Living in Faribault prison is not fit for human beings
An inmate at Faribault prison says the prison is experiencing religious discrimination, subpar living conditions and more.
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Honor Rosa Parks through action on public transit
A new piece of legislation, the “Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act”, would provide high-quality public transit to communities across the country.
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Our children’s education is our responsibility
A task force has been formed in Florida to demand accurate teaching of African American history, culture, experiences, and contributions in public schools, and to develop 40 Freedom Schools by 2025.
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Ethiopia’s deal with Somaliland upends regional dynamics, risking strife across the Horn of Africa
Ethiopia and Somaliland have signed a memorandum of understanding to exchange a stake in Ethiopian Airlines for access to the Gulf of Aden, sparking diplomatic tensions in the region due to Ethiopia’s formal recognition of Somaliland.
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The eminent danger facing all of Black America
Many Black citizens have concerns about Trump’s promise of authoritarian rule, fearing a loss of more civil liberties and an uptick in racial tensions.
Posted inOpinion
Jay-Z Day and the erosion of political substance
New York City’s legislative realm has proposed legislation to declare December 4 as “Jay-Z Day” in honor of Shawn Carter, but the proposal also raises questions about the dangers of celebrity culture.
Posted inOpinion
Why are the poor still with us?
Why does so much poverty persist in the U.S., the richest country in the world? That’s the question Matthew Desmond tries to answer in his book “Poverty, By America” out this year. It’s the latest in a long tradition of efforts to unravel this supposed conundrum, from Ben Franklin’s 1776 newspaper editorial “On the Price […]