Billionaires’ space travel should be a cause for concern critics argue.
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
Right-wing efforts to erase history do not change the facts
Blotting out history to protect reputations or to prevent perceived criticism of races may be a feel-good exercise for some but it blurs reality and leads to ignorance.
Posted inOpinion
Murders on the rise in U.S. cities—opinions vary as to why
One survey of America’s larger cities found that between 2019 and 2020, homicide deaths rose more than 30%.
Posted inOpinion
Cuba supporters rally to its defense
The Biden administration has continued to punish Cuba with harsh new sanctions imposed by the Trump administration in spite of campaign promises to lift them.
Posted inOpinion
Mpls. City Councilmembers vote for both pathways to passing rent control
Eleven of 13 Minneapolis City Councilmembers voted in favor of both charter amendments establishing a process for passing rent control in Minneapolis.
Posted inOpinion
The U.S. has been no friend to Haiti
Details about the plot are important, but so is understanding the history of Haiti’s relationship with the U.S. and other countries.
Posted inOpinion
The qualified immunity of Whiteness
The lack of justice in the policy of qualified immunity is glaringly obvious when a police officer of color is called to account for injuring or killing a White person.
Posted inOpinion
’21 Days of Peace’: Injustice is injustice and cannot be tolerated
Minneapolis police reported publicly that significant reductions have been achieved in the ‘hot spots’ and neighbors and business people are feeling empowered to reclaim the public spaces that were dominated by lawlessness.
Posted inFeatured, Opinion
Police pursuits are inherently dangerous
Until that technology evolves, the decision needs to be made whether to remove more discretion from police considering pursuit.
Posted inOpinion
Three urgent steps to defend democracy from cynics and skeptics
There are three urgently important steps Congress must take this year to defend voting rights and strengthen democracy.
Posted inOpinion
A Fourth of July reflection for 2021
The Fourth of July is always a good time for Black folks to reflect and assess whether they are indeed free.
Posted inOpinion
Critical Race Theory and the debate over U.S. history
What is needed at this time is recognizing what has occurred in the past and how it has shaped our present reality.
Posted inFeatured, Opinion
WORD ON THE STREET | Reflections on the Chauvin sentence
After the sentence was handed down, the MSR took to the streets and asked community members: What are your thoughts on the Chauvin sentencing?
Posted inOpinion
White farmers opposition to POC farmer relief motivated by racism
Recognizing that Blacks were moving quickly toward economic and political independence in the South, White America launched an all-out campaign to dispossess Blacks of their farms and land.
Posted inOpinion
WORD ON THE STREET: What does Juneteenth mean to you?
The MSR was out and about on Juneteenth and stopped by various gatherings to ask community members: What does Juneteenth mean to you?
Posted inOpinion
​Minnesota Corrections double-bunking violates international prison standards
Double-bunking also causes significant increases in stress levels, health problems, violence, and suicide, according to Canada’s Union of Correctional Officers.
Posted inOpinion
Youth speak: the fear factor
Now, how could I stand in front of someone who could easily take my life, simply because of the color of my skin without being afraid?
Posted inFeatured, Opinion
Safeguarding Black history
Prior to emancipation, the accomplishments of Black folk were denied in order to uphold the myth of White supremacy as a justification for chattel slavery.
Posted inOpinion
Youth speak: students need more support
I am speaking from experience when I say that I did not have the support in school that I should have.
Posted inOpinion
Star Tribune must transform ‘inequitable reporting practices’
‘The Star Tribune finally acknowledged its lack of journalistic integrity in sharing a false police narrative claiming that Winston Smith was a murder suspect but that’s not enough.’