The beautiful thing about history is that it always is being written.
Opinion
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Posted inOpinion
What is really behind violence in Minnesota’s prisons?
The narrative that a shortage of staff, an influx of inmates, or the new Step-Down Segregation policy are causes is just as untrue.
Posted inOpinion
Could Trump allegations lead to a constitutional crisis?
As this column is being written, the nation is on edge, waiting to know whether to trust President Trump with the protection of America and its constitution.
Posted inOpinion
Gov’t shutdown a tragic disaster for America’s poorest
Poverty, in and of itself, is a terrible thing, a tragic occurrence that ultimately diminishes all of us regardless of our lot in life. This shutdown only makes it worse. And, although we acknowledge the leadership that is taking place at our own state capitol, we can’t support what is going on in our nation’s Capitol.
Posted inMLK Legacy Section, Opinion
Remembering Dr. King and ‘The Other America’
In 2019, the two Americas King wrote about still remain. A nation once lauded for its enviable and expanding middle class has evolved into a nation of people who are either growing wealthy or growing poor.
Posted inMLK Legacy Section, Opinion
What would King think of today’s America?
If he were alive, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would be wholly disgusted with the American experiment.
Posted inOpinion
Focus on the gov’t shutdown, not Israel boycotts
Op-ed: Congress’ first order should be maintaining a functioning government.
Posted inOpinion
There’s good news in our efforts to alleviate poverty
As we reflect on the passing of another year and anticipate the unfolding of the new one, I want to strike a somewhat different tone in this first column of 2019. The purpose of this column has always been to shine a spotlight on poverty and its detrimental effects on our communities, state, nation and world.
Posted inOpinion
Don’t get too excited about ‘Opportunity Zones’ just yet
After almost two years in office, President Trump has laid out a policy to spend money and investments in ‘distressed communities across the country.’
Posted inOpinion
Will a more diverse Congress signal a more perfect union?
The 116th Congress is the most diverse our nation has ever seen. Sworn in on January 3, there are more women (102) and more members of the Congressional Black Caucus (55) than ever before. Indeed, a former Congressional Black Caucus intern, Lauren Underwood (D-IL) is part of the incoming first-year class. At 32, she is the youngest Black woman to serve.
Posted inOpinion
The DOC’s mission on paper is something else entirely in practice
A monthly column in which various contributors from both sides of prison walls explore common ground for effecting change. Just days after the U.S. Senate voted on a criminal justice reform bill that that is giving a much-needed push to de-incarcerate this nation’s prisons and jails, I find myself holding out hope on what it […]
Posted inOpinion
When a wrestler’s haircut is really about a race
Peace, goodwill, and good tidings this holiday season were interrupted by the outrageous violation and public humiliation of a Black New Jersey high school wrestler.
Posted inOpinion
What moon landing?
Why are people given the freedom to not believe in God, but not the freedom to question whether the U.S. landing on the moon happened? It appears that a professional athlete not believing the U.S. landed on the moon will get him in as much trouble as not standing during the national anthem. There’s a […]
Posted inOpinion
Two years until the 2020 elections — time to get to work
The clock is running and so are the same tired old politicians. It is time we bring some serious champions into the fight.
Posted inOpinion
The good, the bad, and the ugly of 2018
Minnesota has had its share of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly in 2018. The good includes historic elections and appointments, including the election of a Black attorney general for the first time in the state’s history. The 5th Congressional District elected another Muslim to represent its political future.
Posted inOpinion
Trump’s Republican party continues to fuel White nationalism
In 2018, all Americans would like to believe that racism is over and that society is moving toward equality and certain inalienable rights for everyone.
Posted inOpinion
Rites of passage: creating liminal spaces for Black youth
Black youth, many of whom suffer from identity crises caused by trauma, are particularly strained.
Posted inOpinion
Why are we so focused on Trump’s impeachment?
For months, many in mainstream media have been giddy with joyful anticipation of the impeachment of President Donald Trump, as well as his potential jail time. Yet, impeachment is extremely doubtful unless what the media believes about Trump’s high crimes turns out to actually be true.
Posted inOpinion
Kevin Hart is indicative of Black America’s toxic masculinity
While I will continue to argue that the African American community doesn’t have a patent on homophobia, it does, however, have a problem with it. And, comedian Kevin Hart is another glaring example of the malady.
Posted inOpinion
Open Letter: Mpls must delay Upper Harbor Terminal approval
The current January 2019 deadline to approve the Upper Harbor Terminal concept plan does not allow adequate time for review and collaboration…