A large deterrent to continued progress is propaganda painting King as a sweet guy with a catchy speech device (dreams are nice) instead of as a skilled and calculating social philosopher torquing deep-rooted gears of American governance and culture to rapidly bring attention to the urgent matters of poverty, racism and war.
Special Editions
Each year the MSR recognizes and celebrates MLK Jr. Day, Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Juneteenth and Black Music Month. In this space, find stories pertaining to each special edition as categorized.
Posted inMLK Legacy Section, Special Editions
2019 MLK Community Calendar
Find events in the Twin Cities and beyond to celebrate Dr. King’s enduring legacy as a champion of social and racial justice, equity and equality.
Posted inLocal & State, MSR Legacy Archives, MSR Legacy Archives, News
Black history unearthed in Mpls’ oldest cemetery
The oldest cemetery member is Morgan Jones, a former slave of a Virginia tobacco field who moved to Minnesota after gaining his freedom. Jones lived in Minnesota for 44 years as a free man. He died in 1906 at the age of 101.
Posted inArts + Culture, MSR Legacy Archives, Photo Galleries
Boat cruise fosters community spirit – and fun (photos)
The four-hour affair was sponsored by the Spokesman-Recorder, the nonprofit arm of the MN Spokesman-Recorder, as well as Blue Cross and Blue Shield. “The Legacy Boat Cruise is a worthy cause,” said Dr. Adrienne Matthews of Blue Cross and Blue Shield. “Not only does it support the oldest Black newspaper in the city, it supports education as well [as] the scholarship fund. It is incumbent upon us to support this mission.”
Posted inEducation, Special Editions
Community Yearbook — Congrats to the Class of 2018
(CLICK THE IMAGE TO OPEN THE YEARBOOK) For 23 years, the Spokesman-Recorder nonprofit and its supporters have sponsored the Graduation Celebration, an annual scholarship awards celebration of Cecil E. Newman Scholarship essay winners and graduating seniors in the greater Twin Cities area. In conjunction with the event, graduating seniors are also invited to submit their photos and […]
Posted inEducation, Special Editions
MSR celebrates graduates and parents with 23rd annual scholarship dinner (photos)
More than 200 community members, graduating students and their parents attended the free scholarship dinner and ceremony awards. Ten students were presented with Cecil E. Newman Scholarships at the event themed “Education and Graduation: It’s a family affair.”
Posted inArts + Culture, Black History Month, Special Editions, Television
Remembering trailblazing playwright and writer Lorraine Hansberry
On Broadway (1959), in movie houses (1961), and afterward on television, Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun increasingly held Black audiences — as well as White — rapturously spellbound. As hasn’t been done since, the American landmark helped usher this nation into the civilized world. The August Wilson of her day, Hansberry’s phenomenally unprecedented success came by […]
Posted inBlack History Month, Special Editions
NASA celebrates legacy of first Black American astronaut
Fifty years ago, a tragic accident ended the groundbreaking career of Major Robert H. Lawrence, Jr., a Chicago native and stellar Air Force pilot who became America’s first Black astronaut. On December 8, 2017 — the 50th anniversary of his death — NASA honored his often-ignored legacy and contributions to the agency. Earlier this year, […]
Posted inBlack History Month, MSR Legacy Archives
Elder perseveres through creativity and crafts
As Black America recounts how far it’s come, there is pride in culture and in accomplishments. One can see how the contributions and sacrifices of America’s Black seniors are woven throughout every part of the country’s history. Black History Month formalizes that recognition. The MSR recently sat down with senior Arie Gipson in her home […]
Posted inBlack History Month, Special Editions
Spotlight on George Poage, the first Black Olympic medalist
George Poage can claim a piece of Black history for himself, though, at the time of his success, few noticed. A track star at the University of Wisconsin, Poage was the first African American medalist in Olympic history, winning the bronze in both the 200 hurdles and 400 hurdles at the 1904 Games in St. […]
Posted inBlack History Month, Special Editions
2018 Black History Month Calendar of Events
Listed below are Black History Month events in the Twin Cities and beyond. If you know of an event that we missed, let us know in the comment section. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7 10 am, Stories of Wit and Wisdom, Brookdale Library, 6125 Shingle Creek Pkwy., Brooklyn Center You’re invited to listen to lively stories from […]
Posted inBlack History Month, Bulletin
Spotlight on Minnesota’s Black Community Project
Minnesota’s Black Community Project (MBCP) is a nonprofit organization launched in 2016 that serves to applaud and highlight the contributions and achievements of Minnesota’s Black community. In 2017, MBCP was awarded two grants to support its efforts from the following organizations: the Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grant through the Minnesota Historical Society and the […]
Posted inMLK Legacy Section, Special Editions
55 years later, much work is needed to fulfill Dr. King’s dream in Minnesota
Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech at a time where the words he spoke were radical, important, and needing to be both heard and said. Fifty-five years later, we still have so much farther to go. I echo Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words — 55 years […]
Posted inMLK Legacy Section, Special Editions
Dream a better world into reality
Most of Dr. King’s speech sometimes feels lost — the words “I have a dream” dominate our collective memory — so allow me to revive, at least, one other sentence from that speech: “In a sense, we’ve come to our nation’s capital to cash a check.” King’s speech was not merely aspirational, but rooted in […]
Posted inMLK Legacy Section, Special Editions
We must grasp the fierce urgency of now
“We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., quote […]
Posted inMLK Legacy Section, Special Editions
Black women must have a seat at the table
We need to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Democracy is under attack. Black Women are the ones who have the stamina and the courage to step forward when others who say they are progressive or liberal cannot or will not. It […]
Posted inMLK Legacy Section, Special Editions
Each generation is tasked with moving human history forward
“He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps perpetrates it. He who accepts evil without protesting it is really cooperating with it.” —Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King What is evil in this world? Racism, sexism, poverty and war. These are the evils that I am concerned about, protest […]
Posted inMLK Legacy Section, Special Editions
Everyone must do their part to bring King’s Dream into fruition
My dream for the community is that we all get to pursue our dreams, live our values, and follow our passion. This can only happen if we all are given equal opportunities. When I think about the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream Speech,” it makes me reflect on how far we’ve […]
Posted inMLK Legacy Section, Special Editions
‘I Have a Dream’ speech resonates 55 years later
Still, many believe much work is left Many of its words were improvised, and some were not even original. But Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech summarized the struggles of millions of Americans and inspired people of all backgrounds, then and now. The 18-minute oration from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial remains […]
Posted inMLK Legacy Section, Special Editions
King’s dream still a powerful example for today’s young people
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. throughout his lifetime advocated for a fair and equitable community. The MSR, in past years, has asked local officials and others to share their thoughts on Dr. King’s dream, as we annually recognize his legacy each January. This year, however, we spoke to three South High School students, all born […]