Over the past two weeks, I have had the opportunity to review portions of my “employment” history. I have been under the impression that I understood completely the negative experiences I went through in Corporate America. Hindsight is 20-20, so upon reflection I find I missed many key phrases that were used to void my individualism, civil rights, sense of self, and all-out attempts to “just be me.”
Posted inOpinion
FBI director on police violence
I kept waiting for someone to call out the FBI director James Comey’s recent so-called candid speech on race. Surprisingly too few people did, but he clearly should be called out because he didn’t have an honest conversation about race. However, he reminded us that this is more likely to stay the way it is.
Posted inArts + Culture
Sister Spokesman: “Networking with Purpose” — meet the panelists
Sister Spokesman plans to bring three fantastic panelists to the “Networking with Purpose” event held at Sabathani Community Center in Minneapolis, March 7. Each panelist will offer her own perspective about the power of networking. This month we have LaJuana Whitmore, Bianca “Cali” Lewis and Angela Harmon.
Posted inSports
Black hockey fans still scarce
Minnesota might be the so-called state of hockey, but it’s also the state of invisibility when it comes to Black hockey fans. The Only One again used the one-hand counting method and spotted hockey fans of color at two recent contests.
Posted inOpinion
Alonzo L. Lucas, III, 1954 — 2015
Alonzo L. Lucas, III passed from this life on February 2, 2015. Services were held for him Saturday, February 14, 2015, at the Cremation Society of Minnesota, with over 225 in attendance to pay their respects to this revered man of our community.
Posted inLocal & State
Reflecting on ‘The Look’ and other human interactions
My grandson Malcolm (“Rocket”) gave me the coldest stare. I really hadn’t done anything. I was holding him and talking with his mom, Shavon, and his sister Maya.
Shavon asked, “Maya, did you pick that mess up in your room from last night?” Knowing she hadn’t completed the task, Maya quickly started to respond. With her head cocked to the side, a twinkle in her eye, and a devious smile, she suddenly stopped and said, “Okay, let me stop right now before that lie comes out of my mouth.”
Posted inSports
A parent’s guide to college recruiting
It is flattering when your athlete-child is being wooed by grown men or women telling them they are “the next best…” But the recruiting game is brutal, and if parents aren’t diligent, they and their children could be “victimized” in its wake.
Posted inArts + Culture, Theater
James Craven tackles role as historical giant in ‘Thurgood’
Veteran actor James Craven stands as a singular talent in Twin Cities theatre. He richly deserves the triumphant hour that will be his starring in Thurgood, as historic agent of social change, Thurgood Marshall.
Posted inLocal & State
Double murder led Melvin Carter, Jr. to career of police ‘peace’ work
Melvin Whitfield Carter, Jr. was born December 1948. His father was born 1923 in St. Paul at St. Joe’s Hospital, and his grandfather, Mim Grundy Carter, a musician, moved here from Paris, Texas in 1917 when “a great fire” burned their town under mysterious circumstances.
Posted inEducation, News
Interim MPS super says this is no time to ‘play scared’
If the Minneapolis School Board approves it, Interim Superintendent Michael Goar plans to “right size” the district. “What we are proposing are the things that I will be focusing on as superintendent for the next four months,” says Goar, who was named Bernadeia Johnson’s interim successor in December and assumed his new duties Feb. 2.
Posted inArts + Culture
Samantha throws Keith a curve
Luis had got lucky. Keith and Sam sat back, looked at each other and took another break. Passing the tequila back and forth. Keith got up off the sofa and went to go see what was in Luis’ fridge.
Sam turned the television on. Got The Beverly Hillbillies and sat there, idiotically mesmerized. “Hey,” Keith called, “got some roast beef in here, swiss cheese, tomatoes and, let’s see, what else…”
Posted inHealth + Wellness
What is psoriasis and why should I care about it?
Psoriasis is an itchy skin condition that appears as patches and plaques of dry, scaly skin located most commonly on the elbows, knees and scalp. Psoriasis, however, can occur anywhere. Sometimes it can be very mild with just a couple of spots, and in other cases it can be quite severe and widespread. Psoriasis can also make your fingernails and toenails rough and discolored with small pits.
Posted inOpinion
The U. S. isn’t ready for Malcolm X Day
In 1976, the U.S. government, after 50 years, finally expanded its national acknowledgement of African American accomplishments by increasing it from one week a year with Negro History Week to four weeks with Black History Month. A big improvement, even if it is February, the shortest month on the calendar.
Posted inSports
Mobley leads Johnson to Twin City crown
St. Paul Johnson point guard Jalen Mobley scored the first four points of the Twin City boys’ basketball championship game and the last three.
The 6’-1” senior also did his part in between —
scoring 45 points, finishing with 52 — in a 123-119 double overtime victory over host Minneapolis North, who got 41 points from 6’-6” junior forward Jamil Jackson.
Posted inSports
Loyal T-Wolves fans take heart: Kevin Garnett is back!
Minnesota Nice is at it again. First the Vikings drafted Randy Moss and he becomes a superstar. The fans love him; he packs the Metrodome year after year, establishing himself as one of the all-time best. Then he is traded away, and after several years in New England and Oakland the Vikings trade to bring Moss back.
Posted inOpinion
Appreciating today’s heroic Black men
I have been thinking a lot lately about Black men in America, and it is a coincidence that it just so happens to be Black History month. The Black men that I have been thinking about are the so-called “professional” ones, the ones who have the great careers and drive. The ones who have to be the best at all times.
Posted inEducation, Local & State, News
SPPS super says battling the board not her style
St. Paul Public Schools [SPPS] has “evolved” since 2009, the year Valeria Silva was hired as its superintendent. “Have we made mistakes? Yes. Have we improved on the mistakes we made? Absolutely,” says Silva, who adds that SPPS must keep pace with a city that has “gone through the largest transformation in 25 years.”
Posted inNews
Voices for Racial Justice expands community organizing focus
On February 18, Voices for Racial Justice (VRJ) held a rally at Christ Lutheran Church on Capitol Hill, 105 University Avenue, St. Paul. The event was a collaboration of community leaders and organizations to give a voice and bring attention to racial equity in the state of Minnesota. The 2013-14 Legislative Report Card and the 2015 Racial Equity Agenda were also released that day.
Vina Kay is the executive director of VRJ, located in Minneapolis on Franklin Avenue.
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Professional association supports MN Black psychologists
Psychology has been an essential discipline in the makeup of society for hundreds of years. The study of the mind is something that has always fascinated human beings.
Posted inSports
Doing right by college athletes
A recent mainstream newspaper editorial urged the need for reform in college sports. But as usual, the ‘emperor’s new clothes’ issue remains overlooked or ignored: Paying college athletes.