Dear editor: African American health, law and educational leaders are calling on President Barack Obama to direct the FDA to remove menthol tobacco products from stores nationwide. Menthol cigarettes kill tens of thousands of Americans every year, a vastly disproportionate number of them are Black. On Sept. 13, members of the African American Tobacco Control […]
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Posted inNews
Vikings stadium payoff: Diverse cleaning crew charged with huge facility’s maintenance
Ed Reynolds Third in a multi-series Half the cost of the newly opened Vikings Stadium, known as the “People’s Stadium” before its corporate branding, has come from the people’s money — taxes and related public subsidies totaling more than half a billion dollars. Now is the time to assess just what the people, especially Black people, […]
Posted inNews
Activists propose upending present policing structure
Other cities explore new visions of public safety The demand for community control of police was placed on the national political agenda in August when over 50 organizations, under the banner of the Movement for Black Lives, adopted the political platform, “A Vision for Black Lives: Policy Demands for Black Power, Freedom and Justice.” The […]
Posted inOpinion
St. Cloud racism: NAACP Stockholm Syndrome victims ignore Somalis
If frustration with Booker T. Washington’s accommodationist or gradualist approach to attacking racism resulted in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the strategy failed in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Anyone familiar with St. Cloud’s (“white Cloud’s”) history knows effective but infrequent punishments for racism were imposed before Somali students became active and […]
Posted inOpinion
Somali community under scrutiny
Can St. Cloud and the Twin Cities heal? Hostility and uneasiness between Muslims and the Christian population of St. Cloud, Minnesota, are well known and documented. In fact, Ethiopian students at St. Cloud State University were the first to bring attention to the problems of religion and race in St. Cloud. As its Somali community […]
Posted inOpinion
St. Cloud Somali community falsely linked to terrorism
Many have attempted to frame the stabbing incident at the Crossroad Mall in St. Cloud that involved a Somali assailant as an Islamic terrorist attack. This perverted framing is a deceptive maneuver to direct our attention away from systemic racism in St. Cloud. The City of St. Cloud, historically a very conservative White town, has […]
Posted inArts + Culture
2016 Ivey Awards shines bright light on thriving theater scene
The 2016 Ivey Awards usually attracts a packed house, so this year’s sold-out event was no surprise to those who regularly attend. African Americans were well represented once again during the 12th annual show held at the Historic State Theatre in downtown Minneapolis, September 19. The event was co-hosted by Regina Marie-Williams again, but this […]
Posted inArts + Culture, Photo Galleries, Remembering Prince
PHOTOS/VIDEO | Sheila E. unites with Mpls. mayor, local nonprofit to continue Prince’s philanthropic efforts
Percussionist, singer/songwriter and longtime Prince protégé and musical collaborator, Sheila E., officially announced today her plans for a concert at Minnesota Orchestra Hall to honor Prince and his charitable contributions to the community. The concert entitled “Purple Philanthropy Sheila E. Benefit Concert” scheduled for October 23, will kick off a season of fundraising to carry […]
Posted inBulletin
MSR Top Five | Black Master Storytelling Fest, The Sankofa Film Fest & more!
A snapshot of upcoming events around town 25th Annual Black Master Storytelling Festival “SIGNIFYIN’ & TESTIFYIN’” A free three-day family-friendly, storytelling festival. This year’s theme: “Courage Is Contagious!” Sept. 22-24 | 12-2 pm Opening ceremonies: Perpich Center for Arts Education 6125 Olson Memorial Highway, Golden Valley (see website for more locations) More info: www.blackstorytellers.com/2016-featured-tellers.html UROC […]
Posted inSports
WNBA playoffs notebook
Each spring March Madness signals the start of the college basketball’s post season, but league officials have yet to coin a catch phrase for the new WNBA playoff format, which begins Wednesday. The first two rounds —“one and done” is the first such post season elimination setup since the league’s first season, when only three […]
Posted inNews
WNBA president says failure can place you on the path to success
Women and girls are empowered in so many ways, but they must recognize and use their voices and power. Top women executives, including WNBA President Lisa Borders, stressed this on a panel held during the Minnesota Lynx’s first “We Are Women Night” August 28. Borders, Land O’Lakes Group Executive VP and COO Beth Ford, Target […]
Posted inMemorials
Fred “Paco” Lee
In Loving Memory of Fred “Paco” Lee December 14, 1978 – September 15, 1998 I have you in my heart “I thought of you today, but that is nothing new. I thought about you yesterday and days before that too. I think of you in silence, I often speak your name. All I have are […]
Posted inNews
Vikings stadium payoff: What’s the return on our investment so far?
Minority workforce and subcontracting goals were exceeded First of a multi-series Half the cost of the newly opened Vikings Stadium, known as the “People’s Stadium” before its corporate branding, has come from the people’s money — taxes and related public subsidies totaling more than half a billion dollars. Now is the time to assess just […]
Posted inOpinion
The National Museum of African American History and Culture: telling America’s story
“It is the purpose of the National Memorial Association to erect a beautiful building suitable to depict the [N]egro’s contribution to America in the military service, in art, literature, invention, science, industry, etc. — fitting tribute to the Negro’s contributions and achievements, and which would serve as an educational center giving inspiration and pride to […]
Posted inOpinion
Keeping people poor: a higher priority than inflated healthcare cost
Why is the Minnesota Supreme Court wasting its time ruling against the $15.00 minimum wage, making sure the poor stay poor? Why prioritize such a case? What is their motivation? This needs to be addressed. We need to know why the state’s highest court would take time to keep minimum wage workers in their place, […]
Posted inMovies
Morris Chestnut and Regina Hall talk ‘When the Bough Breaks’
When the Bough Breaks, the new Screen Gems’ thriller that opened Sept. 9 to an estimate of 14.2 million, hits all the emotional and psychological buttons, said its co-stars. Morris Chestnut and Regina Hall play married couple John and Laura Taylor, each with successful careers. Thus far, they have been unable to have a baby, […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Understanding Bipolar Disorder and treatment
My sister told me that a well-known signer, Demi Lovato, announced that she has Bipolar Disorder. What is Bipolar Disorder? Bipolar disorder is a mental health disease where a person’s mood can cycle back and forth between periods of low activity/depression and periods of mania/high activity. These emotional periods can be looked at as two […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
See well for a lifetime
Take care of your eyes and continue looking forward to the future Aging is a process that brings about many opportunities and changes, from major transformations such as becoming a grandparent or going back to school, to simple lifestyle changes like starting a new exercise program. Don’t miss out on any of these opportunities. Take […]
Posted inEducation
For school success, start with breakfast
Parents know that school mornings can be the busiest time of the day. Between getting kids to school on time, signing permission slips, making sure homework is done, and everything else, breakfast can be a last-minute thought. However, unless you are certain your child is eating breakfast at school, breakfast at home is vitally important. […]
Posted inEducation
Five things your child should take to school every day
What are the things your child should bring to school every day to ensure success? During the school year it’s important to help your child learn to get organized, and it’s vital to help your son or daughter be ready to focus and learn. Listed below are five essential items to have with them every […]