From the mouths of babes: Lebron Riley, executive director of Urban Jungle, Inc., recalls, “Back in ’94, ’95, [as] a father [with] a bunch of nieces, nephews and cousins, I used to take the kids to parks all the time on the weekends. Take them to Chucky Cheese, what have you. I was always one […]
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Posted inArts + Culture, News
ARTS NO CHASER, By Dwight Hobbes—Comedian K Jay uses old-school fusion to create his own voice
It’s great when an up-and-coming comedic ace pays homage where it’s due, which is exactly what happened when I was hanging with Twin Cities ace K Jay the other week. Leaving his car, I noticed a Redd Foxx CD on the backseat. “Yo’, man, let me hold your Redd Foxx,” I asked him. K Jay’s […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
TODAY’S ENTREPRENEUR By Ste Brown—Blacks must work to create their own jobs, build wealth
The Minneapolis Spokesman-Recorder has provided a platform by which we can help community members see more clearly what is at stake and how area minority entrepreneurs are doing in this depressed economy. While shining a spotlight on local entrepreneurs, we hope to provide creative solutions to help find your way out of this economic crisis. […]
Posted inOpinion
‘The Help’ exposes hidden wounds of Jim Crow racism
The movie The Help has been well reviewed and critiqued at this point, with some finding it wanting. And there are reasons to find the movie deficient, the primary one being that the story is told from a White woman’s perspective. But “therein lies the rub,” as the English bard had one of his characters […]
Posted inOpinion
THROUGH MY EYES By Ron Edwards—Lt. Lee Edwards files against MPD
“Lt. Lee Edwards files 2nd suit in police corruption probe” was the Star Tribune headline September 3. It is his second discrimination claim lawsuit against the City; the first came when he was part of the Mill City 5 lawsuit against the City. This second suit charges the City with “retaliation for uncovering racial discrimination […]
Posted inOpinion
SOMETHING I SAID By Dwight Hobbes—When you’re dumped, deal with it
There’s that point at which the most hopeless romantic needs to suck it up and face reality. When you get dumped, get over it. Pure and simple. He don’t want you no more. She is bored. Whichever the gender, face facts: That wonderful one no longer finds you so wonderful after all. It happens. Hurts […]
Posted inOpinion
Memories at a birthday party
My 90th birthday celebration, held a couple of weeks ago, was given by my children, grandchildren, and a few great-grandchildren. It proved to be more than just a pleasant, enjoyable evening; it also revived some wonderful memories. It recreated some past memories of occasions that kind of made a guy think, “Gee, I would like […]
Posted inSports
ANOTHER VIEW By Charles Hallman—For many athletes, faith comes first
Some say sports and Christianity don’t mix. When an athlete says, “Thank God” after a score or a big win, some question their sincerity. But not the following locals. “We all share a mutual best friend — Jesus,” says Lynx guard Candice Wiggins. She, Taj McWilliams-Franklin and Maya Moore spoke last month to fans after […]
Posted inSports
Of MVP contenders Augustus and Whalen, who most deserves the honor?—By Charles Hallman Staff Writer
While local reporters and others openly lobby for Lindsay Whalen as this year’s WNBA most valuable player, the MSR last week asked Chicago Sky Coach-General Manager Pokey Chatman her opinion on the subject. “Seimone,” she said simply as she referred to Minnesota Lynx guard Seimone Augustus, Whalen’s teammate. While she recognized point guard Whalen’s accomplishments […]
Posted inNews
Reflections of 9/11: a survivor’s story—By Charles Hallman, Staff Writer
The day was “absolutely beautiful…no clouds in the sky. A picture-perfect September morning,” recalls Nicole Simpson. “I was at my office at 8 am and was having a daily meeting. I was on the 73rd floor.” That was September 11, 2001 — a day forever etched in Simpson’s memory and an entire nation’s memory as […]
Posted inNews
Reflections of 9/11: a survivor’s story
The day was “absolutely beautiful…no clouds in the sky. A picture-perfect September morning,” recalls Nicole Simpson. “I was at my office at 8 am and was having a daily meeting. I was on the 73rd floor.” That was September 11, 2001 — a day forever etched in Simpson’s memory and an entire nation’s memory as […]
Posted inNews
Black bloggers have power to influence the 2012 election—By Charles Hallman, Staff Writer
Usually when political blogs are discussed, Blacks aren’t mentioned. “There is no digital divide,” proclaimed Cheryl Contee, a co-founder of JackandJillPolitics.com, which is considered one of the top 10 Black blogs in the U.S. She referred to a Pew online study released earlier this year. “Twenty-five percent of African Americans access Twitter every day; 10 […]
Posted inNews
Black bloggers have power to influence the 2012 election
Black political blogs have played a significant role in defending President Obama and calling out racist postings.
Posted inNews
‘America will never leave your side’—By Charles Hallman, Staff Writer
Unemployment among veterans was a key issue discussed among the 10,000 delegates at the three-day American Legion national convention in Minneapolis last week. President Obama’s August 30 address to the convention promised policy initiatives meant to ease the problem. Jobless figures overall for all veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are “around […]
Posted inNews
‘For our people, by our people’—By Charles Hallman, Staff Writer
Turning Point, Inc., a North Minneapolis-based private mental health and chemical health agency, soon plans to open its doors for a “Culturally Specific Service Center.” The one-stop comprehensive approach to addressing dysfunctional individuals and families will take into account the history of Black people and the disparities they must still contend with in their daily […]
Posted inNews
Minneapolis Urban League down but not out—By Vickie Evans-Nash, Contributing Writer
In June 2008, after a decade of serving as the president and CEO of Minneapolis Urban League (MUL), Clarence Hightower resigned his position. In June of 2009, after a national search that lasted almost one year, Scott Gray became the organization’s current CEO. Since then the St. Paul Urban League has closed, and some community […]
Posted inArts + Culture, News
Racism, sexism, run rampant in Super Bowl commercials—By Charles Hallman, Staff Writer
“[Most ad agencies are developing ads without minority participation,” says Advantage Communications President/CEO Michael Steele, a former Coca-Cola marketing executive. Photo courtesy of Advantage Communications”] The lack of diversity in top advertising agencies’ creative positions remains an unresolved issue in the advertising industry, says a study by the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport […]
Posted inOpinion
VOICES OF THE VILLAGE By Lissa Jones—Public figures aren’t perfect, just public
“Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone; but if someone puts his hand on you, send him to the cemetery.” “Stumbling is not falling.” — Malcolm X Ah, beautiful, wonderful, complex Malcolm. Our leader, a hero to me. He spoke truth, no matter who it was about or what it involved: “I’m for […]
Posted inOpinion
THROUGH MY EYES By Ron Edwards—Mpls streets a battleground for city’s soul
The Rybak administration pretends crime and violence are under control on the streets and in the neighborhoods of Minneapolis. My last column reported 22 shot or stabbed, with three deaths. I now add six more stabbings where one died and the firing of gunmen on a mosque in South Minneapolis celebrating Ramadan, killing a 26-year-old […]
Posted inOpinion
Black children in foster care urgently need permanent families—By Karen Franklin Guest Commentator
“I have been in long-term foster care since the age of two and a half,” says Aminah, a foster care youth. ”I have experienced living in 10 different foster homes and have had more than 15 different placements. I wish that more people would take advantage of the chance to provide a better life for […]