I find it interesting that, in all the protests throughout the Middle East, the Iraq protests are the only ones protesting for “improved government services.” Everyone else in the Middle East is protesting to overthrow their government, except in Iraq. Supposedly they are happy with their new government, and they are taking to the streets […]
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Posted inOpinion
Desegregation led to growth of hoops tourneys
Did you ever stop to take note of the many basketball tournaments that take place this time of year? They are beginning to spread like wild fire. From the NBA to the Pony League, they seem to be spreading all over the place. In a sense, it seems that these events, and the wild celebrations […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
The beginnings of Black studies at U of Minnesota
By Odera Odenyo Contributing Writer “I reject the view which regards African history as the story of European adventures.” With these words by University of Minnesota student Daniel Ajah Okoronkwo, the Center for Advanced AfricanUnderstanding (CAAU) was born in Minneapolis in June 1968. It was the height of the Civil Rights Movement in America. Martin […]
Posted inArts + Culture
This Week’s Spotlights March 31- April 6
Sheraton Bloomington 7800 Normandale Blvd., Bloomington, 952-835-7800 April 13-16: 12th Annual White Privilege Conference Theme is “This Land Is Whose Land?” Defining Citizenship, Understanding Access, Taking Action WPC is a conference designed to examine issues of White privilege and other forms of privilege including those based on race, gender, sexuality, class, disability, etc. WPC is […]
Posted inArts + Culture, News
Teaching kids through low-budget travel
By Sheletta Brundidge Contributing Writer Spring break is almost here, and if your children are anything like my son Andrew, they’re already asking, “Mom, where are we going on vacation?” My baby is accustomed to traveling. That boy has logged more frequent flier miles in his first three years of life than the Minnesota Timberwolves. […]
Posted inSports
VCU vs. Butler & Kentucky vs. Connecticut in Final Four!
The NCAA tournament does not always deliver the best team to their marquee event, the NCAA Final Four. In 2011 the Final Four will have zero number-one seeds in Houston to prove it. Is that a major problem? With number-one Ohio State 38-3, Kansas 35-3 and San Diego State 34-3 at home? Legendary former Georgetown […]
Posted inSports
Scant coverage of NCAA women’s games ‘all about the dollars’
Onika Nicole Craven -Photo by Charles Hallman Crystal Flint – MSR file photo My March Madness reached an all-time vertical high this year. Every NCAA men’s tournament game was broadcast live on one of four networks — 26 games on CBS, 16 on TNT, 13 on truTV and 12 on TNT — while the women’s […]
Posted inSports
It’s a three-peat for Hopkins boys’ basketball team
Marving Singleton Siyani Chambers Zach Lofton Joe Coleman – Photos by Mitchell Palmer McDonald Hopkins, led by MARVING SINGLETON, JOE COLEMAN, SIYANI CHAMBERS, and ZACH STAHL, led the Royals to their third consecutive Class 4A title in the boys’ state basketball tournament last weekend. And an interesting tournament it was. Defending 3A champ and top […]
Posted inSports
Winfield has a new challenge; Gopher football has three Black coaches
Jeff Phelps Brian Anderson Melvin Rice Photos courtesy of the U of Minnesota Melvin Rice photo by Scott Walstrom, NIU Media Service DAVID M. WINFIELD, the executive vice president/senior advisor of the San Diego Padres, is expanding his duties at the ESPN program Baseball Tonight. He will be seen mostly on Sundays and Mondays. The […]
Posted inResources
NorthPoint food drive
NorthPoint food drive NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center’s Community Food Shelf is working to raise a combined $55,000 in food and cash donations during March • Last year, more than 30,000 North Minneapolis residents were served at the food shelf and that number is expected to grow in 2011 • Two-thirds of NorthPoint Food Shelf […]
Posted inNews
Study finds City of Minneapolis deficient in minority contracting
By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Business owners Mariaha and Korey Dean helped prioritize the needs and concerns of small businesses. -Photo by Charles Hallman A City of Minneapolis disparity study released last November found that the City of Minneapolis should do more to create equal opportunity for businesses owned by people of color and women […]
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Midwest Minority Supplier Diversity Council welcomes new president
By James L. Stroud, Jr. Contributing Writer On Wednesday, March 16, a welcoming reception was held for Duane Ramseur, the new president of the Midwest Minority Supplier Development Council (MMSDC). The organization helps connect minority-owned businesses and corporations throughout the Twin Cities community, the State of Minnesota, Nebraska, and North and South Dakota. It promotes […]
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St. Paul NAACP’s new chief says branch alive and busy
By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Jeffry Martin became St. Paul NAACP president in January. “My vision for the St. Paul NAACP is right in line with the national vision,” said Martin last week in an interview with the MSR. “I think we have to get people within our community to see the NAACP as being […]
Posted inOpinion
It’s time to quit “waitin’ on Roosevelt”
“The pot was empty,/ The cupboard was bare./I said, Papa,/What’s the matter here?/I’m waitin’ on Roosevelt, son,/ Roosevelt, Roosevelt,/Waitin’ on Roosevelt, son./ The rent was due,/ And the lights was out./ I said, Tell me, Mama,/ What’s it all about?/ We’re waitin’ on Roosevelt, son,/ Roosevelt, Roosevelt,/ Just waitin’ on Roosevelt./ Sister got sick/ And […]
Posted inOpinion
Mpls Civil Rights case backlog eliminated — by shredding
Last week’s column reported three Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) personnel who have emerged as heroes in exposing serious ongoing ethical and illegal MDCR breaches. This week, a fourth: Ronald G. Brandon, former chief supervisor of the MDCR Investigative Unit. His ouster from the department and City of Minneapolis came after his expressions of […]
Posted inOpinion
Black comics are an usher’s nightmare
In my mild-mannered secret identity, I usher for a great metropolitan theater establishment. Step in a phone booth and emerge as a nondescript, nattily attired entity who, when you’re downtown Minneapolis in the Orpheum, State or Pantages Theatre venues, shows you to your seat, where the restroom is, the bar, generally facilitating your enjoyment of […]
Posted inArts + Culture, News
Jazz needs fresh artists, new music to move the art forward
Trumpeter, composer, and bandleader Nicholas Payton’s new mixtape, Bitches, features guest vocalists Cassandra Wilson and Esperanza Spalding. -Photo by Michael Wilson Check it out! The Pace Report: Revive Da Live Big Band with Nicolas Payton and Talib Kweli: watch?v=E89SKng9-Es Jazz has never known a time quite like this. Much has changed. Much has stayed the […]
Posted inArts + Culture, News
This Week’s Spotlights March 24-30
Dancer’s Studio 1508 University Ave. W., St. Paul Sat., Mar. 26, 7 pm (VIP reception at 6 pm): “Living as Light” Fundraising Gala Benefiting One Way Up Prison Ministry With performances by Shelia Raye Charles, Cherelle, Kevin L., Jubilee, St. Paul Saintz and the Bluprint Silent auction at VIP reception Tickets are $65 in advance […]
Posted inArts + Culture, News
Documentary details plight of Colombians of African descent
By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Uprooted shows single mother Noris in the shanties of her refugee camp in Colombia. -Photo courtesy of Juan Mejia Botero A film about the terrible plight of Afro-Colombians caught in the middle of the Colombian civil war recently was aired as part of the third season of PBS’ AfroPoP: The […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Job Corps alumnus now works for civil rights
“Job Corps saved my life — I was a knucklehead.” So says Johnnie Burns, assistant director in the Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights. He’s in charge of the Contract Compliance Unit, supervising six people whose work ensures that, in employment contracting, there is city ordinance compliance with affirmative action, civil rights and non-discrimination policies. “The […]