Dear North Minneapolis families and residents, Creating a new North High School that successfully prepares students to be productive global citizens remains one of my top priorities. Our youth in North Minneapolis must have a rigorous educational experience, and our community must have a community school that it can be proud of. My commitment to […]
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Posted inOpinion
Council on Black Minnesotans next to fall?
For many months in this column, we have addressed the accelerating rate surrounding the demise and collapse of Black institutions. It is misleading to think this is a great nova exploding upon the scene without warning, without advance declarations of problems, as if Black institutions and organizations are “all of a sudden” disappearing and going […]
Posted inOpinion
Now is the time for genuine ‘alternative certification’
Our state legislators have just finished debating the details of a law that would open a new path or way (a.k.a. alternative certification) for top college graduates, mid-career professionals, and teachers licensed in other states to teach in Minnesota classrooms. The governor ultimately decides. No matter what, we as Black folks must be clear on […]
Posted inOpinion
Critical thinking in the Black Independence Movement
“Someone told a lie a long time ago, a lie that said that everything ‘White’ was good, and everything ‘Black’ was bad.” — Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. If we grew up in America, we grew up “White.” We grew up drowned in myths of Black inferiority and White supremacy, our bellies full of […]
Posted inOpinion
Egyptian protesters dealt U.S. a ‘stunning blow’ as well
Trying My Best Frank Erickson When it comes to our government’s exported violence, their words do not coincide with their actions — and our mainstream media are more than happy to further it along. A McClatchy newspaper article in the Feb. 12 Pioneer Press stated that “if the Egyptian revolution delivers on its promise of […]
Posted inOpinion
Decision looms on new football stadium
Among the many things that the new governor, Mark Dayton, has on his agenda is the decision to support a new football stadium. His decision on this matter could turn out to become one of the (if not simply the) defining decisions of his early tenure. The decision is important first because of its timing. […]
Posted inSports
This columnist’s best-evers have Detroit roots
Conclusion of a three-part story The best basketball player I’ve ever seen is someone not named Michael or Magic. His name is Dana Coggins, and he never played college ball or the NBA even though he easily would have done well in either venue. I had the pleasure of being on the same grade-school team […]
Posted inSports
Anthony goes to New York — finally!
Los Angeles — I don’t know about you, but for me the melodrama is over. The last three months of constant trade-to-New-York speculation and rumors involving Denver All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony, the sixth-leading scorer in the NBA, was getting on my last nerve while I was covering the 60th NBA All-Star weekend. Clearly Anthony wanted […]
Posted inSports
You can be more than you are: How to be a good student-athlete
Having the opportunity to work with aspiring athletes, it is my feeling that proper academics, physical training and spiritual experiences must go hand in hand for a student-athlete to gain the maximum benefit from such a well-rounded and versatile learning experience. Black athletes would be much better physical performers if they had more self-confidence. The […]
Posted inNews
Proposed state bill draws Black ire
By Charles Hallman Staff Writer St. Paul City Council Member Melvin Carter (l) and Rep. Rena Moran both oppose the bill. Current state law that says children have to be at least age 14 before being charged as adults. However, a new bill is being considered that, if passed, would allow a judge to certify […]
Posted inArts + Culture, News
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom: ‘Wilson delivers a jaw-dropping kick in the gut’
Theater Review By Dwight Hobbes Contributing Writer Photo courtesy of the Gutherie Theater Last time Penumbra Theatre Company did August Wilson’s hallmark drama Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, all, to say the least, did not go well. In fact, it was a train wreck. Company member Terry Bellamy, playing the lead, “Levee,” tossed in a line […]
Posted inNews
Diversity woven into national LGBT conference
News Analysis By Stephani Maari Booker Community Editor A workshop entitled “The Pink Elephant in the Room: White Privilege and Racism Within the Queer Community” packed a room with over 60 people. Local activist Farheen Hakeem led a “Fighting Islamophobia and Homophobia” workshop. Roxanne Anderson, local LGBT activist and conference organizer -Photos by Misha Oneby […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Half the Sky: Book an account of justice for women and girls
Man’s boundless inhumanity to woman is by no means news. All the more reason to read Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide (Vintage Books/Random House, $15.99). This exhaustive account details, as one would expect, hellish sexual slavery and gender-based violence including honor killings and mass rape. There is, however, something surprisingly […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Felix Hampton Brown: artist and ‘edgertainer’
By Donavee Chappell Contributing Writer F.H. Brown, among other things, is a spoken-word artist, hat designer and painter. Photos courtesy of F.H. Brown Felix Hampton (F.H.) Brown is a self-named “edgertainer”: educator and entertainer with a satirical, political edge. He is also a painter and fashion designer. This man wears many hats — in fact, […]
Posted inArts + Culture
This Week’s Spotlights
Science Museum of Minnesota 120 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, 651-221-9444 or www.smm.org Feb. 18 — Sept. 5: Tutankhamen: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs More than 100 artifacts from the tomb of the famed pharaoh and other notable ancient sites are featured in this exhibit. Tickets are $16-$30 (includes admission to the museum’s […]
Posted inOpinion
The One-Drop Rule is still ruling us
H.I.T. Hodges Investigation team I would like to thank everyone for your responses to my columns. I really value your feedback. This month we will return to one of my favorite types of column, my famed community survey. This time we hit the streets of the Twin Cities area asking people the following question: Why […]
Posted inOpinion
In Mpls, Black History Month has become Black Mystery Month
Through My Eyes Rod Edwards Censorship, whether by “our” side or “their” side, is still an infringement on freedom of speech, whether in Minneapolis or in Cairo. This occasional “State of the Community” column coincides with the “State of the World.” As newspapers and TV news shows work against limits of time and space, websites […]
Posted inOpinion
Race trumps dog, dog trumps woman
Mellaneous Mel Reeves I tried and I tried unsuccessfully while watching the Super Bowl to ignore Big Ben’s off-the-field indiscretions involving women, but I couldn’t get away from the obvious double standard of society jumping all over Michael Vick, who has paid his dues, and Roethlisberger, who clearly has a dim view of women and […]
Posted inOpinion
Ellison’s energy better applied to North Minneapolis than to Egypt
Something I Said Dwight Hobbes Ever the slick opportunist in crusader’s clothing, Congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN) waited until the tide in Egypt had fully turned and then, in characteristic grandstanding fashion, hopped on the bandwagon to call for you and me to stand in solidarity with the protesters in Cairo who, as of this writing, […]
Posted inSports
NFL owners want players to buckle
Billionaire Jerry Jones, owner of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys and fabulous Texas Stadium, site of last week’s Super Bowl XLV, said recently, “Are we going to be playing in the fall?” Football that is, like games? Hall-of-Famer Ronnie Lott told me at the Super Bowl that this contract with the owners and players is the […]