The origins of policing in the United States trace back to slave patrols, revealing a system designed to enforce racial and economic control.
systemic racism
Posted inNews
Making America white again
“White people are trapped in a history they do not understand; and until they understand it, they cannot be released from it.” — James Baldwin, The Fire Next Time The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids are not a new invention of law and order. They are the evolution of slave patrols — […]
Posted inOpinion
Black Americans face unequal burden as U.S. inches closer to war
Black Americans are often overrepresented in combat roles and underrepresented in leadership. As war looms, experts warn of unequal risks and lasting consequences.
Posted inOpinion
Juneteenth is Just One of Many Emancipation Days—We Must Remember the Rest
Juneteenth marks a historic milestone in the long fight for Black liberation — but the truth behind emancipation is far more painful. This powerful commentary reveals how many “freedoms” came with a cost.
Posted inLocal & State
Federal judge dismisses MPD consent decree
A federal judge dismissed the MPD federal consent decree, halting federal oversight of police reforms. Minneapolis officials say they will continue with the full slate of reforms despite the ruling.
Posted inOpinion
If a rich white man says prisons are racist, it must be true
Todd Chrisley is calling out racism in federal prisons, exposing the unequal treatment of Black inmates and adding visibility to long-standing prison reform efforts.
Posted inLocal & State
Sen. Smith decries fed’s withdrawal from MPD oversight
Sen. Tina Smith is condemning the Trump administration’s withdrawal from the MPD federal consent decree, which was intended to drive reforms following the DOJ’s investigation into civil rights violations. Smith calls the move a betrayal of justice.
Posted inGeorge Floyd
Gains and backlash in the Black freedom struggle
Trahern Crews reflects on the George Floyd legacy, documenting progress, backlash, and the urgent need to protect reforms sparked by the 2020 uprising.
Posted inGeorge Floyd
5 Years Since the Murder of George Floyd: A Statement from Minnesota Justice Research Center
Five years after George Floyd’s murder, MNJRC reflects on community progress and urges continued transformation of Minnesota’s criminal legal system.
Posted inGeorge Floyd
The unfinished change
Jaylani Hussein examines the broken promises of police reform, political inaction, and the enduring fight for racial justice in the five years since George Floyd’s murder.
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Black Babies Are Still Dying—And America Let It Happen
A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals that Black children in the United States have consistently faced significantly higher mortality rates than their white peers, with no improvement in relative disparities since the 1950s, resulting in over half a million avoidable infant deaths and nearly 690,000 childhood deaths among Black Americans between 1950 and 2019.
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Mental health organization, Reviving Roots Wellness, hosts weekly ‘Black in America’ support group
Reviving Roots Wellness, a Minneapolis-based mental health hub, has created the “Black in America” support group to provide a safe space for the local Black community to seek healing and support, addressing the need for culturally competent care and the impact of racial trauma.
Posted inOpinion
Reclaiming full-spectrum Black femininity
The “strong Black woman” stereotype, which has been perpetuated for centuries, has a dark side as it erases the complexity and vulnerability of Black women, and can contribute to mental health issues and a lack of authenticity.
Posted inLocal & State
Employment disparities
Black Minnesotans face employment disparities due to access to higher education, systemic racism, bias in hiring and promotion decisions, and limited representation in certain sectors, but steps are being taken to address these issues through policy changes and programs.
Posted inArts + Culture, Movies, Television
Stanley Nelson’s doc ‘Sound of the Police’ dissects police in Black communities
The tragic killings by police of Amir Locke, George Floyd and Jamar Clark serve as the emotional core of the documentary “Sound of the Police,” now airing on Hulu.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Historic Tulsa reparations lawsuit dismissed, but the fight for justice continues
‘While the survivors said dismissing the lawsuit is disappointing, it is unlikely to halt the growing awareness of this crucial chapter in American history, which sheds light on contemporary disparities.’
Posted inFeatured, Local & State, News
Two years after Floyd’s murder: local voices call for more than ‘dribs and drabs’
‘I believe that the City needs to establish a truth and reconciliation commission that is comprised primarily of Black residents.’
Posted inFeatured, Local & State, National, News
Black suicide surge continues
African American boys between the ages of five and 12 are more likely to die by suicide than any other age group.
Posted inFeatured, Local & State, National, News
Senate gridlock stalls police reform bills
‘It’s well known that the discussion around qualified immunity is a big part of the challenge,’ Sen. Tina Smith told the MSR.
Posted inFeatured, National, News
Biden signs executive orders aimed at tackling racism in America
On Tuesday, Jan. 26, President Biden signed a series of executive orders meant to strike at the heart of American racism.