Insight News ::: 3.28.11

WORKSHEET ON PAGE 7

INSIGHT NEWS March 28 - April 3, 2011 • MN Metro Vol. 37 No. 13 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • www.insightnews.com

Angelique Kidjo: Global appeal

By Samuel Bastian McFarlane Media Mumbai, India Those who have ever been to an Angelique Kidjo—African jazz artiste—performance would not be surprised that she hit the right chords with the audience during her first performance in India at the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai, India, on Friday, Feb 11.

But the Indian audience was surprised, and electrified as the atmosphere permeated with her warmth, and her thumping music. The audience response was something we rarely see in

performances on Indian stage.

Towards the end of the show, they left their seats and literally poured on to the stage to keep time with the singer’s beat: it was a befitting grand finale for a great show.

“NCPA always presents great concerts, but they are ‘see and go’ types. Angelique Kidjo presented an entirely different experience one charged with energy,” said TV starlet, Mridula Koladkar.

Kidjo, an African from the small country of Benin, won the 2008 Grammy for Best Contemporary World

KIDJO TURN TO 7 kidjo.com

Ellison calls GOP hearing misguided

By Harry Colbert, Jr.

US Representative Keith Ellison (MN-5)

The actions of a very few should not be used to define – and in many ways defame – an entire community.

That’s the message Rep. Keith Ellison hopes was conveyed during his recent testimony before a congressional hearing on the “radicalization of the American Muslim community.” Ellison, the first Muslim elected to the United States House of Representatives and first African-American Minnesotan to be elected to the House, believes the hearing was not only uncalled for, it bordered on racist and sectarian.

“Targeting all Muslims for acts of terrorism is like targeting all whites for the deeds of the

KKK (Ku Klux Klan),” Ellison said in an exclusive interview for Insight News.

The recent hearings were the brainchild of Rep. Peter King (R-NY), who heads the House’s Homeland Security Committee.

According to Ellison, King’s agenda was less about American security and more about political grandstanding. Ellison questioned, “If (the hearing) was about security, why not discuss other homegrown terrorists like those who support bombings of abortion clinics and members of Timothy McVeigh type militia groups or the white supremacist (James Von Brunn) who killed the guard at the (U.S. Holocaust Memorial) Museum?”

According to reports, King was pleased with the hearing and even plans to hold another

Tyler specializes in criminal law The Minnesota State Bar Association announced the certification of F. Clayton Tyler as an MSBA Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist. This new Certification program is administered by the MSBA and approved by the State Board of Legal Certification.

The MSBA has been accredited as an independent professional organization for certifying attorneys as Criminal Law Specialists, Real Property Law Specialists, Civil Trial Law Specialists and Labor and Employment Law Specialists.

This achievement has been earned by fewer than 3% of all licensed Minnesota attorneys.

The certified specialist designation is earned by leading attorneys who have completed

TYLER TURN TO 11

Watkins wins Bancroft Award

PAGE 4

serve a radical agenda. “There can be no doubt that groups are recruiting young Muslims and we (he and members of the Somali community) are working to stop these efforts,” said the congressman.

According to Ellison, American-Muslims should be praised for their role in helping to foil prospective terror plots. He said the best way to stem any threat to America is to reach out to the Muslim community. With respect to Somali-Americans, Ellison credits his fellow Minnesotans for doing just that. He says Somalis are being encouraged to work with local law enforcement and, according to Ellison; there are currently at least three Somali-

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Legislators unite to oppose education cuts

a rigorous approval process, including an examination in the specialty area, peer review, and documented experience.

The goal of MSBA Certified Legal Specialist programs is to assist the public by identifying attorneys who meet objective specialty area standards for reliable knowledge and experience.

“I’m extremely pleased to receive this certification,” stated attorney F. Clayton Tyler. “I take great pride in providing my clients quality legal services at affordable prices. For more than 30 years, my legal practice has been dedicated to offering a professional, knowledgeable

Education

hearing of the radicalization of American-Muslims in the U.S. prison system.

Ellison not only says the hearing was, at best, misguided, but discounted the true victims of radical Muslim factions. “When we talk about Muslim terror organizations, understand the people most affected are, in fact, Muslim. When we talk about AlQaeda, we’re talking about 200 or so people and the majority of its victims are Muslim,” Ellison said, point to killings throughout the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Africa.

Representing a district home to one of the largest SomaliAmerican populations in the nation – most of whom are Muslim – Ellison acknowledged some groups are preying on the community in attempts to

Clayton F. Tyler

Aesthetics Hill Harper

PAGE 5

African American legislators are voicing their unified opposition to a House GOP bill that disproportionately cuts funding to inner city schools. The bill was passed today in the House Education committee on a party line vote. Legislators said the unfair cuts would likely worsen the state’s achievement gap.

“This bill is a political tool that creates winners and loser in our school funding formula with the students in our inner city schools taking the biggest hit,” said State Rep. Jeff Hayden (DFL – Minneapolis). “They are fundamentally undermining

Lifestyle

Use foil for less toil

PAGE 8

our state’s efforts to reduce our achievement gap.”

In total, the education bill reduces K-12 education funding by $21 million. However, the plan would hit schools in Minneapolis and St. Paul much more severely than schools in other regions of the state.

Special education funding receives a cut but the mandate to provide special education remains. This triggers general education cuts or property tax increases, especially in schools where more students receive

CUTS TURN TO 2

Technology

Hmong American Partnership public computer center

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Page 2 • March 28 - April 3, 2011 • Insight News

insightnews.com

Libya: Getting it right

By Gerald A. Perreira Part of 1 of a series Thousands of Indians, Egyptians, Chinese, Filipinos, Turks, Germans, English, Italians, Malaysians, Koreans and a host of other nationalities are lining up at the borders and the airport to leave Libya. It begs the question: What were they doing in Libya in the first place? Unemployment figures, according to the Western media and Al Jazeera, are at 30%, if this is so, then why all these foreign workers?

For those of us who have lived and worked in Libya, there are many complexities to the current situation that have been completely overlooked by the Western media and ‘Westoxicated’ analysts, who have nothing other than a Eurocentric perspective to draw on. Let us be clear - there is no possibility of understanding what is happening in Libya within a Eurocentric framework.

Westerners are incapable of understanding a system unless the system emanates from or is attached in some way to the West. Libya’s system and the battle now taking place on its soil, stands completely outside of the Western imagination.

News coverage by the BBC, CNN and Al Jazeera has been oversimplified and misleading. An array of antiQaddafi spokespersons, most living outside Libya, have been paraded in front of us – each one clearly a counter-revolutionary and less credible than the last.

Despite the clear and irrefutable evidence from the beginning of this rebellion that Muammar Qaddafi had considerable support both inside Libya and internationally, not one proQaddafi voice has been allowed to air. The media and their selected commentators have done their best to manufacture an opinion that Libya is essentially the same as Egypt and Tunisia and that Qaddafi is just another tyrant amassing large sums of money in Swiss

Wikmedia Commons(Hakeem Gadi)

Tripoli skyline bank accounts. But no matter how hard they try, they cannot make Qaddafi into a Mubarak or Libya into Egypt.

The first question is: Is the revolt taking place in Libya fuelled by a concern over economic issues such as poverty and unemployment as the media would have us believe? Let us examine the facts.

Under the revolutionary leadership of Muammar Qaddafi, Libya has attained the highest standard of living in Africa. In 2007, in an article which appeared in the African Executive Magazine, Norah Owaraga noted that Libya, “unlike other oil producing countries such as Nigeria, utilized the revenue from its oil to develop its country. The

standard of living of the people of Libya is one of the highest in Africa, falling in the category of countries with a GNP per capita of between USD 2,200 and 6,000.”

This is all the more remarkable when we consider that in 1951 Libya was officially the poorest country in the world. According to the World Bank, the per capita income was less than $50 a year - even lower than India. Today, all Libyans own their own homes and cars. Two Fleet Street journalists, David Blundy and Andrew Lycett, who are by no means supporters of the Libyan revolution, had this to say: “The young people are well dressed, well fed and well educated. Libyans now

Libya is fundamentally a battle between Pan-African forces on the one hand, who are dedicated to the realization of Qaddafi’s vision of a united Africa, and reactionary racist Libyan Arab forces who reject Qaddafi’s vision of Libya as part of a united Africa and want to ally themselves instead with the EU and look toward Europe and the Arab World for Libya’s future.

One of Muammar Qaddafi’s most controversial and difficult moves in the eyes of many Libyans was his championing of Africa and his determined drive to unite Africa with one currency, one army and a shared vision regarding the true independence and liberation of the entire continent. He has contributed large amounts of his time and energy and large sums of money to this project and like Kwame Nkrumah, he has paid a high price.

Many of the Libyan people did not approve of this move.

They wanted their leader to look towards Europe. Of course, Libya has extensive investments and commercial ties with Europe but the Libyans know that Qaddafi’s heart is in Africa.

Many years ago, Qaddafi told a large gathering, which included Libyans and revolutionaries from many parts of the world, that the Black Africans were the true owners of Libya long before the Arab incursion into North Africa, and that Libyans need to acknowledge and pay tribute to their ancient African roots.

He ended by saying, as is proclaimed in his Green Book, that “the Black race shall prevail throughout the world”. This is not what many Libyans wanted to hear. As with all fair skinned Arabs, prejudice against Black Africans is endemic.

Brother Leader, Guide of the Revolution and King of Kings are some of the titles that have been bestowed on Qaddafi by Africans. Only last month Qaddafi called for the creation of a Secretariat of traditional African Chiefs and Kings, with whom he has excellent ties, to coordinate efforts to build African unity at the grassroots

earn more per capita than the British. The disparity in annual incomes... is smaller than in most countries. Libya’s wealth has been fairly spread throughout society. Every Libyan gets free, and often excellent, education, medical and health services. New colleges and hospitals are impressive by any international standard. All Libyans have a house or a flat, a car and most have televisions, video recorders and telephones.

Compared with most citizens of the Third World countries, and with many in the First World, Libyans have it very good indeed.” (Source: Qaddafi and the Libyan Revolution) Large scale housing construction has taken place right across the country. Every citizen has been given a decent house or apartment to live in rent-free. In Qaddafi’s Green Book it states: “The house is a basic need of both the individual and the family, therefore it should not be owned by others.”

This dictum has now become a reality for the Libyan people.

Large scale agricultural projects have been implemented in an effort to ‘make the desert bloom’ and achieve selfsufficiency in food production.

Any Libyan who wants to become a farmer is given free use of land, a house, farm equipment, some livestock and seed. In addition, all basic food items are subsidized and sold through a network of ‘people’s shops’.

Today, Libya can boast one of the finest health care systems in the Arab and African World.

All people have access to doctors, hospitals, clinics and medicines, completely free of all charges.

The fact is that the Libyan revolution has achieved such a high standard of living for its people that they import labour from other parts of the world to do the jobs that Libyans refuse to do. The Libyans themselves are able to sustain a very decent standard of living without having to take menial work - this is because the families and extended families are prosperous and therefore do not need their young sons and daughters to work at jobs they do not want to do in order to be housed, clothed and fed. Many

of these ‘unemployed’ travel to lands as far as Malaysia and China buying goods for sale in their family businesses.

Libya has been called by many observers inside and out, ‘a nation of shop keepers’. It is part of the Libyan Arab psyche to own your own small business and this type of small scale private enterprise flourishes in Libya. We can draw on many examples of Libyans with young sons who expressed the idea that it would be shameful for the family if these same young men were to seek menial work, and instead preferred for them to remain at home supported by the extended family.

Those workers who are not being brought into Libya to do menial work are being brought in to work in professions such as nursing, teaching in the international schools and as professionals in oil related and other high tech industries. All Libyans have access to free education from primary to university level and are encouraged to take up scholarships for advanced post-graduate studies at universities abroad. However, it is important to note that Libya is a deeply traditional society, and although the Libyan revolution has made education and training freely available to all its citizens, male and female, there has been a preference in many families for women not to go to higher levels of education and into professions which are traditionally seen as ‘male professions’, and for young Libyan males to go into the family business rather than seek professional training.

No system is perfect, and Libya is no exception.

They suffered nine years of economic sanctions and this caused huge problems for the Libyan economy. Also, there is nowhere on planet earth that has escaped the monumental crisis of neo-liberal capitalism. It has impacted everywhere—even on post revolutionary societies that have rejected ‘free market’ capitalism. However, severe economic injustice is not at the heart of this conflict. So then, what is?

Ellison

representative said atrocities the Libyan leader, Muammar Gadhafi, is perpetrating cannot be ignored and he has no problem with the U.S. assisting in enforcing a United Nations imposed no-fly zone.

“Without intervention we could be looking at genocide the likes of Rwanda or Bosnia,” said Ellison.

However, Ellison called for President Obama to reach out for congressional approval for any U.S. intervention.

“It’s important congress have an oversight role here,” said Ellison.

Conflict began several weeks ago when protestors in the North African nation called for the Libyan ruler to step down. A defiant Gadhafi vowed not to step down, accused outsiders of propping-up the protestors and has since been accused of using his military to torture and kill those opposed to his rule.

“I oppose the notion that we should use our children as political pawns. That’s what this bill essentially does,” said State Rep. Bobby Joe Champion (DFL – Minneapolis). We should instead look for solutions that recognize that every child in Minnesota deserves an equal chance to succeed.”

“Frankly I’m disheartened

by the Republican’s supposed ‘reforms’ in this bill,” said State Rep. Rena Moran (DFLSt. Paul). “Instead of taking this opportunity to address the critical challenges facing many schools, this bill furthers inequities at the cost of our children. It is not the education reform our schools need, nor deserve.”

From 1 American police officers in the Minneapolis Police Department.

Support for no fly zone Rep. Ellison also weighed-in on the growing unrest in Libya and the U.S. involvement.

The Minnesota

Cuts From 1 special education. The plan also drastically cuts integration aid for Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth and redirects those resources to programs other school districts would use.

A Battle for Africa The battle that is being waged in

LIBYA TURN TO 11

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Insight News • March 28 - April 3, 2011 • Page 3

BUSINESS Empowering the undiscovered leader within

By Marcia Humphrey Contributing Writer When I first asked Mary Jo Winston what she most wanted people to know about the sixyear-old organization that she founded, called Bridges of Hope Restoration Services, after a brief pause, this is what she said, “My goal is to help empower the undiscovered leader within people.” While it seems like an impossible dream, Winston says that literally her dreams were the seed that produced the fruitful business about which she is so passionate. Winston explains, “In my dream I saw people, from all walks of life, go into a building, and when they came out, they looked different… with outstretched arms, they were saying, ‘I now have hope and direction for my life!’”

Slowly, Winston’s dream began to come to pass, as she Courtesy of Bridges of Hope Restoration Services

Top: Michael B., Minister Marlon G., Deacon Earl K., Corey H., Floyd B. Bottom: LaToya B., Mary Jo Winston, Shelley H., Sarah S., Linda J.

INSIGHT NEWS www.insightnews.com

Insight News is published weekly, every Monday by McFarlane Media Interests.

Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane CFO Adrianne Hamilton-Butler

obtained sound advice and help from trusted, supportive friends who encouraged Winston to follow her dream. She recalls that her pastor suggested that she “just start writing.” Taking his advice, before long Winston

Vice President of Sales & Marketing Selene White Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Sr. Content & Production Coordinator Ben Williams Production Intern Andrew Notsch Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Facilities Support / Assistant Producer, Conversations with Al McFarlane Bobby Rankin Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Staff Writer Ivan B. Phifer Contributing Writers Maya Beecham Brenda Colston Julie Desmond S. Himie Marcia Humphrey Alaina L. Lewis Ryan T. Scott Lydia Schwartz Stacey Taylor Photography Suluki Fardan Tobechi Tobechukwu Contact Us: Insight News, Inc. Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis., MN 55411 Ph.: (612) 588-1313 Fax: (612) 588-2031 Member: Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium (MMMC), Midwest Black Publishers Coalition, Inc. (MBPCI), National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Postmaster: Send address changes to McFarlane Media Interests, Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55411.

next level of life’s journey.

An ordained minister and life coach, with a background in assisting those overcoming chemical dependency, you can’t help but be drawn to Winston’s spirited approach. Her clients—

corporations, nonprofits, and individuals—receive practical instruction and strategies in self-discovery, goal setting, and goal attainment. She says that once a person explores the concepts of identity, it helps

How to make a graceful exit Plan Your Career

Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford

realized that she had created the first draft of the curriculum she would eventually use for the courses that she would design and teach focused on restoring self-worth and building the confidence needed to reach the

eliminate fear, making him more equipped to be his personal best socially and professionally.

There are a variety of classes offered through Bridges of Hope Restoration Services (http://bridgesofhopeservices. com), some of which include the popular twelve-week leadership course, parenting training, and healthy family system.

In addition, Winston promises that new course offerings for youth and other exciting curriculum updates will soon be available.

Both Winston’s vision and heart are huge, as she endeavors to help individuals, families, and communities restore a lost sense of security, pride and confidence. She considers it a privilege to be able to serve her community in this vital way and welcomes those interested in partnering financially with Bridges of Hope Restoration Services.

There are also volunteer opportunities available for those interested in supporting Winston’s mission of hope through sponsorship, grant writing, and other administrative activities. For more information, contact Mary Jo Winston at P.O. Box 50182, Minneapolis, MN 55403, by phone, 612.229.8649 or 612.377.5912, or via email restorebridges@yahoo.com .

By Julie Desmond julie@insightnews.com Jordynne caught her supervisor walking down the hall after lunch last week. She asked, “Do you have a minute to talk?” As they headed toward an open conference room, he said, “This is a bad news walk, isn’t it?” Jordynne tried to talk, but just nodded instead. Then she explained that she had been wanting to try a different kind of work, and had found something that felt like the right next step.

It was a tough decision, she said, and it was going to be hard to leave the place she’d worked happily and successfully for two years.

Jordynne offered to give two weeks’ notice, but as often happens, her employer has a policy of no notice, meaning this was Jordynne’s last day.

As she quietly cleaned out her desk, co-workers stopped by to say goodbye, to wish her well, to remind her to keep in touch. The owner of the company stopped by to remind her she’d always

be welcome back.

Other people leaving the same company have left with the heat of bridges burning at their backs. The reason Jordynne’s experience was so much more positive is probably because of who she is and how she approaches her work and her coworkers.

Jordynne is reliable: she arrives on time and keeps her commitments. If you ask her to meet you somewhere, plan

an event or complete a project, she does it. As promised and on time.

She is consistent: her performance is superior to that of others on the team simply because it is the same all the time - methodical, thorough, thoughtful. She has challenges and stressful days like everyone else, but she drives straight ahead, no melodrama or excuses, consistently completing quality work.

Let’s be honest. In addition to all the professional attributes people like Jordynne have mastered, it helps to be friendly and fun to be around. Jordynne takes her work seriously, but never takes herself too seriously.

A quick smile, a loud laugh, a joke at her own expense is exactly what she brings to the table every time.

Whether this is day ten or year ten on the job, chances are good that you will, at some

Hennepin residents claim tax benefit An initiative to promote the earned-income tax credit to county residents is helping more families claim the benefit, according to a recent report provided to the county board.

In 2003 the Hennepin County Board realized that many low-income working families were not taking advantage of a tax credit designed especially for them.

County staff were directed to ensure better use of this program among eligible residents.

The effort has paid off, with a gain of approximately $190 million over the first seven years of the initiative resulting in total tax credit payments to low-income working families in Hennepin County of approximately $650 million over this period.

Earned Income Credit Tax returns in Hennepin increased 10 percent between 2008 and 2009 alone -- from 61,827 to 68,170 returns. Dollar amounts of credits received by Hennepin residents increased from $112 million in 2008 to $130 million in 2009. The average tax credit is about $2,200.

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point, leave the position you have. You will say goodbye to co-workers and let the door close behind you for the last time. Question is, what will that day be like for you? How will you be sure it goes the way you envision it, rather than going horribly wrong?

Julie Desmond is a Contracts Specialist for Specialized Recruiting Group in Edina.

Write to julie@insightnews.com.

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Page 4 • March 28 - April 3, 2011 • Insight News

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EDUCATION

Watkins wins Bancroft Award In 2007, the just turned 14, Shawnnise Watkins came to the YWCA of Minneapolis, to complete the Girls Resolution and Prevention (RAP)—an allgirl youth intervention program for first-time offenders—in order to have a disorderly conduct offense removed from her record.

Watkins had recently been in a fight that was serious enough for the police to get involved.

“At that time, Shawnnise was a strong, vibrant girl who stood up for herself and her friends and tried to solve all of her problems with a smart mouth and quick fists,” recalled Kyanna Wright a counselor at the YWCA of Minneapolis. “She didn’t like school and she wasn’t doing well at all. She felt all she ever heard was, ‘you’ll never be anything; you’ll never do anything.’ She even recalls a teacher telling her she was never going to make it.

Shawnnise loved to write, but mostly kept her talents to herself and used her smarts outside the classroom.”

The RAP program at the YWCA surrounded Watkins with adult role models. They convinced her that she had potential and positively encouraged her to believe in herself. As the first step in her journey, she made a personal commitment to change her approach to school.

The process was seemingly simple… but the results were astounding!

Changing her attitude resulted in improved grades that convinced Watkins that college was real and achievable. Her life has forever changed.

The Ann Bancroft Awards, to be held Thursday, April 28, 2011 at the Hyatt Hotel in downtown Minneapolis, will recognize four recipients for their accomplishments and support of girls and women. Shawnnise Watkins is one of them. The other three recipients are, Susan McCormick Hadley, Pam Borton

YWCA Minneapolis

Shawnisse Watkins and Women’s Advocates.

When Watkins talks about her vision for the future, she talks about completing college and going into law or social work. Her goal is to be able to help support girls like herself in working to end problems like racism, sexism, violence and poverty. She wants to work on

problems that lead to situations where girls think they must fight to retain their self respect but instead just end up getting kicked out of school. She wants to work with schools that don’t know how to help many girls of color learn, and she wants to work with girls who choose to get involved with drugs or violence, or who

end up raising babies, they never planned for, instead of following their dreams. However, Watkins is not waiting to finish college before she starts creating the future she wants to see.

“I have a little sister and cousins and friends,” said Watkins. “Things like bullying, abuse, sexual harassment, having

babies too young, fighting, and dropping out of school—that has to stop! I mean, I’ve had my share of fights and parties, but that’s not the answer. I hate watching people get hurt. If I don’t do anything, it makes me as bad as the people doing it.”

And Watkins is walking the talk. She held a Youth News

Initiative Internship in 2008 at KFAI, developing a radio show on teen pregnancy and its impact on young women. She also is a Girls Resolution and Prevention volunteer at the YWCA, inspiring young girls through her experiences. Watkins was recognized last year at Patrick Henry High School with a Star Student Award for remarkably improving her otherwise failing grades. Watkins also plans and coordinates field trips, activities and summer retreats for the YWCA. And she continues share her story with girls ages 1117 who had been in the juvenile justice system.

“Because they all look up to her, what she does really works,” says Erica Sallander, the RAP program coordinator at the YWCA. “It’s like having a youth counselor out there on the streets—24/7—doing what all of us only wish we could do. I believe she has literally saved lives by saying something when she knew it had to be said.”

The 14th annual awards are hosted by the Ann Bancroft Foundation (ABF), a non-profit organization whose mission is to support girls and women in realizing their highest dreams and potential. The Foundation endeavors to recognize individual achievement and promotes initiatives that inspire courage, risk-taking, integrity and individuality in girls and women.

Proceeds from the event will further the efforts of the ABF. Event sponsors include Best Buy Women’s Leadership Forum, Imation, Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, KARE 11 and Minnesota Women’s Press. For ticket information contact www. annbancroftfoundation.org or call Tracy Adams at 763.479.4499.

The reception begins at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner and the awards program.

Education spotlight:

Latrell Mckelvy

Latrell Mckelvy An A1 Grade 4 student at W.I.S.E. Charter School, North Minneapolis, Latrell Mckelvy recently won the 1st place in the Grade 4 spelling bee contest held at Sojourner Truth Elementary.

“There are young and positive men in our community and my son is one of them”, says a proud mother Marshelle Mckelvy of her oldest child, Latrell.

Courtesy of Marshelle Mckevly

Evidently, Latrell is academically very smart, but his performance in reading and math—his favorite subjects—is way above average. He is in a 6th grade reading class and 6th grade math class.

Latrell knows that his academic achievements contribute to the most important aspects of his personality, but there are other aspects too that need to be developed to be a

holistic human being.

He is involved in many extracurricular activities in school and at the North Minneapolis YMCA, where he attends the Youth and Teen enrichment program.

He has displayed remarkable talent as an artist, African drummer, dancer and rapper through his involvement in a program called the “Beats and Rhymes”: a positive rap group that helps keep young kids and teens off the street. This group has performed on KMOJ. The overall development of Latrell is visible to those around him. He is full of smiles and happiness. He tries to be a positive role model for his friends and little brother Lebron.

Insight News is proud to share this information about young Latrell, because, as his mother says, “Kids need to get recognition of the good hard work they do, rather than the bad that is going on in Minneapolis”.

Elders, community & WE WIN students

Photos courtesy of WE WIN

WE WIN students teach African history

By Linda Benford Black History is every day, not just February, according to students in WE WIN Institute’s Rites of Passage programs.

The elders from Booth Manor, a senior high-rise downtown Minneapolis, were enlightened about the rich African history, by 30 students from WE WIN. The theme of the program was, From Africa to America. The students narrated the African quest from its beginnings in ancient Egypt: how their ancestors invented and built the pyramids. They informed the elders about the first African doctor, Imhotep, who is not only recognized as the real ’Father of Medicine’ but also as the first architect and engineer of ancient times.

Imhotep was the creator of the Pyramid of Djoser, popularly known as the Stairstep Pyramid, in which we find architectural techniques that are still in use like columns, stone walling, flooring, lintels, and jambs.

Women of Distinction, a WE WIN program at Cooper High School in Robbinsdale, as well as WE WIN students at the Zion Baptist Church, a WE WIN site in north Minneapolis and students from the south Minneapolis program, participated in the performance.

With student pictures, poetry and stories displayed throughout the room, children showcased the vibrant and colorful African

Booth Manor resident Dorothy Hass & WE WIN Dance instructor Kenna Cottman culture.

Filled to capacity community room, with the elders, parents, family members and the community, children were cheered and supported.

The elders were of various ethnicities, including African Americans, Russians, Eastern Europeans and Caucasians.

Interpreters were at the performance, for those who did not speak English.

Students, aged 5 through 18, shared the tragedy of the Triangular Slave Trade, where millions of Africans were stolen from Africa and taken on a brutal ship ride, packed like sardines, in what was called the Middle Passage; only to be brought to America to work as slaves from sunrise to sunset, for no money—for 250 years.

The audience was told

how African people were not expected to survive the ordeal of brutal slavery, yet in 1865—the abolition of slavery—4 million Africans lived in the United States. They were told that when slavery was over, Africans were set free but given no money or land was provided to them for survival. They were told that because African Americans valued education so much, many made deals with the slave owners to stay on the plantation in return for educating their children.

The young people shared the magnificent accomplishments of African Americans including the development of mathematics, science, the gas mask, and even the ironing board. They also shared how great educators like Mary McCloud Bethune lead the way to educational excellence with her BethuneCookman-Bethune College.

They discussed how the hard work and struggles of African Americans led to the election of the first African American president, Barack Obama.

WE WIN students danced to the sounds of African drums, recited poetry, quoted excerpts from Maya Angelou, Audre Lord and Langston Hughes.

They presented spoken word and performed the African rituals that they recite daily in the Rites of Passage program.

The performance ended with the quote, “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now!”

insightnews.com

Insight News • March 28 - April 3, 2011 • Page 5

AESTHETICS Hill Harper on loving, trusting relationships

By Alaina L. Lewis Contributing Writer When love is on the menu, what do you do if the choices aren’t made to order? According to author/actor Hill Harper, who wrote the stunning book—The Conversation: How Black Men and Women Can Build Loving, Trusting Relationships—love is more than just about finding the perfect match, it also means ditching the fairy tales and fantasy, and realizing that love is really what we make of it.

Harper, who is also a current regular on CSI: New York, sat down with Insight News to discuss his book, and illustrate his continued journey of helping African American’s rebuild loving relationships through power of conversation.

Insight News: Can you elaborate on how you started the process of writing the book?

Hill Harper: The book came about originally because I had a dinner party one night and I had a group of friends over, some male and some female, and it wasn’t specifically to bring singles together, it was really to just have a dinner party. Over the course of talking about relationships, talking about where people were in life, most of the men there were single, and most of the women that

Hill Harper

Keith Major

were there were single. The women started to describe their frustrations, with feeling like, all the things we heard folks say before on Oprah; there are no good men out there; all the guys are players, etc.

And then the men were asked why they hadn’t settled down, they said things like: “I can’t find that one woman I want to settle down with” and “That’s why I date a lot of different women, I can’t find that one person.” What’s interesting if you peel back the onion on both of those comments they are both saying the same things in different ways. They’re both saying I can’t find a life partner, I just can’t find one.

And I was so perplexed, how could both men and women be sitting here saying I can’t find someone I want to go on a lifelong journey with. And then at that point I took a look into the mirror myself and said I fall into that same category, what’s going on? And I wanted to start exploring my own journey as well as the journey of others, and so that’s when I started the interview process.

So I interviewed hundreds of couples, singles, married folks and all sorts of people, in gathering information for the book, The Conversation. As well as looked into the mirror myself to find out what was going on in my life and my dating life.

IN: When talking to people in my peer group what we struggle with is not so much about finding the right person to spend the rest of our lives with, it’s finding someone who is on our level that we don’t have to compromise our thoughts and ideas with…

HH: I dove deep into that on “our level” stuff in my book, and I think that I hear that so much, and I think that saying that is what is keeping folks apart. There is no such thing as on your level or not on your level. We all bring different skills to the table and different liabilities at different times in our lives. And the idea is that in my book I argue about throwing that statement out, and what I argue for is dating potential. Because at the end of the day, you can come up with all your definitions of what determines your level and you can throw all those out the windows if something dramatic happens in your life or something happens that has nothing to do with those things. And you realize that all of that is just stuff that you have either learned over the course of your life that seems to be important, but really isn’t at the end of the day. Or those are things that someone

HARPER TURN TO 6

Soul legend Willie Murphy wins 2010 Sally Award The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts this week named West Bank bluesman Willie Murphy as 2010 Sally Ordway Irvine Awards honoree for the category of life time commitment. A soul, R&B, blues and rock legend, Murphy is a charter member of the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame, he has performed

with everyone from Jefferson Airplane and Joan Baez to Muddy Waters and Carl Perkins.

Born in Minneapolis, Murphy started playing the piano at age four and soon developed a passion for rhythm and blues. It was while hanging around the West Bank music scene that he met

folk musician “Spider” John Koerner. Together they began to write songs and tour the club and festival circuit, eventually producing the iconic Elektra release “Running, Jumping, Standing Still” and landing a top spot at the 1969 Newport Folk Festival. But Murphy was eager to return to his R&B roots, and formed a new band,

Willie and the Bees, that went on to become underground legends. The Bees were also featured on Bonnie Raitt’s first Warner Bros. album that Willie produced in 1971. After the Bees’ final gig in 1984, Murphy started playing solo blues and rock piano, and launched his own label, Atomic Theory, which produced great

local musicians like Becky Thompson, Boiled in Lead and The New International Trio.

Now, Murphy surprises his fans once again with his new genrebending release on Red House Records, “A Shot of Love in a Time of Need,” featuring soul, jazz, funk, rock and folk.

The Ordway Center also announced awardees

in categories of Vision, Initiative, Education, a new award category, Arts Access, given this year to acknowledge extraordinary efforts to expand access to the arts across Minnesota. This award was inspired by the Minnesota

BLUES TURN TO 6

Page 6 • March 28 - April 3, 2011 • Insight News

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HEALTH $2 million awarded in Environmental Response Fund grants Hennepin County recently awarded $2 million in Environmental Response Fund (ERF) grants to nine projects.

The program, funded by a county mortgage registry and deed tax, provides grants for environment assessment and cleanup of sites that present environmental or public health

risks, and where redevelopment and reuse have been hampered because of a lack of funding.

245 grants totaling $36 million have been awarded since the ERF program was established nearly ten years ago.

These grants have cumulatively leveraged $1.7 billion in private capital investments

to redevelop sites. Property values of completed sites have increased a total of $425 million.

The recent grant awards will provide for soil and groundwater evaluation, asbestos and lead- paint assessment and abatement, and contaminated soil cleanup. This will support

the renovation or construction of 1,267 affordable housing units and the creation of jobs, open space and increase to the local tax base.

Among the grants this round are $345,023 to El Colegio Charter School in south Minneapolis for soil cleanup for the school’s proposed El Patio

Healthy Youth Recreation Area (also a recipient of a Hennepin Youth Sports Program grant); $150,000 for asbestos and leadpaint abatement for Riverside Plaza renovations in the CedarRiverside neighborhood that will double the number of affordable rental units and double the capacity of an

on-site charter school; and $100,000 for asbestos and leadpaint abatement for the planned conversion of several floors of City Place Lofts located in downtown Minneapolis into affordable rental housing.

To read about all the recently awarded grants, visit the county website at http://hennepin.us.

Hennepin offers low-cost vaccination clinics Vaccines prevent diseases for people of all ages, and Hennepin County is offering low-cost immunizations – including shots to prevent the measles – to people who lack health insurance

or whose health insurance does not cover vaccines.

Hennepin has about a half dozen reported cases of measles in children, and the public health department is reminding parents

of the importance of keeping up to date. The clinics will be: Bloomington Clinic: Bloomington Division of Health, 1900 W. Old Shakopee Road, 3 to 5:30 p.m., on April 5

and 19.

Brooklyn Center Clinic: Hennepin County’s Brookdale Service Center, 6125 Shingle Creek Parkway, 9 to 11 a.m., on April 26.

Downtown Minneapolis Clinic: Hennepin Health Services Building, 525 Portland Ave. S., 8:30 to 11 a.m. on April 1.

For more information about

these clinics, call 612-348-2884 or go to www.hennepin.us/ vaccines.

Donations are requested but not required for the immunizations.

Abellard named Freeport West Interim Director Executive Director, Ramona Wilson is moving on from Freeport West to pursue other professional opportunities.

Freeport West has wished Ms. Wilson all the best in her future work. Given Ms. Wilson’s departure, Dorothy Abellard Freeport West Program Communications Manager, will serve as the Interim Executive Director of the agency.

Additionally, Freeport West has

named Larson Allen as its interim financial management team, and has hired J. Murphy & Associates to assist with compliance and reporting. The agency will be conducting a search for a Chief Financial Officer, and they hope to have a new CFO in place as soon as possible.

For over 41 years, Freeport West has provided the critical skills, support and services to youth who are homeless, at-

risk and in-crisis. Freeport’s Board of Directors, management team and staff are committed to providing quality programming and support to young people in our neighborhoods and communities. We remain focused on the delivery of our basic needs services, and programming including Life Skills, transitional housing, education and job readiness, health and wellness, teen pregnancy prevention,

Blues From 5 Legacy Amendment, one of the most significant acts of public support for the arts in Minnesota’s history.

“Every year, our selection committee has the challenging but rewarding task of identifying a handful of award recipients from among dozens of worthy nominations,” said Patricia A. Mitchell, Ordway President and CEO. “The level of creativity throughout Minnesota is outstanding, and the Ordway is honored to acknowledge this artistry each year through the Sally Awards.”

The first Sally Award was presented in 1986 to Sally Ordway Irvine, whose initiative, vision and commitment provided the inspiration for the creation of Ordway Center for the Performing Arts. The Ordway inaugurated the annual Sally Awards program in 1992; it continues today with the generous support of the Minnesota State Arts Board, Minnesota Public Radio and the Saint Paul Hotel. Each of the award recipients receives a crystal award and a cash award of $2,500.

The Arts Access Award honors Amy Stoller Stearns and the Historic Holmes Theatre/ Detroit Lakes Community Cultural Center.

Amy Stoller Stearns and

Willie Murphy her family moved from Minneapolis to Detroit Lakes, Minn. in 2002. After working in public relations and marketing for many years, she wasn’t sure what she would do in a smaller town. Then she heard that the new Detroit Lakes Community Cultural Center, which housed the Historic Holmes Theatre, was looking for a box office manager.

Stoller Stearns talked her way into a job and was tasked with setting up the box office and creating the marketing for this new theater.

She fell in love with the job and the place, and a year later she was named the executive director for the Holmes Theatre.

Today, the Holmes Theatre is a hub of performing arts activity in northwestern Minnesota, having hosted

Courtesy of the artist

more than 300 shows and events. Performances range from the Canadian Brass to Ladysmith Black Mambazo and everything in between, including local, regional, national and international performers. It is important to Stoller Stearns and the theater staff that the arts be accessible to everyone in Becker County and so they offer artist visits to schools, discounts/free tickets to school groups, performances appealing to diverse audiences, and partnerships with area nonprofits. When it opened nine years ago, no one quite knew what the Holmes Theatre would become, but today it’s hard for most to imagine life in Detroit Lakes without it.

The Initiative Award honors Kathy Mouacheupao and the

young men’s programming and leadership development efforts.

Both the Minneapolis and Saint Paul locations of Freeport West operate Monday through Friday. Youth are welcome to drop in and complete an intake assessment to establish the best programming and services available for them.

For more information on the in-take process or to set up an appointment youth

are encouraged to call 612.874.1936 (Minneapolis) and 651.222.3504 (Saint Paul).

Freeport West has appreciated and acknowledged the strong support it continues to receive from funders, supporters, youth participants and the social service community. The agency will be hosting its 2nd Annual Friend & Funder event on Thursday, March 31st at Seven Sushi

Ultralounge in Downtown Minneapolis to recognize several of its 2010 partners.

For more information on this event, the agency’s programs and services or to set up an appointment with the Interim Executive Director and/or tour please contact 612.746.4150.

To learn more about Freeport’s programs and services visit us at www.freeportwest.org or follow us on Facebook.

Center for Hmong Arts and Talent (CHAT).

Kathy Mouacheupao is the executive director for the Center for Hmong Arts and Talent (CHAT), the leading Hmong American arts organization in the country.

CHAT grew out of Pom Siab Hmoob Theater, established in 1993 to put Hmong stories in front of audiences. In 1998, organizers decided to expand their focus beyond theater in order to serve more Hmong artists, and changed the name to CHAT. Today, CHAT provides free art classes for youth, creates opportunities for leadership and professional development for artists, and offers memorable experiences for the community. Its role has evolved into a social justice organization that recognizes the power of the arts to affect change. CHAT envisions a vibrant community where Hmong American artists are inspired to share their perspectives and empowered to challenge life’s boundaries The annual Hmong Arts and Music Festival, sponsored

by CHAT, has become a community celebration of Hmong culture, arts and expression. In 2007, CHAT hosted the first annual Fresh Traditions Fashion Show, an innovative exhibit of functional art designed by Hmong artists blending contemporary designs with traditional Hmong fabrics. CHAT received the first Metropolitan Regional Arts Council Arts Achievement Award in 2009 in recognition of its work to incorporate the arts into the daily lives of communities.

an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. He is editor of the only academic journal of the Ojibwe language and author of eight books including “The Assassination of Hole in the Day” and “Ojibwe in Minnesota,” recently named “Minnesota’s Best Read for 2010” by The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress.

Dr. Treuer has championed Minnesota’s traditional indigenous art forms and has worked tirelessly to expand our definition of the arts to include oral narrative and story performance, especially as they intersect with the Ojibwe language.

His dedication to preserve, revitalize and educate others about Ojibwe language, culture, and artistic heritage have earned him over 30 prestigious awards and fellowships from many organizations, including the American Philosophical Society, the MacArthur Foundation, the Bush Foundation, and the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation.

McKnight Foundation, and City Pages has honored her as Theater Artist of the Year and as Best Director in multiple years. She received a 2010 Ivey Award (for “Othello”), and was a winner of the Francesca Primus Prize given by the American Theater Critics Association for outstanding contributions to the American theater by a female artist. This past year, the company was named Best Small Theater in the Twin Cities by City Pages, and the company engaged in an exciting partnership with New York City’s prestigious Public Theater, touring “Measure for Measure” to underserved audiences in New York.

The Ordway is widely recognized as one of the nation’s leading nonprofit performing arts centers and Saint Paul’s most elegant and inviting performance space.

The Ordway’s Music Theater and McKnight stages attract diverse audiences with an array of productions showcasing the finest in American musical theater, world music, dance, and vocal performance.

Education and community engagement are integral to the Ordway’s mission, with major initiatives including the annual Flint Hills International Children’s Festival and Ordway Education programs that serve over 50,000 students annually.

The Ordway also serves as authorizer for the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, a professionally guided academic and artistic environment that trains aspiring pre-professional performing artists. Together with The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Opera and The Schubert Club, the Ordway is a member of the Arts Partnership and serves as the principal venue for their performances.

The Education Award honors Anton Treuer.

Anton Treuer is professor of Ojibwe at Bemidji State University. He has a B.A. from Princeton University and

Harper From 5 else has told you is important, like your friends or family, so I think dating potential is much more important. A lot of the women that I interviewed in the book, I would ask them to fill out a questionnaire as to basically who they were, everything about their lives: what they owned, credit card liabilities, how much they made in the job, weight, age, that whole looks factors; rate how you think you look; the whole thing just totally honest.

And I would do that and then sometime later, I would then ask them what type of man they would want to date, and they would say someone on my level. And then I would say write out the type of man you would want to date and they would write out this man and

The Vision Award honors Michelle Hensley and Ten Thousand Things Theater.

Michelle Hensley is the founder and artistic director of Ten Thousand Things Theater, known across the country for bringing the highest quality theater to audiences in prisons, homeless shelters and housing projects, while engaging veteran theater goers as well.

She has directed more than 40 productions including “The Good Person of Szechwan,” “Measure for Measure,” “Antigone,” “The Tempest,” and “Richard III,” along with musicals such as “The Unsinkable Molly Brown.”

Hensley has been awarded fellowships by the Minnesota State Arts Board and the

sketch out this man, and then if I would compare who they were honestly to what they wrote out, it was completely different. So what I’m saying is I think that people are being facetious, when they say they want someone on their level.

That’s what I talk about in the book when I talk about the 5/95 Rule, I think that 95% of us both men and women are trying to date 5%. So 95% of the women are trying to date the top 5% of the men, and 95% of the men are trying to date what they consider the top 5% of the women. Now how they come up with definitions of what those top 5% are different. You know men are much more into aesthetics and age and other things, whereas women use occupation, financial security and other things into their definitions.

But it is still skewed in both ways.

IN: That’s true, so kind of what

you are saying is for women to give up on the fairy tale man that only exists in the Brother Grimms’ book or out of our own imagination or creation.

But what happens when you date someone with potential and you get cheated in the end, because he either A.) Goes and finds someone who he thinks is better than you or B.) He just never grows and you’re stuck in that relationship thinking he is going to be better tomorrow.

What do you do in that situation?

HH: Well here’s the deal, no matter which way you cut it or slice it, that can happen either way. And so the idea being, so let’s say you’re dating the idea guy that everybody wants.

What’s the problem with that?

The problem in that is that he has a whole lot of opportunities out there. And whether you agree with Chris Rock or not, men in certain cases and in certain ways are only as faithful as their options.

insightnews.com

Insight News • March 28 - April 3, 2011 • Page 7

Bryant connects love, leadership

By Maya Beecham Contributing Writer Civil unrest erupted in Los Angeles, California, on April 29, 1992. Four police officers were acquitted the same day, by a white jury in the majority white suburb of Simi Valley, for the beating of Rodney King after a high speed chase on Highway 212. Members of the African-American community decried the LAPD for police brutality directed towards their community, and sought justice. Riots on the streets of Los Angeles led to the death of 53 people and $1 billion in damages.

Amidst the upheaval John Hope Bryant emerged with a plan to restore a sense of purpose to under-served minority communities.

Immediately following the 1992 LA riots Bryant brought his plan to fruition by founding HOPE, a non-profit, public benefit organization, providing economic tools and services, and bridging the gap between minority communities and mainstream, private sector resources, through strategic programming.

On Monday, April 4, 5:30 p.m. Bryant, author of the

book Love Leadership: The New Way to Lead in a FearBased World and founder of the international anti-poverty organization, Operation HOPE, Inc. will speak on his book, his philosophies on leadership, leading with loves as opposed to fear, at the auditorium of the O’Shaughnessy Educational Center at the University of St .Thomas–St. Paul Campus, 2115 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota 55105.

The lecture, free and open to the public, is a CommUnity event sponsored by the Opus College of Business in collaboration with the university’s School of Law and Center for Intercultural Learning and Community Engagement. Bryant will be available to sign copies of his book following the lecture.

Bill Woodson, assistant dean for UST MBA programs at St. Thomas’ Opus College of Business, said “Bryant’s accomplishments and aspirations provide inspiration to anyone who seeks to leave the world a better place than she or he found it, or believes that a hand-up is superior to a handout.”

HOPE, the country’s first nonprofit social investment banking organization, serves over a million individuals in

FEMA Photo Library

John Hope Bryant

70 U.S. communities, Haiti and South Africa.

HOPE serves as a facilitator, lender, advocate and educator for the underserved.

Additionally, the organization advocates for the voice of the underserved within City and State Government, Congress, Senate, and other government, legislative and regulatory bodies.

The mission of HOPE reads, “...through (1) partnership, (2) investment, (3) lending, (4) practical education, (5) technical assistance, (6) advocacy and outreach, is to ‘bridge the gap’”.

Bryant, 45, and a native of Los Angeles, faced his own struggle with poverty. He was homeless for six months by the age of 18. He is lauded for his life work and undying commitment to underserved communities. Bryant has been recognized for his work by the last five U.S. presidents; he was named a ‘Community Hero’ by People magazine and one of ‘America’s 50 Most Promising Leaders of the Future’ by Time.

Dean Woodson said, “We are delighted to have the opportunity to expose our university community and the Twin Cities to this fresh approach to leadership and social entrepreneurship.”

GOP plans to end foreclosure assistance program independent opinion when they have been denied a loan modification.

In addition to their noalternative agenda on HAMP, Republicans will also vote tomorrow to terminate the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, a job-creating initiative which I authored to allow municipalities to access funds to clean up blighted homes and rundown communities devastated by the foreclosure crisis. This comes after their vote last week to end two programs designed to allow unemployed homeowners to access loans - which they’ll eventually pay back - to make their mortgage payments, and to allow homeowners to refinance into a government-backed loan when their home has gone

underwater.

So when Republicans vote tomorrow to dismantle these programs, I want them to be cognizant of and accountable for what they’re doing.

Amendments that I authored would direct homeowner and community inquiries from Treasury and HUD to our offices so that we can hear directly from constituents who were hoping to access these lifelines.

And I must say, it will be a sad day if we ever have to say to our constituents and our cities, ‘Facing foreclosure? Property values driven down by boardedup, rat-infested homes? Too bad! The programs we put in place to help you weather this crisis no longer exist. Good luck on your own.’

MCA Geometry

Kidjo

From 1

From 1

She floored everyone with her charm as she walked the theatre aisles to shake hands with her appreciative audience. Back on stage, she invited them to join her and dance to her tune. Over 60 people responded immediately.

A 6-year-old started dancing on her chair and Kidjo was so moved that she picked her up and brought her to the stage.

Abraham Alencherry who runs a non-profit for street children education connected well with the singer’s message of love and harmony between fellow humans. He said, “Kidjo’s music was wonderful, but it was her message that thrilled the audience. When she got people up on the stage with her, I felt that she actually lives the message she professes”.

Opinion

By Maxine Waters US House of Representatives (D-CA) Though their stated pledges since coming to power have been to ‘cut the deficit’ and ‘create jobs,’ House Republicans will soon take a series of votes to further solidify a radical agenda that does neither.

Instead, this week they will bring to the floor two bills - the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) Termination Act, H.R. 839, and the Neighborhood Stabilization

Program Termination Act (H.R. 861) - to end critical programs that help families and communities reeling from the effects of a financial crisis they didn’t create.

Make no mistake; I have been one of the fiercest critics of HAMP in Congress. From the moment the program was created, I noted that because mortgage servicers were not compelled to participate, this program would fall short of its goals. And in the two years that the program has been operational, it’s become clear that it’s impossible to shame servicers into honoring the program they signed-on to.

The inability or unwillingness of the Treasury Department to enforce program rules and police servicer behavior has

only made things worse.

Terminating HAMP without a credible and stronger alternative would be contrary to our goal of helping homeowners stay in their homes, despite some of its flaws. Anticipated to spend $46 billion to help approximately 4 million homeowners, the Congressional Budget office now predicts that the program will only spend $4 billion. To date, the program has only completed 600,000 modifications.

Of course, 600,000 modifications are progress. But when you contrast that figure with the 5 million foreclosures that have occurred since HAMP started, it becomes clear that HAMP hasn’t done nearly enough.

Even given these

shortcomings, I will not vote to terminate HAMP because my Republican colleagues are not prepared to offer an alternative.

In fact, they are working to weaken the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and undermine any settlement that state attorneys general can reach with misbehaving servicers.

Instead, I will vote to preserve HAMP, while continuing to fight for stronger rules and better enforcement.

The Treasury Department should impose steep fines for non-compliance with HAMP rules; end the foreclosure “dual track,” or the simultaneous loan modification and foreclosure processes that homeowners must endure; and allow people to seek a third-party,

Music Album, she was named ’Africa’s Premier Diva‘ by Time Magazine, and The Guardian listed her as one of their Top 100 ‘Most Inspiring Women in the World’.

Kidjo’s music was well known in India even before her maiden live performance here in front of a varied audience made up of young children, the elderly men, business women and others.

“I knew I was going for a good performance by a world famous singer, but I did not imagine that we would be dancing with her for last the 30 minutes of the show,” said Sunil Shetty a Mumbai resident.

Page 8 • March 28 - April 3, 2011 • Insight News

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LIFESTYLE

Use foil for less toil Style on a Dime

By Marcia Humphrey marcia@insightnews.com I was watching the Monique show one night, which featured female comedians from the film the ‘Queens of Comedy’. As they reminisced about the ‘good old days’ and their humble beginnings doing stand-up comedy tours, one of the ladies recalled—and then demonstrated—how she cooked her food when no microwave was available in her hotel room. Her secret was aluminum foil and the hotel iron. Yes, Sugar, she’d serve up the grilled cheese sandwiches like a pro, by holding the hot iron on each of the sandwich for a few minutes: turns out that aluminum foil handles more than just oven-duty and leftovers. My

Aunt Alice, also frugal shopper (it runs in the family), loves foil too.

She recently emailed me some more tips on using aluminum foil in unconventional ways, and I thought I’d share them.

Did you know that you could bake brownies without dirtying the pan? This one was new to me, and since I discovered it, my children are eating more brownies!

Before pouring in the mixed batter, line your brownie pan with foilallow it overlap a bit on the sidesand when they are done you will be able to immediately take them out and the pan it will still be clean!

No more soaking. Added bonus: brownies cool faster and are so much easier to cut.

Did you know that you could quickly soften a rock-hard brick of brown sugar? Simply wrap the sugar in foil, heat the oven to 300 degrees, and pop it in for five minutes. Your brown sugar will be soft and ready to use for that peach cobbler

you’ve been thinking of making.

(Save me a piece!)

Did you know that aluminum foil eliminates static cling? If you run out of dryer sheets, grab some foil, ball it up, toss it in with the wet clothes, and dry as usual.

The foil attracts the static, so clothes are cling-free.

cut through the foil several times. You’ll notice the difference.

I really like finding new uses for common things like aluminum foil. I hope that you can use some of these tips or be inspired to think of some new ones.

When you decide to soften the brown sugar and make a yummy, homemade dessert, please do me a favor. Cut a piece, wrap it up for me in some aluminum foil, and call me so I can come pick it up (seriously). Enjoy!

Did you know foil is useful in ironing? To make ironing easier and faster, lift up your ironing board cover, place a single layer of aluminum foil on the top of the board, and replace the cover.

The foil will help to retain heat and your pressed clothes will look great with less effort!

Did you know foil is a sharpener?

If you have dull scissors, place several layers of foil together and

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America I AM: Pass It Down Cookbook

By Alaina L. Lewis Contributing Writer As the Facebook era drifts into every household making the social experience an electronic ordeal, the tradition of family dining is also becoming extinct. Fast food restaurants, and local eateries have begun to take precedence over the former “ooh’s & ahh’s” of the aromatic bread baking in your mother’s oven, or the tasting of sauces and gravies that once simmered atop the stove.

However, one man seeks to remind, and redefine the traditions of African American meal time by introducing us to his latest endeavor, The America I AM: Pass It Down Cookbook, a compilation of over 130 recipes, and essays celebrating the tradition of soul food cooking, edited by Chef Jeff Henderson.

Keeping the memory alive of mama’s cobbler is not an easy ordeal, neither was picking and choosing which selections should make the pages of one of the largest food anthologies curved around soul and family history. Throughout the pages of the America I AM: Pass It Down Cookbook, readers are invited on a magic carpet ride through foodie heaven where you engage in timeless recipes and intermingle with the rich stories, and

memories of yesterdays and today’s feasts.

Henderson, along with the help of Tavis Smiley and Ramin Ganeshram sought to give consumers a wide range of choices apt to satisfy the palette.

And as sure as the dusk jacket states: “There’s something for everyone—from traditional southern cooking like Apryle’s Seafood Gumbo, Craig Robinson’s Mom’s Buttermilk Fried Chicken, and Russel Honoré’s Barbecued Boston Pork Butt, to healthy new millennium twists, including the Duo Dishes’ Honey Dijon Spiced Pecan Coleslaw, Ron Johnson’s Crunchy Collards, and Scott Alves Barton’s Fragrant Jerk Chicken.

Irresistible desserts like Mama Mabel’s Apple Dumplings and Saporous Strawberry Cheesecake, and beverages like Very Exciting

Fruit Punch and Tom Bullock’s classic Lemonade Apollinaris are sure to delight.”

The celebration of food has transitioned into a tasty history lesson with a twist of new revelations.

Many know Henderson from his admirable journey of transcending his life as an ex-con to becoming an executive chef, the host of his own Food Network television show The Chef Jeff Project, a motivational speaker, and an author of numerous cookbooks.

The American I AM: Pass It Down Cookbook is only his latest venture to restore the tradition of mealtime in the household.

Whether you’re an avid cooker, or a newbie learning your way around the kitchen classroom, the recipe’s in this book are perfect for exploring the adventure that is family and dinnertime.

Chef Jeff Henderson

Courtesy of the author

DC bound: United inaugurates non-stop service United Airlines beginning April 3, launches non-stop service from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to Dulles International Airport.

“Increased competition among airlines flying between the Twin Cities and Washington, D.C., is great for consumers, offering more scheduling alternatives and keeping fares in check,” said Jeff Hamiel, executive director of the Metropolitan Airports Commission, which owns and operates Minneapolis-St. Paul International (MSP) and six general aviation airports.

“Travelers flying United

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Airlines to Dulles International Airport can connect from there to dozens of domestic and international destinations.”

United Airlines will offer

two flights a day from MSP to Dulles International, with departures at 12:15 p.m. and 5:22 or 5:35 p.m., depending on day of the week. Return flights arrive at 10:21 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. daily.

“We are pleased to link the Twin Cities with our Washington hub,” said Ted Phillips, United’s managing director of domestic

scheduling. “This new service will offer additional choice and convenience to travelers throughout the region, providing new options for travel to and from cities throughout the east, the Caribbean and across the Atlantic.”

Washington Dulles International Airport is one of United’s principal transatlantic gateways, from which the airline offers 300 daily departures to points throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The new MinneapolisWashington route will be served by Embraer 170 aircraft operated by United Express carrier Shuttle America. The aircraft offer six seats in United First along with Economy and Economy Plus seating.

Delta is the only other airline offering non-stop service between MSP and

Washington, D.C. Sun Country Airlines recently announced

Washington, D.C. service with a stop in Lansing, MI.

insightnews.com

Insight News • March 28 - April 3, 2011 • Page 9

TECHNOLOGY Hmong American Partnership public computer center

By Ivan B. Phifer MMMC Technology Reporter The Hmong American Partnership (HAP) now has a fully-updated public computer center that features high-speed Internet, free computer classes, and staff to help individuals who want to learn more about computers.

The addition of highspeed Internet along with new computer equipment and support services through the University of Minnesota Broadband Access Project (BAP) (http://www.bap.umn. edu/)has increased HAP’s abilities to meet its mission.

Founded in 1990, HAP ( h t t p : / / w w w. h m o n g . o r g / default.aspx) is one of the largest Hmong organizations in Minnesota. Its mission is to help Hmong families to assimilate into the American way of life, to develop knowledge and skills required to achieve educational and economic potential, while retaining their cultural identity.

The computer center, while housed at HAP, is open to all city residents.

HAP has implemented employment readiness classes where it teaches participants how to interview for jobs, develop skills and habits to become better employees, life skills and financial literacy.

They have found that many people don’t have familiarity with computers, so the updated computer center will provide them opportunities to develop additional skills.

HAP’s three centers— two in St. Paul and one in Minneapolis—provide programs and services such as economic development and housing, employment services, educational training, youth and family services, and elderly services. The computer center is located at HAP’s main location, 1075 Arcade St., St. Paul. The

Ying Kong, apprentice at Hmong American Partnership computer center hours there are Monday, 1-3 p.m.; Wednesday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

The BAP, envisioned as a service to bridge the digital divide for under-resourced sections of the Twin Cities, has created computer centers in four federally-designated poverty zones: north Minneapolis, south Minneapolis, southeast Minneapolis, and St. Paul. The community groups in these areas are typically African American, Latino, Native American, Somali, and Hmong.

The BAP is a $3.6M initiative of the University of Minnesota’s Urban Research and Outreach/ Engagement Center (UROC) in partnership with the University of Minnesota’s Office of Business Community and Economic Development, and the community-based Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium (http:// multiculturallife.org/).

The initiative established two new computer centers and upgraded nine existing ones.

The BAP centers not only

provide access to computers and software, but also increased data transfer speeds of up to 22 megabits per second (Mbps).

Through its community centers, the BAP provides broadband (high-speed Internet) awareness training, promotion of education, workforce preparation, health care information, and community revitalization. The BAP has hired and trained apprentices or technicians, who in turn provide training and assistance in computer literacy, technical training, job search,

and resume building at these centers.

HAP’s community programs also include elder services which provides adult daycare services and Independent living skills in support of refugee elders, ages 60 or older, at their location on the Eastside of St. Paul.

These services help elders meet their daily living needs: making and keeping medical and other appointments, translation assistance, housing and benefits assistance and home visits. This helps build

Suluki Fardan

strong, supportive relationships in their new community.

HAP locations and contacts: Arcade Office (Main): 1075 Arcade Street, Saint Paul, MN 55106 Tel: 651-495-9160. Fax: 651-495-1699.

University Office: 379 University Ave W. #204, Saint Paul, MN 55103.

Tel: 651-291-1811. Fax: 651291-8139. North Minneapolis Office: 1206 42nd Ave N., Minneapolis, MN 55412. Tel: 612-377-6482. Fax: 612377-4633. Or visit http://www. hmong.org/contact_us.aspx

Page 10 • March 28 - April 3, 2011 • Insight News

insightnews.com

Centenarian Grigsby celebrates 100 Idella Grigsby celebrates her 100th birthday on March 30, 2011.

Grigsby’s family is blessed and thankful to be able to honor her at a birthday celebration in recognition of the wonderful person she has been to them. God has blessed her not only to live many years, but to do so in good health, with love from her family and friends and the good care she now receives at Mt. Olivet Careview Home in Minneapolis.

Idella Grigsby was born in Minifee, Arkansas in 1911. She moved to Minneapolis when she was

in her early twenties and married Charles Wade Grigsby. Together they raised six children, four sons and two daughters: Charles, Roger, Phillip, Lance, Lois (Lockhart), and Toni (Coleman). Charles and Idella were married for 36 years before the Lord called him home to be with Him. Grigsby has two surviving children, Lance Grigsby and Toni Coleman, who will celebrate her life with her, along with many family members and friends on April 2, 2011.

Happy Birthday Idella Grigsby. May God continue to bless you always.

Classifieds / Calendar Send Community Calendar information to us by: email, andrew@insightnews. com, by fax: 612-588-2031, by phone: (612) 588-1313 or by mail: 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis, MN 55411, Attn: Andrew Notsch. Free or low cost events preferred.

Events Recovery Day on the Hill - Mar 31 Minnesotans in recovery, along with family and friends, co-workers, employers and professionals, will take a couple hours out of their day to gather in the Rotunda to put a face on recovery, show Minnesota that recovery is possible and that people recover from addiction every day! Thur. Mar 31 11am-1pm. @ The State Capitol Rotunda.

A Life of Hope - Mar 31 Free workshop for parents of children with disabilities and for professionals.

Thur., Mar. 31 from 6:30-9pm, at PACER Center, 8161 Normandale Blvd., Bloomington, Minn. Advance registration is requested. To register for the workshop, call PACER at 952-8389000. In Greater Minnesota, call 800537-2237 (toll free) or visit PACER. org.

St. Paul Public Schools Board of Education to hold Listening Session - Mar 31 Listening Sessions are part of the Board’s community engagement and are designed to allow participants the opportunity to speak with Board members in an open forum with no predetermined topics. The session is similar to town hall meetings held by state legislators to connect with constituents.

Thu., Mar. 31, 7-8:30pm at Hancock - Hamline University Collaborative Magnet. 1599 Englewood Ave. St. Paul, MN Piano Magic - Apr 1 The last of the Minnesota Sinfonia’s Winter Concert Series, conducted by Jay Fishman, on Fri., Apr. 1, at 7pm in the Metropolitan State University auditorium, 700 E. 7th St., Saint Paul.

The concert is free and open to the public.

Building a Local Food System - Apr 1 There is a groundswell of energy in the Metro area focused on better access to healthy food. Imagine yourself as part of the solution! Explore how to start or expand a food-based enterprise. Here’s a chance to meet and learn from others

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Suluki Fardan

Idella Grigsby

PHONE: 612.588.1313

FAX: 612.588.2031

EMAIL: andrew@insightnews.com

who are already doing it! Fri., Apr. 1 1-6 pm @ UROC 2001 Plymouth Ave. N. Mpls, MN.

MN FoodShare March Campaign

Strange Attractors 23: Festival of New Music and Intermedia - Apr 1-29 Features Dain Girodat’s “Cakewalk II� on Apr. 1; Steve Goldstein with Rahjta Ren on Apr. 8; Liz Schultz and Debra J. Hobbs on Apr. 15; and Abdul Gindeel with David Means and the Nobles eXperimental interMedia Group on Apr. 22. The festival concludes Apr. 29 with San Antonio composer-performer Johnny Rodriguez premiering “The Rose of Jericho,� a collaborative Intermedia installation, with David Means and the Nobles eXperimental Intermedia Group. Fri’s, Apr. 1–29, 7pm @ the Fine Arts Studio, 677 E. 7th St., on Metropolitan State University’s Saint Paul Campus.

Sabathani Community Center needs donations of food and dollars to support its participation in Minnesota FoodShare’s March Campaign, an annual effort focusing on the problems of hunger in communities across the state. More than 7,200 families a year rely on the balanced nutrition that Sabathani provides. Sabathani’s food shelf provides a family with 3 meals a day for a week. For participating in Minnesota FoodShare’s March Campaign, Sabathani will receive a participation match for pounds of food and dollars raised.

In addition to the match from Minnesota FoodShare, Sabathani will also receive a portion of a $1 million incentive fund from the Feinstein Family Foundation for every dollar raised for the food shelf through Apr. 30. This match provides added dollars to Sabathani beyond the basic March FoodShare campaign. The more Sabathani raises, the greater the match.

Individuals, community groups, businesses and churches are encouraged to support Sabathani with either food or monetary donations. For every dollar raised, Sabathani can purchase $9 worth of food. Food donations can include packaged foods, soups, beans, chili, peanut butter and more. Ethnic and organic foods are always welcome.

Food donations can be made directly to Sabathani Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For very large or weekend deliveries, call Kevin at 651-2769646. Drop-off is in the rear of the parking lot through the large double gates.

Please mail cash donations to Sabathani; 310 E. 38th St., Administration, Suite 200; Minneapolis, MN 55409 or make an online donation at http://www.sabathani.org.

‘60s Soul Sing Along - Camden Music School FUNdraising for Scholarships - Apr 1 Starring you, the audience, on vocals, with host Dan Chouinard and guest song leaders Debbie Duncan, T Mychael Rambo, Dennis Spears and Regina Marie Williams. All singing styles and abilities and “just listeners� welcome. Song lyrics will be projected.

Plus...enjoy a speed live auction, refreshments, ‘60s vintage fashions and more! Tickets are $20 in advance (highly recommended), $25 at the door. Easy to purchase online at www. camdenmusicschool.com or call 612618-0219. Fri. Apr.1 7pm at Capri Theater 2027 W. Broadway, Mpls The 7th Annual Community Garden Spring Resource Fair - Apr 2 This fun, educational event gives community gardeners a chance to connect with each other and learn about everything from growing more veggies to the 2012 Farm Bill. @ Sabathani Community Center, 310 E. 38th St, Mpls. Sat., Apr. 2 9am-4pm. More info, complete schedule, and pre-registration online at www.gardeningmatters.org Love Leadership - Apr 4 John Hope Bryant, author of the book Love Leadership: The New Way to Lead in a Fear-Based World and founder of the international anti-poverty organization, Operation Hope, will speak at 5:30pm Mon., Apr. 4, in the auditorium of the O’Shaughnessy Educational Center on the St. Paul campus of the University of St .Thomas.

Camden Music School Spring Term Begins - Apr 4 Do you have an ear for music, a hungry mind and a playful heart? CMS offers music education for all ages and abilities, and we still have openings for our spring term (Apr. 4-June 11).

Camden location: Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, 3751 Sheridan Ave. N., 55412 or Northeast location: Grace Center for Community Life, 1500 6th St. NE, 55413. To register or for more information: 612-618-0219 or www. camdenmusicschool.com.

Learn to Lead: Leadership Communication 2011 - Apr 5

MayDay Parade Workshops In the Heart of the Beast Theatre celebrates the 37th anniversary of the annual MayDay Parade and Festival on Sunday, May 1. Every year, thousands of people gather together to welcome the return of spring to Minnesota at this event.

In preparation, during the month of April, the theatre will be transformed into a giant community art studio and opened to the public for the building of the parade.

Workshops are free and open to everyone; no reservations or experience necessary. Children are welcome but must be supervised by adults at all times. Please wear clothes and shoes that are appropriate for painting.

Public MayDay Workshops 1500 Lake St E, Minneapolis April 2 – 28 Saturdays: 9:00 am – 11:00 am and 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Tuesdays: 7:00 – 9:00 pm Thursdays: 7:00 – 9:00 pm MayDay Parade and Festival Sunday, May 1 1:00 pm: Parade begins at intersection of Bloomington Ave. and 26th St. 3:30 pm (approx.): Tree of Life Ceremony in Powderhorn Park 1:00 – 7:00 pm: Festival in Powderhorn Park – Website: www.hobt.org Ready to influence and motivate others, create a great rÊsumÊ, learn the keys to public speaking, and stand out because of the new talents you’re going to gain with this workshop? Starting Apr. 5, the University of Minnesota wants to help you become a strong communicator and an outstanding leader on Tue. and Thu. nights, to boost your appeal to employers, colleges, and more. For a description, see www.bced.umn.edu/l2l and to register at www.bced.umn.edu/ L2L-Registration The Annual Meeting of the Whittier Alliance Neighborhood Association Apr 7 Whittier residents, homeowners, businesses, rental and commercial property owners and those interested in the outreach and activities of the Whittier Alliance and neighborhood to attend the Whittier Annual Meeting.

Thur., Apr. 7 5:30-8:30pm @ Whittier International Elementary School 315 W 26th St. Mpls.

Neighborhood HealthSource 6th Annual Gala - Apr 7 Celebrate affordable community health at a historic Minneapolis venue!

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Join us for an evening of excellent food and cocktails, live music and comedy, silent and live auctions and much, much more! Thur., Apr. 7 at the historic Nicollet Island Pavilion. 40 Power St. Mpls, MN 55401.

New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church 32nd Anniversary - Apr 8-10 Theme: “Becoming a Church Relevant to Godâ€? II Chronicles 7:15 & 16. Fri., Apr. 8, 7pm Evening Service. Sat., Apr. 9, 7pm Concert featuring Men’s Choirs from across Twin Cities. Sun., Apr. 10 4pm Afternoon service. 1115 30th Ave. N. Mpls. (612) 521-2670 Annual Twin Cities Sustainable Communities Conference - Apr 9 500 community volunteers will gather to share fun project ideas and hands on resources. Central Lutheran Church, 333 12th St. S. Mpls. FREE Please RESVP online: www.afs.nonprofitoffice. com/2011ConferenceRegistration or call 612-331-1099 or email Sean www. afors.org Mankato–Area College and University Tour - Apr 9 The tour includes stops at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter and Minnesota State University Mankato and Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato. Transportation, food, child care and language interpreters will be provided at no cost to families and students. Apr. 9 7:30am-8pm. Two pick-up & drop off locations have been designated: •North Minneapolis pickup at 7:30am Shiloh Temple, 1201 W. Broadway Ave. •South Minneapolis pick-up at 8am Centro Cultural Chicano, 1915 Chicago Ave. S. MN Made - Apr. 9 Try your hand at seed art or get the basic knitting lesson you’ve always wanted at this free all-day showcase of Minnesotan creativity at the Walker Art Center on Saturday, April 9, 11 am-5 pm. Inspired by the exhibition The Spectacular of Vernacular, MN Made celebrates artists and makers of all kinds who feed off the

IT DEVELOPER SharePoint/.NET Developer. For details go to http://www.mylegalaid.org/jobs

particularities of local culture and unique places. Co-presented by the Walker and mnartists.org. @ Walker Art Center 1750 Hennepin Ave. Mpls Friends of the Walker Library Spring Book Sale - Apr 9 The sale will feature hundreds of adult and children’s literature in hardcover and paperback. Most books are priced at $1 or less. Sat., Apr. 9 10am–4pm Walker Library, 2880 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.

Prayer Conference 2011 - Apr 9 In every season of our lives we have Jesus our High Priest and King reigning over us. So Know God , Be Strong, Do Exploits. Sat. Apr. 9 at 9am - Day Session and 6pm Evening Service.

Located at Grace Lutheran Church 1730 Old Hudson Road, St. Paul, MN 55106. For more information call 651335-3154.

Ways of Peace II: Nonviolence in the Islamic Traditions - Apr 9 A daylong conference designed to address misperceptions and increase understanding about Islam and Muslims, will be held from 9:30am6:30pm, Sat., Apr. 9, in the auditorium of O’Shaughnessy Educational Center on the St. Paul campus of the University of St. Thomas. Open to the public. $15 ($10 for students) and lunch is available for an additional $10 in advance. Details and registration: http://www.fnvw.org or (651) 917-0383.

UROC Summer Fair - Apr. 9 Have you planned summer activities for your children? UROC is hosting a summer fair with the North Minneapolis summer school planning group and residents of North Minneapolis. The goal is to share summer opportunities— programs and scholarships—with parents and students. 12–3pm, Sat., Apr. 9 @ UROC 2001 Plymouth Ave. N. Mpls, MN. Global Food, Fashion and Awards Celebration - Apr. 10 This event is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate diversity initiatives across the Metropolitan State University community. Sun., Apr. 10, 12–3pm at the Midtown Global Market, 920 E. Lake St. Mpls.

Director of Member Representation and Services

The Minnesota Association of Professional Employees has an immediate opening for a full-time Director of Member Representation and Services. S/He will be responsible for the effective management and oversight of statewide member representation and service delivery. S/he is responsible for supervising and managing the dayto-day activities of staff under his/her direction.

To be considered for this position, the candidate must have documented successes in the areas of member representation and services and staff supervision and must demonstrate advanced knowledge of labor relations, labor and contract law, Minnesota’s Public Employee Labor Relations Act. The position also requires a Bachelor’s degree in any field and four years of relevant work experience or 8+ years of relevant work experience in a unionized environment.

Information about MAPE and a complete job description is available on our website: www.mape.org The deadline for applications is April 15. Please send electronically a resume and cover letter (with salary expectations) to jobs@mape.org.

An equal employment opportunity employer.

Marketing Communications Coordinator Summit Academy OIC, a non-profit adult education and vocational training center, has an immediate opening for a highly-skilled and motivated Marketing Communications Coordinator to oversee the marketing dept. and coordinate the strategic implementation of communications and marketing efforts to further the mission of the organization, while ensuring the maintenance of goals through aligning resources, materials and other appropriate marketing strategies. The marketing coordinator will be responsible for public relations, social media, marketing materials and designs, internal and external events, Web site management, development of marketing plans and analytics. This position will be active in promoting Summits mission to donors and partners and increasing student enrollment.

Candidates must have a minimum of 5-7 years progressive marketing experience, preferably in the non-profit sector with extensive knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, word processing, spreadsheets and database programs. Salary is commensurate with education and experience.

Valid Driver’s license required. Summit Academy OIC is an EEO/AA Employer.

Please send resumes with cover letter attention Human Resources Manager at hresources@saoic.org or by fax at 612-278-5242. No phone inquiries please.

NO WALK-INS and no PHONE CALLS, please.

insightnews.com

Insight News • March 28 - April 3, 2011 • Page 11

HmoobTeen Magazine launches fundraising campaign For the past 14 years, Hmong American Partnership’s HmoobTeen Magazine has been the premier publication for Hmong teens to speak and be heard. The magazine has published stories of the struggles and accomplishments of today’s teens and challenged teens to think beyond their own realities with themes such as power, crime and punishment, the melting pot of America and many more. More importantly, it has decreased the sense of isolation among Hmong teens.

With more than 20,000 readers per issue, this free magazine has reached out to Hmong teens across the nation.

While the content of the magazine continues to serve the needs of Hmong teens, funding has diminished in the past year.

To help sustain the publication, HmoobTeen Magazine is asking for donations from its most loyal supporters; its readers.

On March 1st, the magazine will launch I AM HMOOBTEEN, a fundraising campaign to raise $20,000 by the end of 2011.

The funds raised will produce four online issues on an exciting interactive website.

Supporters will have the opportunity to donate online and attend fundraising events.

Businesses and organizations can contribute by advertising

and sponsoring events.

“HmoobTeen Magazine reminds me that although being a minority has its challenges, there are always teens out there that will listen and may be going through the same thing.

This magazine has taught me to embrace my heritage and learn from others,” said Sandy Xiong, a HmoobTeen Editor.

She continued, “I believe the community can help continue making the magazine an agent of change by donating.

HmoobTeen is important to me and it’s important to thousands of other teens and adults too.”

Visit www.hmong.org to donate.

HmoobTeen Magazine

Courtesy Hmong American Partnership

Book review: D.C. Unmasked & Undressed Book Review

By Kam Williams kam@insightnews.com “D.C. Unmasked & Undressed is a memoir. The story of my life includes events, characters and insights related to my miserable childhood, my legal career, and my varied sexual adventures. It can be summarized as: Girl from dysfunctional family meets boy from same…

I worked hard and played hard, too. Along the way, and for several years, I was the not-so-secret lover of a sitting Supreme Court Justice who has recently published his own memoir… His name is Clarence Thomas.” (Excerpted from the Introduction—“Rules Rule”. pg. xiii) When Clarence Thomas’ wife, Ginni, placed a phone call to Anita Hill last fall asking for an

Tyler

From 1 defense to people facing challenging legal circumstances.

This independent certification is further validation of my steadfast commitment. Presently I am also honored to be the only African-American attorney who is an MSBA Certified Criminal Law Specialist.”

Libya

From 2 level throughout the continent, a bottom up approach, as opposed to trying to build unity at the government/state level, an approach which has failed the African unification project since the days of Kwame Nkrumah and Sekou Toure.

This bottom up approach is widely supported by many Pan Africanists worldwide.

African Mercenaries or Freedom Fighters?

In the past week, the phrase ‘African mercenaries’ has been repeated over and over by the

apology for the tawdry testimony during the Supreme Court confirmation hearings which had almost torpedoed her husband’s candidacy, little did she know the extent to which the ill-advised request would only open up a can of worms. For, not only did Dr. Hill reaffirm her allegations of sexual harassment, but the rekindled controversy inspired another credible witness to step forward, albeit belatedly, in defense of the sister.

That would be Lillian McEwen, a retired federal judge, who broke a 20-year silence to announce that she’d dated Justice Thomas, and that her esteemed colleague had indeed been addicted to pornography as alleged under oath by Anita.

In fact, McEwen even went further, confessing that they had both been sex freaks back in the day, indulging in threesomes and copulating in front of strangers at swingers’ clubs like the legendary Plato’s Retreat.

Now the promiscuous jurist has just published a juicy memoir which blows the sheets off her lascivious liaisons with a number of District of Columbia With over 16,000 members, the MSBA is the state’s largest voluntary organization of attorneys, providing continuing legal education and public service opportunities for lawyers, and assistance to the legal system. The MSBA has been accredited as an independent professional organization for certifying attorneys as Criminal Law Specialists since 2009.

Since 1987, the Minnesota State Bar Association has been media and the selected Libyan citizens they choose to speak to have, as one commentator put it, “spat the word ‘African’ with a venomous hatred”.

The media has assumed, without any research or understanding of the situation because they are refusing to give any air time to pro-Qaddafi forces, that the many Africans in military uniform fighting alongside the pro-Qaddafi Libyan forces are mercenaries.

However, it is a myth that the Africans fighting to defend the Jamahiriya and Muammar Qaddafi are mercenaries being paid a few dollars and this assumption is based solely on the usual racist and contemptuous view of Black Africans.

Actually, in truth, there

political power brokers. And the equally jaw-dropping tell-

all is reminiscent of Karrine Steffans’ Confessions of a

approved as an independent professional organization for certifying lawyers as specialists.

Through testing, peer review from lawyers and judges, and documenting experience, the MSBA Legal Specialist Certification Program measures a lawyer’s expertise in the specialty area. Although many lawyers limit their practice areas, only lawyers who successfully complete the application process and continue to meet

all program standards may call themselves MSBA Certified Legal Specialists.

Tyler received his bachelor’s degree from Augsburg College, and his law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School. He has also completed two years toward a Masters in Communication at the University of Minnesota.

As past President of the Minnesota Black Lawyers Association, Tyler established

Video Vixen which exposed the wanton debauchery of many a Hollywood icon.

Here, hedonistic Judge McEwen recounts raunchy romps ranging from the conventional to the kinky, including wifeswapping, threesomes, group gropes, and even a homoerotic session with a couple of brothers ostensibly on the down-low. As if on truth serum, the author almost compulsively admits to such unbecoming conduct as cheating on her first husband while she was pregnant and climaxing a half-dozen times in a strip club while receiving a lesbian lap dance and being pawed by aroused customers.

To her literary credit, Judge McEwen does exhibit a romance novelist’s flair for the sensual, deftly turning a profusion of titillating euphemisms, whether she’s being “kissed into oblivion” or eliciting “a symphony of soft moans” from a satisfied lover. When not imaginatively invoking arousal, she devotes considerable time to reflecting upon the abusive childhood which apparently triggered the insatiable, lifelong

lust in her loins.

This trait might have made the similarly sex-driven Clarence Thomas her ideal mate had it not been for his right-wing philosophy. Instead, despite his prodigious performance in the sack, courtesy of an elephantine ever-erect phallus which felt like “velvet-covered cement”, McEwen regrettably had to end the relationship over “the speeches you give all over the country.”

She also didn’t care for “The Republican’s” contempt for his own kind, evident in his favorite saying: “[N-words] and flies, I do despise. The more I see [N-words], the more I like flies.”

A salacious page-turner which confirms most folks suspicions regarding a self-hating Uncle Tom while simultaneously putting a sordid spin on the catchphrase “Here come da judge!”

a mentor program that allowed first and second year black law students to obtain jobs in legal firms and corporations.

Tyler is actively involved in the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, American Trial Lawyers Association, Minnesota State Bar Association, Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers, and Hennepin County Bar Association.

Tyler is also an active member

in professional associations and community programs, including the Minneapolis Urban League Board of Directors, State Fund Mutual Board, Federal Public Defender Panel Attorney, Minnesota Minority Junior Golf Association (founder and former Chair), Minneapolis Public Housing Authority, Skylight Club, and Pilgrim Baptist Church. For more information visit: www.fctyler.com or call 612-333-7309.

Courtesy of the Libyan government

Kings and Sultans of Africa were present at the conference for ‘A Decent Life in Europe or a Welcome Return to Africa’. are people all over Africa and the African Diaspora who support and respect Muammar Qaddafi as a result of his invaluable contribution to the worldwide struggle for African emancipation.

Over the past two decades, thousands of Africans from all over the continent were provided with education, work and military training - many of them coming from liberation movements. As a result of

Libya’s support for liberation movements throughout Africa and the world, international battalions were formed. These battalions saw themselves as a part of the Libyan revolution,

D.C. Unmasked & Undressed: A Memoir, by Lillian McEwen TitleTown Publishing, Hardcover, $25.95, 260 pages, Illustrated ISBN: 978-0-9820009-9-1

and took it upon themselves to defend the revolution against attacks from within its borders or outside.

These are the Africans who are fighting to defend Qaddafi and the gains of the Libyan revolution to their death if need be. It is not unlike what happened when internationalist battalions came to the aid of the revolutionary forces against Franco’s fascist forces in Spain.

Malian political analyst, Adam Thiam, notes that “thousands of Tuaregs who were enrolled in the Islamic Legion established by the Libyan revolution remained in Libya and they are enrolled in the Libyan security forces.”

Part two continues next week.

Page 12 • March 28 - April 3, 2011 • Insight News

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SPORTS Frazier’s first draft picks coming soon Mr. T’s Sports Report

By Ryan T. Scott ryan@insightnews.com Of course there’s an NFL lockout, but I enjoy the commentary of former NFL coach Herman Edwards who consistently opens his discussion on the topic by flashing a sheet of paper that says “$9 Billion.” Edward’s explanation comes with the depth of a man entrenched in the game, but my general summary of that “$9 Billion” statement is: with that much money on the line, it’s gonna to get worked out.

The NFL owners are obviously your million and billion dollar type individuals, and usually those folks are willing to wrestle the buffalo off of a Buffalo Nickel just to save the .05 cents. I suppose.

I remember asking my mother why a Porsche was in the Wal-Mart parking lot back in the 80’s when the stores first broadly began springing up across the nation. To which she responded, “That’s how they got it, by saving their money and shopping smart.” Kids, take note.

Shopping smart is one way to get rich, and Vikings Head Coach Leslie Frazier has a heck of a list to fulfill for his football team grocery cart.

Though Frazier seems to have a good relationship with Vikings ownership, two years of poor draft picks is enough to bring a good coach to the unemployed line, because the subsequent win totals will probably go the same way of those poor picks.

The average coaching tenure in the NFL is about 4 years. You only need to look for the history

Minnesota Vikings

Leslie Frazier of players considered to be ‘busts’ to find the coaches who fall below that 4-year tenure average.

Brad Childress lasted longer than the average coach, because his first year drafting resulted in superstar linebacker Chad Greenway, and Cedric Griffin, who can be almost excellent, when healthy. In 2007 Childress followed up on those excellent 2006 picks by bringing in none

other than Adrian Peterson, and Sidney Rice. There aren’t quite enough adjectives to describe how good those two gentlemen are, when it comes to football.

That A+ line-up of imports, in addition to the Brett Favre Project, kept Childress around long enough that even those not a fan of his have to give a respectful bow to his drafting acumen.

Fortunately for Frazier,

Childress leaving didn’t mean that all of the brain trust that went into those great draft picks would leave with him. Rick Spielman, Vikings Director of Pro Personnel is still the head person in charge, when it comes to drafting collegiate players, and that definitely makes the world a better place for Frazier’s future.

All of that maze aside, the best news is that the prospects

for this year’s draft have the overall smell of success.

The Vikings obviously need a quarterback to bring in, considering the absence of Brett Favre (for now), and National Champion quarterback Cam Newton of Auburn seems to have the biggest arm to throw with, and the biggest smile to go on billboards and national interviews. There are a few other quarterbacks with fewer

bells and whistles, but may be much more safe choices in the long run.

The likelihood that Newton will be available at the #12 pick for the Vikings, doesn’t seem to be that great, because teams like Buffalo, Cincinnati, and Carolina aren’t in position to heavily consider the 2011– 2012 season as a potential Super Bowl season—thus they might take the added game losses in exchange for Newton’s ‘smile revenue’. The Vikings on the other hand are not that far removed from the NFC Championship game of a couple years ago, and need the right answer to the quarterback problem now. The offense is young for the Vikings, but the defense is aging quickly, in terms of Super Bowl years.

It’s a tough position to be in for the Vikings, and thus that makes this years’ draft very interesting. I think the whole world would like to see 2nd year quarterback Joe Webb fulfill his potential, because he’s a highlight reel waiting to happen. There are several good quarterbacks that can be picked up in later rounds, along with the Vikings other needs at defensive safety and defensive end. But each year seems to have a specialty at one particular position. This year it seems that receiver is that position. With Sidney Rice chomping at the bit to return to his Pro-Bowl caliber of 2009, I say that there is no better way to make some young quarterbacks look good than to have a stud core of receivers. Though A.J. Green of Georgia may be the better pick at receiver, Julio Jones of Alabama is as polished and professional as they come.

Plus he’s got dreadlocks to match Sidney Rice. Thus, Malobe Natural Hair Salon (915 W. Lake St.) may be the key to the Vikings draft success. After all, dreadlocks are like heaven under a wool hat on a cold winter day.

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