Insight News ::: 6.04.12

Brazilian Percussionist Dendê & Band Sunday, June 10th The Cedar Cultural Center 7:30 PM 416 Cedar Ave S Minneapolis, MN 55454 Tickets: www.thecedar.org/about/tickets Phone: 612-338-2674 ext 2 Photo © SWE Photography

INSIGHT NEWS June 4 - June 10, 2012 • MN Metro Vol. 38 No. 23 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • www.insightnews.com

Media portrayal of Black youths contributes to racial tension

By Joshunda Sanders Special to the NNPA News Service From Robert C. Maynard Institute for Journalism Education

WASHINGTON (NNPA) – Mainstream media often portray African-American youths, especially Black men and boys, as criminals, crime victims and predators. These stereotypes, according to social justice advocates, can create a raciallycharged atmosphere that results

in violence such as the shooting death of teenager Trayvon Martin.

U.S. popular culture has become increasingly desensitized to one-dimensional portrayals of Black youths.

Perpetuation of them as dangerous has been embedded

in American society not only by words and images projected by journalists but also by a wide variety of other media and entertainment sources, including the Internet, movies and video games.

Clearly, the perception of African-Americans and other

people of color as inferior to whites is rooted in the nation’s legacy of racial hierarchy, a system of stratification based on belief that skin color makes whites superior. Also contributing to embedding these stereotypes is that even as U.S. Census data show a growing

number of non-whites in America, fewer people of color are in decision-making positions at daily newspapers, television and radio stations, and online news organizations.

MEDIA TURN TO 10

Courtesy of Mastery School

Students Courtney Crump and Billy Cook

New Mastery School schedules open house

Let your moral conscience guide you

PhotoXpress

By Reverend Dr. Gerald L. Durley Pastor, Providence Missionary Baptist Church Atlanta, Georgia

O

ver the last several days there have been many deep, soul-searching dialogues and conversations concerning President Obama’s statement that “he” has evolved to assuming the position of recognizing same-sex marriage. He announced that after prayerful meditations, meaningful conversations with numerous friends and colleagues who are homosexuals; and thoughtful, inspiring discussions within his family “he” has come to realize the value and importance of all human beings (i.e. American citizens) whom

Artspeak

Macy’s misses the boat

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he took an oath to serve as their president.

The statement highlighting his personal position on the issue of same-sex marriage has literally ignited a debate unparalleled in the Christian community and the nation as a whole. There are those who adamantly oppose the President’s personal posture on the sanctioning of same-sex marriage. There are some who are relatively comfortable with the concept of same-sex civil unions and legal partnerships, but not the usage of the term ‘marriage’ to promote the idea that same-sex couples, who are recognized by the government (i.e. city, county, state, et al.), have shared identified rights and mutual benefits. Still others are of the mindset that the church should not be involved in the relationships of those who choose to live an

accepted lifestyle under cultural and civic standards. Often, it is felt by Christian clergy that there is a moral and spiritual obligation to counsel those seeking to get married in the Christian faith.

Needless to state, there are a number of different and diverse opinions on this timely subject. It is timely because, as the President so eloquently shared, this is an important, sensitive, significant issue impacting millions of American lives and it is not going to go away. It is therefore imperative for those of us in the faith community to share our opinions, from our different perspectives with the President. It is equally as important for President Obama to share his personal convictions with

Aesthetics

Academy, Ella and Eric Mahmoud. Mastery School is being created to provide new educational opportunities for children in north Minneapolis.

Harvest Prep and Best Academy, the 2011 #1 Gap Closing Schools in Minnesota, are the models for Mastery School, Inc., and during its first year of operation,

SCHOOL TURN TO 3

Schools Serving North Minneapolis Kindergarten to Eighth Grade Percent of Students Meeting the Minnesota State Standard MCA-III Mathematics for 2010-2011 Harvest Best State Loring Noble Bryn Mawr Jenny Lind New Millenium

Harvest Prep Best Academy Area Schools

Sojurner Truth Hmong Int'l Hall Nellie Stone Bethune Lucy Laney WISE City View

MARRIAGE TURN TO 13

Pop music and Somali Americans

PAGE 4

On Saturday, June 9, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. the new Mastery School will be having an open house at 1300 Olson Memorial Highway, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55411 (Home of Harvest Prep and Best Academy).

Mastery School, Inc. is a joint effort between Minneapolis Public Schools and the founders and leaders of Harvest Prep and Best

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Business

Correct mistakes because it might matter someday

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Kel Mitchell The “Motorcity” interview

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Ad doesn’t reflect Brazil’s racial diversity Artspeak

By Irma McClaurin, PhD Culture and Education Editor What a delightful surprise to open my mailbox and see Macys touting a celebration of Brazil. The merchandise colors are vibrant oranges, yellows, and shocking turquoise.

However, as I looked at the

models chosen to represent Brazil, it was clear that Macys had missed the boat. Brazil is a multi-racial country. Everyone knows that its people represent a human rainbow, and in fact, after World War II, American scholars often pointed to Brazil as the racial ideal. Thus was born what anthropologist Dr. France Winddance Twine has critiqued as the myth of Brazil as a “racial democracy.”

What Twine shares in her seminal book, Racism in a Racial Democracy: The Maintenance of White Supremacy in Brazil,” is that behind the scenes, Brazilians

who looked phenotypically Black have a vastly different life than those who are lightskinned or position themselves as white Brazilians. According to the description of the book at Rutgers University Press website, “…In Racism in a Racial Democracy, France Winddance Twine asks why Brazilians, particularly Afro-Brazilians, continue to have faith in Brazil’s “racial democracy” in the face of pervasive racism in all spheres of Brazilian life. Through a detailed ethnography, Twine provides a cultural analysis of the everyday discursive

Wikimedia Commons

Afro-Brazilians depicted in “Capoeira or the Dance of War” by Johann Moritz Rugendas, 1825. and material practices that sustain and naturalize white supremacy.”

As a Latin American country, Brazil, like many of its geographical cousins, does not keep track of “race” in its census. However, walking around Brazil’s second largest city, Rio de Janeiro—where most tourists end up, a glance at who constitutes the most underserved will reveal that the vast majority of Brazil’s economically impoverished and undereducated, 51 percent of the total population, have African ancestry. In the United States, according to its racial system, they would be categorized as “Black” or “Afro-American” because of our historic “one-drop” rule (one drop of Black blood makes you Black).

Brazil was the site of the largest slave trade in the 1800s.

As a result, over half of Brazil’s 194,946,470 people are believed to have some direct link to African ancestors. That is roughly 97 million people who would be considered “Black” by our standards. In fact, outside of the continent of Africa, Brazil has the largest number of African-descended

Macy’s advertisement people.

And, the origins of what most of us (and Macys)

BRAZIL TURN TO 14

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Insight News • June 4 - June 10, 2012 • Page 3

COMMENTARY Moving Heaven and Earth to re-elect Obama Nobody Asked Me

By Fred Easter Nobody asked me but the full effect of the Supreme Court decision, on Corporations are people too, has not been seen yet. The amount of money that will be spent on political TV ads

over the next 5 months or so is going to be dizzying. Prepare to be inundated and disgusted by a swarm of artfully packaged, outright lies.

But, if you had higher hopes than have been realized by your President’s performance thus far, here is your chance.

Imagine Barack Obama when he has no reason to be concerned about his reelection prospects.

In his second term, he will have the opportunity to make as many as two Supreme Court appointments. This is of great importance when you consider

the impact this conservative court has had on the body politic.

In his first term, President Obama has had to be mindful of the interests of those whose deep pockets held the promise of funding his reelection campaign.

If all the major Corporations and all of Wall Street’s vast resources were arrayed against him, he would be facing a hill too steep to climb. As it stands, he does face a hill. Many, in this country, cannot stomach the idea of a “darker brother” as “Commander-in-Chief” of the most powerful nation on

earth. They are much more comfortable helping Blacks lift ourselves up to become more like the majority. Instead, here they are, forced to swallow a mixed race brother who got a first class education, parlayed his work in the community all the way through the Senate to the White House, found himself a beautiful, brilliant, brown skinned girl and founded a stunning first family. A tough pill for red-necks to swallow. The poster child for the American Dream was supposed to be a blond.

To be sure, Obama can count on a ration of Republican blundering. But, Republican money will attempt to minimize its effect. They are already calling their party the party of the civil rights movement. Wrap your mind around that. Back in the day, when the South was a Democratic Party stronghold, it may have seemed that way.

As soon as President Lyndon Johnson pushed the passage of the Civil Rights legislation in the 60s, southern Democrats switched their party affiliation.

“A Rose by any other name.”

Southern Blacks are not fooled by who the Republicans say the real enemy is. Women and the LGBT community are not fooled either. Union workers in Wisconsin are set to send a resounding message to Tea Party mega millions.

We must move Heaven and Earth to see that Obama gets a second term AND a Democratic House of Representatives.

It is not an overstatement to say that it is this country’s and the perhaps the western world’s last, best hope.

Racist ‘talk’ with white children

By George E. Curry NNPA Columnist In the wake of the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Fla., stories appeared in newspapers, on broadcast outlets and on the Internet about “the talk,” a candid conversation Black parents have at some point with their Black sons about surviving in a society that devalues them as humans.

In an April 5 article published in Taki magazine (takimag.com), National Review contributor John Derbyshire wrote, “Yes, talk about the talk is all over.”

Under the headline, “The Talk: Nonblack Version,” he said, “There is a talk that nonblack Americans have with their kids, too. My own kids, now 19 and 16, have had it in bits and pieces as subtopics have arisen. If I were to assemble it into a single talk, it would look something like the following.”

He then listed a series of clearly racist and undocumented comments.

Among them: The default principle in everyday personal encounters is, that as a fellow citizen, with the same rights and obligations as yourself, any individual Black is entitled to the same courtesies you would extend to a nonBlack citizen. That is basic good manners and good citizenship. In some unusual circumstances, however—e.g., paragraph (10h) below—this default principle should be overridden by considerations of personal safety.

In consideration of personal safety, Derbyshire advises: Avoid concentrations of blacks not all known to you personally; Stay out of heavily Black neighborhoods; If planning a trip to a beach or amusement park at some date, find out whether it is likely to be swamped with Blacks on that date (neglect of that one got me the closest I have ever gotten to death by gunshot);

Rybak, Glidden call on housing lenders to take responsibility for foreclosure impacts Mayor R.T. Rybak and Council Member Elizabeth Glidden issued a joint statement calling on housing lenders to take responsibility for foreclosure impacts.

“It has become sadly too common for us to see our neighbors losing their homes.

This human tragedy is made worse when we forget the effect on families who feel lost in a sea of confusing red tape and bureaucratic hurdles.

We must also remember that cities don’t foreclose homes; banks do. Increasingly, cities and municipalities are being expected to do things that they are not equipped to handle, either legally or financially.

Cities do not have the resources to provide private security for landlords, whether it’s Freddie Mac or any other mortgage holder. These lending institutions, public or private, cannot foreclose numerous properties and then just expect local police departments to manage the consequences.

Cities are also not set up to

judge each individual potential foreclosure situation to determine how much mortgage terms should be adjusted to keep people in their homes – or foreclosed if that is not possible.

This is the work of the housing lenders. Only they have the necessary expertise and resources to deal with their mortgages and their foreclosures.

Their failure to do so harms cities and increases costs to city budgets across the nation.

Their failure also affects neighbors.

It diminishes livability, decreases values, and promotes blight.

We are increasingly concerned by the direct and indirect costs to our neighborhoods.

We call on all housing lenders, both public and private, to accept full responsibility for managing foreclosed properties and for preventing foreclosures through broader and more aggressive actions.”

School

will begin with grades Kindergarten through 2nd grade, and will add a grade each year until it reaches the 8th grade. The new Mastery School is being created for the people and by the people.

In addition to an outstanding education, it will provide the following benefits to each and every child enrolled at the school: Free tuition and transportation to and from school Free breakfast and lunch 20-25 lbs. of free food each and every month for every child enrolled Free 1st uniform for students Call to enroll NOW as spaces are limited, by contacting Ms. Gaynell Ray, 612-381-9743, ext. 2201, or by going online at www. themasteryschool.org

From 1 Mastery School, Inc. will be incubated in the same building with Harvest Prep and Best Academy, and will be led by the same leaders of these two great schools.

Graph 1 (pictured) shows the percent of students at Harvest Prep that were proficient in math in 2011 compared to the state of Minnesota overall and other north side area schools.

Harvest exceeded the state by an astounding 24 percentile points in math.

When compared with the seven public schools in the north side geographic area contiguous to Harvest Prep and Best Academy, the contrast is even starker.

The new Mastery School

Do not attend events likely to draw a lot of Blacks; If you are at some public event at which the number of Blacks suddenly swells, leave as quickly as possible; Do not settle in a district or municipality run

by Black politicians; Before voting for a Black politician, scrutinize his/her character much more carefully than you would a white; Do not act the Good Samaritan to Blacks in apparent distress, e.g., on the highway and if accosted by a strange Black in the street, smile and say something polite but keep moving.

As you go through life, however, you will experience an ever larger number of encounters with Black Americans. Assuming your encounters are random—for example, not restricted only to Black convicted murderers or to Black investment bankers— the Law of Large Numbers will inevitably kick in. You will observe that the means— the averages—of many traits are very different for Black

and white Americans, as has been confirmed by methodical inquiries in the human sciences.

Of most importance to your personal safety are the very different means for antisocial behavior, which you will see reflected in, for instance, school disciplinary measures, political corruption, and criminal convictions.

These differences are magnified by the hostility many Blacks feel toward whites.

Thus, while Black-on-Black behavior is more antisocial in the average than is white-onwhite behavior, average Blackon-white behavior is a degree more antisocial yet.

A small cohort of Blacks— in my experience, around five percent—is ferociously hostile to whites and will go to great lengths to inconvenience or harm us. A much larger cohort of Blacks—around half—will go along passively if the five percent take leadership in some event. They will do this out of racial solidarity, the natural

willingness of most human beings to be led, and a vague feeling that whites have it coming.

The mean intelligence of Blacks is much lower than for whites. The least intelligent ten percent of whites have IQs below 81; forty percent of Blacks have IQs that low.

Only one Black in six is more intelligent than the average white; five whites out of six are more intelligent than the average Black…“Life is an IQ test.”

There is a magnifying effect here, too, caused by affirmative action. In a pure meritocracy there would be very low proportions of Blacks in cognitively demanding jobs.

Because of affirmative action, the proportions are higher. In government work, they are very high. Thus, in those encounters with strangers that involve cognitive engagement, ceteris paribus the Black stranger will be less intelligent than the white. In such encounters, therefore—for example, at a

government office—you will, on average, be dealt with more competently by a white than by a Black.

Derbyshire ended his article by saying, “You don’t have to follow my version of the talk point for point; but if you are white or Asian and have kids, you owe it to them to give them some version of the talk. It will save them a lot of time and trouble spent figuring things out for themselves. It may save their lives.”

George E. Curry, former editor-in-chief of Emerge magazine, is editor-in-chief of the National Newspaper Publishers Association News Service (NNPA) and editorial director of Heart & Soul magazine. He is a keynote speaker, moderator, and media coach. Curry can be reached through his Web site, www. georgecurry.com. You can also follow him at www.twitter.com/ currygeorge.

Page 4 • June 4 - June 10, 2012 • Insight News

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AESTHETICS Pop music and Somali Americans

By Ifrah Jimale Q: What kind of music do young Somali-Americans listen to? Are there Somali or Somali-American pop stars?

A: Like most immigrants before us, young Somali kids try to fit in rather than stand out. More likely than not you’ll see the car next to you on the road with the window down and loud rap music blaring out.

Our young boys wear baggy clothes and imitate rap stars like 50 Cent, Young Money, and Lil Wayne. They adopt a lot faster than their elders, or their older siblings. This of course creates a huge rift between

the young population and the older generation. Among the many things that divide them is music, clothing style, religion of course, and almost everything that is perceived as an Americanization.

I would definitely say they listen to American music, but more specifically pop, R&B, and rap music. I’ve never met a single Somali person listening to country music, but I am sure I will meet them someday, and I will stop turning my country music off when I suspect a Somali person is nearby.

The next crowd, Somali girls in their 20s and early 30s, listen to a wide mix of music, such as popular artists like

Toni Braxton, Brandy, Michael Jackson, and Brian McKnight, to name a few. Now I don’t want to generalize a huge population of people, but we are divided in our choice of how we live and what music we listen to.

For example, some of us— including me—really don’t give a crap about culture or how things used to be, how you “should” live and whatnot.

Some of us just want to think for ourselves and would rather have no defined boundaries other then those we create for ourselves.

I would include myself as part of the younger population and I listen to about 80%

Amaal Nuux American pop, R&B, and some days country. I like listening to the Dixie Chicks when I want to tell the world to get off my back. I listen to 10 percent Somali, 5 percent Japanese pop music, some Indian music, and a little bit of West African and jazz—which I recently discovered.

Now, the next part of the question: Are there Somali or Somali-American pop stars?

This part is tricky. If you mean pop star like a mainstream American pop star, we have this artist named K’naan.

He’s technically Canadian as he lives in Toronto, and he’s become a lot more popular in the last few years. His song

“Wavin’ Flag” became Coca Cola’s official anthem for the 2010 World Cup. I’m a bigger fan of “Dreamer” and “Does it Really Matter,” though. He’s put out a couple of albums, both of which are worth listening to, and I’d recommend him to anyone who’s into pop/rap music.

We also have a lovely Canadian female singer named Amaal Nuux. People talk about her as “the Somali Beyoncé.”

There are also a lot of Somali and Somali-American pop stars that produce movies and albums and are big in the Somali community, including those that just want to think they’re big. I heard

jilaa.com

some people calling themselves “wijixum,” which badly translates to “ugly face” or “bad face.” I don’t know why they are called that but they are mostly okay singers, and sing at weddings, conferences and festivals. We have our share of famous singers. Here are a few Somali musicians you can pull up on YouTube and listen to them: Khadijo Laba Dhagax, Sado Ali, Hibo Nuura, Hassan Adan Samatar, Fadumo Qasim, Mohamed Tubeec, Halimo Magool.

Ifrah Jimale (askasomali@ gmail.com) writes the Ask A Somali column for the TC Daily Planet.

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Insight News • June 4 - June 10, 2012 • Page 5

Tying the Knot: Songs for our Fathers Dani Werner

T. Mychael Rambo with father Dr. Lewis M. Rambo

Minnesota Public Radio and Tying the Knot Project partner for a special evening of performance to celebrate African American men as fathers and community leaders.

Tying the Knot – Songs for Our Fathers will occur on Saturday, June 16, 2012 at 8:00pm at the Historic Fitzgerald Theater at 10 Exchange Street, St. Paul, MN 55101.

Curated and hosted by T. Mychael Rambo, with musical direction by Tommy Barbarella, Tying the Knot – Songs for Our Fathers is a multi-dimensional performance featuring work by award winning authors, playwrights and poets along with performances by some of the Twin Cities’ finest vocalists, musicians and dancers. This evening will commemorate Fathers of all ages and backgrounds.

Featured performers include: Jearlyn Steele, Marion McClinton, Bruce Henry, Tonia Hughes-Kendrick, Alexs Pate, M.anifest, Julius C. Collins III, Aimee K. Bryant, Sarah Bellamy, Carlyle Brown, Frank Sentwali, E.G. Bailey, Shá Cage, Kevin D. West, Alanna Morris, Christian Adeti and Marciano dos Santos.

“It’s a celebration of fatherhood to share with family and friends, giving voice to the significant role father’s play in our lives, and the unbreakable bonds they have within their community,” said T. Mychael Rambo.

Songs for Our Fathers is part of the Tying the Knot Project, created in partnership with Dads Make A Difference, Save Our Sons and Obsidian Arts. In addition to the evening performance, the Project

Shá Cage and E.G. Bailey

Sarah Bellamy

Carlyle Brown

Aimee Bryant

Julius C. Collins

Bruce Henry

Tonia Hughes Kendrick

Marion McClinton

Alanna Morris

Alexs Pate

Marciano Silva dos Santos

Frank-Sentwali

Jearlyn Steele

Kevin West

will host a Father’s Day Festival and Photography Exhibit – free and open to the public – from 11:00am to 2:00pm at the Wilder Center at 451 Lexington Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104.

Tickets can be purchased through the MPR Box Office at 651-290-1200.

Page 6 • June 4 - June 10, 2012 • Insight News

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HEALTH Chemicals in umbilical cord blood

By EarthTalk® E - The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: A few years back a study found over 200 chemicals in the umbilical

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 Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Vice President of Sales & Marketing Selene White Culture and Education Editor Irma McClaurin Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Sr. Content & Production Coordinator Ben Williams Production Intern Natalie Benz 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 Cordie Aziz Maya Beecham Harry Colbert, Jr. Brenda Colston Julie Desmond Fred Easter S. Himie Oshana Himot Timothy Houston Marcia Humphrey Alaina L. Lewis 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.

cords of newborns, particularly African American, Asian and Hispanic babies. What are the causes of this phenomenon and what can be done about it?

-- Bettina Olsen, New York, NY The study referenced found traces of some 232 synthetic chemicals in cord blood samples from 10 different babies of African American, Asian and Hispanic descent born in 2009 in different parts of the U.S. Study sponsors Environmental Working Group (EWG) and Rachel’s Network were looking to find out if the hormonedisrupting chemical Bisphenol A (BPA), a plasticizer widely used in food and drink storage containers, is present in the cord blood of minority babies in the U.S. Sadly and not surprisingly, BPA turned up in nine of the 10 cord blood samples tested. But perhaps even worse is the study’s detection of whole new raft of chemicals showing up in babies’ cord blood for the first time.

Some of these newer offenders include tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) from computer circuit boards, synthetic fragrances used in common cosmetics and detergents and Teflon-relative perfluorobutanoic acid.

The 2009 study was a follow-up to an earlier analysis of chemicals in cord blood in the mainstream U.S. population during 2004 births. That earlier study found some 287 different industrial chemicals and pollutants in babies’ cord blood, although BPA was not yet on EWG’s watch list at the time.

The more recent study focused on minority babies because minority communities in the U.S. tend to bear a disproportionate pollution burden given their closer proximity to busy roads, industrial sites and older housing.

But EWG points out that they tested for chemicals that are likely found in virtually every

StockByte

A 2009 study sponsored by the Environmental Working Group and Rachel’s Network found traces of 232 synthetic chemicals in umbilical cord blood samples from 10 different babies of African American, Asian and Hispanic descent born in 2009 in different parts of the U.S. American household, so none of us are immune to exposure.

EWG hopes that by continuing to monitor the chemicals we are born with it can hold corporate polluters’ and government regulators’ feet to the fire in regard to waste outputs and pollution mitigation.

EWG did not look for chemicals associated with smoking or alcohol consumption on the part of mothers, instead

focusing on contaminants from exposures to consumer products and commercial chemicals omnipresent on supermarket shelves. To EWG, the presence of these chemicals in umbilical cord blood represents “a significant failure on the part of the Congress and government agencies” charged with protecting human health. “Our results strongly suggest that the health of all children is threatened by trace

amounts of hundreds of synthetic chemicals coursing through their bodies from the earliest stages of life.”

Part of the problem is outdated laws governing the handling and use of toxic chemicals. Currently 1976’s Toxic Substances Control Act is the law of the land in regard to controlling the distribution, use and disposal of toxic chemicals nationwide. But EWG and other groups complain that hundreds of thousands of new chemical formulations are unleashed on an unwitting public every year via America’s store shelves because the federal government assumes new products and ingredients to be innocent until proven guilty.

These critics would like to see the federal government take a more proactive role in approving new substances for use in consumer products, not to mention residential and workplace environments.

On the legislative front, green groups are pinning their

hopes for a reformed Toxic Substances Control Act on New Jersey Democratic Senator Frank Lautenberg’s Safe Chemicals Act (S. 847), introduced last fall.

The bill is currently spinning its wheels in committee hearings, but its 17 bi-partisan co-sponsors are optimistic that it will come up for a floor vote before the 112th Congress wraps up the end of this year.

CONTACT: EWG’s “Pollution in Minority Newborns,” www.ewg.org/ minoritycordblood.

EarthTalk® is written and edited

by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of E - The Environmental Magazine (www.emagazine. com). Send questions to: earthtalk@emagazine.com.

Subscribe: www.emagazine. com/subscribe. Free Trial Issue: www.emagazine.com/trial.

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Insight News • June 4 - June 10, 2012 • Page 7

EDUCATION Resources for pregnant and parenting teens the other side of the building being taught in a loving and nurturing environment equipped with welleducated and experienced day care specialists.

“Minneapolis Public Schools has supported teen parents by providing day care on school

By Abeni Hill Insight Intern Broadway High School, 3017 E. 31st Street, Minneapolis, has been providing resources for pregnant and parenting teens in the Minneapolis school district since 2000, through a personalized learning model and childcare facilities.

The school’s mission is to ensure that “every one of these young mothers becomes college and career ready,” said family and community liaison Lutunji Abram.

The curriculum at Broadway is “project-based,” said Abram.

The students find something that interests them and they expand on it.

Devanna Baxter, a student, describes the curriculum at Broadway as a “different way of learning because we don’t do as much classroom work.”

Biology and Chemistry Teacher Paul Peña recently received a grant to clear out an old playground area and build an outdoor lab and classroom.

The new science lab will provide space for activities such as

Lutunji Abram and Devanna Baxter environmental studies, raising a few chickens, and gardening.

Broadway also provides classes for students who are learning English as a second language. “Thirty percent of the student body needs support with their English,” said English as a

second language teacher Sarah Sehnert.

Broadway School used to be located on West Broadway Avenue in North Minneapolis, but transferred to South Minneapolis and is now housed in Longfellow elementary school. “Broadway

Abeni Hill

High School moved to the Longfellow building because this building accommodates the students’ educational pursuits and social service needs,” said Abram. “While the mother is in class learning and developing leadership skills, her child is just on

Creating a generation of readers

By Laysha Ward Some Minnesota students learned that their school’s library was selected by Target for a School Library Makeover.

At Best Academy and Harvest Prep and Marcy Open School -- both in Minneapolis -- and American Indian Magnet School and World Cultures Middle School in St. Paul, students will soon see their library renovated, updated, and outfitted with new computers, iPads, and thousands of new books.

The students will be excited,

Target Corporation

Laysha Ward

of course, thanks to the new technology and new books.

But they’ll also be hopeful and proud -- as the upgraded library will demonstrate that

the community is committed to investing in their success.

These upgrades are part of a larger effort by Target to invest $1 billion for education by the end of 2015. The School Library Makeover program will help improve reading proficiency by transforming libraries at 32 elementary schools around the country which serve predominantly low-income students.

It’s a small but much needed step to help turn the tide against a growing crisis in our nation’s education system.

At a time when the economy continues to shift

towards knowledge-based jobs, and when reading skills have never been more important, the country is often failing to give children the skills they need to succeed. Young people will be seeking jobs in a market where 75 percent of openings require not just a high school diploma, but also some post-secondary education.

Recent studies have found that developing reading skills early on has a significant impact on future educational success. Third grade, it turns out, is a critical juncture when

READERS TURN TO 11

campuses for over 20 years. In particular, North Community High school provided programming under MICE which is now known as TAPPP,” said Abram.

BROADWAY TURN TO 8

Page 8 • June 4 - June 10, 2012 • Insight News

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LIFESTYLE

Over the rainbow Gone to Ghana

By Cordie Aziz Columnist The other day in my internet browsing I ran across an article entitled, “Nineteen Things All High School Students Should Know.” Of course, with the economy being bad, most of the facts were focused on the financial burden of getting a college education— no surprise there. I think most Americans are aware of the fact that the cost of college education has gone up dramatically in the past decade. However, the reason I really found this article relevant is because it discussed the reality of college graduates that refuse to think outside of the box.

The article pointed out obvious facts; such as, that after college you will probably end up working a crappy job before you get a good one. And who can disagree with that? My first job was as an assistant manager, at the now bankrupt grocery store, Winn Dixie, and trust me it was not glamorous. It also brought home some cold hard facts though. The article stated that 365,000 cashiers have college

degrees, 317,000 waiters and waitresses have college degrees and currently there more than 100,000 janitors that have college degrees. These seem like relatively low numbers, until you realize you are one of the statistics. After all, I once knew a law school graduate working at Starbucks.

These statistics, though, are the exact reason that I chose to build my life outside of the country. You see, life in America is good. We have free education, reliable water and power systems, a stable democracy, and many other benefits. However, the numbers of opportunities are undoubtedly shrinking. It

Broadway

first year of college at MCTC,” said Abram. She emphasized the importance of mentoring, stating that “mentoring is a powerful force that produces positive results.”

If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please contact Lutunji Abram at (612) 668-4714 or lutunji.abram@mpls.k12. mn.us.

From 7 Teen Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenting Program (TAPPP) provides “a wraparound support service,” said TAPPP Coordinator Laura Knutson. The program offers students “parent-child interaction time once a week” as well as daycare services, parenting classes, and a prenatal education.

TAPPP also works with North High, South, and Roosevelt High School.

“While you are learning they are taking care of your baby,” said student Jenny Machuza when referring to Broadway. “And you know they are taking care of your baby.”

Machuza turned 13 when she came to Broadway High School and this marks her second year at the school. When she graduates, Machuza plans to attend cosmetology school.

“You have teachers who understand what you are going through as well,” said Baxter.

Resource teacher Dr. Darlene Gibson describes herself as an advocate and mentor to her students.

“I love giving my services to the students who need it the most,” said Gibson. “Being a single mom seems to be a challenge.”

Broadway High School also holds community town halls every Thursday. In the town halls, organizations from the community offer their services to the students.

“Town halls are extremely important for the population we serve,” said Abram. Some of the discussion topics are employment and housing. Abram said they hold the meetings “to avoid making premature decisions due to lack of knowledge. We want our students to be educated, encouraged, and empowered.”

Last year, Minneapolis Public Schools superintendent Dr. Bernadeia Johnson asked Abram to start a mentoring program at Broadway. Abram said it was a success.

“The program allows careeroriented women from the community to mentor the students at Broadway,” said Abram. “The mentor program is still in existence and mentors are currently matched and being matched with students.”

Abram chooses the mentors herself. One of the current mentors, Natalie Johnson Lee, former 5th Ward City Councilperson, was her mentor when she was a teen mom.

“She taught me the importance of a resume,” said Abram.

There are more than 20 mentors in the program. “We have been so blessed,” said Abram.

There are very “active” mentors in the program who significantly engage with their mentees.”

Mentors are expected to connect with their mentees for one hour every two weeks.

Connecting can be as “simple as a text or telephone call,” said Abram. “Most are connecting

doesn’t mean that there isn’t still opportunity to become successful in the United States; it just means that fewer people will actually reach their goal of success. So what do you do?

Well, if you are smart, you start looking for other opportunities. And moving outside of the United States is definitely more of a viable option than people think. After all, technology has prepared us for this very point in time.

Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, they all provide virtual platforms for you to network with anyone in the world who has interests similar to yours.

Living outside of the country, from my experience, can turn your life from good to great; especially if you are willing to work hard and are adaptable to change. For the financially savvy, living outside of the country, will undoubtedly not only help you create a better life for yourself, but future generations as well. After all, if you look back at American moguls most of them made of their money during the industrial revolution. And, of course, America has passed it Industrial Revolution, but many other places have not.

So whether you move to Australia, Sri Lanka or Ghana the opportunities that you can find living abroad definitely surpass those opportunities on the home

Dr. Darlene Gibson and Jenny Machuza over lunch.” Sharon Sayles-Belton visited the school to “speak words of encouragement” to the students.

5th Congressional District Deputy Director Darlene Benjamin

Abeni Hill

attended job fairs with her mentee.

“Erika Binger connected with the program last year as well and is still in contact with her mentee who just successfully finished her

front. After all, who wants to be 30-plus living at home in your parents basement when you can have your own house with house

help on the opposite side of the world— definitely not me. Plus, overseas, the dreams you dare to dream, really do come true.

insightnews.com

Insight News • June 4 - June 10, 2012 • Page 9

BUSINESS Correct mistakes: Because it might matter someday Plan Your Career

By Julie Desmond julie@insightnews.com In 1847, archaeologists uncovered a King’s library of more than 23,000 clay tablets dating to about 707BC, containing information on everything from business deals to reports from border patrols. On one of these tablets was written, “The Earth is degenerating today. Bribery and corruption abound. Children no longer obey their parents... It is evident that the end of the world is fast approaching.”

Almost three thousand years later, that world hasn’t changed, corruption still abounds, but the world hasn’t ended, either.

Everyone makes mistakes; everyone has moments of less than stellar judgment.

When

PhotoXpress

a mistake comes to light, it is ethical to ask, how did that happen? And what happens next? Let’s ask Scott Thompson, decidedly former Yahoo! CEO,

who was fired for padding the education section of his resume.

How did it happen?

Thompson had to have known from the day he donned his

graduation cap and gown that his degree was in Accounting.

Maybe (I’m speculating) he added the Computer Science degree to his application in order

to get his foot in a door early on in his career. Maybe he had enough credits in Computer Science that he felt it was reasonable to list this on his resume.

Maybe it happened a long time ago.

Maybe, as Thompson’s career progressed, he just left the extra degree on there, or forgot about it. Apparently, he had the knowledge and skills to succeed in the jobs he took on, regardless of the degree. Maybe someone advised him to add the extra degree to add credibility to his portfolio. Maybe, as he became more prominent in the business world, quietly removing that extra line from his bio would have seemed too embarrassing.

What Thompson learned was, we all make innocent mistakes, and we all get caught.

Sooner or later, the truth inevitably leaks out. According to a Findlaw.com survey, 25 percent of job applicants pad their resumes with extras: extra degrees, extra responsibilities, extra qualifications or titles. 75

percent of those who do will go on to lose a job because of it.

Whether a person is just starting a career or is balancing high on the corporate ladder, the key is to correct mistakes when you discover them. Remember, Decca Records rejected signing The Beatles in 1962 because, “Guitar groups are on the way out.” Ten years later, how they must have wished they could reverse that decision.

Take a lesson from Thompson and decide that now is a good time to reverse bad decisions and freshen up your facts. Revise your resume and online profile. A good recruiter can poke holes in questionable titles, degrees and qualifications.

Send your info to me if you want an objective fact checker to look it over. Do it today, because it just might matter, someday.

Julie Desmond is a Certified Staffing Professional and Talent Manager.

Write to julie@ lakeregionstaffing.com.

Are prepaid credit cards helping consumers?

By Charlene Crowell Amid the still-unfolding effects of the deepest recession since that of the 1930s, one area of financial services is in a skyrocketing growth mode: prepaid credit cards. Initially appealing to consumers who lacked bank accounts to

conduct personal financial transactions, this form of plastic is now commonplace. In fact, some governmental benefits are issued on prepaid cards.

In 2006, Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports found that 312 million transactions were made with prepaid cards at a dollar value of $13.3 billion.

By 2011, prepaid card users loaded $70.7 billion, and that figure is expected to grow to $120.2 billion this year. Usage is now so widespread that many leading banks who shunned this form of plastic convenience years ago, are now offering their own prepaid cards.

For consumers, prepaid cards are convenient and usually safer than carrying large amounts of cash. But as with any financial service, there are seldom-mentioned issues that affect usage. For example, lost or stolen prepaid cards often lack the protections afforded credit or debit cards. The card issuer may also encourage purchasers to use a number of add-on services such as overdraft. In many cases, addon charges wind up costing far more than they are actually worth.

Most importantly, prepaid card usage can also incur multiple and hidden fees that drain the actual amount of

money available. Although exact fees and related charges will vary by issuer, several of the most common are: Activation – Just getting a prepaid card can range from a low of $3 to as much as $39.95; ATM transactions – Card users seeking cash at these machines incur a charge per withdrawal.

Balance inquiry – Finding out how much remaining money is available incurs a charge Customer service – Free with some cards; but fee-based with other issuers to speak with someone about an account.

Inactivity – If the card is not used within a designated time period, a dormancy fee applies and can cost up to $9.95 each month.

Monthly fee – This one applies when the card is used frequently ranging from $2.95 to as high as $9.95. Some issuers waive the monthly fee when large balances are maintained.

Paper statements – As online statements are generally available without charge, consumers preferring a paper statement with itemized transactions will typically incur fees ranging from $1 to $5.95.

If you think that prepaid card users are nickel and dimed to death, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is wondering as well. This week the CFPB held a public hearing in Durham, North Carolina.

Featuring two panel discussions – one from the prepaid card industry; the other representing consumer perspectives, CFPB came to Durham to listen and learn. Created through the Dodd-Frank Financial Reform Act, CFPB authority includes regulating the prepaid industry and other non-bank entities. A portion of the two-hour session was an open microphone that enabled consumers to share their experiences and/or concerns.

Martin Eakes, representing

the Center for Responsible Lending on the consumer panel, urged that CFPB exercise its authority with protections as needed. He also offered three specific consumer-focused hopes for the future of prepaid cards: No tie-in to debt products; no penalty fees; and no mandatory arbitration.

“The very label ‘prepaid card’ connotes a promise that the account cannot be overdrawn”, observed Eakes.

“It is also the single-most cited reason for customer choice of this product. Banning overdraft and non-sufficient fund fees are the most important steps for CFPB to take at this time.”

For additional information on prepaid cards, visit CRL’s web: www.responsiblelending.org.

Charlene Crowell is a communications manager with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at: Charlene.crowell@ responsiblelending.org

Page 10 • June 4 - June 10, 2012 • Insight News

Media From 1 Media coverage of the February shooting of Martin, 17, in Sanford, Fla., by neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman, exemplifies negative treatment of Black youths in the media. After a controversial delay, Zimmerman was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the unarmed teenager’s death.

At the center of the case are issues related to race, gun rights and whether Zimmerman was acting in self-defense.

In most media stories last week, autopsy results showing that Martin’s blood had traces of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, overshadowed other new evidence. An Associated Press report from Orlando, Fla., began: “Trayvon Martin had marijuana in his system. He was shot through the heart at close range.”

Many of these stories were published with photographs showing cuts and scratches on Zimmerman’s face and head. A police report said he “appeared to have a broken and a bloody nose and swelling of his face.”

In the same week, an allwhite, six-person jury in Houston acquitted Andrew Blomberg, 29, a white police officer, in the

alleged beating of 15-year-old Chad Holley after Holley was arrested for burglary in March 2010.

In video footage from a security camera, which jurors were shown in court, Holley was seen falling to the ground after trying to hurdle a police squad car, the AP reported, and was “surrounded by at least five officers, some who appear to kick and hit his head, abdomen and legs.”

Blomberg testified that he didn’t kick or stomp Holley.

Community activists decried the verdict and the racial makeup of the jury.

The presumption of guilt can also apply to young Black women.

When Rekia Boyd, 22, was fatally shot by an off-duty Chicago police detective in March, her death was overshadowed in mainstream media by the Martin case.

Boyd was with friends on a street near the detective’s home when words were apparently exchanged and he fired several shots, one of which struck Boyd in the head. No charges have been filed in the incident. Boyd’s family has filed a civil lawsuit against the detective and the city.

In its report on the shooting, one Chicago television station noted that Boyd was hanging out with a group “at 1 in the morning.”

Stories about Black youths

insightnews.com that don’t reinforce stereotypes, don’t involve celebrities and that tell narratives about everyday lives of Black people haven’t been a priority in news coverage, says author Bakari Kitwana, executive director of Rap Sessions in Westlake, Ohio.

Through Rap Sessions, Kitwana leads discussions on college and high school campuses nationwide to counter mainstream media narratives about the hip-hop

Association and Hofstra University showed that while the percentage of people of color in the U.S. population had risen since 1990 from 25.9 percent to a projected 35.4 percent, the number in television rose 2.7 percent and fell in radio. TV news diversity, it noted, “remains far ahead of the newspaper.”

“The way that journalism is currently practiced and structured doesn’t allow for the telling

“‘You see few images of Black men and boys being good students or being good fathers,” she says. ‘They’re really fewer images of men in those roles compared to reality...’” generation.

In addition to being stereotyped in media, Kitwana says, Black youths are also criminalized by three other circumstances.

“Job options are limited, especially if you’re working class, which is different from previous generations,” he says.

“The military doesn’t have a draft so, ultimately, it’s composed of people who are so pushed out of other life options. The military becomes a way of not being totally impoverished. Add to that limited education because of the cost of a college degree.”

Publishers, editors and producers who decide which news stories are important often don’t choose ones that humanize or contextualize lives of Black youths. In journalism, decision makers are largely white.

A 2011 study by the Radio Television Digital News

of stories of underrepresented people,” says Malkia Cyril, founder and executive director of the Center for Media Justice in Oakland, Calif. Privatization of corporate media is one reason that continues to be true, she says.

In 1983, 50 corporations controlled U.S. media, according to “The Media Monopoly” by Ben Bagdikian, a longtime journalist and media critic. By 2004, in his revised and expanded The New Media Monopoly, Bagdikian wrote that the number was five — Time Warner, Disney, News Corp., Bertelsmann of Germany and Viacom, with NBC a close sixth.

“The way that journalism is on the open market means that stories are for sale, and what sells is stereotypes,” Cyril says.

“Market-produced coverage will tend to misrepresent youth.”

The implications of “this charged environment can result in

the dehumanization of Black life and regressive political decisions that can lead to violence, as the Stand Your Ground Laws resulted in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin,” she added in a followup email. “Otherwise, the story gets framed as coverage leads to bad individual behavior, and the systemic piece gets lost.”

When media producers in journalism and popular culture media such as movies, television series and video games are mostly white, chances that young people will be humanized and fully represented are slim, says Eleni Delimpaltadaki Janis, public opinion and media research coordinator for The Opportunity Agenda in New York.

“You see few images of Black men and boys being good students or being good fathers,” she says.

“They’re really fewer images of men in those roles compared to reality. It’s not just the news coverage. It’s also every type of media, but also in entertainment media, including video games.

They all do a good job at using negative images of Black boys

and men for entertainment.”

Solutions include reporters intentionally incorporating Black youths into everyday or evergreen stories such as those about Christmas shopping, Janis says Kitwana adds that it’s also important for journalists to remember that their profession carries the weight of social responsibility since democracy can’t function properly if journalism doesn’t function properly.

Eileen Espejo, director of media and health policy at Children Now in Oakland, says producers across the media spectrum should seek ways to avoid stereotypes. “We don’t want there to be a quota,” she says. “But we want you to think more creatively about the roles that people of color can play, and break out of the traditional mold.”

Joshunda Sanders writes media critiques for the Robert C. Maynard Institute for Journalism Education.

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Insight News • June 4 - June 10, 2012 • Page 11

FULL CIRCLE

Truth: The ounce of prevention Man Talk

By Timothy Houston Nobody asked me but the full effect of the Supreme Court decision, on Corporations are people too, has not been seen yet. The amount of money that will be spent on political TV ads over the next 5 months or so is going to be dizzying. Prepare to be inundated and disgusted by a swarm of artfully packaged, outright lies.

But, if you had higher hopes

Readers From 7 it comes to reading. That’s when children shift from learning to read to reading to learn.

And students who can read at grade level when they start the fourth grade are far more likely to graduate from high school than those who can’t, according to research sponsored by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. In fact, children who lack basic reading skills by the fourth grade are about four times more likely to fail to get a high

than have been realized by your President’s performance thus far, here is your chance.

Imagine Barack Obama when he has no reason to be concerned about his reelection prospects.

In his second term, he will have the opportunity to make as many as two Supreme Court appointments. This is of great importance when you consider the impact this conservative court has had on the body politic.

In his first term, President Obama has had to be mindful of the interests of those whose deep pockets held the promise of funding his reelection campaign.

If all the major Corporations and all of Wall Street’s vast resources were arrayed against him, he would be facing a hill too steep to climb. As it stands,

he does face a hill. Many, in this country, cannot stomach

the idea of a “darker brother” as “Commander-in-Chief” of the

school diploma than those who are proficient readers.

Despite the high stakes, an alarming number of fourth graders can’t read at grade level. According to the Department of Education, just 34 percent of fourth graders rank as proficient readers.

Among low-income students, that number is an even more distressing 27 percent.

Is it any wonder that one in four children doesn’t graduate from high school on time, if ever? The odds are even worse for Hispanic and African American students, with 40 percent failing to get a diploma.

One of the best ways to give

these students a chance is to help them become successful readers.

School libraries provide students with the books, resources, and mentors they need to succeed.

In Florida, for example, elementary schools that had library programs staffed 60 hours a week or more showed a 9 percent improvement in test scores compared to those staffed less than 60 hours.

A study of Alaska schools found that students in schools with full-time librarians scored higher on standardized achievement tests than those with part-time or no librarians.

Unfortunately, school libraries are increasingly

helping Blacks lift ourselves up to become more like the

majority. Instead, here they are, forced to swallow a mixed race brother who got a first class education, parlayed his work in the community all the way through the Senate to the White House, found himself a beautiful, brilliant, brown skinned girl and founded a stunning first family.

A tough pill for red-necks to swallow. The poster child for the American Dream was supposed to be a blond.

To be sure, Obama can count on a ration of Republican blundering. But, Republican money will attempt to minimize its effect. They are already calling their party the party of the civil rights movement. Wrap your mind around that. Back in the day, when the South was a Democratic Party stronghold,

it may have seemed that way.

As soon as President Lyndon Johnson pushed the passage of the Civil Rights legislation in the 60s, southern Democrats switched their party affiliation.

“A Rose by any other name.”

Southern Blacks are not fooled by who the Republicans say the real enemy is. Women and the LGBT community are not fooled either. Union workers in Wisconsin are set to send a resounding message to Tea Party mega millions.

We must move Heaven and Earth to see that Obama gets a second term AND a Democratic House of Representatives.

It is not an overstatement to say that it is this country’s and the perhaps the western world’s last, best hope.

targeted for budget cuts.

Overall, school library budgets have fallen since 2009. And cutbacks tend to be more severe at schools serving highpoverty areas. Local and state officials must make literacy programs a high priority in budget plans and strategies.

Against this backdrop, programs like Target’s can help schools overcome difficult fiscal times -- and get students reading during those critical early years. The makeovers leverage the pro bono work of Target’s design and construction teams, along with the support of thousands of Target team member volunteers. And it happens

with a partnership from The Heart of America Foundation.

In each school selected for a library makeover, Target has also partnered with Feeding America to create a “Meals for Minds” food pantry, which helps children concentrate and perform better in school by providing much-needed nourishment. The students also take home seven books of their own, as studies have demonstrated that reading at home has a dramatic impact on educational success.

But as much as the new libraries complement the physical classroom, the country’s education crisis won’t be solved until everyone

at every level - including parents, school administrators, local, state and federal government officials, and other caring adults - recognizes that future generations deserve the resources needed to improve reading skills when it really counts.

Now that we know where to focus our efforts, the time for collective action is now.

Today’s students deserve nothing less.

most powerful nation on earth.

They are much more comfortable

“In today’s complicated relationship environment, moving too fast will result in emotional based decisions and that person will most likely end up with the “had I known” regret. ”

Laysha Ward is president of community relations for Target Corporation and president of the Target Foundation.

Page 12 • June 4 - June 10, 2012 • Insight News

insightnews.com

Kel Mitchell: The Motorcity interview KM: Faith is what drove this film. Faith is what I live by in everything that I do. I strive to give glory to God in every aspect of my life, even my films.

“Dutch” on the new Disney XD animated series “Motorcity.”

Interview

By Kam Williams kam@insightnews.com Born in the Windy City on August 25, 1978, Kel Mitchell began his acting career at the tender age of 12 with the ETA Creative Arts Foundation. A couple years later, he got the opportunity of a lifetime when he flew to Florida to be a part of a new children’s television network that would later become Nickelodeon.

Kel was an original cast member on Nickelodeon’s “All That” which enjoyed a successful run from 1994 to 1999. He and Kenan Thompson also co-starred in the spin-off series “Kenan & Kel,” as well as in the hit film Good Burger.

Kel’s resume includes appearances on such sitcoms as “Sister Sister,” “The Steve Harvey Show” and “One on One,” and roles in movies like “Mystery Men,” “Honeydipper” and “The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle.” Kel has done a lot of voice work on children’s cartoon series, too, from playing the mild-mannered “T-Bone” on “Clifford the Big Red Dog” to the delightful “Ant” on “The Ant and the Aardvark.”

A versatile talent, Kel recently stepped behind the camera to write and direct “She Is Not My Sister,” an upcoming, faith-based feature film about bullying and forgiveness. Here, he talks both about that movie and about providing the voice of

Kam Williams: Hi, Kel, thanks for the interview.

Kel Mitchell: No, thank you, KW: I really appreciate it.

KW: When I think of you, what immediately comes to mind are your Nickelodeon collaborations with Kenan Thompson on All That, Kenan and Kel and Good Burger? Are you still in touch with Kenan?

KM: No, we have not seen each other in awhile.

KW: What interested you in Motorcity?

KM: I had worked with the director and creator, Chris Prynoski, before on a Cartoon Network project. He had shown me some artwork from Motorcity when it was at the beginning stages, and I thought it was visually amazing. So when I heard the project got picked up at Disney XD, and he wanted me to be a part of the show, I was totally down!

KW: What would you say is the show’s theme?

KM: It’s like the Terminator meets Fast and Furious. It’s set in the future. There is this man named Abraham Kane who built a city of tomorrow above the city of Detroit. He controls the people still living in underground Detroit with robotic soldiers, ‘droids and tanks. However, one thing stands in his way of total domination. And that is a group of teens with trickedout cars who call themselves “The Burners.”

KW: Tell me a little about your character, Dutch?

KM: He is the brains behind “The Burners,” their cars, and all of their cool, hi-tech weapons. I have a lot of fun playing Dutch. He uses tons of technical words and gadgets with names that are fun to say. Plus, it’s fun to know my

KW: Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone would?

KM: Nope, no lingering question comes immediately to mind.

Kel Mitchell character is the one making the cars, because the cars in the cartoon are so awesome.

KW: How is acting in a cartoon different from acting in a liveaction adventure?

KM: If all the actors are in the recording session at the same time, you can record all voices for one episode in an hour. Of course, the animation takes longer but the voice acting is done very quickly. It’s a lot of action in Motorcity so, for example, a lot of times we’re jumping up and down and screaming in the studio. Consequently, it sounds believable when they animate our characters driving up a ramp shooting at robots. I love seeing what the animators do with my voice acting.

KW: What interested you in directing?

KM: I created and wrote “She Is Not My Sister” with the intention of directing it. This film is the first of many films that I plan to direct.

KW: Tell me a little about the movie?

KM: “She Is Not My Sister” is the story of how a high school senior’s life takes a turn for the worse when her father returns home from a business trip married to the mother of her high school arch enemy.

It’s a fun, teen dramedy with a great cast.

KW: How did you enjoy writing and directing your first feature film?

KM: I enjoyed every minute of it. Hopefully, I will be doing

Courtesy of the artist

it many, many more times in the future.

KW: What message do you think people will take away from the movie?

KM: How to forgive your enemies which in and of itself is a very hard thing to do.

Often, when you are upset and allowing your emotions to control you, forgiveness seems so out of reach. But once you let go and let God take control, you begin to realize that forgiveness is the only way to really win. True forgiveness is the only real key to happiness in your life. Also, sometimes it’s not always an enemy you need to forgive, sometimes it’s yourself.

KW: How big a role did your faith play in the production?

KW: The Tasha Smith question: Are you ever afraid?

KM: God does not give us the spirit of fear, so I do not chose to give in to fear because I know that the creator designed us to win no matter what we face. When I am faced with a circumstance that in the past I would have been fearful about I turn it over immediately to Christ. When I learned this principle as a Christian, I became fearless.

KW: The Columbus Short question: Are you happy?

KM: Very happy! I treat anger, grief and strife as a sin, so I let all that go and I am no longer living a sinful life. Today, I command my days by confessing that every minute will be blessed and perfect. My confession then has no other choice but to

MITCHELL TURN TO 13

insightnews.com

Mitchell From 12 confer blessings upon my life.

KW: The Teri Emerson question: When was the last time you had a good laugh?

KM: My wife and I have so many private jokes, and we share the same taste in humor, so we laugh constantly. It is one of our favorite things. We love to laugh!

Insight News • June 4 - June 10, 2012 • Page 13 KM: Dr. Kenneth E. Hagin’s “How to Turn Your Faith Loose.” http:// w w w. a m a z o n . c o m / e x e c / obidos/ASIN/0892760079/ ref%3dnosim/thslfofire-20 KW: The music maven Heather Covington question: What was the last song you listened to?

KM: “Battery” by V. Rose. http://www.amazon. com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ B0055V0I7E/ref%3dnosim/ thslfofire-20

KW: What is your guiltiest pleasure?

KM: [LOL] Comic book stores.

KW: What is your favorite dish to cook?

KM: Kam, man, there are just too many to choose from, I love to cook.

KW: The bookworm Troy Johnson question: What was the last book you read?

KW: The Sanaa Lathan question: What excites you?

KM: The word of God and

Marriage From 1 us.

Communication solicits understanding, respect, and trust when honest dialogue is encouraged and allowed to prevail.

It is vital that we, in the Christian church, understand and accept the fact that we are governed by the tenets of the Bible. It is further necessary for each of us who has any sphere of influence within our congregation and community to understand that we live in a “democracy.” We do not live in a “theocracy.”

In a theocratically controlled nation the country is governed by a divine ruler or counsel of divine spiritual officials.

In a democratically governed country the people have the right and responsibility to choose for themselves the issues which impact the welfare of their individual and collective lives.

President Obama made a statement expressing his personal position on samesex marriage.

In recent communication with the President, I am pleased that he decided to make a personal statement on this matter; to clarify his position for all to know exactly where he stands.

As Christian clergy, we have an obligation to share with those whom we are called to serve.

Our understanding, from a faith perspective, on this and other critical matters, we must educate and create an environment of awareness and disseminate the facts and perceptions of same-sex marriage as it relates to church and state from our perspective.

To adequately inform anyone about this single issue, which has been articulated by the President, it is critical to place it in its proper perspective to the other significant statements, opinions, and accomplishments of President Obama.

The President did not articulate his views as a pastor, preacher, minister, or any other religious office, but as the President of all of the people of the United States, which is what the president of a democracy is sworn to do. We must understand fully that this was his personal assessment and stance regarding samesex marriage. In a democracy,

every citizen is entitled to state his/her thinking on a particular subject. The United States has fought wars, at home and abroad, to defend one’s right to maintain his/her personal convictions. As an American citizen, he has the right to his personal views, on any topic, and we should respect his right to hold those views.

We, ministers of the Gospel, have shared with the President our concerns and positions on same-sex marriage. We have unreservedly stated that our mission and calling are grounded on the Word of God as defined in the Bible. We are commissioned, as church leaders, to uphold the tenet that Christian marriage is between a man and a woman. To the President’s tremendous credit, he emphatically appreciated the position and role of those clergy who articulated their personal and professionally held views on marriage. He respected and encouraged each clergy person to follow his/her own beliefs and that in no way, nor at any time, would he ever impose his view on the church or on political leaders across America. In fact, he insisted that clergy pursue their faith mandates. In a democracy there is the sharing of different positions and hopefully the garnering of mutual respect among those in the discussion whether they find agreement or not.

For me, as a minister of the Gospel, it is resoundingly clear that we have been chosen to love and respect everyone regardless of our sexual differences. We are not to, in any way, maliciously discriminate against people who may differ from our theological position.

I am fully cognizant of the fact that in our society discrimination based on race, creed, sexual preference, gender, economic status, political views, etc. is alive and flourishing.

Homophobia and gay bashing are real and extremely hurtful; however, we as a faith community must actively speak out against any such hateful behavior toward any of God’s children.

We, as African-American citizens, must not be “swept” into the politically divisive dialogue about not supporting a president who is exercising his right as an American citizen. His personal views must be respected by those in

my wife.

KM: A conqueror!

KW: The Uduak Oduok question: Who is your favorite clothes designer?

KM: I’m really into fashion, and this is another question where I’m going to have to say that there are too many to choose. I really can’t pick just one.

KW: If you could have one wish instantly granted, what would that be for?

KM: That everyone I meet would give their life to Christ.

KW: Dante Lee, author of “Black Business Secrets,” asks: What was the best business decision you ever made, and what was the worst?

KM: Worst: Not putting in place a viable plan for my future vision. Best: Writing the vision and making it plain.

KW: The Ling-Ju Yen question: What is your earliest childhood memory?

KM: One that immediately comes to mind is the day my dog “Busy” pulled me out of a deep pond that I fell into in winter.

KW: The Kerry Washington question: If you were an animal, what animal would you be?

KM: A Lion!

most content?

KM: When I’m in the arms of my wife.

KW: The Toure question: Who is the person who led you to become the person you are today?

KM: Every pastor, evangelist and teacher that the Holy Spirit used to speak the word of God to me, and every person that has prayed me through.

KW: The Judyth Piazza question: What key quality do you believe all successful people share?

KM: Faith.

KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

KW: The Pastor Alex Kendrick question: When do you feel the

KW: What advice do you have for anyone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

KM: Change the way you

our congregations even when there is difference of opinion.

The President has emphasized repeatedly that he does not plan to impose his personal views about same-sex marriage on church or legislative bodies of governance.

It is clear that we should not judge a person’s ability to successfully govern a nation based purely on a single personal issue, but rather evaluate the accomplishments which have positively influenced and impacted those who are the recipients of the decisions which have been made.

As the bar of judgment and decision making is put in place on this president, it is necessary to regard the issue of samesex marriage in juxtaposition to President Obama’s overall service record, which broadly encompasses: 1. The capturing of Osama Bin Laden; 2. Implementing an agreed

upon settlement to end wars in the Middle East and withdraw U.S. troops; 3. The securing of U.S. borders, while reviewing immigration reform; 4. Seeking to improve the economy and sustain jobs within the automotive industry; 5. Health Care Reform to address the severe needs of uninsured and underinsured American citizens including 7 million African Americans; 6. The reduction of unemployment and job stimulation; 7. Recognition of and the discussion of the significance of the middle class to the viability of the nation; 8. Recognizing that an educated country is critical— Reviewing college students financial burdens; 9. Establishing financial guidelines for financial institution to assure fiscal stability.

These and other accomplishments, by President Obama, should be discussed rather than highlighting his single, personal position on same-sex marriages which will not in and of itself impact his ability to govern the nation.

As African Americans, we consider our faith an integral part of our existence, therefore we believe and trust the Word of God; however, the President’s statement in no way should challenge our commitment to assist in his reelection or his qualifications to be Commander-in-Chief. It is incumbent on every American to take a stance and decide whether we will be a myopic, one issue people on re-electing the President, or allow him to be the President of all of the people and to share his personal views on this topic.

I am suggesting that each person make a critical decision and decide that President Obama has, once again,

speak about yourself and others. Words have power.

Speak positively and positive things will happen to you.

Speak negatively and negative things will happen to you. Choose positive words.

KW: The Tavis Smiley question: How do you want to be remembered?

KM: As a God fearing man, led by the Holy Spirit, who showed love to others and served as an effective ambassador for Christ.

KW: Thanks again for the time, Kel, and best of luck with the movie and the new show.

KM: Thank you so much for the interview, Kam. It was good speaking with you. God bless.

conducted himself in a manner in which all Americans can be equally represented.

I have found internal peace to confidently continue to fully endorse and support the 44th President of the United States of America although our opinions on same-sex marriage may differ. At this point in history we, as a nation, must not become consumed in emotionally charged, politically motivated religious interpretations, by some, regarding President Obama’s position on same-sex marriage.

Americans must continue to remain actively involved in the political process. To refrain from voting and stay at home is not an option. Voting is your moral responsibility in a democracy.

May God guide your conscience during these delicate faith-challenging, personally stretching political moments of growth and development for our country.

Page 14 • June 4 - June 10, 2012 • Insight News

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

Events Minneapolis Community Summer Events The City of Minneapolis invites and encourages participation by every resident to each program, service and event within the city.

Events include: Windom Park Carnival- Fri., June 1 http://www. windompark.org/ , Loring Park Acoustic Music Festival Sat., June 9 http://db.tt/dFvvtGgH ,

Northeast Ride Sat. June 2 http:// www.northeastride.org, and many more Minneapolis Community events. For more info and Mpls Events calendar, visit: http:// www.minneapolismn.gov/ncr/ calendar/index.htm. For American Indian Month Community Events Calendar visit: http://tinyurl. com/7vqme9p.

Wanting to build your summer paddling, mountain biking and trail running skills? May–June Join the City of Lakes Tri-Club!

Using Minneapolis’ chain of lakes and one-of-a-kind trail network in Theodore Wirth Park, participants will learn from expert instructors the many ways to have fun during a Minneapolis summer. Stay active and expand your recreational horizons. Club meets Wed. 5/236/20, 6–8pm. h t t p : / / w w w. loppet.org/adultprogramming/ loppet-tri-club/ The West Broadway F a r m e r s Market: MidJune–Mid Oct. Northside grown mushrooms, veggies, fruits,

Phone: 612.588.1313

sweet bread, quality art, and more.

Music, cooking demonstrations (with free samples), physical activities and classes, art activities, health services (i.e. blood pressure checks), and more will take place weekly. For updates and to sign up for the weekly email newsletter visit www.westbroadway.org or for any questions contact Alicia at 612.353.5178 or at marketmanager@westbroadway. org Twin Cities Bike Walk Week June 2–10 Organizers are challenging residents to pledge to bike or walk to work, school, errands, or fun, rather than drive for at least one trip during that week. Bike Walk Week is packed with activities to generate enthusiasm and participation, Like Thurs. June 7 unveiling of new USPS bicycle stamp, with stamps available for the first time in the nation at this event. To learn about the variety of daily events and to register visit: www.bikewalkweek. org.

Free Public Forum: Drought & Disruption June 5 Discussion will highlight the impact of climate change in East Africa.

Speakers from Oxfam, Somali Family Services, Sierra Club and

Brazil From 2 draw upon to celebrate as Brazil’s vibrant culture of music, African religion, dance, and carnival can be traced directly to African origins—samba, capoeira, Orisha worship, etc. Yet, Black and mixed race Brazilians are underrepresented in every category of development: education, economics, employment, etc.

Ironically, Brazil has taken a page from the United States and instituted

Fax: 612.588.2031

more will talk about the changing climate’s long term impact on food security, droughts and other climate disruption and how people are addressing these issues in East Africa and around the world.

Snacks from a local business will be provided. Tue. June 5, 7pm– 9pm at Whittier Recreation Center, 425 26th Street West, Minneapolis, MN 55408 Ramsey County Community BBQ for Ramsey County waiting Children June 8 Free food, prizes, games, and music from DJ Ray Seville(KMOJ).

Meet some of our waiting children in Ramsey County and hear from keynote speaker Nekima LevyPounds-Professor at St. Thomas Law School. Fri. June 8, 5:30pm–9pm at Battle Creek Regional Park, Pavilion #1 2300 Upper Afton Rd Maplewood, MN, 55119.

RSVP

sweeping Affirmative Action laws. During my visit to Rio after attending the 2006 Caribbean Studies Conference in Bahia, Brazil, where most Brazilians of African descent are concentrated, I met with some of Brazil’s advocates of racial inclusion. They discussed the fact that the Affirmative Action laws were coming under attack by students who believed that they were entitled to entrance into the University by virtue of their white skin, and who resented the “quotas”

Email: natalie@insightnews.com

Required Contact: Karen Franklin at Karen.franklin@co.ramsey. mn.us or 651-266-4723 Reggae on The River Boat Ride: Special Jamaica 50 Edition June 9 Main door prize: hotel stay for 2 in Jamaica. Benefit for JMO Scholarship Program. 21+ (ID Required) Sat. June 9. Boarding 8:30pm (rain or shine) at Harriet Island, St. Paul.

Contribution -$30 Adv, $35 at the Boat: Covers the Boat Ride Fee – Musical Entertainment – Door Prizes. Tickets available at: Guyam Grocery – 612.522.9222, Harry Singh’s - 612.729.6181, Marla’s Cuisine – 612.724.3088, Black Dog Restaurant - 651.228.9274, Urban Lights Music – 651.647.9650.

More info http://www.orgsites. com/mn/jmo/

Assumed Name RENTALS Remodeled duplex units in East St. Paul.

Income Restricted, EHO. 651-430-1888 or www.applegateproperties.com

Social Media and Marketing Specialist Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is accepting applications for a Social Media and Marketing Specialist to initiate and implement comprehensive and effective social media program, marketing campaigns and media initiatives. Requires Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of experience. For more information and to apply online, visit www.minneapolisparks.org. Deadline for applications is noon on 6/4/12.

RENTALS Delton Manor is accepting applications for future 1, 2, & 3 Bedrm apartment openings.

Delton Manor has 3 two-bedrm handicapped accessible units located in the building. Delton Manor promotes equal housing opportunities for all perspective residents regardless of race, color, creed, sex, sexual preference, religion, handicap, marital status, familial status, national origin or source of income. For applications and qualifications, contact NANCY at 218-759-2523.

AN EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.

that Brazil had instituted in order achieve a more balanced representation of all Brazilians. These few Black Brazilian students, who gravitated towards the legal staff working on defending Brazil’s Affirmative Action policies, were breaking barriers in ways similar to the first students to desegregate white schools in the South.

And, they encountered much of the same hostile resistance. Accompanying me was an attorney who shared with the group some history of the strategies

1. State the exact assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted: Eye on Healthy Alternatives 2. State the address of the principal place of business: 9130 Yates Bay, Minneapolis, MN 55443-1628 3. List the name and complete street address of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name OR if an entity, provide the legal corporate, LLC, or Limited Partnership name and registered office address.

Attach additional sheet(s) if necessary: Ralph K. Edwards, 9130 Yates Bay, Minneapolis, MN 55443-1628; Shirley White-Edwards, 9130 Yates Bay, Minneapolis, MN 554431628 4. I certify that I am authorized to sign this certificate and I further certify that I understand that by signing this certificate, I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Minnesota Statues section 609.48 as if I had signed this certificate under oath.

Signed by: Ralph K. Edwards Date Filed: 05/21/2012 Insight News: 6/4/2012, 6/11/2012

lawyers in the U.S. had used to defend Affirmative Action policies. We left Brazil, both hoping that the defense of Affirmative Action as an attempt to achieve racial parity in education would have better success than it had in the United States.

So given Brazil’s history as a majority Black and mixed race country, how is it that Macys managed to miss the boat and represent only the white side of Brazil? I suggest that in the future Macys employ an anthropologist (such as

myself) to analyze their marketing strategies, and truly and fairly “celebrate the beauty and culture of Brazil” in all its rich diversity.

Irma McClaurin, PhD is the Culture and Education Editor for Insight News of Minneapolis. She is a biocultural anthropologist and writer living in Raleigh, NC, the principal of McClaurin Solutions (a consulting business) and a former university president. (www.irmamcclaurin.com) (@mcclaurintweets)

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