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
PAGE 2
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
0
Business
Correct mistakes because it might matter someday
PAGE 9
20
40
60
80
100
Kel Mitchell The “Motorcity” interview
PAGE 12