INSIGHT NEWS July 11 - July 17, 2011 • MN Metro Vol. 37 No. 28 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • www.insightnews.com
Barbara Milon at Mary T. Wellcome Child Development Center
Photos: Suluki Fardan
Shutdown impacts families who receive assistance for early child development
Ideology that cripples GOP budget demands shutdown Minnesota Al McFarlane: Welcome to Conversations with Al McFarlane. State Representative Bobby Champion is talking about the big story today. The big story is that our state government is shut down, partially at least. The big question is what is the impact of that shut down on our community. Joining us by telephone are two additional Democratic Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party legislative leaders: State
Representative Frank Hornstein who represents District 60B, and State Representative Jeff Hayden, who represents District 61B, both in South Minneapolis. Representative Hornstein is Minority Leader in the Republican controlled House of Representatives. Representative Hayden is Assistant Minority Leader. Hornstein chaired the powerful Transportation Committee when the DFL controlled the House before the last elections.
He is now ranking Minority member on the committee. Also joining the program is Barbara Milon, Executive Director of Phyllis Wheatley Community Center. Representative Champion, would you frame the issues that led to the budget impasse that has resulted in the shutdown of state government? Bobby Champion: The issue is what we do in order to solve this $5 billion deficit. You have two opposing views as to how
AM: Barbara Milon is Executive Director of Phyllis Wheatley Community Center in North Minneapolis. Phyllis Wheatley Community Center is a legacy institution which has been a beacon of light, of service, of leadership, of identity building and community building in North Minneapolis for over 80 years. Barbara Milon: Phyllis Wheatley provides comprehensive quality programs in lifelong learning, child development, and in family support. We have been in existence for 87 years. We know that fewer than 50% of kindergarteners in North Minneapolis are on track to read well by the 3rd grade. We are very disappointed with the government shut down because this is going to impact 20% of the families who receive assistance through our early child development center, Mary T. Wellcome.
this should be approached. Governor Mark Dayton proposes a balanced approach that is a mix of spending cuts and raising revenue, meaning higher taxes for a small number of income earners. Governor Dayton’s approach allows us to keep the integrity of our progressive attitudes, our progressive policies that to continue to improve our quality of life.
MILON TURN TO 11
FAMILIES TURN TO 11
A new riverfront for Minneapolis By Lydia Schwartz Contributing Writer The City of Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board has big plans for its Mississippi Riverfront. Two architecture firms— Kennedy & Violich Architecture Ltd. and Tom Leader Studio— are currently working with the city and its residents to cultivate the “Minneapolis Riverfront Development Initiative” (MR|DI); a set of five- and thirty-year design plans to revolutionize the six miles of riverfront property extending
Farview Park
Photos: TLS/KVA
from the Stone Arch Bridge to the city’s northern border. MR|DI will incorporate different environmental strategies to redesign city parks as community engines for recreational, cultural, and economic development along Minneapolis’ riverfront. It is an approach to planning that allows the river to shape the overall designs rather than by imposing dams, levies, and locks to force the river where we want it. The designers hope to utilize the natural connections that already exist to the surrounding storm water systems, neighborhoods,
and river wildlife. The shores and adjacent land along this stretch of the Mississippi is varied in height and MR|DI designers hope to take advantage of natural conditions by highlighting existing storm-water infrastructure, creating scenic views, and overlapping programs to maximize land use. Parks can provide more than just open space, trees, and recreation; they can be a place of environmental regeneration by cleaning storm water from the city before it enters the Mississippi,
RIVERFRONT TURN TO 9
Minnesota Black Music Awards celebrates 20th year By Harry Colbert, Jr. The list is long and distinguished. The hits are known the world over. The artists are household names. And the next generation is poised to carry on the prestigious legacy—the legacy known as The Minneapolis Sound. For the 20th time, the Minnesota Black Music Awards (MBMA) will pay tribute to the musical pioneers, celebrate the stars of today and showcase the artists of the future. The awards, which will salute R&B icon Alexander O’Neal, take place Fri., July 15 at the Pantages
Theatre, 710 Hennepin Ave. The show begins at 8 pm. MBMA founder, Pete Rhodes, III said this year’s show will feature, at one time, the largest gathering of artists in MBMA history. Artists expected to perform include, fDeluxe (formerly The Family), three generations of soul in grandmother, Ann Nesby, daughter, Jamecia Bennett and granddaughter, Paris Bennett along with Nesby’s sister, Marie Graham, Next and more. Rising soul star, Margeaux Davis is excited to be one of this year’s performers. “Last year I went to the awards [as a patron] and it’s a huge honor to be performing this year,” said
Freedom From Fear Awards Immigrant rights a new frontier for Black activist
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Davis. “Hopefully someone in the audience will see me or one of the other performers and discover the next national sensation.” Rhodes said the awards, which returned last year following a 12-year hiatus, is more than just a night of pomp and circumstance, but a chance to educate as well. “There’s a whole new generation of The Minneapolis Sound and we’re providing them insight and guidance with music workshops discussing everything from [entertainment] law, marketing, management, production and even careers as a sound technician,” said Rhodes. “[Music] is a trillion-
Education
2011 Step Up Summit: Teaching the importance of goal setting
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dollar industry and we hope to impart some ownership.” The workshops take place earlier in the day at Seven Sushi Ultralounge, 700 Hennepin Ave. The panel discussion begins at 11 am and is open to the public. Panelist include members of Mint Condition and Next. Tickets for the MBMA are available through Ticket Master, the State Theatre box office. General admission tickets are $25. Rhodes said a portion of the proceeds will benefit the North Minneapolis tornado relief efforts. For more information, the web address is www.blackmusicamerica.com.
Aesthetics
Khomotso Manyaka: A South African star is born
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Auburn
Courtesy of MBMA
Lifestyle
Only one hand required
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COMMENTARY
Cornell West
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Tom Joyner
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Tavis Smiley
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Media moguls muddy debate on race, power Your Black World By Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD I love Tom Joyner. In case you’re wondering, in “black political speak,” when a commentator mentions that they love someone, that means that they are about to crack a walnut over their forehead. I remember Tavis Smiley telling Al Sharpton that he loved him right before he proceeded to attack him with the ferocity of an angry baby’s mama looking for additional child support. My mouth hit the floor this week as Joyner (aka “The Fly Jock”), the man whose work ethic I respect like no other, somehow had the audacity (in a recent article) to compare Tavis Smiley and Cornel West to Mark Halperin, the MSNBC commentator who referred to President Barack Obama as a d*ck on national television. You no longer need to speculate as to
whether or not Tom has a personal issue with Tavis Smiley, the cat fighting is now out of the bag. While there is certainly room for Tom to disagree with Tavis and Cornel’s critiques of President Obama (it’s ok to criticize the criticizer), Tom’s comparison of Cornel and Tavis with Halperin is entirely off-base. Smiley and West have never, at any point, used such distasteful language and the kind of one-syllable thinking that Halperin used during his insult of President Obama. In fact, even Smiley’s critiques have grown more diplomatic and thoughtful through time, and I still look forward to any of the president’s senior advisors taking the time to explain why Smiley and West are wrong (note: when people can’t debate the facts, they avoid the issues and simply try to discredit you). But it is Tom Joyner himself who has joined Halperin in the ideological basement by making comments that would be better suited for a high school locker room: “I said I’d wait until something pissed me off so bad that I would have the words harsh enough to express what I was really feeling about him and his side piece – I
mean side kick – Cornel West,” said Joyner. Now, I don’t know what hood you’re from, but in my city, referring to a man’s friend as his “side piece” is usually a reference to his sexuality. Whether Tom is trying to imply that the relationship between West and Smiley is more than meets the eye, I have no idea. But this kind of remark has no place in print during such a critical point in the history of Black American political discourse. Joyner goes further on his peculiar tirade by claiming that somehow, Halperin’s vulgar remarks about President Obama were encouraged by the decision of West and Smiley to critique Obama Administration policies: “These two have done much worse than what Halperin has done because they set the tone for it, opened the door to it, and must take much of the blame for creating a climate that would make a white, professional journalist feel comfortable verbally and vulgarly attacking the first Black president of the United States.” OK. So there you have it. If you disagree with Obama Administration policies on dealing
with the Black unemployment or mass incarceration crisis, you have now given permission to any white man in America to refer to President Obama as a d*ck. So, the only logical solution would be for all Black Americans to mute their Democratic voice and remain silent about any policy with which they disagree. Tom goes deeper in expressing his personal issues with Tavis by taking us on a trip down memory lane. He explains how Tavis went from being an empowered advocate for Black people to becoming the selfish, jealous, tortured soul who was determined to destroy Black America by disagreeing with President Obama. “I had so much respect for him before his primary goal became selling books, and, later, selling out,” said Joyner. He also says that, “I’ve already fired Tavis and Cornel. There’s nothing either can ever do for me or with me again.” Joyner’s remark about selling books and selling out seems a bit odd from a man who’s earned millions with his “Black activism brought to you by Walmart.” I also remember Tom’s defense of Walmart when we fought on the case of Heather Ellis, a Black
college student who was facing 15-years in prison for cutting in line at one of their stores (Walmart mysteriously “lost” the videotape that showed Heather being slammed to the ground by police). During my appearance on the Tom Joyner Morning Show to discuss the case, I was disappointed to see Tom standing in defense of Walmart like the slave holding the broom on massa’s front porch. As a Business School Professor, I can appreciate Tom’s ability to work capitalism to his advantage, but he is the last millionaire who should be challenging Smiley’s decision to sell products. Perhaps Tom might consider the possibility that the reason Tavis and Cornel have endured the criticism they’ve received for speaking out is because they care for Black people so much. In spite of their imperfections, Cornel and Tavis have an undeniable and storied track record when it comes to advocating for African American issues. The same can be said for Tom Joyner, Al Sharpton and others who disagree with them. The reality is that they simply have different approaches to solving the same problem, but their advocacy is no less
genuine than those who embrace a different set of tactics. By debasing the conversation into such a nasty personal attack, Tom has engaged in the very same dastardly behavior that many felt Tavis displayed back in 2008. If Tom is indeed attempting to imply that Tavis or Cornel is gay or bisexual, then he is simply using homophobia in Black America to get people distracted from the core issue. I expect more from Tom Joyner, and I sincerely hope he has the maturity to issue an apology. Most significantly, his efforts to terrorize dissenting voices in the Black community by demanding that they remain silent is nothing short of ruthless, un-American and ultimately oppressive – I encourage anyone listening to this foolishness to reach for their own facts and form individual opinions without allowing prominent Black folks to shape their thinking. A man who truly loves Black people doesn’t act this way, and Tom Joyner might need to grow up. Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Professor at Syracuse University and founder of the Your Black World Coalition.
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Chokwe Lumumba
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Freedom From Fear Awards: Immigrant rights a new frontier for Black activist By Jonah Most New American Media Part one in a six-part series profiling the winners of the Freedom From Fear Awards. It was reading Malcolm X that convinced Chokwe Lumumba to go to law school. Malcolm X had wanted to be a lawyer, but his teachers discouraged him. As an undergraduate student at Kalamazoo College in Michigan in the late 1960s, Lumumba decided to be the lawyer that Malcolm X might have been. In the nearly four decades since then, Lumumba as championed for civil rights in Michigan and Mississippi, working as a lawyer representing
accused murderers in front of unsympathetic juries; as the vicepresident of the Republic of New Afrika, a Detroit-based Blacknationalist group in the late ‘60s; and currently as a City Council Member in Jackson, Miss. In June, however, Lumumba was recognized for serving a different community. He is one of this year’s recipients of the Freedom from Fear Award, produced by the nonprofit group, Public Interest Projects. The honor recognized accomplishments made on behalf of immigrants and refugees. Stopping Unwarranted Immigration Inquiries Among other accomplishments, Lumumba’s citation notes that last summer he introduced a Jackson City Council measure
preventing the city’s police from making “unwarranted inquiries into a person’s immigration status.” Lumumba, who saw the bill as an extension of his career fighting for Black civil rights, worked with the Mississippi Immigrant Rights Alliance (MIRA) and became aware of challenges facing the growing number of immigrants in southern states. In a phone interview, Lumumba said Latinos have become targets of the same white supremacy levied at African Americans for generations. Although Blacks have made great strides in Jackson -- they are now the majority group in Jackson
LUMUMBA TURN TO 10
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EDUCATION
Mark Robertson, Superintendent Fridley Schools; Dr. Bruce Kramer, Dean, College of Applied Professional Studies, St. Thomas; Elia Dimayuga-Bruggeman, Asst. Commissioner of Education
The Step-Up Summit was created by NWSISD Family and Community Empowerment staff: Director of Educational Services (and newly appointed Assistant Commissioner of Education) Elia Dimayuga-Bruggeman and Community Specialists Gale Cannon and Candace Whittaker. Staff members from all eight NWSISD member districts also participated in the summit planning.
Teaching the importance of goal setting Students from eight northwest metro school districts
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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 Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Sr. Content & Production Coordinator Ben Williams Production 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.
participated in a new education initiative designed to reduce the achievement gap. Northwest Suburban Integration School District (NWSISD) presented the 2011 Step-Up Summit for males of color on June 20–24. All sessions were held at the University of St. Thomas downtown campus from 9 am–2 pm, except for the Thursday, June 23 session which was held at YMCA Camp Ihduhapi, located in Loretto, MN. Drop-out rates for Black and Latino students begin to increase in comparison to their
White peers in 9th grade. The 2011 Step-Up Summit brought together fifty 8th grade male students of color for a researchbased experience that sought to prepare them for success in 9th grade and decrease the drop-out rate. Participating students are offered additional mentorship and support throughout the school year. The focus of the StepUp Summit was to increase student understanding of the importance of goal-setting, sacrifice and academic achievement, increase selfefficacy and pride in one’s
identity and build positive relationships with fellow students and school staff. Activities included courses at Camp Ihduhapi, a scavenger hunt on the Nicollet Mall, and group sessions with the intention to challenge and inspire each student. Recently, NWSISD staff met with the parents of students that were selected to participate in the summit. After the meeting, Leslie Brooks, parent of one student, said “My prayers have been answered. My son wants to drop out of school and I think
this will help him to keep going…I hope you continue to meet with the boys throughout high school and please include him.” The Step-Up Summit is based on the Scholar Identity Model created by Dr. Donna Ford and Dr. Gillman W. Whiting of Vanderbilt University. Drs. Ford and Whiting provided training to the NWSISD member district staff that will conduct the Step-Up Summit and provide mentorship to students throughout the school year. Northwest Suburban
Integration School District (NWSISD) is a consortium of eight school districts: Anoka-Hennepin, Brooklyn Center, Buffalo-HanoverMontrose, Elk River, Fridley, Mounds View, Osseo and Rockford. NWSISD works with its member districts to provide programs and services that promote integrated learning environments and enhance diversity and cultural awareness, as well as working on increasing academic achievement and closing achievement gaps.
Education and employment access day Please join Healthy Together Northwest and Rasmussen College, Brooklyn Park for an event dedicated to helping community members increase their access to area educational opportunities as well as develop essential employment and jobseeking skills. The event is July 21st from 9:45am-2:30pm at the Rasmussen College, Brooklyn Park: 8301 93rd Ave. N. Brooklyn Park, MN 55445. This event combines professional skills’ workshops, one-to-one job counseling, a panel discussion, and networking practice. The professional skills workshops will be held during the morning session from 10am12:10pm. These workshops will focus on topics including resume and cover letter writing, networking and LinkedIn, employability skills and salary negotiation, conflict resolution, and college access and pathways. The midday session will take place from 12:15-1:30pm. Lunch will be provided for all registered participants. There will be a panel discussion that focuses on the personal education and employment journeys of current and former students of all levels, professionals, and entrepreneurs. The afternoon session from 1:30-2:30pm will include a guided networking practice session and an education and employment resource fair. Healthy Together Northwest is Blue Cross Blue Shield of MN Foundation funded initiative of the Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council. Healthy Together Northwest is a crosssector, cross-cultural network of organizations dedicated to creating more equitable health outcomes in the areas of education, employment, and entrepreneurship for all residents of NW Hennepin, especially new Americans. This is a free event hosted by Healthy Together Northwest and the Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council in partnership with Rasmussen College, Brooklyn Park. Registration is required for this event. Please register by July 15th. To register for the event, please contact Anna Drennen at 763-503-2520 or email her at annad@nwhhsc. org. Space is limited, so please respond as soon as possible.
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AESTHETICS Khomotso Manyaka: A South African star is born had a good laugh? KM: All the time.
Interview
KW: What was the last book you read? KM: Twilight, Eclipse. KW: What are you listening to on your iPod? KM: I don’t have an iPod, but I usually listen to R&B on my phone.
By Kam Williams kam@insightnews.com Khomotso Manyaka was born in 1996 in Elandsdoorn, South Africa, which is where she caught the eye of talent scouts while performing with a church choir. Encouraged to audition for the film Life, Above All, she ended up landing the picture’s pivotal lead role of Chanda. Khomotso proved to be a natural in front of the camera, and went on to earn the Best Actress Award at the Durban International Film Festival for her stunning debut performance. Life, Above All also made a big splash at Cannes, where it won the Francois Chalais Prize for life affirmation and journalism. The compelling, characterdriven drama revolves around a 12 year-old girl who summons up the courage to fight the fear and shame poisoning relationships among members of her tightknit community in the wake of an AIDS outbreak. Directed by South African filmmaker Oliver Schmitz, the movie is based on the award-winning novel Chanda’s Secrets by Allan Stratton. Here, Khomotso talks about the picture which recently premiered at the Human Rights Watch Festival and will be arriving in theaters on July 15. Kam Williams: Hi Khomotso, thanks for the time. Khomotso Manyaka: Thank you, Kam. KW: What interested you in Life, Above All? KM: That the movie has a strong and powerful message to all people, and the bonding and love between the mother and daughter. KW: Tell me a little about the movie. KM: It’s about a young girl called Chanda who wants to bring people together, through the struggle against HIV/AIDS. KW: How would you describe your character, Chanda? KM: She’s a strong, intelligent, well behaved girl.
KW: What is your favorite dish to cook? KM: Well… I looooove South Africa’s traditional food. KW: Who is your favorite clothes designer? KM: I don’t know.
Khomotoso Manyaka KW: What message do you hope people will take away from the film? KM: It is that they must not keep secrets and that they must learn to be open with their families. KW: Legist/Editor Patricia Turnier asks: What was the most challenging aspect of playing Chanda? KM: It wasn’t challenging, but I learned a lot from it. KW: Patricia has a follow-up: What does it mean to you to receive so much recognition and praise for your work at such a young age? KM: It is fun and I enjoy that they really admire me. KW: Harriet Pakula Teweles says: Congratulations on your much deserved Best Actress award at the Durban International Film Festival. When such a prestigious award goes to a 13 year-old, how does it change what would be your teen years, socially and professionally? KM: Well, I don’t think I would change, but I know that I would be seen as an example in South Africa. KW: Harriet also asks: How much of the story in Life, Above All was outside of your real-life experiences growing up and how much was already familiar to you and part of your awareness? KM: The familiar part is that I also have three siblings, but it’s
only boys. I am also a first born at home. KW: Finally, Harriet says: Knowing that child stars very often get caught up in being a celebrity too early, what ‘stabilizers’ exist for you to keep you from having that too intense time in the spotlight? KM: I think I need to be more careful in what I do in the public, so as to prevent people from talking or writing negative things about me. KW: Attorney Bernadette Beekman says: Congratulations on the Best Actress award. Had you ever acted professionally before you won the casting call for Life, Above All? KM: No, I have never acted before this. This was the first time acting, and the first time I was ever in a movie. KW: Bernadette has a few follow-ups. First: I see that you will be continuing your acting studies. Is there any one actress whose career you would like to emulate? KM: I would like to be like Harriet Manamela. She acted the part of the neighbor in the movie, or like Lerato Mvelase, who played my mother. KW: Next, she asks: Before working on this film, were you already aware of the fallout of AIDS in terms of the social ostracism of the victims and their family members?
Opening this week By Kam Williams For movies opening July 15, 2011 BIG BUDGET FILMS Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (PG-13 for frightening images and intense violence) Final chapter of the fabled J.K. Rowling franchise finds Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and friends Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) searching for the three remaining Horcruxes en route to an epic showdown with merciless Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes). With Alan Rickman, Michael Gambon, Helena Bonham Carter and Robbie Coltrane. Winnie the Pooh (G) Animated Disney adventure features Winnie (Jim Cummings) leading a menagerie of animal pals on a quest to save Christopher Robin (Jack Boulter) from a creature called Backson (Huell Howser). Voice cast includes Craig Ferguson, John Cleese and Tom Kenny. INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS Daylight (Unrated) Psychological thriller about a young married couple (Aidan Redmond and Alexandra Meierhans) who end up kidnapped when they stop to pick up a hitchhiker (Michael Godere) while driving through the woods on their way to a wedding. With Ivan Martin, Brian Bickerstaff and Aylam Orian. Girlfriend (Unrated) Romance drama revolving around a single-mom’s (Shannon Woodward) being courted by both her abusive ex (Jackson
Rathbone) and a former classmate (Evan Sneider) with Down Syndrome whose mom (Amanda Plummer) has just died. Support cast includes Harrison Lees, Rachel Melvin and Blake Berris. Gunless (Unrated) Comic Western about a pistol-packing outlaw (Paul Gross) wanted Dead or Alive in Montana who flees across the Canadian border with bounty hunters on his trail to a quiet town where the local militia joins the chase. With Sienna Guillory, Graham Greene, Dustin Milligan and Callum Keith Rennie. Hood to Coast (Unrated) Track and field documentary follows the fate of four teams among the thousands of entrants competing in the world’s longest relay race, a grueling, 197-mile test of endurance across Oregon from Mount Hood to the Pacific Ocean. Impolex (Unrated) WWII farce, set after the cessation of hostilities, about an American soldier (Riley O’Bryan) sent on a solo mission across Europe to locate and retrieve a couple of undetonated, Nazi rockets. With Ben Shapiro, Roy Berkeley and Kate Lyn Sheil. Life, Above All (PG-13 for sexuality and mature themes) Bittersweet drama, set in South Africa, about a stoic 12 yearold (Khomotso Manyaka) who summons up the courage to fight the fear and shame plaguing her tiny, tight-knit community in the wake of an AIDS outbreak which has devastated her family. Cast includes Harriet Manamela, Lerato Myelase and Aubrey Poolo. (In Sotho with subtitles)
Lucky (Unrated) Dark comedy starring Colin Hanks as a serial killer who finds the confidence to pursue the girl of his dreams (Ari Graynor) after winning $36 million in the Iowa State Lottery. With Jeffrey Tambor, Ann-Margret and Mimi Rogers. Salvation Boulevard (Unrated) Social satire based on Larry Beinhart’s best seller of the same name about the charismatic pastor (Pierce Brosnan) of a mega church who’s more interested in fleecing his flock than saving their souls. Cast includes Greg Kinnear, Jennifer Connelly, Marisa Tomei, Howard Hesseman and Ed Harris. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (PG-13 for sexuality, violence, disturbing images and drug use) Screen adaptation of Lisa See’s historical novel, set in 19th C. China, chronicling the lifelong friendship of two girls (Jennifer Lim and Christina Y. Jun) who develop their own secret language in reaction to being raised in isolation by their families. With Archie Kao, Vivian Wu and Hugh Jackman. Tabloid (Unrated) Oscarwinning documentary filmmaker Errol Morris (for Fog of War) directs this “good girl gone bad” bio-pic about Joyce McKinney, a former Miss Wyoming who was arrested for the abduction and rape of a Mormon missionary. The Tree (Unrated) Melancholy drama about a grief-stricken 8 year-old girl (Morgana Davies) who is convinced that the spirit of her recently-deceased father continues to speak to her through the leaves of her favorite tree in the backyard. With Charlotte Gainsbourg, Marton Csokas and Christian Byers.
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KM: I knew about AIDS for a long time because my mom is an HIV/AIDS counselor. We talk about it a lot. KW: Lastly, Bernadette would like to know if you would you consider being an actor/activist to promote education about AIDS, based on the problems outlined in the film and the book? KM: Yes! Because it would help people who don’t know about HIV/AIDS. KW: Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone would? KM: No, not really. KW: Are you ever afraid? KM: Well, everyone gets afraid sometime or other, but when it comes to having opportunities like being famous, I get afraid because I won’t be able to live my life and I won’t live freely. KW: Are you happy? KM: Yes. KW: When was the last time you
KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see? KM: I see a child of God, successful, talented, beautiful, well behaved, trust worthy. KW: If you could have one wish
instantly granted, what would that be for? KM: I would wish that everyone could believe in God as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. KW: What advice do you have for anyone who wants to follow in your footsteps? KM: To work hard for what you want and trust that God is the way and the key to success. KW: Who’s at the top of your hero list? KM: My mom. KW: How do you want to be remembered? KM: As an honest, loving, funny and well behaved girl, and as a good role model. KW: Thanks again for the interview, Khomotso, and best of luck with the movie. KM: Thank you for the opportunity, Kam.
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HEALTH
Good grief: Facing losses Murua
By Dr. BraVada GarrettAkinsanya, Ph.D., L.P. Lately, I have seen a lot of grief and loss in my practice. Over the last few months, there has been an increase in people who have lost jobs, homes, boyfriends, siblings, friends, children, mothers and fathers. Some of these losses were due to the tornado, others were due to the government shut-down. Some were natural causalities of life. But, no matter how you describe it, there is no easy way to face loss. It hurts and it is stressful. It is also important to understand that different people experience grief in different ways. Grief, then, is described as a multi-faceted response to the loss of someone or something of value to which a bond was formed. Grief often entails emotional, physical, cognitive, behavioral, social, spiritual, financial and philosophical dimensions. With the recent government shut-down, many of us found ourselves anxious, worried, sad… and without jobs or income. Consequently, discussing Grief and Loss is very relevant.
Some researchers such as Elizabeth Kubler-Ross have identified Stages of Grief. In her model the grieving process follows of course of Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and finally, Acceptance. Others have elaborated on the KublerRoss model of grieving to include additional factors. All grief models remind us that not everyone will experience all stages of grief in the same order. In fact, some steps may be missed entirely, others may be experienced in a different order, some stages may be reexperienced and some people may get stuck in one stage. The model of grief that I use in my practice includes seven stages. The first stage is SHOCK & DENIAL. In this phase the individual learns of the loss and is often numbed with disbelief. She or he may even deny the reality of the loss at some level, in order to avoid the pain. It reminds me of using a hammer and accidentally hitting your thumb. The instant you hit your thumb, it really hurts, but soon the pain is so great that your thumb goes numb and you may not feel much at all. Shock, then, provides emotional protection from being overwhelmed all at once. The next stage of grief is called PAIN & GUILT. In this phase, shock is replaced with enormous, unbelievable pain often related
to guilty feelings or remorse over things that the individual did or didn’t do. There is a great deal of chaos, disorganization and disequilibrium during this stage. In fact, because it is so painful, people tend to revert to addictive behaviors during this process and escape the pain with alcohol, gambling, drugs, sex,
REFLECTION, and LONELINESS. During this phase, people often report that they feel emptiness, despair, fear, sadness and isolation. This is because during this phase of grief, the individual may finally realize the true magnitude of the loss and discovers that it is depressing. It is not uncommon for those in grief
“Acceptance does not necessarily mean instant happiness, it just means that you know that you have experienced the loss and that life goes on.” over-eating and other forms of self-medication. The Stage of Pain & Guilt is followed by ANGER & BARGAINING. At this point, people who are grieving become angry and frustrated. Through their anger and frustration they may lash out and blame others for the loss. Sometimes the person may even try to control the outcome by trying to bargain in vain with the powers that be for a way out of the despair (“Please don’t lay me off, I can work part-time”). The next stage of grief involves the processes of DEPRESSION,
to isolate themselves on purpose in order to reflect on their losses, and figure out how to move through the pain. Often during this phase, people tend to focus on memories of the past and wonder if there is hope for the future. The next phase of grieving is STABILIZATION. During this period, people start to adjust to living their lives without the loss object or person. There is generally an upward turn in their transition and people become a bit calmer, organized and more stabilized. Depression during this phase begins to slowly lift. People often report that they have
occasional experiences of feeling ‘like themselves’ again. The sixth stage of dealing with grief is RECONSTRUCTION & WORKING THROUGH. This is a very active stage of recovery and those in grief may find themselves seeking realistic solutions to problems posed by the experience of the loss. For example, if you lost your job, you may begin to work on your resume and prepare to re-enter the job market. If you loss your home, you may begin to look at other housing options. If you lost a loved one, you may begin to figure out who can help you with the yard now that your husband is gone. In essence, you may begin to work on living with your loss by focusing on practical and financial problems as well as reconstructing other areas of your life including spiritual, emotional, physical, social etc. aspects. The final stage of grief is ACCEPTANCE, FAITH & HOPE. During this phase, people learn to accept and deal with the reality of their situation. Acceptance does not necessarily mean instant happiness, it just means that you know that you have experienced the loss and that life goes on. To me, this phase is probably one of the most difficult to experience because you have to go forward not knowing what the future will bring, not knowing if the pain will continue or ever
end. Sometimes in this stage, you find yourself holding your breathe and just waiting to exhale. This phase requires true faith and a deep sense of spirituality. In my religion there is a scripture (Hebrew 11:1) that says : “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.” I tell my clients who enter this phase to just “breathe” ---it is God’s way of saying “Keep on going.” BraVada Garrett-Akinsanya, Ph.D., L.P. is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who serves as the President of Brakins Consulting and Psychological Services, and Executive Director of the African American Child Wellness Institute. She has over 30 years of experience in the field psychology specializing in violence recovery and multicultural mental health and is recognized as a Board Certified Diplomat/Fellow, in African Centered/Black Psychology by the Association of Black Psychologists. Dr. GarrettAkinsanya warns that this column should in no way be construed as constituting a therapeutic relationship through counseling or advice. To forward a comment about this article or to make an appointment, please contact Dr. Garrett-Akinsanya by emailing her at: bravadaakinsanya@ hotmail.com or by telephone at 763-522-0100 or 612-302-3140.
Report: Low-income disparities narrowing A report from MN Community Measurement shows that while disparities are narrowing in quality of health care for lowincome Minnesotans, significant gaps continue. Overall the quality of health care provided by managed care plans to people covered by public health care programs continues to lag when compared with care provided
to patients who have insurance through an employer or Medicare, according to the annual report by MN Community Measurement. “Although the report shows that there has been some narrowing of disparities in quality of care, serious gaps still remain,” said Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson. “Reports like this are vital both
for helping us focus on where we need to improve as well as for helping the public keep us accountable for that improvement. As we move forward with our payment and delivery system reforms, tracking improvement in disparities reduction will be an area we keep our eye on.” The 2010 Health Care Disparities Report for Minnesota
Health Care Programs is the fourth-annual report produced by MN Community Measurement in collaboration with DHS, which contracts with managed care plans to provide health care services for approximately 536,000 people enrolled in Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare. The report includes performance rates on 12 specific measures, from preventive care, such as cancer screenings, to care for chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. The annual Minnesota Health Care Disparities Report is one of a growing number of tools — including the recently launched DHS public dashboard — that the department is using to track its performance and hold itself accountable to Minnesotans. Looking at rates over time, there is some narrowing of gaps, with the biggest improvement being in cervical cancer screening. Overall performance, however, still showed nine of the 12 measures significantly lower for people with public program coverage versus private, with the widest gaps appearing for colorectal cancer screening, followed by optimal vascular care and breast cancer screening. The annual reports have prompted one Twin Cities group of pediatricians to dramatically improve its performance rate on childhood immunizations for children with public program coverage. Two years ago Metropolitan Pediatric Specialists provided 48 percent of its public program patients with appropriate childhood immunizations. In 2010, after implementing changes based on report findings, it reached 85 percent.
That’s higher than the childhood immunization rate for all managed care providers across all patients. The rate for public program patients stayed at 75 percent for two years, while the
rate for those with other insurance dropped from 80 percent in 2009 to 77 percent in 2010.
HEALTH TURN TO 9
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Insight News • July 11 - July 17, 2011 • Page 7
LIFESTYLE
Only one hand required Rolls or Sourdough Rolls • 3 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped • 6 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled • 3 ounces cream cheese, softened • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 teaspoon salt • 1 teaspoon pepper • 2 pounds lean ground beef • 6 slices pepper Jack cheese • 6 tomato slices • 6 lettuce leaves • prepared guacamole
BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders The only thing better than a big juicy burger is a little juicy burger. Mini burgers, dubbed sliders, are all the food rage today because they “slide” right down your throat in a delightfully delicious way. Sliders seem to have invaded lots of party menus lately. They are easier to eat because of their bite size goodness and they seem to be mysteriously better tasting too. They’ll satisfy the appetites of all ages. These delicious sliders are the perfect size to hold. Three make a meal but a whole tray full make perfect party hors d’ oeuvres. Variety is the spice of life with these little treats, and whether you choose to load them with BBQ pulled pork, buffalo chicken, meatballs or jalapeno pepper stuffed burgers, there is more than “meats” the eye. So simply sizzle up some delectably scrumptious sliders today and give yourself and your friends a chance to enjoy a different twist on an old favorite. Sliders with style! Basic Sliders
• Rhodes Warm-N-Serv™ Soft Dinner Rolls or Whole Wheat Rolls • lean ground beef • cheese slices • tomato slices • lettuce • ketchup & mustard Bake rolls following directions on package. Shape beef into 3 to 4-inch patties. Grill patties and top with cheese. Split rolls and fill with meat, tomato, lettuce, ketchup and mustard. BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders • Rhodes Warm-N-Serv™ Soft Dinner Rolls or Whole Wheat Rolls • prepared or homemade BBQ pulled pork • prepared or homemade coleslaw Bake rolls following directions on package. Let cool. Split rolls and fill with warm pork. Top with coleslaw and serve. Meatball Sliders • Rhodes Warm-N-Serv™ Crusty Rolls or Sourdough Rolls
Rhodes Bake-N-Serv • prepared or homemade meatballs • marinara sauce • fresh Parmesan cheese, thinly sliced • fresh basil leaves Bake rolls following directions on package. Let cool. Split rolls and fill with marinara sauce, meatballs, cheese and basil. Pepper Popper Sliders • Rhodes Warm-N-Serv™ Crusty
Bake rolls following directions on package. In a small bowl, combine peppers, bacon and cream cheese. Mix well. In a large bowl, combine garlic, salt and pepper. Crumble beef over garlic mixture and mix well. Shape into twelve 3 to 4-inch patties. Spoon pepper mixture onto center of six patties. Top with remaining patties and press edges firmly to seal. Grill burgers and top with cheese. Split rolls and fill with burgers, tomato, lettuce and guacamole. Southwest Veggie Sliders • 6 Rhodes Warm-N-Serv™ Whole Wheat Rolls, baked according to directions on package Veggie Patties: • 15 ounce can black beans, drained & rinsed thoroughly • 4 ounce can diced green chilies • 3/4 cup bread crumbs • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped • 1 egg white
• salt & pepper, to taste • 1 tablespoon olive oil Slaw: • 1 tablespoon olive oil • 1 red or green pepper, finely chopped • 1/2 large yellow onion, finely chopped • 1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped • 1 clove garlic, finely chopped Sauce: • 1/3 cup low-fat sour cream • 1/2 large avocado, mashed • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice Toppings: • cilantro • pepper jack cheese
Buffalo Chicken Sliders • Rhodes Warm-N-Serv™ Crusty Rolls or Sourdough Rolls • boneless, skinless chicken breasts • 1 cup Frank’s red hot sauce • ½ cup melted butter or margarine • bleu cheese dressing • lettuce
Veggie Patties: Mash black beans, with a fork, in a medium size bowl. Stir in chilies, bread crumbs, paprika, garlic and egg white. Divide mixture into 6 equal portions and form into patties. Season with salt & pepper and cook in olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until nicely browned on both sides.
Chicken Salad Sliders • Rhodes Warm-N-Serv™ Soft Dinner Rolls, or Whole Wheat Rolls • 2 tablespoons lemon juice • ½ cup mayonnaise • 1 teaspoon salt • 1 teaspoon pepper • 3 ½ cups chopped cooked chicken • 1 cup diced celery • 1 cup pineapple tidbits, drained well • 1 teaspoon tarragon • ½ cup slivered almonds, toasted • lettuce
Slaw: Saute all ingredients in olive oil over medium-high heat for about 4 minutes or until tender. Sauce: Mix sour cream and mashed avocado in a small bowl until smooth. Add lime juice. Slice baked rolls in half. Lightly toast roll halves in oven. Place patties on toasted buns and top with cheese, slaw, sauce and cilantro.
Bake rolls following directions on package. Flatten chicken breasts slightly and grill. Combine hot sauce and butter and mix well. Cut chicken to fit rolls. Coat both sides of chicken with sauce. Split rolls and fill with chicken, dressing and lettuce.
Bake rolls following directions on package. In a small bowl, combine lemon juice, mayonnaise, salt and pepper. In a larger bowl, toss with chicken, celery, pineapple, tarragon and almonds. Split rolls and fill with chicken salad and lettuce.
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Insight News • July 11 - July 17, 2011 • Page 9
BUSINESS Whatever happened to Armstrong Williams? By William Reed “It’s been so long since I have heard his name, I thought since “ole massuh Bush” left the White House, Armstrong had retired close to his beloved cotton on the plantation singing his favorite song, ‘ole massuh, I is heah’” – A Williams critic’s internet comments Back in the day, Armstrong Williams proved to be “one of the most recognizable conservative voices in America.” He possessed a pugnacious and provocative style, and stayed Williams was “on point” when expressing his viewpoints. Most importantly, he provided conservatives and Christians with what they longed to hear. In the 1990s, Williams’ colloquies regarding Black Americans, received national attention by pointing out that high percentages of African-Americans actually hold conservative views. Williams also noted that “political leaders dupe Blacks and persuade high numbers of
Riverfront From 1
them to swap their votes for Democratic handouts.” Today, after hitting some bumps along the road, Williams is back on the national scene with a new book that talks about his current attitude and perspective. He still considers welfare as “a new plantation system” and decries America’s obsession with race. Chronicling his personal journey through purgatory, the conservative African-American political commentator has written, Reawakening Virtues: Restoring What Makes America Great. In his new book, Armstrong Williams calls for “a renewal of basic virtues that have gone by the wayside in today’s world”. Drawing on his upbringing in South Carolina, Armstrong discusses pertinent issues such as the sanctity of life and the virtues of capitalism. In the 190-page book, Williams discusses traditional virtues from a Christian perspective and ultimately argues for a revitalization of American society, politics and culture creating habitat for native flora and fauna, and acting as an economic engine for Minneapolis and surrounding regions. Differences between public and private, between work and play, and
Solutions From 8
POPULAR GADGETS
with nine other siblings. Williams’ conservative leaning have served him well among other African American trailblazers. Throughout his career Williams has had friends in high places. Armstrong Williams served as a Special Assistant to Clarence Thomas when he was the Chairman of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Williams started his broadcasting in 1991 at WOL, Radio One’s flagship station. In 1995, Williams’ local show was syndicated by The Talk America Radio Network. By 2002 Williams rejoined Radio One Inc. hosting a monthly primetime television special on the TV One cable network. A combination of his faith and travails, Armstrong Williams uses Reawakening Virtues: Restoring What Makes America Great to discuss a conservative code of conduct that illustrates his strong character.
by updating the values of our founding fathers and bringing them into the 21st century. It was that “conservative” and “Christian” persona that got him in trouble in the first place. In 2005, Armstrong Williams acknowledged that he was paid $240,000 by the Department of Education to promote its initiatives on his syndicated television program and to other AfricanAmericans in the news media.
That disclosure of payment set off a storm of criticism from Democrats over the Bush administration’s spending to promote its policies to the public. According to the contract with the Ketchum Agency, a public relations and marketing firm that had the contract with the Department of Education, Williams was required to broadcast two one-minute advertisements in which Education Secretary Rod
Paige extolled the merits of its national standards program, No Child Left Behind. Neither Ketchum’s contract with the Department of Education or Williams’ role to promote Secretary Paige and No Child Left Behind were new to the way business is done in Washington. While no other contractors who participated in the deal were chastised, Armstrong bore the brunt of criticism. He told the New York Times that the substantial, negative media he had received was due, at least in part, to his being African-American. He said “The liberal elite despise Black conservatives. I am a conservative who does not know his place. If I were White, they wouldn’t care.” Williams has a lot to share with readers. He has strong Black bona fides undergirding his current perspectives. A 1981 graduate of historicallyBlack land grant South Carolina State University, Williams is a third-generation entrepreneur and Republican who was reared on the family’s South Carolina tobacco farm
between segregated communities can be overcome by tolerating the co-existence of multiple uses and conditions. For example, a new ‘Riverfront Trail’ will act as a continuous green park that will return the Mississippi Riverfront to the public by connecting both public and private land through strategic, local interventions. New bike/ski/pedestrian walkways can tie together existing rivershore trails to create a world-class recreational and bike commuting network, and improve suburban and regional public access to the river. Sheila Kennedy, an Architecture Principal of Kennedy & Violich Architecture Ltd., says they “are working to create a connection with existing trails, to generate more pedestrianfriendly bridges, and utilize mixed-use housing to bring people closer to the river.” What has long been considered an inaccessible backyard can now become a central amenity within Minneapolis’ internationally renowned park system. MR|DI also has plans to restore sacred Native American sites along the Mississippi River, such as Spirit Island, that were destroyed during industrial
development. Kennedy is hopeful that MR|DI will be a springboard to inspire other green projects, a new process that is being implemented and unfolding before our eyes.
“This is a big gesture to reconnect parks on the north side of I-94 with the river as well,” she said. “We can either wait until all of the industry on the riverfront goes away, or we can start today with
properties that are currently owned by the city, and possibly create incentives for local businesses to become greener too…We are
the group achieved the significant improvement by taking extra steps to allay fears some parents have about vaccine safety. Those extra steps include using a template in the electronic medical record that allows the doctor to recommend and track vaccine
schedules that some parents want and counseling parents during well-child checkups. “Parents need to have accurate and science-based information about vaccine safety and the public health benefits of vaccines,” Johanson said. “We feel that this topic now dominates our well-child checkups, so we spend a lot of time overcoming the myths about vaccine safety.” This year marks the first time performance data is reported by clinic for the optimal diabetes care and optimal vascular care measures. This allows patients
who have diabetes or vascular disease to find out which clinics are providing average, above average or below average care for those conditions. The top performer for optimal diabetes care was Affiliated Community Medical Centers-Litchfield Clinic (East) and for optimal vascular care was St. Mary’s/Duluth Clinic Medical Center-DC First St. Building. Comparable data for more than two years is available for only half of the 12 measures. Future reports will allow analysis of additional measures over time.
Armstrong Williams
Health From 6 Dr. Tim Johanson, Metropolitan Pediatric Specialists’ quality director, said
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William Reed is available for speaking/seminar projects via BaileyGroup.org.
Green Port
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Page 10 • July 11 - July 17, 2011 • Insight News
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Ladies, it’s not just you! Globally, we’re all stressed! Dissecting Diversity By Cheryl Pearson-McNeil So ladies, I’m sure if you’re like me and any of the women I know personally, you have been running hither and yon to keep all of your hats – home, work, parents, children, finances, and relationships – in the air all at once. And sometimes, you find yourself wondering, “Is it just me? Am I the only one feeling like I’m an exotic juggling act in the three ring circus of life trying to keep all these things balanced?” Well, shout hallelujah and signal the ringmaster to shine the spotlight on you in the center ring because the answer is a resounding No! You are not alone! Nielsen’s latest comprehensive report Women of Tomorrow: a Study of Women around the World confirms women around the globe are feeling pressure like never before and are stressed! Nielsen is known for its measurement capabilities and for analyzing consumer behavior and trends in media, online, mobile and more around the globe. We recently conducted this study among nearly 6500 women in 21 countries throughout Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and North America, representing 60% of the world’s population and 78% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). We included women in both developed markets – like
Lumumba From 3 and have claimed five of seven seats on the Jackson City Council -- immigrants, particularly those who are undocumented, are still struggling for basic civil liberties. The Hispanic population in Mississippi has nearly doubled in the last decade, from 1.4 percent in 2000 to 2.7 percent, according to the 2010 Census. That mirrors a trend across the South. MIRA Executive Director Bill Chandler said the number of Latinos in Mississippi may actually be much higher. He cited a survey of church and union memberships that found more than twice as many Hispanics in Mississippi than the 2000 Census figures show. Chandler said that, together, Blacks and Latinos constitute a significant political bloc, and this has helped to prevent discriminatory legislation from advancing through the state legislature. An Arizona-style immigration law introduced in the state senate failed to pass, in large part because of opposition from Black representatives, Chandler said. “The majority of whites in Mississippi are scared to death of people of color becoming a majority, not only in Mississippi but nationally,” Chandler said. The ordinance Lumumba introduced aims to combat
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ours – and several emerging markets like India and Nigeria. Some of the key findings: 90% of women believe their role is evolving for the better from gender equality to workplace opportunities. Women control 12 trillion dollars in global spending of 18 trillion dollars, but want to share jointly in life responsibilities and decision making While women are indeed increasingly empowered, we are increasingly stressed. Whoop! There it is! Call
your girlfriends and tell them “Girl, it’s official! Women everywhere around the world report being pressured for time, rarely have the time to unwind; feel stressed and overworked most of the time. And yes, want just a tad bit of help from the fellas’ time to time. It is NOT just us!” How we cope with stress varies between developed and emerging markets. Our sisters in emerging countries are often faced with maintaining every day basics like food and
clothing. The percentage of their household spend on food is staggering. In Nigeria, for example, 40% of household spending is on food, vs. 7% in the US. So if women in emerging countries found themselves with any additional dollars it would go toward savings, clothes and education. While women in developed countries like ours are more likely to use extra cash for luxuries like vacations, savings and paying off debt. In conducting this research,
women were divided into three segments – daughters (average age 30), mothers (average age 47) and grandmothers (average age 67). The high stress factor is universal, but it breaks down generationally. The “daughter” generation is the most stressed. This stands to reason as this woman’s family is young and she has not likely achieved her full earning potential. Among “mothers” the stress is midlevel. Makes sense because by the average age of 47, income levels are (usually)
the troubling phenomenon of immigrants without papers allowing them to be in the United States legally, who decline to report crimes to the police for fear that doing so will lead to checks on their residency status. “I saw how tragic that was, people getting their cars stolen and, in one case, a woman getting raped,” he said. “The combination of these factors led me to know we needed to get something done.”
State University’s law school. However, by the end of the year, 18 of them -- not including Lumumba -- had flunked out. Lumumba remembers his professors making statements such as “these Blacks cannot be good lawyers,” and that they can tell their work “is Black writing.” Lumumba and his peers seized the law-school building and stayed until the administration agreed to reenroll the students. All but two ended up graduating and several have become prominent lawyers and judges. After this victory, Lumumba went to the South to work with lawyers organizing for human rights. “I gained a lot of humility,” he said. “Young students from the North always think they’re really
smart. But really, the southern culture, if you take the racism out, is a very gracious culture.” Lumumba said he became addicted Southern life, and he later returned with his wife and three children.
forming a natural coalition in cities like Jackson. Through his long career, Lumumba has lived to see tangible results. While there is still much racism in Mississippi, he said, Blacks fighting for voter-protection laws and for representation have “won them the respect of the white community.” Lumumba sees the struggle of African Americans as parallel to conflicts facing undocumented immigrants. “As long as Blacks were pushed underneath people’s feet, I think it was very easy to have very unrealistic views of who Black people were in terms of notions of [their] inferiority,” he said. He credits the ordinance he introduced in Jackson as
Eloquent -- With a Knack for Trouble In the mold of Malcolm X, Lumumba is an eloquent speaker with a knack for raising trouble. He grew up in a household where Martin Luther King was considered to be ‘the Black Moses.” He credits his parents for endowing him with an unshakable social conscious. Not afraid to speak his mind, Lumumba was once held in contempt of court for telling a judge “he was handling a case like a racist.” Lumumba originally went to college to play sports. But, after sustaining injuries, he became increasingly interested in the civil rights protests occurring in the1960s. After experiencing riots in Detroit, he said, he decided to become “closer to the movement instead of just an observer.” In 1969, Lumumba became one of an unprecedented 24 Black students enrolled in Wayne
Using Authority for Progress After decades spent fighting unjust powers, Lumumba now finds him in the curious position of being an authority. He noted, “I think that I’m beginning to learn that you can use authority for very progressive purposes, so I’ve become less tolerant of people, who don’t use their power to move the world ahead.” Lumumba said he plans to continue to advocate for immigrant rights, and he envisions Blacks and Hispanics
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higher; but finances are still cause for concern. Lastly, “grandmothers” are the least stressed segment. Perhaps not surprisingly, grandmothers are also most likely to believe that they have successfully achieved that delicate work-life balance. Fellas, I think the most notable take away from this study for you is that women would like to share more male/ female responsibilities. We may be doing it all but would love to have a little more help from you. Umm hmm, did you hear that? Ladies, they may have missed that point, so if you want to cut this column out and post it up on the ‘fridge for those times when you need a little back up, feel free. Guys don’t like arguing with you, let alone taking on women from 21 countries and arguing in multiple languages! (You should highlight the multiple languages part). Consider this ladies: if based on our global spending power of $12 trillion we were our own country (and lord knows there are times we wish we were don’t we?) we’d be about the size of the United States (based on GDP). That’s a lot of power. So, there’s no doubt that you and I and our sisters across the globe are agents of change. Can you imagine how much more powerful we’d be if we got a little more support on the home front? So, when’s the last time you actually asked for the help you need? I’m just sayin’. Cheryl Pearson-McNeil is senior vice president of public affairs and government relations for Nielsen. For more information and studies go to www.nielsenwire.com
helping prevent Arizonastyle immigration laws in the Mississippi legislature by galvanizing the Black community around the issue of immigrant rights. “Because of our history we want to make [Jackson] a shining light for people,” he said. Lumumba added that Jackson makes an ideal model because “we’ve been tested more than anyone else.” But while Lumumba calls human rights his forte, he must balance such efforts with the practical reality of city governance. Lumumba also serves as the City Council’s budget chair and is on the water and sewer committee. “It makes me really busy,” he said.
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Insight News • July 11 - July 17, 2011 • Page 11
Families
on public institutions as we see today. BC: There will be a total cut of $44 million from our children’s schools at a time when our children need 21st century skills. The education bill eradicates and repeals integration. The integration revenue supported the value of our children interacting with each other. Diversity of thought, diversity of experience and perspective enriches all of our students. They repeal integration and integration revenue and then say they will use the funds for innovation. Innovation for what? As we diversify as a state, as a nation we need to engage each other in real time and not promote us being siloed and being separated from each other. How do bring each other together in the name of patriotism to say that we are Americans and we must think about America continuing to be globally competitive.
From 1 The Republican majority, however, says it should be all cuts. They want spending cuts and say we don’t need to raise any more revenue. But if you look at what has happened over this legislative session, there hasn’t been an all cuts approach that has integrity. In reality, they are taking money from our local municipalities or even County transit and improvement projects. We should ask ourselves whether that approach reflects Minnesota’s priorities. What do we believe to be important? We have to talk about their proposed bills’ impact on education because they are proposing drastic cuts to education. There is a tremendous cut to higher education. Other critical areas like transportation and public safety are impacted. And there have been some unfortunate policy bills that have gone forth. We need to look at them so we can really get a true understanding as to what is going on and what is at stake for our state. AM: Representative Hayden, please continue to help frame the issues. How do we get our community to understand the dynamics? You were on this program last week discussing the possibility of a shutdown. This is no longer hypothetical. This is real time. Government has been shut down. So explain the dilemma relative to the interests of the people of Minnesota, and of urban communities in particular. Jeff Hayden: When I spoke to you last week we hoped that we would not be at this point. But we are. There is the judge determining what services are “essential” and must continue. The judge has appointed a special master to permit spending money only on things that are essential, like life and safety issues. We still have our Highway Patrol. There is still a guard detail at the correctional facilities. But for the most part, the government is shut down. What is happening here is that this is about ideology. This isn’t about what is best for Minnesota. This isn’t about a balanced approach. In the negotiations, as many have heard, the Governor actually left his position about taxing the top 2% of income earners and even got down to taxing only the millionaires which represents lest than 0.03% of income earners. He even moved to try and figure out some ways to do
Milon From 1 Mary T. Wellcome is a nationally accredited child education center, and our goal is that every student who attends Mary T. Wellcome is physically and mentally prepared and has the social emotional, cognitive, and literacy skills needed in kindergarten. We have a legacy of supporting our children. For the Legislature to think about reducing childcare
accounting shifts, particularly greater accounting shifts in education, in order to get this bill done. Clearly the Governor didn’t want that the government shut down. That’s not what the people have elected him to do. At the eleventh hour at the dramatic point of us being able to make a deal, the Governor coming out of his position and said he’d make sure that the Republicans got 90 % of what they wanted. But then Republicans said that they wouldn’t do anything unless the governor signed all of their policy bills. AM: Republican position is ‘not one penny more’, right? They simply don’t want to spend... They want to dismantle government, right? JH: It was ‘not one penny more’ at the end. We had actually got to a point where we were going to split the difference. They were ready to as well. They started leaving their ‘not one penny more’ position, but insisted they wanted all of their policy bills. And that meant that they wanted their redistricting plan, which we know is one-sided for their own political gain. They have couple of wealth issues; they have an anti-abortion bill which the Governor had vetoed because he did not think it was fair, or lawful. The Governor had vetoed their bills that take away integration funding for Minneapolis and St. Paul public schools. They wanted him to sign. They wanted to hold the Minnesota state budget hostage for their policy positions. This isn’t as much about ‘not one penny more’ and this isn’t about shared
assistance means that organizations that provide early child development services throughout the state of Minnesota will be limited in who they can serve. Government’s role is to support the most needy. It must support people who need child development, who need basic services, who need housing, and our children who need education. There is a high rate of return from improving early school readiness for our children. For every dollar invested in high quality early education, it has been documented that there is a
sacrifice. This was a way for our GOP led legislature to advance their ideological positions and not necessarily what is good for the state. AM: Representative Hornstein, how does this ideological conflict play out in the practical everyday lives of Minnesotans? What are the policy implications? Frank Hornstein: I have been saying what good is a job if you can’t get to the job. Under the Republican transportation budget, tens of thousands of people literally won’t be able to get to their jobs. We are talking about a historic unprecedented cut in public transportation. For example, in the metropolitan area 85% of Metro Transit’s general fund budget comes from the state. Metro Transit does get money from other sources not just the general fund, but Republican proposed cuts would result in significant fare increase. Their bill means we could have a fare increase of perhaps up to 50 cents, a 29% increase from the $1.75 fare we have now. When that happens experts predict 6.8 million fewer rides, which is 8% drop in Metro Transits ridership. That means 241 buses off the roads, a 30% reduction of service on the street. With almost one out of 3 buses idled under this plan, the result would be a loss of 23% of annual ridership. So this is a huge cut. It would have devastating impacts on our regional economy and very practical impacts on people that we are getting to jobs and to schools which make up most of our ridership.
$16 return through children who grow up and who become tax payers. So we need to invest now in our children at an early age and we should not be considering reducing our budget for early child assistance or child development services. AM: There is something then inconsistent or incongruent or maybe disingenuous about the Republican effort to, on the one hand champion productivity and self reliance, but on the other hand take away the tools that enable self reliance, productivity, and effective
Additionally, those who depend on transit, elderly people living in facilities, for example, would be literally stuck with nowhere to go. So, even something that isn’t a huge part of the budget would have devastating impact on our day to day quality of life.
that Representative Champion talked about at the top of the show. We absolutely need this revenue to avoid the cuts that they are outlining here.
AM: Do you think our public understands that? I don’t know if that has been clearly and consistently, aggressively articulated so ordinary voters and resident fully understand the consequence and impact of this policy impasse. What do you think? FH: Well I think that you are absolutely right Al, not only on public transportation but on many of the issues that are at stake. I don’t think many people know, for example, what Representative Hayden was talking about: that if at the eleventh hour we had a complete social agenda inserted into these talks. I don’t think a lot of people know that in addition to these transit cuts that I outlined, we have 140,000 people that will lose healthcare under the Republican budget. One out of six public employees, state employees, would lose their jobs. 610 Metro Transit bus drivers that would lose their job under the Republican plan. So when they talk about creating jobs, in reality, they are killing jobs. Some 30,000 workers will lose their jobs under this Republican plan. I hope that in these coming days and weeks, and I hope it’s not weeks, the word will get out and we will have an agreement along the lines that including the revenue strategies
AM: Do you sense that the Republicans are gloating over the crisis they have created in the name of ideology? Are they banking on the idea that public pain is going to force the Governor to back down, and to force Democrats simply to go along with their spending cuts agenda just to mitigate some of the discomfort that people are experiencing right now. I mean what’s their game plan on this? FH: I think a national agenda and a national pattern. You see it happening in Washington DC now with the debt ceiling where they have the votes and the power to literally stop government in its track, create a crisis, and then use that to leverage their world view which is really an attack on government. It is really an attack on anything with the word ‘public’ in it including public health, public education, and public transit. that is at the core of what is driving many of the Tea Party types. They are pretty clear and very upfront about it. I look at it as an attack on the common good and common values that have made our country and our state strong over many, many years. I have been a community organizer for a couple of decades. I served a couple of years on the Met Council. This is my ninth year in the Minnesota House of Representatives. I have never seen anything quite like this. I have never seen this kind of attack
citizenship… even taking those from babies by taking them from families with small children, which as we know, is where it all begins. If we have healthy and prepared children you cultivate healthy productive citizens who are tax payers. They become people who are willing to create and be the engines of a commercial and business economy. So, on the one hand they are saying we support these values of free enterprise and on the other hand taking away the tool that enables us to create entrepreneurs. BM: You are absolutely right
Al, because what is happening is that the Legislature wants to reduce the capability of families, adults, to find work. These are adults who have families, adults who need and depend upon early child development programs. So employees who have children who are at centers employees may not be able to work because there will not be the support for early child development. So it is definitely a contradiction. It does not support the maintaining or sustaining the work force nor does it support our future and the economic wellbeing of our state.
AM: The Republicans seem to be posing an either or dilemma to justify their agenda. They are saying let’s turn away from funding inclusion and equity in order to fund innovation. That approach suggests the call for innovation is not genuine, but rather a euphemism masking the deconstruction of inclusion and fairness. It becomes a code word for a sinister strategy to turn back the clock on progressive change. Do you agree? BC: Al, I think you hit it. We need to talk about it and make each other aware by saying, ‘Hey, did you know that this is what this means?’ You make people aware then you connect them to the issues, so they can see for themselves not only what is or is not in their interests, but also what is in the interests of their neighbor, their family member, and/or their friend. We need to think about what is good for us as a state and as a nation. It is important for our children to be much more educated in order to be globally competitive. If we also tie that to the fact that the face of labor is changing, and then we lay that on top of the achievement gap, if we are not making the necessary investments to close the achievement gaps, when the face of labor changes we are not going to be globally competitive. So we have got to connect this so that we see each other’s journey as our own journey and our own experience. And I think we have got to simplify the message. Then we begin to make each other aware and stand with each other and not against each other because we need each other in order to go forward as a state and as a nation.
AM: You have looked at the Governor’s plan and the plan that the GOP has put forward. What have you found in your analysis of these approaches to the issue of families and childcare? BM: Well what we are seeing is that in this Legislature; the GOP is further reducing childcare reimbursement rates by 5% and non-life and childcare rates by 16%. That will impact approximately 22,000 Minnesota families. And these are families who are in the work force and who rely upon these services.
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Insight News • July 11 - July 17, 2011 • Page 11
Families
on public institutions as we see today. BC: There will be a total cut of $44 million from our children’s schools at a time when our children need 21st century skills. The education bill eradicates and repeals integration. The integration revenue supported the value of our children interacting with each other. Diversity of thought, diversity of experience and perspective enriches all of our students. They repeal integration and integration revenue and then say they will use the funds for innovation. Innovation for what? As we diversify as a state, as a nation we need to engage each other in real time and not promote us being siloed and being separated from each other. How do bring each other together in the name of patriotism to say that we are Americans and we must think about America continuing to be globally competitive.
From 1 The Republican majority, however, says it should be all cuts. They want spending cuts and say we don’t need to raise any more revenue. But if you look at what has happened over this legislative session, there hasn’t been an all cuts approach that has integrity. In reality, they are taking money from our local municipalities or even County transit and improvement projects. We should ask ourselves whether that approach reflects Minnesota’s priorities. What do we believe to be important? We have to talk about their proposed bills’ impact on education because they are proposing drastic cuts to education. There is a tremendous cut to higher education. Other critical areas like transportation and public safety are impacted. And there have been some unfortunate policy bills that have gone forth. We need to look at them so we can really get a true understanding as to what is going on and what is at stake for our state. AM: Representative Hayden, please continue to help frame the issues. How do we get our community to understand the dynamics? You were on this program last week discussing the possibility of a shutdown. This is no longer hypothetical. This is real time. Government has been shut down. So explain the dilemma relative to the interests of the people of Minnesota, and of urban communities in particular. Jeff Hayden: When I spoke to you last week we hoped that we would not be at this point. But we are. There is the judge determining what services are “essential” and must continue. The judge has appointed a special master to permit spending money only on things that are essential, like life and safety issues. We still have our Highway Patrol. There is still a guard detail at the correctional facilities. But for the most part, the government is shut down. What is happening here is that this is about ideology. This isn’t about what is best for Minnesota. This isn’t about a balanced approach. In the negotiations, as many have heard, the Governor actually left his position about taxing the top 2% of income earners and even got down to taxing only the millionaires which represents lest than 0.03% of income earners. He even moved to try and figure out some ways to do
Milon From 1 Mary T. Wellcome is a nationally accredited child education center, and our goal is that every student who attends Mary T. Wellcome is physically and mentally prepared and has the social emotional, cognitive, and literacy skills needed in kindergarten. We have a legacy of supporting our children. For the Legislature to think about reducing childcare
accounting shifts, particularly greater accounting shifts in education, in order to get this bill done. Clearly the Governor didn’t want that the government shut down. That’s not what the people have elected him to do. At the eleventh hour at the dramatic point of us being able to make a deal, the Governor coming out of his position and said he’d make sure that the Republicans got 90 % of what they wanted. But then Republicans said that they wouldn’t do anything unless the governor signed all of their policy bills. AM: Republican position is ‘not one penny more’, right? They simply don’t want to spend... They want to dismantle government, right? JH: It was ‘not one penny more’ at the end. We had actually got to a point where we were going to split the difference. They were ready to as well. They started leaving their ‘not one penny more’ position, but insisted they wanted all of their policy bills. And that meant that they wanted their redistricting plan, which we know is one-sided for their own political gain. They have couple of wealth issues; they have an anti-abortion bill which the Governor had vetoed because he did not think it was fair, or lawful. The Governor had vetoed their bills that take away integration funding for Minneapolis and St. Paul public schools. They wanted him to sign. They wanted to hold the Minnesota state budget hostage for their policy positions. This isn’t as much about ‘not one penny more’ and this isn’t about shared
assistance means that organizations that provide early child development services throughout the state of Minnesota will be limited in who they can serve. Government’s role is to support the most needy. It must support people who need child development, who need basic services, who need housing, and our children who need education. There is a high rate of return from improving early school readiness for our children. For every dollar invested in high quality early education, it has been documented that there is a
sacrifice. This was a way for our GOP led legislature to advance their ideological positions and not necessarily what is good for the state. AM: Representative Hornstein, how does this ideological conflict play out in the practical everyday lives of Minnesotans? What are the policy implications? Frank Hornstein: I have been saying what good is a job if you can’t get to the job. Under the Republican transportation budget, tens of thousands of people literally won’t be able to get to their jobs. We are talking about a historic unprecedented cut in public transportation. For example, in the metropolitan area 85% of Metro Transit’s general fund budget comes from the state. Metro Transit does get money from other sources not just the general fund, but Republican proposed cuts would result in significant fare increase. Their bill means we could have a fare increase of perhaps up to 50 cents, a 29% increase from the $1.75 fare we have now. When that happens experts predict 6.8 million fewer rides, which is 8% drop in Metro Transits ridership. That means 241 buses off the roads, a 30% reduction of service on the street. With almost one out of 3 buses idled under this plan, the result would be a loss of 23% of annual ridership. So this is a huge cut. It would have devastating impacts on our regional economy and very practical impacts on people that we are getting to jobs and to schools which make up most of our ridership.
$16 return through children who grow up and who become tax payers. So we need to invest now in our children at an early age and we should not be considering reducing our budget for early child assistance or child development services. AM: There is something then inconsistent or incongruent or maybe disingenuous about the Republican effort to, on the one hand champion productivity and self reliance, but on the other hand take away the tools that enable self reliance, productivity, and effective
Additionally, those who depend on transit, elderly people living in facilities, for example, would be literally stuck with nowhere to go. So, even something that isn’t a huge part of the budget would have devastating impact on our day to day quality of life.
that Representative Champion talked about at the top of the show. We absolutely need this revenue to avoid the cuts that they are outlining here.
AM: Do you think our public understands that? I don’t know if that has been clearly and consistently, aggressively articulated so ordinary voters and resident fully understand the consequence and impact of this policy impasse. What do you think? FH: Well I think that you are absolutely right Al, not only on public transportation but on many of the issues that are at stake. I don’t think many people know, for example, what Representative Hayden was talking about: that if at the eleventh hour we had a complete social agenda inserted into these talks. I don’t think a lot of people know that in addition to these transit cuts that I outlined, we have 140,000 people that will lose healthcare under the Republican budget. One out of six public employees, state employees, would lose their jobs. 610 Metro Transit bus drivers that would lose their job under the Republican plan. So when they talk about creating jobs, in reality, they are killing jobs. Some 30,000 workers will lose their jobs under this Republican plan. I hope that in these coming days and weeks, and I hope it’s not weeks, the word will get out and we will have an agreement along the lines that including the revenue strategies
AM: Do you sense that the Republicans are gloating over the crisis they have created in the name of ideology? Are they banking on the idea that public pain is going to force the Governor to back down, and to force Democrats simply to go along with their spending cuts agenda just to mitigate some of the discomfort that people are experiencing right now. I mean what’s their game plan on this? FH: I think a national agenda and a national pattern. You see it happening in Washington DC now with the debt ceiling where they have the votes and the power to literally stop government in its track, create a crisis, and then use that to leverage their world view which is really an attack on government. It is really an attack on anything with the word ‘public’ in it including public health, public education, and public transit. that is at the core of what is driving many of the Tea Party types. They are pretty clear and very upfront about it. I look at it as an attack on the common good and common values that have made our country and our state strong over many, many years. I have been a community organizer for a couple of decades. I served a couple of years on the Met Council. This is my ninth year in the Minnesota House of Representatives. I have never seen anything quite like this. I have never seen this kind of attack
citizenship… even taking those from babies by taking them from families with small children, which as we know, is where it all begins. If we have healthy and prepared children you cultivate healthy productive citizens who are tax payers. They become people who are willing to create and be the engines of a commercial and business economy. So, on the one hand they are saying we support these values of free enterprise and on the other hand taking away the tool that enables us to create entrepreneurs. BM: You are absolutely right
Al, because what is happening is that the Legislature wants to reduce the capability of families, adults, to find work. These are adults who have families, adults who need and depend upon early child development programs. So employees who have children who are at centers employees may not be able to work because there will not be the support for early child development. So it is definitely a contradiction. It does not support the maintaining or sustaining the work force nor does it support our future and the economic wellbeing of our state.
AM: The Republicans seem to be posing an either or dilemma to justify their agenda. They are saying let’s turn away from funding inclusion and equity in order to fund innovation. That approach suggests the call for innovation is not genuine, but rather a euphemism masking the deconstruction of inclusion and fairness. It becomes a code word for a sinister strategy to turn back the clock on progressive change. Do you agree? BC: Al, I think you hit it. We need to talk about it and make each other aware by saying, ‘Hey, did you know that this is what this means?’ You make people aware then you connect them to the issues, so they can see for themselves not only what is or is not in their interests, but also what is in the interests of their neighbor, their family member, and/or their friend. We need to think about what is good for us as a state and as a nation. It is important for our children to be much more educated in order to be globally competitive. If we also tie that to the fact that the face of labor is changing, and then we lay that on top of the achievement gap, if we are not making the necessary investments to close the achievement gaps, when the face of labor changes we are not going to be globally competitive. So we have got to connect this so that we see each other’s journey as our own journey and our own experience. And I think we have got to simplify the message. Then we begin to make each other aware and stand with each other and not against each other because we need each other in order to go forward as a state and as a nation.
AM: You have looked at the Governor’s plan and the plan that the GOP has put forward. What have you found in your analysis of these approaches to the issue of families and childcare? BM: Well what we are seeing is that in this Legislature the GOP is further reducing childcare reimbursement rates by 5% - 16%. That will impact approximately 22,000 Minnesota families. And these are families who are in the work force and who rely upon these services.
Certified Section 3 Contractors. Note: Homeowners and businesses should always verify license and insurance.
We Care,
Northside