Insight News ::: 10.3.11

Tales from the Sahel

African artist and social activist Baaba Maal will be coming to Minneapolis on October 15 at Cedar Cultural Center (416 Cedar Ave.) for an intimate night of Q&A with music journalist and author Chris Salewicz.

For more information, call (612) 338-2674 or visit www.thecedar.org

ifest.org

OCTOBER 15th

INSIGHT NEWS October 3 - October 9, 2011 • MN Metro Vol. 37 No. 40 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • www.insightnews.com

President and Black Caucus demand jobs

By Julianne Malveaux NNPA Columnist

President Obama at the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference

Earl E. Gibson III

I don’t know how many African American people came to Washington for the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference, but there were more than 5,000 gathered at the dinner that featured President Obama as a speaker. Though the halls of the Washington Convention Center were full, and it did my eyes good to see people lined up to buy books, some say that the economy may have dampened attendance. To be sure, the corporate presence did not seem as strong as it has been in the past, yet it is always gratifying to see Ingrid Sanders Jones and the Coca-Cola company sponsoring the prayer breakfast, which sizzled this year when the Rev. Freddy Haynes totally threw down.

The high point of the conference may have been President Obama’s strident and almost angry speech, challenging Congress to pass the jobs bill, and explaining why it must pass. Watching the President, he appeared to be undaunted, but certainly frustrated, by the legislative gridlock and the total lack of cooperation he has been experiencing from Congress. If those assembled reach out to their legislative representatives, not all of whom are CBC members; perhaps it will make some difference.

Another high point of the dinner was the range of wonderful honorees present.

They included EPA administrator Lisa Jackson, and also the indomitable Rev. Joe Lowery, who at nearly 90 has as much fire in his belly as he did 50 years ago.

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Minneapolis Urban League provides SROI even in tough times In this time of heightened economic uncertainty, rapidly shifting priorities, and fiscal cutbacks, the Minneapolis Urban League (as I am sure has been the case at countless other nonprofits), has been continuously reevaluating its programs, processes, and performance management to make certain

Gateway to excellence

By Scott Gray MUL President/CEO

that our organization is operating efficiently and effectively.

A key area of this organizational reflection is examining social return-oninvestment (SROI), program implementation efforts, and associated outcomes in comparison to program dollars received. We evaluate these

parameters on a daily basis. One of our core values is to be a good steward for all of the funding our organization receives.

What is SROI and why is it important?

SROI is a fancy way of calculating extra-financial value by calculating the social value

of a program relative to the resources invested. Developing positive SROI in non-profit programs is extremely important because it means that the dollars invested in a particular program has a multiplying beneficial effect across the community.

Additionally, we want to ensure that all of our stakeholders

understand the positive SROI provided by the MUL because our partner support is helping to change lives and plant seeds that can foster generational benefits.

Currently in our Workforce Solutions intersection, for every dollar invested the MUL

SROI TURN TO 5

Building the next generation of transportation

By Lydia Schwartz Contributing Writer The beautiful and historic downtown St. Paul Union Depot Station is being restored and brought to new life as a transit hub for the entire Twin Cities community, serving as the Central Corridor Light Rail Transit (CCLRT) line’s eastern terminus.

Rail cars will be cleaned and housed a few blocks east in the new Operations and Maintenance Facility, which is currently under construction on the corner of East 4th and North Broadway Streets.

CCLRT is scheduled to be operational in 2014 and construction of the line has created almost four thousand jobs across the Twin Cities. Government officials agree that the construction of the Union Depot Station is a wonderful example of public and private-sector partners working together toward a shared vision. Minnesota’s transportation investments in light rail will last for much longer than just the next quarter, or next year, but for upcoming generations of transit

Suluki Fardan

Ray LaHood

users. In the future, this station will be a benefit to people that we may never meet. It is our friends and neighbors that are moving transit technology forward, and making something that benefits everyone.

US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says that the working men and women making renovations to the depot, and

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Aesthetics

Review: The Devil Didn’t Raise You

PAGE 2

De’Andre Cook, Megan Prebeg, Fatima Cook, Perrell Williams, Keiona Cook, Aicheria Bell, Crystal Badio, Ken Cook, Adrianne Ferguson, and Alejandra Barajas.

Suluki Fardan

Keiona Cook: Fashion star rising North Minneapolis based fashion design house, Qe’Bella, hosted its 2nd Annual Fashion Show Saturday, September 17, 2011, at the Historic Capri Theater, in North Minneapolis.

The presentation of extraordinary garments created by head designer and

Wangari Maathai

Nobel Prize winner Wangari Maathai dies of cancer

PAGE 3

owner Keiona Cook provided a lively and inspiring evening of elegant fashion and supported community projects as well. A portion of proceeds of the event went to scholarship funding for young boys and girls to learn the art and fundamentals of sewing and surface embellishing at

Education

Klobuchar congratulates Principal Efe Agbamu

PAGE 4

Homewood studios, located in North Minneapolis, and also to support the Lupus Foundation and the Cervical Cancer Foundation.

QE’BELLA TURN TO 12

Farview Riverfront

Minneapolis Parks Board seeks input

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AESTHETICS Review: The Devil Didn’t Raise You

By Alaina L. Lewis Contributing Writer The feminine touch has finally come to a Minneapolis stage, and we have playwright Pamela Rollins to thank for meeting this need. For two nights only, her play aptly titled, “The Devil Didn’t Raise You” made its Twin Cities debut at the Capri Theater.

The play illustrates the struggle three sisters have to overcome a past filled with uncertainty after their mother dies from a drug related death. One sister finds herself mirroring her mother’s addiction by falling to drug abuse, another gets swept away in a dangerous relationship, while the last mimics their Christian aunt who takes them all in, and does her best to hold this family together. Tana Matthews plays Aunt Kay, a God fearing woman who works to remind these women that no matter what they’ve been through, they’re children of God, first.

In between prepping for the release of her Fall EP “Beautiful Dream,” Minneapolis artist, Chantel SinGs stars in this production as the character Sharon, a strong willed woman, who refuses to believe that the man she loves is the womanizer everyone says he is. “Anytime

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Courtesy of Pamela Rollins.

Standing (l-r): Brandon Trevon, Margeaux Davis, Niya McKnight, Lyrik LaSha, Katana Matthews, Corry Whitaker, Chantel SinGs, Conita Arnold, and Pamela Rollins (seated). you get to play a character it’s interesting, because you get to step outside of yourself and understand the plight of somebody else for that moment, that day or for however long you get to portray that person.” SinGs states. “I really got to challenge myself, and at the same time channel my own journey to bring her to life.”

Niya McKnight plays Angie, a

drug addict. “I’ve been through a lot of things in my life, so I was able to take from that and look at the situation that my character goes through, analyze it and step into her space.” McKnight shares “It’s amazing to be able to do that, and to also share this character. I’m honored to be in this production and performing this role because these are real

people with real stories deserving to be told.”

The production also stars Rollin’s son Cory Whitaker, soul singer Margeaux Davis, Lyrik Lasha, Conita Arnold as the memorable character La’Qwanda and many other talented artists from the Twin Cities.

Christian themed plays aren’t new to the theatrical

scene, however it is rare that we are fortunate to have a female playwright step up and script a production that cleverly captures the voice and internal struggle that a group of young women endure while trying to survive circumstances that are sometimes beyond their abilities. Often we get this need partially met through the efforts of male creatives

who can only mimic the female voice, whereas Rollin’s does an impeccable job driving these characters from fragile existences to admirable victories that all can identify with for its authenticity.

“I decided to write “The Devil Didn’t Raise You” because I wanted my audience to know

REVIEW TURN TO 8

Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane

Interview: Devon Franklin

CFO Adrianne Hamilton-Butler

By Alaina L. Lewis Contributing Writer

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

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.

From afar, one might say that the great and illustrious Hollywood, CA does little to project the image of Christ’s mission or allow for a safe haven for the believer.

There’s also been a received idea that African American’s have miniscule influence on production in the big movie houses, nor is our voice a benefactor to what goes into making a film. None of this is true. In fact, the film capital of the world is far more open to celebrating differences and allowing everyone to express their individual freedoms, moreso than one would ever think. In the book entitled “Produced By Faith: Enjoy Real Success Without Losing Your True Self,” written by an African American gentleman by the name of DeVon Franklin, you’ll easily discern that perception and stereotypes only hinder the mind and create infrangible walls for those on the outside looking in; being who you are and allowing others to see this is the springboard towards happiness and should be the launching pad for every career.

“Produced” charts Franklin’s journey— a career that began at Overbrook

never really did anything with them and then once my agent had set up the book to be published with Simon and

Entertainment, a Will Smith Company, and continued on to Columbia Pictures where one of his most recent films has been, Jumping The Broom a Christian romantic comedy starring Paula Patton, Laz Alonso, Angela Bassett and Loretta Devine. The book is laid out much like the journey that goes into making a film.

In doing so, Franklin is illustrating how our lives, as it is met with our faith, are like developing and executing a movie and we should treat it as delicate as the next motion picture masterpiece.

“A couple years ago I made some notes for a sermon I wanted to preach, and it was very similar to the lay out for this book,” Franklin recalls, “I’d put the notes down, and

Shuster, we were trying to figure out the right concept.

I remembered these notes I had that collated the faith journey

with the way a movie is made and that is what stimulated all the

FRANKLIN TURN TO 12

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Insight News • October 3 - October 9, 2011 • Page 3

Nobel Prize winner Wangari Maathai dies of cancer Sep. 27 (GIN) – With the death this week of celebrated Kenyan activist Wangari Maathai from ovarian cancer, the country’s dismal record on cancer care stands out in harsh relief.

Despite rising numbers of cancer cases over the past 10 years, the country has no program or budget line for addressing the disease, according to a policy brief prepared this year. New cures and other improvements in the developed world are “yet to be realized” in Kenya, wrote Dr. Alice Musibi, medical oncology

CCLRT From 1 building a new operation and maintenance facility, are an excellent example for building America’s next generation of transportation. “Many people in our country do not have the opportunity to work on a project like this,” he says. “These are American infrastructures, being built by Americans. What you are doing here today, is a model for America, right here! We all know that our friends and neighbors need jobs, and this is what it is all about.”

The Central Corridor Light Rail Line, one of the most

Wangari Maathai and President Obama

GIN

research officer of Kenya’s

heavily traveled transit corridors in the region, stretches 11-miles west from Union Depot Station.

Government officials expect that there will be more than 40,000 weekday commuters by the year 2030. The line wraps around the State Capitol, travels along University Avenue West, over Highway 280, through the University of Minnesota campus, and finally connects with the Hiawatha Light Rail Line in downtown Minneapolis.

Back in April, the Federal Transit Administrator, Peter Rogoff, authorized the $474 million Full Funding Grant Agreement to build the CCLRT. After a fire destroyed the original depot in 1915, federal funding was provided for Minnesotans to reconstruct the building. “The

famed medical research institute KEMRI in a report.

“Increasingly, younger Kenyans seem to be more affected by cancer, unlike in the past, when it was considered a disease of the old,” Musibi wrote.

“People think that cancer is a disease of the elderly, the rich, the north and the west, but by 2020, 70 per cent of all new cancer cases will be in the developing world,” said oncologist David Kerr in an interview with Reuters.

“If you take a country like Ghana - it has 25 million people and four oncologists,” Kerr said. “In Sierra Leone, there are none.” In Kenya, there are three medical oncologists, four radiation oncologists, two surgical oncologists, and two gynecologic oncologists for the whole population.

Cancer now numbers among the top 10 causes of mortality among Kenyans with cancer of the esophagus, prostrate and Kaposi’s sarcoma most common among men and cervical, breast

and esophageal cancer highest among women.

Currently, approximately 80,000 cases of cancer are diagnosed each year and eighteen thousand Kenyans die annually from cancer with only one public health facility providing radiotherapy services in the country, noted Dr. Ochiba M. Lukandu of the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation.

Chemotherapy is available but limited.

Wangari, who was 71 at her untimely passing, was the

first woman PhD in biological sciences in East Africa. She launched the Green Belt Movement to restore Kenya’s damaged ecosystem by planting trees dedicated to Kenya’s women leaders.

“Africa, particularly African women, has lost a champion, a leader, an activist,” wrote President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.

(She) was a mighty woman, “ wrote Kerry Kennedy of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice, “creative, fearless and full of love. We will miss her.”

and rural public schools across the country—including new science labs and Internet-ready classrooms. The bill prevents teacher layoffs and keeps emergency first responders, including firefighters and police officers, on the job. Wireless internet access will be expanded for first responders and access will be extended to most of Americans.

The American Jobs Act will put people back to work rehabilitating homes, businesses, and stabilizing communities. It improves reemployment services for the long-term unemployed and expands job opportunities for low-income youth and adults by investing in promising and proven strategies and programs, like summer jobs and sectorbased training programs.

Suluki Fardan

workers back on the job. Ellison argues that “now is the time to reinvest in America, to put people to work, and create safe transportation.”

President Obama hopes that the American Jobs Act will encourage entrepreneurial growth by completely eliminating payroll taxes for businesses that increase their payroll, either by adding new workers or increasing employee wages.

Additional tax credits are added if they hire unemployed veterans, more if they hire veterans with service-connected disabilities.

The American Jobs Act includes innovative, work-based reforms to prevent layoffs and to give states greater flexibility to use federal funds for connecting local job seekers to employers.

It builds on and improves state programs that make placements for temporary work, volunteering, or pursuing on-thejob training. The plan encourages innovative entrepreneurship and wage-insurance programs that empower states to help reemploy older workers and create programs that make it easier for unemployed workers to start their own businesses.

MN Governor Mark Dayton, a proven national leader in transportation, is energized by the American Jobs Act and hopes that Congress will be able to pass it. “I express my gratitude to President Obama because he is putting people to work here in Minnesota!” he says. “And we have a lot of ideas here [in easing traffic problems].”

Besides transportation projects, Obama calls for the modernizing of both urban

Union Depot was built ninety years ago and is now being renovated,” he says excitedly.

“These are projects that put people to work on something which improve the quality of life for all of us.”

US Representatives Keith Ellison (DFL-Minneapolis) and Betty McCollum (DFLSaint Paul) support President Barack Obama’s American Jobs Act, because it creates local construction projects like Union Depot Station. It is a comprehensive plan that helps job seekers, businesses, communities, and educators.

The act also makes significant investments in infrastructure to modernizing our roads, railways and airports, while putting hundreds of thousands of

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EDUCATION Klobuchar congratulates Efe Agbamu, Minnesota Principal of the Year

klobuchar.senate.gov

Klobuchar congratulates Efe Agbamu, former Principal of Park High School in Cottage Grove, Minnesota on winning the 2011 Minnesota Principal of the Year award.

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar met with Efe Agbamu, former principal of Park High School in Cottage Grove, to congratulate her for winning the 2011 Minnesota Principal of the Year award.

Originally from Nigeria, Agbamu moved to the United States in 1992. Before working at Park High School, Agbamu was principal of Highland Park High in St. Paul. Agbamu became principal of Park High School four years ago, where she introduced the challenging International Baccalaureate program. As a result of the program, the number

of students taking AP or honors courses has nearly doubled. She recently left Park High School to take charge of the English Language Learners department for St. Paul’s public schools.

Klobuchar meeting with recipient Agbamu said, “There is nothing more critical than providing our children with a competitive, worldclass education so they can be prepared for the jobs of tomorrow. Efe’s passion and dedication to her students make her an excellent choice for this award and we are proud to have

her represent Minnesota.”

The Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals, the professional educational association of over 1,310 active and retired secondary school administrators, awards the title of Principal of the Year to one High School and one Middle Level principal each year for a variety of criteria, including test scores, individual leadership and community engagement.

The recipient is then eligible to receive the National Principal of the Year award.

College access program adds Park Center and Bloomington Kennedy high schools Admission Possible, a nationally recognized non-profit founded in Minnesota making college admission and success possible for low-income students, has expanded into Bloomington and Brooklyn Park. Cohorts of juniors interested in earning a college degree are starting their journey toward higher education at both schools this fall. Historically, 98 percent of Admission Possible students have earned admission to college, and juniors have raised their ACT scores by more than 20 percent.

Founded in 2000 and based in St. Paul, Admission Possible served 35 students in its first year, partnering with public high schools in Minneapolis and St. Paul. The program has grown more than 200-fold in eleven years, adding school partners in the Columbia Heights, Robbinsdale, St. Louis Park and Anoka Hennepin Districts.

With the addition of Park Center High School and Bloomington Kennedy High School, Admission Possible is serving more than 1,500 students in 19

Admission Possible

Admission Possible students spend 320 hours in after school sessions over the course of two years. They work on studying for the ACT, filling out college applications and applying for scholarships. partner high schools in the Twin Cities this fall. To help these students succeed, 51 AmeriCorps members will commit more than 86,000 hours of service.

“We’re thrilled at the opportunity to serve lowincome students in the Osseo and Bloomington school districts,” said Sara Dziuk, Admission Possible Twin Cities executive director. “Their staff supports our mission and our

work wholeheartedly and we’re excited to build this partnership to ensure more students achieve college success.

Admission Possible will serve cohorts of 40 juniors at Park Center High School and Bloomington Kennedy High School, graduating its first classes of seniors from the program at both schools in 2013.

“We are thrilled that Admission Possible is coming

to Kennedy High School,” said Principal Andrew Beaton. “We are extremely excited about Admission Possible’s expansion to Park Center Senior High,” said Assistant Principal Bart Becker. Admission Possible’s results are remarkable and I am eager to see the positive impact this program will have on the lives of our students.”

Admission Possible students meet twice per week in afterschool sessions during their junior and senior years of high school. Coaches support students in small learning groups and one-on one, providing free ACT/ SAT test preparation, intensive guidance in preparing college applications, help in obtaining financial aid and guidance in the transition to college. After graduation, students receive support from college coaches renewing their FAFSA, getting connected to existing resources on campus, and searching for scholarships and internships.

The juniors in the program achieved a remarkable average ACT score increase of 23 percent last year.

Minnesota School of Science celebrates start of inaugural school year Minnesota School of Science celebrated the start of the first school year with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 16, 2011. The event shared the start of the new charter school with the community and general public.

Minnesota School of Science plans to be one of the top three charter schools in Minnesota in the next

three years. The support of the community, as well as local educational institutions and businesses is crucial to achieving this goal.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the school building, at 3350 N. 4th St, in Minneapolis.

To learn more about Minnesota School of Science, please visit www.mssonline.org.

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SROI From 1 delivers an SROI of six dollars.

Considering partner investment in this intersection and based upon job placements achieved to date, per participant costs have averaged just $5,019.11, but result in wages on an annual basis of $5,159,827. Simply put, this means that as a result of the programs and services MUL provides, participants have been placed in jobs which pay a livable wage that supports their own self-sufficiency; which increases the local tax base as well as local economic vibrancy.

With additional program dollars, we can help more of our constituents earn family-sustaining wages and receive comprehensive needsbased support from each of our programs.

How do we provide SROI? Building upon public funding, collaborative partnerships with industry, labor, foundations, educational institutions and stakeholders, our strategic Gateway to Opportunity service delivery model provides a framework for all of our programs. The four intersections which comprise our gateway are College Readiness/Career Development, Workforce Solutions, Health and Wellness and Wealth Accumulation.

We have scanned the environment and have responded to the changes dictated by community need and can offer integrated solutions that guarantee SROI in all of our programs. MUL programs are sculpted to remedy the interconnected barriers that can hinder access to and benefit from available opportunities. At the core of the MUL approach and its Gateway to Opportunity framework is “Family Strengthening.”

Barriers to self-sufficiency can range from training needs, transportation challenges, inadequate shelter, a lack of health care access, insufficient financial resources and financial challenges. The MUL, through its four intersections, provides root cause solutions for the entire family unit, rather than unsustainable band-aid approaches, thus resulting in a SROI of benefit to the individual and of value to our community. This new approach vastly strengthens our operations to build upon our legacy of service in this community which spans over 86 years.

How do we infuse SROI in our programming?

MUL infuses the seven core principles of SROI in its approach to implementing each intersection of its Gateway to Opportunity. Those core principles call on us to: Involve stakeholders – MUL has formed partnerships with labor unions, educational entities, the community and employers, and continues to build more each day.

Understand what changes – MUL continuously assesses changing stakeholder needs and requirements through best practice listening and learning methods, designing intentional programming to effectively respond to all needs.

Value the things that matter – MUL consciously identifies and balances financial, constituent and funder values when shaping its programs and services.

Only include what is material – MUL clearly articulates how its programs and services create change by using data, reviewing metrics, and monitoring trending results.

Avoid over-claiming – MUL comparisons relative to impact are based upon appropriate benchmarks, targets and performance standards.

Be transparent – MUL communicates performance trends to stakeholders which are accurate on an ongoing basis.

Investment for the Future of our Families, our Community We are in precarious times where focus and strategic programming is the best way to make a sustainable impact in the lives of our constituents, as well as to eradicate the disparities that plague the Twin Cities.

Workforce development is one area where an increased investment by our funding partners could make a significant impact, resulting in private benefit to constituents through continuous career progression, wage growth, and reinvestment back into our community. Greater investment in this area is of public value, as it would serve to significantly address the excessive unemployment rates amongst

Insight News • October 3 - October 9, 2011 • Page 5 people of color, which if not tackled, is certain to cause a decline in the future economic health of Minnesota.

Minnesota disparities in employment are well documented, as Daily Planet editors note: “Economists and demographers concur that addressing racial disparities

explicitly, and sooner, not later, is essential.” They note that as Minnesota’s predominantly white baby boomer generation retires, it will be replaced by a much more diverse workforce.

If that workforce does not have the required skills, the consequences to the state’s economy are likely to be dire.

According to the Minnesota Budget Project, “If we are going to build a state that will thrive in the coming decades, we need to take a look around to make sure everyone in the state is ready to contribute.

Challenges that people of color in the state confront include insufficient access to adequate

and appropriate job training, limited social connections of the kind vital to job hunters, especially during a recession, and prejudices during the hiring process.”

MUL is delivering during tough times, even with scant resources, and it stands ready and has the organizational

capacity to do more. We need more individual donors, corporate leaders, foundation committees, and community partners to meet MUL at the solutions table, so together we can proactively work to solve the vast human development challenges confronting our community.

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HEALTH We’re being “lynched”—And we don’t even know it Murua (Swahili for ‘Respect’)

By Dr. BraVada Garrett-Akinsanya, Ph.D., L.P. I recently attended a conference during which a speaker who addressed the issue of children and gang violence moved me. Soon after he began to speak, I thought about how gang culture is similar to many groups within our communities. I started to think about how gangs have a culture of their own, and that our Black children are often divided by the “colors” of their clothes rather than the “color” of their skin.

Just as I began to tell myself that our children must surely know that they are all

Black, my mind flashed back to an incident that I witnessed a few days previously when I saw two children who were accompanying their mother as she shopped. One little boy (rather light-skinned) said to the other, “Nigga, you’re too Black.” The other little boy (who by now had begun to cry) quickly turned around and socked him! Their mother intervened, but by then it was clear that the children had internalized a message that would impact them for life--a message that had been intentionally implanted in our culture over 300 years ago.

In the 1700s, a white man named Willie Lynch wrote several articles about how to “control” a slave. I recently read an excerpt from one of his speeches that focused on the strategies that southern slave owners should employ in order to make sure that they could keep Black people psychologically

disempowered so that they would not rise up against the oppressive system of slavery.

As a clinical psychologist, I sometimes use hypnosis to work with addictive behaviors or other disorders. In my training, I have learned that a great deal of what we hear is internalized into our belief system as truth. Consequently,

300 years later. He related the following: “ I have outlined a number of differences among the slaves; and I take these differences and make them bigger. There is intelligence, size, sex, size of plantation, status of plantation, attitude of owner, whether the slave lives in the valley, on a hill, East, West, North or South...”

by saying: “You must also have your white servants and overseers distrust all niggers but it is necessary that your slaves trust and depend on us. They must Love, Respect, and Trust only us.”

So, now I think about the fact that not only is our community separated by gangs, we are separated

“We have to stop and think about how difficult we make it for ourselves by holding on to resentments against each other, rather than moving forward together. ” if one hears a particular message long enough, the message becomes reality.

So, if I tell you often enough that you’re a duck—sooner or later, you’ll start to quack!

The message that Willie Lynch conveyed was to “make sure that Black people learn that they can not trust each other.”

In his speech, Willie Lynch wrote: “Rome used cords of wood as crosses for standing human bodies along its old highway in great numbers, you are here using the tree and rope on occasion.... You are not only losing valuable stock by hanging, you are having uprisings, slaves are running away, your crops are sometimes left in the field too long for maximum profit, and you suffer occasional fires.”

He later wrote: “I have a foolproof method for controlling your Nigger slaves. I guarantee everyone of you that if installed correctly, it will control the slaves for at least 300 years.”

Specifically, Lynch stated that he capitalized on difference so as to create a rift between African-Americans.

We continue to implement this practice of letting ourselves be divided—and it is at least

Lynch later described the fact that he would suggest that white people “use fear, distrust, and envy for control purposes.” Finally, he told slave owners that they “must pitch the old nigger slave versus the young nigger slave, and the young nigger slave against the old nigger slave... use the light skin slaves versus the dark skin slaves and the dark skin slaves versus the light skin slaves.”

He concluded his message

by many other sub-group cultures.

Financial status, church affiliations, fraternity/ sorority groups, and even geography separate us. For example, there is even some belief that African-Americans on the North side differ from those who live on the south side. And practically everybody “knows” that the culture of folks living in Minneapolis is different from the culture of folks who live in St. Paul!

While a recognition and celebration of the diversity within our group is critical to our success as a people, we must thwart the temptation to buy into the notion that because two groups are “different,” one group is “better” than the other is.

Somehow our ethnocentric pride has been translated into systemic “put-downs” of others. Psychologically, we tend to perpetuate the same individualistic “divide and conquer” mentality that was originally meant to keep us fighting among ourselves --so that we do not collectively fight the “real” enemy.

For Black folks, our “real” enemies are racism, and oppressive systems that force us to use them because we believe we have no other alternatives.

Our “real” enemies are ignorance of the laws that protect us, limited access to opportunities and the pervasive lack of economic equality. Our “real” enemies are those internalized messages that say that when “white” people say we’re

HEALTH TURN TO 12

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Insight News • October 3 - October 9, 2011 • Page 7

Minneapolis Parks Board seeks public input

By Lydia Schwartz Contributing Writer September 21—The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board unanimously passed a resolution to conduct a 45-day public comment period, before making further decisions on the largest riverfront planning project in the country. Later this year, the board will debate which priority projects to pursue in the MR|DI (The Minneapolis Riverfront | Development Initiative).

The design team of MR|DI, RiverFIRST, envisions a 21stcentury and ecologically-friendly Mississippi River landscape.

Project officials say they have received support from the St. Paul Parks & Recreation Department, which is undergoing its own Great River Project. They take care to maintain an urban scale, and work within the existing topography of the river. As a skeletal system that can be altered by public input,

the designers can utilize owneroccupied and mixed-use spaces to better incorporate houses, agriculture, and ecological businesses in the same space. By allowing for development to grow over time, business properties can remain where they are and benefit from community improvements.

Since the Minneapolis Riverfront Design competition one year ago, there has been a tremendous outpouring of support for MR|DI and it has become cumulative publicprivate collaboration. For many, Minneapolis parks are the brand of the city, and this initiative forwards it.

Minneapolis Parks Commissioner-at-Large, President John Erwin, says that he supports anything that brings the city to the river, and provides better transit access throughout the city. “Recently, there has been a wonderful momentum of development on the river,” he says, “and it started with this project…

This is the biggest undertaking by

the board since creating the Chain of Lakes [in 1911].”

Farview Extension and landbridge RiverFIRST principals say that as they work on creating multiple connections across the city, the Farview Extension ‘landbridge’ over Interstate-94 between North 26th and 28th Streets, remains a fundamental foundation of connectivity and a centerpiece civic gesture. Officials agree that Minneapolis’ Northside lacks access to the rest of the city, and everyone else lacks access to the area because I-94 and the Mississippi River are often

FARVIEW TURN TO 8

Farview Uphill (proposed)

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Page 8 • October 3 - October 9, 2011 • Insight News

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Good jobs for Minnesotans can be found Minnesotans calling for the creation of good jobs highlighted work that needs doing as an immediate source of employment at the 10th Avenue SE Bridge unfurled a fifteen by twenty foot banner that read “Fix this! Put America back to work.”

The group, Minnesotans for a Fair Economy called for local politicians to look at the state’s structurally insufficient bridges, instead of more tax cuts for corporations, as a way to create jobs.

“In my neighborhood of North Minneapolis the real unemployment rate is well above 20%,” said Anthony Newby a north Minneapolis neighborhood activist. “These are depression area numbers

and we need solutions fast. Let’s make sure the President’s jobs bill gets funded, and in a way that ensures the contracts will be distributed in a fair and equitable way. It’s time to put Americans back to work!”

A report from Transportation for America found 1,149 of Minnesota’s bridges, 8.8% of bridges in the state, are structurally deficient. Sibley, Mower, and Pipestone counties have the worst bridges, with more than a quarter of Sibley County’s bridges deemed unsound. On average, more than 83,000 Minnesotans use these unsound bridges daily.

“Here in Minnesota, we have more than a thousand bridges badly in need of repair and 7.2 percent unemployment,” said

Farview

Much of the MR|DI’s designs for Farview Park were built on the Hawthorne Area Community Council’s plans for the North 26th Avenue Greenway, the ‘Above the Falls’ study in 2000, and the natural down-flow to the river in order to bring access and public amenities to the Northside.

RiverFIRST’s template is intended to grow from investments into the short-term implementations of the 26th St Greenway. One of MR|DI’s Principals, Sheila

From 7 difficult to bridge. Farview’s major park extension, which features urban agriculture, improved connectivity, and a seasonal bio-filtration storm water corridor at North 27th Street, reconnects a natural high point of North Minneapolis with the Mississippi River.

mnfaireconomy.org

Kennedy, of Kennedy and Violich Architecture in Boston, Massachusetts, believes the public can easily become energized in creating environmentallyfriendly technology in and for the Mississippi. “Farview Park is a historical high point that stretches west to Wirth Park,” she says. “Within this green infill, we’re trying to create a safe, comprehensive storm-water filtration system...If we can get people on the river and get them to experience current conditions, hopefully we will see a cadre of citizen conservationists emerge.”

Officials admit that it is a lot of land to work with, and a large portion of the overall MR|DI project. The park will

be challenging in terms of time and money because it requires getting permission to deck a federal highway. The longterm, MR|DI plan will require significant public funding and a lengthy design, adapt, and approval process. Commissioner Jon Olson (District 2), who represents Farview Park on the Minneapolis Board, is excited about conducting renovations along the river, but remains skeptical that the land bridge will be able to integrate the Northside into the rest of the city. “I just don’t know that it’s going to be enough.”

For more information, visit www. MinneapolisRiverfront DevelopmentInitiative.com.

Review From 2 that whatever the circumstance you are handed in life, whether it be losing a parent, growing up in a drug infested area or not having financial stability, you don’t have to turn to things that mean you no good.” Rollins told Insight Newspaper, “You

Kevin Whelan of Minnesotans for a Fair Economy. “It’s time to start investing in our state to put Minnesotans back to work updating our crumbling bridges and roads. Instead of giving away billions in tax breaks to Wells Fargo, we could spend that money creating jobs and rebuilding America.”

The action at the 10th Avenue Bridge was one of more than a dozen that day across the country in support of President Obama’s jobs plan, which will invest $50 billion nationwide in projects to modernize bridges, roads, and transit systems. The plan would give Minnesota more than $608 million and create approximately 7900 local jobs for infrastructure repair. can rise above any situation, you can overcome anything if you just have faith in God. I want people to know that God is real and He can and will see them through.”

“The Devil Didn’t Raise You” closed September 24th to a packed house, but this isn’t the last time you’ll hear of Rollins or this production, she’s hoping to take it on the road in the near future. Be on the lookout.

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Insight News • October 3 - October 9, 2011 • Page 9

COMMENTARY Obama finally gets his groove back News Analysis

By George E. Curry Facing the worst polling numbers of his administration, an increasingly alienated Democratic base and rigidly uncooperative Republicans, President Obama has junked his Compromiser-in-Chief approach and started calling out members of the GOP who oppose adopting programs that will help revive the economy.

Stella isn’t the only one who got her groove back. President Obama has recaptured his 2008 presidential campaign mode and it comes not a minute too soon.

Obama assumed office determined to usher in an era of civility and bipartisan cooperation in Washington. He accomplished neither. House Speaker John Boehner, who once signaled that he welcomed a working relationship with the president, quickly became captive of the Tea Party, a small, energized group that pushed Republican leaders to the right of Democratic and Republican voters.

When the President and Boehner were close to reaching a major budget compromise earlier this year, the Republican House leader walked out of the talks.

When Obama attempted to reach him by telephone, Boehner twice refused to take his calls. And when President Obama requested to speak to a joint session of Congress on his new job proposals, Boehner broke precedence and rejected the request because it conflicted with one of 20 scheduled Republican presidential debates.

At every turn, Republicans worked to block Obama’s initiatives, even if that meant opposing some programs they had previously supported. Meanwhile, many of the president’s defenders

were boxed into a corner.

One of them, Al Sharpton, claimed that Obama was executing the political equivalent of Muhammad Ali’s rope-a-dope, languishing on the ropes until his opponents tire themselves out before scoring an eventual victory. But Barack Obama is not Muhammad Ali. John Boehner is no George Foreman. And instead of the “Rumble in the Jungle,” this was the Rumble in D.C., where the stakes are much higher.

For the first time, President Obama proved that he can trade punches with Boehner.

Obama set up Boehner in his jobs address to Congress on Sept.

8. He said, “…There’s a bridge that needs repair between Ohio and Kentucky that’s on one of the busiest trucking routes in North America.” Senate Minority Leader Mitchell McConnell is a Kentucky Republican and Boehner is from Ohio.

In his speech on Sept. 19, President Obama went for the knockout blow.

“Speaker of the House John Boehner gave a speech about the economy,” Obama said. “And to his credit, he made the point that we can’t afford the kind of politics that says it’s ‘my way or the highway.’

I was encouraged by that. Here’s the problem: In that same speech, he also came out against any plan to cut the deficit that includes any additional revenues whatsoever.

He said – I’m quoting him – there is ‘only one option.’ And that option and only option relies entirely on cuts… So the Speaker says we can’t have it ‘my way or the highway,’ and then basically says, my way – or the highway.

That’s not smart. It’s not right.”

Obama smartly reached out to his base, contrasting his approach to that offered by GOP leaders.

“Now, we’re already hearing the usual defenders of these kind of loopholes saying this is just ‘class warfare.’ I reject the idea that asking a hedge fund manager to pay the same tax rate as a plumber or a teacher is class warfare. I think it’s

just the right thing to do,” he said.

“I believe the American middle class, who’ve been pressured relentlessly for decades believe it’s time that they were fought for as hard as the lobbyists and some lawmakers have fought to protect special treatment for billionaires and big corporations.”

Most politicians give a nod to middle-class workers, usually with an eye on the next election.

Obama is no exception. But in his Rose Garden speech Monday, the president mentioned the “poor” four times. That’s significant, considering 46.2 million people are now living below the official poverty line, the highest rate in the 52 years the Census Bureau has been collecting such data.

A segment of Obama’s political base was deeply disappointed over his decision to direct the Environmental Protection Agency to withdraw a plan to cut smog levels. He reached out to his disappointed base in his speech to Congress.

“But what we can’t do – what I will not do – is let this economic crisis be used as an excuse to wipe out the basic protections that Americans have counted on for decades,” he stated. “I reject the idea that we need to ask people to choose between their jobs and their safety. I reject the argument that says for the economy to grow, we have to roll back protections that ban hidden fees by credit card companies, or rules that keep our kids from being exposed to mercury, or laws that prevent the health insurance industry from shortchanging patients. I reject the idea that we have to strip away collective bargaining rights to compete in a global economy. We shouldn’t be in a race to the bottom, where we try to offer the cheapest labor and the worst pollution standards. America should be in a race to the top. And I believe we can win that race.”

In reaching out to Republicans, Obama had hoped to win over important independent voters.

But his standing in the polls

declined with that bloc as well.

Like all voters, independents look to leaders who will fight for their programs.

In his Rose Garden speech, Obama adopted a stronger posture than he had assumed in the past.

He said, “I will not support – I will not support – any plan that puts all the burden for closing our deficit on ordinary Americans.

And I will veto any bill that changes benefits for those who rely on Medicare but does not raise serious revenues by asking the wealthiest Americans or biggest corporations to pay their fair share. We are not going to have a one-sided deal that hurts the folks who are most vulnerable.”

Now President Obama is sounding more and more like

candidate Barack Obama. That’s how he got his groove back.

George E. Curry, former editor-inchief of Emerge magazine and the NNPA News Service, is a keynote speaker, moderator, and media coach. He can be reached through his Web site, www.georgecurry. com. You can also follow him at www.twitter.com/currygeorge.

Page 10 • October 3 - October 9, 2011 • Insight News

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BUSINESS Compensation is a delicate science Plan Your Career

By Julie Desmond julie@insightnews.com This topic just keeps coming up. Only three days into his new position, Ricky sent me the only email that makes me crazy. He wrote, “I just want to be sure I got the vacation I was promised when I took this position. A lot of people here have less vacation than I asked

CBC From 1 He lifted his fist, roused the crowd, and exhorted us to keep fighting injustice. He is an amazing example of a civil rights warrior, and he deserves every honor that is bestowed on him.

That may have been the highest point but, from my perspective, the legislative conference contained many highs. There were more than one hundred brain trusts, panels, or other gatherings both at the convention center and in nearby places, as several organizations also use the legislative conference week as a time to organize their own meetings. The White House HBCU initiative, for example, held its conference on the Monday and Tuesday before the CBC legislative conference. With everything that is going on, the ALC is a cross between a policy conference, a family reunion, with a few evening parties thrown in for good measure.

Somehow the majority press gets away with focusing only on the party aspect of the gathering. The Washington Post printed a piece that talked about the ingredients for a successful CBC party. Ho, hum. Why not a piece about the ingredients for a successful brain trust? Why not some reporting on the range of issues addressed. There were panels on the environment, the foster care system, education, wealth, business development, criminal justice, global affairs and more.

A highlight for me was visiting with students from four elementary and high schools that were organized by Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX). Our panel’s task was to encourage them to consider careers in math and science. With a NASA astronaut, a math educator, an engineer, and this economist on the panel, the students got lots of reinforcement to consider untraditional careers.

It was great to see young people gathered and open to learning.

Too, Congressman Elijah Cummings always puts together a panel on youth, which is attended by young people from his congressional district in Baltimore. This year, Cora

for.”

The only way to know how much vacation time your co-workers have is to ask them. Discussing vacations and salaries is a lose-lose conversation.

I’ve written about this before, and yet the topic comes up so regularly and so predictably that it seems people might appreciate being reminded: When a conversation between co-workers involves compensation, someone will always walk away mad.

Example one: you find out your co-worker, doing the same job, makes more money than you do. You immediately feel slighted. Did you think to

ask said co-worker how much education he or she has? How many years of experience?

How much of that experience was in the industry you’re working in now?

Example two: you learn that you earn considerably more than your co-worker and have more vacation time, too.

Now what? Do you go back to your supervisor and offer to return the extra time and money? Your co-worker does not know that you had far more vacation in your last job and that your experience is highly valued in this company. Your co-worker might not realize that your software experience

Masters Barry moderated the panel and brought her young people from D.C.’s Southeast Tennis and learning center.

Four Bennett students, and hundreds of college students from other campuses, were in attendance. While the cynical may say that the CBC conference is the “same old, same old”, it is interesting to view the ALC through the fresh eyes of our young people who are so eager to learn and to make a difference.

Women’s issues were well represented. Melanie Campbell convened the Black Women’s Roundtable with an overflow crowd. Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-CA) convened the International Black Women’s Policy Forum to explore the issue of health disparities.

Tony Brown once said that if the ALC were cancelled for just one year, that money could be used to fund significant initiatives in Black America. He may be right. At the same time, I’d like to challenge the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation to document some of the outcomes of the ALC, which might include legislation inspired, business deals closed, scholarships funded, students exposed. If the accomplishments were clearly documented, perhaps the mainstream press would talk purpose, not party, when they reference next year’s ALC. Julianne Malveaux is President of Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, NC.

or your ability to make client calls supersedes theirs by a mile. All they know is you are unfairly overcompensated, they’re being ripped off and lunch breaks are no fun anymore.

Compensation is a delicate science. Most companies, and specifically large companies, place a high value on equity in the workplace. Many are bound by government contracts or shareholder agreements to

play and pay fair. Therefore, they pay analysts a good salary (a fair salary) to look at every factor related to what you might be worth to the organization. Do you have industry knowledge gained by working for a competitor?

Are you especially talented in an area where finding skilled workers has been tough? Are we asking you to leave a better salary or longer vacation time to come work here?

When you accepted your position, you agreed to work in exchange for a stated pay rate. If you want to make more money, you will not get it out of conversations with your colleagues. You have to earn it. Now get back to work.

Julie Desmond is a recruiter for a Fortune 500 company in Minneapolis. Write to Julie@ insightnews.com.

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Insight News • October 3 - October 9, 2011 • Page 11

North Minneapolis Neighborhood beat...

By Ivan Phifer, Staff Writer Shingle Creek The Shingle Creek Neighborhood Association (SCNA) will hold a board meeting 6:30-8pm Tuesday, October 11.

Residents discuss activities, projects and events in the neighborhood. All meetings are free and open to the public.

For more information, Amy Luesebrick 763 561-1616 or scan@stribmail.com Camden North United Methodist Church (NUMC) has a Church Clothes Closet 9am-Noon the first Saturday of each month and 6-8 p.m. the first Monday of each month at 4350 Fremont Av. N. Donations are accepted. For further information: 612-522-4497.

Jordan The Jordan Area Community Council (JACC) will hold an annual board meeting 6:30-8pm Thursday, October 20 at Parkway United Church 3120 Washburn Av. N. For more information: Lynn Riskedal 612 886-4539 or info@ jordanmpls.org North High Community Forum The North High Community Advising Group will hold a community forum 6:30-8pm on Tuesday, October 4 at 1500 James Av. N in the North High School auditorium. The North High Community Advising Group invites the community to give feedback on the proposal for the North High vision in 2012 and beyond. For more information: Rachel Hicks 612 6680227 or Rachel.Hicks@mpls.k12.mn.us

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

Strive for Five Reading Challenge Now thru Nov 5 Kids 12 and under read five books for a chance to win gift cards for books and other fun prizes! Entries due by noon on Nov. 5. Visit http://ywreads.

DISTRICT COURT FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT FAMILY COURT DIVISION Court File No. : 27 FA 11 4907

In Re the Marriage of Faduma A. Ibrahim, Petitioner and Esse Alasow Hussein, Respondent

SUMMONS

UMN Eating Behavior Study Wanted: non-pregnant females, 1865, who are normal, healthy weight. Must qualify for a food assistance program (food stamps, WIC).

Study takes 1 hour and you will be PAID. Call (612)5787093.

THE STATE OF MINNESOTA TO THE ABOVE-NAMED RESPONDENT. WARNING: YOUR SPOUSE, FADUMA A. IBRAHIM HAS FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST YOU FOR DISSOLUTION OF YOUR MARRIAGE. A COPY OF THE PAPERWORK REGARDING THE LAWSUIT IS SERVED ON YOU WITH THIS SUMMONS. THIS SUMMONS IS AN OFFICIAL DOCUMENT FROM THE COURT THAT AFFECTS YOUR RIGHTS. READ THIS SUMMONS CAREFULLY. IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND IT, CONTACT AN ATTORNEY FOR LEGAL ADVICE.

INH Property Management manages section 8 projects in the following cities in Minnesota.

1.

The Petitioner, Faduma A. Ibrahim, has filed a lawsuit against you asking you for dissolution of your marriage (divorce). A copy of the petition for Dissolution of Marriage is attached to this summons.

Anoka Bridge Square 763-421-6772

2.

You must serve upon Petitioner and file with the court a written Answer to the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, and you must pay the required filing fee. Answer forms are available from the Court Administrator’s Office. You must serve your answer upon Petitioner within thirty (30) days of the date you were served with this summons, not counting the day of service.

If you do not serve and file your Answer, the Court may give your spouse everything he is asking for in the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage.

Brainerd Mississippi Terrace 218-829-0274

This proceeding does not involve real property.

Glenwood Glenview 320-634-3188

NOTICE OF TEMPORARY RESTRAINING PROVISIONS UNDER MINNESOTA LAW, SERVICE OF THIS SUMMONS MAKES THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS APPLY TO BOTH PARTIES TO THIS ACTION, UNLESS THEY ARE MODIFIED BY THE COURT OR THE PROCEEDING IS DISMISSED: (1) NEITHER PARTY MAY DISPOSE OF ANY ASSETS EXCEPT: (i) FOR THE NECESSITIES OF LIFE OR FOR THE NECESSARY GENERATION OF INCOME OR PRESERVING ASSETS, (ii)

BY AN AGREEMENT IN WRITING, OR (iii) FOR RETAINING COUNSEL TO CARRY ON OR TO CONTEST THIS PROCEEDING (2) NEITHER PARTY MAY HARASS THE OTHER PARTY; AND (3) ALL CURRENTLY AVAILABLE INSURANCE COVERAGE MUST BE MAINTAINED AND CONTINUED WITHOUT CHANGE IN COVERAGE OR BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION. (4) PARTIES TO A LEGAL SEPARATION PROCEEDING ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEMPT ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION PURSUANT TO MINNESOTA LAW. ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION INCLUDES, MEDIATION, ARBITRATION, AND OTHER PROCESS AS SET FORTH IN THE DISTRICT COURT RULES. YOU MAY CONTACT THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR ABOUT RESOURCES IN YOUR AREA. IF YOU CANNOT PAY FOR MEDIATION OR ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION, IN SOME COUNTIES ASSISTANCE MAY BE AVAILABLE TO YOU THROUGH A NON-PROFIT PROVIDER A COURT PROGRAM. IF YOU ARE A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC ABUSE OR THREATS OF ABUSE AS DEFINED IN MINNESOTA STATUTES CHAPTER 510B, YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO TRY MEDIATION AND YOU WILL NOT BE PENALIZED BY THE COURT IN LATER PROCEEDINGS. IF YOU VIOLATE ANY OF THESE PROVISIONS, YOU WILL BE SUBJECT TO SANCTIONS BY THE COURT. Dated: September 19, 2011 __________________________________ Signed by Petitioner: Faduma A. Ibrahim 11275 Westwind Dr., #E Eden Prairie, MN 55344

Open House The Urban Research Outreach and Engagement Center will host an open house for the Bottineau Transitway Segment D2 5-8pm Thursday October 6 at 2100 Plymouth Av. N. This open

PHONE: 612.588.1313

Events

LEGAL NOTICE STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF HENNEPIN

Weight loss classes Weight loss classes for Black men take place every Friday from 6:30-8:30pm at Kwanzaa Church 2200 Emerson Av. N. The class is a 12-week course for Black men who live with obesity, type II diabetes, high blood pressure and hypertension. The cost ranges from $100 to $300 depending on training materials. Space is limited to the first 10 qualified participants. For more information: Kwasi Nate Russell 612 359-0077 or Kwasinate.russell009@ gmail.com

RENTALS

Eden Valley Hillside 320-453-5968

Hawley Northside Terrace 218-483-4524 Hutchinson Clinton House 320-587-5450 Isle Isle View 320-676-8624 Onamia Oakwood 320-532-4321 Pierz Kamic Lane 320-468-2581 Residents must meet income guidelines and the rent they pay will be 30% of their monthly income.

INH Property Management is an equal opportunity housing company.

house will focus specifically on the updated LRT alignment options under consideration for Penn and Oliver Avenues between West Broadway Avenue and Olson Highway in Minneapolis. These alignments could affect a range of streets in the area between Queen and Oliver Avenues.

For more information: Brent Rusco Bottineau Transit Study Manager 612 543-05679.

West Broadway Business and Area Coalition The West Broadway Business and Area Coalition (WBC) will hold a Membership and Business Breakfast 8-9:30am Tuesday, October 11 at Farview Park 601 29th Av. N. There will be a presentation by Hennepin County on the Bottineau Transitway,

FAX: 612.588.2031

disorder. There will be prizes for the most donations raised, as well as door prizes for the participants. Those that bring in a $25 donation will receive a t-shirt. Those that bring in a $50 donation will receive a t-shirt and a reusable water bottle. Registration is free until the end of July ($5 fee after that): http://www.active.com/running/ st-paul-mn/change-your-pace-5kwalkskip-2011 Please check our pages for more information: http://www.joyproject.org

North High Community Forum Oct 4 Come hear about and give feedback on the proposal that the North High Advisory group, made up of Northside community members, has put together regarding the vision for North High 2012 forward. North High School Auditorium - 1500 James Ave. N., Mpls. Enter at door #18 off of Irving.

Broadway Urban Theater for Youth at Capri Theater - Oct 5-Dec 15 Free after school urban theater program for high school students in N. Mpls. This program is presented in partnership with PYC Arts & Tech High School & Children’s Theatre Company. The program is from 3:305:30pm, Tues. and Thurs., from Oct. 5 to Dec. 15 at the Capri Theater.

This is an after-school program through Minneapolis Public Schools.

Students can earn fine art credit! For more information and to register visit thecapritheater.org/buty.html, or contact Kathleen Butts at kbutts@ pcyc-mpls.org or call 612-643-2025.

17th Annual Artability Art Show & Sale – Oct 6-8 The 17th annual Artability Art Show & Sale celebrating the creativity and contributions of artists who live with mental illness will be held on October 6-8 in conjunction with the St. Paul Art Crawl also held that weekend, located at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer (near the SW corner of Highway 94 and Dale), 285 N. Dale Street, St. Paul. The event includes more than 250 paintings, drawings, sculpture, photography, and writing from artists from around the Minnesota region. The three-day event is free and open to the public.

An opening reception will be held on Thursday, Oct. 6, at 7:00 p.m.

Opening times for the exhibit will be: Thurs., Oct. 6 – 6:00-9:00 p.m.; Fri., Oct. 7 – 2:00-8:00 p.m.; and Sat., Oct. 8 – 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Learn more at www.PeopleIncorporated.org

Harrison The Harrison Neighborhood Association Board of Directors meeting takes place 7-8pn Monday, October 10. The next HNA housing committee meeting is 6:30-7:30pm Thursday, October 11. The crime and safety committee meeting is 6:30-8pm Thursday, October 20 at the Harrison Neighborhood Association Office 501 Irving Ave N. For more information: Larry Hiscock 612 374-4849 or info@ hnampls.org

EMAIL: andrew@insightnews.com

eventbrite.com for your entry form! @ YWCA St. Paul 375 Selby Ave., St. Paul.

Job Transition Services workshop Oct 4&6 9am–3:30 pm., Employment Action Center Office, Lenox Community Center, 6715 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN. Sponsor: Women In Transition. Fee: Sliding fee scale. The workshop will help you chart your career path, navigate obstacles and land the job. For more information call 612-752-8444.

the Northside Light Rail Transit Project. The County will be addressing the potential alignments, opportunities, and impacts in the community. For more information and to RSVP erin@ westbroadway.org or 612-310-3715.

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Lady Tramaine Hawkins

“Executing Your Power” Women’s Conference 2011 - Oct. 6 Conference Host and Speaker: First Lady Sabrina R. Williams & Featured Speakers: Pastor Kimberly Ray-Church on the Rock, Min. Teresa HairstonCEO Gospel Today Magazine, Rev. Cordelia Wallace-Agape Cathedral, Pastor Roberta Morrison-Living in His Presence Church & Guest Psalmist Grammy Award Recipient, Lady Tramaine Hawkins! Thur. & Fri. 7pm - FREE. Mighty Fortress International Church - 6400 85th Ave. N. Brooklyn Park. For more information please call 763-515-4800 or visit: www. dokinternational.webs.com

Ghetto Physics Screening - Oct 6 An eye-opening looks at the power relationships that permeate American society from the toughest street corners to Wall Street, from classrooms to boardrooms. Utilizing documentary footage, animation, satire and dramatization to illustrate examples culled from the real world the film exposes the same power dynamics that have persisted for centuries through various lenses.

Thur., Oct. 6 - 9:30pm. St. Anthony Main Theatre Complex - 115 Main St. SE Mpls. $10. Parking is free, please contact Matthew @ 612-281-5939 for more info and parking passes.

Joy Project 5k Run/Walk - Oct 8 The Joy Project, a grassroots, nonprofit, eating disorder organization is hosting its 2nd annual 5k walk/run at Como Lake on Oct. 8. The walk is being held to raise support for those suffering with eating disorders, those that have survived eating disorders, or have died as the result of an eating

African Awards Gala 2011 - Oct 8 Presented by Mshale Newspaper, recognizing outstanding African individuals, groups or businesses that have made an impact in the African immigrant community and the community at large. Sat. Oct. 8 4pm. @ Circus Juventas 1270 Montreal Ave St Paul. See africanawards.com for more info.

Toast of the Town - Oct 8 A day of seriously fun challenges held at Mall of America Rotunda from 10am-2pm on Sat., Oct 8. Three student groups compete to see who can raise the most for much needed scholarships. Join us and show off your dance moves with Xbox Kinect, create a tape sculpture and build a miniature hovercraft.

Donation requested. www.normandaletoastofthetown.com Contact Maureen Peterson 952-3588144 Bookmobile Visits YWCA St. Paul – Oct 10 Check out great books, sign up for a library card and get your picture taken with the Cat in the Hat. For more information, visit http://ywreads. eventbrite.com. @ YWCA St. Paul 375 Selby Ave., St. Paul.

Usborne Book Fair – Oct 8-11 The Usborne Book Fair offers great books for children of all ages. Proceeds to support literacy programs at YWCA St. Paul. Learn more at http://ywreads. eventbrite.com. @ YWCA St. Paul 375 Selby Ave., St. Paul.

9th Annual Candlelight Vigil - Oct 11 Each year at this time, we pause to remember the lives of thousands of women and girls who die each year at the hands of pimps and abusers.

Join us as we celebrate and honor those women whose lives have been taken through sexual exploitation and human trafficking. Meet at 770 University Ave. St. Paul, MN 55104 5:30pm.

Page 12 • October 3 - October 9, 2011 • Insight News

Franklin

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Production chair at Columbia Pictures,. When working on one of a Hollywood’s most notable productions, The New Karate Kid, with Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan, choosing not to work on the Sabbath didn’t cost him his job, rather it helped to set him apart from the masses, and open a world of eyes to the abundance that can come from staying true

and walking a journey through Christ.

“People will ask you all the time, ‘Do you have to practice the Sabbath, can you make any exceptions? Could you do it this once?’ My response is always ‘No’,” he shares, “If you compromise your faith once, it’s a slippery slope.

People will say, ‘If you did it this once, then obviously you

can do it again.’ Then your faith becomes subjective. You can do it when you want, and you can do it when you don’t want to. We live in a world where people are afraid to stand up for what they believe about anything that may be potentially controversial or potentially met with some negativity. But I think when you do stand, and you do have

conviction, and you let people know you’re not willing to compromise on this particular belief, I think people will respect you, even if they don’t agree with it.”

“Produced” is a book rich in Christ, knowledge, love, and direction. It includes several anecdotes about Franklin’s life growing up, his experience in the film industry and working

with individuals like Tracey Edmonds, Glendon Palmer, and Will Smith to name a few.

Whether you’re a believer of a higher power or not, this written journey has something to offer every soul that can stand to learn a thing or two about the importance of not compromising who you are while on the road to success.

good, then what other Black folks think does not matter.

Our “real” enemies are the parts of us that continue to believe that we are helpless and dependent on other groups or systems to meet our needs rather than creating our own systems that support the wellness of our people and the core of our cultural beliefs.

Our real enemies include apathy and a lack of involvement in the political system. We “throw away” our votes on candidates that do not

represent values that support MOST of us because we see only our “individual” and not our community or group needs.

Some of us forget that not 50 years ago, people were raped, beaten and even killed on their way to the voting booths. And if they did make it there, they had to pay a poll tax so high, they would have to decide whether buying food was more important than their voting rights. And now some of us don’t even vote, or register to vote for that matter.

This level of apathy represents a sad legacy to our children, and a shameful affront to our forefathers and mothers!

We have to stop and think about how difficult we make it for ourselves by holding on to resentments against each other, rather than moving forward together. We have to stop and think about where we have power NOW. A huge election is about to take place, we have to think about the greater good for all of us, and exercise our right and privileges to vote.

No matter how one votes, we all need to think about how our individual participation in this election will impact the collective power of our communities.

Involvement should not be an option. Yet, despite these words, many of us will continue to stay home

because personally, we don’t care. And despite my words some of us will continue to perpetuate a spirit of racial divisiveness—because we’ve been “Lynched” and we don’t even know it.

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.

Garrett-Akinsanya 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. GarrettAkinsanya by emailing her at: bravadaakinsanya@hotmail. com or by telephone at 763522-0100 or 612-302-3140.

Fatima Cook

Adrianne Ferguson

Alejandra Barajas

in the fashion industry who is committed to building a business and cultural base in the community. Cook earned a B.F.A. in Fashion Design at the prestigious Savannah College of Art and Design, in Savannah, GA. She is an active member of

the Northside Arts Collective and the Willard Homewood Organization (WHO), and serves as mentor to young teens and college students interested in studying fashion design.

For further information: www.qebella.com

From 2 creative thought for the book.”

As a 7 th Day Adventist and a minister, never has Franklin’s belief system, faith practice, nor his race, ever hampered his ascent to the Vice President of

Health From 6

Qe’Bella From 1 Cook, a graduate of North High School, is a rising star

Photos: Suluki Fardan

BraVada Garrett-Akinsanya, Ph.D., L.P. is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who serves as the President of Brakins Consulting and