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Insight News October 30 - November 5, 2017

Vol. 44 No. 44• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

We Endorse Melvin Carter TURN TO PAGE 2

Uchechukwu Iroegbu

Page 2 •October 30 -November 5, 2017 • Insight News

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Insight News endorses Melvin Carter for St. Paul mayor Since St. Paul’s founding, St. Paul has been a city full of people who came seeking a better life. As St. Paul experiences a renewed growth and vitality, it is also changing – in fundamental and irrevocable ways – as children of color fill the city’s classrooms and playgrounds, and as those children grow up, pursue careers, have families, and begin creating lives for themselves. St. Paul is a diverse city, and it is growing more diverse every year. And yet, that diversity has never been reflected in the background and life experience of those making decisions at City Hall. For all the progressive values and historical accomplishments the city can tout, St. Paul is still sorely lacking in true representation at the highest levels of city government. Some will say that diversity does not matter; that any person, regardless of race, gender, income, or background, could do the job, as long as that person has good intentions. To this we say. It was men with good intentions, but a lack of understanding, who built a freeway through the historic Rondo Neighborhood and decimated St. Paul’s AfricanAmerican community. Even now, candidates in the race for St. Paul mayor are proposing adding dozens more police officers to patrol our streets without critical reforms to ensure they protect, and respect, Black lives. That is because, despite their good intentions, they lack a fundamental understanding of our struggle, and the times in which we live. Especially now, when the values we hold most dear – equality, freedom, respect and the right to pursue happiness – are under constant assault from a hostile president who believes police brutality is a joke, the time has long since

come for new leadership. For fresh ideas and a more inclusive vision for our city, the choice is clear. We endorse Melvin Carter as our first choice for St. Paul mayor. Carter has spent his entire career fighting for those left in the shadows, leaving a profitable career in the private sector to dedicate himself to public service. He trained movement leaders with Wellstone Action and fought for more train stops on the Green Line as a community activist. As a city councilmember, Carter guided his constituents through the worst of the Great Recession, helped pass Ban the Box legislation statewide, and built the St. Paul Promise Neighborhood from the ground up. As the director of Gov. Mark Dayton’s Minnesota Children’s Cabinet, Carter built consensus for early education in a legislative session where leaders agreed on little else, and secured hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for kids and families across the state. Carter is also a tested leader who has been vetted and questioned more closely than any other candidate in the race. Does he have the experience? Yes, in spades. Is he too ambitious? Shouldn’t all our sons and daughters be more ambitious than the world we live in would prefer? Doesn’t he know he should wait his turn, and know his place? We have heard this before – and we know what it means. Though his qualifications are thorough and his experience deep, Carter’s background lends a perspective few can match. He grew up in a family that has endured generations of discrimination, from first settling in St. Paul after fleeing racial violence in the South to losing everything in the destruction of Rondo. Carter was raised by a family

Uchechukwu Iroegbu

Melvin Carter – but more importantly, an entire community – that turned the pain of loss into dreams for the future. A son not just of St. Paul, but of Old Rondo, now stands poised to make those dreams a reality. St. Paul has been served well by smart, qualiﬁed, sensible, and compassionate mayors over the years. But

no St. Paul mayor has ever known what it feels like to be pulled over by a police oﬃcer without committing a crime. No previous mayor could understand, at a visceral level, the fear of being denied a service or housing, or experiencing violence, or simply enduring the unwarranted suspicion of

others, based on the color of their skin. We cannot change the past. What we can do is elect diverse, inclusive leaders at all levels of government. We can make choices that serve to reconcile historic trauma while sending a clear message to the next generation that the highest oﬃce in St. Paul is

not beyond their reach. Nov. 7 is coming. Do your research on the candidates and issues, yes, but also take some time to reﬂect upon what legacy we want to leave our children. Then proceed to vote for Melvin Carter as your ﬁrst choice for the next mayor of St. Paul.

TRANSFORMATION: The foundation walls By Randall Bradley Architect Building construction Thor Companies corporate headquarters at the corners of Penn and Plymouth Avenues North is ongoing, now in its 34th week. The concrete floors, both flat slabs and sloped ramps are still being poured. Both flat and sloped slabs will be used for vehicle parking stalls. The sloped ramps will

allow for two-way traffic to travel between parking levels and to the entry/exit lanes at Oliver Avenue North and to the University Research Outreach Center (UROC) parking lot. The parking levels have risen above the first-floor entry level. These parking levels and the tenant floors shall continue to be under construction until the fourth floor is reached. Once the final floor for tenant occupation is completed, the roof will then be installed.

So the construction work continues. While additional ﬂoors are being installed, the foundation walls have also begun their installation. This installation begins with the erection of the vertical formwork on top of the perimeter footings. These footings vary in width from four feet to six feet. The two-foot square columns are placed in the center of the footings. The 42-inch high foundation reinforcing bars (rebar) that were placed

during the original footing pours are outbound of the columns, at 12 inches O.C. (on center), will now receive new rebar to the top of the perimeter foundation wall. This new rebar in a 12inch grid, both horizontally and vertically, was fabricated on-site and placed, by crane, around the entire perimeter of the building. This rebar grid has been fabricated in sections approximately 18 feet high by 20 feet long. This rebar grid is placed vertically on top of the footings and

wired to the original footing rebar, which was installed with a 12-inch spacing. After these rebar grids are placed, the vertical formwork for the concrete wall pours is installed. First, from the interior, then from the exterior. The advantage this building design brings to this project is the vehicle ramps that slope from floor to floor are contained within the center of the building. The retail and office floors are flat at the perimeter of the building. Consequently,

is partnering with Medtronic to fill 20-30 medical assembly positions • Medtro onic, a global medicaal tech hnologyy, ƐĞƌǀŝŝĐĞƐ ĂĂŶĚ ƐƐŽůƵƟŽŶƐ ĐĐŽŵƉĂŶǇ͕ ŝŝƐ ŚŝƌŝŶ ŶŐ mediical asssem mblers from North Minneapo olis and the Ce edar Riverside neighborhood • ϮϬͲϯϬ Ϭ ŵ ŵĞĚŝŝĐĂĂů ĂĂƐƐĞŵďůǇ Ɖ ƉŽƐŝƟŽŶƐ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞĞ at Brooklyn Center facility • WĞŽƉůĞ Ž ŽĨ ĨƌŝĐĂŶ Ě ĚĞƐĐĞŶƚ ĂƌĞ ĞĞŶĐŽƵƌĂŐĞĚ ƚƚŽ ĂƉƉůǇ

Call 612-5 529-9267 for details Visi Vi sitt ww si www.em em mer erge gge e-m -mn.orrg/em g/eme mergeeven ents en t for ts o hiringg evvents en nts! ts! O , sccaan Or n th he e QR Co ode d !

this allows for formwork to be installed orthogonally, that is without the additional work effort of cutting and fabricating “sloped” formwork. These perimeter foundation walls finish at 42 inches above the adjacent floor level and is 14 inches to 18 inches thick. After the formwork is stripped, the exposed concrete wall will be coated with a waterproofing material and drain-tile installed at the base of the footing around the entire building. Additional levels are being poured above the first floor. The ceiling of the first floor retail shops is approximately 18 feet above the floor. This two-story space will allow for a midway parking level designated as floor 1.5, between the first and second floors. Construction work shall continue on this site. All of the work started with an idea, and was then transferred to lots of people that were educated and trained to perform this work. All of the education, the studying, the “all-nighters,” the sweating, the crying, the grades, both good and not so good, the presentations, the exams, the lack of sleep, the certificates, diplomas and degrees, are an accumulation of information and knowledge to be applied in the effort required to deny gravity its desire to make all things fall down. Subsequent work will be to enclose the building, stay tuned. Architect Randall Bradley is writing a multipart series on the construction of the new Thor property at the corners of Penn Avenue North and Plymouth Avenue North in Minneapolis.

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aesthetically speaking

Aesthetically It!: Events, concerts, venues in the Twin Cities

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Insight News October 30 - November 5, 2017

Vol. 44 No. 44• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Voter turnout key in Minneapolis’ 5th Ward race By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor Twitter @HarryColbertJr In 2013, just 23.5 percent of Ward 5 voters in Minneapolis turned out to elect its next city councilperson. With the low turnout and a field of four candidates, Blong Yang emerged victorious, capturing just 1,475 of the final votes. Now the incumbent, Yang could again benefit from low voter turnout, as traditionally, incumbents fare better in low turnout elections. At least two of Yang’s challengers say they are working hard to reach out to traditional and nontraditional voters between now and Nov. 7 – something they say Yang has not been willing to do. Both Jeremiah Ellison and Raeisha Williams, candidates seeking to unseat Yang, say the incumbent has been missing in action when it comes to being accessible to his constituents –

both citing not having a regular oﬃce within the ward and his refusal to take part in serval town halls and debates in the ward that is in the heart of North Minneapolis. “The 5th Ward deserves someone who is accessible and engaged,” said artist, activist and DFL-endorsed candidate, Ellison. “In other parts of the city, city councilmembers have regular meetings, open oﬃce hours, etc. We don’t have any of that (with Yang).” According to Williams, it was Yang’s lack of accountability to his constituents that spurred her decision to run. I had decided four months prior to the killing of Jamar Clark (the killing of an unarmed African-American by Minneapolis police that prompted weeks of mass protests) to run for the seat,” said Williams, who was at the time the communications chair

Jeremiah Ellison

5TH WARD 9

Raeisha Williams

A single, narrow slice of Americans is making decisions for all

People of color, women severely underrepresented as elected officials SAN FRANCISCO – The Reflective Democracy Campaign released a new, indepth study of the demographics of power in the United States, revealing a troubled democracy where political representation fails to match the demographics and social realities of America. The research shows a shocking concentration of political power among white men, who at 31 percent of the population hold 65 percent of elected offices. This grip on influential state-wide and federal seats leaves women and people of color virtually locked out of political decision-making. The 2016 findings, derived from a comprehensive dataset of candidates and elected officials at the federal, state and county levels, amplify the Campaign’s research from 2014, which exposed the same stark imbalance in the demographics of power. When factoring in level of office, white men hold

four times the political power of women and people of color. At the federal level, for example, 81 percent of politicians are white, and 80 percent are male. “This imbalance of power points to a profound failure of our democracy, which has relegated 70 percent of Americans to a ‘special interest group,’” said Brenda Carter, director of the Reflective Democracy Campaign. “That’s how an all-male Senate committee decides whether birth control will be covered by health insurance, or how an essentially all-white commission determines the future of voting rights for people of color.” The over-representation of white male politicians endures regardless of geography or party affiliation. Blue-state California’s population is 62 percent people of color, but only 27 percent of its elected officials are people of color. Meanwhile in red-state Texas, politicians

Oﬃcial California Attorney General photo

People such as Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) are far too rare in American politics, as women and people of color are underrepresented as elected officials.

Minnesota lags in ensuring success for children The new “Race for Results: Building a Path to Opportunity for All Children” report, released from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, shows Minnesota continues to fall dramatically short in key child well-being indicators and access to opportunity for children of color and Native-American children when compared to white children in the state and children of color in other states. With national and statewide conversation on ethnicity and immigration intensifying, the “Race for Results” report gives particular emphasis to the well-being of Children’s Defense Fund

Bharti Wahi

Business News

ADespite bright light of the Unequal Black Press dims Treatment, Black Women Will Rise

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Residents of Near North and Willard-Hay have a neighborhood resource to deal with legal problems. The Northside Residents Redevelopment Council (NRRC) now houses an attorney, with connections to extensive

legal assistance for people in the neighborhood. Joshua Ladd, staff attorney at Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, is the legs of an innovative partnership. The goal of the partnership is to work with NRRC to identify and provide legal assistance to retain quality, affordable housing and improve community economic development in the Near North and Willard-Hay neighborhoods. Ladd has an office at NRRC

I 2 H 2017 Election

News

Trump’s Don’t complain, latest activate order executive threatens to topple Obamacare

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candidates, 9 6percent are white, as are 79 percent of Democratic candidates. Among the Democratic Party’s candidates, 35 percent are women, and 23 percent of Republican candidates are women. While skewed candidate selection by political gatekeepers is a key driver of the imbalance of power, the study reveals another remarkable factor … in more than 50 percent of elections, politicians already in office run against no one. “The race and gender status quo has no chance of changing if incumbent white men run unopposed, and 60 percent of unopposed incumbents are just that: white and male,” said Carter. A first look at the demographics of power in America’s cities For the first time ever,

ELECTED 5

NRRC resident attorney available to assist with housing issues Joshua Ladd

CHILDREN 9

who are 80 percent white make decisions for a population that’s 57 percent people of color. Opinion research released with the study shows a bipartisan majority of voters impatient with the “old boys’ club” they see in office, and eager to elect politicians who are the best and brightest of America. More than 70 percent of voters favor proactive efforts to bring more women and people of color to the table as elected officials. The Campaign’s research shows the candidates who are female and/ or of color win at the same rates as their white male counterparts. The problem is, they’re rarely on the ballot. Candidates are selected by gate-keepers – political parties and major donors – who still favor white men. Nationwide, women make up just 28 percent of candidates on ballots, and people of color – at nearly 40 percent of the population – are only 12 percent of candidates. Of GOP

Insight War on News opioids hurts sickle cell disease endorsements patients

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where he provides referrals and advice. Stinson Leonard Street, LLP, a Minneapolis law ﬁrm with almost 500 attorneys in 15 locations, is the third partner in the project. \ “For some cases, I don’t have the background or knowledge,” said Ladd. “Others are transactional in nature and outside of Legal Aid’s purview,

ATTORNEY 4

Commentary

$20,000 The Chronicles gift will of help Miss Freedom teach studentsFighter, about Esquire:management money Ending mass incarceration

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Ranked Choice Voting gives more opportunities

Letter to editor:

In 2013, just prior to the Minneapolis and St. Paul elections, we wrote an open letter in this paper expressing our concern about the troubling direction of our democracy. We also expressed excitement that our cities were leading the way in responding to these problems with Ranked Choice Voting. Why? By eliminating poorly attended, unrepresentative municipal primaries, Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) increases political participation in the election of the winner and gives equal voice to historically underrepresented voters. Today, our democracy is in greater peril than it was four years ago. Minnesota and the country are more divided and gridlocked than ever, with ongoing calculated attempts to suppress the vote. When

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Insight News is published weekly, every Monday by McFarlane Media Interests. Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Managing Editor Harry Colbert, Jr. Associate Editor Afrodescendientes Carmen Robles Associate Editor Nigeria & West Africa Chief Folarin Ero-Phillips Associate Editor Culture and Education Dr. Irma McClaurin Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Content & Production Coordinator Sunny Thongthi Yang Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed

we last wrote, the Supreme Court had just stripped long-standing protections under the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Russian hacking of our electoral system and the recent effort by President Trump’s office to seek and purge voter registration rolls are among the latest troubling blows to our democracy. They’re also distressing reminders that safeguarding and expanding fundamental American voting rights is a serious work in progress. We believe Minnesotans are up to the task. Secretary of State Steve Simon’s refusal to hand over Minnesota’s voter registration rolls to the Trump administration is one reason for our confidence. And, once again, we’re excited that our two biggest cities – Minneapolis and St. Paul – continue to blaze a path for electoral reform as they prepare to use Ranked Choice Voting for critical, competitive

local elections. With hotly contested open mayoral races in Minneapolis and St. Paul, and several council and park board races in Minneapolis, the whole country will be watching. We think voters of all political stripes will like what they see. And though we support diﬀerent candidates, we›re united in the belief that RCV also promotes campaigning that›s more civil, issue-based and inclusive. In a system where candidates must court secondchoice votes to win, hopeful oﬃceholders tend to focus on their own strengths, accomplishments and ideas instead of attacking their opponents. They have a tangible vote-getting reason to look beyond their traditional base and talk to voters they might have ignored under the old plurality system. RCV fosters coalition-building and a more substantive political conversation. This fall marks just the

third time that Minneapolis – and the fourth time our sister city, St. Paul – will use RCV. There’s strong evidence that it’s already yielding leadership that›s much more reflective of the whole electorate. In 2013, RCV helped elect a historically high ethnically and gender-balanced city council. In St. Paul in 2015, it helped elect Ward 2’s first female city councilor. In San Francisco, where RCV has been used the longest, it›s led to leadership that›s truly reflective of a diverse city. Under this system, candidates from communities of color can run for office without worrying about being eliminated in lowturnout primaries attended by an unrepresentative sliver of the electorate or compete against each other without the specter of community «vote-splitting.» So frankly, we’re tired of hearing claims that ranking candidates on a ballot – first

Photography David Bradley Rebecca Rabb 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.

your available rankings this November. In doing so, we will ensure that the candidates with the broadest support possible will win. Signed, Sen. Patricia Torres Ray, Senate District 63 Sen. Melisa Franzen, Senate District 49 Rep. Ilhan Omar, House District 60B Rep. Susan Allen, House District 62B Kim Ellison, director, Minneapolis Public Schools Board of Education Bao Vang, president, Hmong American Partnership; FairVote MN board member Siyad Abdullahi, CEO, Pro Health Care, Inc. and Language Banc, Inc.; FairVote MN board member Abou Amara, Public Aﬀairs Consultant

Bernal Smith II dies at 45

A bright light of the Black Press dims By Stacy M. Brown (NNPA Newswire Contributor) The National Newspaper Publishers Association lost one of its own this week. Bernal E. Smith II, the president and publisher of the Tri-State Defender and a well-known civic leader in Memphis, died Oct. 22. Smith was 45. The Tri-State Defender, among the longest running African-American newspapers in the country and a member publication of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, noted on its website that Smith was with his family when he was found. “The New Tri-State Defender and its management board was devastated when we learned that Mr. Smith had passed,” associate publisher Karanja Ajanaku said in a statement along with Calvin Anderson, the president of Best Media Properties, the Defender’s parent company. Smith’s death caught many of his colleagues oﬀ-guard; all of them expressed shock and sympathy for his family. “I am personally saddened by the death of our comrade and publisher Bernal Smith,” said Dorothy Leavell, the publisher of the Crusader newspapers in Chicago and the chairman of the NNPA. “He was just elected vice chairman in June and we were looking forward to working closely with him to ﬁnd solutions for the future of our beloved Black Press.” Dr. Benjamin Chavis, president and CEO of the

Bernal Smith II NNPA, said the entire NNPA family of African-American publishers across the nation deeply mourns Smith’s death. “As publisher of the New Tri-State Defender in Memphis, Smith represented the journalistic genius of a freedom-ﬁghting publisher, who was dedicated to the empowerment of Black America,” said Chavis. “Long live the spirit of Bernal Smith.” Joy Bramble, publisher of The Baltimore Times, said she was simply shocked by the news of Smith’s death. “I was just working with him on some things, I just can’t believe it,” said Bramble. Rosetta Perry, the publisher of the Tennessee Tribune, called Smith a true friend and a bright light. “When I met him, we just clicked and I was comfortable with him, like I had known

him my whole life, and I didn’t have to pretend to be anyone or anything,” said Perry. “That voice that we loved to hear at our meetings and training sessions is now still. Bernal’s place at the board of directors’ meetings will now be vacant, but he will live forever in our hearts.” Karen Carter Richards, publisher of the Houston Forward Times and 1st vice chair of the NNPA, said that she asked Smith to run for 2nd vice chair of the NNPA, this year, because of his vision and talents. Richards said that she wasn’t surprised when he won the election for the post, because of his infectious personality and great abilities. “I am devastated. Bernal was my friend and he was a visionary, who was smart, energetic, kind and deﬁnitely the future of NNPA,” said Richards. “His innovative ideas

Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Contributing Writers Abeni Hill Nadvia Davis Fred Easter Timothy Houston Michelle Mitchum Artika Tyner Toki Wright

choice, second choice, third choice – is somehow too «complicated» or «confusing» for voters of color. The data tell another story. In the large 2013 mayoral race in Minneapolis, a full 85 percent of polled voters – from all ethnic, age and income groups – said that RCV was simple to use. “Persons of color are more likely to understand how RCV functions better than white voters,» said a 2009 study following the rollout of RCV in Minneapolis. In a time when so many forces seemed determined to restrict participatory democracy, Ranked Choice Voting oﬀers a simple, sensible and proven way to expand it. We›re proud to stand on the front lines of voting reform in Minnesota, and we›re excited to show the rest of the country on Nov. 7, the way to a healthier and more inclusive politics. Join us in fully using your power and marking all

Attorney From 3 but not for the attorneys at Stinson Leonard Street.” Much of the partnership’s work with clients focuses on maintaining home ownership for neighborhood residents. Ladd and other attorneys are available to give residents help with contract for deed questions, foreclosure fears, home ownership documentation and questions about property taxes. Financially qualifying small businesses and non-proﬁts can also get legal advice and/or

made us click. At the request of Bernal, I ﬂew to Memphis last year to attend his Best in Black Awards show. He wanted me to recreate the show in Houston and we were going to partner and bring his great awards show to the city of Houston.” Broadcast executive and Wave newspaper publisher Pluria Marshall said Smith was one of NNPA’s up and coming publishers. “He was about business,” said Marshall. “He added value when he spoke on issues related to NNPA and his recent election to the executive team was a clear sign of his rising star. He will be sorely missed.” Hiram Jackson of Real Times Media, who sold Smith the New Tri-State Defender, called Smith’s passing a sad day for the future of the Black Press. “Bernal Smith represented

representation through the clinic. “I love ﬁnding the niche places where you can meet people and feel the heartbeat of the community,” said Ladd, who is new to the Twin Cities. “It’s a balance – doing the legal work

the future of our industry and he was one of the most innovative publishers I knew and I recognized his gifts immediately,” said Jackson. “I will miss his friendship and his contagious enthusiasm about Black people.” A graduate of Rhodes College, who also earned a master’s of business administration from Union University. Smith led a local group that purchased the Tri-State Defender from Real Times Media in 2013. Smith mentored innercity youth and once served as president of the 100 Black Men of Memphis. In a joint statement, Denise Rolark Barnes and D. Kevin McNeir, the publisher and the editor of The Washington Informer, respectively, said Smith was an integral force in the city of Memphis as the publisher of the Tri-State Defender, where he made issues of economic parity, social justice and the support and encouragement of the Black community his primary concerns. “Even more, as one of the younger publishers of the NNPA, his enthusiasm and dedication were essential to our overall growth and continued existence. His death leaves a void that will be diﬃcult, if not impossible to ﬁll. But his spirit will live on as will our memories of him – a proud, talented Black man who loved his people and his community and who diligently gave his all each and every day on behalf of the Black Press,” said Barnes and McNeir in the statement.

but also thinking about the big picture and macro change.” Ladd is available for walkins Monday and Tuesday 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the at NRRC’s oﬃce on the second ﬂoor of the NorthPoint Health and Wellness

We’re helping people through their problems, but also thinking about the big picture for individuals, but also thinking like an urban planner and seeing the opportunities. We’re helping people through their problems,

Center, 1315 Penn Ave. N., Minneapolis, or by appointment at (612) 746-3806.

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Insight News • October 30 -November 5, 2017 • Page 5

Insight 2 Health

Rep. Barbara Lee Calls Trump’s Obamacare executive order ‘spiteful. destructive. cruel’

Trump’s latest executive order threatens to topple Obamacare By Freddie Allen Editor-In-Chief, NNPA Newswire President Donald Trump just delivered two more gut punches to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in an ongoing effort to knock out President Barack Obama’s legacy. On the same day that Trump signed an executive order crafted to open up the health insurance marketplace to “barely there” plans that may leave people living with pre-existing conditions, with higher premiums or priced out completely, the White House also announced plans to discontinue the health insurance subsidies that made it easier for low-income people to access quality health care. The ACA, also known as Obamacare, has significantly decreased the rate of uninsured nonelderly adults in Black communities. The law also requires health insurance companies to cover preventive services, like HIV screening, diversity and cultural competency training for health-care providers, the expansion of the health-care workforce and an increase in

Elected From 3 the Campaign analyzed 200 major cities, ﬁnding that even in highly diverse cities where people of color are majorities, white oﬃcials still control government, and 64 percent of

funding for community health centers – an important safety net for low-income individuals and families, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Now many health-care advocates fear that those gains will be lost as Trump continues to slash key provisions of the ACA. The White House issued a statement that said there is no appropriation for cost-sharingreduction payments to insurance companies under Obamacare. “The bailout of insurance companies through these unlawful payments is yet another example of how the previous administration abused taxpayer dollars and skirted the law to prop up a broken system,” reads the statement. “Congress needs to repeal and replace the disastrous Obamacare law and provide real relief to the American people.” The reaction was swift from health-care advocates, with some suggesting Trump’s actions would eﬀectively segregate Blacks and people living with HIV in highrisk insurance pools. HIV/AIDS advocacy groups urged their constituents to write to their elected oﬃcials and contact the attorney general in their state to demand legal action to protect the ACA.

major-city mayors are white men. Only when people of color are a super-majority of at least 90 percent of the population does political representation ﬁnally match up with demographics. Viewed through the lens of gender, the power imbalance in city government is equally dramatic. From Miami to

In a statement about Trump’s refusal to fund the cost-sharingreduction subsidies, Neera Tanden, president and CEO of the Center for American Progress, said Trump and Republican leaders in Congress have proven they will do everything in their power to take away health care from hardworking Americans. “This is an unprecedented action. The president of the United States is purposefully hurting millions of the people he is supposed to serve by driving up their health-care costs; all to further his petty, political agenda and to undo Obamacare,” said

Tanden. “People will recognize that Trump – who has spent every last second of his presidency trying to tear down the ACA – is the one solely responsible for breaking health care in America, and congressional Republican leaders have stood by and watched him hurt Americans families while refusing to help them.” Trump said the executive order would “increase choice and increase access to lower-priced, high-quality health-care options” and would “cost the United States government virtually nothing.” The order promises to expand access to association health plans, increase the availability of shortterm, limited-duration insurance plans and also expand the availability and permitted use of health reimbursement accounts. Association health plans allow small-business owners to pool their resources to buy health insurance plans. The plans may also be available to individual buyers. The association health plans offer greater flexibility to business owners, which in the past has led to “a race to the bottom, with some associations offering lower-cost plans that covered virtually nothing,” a former insurance regulator told Vox. Topher Spiro, vice president for health policy and a senior

fellow for economic policy at the Center for American Progress, says Trump is trying to take us back to the bad old days before the ACA, when coverage wasn’t there when needed, and people who were older or had pre-existing conditions faced sky-high costs. “These changes would be devastating for small businesses, sending their premiums soaring and undermining the small-group insurance market” said Spiro. “And while many consumers in the ACA marketplaces would be protected from the higher individual-market premiums resulting from this order, confusion will depress enrollment, some insurers may exit markets and middle-income Americans with pre-existing conditions would face premium spikes.” Some lawmakers also expressed their contempt for the president’s latest executive order on social media. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) tweeted, “Spiteful. Destructive. Cruel. New low from President Trump – deliberately undermining health care for low-income families.” Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) echoed those sentiments, tweeting, “This is cruel and vindictive. This decision could cause premiums to skyrocket for millions of

Americans.” Even though Trump often criticized Obama’s use of the executive order, he’s on pace to nearly double the number of executive orders that the former president signed. The executive order on health care is the 50th that Trump has signed as president. In a statement about Trump’s executive order on health care, Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) said that it was another example of Trump working relentlessly to sabotage the Affordable Care Act. “By weakening coverage requirements on some plans, called association health plans, this order will destabilize healthcare markets and drive up insurance costs, particularly for older Americans and people with pre-existing conditions,” said Booker. “Before the consumer protection measures guaranteed by the ACA, association health plans ripped off consumers and left hundreds of thousands of Americans with unpaid medical bills. If he’s (Trump) really serious about ensuring great, affordable health care for all Americans, the president should work across party lines to improve the Affordable Care Act, not try to sabotage it.”

Montgomery, Ala., 10 cities with populations in excess of 100,000 have virtually no women in oﬃce, and another 33 have less than 15 percent women. Across America’s 200 largest cities, 80 percent of mayors are men. From local to federal elections, when women and people of color, who are 70

percent of Americans, go to the polls, they’re unlikely to have the opportunity to vote for anyone who looks like them. “We can’t expect the American people to have faith in a system that doesn’t reﬂect them,” said Carter. “We know from experience that our system breaks down when large groups

of the American people are excluded from it. And without the life experiences and perspectives of all Americans at decisionmaking tables, how can we expect to resolve the most urgent challenges we face as a society?” The Reﬂective Democracy Campaign has launched a website, www.wholeads.us, to

inform and mobilize the public. The site lets visitors assess the reﬂectiveness of their own state; view and share video and infographic content and explore the Campaign’s roadmap of solutions, aimed at shaking up the status quo and dismantling the barriers to fair political representation for all Americans.

Freddie Allen/AMG/NNPA

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) called Trump’s Obamacare Executive Order “spiteful” and said that it deliberately undermines health care for low-income families. This photo was taken during a panel discussion on the federal budget sequester at Howard Universit in 2015.

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Page 6 •October 30 -November 5, 2017 • Insight News

Election 2017

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Insight News endorsements Now is not the time to stand down. More to the point, there is never a time to stand down. But now, with all that we have seen politically and culturally within the past year, we as citizens must hold ourselves accountable and exercise in our duty – not our right, but our duty – and vote in the Nov. 7 general election. Though no federal or state races are on the ballot, there are several races of great importance affecting policy; and ultimately the lives of the citizens of Minneapolis, St. Paul and the many surrounding suburbs. With mayoral races in Minneapolis and St. Paul, city council races in Minneapolis and various Twin Cities suburbs, multiple school board races and seats up for grabs with the Minneapolis Parks Board, there is ample reason for voters to take part and engage. Having examined the issues and platforms of the dozens of candidates seeking office, Insight News has decided to endorse in several key races. In garnering our endorsement, we feel these candidates have the best vision for advancing equality and economic parody, addressing justice inequality and positioning the region toward one that values diversity and prosperity for all its inhabitants. Melvin Carter, mayor – St. Paul For reasons detailed in our page 2 feature, Insight News has chosen to endorse Melvin Carter for mayor of St. Paul. Conspicuously missing from that endorsement is the fact that if elected, Carter would become the first AfricanAmerican mayor of the city. Insight News thoughtfully chose to endorse Carter because of his past accomplishments and future vision, not because of his ethnicity. Simply put, Carter is the best and most equipped candidate in the race for St. Paul

Jeremiah Ellison

Melvin Carter

Andrea Jenkins

Stephanie Gasca Cunningham.

Alondra Cano mayor. Jeremiah Ellison, Minneapolis City Council, Ward 5 Insight News endorses Jeremiah Ellison for Minneapolis City Council, Ward 5. Ellison has the vision to revitalize North Minneapolis and as a coalition builder, he will be able to carry out his stated goals of police reform, aﬀordable housing, business revitalization and environmental justice. Incumbent Blong Yang has been at odds with many in his ward, especially following the killing of unarmed Jamar Clark by Minneapolis Police. Yang’s votes against a $15 minimum wage, against funding for the oﬃce of Diversity and Inclusion and against funding for language services for Hmong and Somali residents do not mesh with the core values of the residents of the 5th Ward and Minneapolis as

AK Hassan

Dave Colling

a whole. Residents of the 5th Ward in Minneapolis are lucky to have two qualiﬁed candidates running to unseat Yang, in Ellison and Raeisha Willams. With Rank Choice Voting, we endorse Williams as a second-choice vote.

well-served with Jenkins in City Hall.

Andrea Jenkins, Minneapolis City Council, Ward 8 Andrea Jenkins is the clear choice to serve as Minneapolis’ Ward 8 councilperson. Jenkins knows City Hall well, having served as a policy aide to former councilmember Robert Lilligren and outgoing Ward 8 councilperson, Elizabeth Glidden. Jenkins, an advocate for all people, was recognized by former president Barack Obama for her work on behalf of the LGBT community. Proving she has the courage to lead, residents of the city’s 8th Ward would be

Stephanie Gasca, Minneapolis City Council, Ward 4 If we are going to prosper as a community, and therefore as a whole, we must address the root causes of gun violence that has torn apart too many lives. A Protect MN board member – a group dedicated to combating gun violence and seeking sensible solutions to the growing gun problem in America – Stephanie Gasca is working to keep our community safe. A 2014 Wellstone fellow, Gasca’s platform is one of police accountability as well. A friend of labor, Gasca supports living wage increases and increased safety measures for workers. As a second choice under the Rank Choice Voting system, we endorse Phillipe

Teqen Zea-Aida, Minneapolis City Council, Ward 7 According to the special interest group, Minneapolis Works!, the city council is too progressive. Maybe that’s why the group that is less than a year old is throwing its money at Ward 7 incumbent, Lisa Goodman. We don’t believe the council is progressive enough. Teqen Zea-Aida can change that. Zea-Aida, an artist and entrepreneur of African and Latin descent, is a new-comer to politics, which is what the city and downtown 7th Ward needs. Goodman’s held the seat for 20 years, and within that time there has been little opportunity for businesses of color in her ward and people of color have faced continued harassment by police in the downtown entertainment district. We feel Zea-Aida can reverse this disturbing reality. Alondra Cano, Minneapolis City Council, Ward 9 Few elected oﬃcials stood with the protesters during the occupation of the Minneapolis Police Department’s Fourth Precinct following the killing of Jamar Clark. Alondra Cano was one of them. Though the killing did not happen in her ward, Cano decided that ward boundaries were obsolete when it comes to standing up and speaking out against police brutality. Cano

Teqen Zea-Aida has proven to be a progressive leader within the council and one who is committed to issues of fairness and equality. AK Hassan, Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board, District 3 AK Hassan wasted little time involving himself in community here in Minneapolis. Born in Somalia and raised in Kenya, Hassan moved to Minneapolis in 2008. In that short time, Hassan, who has secured the endorsements of several Minnesota representatives, including Rep. Ilhan Omar (DFL-60B), multiple Minneapolis City Council members, labor groups and others. Hassan is the chair of the DFL Somali Caucus as well as the chair of the Ventura Village Neighborhood Association. Dave Colling, St. Anthony City Council The killing of Philando Castile and subsequent acquittal of Jeronimo Yanez, the former St. Anthony oﬃcer who killed him, was reason enough for Dave Collings to enter the political arena as a candidate. Even prior to the killing of Castile, Colling was dismayed with what he believes is the council’s ambivalence towards issues aﬀecting people of color

ENDORSEMENTS 7

Key factors to consider before heading to the polls

What are the issues affecting the African-American community? Black Votes Matter MN

With the elections looming on the horizon, you might be wondering what issues you should be concerned with and the impact they may have on you, your family and the city overall. Incoming elected officials will be charged with implementing strategies to address very real issues – not just in the short term – but for years to come. The outcome of 24 elections within the Twin Cities will influence the administration of an estimated $2.5 billion annual budget across three governmental agencies influencing how resources are allocated for public works, affordable housing, police, public parks, business development, transportation and more. “While we have a lot to be proud of in Minneapolis, there are a number of issues that concern Minneapolis residents,” said former two-term Minneapolis mayor, Sharon Sayles Belton. “Gun and gang violence, the need for more affordable housing and job creation are at the top of the list.” The former mayor also cites concerns about public works, including potholes, snow plowing and inspection services as important livability issues. “Access to affordable daycare, healthcare, transportation and healthy food are important issues too. Believe it or not, there are still a few food deserts in Minneapolis,” said Sayles-Belton, who will moderate a mayoral forum with trauma specialist, Resmaa Menakem, on Sunday (Nov. 5), which will broadcast live on KMOJ radio (89.9 FM). Voter turnout is historically low during municipal races, yet these races have great impact on daily life and the services people use every day. We spoke with a few experts in the community for a deeper dive into the key

issues affecting the future health, safety and prosperity of African-Americans. Economic investment “The push for racial and economic equity will come down to two races – Minneapolis and St. Paul mayor,” said Brett Buckner, managing director of One Minnesota. “It could mean access to $100 million per year in direct public investment through hiring, procurement, and development opportunities for our communities.” While some polls list Minnesota as one of “the best places to live” in the country, African-Americans in Minnesota know this doesn’t reflect their overall experience. A recent study lists Minnesota as the second worst state for racial equity in the country, citing disparities in income, homeownership, unemployment and incarceration rates. The study, published by 24/7 Wall Street, lists the unemployment rate for Black Minnesotans as 10.6 percent compared with 4.8 percent for whites. Minimum wage increase “Raising the minimum wage to $15 in Minneapolis is a good start,” said Anthony Newby, executive director of Neighborhoods Organized for Change (NOC), whose organization led the $15 Now movement. The city ordinance passed in June, requiring all Minneapolis employers to pay $15 per hour by 2024. “It will redistribute nearly $1 billion a year into the hands of working people and families,” said Newby. “Now we can move on to imagining a truly sustainable economy for all, including access to affordable housing, a complete reimagining of the criminal justice system, creating a guaranteed basic income and developing the green economy we all deserve.” With 16 candidates running for Mayor in Minneapolis and 10 in St. Paul, voters will want to pay close attention to the vision and policies each candidate is proposing to address

socio-economic

disparities.

Affordable housing The Twin Cities metropolitan region is facing an affordable housing crisis. Attendees of a city council candidate debate in Minneapolis’ 4th ward recently drew a collective gasp upon learning that the average cost of a home in North Minneapolis is $180,000. Although markedly “cheaper” than homes in the Southwest neighborhoods averaging $450,000, $180k is hardly affordable housing. The rental market isn’t much better. With rents projected to rise by 1.7 percent – while income decreases – Twin Cities residents are having a hard time finding a home. Affordable housing is where housing costs do not exceed 20-30 percent of median income. People of color – 75 percent of whom are renters – are disproportionately impacted by this crisis. “You’ll have to go to the suburbs to get affordable housing.” said Ethrophic Burnett, a housing specialist and community engagement director with Urban Homeworks. “If you are looking for a place to rent, you need to start looking the day you sign the lease at your current apartment.” Barriers such as criminal background, previous evictions, poor credit, etc., make it more difficult to find a place to live. “Nobody’s honoring (section 8) vouchers in North Minneapolis,” said Burnett. Although Minneapolis City Council recently passed an ordinance in May this year to address housing discrimination, it remains to be seen when, if any, rental units will become available any time soon. But this crisis didn’t happen overnight. Many of the housing disparities we see today have historical roots in discriminatory neighborhood covenants, lending and redlining practices prior to the 1960s. Zoning changes adopted by Minneapolis City Council in the mid-1970s prevented further development

of multi-unit housing in specific neighborhoods in Minneapolis. According to Streets.mn, Minneapolis has added roughly 40,000 residents over the past seven years and can expect more. The Metropolitan Council’s “2040 Housing Policy Plan” notes the region can expect to add 37,400 low and moderateincome families between 2020-2030, yet only 3,000 new affordable housing units were developed in the first three years of this decade – far below the current and projected need. With the lack of naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH), the crisis will only get worse as the population continues to grow and rents and property values rise; pricing some people out, making way for others to move in – priming some neighborhoods for gentrification. Public safety police reform The murder of Jamar Clark by Minneapolis Police in 2015 and Philando Castile in the St. Paul suburb of St. Anthony seven months later, drew national attention to the Twin Cities. Contrasting responses between the Minneapolis Police Department’s position on Jamar Clark’s killing compared with their response to the police killing of Justine Damond, a white woman from the city’s affluent southwest neighborhood, epitomizes the glaring bias residents and activists have been calling out for years. A recent report by the Minneapolis Police Department– confirms what African-Americans and criminology experts have been saying … African-Americans are disproportionately profiled and pulled over more than any other race. Data collected over the past year spanning Oct. 31, 2016 through Oct. 12 of this year, reveals Black people account for 40 percent of police stops, 62 percent of body searches and 63 percent in vehicle searches. Forty percent of Blacks were cited for moving violations, while 57 percent of people arrested were Black. Twentyone percent are listed as “race

unknown,” giving rise to theories that this may be a deliberate attempt by officers to offset the actual numbers. Although African-Americans only account for 5.7 percent of the state population, they are incarcerated 1,219 times compared with 111 Caucasians (per 100,000), according to a study published by 24/7 Wall Street. Many hope the installment of Minneapolis’ first AfricanAmerican police chief will mean changes to a police culture that has plagued the department for decades. In a video posted to MPD’s Data Dashboard page, Chief Medaria Arradondo cites the release of the data as part of his promise to the community, in an effort to review policing methods. Implicit bias training, efforts to recruit community members to participate in hiring panels and a Community Collaborative Advisory Board, are recent efforts made by the department to improve community relations. Black votes matter Political intrigue surrounding the 2016 presidential elections left many African-Americans feeling increasingly disenfranchised by a system seemingly bent on turning back the clock on the many advances toward racial equity and progress. Several Obama-era initiatives have been reversed or are on the chopping block. Civil rights for people of color, women and other protected classes, along with health and environmental protections, all hang in the balance. Black Votes Matter MN was developed to energize a base of voters who’ve lost faith in a system that has not shown good faith towards them. Many responded to the call to vote-or to register to vote-as adding insult to injury. While some still believe in a post-racial America where systemic racism is “a thing of the past.” “Voting is the most underutilized power tool in your arsenal,” said Anika Robbins, founder of Black Votes Matter MN, a non-partisan leadership and policy development

program. “It is a right fought and paid for in blood, a dividend issued on the investment our ancestors made in building this country. It only works if you use it. Now is not the time to ‘drop-off.’ Local elections are where citizens can effect more immediate change through their vote by selecting leaders who will work to solve problems closer to home like affordable housing, jobs and police reform.” “What is your vote worth; that is the question,” said Buckner. “More importantly, how much do you stand to lose, if you don’t vote.” Representation is key. Many, like Bill English, a longtime educator and activist, believe representation that is reflective of the demographics of areas with dense populations of color is essential to the advancement of that community. “If we are to improve on the apparent lack of economic development in Minneapolis’ predominantly AfricanAmerican wards, it is imperative that we have a representative that will work and deliver our fair share of economic investment in those wards. English is the director of the Northside Job Creation Team (NJCT) and a founding member of Sabathani Community Center. Black Votes Matter MN launched its website recently featuring profiles on the candidates running for office. “It’s an exciting time,” said Robbins, “For the first time in Minnesota’s history there are approximately 20-plus candidates of color running for office-including three AfricanAmerican mayoral candidates. Robbins urges voters to research candidates and familiarize themselves with the issues and make informed decisions.” To learn more about the candidates running in the upcoming election and elections in general, visit www. blackvotesmattermn.com.

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Insight News • October 30 -November 5, 2017 • Page 7

Election 2017

What seats are up for election in Minneapolis? By Anika Robbins for Black Votes Matter MN Elected officials are employees of the municipality and are paid with funds generated by taxpayers. Here is a list of the offices in Minneapolis up for election on Nov. 7, detailing what they do and projected rate of pay. Mayor The Mayor ensures that laws and ordinances are enforced within the city, and that officers of the city discharge their respective duties. Official duties include; appoint representatives to a variety of agencies and commissions, nominate department head candidates, preside over Executive Committee meetings, propose policy direction in the annual State of the City address, and propose annual operating and capital budgets. The mayor also reviews and approves or vetoes all Council and Park Board actions. Customary Duties include act as an ombudsman by attending

to the individual needs of citizens for information, assistance or referral and improve the access of citizens to the decision-making process, ceremonial leadership through participation in a wide range of community and civic activities, develop and maintain communication with a network of public and private individuals, agencies and interest groups and recommend local, state or national legislation. The 2016 annual rate of pay for Mayor was $113,685 plus benefits. Council Member - Wards 1 through 13 The Minneapolis City Council governs Minneapolis through its legislative, administrative, and financial power over several city functions. The Council levies taxes, enacts ordinances and resolutions, licenses businesses, and exercises budgetary and policy control over city departments. Council members represent the interests of the constituents in their respective wards and the city at large, meeting regularly with them to discuss city programs, services and developments affecting the

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ward and the city as a whole. The council functions with committees. Departments report to the council through an assigned committee. Committee recommendations are forwarded to the full council for its consideration. Council actions then go to the mayor for approval

or veto. The 2016 annual rate of pay for Council Members was $86,532 plus beneﬁts. Board of Estimate and Taxation The Board of Estimate and Taxation reviews selected city department budgets, setting

maximum tax levies based on recommendations from the m and city council. The board reviews the budgets of city council-including the Police Personnel Expansion Fund. They also review budgets for the Park & Recreation Board and Public Housing Authority. They hold public hearings to gain input from citizens relating to setting the maximum tax levies for certain tax funds in the city, as mandated by the city charter. The board consists of the mayor or designee, the City Council President, the chair of the Ways and Means/Budget Committee, a commissioner of the Park and Recreation Board and two members elected at-large for four year terms. Two at-large positions will be on the ballot. Board meetings are scheduled for the second and forth Wednesdays of the month. The rate of pay is $35 per Board meeting. Voters will elect two members to this board. Parks and Recreation Board At Large Park Board commissioners are responsible for developing park policies and enacting ordinances governing the use of

What is the role of city council? By Anika Robbins and Pastor Brian Herron for Black Votes Matter MN City Council is the legislative branch of cities such as Minneapolis and St. Paul. The Minneapolis City Council is made up of 13 members representing each of the wards. In St. Paul there are seven members representing each ward. Ward boundaries are redrawn once every 10 years following the federal census to ensure the population remains

evenly apportioned among all wards with equitable community representation. Council members are elected every fou4 years. Councilpersons work collectively and in partnership with the mayor to enact local laws and public policies that strengthen and preserve the health, safety, and welfare of the community. They are responsible for managing the operations of the municipality (city), including oversight over its infrastructure (i.e. roads, bridges, sewer systems, water, and neighborhoods) under their jurisdiction. The most prevalent of these responsibilities is urban planning and zoning. This means

the councilperson must work to advance the continued economic development of the community, including how public works projects are handled and where parks on publicly-owned lands will go: or determining where homes and businesses may be constructed and/or operated. Minneapolis has a “strong council, weak mayor” system, which means by the Minneapolis City Charte- – the constitution and governing laws of the city –-any policy-making or administrative appointments have to be approved by the council. The mayor has to be able to work eﬀectively with the councilmembers

Understanding ranked-choice voting By Black Votes Matter MN Ranked-choice voting (RCV) is a way of voting that eliminates the need for separate primary elections, according to the City of Minneapolis Voter portal, vote.minneapolis.gov. On Nov. 7, both Minneapolis and St. Paul will elect their next mayor using ranked-choice voting. Voters will select and rank candidates in order of preference (e.g. 1st, 2nd, 3rd). Ranked-choice voting is used for all Minneapolis city oﬃces up for election this year, including races for mayor, Minneapolis City Council, Minneapolis Board of Estimate and Taxation, and Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board. Minneapolis rolled out

RCV in 2009 and St. Paul in 2011 (after voters in both cities approved the switch by referendum). With the city’s first open mayoral contest in 12 years, this will be the first year St. Paul voters citywide will have the opportunity to use RCV. RCV works just like two elections – a primary and a general election – but it’s done in a single trip to the polls. In an RCV election, voters identify backup choices in case their number one candidate does not gather enough support to make it past the early rounds of counting. That means choosing a top favorite, plus additional acceptable candidates – and marking them in order of preference on the ballot. Each ballot will have multiple columns. Voters simply mark the ballot left to right, indicating their first choice in the

first column, their second choice in the next column, their third choice in the column after that. Specifying backup choices is not mandatory. Remember, a voter’s first choice counts until that candidate is defeated. If the voter marked a second choice, that ballot will continue to count. And if marked a third choice, that ballot will continue to count if the second choice is defeated. The finish line when electing just one candidate is 50 percent plus one additional vote (a majority of continuing ballots). The first candidate to cross this threshold wins. If no candidate receives a majority of first choices, there will be additional rounds of counting, in which candidates with too few votes to move on will be defeated and their ballots transferred to remaining candidates until one of them reaches the threshold.

Voting and Election Day tips By Black Votes Matter MN With Election Day closing in, ?ere are a few answers to questions some voters may have. U.S. citizens over 18 years of age byyElection Day are eligible to vote. Any person who has completed all parts of a felony sentence is also eligible to vote. Citizens may Register to vote online or in-person with the Minnesota Secretary of State. Voters can also mail in a voter registration form to Secretary of State, 60 Empire Dr., Suite 100, nt. Paul, MN 55103. Completed

forms must be mailed in within 10 days of the date signed by the new voter. Once you register, voters will receive notiﬁcation from the secretary of state that the registration has been received and a polling station has been assigned. The early voter registration deadline for the upcoming election has passed, but voters can register on site at their polling place the day of the election, Nov. 7. There are several organizations helping people register to vote, includin, Black Votes Matter, which is a non-partisan initiativd to increase voter turnout in underrepresented communities. pPolling locations will likely be nearby at a local school, library,

community, or place of worship. Visit the Minnesota’s voter portal at/www.pollfinder.sos. state.mn.us to find the proper polling place. Election Day Most polls open at 0 a.m. and close at 0 p.m. It is a citizen’s legal right to vote; employers must allow employees to vote. If they refuse, a person can report them to the Minnesota Secretary of State. Several no-profits, churche, and other community organizations offer free rides to the polls. For more information or help finding a ride, visitmwww. blackvotesmattermn.com or call 1 -855- 955-VOTE.

Juxtaposition Arts offering rides to the polls for early voting Juxtaposition Arts has partnered with Rhymesayers Entertainment and Voices For Racial Justice to provide bus rides to residents in wards 4 and 5 to the early voting center at 217 S. 3rd St. By providing transportation and information on voting early,

residents in Ward 4 and 5 can vote when it’s convenient for them, an eﬀort that could increase voter turnout in the North Minneapolis wards. Busses will load in front of Juxtaposition Arts, 2007 Emerson Ave. N., Minneapolis, and Folwell

Park, 1615 Dowling Ave. N., Minneapolis. Times are the same for both locations. Busses will run Friday (Nov. 3) from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday (Nov. 4 and Nov. 5) from noon until 3 p.m.

to garner their support and votes. St. Paul has a “weak council, strong mayor” system. In both cities, the council works with the mayor to establish a budget, which is presented, reviewed, revised, and subject to public hearing before it’s approved. This also includes hiring staﬀ, including ﬁre and police departments. “The Minneapolis mayor appoints the chief of police and a majority of the members of the city’s commissions, but only with the council’s consent. Legally, the city council, with its combination of legislative and administrative powers overshadows the Minneapolis

mayor. The “weak mayor” city government structure makes it almost impossible for the city to be governed by any kind of political machine or party boss. But the system also causes power to be extremely dispersed,” explained Sen. Amy Klobuchar in writings about the government system. To learn more about how your city government works, visit vote.minneapolis.gov. For more information visit www.blackvotesmattermn or call 1 (855) 955-VOTE.

park land. Every four years, nine commissioners are elected to this board – one from each of the six park districts within the city and three that serve at-large. Board meetings are typically held the first and third Wednesdays of the month. Eight commissioners each receive $12,438.40 plus benefits annually. One commissioner, elected by the board as its president, receives $13,852.80 plus benefits annually. Voters will elect three members in the upcoming elections. Parks and Recreation Board Districts 1 through 6 The mission of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is to permanently preserve, protect, maintain, improve, and enhance its natural resources, parkland, and recreational opportunities for current and future generations. Voters will elect six commissioners from each of the six Minneapolis park districts. For a complete list of other Minnesota cities holding elections this year, visit www. sos.state.mn.us/electionsvoting/?searchTerm=elections.

Endorsements From 6 and people of a lower economic stature. Colling, who managed Rep. Keith Ellison’s ﬁrst campaign for the U.S. House, cites the council’s decision to side with a developer rather than the residents, when earlier this year a mobile home park was forced out of the city to make way for middle and uppermiddle class housing. St. Anthony needs new, progressive voices on the council … voices such as Colling.

Page 8 â&#x20AC;¢October 30 -November 5, 2017 â&#x20AC;¢ Insight News

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Insight News â&#x20AC;˘ October 30 -November 5, 2017 â&#x20AC;˘ Page 9

$20,000 gift will help teach students about money management As a nonproďŹ t corporation, ECMC Groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission is to help students succeed through programs promoting ďŹ nancial literacy, college access and college completion. To put the mission into action, ECMC Group has partnered with Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest (JAUM) to bring programming to at-risk students in two Minneapolis schools. Through a $20,000 gift as well as employee volunteer support, ECMC Group will make it possible for more than 500 students at Banaadir Academy and Sanford Middle School to participate

in Junior Achievement (JA) programs at no cost. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Junior Achievement provides a wealth of educational materials that help young people learn about money management and we are thrilled to work with them to expand their reach,â&#x20AC;? said Jeremy Wheaton, president and CEO of ECMC Group. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Together we are building a base of knowledge in these young people that will help them succeed now and into the future.â&#x20AC;? Through JAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ageappropriate curriculum, students engage in relevant, experiential learning opportunities that introduce

Gina Blayney

them to basic economic concepts like money management, entrepreneurship and career exploration. In addition to ďŹ nancial support, ECMC Group employees will also volunteer their time to deliver JA programs at the schools. â&#x20AC;&#x153;ECMC Group is a wonderful example of how one organization can make a diďŹ&#x20AC;erence in the lives of young people in our community,â&#x20AC;? said Gina Blayney, president and CEO of JAUM. â&#x20AC;&#x153;By giving ďŹ nancial and volunteer support, ECMC Group helps our regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s students develop 21st century skills that will make them stronger contributors

to our communities, businesses and economy.â&#x20AC;? At Banaadir Academy, an all-Somali charter school in North Minneapolis, ECMC Group volunteers will spend half a day sharing their experiences and teaching important concepts about business, money and the relevance of education to new immigrant students in kindergarten through 6th grade. At Sanford Middle School in South Minneapolis, ECMC Groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s support will allow students to learn personal ďŹ nance skills at JA Finance Park, an experiential learning lab located at JAUM headquarters in Maplewood,

Minn. As an underserved school, Sanford has relied upon scholarships and corporate partners to fund its visits to JA Finance Park. By providing the funds for this scholarship, ECMC Group will ensure that Sanford students receive JAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impactful, experiential programming at no cost. This commitment is part of a national strategic partnership between ECMC Group and JA where other major ECMC Group oďŹ&#x192;ces across the country will invest grants totaling $80,000 and volunteer time throughout 2017 and beyond.

Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ethnic issues puts the world in crisis Commentary by Douglas R. Ewart If America does not ďŹ x its most challenging issues, ethnic relations, and dispense equal rights and justice for all, it is going to implode. No justice for signiďŹ cant and speciďŹ c portions of our population creates perpetual dissension and upheavals, which is bubbling and developing into spiritual, social and political tsunamis. Those who do not listen, heed and resolve

5th Ward From 3 for the Minneapolis branch of the NAACP. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was because of my direct interactions with Blong Yang.â&#x20AC;? Williams said it became apparent to her that Yang was more concerned with big money builders and corporate types than he was with the residents of the ward. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I felt he had a lot of outside inďŹ&#x201A;uence, especially builders and developers, and he wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t listening to the voices of the people he was supposed to be representing,â&#x20AC;? said Williams. Ellison said Yang seems to be tone-deaf to the concerns

Children From 3 children of color, children in immigrant families and NativeAmerican children. It shows that Minnesota has some of the best outcomes for white children but falls dramatically short in the well-being of children of color, children in immigrant families and American Indian children. The report uses an index to compare how children are progressing on key milestones across ethnic groups at the national and state level. Using a composite score of these milestones on a scale of one (lowest) to 1,000 (highest), the index shows persistent, signiďŹ cant disparities among Minnesotaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s African-American (380), Native-American (363) and Latino children (460) compared to Asian and PaciďŹ c Islander (650) and white children (789). Minnesotaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s index score for white children is the ďŹ fth best in the country. However, compared to the states with suďŹ&#x192;cient data to be scored, Minnesotaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s index scores for African-American and Hispanic/Latino children fall in the lower half; the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s index score for American Indian children is in the lowest quarter of states and the index score for Asian and PaciďŹ c Islander children is the third worst behind Alaska and Hawaii. Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Defense FundMinnesota (CDF-MN) echoes

ClassiĂ&#x20AC;eds East Shore Place 805 Wildwood Road Mahtomedi, MN 55115 (651) 770-7964 NOTICE: OPENING THE 1 BEDROOM WAIT LIST Seniors 62 years and older, rent EDVHG RQ LQFRPH IRU TXDOLÂżHG DSSOLFDQWV $SSOLFDWLRQV PD\ EH GRZQORDGHG DW www.commonbond.org from 9am 6HSWHPEHU XQWLO SP 1RYHPEHU 2U SLFNHG XS LQ WKH 0DQDJHPHQW 2IÂżFH Completed applications must be received by mail only, on or before November 28, 2017. All qualiÂżHG $SSOLFDQWV ZLOO EH SODFHG RQ WKH Waiting List in the order they are received. CommonBond Communities (TXDO +RXVLQJ 2SSRUWXQLW\

the issues facing them will pay dire consequences, as ignoring problems will not make them go away and will only exacerbate them. The mass shootings are a perfect example of not taking heed, and some segments of the population continue to cite the abused and misinterpreted Second Amendment as a reason not to do anything about weapons of mass destruction. Just because the right to keep and bear arms (that was for ďŹ&#x201A;intlocks and muskets) is in the Constitution does not make it right for today and the Constitution is far from perfect, untouchable, or unchangeable. The writers of

the U.S. Constitution were quite imperfect, as they were slavers and misogynists. To ignore the aforementioned problems is the heights of ignorance and reckless conduct. It is the same mentality that refuses to do away with the Electoral College. If the people of America were as concerned about equal rights and justice as they are the abatement of guns and the national anthem and the ďŹ&#x201A;ag, we would scarcely have any problems. I want to be clear here, as I have the greatest regard, empathy, heartbreak for the people that have lost limbs, their minds, families and died in all the wars,

of the residents of the 5th and to the values of the DFL, which he sought endorsement. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When you look at progressive values â&#x20AC;Ś $15 minimum wage, voting against funding for language services for Hmong and Somali residents, voting against increased funding for the oďŹ&#x192;ce of equity and inclusion â&#x20AC;Ś thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not a lot of evidence that he stands with DFL values,â&#x20AC;? said Ellison. Ellison and Williams, who were both prominent protesters following the killing of Clark, said Yang was absent there too, and when he did show, he sided with the police, not the people calling for justice. The two seeking to be the next councilperson of the 5th Ward say voter turnout is key if either of them are to prevail.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Having a healthy and engaged voting population is important for any community,â&#x20AC;? said Ellison. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Going up against an incumbent is always a steep hill, but in this election, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about engaging new voices and getting them inspired and excited about this race.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got to get people engaged,â&#x20AC;? said Williams. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Local politics aďŹ&#x20AC;ects our daily lives in so many ways. When we talk about police reform, aďŹ&#x20AC;ordable housing and employment, we have to have someone in City Hall who truly represents the people who elected that person to serve.â&#x20AC;? Insight News made multiple attempts to reach Yang for this report, but those attempts were unsuccessful.

the Casey Foundationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s urgent call for local, state and federal policymakers to expand existing policies that work and implement new programs and policies that will beneďŹ t all children. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For many Minnesota children, especially children of color and American Indian children, structural and institutional policies and racism make the path to success steeper, and as a state, we need to level the playing ďŹ eld for all children,â&#x20AC;? said Bharti Wahi, CDF-MN executive director. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s children will oďŹ&#x20AC;er new ideas and skills that will improve our future, but only if Minnesota works hard to foster equal opportunities for all its children by investing in eďŹ&#x20AC;ective programs and policies that target speciďŹ c populations and improve health, education and economic outcomes for families.â&#x20AC;? The â&#x20AC;&#x153;Race for Resultsâ&#x20AC;? report lays bare that despite some progress, a stark gulf in prosperity continues to aďŹ&#x20AC;ect Minnesota children living in immigrant families, many of whom are children of color. One in two Minnesota children living in immigrant families is low-income, deďŹ ned as 200 percent of the federal poverty threshold or just less than $50,000 for a family of four, and administrative decisions threaten the stability of nearly 7,000 young Minnesotans who are either enrolled in or have applied to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. More than 90 percent of DACA

participants nationwide are employed or enrolled in school. Despite these barriers, children in immigrant families continue to push forward to carve out a better life. Eighty percent of Minnesota children in immigrant families live in twoparent households compared to 76 percent of non-immigrant children. Eighty-ďŹ ve percent of Minnesota foreign-born young adults were in school or working. Young Minnesota children in immigrant families are enrolled in early childhood education programs at nearly the same rate (57 percent) as their U.S.-born peers (58 percent). â&#x20AC;&#x153;Policies and investments in programs that support a twogeneration approach to child and caregiver success, prioritize the needs of children in immigrant families, children of color and American Indian children, and promote culturally relevant family supports are necessary to ensure our children thrive now and in the future,â&#x20AC;? said Wahi. â&#x20AC;&#x153;SpeciďŹ cally, the state can start by fully funding the Child Care Assistance Program that makes child care more stable and aďŹ&#x20AC;ordable for families, create a statewide Paid Family and Medical Leave Program to eliminate the disproportionate access to paid leave after the birth or adoption of child or to care for a sick relative and improve the Minnesota Family Investment Program by increasing the cash grant and attention to and developmental tracking of children accessing the program.â&#x20AC;?

Phone: 612.588.1313

no matter the reasons, as all lives are sacred. Many of these people were and are conscripts of one form or another â&#x20AC;Ś were drafted, needing a job, needing education, needing to belong, need to get away from terrible circumstances and despicable environments, some feeling that joining the arm forces is a duty/ serving/patriotism, and more. However, the notion that all the wars/ďŹ ghting that has occurred has been to secure our freedom is nonsense. The majority of the wars we have been engaged in are about historical habitual stupidity (macho-

Give thanks for the healthy kids in your life, and give to those who are not. Support St. Jude Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Research HospitalÂŽ at any Best BuyÂŽ store or at www.BestBuy.com/stjude.

Donate Now

St. Jude patient Jenny

Fax: 612.588.2031

Email: info@insightnews.com

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North Gables 654 90th Lane NE Blaine, MN 55434 (763) 786-0232

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and the wars in Cambodia, Laos, was Burma now. The military personnel were usually in a quandary as to what the war was about. They would ďŹ ght for a few square blocks where hundreds were sometimes killed, and then they would abandon that spot to go and do the same in a previously fought for area. Wars and the residuals of war are unfathomably horriďŹ c. It is time for the U.S. to get real and get its house straight or doom is inevitable.

Give the gift of thanks this season.

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man), so-called power, military superiority, bullying militarily weaker nations, imperialism, colonialism, experiments in killing people with new weapons, making money and feeling that we are the moral compass of the world, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Leader of the free world,â&#x20AC;? which is absurd, to say the least. President Trump and his clique are arduously working at setting America and the planet back a hundred years, and the only people that support him/ them are white supremacists. There is a very incredible series that has been running on television about the Vietnam War

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Page 10 •October 30 -November 5, 2017 • Insight News

insightnews.com Kenny Lattimore

Montana of 300

Monday, Oct. 30 JAZZ Epiphany at JT’s Jazz Implosion Icehouse 2528 Nicollet Avenue South 9:30PM From France to Chicago to Minneapolis, this collective of creatives has developed a new platform for sound improvisation. DANCE

Oct. 30 Nov. 12, 2017

Thriller Pop Up Kimpton Grand Hotel Minneapolis 615 2nd Ave. S., Minneapolis 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Join choreographer Jeremiah Lewis-Walker for a or a free Michael Jackson “Thriller” dance lesson in The Grand Hotel›s lobby.

Tuesday, Oct. 31 THEATER

Aesthetically It! is a list of picks from the editors of Aesthetically Speaking. Aesthetically It! features venues, events, outings and more that are worthy of “It” status. If you have a venue, event or outing that you feel is “It” worthy, email us at aestheticallyit@ insightnews.com

“Finding Neverland” Orpheum Theatre 910 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis 7:31PM “Finding Neverland” tells the story behind one of the world’s most beloved characters – Peter Pan. Playwright J.M. Barrie struggles to ﬁnd inspiration until he meets four young brothers and their beautiful widowed mother.

Minneapolis 8:00PM MAC House presents a variety show of hip-hop, comedy, poetry and bands at Honey in Minneapolis.

Thursday, Nov. 2

Often referred to as «Rap God,” Montana of 300 is emerging as one of the hottest MCs in the game. His latest project, «Cursed with A Blessing,» is in the top ﬁve on the Billboard rap chart.

Syd The Cabooze 917 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis 8 p.m. 18-plus $25 The Internet’s Syd dropped one of the best albums of 2017 with “Fin.” Catch her melodic and soulful show at The Cabooze.

R&B/SOUL

Sunday, Nov. 5

Kenny Lattimore Dakota Jazz Club 1010 Washington Ave., Minneapolis 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. $35-$50

THEATER

Wednesday, Nov. 8

“Ludlow” The Crane Theater 2303 Kennedy St. N.E. #120, Minneapolis 3 p.m.

HIP-HOP

Grammy nominated R&B icon, Kenny Lattimore, returns to Minneapolis for two shows at the Dakota.

Friday, Nov. 3 R&B/PARTY Forever, For Always, For Love A Tribute to Luther Vandross Bunkers Music Bar & Grill 761 N. Washington Ave., Minneapolis 8PM Some of the Twin Cities top musicians gather at Bunkers to celebrate the music of Luther Vandross. Ray Covington, James “Jay Bee” Brown, Jerry Eskridge, Erica West, Tony Axtell, Troy Norton, Brian Kendrick, Daryl Boudreaux, David Eiland, Brian Ziemniak and more are set to perform.

Saturday, Nov. 4

Wednesday, Nov. 1

HIP-HOP

SHOWCASE

Montana of 300 Cabooze 917 Cedar Ave., Minneapolis 6:30 p.m. 15-plus

Impact Variety Show Honey 205 E. Hennepin Ave.,

$25-$50

The year is 1913. Progress runs on coal, but the immigrant miners from southern Colorado are being squeezed beyond endurance. They work the seam while corporate forces arrayed against them spy, manipulate and disrupt, crushing any hint of “union.” “Ludlow” runs through Nov. 19.

After being questioned for sounding like Ghostface Killah, Bronson’s response had many write him oﬀ as an artist, but he found a way to bounce back and deliver with his new project, “Blue Chips 7000.”

Monday, Nov. 6

JAZZ

HIP-HOP/ROCK

Kamasi Washington First Avenue 701 N. 1st Ave., Minneapolis 7 p.m. 18-plus $30 advance, $35 door

Capturing teenage angst, while bringing light to depression and addiction has been at the core of Cudi’s message while experimenting with sonic waves. See Kanye West’s favorite young artist at Myth.

When was the last time you heard of a jazz concert at First Avenue? That should tell you about the popularity of the Los Angeles born artist, Kamasi Washington.

Friday, Nov. 10 R&B

Tuesday, Nov. 7

Illinois to Minnesota transplant, K. Raydio, has been making waves with her soulful sound. Catch her with a feature performance from composer, Javier Santiago.

Saturday, Nov. 11 WORLD/HIP-HOP

Action Bronson Music Hall Minneapolis 111 N 5th Street, Minneapolis 8 p.m. $37.50-$47.50

Thursday, Nov. 9

Kid Cudi Myth 3090 Southlawn Dr., St. Paul 9 p.m. All ages $39.50-$47.50

Minneapolis 10:30 p.m. 21-plus $8

Ibeyi with theMIND Fine Line Music Café 318 1st Ave. N., Minneapolis 8 p.m. 18-plus $22-$35 French-Cuban twin sisters, Ibeyi, are the daughters of percussionist, Anga Díaz, who has received a Grammy as a part of the legendary Latin jazz band, Irakere. A favorite of Beyonce, Ibeyi performs at the Fine Line with powerhouse producer, theMIND.

Sunday, Nov. 12 POETRY More Than a Single Story: Vigilance in Uncertain Times The Loft Literary Center 1011 Washington Ave. S., Suite 200, Minneapolis 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Diane Wilson, whose ﬁrst book, “Spirit Car: Journey to a Dakota Past,” won the Minnesota Book Award for autobiography, memoir, and creative nonﬁction in 2006, performs at the Loft Literary Center.

K.Raydio and Friends Icehouse 2528 Nicollet Ave. S.,

R&B/NEO SOUL

Spice it up with ras el hanout

Ras el hanout can spice up almost any dish.

The Un-Bougie Foodie By Wesley Wright

www.facebook.com/ theunbougiefoodie Imagine preparing a dish with a mixture of approximately 25-100 different spices. That is what you would find in this spice mixture from North Africa, specifically Morocco, called ras el hanout. The meaning behind the name of the mixture is “head of the shop,” similar to the expression “top-shelf.” So, it literally refers to the best spices that the store has to offer. Being of the most fundamental flavors and aromas of Moroccan cuisine, ras el hanout is the country’s “national spice blend.” Though this is a popular spice blend, shops or companies competitively create their own unique secret blend, some boasting of their mixture containing the rarest ingredients. No two recipes are ever alike, so creators of a particular blend would be hard-pressed to divulge information of that powdered treasure, which makes it all the more intriguing to learn how to use it.

Ras el hanout is not a spicy blend, but it provides aromatic and warm flavors. True, you can add some chilies or peppers to raise the heat level, but ultimately you want as many of the characters of the blend to work together enhancing whatever dish you are preparing. Spices such as coriander and cumin take the lead and are complimented by sweet spices such as cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Conveniently, you can add ras el hanout in marinades, as a rub, or seasoning for dishes like stewswhich will add a distinct North African flavor. After finding out that ras el hanout is perfect when preparing a lamb dish, I journeyed from St. Paul to a meat shop in the Linden Hills area and purchased a lamb shoulder. Check out my lamb preparation for the first time. Lamb shoulder roast 2 lb. boneless lamb shoulder 3 cloves of garlic, cut into slivers 1 small shallot, minced 2 Tbsp. olive oil 1 Tbsp ras el hanout 3-4 sprigs of rosemary, remove leaves Salt and pepper to taste (Marinate for 2-3 hours, preferably overnight) With a small sharp

knife, cut slits over the lamb shoulder. Insert the garlic and rosemary into the slits. Mix olive oil, shallot, and ras el hanout spice blend. Drizzle mixture over lamb shoulder. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and place in refrigerator. Remove from the refrigerator one hour prior to placing in the oven. Roasting: Preheat oven to 180 degrees. Place shoulder in a covered roasting pan, allowing approximately four hours for roasting. Use the pan juices for basting. Uncover and raise oven temperature to 275 degrees cooking for an additional 25-30 mins. Allow roast a 15-minute rest time before slicing. Potatoes or other vegetables are a great compliment to this dish, as I added some jalapenos, mushrooms and carrots to round out the roast. You can ﬁnd ras el hanout at specialty shops such as Holy Land, 2513 Central Ave. N.E., Minneapolis, World Street Kitchen, 2743 Lyndale Ave, S., Minneapolis and Bills Imported Foods, 721 W. Lake St., Minneapolis. Wesley Wright is the creator and show host of “The Un-Bougie Foodie” show, which airs Saturdays at 10 a.m. on 104.7, WEQYLP.

insightnews.com

Insight News • October 30 -November 5, 2017 • Page 11

Fearless Commerce magazine celebrates woman entrepreneurs

A host of honorees and well-wishers were on hand at TPT studios for the launch of Fearless. From left to right, honorees Brittany Lynch with Dr. Artika Tyner, Toki Wright, honoree Bianca Lewis, Lyntrell Dixson; Nashea Tucker, Da’Lacie McGrew and Chanel Rivers and Fearless Commerce founders, Shawntera Hardy and Camille Thomas. The Twin Cities is home to some fearless AfricanAmerican women. This was evidenced

this past Wednesday (Oct. 25) during the launch of Fearless Commerce, a magazine dedicated to

Black women entrepreneurs in the area. The magazine recognized more than 30 women during a sold-out

launch at TPT studios in St. Paul. Founded by Camille Thomas and Shawntera Hardy (Hardy is also the

state’s commissioner of DEED – Department of Employment and Economic Development), Fearless

publishes bi-annually. Copies are available online at www.fearlesscommerce. com.

Epiphany – Global jazz at Icehouse By: Toki Wright @mrwrighttc/@tokiwright The term “jazz” has been a highly contested term by creatives since it became popularized in the early 1900s. As Black and Creole musicians in New Orleans were developing their syncopated style, jazz referred directly to sexual intercourse. In this case it makes sense as each instrument is engaged in a ﬂirtatious dance and often a frustrated ambivalence. The artists that perform what can be found under the jazz umbrella shouldn’t be limited by 100-year-old terminology. Creatives like Alice Coltrane, Miles Davis and Sun Ra have bent the frame of thinking to expand into the galaxy. There are pockets of these creatives around the world and a few are coming to town this week. Monday (Oct. 30) in Minneapolis starts the American leg of the “Epiphany – Bridge #9” tour. Epiphany is a quartet put together by the French Alliance network, The Bridge. Known for bringing together creative musicians from France and Chicago, The Bridge has been focused on “improvised musical and cultural journeying.” This all-star cast is made up of members Dana Hall of Brooklyn on drums, France’s Sylvain Kassap on clarinets, accomplished Boston born hip-hop artist

Photo by Rémi Angeli

Epiphany Mike Ladd with voice and electronics, and Twin Cities native Mankwe Ndosi adding voice, texture and rhythms. “I feel like this show is also a very good bridge to creative music and improvisation,” said Ndosi. Traveling back and forth to Chicago since 2000, Mankwe has been collaborating with the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM), a 50-yearold non-proﬁt that helped birth the network that eventually found its way to France. Epiphany’s creative members each bring with them a wealth of knowledge and creativity. Hall

is currently the director of Jazz Studies at DePaul University in Chicago, home to one of the most vibrant music scenes in the world. Ndosi describes Hall as a, “very muscular drummer” that weaves together “intricate rhythms and sounds with grace.” Often playing two clarinets at once, Kassap is described as a “colorist and architect of sound.” Vocalist Ladd is well known in independent hip-hop circles. British newspaper, The Guardian, once dubbed him “the king of the hip-hop concept.” So much can be said about the multitalented Ndosi. Aside from her community work Ndosi is best known for her vocal talents

performing with the likes of Nicole Mitchell, the Give Get Sistet, Laurie Carlos, George Lewis, Medium Zach, I-Self Devine, Ananya Dance Theater and Atmosphere. Another Ndosi collaborator and Twin Cities pillar, Douglas R. Ewart, will also guest compose and add visuals at the Minneapolis tour date. So what do you call a collaboration like Epiphany? We could simply attach the title of a jazz concert, but there are many layers to peel. “The music is just exciting and a blend of acoustic and electronic textures” that can “spark people in their

Nov. 17- Nov. 19

TU Dance comes to The O’Shaughnessy The award-winning dance troupe, TU Dance, returns to The O’Shaughnessy with a program of two world premieres and two classic pieces. Led by Toni Pierce-Sands and Uri Sands, the dance concerts will feature new works by guest choreographers Stefanie Batten Bland (Jerome Robbins Awardee) and Marcus Jarrell Willis (Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater choreographer), as well as Uri Sands’ “Hikari,” and Ronald Brown’s “Clear as Tear Water.” “41 Times,” commissioned by The O›Shaughnessy, features the full company and centers on the 1999 shooting of Amadou Diallo, an immigrant from Guineau, who was killed by four New York City police officers. The police fired 41 shots with 19 bullets hitting the unarmed Black man. «Amongst the tragic killings and agony that a story like Amadou’s and others bring, we are able to celebrate the people who are taken from us and impact our communities through a lens of artistic practice. Theatres should be a place of unity and understanding, and I hope this piece for TU Dance offers this opportunity to dialogue and heal,» said Batten Bland. In “Sensible Existence,” a world premiere commissioned by the Rosemary and David Good Family Foundation, choreographer Marcus Jarrell Willis presents movement

Brandon Stengel

TU Dance for ﬁve dancers inspired by Descartes’ writings on self and the world and set to three movements from Steve Reich’s “The Desert Music.” Originally commissioned by the Ordway to celebrate TU Dance’s 10th Anniversary, “Hikari” (2014) is an immersive exploration of light that Sands created in collaboration with print artist Hiroki Morinoue. TU Dance company member Taylor Collier will

dance in Brown’s “Clear as Tear Water” (2005), a solo work originally choreographed for Pierce-Sands. “This solo explores the balance of a woman›s vulnerability and strength as she is supported by generations of women before her,” said Pierce-Sands. In addition to Collier, the TU Dance Company includes Kaitlin Bell, Jake Lewis, Adam McGaw, Randall Riley, Amanda Sachs, Alexis Staley, Christian

Warner and Elayna Waxse. TU Dance will be on stage Nov. 17 and Nov. 18 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $22-$34. For more information, contact The O’Shaughnessy Ticket Oﬃce at (651) 690-6700 or online at www.oshag.stkate.edu. The O’Shaughnessy is located on the main campus of St. Catherine University at 2004 Randolph Ave., St. Paul.

own

process,” said Ndosi. That “process” we ﬁnd in the abstract brings people in to participate on a deeper level. An elevated level of musicianship and collaborative understanding is generated. In that space the artists are allowed the freedoms of expression and the possibilities of the unknown. Much of Epiphany’s work comes from a freestyle aesthetic. “It’s primarily improvisation; pulls on philosophy and spirit, ancestors, challenging questions and spaced out futuristic visions,” said Ndosi. “Epiphany pulls on philosophy and spirit, ancestors,

and challenging questions and spaced out futuristic visions.” This generates questions of our expectations from creative spaces. What are our expectations of music when the majority of what we hear marketed is for popularity and commerce? What is the function of music? How much of a role does environment play on what is generated on stage? Questions like this make us ask what do we consider to be “good” and why? Miles Davis once stated, “It’s not the note you play that’s the wrong note – it’s the note you play afterwards that makes it right or wrong.” So often listeners are limited by the expectation of continued satisfaction. It is essential for there to be spaces where imperfection can be ﬂeshed out without longstanding regret. “I treat it as terrain. Things that are in my own life, thoughts, visions, memories, sometimes I will not like it,” said Ndosi. “I will disagree with music and it still becomes a practice of surrender because it will shake loose something in me that I didn’t know needed to be shaken.” The “Epiphany – Bridge #9” tour comes to the Icehouse, 2528 Nicollet Ave. S., Minneapolis, Monday (Oct. 30) at 9:30 p.m. Tickets for this 21plus show are $15 at the door For more information call (612) 276-6523.

MODERN SOUL MAN

KENNY LATTIMORE NOV 2

7 & 9PM

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Page 12 •October 30 -November 5, 2017 • Insight News

DJ Willie Shu has proven that where he goes, the crowd will follow. The latest spot to beneﬁt from booking the popular DJ is

Constantine inside of the Ivy Hotel in Minneapolis. Normally a sleepy lounge, Constantine wakes up when Shu spins. A recent Sat-

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urday night saw the lounge packed with young professionals partying and enjoying the vibe provided by Shu.

Harry Colbert, Jr.

Anthony “DJ A-Quil” DuBose and fiancé, Bianca Lewis.

It’s always fun times when (left to right) Courtnie Conyers, Lindsay Withers, Alyssa Hanson, Miranda Eiler and Bri Latham get together.

DJ Willie Shu

Godson Sowah (left) and Dia Lee hanging out at Constantine.

Sharae Ruffin-Sledge (left) and Erica Hayes.

Très bien: (Left to right) Jazmine Scott, Ashley Bradford and Brooke Buchanan.

DIVINELY LAYERED SOUL AND JAZZ

(Left to right) Veda Mason, Christine Free, Tenorise Dunlap and Paul Feaster enjoying the vibe.

LIZZ WRIGHT NOV 5

7PM

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(Left to right) Vince Gorman, Tammy Gorman, Thurl Belfrey and Lenora Belfrey on a Saturday night at Constantine.