Make your voice heard
Vote Tuesday November 6th
INSIGHT NEWS November 5 - November 11, 2012 • MN Metro Vol. 39 No. 45 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • www.insightnews.com
A letter to my people By Dr. Josie R. Johnson
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Suluki Fardan
Dr. Josie Johnson
am an 82-year-old Black woman who has been involved in the struggle for justice and equality most of my life. I did not believe I would live long enough to see the election of a Black President. But sadly, I have not lived long enough to see the fulfillment of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream … “a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. …” The most surprising and disappointing observation, for this old lady, is the depth of racism that exists in our America. Racism and white supremacy have influenced the four years of this President’s administration. We were warned after the swearing in of this President that the leadership, among the
Appomattox: From the Civil War to Civil Rights Act I, takes place at Appomattox, then a little known village in central Virginia in 1865. It is now a historic place. It is where General Robert E. Lee, head of the southern Confederate Army met and surrendered to General Ulysses Grant, leader of the victorious northern United States of America’s Union Army. The surrender of Lee to Grant represents one of the most significant events, not only in U.S. history, but world history. The result of this and the abolition of Black enslavement changed the course of history on four continents, at least if not the world. The meeting of these
Notes on the struggle By Professor Mahmoud El -Kati With apologies to Soul Brother #1 James Brown; Please, Please, Please, Please see this play. Please. The play premiered on Friday, October 5, at the Guthrie Theatre and runs until November 11. This play has merit, if for no other reason that it has some of the right people in the right places, which is a strange twist of candidness about a presentation of American history.
Michael Brosilow and Allen Brisson-Smith
Cast of Appomattox
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The power of one: Voting matters! Gateway to excellence By Scott Gray MUL President/CEO
It happened on a Saturday, the date was August 13th in 1955; just 57 years ago. He was a farmer, a World War II veteran, an organizer of voter registration drives. This man was a civil rights activist who was fiercely committed and dedicated to ensuring that Black voters understood their rights and more importantly, the significance of letting their political voices be
Business
The binder debacle: Why diversity and inclusion are good ideas
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heard. Brookhaven is a sleepy, tiny Mississippi town that most of us have never heard of, unless perhaps a student of the Civil Rights Martyrs’ Roll Call List. In 1955, equality was not fully embraced with open arms in this town, and disenfranchisement, particularly when it came to voting was more the order of the day. In
Lifestyle
Lighthouse prepares health care workforce
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the face of this reality and even after being told he was too political and subsequently threatened with death if he persisted in working to mobilize voters, this warrior for righteousness refused to quit. Ask yourself, have you been so committed to a cause, to doing the right thing that you were
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opposition, pledged to make him fail; that he would be a one term President, etc, etc. His successful election, in America, was a shock to many! During his campaign he offered hope, courage, intelligence, respect for differences and a sense of peace. The World saw him as an example of the possibilities of America. The World Community gathered wherever he appeared to hear him and see the American who preached possibility, respect and joy. Governments that had questioned our attitude and policies began to re-examine their views and began to have trust in America, again. The President received the 2009 Nobel Prize soon after his election. The Nobel Prize Committee said it honored the President for his “extraordinary effort to strengthen international
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Ballot or the bullet By Corey Yeager, MA, LMFT On Election Day 2008, I went to my polling site to participate in the most historical election since the origin of this country. I recall the excitement that coursed through me as I made way to my local polling station. That morning I had made the intentional decision to vote early before I headed to work. My reasoning for voting early that morning held deep meaning. I am an African American male Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. For the last number of years I have had the pleasure of working with incarcerated youth at the Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center, downtown Minneapolis. In this role, I see on a daily basis the “New Jim Crow” implications. Young men and women of color being “shackled” with the chains of felony and the subsequent loss of many rights,
Aesthetics
Jamaica Farewell at Hopkins Center
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Corey Yeager especially the 15th Amendment to the constitution, the right to vote. The 15th Amendment states in part that it “prohibits each government in the United States from denying a citizen the right to vote based on that citizen’s race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” With this being said, my intention for going early that morning to vote was all important. I wanted all of the students that I would encounter that day to know how important it is to vote. It
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Community
Community celebrates reopening of Lowry Avenue Bridge
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Letter From 1 diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.” The President said he viewed the Prize decision less as recognition of his own accomplishment and more as “a call to action”. The President’s opposition criticized the Prize being given to the President. Instead of being proud for America, their racism devalued one of the most respected prizes in the World. I am of the opinion that the President believes more in America than his opposition believes in America. His opposition would rather see the President fail than participate in the continued success of America. President Obama believes in the power of building consensus among people of good will. He believes “we” can solve complex and difficult issues if we consider the greater good. An example of the President’s belief in the consensus process was his urging Congress to use the summer recess, following the passage of historic health care legislation, to discuss the bill with their constituents and make the bill work for all. He thought the summer discussion would improve the legislation and meet the needs of most Americans. Health care legislation had not passed in over 60 years. He thought Congress would take the bill to their constituents, improve the bill and help it meet their constituent’s needs. Instead, the opposition demagogued the bill and convinced individuals, who were without or had limited health benefits they did not need or want the legislation. The opposition labeled the bill “Obama Care” to further demean and defeat President Obama. To have citizens go to rallies with guns strapped to their bodies, to have graphic symbolsHitler-animalsdevil-etc., displayed at health rallies was another effort
Dr Dr. Josie Johnson with her father Judson Robinson Robinson, Sr Sr. and her mother Josie Johnson (1930) to deny the success of our President. The use of code words triggered stereotypes of African Americans rather than the needs of their constituents. I don’t think the President anticipated hate rallies. He believed Congress truly cared about their constituents. I have observed racism and white supremacy are stronger influences, among the opposition, than solving issues our country faces. Racism and white supremacy are so deeply etched in the fabric of American teaching it trumps truth or facts. It endangers the position and status of our country. In spite of the opposition and lack of media attention, I
offer a few accomplishments of President Barack Obama: • The President launched the U.S. Auto Industry rescue plan. • The President signed the Children’s Health Insurance Reauthorization Act. (That act provided health care to 11 million children, 4 million who were previously denied) • Provided funds to families of “fallen soldiers” to cover their expenses. • Renewed dialogue with NATO and other allies and partners on strategic issues. • Provided the Department of Veterans Affairs with billions of dollars to improve services to our
Dr. Josie Johnson and Judson Robinson, Sr. (1979) Dr. Josie Johnson, Fisk University (1951) Veterans. • The President ended the policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date. • The President ended media blackout on war casualties and the return of fallen soldiers. • The President signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, restoring basic protection against pay discrimination for women and other workers. • The President signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. • The President signed an Executive Order establishing the White
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House Office of Urban H Affairs. The President limited access of lobbyist to the White House. The President invested heavily in Education for jobs and long-term prosperity. The President protected 300,000 education jobs, such as teachers, principals, librarians, and counselors through the Recovery Act. President Obama extended unemployment benefits for 2,000,000 unemployed Americans by 20 weeks. President Obama appointed the most diverse Cabinet in history. More women than any
other incoming president. • Our President provided tax credits to first-time homebuyers. • Our President numerous benefits to the troops and the Veterans. These are just a few acts of a President who loves America. My sadness is to see how deeply etched the teaching of racism, white supremacy is in our America. My hope is to have America become its better self. We must go to the polls and vote on November 6 for the America we can be. Vote as if our life depends on it because it does. Vote for the reelection of President Obama and VOTE NO on the PHOTO ID Amendment.
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Gene Saffold remembered as a great financial mind and friend to many By Fred Easter The Carleton College Multicultural Alumni Network (MCAN) is mourning the loss of one of its own. On Oct. 8, Gene Saffold passed away from complications following heart surgery. He was 57. Gene Saffold graduated from Carleton in the class of 1976.
Mr. Saffold’s legacy is extraordinary in its depth and breadth. He was a larger than life figure in the worlds of investment, public finance and philanthropy. Mr. Saffold served in Mayor Richard Daley’s cabinet as Chicago’s chief financial officer. Daley said, in a statement, “(Mr.) Saffold was a wonderful human being and an invaluable
resource. He was always innovative and forthright in his decisions. He was a great adviser to me, but, more than that, a marvelous ally and friend who will be sorely missed.” Mr. Saffold also advised Chicago’s current mayor, Rahm Emanuel, who said, “Gene always understood that no matter our success as private citizens, everything we do is
ultimately measured by what we do to advance the public good. He showed a lifetime commitment to philanthropy and civic engagement and a steadfast commitment to the city he loved.” Mr. Saffold is credited with carving out a pioneering role for African-Americans as leaders of public finance investment banks. He was a mentor to many junior
colleagues. He helped spearhead the financial restructuring of Chicago’s schools and raised $3 billion in capital for that effort while he served as a trustee. In 1991 Mr. Saffold co-founded and helped run an advisory firm, LS Financial Group, Inc. He had a distinguished career at Salomon, Smith, Barney and at JPMorgan Chase & Co., where
he rose to the level of a managing director. More recently, he was named to the board of the Chicago Low-Income Housing Trust Fund. For his surviving three children and a host of fellow alums who will gather this weekend in Chicago, he will be fondly remembered as a warm, funny guy with a big heart.
Vote From 1 willing to die for it? Do you ever reflect on what our forefathers, the elders had to endure for just a taste of justice and respect, a slice of the equal opportunity pie? Ever cross your mind that in this time of technological advancement and increased opportunity, more than our elders ever had mind you, many of us are held hostage by underachievement and an unwillingness to commit the time and effort required to transform our lives. On August 2, this man cast his vote in the Primary Election and helped countless other residents to vote as well. With no clear victor, a run-off primary was scheduled for August 23rd. So on that August 13th day, this champion for change was at the courthouse seeking to assist Black voters fill out absentee ballots so that they could vote in the upcoming run-off election. As the clock struck 10:00 am, shots from a.38 caliber pistol rang out, and in broad daylight with people watching, in front of the Brookhaven courthouse, within seconds, Lamar “Ditney” Smith, son of Levi Smith and Harriet Humphrey Smith was dead. When District Attorney (DA) E. C. Barlow reached the scene of the murder, he immediately questioned Sheriff Robert E. Case who told the DA that he saw a man named Noah Smith leave the scene of the murder with blood all over him. Subsequently, Noah Smith and two other men, Charles Falvey and Mack Smith, were arrested, each quickly released on a $20,000 bond. Not a single witness appeared before the grand jury, the case was dropped and the three men went free. District Attorney Barlow lamented that this lack of cooperation was an obvious gross miscarriage of justice. As a boy, I heard this painful story of such a senseless murder countless times. Not just because my family has roots in Mississippi, but because Lamar “Ditney” Smith was my great, great uncle. Uncle Ditney may not be well known in places beyond Mississippi but he is one of the countless heroes who paved a way for all of us right now and are members of that Civil Rights Martyrs’ Roll Call List. This is a list of freedom, equality and quality of life seekers, most whose names we have never heard, but people who understood that if you do not choose to show up and advocate for yourself, for your family, or for your community, you are giving away all of your power and any real possibility of claiming your rights, privileges, and prospects as a citizen. A Voting Matter I share this story because in a few days, on November 6th, Election 2012 will unfold; an election that both political and economic analyst suggest will be a defining moment for this nation and its future. In the close election of 2000, Al Gore lost Florida to George Bush by 537 votes, and the presidency by a margin of 5 votes in the Electoral College, 266 to 271. These results, still debated even today, remind us that every vote does count, and the power of one cannot be denied. So I encourage you to analyze the issues, the political stances of the candidates and then let your voice be heard. Refuse to let the deaths of so many justice seekers be in vain because of growing feelings that you and I no longer matter. Do not allow your personal situation, challenging job and financial circumstances, unfair treatment or feelings of hopelessness keep you from occupying your polling place on Election Day. There are many who would like you to not occupy the vote and voter suppression tactics such as the Voter ID amendment should be defeated. Your vote is a personal opportunity to express a preference, a choice; your statement that you are not going to allow others to make decisions that impact the quality of your life in absence of your full participation. When we neglect to show up to vote, when we begin to believe that it does not matter, we will slowly find ourselves no longer answering the call of opportunity
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Tori Hill seeks MN house seat Representatives on a platform of improving public education throughout the state. Hill is the DFL candidate for the House in Dist. 48(B). The district encompasses the southern portion of Eden Prairie. “Education is a top priority,” said Hill who is running to unseat Republican incumbent, Jenifer Loon. “We’ve got to address the achievement gap in this state. I know all kids can achieve. It’s important to focus on early childhood development. It’s also important to have teachers and administrators with a vested interest in students’ success.” Hill, who previously ran for the Eden Prairie School Board, also has served as PTO president of Cedar Ridge Elementary School and served on several education- related boards. But education is not Hill’s sole focus. “The reason I’m running is
By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer Education is a top priority in the household of Tori Hill. Hill, a graduate of Vassar College, has three children who are high-achievers in their scholastic careers. Hill’s eldest child, Brandon Hill, 19, is attending Stanford University on an academic scholarship, and received scholarship offers from Yale, Harvard, Northwestern and more. Her daughter, Toria Hill, 16, an 11th grader at Eden Prairie High School is taking college level courses and her youngest
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daughter, Naya Hill, 14, is an 8th grader in advanced placements classes.
So, it should come as no surprise that Hill is running for the Minnesota State House of
African-American business sorority hosts luncheon; auction to provide college scholarships By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc., an African-American professional business sorority, held a luncheon and auction to benefit area teens in need of college funding assistance. The luncheon and silent auction took place Oct. 27 at the Airport Hilton Hotel. The goal of the event was to raise funds for scholarships for deserving area high school students. “Every year we give away
between $2,000 and $3,000 in scholarships,” said Gamma Tau chapter president, Dorwatha Woods. “We try to impact the community in a positive way.” Woods said the Gamma Tau chapter, which is based in the Twin Cities, also works with women in crisis situations, on issues of health care and other issues concerning and affecting the African-American community. “We’re dedicated to bettering the lives of young people,” said
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Great Transformations Make Great Schools Come see for yourself how a Breck education transforms young lives — and check out the progress of our amazing Upper School transformation, too. Grade 5 Information Evening Tuesday, November 13 6:30–8:30 PM
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Call Admissions Director Scott Wade at 763.381.8200 for more information, or visit our website: www.breckschool.org Breck School | 123 Ottawa Avenue North | Minneapolis, MN 55422-5189
Insight Intern Abeni Hill Contributing Writers Cordie Aziz Harry Colbert, Jr. Julie Desmond Fred Easter Oshana Himot Timothy Houston Alaina L. Lewis Lydia Schwartz Photography Suluki Fardan Tobechi Tobechukwu Contact Us: Insight News, Inc. Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis., MN 55411 Ph.: (612) 588-1313 Fax: (612) 588-2031 Member: Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium (MMMC), Midwest Black Publishers Coalition, Inc. (MBPCI), National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Postmaster: Send address changes to McFarlane Media Interests, Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55411.
because I’m concerned about the community,” said Hill. “The current State Legislature has gotten off track with divisive legislation and gridlock.” Hill said the two current proposed amendment changes – voter ID and gay marriage ban – are examples of the Legislature dividing communities. She said her opponent supports both initiatives. Hill is opposed to both. Hill said while she thinks her opponent is a good person; she said she simply has some bad policies. Hill said she is also a supporter of light rail in her district. She said with an aging population, light rail will offer increase accessibility for area residents. She also said it can enhance economic opportunities for area businesses such as United Healthcare. Hill, who has a background in sales management for Fortune 500 companies, and is the sister of
Dr. Dara Richardson-Heron, CEO of the YWCA USA, has received several endorsements. Her endorsements include Education Minnesota, Womenwinning, the Minnesota AFL-CIO, Gov. Mark Dayton and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak. For those who may think Hill would have a tough go of things in Eden Prairie, Hill said it’s quite the opposite. “I’m out door knocking every day and I’m talking to Republicans, Democrats and Independents and they are all receptive to my message,” said Hill. “Just the other day I knocked on a gentleman’s door and spoke with him and he said, ‘I normally vote Republican, but I will vote for you.’” Hill also notes that Eden Prairie broke gender and racial barriers more than 15 years ago when it elected Dr. Jean Harris as the city’s first African-American and woman mayor.
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BUSINESS Binder debacle: Why diversity and inclusion are good ideas Plan Your Career By Julie Desmond julie@insightnews.com Diversity is trending right now. Everyone is curious about it. Discussion, debate and crafting of policies around Employee
Diversity and Inclusion is the latest corporate craze. Stating specifically what a company’s stance is on employee diversity seems like a decent way to take care of employees. In reality, however, Diversity and Inclusion policies are equally beneficial for companies. Diversity refers to variety, it means being composed of different elements. Diversity crosses many dimensions: ethnicity, yes, and also language, age, sexual orientation,
religion, socio-economic status, experience, education and, of course, gender. Imagine a Minneapolis Public Library with shelf after shelf of just binders. One for every unique element that each employee brings to the company. There’s the black binder, the GLBT binder, the Gen Y binder and the binder full of women, among others. All these binders, this wide array of skills and life experience and expertise, are useless as long as they stay neatly compartmentalized. Now, open each binder and dump its contents on a table. THAT is Inclusion. Inclusion means that employees with differences will be contained together, parts caught up in the whole. A good way to start benefitting through diversity is to ask one simple question: If someone is fundamentally different than I am, what can I learn from her? Larger companies have the advantage of numbers that allows them to create Employee
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Resource Groups. These groups band together to inform and educate colleagues so that everyone in the company profits. When a company’s Hispanic Employee Resource Group recommended that, based on their cultural experience, guacamole tastes pretty good on chips (ok, most of us already knew that), the
Guacamole Dorito was born. It takes creativity, flexibility and patience to respect the ideas and suggestions of people who look or think or speak or learn differently than I do. But when a company can utilize each of their binders, celebrating the wide range of perspectives that diversity represents, then they
can capitalize on it, building innovative, competitive organizations. Julie Desmond is IT Recruiting Manager with George Konik Associates, Inc. Send your career planning and job search questions and comments to jdesmond@georgekonik.com.
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LIFESTYLE Lighthouse prepares health care workforce By Shaina Brassard, West Broadway Business and Area Coalition Nursing assistants and home health aides have become integral parts of our healthcare system, and can be found providing important services and care in nursing homes, hospitals, clinics, and in their patients’ homes. Supervised by registered nurses, these professionals are increasingly in demand as our population ages. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of nursing and home health aides is projected to grow by 18 percent through 2018. As Regina Malone, R.N. sees it, this demand represents an enormous opportunity for Northsiders looking for work, so in 2009 she opened Lighthouse Training Center at 525 W. Broadway in the Broadway Center in North Minneapolis. Malone has been a Registered Nurse (RN) for more than 30 years and worked in a variety of healthcare settings, including as director of nurses at a nursing
home. Since becoming a RN, she’s taught licensed practical nurses (LPNs) as well nursing assistant registered (NAR) and home health aides (HHA). The work that Malone does at Lighthouse Training Center has important outcomes such as providing expertly trained nursing assistants and home health aides to enter a workforce that needs them. As a result, dozens of people each year – many of them Northsiders – gain access to well-paying jobs in a thriving profession. It is hard to imagine anyone better suited than Malone to train nursing assistants. Aside from being incredibly warm, friendly and caring, she is extremely knowledgeable and experienced. Malone previously taught at Hennepin Tech South, Midwest Career Institute and Smile International Institute before starting up Lighthouse Training Center. Since 2009, Lighthouse has taught an average of 60 students each year and seen them go on to jobs in health care or pursue further nursing education. As a former director of nursing at a nursing home, Malone knows the importance
L-R: Regina Malone with students Lavette Yankaway and Christie Eatmon of training her students to be responsible and team-oriented. “I know what it’s like to
hire people and then to be at work and have someone call in to say they won’t be here, and
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then we’ve only got two staff and someone else has to do their work. So I want to make sure I train dependable people,” said Malone. “I get good results. There’s a camaraderie” that arises from being on the Northside, tells Malone. Lighthouse is the only
Shaina Brassard
training center of its kind on the Northside. While schools such as Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) are on a semester schedule and require students to pay up front, full time Lighthouse students finish in 30 days (night students
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Bobby Joe
CHAMPION FOR STATE SENATE
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Vote From 3 when it shows up at the door. When we embrace this limited mindset, we have allowed the victim mentality to overtake us. We no longer remember that success, no matter how we choose to define it, is always within our reach, until we choose to give up.
Insight News • November 5 - November 11, 2012 • Page 9 The Power of One! Author, historian and clergyman, Edward Everett Hale remarked, “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do. What I can do, I should do.â€? Martin Luther King wrote, “Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college
Are we diners or merely onlookers? Should we not demand our place at the table? Ballot From 1 was my hope that the “I voted� sticker on my shirt, would spark conversation. It is important for these young men and women of color to see adults who look like them, in perceived positions of authority, exercising their right to vote, breaking the chains of voicelessness . As I entered the polling station, I took in with every sense of my being this historic moment. I recall a statement that my father would use to describe his views on life stressors and the African American plight. In moments of high stress he would often say, “I’m sweating like a n---- going to election.� How far we had come, I thought. Today we would elect the first African American President of the United States of America. I wondered what my father would say in this moment. The belief that we had progressed so far since the days of my father’s existence was fleeting. As I stood in line, I had the realization that I was the only person of color. As I drew closer to the
Iota From 5 Stephanie Dilworth, national president elect of Iota Phi Lambda. “We want to train young people, young women, to be career-minded individuals.� Dilworth said the organization’s signature program is Toys “U� Can’t Give Back, a program dedicated to preventing teen pregnancy. In addition, she said the organization, which has 16 local members and about 9,000 nationally, is a participant in the Black Woman’s Agenda, efforts to cure breast cancer and student achievement in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education. Items up for auction included fine crystal, designer luggage, a
election officials, I paid particular attention to the instructions that were being conveyed to those that preceded me. There were a number of things that were being asked, i.e., “Does the address on your ID match your current address? Are you over the age of 18?� As I moved to my spot in front of the election official, I prepared for the very same questions that my voting peers were lobbed. I stepped in front of the 60-something, Caucasian woman. I received all of the questions that my peers had been asked, with one caveat. “Do you have any felonies?� This inquiry shook my very being. Why was this official asking me this question? I knew that this question was, at best, rhetorical. This woman saw a 6’3 large Black man wearing two diamondstudded hoop earrings. He was dressed in the attire of a twentysomething, inner-city gangster. His Coogi sweater, crisp baggy Levi’s and untied Timberlands, must be a clear depiction of a felon, right? What had the media told her about “my kind�? What was the common thread that bound “those people�? I knew that only she could answer these questions. Life is a journey and through
degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve.... You don’t have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.� The tenacity of one man’s efforts gave us the light bulb. As an inventor, Thomas Edison made 1,000 unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb. When
a reporter asked, “How did it feel to fail 1,000 times?� Edison replied, “I didn’t fail 1,000 times. The light bulb was an invention with 1,000 steps.� You see our potential to recognize and harness possibility is linked to quality of our thoughts. What are you thinking as Election Day 2012 approaches, powerful of powerless? My Uncle Ditney and countless others did not sacrifice
their lives for you and me to give up or give in wasting our potential as individuals and as a community. The Uncle Ditney’s of the world did not work tirelessly to build community and collaborative effort for us to provide ego, ill will and divisiveness fertile ground keeping our communities from visibly progressing. My Uncle Ditney did not die for the vote, for us to so easily discount it.
Harriett Tubman said, “I freed a thousand slaves. I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves.� What do you know? Do you understand and respect your life, your power as one, the strength of your vote? I believe you do, so I will see you at the polls and let that be your renewed commitment not only to occupy the vote, but to reignite your life and our communities.
my experience I am keenly aware of what this woman may have been thinking. My mother and grandmother had assured me early on, that as an African American, I must develop the ability to discern symbols/signals that were conveyed by white people. A sixth sense if you will. This woman saw a felonious, drug dealing gangster, daddy to many but father to none, lazy and shiftless, African American male. She did not see the masters’ level therapist, considering a PhD program. She did not see the God- fearing son of a hard-working single mom that wearily worked to support her family. All of this while working to instill the importance of
honesty and integrity. She did not see the husband and father of a beautiful, fully intact family. This man was invisible to her, yet so apparent. As I caught my bearings I answered with an emphatic, “No, I have no felonies.� I thought, “If I stew on this much longer I may leave this place with a felony!� She continued on with her final parting blow. She had told the previous voters to go to the next table and grab their “ballot�. However, she told me to go over and grab a “bullet�. She quickly corrected herself, saying, “I meant ballot�. Her white counterpart thought this was funny, and gave a bit of a chuckle. As a therapist, the thought that came to mind for me was, Freudian slip. Many times
the power of the unconscious boils out, uncontrollably, to express our deep held truths. At best this was unintentional and subconscious but offensive nonetheless. In summation, I was moved to write this piece with our country’s persistence in avoiding the prominent issues of Race and Culture. In 1964 Malcolm X wrote “The Ballot or the Bullet�, which centered on the very points expressed herein. Malcolm X espouses, “Sitting at the table doesn’t make you a diner, unless you eat some of what’s on that plate. Being born here in America doesn’t make you an American. Why, if birth made you American, you wouldn’t need any legislation, you wouldn’t need any amendments to the Constitution,
you wouldn’t be faced with civilrights filibustering in Washington, D.C., right now.� Are we diners or merely onlookers? Should we not demand our place at the table? “Until the color of a man’s skin, is of no more significance than the color of his eyes, there is war� (Bob Marley, War). Ballot or the Bullet Corey Yeager is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and PhD candidate at the University of Minnesota. His current work, at the Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center, is focused on incarcerated African American adolescents and their families. Social justice issues such as poverty and racism are the cornerstone to his work.
children’s bicycle, several pieces of art, sports memorabilia items, a Jimmy Choo purse and more. Iota Phi Lambda was founded by Chicago businesswoman, Lola Mercedes Parker in 1929. Since its inception, the sorority has embraced other professions; however, the main focus remains on the field of business. There are now more than 100 chapters with membership in 85 cities, Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Gamma Tau chapter of the sorority was founded in 1967. Dilworth said the sorority’s national conference will take place in Minneapolis in July of 2013. More information on Iota Phi Lambda can be found by visiting the sorority’s national website at www.iota1929.org.
It’s time to reclaim our priorities Education:
We must return to our status as one of the top education states in the nation.
Economy:
The fact is, our state budget has not CFFO kYFE 8F NVTU kOE B XBZ UP balance the budget that includes a balance of cuts and revenues.
Ending Gridlock: 8F OFFE MFHJTMBUPST XIP VOEFSTUBOE UIBU .JOOFTPUBOT XBOU UIFN UP HFU UIJOHT EPOF -FHJTMBUPST XIP DBO XPSL UPHFUIFS UP kOE DPNNPO HSPVOE and common sense solutions that prepare a bright future for our children and grandchildren.
Page 10 • November 5 - November 11, 2012 • Insight News
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FULL CIRCLE Eden Prarie’s Hill family: Focused, engaged Toria Hill and Naya Hill attend Eden Prairie High School. Older brother Brandon Hill is a freshman at Stanford University and visiting scholar at Morehouse. Mother Tori Hill is running for Minnesota’s House of Representatives.
I Am Saved: A spoken word piece By Toria Hill When I think of all the things that God has done for me, I reminisce on a time when I fell and was down on my knees, begging for mercy. Please, show me the light so that I can see, He healed me. He brought me through the storm and out of the rain, He healed me from that dark
Toria Hill
lonely pain of being without Him, I might go insane. My soul is starving for salvation, my spirit needs mercy, I need direction. So He gave me eyes to see and a heart to feel, He sticks with me even when I stumble upon a hard time and question if God is even real. When I’m reaching out, crying out, shouting out for help, he is my serenity, picking me up off my sore feet, You raise me up. Beyond the sky, I sore, on the
wings of an angel, I am saved, Thank God I am saved. I’m a living testimony of the spirit within my body. The scriptures, they provoke my mind, The past lives on, even in our time. He is the truth, my strength, my light. He shines in me and through me. Even when the darkness takes over me, I know that I have God’s army to protect me. They try to justify that it’s not
true, But they haven’t seen what I’ve seen; I used to be just like you. Lost, I was searching for a place to call my home. I couldn’t find peace my soul was for lease, please. I need His warmth; my heart is barren and cold, I am no longer for sale, because I am sold. To Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, he still loves us even when we exhibit sinful behavior, He has forgiven us of our sins; He
is doing us a favor. So you can ask me why I get down on my knees and pray, Why I thank Him each and every day. Why I choose to follow the path that He has paved, And all I can say is that it’s because of Him that I am saved. Toria Hill, 16, is an 11th grader at Eden Prairie High School and is taking college level courses.
Dear Founding Fathers... Why? By Naya Hill What do you think of when I say Founding Fathers? I think of people long ago that impacted the states greatly. I think of hard work and questions – pain and rejoicing. I think of the Constitution. I think of before it was written, why it was written, and the after effect of the Constitution. If I could ask our Founding Fathers anything, I would ask James Madison, one of our Founding Fathers, “Why
Naya Hill
would you spend 11 years, a seventh of a lifetime, arguing with men, just to get words on a paper?
In 1787 Madison was among the first to arrive at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. The United States of America adopted the new Constitution on Sept. 17 of that year. After that, Madison returned to New York and wrote many “Federalist Papers” – a series of articles promoting the ratification of the United States Constitution. The first amendment in the Constitution is prohibiting Congress from interfering with freedom of religion, speech, assembly, or petition. Now, why
was that so important to the people? Why did this mean so much to all the Founding Fathers, or more importantly, the Founding Father, James Madison? James Madison wrote the Constitution. He wrote it for a reason. After the states broke off from England, they were lost. Each state had its own perspective on life and how to protect one another. Madison saw this unfinished puzzle and wanted to bring all the pieces together. The “Federalist Papers” were the beginning ideas of the Constitution. Madison
wanted us to preserve individual state rights but at the same time be one united people under one government. Today, our people are left and right, up and down, backwards and forwards. We are different but united people. I think in the end that is all Madison wanted. We have a republic government system and I think it is working just fine. We have the trust in our country, trust that so many wish they obtained. We have room to breathe. The United States wouldn’t be
the same without these persistent, patient, intelligent men. Madison, along with the other Founding Fathers, set up life as we know it. They are our brave fathers, smart fathers, head-strong fathers – our strong-willed fathers. They are our Founding Fathers. Eleven years to write one document. Why? Looking back on the impact, it was well worth it. Naya Hill, 14, is an 8th grade student in advance placement courses and resides is Eden Prairie.
Voting wrongs vs. voting rights By Brandon Hill
In the election of 1788, laws barred poor white men from voting.
In the election of 1864, laws blocked former slaves from voting. In the election of 1912,
Brandon Hill laws barred white women from voting. In the election of 1920, laws barred Native-Americans from voting. In the election of 1968, laws barred young people from voting. It is now the election of 2012. And on Nov. 6, America’s long history of voter suppression laws continues, as new legislation will bar nearly 20 million Americans from the polls America, meet voter identification
Voter ID laws are threatening our democracy. A close relative to the poll tax, the grandfather clause, the white primary, and the literacy test, voter ID laws are the newest and nastiest generation of legalized voter suppression – voting wrongs, if you will. Republicans have introduced new legislation in over 30 states – from Indiana to Idaho – that would require every voter to present government-issued photo identification at the polls, a special provision for this election. The problem is that more than 11 percent of eligible American voters do not possess a photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport, and that number is even higher for seniors, students, and minorities. There is a great American irony here. Why is it that in the world’s epicenter of democracy, we have for the past two centuries spilled so much blood, shed so many tears, and spent so much time debating which Americans
should and should not get the right to vote? Why do voter ID laws exist to begin with? This year, in the midst of a global financial crisis, civil unrest erupting across the Middle East, and global warming endangering the health of our planet, Republican leaders have decided to crack down on an issue that really matters: voter fraud. Texas Gov. Rick Perry is serious about getting tough on this problem. “Today, federal judges subverted the will of the people of Texas and undermined our effort to ensure fair and accurate elections,” said Perry. Yeah, right. That’s why during a five-year investigation under the George W. Bush administration, voter fraud accounted for a grand total of .00004 percent of votes that were cast. In fact, according to New York University’s Brennan
RIGHTS TURN TO 15
Live life to the fullest! Man Talk
By Timothy Houston The older I get, the more I realize how quickly life passes. Dr. Benjamin Mays in his poem “Life is just a minute,” describes it as just a minute with only sixty seconds in it. It was forced upon you, you can’t refuse it, you didn’t seek, didn’t choose it, but it is up to you to use it. You must suffer if you lose it; give an account if you abuse it. Just a tiny little minute, but eternity is in it. Life is a gift from God that should be lived with purpose, passion, and maximum potential. First, to live life to the fullest, you must find your purpose. Finding your purpose gets to the core of the question “Why am I here?” To get this answer, you must spend time along with God because he is the one the created you. Dr. Miles Monroe in his book “Understanding your potential,” states that if you want to know the purpose of a thing, never ask the thing. Purpose can only be known in the mind of the creator. A person may know what they can do, but they may not know why they should be doing it. So it is with you. You may know
the “what” you can do, but you need God to reveal the “why” you should be doing it. Finding purpose gives your life meaning because you will be doing what you were created to do. Secondly, to live life to the fullest, you must find your passion. It is where hands meet heart. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). Your passion or ability to get treasure (wealth) is tied to your purpose because you will enjoy doing what you were created to do. And if you enjoy it, you will do it often and you will be good at it. People that do what they were created to do are more fulfilled and make more money than those who just do a job. A bird flies because it was designed to fly. If that bird was paid to fly, it would enjoy its job tremendously. Thirdly, to live life to the fullest, you must maximize your potential. To maximize your potential, you must be active. This is about making little changes that will have a huge impact. Get up an hour earlier, walk a half step faster, develop a personal mission statement, and begin work on your life plan. All of these things will help you steer your life in the positive direction that you want it to go because time is needed to maximize your potential. The more you put your potential to work, the more you will tap into your hidden talents. These talents are the life lessons that can only be learned to trial and effort, and they open the door to more potential.
Finally, to live life to the fullest, you must live your own life. This paradigm shift redirects the focus from others back to you. The focus on self is necessary to complete your life’s mission. Those who live though their children and others often mistakenly abandon their dreams. Living your life and fulfilling your creative purpose will never take away from others. On the contrary, it provides them with a living model of how to go after their own dreams. For those who find their passion, purposes, and potential, wake up every morning to new discoveries and every day to new opportunities to live. Today is your opportunity to live life to its fullest. What is your life? The book of James asks and answers this profound question, “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14, NIV). Life is temporal. It is still just a minute with only 60 seconds in it. It will pass you by without regard unless you make is special by living out your purpose. Take ownership of your life by maximizing every day, hour, and minute because eternity is in it. Timothy Houston is an author, minister, and motivational speaker who is committed to guiding positive life changes in families and communities. For questions, comments or more information, go to www.tlhouston.com.
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Insight News • November 5 - November 11, 2012 • Page 11
HEALTH Heritage Park celebrates breast cancer survivors Dr. Rahshana Price-Isuk keynote speaker By Ivan B. Phifer Staff Writer
American Cancer Society
Rahshana Price-Isuk Medical Director for the Neighborhood Health Source Clinic
Heritage Park, one of the newly constructed housing developments, was the focus of a celebration for breast cancer survivors. Hosted by The American Cancer Society and held at Heritage Parks Senior Services Center, 1014 4th Ave. N., the event took place Thursday, Oct. 18. The guest speaker for the event was Dr. Rahshana PriceIsuk. In 2011, with support from the Wal-Mart Foundation National Giving Program, the American Cancer Society partnered with many federally qualified health centers and community-based organizations to implement a set of evidence-based, communitylevel interventions designed to address access to cancer screening in populations with an unequal burden of cancer throughout the country. Price-Isuk is a family practice physician and medical director for the Neighborhood Health Source Clinic, formerly the Freemont Community Clinic. The center includes Heritage Senior Clinic, Central Avenue Clinic, and Sheridan Clinic. “The goal of the presentation
is to get men and women more knowledgeable about breast cancer,” said Price-Isuk. Staff of the American Cancer Society provided pamphlets with information regarding breast cancer information, risks, treatments and productive measure to reduce chances of growing. Price-Isuk warns that men can get breast cancer as well. “It is very rare, but it can happen. If a man in your family has breast cancer, and that man is your father, that increases your risk. Any first degree relative increases personal risk of cancers,” said Price-Isuk. According to Price-Isuk, most breast cancers are in people older than age 55 and that AfricanAmerican women do not receive screening as often as they should. “All risk increases as we get older,” said Price-Isuk. “The cancers genetically linked or inherited are those in younger women and were more than likely inherited in genes,” she said. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer, with skin cancer being the most common form of the disease. Price-Isuk urges regular exams to increase the chances of early detection. “Ignorance is not bliss,” said Price-Isuk.“ A lot of my patients
will tell me ‘I feel fine.’ By the time you feel sick, it is later in the process and not too many options are available. Breast cancer screening reduces mortality. Breast cancer has excellent survival when detected early.” After Price-Isuk’s presentation, breast cancer survivors provided a testimony regarding ordeals and experiences. Ijnanya Amina Azequawe is a 4 year breast cancer survivor. Her cancer developed into colon cancer. “My life changed,” said Azequawe “I lost family, my husband abandoned me, (and) I lost my apartment and job. You can never give up on God. I am standing here today because he got me through the journey.” Azequawe was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer at Hennepin County Medical Center. “In 2009, the cells were (advanced) to colon cancer. I stayed in ICU for 11 days and my whole digestive system shut down,” said Azequawe. She stayed in the hospital under close watch for seven weeks and required six different medicines. Angie Atkinson, a social worker for Volunteers of America, found out she had breast cancer this past March. “I got a mammogram because
we found out my sister had (breast cancer) at age 36,” said Atkinson. “I had to get special approval because I was not old enough. I had a baby, breastfed for a year and found a lump.” Given that the starting age for breast cancer mammograms are age 40, Atkinson needed permission to receive it. She completed her chemotherapy as of last month. “Please get the exams. Don’t think because your too young or too old that it cannot happen,” said Atkinson. Preceding the testimonies, survivors were recognized with carnations and a gift pack. “We do not want communities of minority to fear coming to the doctor,” said Price-Isuk. “We do not want to give you an illness, we want to prevent it, treat it, cure it and keep our communities healthy.” The Wal-Mart Foundation gave the American Cancer Society a $2 million grant to support cancer education and screening projects in 41 different communities throughout the country. For more information regarding the American Cancer Society, programs and services, call (651) 255-8180 or visit www.cancer.org.
Claiming right to wellness: self-efficacy and voting Murua (Swahili for ‘Respect’) By Dr. BraVada Garrett-Akinsanya, Ph.D., L.P.
There is an old song that was frequently sung during the Civil Rights movement entitled: Ain’t Gon’ Let Nobody Turn Me Around!” This belief is one based in the psychological principle of self-efficacy. Selfefficacy is the belief that one is competent believes that he or she holds the power to affect situations. These beliefs
strongly influencing no only the power a person actually has to face challenges, but it also influences the choices a person makes. The influence of selfefficacy has been especially studied with regard to behaviors affecting health and wellness. I believe that we all have a right to be well. Cornell West is quoted as saying: “Justice
is what love looks like in public.” If pain and suffering are the price for freedom and wellness, then the price for us has already been paid! We, as a group of American citizens must realize that as this election year approaches, we must seek with all our hearts what is due to us. We are not entitled by our own volition but by the blood, sweat
and tears of those on whose shoulders we stand. Somebody died just trying to make it to the voting booth. Somebody was beaten, raped, robbed or forced to endure voter suppression tactics such as having to pay poll taxes that were so high that they amounted to a week’s salary or more. On Tuesday, claim your right to wellness because those
rights were endowed by your Creator and are inalienable and precious. Your VOTE and nothing more is the strongest way to claim that right. One day as I thought about our rights to wellness and I wrote this African Centered Wellness
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AESTHETICS Jamaica Farewell at Hopkins Center The award-winning and internationally acclaimed, Jamaica Farewell, written and performed by Debra Ehrhardt and directed by Joel Zwick will be coming to Minnesota. Based on her true life story, Ehrhardt’s Jamaica Farewell chronicles her escape from revolution-torn Jamaica in the 1970’s to fulfill her lifelong dream of going to America. The performance of Jamaica Farewell will be at Hopkins Center for the Arts, 1111 Main Street in Hopkins on Sunday November 11, 2012 at 4pm. Tickets are available by calling the box office at 952-9791111. When Debra Ehrhardt was an eighteen year old secretary in Kingston Jamaica, she and her passion for America bumped into a handsome CIA agent over a bowl of oxtail soup on her lunch break. It was during the turbulent seventies of the Manley Era that she saw her chance. A pinhole of opportunity that she could squeeze through with the help of this love-struck American. She
began a dangerous adventure that only the single minded passion of a teenage girl would chance.
The boundary between bravery and foolishness blurred as she became more desperate. When
she agreed to smuggle a million US dollars in cash to a mysterious contact somewhere in Miami, the
agent became her accomplice. Only he had no idea. This is Kingston-born Debra Ehrhardt’s third one-woman show. Previous productions include award-winning Mango Mango, and Invisible Chairs, which was produced by David Strasberg at the Marilyn Monroe theatre in West Hollywood and later optioned as a situation comedy by Fox. She was also a 2007 NYC Fringe festival award-winner and received a 2007 Proclamation from the City of New York for Jamaica Farewell for her outstanding contribution to the Jamaican community. Jamaica Farewell was the final production in the 2010-11 subscription season at Garry Marshall’s Falcon theatre in Los Angeles and has been optioned by a major Hollywood Film Producer. A member of the Writer’s Guild of America, Ehrhardt is currently adapting Jamaica Farewell for the big screen. More info at www. jamaicafarewelltheplay.com Joel Zwick directed My Big
Appomattox From 1 two exceptional military leaders signified the end of the hostilities between the southern and northern armed forces. Officially, but not literally, the Civil War was over. We must keep in mind the lasting great depth of great feeling that was consumed by this war. The United States of America was the only slave holding nation that was forced to abolish the evil institution of enslavement by warfare. In the 1880s, after the American Civil War, in Brazil and in Russia, the institution was dissolved politically by the stroke of a pen. This drama on the American Civil War was written by Christopher Hampton, an Englishman, and why not, since England is the mother country of the United Stated of America? This fact may have something to do with the integrity of the play. While this play may have its flaws that any half-baked historian might cite, it is considerably beyond the usual all white fantasy, as depicted by Hollywood and our public, parochial or private school curricula on the Civil War, disguised as history. The relentless white wash of history by generations of white supremacist professors, test book writers and test givers remains the foremost obstacle to the ideal of a just society. This has to do with everything including the so-called “achievement gap.” This discussion about the
Photo: Michael Brosilow and Allen Brisson-Smith
“achievement gap” is misplaced. This is a shameless shame that this fraud continues. The growth of American democracy, not to mention, the American vision of reality remains chained to White supremacist racist propaganda. The casting of the play is superb. All of the actors deserve at least a hearty salute and the director likewise. In this play there is Frederick Douglass, perhaps the most eloquent voice for democracy that the Republic has ever known. He was a true democrat, as in small “d” democrat. This one time bondsman lived a life embracing all of humanity including his enemies. He loved social justice and hated all acts of oppression of women, native people, as well as the enslaved. This is a transcendent position. But for the color of his skin, he could have been President. The relatively brief, but critical relationship
between Douglass and President Abraham Lincoln is revealed in the play. The two men knew one another. It was Douglass who pressured Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation, as a war measure. It was Douglass who advised Lincoln to use “Colored” troops as a way to break the back of the Confederate military power. It was recognized that the Black labor force that supported the Confederate army represented a military advantage to the south. Karl Marx who keenly followed reports on the Civil War from afar (England) offered similar advice. Yes, that Karl Marx! Douglass was a major recruiter of Black soldiers for the Union cause. Two of his sons were among the first to volunteer. The play did not reveal this because of its narrow focus. Over 200,000 Black soldiers fought on the Union side and nearly 50,000 died. They participated in 447 battles while winning 22 Congressional Medals of Honor for their heroism. The War changed course after the entry of African Americans as soldiers in 1863. Abraham Lincoln himself saluted the Black soldiers by stating, “Had it not been for the aid of colored troops we would not have been able to put down the rebellion.” One of the great fantasies of the American imagination of history is that the Civil War was fought between white men, over the liberation of Black people from bondage.
The casting of the play is superb. All of the actors deserve at least a hearty salute and the director likewise.
The un-tampered with truth is that Black Americans fought to liberate themselves. Lincoln requested Douglass’ presence at his second inaugural address in 1865. He wanted the opinion of one of the more brilliant minds in America of that day, on the merits of his speech. After confronting some resistance to his entrance to White House, they met. The President wanted to know, “What did you think of my speech.” Douglass replied, “Mr. President, it was a sacred moment.” This “sacred moment” was sandwiched between those familiar lines of that speech, “With malice towards none, and charity for all.” Lincoln also alluded to the “Unrequited labor,” an acknowledgement of the super exploitation of Black labor in building the wealth of the Republic. What if every American school child across all boundaries could matter of factly learn of the life of this magnanimous personality? My claim is that this would be a much better and more human society. In the play also was the presence of Elizabeth Kleckley, the Black woman who served as
confidante, advisor and friend to Mary Todd Lincoln, the President’s wife. Elizabeth Kleckley was also a woman who possessed several skills. She was a dressmaker (a clothing designer today). She also had some rudimentary knowledge of medicine. This was not uncommon among the enslaved population. The knowledge of herbs (pharmaceuticals) was a carryover from African medicine. Not only were Black people in the White House during this time, but Black hands also built the White House. Another note was that Mrs. Louis Dorsey came to the White House with Frederick Douglass to meet President Lincoln on one occasion. Mrs. Dorsey was the wife of Thomas Dorsey, a successful Black caterer in the City of Philadelphia. This affirms WEB Dubois’s work “Philadelphia Negro” in which he stated that Black Americans dominated the catering trade in that city throughout the latter half of the 19th century. Another huge reason why we should see this fine play is that it reflects and connects directly the Civil War of the 19th century America to the Civil Rights Movement of the 20th century; one is the hand maiden of the other. One cannot really gain an understanding of the human weight and complexity of America and where we are today without having a grasp of these two telling experiences in the continuum in American history. The Civil War and its failure to produce democracy, in turn, produced the Civil Rights movement’s struggle for democracy in the 20th century. Writing American history without the experience and presence of African Americans is like writing the Holy Bible without the experiences and presence of Jesus Christ. Act II highlights the modern Civil Rights Movement with a number of events and characters in various places. The play traces the struggle for Black voting rights in Selma, AL, to make the clear-cut connection in the struggle to gain and maintain the right to vote in 2012. Flashes of the cross burnings, physical and psychological brutality endured by Black Americans are referred to in words and deeds. Christopher Hampton uses two bigger than life personalities to capture the spirit of this tumultuous time: Martin Luther King and Lyndon Baines Johnson. The actors in these roles were superb. Harry Groener, as
Fat Greek Wedding, the highestgrossing romantic comedy of all time. Recent films include Fat Albert and Elvis Has Left the Building. Zwick directed the Broadway production of George Gershwin Alone at the Helen Hayes Theatre. He began his theatrical career at La Mama E.T.C., as director of the La Mama Plexus. He has directed on Broadway, Off-Broadway and Broadway touring companies. He and Hershey Felder have collaborated on Monsieur Chopin, Beethoven As I Knew Him and Maestro. Zwick is recognized as one of Hollywood’s most prolific directors of episodic television, having the direction of five hundred and fifty episodes to his credit. He is currently directing ‘Shake it Up’ for the Disney Channel. Zwick has taught drama at Yale University, Brooklyn College, Queens College, Wheaton College, USC and has made his home in Hollywood for the past decade.
Lyndon Baines Johnson, captured the essence of myth and reality of LBJ in all of his raw and raucous borderline profane ingenious political self. The language of LBJ, his strong-arm tactics and lack of respect for certain people is laid bare, including dictating a letter to one of his underlings while sitting on the toilet. Despite his behavior, which is crude and strangely charming at the same time. LBJ was one of the most arresting figures ever to occupy the presidency. It is hard to argue with the fact that he had one of the most transformed public personas, perhaps unequal in American politics. No one as a politician has been more astute at playing the middle against both ends and both ends against the middle. Johnson, a reconstructed segregationist, transformed himself almost overnight into a leading light in liberal politics. He was the essence of what politics really is. It’s a practical game, you get what you get, keep what you can hold and you do what works. Some people get hurt. Some are rewarded. Good politicians understand that “All is fair in love and war…and in politics, it’s fairer.” Johnson, straight out of redneck country and once a southerner, became a man of the west. The strategy he used to clean up his image was masterful. He knew how to use power. As Majority Whip in the US Senate, he had his way. He disappointed his mentor, Richard B. Russell of Georgia. Russell was one of the most venomous segregationist, who hated Black Americans with a passion. As Whip, LBJ had the status to do anything in American politics, except to become the President of the United States. There had long been a covenant among white American leaders that America could not elect someone as Head of State, a state that professed liberal democracy, who aligned himself as a segregationist, which is to say the doctrine of white supremacy. This would be bad politics for America on the world stage. There was an unwritten code that southerners could not be President. And none had been since the slaveholding Presidents of Andrew Johnson, who replaced Abraham Lincoln and Woodrow Wilson being the other exception. Wilson was transformed on the surface into a northerner by the fact that he was born in Virginia and then became president of Princeton University. LBJ’s makeover from a Dixiecrat to liberal, from southerner to westerner, in a strange way allowed him to push Civil Rights legislation through Congress for the first time since Reconstruction. Two minor Civil Rights Bills of 1957 and 1960 were long overdue and speaks to the US government’s absence and lack of responsibility to its Black citizens. The struggle for Civil rights changed President Johnson. President Johnson changed Congress, and Congress changed the country. Comparing Lincoln and Johnson to each other as politicians, interestingly, gives Johnson the benefit of a doubt, as in the ability to persuade and bully bump. At bottom, what President Johnson did was to make an intelligent political response to a powerful social movement, just as Lincoln did in regards to the abolitionists’ movement and the emancipation of the enslaved. The Civil rights movement was a quiet “continuation” of the
APPOMATTOX 13 TURN TO
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Insight News • November 5 - November 11, 2012 • Page 13
COMMENTARY Republican strategy: Keep millions out of work Nobody Asked Me
By Fred Easter Nobody asked me, but it is disappointing that Americans, according to the polls, could be nearly evenly split on their choices for president. On the one hand, we have a president who, even before his inauguration, was handed the worst set of economic conditions seen in America since the Great Depression of 1929. Moreover, Republicans set about, from day one, to make his job as difficult as possible. Republicans filibustered their own ideas when the
President Barack Obama President embraced them, out of fear that they might work and put folks to work. Pundits called this strategy “keeping millions out of work, in order to take one man’s
Gage Skidmore / Creative Commons
Governor Mitt Romney
job.” Republicans have used every “code word” to vilify this president without having to call him the “n” word. While many Democratic presidents have been
called “un-American,” this is the first president to be repeatedly called “not” American. Despite the racist backlash of the 2008 election and the resulting
Republican controlled House of Representatives following the 2010 elections, President Obama has passed a health care law that presidents have been trying to enact for decades. This law, based on Republican ideas, has been roundly criticized by Republicans in general and Mitt Romney in particular, though he enacted virtually the same law in Massachusetts, when he was governor there. On the other hand, we have Mitt Romney repudiating his own health plan, at the behest of the fat cats who own him. Mitt Romney has been telling lie after lie, switching positions from day to day. Mitt Romney has been telling each set of folks what he thinks they want or need to hear. Mitt Romney has become a sad, pandering presence, yearning so hard to be president that he has sold his soul twice a week for the past six months.
Mitt Romney and his Tea Party parents have stooped to suppressing of the vote of as many likely Obama voters as possible, by any means necessary. These tactics are unbelievably un-American at their foundation. This is the antithesis of the freedoms that our brave fighting forces go into harm’s way to protect. It’s no wonder that Republicans consistently vote against expanding benefits to veterans. The cynicism embedded in Mitt Romney’s “tell ‘em anything” campaign strategy should shout out to all thinking Americans. Yet, too many Americans seem to have embraced Romney as the un-Obama. Tea Partyers offer up lame excuses for their pro-Romney position, like “he (Obama) had two years to fix this mess,” in order to avoid using the “n” word in public.
Black lawyers oppose marriage amendment On Tuesday, November 6, 2012, the citizens of Minnesota will be asked to vote on whether the state Constitution should be amended to limit the right to marry to one man and one woman only. The membership of Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers (MABL) does not believe that the supreme body of law of this state,
intended to confer and protect the rights of all, should be used as the vehicle for limiting the rights of some. The late Mildred Loving, a plaintiff in the seminal U.S. Supreme Court case Loving vs. Virginia, stated on June 12, 2007: “I believe all Americans, no matter their race, no matter
their sex, no matter their sexual orientation, should have that same freedom to marry. Government has no business imposing some people’s religious beliefs over others. Especially if it denies people’s civil rights.” MABL publicly opposes this amendment and encourages fellow Minnesotans to vote
“no.” We are all neighbors and should support one another. As was said by Phil Duran, Legal Director for OutFront Minnesota: “As a lawyer, I am thrilled that MABL has taken a position against this amendment. We live in an era when our opponents admit that their strategy for winning is to divide the LGBT
community and communities of color, as if there were not an overlap between them. And we know that voting on one another’s equality under the law sets the stage for further division in which nobody wins. We applaud MABL’s stand against this harmful amendment.” MABL is a leading minority bar association whose mission
is to promote and support the professional development of Black lawyers, judges, and law students in Minnesota. To this end, MABL is committed to the overall goal of representing the interests of Black citizens and their community in the legal profession and in the judicial system throughout the state.
Lighthouse
people to a well-paying profession in a short amount of time. What is more, a student does not even need a high school diploma to apply. The Minnesota Department of Health only requires applicants to pass a reading test. When they have passed, “They come in and we give them all the material that they need to learn how to take care of a person in their own home or in a nursing home, as well as the tools to work in hospitals or clinics,” said Malone. “Once we give them all the materials and skills, then they’re tested by the state, and once they pass the test they are ready to be added to the state registry and can go out and find jobs.” According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average starting salary for nursing assistants is $25,420 per year, or $12.22 per hour. Malone says her students report they make between $10 and $16 per hour at their first NA or HHA jobs. “Which is really impressive considering you’re
not even required to have a high school diploma, and you only go to school for 30 days, when other people go to school for years and don’t have that kind of starting pay,” said Malone. “And I know it’s hard work because it’s physical, but if you’re young and have your vitality, 16 bucks an hour is worth it. And because the field is so open, you have the opportunity to earn double that with time.” Another advantage of the program is that when the student pays out of pocket, federal law requires Medicare and Medicaid certified health care facilities and providers to reimburse nursing assistants for their training, materials, testing and associated mileage after the successful completion of 90 days of work. Malone has had students that she helped to just pass the reading test, and she recently had two students with bachelor’s degrees in biology. Lighthouse alumni are currently at various assisted living facilities and hospitals
in the Metro Area. Because the certificate is transferable across state lines in most cases, some are working outside of Minnesota. Others are studying to becoming LPNs or RNs. Malone notes, “The good thing is that if you want to get into the healthcare field as an RN or LPN, you’ve already got this (required) course under your belt.”
Next month, Lighthouse will begin a partnership with the Minnesota Transitions Schools’ Health Care Academy in South Minneapolis (26th Ave S and Lake Street). Malone is also interested, “in seeing if I can start an LPN program and bring it to the Northside. I’ve got 10 students that would enroll right now.” Lighthouse Training Center
is an incredible resource, right here on West Broadway. If you’re interested in learning more about taking a class, Malone would love to hear from you. Lighthouse Training Center 525 West Broadway, Minneapolis 55411. (612) 5290010, lighthouse525@yahoo. com. www.lighthouse-tc.info
Just a year before, three men who were working for voting rights were brutally murdered in Philadelphia, MS. One of the three murdered men, James Chaney, the Black member of the trio, was dismembered. The year after 1966, the slogan of “Black power,” which was pronounced by SNCC leader Stokley Carmichael and energized a great cross section of the Black community, became common. This slogan gave a voice to the rebellion and uprisings in the long hot summers in Harlem, NY, in 1964. But 1965, in particular, was a crucial part of the transformation of a castebound society to a more open one for Black people. And of course this transformation opened society for other disaffected segments of the American population with axes to grind such as more white students (some were already involved), white women and the second wave of feminism, other non-whites, gays and lesbians, the aged and others like physically handicapped and so on. The most arresting of these uprisings was the Watts community in south central Los Angeles, which was followed by the emergence of young white radicalism. The year 1965 was a peak year for popular progressive politics from all quarters of American life. Besides Jimmy Lee, two other killings occurred: that of the Rev. J. Reeb, a young white minister murdered on the streets of Selma and Viola Liuzzo, a white working class house wife and mother of five from Detroit, MI. President Johnson activated the Army to protect the marchers. This led to another great legal victory of passing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which is the landmark piece of national legislation that outlawed discriminatory voting practices that had been responsible for the
widespread disenfranchisement of African Americans. This Act, of course, was preceded by the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which allowed Blacks to enjoy public facilities. The Selma march represented the last of the legal victories before the passage of the Open Housing Act of 1968, which is the same year of Dr. King’s untimely death. At the Selma demonstration Dr. King made one of his most eloquent speeches of “How long? Not long! Truth crushed to the Earth will still rise. How long? Not long! No lie can live forever...” Jim Crow, that’s to say, legalized racism was dead after Selma for all intents and purposes. But the doctrine of white supremacy still persisted and it still persists today; however, it exists in more insidious ways, despite the election of a US president of African descent. The playwright should be commended for simply acknowledging the presence and contributions of Black people in the making of America. This play offers something refreshingly insightful that is not offered in your hackneyed formal school education and popular media programming. This is a play with some relevance to the Black experience in the U.S. It would do well for not only curious Black and white minds to view, but the whole of the American community. This could spark and ignite some critical thinking. The connection between the American Civil war and the American Civil rights movement (a model for the world) is a real and deep part of our national heritage. Only fools or the emotionally warped will deny this inescapable fact. Albert E. Einstein said it best, “The distinction that we make between the past, the present and the future is a stubborn illusion.” The Civil war haunts us to this very day.
From 8 in seven weeks) and all have access to a payment plan. “We’re the type of school that can take in students that aren’t sure they can commit to studying for six months or two years,” said Malone. With class size at five students on average, Lighthouse students receive serious individual support and attention. Additional perks include on-site resume writing and job search assistance. Malone says her students also appreciate that they get both nursing assistant and home health aide training, for one price. Lighthouse is also very accessible. Students can get to Lighthouse via a short, neighborhood walk or on the Number 14 Metropolitan Transit bus line. In addition to preparing the next generation of nursing assistants, Lighthouse connects
Appomattox From 12 Civil war at the level of low intensity warfare even though President John F. Kennedy called for the Civil Rights Bill before he was assassinated. He could not have accomplished what President Johnson delivered. In short, a straight ahead liberal like Kennedy could not deliver what a mastermind of racial politics could. During Act II, the other bigger than life characterization was Martin Luther King, as played by Shawn Hamilton. It has been suggested that seeing Hamilton alone is worth the price of the ticket. He was simply brilliant. Hamilton presents a powerful presence in his role as MLK. He even bears a physical resemblance. His oratorical skill in sonorous voice and cadence is overwhelming. To see his performance alone is inspirational. Of all the significant events of the Civil Rights movement, which transformed the Republic, Hampton closed with the Selma Alabama voting rights story. The phase of the human rights struggle that was generated by the murder of young Jimmy Lee Jackson, which led to a national call for action, which was inspired by “Bloody Sunday” that unseemly horror, which took place at Edmund Pettus bridge in the spring of 1965. The state troopers trampled upon the bodies of peaceful demonstrators with horses, billy clubs and tear gas. It is from this context that Hampton elects to give the symbol and perception to these turbulent times. There were many dangerous and heroic events before the Selma to Montgomery march, a 50-mile march for voting rights.
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COMMUNITY Community celebrates reopening of Lowry Avenue Bridge By Ivan B. Phifer Staff Writer After two years of detours and construction, Oct. 27 marked the day of connection between the north and northeast sections of Minneapolis. “We have waited for this day for a long time,” said Mike Opat, chair of Hennepin County Board of Commissioners. The Lowry Avenue Bridge is an important transportation corridor and neighborhood connection in Minneapolis. Hennepin County started the design process for bridge replacement in 2007. The previous Lowry Avenue Bridge was closed in 2008 due to structural issues and demolished in June, 2009. Businesses that have been affected by the project include River Garden, River Liquor Store, and Hoover Wheel Alignment. “I want to thank the people of North and Northeast Minneapolis over the years,” said Dist. 2 Commissioner Mark Stenglein. Stenglein also stated that with the design of the bridge, it also has environmental benefits. “There are things you do not see, such as a water retention tank that collects acres of rainwater from northeast to cleanse the water before it goes into the river,” said Stenglein.
Patrick Henry High School marching band at the Lowry Bridge opening event “Think of the great bridges of the world – the Golden Gate Bridge, the Brooklyn Bridge – they are pieces of transportation infrastructure, but they are also once-in-a-century statements about our future, engineering models and connecting parts of our community.”
In honor of the opening and completion of the bridge, high school marching bands from Patrick Henry High School and Edison High School performed. Senator Amy Klobuchar said the I-35 bridge collapse was the catalyst for analyzing the condition of other bridges
Calendar • Classifieds Send Community Calendar information to us by email: info@insightnews.com, by fax: 612.588.2031, by phone: 612.5881313 or by mail: 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis, MN 55411. Free or low cost events preferred.
EVENTS The Council on Crime and Justice is moving temporarily! While the current location at 822 S. 3rd Street is under construction, The Council on Crime and Justice will be working at a new location in Golden Valley and expect to return in approximately 6 months. Effective October 26th, the mailing address is: Council on Crime and Justice, 1109 Zane Avenue North, Golden Valley, MN 55422. The phone numbers and email address will remain the same. If you have questions, please contact us at 612-353-3000 or info@crimeandjustice.org Register for Winter Term at Camden Music School Registration opens Monday, November 12 for Camden Music School’s Winter Term, January 7 – March 15. All ages, abilities and experience levels welcome. CMS offers vocal and instrumental lessons, Musikgarten early childhood music classes (newborn to age 8), ensembles, music theory, songwriting and more! Scholarships and family discounts are available.
Scholarship application deadline: 5pm Friday, December 28. Classes in Camden: Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, 3751 Sheridan Ave. N., 55412. CMS in Northeast Minneapolis: Grace Center for Community Life, 1500 6th St. NE, 55413. More information: 612-618-0219 or www.camdenmusicschool.com. Our Vote Our Future Election Night celebration Nov. 6 Our Vote Our Future, the statewide campaign to defeat the voter restriction amendment will host an Election Night celebration at the Saint Paul RiverCentre on Tuesday, November 6th. The event is open to the supporting public. Celebration to begin at 8:00 PM at the Saint Paul RiverCentre, 175 West Kellogg Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55102. African American Read-In Nov. 7 - 8 Dr. Mbulelo Mzamane will speak on the topic They Are gunning down our children...What more are We living for: the Writer As Revolutionary at the University Research and Outreach Center (UROC) 2001 North Plymouth Ave. N Wed., Nov. 7, 2012 6 - 8 pm and on Thur. Nov. 8, 2012 on the U of M Campus 120 Burton Hall 4 - 5:30 pm. Described by former President Nelson Mandela “as a visionary leader and one of South Africa’s greatest intellectuals”, Dr. Mzamane is an author of fiction, poetry and scholarly publications
in the state, as well as the country. “One of the things we found out about the Lowry Bridge was that it had structural problems and (was) structurally deficient. People have been saying for years it needed to be rebuilt,” said
Phone: 612.588.1313
whose work has won him much international critical acclaim. His books have been translated into Russian, French, Dutch, Slavic, Japanese, Chinese and IsiXhosa. This event is free of charge and refreshments will be served. 8th Annual Fall Recitals at Camden Music School Nov. 10 Come see CMS students shine in a wide range of performances. Our Fall Recital Series takes place on two Saturdays, November 10 at 1pm and 4pm at CMS/ Camden, and November 17 at 12:30pm at CMS/Camden and 4pm at CMS/NE. (Note that the recital times are subject to slight changes. Please check the CMS website prior to attending, www. camdenmusicschool.com.) More information: 612-618-0219 or www.camdenmusicschool.com. Ae Reverb at Hell’s Kitchen, Nov. 11 Grab your favorite flannel for a 90’s themed rock fundraiser in support of Altered Esthetics on Nov. 11, 2012 at Hell’s Kitchen Minneapolis, 80 S 9th Street, Minneapolis, MN. The night will feature live music, including original music and 90’s covers from Apartment 12J, Youth at Large, and Hart Lake Mystery. The event will also feature a raffle and silent auction. Proceeds from cover charges and raffle items go to support Altered Esthetics 2013 Exhibition season. For more information, please contact jamie@alteredesthetics.org. Suggested Cover $5 Doors at 6:00pm, Music at 7:00pm.
Hennepin County Public Affairs.
Klobuchar. On the Federal level, then Senator Norm Coleman, Congressmen Keith Ellison and Klobuchar worked to secure the initial project funding. “A lot of the work was done on the county, state and local basis,” said Klobuchar.
Fax: 612.588.2031
Email: info@insightnews.com
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. host soiree to re-introduce Chapter to community Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. (SGRho), Zeta Iota Sigma chapter is hosting its Rhoyal Return soiree to reintroduce the sorority to the Twin Cities community. The event takes place Friday, Nov. 9 at 10pm at Deseo Ultra Lounge in Minneapolis. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online via the Minnesota SGRho Facebook page ( w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / MinnesotaSGRho/) or at the door. Guests are also asked to bring a donation of baby items, which will be donated to a local charity through Sigma Gamma Rho’s 8th Annual Holiday Sing-Along, Craft and Bake Sale Dec. 1 A FUNdraiser for Scholarships at Camden Music School 4pm, Sat., Dec. 1. CMS/Camden: Luther Memorial, 3751 Sheridan Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN. 55412 FREE. A simply delightful, neighborly way to celebrate the season! Proceeds from the craft and bake sale go to the CMS Scholarship Fund, a sponsored project of Our
Ellison elaborated on why teamwork, especially projects like these, is imperative for a successful outcome. “Multiple levels of government, the private sector and you (the community) came together as citizens to invest in infrastructure. I’m proud of it,” said Ellison. Ellison believes projects such as the Lowry Avenue Bridge will help rebuild the country and communities. “If we build bridges like this one all over the nation, we can put America back to work and improve the productivity of our country. We have a responsibility to the next generation to build bridges like this one,” said Ellison. State Senator Linda Higgins said the bridge would unify once separated communities in the north and northeast sections. “There once was a time when people said North and Northeast did not mix,” said Higgins. “Anyone who has spent time on the Broadway Bridge knows we are growing together. We are neighbors, coworkers and we are now bridge builders too.” For more information regarding the bridge and commuting, contact Paul Backer, Hennepin County Construction Project Engineer at (612) 282-1714 or visit www. lowryavenuebridge.com/ Default.aspx.
Project Reassurance service project. Project Reassurance is a national service project focused on providing education, support and resources to teenage mothers and their children. During the evening, guests will have the opportunity to meet and mingle with Zeta Iota Sigma chapter leadership and members, as well as members of Sigma Gamma Rho from across the country. There will also be a raffle for a variety of prizes and other entertainment at this event. Tickets can also be purchased at: www.eventbrite. com/org/2784268398. Neighborhood Works, www. ourneighborhoodworks.org. For more information: 612-618-0219 or www.camdenmusicschool. com. Enrollment opens for 2012 / 2013 Saint Paul Citizen’s Police Academy Dec 19–Feb 27 Classes begin Dec. 19 and continue through Feb. 27on Wed. evenings 6:30–9:30pm. 25 community members will participate in training modeled after the Police Academy program that police officers complete. No cost to CPA participants. The CPA is not intended to serve as accredited law enforcement courses but merely to provide insight to the internal workings of the police department. Applications due by Oct. 15 are available by calling CPA Coordinator Don Luna at 651. 266.5583.
PROGRAMS & SERVICES Volunteer as an English Teacher with the Minnesota Literacy Council. Help adult refugees and immigrants learn the reading, writing and speaking skills needed to thrive in the U.S. Morning, afternoon or evening classes are available throughout the Twin Cities. The literacy council provides training and support. Interested? Contact volunteer@mnliteracy.org or call Allison at 651-251-9110. Or visit www.mnliteracy.org/ volunteers/opportunities/adults The Mu Rho Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc at the U of MN is searching for former members Currently, the sorority is collecting historical information
to add to it’s archives. This includes information pertaining to former Eta Chapter members (1922-1964) and Mu Rho Chapter members (1979-Present).For more information please contact the Graduate Advisor, Peggye Mezile by email: ga@akadpo. org Neighborhood Health Connection™ an Allina Health program activities Thanks to Neighborhood Health Connection™ grant, McKinley Community CSA in northwest Minneapolis will have yoga classes Tue. nights in Aug and Qi Gong classes Wed. nights in Sept. Chef-inthe-Box events are planned for Aug 15 and Sept 15. Activities are expected to take place throughout the summer. Visit neighborhoodhealthconnection. org. or www.allina health.org Hazelden Offers Free Educational Opportunity Concerned about someone’s alcohol or drug use? Addressing Concerns Together (ACT), Hazelden’s new outreach program, can help. Join us for a free event to learn more about addiction, intervention, assessment, and treatment. Hazelden’s St. Paul campus, 680 Stewart Ave., St. Paul. 2nd and 4th Mon. of each month at 6pm. This is an open event and there is no need to register. If you have questions, please contact Hazelden at 800-257-7800. Free Classes for Adults The Minnesota Literacy Council, a non-profit organization, has free classes for adults at our Lake Street Learning Center at 2700 East Lake Street, 2nd floor, above Denny’s. For classes and more info, visit: http://www. mnliteracy.org/ Free Internet Access Access internet, check email, look for housing, type up resumes, job search, practice typing, learn Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. M-F 11am-2pm and 5pm-7pm. At Sabathani Community Center Room 324 310 E 38th St Mpls, MN 55409. Youth Business Club Develops Entrepreneurial Skills Kids learn with support and guidance from community. The Selby Avenue Youth Business Club is open to youth ages 9-16 who are interested in starting their own or learning more about business. The group meets the first and third Saturday of ever month from 9:30 am to noon at Golden Thyme Cafe on Selby and Milton. For more information, interested parties can visit http://selbyareacdc. org/Saybcindex.html , e-mail at SAYBC10@gmail.com or contact at: 615-964-0710.
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Insight News • November 5 - November 11, 2012 • Page 15
Court protects (felon’s) voting rights Recently the Minnesota Supreme Court issued an order on a voting rights case. The case clarifies that the thousands of Minnesotans whose felony guilty plea has not been accepted and recorded by the court and are otherwise qualified can legally vote in the upcoming elections. Enjoli Rosas was told she can’t vote. In 2010, she pleaded guilty to felony possession of marijuana and was placed on 5 years of probation. But, like in the cases of thousands of Minnesotans each year charged with first-time and less serious felonies, the court did not accept her guilty plea, with the stipulation that if she successfully completes the terms of her probation she will not be “convicted.” This is called a stay of adjudication. Probation and corrections officers and prosecutors in Minnesota generally agree that people in Rosas’ situation are not prohibited from voting under Minnesota’s Constitution which disenfranchises convicted felons until they have been discharged from their sentence. However, due to a lack of official guidance on this specific voting issue, people are often given incorrect information or are afraid to vote for fear of possible prosecution for voting fraud. This is what happened when Rosas called the Ramsey County probation office to ask if she could
vote in the upcoming election - she was incorrectly told she could not vote and doing so would be a new felony offense. One of the services of The Council on Crime and Justice, a Minneapolis-based nonprofit criminal justice research and advocacy organization, is to provide information to individuals with criminal records regarding their voting rights. In order to provide people with an authoritative answer on this issue, the Council joined with Rosas in filing an elections action with the Minnesota Supreme Court. The law firm of Robins, Kaplan, Miller, and Ciresi L.L.P volunteered to represent the Council and Rosas for free. After the action was filed, Ramsey County probation officials promptly contacted Rosas and notified her that their staff made a mistake and that she could vote. In their response to the Supreme Court, Ramsey County then agreed that “otherwise eligible voters who have pled guilty but not been convicted of a felony have the right to register and vote under Minnesota law.” Also, in order to provide clarity for Ramsey County probation and elections staff, the Ramsey County Attorney’s office issued a memo clarifying that these individuals can in fact vote. They also provided notice that juveniles
on extended juvenile jurisdiction status can vote. Because Ramsey County admitted their mistake, no dispute remained regarding Rosas’ ability to vote. Consequently, the Supreme Court dismissed the case as moot. The court’s Order, however, provided a clear and succinct statement of the law, citing the Constitution’s reference to convicted felons and the statutory definition of conviction - “any of the following accepted and recorded by the court: (1) a plea of guilty; or (2) a verdict of guilty by a jury or a finding of guilty by a court.” (Emphasis added). The court also noted that “the undisputed facts here show that Rosas’ 2010 guilty plea was not accepted or recorded and that no judgment of guilty on a felony charge has been entered with respect to petitioner Rosas.” “The outcome in this case confirms that the thousands of Minnesotans whose felony guilty plea has not been accepted and recorded by the court can legally vote in the upcoming elections. If anyone has questions about their status, they can call our criminal records information line at 612353-3024,” said Mark Haase, Vice President of the Council on Crime and Justice.
Wellness
suffer or celebrate alone.
and Shared Power. I have a right to Abundant Life.
From 11 Bill of Rights. Please clip it out, put it in your pocketbook or your wallet and take it with you so that you never forget— especially on Election Day. African-Centered Bill of Rights
Wellness
I have a right to Spiritual Wellness and to live my life in a way that honors that I am a child of the Creator. I have a right to Physical Wellness and to have access to safety, food, housing and health care to keep my body strong. I have a right to Emotional Wellness and to have a safe place to share my feelings and deal with anger, trauma, grief and fear. I have a right to Social Wellness and to have a community that supports my dreams and my spirit so that I never have to
Rights From 10 Center for Justice, in-person voter fraud (the fraud ID laws combat) is less common than being struck by lightning. Obviously, these suspicious voter ID laws aren’t a solution to voter fraud. Rather, they are a solution to a different “problem.” It’s simple. Oftentimes, Republicans have difficulty winning votes from certain individuals. So, voter ID laws were engineered to prevent certain people from voting entirely. In a shocking moment of candor, Pennsylvania Republican House Leader Mike Turzai confessed to his state legislature that, “voter ID, which is (going to) allow Governor Romney to win the state of Pennsylvania” was “done.” The scary thing is he might be right. According to Stanford University Law School professor and leading expert on voting rights, Pamela Karlan, “Voter ID laws specifically target minorities, elderly people, and students, groups that are less likely to support Republican candidates.” The Department of Justice has confirmed that voter identification laws will hurt traditionally Democratic strongholds. Twenty-five percent of Blacks, 19 percent of Latinos, 18 percent of young voters, and 15 percent of lowincome Americans do not own photo identification and will thus be expelled from the electorate and not be able to vote on Nov. 6. That’s roughly 20 million eligible voters. There’s no question that this will influence the upcoming election. This brings us back to the great American irony –a democracy hypocrisy – where we cannot seem to practice the democratic ideals that we espouse to the world. Why is the law so brutal towards American voters? How are voter ID laws any different than property requirements and poll taxes and gender exclusions that strategically disenfranchised millions of voters throughout
I have a right to Academic/ Intellectual Wellness and to have an opportunity to gain the practical and technical knowledge that I need to achieve my greatest potential as a human being. I have a right to Vocational Wellness so that I can work in a job that brings me joy and fulfills my Divine Purpose on this earth. I have a right to Financial Wellness and to be debt free, financially stable and independent so that I can take care of myself, my family and my community in the manner in which I desire. I have a right to Cultural Wellness and to be recognized for who I am and for where I come from so that my language, spirit, values and culture will be honored and nurtured as a unique strength that I possess. I have a right to Murua. Respect. Balance. Wholeness.
history? After five constitutional amendments, following women’s suffrage and civil rights movements, in a land where we all pledge allegiance to the same flag, how is it that we are still wondering which Americans should and should not be given the right to vote? There are more significant problems that demand our attention. So why are we meditating on minutia when we need to be moving mountains? Let’s be real. America’s big crisis isn’t voter fraud, but rather voter turnout, of which the U.S. has the lowest of any industrialized nation. With their new restrictive voter identification laws, it is evident that certain Republicans are committed to maintaining that embarrassing status. It doesn’t make any sense. Why? Why is because voting is a sacred American tradition. It’s something more guaranteed and protected than a right. It’s nature. Voting is as essential to democracy as breathing is to living. If we suppress the vote, we suffocate democracy. The GOP’s war on voting is a stranglehold on the fundamentals of our democratic process. And if we don’t stop it here, where will it go? One day will women only count for 3/5 of a vote? Not if I can help it. I for one want our democracy to live on. So in the same way we conquered suppression tactics like poll taxes and literacy tests and other Jim Crow methods, we will, too, conquer voter ID; once again turning voting wrongs into voting rights. Brandon Hill is a freshman at Stanford University and is a visiting scholar at Morehouse College. At Stanford, Hill is studying economics and public policy, and is particularly interested in education policy and civil rights. He has given talks for TEDx and recently finished an internship in the U.S. House of Representatives. Hill – who speaks English, Spanish, and is learning Mandarin – has also recently completed a Semester at Sea for which he earned full scholarship to travel to several nations in South America, Africa, and Asia.
BraVada Garrett-Akinsanya, Ph.D., L.P. is a Clinical Psychologist in private practice, serves as President of Brakins Consulting and Psychological Services, and is the Executive Director of the African American Child Wellness Institute. The mission of the African American Child Wellness Institute is to promote the psychological and spiritual liberation of children of African Descent by providing culturally specific mental health services and by developing culture-based, holistic wellness resources, research and practices. Dr. Garrett-Akinsanya warns that this column should in no way be construed as constituting a therapeutic relationship through counseling or advice. To forward a comment about this article or to make an appointment, please contact Dr. Garrett-Akinsanya by email @ bravadaakinsanya@ hotmail.com or by telephone at 763-522-0100.
Page 16 • November 5 - November 11, 2012 • Insight News
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