Ellison to host lecture on art and underserved communities at the Walker MORE ON PAGE 10
Insight News November 24 - November 30, 2014
Vol. 41 No. 49 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com
Critics continue to hammer KSTP-TV over #pointergate By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer
Harry Colbert, Jr.
Protesters braved the cold to demand an apology from KSTP-TV for a story since dubbed #pointergate, in which the station accused the mayor of Minneapolis of throwing gang signs with an African-American man because the two pointed at one another.
Korean protester captured by a South Korean soldier during the democratic uprising in Kwangju. May 1980.
Why Ferguson matters to Asian Americans By Soya Jung Left of the color line. Empire resister. Unapologetic problem minority. Reprinted from the Quarterly, Fall 2014
Korean
For weeks I have been in awe of the organizers and writers – Rev. Osagyefo Sekou, Jamala Rogers, Malkia Cyril, Ta-Nehesi Coates, john a. powell, Falguni A. Sheth, and so many others – who have placed the situation in Ferguson into critical historical and political context. This despite persistent attempts by police, elected officials, and mainstream media to erase that context with vilifications of
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A multiracial group of about 20 dedicated protesters braved bone chilling cold and blistering winds to voice their anger and to demand an apology from a local television station. The protesters gathered outside of station KSTP-TV (channel 5) this past Wednesday (Nov. 19) demanding an apology for a Nov. 6 story the station ran accusing Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges of flashing gang signs with what the station described as a “two time felon.” The “gang sign” was the two
Louie’s Wine Dive in Uptown is making its mark; hitting the spot with foodies
SCLC President joins forces with Gorbachev in peace effort By Sherrel Wheeler Stewart, Special to the NNPA The Southern Christian Leadership Conference, leader in the transformational nonviolent Civil Rights Movement America in the 1960s, is poised for a major role in bringing international peace and equality with the recent signing of a historic proclamation with world leaders in Berlin. Charles Steele, Jr., president of the Atlanta-based organization, presented the proclamation and secured support during a summit in Berlin November 8-9, commemorating the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War. Steele, who was the only American participating in that summit, also met with former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev who agreed to serve as the international chairman of the SCLC’s Global Roundtable on Peace, an initiative that expands
Photos courtesy of Louie’s Wine Dive
Louie’s Wine Dive chef and co-owner, Patrick Matthews.
LOUIE’S TURN TO 8
Insight 2 Health Get your green on
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Charles Steele, Jr.
By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer “Sometimes it’s not you that needs a change, it’s your environment that needs the change.” That’s about the only way to explain why in 2001 a chef born and raised in warm and sunny Miami made the “radical” decision to move to the less than warm metropolis of Minneapolis. So that’s what Chef Patrick Matthews did; and the growing legion of fans of his menu creations at Louie’s Wine Dive, 800 W. Lake St., Uptown Minneapolis, are thankful for the decision. Louie’s (www.louieswine dive.com/minneapolis) opened this past May to rave reviews with foodies loving Matthews’ take on classic American comfort cuisine. Though the menu at Louie’s is ever evolving – “I just love to get in the kitchen and create,” explained Matthews, the chef and co-owner of Louie’s – staples and foodie favorites are the braised short ribs, crab cakes, shrimp diablo and the grilled bone in pork loin chop (just seeing one of those coming out of the kitchen immediately turns heads).
pointing at one another, a common gesture around the word. And though the premise of the KSTP story, reported by Jay Kolls, was that police were “outraged” over the photo, what the report failed to mention is that the city’s top cop, Minneapolis Police Chief Janeé Harteau, was right there with the mayor and Navell Gordon – the AfricanAmerican man in the photo with the mayor – and Harteau also posed for a picture with Gordon. The photo came about during a get out the vote effort coordinated by Neighborhoods Organizing for Change (NOC).
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Lifestyle
Education
Community
Remembering Ackeesa Ta Harms-McFarlane
Education for social change
BBB offers tips to Black Friday shoppers
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Page 2 • November 24 - November 30, 2014 • Insight News
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Medicare’s “Extra Help” program helps people with limited income pay for their prescription medications Making ends meet should not mean going without your medications. If you have limited income and resources, you may qualify for Extra Help to pay for some health care and prescription drug costs. Drug costs in 2015 for most people who qualify for Extra Help will be no more than $2.65 for each generic drug and $6.60 for each brand-name drug. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services estimates that more than 2 million people with Medicare may be eligible for Extra Help, but aren’t currently enrolled to take advantage of these savings. A recent law changed how your income and assets are counted: • Life insurance policies don’t count as resources • Any help you get from relatives, friends, and others to pay for household expenses— like food, mortgage, rent, heating fuel or gas, electricity, water, and property taxes—
doesn’t count as income
Ferguson
response – mainstream media pondering whether Mike Brown deserved to die, the City of Ferguson sending in a militarized police force to occupy an already disenfranchised neighborhood, whites denying that this is about race, and the indictment of black rage rather than the indictment of the murdering police officer – these are the mechanics of how America normalizes black death. That Wilson gunned down Mike Brown so close to the buried body of Dred Scott is a gut-wrenching reminder that the fight for the recognition of black humanity is centuries long, still raging, and yet unfinished. The only way to make sense of this is through the logic of anti-black racism, a logic that asks us to set aside our humanity. In the words of black feminist writer Brittney Cooper: The idea that we would show no rage as we accrete body upon body – Eric Garner, John Crawford, Mike Brown (and those are just our summer season casualties) — is the height of delusion. It betrays a stunning lack of empathy, a stunning refusal of people to grant the fact of black humanity, and in granting our humanity,
From 1 black political protest and black life. I write this post to express my solidarity and rage, and to offer a response to the disturbing question that I’ve heard asked, and that demands an answer: Does Ferguson matter to Asian Americans? First and foremost, the murder of Mike Brown by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson is causing profound grief at the violent loss of yet another black mother’s child. The expression of that grief by the Brown family, and the pained words of solidarity from Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin, are necessary bedrocks for understanding the human toll that anti-black racism takes. What makes this a national political crisis is that Mike Brown’s death was not an isolated incident. It was excruciatingly unexceptional – one more deadly outcome of white supremacy in a human rights crisis that spans cities, nations, centuries. The predictable and familiar
Many People Qualify and Don’t Know It Even if you were previously turned down for Extra Help due to income or resource levels, you should reapply. If you qualify, you’ll get help paying for Medicare prescription drug coverage premiums, copayments, and deductibles. To qualify, you must make less than $17,505 a year (or $23,595 for married couples). Even if your annual income is higher, you still may be able to get some extra help. Your resources must also be limited to $13,440 (or $26,860 for married couples). Resources include bank accounts, stocks, and bonds, but not your house or car. There’s No Cost or Obligation to Apply It’s easy and free to apply for “Extra Help.” You or a family
member, trusted counselor, or caregiver can apply online at socialsecurity.gov/i1020 or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778. All the information you give is confidential. You can also get help in your community from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), Area Agencies on Aging (AAA), the Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC), and many tribal organizations. For information about how to contact these organizations, visit Eldercare. gov. To learn more about Medicare prescription drug coverage, visit Medicare.gov, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. This information prepared by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
granting us the right to the full range of emotions that come with being human… Nothing makes white people more uncomfortable than black anger. But nothing is more threatening to black people on a systemic level than white anger… We should sit up and pay attention to where this trail of black bodies leads us. They are a compass pointing us to a raging fire just beneath the surface of our national consciousness. I do not move through the world in the crosshairs of a policing system that has its roots in slave patrols, or in a nation that has used me as an “object of fear” to justify state repression and public disinvestment from the infrastructure on which my community relies. I am not public enemy number one in the ongoing U.S. domestic war over power and resources that has systematically denied black humanity. Yet as an Asian American, black rage occupies an important and intimate place in my heart and mind for at least two reasons. First, I have said before that I come from war. My rage is
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GET YOUR GREEN ON By Julie McMahon, CHHC Sound Nutrition (612) - 270 - 9344 Eat some green everyday....whether it’s a salad, a smoothie or cooked greens on the side....your body needs the green!! Why? Here’s the deal.....more greens make your blood naturally less clumpy and makes it FLOW better. Meaning it LOWERS blood pressure naturally! Better blood flow means more oxygen to your cells! More oxygen means MORE ENERGY, MORE MENTAL CLARITY and LESS DEPRESSION!! Also the greens have a ton of FIBER to keep things moving in the bathroom. Lastly, greens have a lot of protein! Who knew! (If you are already on a blood thinner such as Coumadin, talk to me, because greens will effect this.) Here’s another SMOOTHIE recipe for you!! Cucumber/Parsley Dream!
1 small banana 1/2 avocado 1 cup cucumber, cut into pieces 1/4-1/2 cup parsley, tightly packed 3 leaves kale, stems removed 2 medium navel oranges, skin and pith cut off 1 cup coconut water Beets Me! 1 Beet w/beet greens 1 handful parsley 1 apple 1 avocado 1 T chia seed 1 lemon juiced 2 cups water WOW!!! Go Blend up a Smoothie today!! Sound Nutrition LLC Julie McMahon, CHHC www.mysoundnutrition.com www.facebook.com/MySoundNutrition www.twitter.com/NutritionJulie
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Insight News • November 24 - November 30, 2014 • Page 3
HEALTH
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Top: Sriracha barbecue chick’n sandwiches. Above: “Sausage” mushroom and spinach pizza Oakland – Can a diet free of meat, milk, eggs, butter and cheese actually taste good? Deborrah Cooper, author of the new cookbook “Why Vegan Is the New Black: More Than 100 Delicious Meat and Dairy Free Meal Ideas Your Whole Family Will Love” says the answer is “absolutely.” “My goal was to help change the perception that healthy foods look weird and taste bad,” explained Cooper. “The typical American diet is full of greasy, high sodium fast food that really packs on the pounds and sets us up for serious health problems. Reducing the quantity of animal protein and upping the plants we eat has been proven to reverse heart disease, normalize blood sugar and lipids, and lower both weight and blood pressure in just a couple of weeks.” Statistics would appear to support her claims. An estimated 82 percent of Black women and 69 percent of Black men are considered overweight or obese, with 45 percent and 40 percent respectively suffering from hypertension. Heart disease is the number one killer of AfricanAmericans, with cancer, strokes and diabetes also among the top five reasons for early death. People’s sexual health is also impacted as poor circulation and high blood pressure is reflected in erectile dysfunction in men, and in reduced desire and blood flow to the vaginal area in women. “These are largely preventable afflictions, directly related to what we put in our mouths,” said Cooper. “Reality is, what’s on our plates is killing us.” A former personal trainer and fitness nutritionist, Cooper fell into bad eating habits after suffering a back injury which limited movement for almost a year. “Standing hurt, sitting hurt ... I was in a bad spot,” recounted Cooper. Results from a subsequent medical examination provided a sobering wake up call. “I was highly motivated because the last thing I wanted was to have diabetes or a stroke. I knew a plant-based diet would turn things around quickly, so that was the route I opted to take. I tried dozens of vegan recipes off the web, from sites that were very highly recommended. But the taste of that stuff was shocking. The food was so awful, I was throwing most of it down the garbage disposal. I lost eight pounds in three weeks without even trying,” joked Cooper. “Since I’m a good cook and was determined to make
this work, I set about creating meat and dairy free dishes that my whole family would enjoy eating.” Born and raised in the multicultural environment of the San Francisco Bay Area, Cooper also included recipes for favorite Asian, Cajun, and Mexican dishes, in addition to down home southern comfort food. “I introduce readers to many new ingredients, but I tried to keep the end result in the realm of
the familiar. There are recipes for meat and dairy free renditions of buttermilk fried ‘chicken,’ lasagna, jambalaya, ‘chicken’ salad sandwiches, mac and cheese, and even pizza. Each of the original recipes was revamped with the goal of making them taste and look as close to the original dish as I could, without using bacon grease and ham hocks of course,” said Cooper.
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Page 4 • November 24 - November 30, 2014 • Insight News
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BUSINESS
140 characters (more or less) Plan Your Career By Julie Desmond julie@insightnews.com Unfortunately, Dane missed out on a job offer this week after
what he thought was a pretty good phone interview. Said the manager, “Overall good background, mostly relevant to what we are seeking.” So far, so good. His background made him right for the job; that wasn’t the obstacle. The manager continued, “Miss: communication; not clear and concise. Hard to get to the point in his answers.” While this feedback is hard
to hear, it is also good news, because communication can be practiced and improved. The trend in business is succinct communications, 140 characters or less. Succinctness is a characteristic of speech, writing, or other communication which exhibits both clarity and brevity. Every conversation offers opportunity to practice succinctness. Listen to the question asked. Pause to think
about the question; repeat it verbatim aloud. Then proceed to answer the question or share a comment. Apps such as Twitter are a great learning tool, improving clarity and brevity by forcing a person to bring thoughts into narrow focus. It isn’t as interesting as story-telling, but in the world of business it seems to be the way things are moving. In the spirit of succinctness, here’s an example of something
remarkably ordinary that happened recently. One could make a novel out of this, beginning with, “It was a dark and stormy night…” However, to practice succinct communication, the story goes: “The ringing doorbell surprised us, but when the man holding a shovel at the door asked for $20, I took one look at the snow falling behind him and said, You’ve got a deal!” It’s longer than a tweet, but
not by much. And if you get the picture, that’s what matters, right? Julie Desmond is IT & Software Recruiting Manager with George Konik Associates, Inc. Send your career planning questions to Julie at jdesmond@georgekonik. com. www.georgekonik.com
The wise donor: Moving beyond emotion By Mel and Pearl Shaw
compelling images and music; more social media campaigns; more letters and cards coming via US mail; more phone calls – from volunteers and paid solicitors; and more one-on-one conversations about giving. Here are five things to help you make giving decisions that unite your heart and mind.
It’s always good to give. To give from our hearts, according to our beliefs, and in-line with our vision for the world we want to live in. There is a renewed emphasis now as we enter the giving season. You will notice more advertisements on television for national nonprofits with
What are your giving priorities? What is important to you? Do you want to help end poverty? Increase access to the arts, childcare, affordable housing, or college education? What about curing cancer, improving neighborhood safety, supporting long-term social change, or teaching children
Pointergate
confronted KSTP owner Stanley Hubbard during an event at Augsburg College to voice their concerns but the station’s owner defended the piece, and the station has since further dug in its heels and run multiple follow-up pieces including one that lays out Gordon’s criminal past. Gordon has been open about his past and in a NOC video said his past is one of the reasons he’s fighting so hard to empower
FUNdraising Good Times
From 1 “KSTP needs to know what they are doing is wrong,” said Mica Grimm, one of the protest organizers, who said the report was racist. “We want something better from our media and we want something better for our community.” Grimm and others recently
to read? Are you committed to international aid that builds local economies or treats people with Ebola or HIV? What types of organizations do you want to support? Local nonprofits? National or international agencies? Your church, synagogue, temple or mosque? A community foundation, women’s foundation, giving circle, or black united fund? Is it important to give to a recognized nonprofit, or are you comfortable giving directly to people you know make a difference, regardless of their formal structure?
others in his community. Hubbard’s dismissal of many in the community’s concerns with the story has further angered Grimm and others. “(During the Augsburg event Hubbard) tried to lie to us about the reason for the story and when that didn’t work he threatened us saying whoever is behind this whole hashtag thing is in for it,” said Grimm referring to the social media hashtag, #pointergate, that has
How well do you know the organizations you give to? Which are registered charitable organizations? Which have a website with information? Is there anyone you can call to ask questions? Have you looked up the nonprofit at www.guidestar. org? This website provides information including funds raised and use of funds (Form 990). Just type in their name.
want to continue these? Increase them? Decrease? Have you received acknowledgements for these gifts, or an update regarding the impact of your giving?
What is your giving budget? How much can you give? How much do you want to give? Know your budget so you can respond to specific solicitations. Consider automatic contributions from your credit card or bank account. Do you
Don’t fall prey to in-person or on-line peer pressure. Keep your giving joyous! Know who and what you want to support, and make your decisions accordingly. You are under no obligation to give to any organization, even if you gave before. Nor are you under an obligation to increase your gift. These are voluntary decisions. Take a moment to evaluate emotional appeals – especially online requests – to see if the
gone viral with thousands of comments. Grimm delighted the protesters when she announced that in addition to UCare pulling its advertising from the station, chain retailer, Schuler Shoes has followed suit. In a statement via Twitter, Schuler said its decision to pull ads from KSTP was made prior to the questionable story, but, “we do not support any type or racism or discrimination.”
“To me I feel things like this shouldn’t be happening and white people get away with these things too often,” said Jenna Landry, who is white. “These news places are supposed to reflect the community and this does not reflect the community.” Alan Dale said the story was politically motivated. “This story was a political maneuver and had nothing to do with news,” said Dale. “This
actual work of the organization is in line with your priorities. Multiple small impulsive gifts add up over time: you may find you’re “over budget” or that your giving is not in-line with what’s important to you. Most importantly, look inside to see if your giving reflects what’s in your heart. Copyright 2014 – Mel and Pearl Shaw Mel and Pearl Shaw position nonprofits, colleges and universities for fundraising success. For help with your fundraising visit www. saadandshaw.com or call (901) 522-8727.
story was about the cops not liking the mayor because she’s trying to clean things up.” The mayor and the police union have been at odds for a long time, dating back to when Hodges was on the city council. Hodges recently butted heads with Minneapolis police when she pushed for officers to wear body cameras while on duty, a move that took effect at the
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Insight News • November 24 - November 30, 2014 • Page 5
LIFESTYLE AUGUST 5, 1972 - NOVEMBER 1, 2014
Remembering Ackeesa Ta Harms-McFarlane
Remarks by Al McFarlane 2pm Friday, November 14, 2014 Ackeesa Ta McFarlane-Harms, age 42, of NE Mpls., passed away Nov. 1, 2014. Preceded in death by mother, Theresa Harms. Survived by daughters, KiLeeah Rowe and Tyrisa McFarlaneHarms; grandchildren, Kahmyla, Kahmya, Kenneth and Kilecia; father, Wain McFarlane; sister, Antonia Harms; brother, Miles McFarlane; and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins. Let us go into the House of the Lord The Angel folded her wings, gracefully, gently, assuming the warrior’s stance, on bended knee, one had knuckled against the earth, the other at her back, wielding the mighty sword of Grace. Eyes that talk speak tears of gratitude and acceptance. Fluttering blinks animate the solitary trail of tears. A breath.... A leap into eternity.... A journey to unimaginable realms.... Fierce! Fearless! Ascension At the same time, faster than the blink of an eye, and in moments lasting eternities, She rose in victory and in peace.
A Love Supreme Acknowledgement: Her own Divinity Resolution: Do or die! Till the bitter end! Pursuit: To the last moment, the last breath, the last heart beat.... Psalm: Love, Respect, Gratitude, Joy! The Creator Has a Master Plan The Creator has but one demand: Peace and happiness throughout the land for every man, woman and child. Lifted by Joy, surrounded by love, the Angel springs across universes like a Blackbird flying confidently into the dark, dark night.... discovering freedom, laughing, dancing, shouting, “The Heavens from whence I came, I return!” Cristo Redentor The celestial choir of Leah Renee, Grandpa Crusoe, Mother Theresa & Catherine, Big Mama & Dad, Mas Roland & Grandmother Daisy, Julitta, Jerri, Paul, the assemblies of grandparents & grandchildren, of sisters and brothers, of aunties & uncles, nieces and nephews, of those who have passed and of those not yet born, speaks the Angel’s name in praise and sings hallelujah in remembrance. Crisis is the gateway to redemption. The Angel illuminates the path. God Ackeesa Ta
Be the change you wish to see! Man Talk
By Timothy Houston When I change the world changes with me! This is my personal affirmation. All of us would like for things to change for the better. It is within this hope that you are able to deal with life’s up’s and down’s. Some look for
change to take place outside of them. They wish for others to be different. The truth is that real change takes place within us. In order to live life to its fullest, you must change what you see, say, and do. You have to become the change you wish to see. First, you must change what you see. I am not referring to the way you see the things outside of you, but rather, the way you see yourself. If you see yourself as small, unattractive, limited, or defeated, nothing in life will be of much value. Even if everyone in your circle tells you that you are beautiful, and you don’t think
so, their words will have little value to you. Real value starts within. When you see yourself as great, beautiful, unlimited, and full of potential, you will cause the whole world to bend in your direction, and your life will change for the better. Next, you must change what you say. Your words are a reflection of who you are within. You say what you believe. As you establish positive belief in yourself, you will speak positive words. Words also create actions. They are the catalyst for positive achievement. “… if anyone says to the mountain,
go throw yourself into the sea, and does not doubt in their heart, but believes what they say will happen, it will be done for them” (Mark 11:23). You can speak to the mountains in your life, and they will give way to what you say and believe in your heart. Finally, you must change what you do. Your actions must line up with your words, and your words must reflect the sincerity of your heart. The three must be in agreement. When you say one thing and do something else, your heart is conflicted. You will not get far in life with a conflicted heart. When this
happens, you will only make bad choices. These choices will lead to consequences that will take away from your quality of life. You will be become unbelievable, unreliable, and undependable. On the contrary, when your actions line up with your words your heart will be at peace, and your life will be full of prosperity because you will act on the good in your heart. Be the change you wish to see. Real change begins within you. Those who are living a positive life already know this. These positive people also watch the company they keep, because
birds of a feather still flock together. Remember, if nothing in you changes, changing everything around you will have little or no effect. You are the primary source and impact of how your life will be. By honoring your words, you have the power to change your life! Timothy Houston is an author, minister, and motivational speaker who is committed to guiding positive life changes in families and communities. For copies of his book, questions, comments or more information, go to www.tlhouston.com.
Four ways to tell if you are on the right road to success Motivational Moments
By Penny JonesRichardson I work with so many people who complain about the jobs they have. Some say they wish they didn’t have to work so many hours. Some say they wish they didn’t have to work weekends, and then there are those who just
wish they could be working their dream job and not helping to build someone else’s dream. But when I ask them the question, “What they would do if they could follow their passion and work a job that is near and dear to their heart?” Most people don’t even know what their passion is. I have a passion to write and I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t do it. That’s what I mean by finding your passion. Your passion is what drives you to stay on track and to complete the goals you set to better your life and make you happy. Here are a few questions to ask yourself that may help you to figure it out.
Do you enjoy the work that you do? This is a question that I ask so many of the clients that I see. Each day that you wake up, do you head to work in a positive mood? Do you look forward to your workdays and enjoy the work you do? Are you making a difference in the work that you do and is this work making a difference in you? Some jobs can make or break us. I know individuals who literally cry daily because of the jobs that they have. Either they don’t make the money they think they deserve or maybe they are not appreciated for the work that they do. If you are one of those people, maybe
you should think about why you don’t enjoy it. Admitting and identifying that there is a problem is the start. Is there passion in what you do? When I ask this question, I am not talking about the passion to have a paycheck every week. Or the passion of feeling satisfied that you are able to take care of your responsibilities. I am talking about a passion that drives you. Do you work a job that you would do even if you didn’t get paid for it? Now that is HUGE! I don’t know many people personally that are able to work for free. But I do know many people who work
a job that they have a passion to do. They are not stressed and they enjoy what they do and they do it well. When you are working your passion, there is not a lot of time to focus on the negative because each day brings excitement with each learning experience. Can people around you see your energy? When you are happy and working your passion, the people around you can feel your energy. You will generate such energy that others around will wonder how they can get what you have. Just think about it for a moment. Think about those people who you work with that are so happy all the time. They know what they are doing and they are usually very knowledgeable about their jobs. But remember, just because your job may not be your passion or dream job, doesn’t mean that it isn’t someone else’s passion. People find satisfaction in many
different areas and arenas. Do you feel complete? And last but not least, do you feel that you have made a difference in your day to day work? When you work your passion, at each day’s end, there is a feeling of completion. Not a feeling that it’s over, but a feeling that a part of your life is complete. This feeling is part of knowing that each day you get up and look forward to doing your part in making your life and the lives of others better. Now what feeling is more complete than that? And as always, stay focused, stay determined, and keep striving for greatness. Penny Jones-Richardson is a published author and life coach. She can be reached via her website at www.thequeensproject. com or email at penny@ thequeensproject.com.
Page 6 • November 24 - November 30, 2014 • Insight News
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COMMENTARY
The legacy of Marcus Garvey Opinion
By Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., Interim President, NNPA This year marks the 100 anniversary of the founding of the United Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) by the Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey. I believe it is important for all people, especially for 45 million Black Americans, to remember the leadership and legacy of Marcus Garvey. At this time across America, in the Caribbean, and in Africa,
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Insight News is published weekly, every Monday by McFarlane Media Interests. Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane CFO Adrianne Hamilton-Butler Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Assistant to the Publisher Shumira Cunningham Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Vice President of Sales & Marketing Selene White Culture and Education Editor Irma McClaurin Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Sr. Content & Production Coordinator Ben Williams Production Intern Sunny Thongthi Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Contributing Writers Harry Colbert, Jr. Julie Desmond Fred Easter Timothy Houston Penny Jones-Richardson Alaina L. Lewis Darren Moore Lydia Schwartz Ryan T. Scott Toki Wright Photography Michele Spaise David Bradley 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.
Black people are facing both the prolonged realities of multiple inequalities and new opportunities to strive forward on a global scale. Our long struggle for freedom, justice and equality has had many different twists and turns. Historically, we have always found ways not to permit the forces of oppression to break our spirit or determination to achieve liberation. During the last century, Black Americans have witnessed and supported the establishment of numerous local, national and international organizations. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was founded in 1909. The National Urban League (NUL) was established a year later. Garvey started the UNIA in 1914 to instill racial pride and economic selfsufficiency for Black people in America and throughout the Pan African world. Garvey supported complete
Though he seldom receives credit for it, Marcus Garvey organized the largest mass movement of Black people in the world.
independence of Africa and the unity of African people internationally. Though he seldom receives credit for it, Marcus Garvey organized the largest mass movement of Black people in the world. One hundred years later, no one else has been able to match that feat. This is the perfect time to remind
everyone Marcus Garvey’s accomplishments, primarily because there is a significant opportunity once again for Black people in America, the Caribbean and in Africa to unite around issues concerning economic development and self-sufficiency as a result of Pan African consciousness. The strategic international
emergence of the African Union in Africa that recognizes the inclusion of Black American leaders is an important advance. In addition, Congressman Charles H. Rangel (D-N.Y.) plans to reintroduce a bill to officially restore the good name of Marcus Garvey in the United States. We should support Rangel’s legislative initiative to clear Marcus Garvey of the framed-up charges that led President Calvin Coolidge in 1927 to order Garvey to be deported and permanently banned from the U.S. In fact all of us should contact members of Congress, especially member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), and let them know of our support of the Rangel ill. Beyond that, our young people should be encouraged to study the organizational methods of Garveyism. There are so many young leaders in our communities who could be inspired by tenacious views of Garvey. I was fortunate recently to
spend some time with the son of Marcus Garvey, Dr. Julius Garvey, recently at the 9th annual Caribbean Business Conference in Nassau, Bahamas. The younger Garvey is an accomplished surgeon and leading medical scientist who now resides in New York. We discussed the public and legislative campaign to render justice to the name and legacy of his father. We do not have to repeat the past. But we should certainly learn from our past so that we can change the future to help transform our world into a better place for all. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. is President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and can be reached for national advertisement sales and partnership proposals at: dr.bchavis@nnpa.org; and for lectures and other professional consultations at: http:// drbenjaminfchavisjr.wix.com/ drbfc.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR IN ADRIAN PETERSON CASE
NFL criminalizing Black fathers By Gary L. Burgess, Sr. Anderson County Board of Education, South Carolina, Secretary The decision by the NFL to suspend Adrian Peterson for the duration of the football season should have African-American parents across the nation concerned. Let me state empathically before I go any further – I am not
SCLC From 1 the international work Dr. Martin Luther King launched before his death. The international link with the SCLC and world leaders focused on solutions to global conflicts again shows how much the organization is still held in esteem around the world, said Steele. He arrived for the summit just before thousands began commemorating the historic events at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate that changed the world. “Just five hours before his assassination in Memphis in 1968, Dr. King told one of his lieutenants, [current SCLC board chairman] Dr. Bernard Lafayette, ‘Now is the time to internationalize and institutionalize the SCLC and the Civil Rights Movement all over the world. We must go international,’” Steele said. “The relationships the SCLC has established with world leaders, this proclamation and the Nonviolence Conflict Initiative are all a part of the dream of Dr. King.” As chairman of the SCLC initiative, Gorbachev will serve as a major adviser, providing SCLC with more access to leading policy leaders who can help the organization fulfill its mission in eradicating poverty and achieving peaceful resolutions. Dr. King, president and a founding member of the SCLC, had already made a significant impact on Berlin in a visit at the height of the American Civil Rights Movement in September 1964. His trip occurred 30 years after his father, the Rev. Martin Luther King, Sr., known as “Daddy King,” travelled to Berlin with a delegation of Atlanta pastors to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Baptist congregations in Germany. It was also during the 1934 trip that the elder King decided to change his name and his son’s name from Michael to Martin after the 16th century German theologian Martin Luther, who initiated the Protestant Reformation. The impact of Dr. King’s visit still resonates in Germany and many people there credit the iconic leader for being one of the heroes behind the scenes who helped bring an end to the Cold War and the wall coming down on November 9, 1989. Twenty five years after the end of the Cold War, leaders gathered in Berlin confirmed by signing the SCLC’s proclamation that international conflicts can best be resolved through nonviolent peaceful solutions. This is the same strategy that Dr. King
a fan of football, nor did I know of Adrian Peterson before this bogus criminal charge was brought against him. I know we, AfricanAmericans, are not a monolithic group, particularly when it comes to rearing our children. However, I do not believe Mr. Peterson intended to hurt his child. I do not believe Mr. Peterson is a criminal. I do not believe he committed reckless assault. I do not believe his son has suffered permanent emotional damage. Mr. Peterson
unintentionally went too far in correcting his son, but he is no criminal. It is time for Black families, those organizations representing Black families and organizations representing families in general, to speak up against this criminalization of Black men who are rearing their children. I was reared by parents, and in an extended family, that did not spare the rod. As a result of that I am a productive citizen of this
employed during the turbulent 1960s. The proclamation also calls leaders to work toward help for the poor and suffering, social justice and equity, stewardship of the planet, defense of global human rights, and economic equality and education. “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and former President Mikhail Gorbachev are two of my greatest heroes,” Steele said. “I told him the SCLC is interested in addressing poverty and human rights around the world, and he is interested in collaborating with us – the organization co-founded by Dr. King.” About 25 leaders – former ambassadors, foreign ministers, renowned policy advisers – assembled for the summit at Allianz Forum, overlooking the Brandenburg Gate, signed the proclamation, because they believe in the dream of peace championed by Dr. King and they respect the words of the Soviet Union’s last president. “Mr. Gorbachev said: There should never be another crisis on the global community stage that we have to use war and violence in order to solve our problems. The only way to solve our problems is through peace and nonviolence.” Prior to signing the proclamation, Gorbachev thanked the summit participants, including Steele and leaders from throughout Europe, Africa, Asia and North America and said: “The discussion we have had today shows that there are many ideas. The urgency we see here requires immediate attention.” Martin Lees, former Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations and secretary-general of the Club of Rome, called the summit significant and indicated it could be the start of major changes in the way Europe and the world addresses issues. “You have people here from all over the world drawing on their expertise and wisdom. They are looking at today’s world and basically saying we are in trouble. We have to mobilize our forces and get together to build a better world,” Lees said in an interview following the close of the summit on November 9. “Everyone has been saying that Europe has been looking inside for several decades. Now the world problems are so acute. I hope the leaders will wake up and see the scale of the problems and start acting to do something about it,” said Lees, who chaired one of the summit sessions. He said President Gorbachev would soon meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to continue the discussion. Anastasia Poliakova, the
North America Coordinator for The Gorbachev Foundation, said President Gorbachev has devoted much of his career to bringing peace and eradicating poverty, so the association with the SCLC is a good match. “Poverty is one of the biggest challenges we face right now. Social issues are still very, relevant all over the world,” she said. “Mr. Gorbachev is committed to using his name and his influence to inspire, inform and educate the global community in support of Dr. King’s ideas and support of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and Dr. Steele in moving forward – connecting people together who are of the same mind.”
country. I am not psychologically damaged. This is what my parents knew and this is what I know as a parent. If we do not discipline our sons the police will jail them and kill them in the street. When the cops kill our boys it’s considered lawful, (yet) when we discipline them it’s considered a crime. Discipline in the home will do more to keep our young Black men out of the prison system than any government program. We need to involve them with men, we need to
ensure they are involved in houses of faith … we need to mentor our sons. I do not need the government telling me how to rear my children. Child rearing is the responsibility of the home. I am disgusted, sick and tired, and upset with the government interfering with our families. Uncle Sam needs to defend the nation. I will defend my home, and the best way to defend my home and to secure a future for my family is to discipline my sons.
Photo (c) by Dieter Bölke
SCLC President Charles Steele with former Soviet President Gorbachev at the Symposium of the New Policy Forum in Berlin. They are standing in front of the SCLC banner of Dr. King’s visit to Berlin 50 years ago.
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Insight News • November 24 - November 30, 2014 • Page 7
SPORTS Peterson and society need measure and understanding Moments in Sports By Ryan T. Scott ryan@insightnews.com One of the defining songs of my generation was “Mo’ Money Mo’ Problems” by Notorious B.I.G. Adrian Peterson has a lot of money, and the hot media spotlight is his problem. While the Texas judicial system has determined a reasonable set of punishments for Peterson’s guilty plea to reckless assault against his 4-year-old son, the NFL institution has determined that Peterson should be penalized near to the fullest extent of their capacity – in the form of an indefinite unpaid suspension. Looking more broadly than Peterson’s situation, the problem, or opportunity, is that cultural understanding is in the spotlight. The conversations over racial and cultural understanding in Ferguson, Mo. are another example of culture in America coming to the light for examination, and hopefully improvement.
Ferguson From 2 not the same rage that Cooper describes. But I can relate to her when she says: Rage must be expressed. If not it will tear you up from the inside out or make you tear other people up. Usually the targets are those in closest proximity. The disproportionate amount of heart disease, cancers, hypertension, obesity, violence and other maladies
Adrian Peterson is a good ol’ country guy. Randy Moss was a good ol’ country guy in the hot spotlight earned by great talent and enviable sums of money. A recent ESPN documentary showed an intimate human profile of Moss, confirming his roots and mindset. Moss is country and stubborn, and so seems Peterson, though Moss is the more mischievous of the two. Stubborn country folk and reality television news culture make for busy newsrooms. These same newsrooms have found low-hanging fruit through highlighting the bumps, scandal, and knucklehead activities of NFL player’s public and personal lives. Former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice unfortunately provided the ideal kindling log to the media, which was happy to include another high profile name such as Peterson’s, in order to take full advantage of the moment. Pictures, audio and video have provided impact to the several violent storylines throughout the sport. Peterson’s parental mistake does not belong in the same violent category as the incidents of Rice and others’ crimes of assault. Intent and motive are key words in the American judicial
system, and punishments are influenced by their assessments. Approaches to justice, rehabilitation and healing are measured by intentions and motivations. Certainly much of society does not agree with the form of punishment Peterson levied upon his child, but the central fact is that there was form and thought to how he approached
the activity. He didn’t drunkenly fly off the handle and punch somebody in the face. Peterson administered a form of disciplinary punishment familiar to most cultures in human history. Peterson’s guilt stems from excessive force, which qualifies as reckless and criminal behavior on the misdemeanor level of offense. At this point Peterson
does have a full history of recklessness (as do many of us, so I certainly still believe in the fella). His journey through youth was full of recklessness all around him. That is no excuse for his actions, but death and imprisonment – present in Peterson’s upbringing – will make a parent deliver dire and dynamic discipline to the children they love most because
that plague black people is as much a product of internalized, unrecognized, unaddressed rage as it is anything else. There is a word in Korean culture, han. It is hard to define, yet it deeply shapes Korean consciousness. To quote Elaine H. Kim, it loosely means “the sorrow and anger that grow from the accumulated experiences of oppression… When people die of han, it is called dying of hwabyong, a disease of frustration and rage.” Coming from a people who were controlled, occupied, and threatened with erasure by
outside forces over centuries, and brutalized as silage in a war between the United States and the Soviet Union, han was not something that I consciously embraced. It is in my blood. Han is Korean rage. It was expressed in protests against Japanese colonial rule in 1919, in the struggle for self-determination as the Korean war broke out in 1950, during student protests against the oppressive U.S.-backed South Korean government in 1960, and again during the democratic uprising in Kwangju in 1980. I would never equate my
inheritance of han to the real and imminent threat of violence that Ferguson’s black community and so many others face now. But I will say that I hold my own rage close to me, as part of my identity. I understand the need to defend, protect, and express it. Secondly, America normalizes and indulges in black death in service to a dehumanizing narrative of black criminality. The exalting of Asian Americans as a model minority reinforces this narrative. And Asian death is rendered invisible when it has no value to the power structure. If Asian life
falls outside of model minority and Orientalist narratives, if it doesn’t prop up ideas of American exceptionalism and meritocracy, it doesn’t register much. I was reminded of this a few weeks ago, when the story broke (but did not go viral) of Sandeep Singh, a 29-year-old Sikh man, who was run over and dragged 30 feet by a white man driving a pickup truck in Queens, shouting “Go back to your own country, Bin Laden!” That was less than a week before the two-year anniversary of a white supremacist shooting rampage that killed six people at
Mike Morbeck
Adrian Peterson
the greater consequences in life are intimately understood. Everybody doesn’t go through the same cultural and societal experiences, and thus they don’t understand until they’re patiently and constructively made aware. Culturally, Adrian Peterson is what my childhood friends would refer to as a “BamBam” – yes as in the strong child of Barney Rubble in “The Flintstones” cartoon. Peterson is known for crushing handshakes. He’s known as one of the most violent style running backs in NFL history. When you put that together with poor “whippin’ etiquette” you get unintended damage to his child’s butt and scrotum. The muscle that has caused Peterson to earn further punishment from the NFL was his tongue. It’s about the legal and lawyer game in America and it is wise counsel when a citizen is instructed, “You have the right to remain silent.” The NFL went too far in its punishments, but Peterson gave them the ammunition to do so. Though Peterson is not evil in his aggressive energy and stubborn beliefs, a turn towards greater restraint is his ticket to overall redemption, and society’s ticket to greater cultural understanding. the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek, WI in 2012. The invisibility of Asian death, and the denial of any form of Asian American identity that doesn’t play by the model minority rulebook, is another reason why black rage holds such importance to me. It serves as a beacon when faced with the racial quandary that Asian Americans must navigate. As Jamala Rogers reminds us, the findings of the Kerner Commission in 1968, nearly 50 years ago, have come to fruition
FERGUSON TURN TO 9
Page 8 • November 24 - November 30, 2014 • Insight News
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EDUCATION
Education for social change What is in your hands to make a difference in the world? Dr. Artika Tyner raises this important question during each student interaction. Dr. Tyner shared her thoughts on taking action to reimagine education at the inaugural at TEDxUniversityofStThomas. The title of her TEDx Talk was: Education for Social Change. Her vision for reimagining education begins with placing an explicit focus on leadership development and social justice advocacy. In her talk, the educator and civil rights attorney shared her experience of transforming the classroom into a learning laboratory where students experiment by applying their technical training to address the social justice challenges of our time. Over the past eight years at the University of St. Thomas, Dr. Tyner has reimagined education with the help of her
Louie’s From 1 Matthew’s, who has a degree in culinary arts from Johnson & Wales in Miami, said coming to Minneapolis was just what he needed to do to grow as a chef and as a person. “Minneapolis was a logical place for me to come and to learn from some great chefs and it also gave me a chance to stand out,” said Matthews.
Dr. Artika Tyner
The list of great chefs and restaurants Matthews worked with and at is certainly impressive. Matthews has done kitchen time – mostly in the demanding role of sous chef – at some well-known places, including Wolfgang Puck’s 2021, Babalu’s, Axel’s Bonfire (Roseville), Crave (downtown Minneapolis), the Dakota Jazz Club and Aperitif Restaurant. At Aperitif, Matthews was the executive chef and under his directions the restaurant was named to the 2010 list of Best Things to
do in the Twin Cities. “Around then (mid 2000s) this was a great time. This was the time when the bigtime chefs were taking an interest in the area,” said Matthews’ who worked under Puck and other known chefs such as Jack Riebel (Dakota). “All those experiences translate to the things we do here at Louie’s.” Though Matthews dreamed of opening his own place, becoming chef and co-owner of Louie’s came out of nowhere.
Mike Ekern, University of St. Thomas
“For me it was kind of a chance happening,” explained Matthews. “I had a conversation with a guy from Kansas City (where the Louie’s brand started) and the conversation was about pride over profits. A short time after that I was offered the opportunity to become chef and part owner. At the time I was working at the St. James Hotel and it was a pretty good position for me, but I decided to take a chance. I decided it was time to step out from the shadows so to speak.”
students. Together, they have advanced justice in the arenas of criminal justice, juvenile justice and education. For Dr. Tyner this is a dream come true since she always wanted to become Miss Freedom Fighter, Esquire. “Basically, Wonderwoman with a law degree and an afro,” Tyner says in her talk. She was determined to use her education in the struggle for justice. Dr. Tyner and her students have leveraged their legal training as a tool in order to address some of the barriers often hidden but a lived reality for those living at the margins of society. They moved beyond a traditional law school of curriculum of representing a handful of clients each semester to focusing on systemic changechanging the underlying policies which were closing the doors to access for many. Case in point, Dr. Tyner’s team in partnership with TakeAction MN fought to create
equal access to jobs and to end the racial jobs gap. When 1 in 4 Americans (65 million) have a criminal record this often times restricts one’s ability to gain employment. This coalition fought to make sure that barriers would be removed so people who have a second chance to secure employment and a second chance to define their destiny. Dr. Tyner is building a social change movement by reimagining education and reimagining the very essence of community. Her work is inspiring students across the globe to unleash the transformative power within their hands. “The power to move beyond race, tribe, and creed to our shared humanity and shared destiny,” Tyner says in her talk. Will you join Dr. Tyner in taking a stand for justice and freedom? You can watch Dr. Tyner’s speech on the TEDx channel: h t t p s : / / w w w. y o u t u b e . c o m / watch?v=P5QHAhMYwoA
With a prime location on Lake Street next to the iconic Bryant-Lake Bowl, Matthews (and Louie’s) is far from the shadows. Anchoring a newly-built luxury apartment complex, Louie’s has become a neighborhood hangout, but diners from far beyond Uptown are regularly making their way to Louie’s for lunch, happy hour, dinner or weekend brunch. And as the name suggest, Louie’s has an extensive wine selection (as well as a full bar) and an onsite sommelier (a trained wine professional) to suggest food
and wine pairings and discuss all things wine related. Thursday through Saturday evenings Chef Matthews offers four course dining with accompanying wine pairings. “What I want Louie’s to become is an institution where people can come as they are and commune over a nice plate of food,” said Matthews. Louie’s Wine Dive 800 W. Lake St., Uptown (612) 824-3483 w w w. l o u i e s w i n e d i v e . c o m / minneapolis
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Insight News • November 24 - November 30, 2014 • Page 9
COMMUNITY BBB offers tips to Black Friday shoppers The Thanksgiving holiday is right around the corner, and some retailers have already announced at least some of their Black Friday deals. Though more and more stores are opening their doors to shoppers on Thanksgiving Day, the day after Thanksgiving – Black Friday – will remain one of the biggest shopping days of the year. Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) is offering advice for people making plans to capitalize on Black Friday savings offers. “Though the impact of Black Friday shopping might be at least somewhat diluted with some stores opening their doors on Thanksgiving Day, we still believe it will be a day where many folks will focus their holiday shopping – and bargain-hunting – efforts,” said Dana Badgerow, president and CEO of BBB of Minnesota and North Dakota. The National Retail Federation forecasts that holiday sales will increase by more than 4% this year. As always, retailers will compete feverishly to get shoppers to visit their stores – and their websites! Whether you’ll be doing your holiday shopping on Black Friday or beyond, be sure to keep these BBB tips in mind to help ensure a satisfactory experience:
Research the company. Visit bbb.org or call 800-6466222 to obtain free Business Reviews. Remember, BBB Business Reviews have been
optimized for smartphones. Getting the real deal. Do you know if a sale is really a sale? Many times companies boast “70 percent off,” but 70
PhotoXpress
percent off what? It always pays to comparison shop. If a company is advertising a “Going out of Business” sale, don’t automatically assume
they are offering the best prices in town. Take the time to check prices on the same items at other stores. Search for Black Friday Ads Ahead of Time. Some retailers have ‘gone for it,’ announcing their Black Friday specials well in advance of Friday, November 28. Newspapers often have coupons that outline store discounts for Black Friday, and some specials are posted on the Internet. By keeping your eyes open and nose to the ground, you can sniff out deals others might miss. Return policies, restocking fees and refunds. Ask for the store’s return policy before you make your purchase. Companies are not required to give you your money back, but they need to post their return policy prominently near the cashier. Also, always ask about restocking fees, and save your receipts in one place so you don’t lose them. Many companies will require you to produce a receipt for a return. Ask for a gift receipt. Watch out for deals too good to be true. While many retailers offer ‘doorbusters’ – specials that are eyeopening – some websites offer suspiciously low prices on sought-after goods in an effort to entice shoppers
into turning over their credit card information. Stick to trustworthy websites and look for the BBB seal and other recognized “trust marks.” Be sure to click on the seals to confirm they are valid. Gift cards. Gift cards regularly top consumers’ wish lists. Federal rules govern gift card sales, and those rules state: An inactivity fee cannot be charged until the card has not been used for 12 months. Gift cards cannot expire for at least 5 years. No more than one fee (of any kind) can be charged to the cardholder in a single month. Information printed on the card must disclose fees and expiration date and provide a toll-free phone number or website where you can get more information. A one-time fee can be charged when you buy the card, though this generally only applies to gift cards purchased through your credit card company – not those purchased directly from stores and restaurants. If you receive a gift card, you should redeem it promptly if, possible. Finally, consumers should keep in mind there will be many more opportunities for savings as we go through the long holiday season.
UCare informational meetings on its Medicare plan options UCare will host informational meetings about its UCare for Seniors Medicare health plan options. UCare for Seniors has more than 100,000 members across Minnesota and western Wisconsin. These events in December are free. To register for a meeting or to obtain more information, call 1-877-523-1518 toll free.
Bear Ave., Maplewood 55109
UCare for seniors health plan informational meetings:
Wednesday, December 3 · 2 p.m., UCare, 500 Stinson Blvd. N.E., Minneapolis 55413
Tuesday, December 2 •· 9:30 am. Maple Grove Community Center, 12951 Weaver Lake Rd., Maple Grove 55369 •· 2 p.m., Bloomington City Hall & Center/Arts (use arts entrance), 1800 W. Old Shakopee Rd., Bloomington 55431
Monday, December 1 •· 9:30 a.m., Unity Hospital, auditorium, 550 Osborne Rd., Fridley 55433 •· 2 p.m., Maplewood Community Center, 2100 White
Ferguson From 7 now: “Our nation is moving toward two societies, one black, one white—separate and unequal.” In that reality, Asian Americans often end up somewhere in the chasm between blackness and whiteness – whether pushed there, largely invisible and struggling to dodge the crossfire, or diving in to eagerly reap the rewards of non-blackness. Our options are invisibility, complicity, or resistance, and black rage is a clarion call for standing on the correct side of the color line, for reaping the collective rewards of justice.
Pointergate From 4 beginning of the month. With Hubbard, Kolls and
Monday, December 8 •· 2 p.m., Lakeville Heritage Center, 20110 Holyoke Ave., Lakeville 55044 •· 5:30 p.m., Maplewood
Community Center, 2100 White Bear Ave., Maplewood 55109 Tuesday, December 9 •· 9:30 a.m., Crystal Community Center, 4800 Douglas Dr., Crystal 55429 •· 2 p.m., Forest Lake VFW, 556 S.W. 12th St., Forest Lake 55025 Wednesday, December 10 •· 9:30 a.m., Eden Prairie Senior Center, 8950 Eden Prairie Rd., Eden Prairie 55347 •· 9:30 a.m., Shoreview Community Center, 4580 Victoria St., Shoreview 55126 •· 2 p.m., UCare, 500 Stinson Blvd. N.E., Minneapolis 55413
Thursday, December 11 •· 2 p.m., Eagan Community Center, 1501 Central Pkwy., Eagan 55121 •· 2 p.m., Hennepin County Library, Southdale, 7001 York Ave. S., Edina 55435 Friday, December 12 •· 9:30 a.m., Holiday Inn, 9200 Quaday Ave. N.E., Otsego 55330 •· 2 p.m., Monticello Community Center, 505 Walnut St. E., Monticello 55362 Monday, December 15 •· 2 p.m., Ridgeview Medical Center (auditorium), 500 S. Maple St., Waconia 55387 •· 5:30 p.m., Unity Hospital,
auditorium, 550 Osborne Rd., Fridley 55433
Weaver Lake Rd., Maple Grove 55369
Wednesday, December 17 •· 9:30 a.m., Brookview Community Center, 200 Brookview Pkwy., Golden Valley 55426 •· 2 p.m., UCare, 500 Stinson Blvd. N.E., Minneapolis 55413 •· 5:30 p.m., Bloomington City Hall & Center/Arts (use arts entrance), 1800 W. Old Shakopee Rd., Bloomington 55431
Tuesday, December 23 •· 2 p.m., HealthEast – Woodwinds, 1925 Woodwinds Dr., Woodbury 55125
Thursday, December 18 •· 2 p.m., Ridgedale Library, 12601 Ridgedale Dr., Minnetonka 55305 •· 5:30 p.m., Maple Grove Community Center, 12951
Asian America is not a monolith. We occupy both ends of the economic spectrum, and most people included in the Asian American demographic category identify by ethnicity, not by the western-conceived imagination of what’s known as Asia. But all the important work that advocates do to disaggregate demographic data and research is only meaningful if we are clear about the politics and values that hold us together as Asian Americans. Given that the U.S. economy and political system are rooted in antiblackness, claiming our place in America means that we must take a position when faced with the separate but unequal worlds of whiteness and blackness. We are either left or right of the color line. There is no sitting that out.
Japanese and Chinese American organizations and leaders were active in creating the model minority myth, and they embraced anti-blackness. But Asian American identity was forged in the crucible of the black liberation struggle, and also centered demands to end imperialism and war. This is what it means to be Asian American. I choose resistance. Organizers in Ferguson, with national allies, put out this vision statement last night: We are striving for a world where we deal with harm in our communities through healing, love, and kinship. This means an end to state sponsored violence, including the excessive use of force by law enforcement. We are committed to an America that comes to terms with the trauma of its painful history
and finds true reconciliation for it. Mass incarceration and the over criminalization of black and brown people must forever end, leaving in its place a culture that embraces our histories and stories. This means an end to racial bias and white supremacy in all its forms. Our dreams are directly linked with those resisting militarism, war, and state repression around the world. We will achieve this new beloved community hand in hand, step by step, in global solidarity with all people committed to lasting peace and full justice. The mutually reinforcing myths of black criminality and the model minority have no place in the world envisioned by the people of Ferguson, defiantly standing their ground,
armed with love and rage in the face of tanks and guns. That is the world that I yearn for, in which we can all thrive and be seen. Does Ferguson matter to Asian Americans? Yes.
KSTP not backing down, the criticism of the story has continued to pour in. The Minnesota chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) denounced the KSTP piece saying on
the SPJ site, “The story was fundamentally flawed and based on a faulty premise — that a silly gesture made by the mayor in a candid photo amounted to a gang sign. The SPJ code of ethics urges all journalists
to never deliberately distort facts or context, including visual information. This story did just that.” The statement went on to say, “Although KSTP is able to attribute the accusations to identified police sources, in
airing the story KSTP failed to exercise its journalistic duty to ensure that the stories it airs are worth telling. Instead, KSTP allowed itself to be used by one political group to make points against its political opponent.”
Classifieds Assumed Name 1. State the exact assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted: Berry Tipsy 2. State the address of the principal place of business: 2221 Albert St. N. Roseville MN 55113 USA
Phone: 612.588.1313
YOUTH ORGANIZER
One year+ part-time position in St. Paul as youth organizer at District 1 Community Council. For detailed job posting visit district1council.blogspot.com. Nov 21 application deadline.
Courtroom Deputy The U.S. District Court, District of MN is accepting applications for a full-time Courtroom Deputy. This position will be located in St. Paul. Salary range is $44,713 - $79,899. For complete job description, visit the court’s website www.mnd.uscourts.gov, Employment. An Equal Opportunity Employer
4. I certify that I am authorized to sign this certificate and I further certify that I understand that by signing this certificate, I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Minnesota Statues section 609.48 as if I had signed this certificate under oath.
Operations Generalist / Criminal Duty Clerk
Signed by: Dominique Wells Date Filed: 10/03/2014 Insight News 11/17/2014, 11/24/2014
Information Services Specialist The U.S. District Court, District of MN is accepting applications for a full-time Information Services Specialist in our Minneapolis location. Starting salary range is $44,713 to $53,117. For complete job description, visit the court’s website www.mnd.uscourts.gov, Employment. An Equal Opportunity Employer
The U.S. District Court, District of MN is accepting applications for a full-time Operations Generalist in our St. Paul location. Salary range is $40,617 - $66,019. For complete job description, visit the court’s website www.mnd.uscourts.gov, Employment. An Equal Opportunity Employer
Central Minnesota Legal Services seeks full-time attorney for its Minneapolis office. Fam. Law including representation of non-custodial parents; some work in other poverty law. Licensed in MN pref’d. Post-law school pov. law exper., fam. law or clinical exper. pref’d. Spanish or Somali language a plus. Salary $45,000+D.O.E. Excellent benes. Resume with references and writing sample to Lynelle Wells, CMLS, 430 First Ave. No., #359, Minneapolis, MN 55401. Appl. deadline: 11/21/14 or until filled. EOE.
Townhomes Available Fieldcrest in Moorhead, MN Rent based on 30% of income 2 & 3 bdroms open MetroPlains Management
701-232-1887 www.metroplainsmanagement.com
A salesperson will be present with information and applications. For accommodation of persons with special needs at sales meetings, call 1-877-523-1518 toll free (TTY 1-800-688-2534 toll free).
refugees in Washington State. During the 2000s Soya was the Director of Grantmaking at the Social Justice Fund, a public foundation supporting progressive organizations in the Northwest, and consulted for various institutions including the Western States Center, the Philanthropic Initiative for Racial Equity, the Nonprofit Assistance Center, the City of Seattle, the Washington State Budget & Policy Center, and the Anti-Hunger and Nutrition Coalition. In her volunteer time, she serves on the Steering Committee of Sahngnoksoo, a local organization of progressive Korean Americans, and on the Executive Committee of Grassroots International, which funds resource rights in the Global South.
The Twin Cites chapters of the National Association of Black Journalists and the Asian American Journalists Association have also publicly condemned the KSTP story.
Email: info@insightnews.com
Vacancies
STAFF ATTORNEYS
The U.S. District Court, District of MN is accepting applications for a full-time Operations Generalist/Criminal Duty Clerk in our St. Paul location. Salary range is $40,617 - $66,019. For complete job description, visit the court’s website www.mnd.uscourts.gov, Employment. An Equal Opportunity Employer
Fax: 612.588.2031
Cokato Apts, Cokato, MN (a seniors complex 62 or over or handicapped) has vacancies on 2nd Floor for one BR apts. Waiting list open. Contact Don at 320-286-2758. E-Mail cokapts@embarqmail.com
Operations Generalist
3. List the name and complete street address of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name OR if an entity, provide the legal corporate, LLC, or Limited Partnership name and registered office address. Attach additional sheet(s) if necessary: Dominique Wells, 2221 Albert St. N. Roseville MN 55113 USA
Soya has been active in the progressive movement for the last 20 years. During the ‘90s she worked as a reporter at the International Examiner, communications and policy staff for the WA State House Democratic Caucus, and executive director of the Washington Alliance for Immigrant and Refugee Justice. She was the founding chair of the Asian and Pacific Islander Coalition, which formed in 1996 to restore food and cash assistance for low-income immigrants and
Monday, December 29 •· 2 p.m., Hampton Inn, 4175 Deans Lake Blvd., Shakopee 55379
West Falls Estates
International Falls, MN. 56649 Rent based on 30% Of adjusted income Call Patricia Brown At 218-283-4967 TDD 800-627-3529
Page 10 • November 24 - November 30, 2014 • Insight News
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Ellison to host lecture on art and underserved communities at the Walker By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer As part of the Walker Art Center’s series, Radical Presence: Black Performance in Contemporary Art, See, Sit, Sup, Sip, Sing: Holding Court, Rep. Keith Ellison will host a lecture at the center on Dec. 6. The 1:30 p.m. presentation inside the Target Gallery at the Walker, 1750 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, is free and
open to the public. Ellison and other policymakers will take part in what’s being called an interactive performance art lecture to discuss the role art plays in underserved communities. “When we think of art that touches our lives, we don’t automatically think of public policy,” said Ellison. “But through support for artists, museums and other cultural institutions, public programs support art that teaches and
inspires us. The goal of this conversation in the Radical Presence exhibit is to show the vital connection between art and politics through a retrospective of AfricanAmerican performance artists from 1960 to the present.” Christina Alderman, a member of the Walker’s Education and Community Programs staff said the Holding Court series is part of the museum’s outreach
efforts. “Holding Court is a participatory work of art to take conversations we have behind closed doors at the art gallery and presents them to the public,” said Alderman. “We’re hoping this can be an open format for the conversation to happen.” Alderman said the upcoming Dec. 6 Holding Court was actually the idea of Ellison. “This particular
discussion was brought about by Keith Ellison himself and we thought this was really awesome and we wanted to support it,” said Alderman. “We want to work collaboratively with our various communities and not just take a program and present it without community involvement. We’re looking at ways to see that the community is continually involved with what we have going on at the Walker.”
Radical Presence: Black Performance in Contemporary Art, See, Sit, Sup, Sip, Sing: Holding Court feat. Rep. Keith Ellison The Walker Art Center – Target Gallery 1750 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis Saturday, Dec. 6 1:30 p.m. Admission is free
Flow Art Space presents Collage, Imagine with Sendero Flamenco performance Flow Art Space presents local and national artists in the exhibitions Collage and Imagine, which run concurrent from December 3-20 with a Friday, December 5 reception from 6-9 to meet artists and a performance by Sendero Flamenco with guest guitarist Daniel Volovets at 8:30. Chicago-based Beth Shadur’s work Ravissant is part of a series where she addresses fragility. “I am looking at fragility of not only the wider environment, but the fragility of our own lives,” she says. “As I age, I understand more significantly how fragile our plans are for our futures, and I am using symbolism to explore and portray these ideas.”
Minneapolis-based Carmen GutierrezBolger: “I believe we are inextricably tied to our roots,” says GutierrezBolger. “My work draws on my experiences growing up in southern Florida as a Cuban refugee. By merging my personal history with typical Cuban iconography, I fashion narratives that I call memory mash-ups. I use found objects and materials and think of them as artifacts or place holders for memory.” Washington state-based Lynn Skordal’s piece titled Angels in America #4 was created as part of a series of pictures imagining the presence of unlikely angels in various places across America. Joining these artists will
be sixteen more from the Twin Cities and across the country. You can preview more art in this show at www.flowartspace.com. Flow Art Space is located in the Northern Warehouse in Lowertown at 308 Prince St., Suite 226 St Paul MN, 55101. Light refreshments will be served during the reception and the event and entry to the gallery are free. Metered street parking is free after 5 pm and paid parking lots surround the building and are an easy 1- block walk. A passenger elevator is available. Collage and Imagine will be on view Wed - Fri 12-5 and Sat 11-4 or by appointment by calling 612-564-3569. The gallery is closed Sunday - Tuesday and between exhibitions.
Lynn Skordal’s “Angels in America #4” 8” x 10” collage on paper.
insightnews.com
Insight News • November 24 - November 30, 2014 • Page 11 Choreographers’ Evening with Kenna-Camara Cottman Walker Art Center 1750 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. $25 ($22 for Walker members)
FLOSSTRADAMUS
For more than 40 years the Choreographers’ Evening has been regarded as a “rite of passage” for Minnesota dancers. This event features one of the premiere choreographers from the area, Kenna Camara Cottman. Known for multiple incarnations including Voice of Culture Drum and Dance, Cottman is the go to name for quality dance with African aesthetic.
Robert Robinson K. Michelle
Nov. 24 - 30
Aesthetically It! is a list of picks from the editors of Aesthetically Speaking. Aesthetically It! features venues, events, outings and more that are worthy of “It” status. If you have a venue, event or outing that you feel is “It” worthy, email us at aestheticallyit@ insightnews.com
Monday, Nov. 24 POETRY/OPEN MIC The Get Free Open Mic Blue Nile Restaurant 2020 E. Franklin Ave., Minneapolis 8:30 p.m. – 11p.m. The Get Free Open Mic is geared towards acoustic spoken work. Get free is an community supported event that looks to revolutionize the way we experience and create art on a social justice and recreational level. This includes open mics, gorilla poetry sessions, cyphers and more.
ReggaeBoyz Sound
Kenna Cottman
Tuesday, Nov. 25
Wednesday, Nov. 26
Avenue 701 1st Ave. N., Minneapolis 10 p.m. www.first-avenue.com
ELECTRONIC/HIPHOP/DANCE NIGHT/ PERFORMANCE
R&B/PERFORMANCE
DJ Verb X leads the weekly dance night specializing in reggae, dancehall and hiphop.
Flosstradamus Skyway Theatre 711 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis 18-plus $25-$35 “Fool’s Gold” producers, Flosstradamus, have been enjoying a lot of success in the music world lately. From playing for thousands at Lollapalooza to their hits such as the remix to Major Lazer’s “Original Don,” the duo has been all over the map. If you are into bass heavy dance music their show at the Skyway Theater should not disappoint. For more information call (612) 333-6100.
K. Michelle f/Rico Love Minneapolis Convention Center 1301 2nd Ave. S., Minneapolis 6 p.m. First breaking out in 2009 with Jive Records, K. Michelle has since become a household name in the Black community. After appearing on the reality show, “Love and Hip-Hop Atlanta,” she signed with Atlantic Records and hasn’t looked back. She performs in Minneapolis with Rico Love.
Thursday, Nov. 27
Friday, Nov. 28 REGGAE/DANCE NIGHT ReggaeBoyz Sound First Avenue – Record Room 701 1st Ave. N., Minneapolis 10 p.m. 18-plus $10 Mishigan, Smiley, Shells and Cosna make up the DJ collective, ReggaeBoyz Sound. If you need somewhere to move your body this Thursday you can head down to First Avenue’s Record Room.
REGGAE/PERFORMANCE
Saturday,
HIP-HOP/JAZZ/FUNK/ DANCE Transformation Vol. 4, Jack ‘N 4 Beats Mattie’s on Main 43 St. Anthony Main, Minneapolis 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. 21-plus $15 For the fourth installment of Thee Urbane Life’s series, Transformation, the band of Rob Coleman (#MPLS), Demetrius Marby (Pho), David Glen (Hustle Rose/#MPLS) and DJ Chuck Chizzle (Mashwell Brothas) combine to transform your favorite hip-hop songs into jazz, rock, reggae, go-go and more. To offer a best reference, think of Hidden Beach Records’ “Unwrapped” music series coming alive on stage. For reservations, email theeurbanelife@gmail.com. DANCE/PERFORMANCE
For more information visit www.walkerart.org/ calendar/2014/choreographersevening-3.
Sunday, Nov. 30 SOUL/PERFORMANCE Robert Robinson - Welcome Back Dakota Jazz Club 1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis 2 p.m. $10 suggested donation It was just last fall that Robert Robinson suffered a stroke after performing at the Fargodome in 2013. Having made a full recovery and continuing to maintain a healthy life and perusing his gift of voice, Robinson has been sounding better than ever.
RAYMOND LUKE JR. PHOTO BY JOAN MARCUS. ALL OTHER PHOTOS BY ANDREW ECCLES.
The Bungalow The Record Room/First
Nov. 29
This performance includes Kendra Dennard, In New Company (INC), Canaan Mattson, Blake Nellis and Taja Will, Junauda Petrus, Deneane Richburg, Deja Stowers, Darrius Strong, Tonya Williams and Ashley Yergens.
IN PERSON: State Theatre Box Office (no service fees) BY PHONE: 800.982.2787 GROUPS 15+ SAVE! 612.373.5665
ORPHEUM THEATRE MOTOWN IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF UMG RECORDINGS, INC ®
HennepinTheatreTrust.org
Page 12 • November 24 - November 30, 2014 • Insight News
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