Pop-up Museum at Capri showcases North Minneapolis MORE ON PAGE 5
November 25 - December 1, 2013
Vol. 40 No. 48 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com
Minnesota African American Museum fights to open By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer
Bob Holder
Minnesota African American Museum. Inset: Roxanne Givens
Along a stretch of museums and other points of interest in Minneapolis sits a beautiful Victorian mansion at 1700 3rd Ave. S. that houses the Minnesota African American Museum (MAAM). Though the site houses the Minnesota African American Museum (MAAM), in many ways the museum is homeless as the 1884 built structure is uninhabited due to a fight between the museum and a contractor that has walked off the job and placed a lien on the property. This, on top of a promised $1 million bond that has since been denied, leaves the building in disrepair and far from being visitor ready. According to one of the museum’s founders, Roxanne Givens, the project got off to a roaring start, raising nearly $1 million in less than a year. Givens said in addition, MAAM secured a matching $1 million bond from
the state, which should have put the project in full swing, but when a dispute with the contractor arose midway through renovations the work stalled and left the building in near shambles, non compliant with code and MAAM out of nearly $800,000 and owing the contractor another $800,000. Givens said the main contractor – chosen because of its willingness to subcontract to the minority owned Tri Construction – was slow to complete tasks and the work that was completed was sub par. Insight News has reached out to the contractor, but is not naming the company in order to give the company adequate time to respond to the allegations. Adding to the woes, the matching bond that was believed to have been secure has since been held up and four and a half years since MAAM’s inception the main building on the property sits with exposed electrical, unfinished plumbing
MAAM TURN TO 9
Pilots bring flight to academy for Black teens a commercial cockpit. Some might even be shocked that the percentage is even that high. But a group of aviators in the Twin Cities is working to boost the appallingly low numbers and introduce a new generation of African-Americans to a career in flight. The Twin Cities chapter of the Organization of Black
By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer Currently in aviation only about seven percent of all U.S. pilots are African-American. For those who fly regularly, this number might not seem shocking, as it is quite rare to see an African-American in
Floyd Balentine
Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) is reaching out to African-American teens to participate in its Aviation Career Education (ACE) Academy, set for June 16 - 20 of next year. A goal of the program is to motivate and empower youth to pursue educational opportunities in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)
Joy Mosley
– and flight in particular. “Academy attendees will acquire invaluable life skills, and build the necessary skills to pilot an aircraft in the process,” said Floyd Balentine, director of the OBAP Twin Cities ACE Academy.
FLIGHT TURN TO 9
To Council Member-elect Abdi Warsame: We speak from among members of the African American community to heartily hail and salute your successful election to the City Council of Minneapolis. You are not only the first continental African to win a seat on the Council, you are the first Somali. Only one other Somali has won a city council seat across the United States –Ahmed Hassan, of Clarkston, GA. We welcome you to this long persistent journey in the struggle to make democracy more inclusive and real for persons of color. Your achievement reminds us that democracy is a process, and not a static condition. We wish you well. Hip Hip Hurrah! Signed, Al McFarlane & B.P. Ford, Verlena Matey-Keke, Mahmoud El-Kati, and African American community members.
City Councilmember-elect, Abdi Warsame
Open letter welcomes Warsame to rights, equity legacy African American community members are sending an open letter of congratulations to Minneapolis 6th Ward City Council Member-elect Abdi Warsame. Warsame is one of two Somalis elected to city council offices in the United States. He is the first continental African
elected to a city council in Minnesota. Organized by Verlena Matey-Keke, Professor Mahmoud El-Kati, and Insight News Editor Al McFarlane, the open letter will invite and gather signatures of community, civic, social, business and church leaders in Twin Cities
African American communities in tribute to Warsame’s stunning victory in the 6th Ward. It welcomes Warsame to the ongoing fight for justice, equality and inclusion that has been centered in the Black community and culture, McFarlane said.. Persons interested in adding
their name to the congratulatory open letter to Abdi Warsame are invited to do so online at www. insightnews.com or by sending an email to al@insightnews. com confirming their agreement with the open letter. For further information call Insight News 612-588-1313
The Black Press and Black Church:
Reclaiming our roots and our voice By Jeffrey L. Boney Houston Forward Times As we look at the state of Black America, we see that if ever there was a need for us to have a “come to Jesus” moment; it’s now.
Rachel Schutz
Health
Community
Strength training, lifting weights and body image
Improving arthritis pain with diet
Enhance your holiday landscape
PAGE 2
For those who are either too young to know or too complacent to remember, all one would have to do is perform a little historical research to learn how the Black church and the Black press were the two primary catalysts
ROOTS TURN TO 3
Ladan Yusuf and Crossing Barriers ‘It is okay to talk about racism’
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Page 2 • November 25 - December 1, 2013 • Insight News
RACHEL SCHUTZ Strength training, lifting weights, and body image By Abeni Hill Editorial Intern According to the Mayo Clinic, strength training and lifting weights is an important part of exercising because it has been known to help gain lean muscle and achieve weight loss goals more efficiently. Strength training can also help increase bone density and some studies have shown that strength training helps older adults focus more. “You can get as good of a cardio workout from strength training,” said personal trainer Rachel Schutz. “With the more lean muscle mass your body has, it is easier to maintain your weight.” Schutz said that strength training doesn’t only lead
female strength training coach who she admired for her strength and who she considered an inspiration. “She taught us well,” said Schutz. “It was empowering going in the gym and being confident.” Through her experience of personal training with women, Schutz discovered many women felt nervous about going into the weight room at the gym. “They say, ‘I don’t know what to do when I enter the gym so I just get on the elliptical,’” said Schutz, who said many women do not want to lift weights because they are afraid they will lose some of their femininity. “I think that’s a common misconception among women,” said Schutz. “I can be a walking example of heavy strength training
This is about focusing on being healthy and happy with yourself.
to strength of the body but also to strength of mind. “Your body is capable of more than your mind thinks it is,” said Schutz. “Strength training helps you build self-confidence. It pushes you out of your comfort zone.” Schutz is a fitness trainer at the F.I.T. Lab, 1565 Como Ave., Ste. 102, St. Paul, and owns her own business, Defyne Fitness. Schutz founded her own business in 2005 and her clients are predominately female. One of the reasons Schutz started Defyne Fitness was to help guide women in the weight room. “I remember going to the weight room and feeling intimidated because I didn’t know what to do,” said Schutz. When Schutz was in college, she was a Division I track athlete and had a
and still looking feminine.” Schutz said many women that come to her suffer with negative body image. “It’s easier for us to find things we don’t like about ourselves than to embrace the good things about us,” said the trainer. Schutz encourages her clients to think realistically about their fitness goals. “It’s about focusing on being healthy and happy with yourself. This helps women be confident where they are and in their own skin,” she said. Schutz holds regular strength and conditioning classes at the F.I.T Lab in addition to working with clients one-on-one. For class schedules and to inquire about personal training sessions, contact Schutz at (612) 250-9768 or via her website, www. defynefitness.com. Photos: Corey Collins
Middle: Schutz advises Insight-2-Health participant Tene Wells. Bottom: Insight-2-Health participant Comfort Dondo tests how many squats she can perform in a minute as Schutz holds the count.
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Insight News • November 25 - December 1, 2013 • Page 3
HEALTH Improving arthritis pain with diet Our Health
By Nicole Winbush MD Arthritis is a general term that means joint inflammation and there are a many diseases that can cause arthritis. While the types of drugs that are suggested for different types of arthritis (such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid, gout, etc.) may be different, the lifestyle and dietary recommendations are often the
INSIGHT NEWS www.insightnews.com
Insight News is published weekly, every Monday by McFarlane Media Interests. Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane CFO Adrianne Hamilton-Butler Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Vice President of Sales & Marketing Selene White Culture and Education Editor Irma McClaurin Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Sr. Content & Production Coordinator Ben Williams Editorial Intern Abeni Hill Production Intern Sunny Thongthi Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Contributing Writers Harry Colbert, Jr. Julie Desmond Fred Easter Timothy Houston Alaina L. Lewis Darren Moore Alysha Price Photography Michele Spaise Corey Collins 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.
same, as they all try to reduce inflammation. This week I will review some dietary choices that can improve arthritis pain and prevent worsening of arthritis symptoms. I will be focusing on osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis. It affects an estimated 50 million people in the U.S. It is a large source of disability nationally with almost one-third of individuals with the condition reporting significant disability due to their symptoms. Some studies suggest that African-Americans deal with higher levels of arthritis pain compared to whites, making strategies for the management and improvement of arthritis symptoms especially important to our community. There are many risk factors that increase the chances of developing arthritis. Some of these risk factors are fixed and others can change. Increasing age, previous injury, being female and a strong family history are the most common fixed risk factors. However, there is a wide range of risk factors that can change such as dietary factors, muscle weakness and deconditioning, being overweight, being a smoker and high levels of depression and stress. In this article I will focus on dietary factors. Inflammation, a common disease pathway Inflammation is increasingly a common recognized underlying cause of arthritis and many other chronic conditions (e.g. heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s). Many of the medication treatments for arthritis are aimed at trying to decrease this inflammation. However, if one
Roots From 1 undergirding the Civil Rights struggle and how they both led the way in fighting for the rights of African-Americans across this country. From the onset, the Black press and the Black church provided Black people with the necessary foundation that they needed in this country, to deal with the unjust laws and serious issues they faced throughout the struggle. But do Black people have the same appreciation for these storied institutions that they once had? With the myriad of issues that Blacks are experiencing today, it is apparent that Black people must return to these foundational roots if they plan to deal with the issues we face today and help them overcome their struggles, as in times past.
© Can Stock Photo Inc.
does not address the underlying causes for this inflammation, just taking a pill is not likely to be effective in the long run. There is increasing understanding that our diet can do a lot to influence inflammation in the body. While symptom improvement can often be seen within days of changing one’s diet, these benefits will only be maintained if a person keeps to the principles of an anti-inflammatory diet. In addition, one must work to address other lifestyle issues
FOUNDATION OF THE BLACK PRESS “We wish to plead our own cause. Too long have others spoken for us, too long has the public been deceived by misrepresentations…” These were the words that boldly appeared in the first issue on the front page of the first African-American owned and operated newspaper that was published in the United States. The Freedom’s Journal, founded by editors Samuel Cornish and John B. Russwurm, was published weekly in New York City from 1827 to 1829. Cornish and Russwurm believed that many of the other newspapers in New York City misrepresented Blacks and that Freedom’s Journal would be the alternative to those papers that grossly distorted AfricanAmericans. They believed that people were being given ignorance and lies instead of the truth and believed that Freedom’s Journal
that contribute to inflammation (not smoking, limiting alcohol intake, getting adequate sleep and stress management). There is a lot of information available regarding an antiinflammatory diet. What follows are the basic elements of an eating plan to reduce inflammation: Eat vegetables (a lot of them) It is estimated that fewer than 10 percent of Americans eat three servings of vegetables per day. would change the perception of Black people in society. The Freedom’s Journal went beyond racism, seeking to strengthen the bonds in all Black communities and challenged Black people to become conscious of their position in a White-dominated society. The Freedom’s Journal provided international, national, and regional information on current events and contained editorials declaiming slavery, lynching and other injustices. The Journal also published biographies of prominent AfricanAmericans and listings of births, deaths, and marriages in the African-American New York community. Freedom’s Journal circulated in 11 states, the District of Columbia, Haiti, Europe, and Canada. By the end of the 1930s, Black newspapers had reached new heights of circulation and influence and were tested during World War II, when the United States government decided to flex their muscles against them because of their influence. In the PBS film, “The Black Press: Soldiers Without Swords”, the narrator shared how James Thompson, a Black cafeteria worker from Wichita, Kansas, suggested in a letter to The Pittsburgh Courier that AfricanAmericans should use the war overseas to press for change in their own backyard. In the film, a voice-over of Thompson states, “Should
Eating a diet high in vegetables and fruit is associated with less severe arthritis changes. For optimal health of joints (and also weight control and increased energy), one should work up to eating between six and 10 servings of vegetables per day. How does one do this? This can be achieved by eating vegetables at all meals and incorporating them for snacks. To make this more affordable, choose vegetables that are in-season or frozen.
refrigerator. Pumpkin seeds and walnuts also contain some omega-3 fats. Ways to avoid or decrease omega 6 fats include avoiding processed foods that often contain high amounts of (proinflammatory) fats such as corn, soy and vegetable oil. Avoid trans-fats at all costs, transfats are found in processed foods and are called things like hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated (please read labels).
Eat healthy fats and avoid bad ones Fat is an essential part of our diet and we need it for the healthy functioning of our cells. However, the wrong types of fats promote inflammation. The two main essential fats that our body needs are called omega-3 and omega-6 fats. Omega-6 fats are very abundant in the American diet but studies suggest that having too much of this fat can increase inflammation. One study showed that individuals with worse knee inflammation had higher levels of omega-6 fats in the blood. To restore balance it is important to limit our intake of omega-6 fats and increase the inflammationreducing omega 3 fats. The best sources of omega-3 are coldwater fish like salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines and herring. Try to eat at least a couple of servings per week. If one is not able to eat fish one can take a fish oil supplement. Flax seeds are also a rich source of omega-3 fats. A person can add them to cereal or grind them up in smoothies or use flax oil in salad dressings. People should store flax seeds and oil in the
Eat your grains whole Choose whole grains over processed ones and consider choosing options other than bread and other wheat products, as some people are very sensitive to these. Good options include brown rice, oatmeal (not instant) and quinoa. Cook with spices and seasonings that have antiinflammatory properties. These include cayenne, turmeric, ginger, oregano, cloves and cumin. Also don’t forget the onions and garlic. Use them generously in your cooking. I hope that these suggestions are helpful and that together we further explore the benefits of an anti-inflammatory diet. Within a few days our joints will be thanking us. No matter what age or health status, people are sure to reap benefits in health and functioning.
I sacrifice my life to live halfAmerican? Will things be better for the next generation in the peace to follow? Let me colored Americans adopt the Double V for the double victory. The first “V” for victory over our enemies from without. The second “V” for victory over our enemies from within.” The Black press got behind the Double V campaign and was so effective that in 1942, J. Edgar Hoover presented Attorney General Francis Biddle with lengthy reports on what he saw as seditious activity by the AfricanAmerican press, asking Biddle to indict a group of publishers for treason. John Sengstacke, publisher of the Chicago Defender, had a meeting with Attorney General Biddle where he boldly told him, “What are we supposed to do about it? These are facts and we aren’t gonna stop. That’s what it’s all about.” Sengstacke declared, “That’s what the Black press is all about, protecting Blacks in this country.” As the war ended, the campaign for equality at home and abroad had pushed the combined circulation of Black newspapers for a record high of two million papers a week. But victory at home had yet to be won. The Black press was a catalyst behind the success of the Civil Rights Movement.
Following the slave revolts in the early 19th century, states like Virginia and others passed laws requiring Black congregations to only meet in the presence of a White minister. Many Black slaves didn’t want to be constrained by having a White minister oversee them, while also continuing to justify slavery. Black congregations began to grow rapidly, with most of their members being slaves. The Black church, numbering several hundred each before the Civil War, started being led by free Blacks, instead of any White overseers. In plantation areas, Black slaves organized underground churches and hidden religious meetings called the “invisible church”. Slaves were free to mix evangelical Christianity with their African roots, African beliefs and African rhythms. They turned Methodist hymns into what are now called Negro spirituals, which gave the church members a secret way to communicate and, in some cases, to plan rebellion. It is through the Black church that Black slaves were provided with a mode of psychological refuge from the White-dominated world that treated them inhumanely and unjustly. After the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, Northern churches, mostly founded by free Blacks, sent missionaries to the South to
FOUNDATION OF BLACK CHURCH
Dr. Winbush is a family physician practicing at NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center. She has a strong interest in wellness and patient education to help individuals feel empowered to optimize their health and functioning.
THE
ROOTS TURN TO 11
Page 4 • November 25 - December 1, 2013 • Insight News
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BUSINESS
Thinking of making a move? Plan Your Career By Julie Desmond julie@insightnews.com Just the suggestion of looking for new work can inspire
heart-pounding, belly-twisting nervousness: What causes the adrenaline rush? Is it justified? How do you respond when it happens to you? Is there a way to get around it? I have an answer to the most important of those questions… yes, you can avoid having a near-heart-stopping episode every time a new opportunity crosses your desk. And it’s not that far to go from wrecked to
want more authority? More autonomy? A shorter commute? Less travel? More travel? A better boss? A wireless mouse? When you get to your new job, what will you be writing home about? What will you be bragging about to all your friends? What will your family be happy about? Whatever that is, it’s your talisman for the job search. Stay focused on what you want.
relaxed. You just have to know what you’re doing. Oh, is that all? Actually, yes. Know what it would take to leave the comfort of your current desk and chair, your current happy hour buddies, your current paycheck, your current perks, your current Keurig. Think about this financially, location-wise, emotionally and any other ways it matters to you. Do you
And know, too, what you bring to the table. What’s your sweet spot? Which of your talents are being squandered? Where can you really add value in a new role? Once you know why you’re moving, and why another organization would want you, then you’re on your way. If the new opportunity fits, you have nothing to be nervous about. And if it doesn’t, you have
nothing to pursue. And if you need a hand working that out, let me know. I can probably help you out. Julie Desmond is IT Recruiting Manager with George Konik Associates, Inc and frequent visitor to networking group meetings and workshops. Send your career planning questions to jdesmond@georgekonik.com.
Personal philanthropy: The power of giving to others In most cases, individuals are not hurt by giving to others. My co-author, Noriko Chapman, emailed me last week about royalties on our book, Second Chance, and how the funds would go to charity. While I looked at this book as an opportunity to provide assistance for nonprofit organizations, it was her idea to leverage our written work over the long-term. Noriko, who is an automobile production manager, selected the Tennessee Rehabilitation Center in Maryville as part of her MBA project. We pledged 30 percent of the book proceeds to this organization. Noriko’s giving attitude helped the Center’s financial needs. With the current economic crisis and the holiday season before us, citizens should use personal philanthropy as an option to improve society. According to MerrimanWebster.com, philanthropy is defined as an act or gift done
business problems or admits its mistakes provides strong clues about its stance on social responsibility.” With the economic crisis, there are many institutions in trouble. However, philanthropy
speaks to a company’s stance on the way its managers and employees view their duty or obligation to make decisions that protect, enhance, and promote the well-being of stakeholders and society as
By Dr. Daryl Green
Dr. Daryl Green or made for humanitarian purposes. When most people think about philanthropy, they think about the wealthy among us such as Bill Gates or Warren Buffet. Personal philanthropy can be so much more than that. In fact, individuals can have the same philanthropist mindset when giving to organizations or people. Social responsibility is a buzzword in a society demanding more accountability from its corporate citizens. Social responsibility
A philanthropist mindset can carry great rewards in sustaining meaningful programs in society.
must start with a mindset and an attitude for giving regardless of where a person stands on the economic ladder. Marc Benioff, Chairman & CEO of Salesforce.com,
a whole. Gareth Jones and Jennifer George, authors of Contemporary Management, argue about the importance of social responsibility: “The way a company announces
built his organization with a philanthropy focus. Salesforce. com is a cloud computing company with a mission of ‘The End of Software.” Benioff has had a history of successful business ventures, including The Oracle Corporation and the Macintosh Division. However, he is noted for the achievement of designing a new philanthropy model. The Salesforce.com Foundation aims to inspire companies across the globe to give 1% of their resources to support charities and social causes. This 1%; 1%; 1% philanthropy model includes 1% of its company’s time, 1% of its equity, and 1% of its products be donated to charity. For Salesforce.com, this model means giving employees 6 paid days of volunteer time to use over the course of the year. To date, Salesforce. com employees have donated over 178,000 hours. Other companies like Google have embraced this model. The Salesforce.com Foundation has supported the
giving of products to 8,000 nonprofits in 70 countries. On the equity front, 1% of its founding stock is used to offer grants focused on technology innovation for nonprofits and youth development programs. The company has given over $20 million in grants to qualified nonprofit organizations. Therefore, a philanthropist mindset can carry great rewards in sustaining meaningful programs in society. It is not exclusive only to the wealthiest people. © 2013 by Daryl D. Green Dr. Daryl Green has done extensive research on cultural issues impacting today and future leaders. His last book, Job Strategies for the 21st Century: How to Assist Today’s College Students during Economic Turbulence, has been rated number one on Amazon.com. For more information, you can contact him at www.darylgreen.org or www.nuleadership.com.
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Pop-up Museum at Capri showcases North Minneapolis By Ben Markhart, TC Daily Planet On October 30, artists of all kinds came out to show the colorful face of North Minneapolis, in the Tell Me Something Good pop-up museum. Hosted by the Capri Theater on Broadway Avenue, the event provided a forum for local artists and community members to combat negative views of the Northside by showing some of its good side. Pop-up museum have appeared all over the country in various forms but all seek to use audience participation to create dialogue on specific issues. In this instance, numerous participants came together to tell an authentic Northside story. “Stories can be shared in a variety of ways,” said Amoke Kubat, a local artist and activist who spearheaded the project.
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• ‘If You Can See It, You Can Be It: 12 Street-Smart Recipes for Success’
“For some people the artifacts of our experience help them to find their own hidden narrative.” There were two parts to Wednesday’s museum — a twohour series of performances, and a gallery of visual art and audience contributed artifacts. The performance side of the event was hosted by Kubat with the help of another local artist, Truthmaze. Song, poetry and spoken word, told stories ranging from children’s memories of their parents’ love, to parents’ memories of the violence that claimed their children. “With so much of the conversation out there being what’s wrong with the Northside, its great to hear what’s right, and there’s plenty of it,” said Northsider Brian Mogren. “I left energized and inspired, hoping that this would become an annual event. There’s so much more good stuff happening out there to be shared and celebrated.”
The evening’s display of art and story was the culmination of eight weeks of workshops run with the help of another local artist, Keegan Xavi, to help empower Northsiders to tell their stories. “It was hard to get people interested at first, they just didn’t know how to tell their stories,” said Kubat. “But it didn’t take long before we had nine or ten people trying to get involved at one time.” The pop-up museum was made possible by a Story Circle Grant from the Minnesota Humanities Center. “We’d love to do it again,” said Kubat. “But with these things it’s all grant based, we’d need another.”
Pop-up Museum A two-hour series of performances, and a gallery of visual art and audience contributed artifacts. Photos by Ben Markhart.
• Thought Woman explores Paula Gunn Allen’s life as Native American thought, struggle, resistance
Page 6 • November 25 - December 1, 2013 • Aesthetically Speaking
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The Best Chestnut! KW: What message do you think people will take away from the film? MC: There are so many messages, because the film has a number of storylines. One thing I love about making an ensemble film like this is that you can have ten people come away from it with ten different messages.
By Kam Williams Morris Chestnut was born on New Year’s Day 1969 in Cerritos, California where he was a student-athlete in high school, en route to majoring in finance and drama at California State University. He made his big screen debut opposite Ice Cube in John Singleton’s “Boyz n the Hood,” and subsequently enjoyed his breakout role as the groom-to-be in Malcolm Lee’s “The Best Man.” The handsome heartthrob has been a much-in-demand leading man ever since, starring in hits like “The Call,” “Think Like a Man,” “Identity Thief,” “The Brothers,” “Not Easily Broken,” “Kick Ass 2,” “Two Can Play That Game,” “Breakin’ All the Rules,” “The Perfect Holiday,” “Half Past Dead,” “Like Mike,” “Ladder 94” and “The Game Plan.” A dedicated family man away from work, Morris and his wife, Pam, live in suburban L.A. with their son, Grant, and daughter, Paige. Here, he talks about reprising the memorable role of Lance Sullivan in the eagerlyanticipated sequel, “The Best Man Holiday.” Kam Williams: Hey Morris, thanks for another interview. Morris Chestnut: No problem, no problem, Kam. Thank YOU, again. KW: I loved the film. It was like attending a reunion with a whole lot of folks I hadn’t seen in a longtime.
KW: Director Rel Dowdell asks: Would you consider your role in “The Best Man” or in “Boyz n the Hood” to be your signature role, since both are iconic? MC: [Chuckles] Wow! Thank you, Rel, I appreciate that. I‘d like to think that they both are. “Boyz n the Hood” definitely put me on the map and really brought me into the game. Hopefully, this one does the same thing, twentysomething years later, because I feel very strongly about it. It’s a great, emotional role in a great movie overall. Gage Skidmore
Morris Chestnut MC: Oh, that’s great! KW: I’m going to mix my questions for you in with some sent in by fans. MC: Perfect! KW: Editor/Legist Patricia Turnier asks: What did it mean to you to reunite with the cast to shoot this sequel? MC: It was just wonderful coming together again after all these years, especially since we’d had such a great experience before. It gave me a good feeling inside to reunite, almost like
family. We’d accomplished so much the first time, and it was pretty much the same with the sequel.
you trust him or her. If you trust your spouse or whoever you’re in a relationship with, everybody else doesn’t matter.
KW: Chalyn Toon asks: Does Lance trust Harper around Mia knowing their past? Does Lance and Mia’s relationship suffer from his being haunted by the images of what happened between his wife and best friend? MC: That’s interesting. Lance definitely trusts Mia. And I’ve always been that type of person. You really don’t have to worry about your spouse, as long as
KW: How did you feel about the arc of your character this goround? MC: I was really excited about how all the characters were layered and had depth to them. Malcolm [director Malcolm Lee] wrote a really great script. As for Lance’s arc, I think this is one of the best roles I’ve ever had in a movie.
KW: Patricia says: You have been in the movie business for decades. What advice do you have for aspiring actors who want to achieve longevity? MC: I would say focus on your craft. Nowadays, a lot of people come to quote-unquote Hollywood thinking that all they just have to be different or do something outlandish or have a huge personality to become a star. But I think that if you just focus on the craft, you’ll have a better chance at longevity. KW: The bookworm Troy Johnson question: What was the last book you read?
MC: Woo! That’s a good question. I read so many scripts, that I don’t do that much leisurely reading of books. But the last, good, feature film script I read was The Best Man Holiday. KW: What is your favorite dish to cook? MC: I don’t really cook, but I like to eat sweets. When I go to a restaurant, I’ll read the dessert menu before I even look at the entrees. I love sweets, especially chocolate. Hot, hot, warm chocolate fudge... caramel… chocolate chip cookies… all those kinds of desserts. Now I’m getting hungry. [Chuckles] KW: What is your guiltiest pleasure? MC: It would definitely be the sweets. I try to keep in shape and I always have to check myself. Whenever I binge eat, sweets are the one temptation. KW: The Sanaa Lathan question: What excites you? MC: That’s a great question. What was Sanaa’s answer to that? KW: It’s been so long ago, I can’t remember. Sorry. MC: Well, I’m excited by my family, sports and desserts. [Chuckles] KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see? MC: Nothing special… just me. [LOL]
CHESTNUT 7 TURN TO
Opening this week for November 29 BIG BUDGET FILMS “Frozen” (PG for action and mild rude humor) Disney animated adventure about a fearless princess (Kristen Bell) who embarks on an epic journey with a gruff mountain man (Josh Gad) in order to reverse the curse of eternal winter accidentally inflicted upon the kingdom by her queen-tobe sister (Idina Menzel) with cryogenic powers. Voice cast includes Ciaran Hinds, Jonathan Groff and Edie McClurg. “Homefront” (R for graphic violence, drug use, pervasive
profanity and brief sexuality) Sly Stallone wrote the screenplay for this adaptation of the Chuck Logan novel of the same name about a DEA Agent (Jason Statham) who retires to a quiet town for the sake of his family only to have their lives turned upside-down by a ruthless meth dealer (James Franco). With Winona Ryder, Kate Bosworth, Izabela Vidovic and Omar Benson Miller. “Oldboy” (R for nudity, profanity, graphic sexuality, brutal violence and disturbing images) Spike Lee directed this remake of the Korean revenge thriller revolving around an advertising exec’s (Josh Brolin)
quest for vengeance after being kidnapped and held hostage for 20 years. With Samuel L. Jackson, Elizabeth Olsen, Sharlto Copley and Michael Imperioli.
INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS “Black Nativity” (PG for menacing, mature themes and mild epithets) Kasi Lemmons wrote and directed this adaptation of the Langston Hughes musical of the same name about a single-mom (Jennifer Hudson) who sends her teenage son (Jacob Latimore) to Harlem to stay with her long-estranged parents (Forest Whitaker and Angela Bassett) when she’s evicted from her Baltimore apartment.
Supporting cast includes Mary J. Blige, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Tyrese Gibson and Nas Jones.
Tick-tock documentary exploring our perception of the elusive subject of time.
“Bullett Raja” (Unrated) Saif Ali Khan stars in the title role of this action adventure, set in the Hindi heartland, about a mild-mannered Average Joe’s transformation into an anti-establishment outlaw in response to India’s corruption. With Raj Babbar, Gulshan Grover and Vidyut Jamwal.
“Journey to the South Pacific” (G) Eco-documentary, narrated by Cate Blanchett, advocating the preservation of such undersea creatures as whale sharks and giant rays.
“Caught in the Web” (Unrated) Cultural evolution drama about a young Chinese woman (Yuanyuan Gao) who’s ostracized after a cell phone video of her failing to yield her bus seat to a senior citizen goes viral. Co-starring Chen Yao, Mark Chao and Xueqi Wang. (in Mandarin with subtitles)
“Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” (PG-13 for sexuality, intense violence, disturbing images and brief profanity) Epic biopic based on the autobiography of Nelson Mandela (Idris Elba) chronicling the South African leader’s transition from outlawed freedom fighter to political prisoner to president. With Naomie Harris, Tony Kgoroge and Riaad Moosa. (In English, Afrikaans and Xhosa with subtitles)
“The End of Time” (Unrated) “Pad Yatra: A Green Odyssey”
(Unrated) Daryl Hannah narrates this climate change documentary lamenting the melting of the Himalayan glacial region as a consequence of global warming. “The Punk Singer” (Unrated) Retrospective rockumentary revisiting the 20-year career of activist and musical pioneer Kathleen Hanna, lead singer of the band Bikini Kill. Featuring commentary by Joan Jett, Kim Gordon and Carrie Brownstein. “Reaching for the Moon” (Unrated) Bittersweet biopic recounting the tragic love affair between American poet Elizabeth Bishop (Miranda Otto) and Brazilian architect Lota de Macedo Soares (Gloria Pires). Featuring Tracy Middendorf, Marcello Airoldi and Lola Kirke. (In English and Portuguese with subtitles)
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Aesthetically Speaking • November 25 - December 1, 2013 • Page 7
BOOK REVIEW
‘If You Can See It, You Can Be It: 12 Street-Smart Recipes for Success’ By Kam Williams “People want to know how a youngster from poverty, who failed his way through public school, got caught up in the 80’s crack epidemic, got indicted and sent to federal prison… wound up working for five-star hotels. They want to know how he became the author of four books, a celebrity chef, a top inspirational speaker, and finally a mentor-coach who travels the world teaching and preaching about the power we have within us to transform our lives… The answer is simple: I made a choice to change… I decided that I wanted more from my life, and I found the way to get it. Though I had wise and unexpected mentors
adaptation, collaboration, humility, selflessness, visionary leadership and getting the competitive edge. Besides clarifying each of those concepts, the author augments his ideas with pearls of wisdom from fellow luminaries like Oprah Winfrey, who reveals, “The big secret in life is that there is no big secret. Whatever your goal, you can get there if you’re willing to work.” Rap star Jay-Z weighs in with, “I’m not a businessman, I’m a business, man,” while NBA great Kareem AbdulJabbar suggests that, “The good and the great are only separated by the willingness to sacrifice.” Also quoted are ancient proverbs by such Eastern philosophers as Confucius (“Humility is the solid foundation of all
along the way, I still had to find my own way. Here’s where you just got lucky… I’m here to show you how, right now.” -- Excerpted from Chapter One (pg. 5-6) Jeff Henderson turned his life around behind bars while serving time for drug dealing. In the penitentiary, he developed a passion for cooking which, upon being paroled, he parlayed into a career as a celebrated chef and host of his own TV series on the Food Network. Now, he’s published a collection of recipes not of his best dishes but of the secrets of his success. The dozen key ingredients include: self-discipline, delayed gratification, education, intuition, risk, persuasion,
virtues.”) and Lao Tzu (”He who does not trust enough will not be trusted.”) Part pep talk/part workbook, this handy howto also reserves some space for audience participation via fill-in-the-blanks exercises. There, readers are urged to record everything from their childhood dreams to long and short term goals to action plans and character strengths. A practical toolkit designed to turn any ambitious Chef Jeff protégé into one of those surefire overachievers he calls “hustlepreneurs.” If You Can See It, You Can Be It: 12 Street-Smart Recipes for Success by Chef Jeff Henderson Smiley Books
BOOK REVIEW
‘Looking for Trouble’ by Trice Hickman package: smart, beautiful and elegant. Then again, she could be demanding, bossy, and crass. Now they were in John’s hometown of Nedine, S.C., to see his family and he had a feeling he’d find out about the real Madeline soon enough. And he was right – Madeline did nothing but complain, and she was rude to his parents. He knew his mother didn’t like her. He was sure his grandmother wouldn’t, either – and Grandma Allene’s opinion was the one that really mattered. Allene Small stood on her front porch and stared into space and time. She didn’t like that evil woman her grandson brought home. That woman
By Terri Schlichenmeyer Special to the NNPA from The Washington Informer Just 60 minutes. Oh, how you wish you had it so you could reach back in time and spend it with your great-great-grandmother. You could ask her questions, find out about her life, learn about yourself, and ask for advice. Imagine the things your forebears would tell you – then imagine how it would change your life if they did. In the new book Looking for Trouble by Trice Hickman, a little guidance from the past is a welcome thing. Alexandria Thornton tried to fight it. She had always known that she had a “gift.” As a little girl, she played with spirit-children and she was always able to predict the future. But lately, an older woman’s voice came to her ears and it was loudly insistent, telling Alexandria that someone was going to protect her. Protect her from what, Alexandria didn’t know. Maybe from her own heart, which surely needed help these days. Her boyfriend, Peter, was Mr.
Chestnut From 6 KW: The Uduak Oduok question: Who is your favorite clothes designer? MC: I love Hugo Boss, Calvin Klein, John Varvatos and others along that line. KW: The Mike Pittman question: What was your best career decision? MC: Signing on to do “The Best Man Holiday.” KW: If you could have one wish instantly granted, what would that be for? MC: Instantly? For this movie to have instant box office success and make over $100 million. KW: The Jamie Foxx question: If you only had 24 hours to live, how would you spend the time? MC: With my family. I like that question, too. KW: The Kerry Washington question: If you were an animal, what animal would you be? MC: I’d have to think about that one. There are so many to choose from. KW: The Ling-Ju Yen question: What is your earliest childhood memory? MC: One Christmas, my brother and I woke up at about 2 in the morning. These dirt bikes were there under the tree, so we went outside and started riding them around our tiny backyard in the middle of the night.
Wrong and there was nobody else on the horizon. Maybe, if she could tame this person in her head, she would know what the heck was so important.
John Smalls wondered if his girlfriend, Madeline, was The One. Sometimes, he thought she might be. She was the total
KW: The Anthony Mackie question: Is there anything that you promised yourself you’d do if you became famous, that you still haven’t done yet? MC: I never made any promises like that to myself, because I didn’t pursue acting to become famous. I was actually just trying to make a living.
KW: The Gabby Douglas question: If you had to choose another profession, what would that be? MC: Professional athlete. Basketball.
KW: The Melissa Harris-Perry question: How did your first big heartbreak impact who you are as a person? MC: Wow, that’s great! To be honest, it taught me that it’s always about how you recover from that type of situation. It taught me that I could recover from anything and still be okay. KW: The Viola Davis question: What’s the biggest difference between who you are at home as opposed to the person we see on the red carpet? MC: I’m probably just a little bit more animated, but other than that I’m pretty much the same person. KW: The Anthony Anderson question: If you could have a superpower, which one would you choose? MC: Hmmm… [Chuckles] that’s a good one. I’d say the ability to fly. KW: The Judyth Piazza question: What key quality do you believe all successful people share? MC: Perseverance. They don’t give up. They just continue to strive for what they want.
KW: The Michael Ealy question: If you could meet any historical figure, who’d it be? MC: Dr. Martin Luther King.
was trouble, she’d cause big problems for John, and Allene wasn’t having any of that. She also knew her greatgreat-granddaughter would need help, too, someday, but reaching that child surely wouldn’t be easy. It would be several generations before Alexandria was even born. Looking for Trouble is a huge novel, not in page count but in storyline. Author Trice Hickman sweeps through several decades in this romantic tale of a family united by a “gift” that is only granted to certain female members, and that is only partially understood. Overall, the characters here are good
(if not a little predictable) and the plot is unusual, although it does sometimes get too convenient and a bit silly. Still, I’m happy to say that I couldn’t predict what was going to happen next and I liked where Hickman took me. This book is not like other paranormal romances but, like others in its genre, it asks you to suspend disbelief long enough to enjoy – which isn’t hard to do here. So look for a place to settle in, and grab Looking for Trouble. Getting lost in this story will only take a minute. c.2013, Kensington Dafina $15/$16.95 Canada 336 pages
You can’t stuff a big screen into a stocking. Or can you?
KW: The Harriet PakulaTeweles question: With so many classic films being redone, is there a remake you’d like to star in? MC: Yes, Mahogany. KW: Attorney Bernadette Beekman asks: What is your favorite charity? MC: Children’s Miracle Network. KW: The Tavis Smiley question: How do you want to be remembered? MC: Just as someone who has always done right by others. KW: Morris, can you come up with a generic question I can ask other celebrities? MC: [LOL] I can’t think of one, but I wish I had a list of the ones you just asked me, because I need to think about all of them some more. KW: I’ll send you a copy of it. Thanks again for the time, Morris, and best of luck with the film. And if you think of a Morris Chestnut question, let me know. MC: I will definitely do that. Thank you so much, Kam.
Give the gift of anything they want. Scratch games from the Minnesota State Lottery. Must be 18 or older.
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Page 8 • November 25 - December 1, 2013 • Aesthetically Speaking
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MOVIE REVIEW
Thought Woman explores Paula Gunn Allen’s life as Native American thought, struggle, resistance By Jamie Keith TC Daily Planet “Thought Woman: The Life and Ideas of Paula Gunn Allen” premiered on November 1 at the Pangea World Theater in Minneapolis. The film is the result of local filmmaker Ellen Hinchcliffe’s multi-year journey to interview and honor one of her intellectual heroines. “Native American thought, struggle, resistance, all of it becomes a side issue that gets added on to other ideas - like we have an environmental movement [and it’s] ‘Oh, let’s listen to the Native people because they’re so close to nature,’” she said. “These things get really oversimplified and I hope that this film can be part of... a recentering of who are we listening to and what ideas are we building any sense of creating a better world from.” Hinchcliffe had been aware of Allen’s work for twenty years before finally contacting the well-known indigenous thinker and author in 2007. “I had noticed a lack of media representation around her, as, to me, such an incredibly important thinker,” said Hinchcliffe of the inspiring forces behind the creation of the film. Allen responded to Hinchcliffe’s email almost immediately. The two continued communicating and eventually decided that Hinchcliffe would travel to Allen’s home in Fort Bragg, California, where they began the filming and interviewing process in September of 2007. “I didn’t want it to only be focused on the arc of her life
Paula and Lauralee and Paula’s great grandmother and a friend. From Paula’s personal collection.
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story because I think her ideas and the life of her ideas seems really important as well,” said Hinchcliffe about the direction
of the film. “I tried to make that choice between her as a person and her as a thinker, trying to find the place between those
two things.” The fifty-five minute film is a mix of interviews with Allen, dramatic readings of her poetry and essays, excerpts from a 1991 New Dimensions Radio interview with Allen, footage of the Cubero land grant, and stills of various subjects, from landscapes to photographs of individuals who attended the Annual International Two-Spirit Gathering in New York state this year. Jade Red Moon, Allen’s granddaughter, provided artwork that is featured throughout the film and Allen’s daughter, Lauralee Brown, performed in the film’s soundtrack. Music was also provided by Sharon Day, the Executive Director of the Indigenous Peoples Task Force in Minneapolis, and the Neeconis Woman Singers. Allen was born in 1939 to parents of Laguna Pueblo, Lebanese, Metis, and Scottish descent. She was raised on the Cubero land grant in New Mexico. Allen was a prolific author and published theoretical and historical texts, essay compilations, and poetry collections. She was a prominent author in the fields of Native American feminism and indigenous approaches to literary criticism. Her last published work, Pocahontas: Medicine Woman, Spy, Entrepreneur, Diplomat, was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. During her career, she taught at a number of prominent universities in the southwest and California, finally retiring from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1999. After their initial set of interviews in the fall of 2007, Allen and Hinchcliffe made plans to continue filming and wanted to travel to New Mexico and New England to explore areas fundamental to Allen and her published works. However, Allen passed away in May of 2008 after a long struggle with illness. The film was put on hold until the spring of 2012. At that point, Hinchcliffe raised money on the crowdfunding platform Indiegogo to film Allen’s childhood home in New Mexico. She also connected with Brown and traveled to interview her and visit Allen’s grave. Hinchcliffe hopes the film inspires people from all backgrounds to delve into Allen’s many published works. “Her work is really important and vast, and it could be extremely useful to people who are trying to make change in this country and still finding it very difficult to figure out how... [to] affect the things.. [they] actually want to affect.” Hinchcliffe also sees the film as part of a movement to value and hear thinkers from many different lived experiences. “[We should be] holding onto that history, not just for history’s sake, but because they’re important and amazingly useful thinkers,” she said. Hinchcliffe plans to continue to look for venues to show the film, and is especially interested in traveling with the piece to help facilitate discussions about Allen’s work and life. For more information about screening the film, visit Hinchcliffe’s website or contact her at fierceshimmer@gmail. com. ©2013 Jamie Keith Pangea World Theater Pangea World Theater begins from the fundamental paradigm of diversity in the world. Our work expresses this reality and our organization advances this possibility consciously. 711 West Lake Street Minneapolis, Phone: 6128220015 http://www.pangeaworldtheater. com
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Insight News • November 25 - December 1, 2013 • Page 9
Giving thanks for our families Man Talk
By Timothy Houston This week, all around the country, families will be coming together to give thanks. The Thanksgiving holiday weekend is one of the busiest travel days of the year. People will be traveling near and far to be with friends and loved ones. Family is the basic building blocks for communities, and it is a big part of the American culture. This week, as you and your family give thanks, take some time to reflect on what it really means to be family. A family is an intentional creation. It is more than an
accidental act, or a political or religious concept. Rather, it originates from the mind of God. As recorded in the book of Genesis, family is a deliberate creation of the creator, and it is directly blessed by God. No sooner after God creates man and woman that he blessed them and told them to create a family: “God blessed them,” states Genesis 1:28, continuing, “He said to them, ‘Have children and increase your numbers.’” The concept of family predates politics and organized religions. So, rather than simply being a political or religious concept, family is an undeniably divine concept. Thus, family is always spiritually correct despite a politically incorrect world. A family is a universal biblical teaching. It transcends time and space and should be never seen as old-fashioned or outdated. A family is more than an Old Testament biblical teaching. Even
deep into the New Testament, the concept of family is valued as a foundation that was especially
Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in Heaven and earth is named (Ephesians 3:14-
A family is a universal biblical teaching. It transcends time and space and should be never seen as old-fashioned or outdated.
designed by God. Paul verifies this fact in his letter to the Ephesians, commenting, “I bow my knees unto the Father of our
15).” The New Testament reminds us that you will find families in heaven and earth. Families are a universal concept that supersedes
the Old Testament. Thus, family is always in relevant and in style. A family is a basic building block for a community. It is more than a household unit. In the Bible, every family represented a microcosm of the community within which it lived. Therefore, when families failed, the community itself failed. In times of crisis, families were relied upon to support and strengthen the community. For example, Moses was charged to offer the following order to his followers: “Make sure there isn’t a man or woman among your families or tribes who turns away from the Lord our God (Deuteronomy 29:18).” The family served as a keeper of the core values of the community in which it lived. Thus, family is always communal especially in times of crisis. What is a family? It is a communal, spiritually correct, relevant, intentional creation by
God. It is more than a domestic unit that is only defined by the number of parents and children. Family connects us to others outside of our households. Although your family unit is defined by you, it is measured by your community. Your culture, religion, and language are also important ingredients and they will bind you with others of like conviction. Family is natural and spiritual. Forged in the mind of God, it is and will forever be divinely created, and for that, we give thanks! 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.
Achieving your most precious goal Motivational Moments
By Penny JonesRichardson Today I want you to think about what it would take to work on your most precious goal. Your “precious goal” is the one goal that is your burning desire. This is the goal that
MAAM From 1 and vulnerable to the elements. “(The contractor) jumped ship and walked off the job in September of 2012,” said Givens. Givens said the contractor was owed money, which was supposed to have been paid with the money from the matching state bond – the bond that the
Flight From 1 Balentine, 38, a native of north Minneapolis, is a pilot for Endeavor Air, an airline that operates regionally under the banner of Delta Airlines and Delta Connect. The 14-year flight veteran said the main reason African-Americans are largely absent in the Aerospace industry is lack of access. “I lived in a place where a lot of people didn’t want to come and give us the information (about careers in flight),” said Balentine, who said he grew up in an area considered the projects of north Minneapolis that is now the site of Heritage Park. “That’s why I’m doing what I’m doing because no one
you have always wanted to complete, but have not been able to do so as of today. This goal wakes you up in the morning and this is the goal that you think of completing before you go to sleep at night. What is the first thing that you need to do to make this goal a reality? This is where you must start in order for it to manifest. If you never accomplish this, you will always wonder how it would feel to have this goal completed. I once worked with someone who wanted so badly
to complete her education but always seemed to have some other things on her plate that required her time or money. She was a single mother of four who worked hard to put her children through school and made sure that their education was paid for without them having to take out any student loans (All of her children are college graduates). She often talked about going back to school and completing what she started, but she was never able to do so. She once said that she thinks about this goal
every single day of her life. She worked hard for her children and had no regrets, but there was always something inside of her that wished she could walk across a stage and receive her college degree. I can remember her coming to work so excited one morning saying that she had just registered for school and that her children joined together and paid her tuition. She was so excited that she couldn’t hold back her tears. I was excited for her because I knew how much this meant to her. She was on her way to complete her most
“precious goal.” So, today as you read this, I want you to think about achieving that one goal that you never thought you could achieve. There is something inside of you that won’t let you rest until this goal is completed. It has been planted inside of you and you must see it through. Don’t give up and don’t stop working at it. Sometimes our most “precious goals” are those goals that won’t happen overnight. They take time, patience and hard work. They also take determination and a
belief that the impossible can be possible. If you believe that you can achieve your goals, then you will achieve your goals. And as always remember, stay focused, stay determined and keep striving for greatness.
state never made good on. “Hennepin County is in charge of the bond and initially they said they can’t release it because there was a mortgage on the place, so we bought the building,” said Givens. “Then the county said well you spent the initial money you raised so that means you have to come up with more money (before releasing the promised bond). Our funders have been very generous and patient (in waiting
for the museum to open), but the building looked better before any renovations. We’ve put $700,000 into this project and we have nothing to show for it.” All the while, the state’s residents are being deprived of this cultural institution that is ready to tell the grand history of the state’s African-Americans, says Givens. “The whole premise of MAAM and its future exhibitions is built around one question.
That’s a question Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois asked 100 years ago – ‘Would America have been America, without her Negro people,’” said Givens. “MAAM’s mission is to bring forth the authentic answer to that and more; however with a Minnesota, regional perspective. What would Minnesota and the world be without its very own Fredrick McKinnley Jones, Francis Wheaton, Cecil Newman, Archie Givens, Sr., Fredrick McGee,
Lena O. Smith, George Bongo … Harry Davis?” What is next for MAAM is a bit unclear. Givens said the museum is in talks with the county and the state to release the once-promised bond it is hopeful to reach some resolution with the contractor to get the workers back on the project. But with the passage of each day the job gets bigger. Because of the openings left in the building, rodents such as squirrels and
others are becoming a problem and money that could have been used elsewhere has to be used for extermination said Givens. Givens said what is clear is that she and others will not rest until they see the completion of MAAM. In the mean time, MAAM is using the site’s carriage house to host smaller exhibits and community meetings. But nearly five years into the project and the main building at 1700 3rd Ave. S. remains vacant.
wanted to come in the ‘hood’ and encourage me to be a pilot.” Balentine said academies such as ACE have been in existence for quite some time, but they have not been accessible to students of color. “Those programs are geared for people with money that live in the suburbs,” said Balentine. The academy director said the OBAP ACE program aims to be affordable, accessible and ultimately, life changing. The week-long camp costs students $75 – and scholarships are available – and will offer students the opportunity to fly a Cessna 152 airplane, learning to takeoff and land and tour an air traffic control tower. “We need a program that will change the hearts and minds of students,” said
Balentine. “There’s simply a lack of exposure here.” Besides exposure, an additional barrier to a career in flight is cost. Balentine, who is a graduate of St. Cloud State University, said when he became a fully licensed and rated commercial pilot it cost him close to $25,000 and he received grants and loans to pay for it all. He said today that amount would be double. “One thing about being a pilot, you have to have a passion for it,” said Balentine, who said he and other ACE instructors are donating their time to the academy. “My goal is to inspire students to achieve.” “This program is so important because it introduces careers in aviation and aerospace to a population of
children who would otherwise not have such exposure,” said Joy Mosley, board member of the Twin Cities OBAP and United States Air Force veteran. “A Black pilot is not something most African-American children see everyday. Hopefully we’ll be able to take high school students and develop a pipeline to colleges and universities that offer aeronautical programs or technical training in aerospace.” Mosley, who holds a master’s degree in urban ministry, is also calling on churches to step up in introducing students to careers in STEM. “We really need the faithbased community to engage our youth and introduce them to real world career opportunities in STEM,” said Mosley. For additional information
on OBAP’s ACE academy Balentine can be reached at (612) 386-4396 or via email at
obaptwincitiesaceacadmey@ gmail.com.
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 10 • November 25 - December 1, 2013 • Insight News
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COMMUNITY Enhance your holiday landscape By Melinda Myers Add a little holiday sparkle to your landscape for you and your guests to enjoy. No matter the weather outside, a few decorative touches can greatly increase the beauty and enjoyment of your winter landscape. Try one, two or all eight of these tips to improve your landscape’s winter appeal. Add some solar powered accents. Light a pathway, your favorite tree or front porch without installing additional outlets. Look for unique colors and shapes like the solar star lantern or the changing colors of northern lights spheres (gardeners.com) for added appeal. The wide variety now available can help create a memorable winter display. Be sure to select solar accents that provide hours of enjoyment when fully charged. Create an outdoor holiday tree for you and your feathered visitors to enjoy. Decorate a few of your evergreen trees and shrubs with purchased or homemade birdseed ornaments. Holiday shapes made of energy rich birdseed and suet give
Courtesy of Gardener’s Supply Company
Line a pathway with luminaries for an ice globe walkway. the trees a holiday flare, while providing important food for birds to enjoy. These also make great gifts for your favorite gardener or bird watcher. Light up your winter containers. Fill a weatherproof planter with potting mix or play sand. Purchase greens
from your favorite garden center or trim a few from your landscape. Stick the cut end of the greens in the potting mix or sand to create an attractive display. Add some colorful berries, decorative twigs and ribbon. Then add some height and light to your winter
Community 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 Free Bird Feeder Build Activity @ Holiday on 44th Dec. 6 On December 6th, Elpis Enterprises will be returning to Holiday On 44th to facilitate our free build-yourown bird feeder activity at the Housing Resource Center at the intersection of 44th and Penn. Elpis is an employment training organization serving homeless youth, ages 16-23, by offering them paid training and work experience, as well as a program of career management and networking assistance. Within the structure of a small business model, our youth operate a wood shop, a screenprinting shop, and conduct experiential activities out in the community. Our 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization is 90% funded through these activities. Hallie Q Brown Community Center Holiday Workshop – Dec. 7 On Saturday December
7th 12:00pm – 2:00pm Hallie Q Brown Community Center is having a Holiday Workshop for those special people in your life. You bring the creativity - HQB will supply the materials. At this event there will be make-n-take crafts, a holiday bake and rummage sale. A $5 donation is requested that will go towards helping support our food shelf or bring 3 canned goods. Hallie Q Brown Community Center is located at 270 North Kent Street, Saint Paul, MN. For more information: (651) 224-4601. 9th Annual Camden Music School Holiday Sing-Along - Dec. 7 9th Annual Camden Music School Holiday Sing-Along plus “A Recipe for FUN” Craft and Bake Sale A simply delightful, neighborly way to celebrate the season. 4pm, Saturday, December 7 CMS/ Camden: Luther Memorial, 3751 Sheridan Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN. 55412. FREE. Proceeds from the craft and bake sale go to the CMS Scholarship Fund, a sponsored project of Our Neighborhood Works, w w w. o u r n e i g h b o r hoodworks.com. For more information: 612618-0219 or www. camdenmusicschool. com.
Interpreting the Language of the Heart - Dec. 7 River of Life and Waters of Life Church host Interpreting the Language of the Heart Women’s Health Fair in Saint Paul, MN. The fair will be held at the Community Center on 999 Selby Ave, on December 7th 2013 from 11 AM to 3 PM. There will be many doctors, dentists, nurse practitioners and other health professionals who can discuss with you topics of your interest such as dental health, heart disease, cancer, nutrition, weight loss, sleep, exercise and many more. PACER workshop addresses special education, parent involvement – Dec. 10 PACER Center is offering “Special Education: What Do I Need to Know?” a free workshop for parents of children with disabilities. It is on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Stillwater Public Library (Margaret Rivers Room), 224 Third St. N., Stillwater, Minn. Advance registration is required. Special education is instruction designed specifically to meet the unique needs of children with disabilities. It is provided in the most appropriate setting and
container with fiber optic solar lights. Place the container by your front steps for holiday visitors to enjoy day or night. Increase color and motion with the help of heated birdbaths. Attract greater numbers and variety of birds by providing water year round.
Phone: 612.588.1313
Northern gardeners should consider heated birdbaths to insure water is available even during the coldest months. Further help the birds by adding a few stones or branches to the birdbath. This allows the birds to drink without getting wet; helping them to preserve their body heat. Create your own homemade outdoor lights. Line pathways, accent plantings or dress up fence posts with ice globe luminaries. Produce your own or purchase ready to make kits. Use colorful outdoor LED lights or tea candles to light up blocks or spheres of ice. You and your family will have fun creating these memorable nighttime accents. Add some livable art. Hang a few colorful and unique birdhouses in your backyard. They provide color and whimsy to the winter garden and will be ready for your feathered friends to move in this spring. Include a “gingerbread” house for the birds. Hang decorative birdseed houses from a shepherds crook or tree branch. Be sure to place it in an area where you and the birds can enjoy the decorative treat.
Fax: 612.588.2031
Sarah Simmons Showcase - Dec. 1 In observance of World AIDS Day and in memory of local AIDS advocate Sarah Simmons, on-stage performances will be held to highlight the impact that HIV/AIDS has had on the local African and African American communities on Sunday, December 1, 2013 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the Capri Theatre, 2027 West Broadway, Minneapolis, MN 55411. The Sarah Simmons Showcase will be hosted by the organizers from the Minnesota African/African American Women HIV Initiative (MAAAH). Local performing artists including rappers, dancers, singers, story tellers, and poets will express their personal stories through their performances. Free HIV screening and refreshments will be featured throughout the event. For more information, contact Sandy Johnson, MAAAH, (651) 201-4019, or email, or contact Woodrow Jefferson at 612-520-4004.
at no cost to parents or families. To register for the workshop, call PACER at (952) 838-9000. In Greater Minnesota, call (800) 537-2237 (toll free) or visit PACER.org Workshops and Informational Seminar - Dec. 14 The Ministry of Criminal Justice and Trinity Housing Services in collaboration with Peace of Hope presents Dealing with Incarceration: Turning a Negative into a Positive! This full day is packed with resources for anyone in the community who has had or are currently experiencing any affiliation with arrest, incarceration, probation, parole or diversionary programs. Come find
out about special immediate housing opportunities, transportation to and from the Minnesota Correctional Facilities, how to get your driver’s license reinstated and also hear speakers present topics that will benefit the people of our community who have been involved in the criminal justice system. The event will take place Saturday, December 14th at the Minneapolis Urban League, at 2100 Plymouth, from Noon – 6pm. For more information call (612) 220-4678. All children are welcome! Can goods appreciated to help those less fortunate. Choo Choo Bob’s Great RiverCentre Train Show - Dec. 28, 29
Part-Time Administrative Assistant (20 hours per week) The Minneapolis Foundation is seeking a part-time (20 hours/week) administrative assistant to support the director of the Northside Funders Group, a nineteen member funders’ collaborative designed to align investments to catalyze comprehensive and sustainable change in North Minneapolis. For a full copy of the job posting, please visit http:// www.minneapolisfoundation.org/AboutUs/Careers.aspx. Submit a cover letter, resume, salary history and references by December 2, 2013 to: HR@mplsfoundation.org The Minneapolis Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
APARTMENT OPENINGS Delton Manor is accepting applications for future 1, 2, & 3 Bedrm apartment openings. Delton Manor has 3 two-bedrm handicapped accessible units located in the building. Delton Manor promotes equal housing opportunities for all perspective residents regardless of race, color, creed, sex, sexual preference, religion, handicap, marital status, familial status, national origin or source of income. For applications and qualifications, contact NANCY at 218-7592523. AN EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.
SCHOOL BUS DRIVER
Saint Paul Public Schools seeks a School Bus Driver to join its team! Candidates must have a High school diploma or G.E.D. and two years of experience as a School Bus Driver, which includes experience working with special needs students. Must have a valid Class A or B commercial driver’s license (CDL) with a current unlimited school bus driver’s endorsement and a current passenger endorsement. For more details and to apply, visit hr.spps.org/Search_Jobs_and_Apply.htm. Saint Paul Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and supports an inclusive workplace environment.
The first-ever Choo Choo Bob’s Great RiverCentre Train Show, a two-day train extravaganza at Saint Paul RiverCentre held Saturday, Dec. 28 and Sunday, Dec. 29 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. ADMISSION: $8 - Kids 7 and under are admitted free. Families will enjoy live performances and meet-and-greets with “The Choo Choo Bob Show” cast and the show’s band — the Holy Smokestacks Revue. For Thomas the Tank Engine fans, Sir Topham Hatt, owner of the North Western Railway on the Isle of Sodor, will be on hand showing videos, reading stories, meeting the crowd and taking photos with kids. The event will also feature exciting train layouts from local model railroading clubs — to
watch and play with — as well as free jumping inflatables, a free rideon train for kids and plenty of merchandise from Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store and other train-related retailers. For more information and the schedule, visit http://stpaultrainshow. com. Tickets are available at the Saint Paul RiverCentre Box Office, Ticketmaster Ticket Centers, by calling 800-7453000 or online at ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone using Ticketmaster TDD/ TTY, call 800-3592525. Certain fees may apply. PROGRAMS & SERVICES Share A Smile Ongoing Brighten the day of a senior citizen and have some fun. Hang
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The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Housing Authority has rental units available in Cass County, MN. Please call 218-335-8280. Must meet certain qualifications.
Committee Administrator and Research Consultant The MN House of Representatives DFL Caucus has a full-time Committee Administrator and Research Consultant positions available. The complete job posting can be found at: www.house.mn/jobs or call 651-297-8200 for a faxed or mailed copy. Cover letter and resume must be received by Friday, December 6, 2013. EEO/AA EMPLOYER
Look for a sheltered, but open area where the birds can watch for predators while enjoying their winter feast. Move your holiday tree outdoors. Place your cut tree in a snow bank, vacant spot in the garden or make it part of your bird feeding station. The tree provides some extra greenery in the often drab winter landscape as well as shelter for the visiting birds. Then add a few of those birdseed ornaments for added food and winter decoration. Gardening expert, TV/radio host, author & columnist Melinda Myers has more than 30 years of horticulture experience and has written over 20 gardening books, including Can’t Miss Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” DVD series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment segments. Myers is also a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Myers’ web site, www.melindamyers.com, offers gardening videos and tips.
Email: info@insightnews.com
out with an elder on a regular basis and do things that you both enjoy, like watching a movie, building stuff, playing games, conversation or whatever! Work with a partner and you can take turns visiting. Families welcome; youth must be age 12 or older and accompanied by an adult. Volunteers age 55+ may qualify to become a Senior Companion and earn a stipend. Exact location TBD in Minneapolis, depends upon where the senior citizen resides. A variety of one-time or ongoing unpaid volunteer opportunities are available. Please contact Jeanne the NIP Seniors Program, Volunteer Coordinator at srvolunteer@ neighborhoodinvolve. org or call (612) 746-8549 for more information. Our website is www. neighborhoodinvolve. org. Senior citizens that reside in Minneapolis and wish to be matched with a Friendly Visitor should call 612-374-3322 or email seniors@ neighborhoodinvolve. org for more information. Outside of Minneapolis, contact the Senior Linkage Line at 1-800333-2433 for details. Register at any time for lessons at Camden Music School - Ongoing Looking for a place to play? You can enroll in lessons at CMS at
any time! Tuition is prorated to the number of lessons you take. All ages, abilities and experience levels are welcome. The CMS Fall Term runs through Saturday, January 18. Recitals will be held on January 25. Spring Term starts the week of February 3. CMS offers vocal and instrumental lessons, Musikgarten early childhood music classes (newborn to age 8), hand drumming, community choir, music theory and more! Family rates and discounts are available. Scholarship applications for the spring term will be available Monday, December 2. Classes in Camden: Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, 3751 Sheridan Ave. N., 55412. CMS in Northeast Minneapolis: Grace Center for Community Life (formerly Holland School), 1500 6th St. NE, 55413. More information: 612618-0219 or www. camdenmusicschool. com. Volunteers of America Foster Parent Information Meetings – Ongoing Foster Parent Information Meetings for interested skilled parents desiring to provide care for troubled youth in the Volunteers of America foster care program. Kids of all ages are in need of a stable home with dedicated parents. Information meetings
are held at Volunteers of America Corporate Office every Friday from 10am-11:30am. To RSVP or for additional information on becoming a foster parent, contact Jolene Swan at (952) 945-4064, email ftpfostercare@voamn. org or online at voafostercare.org Reduce Gym Membership Fees Save money, get in shape, and help your neighbor! Develop strong muscles by shoveling the snow off a grateful senior citizen’s walkways and driveway. Adopt a yard until the weather warms. Resident will provide the thankful smile. Perfect opportunity for apartment/condo dweller that yearns to be outside. Work with a partner and you can take turns shoveling. Family teams and small groups welcome; youth must be age 7 or older and supervised by an adult. Exact location TBD in Minneapolis, depends upon where the senior citizen resides. We offer unpaid volunteer opportunities yearround. Please contact Jeanne the NIP Seniors Program, Volunteer Coordinator at srvolunteer@ neighborhoodinvolve. org or call 612746-8549 for more information. Our website is www. neighborhoodinvolve. org
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and overweight, you are at high risk for Type 2 diabetes. But the good news is “It’s not too you can prevent or delay diabetes. Lose a small amount of weight by being physically active 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week and eating healthier. Join a Stairstep Foundation/His Works United “I Can Prevent Diabetes” Program offered in area churches at no cost to you and receive $125 in gift certificates for completion. For more information call Sylvia Amos at 612-521-3110.
insightnews.com
Insight News • November 25 - December 1, 2013 • Page 11
Ladan Yusuf and CrossingBarriers: ‘It is okay to talk about racism’ By Sarah Lahm, TC Daily Planet When Ladan Yusuf came to the United States from Somalia at the age of 13, she could not read or write English proficiently. By the time she was in the eleventh grade, at a public high school in northern Virginia, she was in an AP English class with native English speakers. Yusuf credits the strong English Language Learner (ELL) programs of the public schools she went to for her quick rise. She later studied international development and development economics at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia and got an Master of Public Administration degree from New York University. Now living in Minneapolis and running CrossingBarriers, a non-profit focused on training students and parents in education advocacy. Through CrossingBarriers, Yusuf focuses on helping youth of color, immigrant students in and out of ELL, and parents access the same kind of learning opportunities she had. I recently asked Yusuf to tell me more about her work with CrossingBarriers, which is located at 450 North Syndicate in St. Paul. You started CrossingBarriers in 2004 and 2005. Why? I started CrossingBarriers after I moved here from New York because I could see that ELL and immigrant students were not being educated adequately. Originally, I did not want to start my own non-profit, but wanted to partner with an existing one. It became clear that many people in
Roots From 3 minister to newly freed slaves; including teaching them how to read and write. Black preachers provided leadership, encouraged education and economic growth, and were often the primary link between the Black and White communities. The Black church established and/or maintained the first Black schools and encouraged community members to fund these schools and other public services. For most Black leaders, the churches always were connected to political goals of advancing the race and moving forward. The Black church also held an important leadership role in the Civil Rights movement, as their strength within the Black community made them natural leaders in the moral struggle for social justice. Notable leaders such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Ralph David Abernathy and Fred Shuttlesworth, to name a few, were instrumental ministeractivists who helped during the struggle and often served as links between the Black and White communities. MORE THAN A MINISTER Richard Allen was born into slavery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on February 14, 1760. At the age of 17, Allen converted to Methodism after hearing a White Methodist preacher rail against slavery. His owner eventually converted to Methodism as well and allowed Allen and his brother to purchase their freedom for $2,000 each in 1783. Allen soon became a member of St. George’s Methodist Episcopal Church, where he became an assistant minister and conducted prayer meetings for the Black parishioners. Although Blacks and Whites worshiped together at the church, Allen became frustrated with the limitations that the church placed on him and other Black parishioners. In 1787, Allen left the church and that same year, along with the Reverend Absalom Jones, Allen helped found the Free African Society, a non-denominational religious mutual-aid society dedicated to helping the black community. In 1794, Allen and 10 other Black Methodists founded the Bethel Church, a Black Episcopal meeting, in an old blacksmith’s shop. Allen became the first African-American to be ordained in the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Bethel Church became known as “Mother Bethel” because in 1816, with support from representatives from other Black Methodist churches, Bethel Church birthed the first national Black church in the United States, the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, and Allen became its
Ladan Yusuf
TCDP
Minnesota were not comfortable with the idea of a program built around advocacy training, so I created an organization [and] called it CrossingBarriers. I felt the advocacy would help communities of color, marginalized immigrants and non-immigrants cross barriers and come together across ethnic lines in education advocacy. Your first big case was helping immigrant students at Abraham Lincoln High School in Minneapolis sue the Minneapolis Public School district. Tell me about that. In 2004, new to Minnesota, while trying to connect and network, I came across Somali teachers and assistant teachers who continued to complain
about the lack of quality education for Somali youth in the Minneapolis Public Schools’ English Language Learners Program, particularly at Abraham Lincoln High School. This school was run by the International Institute, under contract from the Minneapolis Public Schools, and its population was 50 percent Somalis, 30 percent Oromo and 20 percent Latino. Soon, I was asked by teachers at the school to help advocate for these students, who were being poorly served by the school. What were the main issues at Abraham Lincoln High School that the students, families, and teachers complained about? Starting in September of 2004, and on through February
first bishop. Helped by his wife, Sarah, Allen helped to hide escaped slaves. The basement of the Bethel Church was a stop on the “Underground Railroad” for Blacks fleeing slavery. His understanding of the power of the Black dollar and of an economic boycott, led Allen to form the Free Produce Society in 1830, where members would only purchase products from businesses or people who used non-slave labor. His passion for equality and fairness inspired him to vehemently speak out against slavery. Allen’s life’s work and his writings were the primary influence for future Civil Rights leaders such as Black abolitionist Frederick Douglass and activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Allen died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on March 26, 1831, but today, the AME Church boasts more than 2.5 million members.
a price on her head, threatening her life if she returned to the South. She remained in exile for almost forty years. Eventually, Wells purchased partial interest in a black newspaper, the Memphis Free Speech and Headlight (later renamed Free Speech), and became its editor. Wells did not shy away from controversy in the pages of Free Speech. A turning point in her career occurred when she wrote an article that was very critical of Memphis’s separate but not-so-equal schools. The anonymous piece described the rundown buildings and teachers who had received little more education than their students. Such revelations did not sit well with members of the local Board of Education. Along with everyone else who had heard of Free Speech, they knew that Wells was the one who had written the article. The uproar cost Wells her teaching job. Wells earned enough money to purchase a half-share of Free Speech and under her leadership the circulation increased from 1,500 to 4,000. Readers relied on Free Speech to tackle the most controversial subjects, even when that meant speaking out against AfricanAmericans as well as Whites. When Wells received word that her friend Tom Moss, the father of her goddaughter, had been lynched, she quickly came to the realization that lynching’s were not being used to punish criminals, but was being used to enforce White supremacy. Moss’s only crime was that he was successfully competing with a white grocer, and for this he and his partners were murdered. In a series of deeply scathing editorials in Free Speech, she urged African-Americans to boycott Memphis’s new streetcar line and move out west if possible. African-Americans listened to Wells and began leaving Memphis by the hundreds. Two pastors of large Black churches took their entire congregations to Oklahoma, and others soon followed. Those who stayed behind boycotted White businesses, creating financial hardships for commercial establishments as well as for the public transportation system. The city’s papers attempted to dissuade Blacks from leaving by reporting on the hostile American Indians and dangerous diseases awaiting them out west. To counter their claims, Wells spent three weeks traveling in Oklahoma. Upon her return she published a firsthand account of the actual conditions. Fast becoming a target for angry white men and women, she was advised by friends to ease up on her editorials. Instead, Wells decided to carry a pistol. Wells continued her advocacy work until she died in Chicago on March 25, 1931, at the age of 68.
MORE THAN A JOURNALIST Ida B. Wells was born a slave in 1862 in Holly Springs, Mississippi. Both of her parents knew how to read, so they taught her how to read at an early age. Growing up around political activists gave Wells a sense of hope about the hope and future possibilities for former slaves in American society. After both of her parents and her infant brother died unexpectedly when she was 16 years old, she had to take on the responsibility of raising her five younger brothers and sisters. While in Memphis, she had become accustomed to riding the train in whatever seat she chose, but in 1883 she sued the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad because they forbade her from sitting in the ladies coach. This incident sparked Wells to write an article about the experience, which became an instant success and helped influence her to change her career to become a journalist. Wells continued to fight against injustices all throughout the South and decided to use the power of her pen to expose the motives behind the violence against Black people. As lynching had become one of the main strategic tools to terrorize Blacks in the South, Wells wrote about lynching and began to expose it, becoming the focal point of her crusade for justice. When three of her male friends, who were successful businessmen, were lynched on the pretext of a crime they did not commit, Wells wrote about the situation with a clarity and forcefulness that riveted the attention of both Blacks and Whites. She advocated for both an economic boycott and a mass exodus, and traveled through the United States and England, writing and speaking about lynching and the government’s refusal to intervene to stop it. This so enraged her enemies that they burned her presses, and put
RECLAIMING OUR ROOTS
of 2005, I began documenting the stories of the students and connecting patterns within these stories. What I discovered from the students is that the school did not have hot lunches, textbooks, science labs, or licensed teachers with the exception of one. Also, some of the students who had attended the school for five years could not read or write English, and others were not getting special education services. One student who was deaf stayed in the school waiting for help; once he turned 21, they transferred him to adult education. In addition, 80 percent of the students could not pass basic standardized tests. After six months of research and student documentation, CrossingBarriers filed a complaint with MDE and the Minneapolis Public Schools, as well as the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights. The case, named Mumid vs. Abraham Lincoln High, landed in the U.S. Supreme Court. The courts ruled against the Abraham Lincoln students. Did any good come out of this experience? Because of the lawsuit, CrossingBarriers attracted young people that wanted to learn advocacy and activism. Also, for the first time, MPS adopted a policy to implement best practices for ELL instruction, and students began receiving better services through licensed teachers and administrators. Other schools in Minneapolis that also served immigrant and ELL populations then began to improve due to this lawsuit, as they feared similar ones being filed at their schools. That is how we began working on advocacy and community organizing projects for youth and parents with diverse groups from
Latino, Asian, Somali, Oromo and East African and African American communities. These projects have included the Eden Prairie Education Project, St. Paul Education Project, Coalition to Close the Achievement Gap, Students Against Violence, parent trainings and a youth leadership and community organizing program. Can you provide another example of who you work with and what you train them to do? Each year, CrossingBarriers engages 400 to 500 youth, parents, teachers, and community members through training and workshop programs. The youth and parents we work with come from places where we’ve been asked to help advocate for and train people. For example, we helped Eden Prairie students address problems with low-performing mainstream and ELL classes. We’ve also worked with youth from the Phillips neighborhood in Minneapolis to address youth violence, communication issues with teachers, and drug prevention. Sometimes, parents call CrossingBarriers because they hear about our work through word of mouth. Particularly, one parent heard about us and asked us to help advocate for them with local charter schools where they felt they didn’t have a voice for their students. What has been particularly difficult about the work you do? I think since I am female, black, African, and do not fit the status quo, there is intense pressure to marginalize my voice as the founder and director of CrossingBarriers. I was told recently that the reason CrossingBarriers does not receive the financial support it needs is because CrossingBarriers
is not backed by well-known white people which indirectly means white people are not comfortable with what we have to say as an organization. Therefore, my question is, who is our constituency? Well-known white people or low-income communities? Some other funders do not value the work and do not see the long- term goal of helping young people learn skills they will need that will help them get out of poverty. Many want to help youth when they drop out, are on drugs or in gangs, but not when they are resilient and able to resist these temptations in their schools and neighborhoods, and want to change their world. Anything else you would like to get across? It is okay to talk about racism and be honest about the issues we face rather than finding tokens to speak for us that have no impact on the community, or entrenched liberals who run the show with no results. Also, corporate agents that think they know better but can’t solve one issue in any of their charter schools are not the answer to our problems. The real answers always come from those who are directly impacted by racism and poor educational options, but hardly any one is listening to the parents or youth in these situations. Unless, of course, the parents or youth have been hijacked by groups that have their own political agendas. I believe we need strong leadership that is based on courage and not fear or self-preservation.
As we look at the state of Black America, we see that if ever there was a need for another movement, it is now. Both the Black church and the Black press were catalysts behind the advancement of AfricanAmericans beyond the unjust laws and challenges they were facing. According to the U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, conducted by the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life, African-Americans are among the most likely to report a formal religious affiliation, with fully 87% of African-Americans describing themselves as belonging to one religious group or another. While the U.S. is generally considered a highly religious nation, African-Americans are markedly more religious on a variety of measures than the U.S. population as a whole, including level of affiliation with a religion, attendance at religious services, frequency of prayer and religion’s importance in life. On each of the measures concerning religion, AfricanAmericans stand out as the most religiously committed racial or
ethnic group in the nation, but when it comes to younger AfricanAmericans, they are more likely than their older counterparts to report being unaffiliated with a religion. Roughly 20% of African-Americans under the age of 30 are unaffiliated with any religion, compared to just 7% of African-Americans who are age 65 and older. In order for the future generations of leaders to embrace religion and a sense of hope, they must first be in tune with reading and understanding how to use their voice. Dr. King stated that “our lives begin to end, the day we become silent about the things that matter.” The power of the Black voice has and continues to make a difference in our world. The Black church and the Black press have always been on the side of right and on the side of justice. As unjust laws were created and enforced; as poll taxes were levied; as dogs were unleashed; as jail cells were filled; the Black church and the Black press were on the frontlines together. It wasn’t just Martin Luther King that led the way. The entire
Black community stands on the shoulders of those that have come before, laid a firm foundation and given us the roadmap to follow. Young people still have to learn their true history and not solely rely on blogs, social media and Internet web sites for facts and their information. Social media and technology has given younger people an opportunity to gather information and be expressive in a new, unique way. The importance of the Black press and newspapers is still significant when it comes to spreading news by us, for us and about us. Our senior citizens and experienced historians must play an active role in teaching younger people about the Black church and the Black press. Our Black churches must get back to being the moral compass for the Black community and must get back to taking up social causes that impact the Black community. If this is not a non-negotiable, the Black community will continue to face continuous peril. To do that, it takes an active community that includes the Black church and the Black press.
Sarah Lahm (sarah dot lahm at gmail dot com) is a writer, blogger, and former English Instructor, and has children in the Minneapolis Public Schools.
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Page 12 • November 25 - December 1, 2013 • Insight News
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Excited about Ranked Choice Voting By Kim Ellison, Director, Minneapolis School Board of Education Although my first-choice mayoral candidate didn’t win this year, I can’t help feeling excitement and pride about the results of this
year’s Minneapolis municipal elections. All-in-all, they were a triumph – for women, for people of color, for political diversity, and for stronger democracy. As a math teacher, a social studies teacher, and a voter, I’ve always loved Ranked Choice Voting (RCV). In local elections, it does away with the low-
turnout, unrepresentative primary -- and as we’re starting to see in Minneapolis, it fosters greater political inclusion for historically underrepresented communities. For only the second time in our city’s history, Minneapolis will have a female mayor, MayorElect Betsy Hodges. And the city council will include candidates
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born in East Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America, each of whom brings new and uniquely valuable perspectives and ideas to policymaking. Together, they reflect the changing face of our richly diverse city. By eliminating fears of “votesplitting,” RCV allows candidates of color to heed the call to public service without worrying about who else is running and whether the election might divide their communities. And there’s another reason divisiveness isn’t a problem under this system: RCV promotes positive, substantive, issue-based campaigning. It’s counterproductive to attack a rival when you may need secondchoice votes from his or her
In the three precincts that are heavily populated by University of Minnesota students, turnout increased dramatically. The old system, which would have meant a poorly attended August primary election and because students are not yet in town, cuts these young voters out of a key stage of the winnowing process. Their voices are important, and I’m glad we got to hear them November 5. What turned out to matter most in this RCV election wasn’t money or connections; rather, it was energy, hard work and the ability to connect with voters on issues they care about. No matter which candidates you supported, that bodes well for Minneapolis, and for democracy!
Bullying in nation’s DNA Nobody Asked Me
By Fred Easter
A MEMBER OF THE MINNESOTA STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES SYSTEM
supporters. With RCV, candidates can draw policy distinctions – and find common ground where possible. Minneapolis voters clearly welcomed the opportunity to rank their choices, as a whopping 88% took advantage of the opportunity to rank two choices and 75% ranked three choices. That astounding participation held true in my ward, Ward 5, where 84% ranked a second choice and 75% ranked a third choice – putting the lie to claims by longtime RCV opponents that ranking 1-2-3 is “too confusing” for voters of color. Also gratifying to this educator was the fact that participation among student voters got a boost:
Nobody asked me, but I can’t help being amused, or maybe it’s bemused, when I see efforts to stamp out bullying in our schools and neighborhoods. While I’m adamantly antibullying, the inescapable fact
is that this is not just a nation of bullies, it is a nation that has DNA glazed with the bullying gene. Most Americans cannot realize the true nature and character of their country because of the ethno-centric manner in which American history is taught at the public school level. The history of America’s natives and slaves is largely separated from “American history” and viewed as the sad history of other, lesser peoples. But, it is surely the kernel of America’s history. The study of American
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history through high school level curricula seems focused on passing on the myth of American superiority and love of freedom. The gory history of this country’s treatment of its natives and slaves is sanitized and discounted. Likewise the enormous contributions of a horde of these marginalized citizens are omitted all together. The implication is that the current condition of those we call minorities, underrepresented, underprivileged – you pick the euphemism, is due to some inherent weakness in their cultures. Americans can’t make the connection between the centuries long treatment of natives and slaves on these shores and current issues such as the achievement gap or the burgeoning prison population. They certainly don’t see the persistence of these issues as the continuation of that oppressive treatment. It is no surprise that conservatives in Texas are pressuring textbook manufacturers to soften the harsh realities of slavery. This is “spin” on steroids. Some of Webster’s definitions for bully are: to domineer, intimidate and tyrannize the weak. This country’s history is the poster child for bullying. The natives, who welcomed Pilgrims to these shores and taught them how to survive a New England winter, have been thanked at the barrel of a gun. As they were driven from their homes, “freedom loving” Americans provided them with blankets recycled from army hospital smallpox wards. I could go on for pages and my blood pressure won’t even allow me to chronicle the centuries long maltreatment of African-Americans during slavery and reconstruction. Suffice it to say, there were entire decades, plural, where, on average, at least one brother was lynched every day. It ain’t over. The fat lady is still back in “the greenroom.” What we are witnessing today is the last ditch bullying of the shrinking “super minority” of aging white men and blue haired women whose sense of unquestioned prominence is slipping. Their response is to limit the voting rights of people of color and keep young white women shoeless in winter and pregnant in the summer. “Oh, for the good old days.” In addition, their plan is to obstruct economic recovery, except for themselves, and tell the middle class that it’s the fault of the poor. Prisons have been built in rural white towns. The prison population is counted as part of the town’s, so the voting strength of the townspeople is swelled by the numbers of inmates who, incidentally, will not be allowed to vote when they return to their home communities. So, prisoners are only counted as people when others are exercising their rights. College students, on the other hand, are not counted as the population of their college towns and are finding the rules for absentee ballots more and more stringent. The bottom line is, no one fights harder than when their back is to the wall. The Republican right has pulled out all the stops. If the ever more liberal progressive left prefers not to return to life in 1935, we better wake up and smell the coffee and feel the wall at our backs. Our churches can’t just be driving folk to the polls. They need to be the polling places. Sleeping through the 2010 election cycle is part of the reason we’re in this mess.