Insight News ::: 12.10.18

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Insight News December 10 - December 16, 2018

Vol. 45 No. 50• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

’TIS THE SEASON TU RN T O 12

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Insight News • December 10 - December 16, 2018 • Page 3

aesthetically speaking

Aesthetically It!: Events, concerts, venues in the Twin Cities WINNER: 2018 NNPA MERIT AWARDS: 3RD PLACE BES T COLUMN WRITING

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Insight News December 10 - December 16, 2018

Vol. 45 No. 50• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Video: Store employees harassed teen victims

Felony charged in gunman’s terroristic threats against Somali youths at Eden Prairie McDonald’s An Eden Prairie man was charged with felony terroristic threats in connection with pulling a gun on a group of teenagers at a McDonald’s, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced Monday. Lloyd Edward Johnson, 55, also was charged with carrying a pistol without a permit, a gross misdemeanor. Johnson was charged by summons and a first appearance has not yet been set. “Mr. Johnson did everything he could to provoke this incident, by insulting the young

lady in front of him, to confronting a second person and finally pulling a gun after he already had moved away from the confrontation,” said Freeman. “While he is innocent until proven guilty, this is outrageous behavior and it is only through sheer luck that no one was injured by his actions.” According to the criminal complaint, police spoke to two Somali-American young women on Nov. 19, who said they

Lloyd Edward Johnson

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The stress of being a Black woman in America

How racism is getting away with murder Culture and Education Editor

By Dr. Irma McClaurin http://irmamcclaurin.com/ @mcclaurintweets This is Part II of a two-part article on Racism, Health, and the high incidents of maternal and infant deaths and premature births among Black women in America. Irma McClaurin, PhD Culture and Education Editor Although she is the reigning tennis queen, Serena Williams has had her fair share of stress brought on by racism. She has been booed by predominately white audiences when she won tennis competitions. And the latest evidence of her encounters with unequal treatment were the challenge of her tennis attire being judged inappropriate and the penalty she received for challenging comments made by a judge. The public, and other white tennis professionals, agreed that

Serena was in the right, and pointed out that white players (men and women) have made similar challenges and comments and none were penalized nor reprimanded in any way. Just like in health, a double standard for Williams was at play. Did the stress Williams encounter over the course of her tennis career play a significant role in the premature birth of her daughter? Is she the poster woman for how racism is getting away with murder? One Black OB-GYN physician thought so, and wrote a column entitled “Serena Williams Birthing Nightmare is All Too Familiar for Black Women.” Based on the information already presented, it’s highly likely that racism played a part in her difficult birthing experience. And, the world is lucky, she did not die. But many other – too many other – Black women have died. The adverse, and sometimes deadly, outcome of coping with racism as a Black woman in America is not accidental. This is why racism is getting away with murder. The results of these studies are not new. But in truth, conditions that seem to adversely impact Blacks as

a group do not receive the same medical priority attention. The lives of Black people in America have been shaped by living under a system of oppression that harkens back to slavery. While the institution of slavery may have been dismantled, it was replaced with structural oppression that manifests itself in the form of socioeconomic and political inequality that lead to systemic disparate treatment in health care, personal and public disparagement (“angry Black woman,” “hoes and bitches,” etc.), cumulative acts of microaggression, and daily exposure to stressful and hostile work environments, and sometimes living environments. Living while Black under racism The adverse impact of living while Black under racism has been taking its toll on the health of Black Americans for generations. We have the highest incidence of hypertension and diabetes than any other group in America, except possibly Native-Americans (also a highly oppressed group). Living while a Black woman

under racism So while all people of African descent live with the stress of racism, Black women face intersecting systems of oppression that include gender alongside race. As one group of scholars described the situation of Black women in research supported by the National Institute of Health, “Racism and sexism are inextricably intertwined, combining into one hybrid force that is founded in the devaluing of (Black) women and racist perceptions of gender roles ...Throughout history, essentializing and contradictory images of African American women have pervaded U.S. culture.” All of these reports point to racism, and describe in detail how it is getting away with murdering pregnant Black women and the children they may have wished to bring into the world. The concept of “murder” requires a level of premeditation. That aspect is rooted in the ongoing discrimination and structural forces of racism that deliberately sets forth barriers to group progress of Blacks. And still, successful individual

MCCLAURIN 11

Kamala Harris, Cory Booker weigh 2020 presidential bids Joe” co-host Mika Brzezinski during an onstage conversation at the Know Your Value conference in San Francisco. “Over the holiday, I will make that decision with my family.” As she told NNPA Newswire in September during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference, she’s keenly aware of the challenges a barrierbreaking campaign will entail. “Let’s be honest. It’s going to be ugly,” Harris said. “When you break things, it is painful. And you get cut. And you bleed.” Harris and her colleague from

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Contributor @StacyBrownMedia California Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris has never been known to pull-punches. Harris is viewed by those who know her as someone who’s “as tough as they come.” And, she knows that any bid for president in 2020 against the bombastic Donald Trump will take a bit of rhinoceros skin to deal with. “It’s a very serious decision,” Harris told MSNBC’s “Morning

Sen. Kamala Harris

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Business

Blackwell Burke wins 3M Supplier of the Year Award

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Insight 2 Health State medical cannabis program to add Alzheimer’s disease as qualifying condition

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Christmas insult at 4th precinct

Cops denigrate Black culture, community at 4th Precinct Long standing culture of racism, community says By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor harry@insightnews.com Adorning Christmas trees is a tradition that dates back to the 16th century. According to Study.com, Martin Luther was the first person to put candles on a Christmas tree. He was said to have been inspired to do so after seeing stars twinkling through evergreen trees. The question now is what inspired two Minneapolis police officers in the Fourth Precinct to place items such as Newport cigarette packages, a Popeye’s container, a bag of Takis, cans of mctalt liquor and possibly most disturbing, yellow crime scene tape on a tree in the precinct’s lobby. The incident took place Nov. 30 at Minneapolis’ Fourth Precinct headquarters, 1925 Plymouth Ave., N. The two officers who provided the so-called decorations – items seen as stereotypical, and an act deemed as racist – are on paid administrative leave and the incident is under internal investigation. Citing that investigation, a police spokesperson said the names of the officers could not be released due to state law. Community members – and at least one city councilperson –

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say the problem is bigger than just two officers. They say there is a long-standing culture of racism that permeates throughout the precinct – the precinct with the largest contingent of Black residents in Minneapolis. “(The applying trash to the tree) speaks to how they view the community,” said Raeisha Williams of Black Coalition and former communications chair for the Minneapolis NAACP. “To go dumpster diving like they did says they see us as trash. And over the past three years officers in this precinct have been responsible for the murder of three Black men. No other precinct has this level of a problem.” Jamar Clark was killed by police in November of 2015, Thurman Blevins was killed by Minneapolis Police on June 23 and on Nov. 9 Travis Jordan was killed by officers responding to a welfare check call for Jordan, who was said to be suicidal. Clark was unarmed. Both Blevins and Jordan were said to be armed – Blevins with a gun and Jordan with a knife. The Jordan shooting is still under investigation. Williams said the yellow police tape was most hurtful. “That tape they put up there says they see us as murders and for those of us who have expe-

4TH PRECINCT 9

Arts

Music for the holidays: December shaping up as one of the best months for music

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Award recognizes suppliers who improve 3M’s competitiveness

Blackwell Burke wins 3M Supplier of the Year Award Blackwell Burke P.A. was honored with the 2018 3M Supplier of the Year Award. This year, 3M recognized 16 suppliers – among thousands in its global supply base – for performance in providing products or services. These suppliers were identified and rated based on strategic spend, contract compliance, actions taken to improve 3M’s relevance and overall supplier performance (quality, delivery, responsiveness, cost, technology roadmaps). Blackwell Burke was honored at an awards ceremony at the 3M Innovation Center. “Supplier collaboration is critical to supply chain success,” said Debora Fronczak, vice president, 3M Strategic Sourcing. “We are fortunate to work with great suppliers who are committed to fostering a relationship with 3M. These

partnerships help us to serve our customers with innovative and valuable solutions. It’s important that we recognize our most outstanding suppliers, and that’s what this award is all about.” Blackwell Burke partner, Jerry Alcazar, accepted the award for the firm. “It is uncommon for a law firm to receive a Supplier of the Year recognition given the universe of thousands of vendors a multinational company uses all around the world. Blackwell Burke is proud to receive this prestigious recognition, which affirms our commitment to providing superior client service,” said Alcazar. Blackwell Burke is a certified Black-owned trial firm with a national practice headquartered in the Twin Cities.

Blackwell Burke P.A.

Michael Roman (left), CEO of 3M presents the Supplier of the Year Award to Blackwell Burke partner Gerardo “Jerry” Alcazar.

Is the FBI underreporting the surge in hate crimes? By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Contributor The FBI has released it’s 2017 hate crimes statistics, which revealed a 17 percent increase in incidents since 2016. In 2017 there were 8,493 victims and 6,307 known offenders. By comparison there were 7,509 victims and 5,727 known offenders in 2016, according to the data. “This report is a call to action – and we will heed that call,” said Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker in a statement. “The Department of Justice’s top priority is to reduce violent crime in America, and hate crimes are violent crimes.” The report contrasts with the prior year when there were

(Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA)

6,036 single-bias incidents, or

occurrences where the perpetra-

tor has one bias against a com-

munity or group. By comparison, in 2017, there were 7,106 single-bias incidents reported. According to the FBI, 58.1 percent were motivated by a race/ethnicity/ancestry bias, 22 percent were prompted by religious bias, 15.9 percent resulted from sexual-orientation bias and 1.7 percent were motivated by gender-identity bias. “This (report) is shocking and requires Congress’s full attention,” said NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson in a statement. “Shouldn’t this urgent crisis be the subject of the first postrecess Senate Judiciary Committee hearing today, instead of ramming through more Trump judges? Our lives are at stake.” Also, some organizations are skeptical of the FBI statistics and say underreporting remains a significant problem in its annual survey. In a statement, the Arab American Institute (AAI) expressed concern and disappointment with the release of the 2017 hate crime statistics. The organization claims that the data contained some glaring omissions, including three of the most severe acts of biasmotivated violence committed last year. And while career officials at the Department of Justice continue to demonstrate a commitment to serving communities and preventing hate crime, officials at the AAI said they remain dissatisfied with the response from this administration. Of 34 reportable bias motivation categories, all but five reported an increase in 2017. With 2,013 incidents reported, anti-Black or African-American bias accounted for nearly half of all crimes motivated by race or ethnicity, which rose 18 percent according to the FBI data, while anti-American-Indian or Alaska Native, anti-multiple races, group, and anti-Hispanic or Latino hate crimes all increased more than 20 percent (251, 180, and 427 incidents, respectively). Anti-Arab” hate crime, which was reintroduced into the data collections in 201 after the category became “invalid” in 1996 and was eliminated in 2001, increased 100 percent last year, with 102 incidents reported. As for crimes motivated by religion, which increased 23 percent in 2017, “anti-Jewish” hate crime surged 37 percent, representing a majority with 938 incidents reported. After increasing 67 percent in 2015 and 19 percent in 2016, antiIslamic (Muslim) hate crime decreased in 2017 but remained well above historical averages with 273 incidents reported. Based on state-level hate crime statistics reported through the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) system, which the FBI also uses to publish its annual report, the AAI was expecting an increase of crimes motivated by sexual orientation in 2017 statistics. While an increase was reported in the federal data, it was less significant than expected, the organization noted in a statement. Analysis from AAI shows that in multiple states, official state-level data reported a greater number of incidents than what is reported in the FBI’s statistics. Crimes motivated by disability, gender, and gender identity, which are more recent additions to the data collections and generally produce smaller annual totals, were significantly affected by these discrepancies. For example, the Kentucky State Police reported 41 gender-motivated hate crime incidents in official state-level statistics, whereas only 46 in-

cidents were reported nationwide according to the FBI data. Aside from these discrepancies, additional aspects of the 2017 federal data suggest significant underreporting, the most striking of which being the omission of three of the most severe acts of bias-motivated violence committed last year, AAI officials said. According to FBI statistics, the city of Olathe, Kan. reported no hate crimes, and statewide, zero hate crime murder were reported in 2017. But on Feb. 22, Srinivas Kuchibhotla was shot to death in an Olathe bar because of his perceived national origin, according to the AAI. The shooter, Adam Purinton, who also wounded Kuchibhotla’s friend, Alok Madasani, and another man named Ian Grillot, was convicted on federal hate crime charges. Similarly, neither the May 26 fatal stabbing of Ricky John Best and Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche aboard a train in Portland Ore., nor the Aug. 12 killing of Heather Heyer in Charlottesville, Va., is reflected in the federal data. Further, more than 300 jurisdictions representing populations of at least 50,000 people reported zero hate crimes in 2017. Of these jurisdictions, 78 represent populations of at least 100,000, and research from AAI found evidence of no fewer than 10 additional major jurisdictions that did not even participate in the data collections. The largest jurisdiction to report zero hate crimes in 2017 was the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, which represents a population of more than 1.6 million and is one of the nation’s largest police departments in terms of population served. The entire state of Nevada had only three agencies submit incident reports last year, with just five incidents reported statewide. Not including Hawaii, which does not participate in the national hate crime statistics program, 11 additional states had fewer than 10 agencies submit incident reports in 2017. “The reported increase in the FBI’s hate crime statistics warrants concern, as do the discrepancies between state and federal hate crime data, the omission of several high-profile hate crime incidents, and the limited rate of hate crime reporting in some major jurisdictions,” AAI officials said. “The scourge of hate crime continues to harm communities in cities and states across the country. The FBI data confirms the reality we all know: hate is increasing in America,” said Maya Berry, the executive director of the AAI. “The FBI data, in what is missing from it, also demonstrates the hate crime reporting system we have in place is falling to respond adequately to hate crime, and thus inform fully the policy remedies we must make to improve our response to hate. While we remain grateful to the career professionals at the DOJ, it is clear the Trump Administration has largely abdicated from the stated federal interest of eradicating bias-motivated violence, and the president’s rhetoric has at times appeared to exacerbate its spread. With respect to the recent data release, AAI is disappointed that despite our request, the administration made no attempt to coordinate an event with stakeholders and officials to discuss the annual FBI statistics, as was customary during previous administrations.”

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Insight News • December 10 - December 16, 2018 • Page 5

Minneapolis City Council passes amended budget, reallocates $1 million earmarked for police Facing community pressure to reduce city spending on policing and increase investment in alternative approaches to community safety, the Minneapolis City Council passed an amendment to Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey’s proposed 2019 budget. The amended version will reduce funding for the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) by more than $1 million. The amendment, coauthored by Councilmembers Steve Fletcher (Ward 3) and Phillipe Cunningham (Ward 4), passed by a 9-2 vote. The Fletcher/Cunningham Public Safety Omnibus Amendment will re-allocate $1.1 million away from internal MPD hires that would put eight new police officers on the streets, and toward ongoing funding for an array of community-driven public safety programs, including a new Office of Violence Prevention. Other programs to benefit from the amendment include Domestic Violence Outreach, the Next Step Youth Violence Program, Legal Services for Immigrant

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey

Steve Fletcher (Ward 3)

and Refugee Residents and a Race Equity coordinator. In addition to increasing overall funding for number of nonpolice safety programs, the amendment also shifts many of these programs’ funding sources from one-time to ongoing funds. Councilmembers acknowledged this change falls short of what the community had requested – a five percent divestment from MPD’s budget – but

expressed hope that energy is building toward “upstream” strategies that address public safety outside of policing. “The important thing to me is that we have a sense that the council is interested in investing in safety strategies not limited to MPD,” said Fletcher. “This is an invitation to community to bring forward more of these strategies; this is something we want to develop momentum on.”

Phillipe Cunningham (Ward 4) Cunningham acknowledged his thinking on the eight new positions evolved based on extensive input from community members, after he had initially requested the addition. “At the time I had no idea that there would be two officer-involved shootings in my ward,” he said. “I really had to consider that decision and think about what’s needed versus what is wanted. We cannot afford to

Jeremiah Ellison (Ward 5) be short-sighted.” Councilmember Jeremiah Ellison (Ward 5), who supported the amendment, shared that he at first did not believe news that the Christmas tree inside the Fourth Police Precinct, in his ward, had been “decorated” by MPD employees with racist items including Newport cigarettes and malt liquor bottles. “This is the type of thing that instills fear in the

community,” said Ellison. “(This amendment) is a proactive step in the right direction.” Councilmembers Linea Palmisano (Ward 13) and Lisa Goodman (Ward 7) opposed the amendment. Two hours before the final vote, members of Reclaim the Block dropped a banner inside City Hall demanding a $9 million divestment from MPD. “This amendment is a step in the right direction for Minneapolis,” said Kandace Montgomery of Black Visions Collective. “After a year when MPD officers have murdered and drugged our community members, it’s common sense that they shouldn’t get $1 million in new taxpayer dollars for new officers. But in spite of the everything the department has done wrong this year, MPD’s 2019 budget is still larger than its 2018 budget. We look forward to continuing to work with the mayor and the council to move money out of MPD and into the resources that really keep our people safe.”

Minneapolis Park Board adopts 2019 Budget

Budget focuses on youth services, fiscal responsibility, environmental protection and engaging community’s power At its Dec. 5 meeting, the Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted a 2019 budget for the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB). The budget focuses on four priorities – invest in youth, financially sustainability, the environment and engaging communities’ power. It also reflects initiatives to meet the changing demographics and needs of the community, including more frontline staff to deliver services, piloting the wrap-around full-service community school/ park model, and increased funding for a recreation micro-grant program. Commissioners also approved renaming the microgrant program after former park commissioner Walter Dziedzic. “Our city has a critical need for enhanced youth programs and services, and youth violence prevention strategies, and the Park Board is uniquely positioned to address this need” said outgoing Superintendent Mary

Merrill. “We appreciate Mayor Frey’s support for the work we do and his down payment towards the ongoing investment needed for youth services. We are very proud to partner with the Mayor and the Minneapolis Public Schools on piloting the new wrap-around, full-service community school/park model for Minneapolis children.” “I am proud this board unanimously adopted a budget that increases the number of parkkeepers who care for our parks to pre-recession levels. We also increased our investment in youth, youth jobs and critical youth programming,” said Park Board President Brad Bourn. “It’s an honor to expand our recreation micro grant program and rename it after the late Walt Dziedzic who was such an advocate for parks, youth and families in Minneapolis. Parks are for everyone and this budget puts us in a sound financial position to continue providing

services the community wants and needs.” The MPRB 2019 Budget includes increased funding in the Youth Development Department for the Leadership Fund micro-grant program to focus on elders, girls and Somali program partnerships, and renaming the Leadership Fund the Walter Dziedzic Recreation Innovation Fund. Additional youth development initiatives include increased youth employment through Teen Teamworks, two additional Conservation Corps crews, support for the Run and Shoot Basketball League, and two additional Youthline program specialist positions. The MPRB 2019 Budget includes a 5.7 percent property tax levy increase that includes 5.8 percent increase for the General Fund annual operating increase, and 3 percent increase for the Tree Preservation and Reforestation Levy to address Emerald Ash Borer infestation and tree

loss due to storms. Of the Minneapolis property tax paid by Minneapolis homeowners, approximately eight cents of every dollar will go to the MPRB. The 5.7 percent property tax increase will result in an estimated annual increase of $17 for the owner of a $249,000 home.

Hennepin County homestead applications due Dec. 15 homestead. Submitting a homestead application may qualify the property for a reduced classification rate, reduced taxable market value, property tax refund, and special program eligibility. Some relatives may also qualify to file for homestead. Once homestead is granted, it is not necessary to reapply in subsequent years. In some circumstances, the assessor’s

office may request verification. If a property owner sells, moves, or for any reason does not qualify for the homestead classification, they should notify the county assessor within 30 days of the change in homestead status. Property owners can contact the Hennepin County Assessor to answer any questions at (612) 348-3046 or assessor.ao@ hennepin.us.

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Property owners in Hennepin County have until Dec. 15 to complete a homestead application for 2019. Eligible applicants must have moved into their home on or before Dec.1. Hennepin County offers an online filing application, and all of the details about homestead applications are at www. hennepin.us/residents/property/

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Insight 2 Health State medical cannabis program to add Alzheimer’s disease as qualifying condition The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) today it will add Alzheimer’s disease as a new qualifying condition for the state’s medical cannabis program. Under state law, the new condition will take effect in August 2019. “Any policy decisions about cannabis are difficult due to the relative lack of published scientific evidence,” said Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm. “However, there is some evidence for potential benefits of medical cannabis to improve the mood, sleep and behavior of patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.” As in years past, MDH used a formal petitioning process to solicit public input on potential qualifying conditions. Throughout June and July, Minnesotans submitted petitions to add qualifying conditions. Following this petition period, the process included public comments and a citizens’ review panel. MDH staff also prepared

a set of documents summarizing the available research pertaining to the use of medical cannabis for each prospective condition. Petitioners put forward seven conditions this year including Alzheimer’s disease, hepatitis C, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, opioid use disorder, panic disorder, psoriasis and traumatic brain injury. After reviewing the research summaries and other input, Malcolm approved Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that mainly affects elderly people. It is the most common cause of dementia. Other symptoms include cognitive impairment, delusion, depression and agitation. The MDH research brief cited two available studies, which found that after cannabis use some patients saw improvements in disruptive nighttime behaviors and agitation. Under current state rules, patients certified to have

Alzheimer’s disease will become eligible to enroll in the program on July 1 and receive medical cannabis from the state’s two medical cannabis manufacturers beginning Aug. 1. As with the program’s other qualifying conditions, patients will need advance certification from a Minnesota health care provider. More details on the process are available on the Medical Cannabis website, www.health. state.mn.us/topics/cannabis. When the 2014 Minnesota Legislature authorized the creation of a medical cannabis program, the law included a set of nine conditions qualifying a person to receive medical cannabis. State rules direct the commissioner of health to consider each year whether to add other qualifying conditions and delivery methods. The current list of qualifying conditions includes cancer associated with severe/ chronic pain, nausea or severe vomiting, or cachexia or severe wasting, glaucoma, HIV/

www.medical-marijuana.com

AIDS, Tourette’s syndrome, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), seizures, including those characteristic of epilepsy, severe and persistent muscle spasms,

including those characteristic of multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease, terminal illness, with a probable life expectancy of less

than one year, intractable pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, autism spectrum disorders and obstructive sleep apnea.

Adults with long-term health conditions need vaccines to stay healthy Each year, thousands of adults in the United States suffer from serious illnesses that could have been prevented by vaccines. These diseases can be serious and require one to go to the hospital or be out of work for a long time. Many adults simply do not know they are at high risk for diseases like influenza (flu) and pneumococcal, which vaccines can prevent. Many long-term health conditions like diabetes or asthma place adults at higher risk for problems if they get sick. Some diseases are more common or more dangerous as adults get older, like shingles. Some adults may not have gotten certain vaccines because they were not available when they were children putting them at risk for the disease. It is important to talk a doctor or pharmacist about vaccines needed to stay healthy. Individuals are advised to ask about vaccines at their next visit.

Flu According to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), everyone six months of age and older should get vaccinated every year. It is especially important for young children, pregnant women, older people and those with long-term health conditions.

Individuals may need this vaccine if you never had chickenpox disease.

Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Td or Tdap) MDH says all adults need a Tdap vaccine one time, and then a Td vaccine every 10 years. Pregnant women need a Tdap vaccine during every pregnancy to protect them and their newborns.

Zoster, also called shingles Adults 50 and older need this vaccine to be protected against this disease. Shingles disease can cause a very painful rash that may last for several months. If one already has a shingles vaccine, talk to s health care provider because there’s a new vaccine for shingles that individuals are suggested to get as well. MDH says even if a person usually feels healthy, long-term health conditions may worsen when the body is fighting another disease like the flu or pneumonia. If seeing a doctor for any long-term health condition, ask if any of the following vaccines are needed.

Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) Many adults need a second dose of this vaccine to be fully protected against the measles. This vaccine also protects against mumps and rubella disease. Varicella, also called chickenpox

Human papillomavirus (HPV) If one is 26 or younger, MDH advises people to make sure they have been vaccinated to prevent certain kinds of cancer.

Pneumococcal There are two types of pneumococcal vaccine, and some may need both. The vaccines help prevent infections in the lungs,

blood, and lining of the brain or spinal cord. Meningococcal This vaccine protects against a rare but dangerous infection. Hepatitis A and B These vaccines protect from viruses that cause liver disease. If a person travels outside of the United States, he or she

may need additional vaccines. Some may also need certain vaccines because of their job, for example if one is a health care worker. Health care providers can help determine what vaccines are needed. MDH says don’t let cost stop anyone from getting vaccinated. Adult vaccines should be covered by health insurance. Call the number on

the back of the insurance card to ask about vaccine cost. Uninsured adults and adults whose insurance does not cover vaccines may receive them at low cost at a clinic enrolled in the Uninsured and Underinsured Adult Vaccine program. Go to Vaccination Clinics Serving Uninsured and Underinsured Adults at www.health.state. mn.us/uuavsearch.

MinnesotaCare members must act to renew health care coverage Minnesotans with MinnesotaCare need to com-

plete their annual health care renewal forms as soon as possible

to ensure care in the new year. The Department of Human Services (DHS) mailed renewal forms to more than 62,000 MinnesotaCare members throughout the state. These members must verify their continued eligibility for the health care program to continue their coverage in 2019. After members return the renewal form, DHS will notify them by mail whether their coverage is renewed, if they need to provide additional information or if they are no longer eligible for the program. DHS wants to ensure a smooth renewal process for Minnesotans seeking affordable comprehensive coverage through MinnesotaCare, Commissioner Emily Piper said. Members are encouraged to submit renewal forms by Dec. 15 to ensure timely processing. “We ask MinnesotaCare members to return their renewal form for processing as quickly as possible to maintain their coverage without breaks in service,” she said. A webpage at mn.gov/dhs/ health-care/renewal includes frequently asked questions

and a checklist to walk members through the renewal process. Members can also call the MinnesotaCare help line at (800) 657-3672 or (651) 297-3862 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Members should wait two weeks after returning their renewal form before calling DHS to find out the status of their renewal. MinnesotaCare provides health care coverage to more than 82,000 Minnesotans who earn too much to qualify for Medical Assistance, but whose annual incomes are at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. The program was created in 1992 by Gov. Arne Carlson and a coalition of legislators. MinnesotaCare is considered a Basic Health Program under federal law, which allows the state to purchase coverage directly for members by pooling the premium tax credits they would have otherwise received in the individual insurance market. MinnesotaCare pays for a variety of services such as doctor visits, prescriptions and hospital stays.

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Insight News • December 10 - December 16, 2018 • Page 7

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Day-long gun salute honors former president George H.W. Bush WASHINGTON, D.C. – A detail from the Navy Ceremonial Guard performed a gun salute in honor of former President George H.W. Bush along the waterfront at the Washington Navy Yard. Aviation Technician Airman Cameron Childs of Inver Grove Heights was among those selected to be a part of honoring the nation’s 41st president. The first round was fired immediately following Morning Colors at 0800 (8 a.m. EST), echoing along the shores of the Anacostia River. Following that, a round was fired every 30 minutes until Evening Colors at 1646 (4:46 p.m. EST). The gun salute was one of the first military honors visible to the public in Washington D.C. for former President Bush, a decorated Navy pilot during World War II, who passed away Nov. 30 at his Houston home

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Insight News is published weekly, every Monday by McFarlane Media Interests. Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford

Inver Grove Heights sailor Cameron Childs part of Bush honor detail Members of the detail who honored former President George H.W. Bush: (from left to right) are Master-at-Arms Seaman Jasmine Abbott of Blountstown, Fla., Masterat-Arms Seaman Charles Weissneburger, of Nerk, Ohio, Aviation Technician Airman Cameron Childs of Inver Grove Heights, Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) Third Class Michael Vaughan of Williamsburg, Va., Aviation Electrician’s Mate Bishop Tucker of San Antonio, Seaman Alyssa Keller of Renton, Wash., Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Aircraft Handler) Ryan Eades of Seal Beach, Calif. and detail leader Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) Senior Chief Shaven Savoy of Crowley, La. at the age of 94. Established in 1931, the United States

Navy Ceremonial Guard is the official ceremonial unit of the Navy. Located at Joint

Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, DC, the Navy Ceremonial Guard’s primary

mission is to represent the service in presidential, joint armed forces, Navy, and

public ceremonies in and around the nation’s capital.

Attorney General-elect Ellison launches statewide listening tour In Duluth Minnesota Attorney General-elect Keith Ellison kicked off the first in a series of listening sessions that he will be holding across Minnesota in December and January. “As the People’s Lawyer, I will stand shoulder to shoulder with Minnesotans by using the powers and platform of the attorney general to help them afford their lives and live with dignity. The first step to standing shoulder to shoulder with Minnesotans is finding out where they stand,” said Ellison. “That’s why I’m holding listen-

Keith Ellison

ing sessions around the state: to build on everything I heard during the campaign in order to make sure the Attorney General’s office is better connected to the people of Minnesota.” In Duluth speakers from a group of close to 100 attendees told the attorney general-elect about their concerns and struggles with healthcare access, student debt, mining and jobs, clean water and the environment, workforce safety, and voting rights, among other topics. Ellison also took time to elaborate on the powers, duties, and oppor-

tunities of the office. A Facebook Live video of the listening session is available at www. facebook.com/ellisoncampaign/videos/360247261218039. Ellison’s next two listening sessions will take place on Monday, Dec. 17 in Albert Lea, and on Jan. 3 in North Minneapolis. Several more listening sessions will be held in various locations throughout Minnesota during the month of January, after Ellison is sworn in as Minnesota’s 30th attorney general on Jan. 7.

Managing Editor Harry Colbert, Jr. Culture and Education Editor Dr. Irma McClaurin Associate Editor Afrodescendientes Carmen Robles Associate Editor Nigeria & West Africa Chief Folarin Ero-Phillips Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Content & Production Coordinator Sunny Thongthi Yang Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Intern Kelvin Kuria Contributing Writers Nadvia Davis Fred Easter Abeni Hill Timothy Houston Michelle Mitchum Latisha Townsend Artika Tyner Toki Wright Photography David Bradley V. Rivera Garcia Uchechukwu Iroegbu Rebecca Rabb Artist Donald Walker 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,

Open houses to gather input for future of Highway 252/Interstate 94 Corridors The Minnesota Department of Transportation, Hennepin

County and the cities of Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park and

Minneapolis are hosting three open house meetings in mid-

December to share information and discuss proposed changes to Highway 252 and Interstate 94. The public is invited to attend any or all meetings. All three meetings are scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The first meeting takes place Tuesday (Dec. 11) at Evergreen Community School, 7020 Dupont Ave., Brooklyn Center, followed by a meeting Wednesday (Dec. 12) at the Brooklyn Park Community Activity Center, 5600 85th Ave. N., Brooklyn Park and a final meeting Thursday (Dec. 13) at Folwell Recreation Center, 1615 Dowling Ave. N., Minneapolis. The same information will be presented at all three open houses. Kid-friendly activities and snacks will be provided. Proposals for the future of the two highways are being developed to address the future of Highway 252 and I-94 in Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center and western Minneapolis. An envi-

ronmental review is underway to develop solutions to reduce congestion, improve safety and address reliability on the two highways – Highway 252 between Highway 610 in Brooklyn Park and I-694 in Brooklyn Center and I-94 from I-694 in Brooklyn Center to downtown Minneapolis. Conversion to a freeway is being considered for Highway 252. The addition of MnPASS lanes is being considered for both Highway 252 and I-94. These changes would affect drivers, transit riders, pedestrians and bicyclists. For those unable to attend any of the meetings, an online survey will be launched on the website following the Tuesday meeting. For more information about the Highway 252/I-94 study and to access the on-line survey after Dec. 11, visit the study website at www.mndot.gov/metro/projects/hwy252study.

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Insight News • December 10 - December 16, 2018 • Page 9

Film documents Aretha Franklin’s live recording of ‘Amazing Grace’ By Dwight Brown NNPA News Wire Film Critic Back in the day, if you couldn’t get to church on Sunday to hear the pastor’s sermon, you’d put on Aretha Franklin’s “Amazing Graceâ€? album, the best-selling gospel record of all time, and she would give you your spiritual ďŹ x. After a long delay, and its share of controversy, an uplifting documentary that preserved her live recording of that album is ďŹ nding distribution. It’s as if Franklin is sending a message to us from the great beyond. Thank heaven. With the best of intentions, director Sydney Pollack and his crew ďŹ lmed the Queen of Soul as she performed over two days, Jan. 2 and Jan. 3, at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Watts, Los Angeles in 1972. The smooth transition from her live recording to the now historic double album culminated with a Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance. The making of the documentary traveled a much rougher road. Apparently, Pollack and his crew had problems syncing the sound. It was a challenge that didn’t get resolved until producer Alan Elliot bought the rights from Pollack in 2007. Elliott then had two problems to solve. One, Fix the technical hitches and make a cohesive documentary and two, overcome Franklin’s resistance. She successfully sued to stop the distribution of the ďŹ lm in 2011 and 2015. After she passed away, her estate gave permission for the ďŹ lm to be released, and it premiered at the DOC NYC Film Festival in New York on Nov. 12. So, was it worth the wait? The master of ceremonies at the recording session is the legendary Rev. James Cleveland,

4th Precinct From 3

rienced the trauma of violence it is very triggering,� said Williams. “When I saw that yellow tape it brought back the trauma of my brother being murdered earlier this year.� At least one person within the Fourth Precinct took exception to the items being placed on the tree. Williams said she and other activists were sent a text photo of the tree by someone from within. Minneapolis City Councilperson Phillipe Cunningham

Harris From 3 New Jersey, Sen. Cory Booker have long been seen as a possible Democratic ticket in 2020, though no one has speculated which might run as president. “This is a critical time,� Booker told NNPA Newswire

Johnson From 3 were attempting to pay for their food with a digital app, but it was not working. Johnson was behind them and he told them to hurry up and then said, “You were probably trying to pay with EBT,â€? the Electronic BeneďŹ t

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whose rich baritone is somewhere between the soulful tones of Barry White and Teddy Pendergrass. Cleveland introduces the lady of soul with such reverence that you’d think a queen was walking into his church. And she is. Says the reverend with great pride, “She can sing anything. ‘Three Blind Mice.’ Anything.â€? Behind his pulpit is the Southern California Community Choir, directed by Alexander Hamilton. The singers have more enthusiasm than fans at a BeyoncĂŠ concert. On the side of the pulpit, Franklin’s band warms up. The audience is a mix of parishioners, music fans and some well-known guests – Clara Ward, Franklin’s father, the Rev. C.L. Franklin and along with Mick Jagger and Charlie Watts from the Rolling Stones. Franklin oats into the room with an aura beďŹ tting Cleopatra. At the piano or standing in front of a mic on the podium, she launches into classic and contemporary gospel songs that show her versatility and musicianship. Her voice is at the peak of its powers. Clear. Piercing. Emotional. Divine. She settles into a modern gospel song written and formerly sung by Marvin Gaye “Wholy Holy.â€? Then “How I Got Overâ€? rocks the church to its core. The gospel standard “Precious Memoriesâ€? is so solemn it could bring tears to anyone’s eyes. Playfully she blends the Carol King song “You’ve Got A Friendâ€? with the very traditional “Precious Lord (Take My Hand),â€? displaying an equal feel for pop and gospel stylings. Easily the most dramatic performance from the two days of singing has got be her intense rendition of “Mary Don’t You Weep.â€? It’s a classic spiritual that dates back to the Civil War when it was sung by slaves as a coded message that said that times will get better, oppres-

Images courtesy of AlΓÇÖs Records and Tapes

In “Amazing Grace,â€? Aretha is a conduit who channels a spirit from above into the hearts of those who listen. With the premiere and distribution of this film, she can do that for eternity. Photos courtesy of Al’s Records and Tapes sors will get their due, persevere and resist. Franklin caresses the melody and draws extra meaning out of every word of a song that became popular again during the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. There’s more on view than just a memorable performance by one of America’s most famous vocalists. Also on exhibit is a musical form that has been an integral part of the black community since Africans ďŹ rst arrived in America. What audiences witness, through song and on display, is a rich resilient culture that has an undeniable aďŹƒnity with music. Also, the love on view in this house of worship in

Watts is not unique. It plays out on Sundays in Black churches all over the country. It’s a continuous aďŹƒrmation of customs. A spiritual calling. A communion with neighbors. And a front row seat to the evolution of black gospel music that started in ďŹ elds and has grown into a very sophisticated art form with choirs, instruments and ampliďŹ cation. Spirituals have come a long way. Kudos to Alan Elliott for managing and bringing to fruition a creative process that has stymied others for years. He does his best, considering some of the original footage is out of focus. Editor Je Buchanan magically

weaves together the performances, anecdotes and crowd scenes into a very tight and enthralling 87 minutes. The sumptuous sound is courtesy of the Grammywinning producer/engineer Jimmy Douglass who handles music mixing duties for this doc and also worked on previous Aretha albums like “Spirit in the Dark and Young, Gifted and Black.â€? The pacing and sound of this documentary is extraordinary, especially when you consider that sound-syncing was the foil that caused the ďŹ lm’s 46-year delay. Pastors are the noted spiritual guides in churches. What this documentary makes clear is

that gospel singers have an equal inuence. They bring hope, a sense of empowerment, soul cleansing and sacred massages. In fact, after church, quite often it is the singer’s words and tunes that linger long after the reverend’s sermon has been forgotten. In “Amazing Grace,â€? Aretha is a conduit who channels a spirit from above into the hearts of those who listen. With the premiere and distribution of this ďŹ lm, she can do that for eternity. Visit NNPA News Wire Film Critic Dwight Brown at DwightBrownInk.com and BlackPressUSA.com.

(Ward 4) said the trust between police and community is in need of repair as a result of the Nov. 30 incident. “This conversation about the tree is not about litter. It’s not about trash or the fact that people of all races like Taki’s. It’s about broken trust. The police break our trust when they do things that undermine the humanity of our community,� said Cunningham in a statement. “This is connected to a long history of issues between police departments and disenfranchised communities like the Northside, particularly for Northsiders of color.� Tensions between Black citizens and Fourth Precinct police

are longstanding. Dating back to the Plymouth Avenue uprising of 1967 when protests began over an alleged police beating of a Black woman to the 2015 killing of Clark, an unarmed 24-year-old killed just a block away from the Fourth Precinct headquarters by oďŹƒcers Mark Ringgenberg and Dustin Schwarze, police have often been at odds with many in the community. In a 2016 interview with activist and historian Mahmoud El-Kati, he said the location of the Fourth Precinct headquarters is symbolic, as it was erected in an authoritarian maneuver on the spot of former Black power movement organization, The

Way – a group often targeted by Minneapolis police. With the Nov. 30 incident feelings of distrust have reemerged. That distrust was addressed by Minneapolis Chief Medaria Arradondo. “I am ashamed and appalled by the behavior of those who would feel comfortable to act in such a manner that goes against our core department values of trust, accountability and professional service,â€? said Arradondo in a statement. “I have initiated a full investigation and will make information public when possible in accordance with Minnesota State Statute.â€? Arradondo, the department’s ďŹ rst African-American chief, was

seen as a bridge between community and police during the 18 days-long 2015 occupation of the Fourth Precinct following the killing of Clark. Arradondo was appointed chief in 2017 following the resignation of former chief, Janee Harteau. The Monday after the tree was defaced Arradondo announced a change in leadership at the Fourth. Demoted is Inspector Aaron Biard, who headed the precinct since last year. Taking over atop the Fourth is Assistant Chief Mike Kjos. Kjos led the precinct in 2012 and again in 2016. It is still unclear if others were involved in the placing the stereotypical items on the tree or if

there is video footage of the act; questions being addressed by the investigation, says Minneapolis Police Department spokesman, John Elder. Elder said there is no timetable for a decision to be made as to the oďŹƒcers’ fates. He did say the ďŹ nal outcome for the oďŹƒcers could result in termination from the force. Williams said though she is satisďŹ ed with the initial steps of the chief and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who called on the oďŹƒcers to be ďŹ red, she said she and others has requested meetings with both, but to date those requests have gone unanswered.

in September at the conference. “The CBC is the conscience of Congress and we have not yet achieved the American Dream, which is increasingly out of reach for many. The Dream is still deferred.� Harris, who, like Booker, has gone from rising star to serious presidential contender, said there is plenty of work ahead. “It’s about where we came from and where we’ve

got to go,� Harris told NNPA Newswire. “This is a pivotal moment. I think we all know when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. talked about the Dream, it wasn’t about being asleep,� Harris said. “It was about being awake.� In her interview with MSNBC, Harris expressed frustration over the slow progress of the Secure Elections Act, which she introduced in March, along with co-sponsor Republican

Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma. The bipartisan legislation would give the Department of Homeland Security responsibility for ensuring secure elections and shoring up election infrastructure against cyber-attacks and would establish an independent advisory panel of experts to develop guidelines on election cyber security. Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell, who currently serves as the leader of the

Senate, has not yet brought the legislation to the oor for a vote. Harris said she has been told that is at the White House’s request. “First of all, let’s be clear about the fact Russia did interfere in the (2016) election of the president of the United States,â€? Harris told Brzezinski. “Flawed though it may be, we designed a beautiful system of democracy, and one symbol of that is that we have free and open elec-

tions. When a foreign government chooses to manipulate our democracy knowing that would compromise our strength and our perception of our strength, you would think leaders would say ‘No, we are going to do everything we can to strengthen and to give ourselves the immunity we need to be free from that kind of manipulation.’ Yet, it’s not happening.�

Transfer card used to transfer federal government beneďŹ ts to stores that accept the beneďŹ ts. One of the women turned and answered him back. Johnson then approached the other woman, said some things to her and balled his hand into a ďŹ st, making her fear he was going to hit her. The ďŹ rst woman then went into the dining area to get some of their friends. The friends began to say things to

Johnson, the complaint states. One of the women said Johnson broke away from the group but returned seconds later with his cell phone, appearing to record the argument. He then told everyone to back up and pulled his handgun from his waistband before walking out the door, according to the complaint. Investigators obtained short clips of the incident from cell phones. However, it took a

week to obtain the store video. The video shows Johnson saying something to the two women, and then coming close to the face of one of them. It also shows another man, who was at the counter, approach Johnson, who slaps away the man’s hand and take an aggressive posture. It then shows Johnson backing away, then taking out his cell phone and re-engaging the group. When more youth come

from the dining area, Johnson backed away and pulled the gun from his right jacket pocket, the complaint states. When police interviewed him, Johnson admitted he did make the comment about EBT and that was insulting. He also admitted he did not have a permit to carry a ďŹ rearm, according to the complaint. Police recovered a STYR M40 semi-automatic handgun from

Johnson with a magazine loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition. Multiple attempts have been made to ďŹ nd out the fate of the McDonald’s employees who were seen on video verbally attacking the Somali teens after they were victimized by Johnson, but McDonald’s has declined to respond to requests other than to say the incident is under investigation.

ClassiÀeds

Phone: 612.588.1313 Fax: 612.588.2031 Email: info@insightnews.com

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Page 10 •December December 10 - December 16, 2018 • Insight News

Shelia E

T Mychael Rambo

1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis 7 p.m. $30-$40 Hear songs from Broadway’s biggest hit, “Hamilton” on the Dakota stage featuring a cast of 12 of the Twin Cities’ premier established and emerging vocal artists.

Wednesday, Dec. 12 Monday, Dec. 10 – Sunday, Dec. 23

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

Monday, Dec. 10 OPEN MIC Open Mic Mondays The Red Sea 320 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis 10 p.m. – 1 a.m. 18-plus This open mic is geared for college students. Participants get to perform one to two songs.

Tuesday, Dec. 11 MUSICAL

Hooked on Hamilton featuring T. Mychael Rambo The Dakota

FUNK/SOUL Sheila E. First Avenue 701 N 1st Ave., Minneapolis 7 p.m. 18-plus $45 Legendary percussionist and Prince collaborator Sheila E. returns to Minneapolis at First Ave.

Thursday, Dec. 13 OPEN MIC Re-Verb Open Mic Golden Thyme Coffee Shop 921 Selby Ave., St. Paul 6 p.m. All ages No cover

HOLIDAY CONCERT Vocal Essence and Vintage Voices Sabathani Community Center 310 E. 38th St., Minneapolis 1 p.m. All ages No cover Experience the sound of Sabathani’s Vintage Voices and the youth of Vocal Essence as they “Deck the Halls” through a program of songs and poetry. NIGHTLIFE Trap N’ Paint party Crowne Plaza Minneapolis Northstar Downtown 618 2nd Ave. S., Minneapolis 7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. 21-plus $35 Paint Mingle Drink hosts a night of painting and trap music with drinks and a chance for free tickets to the Travis Scott concert.

Sunday, Dec. 16 PRODUCTION

Tish Jones hosts this weekly open mic on Selby Avenue in St. Paul. This week Chavah Gabrielle features.

Friday, Dec. 14

DANCE PARTY/DRAG All I Want for Christmas Is You First Avenue 701 N 1st Ave, Minneapolis 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. 18-plus $15 Dominique Jackson of FX’s “Pose” is joined by The Vixen of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” at First Avenue.

Saturday, Dec. 15

Heavy Rotation Showcase The Red Sea 320 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis 9 p.m. – midnight 21-plus $5 Enjoy a night of sounds by Ezi Beats with performances by T La Shawn, FlashYorden and more.

Monday, Dec. 17 KAROKE Autotune Karaoke Mortimer’s 2001 Lyndale Ave. S., Min-

At Minnesota Academy of Russian Ballet

Olivia Simmons Bergin celebrates 10 years with classical Nutcracker Suite Olivia Simmons Bergin, a freshman at Minneapolis Washburn High School, will mark this year as her 10th performance in the Minnesota Academy of Russian Ballet traditional Nutcracker Suite ballet. Simmons Bergin just completed the cross-country season for Washburn with the Washburn Girls Cross Country team adding to their consecutive City Conference titles. “I’m so proud of our cross-country teams and appreciate the amazing leadership of our seniors” said Simmons Bergin. The multi-talented athlete now trades in her crosscountry cleats for pointe shoes in a traditional Russian “Nutcracker” ballet performance. She began ballet at McRae Park’s long-standing dance program for preschoolers. As a kindergartener she started attending a rigorous, highly disciplined Russian ballet school in Eden Prairie that puts on a traditional rendition of the popular “Nutcracker Suite” ballet. Simmons Bergin will be featured in several solos in this year’s show. Along with cross country, Simmons Bergin plays violin in Washburn’s Chamber Orchestra and is a member of the National Charity League, a volunteer service organization. The “Nutcracker” performance takes place at the Eden Prairie High School Performing Arts Center, 17198 Valley View

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Olivia Simmons Bergin Rd., Eden Prairie, Friday (Dec. 14) at 7 p.m., Saturday (Dec. 15) at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday (Dec. 16) at 2 p.m. For

tickets and more information go to www.minnesotaballetschool. com/nutcracker.

neapolis 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. 21-plus No cover Autotune Karaoke is a weekly karaoke night with the addition of autotune to your voice.

Tuesday, Dec. 18 JAZZ An All-Star Tribute to Roy Hargrove The Dakota 1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis 7 p.m. $20-$25 Roy Hargrove was considered by many as the greatest trumpeter of his generation. He established himself as one of jazz’s best and most forward-thinking musicians, leading a youth movement in the genre.

Wednesday, Dec. 19 THEATRE/KIDS “Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas” Children’s Theatre Company 2400 3rd Avenue S, Minneapolis 7 p.m. All ages $25-$61

The Children’s Theatre Company presents an original production based on the book, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” by Dr. Seuss.

Thursday, Dec. 20 WORLD MUSIC Les Nubians The Dakota 1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. $30-$40 Hailing from Chad, these French speaking songstresses had a major hit with 1998’s “Makeda” and are pioneers in the neo-soul/alternative soul movement.

Friday, Dec. 21 HIP-HOP/REGGAE Old School Reggae Hip-Hop The Cabooze 917 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. 18-plus $10 Party to old school reggae, hip-hop, R&B and more with music by Sound of Fujun.

Saturday, Dec. 22

R&B/GOSPEL Sounds of Blackness – “The Night Before Christmas” Pantages Theatre 710 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, Minnesota 8 p.m. $28.50 - $58.50 A holiday tradition, Minnesota’s three-time Grammy Award-winning Sounds of Blackness presents its soulful and comedic take on “The Night Before Christmas – A Musical Fantasy.”

Sunday, Dec. 23 THEATER “Khephra : A Hip-Hop Holiday Story” Howard Conn Fine Arts Theater 1900 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis 6 p.m. $15, $10 for kids 10 and under Shá Cage’s new work offers an alternative holiday tradition. Shá Cage’s culturallycharged work, “Khephra: A Hip-Hop Holiday Story” looks at a young girl and mother who move from Africa to the United States to start life in a very new community after the child’s dad passes away.

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Insight News • December 10 - December 16, 2018 • Page 11

Starbound612 reflects on mission of ‘I Can Do Anything’ Tour

Building a culture of success for generations to come come. Yes, you are born with it, but it’s something you have to continue to work for. You have to nurture it. Everybody’s born with ability, but everybody doesn’t take advantage of it. Excellence is tough. We have to keep pushing that so our people strive for it. We are saying “be your personal best, and keep hustling. keep grinding. Never stop and never give up.”

By Al McFarlane Editor-In-Chief al@insightnews.com Starbound612 Part 2 of a 3-part series. His name is Ricky Collins. He goes by his artistic name of Starbound612. He’s an artist, a businessman, a marketing executive, and a 26-year-old with global experience that is nothing short of phenomenal. Joining me in the conversation with Ricky Collins, with Starbound612, is my friend and colleague Dr. Irma McClaurin. Dr. McClaurin is an awardwinning columnist for Insight News and other publications as well. She’s an activist anthropologist and consultant. Dr. McClaurin was associate vice president and founding executive director of the University of Minnesota’s first Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center (UROC). UROC re-purposed the failing Penn-Plymouth Shopping Center and, along with Minneapolis Urban League, was precursor to the development explosion going on right now at Plymouth and Penn (Avenues) intersection, the nominal heart of Minnesota’s Black community. She led UROC from 2007 to 2010, and from there moved on to become president of Shaw University from 2010 through 2011. She resides in Raleigh, N.C., and visits Twin Cities regularly for business and family affairs. Al McFarlane: You’re doing a tour of several schools in Twin Cities. I was impressed with how you described the tour. You’re looking at these visits to local elementary schools as if they are 50,000-seat stadiums. Ricky Collins: For sure. Al McFarlane: You’re bringing that kind of energy and that kind of interest in the people in the audience. These audiences tend to be 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13-yearolds and younger. But you are affording them that level of respect, and you are bringing your A-game. Ricky Collins: We’re on the “I Can Do Anything Tour,” and usually I start with, “Can’t nobody stop me. I’m unstoppable. I can do anything.” The I Can Do Anything Tour is really trying to set that type of thought process into these kids. My goal with my brand and everything I’m doing, especially in Minneapolis, is to be the forefront of a culture of success. I’m trying to teach kids that idea ... Not just the kids, everybody in general, but I’m focused on the young people.

Al McFarlane: Don’t be scared. Ricky Collins: “scurred.”

Don’t

be

Al McFarlane: Let me bring my colleague, my friend, Dr. Irma McClaurin into the conversation. Irma McClaurin: I’m enjoying the conversation. Al McFarlane: I so enjoy talking to this young brother. He reminds me of me in so many ways. He’s 26. I probably started Insight when I was 26. So, it’s been a grind, and it remains a grind, but I love what I do and I’m grateful for the opportunity, and from my point of view, I’m simply at the beginning of my work right now. It takes that much time sometimes. Irma, as you hear this conversation, what’s your thought? What are you feeling? What are you thinking?

Rich Peterson 13twentythree Photography

Starbound612 I teach them that anything is possible, no matter what your circumstance is, no matter where you come from, who your parents are, or what neighborhood you grew up in. If you believe in yourself and you put in the work and have something that you’re doing it for that’s bigger than yourself, and you stay in the thought process of “I can do anything no matter what,” anything is possible. I’ve been in that thought process since about 2013, and I’ve seen my life change. When I finally made up in my mind and I started working towards it every single day, my life changed. Things that I would never even imagine have happened. I want to be a billionaire mogul. I want to be somebody that owns businesses all over the world and is a philanthropist helping people all over the world by getting my word out everywhere I go. We’ve got a lot of work to do, so I’m coming here and speaking, but I’m still working. I want them to see that. I want them to continue to see me grow,

so when I come back I can keep that affirmation going, saying to them “I’m still growing. You see me continuously growing, and I want you to do the same thing.” A shout-out to Houston White, at H. White Men’s Room. He’s doing an amazing job with the Black Excellence brand. Black Excellence is not just a clothing line. It’s a real movement of people that made up their mind that no matter what, no matter what happens, we’re going to continue to grow and be great. We came through slavery. We came over here on boats and were enslaved for 300 years. We’ve been able to come from that to a Black president. We’ve come from that to Black people being top in different industries. That’s what Black Excellence is about … coming from that type of circumstance and building up to be whatever we want to be in the world. Houston is really pushing the envelope with that. I’m the brand ambassador for Black Excellence. I take the brand all over the world and try to get it to different celebrities and take pictures. I’ve

been with Eric Thomas, “ET the Hip-Hop Preacher.” Floyd Mayweather took a picture with it, as has Tyson Beckford. I came out with a song called “Black Excellence” last year, and I came back here, to shoot a music video at Harvest Prep. We had a lot of fun. The music video actually made it to BET and it was premiered on BET. This song has really made a big impact with the kids in Minneapolis. Al McFarlane: What are you feeling as you hear yourself making that declaration about Black Excellence? Ricky Collins: I just feel timeless. I feel like that song is going to last for the rest of my life. It’s going to be something that people play for their kids and their grandkids, at events, forever, because it’s something that needs to be said and something that needs to be affirmed over and over and over and over again, “We are Black and we are excellent, and we’ve got to strive for it.” Excellence doesn’t just

Irma McClaurin: Well, part of what I’m struck by is the amount of positive affirmation. So much of what is conveyed and captured in the news media and mostly everything we watch highlights the negative aspects of Black life and Black humanity. I think what we’re observing is someone who is going forward with such a positive and forceful message of affirmation, making the linkages between a history of people who not only survived slavery, but who walked from the cotton fields of slavery into building Black institutions, which we forget about sometimes. I’ve taught at Fisk (University) and Bennett (College), and been president at Shaw University in North Carolina. Every time I step on a college campus like Fisk University, or Morehouse (College), Clark University and Spelman (College) in Atlanta, I am literally filled with chill bumps and my hair standing on end because I am walking on sacred ground. I know what went into building those institutions. Just walking these campuses and seeing young Black men and women engaged and thinking about the future and representing excellence is something that is so powerful. It is such a total contrast to what we’ve been seeing in the media of young Black men who are losing their lives because of what I call the “angry white man syndrome.” We really have I would consider it a malady, that there is in fact an infection that is going on in this country, and white supremacy has been replaced by angry white men syndrome. Women can have it, men can have it, but what it represents is people reacting to the loss of power and privilege. As a result of that, they’re angry, and that anger is dangerous. It’s dangerous to us, because these are the same police, law enforcement officers who can ask a man knowingly carrying arms who has walked into a

McClaurin From 3 Black women such as Michelle Obama and Serena Williams are subjected to unequal and unjust treatment, and public disparagement as they make their way in the world. There is virtually no safe place for Black women. Our hope It is our hope as a group that the genius and technology we have contributed to the shaping of American culture, despite the barriers constructed by racism, become permanently inscribed in America’s history. We are very much a part of the cultural and political DNA of this country, and have made significant contributions to America’s reputation as a world leader. We have kept this country on a path of moral righteousness that lives out the principles of

school and killed 10 people to actually give up themselves, and then turn around and take people who are either unarmed or if they’re armed they’re trying to help people, and shoot them before they ask what they’re doing. There’s something wrong with that picture. So, we need to see more positive messages. Our children are being exposed to such violence and trauma that having someone like you into the schools with them is so important. What you’re demonstrating is that getting to where you are was a process. It didn’t just happen overnight. It wasn’t magical. There’s no magic Harry Potter wand that you can wave and make it happen. It’s important that you had the vision early on, that you maintained that vision, but you also did the hard work. That’s certainly what my life has represented. I grew up in the projects of Chicago, and my father had a second-grade education. My mother graduated from high school from night school. She went back, she had dropped out. So for me to achieve what I’ve achieved in terms of becoming the president of a university, working for the federal government, teaching leadership education to people from the Director of the CIA to people from NASA is really an accomplishment. So, it does say to us that your zip code and where you were born and the circumstances of your birth do not have to dictate what your future and present are going to be. Ricky Collins: 100 percent. Irma McClaurin: But you also have to take responsibility and you have to have determination to change that direction. Al McFarlane: What I like about young people and what I like about you, Ricky Collins … Starbound612 ... is that you represent a generation of young people that are focused on creating, owning and on delivering the promise of entrepreneurship to our people. Ricky Collins: I see myself as trying to build a culture of success within the next generations and hopefully generations to come. That will be from me coming and speaking directly to the kids, getting them to follow my journey and see it with their own eyes. We have a lot of amazing people from Minneapolis that we can look up to, but nobody on the level of a Floyd Mayweather, P. Diddy, Jay-Z, for kids to see that mental part of how far you can come from where we are right now. I want to be that person to show who we can be and where we can go. That’s where I see myself fitting in, as an example of growth for all kids and people from Minneapolis in general. Adults see what I’m trying to do and they feel inspired. We need the parents to be inspired so they can put that positive energy into their kids and their families. We can continue to be excellent and grow our community into something unlike any other in the world. That’s where I want to fit in. The complete interview is available online at www.insightnews.com. You can also download the broadcast interview at www.insightnews.com.

its Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. We too sing, “America, we are its people.” We are contributors to this country’s genius. We are part of “We the people,” and we must stand strong against racism getting away with the murder of our Black mothers and infants. © 2018 McClaurin Solutions; cannot be reprinted without author’s permission. Irma McClaurin (www.irmamcclaurin.com) is an award-winning columnist, activist anthropologist and consultant who was associate vice president and founding executive director of the University of Minnesota’s first Urban Research and Outreach Engagement Center (UROC) from 2007-2010 and president of Shaw University from 2010-2011. She resides in Raleigh, N.C.

Page 12 •December December 10 - December 16, 2018 • Insight News

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Music for the holidays

December shaping up as one of the best months for music By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor harry@insightnews.com Decembers in Minnesota. They are synonymous with cold, snow, ice, more cold … and some of the best live musical performances. While people in other parts of the country would consider hibernation when faced with the sometimesbrutal weather known to invade Minnesota Decembers, Minnesotans not only take it in stride … they embrace it. And for doing so, they are warmly rewarded with the gift of a string of soul, jazz, gospel and holiday concerts. Several have already passed, but there is an abundance of great music still coming this way. On the very first day of the month the Minnesota Orchestra invited jazz virtuoso Gregory Porter into its chamber for a nearly two-hour show featuring Porter originals and songs from his most recent album, “Nat ‘King’ Cole and Me,” a tribute to Cole, one of the greatest voices in music. Days later – and a block away in downtown Minneapolis – it was R&B crooner Kenny Lattimore’s “Christmas and Love” at the Dakota. Both shows treated listeners to an array of soul, jazz and even a bit of opera. In the case of Porter, five inches of fresh snow didn’t keep fans away as he filled the seats at the orchestra while his voice beautifully filled the chamber. And bitter cold was no match for the allure of seeing Kenny Lattimore live, as fans filled seats for two shows at the famed Dakota. Upcoming shows will most certainly be similarly success-

Harry Colbert, Jr.

Gregory Porter Paris Bennett

Kierra Sheard

Harry Colbert, Jr.

Kenny Lattimore

The Steeles ful as music lovers are offered holiday treats in the form of three annual and cherished shows. Beloved gospel family, the Steeles, take to the Fitzgerald stage in St. Paul for two shows this Friday and Saturday (Dec. 14 and Dec. 15) for “It’s Christmas with the Steeles.” Fans can expect to be delighted by sacred and secular songs including, “This Must Be Christmas,” “We

Worship You,” “Grateful,” “You Will Know,” “Turned Away,” “Let It Snow” and more. Tickets for the shows are $26-$58 and available at www.fitzgeraldtheater.publicradio.org/events. Dec. 20 Sen. Bobby Joe Champion once again offers Twin Cities music lovers a free holiday dinner and concert, “Music for the Holidays.” The event takes place at the Minneapolis Convention

Stokley Williams Center and features performances by R&B icon Stokley Williams, pop/soul star Paris Bennett, gospel stars Kierra Sheard and Robert Robinson, Sara Renner and singer and radio personality, Esti Price. The event is free, but patrons must have a ticket to enter. Tickets are available at www. MusicForTheHolidays.com. The dinner begins at 5:30 p.m.

Sounds of Blackness and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Rounding out the trio of upcoming holiday shows is one of the most anticipated each year, the Grammy Award winning Sounds of Blackness’ “Night Before Christmas – A Musical Fantasy.” The soulful, jazzy, hip-hop and comedic take on the classic Christmas poem, “A Visit

from St. Nicholas,” comes to the Pantages Theatre in downtown Minneapolis on Dec. 22. Tickets for the musical are $28.50-$58.50. So, as the Christmas song says, “Let it Snow,” because rain, sleet, hail nor snow will keep hearty Minnesotans away from being a part of these delightful, familyfriendly holiday events.

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