Insight ::: 04.15.2024

By Stacy M. Brown

Newswire Senior National Correspondent

The eagerly anticipated celestial spectacle of a total solar eclipse finally descended upon North America after a seven-year hiatus, captivating millions of skywatchers on Monday. With its grand entrance at the Mexican beachside resort town of Mazatlan, the eclipse marked the beginning of a mesmerizing journey along the “path of totality,” stretching across various regions of the continent. Eclipse enthusiasts congregated at numerous vantage points along the path, which spanned from Mexico’s Pacific Coast through Texas, traversing 14 other U.S. states before reaching Canada. Cities like Wilmington, Del., Philadelphia,

Penn., Baltimore, Md., and New York City witnessed citizens stepping outside their usual routines to behold this historic event. Similar scenes unfolded in urban centers across Illinois, Ohio, and Texas, where individuals paused to witness the cosmic marvel. At a duration of up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds, the 2024 total eclipse exceeded its predecessor’s duration in 2017, which lasted up to 2 minutes and 42 seconds. According to NASA, total eclipses can range from a fleeting 10 seconds to an astonishing 7-1/2 minutes. Other cities along the path of totality, such as San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas in Texas; Indianapolis, Indiana; Cleveland, Ohio; Erie, Pennsylvania; both Niagara Falls, New York, and Niagara Falls, Ontario, along with Montreal, Quebec, hosted eager eclipse-watchers.

Approximately 32 million people in the United States reside within the path of totality, with federal officials predicting an additional 5 million to witness the phenomenon.

Numerous eclipsewatching events unfolded at bars, stadiums, fairgrounds, and parks along the eclipse’s trajectory, offering diverse opportunities for people to experience this rare event. Scientists estimated that the entire process, from the initial moment the moon begins to obscure the sun to the culmination of totality and the subsequent return to normalcy, took about 80 minutes. Veteran eclipse observers have described the moments preceding totality as ominous, with shadows taking on a peculiar sharpness and sunlight assuming an eerie hue. Just before totality, a phenomenon known as “shadow bands” may

manifest, creating shimmering patterns akin to those seen at the bottom of a swimming pool. As totality approaches, stars become visible in the midday sky, while the abrupt darkness causes temperatures to plummet. “When a solar eclipse reaches totality, nocturnal wildlife sometimes wakes up, thinking that it’s nighttime, and nonnocturnal wildlife might think it’s time to head to sleep,” NASA officials wrote on the agency’s website. The final glimpse of brilliant sunlight before totality creates the enchanting “diamond ring e

using a fundamental physics principle called the impulse momentum theorem. The theorem is derived directly from Newton’s second law, which states that force equals mass times acceleration. The impulse momentum theorem adds time to both sides of this equation, to tell you force multiplied by time equals mass multiplied by the change of velocity when the force is applied.

F*∆t = m*∆v.

The numbers for Dali’s crash

Dali weighs 257,612,358 pounds or 116,851 metric tonnes when it is fully loaded. It traveled at a speed

To calculate the impulse momentum theory for Dali’s collision, multiply its collision force with how long the collision lasted, and equate that with Dali’s mass multiplied by its change in velocity before and after the crash. So, Dali’s collision force has to do with its mass, how long the collision lasted, and how much it slowed down after the crash.

of 10 miles per hour, or 16.1 kilometers per hour, before the collision; after crashing into the bridge pier, Dali slowed down to 7.8 miles per hour, or 12.6 kilometers per hour. Another important parameter is the collision time, which refers to the period of time when the ship contacted the bridge during the crash, which caused Dali to suddenly slow. Nobody knows the

By Tim Walker

would be required to make a good faith effort to notify a victim of an end-ofMayor Jacob Frey says he wants to both increase driver pay and ensure rideshare services continue operating in Minneapolis. The mayor would support a rate of pay increase in line with the recently released statewide study, which analyzed 18 million rides, and has pushed the City Council to pass an ordinance that aligns with that study. “I couldn’t care less about Uber and Lyft’s bottom line,” Mayor Frey said. “This is not about helping those two companies. This is about helping the people that rely on this important transportation network to get from point A to point B.” “For me as a blind person, I can get around without Uber and Lyft, but it’s not always the most convenient,” said Corbb O’Connor, President of the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota. “When I have a doctor’s appointment for myself at 11 a.m. in Burnsville, and my son has one at 1 p.m. in downtown Minneapolis, that’s easy to do with Uber and Lyft. It meant that I didn’t have to take an entire day off work for those appointments.” “The elderly are especially at risk of isolation and loneliness. Transportation networks are one way that elders can participate in society and keep their social muscles from atrophying and so what I’m hearing them in conversation, of course, is a lot of fear,” said Angelique Kingsbury, chair of the Minneapolis Advisory Committee on Aging.

Photo by Michele Jokinen

Rep. Kelly Moller is congratulated by Rep. Laurie Pryor following the passage of HF3614, the public safety policy bill. The April 8 vote was 130-0.

Mayor Jacob Frey

Photo courtesy of Martine Smaller Lorraine B. Smaller

Minnesota employees rated their relationships with management at 6.8/10.

52% of Minnesota employees say they would resort to whistleblowing to call out malpractice.

Interactive map included.(online only— not in newspaper story)

Many factors determine employees’ commitment to an organization. Compensation, benefits, and work-life balance are the traditional benchmarks. However, an often underplayed yet equally pivotal element is the quality of the relationship with management. This component can significantly influence workplace satisfaction—or the lack thereof.

Federal-Lawyer.com has recently unearthed compelling data through surveys of 5,000 employees that sheds light on the complexities of these relationships across the nation.

They first asked employees to rate their relationships with their bosses on a scale of 1-10 (with 10 representing the best relationships). With an average relationship score teetering at 6.5 out of 10, it’s clear that the bridge between staff and management varies

in strength across the country. Employee/boss relationships in Minnesota are among the strongest in the country at 6.8/10 (above the national average). In other states, South Dakota employees feel well-connected with management, scoring a robust 8/10, while North Dakota trails with a tentative 4.3/10. These figures are not just numbers; they narrate the health of workplace culture and its capacity for transparent dialogue— especially when it concerns addressing misconduct.

In the realm of workplace grievances, the survey by Federal-Lawyer. com probed into the disposition of employees towards whistleblowing. When internal channels of communication are open and robust, employees may feel more empowered to report issues directly, reducing the necessity for anonymous tips. However, in environments where such relationships are strained, whistleblowing becomes the alternative, often the only voice for justice.

This relationship dynamic is further underscored by the 52% of Minnesota employees who acknowledged the possibility

Business

of whistleblowing as their recourse. It›s an act laden with risk and repercussions yet steeped in integrity. Retaliation looms large, threatening job security and well-being, often dissuading those who might otherwise step forward.

“Whistleblowing allows people to align their actions with their moral compass by exposing wrongdoing,” says Nick Oberheiden from Federal-Lawyer.com. “It fosters transparency and accountability, potentially leading to organizational reforms and societal protection against corrupt practices.

Whistleblowers can take solace in knowing there are laws designed to shield them from retaliation and, in some cases, they may even be rewarded for their courage.

Oberheiden continues: “However, despite its noble intent, whistleblowing can entail grave personal costs. Retaliatory actions can range from workplace ostracism to outright career sabotage, with the potential for enduring financial and legal struggles. The personal repercussions are equally daunting, as the process can strain mental health and personal relationships. Moreover, the ultimate impact

of whistleblowing is uncertain; systemic change is not guaranteed, and whistleblowers may find their sacrifices have been in vain if the status quo remains untouched.” These realities are mirrored in the troubling statistic that 19% of employees have been silent spectators to unethical acts—a reflection of a culture encased in fear. A staggering 30% of the workforce doubts the efficacy of their organization’s misconduct management. Survey respondents were also asked to rate, out of 10,

how much trust they have in their current workplace that whistleblowers will be protected rather than retaliated against. The response was tepid, with an

Council’s rideshare minimum compensation ordinance has prompted nearly a dozen new and expanding rideshare companies to prepare to launch in Minneapolis. These include businesses that are locally owned, owned by people of color, and a worker-owned co-operative.

Additionally, the ordinance has sparked a local and national conversation about how every single worker deserves a minimum wage Check out recent coverage in the Minnesota Reformer, The Washington Post,

PBS, and Here’s the Truth. At the end of March, Council Member Jenkins introduced a notice of intent to reconsider the ordinance without any specifics of what changes she intended to make. This caused a great deal of confusion amongst the public, as well as concern from new and emerging rideshare companies that Council was going to repeal the ordinance. We want to clarify the next steps on the reconsideration of the rideshare minimum compensation ordinance.

Council Member Jenkins may bring any amendment to the ordinance or motion to rescind the ordinance entirely. She has not shared her intentions with the Council or the public. We do not support rescinding the ordinance or

support changing the rates to subminimum wage equivalents in response to corporate pressure from Uber and Lyft.

Council Members Payne, Cashman and Chowdhury are bringing a motion to delay the implementation of the ordinance from May 1 to July 1 in order to give more time for new and emerging companies to establish infrastructure, recruit drivers, and publicize to riders. This change may or may not influence Uber or Lyft’s decision to leave the city on

May 1 in response to Council mandating that they pay minimum wage equivalents. We support adjusting the implementation date to July 1 to support new and emerging rideshare companies. The ordinance coauthors will be bringing a notice of intent to amend the ordinance with two provisions that are crucial for successful enforcement. These will progress through the legislative process with a full vote of the Council in late May.

city’s Policy and Research (PAR) division is in contact with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) to see if there is any available Minneapolis-specifi

Fare transparencymandating that all rideshare companies send receipts to both riders and drivers detailing how much the rider was charged, how much the driver was paid, the distance and duration of the ride, and other basic details.

Data disclosureoutlining the data that all rideshare companies must report to the city on a regular basis. Regular and unrestricted data is crucial for the Council to be able to assess and enforce the ordinance. Currently, the

all along the way. Visit the City of Minneapolis website to learn

more about becoming a Step Up employer or contact the Community Planning and Economic Development department directly for more information on hosting an intern. Email:

Cargo Ship

For cars crashing on a highway, the collision time is usually only half a second to one second. Dali’s crash looks similar to how a vehicle might crash on a bridge pier, so it makes sense to use the similar collision time duration to estimate the collision force.

From 3 confinement review process for a predatory offender and require notice of the victim’s right to submit written input.

Law enforcement agents and victims would be allowed to submit written material relevant to an offender’s risk level to the chair of an end-ofconfinement review committee. The bill would also prohibit a domestic abuse advocate from disclosing information in court about a victim that the advocate acquired in a professional capacity unless the victim

Dali’s collision force

With those estimates and the impulse momentum theory, you can get a pretty good idea of what Dali’s collision force probably was. Dali’s collision

consents to the disclosure.

Criminal justice reforms

Two provisions would make reforms to the criminal justice system.

Serving a petition for an order for protection, or any other issued order, could be served electronically or by mail if a respondent appears remotely for a hearing and the respondent is informed that the court will issue an order for protection against the respondent. The bill would establish that the two-year limit on when a person can bring a petition for postconviction relief does not apply if newly discovered evidence provides the factual predicate for one or more claims for relief. It would also remove a requirement that

force is calculated by taking Dali’s mass and multiplying it by Dali’s velocity change before and after the crash, then dividing all that by the collision time duration. If you assume the collision time is only one second, that gives a collision force of 26,422,562 pounds.

257,612,358 pounds/ (32.2 ft/sec²) * (14.7 feet/

sec - 11.4 feet/sec⁡) / 1

sec = 26,422,562 pounds. For reference, the American Association of State

newly discovered evidence must meet a clear and convincing standard to prove in court that a petitioner is innocent of an offense.

Bipartisan support Republicans touted several of their party’s initiatives that were included in the bill, such as predatory offender reforms proposed by Rep. Marion Rarick (R-Maple Lake).

House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) thanked Moller for her bipartisan work on crafting the bill. “This is the way that we should be legislating. … I also was pleased to see that there wasn’t any additional irresponsible spending in this bill, that it was truly policy that we could get

50 years. She was an educator and activist who founded the We Care Performing Arts Program at Farwell Park. She advocated for increased investment and improved maintenance at Farwell Park and provided free summertime performing arts programs for Northside youth. She is warmly remembered by many in the communities surrounding the park for the love, acceptance and guidance she provided for people in the neighborhood, especially youth.

Highway and Transportation Officials specifies that the collision force on a highway bridge pier from a truck crash is about 400,000 pounds.

With that said, the cargo ship Dali’s collision force on the Baltimore Key Bridge pier is equivalent to the scenario of 66 heavy trucks driving with a speed of 60 miles per hour (97 km per hour) and hitting the bridge pier simultaneously. This magnitude is far beyond the force that the pier can withstand.

behind it and support it.”

Other notable general public safety provisions include: establishing that railroad peace officers have the powers and duties of other peace officers on railroad property;

amending Minnesota’s “Good Samaritan” law related to assisting someone experiencing a drug-related overdose to include immunity for individuals acting in concert with the person who makes the emergency call; requiring a company providing guards or other personnel to transport a person arrested on a warrant to have a protective agent license and to revoke the license of any employee who commits an act of criminal sexual conduct; and prohibiting the Peace

While designing a super robust bridge that can handle this level of collision force would be technically achievable, doing so would dramatically increase the cost of the bridge. Civil engineers are investigating different approaches that would reduce the force put directly on the piers, such as using energy absorbent protection barriers around the piers that dissipate the shock. These sorts of solutions could prevent

Officer Standards and Training Board from granting continuing education credit to a course that includes training on the detection or use of the term, “excited delirium.”

Amendments

Rep. Jim Nash (R-Waconia) successfully

Rep. Anne Neu Brindley (R-North Branch) unsuccessfully offered an amendment relating to a provision in the bill that would prohibit the sale of calcified human remains (bones) for commercial purposes, and making violations a felony offense. Her amendment would have prohibited the commercial sale of all human remains, not just bones.

Rep. Jamie BeckerFinn (DFL-Roseville), who sponsored that language in the bill, agrees with the intent of the amendment but said that if adopted, it could have the unintended consequence of jeopardizing organ donations.

offered an amendment that would make it a misdemeanor to interfere with a person who must legally report child abuse from filing a report to authorities. He recounted that his father physically abused him when he was a child, and that on more than one occasion mandatory reporters failed to act on his behalf. “We have an obligation, both statutory and moral obligation, to do right by the kids here in the state of Minnesota,” he said.

The MPRB received a request to rename Farwell Park after Lorraine Smaller in March 2022. Two public hearings were held on the name change, on Feb. 7, 2024, and March 20, 2024. The MPRB Planning Committee voted to approve the renaming (Resolution 2024-64) on March 20, 2024, and the full Board of MPRB Commissioners voted to approve the renaming on April 3, 2024. MPRB will update its website and registration software with the new name. New signs that read “Lorraine B. Smaller Park” will be installed at the park this spring. The renaming will be commemorated on June 27, 2024 as part of an event that will also celebrate the completion of a park renovation. The renovation project included a new, expanded playground, a picnic area and drinking fountain, upgraded paths, benches and pollinatorfriendly landscaping, and new bike racks and bike fix-it station.

In the thrilling world of college basketball, there’s a name and team that’s been on everyone’s lips lately: Dawn Staley and her phenomenal South Carolina Gamecocks! With their latest triumph, Staley and her squad have not only secured their third national championship, but have done so with an unbeaten season, boasting

an impressive 38-0 record. But before diving into the Gamecocks’ epic victory, let’s take a moment to acknowledge a groundbreaking milestone in women’s college basketball. An average of 14.8 million people tuned in to watch the men’s championship and the UConn Huskies beat the Purdue University Boilermakers 75-60 last Monday night, according to live and same-day viewer data from Nielsen. The data includes people who watched on either TNT, TBS, or TruTV. This marked the first time in history that the women’s college basketball championship audience last Sunday afternoon —which was estimated at 18.7

million on ABC and ESPN— was larger than that of the men’s championship, Nielsen reported.

As the final buzzer echoed across the court, the Gamecocks’ victory over WNBA bound, Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes wasn’t just a win—it was a spectacle that captivated millions. The staggering almost 19 million viewers tuned in to ABC’s coverage, witnessing basketball history in the making. When the excitement peaked during the fourth quarter, a whopping 24 million fans were cheering on, making it a monumental moment in sports broadcasting.

ESPN’s statistics speak volumes about the

magnitude of this achievement. Compared to last year’s championship, viewership soared by an astonishing 89%.

Even more impressive is the jaw-dropping 285% surge from the 2022 national championship, showcasing the exponential growth and fervor surrounding women’s basketball. But it’s not just about the numbers; it’s about the passion, dedication, and sheer talent that the Gamecocks displayed throughout their journey. Under the leadership of the legendary Dawn Staley, this team has defied the odds, shattered records, and inspired a generation of aspiring athletes in all sports.

Revisiting their flawless season, it’s impossible to ignore the echoes of triumph from their previous championships. The taste of victory isn’t new to Staley nor her squad; it’s a legacy they’ve been building with each game, each basket, and each hard-fought win. Now, with the third championship secured, they’ve solidified their status as legends of the game.

For Staley, this win isn’t just about adding another trophy to the shelf— it’s about what she says is, “Uncommon Favor,” the unwavering commitment to excellence, the relentless pursuit of greatness, and the

By Leahjean M. Denley, MBA Sports Editor

In the realm of college basketball lore, there are few feats as remarkable as winning consecutive championships. This year, the UConn Huskies etched their name in the record books once again by clinching their sixth overall title. What makes their achievement even more special is that they joined an exclusive club, standing alongside the likes of the 200607 Florida Gators and the 199192 Duke Blue Devils as just the third team to accomplish this since the days of John Wooden’s UCLA dominance. Reflecting on their journey, head coach Dan Hurley couldn’t help but marvel at the team’s resilience. Despite losing two key players to the NBA after their last championship, the Huskies regrouped and emerged even stronger. “I just think it’s the best two-year run in a very, very long time,” Hurley remarked. Their performance in this year’s NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament was nothing short of dominant. They didn’t just win games; they steamrolled through their opponents, securing victories with double-digit margins in all six matchups. This display of prowess was highlighted by their grand total of 140 points, which they outscored their opponents by throughout the tournament. This achievement surpassed the record set by the formidable 1996 Kentucky team, further solidifying the Huskies’ place in basketball history. As the basketball community celebrates their triumph, the question on everyone’s mind is: What’s next for this powerhouse team? With their legacy secured and momentum on their side, the UConn Huskies have captivated fans with their relentless pursuit of excellence. This victory echoes fond memories back to the uncontained excitement of former UConn point guard Khalid El-Amin when the team clinched their first NCAA title in 1999, igniting a passion that continues to burn bright among the UConn faithful. And as they bask in the glory of their achievement, one thing is certain: Their story, enriched by the unforgettable moments of past triumphs, will be retold for years to come, inspiring generations of basketball enthusiasts.

TOP.com

Raven Johnson blocks Caitlin Clark

Jubilant Dawn Staley celebrates NCAA championship win.

Courtesy of Coach Dawn Staley Coach Dawn Staley

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Commentary

Happy Confederate Surrender Day!

By Chuck Hobbs

As both a lover and teacher of American history, few things upset me more than when I hear some Confederacy apologist suggest that the Civil War was fought over “States’ Rights” and not “Slavery.” Whenever I hear or read such revisionist garbage, if I’m feeling charitable I simply respond: “The Civil War was fought over a State’s right to permit slavery, and territorial rights to allow slavery (out west) during their statehood application process.” Today, April 9th, marks the 159th anniversary of that moment when Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses Grant at Appomattox Courthouse in Virginia, a move that formally ended the Civil War—still the bloodiest war in American history with over a million people killed in action or as a result of disease, starvation, or in the case of Black Union soldiers captured by the Confederacy, summary lynchings by murderous Southern war criminals.

When Gen. Lee emerged from Appomattox as the vanquished military leader of the rebellion on that long ago April 9th, there were nearly four million enslaved Blacks in the south who suddenly were free men and women per

President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. In fact, there’s more than a hint of irony that the surrender terms were offered and accepted in the McLean House—a slave plantation—and that those Blacks enslaved on the farm that morning were free—at last—by early afternoon.

But after nearly three centuries in bondage, newly freed Blacks found themselves despised both by the defeated Confederate soldiers returning to their homes, and by many Union soldiers who wondered whether the masses of Black humanity now foraging for food and competing with them for jobs had been worth the price in blood paid after four years of war?

In my opinion, the Federal government had the right ideas about setting newly freed Blacks up for success; on March 3, 1865, Congress established within the War Department the “Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands,” an agency that was shortened to the “Freedmen’s Bureau.”

The Freedmen’s Bureau was designed to be a temporary assistance agency; as Congress bitterly debated the nature of Reconstruction upon the war’s conclusion, one of the hot political subissues was precisely what levels of relief should be provided for those enslaved who had little education, social infrastructure, or job skills beyond those required for agriculture or domestic work.

Prior to being shot to death by Southern sympathizer John Wilkes Boothe (five days after Lee’s Appomattox

surrender), President Abraham Lincoln had indicated his desire for a quick reconciliation with the South—one that included his proposal of facilitating a mass colonization of Blacks to Cuba, Panama, or West Africa. Upon Lincoln’s death his successor, Tennessee native Andrew Johnson, was tasked with trying to balance the desires of those Northern politicians who wanted to appease their Southern rivals turned countrymen once more, against those Northern politicians who wanted Southern whites to pay dearly for seceding and starting the Civil War.

Amid this backdrop, the Freedman’s Bureau, then under the leadership of former Union General Oliver Otis Howard (namesake of Howard University in Washington, D.C.) provided clothes, food, shelter and education for the formerly enslaved. During its brief existence, the Bureau provided

A Voting Rights Activity Journal

By: W.D. Foster-Graham

Illustrated by Mychal Batson It’s 2024, and it’s a major election year for city, state, and federal offices. When it comes to voting, every vote counts—no excuses. As African Americans, it is crucial that our voices are heard, and that the importance of voting is taught before we reach voting age. And who better to break it down than J. Darnell Johnson with Chopping it Up on the Ant

Mound with Queen Azina and Black Girl Magic. Through the familiar characters of Queen Azina, Taliyah, and Amonye, Johnson, inspired by his granddaughters, has created an interactive journal for youth aged 12-17 to discuss the history of voting rights and the serious issue of voter suppression and its many forms over time. In the past, such forms of voter suppression took the form of intimidation, poll taxes, discriminatory literacy tests, simply refusing to serve African Americans, etc. Today, we’re faced with such methods as closing polling places, gerrymandering, prohibiting early voting and mail-in ballots, purging registered voters from the records claiming voter fraud, to name a few. Johnson illustrates his points well, citing civil rights leaders and voting rights activists such as Fannie Lou Hamer, John Lewis, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Stacey Abrams. In addition, he references one of his previous works, Jamal and Me: Freedom

Summer. At the end of the day, given those of our people who fought and died for the right to vote, that right is never something to be taken lightly, as stated in this quote by John Lewis: “The vote is precious. It is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have in a democratic society, and we must use it.”

I love the way Queen Azina and Black Girl Magic break it down to invoke thought and action, and the ways the journal provides for young people to engage in the community, dismantle voter suppression when they see it, and educate themselves. I also love Johnson’s story, “What Voter Suppression Might Look Like for a Black Child.” Choppin it Up on the Ant Mound is available through his website, jdarnelljohnson. com.

Thank you, James, for speaking truth to power, and increasing awareness of this vital issue to our young people. Our right to vote is our voice, our voices must be heard, and our lives do depend upon it.

job training and placement, legal assistance, and redistribution of confiscated and/or abandoned Confederate property, while also establishing the first banking system (Freedman’s Bank) for Black patrons.

In 1866, responding to the efforts of former Confederates to wrest power and property back from the former slaves, Congress passed a more extensive Freedmen’s Bill that allowed the Bureau to supervise labor contracts to help prevent Blacks from being tricked into a new form of “legal” slavery. President Johnson vetoed the Bill, citing concerns that the same infringed upon the rights of the sovereign states. Undaunted, Congress overrode Johnson’s veto and the Bureau continued in this vein until 1872—seven short years later—when Northern indifference led Congress to dissolve the Agency. As for the

aforementioned Freedmen’s Bank, its initial design was to provide services to Black Union soldiers but in time, many formerly enslaved people opened savings accounts as well. By the early 1870’s, the bank held assets totaling nearly $4 million dollars but during the economic panic of 1873, the bank suffered greatly and by June of 1874, it folded and ceased to exist and to this date, is considered one of Reconstruction’s worst failures. Where Reconstruction was highly successful was in the establishment of Black schools across the United States, many of which would become the predecessors to the more than 100 Historically Black Colleges and Universities that still exist. These schools include my alma maters, Morehouse College and Florida A&M University; Hampton Institute, whose most famous graduate of the era, Booker T. Washington, later founded Tuskegee Institute (now University); Spelman College, Clark College and Atlanta University (Now Clark Atlanta University), Morris Brown College and many others.

Similarly, Reconstruction saw newly freed Blacks in positions of political prominence with two, Hiram Revels and Blanche K. Bruce, serving in the United States Senate from Mississippi during the 1870’s. In Louisiana, P.B.S. Pinchback briefly served as that state’s 24th governor while across the South, most of the legislative bodies were filled with Black representatives since many of the white men at the time, loyal Democrats before the war and rebellious

Confederates during the war, were still badly outnumbered by Black men at the ballot box.

In a harbinger of what was to come in the 20th and 21st Centuries, the backlash against Reconstruction was relatively swift and fierce— ending in 1877 after only twelve short years. By 1900, all of the Black political clout in the South has ceased to exist as Jim Crow laws placed Blacks in a disenfranchised second class status that would last until the Civil Rights Movement unofficially ended between 1964 and 1968 with the passage of the Civil Rights, Voting Rights, and Fair Housing Acts. Today, we are witnessing much of the same backlash among those who wish to pretend that programs designed to ameliorate centuries of racial inequality prior to 1968, ones like Affirmative Action or Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, somehow discriminate against whites who STILL hold the numerical advantage population wise and in leadership roles in every field of endeavor.

Thus, the importance of realizing that what was still remains in some forms; thus, the need to remain wary and focused on fighting the ideological descendants of the rebellious Confederates by every lawful and/or righteous means necessary!

Chuck Hobbs is a freelance journalist who won the 2010 Florida Bar Media Award and has been twice nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary.

Artistic rendering of Lee’s April

By Paul (Seung Yup) Lee Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Kennesaw State University

Most of the estimated 300,000 babies born every year with sickle cell disease, an inherited red blood cell disorder, live in sub-Saharan Africa in nations where there are few resources to treat them.

As an assistant professor of biomedical engineering, I am working to reduce the likelihood that children born with sickle cell disease will die from stroke, one of the most common complications.

Sickle cell disease, whose name reflects the disease’s sickle or crescent

Insight 2 Health

moon shape of red blood cells, can affect any major organ, but my primary concern is its effect on the brain. It causes a lower oxygen level and abnormal blood flow in the brain, which is associated with a high risk of stroke. Without treatment, 11% of children with sickle cell disease will have a stroke before they turn 20 years old. The mortality rate for children younger than 5 years old is 50% to 80%. The majority of sickle cell patients share an African heritage. The places where malaria rates were high historically have the highest sickle gene frequency because it provides protection against the mosquito-borne disease.

Fewer resources for screening In an advanced nation like the U.S., children are more likely to receive stroke-risk screening and start

a regular blood transfusion therapy if the need is there. In sub-Saharan African nations, there are few resources for screening. The current screening tests use an ultrasound system called a transcranial Doppler to identify elevated blood flow to the brain. But they aren’t affordable, and only a few hospitals in sub–Saharan Africa have certified operators.

My goal, thanks to a US$426,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health for a three-year study, is to develop a low-cost, light-based device that can noninvasively measure brain blood flow in children with sickle cell disease and determine an affected child’s risk of stroke. The plan is then to disseminate this device to southern African countries, increasing the number of children who get access to the

screening protocol.

Saving families the anguish Not only would a lowcost testing solution allow an underserved community’s needs to be addressed, but it would save countless families the anguish that comes with a diagnosis. Patients have a chronic shortage of healthy red blood cells, are more susceptible to clots when their abnormal sickle-shaped blood cells pass through small blood vessels, and experience tremendous pain from that. In fact, pain is the top reason that sickle cell patients go to the emergency room or hospital. Paul (Seung Yup) Lee receives funding from National Institute of Health. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

Family caregivers can help shape the outcomes for their loved ones – an ICU nurse explains their vital role

By Courtney Graetzer Critical Care Registered Nurse, Vanderbilt University

landed in the intensive care unit where I am a bedside nurse because she was too agitated and needed more oxygen. We immediately tried to fit her with a more advanced oxygen mask, but the screaming continued and her oxygen level worsened. No matter how much I comforted her, it was not my hand she wanted to hold. She was screaming for her daughter, April, who was on her way.

April had been Marie’s caregiver at home for the past few years after Marie was diagnosed with end-stage Alzheimer’s. April is Marie’s familiar face, her source of comfort when she gets disoriented. Now Marie had been admitted to the hospital for pneumonia, and April had not left her side.

As a seasoned bedside critical care nurse, I see firsthand the benefits that family caregivers bring to patient care in the hospital. I also witness the emotional stress that caregivers experience when their loved one comes to the ICU.

After years of helping families and physicians navigate the complicated course of an ICU hospital stay, I have some advice for caregivers to take with them. Caregivers often battle anxiety and depression

From making medical decisions to advocating for their loved one, family caregivers have many important roles when their loved one is in the hospital. Their presence not only provides a sense of security, but also strongly influences a patient’s response to treatment.

For example, Marie refused to take walks during physical therapy until we found out from April that she felt safest in her pink New Balance shoes, which April brought to the hospital. April’s unique knowledge of Marie’s specific needs proved to be invaluable to guiding Marie’s treatment plan at the hospital.

Including the family in the patient’s treatment plan, also known as familycentered care, can help shorten a patient’s hospital stay and can even reduce hospital costs. However, caregivers carry heavy emotional burdens while supporting loved ones at the hospital.

In fact, family caregivers are at high risk of developing longterm psychological health problems. Up to 70% of first-degree relatives of ICU survivors suffer from anxiety symptoms, more than a third suffer from depression, and many can experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. There are ways to help ease this emotional burden, and most of them come down to consistent and open communication between the patient, their caregivers and the medical team.

But how should you, as the caregiver without much medical knowledge,

communicate with hospital staff when your loved one can’t speak for themself?

Communication is critical

First, exchange contact information with the primary medical team, which may include a passcode for patient privacy. This will ensure that you receive the most updated information about the patient and will give you the peace of mind knowing that you can call at any hour of the day or night to receive updates on your loved one.

Second, let the medical team know what the patient is normally like at home, which can include the patient’s medications, their baseline functional capabilities, any cultural or religious preferences, and their end-oflife wishes, just in case. With this information, the medical team can develop a reasonable treatment plan specific to your loved one, avoid unnecessary and uncomfortable tests, and provide a better insight into their prognosis and recovery.

As you provide information about the patient at home, the medical team should be giving you updates about the patient’s condition in the hospital. This is a good time for you to keep a diary to write down essential information and questions to ask them.

Knowing what to ask is essential to effective communication at the hospital.

First, get yourself oriented to the hospital unit you are on: Ask about the visitation policy, unit phone number and even where the cafeteria and the bathrooms are.

Once familiar with

your new environment, you may feel more at ease to truly be present for your loved one. Other important questions you can ask each day include: What is happening to my loved one? What is the plan for the next day? What will the treatment be like for my loved one?

These are good first questions for setting daily expectations for the patient’s hospital stay. You can also find answers by participating in the patient’s clinical rounds. Every day, the interdisciplinary medical team sees each patient to discuss updates and treatment plans, and answers questions for the patient and their family. Research has also shown that rounds relieve anxiety and stress among family caregivers due to the consistent daily communication and emotional support that they provide.

Nurses can be helpful

After clinical rounds, the interdisciplinary team of doctors and nurses establishes a daily plan of care for your loved one, which will be carried out by your bedside nurse. The nurse will give the ordered medications, perform necessary clinical tasks and assess the patient for their response to the treatment. If you normally take care of the patient’s basic needs at home, offering to help your nurse with feeding or bathing may provide emotional reassurance to you and your loved one.

Nurses are the most accessible resource you have when your loved one is in the hospital. They can provide

emotional support and coping strategies during this stressful time and can act as a translator between you and the physicians.

Once you establish a good relationship with your nurse and the medical team, spend quality time with your loved one. Even when the patient isn’t responsive, talk to them about familiar people in their life, FaceTime other family members, play their favorite music or TV show, and always remind them of the date and that they are in the hospital. The importance of routines and familiarity

Since it’s easy for patients to lose track of the normal day-night cycle, they can be at high risk of ICU delirium, which is an acute and severe state of confusion. Preventing ICU delirium through reorientation and familiar faces can help prevent this serious complication and can even reduce their hospital stay.

Finally, one of the most important but often neglected

task for you to do is self-care. Research advises caregivers to tend to their own health and emotional needs by eating regularly, getting adequate sleep and taking breaks from the hospital. You have been strong for others and can continue to do so, but only if you take care of yourself as well. Most families that come to the hospital describe the support they received from the medical team in a positive way. Your nurses and the rest of the medical team are all on your team, and we want the best possible outcome for your loved one. Courtney Graetzer does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

The African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council (AATCLC), Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), and the National Medical Association (NMA), represented by Christopher Leung of Leung Law PLLC, have filed a second lawsuit against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the agency’s inaction on issuing a final rule banning menthol cigarettes. This lawsuit comes more than seven months after the FDA’s initial date for finalizing the new rule and follows the FDA’s 15-year delay in equitable policymaking. “The relentless and racist tobacco industry targeting has killed too many members of the Black community,” said Carol McGruder, Co-Chair of the African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council.

“If Black lives truly matter, then we must end the sale of menthol cigarettes and do it now!”

The Plaintiffs’ first lawsuit was filed on June 17, 2020. Since then, approximately 39,789 Americans have died from menthol cigarettes.

The initial complaint sought to compel the FDA to act on its earlier conclusions that removing menthol cigarettes from the marketplace would benefit public health. The lawsuit specifically asked the Court to compel the FDA’s determination on whether to add menthol to the list of prohibited characterizing flavors – a determination that the FDA delayed making for over 10 years. The joint lawsuit followed the 2013 Citizen Petition from the Public Health Law Center which called on the FDA to prohibit the sale of menthol cigarettes. “We’re extremely disappointed to be forced to file this second lawsuit against the FDA in support of protecting Americans from menthol cigarettes,” said Laurent Huber, Executive Director of Action on Smoking and Health. “The FDA’s own research confirms that a menthol ban would save lives; there is no scientific reason to delay finalizing this rule.” In 2011, the FDA’s own scientific advisory committee concluded that the “Removal of menthol cigarettes from the marketplace would benefit public health in the United States.”

Proposed Rulemaking to ban the sale of menthol cigarettes in the marketplace. Given that success, the Plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed their initial lawsuit.

Today, three years later, the FDA has failed to take the final step to formally promulgate and publish the proposed rule. After setting an initial date of August 2023 to issue this rule, the FDA has unreasonably and unlawfully delayed this life-saving rule. “As African American physicians, we are deeply disturbed at the continuing delays in FDA’s finalizing of the ban on menthol cigarettes,” said Dr. Yolanda Lawson, President of the National Medical Association. “Our patients, more than any other group, become disabled and die prematurely due to the continued use of these cigarettes,” she said. The Biden Administration has fallen

As a result of the Plaintiffs’ first lawsuit, the FDA made the landmark determination to add menthol to the list of banned characterizing flavors in cigarettes. To begin that rulemaking process, the FDA issued a Notice of

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