Insight News ::: 03.18.13

Spunk comes to Penumbra MORE ON PAGE 5

March 18 - March 24, 2013

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Dennis W. Spears and Jevetta Steele

Vol. 40 No. 12 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)

Klobuchar, Tester introduce legislation to make voting easier for all Americans

Ann Ragland/NNPA

Julia Wilson discusses recent changes in China with Jiang Haishan, vice president of the China Executive Leadership Academy Pudong in Shanghai.

SPECIAL REPORT

China in denial about its race problem

By George E. Curry, NNPA Editor-in-Chief (THIRD IN A SERIES) BEIJING (NNPA) – In absolute numbers, China probably has more beautiful women than any other country in the world.

But one could never tell that by looking at the squeaky-clean glass display windows in upscale stores in this capital city or in Shanghai, whose architecture has been often compared to London, Paris and Rio. The classic image of beauty in those stores and elsewhere across China are modeled after the American and European standard of beauty – white, blueeyed and blond.

That’s remarkable in a country that has long considered itself the center of the universe.

“From the most ancient times, the Chinese chose to call themselves white, with a light complexion highly valued and likened to white jade,” Martin Jacques wrote in When China Rules the World. “By the beginning of the twelfth century, the elite attached a heightened meaning to being white, with

colour consciousness amongst the elite sensitized by the maritime contacts established during the Southern Song dynasty (AD 1127-1279).

“During this period even the newly popular Buddha was converted from a ‘swart halfnaked Indian to a more decently clad divinity with a properly light complexion,’ rather as Jesus was whitened in the Western Christian tradition.”

Sun Yat-sen, who led the revolution to overthrow the Qing dynasty in 1911, had a clear-cut view on race.

“Mankind is divided into five races,” he said. “The yellow and white races are relatively strong and intelligent. Because the other races are feeble and stupid, they are being exterminated by the white race. Only the yellow race competes with the white race. This is so-called evolution among the contemporary races that could be called superior, there are only the yellow and white races. China belongs to the yellow race.”

In both old and new China, whiteness – or proximity to it – is

Photos courtesy of Robyn Robinson

Journalist finds another outlet to channel creativity

By Christina Garner Her jewelry is more than just her art; to Robyne Robinson it is her way of giving back to what she feels it has given to her.

For years, people watched Robinson anchor the evening news on KMSP-TV (Fox 9) but now

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Jon Tester (D-MT) introduced legislation to help make voting easier for all Americans on Tuesday, March 12. The Same Day Registration Act would require states to allow people to register to vote for a federal election on the same day as the election.

VOTE TURN TO 2

she can be found doing another thing she loves – making jewelry. Though Robinson established her jewelry line, Rox, in 2003, it did not become a primary focus until after she stepped away from television and served as gubernatorial running mate to DFL candidate Matt Entenza in 2010.

ROBINSON TURN TO 12 Dedrick Muhammad

Salaried vs. hourly and why all pay is not equal

CHINA TURN TO 4

By Dedrick Muhammad, Sr. Director, NAACP Economic Department

Ryan Howard

Directors of international group Nonviolent Peaceforce met at the Circle Pines Hospitality House during the last week of February. The group works with the United Nations and countries around the world to promote peace through nonviolent means.

International peace group comes back to its roots

By Ryan Howard Craig Trygstad

Lynne Coleman (right) became accustomed to people in China, like this unidentified woman, asking to be photographed with her.

Business

Somewhere between fishing and dating

PAGE 3

CIRCLE PINES – Mel Duncan has travelled all around the

Education

Celebrating Patchwork Quilt scholars

PAGE 4

world in the last decade, getting into dangerous situations and finding peaceful solutions in a variety of global hotspots as part of Nonviolent Peaceforce,

an international organization he co-founded with Quaker activist David Hartsough.

Last week, however, NP made a local stop when Duncan and the group’s other leaders held their annual director’s meeting at the Circle Pines Hospitality House.

PEACE TURN TO 11

Lifestyle

Sunnyside Cafe: A soul food tradition in North Minneapolis

PAGE 8

If unemployment rates fall to pre-recession levels, will our economy be as healthy as it was in 2006? Not necessarily, the research shows. Even as rising housing prices and falling unemployment rates show signs of an economic recovery, it’s important to note that the recession has permanently shifted our job market for the worse.

A new study published by the National Employment Law Project shows that while the majority of jobs lost during the recession were in the middleincome range, the jobs that have since come to replace them

PAY TURN TO 2

Health

5 wellness tips for Dads: Feel good all year round

PAGE 11

Page 2 • March 18 - March 24, 2013 • Insight News

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Minimum wage earners must work 89 hours per week to afford modest apartment in Minnesota According to a national report released today, a minimum wage earner in Minnesota would have to work 89 hours per week – or hold 2.2 full time jobs -- to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment. Of the twelve states in the Midwest, Minnesota has ranked the worst for affordability for minimum wage workers for three consecutive years.

However, if $9.50 per hour minimum wage legislation were passed in Minnesota, as has been proposed, the state would move from the worst position in the Midwest for low wage workers for housing affordability to the second best. Yet even with this new wage, affording a 2-bedroom apartment would require a minimum worker to work 68 hours a week.

The Minnesota Out of Reach 2013 report was released jointly by the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), a Washington, D.C.-based housing policy organization, and the Minnesota Housing Partnership. The report provides rental affordability data for every state, metro area, and county in the US. In order to afford the rent and utilities for a safe, modest 2-bedroom apartment in the private housing market, a Minnesota worker must earn $16.08 per hour, 40 hours a

the most expensive. A modest two-bedroom apartment requires a full time worker to earn $17.69 per hour year-round -- the most expensive in the state.

week, all year long. By contrast, the typical renter household in Minnesota earns the equivalent of $14.09 per hour for a worker.

Federal minimum wage pays

only $7.25 per hour.

Kris Jacobs, of the JOBS NOW Coalition, said, “This report underscores the urgency of raising the minimum wage in

Minnesota. It is a tragedy that low-wage workers need to work 89 hours per week just to afford a place to live.”

Chip Halbach, Executive Director of Minnesota Housing Partnership added, “When housing is unaffordable to renters, stress and limited budgets take a toll on children and their families. Strategic investments in housing and homelessness programs by

Minnesota lawmakers can minimize the harm caused by high and rising rents throughout the state.”

An estimated 55% of renters in Minnesota do not earn enough to afford a two-bedroom unit at the “fair market rent” where they live.

More Minnesota Out of Reach Facts: • Twin Cities metro rents are

• The counties least affordable to renters, given the incomes they earn, are distributed throughout Minnesota (see map below). The counties with the highest estimated percent of renters unable to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment are Mahnomen (70% unable to afford), Winona (68%), Carlton (68%), Lake of the Woods (68%), Wadena (66%), and St. Louis County (62%). In the 7-County Metro, the county least affordable to the renters living there is Ramsey (60%).

See additional Minnesota maps and data from MHP for Out of Reach 2013 at http:// mhponline.org/publications/ reports-and-research/reports.

See national data, analysis, and maps from NLIHC at http:// www.nlihc.org/oor/2013/ Contact Leigh Rosenberg at the Minnesota Housing Partnership at lrosenberg@ mhponline.org or 651-925-5543 for assistance in accessing or analyzing Out of Reach data for any county or metro area of Minnesota.

Middle class Minnesotans to feel impact of GOP sequester The choice Republicans have made to not end this sequestration will have a huge impact on middle class Minnesotans in the coming weeks and months. Rather than eliminate tax loopholes for the wealthiest Americans to reduce the deficit, Republicans chose cuts in vital services important to seniors, men and women in uniform, and children and schools.

Minnesota DFL Chair Ken Martin expressed concern that the Republicans’ inability to reach agreement before the March 1 deadline could cost gains in economic growth.

“The GOP professes to care deeply about getting the economy on track, yet their actions both

today and over the last several years suggests something else,” Martin said. “They would rather score political points than improve our state and country.”

Cuts under the sequester include: • Seniors in need will receive fewer Meals on Wheels.

• Two-thirds of active duty Army combat brigades outside of Afghanistan will see a reduction of their basic training, maintenance, and readiness.

• Afterschool programs will be cut; thousands of teachers will be laid off.

• Military families’ health care

could be cut.

• Reductions in treatment and support for mentally ill children.

Democrats agree the deficit needs to decrease, but Martin said there is a better way than cutting investments in education and programs that help the nation’s most vulnerable citizens. President Obama has consistently proposed eliminating tax loopholes, asking the wealthy to do their fair share and cutting wasteful spending.

“Taking resources from people who need them most won’t grow our economy or create jobs,” Martin said. “While the Republicans continue to protect profit margins, the path to self-

reliance and success will become harder to achieve for those on the margins of life.”

Impact of GOP sequester on Minnesota Seniors  Minnesota will lose approximately $845,000 in funds that provide meals for seniors.

Children  Up to 500 disadvantaged and vulnerable children could lose access to child care, which is also essential for working parents to hold down a job.  Around 2,360 fewer children will receive vaccines for measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, whooping cough, and Hepatitis B because of reduced funding for vaccinations.

Education  Minnesota will lose approximately $7 million for primary and secondary education, putting jobs at risk.

More than 20 school districts lost “impact aid” provided to make up for lost property tax revenue because of federal land, such as tribal areas.  Minnesota will lose about $9.2 million for staff who help children with disabilities.  Around 920 fewer low income students in Minnesota would

Pay From 1 are lower-paying hourly wage positions.

According to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), employees are generally divided into two categories: exempt and nonexempt. Nonexempt employees are typically paid by the hour and are entitled to overtime pay if they work more than 40 hours a week, while exempt employees (typically in salaried positions) are not eligible to receive overtime pay.

As a salaried worker, you’re expected to do your job in whatever time it takes. If you work less than 40 hours a week due to a medical appointment or a sick day, you still receive the same wages. The same is true if you work for 60 hours a week. For most hourly workers, if you don’t work, you don’t get paid.

It’s also true that some hourly positions can pay more than salaried positions, either due to

receive aid to help them finance the costs of college; around 500 fewer students will get work-study jobs that help them pay for college.  Head Start and Early Head Start services would be eliminated for approximately 700 children in Minnesota, reducing access to critical early education and future success.

Environment  Minnesota will lose about $3 million in environmental funding to ensure clean water and air quality, as well as prevent pollution from pesticides and hazardous waste.  Minnesota could lose another $1.6 million in grants for fish and wildlife protection.

Military readiness  Approximately 2,000 civilian Department of Defense employees could be furloughed, reducing gross pay by around $12.5 million in total.  Base operation funding could be cut by about $2.5 million.  A Blue Angels show scheduled for July in St. Cloud could be canceled.

Public safety • Minnesota will lose about $201,000 in Justice Assistance

Grants that support law enforcement, prosecution and courts, crime prevention, corrections and community corrections, drug treatment and enforcement, and crime victim and witness initiatives.

• Minnesota could lose up to $113,000 for services to victims of domestic violence, resulting in up to 400 fewer victims being served.

Economic development • Minnesota will lose about $689,000 in funding for job search assistance, referral, and placement, meaning 23,000 fewer people will get the help they need to find employment.

Health • Minnesota will lose approximately $507,000 to help upgrade its ability to respond to public health threats including infectious diseases, natural disasters, and biological, chemical, nuclear, and radiological events.

• Minnesota will lose about $1.2 million in grants to help prevent and treat substance abuse, resulting in around 1,700 fewer admissions to substance abuse programs.

• MDH will lose about $127,000 resulting in around 3,200 fewer HIV tests.

higher pay or compensation for extra hours. But depending on your long-term plans, a salaried job with benefits, even if it pays less than an hourly job, might ultimately put you in a position of greater financial strength. In other words, it’s not about what pays you more, but rather what gives you more.

There are many reasons why keeping an hourly wage job for now may be advantageous. If you’re trying to balance a careerbuilding internship with an hourly job in an unrelated field to pay the bills, you may want to keep your hourly job for income as you’re building your resume for a highpaying career job in the future.

On the other hand, a salaried job offers several valuable benefits that may outweigh higher wages. Take health insurance, for example — studies show that the uninsured have inferior access to health care and have significantly worse health than the privately insured. And if you plan to start a family, benefits such as maternity/ paternity leave and flexible work schedules may actually translate into significant savings, given the

high cost of childcare.

Generally, a move from an hourly to a salaried position also comes with greater responsibility and power. Even if salaried workers start off with a relatively low income, they’re still more likely to be eligible for promotions that eventually lead to more influential, higher-paying management positions.

Finally, with a salaried position you may be able to start investing in a 401(k) plan, a crucial part of your long-term wealth-building and savings strategy. Without a retirement plan, you’re totally at the mercy of the unknown and face increased risk of poverty in old age.

Whether you decide on an hourly or salaried position, be sure to closely review overtime pay rules for your company along with differences in health insurance, vacation, sick days, 401(k), gym membership reimbursements and any other company perks that you should figure into your decision along with your salary.

(This article was originally published on BET.com)

Vote From 1 “The right to vote is the cornerstone of American democracy, and we should be doing everything in our power to make sure people can have their voices heard,” Klobuchar said.

“Minnesota has long had same day registration and has some of the highest voter participation rates in the nation. This legislation would help ensure that no one is turned away from the voting booth due to a failure to register.”

“America was built on the idea that everyone should have a say in deciding the future of

Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) our country. Allowing folks nationwide to register and vote on Election Day — like we do in Montana — strengthens a fundamental right that millions of Americans have fought to earn and protect,” Tester said.

Klobuchar recently traveled

to Alabama with Congressman John Lewis and visited several key sites of the civil rights movement including the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma. Klobuchar also spoke to Attorney General Eric Holder at a Senate Judiciary hearing last week about protecting the right to vote and encouraging voter participation.

Minnesota has allowed same-day voter registration for many years and has one of the highest voter turnouts in the country. Seventeen percent of all Minnesota voters registered on election day in 2012. If these voters had not been allowed to register, Minnesota’s turnout would have dropped by 14 points.

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Insight News • March 18 - March 24, 2013 • Page 3

BUSINESS Somewhere between fishing and dating Plan Your Career

By Julie Desmond julie@insightnews.com Somewhere between fishing and dating lies that other great American pastime: looking for

work. According to the numbers, more Americans are looking for work this month than have in a long time. Spring is in the air and new jobs are out there, waiting to be found. If only it weren’t so frustrating.

Job searching is like fishing.

A person digs for worms (or shops for bait), dusts off the ol’ fishing pole and drops a line in the water.

And then he waits. Nothing happens. He peers into the water.

He sees whole schools of fish

splashing around his hook. A nibble here and there but no bites.

He reels it in, unwraps a sandwich and surveys the lake, wondering where he should drop his line in the next time.

Like a good angler, a job seeker can improve his odds by fishing smart. Use the right bait; make your resume or application shine, and make sure it’s relevant to the job you want. Ask around: where are they biting today? Ask people you know, people who

know you, if they know anyone who is hiring. And finally, keep an eye on the prize; once your line is in the water, once your application is out there, don’t just sit around and wait. Do something. Follow up, read about the company, take a class to improve your skills, try out a networking group. Don’t reel it in until you have to. You won’t catch a fish if your net is in the boat.

Job searching is also like dating. A person spends all day

planning for his big date. He ties his tie, shines his shoes, shaves and splashes on a few handfuls of cologne. He arrives on time and smiles when his date says hello. He’s shaky but he’s smooth; no one ever sees him sweat. He gets through the first meeting, the second meeting, he thinks things are going pretty well until… silence. The cold shoulder. Instead of the text he was expecting… nothing.

Like a savvy romantic, a

determined job seeker won’t wait around by the phone. He keeps stepping out, spends time with other people and has a few adventures. That is, until there’s a commitment. After that, he does not need to date – or fish – anymore.

Julie Desmond is IT Recruiting Manager with George Konik Associates. Send your resume and career planning questions to jdesmond@georgekonik.com.

Will a new logo raise money?

FUNdraising Good Times

By Mel and Pearl Shaw

Will a new logo raise money?

Will it attract a new donors and volunteers? Can it transform your nonprofit’s relationship to the community? Maybe. The answer depends on the amount of work completed prior to bringing on a graphic designer.

Let us start at the end: if you invest in a logo instead of asking

hard organizational questions your logo may not deliver what you want it to. There really are no shortcuts to raising money.

Here’s why: creating a new logo requires your designer to ask many questions. The answers will inform the extent to which your logo becomes a recognizable symbol for your nonprofit. The questions may be short, but they take time to answer. For instance: What are you seeking to achieve shortterm and long-term? What is the message you want the logo to communicate? Who is your target audience? Where will the logo be used? Who are your competitors? What makes you unique? How do you want the audience to respond to your logo? Colors, symbols and fonts come after these questions are

answered.

Here’s our suggestion: Ask the organizational questions that drive your fundraising – and logo development – before engaging a designer. Review and reaffirm or modify your mission and vision as appropriate.

Define goals. Identify what your organization is raising money for. Determine how and when you will measure impact.

Establish impact projections.

Ask the hard questions: will this nonprofit make a meaningful impact on the lives and futures of those you serve, represent or advocate for? How does programming tie to the strategic plan? Which programs could be sustained should current funding be reduced?

If your new logo is a success it may catch the attention of

a new giving audience. But the fundraising question will remain: how do you engage that audience in giving? That brings you back to the basics of fundraising: defining your case for support, attracting strong leadership, and identifying potential donors.

Consider American Airlines.

Their new logo was revealed as the airline seeks to emerge from bankruptcy and possibly merge with US Airways. The chairman and CEO explained it this way, “Since placing our landmark aircraft order in July of 2011, we’ve been building anticipation toward a moment in time when the outside of our aircraft reflects the progress we’ve made to modernize our airline on the inside.”

Travel industry analyst Henry

Harteveldt thinks differently, “What will make a difference to the traveling public will be the airline’s on time performance, the customer service that they receive, the quality of the passenger experience,” he said.

“This isn’t going to change the fact that legroom is tight.”

How will your constituency respond to your logo? Should you start with the logo, or do the “hard work” first? Let us know your thoughts. © Mel and Pearl Shaw Mel and Pearl Shaw are the authors of “Prerequisites for Fundraising Success.” They provide fundraising counsel to nonprofits. Visit them at www. saadandshaw.com.

Power at your fingertips Dissecting Diversity

By Cheryl Pearson-McNeil Did you know that tens of thousands of new products are introduced to consumer markets around the world every year?

It could be a new flavor of ice cream, a fancy new electronic gadget or the latest shade of red lipstick that not only moisturizes, but practically stays on for life.

Then poof! You turn around and your new favorite isn’t there anymore. That’s because more than half of all new products will disappear from the shelf within the first three years of their debut, according to Nielsen insights. Whether you live in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Latin America or here in the United States, we Internetsavvy consumers are a stubborn group. We like what we like.

Our purchasing trends and habits worldwide are documented in the Nielsen Global Survey of New Product Purchase Sentiment, where the company surveyed more than 29,000 consumers with Internet access from 58 different countries about new product awareness.

Now, I am like a new product

groupie! I see it and I head out to buy it like a junkie. The report shows that consumers are optimistic about trying new products, but there is bit of anxiety at the thought of switching brands.

Half of the global respondents did report being willing to switch to a new brand, with 57% of respondents in the United States being the most enthusiastic if all the conditions are right. In addition to relevance, need and distinctiveness, the data shows that marketers need to consider the emotional factors that go into a consumer’s decision to make a new purchase choice. Around the world, those emotional factors are universal: value, variety, proof-of-concept and familiarity.

Here’s a look at the percent of consumers around the globe that definitely/somewhat agree to the general purchase of new products: • Will purchase a store brand or value option 64% • Like when manufacturers offer new product options 63% • Wait until a new innovation has proven itself 60% • Prefer to buy new products of familiar brands 60% • Like to tell others about new products 59% • Generally willing to switch to a new brand 50% • Economic conditions lessen possibility of trying new products 45% • Prefer local brands over

global brands 40% • Willing to pay a premium price 39% Just as consumers across the globe have multiple choices in how we enjoy media content, we also have a multi-mix of media from which to choose when considering purchasing a new product. Nielsen’s global survey shows that the Internet is a major influence in that mix.

According to Nielsen, consumers are increasingly finding the Internet and mobile vehicles just as compelling as other more traditional advertising.

Traditional advertising platforms include TV, radio, newspaper, billboards and direct mail.

Globally, 77% of responders felt word-of-mouth referrals by friends and family is the biggest persuasion factor for purchasing products, followed by seeing a new product in a store at 72%, while 70% try free samples and 67% use active Internet searches.

U.S. respondents seem to be a bit more skeptical about Internet searching on new products, with 59% of us saying we were much more or somewhat more likely to purchase a new product after Internet research. Also in the U.S., 45% of the respondents used Internet communications for new products to research a brand or manufacturer’s website, 30% researched through an article on a frequently visited website and 30% used Internet forums. Thirty percent of U.S. respondents, purchased a new product after learning about it via social media, and 29% turned to web ads while 27% used a video posted on a

video-sharing website.

Seventy-three percent of U.S. consumers surveyed reported that the Internet is very/somewhat important when making a new product purchasing decision for electronics, 63% for appliances, 62% for cars/auto needs 59% and music. Those percentages are a little less robust than the percentages for other global respondents who weighed in on Internet importance in purchasing: electronics (81%), appliances (77%), books (70%) and music (69%).

African-Americans are also savvy Internet users and Black women; particularly indulge in a little retail therapy with just a click of a button. Black women are extensive users of e-commerce involving purchases of clothes, groceries, and health and beauty products online. Also, 18% of Black women have shown higher interest in downloading coupons, especially those in the 25-54 age range.

Overall, top purchases African-Americans have made online include: • Airline tickets/reservations • Hotel/motel reservations • Any clothes/shoes/accessories • Women’s clothes/shoes/ accessories • Men’s clothes/shoes/ accessories Among the global consumers surveyed, those in Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East and Africa are most engaged in online decision-making.

NIELSEN TURN TO 4

Page 4 • March 18 - March 24, 2013 • Insight News

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EDUCATION Celebrating Patchwork Quilt scholars The mission for Patchwork Quilt (PQ), an after-school program serving North Minneapolis children and families for 16 years, will be focused on stage Sunday, April 14 at the Historic Capri Theater, 2027 West Broadway in Minneapolis.

The program’s second annual event, featuring Patchwork Quilt scholars, will begin with a reception at 2:30 p.m., followed by entertainment at 3:15 p.m.

An audience of nearly 300 had a wonderful time at last year’s event, according to PQ Executive Director, Margaret Nelson Brinkhaus.

In addition to the program,

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which is open to the public, refreshments, prize drawings and a children’s art show are scheduled. Tickets are $30 and may be purchased by emailing info@patchworkquilt.org or calling 612-270-0923.

Artists, grades 1-6 scholars, staff and teen volunteers will be featured, beginning with Harambee, the gathering focus of each after-school day.

Pastor Dennis Oglesby of Park Avenue United Methodist Church will welcome guests, emcee and sing. Other featured entertainment will include Kenna Cottman and her highly regarded African dance troupe, Voice of Culture Drum and Dance Company, as well as Tiyo Patterson, spoken word artist and PQ cultural specialist.

David Nassif, president of the Patchwork Quilt Board of Directors, said the program started 16 years ago, inspired by the inspiration and work of the Father Greg Tolaas at the Church of St. Philip in North Minneapolis.

Recognizing both the potential and challenges of families in the church neighborhood, he invited younger children to a Kids Club and teens to a College Bound group.

Father Tolaas died in 2003 but his legacy has continued through the growth and impact of Patchwork Quilt, 3700 Bryant Ave. N., Minneapolis.

Program funding is provided

Capri kids on stage. by “generous foundations and individuals,” said Brinkhaus.

Nassif explained the PQ goal as providing an academicallyoriented after-school program to build “literacy, technological, life and cultural skills.” A

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced that Minnesota will receive $5.5 million to continue efforts to turn around its persistently lowest achieving schools through the Education Department’s School Improvement Grants (SIG) program. Ten additional states also will receive this continuation funding: Connecticut—$3.6 million;

Nielsen From 3 Globally, the Internet influence trend is impacting purchasing in consumer packaged categories, too: food and beverages (62%), personal hygiene (62%), personal health/over-the-counter medicines (61%), and hair care (60%).

As the Internet makes the world a much smaller place, a tighter consumer community,

Kentucky—$7.7 million; Maryland—$6.8 million; Mississippi—$6.1 million; New Mexico—$4.1 million; Ohio—$20.2 million; South Carolina—$7.4 million; South Dakota—$1.5 million; Utah—$3.4 million; and West Virginia—$3.3 million.

“When schools fail, our children and our neighborhoods suffer,” Duncan said. “Turning

do you feel international? And, don’t you feel empowered to know that you can make or break a new product with your fingertips? You and your choices matter. So, I’ll say it again – use your power wisely.

Cheryl Pearson-McNeil is senior vice president of Public Affairs and Government Relations for Nielsen. For more information and studies go to www. nielsenwire.com

QUINTIN JOSEPH ’15

Photography Suluki Fardan

Postmaster: Send address changes to McFarlane Media Interests, Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55411.

American students.

Patchwork Quilt can accommodate up to 50 scholar participants. Currently there are a few vacancies. “We are particularly excited about the success of our teen/junior

volunteer program, which looks to the talents and dedication of our graduates to assist staff and adult volunteers in better meeting our scholar’s needs,” said Brinkhaus.

Minnesota to receive $5.5 million to turn around lowest-performing schools

Contributing Writers Cordie Aziz Harry Colbert, Jr. Julie Desmond Fred Easter Oshana Himot Timothy Houston Alaina L. Lewis

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parent advocacy program increases parent involvement in their children’s education and participation in Minneapolis public schools, to increase student success and close the achievement gap for African-

Photo by Gerald Armour-Schaffer

WE ARE CALLED auggies As a college of the city, Augsburg College is an inclusive and welcoming campus community in the heart of Minneapolis. Augsburg is committed to providing an outstanding education and to giving students the support they need to graduate. We offer: • A Pan-Afrikan student services director to assist students; • Undergraduate degree programs with 50 majors including business, education, natural and social sciences, youth ministry, and more; and • Graduate programs in business, creative writing, education, leadership, music therapy, nursing, and social work.

Learn more at www.augsburg.edu

around our lowest-performing schools is hard work but it’s our responsibility. We owe it to our children, their families and the broader community. These School Improvement Grants are helping some of the lowestachieving schools provide a better education for students who need it the most.”

School Improvement Grants are awarded to State Educational

China From 3 prized.

“In the Chinas today there is a clear racial social hierarchy based on the assumption of racial superiority,” wrote M. Dujon Johnson, author of Race & Racism in the Chinas: Chinese Racial Attitudes Toward Africans and African-Americans. “The comfort level and the acceptance of a foreigner in the Chinas are directly proportional to the skin pigmentation of that nonChinese.”

Acknowledged or not, racial discrimination is indeed a problem in China that manifests itself in strange and sometimes unique ways.

Lynne Coleman, a former school administrator in China, has been a recipient of white preference.

“China is a place where my white skin-color gains me much broader entry to places than my Chinese counterparts, particularly those who do not speak Mandarin with the proper

Agencies (SEAs) that then make competitive subgrants to those local educational agencies (LEAs) that demonstrate the greatest need for the funds and the strongest commitment to use them to provide the resources required to substantially raise student achievement in their lowest-performing schools.

Under the Obama administration, the SIG

program has invested up to $6 million per school over three years at more than 1,300 of the country’s lowest-performing schools. Early findings show positive momentum and progress in many SIG schools, and some of the greatest gains have been in small towns and rural communities.

accent,” Coleman recalled.

She and her husband would be walking down a street in Beijing and suddenly find themselves surrounded by Chinese eager to take a photo with her.

Coleman said, “I’ve had my photo taken with un-numbered families who wanted my blond self to hold their babies for luck.”

And Chinese women make no secret of wanting to climb the social ladder by marrying Mr. White. They go to great lengths to alter their color as Julia Wilson, a chocolate-colored African American, discovered first-hand.

“I went to the grocery store to get some lotion,” said Wilson, CEO of Wilson Global Communications in Washington, D.C. “I said to this girl, ‘I want the best body lotion you have because my skin is really dry.’

She said, ‘Fine’ and took me by the hand to the lotion section and said, ‘Here you go.’ She handed me skin whitener. I looked at her and said, ‘No, no, no, Sweetie. I don’t want to lighten my skin.’

She said, ‘You don’t want to lighten your skin?’ I said, ‘No,

honey, I love this.”

That was not Wilson’s only memorable experience involving race.

“When I went to the beach and people had all of their clothes on,” recalled Wilson, who was in China last year to deliver a lecture. “I asked, ‘Why do you have all of your clothes on?’ They said, ‘We don’t want to get brown.’ I am looking at this and not believing my eyes.

You can find pictures of women with a total mask on their face on the beach so that they don’t get a tan.”

Some visitors to China have told of accidently brushing up against a Chinese, only to witness them trying to brush imaginary blackness from their clothes.

Others recall walking into a subway car and suddenly having an entire area to themselves.

Beginning with the beating of a Zanzibar student in Beijing in 1962, there have been more than a dozen race-inspired riots or public demonstrations. Most of the incidents were ignited by a racial slur or tensions over African students, most of whom are male, dating Chinese women.

Boubacar Traore, a philosophy student from Ghana, told the New York Times in 1988, “When we walk on the street, people insult us. The call us black devils, and so on. Even if we’re alone, they insult us.

And if we’re with a girl, they say she’s a hooker and is doing it for the money.”

Nicholas D. Kristof, writing in the Dec. 30, 1988 New York Times, observed, “…It is common here to hear racial stereotypes that would make most Americans cringe.”

While Americans recoil at such treatment of African Americans by Chinese, critics say they are in no position to lecture anyone. In the Dred Scott decision in 1857, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that the federal government had no power to regulate slavery. Chief Judge Roger Taney, writing for the majority, said authors of the U.S. Constitution viewed all Blacks as “ beings of an inferior order, and altogether unfit to associate with the white race, either in social or political relations, and so far inferior that they had no rights which the white man was bound to respect.”

CHINA TURN TO 9

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Insight News • March 18 - March 24, 2013 • Page 5

AESTHETICS

Spunk comes to Penumbra Penumbra Theatre announced the opening of “Spunk,” adapted by George C. Wolfe from “Three Tales” by Zora Neale Hurston, with music by Chic Street Man. The production opened Thursday, and runs through Apr. 7 at Penumbra Theatre, 270 North Kent Street, Saint Paul.

The all-star cast features Emmy award-winning actor T. Mychael Rambo, Dennis W. Spears, Jevetta Steele, Austene Van, Keith Jamal Downing and Mikell Sapp, with direction and choreography by Patdro Harris and musical direction and arrangement by Carlton Leake.

Based on the folklore collected by literary icon Zora Neale Hurston, “Spunk” is a sensuous and witty journey through African-American life at the dawn of the 20th century.

A rich mixture of storytelling, dance, and the blues, “Spunk” is both a celebration of life and a testament to the travails

determined to juxtapose what she recognized as “authentic Negro life” with stereotypical representations in vogue during the 1920s and 1930s.

Her mission was to animate representations of black life with the spirit and pride she had seen in her all-black childhood home of Eatonville, Fla. Half a century later, George C. Wolfe picked up the baton carried by his forbearers, and adapted three of Hurston’s short stories for the stage.

Photo courtesy of Penumbra

“Spunk” cast members: Dennis W. Spears, T. Mychael Rambo, Austene Van and Jevetta Steele.

African-Americans have endured. A pillar of the Harlem Renaissance, Hurston’s voice is brought to life by awardwinning playwright, George C. Wolfe.

“Twenty years ago, we electrified audiences with a production of ‘Spunk.’ We return to the play to tap into a wellspring of Black folklore and traditions that have sustained

whole communities throughout history. This wonderful cast, led confidently by Patdro Harris, offers a fresh take on these timeless tales.” Said Lou Bellamy, founder and artistic

director of Penumbra.

Hurston was a famed writer known most notably for her novel “Their Eyes Were Watching God.” She was also an anthropologist and

“SPUNK” Mar. 14 – Apr. 7 Performances: Wednesday Sunday at 7:30 p.m.

Matinees, Wednesdays at 10 a.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.

Adult single ticket: $40; students $15 270 North Kent Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102 (651) 224-3180 or www. penumbratheatre.org

Guthrie hosts 14th annual Shakespeare Classic Twelfth Night The Guthrie Theater will host the 14th annual Shakespeare Classic on Sunday, March 24, offering young people ages 10 to 17 an opportunity to experience an energetic, original “Twelfth Night” by Britain’s Propeller.

This annual event, tailored specifically for young audiences, features a specially prepared play program, $10 tickets to the 1 p.m. matinee performance and a post-play discussion in which actors from the show will engage with the audience.

The Shakespeare Classic began in 1999, after Guthrie Director Joe Dowling honored longtime staff member Sheila Livingston and her husband Photo by Manuel Harlan.

The company of Propeller’s Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare. Directed by Edward Hall, design

by Michael Pavelka, lighting design by Ben Ormerod.

Benjamin Bratt

The “Snitch” interview Interview

By Kam Williams kam@insightnews.com Born in San Francisco on December 16, 1963, Benjamin Bratt’s career has successfully spanned movie and television for over 25 years. His impressive resume includes the critically acclaimed Piñero, in a powerful portrayal of poet-playwrightactor Miguel Piñero; Steven Soderbergh’s “Traffic”; and “The Woodsman”, a festival and critical favorite starring Kevin Bacon.

Television audiences recognize Benjamin from his award-winning role of Detective Rey Curtis on NBC’s long-running drama “Law & Order”. He also starred in A&E’s miniseries “The Andromeda Strain”, based on the novel by Michael Crichton, which garnered seven Emmy nominations. Additionally, he served as series lead as well as producer on A&E’s “The Cleaner”, for which he received an ALMA Award in 2009.

A veteran of dozens of films, Benjamin’s other work includes “The River Wild” opposite Meryl Streep; “Blood In, Blood Out” with director Taylor Hackford; “Clear and Present Danger” with Harrison Ford; “Abandon” opposite Katie Holmes; “The Great Raid”; “Miss Congeniality” with Sandra Bullock; and the screen adaption of Nobel Prizewinning author Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s “Love in the Time of Cholera”.

In “La Mission”, Benjamin re-teamed with his writer/director/ producer brother, Peter Bratt, to star in and produce a story which recalls the culture, people and beliefs of their childhood in the Mission district of San Francisco.

He and Peter joined with producer Alpita Patel to form 5 Stick Films, a production company geared towards film of conscience, to tell

Benjamin Bratt stories with passion, vision and personal reflection.

Benjamin is married to actress Talisa Soto Bratt. They live in Los Angeles with their two children, Mateo and Sophia. Here, he talks about his latest outing as El Topo in “Snitch”, an action thriller costarring Dwayne Johnson, Susan Sarandon, Harold Perrineau and Barry Pepper.

Kam Williams: Hi Benjamin.

I’m honored to have a chance to interview you.

Benjamin Bratt: It’s totally my pleasure, Kam. KW: What interested you in “Snitch”?

BB: A few things, actually. I really liked the script. [Director] Ric Waugh happens to be an old friend of mine. We sort of came up together. His father, the great Fred Waugh, was the stunt coordinator on the first series I ever did, “Nasty Boys”. And Rick, believe it or not, was a kid who

Rotten Tomatoes

happened to be a great stuntman.

It was a family business for him and his father and his brother.

Since we became friends way back when, I didn’t want to pass up the opportunity to come full circle working together again, but in an actor/director relationship.

You might look at my part on the page and think, hmm, it’s a little small, and maybe not worth flying to Shreveport three times for just a few days’ worth of work. But the truth of the matter is I was excited to reconnect with him and also to play a part that certainly looms large over the story as a kind of ominous presence of danger, not unlike the role I played in “Traffic”.

KW: I have some questions for you from my readers. Larry Greenberg asks: When you play a hardcore bad guy like El Topo, is it a different mindset from

BRATT TURN TO 7

Ken in establishing the Livingston Education Fund.

In the years since, Sheila Livingston has passionately pursued the introduction of thousands of young people to a lifetime of enjoyment and enrichment as theatergoers.

This year the Classic features Shakespeare’s great comedy of mistaken identities, transformation and deception.

“I want to thank Joe Dowling for his great support for the Shakespeare Classic, and for his personal belief that theater has a transformative power,” says Livingston.

“Through theater my family and I have visited ancient Rome, Shakespeare’s England and Puritan America. We

have learned life lessons from the spirit of Cyrano de Bergerac, the courage of John Proctor in “The Crucible” and the eloquence of Portia in “The Merchant of Venice”.

Hopefully in “Twelfth Night” we will learn humanity from witnessing Malvolio’s humiliation, as well as the power of love from Viola, Olivia, Sebastian and Orsino’s adventures.”

Tickets to the popular annual event are just $10 – all adults must be accompanied by a young person – and are available through the Guthrie Box Office at 612.377.2224, toll-free 877.44.STAGE. This event is not available for purchase online.

Page 6 • March 18 - March 24, 2013 • Insight News

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FULL CIRCLE A good heart makes a good man Man Talk

By Timothy Houston Picture a man running a marathon. At some point that man will hit what runners call “the wall.” This is the point where the man’s body begins to rebel against him. His head, feet, lungs, and kidneys, and body all tell him that he is not able to continue. His mind also begins to revolt against him. His thoughts are now cloudy, and the thought of quitting is now at the forefront of his mind. But this man does not quit because his heart will not allow him to do so. His heart overrides what

his mind and body is telling him. A man’s heart is the ruling factor in his action. His mind and body have no choice but to comply.

The heart of man is the true driving force to his actions. The original man was from the dust of the ground, and although the quality of the dirt itself differs greatly since then, the potential that dirt possesses is still noteworthy. Everything that we see with our eyes came from the ground (or from other things that came from the ground). Every car, computer, house, oil rig, nuclear energy plant, spaceship and skyscraper came from dirt. Both diamonds and dynamite come for the same ground. The same is true for man. Out of him (his actions) will be good or bad and sometimes both, depending on the condition of this heart.

For dust you are and dust

you will return (Genesis 3:19).

The analogy between man and dirt is more than what meets the eye. The best of both man

natural and spiritual ground a man occupies is full of nourishment. This spiritual nourishment is manifested

All men have in them the potential to produce both diamonds and dynamite

and the dirt from which he was created lies below the surface in that both can nourish. The

in the words and actions a man produces for the good of mankind. A good man produces

more than what was originally invested in him. He makes those in his circle of influence better.

All men have in them the potential to produce both diamonds and dynamite, and all women prefer diamonds over dynamite. The challenge is getting them to understand that the same ground produces them both. The better she understands man, whom she cannot control, the more she is empowered to evaluate her choices which she is able to control. A woman is most powerful when she is able to make a clear distinction between the many and various types of men, and the ground or heart she is currently dealing with. After making this separation, she then will only allow the men in her spear of control who will add enrichment to her life.

It is the heart of a man that

makes him good. Men who have good hearts are good ground that produces jewels. More importantly, like the earth, these men serve as nourishment for other seeds that will become plants or metaphorically speaking, dreams.

These dreams or ideas are like stems which are the thoughts that come up out of man and extend themselves to others. Because these thoughts are generated by his heart, rich soil will produce a good harvest. Those around him become better. A good man has a good heart and is a good husband, father, and friend.

Timothy Houston is an author, minister, and motivational speaker who is committed to guiding positive life changes in families and communities.

For questions, comments or more information, go to www. tlhouston.com.

Jackie Robinson…..“NEED I SAY MOORE!” The Moore Therapy Movement

By Dr. Darren D. Moore Ph.D., LMFT On Friday morning Mar. 1, I woke up excited for my annual trip to New York City.

For the past eight years I have gone to New York to attend the annual Mentoring and Leadership Conference

(formerly the Networking Weekend) sponsored by the Jackie Robinson Foundation.

The Jackie Robinson Foundation provides undergraduate scholarships to students of color and students who have an interest in working to promote diversity and multiculturalism in the world. Each year some 200 plus students gather in Manhattan to connect with other students, attend workshops regarding career planning and professional development, engage in community service activities and receive mentorship, among

many other fascinating things.

I was the recipient of the scholarship award during my undergraduate experience. In addition, I was able to obtain the Extra-innings fellowship, which is a graduate scholarship program that is offered by the organization to a select few of their most notable undergraduate scholars. For the past two years since working on my dissertation and graduating with my doctorate last May, I have been asked to present a workshop to freshmen students in New York regarding stress and substance abuse. In this workshop we discuss issues

that are pertinent to minority students, often discussing the balance between home, family life and the demands of being a college student; and a college student of color at that. Some of the students come from marginalized backgrounds and have had to deal with significant barriers to obtaining a college education. Some are first generation college students. Some have faced significant financial barriers.

Some are the product of single parent households or have had to face adversity in some profound way.

At the same time, these

students are “the cream of the crop.” They tend to graduate at the top of their high school classes, maintain next to perfect grade point averages, and attend top tier and prestigious colleges or universities. In Minnesota, some of the Jackie Robinson Scholars have graduated from the University of Minnesota, Carleton College and Macalester College. Nationally, scholars have graduated from Ivy League institutions including the big three – Harvard, Yale and Princeton – in addition to Dartmouth, Cornell, Brown, University of Pennsylvania,

Columbia; not to mention other equally prestigious institutions including Morehouse College, Spelman College, Hampton University, and Tuskegee University. Need I say Moore?

As an assistant professor and licensed marriage and family therapist, I, alongside clinical psychologist, Michael Selders, of the Dallas V.A. Hospital, and noted mental health advocate and publicist Terrie Williams of the Stay Strong Foundation, teach students how to cope with and

MOORE TURN TO 9

The Twin Cities hosts 5th Annual Pastors Appreciation Luncheon The 5th Annual Pastors Appreciation Luncheon will take place on Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at North Heights Event Center, 1700 Hwy 96 West, Arden Hills, MN 55112. Doors

open at 10:30 a.m. and the luncheon will take place from 11:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m.

The event is free to pastors and ministry leaders in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas

and will feature special guest speaker Dr. David Jeremiah. For more information or to R.S.V.P. to the event, visit kkms.com or call 651-405-8800.

The Pastors Appreciation

Luncheon is a thank you to pastors and ministry leaders for their service. It’s not often that pastors themselves get the recognition they deserve so AM 980 KKMS designed the lunch

to do just that.

Locally, Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah can be heard weekdays at 9:30 a.m. on AM 980 KKMS. Dr. David Jeremiah founded Turning Point Ministries in 1982 as a broadcast ministry to deliver the unchanging Word of God to an ever-changing world. Three decades later, with a multimedia network featuring radio, television, and online programming, magazines and books, Turning Point reaches tens of millions of people around the globe. With the potential reach of 480 million listeners, Dr. Jeremiah’s radio messages air thousands of times each day. And Momento Decisivo, the ministry’s Spanish-language outreach, is aired more than 800 times a day on nearly 600 radio stations in every Spanishspeaking country in Central and South America. With its largest audience to date, Turning Point Television reaches a potential 2.5 billion households worldwide.

AM 980 KKMS is owned

by Salem Communications, America’s leading radio broadcaster, Internet content provider, and magazine and book publisher targeting audience interested in Christian and family-themed content and conservative values. In addition to its radio properties, Salem owns Salem Radio Network, which syndicates talk, news and music programing to approximately 2,000 affiliates; Salem Radio Representatives, a national radio advertising sales force; Salem Web Network, a leading Internet provider of Christian content and online streaming; and Salem Publishing, a leading publisher of Christian themed magazines.

Salem owns and operates 95 radio stations, with 60 stations in the nation’s top 25 markets – and 29 in the top 10. Each of our radio properties has a full portfolio of broadcast and digital marketing opportunities.

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Insight News • March 18 - March 24, 2013 • Page 7

Wells Fargo threatens eviction Southside family Jessica English, a single mother of four experiencing homelessness, moved into an abandoned Wells Fargo-owned home in south Minneapolis last month. The home had been broken into and used as a drug house. But Jessica, a single mother of four, student, writer, dedicated worker, and volunteer with Occupy Homes MN, saw in it the potential of a place to raise her family.

“Houses are for keeping families together, not for tearing communities apart,” said Jessica. “As Wells Fargo turns its back on vacant homes that add blight to the community, one in 45 children is homeless every night. I think it’s time that we start asking why, and start providing the answers to do something about it.”

With the full support of the neighbors on the block, Jessica and Occupy Homes fixed up the home, cleaning up broken glass, tearing up carpet stained with human waste, and turning the water back on. A housewarming party attracted 50 neighbors and supporters. Several days later, a march on Wells Fargo Home Mortgage from Jessica’s house drew 200, with 13 people peacefully arrested.

Wells Fargo, however, has repeatedly sent management to change the locks on the property, in flagrant disregard of due process laws. Minnesota law states that only a judge can order the eviction of a resident from a property. Yesterday three Minneapolis police officers attempted to carry out an illegal eviction of the home, telling the

four volunteers occupying it they had to leave. The supporters turned the police away, telling them they needed permission from a judge and a warrant to enter the home. The police left, but they could return at any time.

“Homelessness in Hennepin County is at a six-year high.

Shelters are overflowing, and it’s been another brutal winter,” said Nick Espinosa, an organizer with Occupy Homes MN. “Wells Fargo doesn’t need any more empty homes, and neither does south Minneapolis.

Our demand to turn the home over to a community group for affordable housing is a common sense solution that makes sense for everyone.”

Video segment on the home: kare11.tv/YixvcA

Occupy Homes MN

Prayer vigil lifts up ‘Homeowners’ Bill of Rights’ Clergy, faith leaders and concerned community members gathered outside the office of Sen. James Metzen in St. Paul to call on him to hear the ‘Homeowners Bill of Rights’ in the Senate Commerce Committee; a committee he chairs.

Throughout the vigil, 40 people taking different shifts left him personalized postcards

encouraging him to “faithfully bring justice forth and hear the bill”. Clergy met with Metzen’s secretary to discuss his position on the hearing.

“In the meeting with Sen. Metzen’s staff, I got the distinct impression that he’d like for everyone to just get along and work together,” said Johnathan Zielske, Pastor at Hope Lutheran Church in St. Paul. “In an ideal

world, we all would. Yet power concedes nothing unless forced to and for much too long the big banks have held all the power.

We need to give homeowners some basic rights to deal with the banks when they do not play fair. The senator cares, I get that, but does he care enough to give the people a hearing on this?”

Clergy and religious leaders are responding to Metzen’s

statements that he is unwilling to hear the bill until there is “peace in the valley,” - meaning that those seeking to curb Minnesota’s foreclosure crisis must come to an agreement with big banks and their lobbyists on key components to the bill.

Meanwhile, those highly paid lobbyists continue to fill the halls of the capitol attempting to stop the bill from being heard,

in Metzen’s committee and elsewhere.

“As people of faith, we believe our policies must protect the economic well-being of our families rather than the concentrated wealth of a few,” said Joseph Baring, Pastor at St. James AME in St. Paul.

“The Homeowner Bill of Rights will keep more families in their homes and work to level the

playing field between lenders and homeowners.”

Clergy and other concerned Minnesotans held vigil at Metzen’s office throughout the day, bringing a citizen’s lobby of concerned homeowners and neighbors seeking common sense solutions to a statewide problem of foreclosures.

Bratt

BB: I think the message that resonates most, and definitely the one that resonates with me and my wife as parents, is that there is no length that is too great to go to in order to protect your child. So, it’s fascinating to see how Dwayne Johnson, who is a formidable, mountain of a man, is reduced to feeling powerless when his son is suddenly in danger. It’s very compelling to watch the process of his coming to terms with what he has to do to get his boy released from jail.

[Laughs]

KW: Documentary filmmaker Kevin Williams says: How has acting changed for you over the years and how have you managed to mix comedy with drama so successfully?

BB: Good question. I think that I was hungrier when I was younger, and it showed in my work on some level. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve grown a lot more assured about what I’m doing. I call upon my training, my research and my life experience. That’s the good news about getting older. Your life experience really informs the work that you do in front of the camera, and even more so onstage.

That comfort level enables an actor to be more at ease. Being a greater risk-taker comes from the experience of taking on roles, and it shows.

KW: Is there a childhood friend you’d like to reunite with?

BB: Yeah, there are a couple of them.

KW: That’s great. So many celebrities I interview say they never cook.

BB: I know. They’re probably single. [LOL]

From 5 when you play someone in law enforcement?

BB: One might think so, Larry but, surprisingly, the answer is “No.” I think most law enforcement people would tell you that there’s a very fine line between going one way or the other. On some level, as a career criminal, you’re a soldier.

And certainly a police officer also has that soldier’s “us or them” mentality where the delineation between black and white is very clear. My brother-in-law happens to be a detective on the East Coast. Having played a man in uniform several times, it’s always been a fascination for me. And I’ve spent hours talking to him over the years about the mindset of someone on the force, and it’s very clear. There’s no gray area in law enforcement. Evil exists in the world and it must be dealt with.

And those on the side of good can feel righteous in their approach to eliminating evil. There’s no ambiguity there. So, in the case of someone like El Topo, it’s not so much that he’s evil, but that the director is very keen to point out that he’s a man, a father, just as Dwayne Johnson’s character is. He has a job to do. He’s a businessman. Yes, he happens to sell drugs but, at the end of the day, he has to get the job done and take care of his family. I thought that was a unique take on this kind of villain. Although we don’t get to spend much time with him, we get the sense that, yes, he’s capable of a great deal of violence, and yet, he’s just taking care of business.

KW: Editor/legist Patricia Turnier would like to know: What message do you think people will take away from “Snitch”?

KW: Kate Newell says: I love Benjamin Bratt! You’ve done such amazing work, but I’m going frivolous, here. Will your character, Javier Delgado, be returning to “Modern Family”?

BB: [Chuckles] Yeah, rest assured, Kate, he will be back.

We don’t have an air date yet, but I just filmed an episode recently which I believe will be coming out some time in April.

KW: Harriet Pakula-Teweles asks: How difficult is it to switch from doing a TV role to a big screen movie role? Which do you prefer?

BB: I’d have to say that acting is acting, and that you always want to convey a sense of honesty and authenticity. So, I approach both in a similar way. For me, though, the great joy of doing this film was that there was so much gravitas to my role. In fact, I feel that I do my best work when the stakes are a lot higher, where I play the heavy, like I did in “La Mission”, a movie my brother directed.

KB: Harriet has a follow-up: Is there a remake of a classic you’d like to do with a role for yourself in mind?

BB: I think every actor would like to be in some version of “The Godfather”. So, if they’re doing “Godfather IV”, sign me up.

KW: Patricia asks: Is there a Latin icon you would like to portray in a film?

BB: Not one that jumps out at me.

That’s a good question, Patricia, and one I’ve pondered a lot because I’m always trying to be proactive in bringing our stories to the fore, and I’m lucky to have a built in writer/director in my brother.

KW: Your mother brought you to Alcatraz as a child to participate in the occupation of the island by Native Americans. Maybe you’d like to portray Dennis Means, the leader of the American Indian Movement.

BB: That idea has come up before. In fact, I even saw a script at one point. There was a young, charismatic leader by the name of Richard Oakes who spearheaded the initial takeover of the island.

He was a Mohawk from New York. I always thought that his would make an interesting story.

KW: The Ling-Ju Yen question: What is your earliest childhood memory?

BB: I remember being twirled around in a circle when I was about 3 by my dad who was holding me while music played.

KW: The bookworm Troy Johnson question: What was the last book you read?

BB: The Round House by Louise Erdich. http://www.amazon.com/exec/ obidos/ASIN/0062065246/ ref=nosim/thslfofire-20 KW: The music maven Heather Covington question: What was the last song you listened to?

BB: “When I Was Your Man” by Bruno Mars. http://www.amazon.com/exec/ obidos/ASIN/B00AHXIEFS/ ref=nosim/thslfofire-20 KW: What is your favorite dish to cook?

BB: Pasta Bolognese. Cooking is one of my favorite things to do at home with my wife. I also make my own homemade sausage with kale and pasta.

KW: The Uduak Oduok question: Who is your favorite clothes designer?

BB: Oh man, Armani’s hard to beat. Hugo Boss makes some great stuff. Rag & Bone is excellent for casual wear. Calvin Klein has worked out very well for me, and so has Levi’s. It’s tough to beat Levi’s!

KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

BB: [LOL] I see a father, and a husband, and someone who is very content.

KW: Thanks again for the time, Benjamin, and best of luck with the film.

BB: Thank you, Kam.

Page 8 • March 18 - March 24, 2013 • Insight News

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LIFESTYLE SOUL FOOD MN

Sunnyside Cafe: A soul food tradition in North Minneapolis

By Cheo Smith TC Daily Planet Sunnyside Cafe owner and head chef James Baker has been around the world, it seems. He first began cooking as a child, learning recipes from his aunties, but he credits his decision to cook while serving in the Navy during his tour in Vietnam with saving his life.

Upon returning to the States, he followed the advice of a commanding officer and enrolled in culinary school. Over the next 40 years, Chef Baker worked in many areas of the food industry— from hotels and care facilities to restaurants and private catering.

Cooking even brought him and his wife together. He tells the story of visiting her father’s restaurant on Broadway in North Minneapolis where she served him a slice of pizza. It was with her influence that brought him back to Minnesota to establish a long standing soul food catering business, and eventually, restaurant and catering.

Sunnyside Cafe, on Minneapolis’s Northside, has been serving up a special kind of soul food since taking over the corner of Morgan and Glenwood from Milda’s Cafe in 2000. The restaurant, open Friday through Sunday, serves a one-of-a-kind soul food buffet featuring all of your favorites in one place. The menu changes weekly, from baked

Photos by B FRESH Photography and Media

James Baker chicken and BBQ wings to spiced catfish and country ham. There are some staples that stay on the menu, including mac and cheese, candied yams, collard greens, and black eyed peas. There are also a wide variety of cold salads and always a plate of warm cornbread to enjoy on the side.

There were so many foods to sample from the buffet when I visited that I can only share a few with you here. The collard greens were excellent. Made without meat, the greens are flavored with fresh aromatics and vegetable stock. The preparation leaves nothing to be desired, as the rich

flavor of the greens stands out, supported by the aroma of fresh onions and peppers on top. The black-eyed peas and rice were also very fresh tasting. They were fully vegan, like the greens, and were topped with minced green pepper and tomato, which made them as tasty as they were colorful. The mac and cheese was thick and creamy and had the flavor of a block of cheddar. It was nice to see some cornbread stuffing in the buffet, which had a really great traditional flavor. I had to have a second helping.

The baked chicken was very tender and was covered with a light dusting of seasoning. The skin was crispy and the interior very juicy. The BBQ wings were also juicy and covered in a tangy and mildly spicy sauce. Another of the standout dishes was the gumbo. Made with shredded chicken and sausage, it had a rich flavor, and again had a very fresh tasting finish that comes from well-prepared scratch-cooked food.

The photos of the many

celebrities, politicians, and athletes that Chef Baker has met cover the walls of the Sunnyside Cafe. In these photos are the memories of a lifetime spent making food that makes people happy and leaves them satisfied. Chef Baker told me, “The pride lasts a lot longer than the money.” I think that this rings true in the high quality of service and great food that Sunnyside Cafe serves up.

Read Margo Ashmore on food options from Broadway to Glenwood (2012) and Al McFarlane and B.P. Ford on Sunnyside’s “Basquais” omelet (2007).

Sunnyside Cafe and Elite Catering Phone: 612-374-5914 http://www.elitecateringmn.com Facebook Page: Facebook.com/pages/SunnySideCafe/106640492700171 Hours: Friday-Sunday: 7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Five easy steps to a low maintenance eco-friendly landscape

By Melinda Myers, Gardening expert It’s possible to create a beautiful landscape and be kind to the environment even with a busy schedule and while staying within budget. “All it takes is a bit of planning and a few low maintenance strategies,” says gardening expert and author Melinda Myers.

Myers recommends these five strategies to create a low maintenance eco-friendly landscape this season.

Be Waterwise Save money on the water bill, time spent watering and this precious resource, water. Start by growing drought tolerant plants suited to your growing environment.

Once established they will only need watering during extended dry spells. Mulch with shredded leaves, evergreen needles, woodchips, or other organic matter to conserve moisture, reduce weeds, and improve the soil as they decompose.

Fertilize with a low nitrogen fertilizer, like Milorganite, that promotes slow steady growth instead of excessive greenery that requires more water. Plus, it won’t burn even during drought.

Put rainwater to work all season long by using rain barrels to capture rainwater off your roof or directly from the sky.

Recycle Yard Waste in the Landscape Minimize the amount of yard

waste produced, reuse what can be in other areas of the landscape and recycle the rest as compost.

These are just a few strategies that will save time bagging, hauling, and disposing of yard debris.

And better yet, implementing this strategy will save money and time spent buying and transporting soil amendments, since it will be created right in the backyard.

Start by leaving grass clippings on the lawn. The short clippings break down quickly, adding organic matter, nutrients and moisture to the soil. Grow trees suited to the growing conditions and available space. That means less pruning and fewer trimmings that will need to be managed.

Leaf mulch

Make Compost at Home Recycle yard waste into compost.

Put plant waste into a heap and let it rot. Yes, it really is that simple.

The more effort put into the process, the quicker the results.

Do not add insect-infested or diseased plant material or perennial weeds like quack grass, annual weeds gone to seed, or invasive plants. Most compost piles are not hot enough to kill these pests. And do not add meat, dairy, or bones that can attract rodents.

Manage Pests in Harmony with Nature A healthy plant is the best defense against insects and disease. Select the most pest-resistant plants suited to the growing conditions and provide proper care.

Check plants regularly throughout the growing season.

It is easier to control a few

PUZZLES

Images provided by Melinda Myers

Compost bin insects than the hundreds that can develop in a week or two. And when problems arise, look for the most eco-friendly control. Start by removing small infestations by hand. Consider traps, barriers, and natural products if further

control is needed. And as always be sure to read and follow label directions carefully.

Energy Wise Landscape Design Use landscape plantings to keep homes warmer in the winter and

cooler in the summer. Homes will have a more comfortable temperature throughout the seasons and energy costs will be reduced.

Plant trees on the east and west side of a house to shade windows in the summer and let the sun shine in and warm it up through the south-facing windows in winter.

Shade air conditioners, so they run more efficiently and be sure to collect and use any water they produce for container gardens.

Incorporate these changes into gardening routines and habits over time. Soon these and many more strategies that help save time and money while being kind to the environment will seem to occur automatically.

Nationally known gardening expert, TV/radio host, author & columnist Melinda Myers has more than 30 years of horticulture experience and has written over 20

gardening books, including Can’t Miss Small Space Gardening. She hosts the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment segments which air on over 115 TV and radio stations throughout the U.S. She is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and writes the twice monthly “Gardeners’ Questions” newspaper column.

Melinda also has a column in Gardening How-to magazine.

Melinda hosted “The Plant Doctor” radio program for over 20 years as well as seven seasons of Great Lakes Gardener on PBS. She has written articles for Better Homes and Gardens and Fine Gardening and was a columnist and contributing editor for Backyard Living magazine.

Melinda has a master’s degree in horticulture, is a certified arborist and was a horticulture instructor with tenure. Her web site is www. melindamyers.com

Spring in the air ANSWERS TURN TO 10

ACROSS 1. Father of Hector, Paris and Cassandra 6. Young newt 9. Perching place 13. Fungal skin infection 14. Tap order 15. Less than right angle 16. On pins and needles 17. Bottom line 18. Isabel Allende’s “Portrait in _____” 19. *Say ______ to winter and hello to spring 21. *Celebrated saint 23. One of peeps 24. Cobbler’s concern 25. Mudbath site 28. Cellist great 30. *The ______ Spring, led by Alexander Dubcek 35. Snaky swimmers 37. *Daffodil or tulip, originally 39. Yuletides 40. Competitive advantage 41. Skedaddle 43. Profit 44. REM picture 46. Fuzzy fruit 47. Second-most traded currency in world 48. Kinda 50. One who speaks a Slavic language 52. OB-GYN test 53. Boor 55. *These sox train in spring 57. *Precedes May flowers 61. Okinawa martial arts 64. Great reviews 65. Lawyer group 67. She turned to stone 69. Amber _____ 70. “Family ___” 71. Ar, atomic number 18 72. Homework to a student 73. a.k.a. Tokyo 74. City on Rhone River

s

DOWN 1. “Harper Valley ___” 2. Sign of engagement 3. A fan of 4. Famous for his fables 5. *Dance-around-the-pole holiday 6. _____ button from Staples 7. 1918 pandemic, e.g.

8. Dancer’s beat 9. Maple, to a botanist 10. Brazilian indigenous people 11. Relating to the ear 12. Reach a high 15. Rearward 20. Splotches 22. European peak 24. Lonely musician?

25. *Garden’s beginnings 26. Peter in Spain 27. Tattered Tom’s creator 29. Exclamation of disgust 31. First rate 32. “Faster!” to a horse 33. U in UV 34. To impede 36. The Vatican to Catholics, e.g.

38. B in BCS 42. Miss America’s topper 45. Harass 49. Either ___ or against 51. *Occurring now 54. Utilization or employment 56. Farm type 57. 32-card game 58. Maui dance 59. Lyric poem, pl.

60. W in W=Fd 61. Boxer’s last blow 62. Not for here 63. Jet black 66. *Spring Growth 68. European Nuclear Society

insightnews.com

Insight News • March 18 - March 24, 2013 • Page 9

COMMENTARY The State of Equality and Justice in America

The urgency of now must be taken seriously

By Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian “The State of Equality and Justice in America” is a 20-part series of columns written by an all-star list of contributors to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. The contributors include: U. S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) LCCRUL 50th Anniversary Grand Marshal; Ms. Barbara Arnwine, President and Executive Director, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (LCCRUL); Mr. Charles Ogletree, Professor, Harvard University Law School/ Director, Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice; the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr., President/CEO, Rainbow/PUSH Coalition; the Rev. Joseph Lowery, Cofounder, Southern Christian Leadership Conference; U. S. Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.); and 14 additional thought leaders and national advocates for equal justice.

Here’s the ninth op-ed of the series: We must take the urgency of now very seriously. Not just because of the pending 50th Anniversary of the March

Moore From 6 manage stress.

Students may be dealing with how to navigate the college experience, how to recognize the warning signs of depression and how to access resources on their respective campuses. All college students may face problems related to negotiating parent, student relationships, transitioning to college and becoming more independent. However, in addition to discussing universal concerns, I also make sure to address some issues specifically regarding students of color, such as race relations on campus, diversity and inclusions issues, discrimination and advice on how to address these issues. It is widely known that students of color may face additional burdens and in some cases, barriers when attending a predominately white institution. In addition, some students may feel extra stress related to having to be the one in their family to “make it.”

Students of color may have additional family obligations

on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, but because the future of America’s people; especially those who have been long oppressed, depends on right now.

Since the beginning of this country, the one thing that has never been fully decided is who will truly determine this nation’s future? Will it be America’s truly wealthy - the 1 percent who can decide every political and economic move in the richest and mightiest country in the world?

And who, with the economic 1 percent of Europe and Asia, could take over every major decision in this global world?

Would it be them or would it be “We the people”?

It is clear by studying recent events; coupled with patterns of history, that the democratic principle of “We the people” is constantly endangered by plutocratic mindsets, those who are often controlled by greed and quests for power.

Plutocracy, according to Webster, is one, “Government by wealthy people”; two, “A society governed by wealthy people”; or three, “A ruling class whose power is based on their wealth.”

I caution that America could succumb to this social mindset - if we do not continue to stand guard using our democratic powers of

“We the people” to the fullest.

Take the last presidential election, for instance. Mitt Romney, in his derogatory comment about the so-called “47 percent” of people who he claimed “are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims” and who “pay no income tax” - appeared to dismiss nearly half of American voters. He even said, “... and so my job is not to worry about those people. I’ll never convince them that they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives.”

These derogatory comments appeared to signal a move to exclude people of a certain social

that other students may not have, which can negatively impact a student’s ability to function on campus.

During the workshop, we also discuss addictions in the context of some of the negative ways that college students cope with stress and depression.

We discuss, alcoholism and college student drinking, sexual promiscuity, marijuana and other drug use, overeating, among many others. I also make sure to talk about the importance of eating healthy, maintaining a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and not being afraid to ask for help from peers, teachers, mentors, church, family, and licensed professionals. As a matter of transparency, I am always candid with any audience and have no problem with telling students about stress and how I have struggled with food consumption. Students tend to think that if you are successful (however you define success) you have never had to suffer or deal with some of the harsh realities that plague our youth today. Make no mistakes about it, I have had to deal with bruises, scratches, scrapes, burns, disappointment, setbacks, failures, etc. Every

year I make sure to quickly remind students that I was in their very shoes a few years ago. Being a former Jackie Robinson Scholar and having gone through the ranks from undergraduate student, to graduate student, to the Ph.D., and now coming back as conference faculty gives me a unique perspective that some of the other presenters may not have. I am able to say, I know what it is like to be the only one of color at a big university.

I can relate to the students in such a way, that they then realize that they can overcome any and all adversity that may come their way.

During the weekend students had the opportunity to see a sneak peak of the movie, “42” that comes out later this year. While I cannot discuss the movie in detail, it depicts the hardship that Jackie Robinson faced during his life.

Like Robinson, we all will face adversity in some way, shape, or form, but also like Robinson, we all have the ability within ourselves to overcome that same adversity. Like Jackie Robinson and his beloved wife Rachel Robinson, I hope to use my experiences in addition to my skills and expertise to

Rev. Dr. C. T. Vivian

status. Moreover, it appeared as a move to keep the concept of “We the people” alive while denying it in practice. What would have or could have happened had he prevailed?

It is important to note that throughout history, struggles for equality and justice in America have continued to move from victory to setback and from setback to victory. In fact, about every 30 to 35 years, there’s a new movement in this country.

The civil rights movement was the last one. The one before that was the labor movement.

Somewhere between 35 and 40 years, there’s always a new people’s movement. This time, it’s the continuation of the civil rights movement, which includes the movement on behalf of the poor.

At the blessed age of 88, I recall the degradation of segregation and Jim Crow. I struggled for justice through the freedom rides and alongside Dr. King. I marched on Washington on August 28, 1963 and I was there to ultimately rejoice at the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

And then we suddenly found ourselves mourning upon the assassination of my dear friend

and brother, Dr. King, in 1968.

He was only in Memphis for the cause of the sanitation workers, the poor, the struggling, and the oppressed who were suffering unequal wages and working conditions.

Fast forward, to see America elect and then re-elect its first Black president nearly 50 years later is reason to rejoice. And yet even President Obama’s inaugural speech called for honest labor wages that “liberate families from the brink of hardship.”

This is a clear reason that we must continue to march to the polls as well as to take up our banners and plead our causes.

We must win our battles in the basic old-fashioned way that it has historically worked - with non-violent direct action protests, coupled with the vote. In doing so, our movement will continue to grow.

A newsman once asked Dr. King, “How many members do you have?” When Martin answered, the newsman retorted, “Well that doesn’t represent much of Black America”. But then Dr. King said something that is so very relevant in the 21st century. He said, “We don’t operate through membership. We operate knowing that if we’re

help others in some profound way. Attending the 2013 Mentoring and Leadership Conference sponsored by the Jackie Robinson Foundation was a blast, and a wonderful way to start out March. In my last commentary, I said that “I am hip-pop.” This week, I am going to say, “I am Jackie Robinson” Need I say Moore?

Well that’s all for now, hope to talk to you soon, but until then, stick around, there’s Moore to come.

Darren D. Moore, Ph.D., LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist and an assistant professor in marriage and family therapy at a University in Georgia.

He works with individuals, couples, and families regarding mental health and relationship concerns. His research, teaching and clinical interests include general mental health, obesity, weight loss, eating disorders and addictions, within couple and family relationships, with an emphasis in working with men,

right, people will follow us.”

The state of equality and justice in America is a continued struggle for the poor despite all of the strides America has made. The urgency of now is to maintain the power and sanctity of the vote, which has become the greatest power held by the poor. As Dr. King said, if we do what is right, others will follow us. This is the power of “We the people”.

The Rev. C.T. Vivian is national president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He was also a close friend, lieutenant and advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.This article - the ninth of a 20-part series - is written in commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. The Lawyers’ Committee is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to enlist the private bar’s leadership and resources in combating racial discrimination and the resulting inequality of opportunity - work that continues to be vital today. For more information, please visit www. lawyerscommittee.org.

African-American families, and marginalized populations.

Moore is a north Minneapolis native and obtained his bachelor’s degree in African American Studies from the University of Minnesota, his master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from Valdosta State University, and his Ph.D. in marriage and family therapy from Virginia Tech. Dr. Darren D Moore can be reached by email at ddmoore@vt.edu or (612) 2963758.

You belong.

The health plan with you in mind.

China From 4 The Supreme Court’s Plessy v. Ferguson decision in 1896 upholding racial segregation in public accommodations remained the law of the land until the 1954 Brown school desegregation decision. It was not until 1967 that the Supreme Court, in Loving v. Virginia, invalidated state laws prohibiting interracial marriage.

Several Chinese officials, urging more patience with China, pointed out that Blacks weren’t able to fully exercise their citizenship in America’s democratic system until passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the 1965 Voting Rights Act. “Race is not as large a factor compared to the United States,” said Carl Humphrey, an African American who lives in Shanghai.

“In China, you are a laowai or foreigner first then you are an American foreigner. Only after that are you a Black, white or yellow foreigner. That’s very different from home.”

Humphrey said he has seen an improvement in how Chinese view Blacks.

“The locals over the years have been used to seeing the majority race represented abroad,” he stated. “With the media spotlighting people such as our current president, entertainers and sports figures, we are looked upon in a very positive light outside of the United States. It’s very strange to me to witness the respect of President Obama here in China. He is loved everywhere in the world by individuals of all races.”

CHINA TURN TO 12

At Medica, you’re not just part of a health plan.

You’re part of a community that believes in better health for all.

Learn more at medica.com/PublicPrograms

Page 10 • March 18 - March 24, 2013 • Insight News

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COMMUNITY Energy Assistance and Community Resource Day for Minneapolis Veterans Come out to support our veterans at the Energy Assistance and Community Resource Day for Minneapolis Veterans and their families on Thursday, March 21, 2013 from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm at Community Action of Minneapolis, located at 2104 Park Avenue in Minneapolis.

The purpose of this event

is make Energy Assistance Applications available to Minneapolis veterans in need of Energy Assistance Program resources and to increase their awareness of local community resources. This event will feature Energy Assistance Application Resource Assistance for veterans.

Representatives from utility

providers, Center Point and XCEL Energy, will be onsite to offer informational resources for light and/ or gas bill payment issues or concerns.

The following additional community resources will also be available for Minneapolis veterans: Housing and Legal Resource Assistance, Employment and Re-Training

Resources, Representation from AMICUS, Supplemental Food and Nutrition Program information and application assistance for income eligible families, information about connecting to Minnesota Library Services; information about PICA HEAD START Early Childhood Education Services, Bridge to Benefits

resource information for Minnesota, resource connections to the North Point Health and Wellness MAN Clinic and much more.

There will be a Free Community Lunch for Veterans from 12:00 noon until 2:00 pm; complete with surprise goodies and giveaways.

This event is sponsored

by Community Action of Minneapolis Energy Services Outreach, Center Point Energy, XCEL Energy and the Phillips West Neighborhood Organization.

For more information contact Cheryl @campls.org. or call 612.767. 1734.

Journalist Jina Moore looks at fragile nations Jina Moore, a Pulitzer Center journalist who specializes in post-conflict and human rights reporting headlines a panel discussion themed “Fragile

Nations and the Minnesota Connection” from 7 p.m. until 8:30 on Tuesday, March 19 at University Center, Saint Mary’s University, Twin Cities Campus,

2540 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55404. This event is free.

Experts identify more than 50 nations as in a state of fragility or conflict today. The countries

Calendar • Classifieds Send Community Calendar information to us by email: info@insightnews.com, by fax: 612.588.2031, by phone: 612.5881313 or by mail: 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis, MN 55411. Free or low cost events preferred.

EVENTS HELPING SENIORS IN MINNEAPOLIS Seniors Program of Neighborhood Involvement Program assists elders aged 60 and over in North and Southwest Minneapolis with a variety of services so that they can remain safely in their home or apartment. Our services are specialized for each resident and we strive to provide as much as possible via the assistance of volunteers. To be eligible for seniors’ services, people must live within the following boundaries: south of 44th Avenue in North Minneapolis, north of West 36th Street in Southwest Minneapolis, 35W on the east, and France Avenue on the west.

For information about NIP Senior Services email seniors@ neighborhoodinvolve.org or call 612-374-3322. Our website is www.neighborhoodinvolve.org

RAKE IT Spring Yard CleanUp Improve your health while helping a senior citizen in Minneapolis remain independent in their home!

You choose the date and time to rake and clean up the yard.

Perfect for individuals, groups, and families. Seasonal: April – November (depending upon the weather). This is a one-time fun, flexible activity on weekdays or weekends. Feel free to sign up multiple times! Supplies needed: rakes, gloves, brooms, and compostable bags. Exact location TBD in North or Southwest Minneapolis, depends upon where the senior citizen resides. Ongoing volunteer opportunities are also available. Please contact Jeanne the NIP Seniors Program, Volunteer Coordinator at srvolunteer@ neighborhoodinvolve.org or call 612-746-8549 for more information. Our website is www. neighborhoodinvolve.org

“Speaking Truth to Power Under the Patriot Act” Mar. 19 Susan Lindauer, author, former CIA asset and congressional staffer will share her experiences, chronicled in her book Extreme Prejudice: The Terrifying Story of the Patriot Act and the Cover-Ups of 9/11 and Iraq. She will discuss the Peace Option offered by Iraq a full 16 months before Classified Sales Representative the invasion. Lindauer will speak at the following three Insight News is looking for a Classified Sales Representative to start immediately. events: Tuesday, March This is a part-time position perfect for a col19, St. Paul Labor and lege student or someone looking for suppleProfessional Building, 411 mental income. Candidate must be a motiMain Street, St. Paul, MN vated self-starter with the desire to grow the business. Candidate must be focused, must 55102; Wednesday, March have the ability to work under deadlines and 20, Mager’s and Quinn, to meet or exceed set sales goals. Respon3048 Hennepin Ave S, sibilities include calling and emailing new clients and following up with past clients for Minneapolis, MN 55408, classified sales. Please e-mail cover letter and Thursday, March 21, and resume to batalara@insightnews.com.

St. Luke Presbyterian Please: No walk-ins and NO phone calls.

Church, 3121 Groveland School Rd, Minnetonka Senior Project Coordinator 55391. All events are from 7:00—9:00 PM, including and Project Coordinator Q&A sessions. Doors open The City of Minneapolis seeks two economic at 6:30 PM. Events are development professionals (Senior Project Coordinator and Project Coordinator) to refree and open to the public; cruit business investment to Minneapolis and free-will donations will facilitate the expansion of existing Minneapolis be accepted to help defray businesses. This staff position is also responexpenses. sible for managing assigned real estate development projects and various public financing programs and assisting private investors in the development of property for commercial use.

For a complete job description and a list of all job requirements including minimum qualifications for each position applicants are encouraged to review the job announcement online at www.minneapolismn.gov/jobs. Applications will be accepted until April 5, 2013.

Social Media for Your Business Mar. 19 Social Media for Your Business: Presented

by NDC, learn how to use social media, like

suffer from weak infrastructure, internal conflict and economic despair, often severely impacting the security and well-being of their local populations - with

Phone: 612.588.1313

global consequences. While efforts are being made to stabilize these nations, panelists will examine whether peace finally has a chance to flourish?

Fax: 612.588.2031

Email: info@insightnews.com

North Regional Library Has Talent North Regional Library 1st Annual Talent Show with host and emcee Fancy Ray McCloney!!! Fancy Ray and The North Regional Library invite singers, dancers, poets, rappers, all ages, and all levels of talent at this wonderful community event where you can let your star shine!

Come perform, come watch, come be a part of this unique blend of talent and audience interplay featuring Fancy Ray McCloney, “Best Looking Man in Comedy,’’ TV

Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, to enhance your business success.

6:30-8:30 p.m. Free. Rondo Community Library, 461 Dale Street, St. Paul, MN. 651-3798113.

Bank of America Homeowner Assistance Event Mar. 19-21 As part of Bank of America’s commitment to providing assistance to customers who are experiencing financial hardship, the Bank is hosting a free, threeday homeowner assistance event. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet face-toface with Bank of America specialists to review their full financial situation and discuss alternatives to foreclosure, such as a loan modification or short sale. Customers will walk away with information needed to make informed decisions about their mortgage. Workshops and nonprofit counselors will be available on-site to provide financial education and budgeting tips. A list of important documents to bring is available at www.bankofamerica. com/homeownerevent. This event will be held at the Radisson Plaza Hotel Minneapolis, 35 South 7th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402 Tuesday, March 19 – Thursday, March 21 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. each day. To register please call 1.855.201.7426 or visit www.bankofamerica.com/ homeownerevent. Appointments are available from 8 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. daily. Se habla español.

Complimentary parking will be available in the Plaza VII Parking

personality, and showman extraordinaire.

Big Fun, Big Laughs, and a good time to be had by all!!! ++Plus++ Free PIZZA and PRIZES!!!

Saturday, April 6th 3:00 P.M. 612-5438450 to register at the North Regional Library, 1315 Lowry Ave. N., Minneapolis, MN 55411.

For further information contact Barb at 612-5438450 or Fancy Ray at 612 423-2629.

Fancy Ray

Garage. Entrance is located on 35 South 7th Street.

National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day - Mar. 20 The Indigenous Peoples Task Force will team up with the Indian Health Board to provide free health screenings for HIV, hepatitis C, blood pressure, blood sugar and other health checks for walk-ins at the National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NNHAAD).

The event will include speakers, games, youth performances, prizes and refreshments. The event will take place on Wednesday, March 20th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the All Nations Indian Church, 1515 East 23rd Street, Minneapolis.

Information about HIV is also available from the Minnesota AIDS Project (MAP) AIDSLine, 612- 373-2437, 1-800-248-2437.

MAP AIDSLine offers statewide information and referral services, including prevention education, HIV risk assessments, HIV testing and referrals to HIV testing sites, as well as community resources and prevention programs that serve American Indians.

“Living Under Drones” Mar 23 Leah Bolger to speak on Living Under Drones: A FirstPerson Report from the Peace Caravan to Pakistan in October 2012 at WAMM’s Annual Meeting, Saturday March 23, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm, St. Francis Cabrini Church, 1500 Franklin Ave. SE, Minneapolis. Also featuring Spoken Word with Misty Rowan, A Melodious Annual Report written and sung

by Phyllis Goldin, and . . . a raffle to win a “Trip Around the World!”

For more information contact: Women Against Military Madness (WAMM) Director 612-8275364 wammdirector@mtn.org Special Olympics Minnesota Mar. 28 – May 16 The Special Olympics Minnesota’s Young Athletes™ program will bring together children ages 2 to 7 years-old with and without intellectual disabilities for an hour-long weekly session, during which they are given opportunities to work on hand-eye coordination and basic motor skills training.

Beneficial to all young athletes, this weekly program is sponsored

by Kenny Kids Pediatric Rehab and will be held from 5:30-6:30 p.m. every Thursday, March 28-May 16, at 3111 124th St NW, Suite 123 in Coon Rapids.

For more information or to register, contact Jennifer Hansen at jennifer.hansen@somn.org or 612.604.1277. A detailed schedule including all locations may be found online at http:// specialolympicsminnesota.org/ Young_Athletes.php.

Good Friday Mar. 29

Prayer

Vigil

All Day March 29, 2013, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the new MegaPlanned Parenthood Abortuary, 671 Vandalia St. St. Paul, MN 55114. Fifteen area pastors will lead in scripture and prayer each half hour throughout the day. For more information, contact us at 651-771-1500 or vigil@plam. org. There is no parking near the new mega-Planned Parenthood on Good Friday. Free parking reserved at one of the University of St. Thomas parking areas (at the St. Paul Seminary) and will be running shuttle buses all day to and from the Vigil. Groups are encouraged to arrange a bus of their own. All buses must be registered. For more information or to register a bus, contact Stephanie at 651-771-1500 or vigil@plam.org.

Answers From 8

The panel proposes an in-depth look at these fragile nations, the peace building efforts to stabilize them and their impact on Minnesota communities.

Exhibition: Huroub: Travel Across Identities through Mar. 30 A group of 13 artists who left a homeland politically known as the Arab countries. They left chasing dreams with abstract perspectives of what it means to be American and what it means to be Middle Eastern. Their expressions include visual art, music, dance, theater and spoken word. They are linked by a language, a set of social values and an anthology of aesthetics which pass through a finer array of variable races, dialects, religions, and artistic forms than the post 9-11 homogenous group that is often categorized. As artists, they are continuously dealing with issues of identity either by defying it or by consciously or subconsciously embracing it. Hence, the title of the show is Huroub (Arabic for escape).

Vine Arts Center, Ivy Building For the Arts, 2637 27th Avenue South Minneapolis, MN. Gallery Hours: Monday & Thursday 5:30 - 6:45 pm; Saturday 11:00 am 5:00 pm. Please visit our website for more information: www. vineartscenter.org PROGRAMS & SERVICES West African Dance & Drum Classes African Dance w/ Whitney $12 - All classes Drop-In. Every Saturday 1:00pm - 2:30pm; Every Tuesday 7:00pm - 8:30pm. at Patrick’s Cabaret, 3010 Minnehaha Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55406.

CALENDAR TURN TO 12

insightnews.com

Insight News • March 18 - March 24, 2013 • Page 11

HEALTH 5 wellness tips for Dads: Feel good all year round Keeping children healthy through the winter is a top priority for parents. Fathers playing an active role in their children’s lives, including their health and safety, can make a positive difference.

Dads, you can take several simple steps so colds and flu don’t stop your kids and you from spending time together.

According to the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse (NRFC), setting a good example is the most important way to teach your children healthy behaviors. Even if you don’t share a home with your children, following healthy habits when you are together encourages them to do the same.

Modeling healthy behaviors is key for any parent seeking to teach their children healthy habits and behaviors. For example, if your children see you washing your hands often, they likely will too. Step in at the sink to help the littlest ones wash thoroughly.

Again, the earlier they experience this, the greater the chances that they will retain and continue these healthy practices. Once you are done, be sure to dry your hands completely after washing them.

To prevent the spread of germs, cough or sneeze into your elbow so germs are not spread to your hands. Also, show your children how to turn their heads away from others and use and toss tissues

properly. Be sure to exercise, eat foods that help you have a healthy weight and energy, and get proper rest. When your body is in good physical shape, is well rested, and has appropriate nutrition, it is better able to fight off germs and infections.

Taking care of your own health should not be limited to wintertime. It is a year-round process that is as important to your children as it is to you. Fathers can accompany their children on annual check-ups to help reinforce key health messages from the pediatrician.

On occasion, children may accompany their fathers to their check-ups, too.

Resources available on the NRFC website (www.fatherhood.gov) confirm that healthy fathers are more available to emotionally and financially support their children and families.

To feel great and stay that way, you need to take into account more than just your physical health.

Your psychological and social needs also have an impact on your overall well-being and your ability to be positively involved with your children.

Psychological health ‒ Life can get complicated and overwhelming. So being a loving, involved father isn’t always easy.

If you are depressed, are abusing drugs, or have other issues that

iStock

affect your emotional and mental health, they can cause problems

Photo by Ryan Howard

Each field worker of Nonviolent Peaceforce carries a card that states they will not be ransomed if abducted.

From 1 John and Eleanor Yackel have operated the Hospitality House in Circle Pines next door to their home on Golden Lake for about 20 years as a local retreat and conference center. In a way, NP’s stay in Circle Pines is a bit of a homecoming, as the group’s organizers convened at Hospitality House in 2001 for a key meeting.

Duncan remembered the intense heat of the summer, noting that the meeting took place close to when Vikings offensive tackle Korey Stringer died from complications related to heat stroke. During breaks in the meeting, people would run out of the hospitality house and jump into the lake to cool off.

“Circle Pines has served us well,” Duncan said with a smile.

For years before the 2001 meeting, Duncan had travelled

around the world trying to promote peace through nonviolent means.

As he talked with others who did the same and the people they were trying to protect, he realized that the presence of outsiders in a community alone can help stem the tide of violence because of political pressure. He vividly remembered one conversation with a woman affected by violence.

“She said, ‘Isolation kills us,’” Duncan recalled. “‘If there’s no cost to our lives, we’re much more likely to be disappeared.’”

Duncan, Hartsough and others met at the 1999 Hague appeal for peace and began to lay the framework for NP, combining outside presence with mediation techniques and local training to help communities arbitrate peace on their own.

“This was a recurring vision,” said Duncan.

The Yackels knew Duncan, originally from the Twin Cities area, from peace advocacy they had both participated in. In 2001,

personal life. Dealing with past mistakes allows you to move forward by establishing positive, fulfilling relationships.

Physical health – Exercise regularly. Find an activity that you enjoy so you are more likely to maintain a routine. When planning your workouts, discuss them with your children. Explain your exercise routine and how they can join in too. Set realistic workout goals. Be sure to balance your workouts with proper sleep.

Interpersonal health ‒ Healthy interactions are often the most neglected component of wellbeing. Healthy relationships take time and effort. Look for ways to add laughter to your activities with your children. Make sure your children know and understand your values by living them every day. Focus on your successes and not what you consider to be your failures. Let your children know that it is OK to fail and that no matter what, you’ll always love them.

Dietary health – Eat healthy foods in moderate amounts.

Drink water and snack on fruits and vegetables. Discuss your diet with your children. When in the grocery store point out healthy choices. Read the labels on food items with your children and discuss nutrition information.

You are what you eat, so be sure to encourage and model healthy eating habits for your children.

between you and your children.

There are many support and

in South Sudan is with cattle,” she said.

Left alone, cattle raiding can become a vicious and violent cycle, with revenge thefts often including the kidnapping of women and children from neighboring communities.

NP helps neighboring wouldbe raiders engage in “shuttle diplomacy,” heading back and forth between the two feuding parties to come up with an acceptable agreement to halt their actions and return what was taken.

The organization also teaches men to barter for cattle instead of stealing it, encouraging more

Peace

treatment options available to help you get past the barriers that could be holding you back from a better relationship with your children.

the Yackels offered the use of Hospitality House to the people who would eventually form the groundwork of NP to discuss the feasibility of a nonviolent peace organization. The organization has occasionally met at the house since.

The following year, NP was launched, and the first country project was started in Sri Lanka in 2003. The organization, which only goes to areas where they are invited by a local community group, helped communities limit violence and stop child kidnapping during the country’s civil war between the government and a revolutionary group known as the “Tamil Tigers.”

NP does not take a one-sizefits-all approach to peacekeeping, noted South Sudan Country Director Tiffany Easthom. Instead, each project finds solutions that are best suited to its country and communities.

For example, a big problem in South Sudan is cattle raiding.

“The only way to get married

Social health ‒ How you conduct your adult relationships has a direct effect on your children.

Studies show that people who enjoy healthy relationships have more happiness and less stress.

If your relationships in the past were stormy or troubled, you can start now to undo attitudes and behaviors that might have contributed to an unsatisfying

stability in this very new country (it broke from Sudan in 2011 after a long civil war).

Another example in South Sudan is rape reduction. A solution in one community involved making sure there are cell phones distributed around the village, making sure that every woman is able to quickly call for help if something suspicious or alarming is happening.

In the Philippines, NP is taking an even more involved approach to the overall peace process, helping monitor the ceasefire between the government and independence group Moro Islamic Liberation

Children need involved fathers in every aspect of their lives.

Similarly, dads can take control of every aspect of their health. Show that you value your health and you’ll be a positive role model for your children. Pass your healthy habits on to the next generation.

Getting up-to-date, accurate information is a vital part of health and wellness. The NRFC offers practical tools and resources to help fathers build and maintain stronger connections with their children in every season. Visit www.fatherhood.gov or call 8774DAD411. Stay in touch with the NRFC on Facebook and Twitter.

Front. Relationship building is key to this situation and many others that NP is involved in, said Senior Program Manager Shadab Mansoori.

When NP goes into a country, it immediately begins working with the local community groups, training them in peacekeeping situations, mapping out how conflict starts in an area and giving peaceful people more confidence and clout. In the Philippines, NP worked to create conflict “early warning systems” that would help

PEACE TURN TO 12

Page 12 • March 18 - March 24, 2013 • Insight News

China From 9

Carl Humphrey

Atlanta native Carl Humphrey says image of Blacks has improved in China

Johnson, author of the book on Chinese attitudes, believes the country would benefit from a more open discussion about race.

“The images of beauty which stress American and European centric racial characteristics and notions of beauty are acceptable to an astonishingly degree by the Chinese even though it attacks at the very core of Asian values and the concepts of Chinese and Asian beauty,” Johnson said.

And the people best positioned to help Chinese get past that problem are those darkskinned people that many look down on.

“Ironically, the cure for this social and cultural malady can be found where Chinese society dares not look: in the communities of peoples of color who have themselves fought this

internal cultural battles years ago,” Johnson said. “What the African-American community learned and could teach the Chinese community is that definitions of one’s cultural wealth and beauty are not defined externally but internally.”

(This 4-part series is the outgrowth of a week-long African American Media Leaders Mission to China sponsored by the China-United States Exchange Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose goal is to foster a better understanding between the people of China and the United States. Neither the foundation nor government officials in China had any input in these stories or saw them prior to publication. The 7-member U.S. media delegation was led by Cloves Campbell, Jr., publisher of the Arizona Informant and chairman of the National Newspaper Publishers Association. The trip included visits to Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai.)

insightnews.com

Ryan Howard

Circle Pines Mayor Dave Bartholomay met with Nonviolent Peaceforce founder Mel Duncan Feb. 27

Peace Robinson From 1 “At some point in your life you want to explore all aspects of who you are,” said Robinson.

Within a year of starting her jewelry business, Robinson was approached by Frank Guzzetta, former president of Macy’s North and current CEO of Ralph Lauren, who asked if she was interested in selling her jewelry in Macy’s. She also talked to Shop NBC about selling her work. Though none of these deals flourished, Robinson was still able to find success.

Since establishing her jewelry line, Rox has been showcased at the 2008 and 2011 New York Fashion Week and in several art galleries. She recently displayed her jewelry at the Studio Museum in Harlem.

“It was an honor to have my jewelry at a place where they have contemporary artists like Banega and Kara Walker and old greats like Jacob Lawrence and Romare Bearden and my jewelry’s in the next room,” said Robinson.

Though on hiatus from the broadcast news, Robinson has not officially taken off her television hat. When she is not

doing her jewelry, Robinson can be found behind the camera doing production work. Her most recent project was an informative documentary on diabetes titled “Diabetes Prevention Project.”

She has also taken up teaching. In April, Robinson will be teaching a class on the power of stones and healing at Mayo Clinic Rochester.

“I just need to do this now,” said Robinson of her endeavors.

With all her new activities, Robinson still finds time to give back to the community. One of her favorite events to do is “The Stir,” by the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota because of its support of successful, hard working women. Robinson also serves as an honorary chair of the Jeremiah Foundation that helps young mothers.

“I like things that are still challenging creatively and politically,” said Robinson.

Robinson says she is blessed to have found as much success in her new career as she had in journalism. Her jewelry can be found at stores and boutiques throughout the country in cities such as Santa Fe, New York and Chicago as well as in the Twin Cities. Rox is also sold internationally in Athens, Greece and the Caribbean. In addition

to being showcased in stores and museums, Robinson’s jewelry has also graced the pages of Seventeen, Cosmo Girl, Today’s Black Woman and Redbook.

Robinson tries to use earth and culture in everything she designs. Those who purchase Rox pieces not only get a unique piece, but they get the added bonus of having a handmade bag, created by African and Native American women. The money made from the bags is donated to HIV/AIDS relief efforts.

Robinson’s jewelry can be purchased online at www. roxmpls.com.

Robinson believes she could not have chosen a better time to pursue her jewelry career, saying her pieces reflect the life and style of women today. The new modern woman “wants jewelry that reflects where they’ve traveled and where they’ve been.

They want something that tells a story,” said Robinson.

To Robinson, Rox is more than jewelry; it’s a spiritual connection that provides her life with balance and newfound purpose.

“I believe in seeing things through,” said Robinson. “With anything you truly love you will find a way to make time for it.”

From 11 them learn when fighting was about to happen.

“We started engaging all the different actors in the situation,” he said.

Approaching influential people in the area, NP worked

Calendar From 10 Foster Parent Information Meetings Find out about becoming a foster parent and changing a child’s life! Open information meetings are held every Friday from 10AM-11:30AM at 7625 Metro Boulevard Edina, MN 55439. Volunteers of AmericaMinnesota is looking for skilled parents to provide 6-9 months care for troubled youth in our new Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care Program (MTFC).

We have kids, ages 12-17, who are in need of a stable home with dedicated parents who appreciate the difficulties of childhood!

Volunteers of America provides

with them to find ways to stop the violence before it started. The Philippines project is ongoing, but Mansoori (who is now working on bringing a project to Myanmar this spring) said the country has seen significant improvement since NP arrived there in the mid-2000s.

NP tracks its success by surveying locals about their perceived safety and through

quality foster parents with lots of friendly training, 24 hour support and a monthly stipend. If you would like more information contact Jolene Swan at 952945-4064 or ftpfostercare@ voamn.org, or visit us online at voafostercare.org!

GED, ELL, College Prep and skills development courses offered Minneapolis Public SchoolsAdult Education is offering free GED, ELL, College Prep and skills development courses.

Prepare for GED exams; Increase Math, Reading, and Writing skills; Develop Computer skills; Job training and specific certifications; Comfortable learning environment; and Day and evening classes available! For more information, please contact staff at: Minneapolis Public

more concrete means, like measuring how many people are out after dark or sending their kids to school or putting glass in their windows (those in fear of violence, Easthom noted, won’t put glass in their windows under the assumption it will be quickly broken in a conflict).

Key to all of the organization’s projects are the principles of local participation, non-partisanship and nonviolence. Duncan and all of NP’s field workers carry with them cards that state that they will not be ransomed if they’re abducted, and that only nonviolent solutions will be accepted for their return. Those principles, he said, have helped NP gain the respect of local groups, both the peaceful and the aggressors, and have allowed the group to succeed in a variety of situations, including reducing rapes, returning kidnapped children, and helping longtime enemies come to an understanding.

In Circle Pines, the organization met to discuss its future and to come up with new ideas. Duncan thanked the city and the Yackels for their hospitality — and for the house that bears hospitality’s name.

NP is always seeking support, either financially or via volunteering as a peacekeeper or other helper.

For more information on the organization, visit www. nonviolentpeaceforce.org.

School Adult Education, 1250 W. Broadway Ave., Minneapolis, MN, 55411 or Abe.mpls.k12. mn.us or (612) 668-1863.

The Council on Crime and Justice is moving temporarily While the current location at 822 S. 3rd Street is under construction, The Council on Crime and Justice will be working at a new location in Golden Valley and expect to return in approximately 6 months. Effective October 26th, the mailing address is: Council on Crime and Justice, 1109 Zane Avenue North, Golden Valley, MN 55422. The phone numbers and email address will remain the same. If you have questions, please contact us at 612-353-3000 or info@crimeandjustice.org