Insight ::: 01.15.2024 by Insight News, Inc

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Insight News • January 15, 2024 - January 21, 2024 • Page 1

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Insight News

January 15, 2024 - January 21, 2024

Vol. 51 No. 3• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Gift of Time magazine

Martin Luther King Jr. by Boris Chaliapin (1904–1979) / Watercolor and pencil on board, 1957, after Walter Bennett

King established a bridge of solidarity with the world’s poor

MLK UN PUENTE DE SOLIDARIDAD ENTRE LOS POBRES DEL MUNDO AFRODESCENDIENTES ON PAGE

Page 2 • January 15, 2024 - January 21, 2024 • Insight News

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Insight News • January 15, 2024 - January 21, 2024 • Page 3

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INSIGHT NEWS IS AUDITED BY THE ALLIANCE FOR AUDITED MEDIA TO PROVIDE OUR ADVER TISER PAR TNERS WITH THE HIGHES T LEVEL OF MEDIA ASSURANCE.

January 15, 2024 - January 21, 2024

Vol. 51 No. 3• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Roslyn Harmon: Golden Valley Mayor shares vision for restorative change By Pulane Choane Contributing Writer

Gary Hines

Gary Hines: Maestro and torchbearer of cultural resilience By Pulane Choane Contributing Writer In the vast expanse of American music, Gary Hines emerges as both maestro and torchbearer of cultural resilience. In an interview with Al McFarlane, he reveals that he was born to the illustrious Doris Hines, a legendary jazz singer and as a result, Hines’ journey is steeped in gospel and soul, laying the foundation for his role as the esteemed music director of the threetime Grammy award-winning Sounds of Blackness. This is not just a conversation about music—it’s an exploration of the cultural narrative woven into every note produced by Sounds of Blackness.

Hines opens a window into the heart of the iconic group, emphasizing the universal connective power of music. He shares insights into their globally resonant tracks like “Optimistic” and “Sick and Tired,” where the essence of African American music transcended geographical boundaries, echoing sentiments of unity and shared struggle. “Music is the key. Music is the binding tie,” Hines emphasizes, underscoring the transformative power of the art form in fostering connections beyond borders. The narrative seamlessly weaves into the broader canvas of their extensive musical repertoire, touching upon their globally resonant

tracks like “Optimistic” and “Sick and Tired.” Anecdotes shared by Hines paint a vivid picture of their performances on international stages, where the essence of African American music resonated worldwide. “In Japan, they had this huge banner that said, ‘We celebrate Black music.’ Halfway around the world, they get it, and half of us don’t get it here,” reflects Hines, pointing to the international embrace of African American music. The spotlight then shifts to their latest project, “Colorism,” launched just last year. This exploration into biases based on skin tone emerges not just as a project but a movement—a symphony

of voices resonating with the struggle for acceptance, each note a nuanced commentary on self-worth and unity. “’Colorism’ is a situation of what’s old is new,” Hines explains, emphasizing the timeless relevance of tackling deep-rooted prejudices. The discussion transitions to the significance of this project in the context of the contemporary struggle against discrimination. “Colorism” serves as a catalyst for conversations on selfworth, unity, and resistance against ingrained biases. The soundtrack of this venture is not merely a collection of songs but a symphony of

HINES 4

Former House speaker Daudt announces resignation By Jonathan Mohr Rep. Kurt Daudt (R-Crown), who served as Speaker of the House from 2015 to 2019, announced Wednesday he will resign his District 27B seat eﬀective Feb. 11, one day before the 2024 session begins. Daudt, who represents portions of several counties in eastcentral Minnesota including the city of Princeton, said in a statement that serving the people of Minnesota “has been the greatest honor of my life” and thanked his friends and neighbors for their trust in him during his time at the Legislature. “I’ve been fortunate to play a role in enacting historic tax cuts, gamechanging education reforms and school choice initiatives, making historical investments in our roads and bridges, and advancing pro-life and pro-Second Amendment legislation,” he said. “I was proud to lead Republican Majorities from 2015-2019 that advanced dozens of conservative priorities, and am forever grateful to my current and former colleagues for their friendship and service.” First elected in 2010,

In a pre-election interview with Al McFarlane, Roslyn Harmon, the successful mayoral candidate for Golden Valley, expressed her commitment to public service, and her vision for Golden Valley. Harmon, a 30-year resident of Golden Valley and a community leader for the past decade, began by expressing her gratitude for the opportunity to discuss her mayoral candidacy on the show. As Golden Valley’s newly elected mayor, Roslyn Harmon, and two returning council members, Sophia Ginis and Maurice Harris, oﬃcially took their oaths of oﬃce Jan 2, 2024, in a ceremony at the beginning of the City Council meeting. Pictured L to R: Roslyn Harmon, Sophia Ginis, Maurice Harris. Visit the City website to read more. She emphasized her

Credit: Insight News MN

Roslyn Harmon

deep roots in the city, detailing her involvement in community initiatives such as the “Sweet Potato Comfort Pie” project and her role in the development of the city’s first equity plan. “I am seeing that because what our residents need and what our community needs, they need

HARMON 4

Credit: LinkedIn (@CheniquaJohnson

Cheniqua Johnson

Cheniqua Johnson shares vision for St. Paul’s Ward 7 By Pulane Choane Contributing Writer In an interview last fall on The Conversation with Al McFarlane, then city council candidate Cheniqua Johnson shared her vision for St. Paul’s Ward 7, emphasizing aﬀordable housing, public safety, and essential city services. Johnson, a first-generation college graduate, DFL and labor-endorsed candidate, and current philanthropist, detailed her plans to address critical issues facing the community. Johnson emerged victorious in the November General Election. She took

the oath of oﬃce last Tuesday. Saint Paul announced that that Johnson was one of four newly elected councilmembers joining the Saint Paul City Council last week alongside three returning councilmembers in the first allwomen council in city history. A majority of the councilmembers are women of color, and all are younger than the age of 40. The four newly elected councilmembers include: Cheniqua Johnson, Ward 7; Anika Bowie, Ward 1; Saura Jost, Ward 3; and Hwa Jeong Kim, Ward 5. The three returning councilmembers: Councilmember Rebecca Noecker, Ward

JOHNSON

NNPA employs Mark Thompson as Global Digital Transformation Director By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia

House Photography file photo

Rep. Kurt Daudt speaks on the House Floor. Daudt, a former House speaker from 2015 to 2019, announced he will resign from the House of Representatives effective Feb. 11. Daudt served on a number of committees during his time in the House, and in several caucus leadership positions, including minority and majority leader. He is currently a member of the House Commerce

Finance and Policy Committee. The release announcing Daudt’s departure cited welfare reform, fiscal responsibility, expansion of school choice, pro-life and progun legislation and streamlining

the permitting process among his legislative accomplishments. Details on a special election to fill Daudt’s seat are to be determined.

News

Democrats overlook Black press in bid for diverse voter support

PAGE 8

The Rev. Mark Thompson’s illustrious and groundbreaking journalism career, which found its roots in the Black Press of America nearly 40 years ago, has come full circle as he assumes a pivotal leadership role with the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA). From his early days as a journalist with the historic AFRO newspaper in Washington, D.C., under the mentorship of the legendary Frances L. Murphy II, to trailblazing moments as the first talk show host on XM Satellite Radio, Thompson has consistently championed the

Rev. Mark Thompson joins the NNPA’s national staff as Global Digital Transformation Director. cause of African Americanowned media. Now, in his role as the new NNPA Global Digital Transformation Director, he is poised to drive a new era of innovation,

THOMPSON

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Taking cancer out of the closet: How cancer inspired Reona Berry to found the African American Breast Cancer Alliance

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Page 4 • January 15, 2024 - January 21, 2024 • Insight News

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Business Stock market today: Wall Street nears record high as markets prep for an inflation report By Stan Choe AP Business Writer Wall Street is rising Wednesday in the final trading before an upcoming report on inflation, which could show whether all the excitement that’s vaulted stocks higher recently is warranted. The S&P 500 was 0.7% higher and just 0.2% below its all-time high, with about an hour left in trading. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 197 points, or 0.5%, and the Nasdaq composite was 0.9% higher. Intuitive Surgical rose 10.1% after the maker of robotic surgery systems said it expects to report stronger revenue for the end of 2023 than analysts expected. Homebuilder Lennar climbed 3.5% after it said it would send cash to shareholders by increasing its dividend and authorizing a repurchase of up to $5 billion of its own stock. But the market’s focus is on Thursday, when the U.S. government will release its latest monthly update on inflation at the consumer level. A cooldown there from its peak in the summer of 2022 has raised hopes that the Federal Reserve may cut interest rates sharply this year. That in turn has sent Treasury yields easing in the bond market and stock prices rallying toward record heights. Economists expect Thursday’s report to show prices paid by U.S. consumers were 3.2% higher in December than a year earlier, according to FactSet. That would be a slight acceleration from November’s 3.1% inflation

Hines From 3 voices echoing the struggle for acceptance. “The pervasiveness of the ongoing legacy from the plantation, the negative and deleterious eﬀects of colorism—progressively, the darker you got, the less

rate. But after ignoring the eﬀects of food and fuel prices, which can quickly shift month to month, economists believe underlying inflation trends likely continued to cool. The Fed has noticed the cooldown in inflation, and it’s hinted at possibly cutting interest rates three times this year. That would be a sharp turnaround after it jacked rates dramatically higher in hopes of slowing the economy and hurting investment prices enough to grind down high inflation. But many traders are anticipating double that number of rate cuts. Critics say that’s overly optimistic and that the Fed is unlikely to cut so many times unless a recession hits. If Thursday’s inflation data come in warmer than expected, it could upend those hopes and shake the market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury has already slumped well below its perch above 5% in October on strong hopes for rate cuts. It was holding steady at 4.02% Wednesday, its same level from late Tuesday. On Wall Street, Boeing’s stock stabilized after slumping earlier in the week following the in-flight blowout of one of its planes flying for Alaska Airlines. It rose 1.4%. WD-40 jumped 14.6% after reporting stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. The big companies in the S&P 500 are set to begin reporting their results for the last three months of 2023 on Friday. Delta Air Lines, JPMorgan Chase and UnitedHealth Group will be desirable you became,” Hines articulates, delving into the intricate layers of the project. Amidst the rhythm and cadence of their impactful projects, Hines speaks passionately about the significance of “Woke”, an anthem resonating with the zeitgeist of social awakening. The discussion seamlessly intertwines threads of history, culture, and contemporary

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Visitors to the financial district walk past the New York Stock Exchange, Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, in New York. among that day’s headliners. Analysts are forecasting just a small handful of stocks to be responsible for most of the S&P 500’s growth in the last quarter. But trends are improving a bit, according to strategists at Bank of America. They say 66% of companies are expected to report improvements in profit for the fourth quarter, up from 64% in the third quarter. “While risks remain, fundamentals are improving and analysts sound more optimistic than they did in” the summer, Ohsung Kwon and Savita Subramanian said in a BofA Global Research report.

Some of Wall Street’s heavier losses Wednesday came from stocks of oil-and-gas companies. Exxon Mobil sank 1.1%, and Devon lost 1.7%. Crude prices fell after giving up gains from earlier in the day. They also had tumbled sharply to start the week. A barrel of benchmark U.S. oil dropped 87 cents to $71.37. Brent crude, the international standard, sank 79 cents to $76.80 per barrel. In stock markets abroad, Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 gained 2% to hit its highest level since March 1990 as a weaker yen lifted shares of exporters. The yen sank

on speculation the Bank of Japan may keep its ultra-lax monetary policies after wages fell for a 20th straight month in November. A weaker yen can boost profits for companies that sell their products in other currencies. Indexes were mostly lower across Asia and mixed in Europe. In cryptocurrencies, bitcoin was holding above $46,400 following a wild run that saw its price spike and then tumble a day before. Crypto investors have been excited about the potential for U.S. regulators to allow the trading of exchangetraded funds that hold actual

bitcoins, instead of just futures contracts related to them. Late Wednesday, the Securities and Exchange Commission’s account on X, formerly known as Twitter, said that it had approved such ETFs. Soon after, though, the SEC said no approval had been given and that its account had been compromised. It’s the latest eyetwitching shenanigan in a corner of the market that SEC Chair Gary Gensler called the “Wild West” in 2021 because it didn’t have enough protections for investors at the time. AP Writers Matt Ott and Zimo Zhong contributed.

socio-political dynamics, portraying Hines not just as a music director but as a cultural storyteller. “Woke” reflects the awakening that’s happening globally. It’s a recognition and acknowledgment that something has been asleep,” Hines declares, underlining the song’s relevance in the context of current societal shifts. The collective body of work reflects a commitment to amplify voices that deserve to be heard. Each song is a chapter in a larger narrative—a narrative of resilience, empowerment, and the unwavering pursuit of justice through the harmonies of Sounds of Blackness. In this profile piece,

Gary Hines emerges not merely as a musical luminary but as a cultural luminescence, illuminating the path towards understanding, unity, and the unwavering pursuit of justice through the harmonies of Sounds of Blackness. “Our heritage and our history and our legacy are our strength. It’s unique and powerful, and we need that,” Hines concludes, encapsulating the essence of his mission. The narrative unfolds as a tapestry, with each thread representing a chapter in the life and legacy of Gary Hines. From the gospel-infused upbringing to the global resonance of Sounds of Blackness, the story captures the spirit of a cultural

custodian. Hines’ journey is not merely a chronicle of personal achievements but a testament to the enduring power of African American music in fostering connections, awakening consciousness, and advocating for justice. “We can’t know where we’re going unless we know where we are. We can’t know where we are unless we know where we’ve been,” echoes Hines, reflecting the sentiments of his predecessors, who understood the importance of anchoring oneself in history to navigate the complexities of the present and future. As Sounds of Blackness continues to shape the future through its harmonies, Gary Hines stands

at the helm, orchestrating a symphony of resilience, unity, and unwavering hope. The music becomes a vessel for understanding, a bridge that spans generations and cultures, and a testament to the indomitable spirit of African American resilience. “Our music is emulated and imitated all over the world,” Hines remarks, emphasizing the global impact of African American music. The conversation is not merely a reflection on the past but a beacon guiding the way forward. It serves as a reminder of the power embedded in every note, every lyric, and every beat of African American music—a power that transcends temporal and geographical boundaries.

community needs. She then reflected on her role as an advisor for From 3 restorative work, envisioning Golden Valley as a restorative city. Harmon outlined the of restorative someone who will listen, and principles practices, emphasizing the need I do that. That’s what I do,” to repair harm, build positive explained Harmon. and foster Harmon shared her relationships, inclusivity and equity. unexpected journey into city She also delved into government, recounting how she became involved in the the issue of public safety in creation of Golden Valley’s Golden Valley, acknowledging equity plan at the invitation of the low crime rate but expressing concern about the loss of 28 the current mayor, Shep Harris. As an educator with oﬃcers in the past year. She over 20 years of experience attributed this loss to power and the executive director of struggles and communication the Dispute Resolution Center, issues within the department, Harmon highlighted her leading to an investigation that commitment to listening and revealed alarming findings. “As you know, the being proactive in addressing city of St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, he’s on it with the restorative work, and in my organization, we have a lot of contracts where we are the direct service provider in that realm for city government, as well as with Ramsey County. But I thought, ‘Wow, how beautiful would it be to have Golden Valley be a restorative city,’” said Harmon. Vincent Carlo DeLusia March 25, 1943 - January 5, 2023 In discussing her

vision for Golden Valley, Harmon emphasized the city’s potential to serve as a symbol for what Minnesota can and should become. She outlined her plans for systemic change, including restorative practices, enhancing accountability, and building positive relationships within the community. “For me, it’s about the heart of the people. What is it that at a local level you want to bring forth that systemic change on behalf of not only Golden Valley, but all communities, all cities? And that requires us to work together, and it not be one-sided, not to the left, not to the right, but in the middle. And that’s what I represent,” concluded Harmon. A January 2, 2024 KARE 11 news report by Jennifer Hoff, said Harmon’s victory by 26 votes made history because she was the first Black person elected to lead the the affluent Minneapolis suburb which is 85% white.. She wrote, Harmon “takes over after an independent investigation rocked the city’s police department last year. It found the department had racist attitudes and there was alleged misconduct. That was followed by an officer›s firing

and then a force that dwindled to just seven officers at one point. Harmon says the number of officers on staff is now up to 19 — five of whom were sworn in two weeks ago.” She said Harmon has a background in restorative justice and is a longtime educator and therapist. She’s used to working with people and plans to continue that work as the newest mayor. “The fact that we really did not allow for some people to be able to share their truth in their voice, which is what restorative practices is all about,” said Harmon. “People wanted to be heard.” “We need healing and I’m here to do that,” said Harmon. “I’m a bridge builder, this is the work that I do, and I do it pretty well, I think.” Harmon also wants to build affordable housing and transparency within the city that she will run for the next four years — even though she still doesn’t want to call herself a politician. “It’s not just me leading this city, it’s all of us working together to make sure that Golden Valley is the best city for everyone,” said Harmon.

Harmon

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Johnson From 3 2, begins her third term; Councilmember Mitra Jalali, Ward 4, begins her third term; and Councilmember Nelsie Yang, Ward 6, begins her second term. Johnson, who owns a home in Dayton’s Bluff, highlighted the urgent need for affordable housing in Ward 7. She expressed her commitment to keeping rent costs down and managing property taxes. In the interview, she spoke passionately about the necessity for new development opportunities that focus on affordable housing,

Thompson From 3 guiding member publishers through the intricate landscape of digital transformation and content distribution. “After serious contemplation and after a review of the capabilities of more than 75 others who inquired about the job, not only did Mark’s resume and experience rise to the top in the digital space, but in his longevity of advocating the power and impact of the Black Press of America, this was not a diﬃcult decision,” stated NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. “In fact,” Dr. Chavis continued, “it was providential. We look forward to working as a team, and I’m very honored to invite Mark to join the NNPA’s national staﬀ as a full-time Global Digital Transformation Director. In addition to Mark’s experience in America, he also has an international perspective, particularly in the African diaspora, where the content produced and distributed by the Black Press of America will also, with his assistance, have extended reach and impact for communities of color throughout the world as the NNPA continues to be the most respected, vital, and trusted voice of Black America.” Currently a political, human rights, and

Insight News • January 15, 2024 - January 21, 2024 • Page 5 aiming to tackle the housing crisis currently affecting the east side of St. Paul. “We are running on a platform around affordable housing and making sure that we can keep rent costs down, we can keep property taxes manageable, and that we can also include some hopefully new development opportunities here on the east side and in the ward for affordable housing,” said Johnson. The conversation shifted to public safety, an issue at the forefront of everyone’s minds in the Twin Cities and beyond. Johnson discussed the need for investments in the workforce, particularly in the fire department, which hasn’t seen a new full-time firefighter

in 20 years. She underscored the importance of local decisionmaking to address the workforce shortage and emphasized the critical role played by public safety workers, including librarians and recreation center staﬀ. “I’m hoping to bring forward conversations around safety, around community investment, and communityfirst public safety programs,” Johnson explained. Looking at the November elections, Johnson stressed the significance of city council and school board races, describing them as possibly more important than higher-profile elections. She emphasized that these races directly impact daily

life, addressing issues such as property taxes, potholes, schools, libraries, rec centers, and public transportation. “These are the ones that can be decided by one vote. These elections actively talk about property taxes, actively talk about potholes, actively has conversations around the schools, the libraries, rec centers, and public transportation, just the things that impact your everyday life,” Johnson said. In a reflective moment, Johnson shared her personal journey from small town Worthington, Minnesota, to becoming a candidate for city council. A self-described fighter, Johnson highlighted her diverse experiences and credited her time working for Congressman

Keith Ellison as a pivotal moment in her political journey. She spoke of finding her voice as a young Black woman and the importance of advocating for her community. “Over time I’ve just had a really great opportunity to learn from some of the best in our state and then also find my own voice in that, that has really led to running for city council,” she shared. Johnson has worked as a program oﬃcer at the St. Paul Minnesota Foundation which she said provided her with insights into the needs of the community. She oversaw grantmaking portfolios in domestic violence prevention, civic engagement, and overall health. Her work involved collaborating

with nonprofits that directly serve the community, focusing on mental health, family services, and other everyday needs. When asked about her plan for public safety, Johnson drew from her experience on the police chief examining committee for the city of St. Paul. She emphasized the workforce shortage in both the police and fire departments and highlighted the pressing issue of gun violence, which has become a direct threat to the community. “I’m hoping to bring forward conversations around safety, around community investment, and their community-first public safety programs,” she explained.

breaking news podcast host, Thompson’s work in digital social media won his “Make It Plain” recognition among Best Civil Rights Podcasts, Best Human Rights Podcasts, Best Podcasts About Social Justice, and Best Broadcast Television Podcasts in 2021. A 40-year veteran on the frontlines of the ongoing struggle of African Americans and others, the 104th Annual NAACP Convention in Orlando in 2013 awarded Thompson “For 25 years of crusading journalism and outstanding leadership in furthering the work of civil and human rights.” He not only has been a part of every significant social justice movement and event over the past 40 years, but he has also been a radio broadcaster and journalist for over three decades and has spent over ten years as a national network television commentator. “In this pivotal time as it pertains to the Black Press of America, we need new blood and new vision that would take us to higher heights which include making a huge footprint in the digital transformation of Black-owned media,” NNPA National Chairman and Westside Gazette Publisher Bobby Henry added. “Mark has a proven track record in his endeavors of achieving success in bringing Black-owned media to the forefront. We are positioned at the right time where a fresh undertaking would complement the 197 years of the rich history of the Black

Press. Digital transformation is on the horizon for all media, and this is especially of benefit to Black-owned media. The Black Press is here to stay and to be complemented by our digital platforms will only enhance our presence.” Among Thompson’s many academic and professional achievements, he graduated from the University of the District of Columbia with a bachelor’s degree in mass media journalism long before the advent of the internet and social media, a testament to his foresight in the everevolving journalism world. He said his mandate with NNPA extends beyond technical aspects, encompassing a strategic approach to content distribution that emphasizes revenue generation. “As media evolves, we’ve all had to adjust. I learned the importance of digital and social media at least ten years ago and jumped right in when others were resistant,” Thompson asserted. “When ‘Make It Plain’ was on Sirius XM, I pioneered a lot of digital and social media. Some people didn’t like it; only some were ready to embrace going into social media. However, we’ve all found something critically important: reaching a larger audience because more information is consumed via social media, and it’s an evergrowing and ever-standing market to reach our audience. We must keep ourselves on the pulse of that and make our

publications more and more accessible digitally and on social media. That is important to the future and survival of the African American print media.” Thompson noted that he and Chavis began the “Meet the Black Press” segment on his “Make It Plain” show some years ago and said the importance of that component was again amplified at the time of his NNPA hire. “Without realizing it, this moment for the NNPA is timelier than we may have thought,” Thompson insisted. “On the very weekend that ‘Meet the Press’ has given a platform to someone (GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York) who questioned the legitimacy of the past election and called insurrectionists hostages, shows how relative and timely it is to meet the Black Press not just as a segment, but to meet the Black Press as a way of life going forward.” Hiring Thompson in this role underscores the NNPA’s commitment to fortifying the 250 African American-owned newspapers and media companies within its membership, Chavis exclaimed. Chavis and Thompson proclaimed that the NNPA Digital Network is now positioned as the most prominent African Americanowned digital network in America, with an ultimate goal of global dominance in becoming the most influential, engaging, and impactful digital news and content

distribution network globally. “Everyone knows about the downsizing and contraction of print newspapers,” Thompson said. “What the NNPA represents is what really boils down to is more than 200 bureaus, independent to some extent, but each local Black-owned newspaper has an important role in letting the world know what’s happening in local communities. The more we work together and promote that, the more it sets NNPA apart because there are so few major print media have organizations of that size and depth anymore.” Already, in a testament to the NNPA’s commitment to innovation, strategic collaborations have been forged with key players such as the Google News Initiative (GNI), the US Black Chambers of Commerce, the National Association of Black-Owned Broadcasters, the NAACP, and the National Urban League. Chavis said those partnerships are designed to aggregate and disseminate digital content, solidifying the NNPA’s position as a frontrunner in the digital realm. “With NNPA, journalism is still taking place,

not sensationalism,” Thompson continued. “We’re seeing much of the mainstream [seeking] click-bait material. As the Black Press, we must continue to be the moral conscious and moral authority of objective journalism. That’s most important as we set the example to educate the next generation of journalists because we want Black students inspired.” Chavis cautioned that, since 1827, when Freedom’s Journal was first published, there have been naysayers and turncoats that have tried unsuccessfully to silence the Black Press. “I see clearly that 2024 will be another year of growth and expansion for the NNPA and the Black Press of America,” he said. “The acquisition of Mark Thompson as the Global Digital Transformation Director will greatly enhance not only what we do in 2024 in the digital and print space, but also as we approach the 200th anniversary of the Black Press of America in 2027, we are all grateful that Mark Thompson has agreed to join the NNPA for this vital and transformational objective.”

Correction

We identified Jason Stanford, Cummins director of Digital Product Management incorrectly in our December 25, 2023 - December 31, 2023 edition.

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31, 2023 - August 6, 202321, 2024 • Insight News Page 6 •July January 15, 2024 - January

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MLK Un Puente de Solidaridad Entre Los Pobres del Mundo Por Jesus Chucho Garcia Translation By Yoji Senna, Managing Editor, Afrodescendientes

El pasado 15 de enero un aniversario del nacimiento de líder de los Derechos civiles, en Estados Unidos, Martin Luther King (151-1929---4-4-1968), quien fuera asesinado en abril de 1968, en la ciudad de Memphis, Estado de Tennessee, donde había surgido el aparato terrorista racial conocido como Ku Klux Klan (KKK). Conmemorar el nacimiento

de Marthin Luther King, se convirtió en una fecha obligatoria para todo el sistema educativo en los Estados Unidos. La estrategia de la supremacía blanca de Estados Unidos ha pretendido desnaturalizar la sensibilidad progresista de este líder, al reducirle a una sola parte de su famoso discurso ¨Yo tengo un sueño¨, como si el reverendo King, no se levantaba de su cama, en su residencia en Atlanta esperando la realización de ese dulce sueño de ver su país donde blancos y negros camina-

ran tomados de las manos. Poco se habla del reverendo King estableciendo puente de solidaridad con los pobres del mundo y sobre todo su mentalidad anti belicista que expresó contra la guerra del Vietnam como quedó expresado en un famoso discurso en la ciudad de Chicago (marzo 1967) y posteriormente en Harlem, New York,” donde dijo: ¨Una nación que sigue gastando año tras año más dinero en defensa militar que en programas de movilidad

social se acerca a la muerte espiritual”. A partir de allí, al mostrar su lado sensible contra el negocio sucio de la Guerra de Vietnam que favorecía a los fabricantes de armas, el monopolio farmacéutico y los clanes de las drogas, la supremacía blanca trazó un plan, pues el líder de ¨Yo tengo un sueño¨ había despertado para conocer a profundidad la realidad social de su país más allá del racismo, pues observaba cómo la mayoría de quienes mandaban

obligadamente a la guerra de Vietnam eran afrodescendientes, indígenas y latinos. Los hijos de la supremacía blanca quedaban resguardado para dirigir al país. MEMPHIS DE NUEVO La ciudad de Memphis, quedó en el imaginario de los afroestadounidenses y afrolatinoamericanos y caribeño como una ciudad del terror racial. El pasado 7 de enero ese fantasma salir a la calle de Memphis donde el joven afroamericano, Tyre Nichols de 29 años fue asesinado

por un comando escorpión compuesto de cinco policías. Las protestas en las calles de algunas ciudades en Estados Unidos no se hizo esperar. El sistema racial criminal es peor que la pandemia del COVID. Esta Pandemia de crímenes raciales también estuvo presente recientemente en Brasil con el expresidente prófugo Jair Bolsanoro, las injusticias raciales en Colombia, Honduras entre otros países.

MLK established a bridge of solidarity with the world’s poor Special for Insight News

By Jesus Chucho Garcia Translated from Spanish by Yoji Senna

On January 15, the birthday of American Civil Rights leader, Martin Luther King (15-1-1929--4-4-1968), who was assassi-

nated in April 1968, in the city of Memphis, State of Tennessee, where the racial terrorist apparatus known as the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) had emerged. Commemorating the birth of Martin Luther King became a mandatory date for the entire education system in the United States. The strategy of the white supremacy of the United States has sought to denature the progressive sensitivity of this leader, by reducing him to a single part of his famous speech ¨I have a dream¨, as if the Reverend King,

did not get out of his bed, in his residence in Atlanta waiting for the realization of that sweet dream of seeing his country where blacks and whites walked holding hands. Little is said about Reverend King establishing a bridge of solidarity with the world’s poor and especially his anti-war mentality that he expressed against the Vietnam War as expressed in a famous speech in the city of Chicago (March 1967) and later in Harlem, New York,” where he said: “A nation that continues

to spend more money year after year on military defense than on social mobility programs approaches spiritual death.” From there, by showing its sensitive side against the dirty business of the Vietnam War that favored arms manufacturers, the pharmaceutical monopoly and the drug clans, the white supremacy drew up a plan, because the leader of “I have a dream” had awakened to know in depth the social reality of his country beyond racism, because he observed how the majority of those

who necessarily sent the Vietnam war were Afro-descendants, indigenous and Latinos. The children of white supremacy were sheltered to lead the country. MEMPHIS AGAIN The city of Memphis remained in the imagination of African-Americans and Afro-Latin American and Caribbean as a city of racial terror. On January 7, that ghost took to the streets of Memphis where the young African-American, 29-year-old Tyre Nichols, was killed by a scorpi-

RQ FRPPDQGR FRPSRVHG RI ¿YH policemen. The protests in the streets of some cities in the United States were not long in coming. The racial criminal system is worse than the COVID pandemic. This Pandemic of racial crimes was also recently present in Brazil with the former fugitive president Jair Bolsanoro, the racial injustices in Colombia, Honduras among other countries.

MLK Uma Ponte de Solidariedade Entre os Pobres do Mundo Por Jesus Chucho Garcia Translation By Yoji Senna, Managing Editor, Afrodescendientes Traduzido do original em ingles por Yoji Senna

Portugues Text

Em 15 de janeiro, é o aniversário do nascimento do líder dos Direitos Civis, nos Estados Unidos, Martin Luther King (15-1-1929--4-4-1968), que foi assassinado em abril de 1968, na cidade de Memphis, Estado do Tennessee, onde tinha surgido o aparato terrorista racial conhecido como Ku Klux Klan (KKK).

Comemorar o nascimento de Marthin Luther King, tornou-se uma data obrigatória para todo o sistema educacional nos Estados Unidos. A estratégia da supremacia branca dos Estados Unidos tem pretendido desnaturar a sensibilidade progressista deste líder, ao reduzi-lo a uma única parte de seu famoso discurso ¨Eu tenho um sonho¨, como se o reverendo King, não se levantasse de sua cama, em sua residência em Atlanta esperando a realização daquele doce sonho de ver

seu país onde brancos e negros caminhassem de mãos. Pouco se fala do reverendo King estabelecendo uma ponte de solidariedade com os pobres do mundo e especialmente sua mentalidade anti-guerra que ele defendia contra a Guerra do Vietnã como foi expresso em um famoso discurso na cidade de Chicago (março de 1967) e mais tarde em Harlem, Nova York,” onde ele disse: ¨Uma nação que continua a gastar ano após ano mais dinheiro em defesa militar

do que em programas de mobilidade social se aproxima da morte espiritual”. A partir daí, ao mostrar seu lado sensível contra o negócio sujo da Guerra do Vietnã que favorecia os fabricantes de armas, o monopólio farmacêutico e os clãs das drogas, a supremacia branca traçou um plano, pois o líder de ¨Eu tenho um sonho¨ tinha despertado para conhecer em profundidade a realidade social de seu país além do racismo, pois observava como a maioria

daqueles que mandavam obrigatoriamente para a Guerra do Vietnã eram afrodescendentes, LQGtJHQDV H ODWLQRV 2V ¿OKRV GD VXSUHPDFLD EUDQFD ¿FDUDP abrigados para liderar o país. MEMPHIS DE NOVO $ FLGDGH GH 0HPSKLV ¿FRX no imaginário dos afro-americanos e afro-latino-americanos e caribenho como uma cidade do terror racial. Em 7 de janeiro, esse fantasma saiu para as ruas de Memphis, onde o jovem afro-americano Tyre Nichols, de

29 anos, foi assassinado por um comando escorpião composto por cinco policiais. Os protestos nas ruas de algumas cidades nos Estados Unidos QmR VH ¿]HUDP HVSHUDU 2 VLVWHma racial criminoso é pior que a pandemia do COVID. Esta pandemia de crimes raciais também esteve presente recentemente no Brasil com o ex-presidente fugitivo Jair Bolsanoro, as injustiças raciais na Colômbia, Honduras entre outros países.

MLK Un pont de solidarité entre les pauvres du monde Par Jesus Chucho Garcia Translation By Yoji Senna, Managing Editor, Afrodescendientes Traduit de l’espagnol par Yoji Senna

French Text

Le 15 janvier dernier, jour an-

niversaire de la naissance du leader des droits civiques aux États-Unis, Martin Luther Roi (1-15-1929---4-4-1968), assassiné en avril 1968, dans la ville de Memphis. , État du Tennessee, où a émergé l’appareil

terroriste racial connu sous le nom de Ku Klux Klan (KKK). La commémoration de la naissance de Martin Luther Roi est devenue une date obligatoire pour l’ensemble du système éducatif aux États-Unis. La stratégie

de suprématie blanche des ÉtatsUnis a cherché à dénaturer la sensibilité progressiste de ce leader, en le réduisant à une seule partie de son célèbre discours « j’ai un rêve », comme si le révérend Roi ne sortait pas de son lit, en sa

résidence à Atlanta en attendant la réalisation de ce doux rêve de voir son pays où blancs et noirs marchent en se tenant la main. On parle peu du révérend Roi établissant un pont de solidarité avec les pauvres du monde

et surtout de sa mentalité anti-guerre qu’il a exprimée contre la guerre du Vietnam, comme l’a exprimé son célèbre discours à Chicago (mars 1967) et plus tard dans Harlem, New York”, où il a déclaré : “Une nation qui con-

2023 - August 2023• Page 7 Insight News • JanuaryJuly 15,31, 2024 - January 21,6,2024

insightnews.com tinue de dépenser année après année plus d’argent en défense militaire qu’en “programmes de mobilité sociale, elle s’approche de la mort spirituelle”. 'H Oj HQ D൶FKDQW VD SRVLWLRQ VHQVLEOH FRQWUH OHV VDOHV D൵DLUHV de la guerre du Vietnam qui fa-

vorisaient les fabricants d’armes, le monopole pharmaceutique et les clans de la drogue, la suprématie blanche a élaboré un plan, depuis que le leader de « J’ai un rêve » s’est réveillé. connaître en profondeur la réalité sociale de son pays au-delà du rac-

isme, puisqu’il a observé que la majorité de ceux qui ont été contraints de participer à la guerre du Vietnam étaient d’ascendance africaine, indigène et latino. Les enfants de la suprématie blanche ont dû diriger le pays. ENCORE MEMPHIS

La ville de Memphis est restée dans l’imaginaire des Afro-Américains, des Afro-latino-américains et des Caraïbes comme une ville de terreur raciale. Le 7 janvier, ce fantôme est sorti dans la rue de Memphis où le jeune afro-américain de 29 ans

Tire Nichols a été assassiné par un commando scorpion composé de cinq policiers. Les manifestations dans les rues de certaines villes des ÉtatsUnis n’ont pas attendu. Le système criminel racial est pire que la pandémie de COVID. Cette

pandémie de crimes raciaux était également présente récemment au Brésil avec l’ancien président en fuite Jair Bolsanoro, les injustices raciales en Colombie, au Honduras entre autres pays.

MLK Buundada Wadajirka ee u dhaxaysa Danyarta Adduunka By Ciise Chucho Garcia Translation by Yoji Senna, Managing Editor, Afrodescendientes Waxaa laga soo turjumay Isbaanishka Yoji Senna

Somali Text

Bishii Janaayo 15-keedii ee la soo dhaafay, sanad-guuradii dhalashadii hoggaamiyihii Xuquuqda Madaniga, ee Mareykanka, Martin Luther Boqor (1-15-1929---4-4-1968), kaas oo lagu dilay Abriil 1968, magaalada Memphis. , Gobolka Tennessee, halkaas oo ay ka soo shaac baxeen argagixisanimada jinsiyadeed ee loo yaqaan Ku Klux Klan (KKK).

Xuska dhalashada Martin Luther Boqor waxay noqotay taariikh qasab ah dhammaan nidaamka waxbarashada ee Maraykanka. Istaraatiijiyadda sareynta caddaanka ee Maraykanku waxa ay damceen in ay meesha ka saaraan dareenka horumarka leh ee hoggaamiyahan, iyaga oo ka dhigaya qayb keliya oo ka mid ah hadalkiisii caanka ahaa ee “ Waxaan leeyahay riyo “, sida haddii Boqorka sharafta leh uusan ka soo kicin sariirtiisa, in hoygiisa oo ku yaala Atlanta isagoo sugaya rumaynta riyadaas macaan ee ah inuu

arko waddankiisa oo caddaan iyo madow ay gacmaha is haystaan. Wax yar baa laga sheegaa Boqorka sharafta leh oo dhidibada u taagay buundada isbahaysiga masaakiinta adduunka iyo dhammaan maskaxdiisa dagaalka ka dhanka ah ee uu kaga soo horjeeday dagaalkii Vietnam sida lagu sheegay khudbad caan ah oo ka dhacday magaalada Chicago (Maarso 1967) iyo markii dambe ee Harlem, New York,” halkaas oo uu yiri: “Ummad sii wadda in ay sannadba sanadka ka dambeeya ku bixiso lacag ka badan difaaca milatariga marka loo

eego “barnaamijyada dhaqdhaqaaqa bulshada waxay u dhowdahay dhimashada ruuxiga ah.” Laga soo bilaabo halkaas, iyada oo muujinaysa mowqifkeeda xasaasiga ah ee ka soo horjeeda ganacsiga wasakhda ah ee Dagaalkii Vietnam ee u xaglinayay soo-saareyaasha hubka, daawoyinka dawooyinka iyo qabiilooyinka daroogada, sarreynta cadaanka ayaa qorshe u dejisay, tan iyo markii hoggaamiyaha “Waxaan ku riyooday” uu toosay. si uu si qoto dheer u ogaado xaqiiqada bulsheed ee dalkiisa ee ka baxsan cunsuri-

yadda, tan iyo markii uu arkay sida inta badan kuwa lagu qasbay inay ka qaybqaataan Dagaalkii Vietnam ay ahaayeen Afro-faracyo, asal iyo Latino. Ciyaalkii cadaanka ayaa loo daayey inay dalka hogaamiyaan. MEMPHIS MAR LABAAD Magaalada Memphis waxay ku hartay male-awaalka Afrikaan-Maraykanka, Afro-Laatiin Ameerikaanka iyo dadka Kariibiyaanka ah inay tahay magaalo argaggixiso isir ah. 7-dii Janaayo, ruuxaas ayaa u soo baxay waddada Memphis halkaas oo da’yarka Afrikaan-Maraykanka,

29-jirka Tire Nichols, uu dilay komandooska dabaqoole oo ka kooban shan sarkaal oo booliis ah. Dibadbaxyada oo ka dhacay waddooyinka qaar ka mid ah magaalooyinka dalka Mareykanka ayaan sugin. Nidaamka dambiyada jinsiyadeed ayaa ka xun cudurka faafa ee COVID. )DD¿GD GDPEL\DGD MLQVL\DGGD ayaa sidoo kale dhawaanahan ka dhacday Brazil madaxweynihii hore ee baxsadka ah Jair Bolsanoro, caddaalad-darrada jinsiyadeed ee Colombia, Honduras iyo dalal kale.

MLK Daraja la Mshikamano Kati ya Maskini wa Dunia Na Yesu Chucho Garcia Translation by Yoji Senna, Managing Editor, Afrodescendientes Ilitafsiriwa kutoka Kihispania na Yoji Senna

Swahili Text

Januari 15 iliyopita, siku ya kumbukumbu ya kuzaliwa kwa kiongozi wa Haki za Kiraia, nchini Marekani, Martin Luther Mfalme (1-15-1929---4-4-1968), ambaye aliuawa Aprili 1968, katika jiji la Memphis. , Jimbo la Tennessee, ambako kundi la kigaidi la rangi inayojulikana kama Ku Klux Klan (KKK) lilikuwa limeibuka.

Kuadhimisha kuzaliwa kwa Martin Luther Mfalme ikawa tarehe ya lazima kwa mfumo mzima wa elimu nchini Marekani. Mkakati wa ukuu weupe wa Merika umejaribu NXGKRR¿VKD XVLNLYX ZD NLmaendeleo wa kiongozi huyu, kwa kumpunguza hadi sehemu moja ya hotuba yake maarufu “ Nina ndoto “, kana kwamba Mchungaji Mfalme hakutoka kitandani mwake. makazi yake huko Atlanta akisubiri utimizo wa ndoto hiyo tamu ya kuiona nchi yake ambapo wazungu

na weusi wanatembea wakiwa wameshikana mikono. Ni machache yanasemwa kuhusu Mchungaji Mfalme kuanzisha daraja la mshikamano na maskini wa dunia na zaidi ya yote mawazo yake ya kupinga vita ambayo alielezea dhidi ya Vita vya Vietnam kama ilivyoelezwa katika hotuba maarufu katika jiji la Chicago (Machi 1967) na baadaye katika Harlem, New York,” ambapo alisema: “Taifa ambalo linaendelea kutumia mwaka baada ya mwaka pesa nyingi kwa ulinzi wa kijeshi

kuliko “katika programu za uhamaji wa kijamii linakaribia kifo cha kiroho.” Kutoka hapo, kwa kuonyesha msimamo wake nyeti dhidi ya biashara chafu ya Vita vya Vietnam ambayo ilipendelea watengenezaji silaha, ukiritimba wa dawa na koo za dawa, ukuu wa wazungu uliandaa mpango, kwani kiongozi wa “ Nina ndoto “ alikuwa ameamka. kujua kwa kina ukweli wa kijamii wa nchi yake zaidi ya ubaguzi wa rangi, kwa vile aliona jinsi wengi wa wale waliolazimishwa kushiriki katika

Vita vya Vietnam walivyokuwa Wazao wa Afro, asili na Latino. Watoto wa ukuu wa wazungu waliachwa waongoze nchi. MEMPHIS TENA Mji wa Memphis ulibakia katika mawazo ya Waamerika-Waamerika, Waafrika-Amerika ya Kilatini na watu wa Karibiani kama jiji la ugaidi wa rangi. Mnamo Januari 7, mzimu huo ulitoka hadi barabarani huko Memphis ambapo kijana Mmarekani mwenye asili ya Afrika, Tire Nichols mwenye umri wa miaka 29, aliuawa na koman-

GR ZD QJH DOL\HXQGZD QD PDD¿VD watano wa polisi. Maandamano katika mitaa ya baadhi ya miji nchini Marekani hayakusubiri. Mfumo wa uhalifu wa rangi ni mbaya zaidi kuliko janga la COVID. Janga hili la uhalifu wa rangi pia lilikuwepo hivi majuzi nchini Brazil na rais wa zamani mtoro Jair Bolsanoro, dhuluma za rangi huko Colombia, Honduras kati ya nchi zingine.

0/. $IDUD WL ,VRNDQ /DDULQ $ZӑQ WDODND WL $JED\H 12*Ʃ ) 1& "!" &- +&0& +&- 0Ź ,'& "++

Yoruba Text

2ৢX .LQL ӐMӑ WL R NӑMD ӑMӑ LUDQWL ӑMӑ LEL WL ROXGDUL $ZӑQ ҽWӑ ,OX QL $PҽULND 0DUWLQ /XWKHU ӐED ҽQLWL D SD QL 2ৢX .ҽULQ ӑGXQ QL LOX 0HPSKLV ,SLQOH 7HQQHVVHH QLELWL DZӑQ RKXQ HOR DSDQLOD\D WL ҽGD WL D Pӑ si Ku Klux Klan (KKK) ti farahan. ৡLৢH LUDQWL LEL 0DUWLQ /XWKHU

ӐED GL ӑMӑ WL R Mҽ GDQGDQ IXQ JERJER HWR ҽNӑ QL $PҽULND ,ODQD LৢDNRVR IXQIXQ WL 8QLWHG States ti wa lati denature oye LOӑVLZDMX WL RORUL \LL QLSD LGLQNX Uҽ VL DSDNDQ NDQ WL ӑUӑ RORNLNL Uҽ ³0R QL DOD´ EL ҽQLSH ӑOӑUXQ ӐED NR MDGH NXUR QL LEXVXQ Uҽ QL LEXJEH Uҽ QL $WODQWD QGXUR IXQ LPXVH WL DOD DODGXQ \ҽQ WL UL RULOҽ HGH Uҽ QLELWL DZӑQ DODZR IXQIXQ DWL DZӑQ DODZRGXGX Q ULQ QL ӑZӑ dimu. 'Lҽ QL D Vӑ QLSD ӑOӑUXQ ӐED WL LৢHWR DIDUD WL LৢӑNDQ SҽOX DZӑQ talaka ti agbaye ati ju gbogbo HUR LৢRUR RJXQ Uҽ WL R Vӑ ORGL VL

2JXQ 9LHWQDP JҽJҽEL D WL Vӑ QL ӑUӑ RORNLNL QL LOX &KLFDJR 2ৢX .ҽWD DWL QLJEDPLL QL +DUOHP 1LX <RNL ´ QLELWL R WL Vӑ SH ³2ULOҽ HGH NDQ WL R WҽVLZDMX ODWL QDZR QL ӑGXQ OҽKLQ ӑGXQ GLҽ RZR ORUL DDER RORJXQ MX ³QLQX DZӑQ HWR LৢLSRSDGD DZXMӑ R VXQPӑ LNX ҽPL ´ /DWL LEҽ QLSD ¿¿KDQ LSR LIXUD Uҽ ORGL VL LৢRZR LGӑWL WL 2JXQ 9LHWQDP WL R ৢH RMXUHUH IXQ DZӑQ DৢHOӑSӑ RKXQ LMD DQLNDQMӑSӑQ HOHJERJL DWL DZӑQ LGLOH RRJXQ LৢDMX IXQIXQ ৢH DJEHNDOҽ HWR NDQ nitori oludari “Mo ni ala” ti ji. ODWL Pӑ QL LMLQOH DZӑQ RWLWR DZX-

MR WL RULOҽ HGH Uҽ MX ҽOҽ\DPҽ\D niwon o woye bawo ni opolopo QLQX DZRQ WL ZRQ ¿ DJEDUD PX lati kopa ninu Vietnam Ogun wà $IUR LUDQ RQLOH DWL /DWLQR $ZӑQ ӑPӑ DODZR IXQIXQ QL D ¿ VLOҽ ODWL ৢH RORUL RULOҽ HGH QDD MEMPHIS TUNTUN Ilu Memphis wa ni oju inu WL DZӑQ ӑPӑ $PҽULND $PҽULND

$IUR /DWLQ $PҽULND DWL DZӑQ HQL\DQ .DULEHDQL EL LOX WL ҽUX ҽOҽ\DPҽ\D 1L 2ৢX .LQL ӐMӑ ҽPL \ҽQ MDGH Oӑ VL RSRSRQD QL 0HPSKLV QLELWL ӑGӑ ӑPӑ $PҽULND $PҽULND 7LUH 1LFKROV ӑPӑ ӑGXQ WL SD QLSDVҽ Dৢҽৢҽ DNӁNӁ NDQ WL R Mҽ ӑOӑSD PDUXQ $ZӑQ HKRQX QL DZӑQ RSRSRQD WL GLҽ QLQX DZӑQ LOX QL $PҽUL-

ND NR GXUR (WR ӑGDUjQ ҽOҽ\D WL EXUX MX DMDND\H DUXQ &29,' Oӑ $MDND\H DUXQ WL DZӑQ LUX¿Q ҽOҽ\D WXQ ZD ODLSҽ QL ,OX %UD]LO SҽOX DODJD WL R VDOӑ -DLU %ROVDQRUR DZӑQ DLৢHGHHGH ҽGD QL ,OX &ROXPELD +RQGXUDV ODDULQ DZӑQ RULOҽ HGH miiran.

Fayraska dadku uma kala soocna.

Innaguna ma aha inaan dadka kala soocno. ĚĂƉƚĞĚ ĨƌŽŵ ^ĞĂƩůĞ Θ <ŝŶŐ ŽƵŶƚǇ WƵďůŝĐ ,ĞĂůƚŚ

&- 0Ź "02 %2 %, / &

Translation by Yoji Senna, Managing Editor, Afrodescendientes

Dhalleecaynta dadku LAMA dagaallanto cudurka coronavirus. Wadaagga macluumaadka saxda ah ayaa la dagaallama. Xog intaa ka badan ka ogow health.mn.gov ,ĂĚĚŝŝ ĂĂĚ ĂĂŵŵŝŶƐĂŶ ƚĂŚĂǇ ŝŶ ůĂŐƵŐƵ ƚĂŬŽŽƌĂǇ ;ŵŝĚĂď ŝǁŵ͘Ϳ ĐƵĚƵƌŬĂ s/ / Ͳϭϵ ĚĂƌƚŝŝƐ͕ ŬĂůĂ ǆŝƌŝŝƌ tĂĂǆĚĂ yƵƋƵƵƋĚĂ ĂĚĂŶĂŚĂ ĞĞ DŝŶŶĞƐŽƚĂ͕ ĂĚŝŐĂ ŽŽ ǁĂĐĂ ϲϱϭͲϱϯϵͲϭϭϯϯ ĂŵĂ ϭͲϴϬϬͲϲϱϳͲϯϳϬϰ͘ 05/04/20 | Somali | 651-201-3920 | Contact health.communications@state.mn.us to request an alternate format.

Page 8 • January 15, 2024 - January 21, 2024 • Insight News

insightnews.com

Democrats overlook Black press in bid for diverse voter support By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia In what the Party is calling a bid to secure control of the U.S. House in the upcoming November elections, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has announced a $35 million investment in a comprehensive outreach initiative targeting Latino, Black, Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Native Hawaiian voters. “Power the People” aims to persuade, organize, welcome, educate, and reach voters from diverse ethnic backgrounds. Despite the significant allocation, a notable omission from the Democratic strategy is the exclusion of the Black Press of America, a move that continues to raise eyebrows given the pressing need to engage African American voters eﬀectively. The Democratic Party, including the DCCC, the Democratic National Committee, and the Biden-Harris re-election campaign, has thus far ignored criticism for overlooking the influential Black Press. While the DCCC revealed that 2024 spending surpassed the $30 million expended on these voter groups in the 2022 midterm elections, concerns persist over excluding the Black Press from this financial commitment. Critics argue that the omission is particularly striking during what is widely acknowledged as

Joe Biden modern history’s most crucial and transformative election. During Biden’s 2020 campaign, he turned to the Black Press when it appeared that Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and even New York billionaire Michael Bloomberg’s campaigns were gaining steam. In fact, before arriving in South Carolina, Sanders who had just romped in Nevada, held 45 delegates while Texas Democrat Pete Buttigieg was second with 26,

and Biden had claimed just 15. In Charleston, Biden met with a conglomerate of publishers from the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), the trade association of America’s 250 Black-owned newspapers and media companies. A broadcast interview led by NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. was followed by a national news article about the sit-down that

all went viral. And, after the endorsement of South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn, Biden solidified the vital Black vote and dusted his competition all the way to the White House. Missayr Boker, DCCC Deputy Executive Director for Campaigns, defended the “Power the People” initiative, stating that it honors the commitment to a multiethnic coalition crucial for a robust democracy. The

initiative focuses on persuading and mobilizing Latino, Black, Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Native Hawaiian voters to counteract what the DCCC perceives as eﬀorts by extremist Republicans to suppress the votes of people of color. The DCCC said its approach includes conducting in-depth research, creating multilingual media content, organizing with local leaders, and countering disinformation

targeting specific communities. However, the absence of collaboration with the Black Press of America remains a point of contention. In response to criticisms, José Muñoz, a DCCC spokesperson, emphasized the party’s commitment to “smart, targeted outreach,” which he claims recognizes the nuances not only between diﬀerent ethnic groups but also within various regions and districts.

Celebrating Art, Justice, and Solidarity: The Vision of Dipankar Mukherjee By Pulane Choane Contributing Writer In the bustling heart of the

Twin Cities resides a beacon of creativity and advocacy, a name that echoes through the vibrant tapestry of theatre – Dipankar Mukherjee An artist, an advocate,

and a visionary in every sense, his name is synonymous with innovation and social change. Al McFarlane, in a recent engaging conversation, beautifully illuminated the essence of

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2023 McKnight Foundation Distinguished Artist Award recipient Dipankar Mukherjee: A Force of Light in MN Communities, as celebrated by Al McFarlane. Mukherjee and his profound impact on the community. From the very outset of the discussion, it was apparent that Dipankar Mukherjee is not just an artist, but a torchbearer for equity, social justice, and decolonization practices in theatre. Co-founder of Pangaea World Theatre in 1995, Dipankar has been an unwavering force in leveraging art as a tool for social change. Reflecting on his mission, Dipankar shared, “The centrality of social justice and equity is at the core of it. Telling stories, obliterating the centre and margin.” His words resound with a powerful sentiment—a call to reject the concept of ‘inclusion’ and instead recognize that everyone forms the centre of the work. He emphasizes the importance of solidarity, “To see that everybody around us is resourced, everybody around us is respected, everybody around us forms the centre of the work,” he says. Throughout the conversation, the theme of ‘stitching’ emerged as a potent metaphor for uniting diverse voices and identities. Dipankar likened this act of stitching to the unification of threads with the strength of steel, symbolizing the need to come together as a unified force in the face of systemic challenges. He elaborated; “Stitching is actually revisiting. It’s like revisiting the foundation on which we stand. The foundation is already stitched.”

His journey with Pangaea World Theater over the past 27 years has been marked by unwavering dedication. It’s a journey that has seen the intersectionality of purpose, where social justice and equity are not just theoretical concepts but are manifested in practice. Dipankar emphasized, “The choice of literature, the body is the body politics, the bodies that house this literature, if we look at the canvas as a canvas that has no margin. Once you realize that, ‘Why did we even think there was a margin?’” As the conversation unfolded, Dipankar’s humility and gratitude shone through when discussing the recent honor of being named a 2023 McKnight distinguished artist. For him, this recognition is not just an accolade; it’s a validation of 27 years of unwavering dedication to the politics of art and accountability. He expressed his feelings saying, “I feel very humble… it’s so humbling to me that you know this much more than me. This was not the first shock, but it happened in our city. It happened down the street, and we cannot put a hand above out of that switchboard. We have to be there.” The discussion unveiled the deep-rooted vision behind the name “Pangaea World Theater,” a name that signifies a world without borders in the realm of art. It reflects a vision of inclusivity, where the nationality or passport of an artist does not define their art.

Instead, it’s about co-creating a world where voices from all corners harmonize in the spirit of creativity and justice. Dipankar mused, “You cannot give a nationality to prayer. You cannot give a nationality to breath; you cannot give a nationality. We are seeing the devastating eﬀects of what’s happening to the environment. You cannot just say, ‘I’m going to take care of North American environment.’ You can’t.” His vision extends far beyond the stages of theatre; it transcends into the communities, sparking conversations and actions that elevate marginalized voices and unite in the pursuit of a more just and equitable society. In conclusion, Dipankar Mukherjee’s narrative is not just about artistic prowess; it’s a testament to the power of art in reshaping societies. He exemplifies a visionary committed to forging a world where all voices are heard, valued, and celebrated. As we delve deeper into the ethos of Dipankar Mukherjee, we are invited to imagine a world where the arts serve as a catalyst for change, unity, and the celebration of the diversity that makes us whole. Indeed, in the conversations, collaborations, and creative endeavors of Mukherjee lies an invaluable lesson—a lesson of unity, accountability, and the enduring power of art as a force for positive transformation.

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Insight News • January 15, 2024 - January 21, 2024 • Page 9

Insight 2 Health

The Columbian (illustration from The American Cancer Society)

Infographic on how breast cancer affects black women in America.

Taking cancer out of the closet: How cancer inspired Reona Berry to found the African American Breast Cancer Alliance By Pulane Choane Contributing Writer In the United States, breast cancer ranks as the second most prevalent cancer, following non-melanoma skin cancer, and stands as the second leading cause of cancer-related fatalities. This is according to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), which reports that “in 2023, the American Cancer Society (ACS) anticipated over 300,590 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 55,720 new cases of ductal carcinoma in situ/stage 0 breast cancer will be diagnosed among women in the United States.” The report goes on to state that in the last 30 years, breast cancer deaths dropped by 43%, thanks to better awareness, earlier detection, and improved treatments. But there’s a problem: Black women still face a higher risk of dying from breast cancer compared to white women. While the number of new breast cancer cases is similar in both groups, the gap in death rates is significant, with Black women having a 40% higher risk. The situation is even worse for younger women. Among those under 50, young Black women have double the risk of dying from breast cancer compared to young white women. This is why Reona

Berry, breast cancer survivor, founding member and president of the African American Breast Cancer Alliance (AABCA) says that “we’ve got to take cancer out of the closet”. In a candid conversation with Al McFarlane, Berry shared her personal journey and insights regarding the AABCA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing culturally specific information, education, networking, peer support, and hope to African American women who are navigating the challenges of breast cancer. Reona’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of addressing the prevalence of breast cancer in Black women in America. “I was 35 years old when I first felt a lump. I had it checked out, and they found that it was a cyst or a fibroid. It was water-filled, so there was no problem.” Three years later, the lump returned, and she noticed a strange rash around her breast and under her armpit. It was a discolored ring that became progressively darker, causing her discomfort. Despite these concerning symptoms, Reona hesitated to seek immediate medical attention. “But it didn’t hurt, it didn’t itch, it was just a discoloration that was like a ring, rings kept getting darker and darker. My thinking was,

https://aabcainc.org/

Reona Berry ‘Okay, I don’t have time for this right now, so it’s not hurting me, so just carry on. By November around Thanksgiving, the lump had made itself known, it was very painful. Even though they say breast cancer isn’t painful, everyone’s diﬀerent. Mine was pressing on a nerve and that’s why it was painful. I eventually went into the doctor for an exam in January. I had found this strange rash in June, so I basically waited six months

before I had it checked out, which is not a thing to do,” she says. Reona underwent an excisional biopsy, during which her doctor discovered that her condition was indeed breast cancer. She faced the daunting prospect of a partial mastectomy (lumpectomy) and six months of chemotherapy and radiation. Her experience emphasizes the importance of early detection, diagnosis, and prompt medical intervention.

Upon regaining consciousness after the biopsy, Reona recalled the nurse’s hesitant response: “The nurse said, ‘Oh, I’m so sorry. It’s positive.’ Well, I’m under anesthesia, so I said, ‘Okay.’ I didn’t know what that meant, but I found out later.” Grappling with the cancer journey profoundly transformed Reona Berry, revealing a depth of inner strength she had not known before. The diagnosis forced her to confront her mortality at a young age and made her acutely aware of the potential limitations of time. “I discovered I was stronger than I thought I was because every time I looked at my parents and my family and my friends, I kept thinking this might be the last time I see them,” she says. Regardless of her struggles, many of which came with a mental toll, such as losing her hair, Reona maintained a regimen of listening to music, particularly the uplifting song “Optimistic” by the Sounds of Blackness, to motivate herself and face each day with a positive attitude. She also credits her colleagues at the University of Minnesota Medical School, where she worked, for being supportive and accommodating, allowing her to receive treatment in the oﬃce when necessary. “I went to work every day. That was one of

my goals, to make sure I went to work every day. Every morning for the first month, I cried every morning getting up, but I had to get the cry out because I couldn’t cry at work.” Berry’s journey highlights the critical importance of raising awareness about breast cancer in black communities. To address this issue, the African American Breast Cancer Alliance, Inc. was founded to provide culturally specific information, education, networking, peer support, and hope to African Americans grappling with breast cancer. Reona emphasizes the urgency of dispelling myths and increasing knowledge about breast health, early detection, and treatment. Breast cancer is a formidable adversary, and the experiences of black women in America, like Berry, underscore the need for greater awareness and support. The prevalence of breast cancer in black communities highlights disparities in access to care, early detection, and information. Reona’s story serves as a compelling reminder that breast cancer awareness and action are crucial for saving lives and reducing disparities. To combat breast cancer eﬀectively, we must address the unique challenges faced by black women in America and work toward a future where all individuals have equal access to early detection and treatment.

“Pinked Out Party: A Heartwarming Triumph in Raising Breast Cancer Awareness in the Twin Cities” By Pulane Choane Contributing Writer On October 14th, the Twin Cities witnessed a remarkable event that left an indelible mark on breast cancer awareness eﬀorts. The 5th Annual Pinked Out Party, organized by Anika Robbins and her longtime friend Reona Berry, brought together communities in a heartwarming celebration that transcended mere festivities. This event was not just about pink; it was about empowerment, education, and a heartfelt commitment to save lives. The dynamic duo behind the Pinked-Out Party, were driven by a passion for raising awareness of breast cancer within the Black community, particularly among young Black women. Their dedication to this cause was evident as they recounted the journey that led to this extraordinary event in an interview they had with host of The Conversation With Al McFarlane, Al McFarlane. As Robbins shared, “We’re working on the 5th annual Pinked Out party, and it’s an event that we do to increase and amplify awareness of breast cancer in the Black community with Black women in particular.”

This event, held in honor of Pink October, which is commemorated around the world, every year, in October, which is marked as Breast Cancer Awareness month, was a vibrant celebration of life, resilience, and unity. It was about more than just a party; it was a platform to educate and empower. Berry, a two-time breast cancer survivors and founder of African American Breast Cancer Alliance (AABCA), a non-profit determined to raise breast cancer awareness among black women, served as an inspiration to all as her story was a testament to the importance of early detection and prompt action. “Early detection does save lives,” Reona emphasized. “We want to make sure the community knows how important it is to pay attention to these signs and signals in our bodies and to not ignore them.” The Pinked-Out Party was not just limited to raising awareness about breast cancer. It shone a spotlight on the broader health issues disproportionately aﬀecting Black communities, including heart disease, fibroids, and diabetes. As Robbins passionately articulated, “Black women’s health is under attack. Our entire sexual and

Facebook (@TheAnikaFoundation)

This was the poster for the recently held Pinked Out Party that was supported in part by the Minnesota Department of Health, Center for Health Equity, CentraCare, and The ANIKA Foundation. reproductive systems, they’re under a lot of stress.” The event was a call to action. It sought to bridge the gap in health disparities by providing resources, including free or sliding fee scale mammograms, and a $25 incentive for those who completed the screening. It was an embodiment of their belief that health equity, economic empowerment, and civic engagement are the

building blocks for empowering communities. The Anika Foundation, led by Robbins, is a beacon of change, mobilizing communities in three pivotal areas – health equity, economic empowerment, and civic engagement. Their work extends beyond events like the Pinked-Out Party; it’s a holistic approach to uplift communities from within. As Robbins

explained, “We also believe that our communities are asset rich. We have the talent, the education, the experience, the vision.” The message from this event was clear – our health is our business. We must prioritize it, educate ourselves, and seek early detection. As Robbins succinctly put it, “Our health is our business.” In the heartfelt words of Al McFarlane, “You’re

telling our people and telling the world that our voice, our lives, our health matters.” The 5th Annual Pinked Out Party was not just a celebration; it was a triumph of community unity, empowerment, and saving lives. It was a heartfelt contribution to Pink October’s breast cancer awareness eﬀorts in the Twin Cities, and it left a legacy of hope and education.

Page 10 • January 15, 2024 - January 21, 2024 • Insight News

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Rick Dildine named next Artistic Director of Children’s Theatre Company Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) has named Rick Dildine to be their new Artistic Director. Dildine will assume the post on July 1, 2024. He replaces Peter C. Brosius, who will depart CTC on June 30, 2024 after 27 years leading the organization. Rick Dildine is a director and producer. He became the fourth Artistic Director of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival (ASF) in August 2017. “For some time, I have felt that creating art for young people is the most important task artists can undertake as they expand the scope of American theatre,” Dildine said in a statement. “I am incredibly honored that Children’s Theatre Company has given me the opportunity to do just that. Over the past few months as I have gotten to know the people and artists who shepherd CTC’s mission daily, I feel a strong connection to their values and vision to be the world’s leader in multigenerational programming. With projects that resonate locally in the Twin Cities and have had commercial success on Broadway, Children’s Theater Company is revered and highly respected for its artistry and mission. I am honored to be following in the footsteps of Peter Brosius, one of the most distinguished leaders in American theatre. For nearly three decades, he has championed rigorous, empathetic, imaginative work for audiences of all ages. I am excited and committed to continue this important work.” Dildine currently oversees all artistic programming and sets the creative vision for ASF, one of the largest Shakespeare festivals in the country. In 2018, he launched ASF’s most significant commissioning endeavor to date with the “State of the South” tour and New Southern Canon Project. Playwrights currently under

commission include Pulitzer and Tony Award-winner Robert Schenkkan, the most produced playwright in America, Lauren Gunderson, Whiting Award winner Donnetta Lavinia Grays, and Broadway playwright Mansa Ra. The resulting 22play canon will represent the largest body of work about the South in decades. Since joining ASF, Dildine has reinstated the repertory model, which nearly doubled the subscription base (and added a significant number of new subscribers); launched a training program for early career theatre artists; and established partnerships with the Montgomery Public Schools (90% BIPOC students), Alabama State University (HBCU), and the Equal Justice Initiative. In 2018, the late Congressman John Lewis invited ASF to perform at the Congressional Black Caucus in Washington, DC, and in 2020 Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Congressman Lewis led a delegation of 100+ Members of Congress to Montgomery to celebrate the work with young people. Under his leadership at ASF, audiences of color have grown more than 40%. For his eﬀorts to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in American theatre, Dildine was awarded the “Stand Out Award” from the Society of Directors & Choreographers in 2019. Dildine’s directing credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night, Macbeth, Romeo & Juliet, The Tempest, Tartuﬀe, The Misanthrope, Alabama Story, The Sound of Music, Every Brilliant Thing, Steel Magnolias, Little Shop of Horrors, and Cabaret. Upcoming projects include the world premiere musical Fall of ‘94 (starring Tony Award winner Alice Ripley) and the world premiere of Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder’s Zelda in the Backyard. He was a finalist for

SHELBY LYNNE

the Zelda Fichandler Award in 2019. “As CTC proudly celebrates 27 years of exceptional multigenerational theater under the leadership of Peter Brosius, a new chapter begins with the appointment of Rick Dildine,” says Board Chair Silvia Perez. “With an impressive background and a deep passion for CTC’s mission, Dildine brings a fresh vision for the future, aiming to elevate CTC’s already esteemed national standing in multigenerational work to new heights. His remarkable background, combined with his genuine passion for our mission, make him the ideal leader to guide us into this new era. We are confident that under Rick’s direction, CTC will continue to create extraordinary theater experiences that resonate with audiences of all ages. His vision encompasses expanding upon CTC’s existing national leadership in multigenerational work, propelling the organization towards even greater levels of excellence and innovation.” “Having undertaken an international search, we are so excited to have identified Rick Dildine as the next Artistic Director at CTC,” said Search Committee Chair Steven J. Thompson. “Rick’s experienced commitment to artistic excellence and articulated vision made him the unanimous choice of the committee.” Before ASF, Dildine served as the Artistic Director of the Shakespeare Festival St. Louis. Under his leadership, Festival attendance grew 55% and revenue grew 38%. The organization received numerous awards, including the Arts Organization of the Year from the Missouri Arts Council, the Exemplary Community Achievement Award from the Missouri Humanities Council, and the prestigious Excellence in the Arts Award from the

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Arts & Education Council of Greater St. Louis. Dildine was named 2014 “Theatre Artist of the Year” by the St. Louis PostDispatch, “40 Under 40” by the St. Louis Business Journal and recognized on the city›s Power List of «100 People Who Are Reshaping the City.» He won the 2017 St. Louis Theatre Award for Best Director for his production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch named him «Best Director» for 2016-17. Dildine, recognized as a leader in community engagement, began the company’s public arts programs when he created the highly innovative “Shakespeare in the Streets” and nationally replicated “SHAKE 38.” Both programs have been featured in American Theatre Magazine as national models in community development using the performing arts. He initiated the Festival›s new works commissioning process, which has premiered works with the Grammy Award-winning Saint Louis Symphony and the Pulitzer Arts Foundation. Dildine has held leadership positions at About Face Theatre, Shakespeare & Company, Stephen Foster Theatre (KY), and Brown University/Trinity Rep New Plays Festival under the direction of Pulitzer Prize winner Paula Vogel. He has traveled on TCG international trips to China and Cuba and served on numerous grant panels, including the National Endowment for the Arts. He serves on the Board of Directors for Child Protect and on the National Advisory Board for the Recovery Project. Passionate about arts education, he has taught or served on staﬀ for Brown University, Clark University, and Webster University. At Webster, he served as Director of the MFA Arts Management & Leadership program and Adjunct Professor within its

CTC

Rick Dildine BFA Performance program. He is an alumnus and instructor of the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival and is one of the national judges for the Irene Ryan Acting Award. Dildine is a graduate of Ouachita Baptist University and Brown University/Trinity Rep with an MFA in Acting and is a proud member of AEA and SDC. Rick grew up in Wynne, Arkansas. He is represented by Charles Koppelman, A3. www.rickdildine.com Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) is the nation’s largest and most acclaimed theatre for young people and serves a multigenerational audience. It creates theatre experiences that educate, challenge, and inspire nearly 250,000 people annually. CTC is the only theatre focused on young audiences to win the Special Tony® Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre and is the only theatre in Minnesota to receive three Tony® nominations (for its production

of A Year with Frog and Toad). CTC is committed to creating world-class productions at the highest level and to developing new works, more than 200 to date, dramatically changing the canon of work for young audiences. CTC is the most significant provider of theatre education opportunities in the region. Every year, thousands of children experience theatre for the first time at CTC. Our student matinees and education programs demonstrably benefit the community, from the intergenerational conversations sparked by our world premieres, to the sequential skill-building that happens in our Theatre Arts Training, to the pre-K focus of our Early Childhood Initiative. ACT One is CTC’s comprehensive platform for access, diversity, and inclusion in our audiences, programs, staﬀ, and board that strives to ensure the theatre is a home for all people, all families, reflective of our community. childrenstheatre.org

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Insight News • January 15, 2024 - January 21, 2024 • Page 11

Commentary

Schon/Moment via Getty Images

Sometimes the evidence points you in a new direction.

The curious joy of being wrong – intellectual humility means being open to new information and willing to change your mind By Daryl Van Tongeren Associate Professor of Psychology, Hope College Mark Twain apocryphally said, “I’m in favor of progress; it’s change I don’t like.” This quote pithily underscores the human tendency to desire growth while also harboring strong resistance to the hard work that comes with it. I can certainly resonate with this sentiment. I was raised in a conservative evangelical home. Like many who grew up in a similar environment, I learned a set of religious beliefs that framed how I understood myself and the world around me. I was taught that God is loving and powerful, and God’s faithful followers are protected. I was taught that the world is fair and that God is good. The world seemed simple and predictable – and most of all, safe. These beliefs were shattered when my brother unexpectedly passed away when I was 27 years old. His death at 34 with three young children shocked our family and community. In addition to reeling with grief, some of my deepest assumptions were challenged. Was God not good or not powerful? Why didn’t God save my brother, who was a kind and loving father and husband? And how unfair, uncaring and random is the universe? This deep loss started a period where I questioned all of my beliefs in light of the evidence of my own experiences. Over a considerable amount of time, and thanks to an exemplary therapist, I was able to revise my worldview in a way that felt

authentic. I changed my mind, about a lot things. The process sure wasn’t pleasant. It took more sleepless nights than I care to recall, but I was able to revise some of my core beliefs. I didn’t realize it then, but this experience falls under what social science researchers call intellectual humility. And honestly, it is probably a large part of why, as a psychology professor, I am so interested in studying it. Intellectual humility has been gaining more attention, and it seems critically important for our cultural moment, when it’s more common to defend your position than change your mind. What it means to be intellectually humble Intellectual humility is a particular kind of humility that has to do with beliefs, ideas or worldviews. This is not only about religious beliefs; it can show up in political views, various social attitudes, areas of knowledge or expertise or any other strong convictions. It has both internal- and external-facing dimensions. Within yourself, intellectual humility involves awareness and ownership of the limitations and biases in what you know and how you know it. It requires a willingness to revise your views in light of strong evidence. Interpersonally, it means keeping your ego in check so you can present your ideas in a modest and respectful manner. It calls for presenting your beliefs in ways that are not defensive and admitting when you’re wrong. It involves showing that you care more about learning and preserving relationships than about being “right” or demonstrating

intellectual superiority. Another way of thinking about humility, intellectual or otherwise, is being the right size in any given situation: not too big (which is arrogance), but also not too small (which is self-deprecation). I know a fair amount about psychology, but not much about opera. When I’m in professional settings, I can embrace the expertise that I’ve earned over the years. But when visiting the opera house with more cultured friends, I should listen and ask more questions, rather than confidently assert my highly uninformed opinion. Four main aspects of intellectual humility include being:  Open-minded, avoiding dogmatism and being willing to revise your beliefs.  Curious, seeking new ideas, ways to expand and grow, and changing your mind to align with strong evidence.  Realistic, owning and admitting your flaws and limitations, seeing the world as it is rather than as you wish it to be.  Teachable, responding nondefensively and changing your behavior to align with new knowledge. Intellectual humility is often hard work, especially when the stakes are high. Starting with the admission that you, like everyone else, have cognitive biases and flaws that limit how much you know, intellectual humility might look like taking genuine interest in learning about your relative’s beliefs during a conversation at a family get-together, rather than waiting for them to finish so you can prove them wrong by sharing your – superior – opinion.

It could look like considering the merits of an alternative viewpoint on a hotbutton political issue and why respectable, intelligent people might disagree with you. When you approach these challenging discussions with curiosity and humility, they become opportunities to learn and grow. Why intellectual humility is an asset Though I’ve been studying humility for years, I’ve not yet mastered it personally. It’s hard to swim against cultural norms that reward being right and punish mistakes. It takes constant work to develop, but psychological science has documented numerous benefits. First, there are social, cultural and technological advances to consider. Any significant breakthrough in medicine, technology or culture has come from someone admitting they didn’t know something – and then passionately pursuing knowledge with curiosity and humility. Progress requires admitting what you don’t know and seeking to learn something new. Relationships improve when people are intellectually humble. Research has found that intellectual humility is associated with greater tolerance toward people with whom you disagree. For example, intellectually humble people are more accepting of people who hold diﬀering religious and political views. A central part of it is an openness to new ideas, so folks are less defensive to potentially challenging perspectives. They’re more likely to

forgive, which can help repair and maintain relationships. Finally, humility helps facilitate personal growth. Being intellectually humble allows you to have a more accurate view of yourself. When you can admit and take ownership of your limitations, you can seek help in areas where you have room to grow, and you’re more responsive to information. When you limit yourself to only doing things the way you’ve always done them, you miss out on countless opportunities for growth, expansion and novelty – things that strike you with awe, fill you with wonder and make life worth living. Humility can unlock authenticity and personal development. Humility doesn’t mean being a pushover Despite these benefits, sometimes humility gets a bad rap. People can have misconceptions about intellectual humility, so it’s important to dispel some myths. Intellectual humility isn’t lacking conviction; you can believe something strongly until your mind is changed and you believe something else. It also isn’t being wishy-washy. You should have a high bar for what evidence you require to change your mind. It also doesn’t mean being self-deprecating or always agreeing with others. Remember, it’s being the right size, not too small. Researchers are working hard to validate reliable ways to cultivate intellectual humility. I’m part of a team that is overseeing a set of projects designed to test diﬀerent interventions to develop intellectual humility.

Some scholars are examining different ways to engage in discussions, and some are exploring the role of enhancing listening. Others are testing educational programs, and still others are looking at whether different kinds of feedback and exposure to diverse social networks might boost intellectual humility. Prior work in this area suggests that humility can be cultivated, so we’re excited to see what emerges as the most promising avenues from this new endeavor. There was one other thing that religion taught me that was slightly askew. I was told that too much learning could be ruinous; after all, you wouldn’t want to learn so much that you might lose your faith. But in my experience, what I learned through loss may have salvaged a version of my faith that I can genuinely endorse and feels authentic to my experiences. The sooner we can open our minds and stop resisting change, the sooner we’ll find the freedom offered by humility. Some of the work described has been supported by grants from The John Templeton Foundation to Daryl Van Tongeren and his colleagues. This article was produced with support from UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center and the John Templeton Foundation as part of the GGSC’s initiative on Expanding Awareness of the Science of Intellectual Humility. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

Page 12 • January 15, 2024 - January 21, 2024 • Insight News

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