WINNER: 2020 T YPOGRAPHY & DESIGN, 1ST PLACE, PHOTOGRAPHY (PORTRAIT & PERSONALIT Y), 1ST PLACE, WEBSITE, 3RD PLACE
Insight News
May 11, 2020 - May 17, 2020
Vol. 47 No. 19• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com
Page 2 • May 4, 2020 - May 10, 2020 • Insight News
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Financial support is essential
Black newspapers desperately trying to avoid shuttering operations By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia Publishers of Black-owned community newspapers, including Janis Ware of the Atlanta Voice, Cheryl Smith of Texas Metro News, Chris Bennett of the Seattle Medium, Denise Rolark Barnes of the Washington Informer and Brenda Andrews of the New Journal & Guide in Virginia, are desperately trying to avoid shuttering operations. On April 29, Rolark Barnes, Andrews, Bennett, and Ware participated in a special livestream broadcast to discuss how their publications are enduring as the pandemic rages on. In a heartfelt and straightto-the-point op-ed published recently, Ware explained to her tens of thousands of readers that The Atlanta Voice has boldly covered the issues that affect the African American community. “Our founders, Mr. J. Lowell Ware and Mr. Ed Clayton,
were committed to the mission of being a voice to the voiceless with the motto of, ‘honesty, integrity and truth,’” Ware wrote in an article that underscores the urgency and importance of African-Americanowned newspapers during the coronavirus pandemic. To remain afloat, Ware and her fellow publishers know that financial backing and support will be necessary. Following the spread of the pandemic, many advertisers have either paused their ad spending or halted it altogether. And other streams of revenue have also dried up, forcing Black-owned publications to find ways to reduce spending and restructure what were already historically tight budgets. With major companies like Ruth Chris Steakhouse and Pot Belly Sandwiches swooping in and hijacking stimulus money aimed at small businesses, the Black Press – and communitybased publishing in general – has been largely left out of the $350 billion stimulus and Paycheck Protection Program packages. To make matters worse, there
are no guarantees that a second package, specifically focused on small business, will benefit Black publishers or other businesses owned by people of color. Publications like the New Journal and Guide, Washington Informer (which recently celebrated its 55th anniversary) and the Atlanta Voice have been essential to the communities they serve – and the world at large for 193 years. Unfortunately for some publishers, the impact of COVID-19 has brought business operations to a near halt. While none are thriving, some publishers have developed ingenious and innovative ways to continue operations. “Dear World, the entire planet is feeling the devastation of the coronavirus pandemic,” Cheryl Smith of Texas Metro News wrote to her readers. “We must be concerned about ourselves, as well as others. You may be aware that the media is considered ‘essential.’ So, guess what? We have a responsibility, a moral obligation to use this status to be a source of information,
iStockphoto/NNPA
The Black Press continues to tackle domestic and global issues, including the novel coronavirus pandemic and its effects on all citizens – particularly African Americans. support, and inspiration, just as we are at all other times.” Smith’s statements echo the more than 200 AfricanAmerican-owned newspapers in the NNPA family. The majority of the publications are owned and operated by women, and virtually all are family dynasties so rarely
seen in the Black community. The contributions of the Black Press remain indelibly associated with the fearlessness, determination, and success of Black America. Those contributions include the works of Frederick Douglass, WEB DuBois, Patrice Lumumba, Kwame
Nkrumah, and former NNPA Chairman Dr. Carlton Goodlett. Many large news organizations have begun targeting African-Americans and other audiences of color by either acquiring Black-owned news startups or adding the
NEWSPAPERS 4
Businesses demand share of federal dollars By J. Cunningham The coronavirus pandemic has ravaged the U.S. economy, leaving scores of businesses in limbo and livelihoods in jeopardy. And Black businesses – many of which were already fighting to access capital – are struggling to weather this economic disaster COVID-19 has wrought. They are calling on the federal government to ensure that their companies aren’t wiped out by the pandemic’s onslaught. Last month, the government passed the $2.2 trillion CARES Act, which was supposed to help support businesses and sustain underemployed and out-of-work Americans. But business owners said the funding fell short.
The $349 billion Paycheck Protection Program that was part of the CARES Act ran out of money in just two weeks, and multimillion-dollar chains extracted huge sums from the program. For example, Ruth’s Chris Steak House received $20 million, and the Potbelly Sandwich Shop got $10 million. Smaller business owners meanwhile complained that they couldn’t get their applications through. Last week, the release of a second loan program to bolster businesses and revive the economy provides about $484 billion for small businesses, hospitals and additional testing. But Black business owners said funds need to be earmarked specifically for African-American firms to ensure that their companies
survive
iStockphoto/NNPA
But Black business owners said the COVID-19 pandemic will decimate their ranks if the government doesn’t step in to help keep them from shutting down.
Make yourself at home. áǝƺȇ ɵȒɖټȸƺ ȸƺƏƳɵ ɎȒ ƫɖɵ ɵȒɖȸ ˡȸɀɎ ǝȒȅƺً Ȓɖȸ ƳƺƳǣƬƏɎƺƳ ǝȒȅƺ ǼȒƏȇ ȵȸȒǔƺɀɀǣȒȇƏǼɀ Əȸƺ ɯǣɎǝ ɵȒɖ ɎǝȸȒɖǕǝ Ɏǝƺ ɯǝȒǼƺ ȵȸȒƬƺɀɀ ƏȇƳ ɯǣǼǼ ǝƺǼȵ Ǖǣɮƺ ɵȒɖ Ɏǝƺ ƬȒȇˡƳƺȇƬƺ ɎȒ ȅƏǸƺ Ɏǝƺ ȸǣǕǝɎ ȅȒȸɎǕƏǕƺ ƬǝȒǣƬƺ ɎȒ ˡɎ ɵȒɖȸ ȇƺƺƳɀِ Learn more at TCFBank.com/WelcomeHome
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the pandemic. “It’s clear that we’re taking the biggest hit, but we’re finding that the resources aren’t being given to the worst hit,” said Larry Ivory, president of the Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce, which represents 144,000 businesses, calling the phenomenon “pandemic racism.” “It makes no sense. If you have devastation, you need to put money and resources into the people and places worst hit.” Black-owned businesses already stand to be disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, reinforcing disparities in the United States. Some 40 percent of revenues from Black-owned businesses are in the top five most vulnerable sectors, including retail, leisure
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Insight News • May 4, 2020 - May 10, 2020 • Page 3 WINNER: 2020 T YPOGRAPHY & DESIGN, 1ST PLACE, PHOTOGRAPHY (PORTRAIT & PERSONALIT Y), 1ST PLACE, WEBSITE, 3RD PLACE
Insight News May 11, 2020 - May 17, 2020
Vol. 47 No. 19• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com
Dr. Sylvia Bartley
Part of the solution or part of the problem? By Dr. Sylvia Bartley Are my hands clean? I consider myself to be a socially aware person with a passion and love for my community. I do my best to give back in a meaningful way. Giving back to my community is a core value I hold close to my heart. I’m mindful of the racial disparities, inequities and challenges that persistently plague Black communities around the world. COVID-19 is no exception. Viruses don’t discriminate. The terrifying but not surprising data emerging state by state on
the disproportionate number of Black Americans being hospitalized and dying from COVID-19, however, implies otherwise. Poor socioeconomic status, pre-existing health conditions like obesity, hypertension and asthma, the lack of access to healthy foods, high-quality education and highquality healthcare are conditions that are prevalent in the Black community. The very same conditions that classify people as a vulnerable high-risk group to COVID-19. What can we do about it? Numerous people have expressed their horrors about the data. Many have
stepped up to do what they can to provide vital resources to the Black community. I felt compelled to do the same, using my network and platform to provide information to the black community via Black medical physicians and practitioners. Accurate information is critical to empower people to take the necessary steps to protect themselves, reducing the risk of contracting COVID-19. I was proud of my ability to help. I had a sense of fulfillment, knowing I was doing my part. I felt I was doing the right thing until the unexpected moment I faced a situation that challenged and bothers me still today. A situation that tested my
value system and commitment to my community. Like most people in America, I’m sheltering in place and practicing social distancing. I’m working remotely, only going outside for a walk at the end of a long workday or to buy groceries from the store. When the weather is beautiful, I look forward to walking, soaking up the sun and the creative artwork that adds character to my cute neighborhood. One day when the weather was gorgeous, I decided to go for a walk around my neighborhood before walking to the grocery store. I didn’t carry a purse as the store uses Apple Pay, and I didn’t want to take anything while I was walking.
By Abeni Hill
Dr. Josie Johnson
Amber Jones agencies to directly ensure our communities are being served effectively and equitably.” Before joining the Council, Jones worked as an inclusion and community engagement associate at the Minnesota Historical Society. During her time there she facilitated culturallyspecific and multicultural teen programming to inspire diversity in the museum practitioner’s field. Jones also brings about 10 years of experience in community engagement and advocacy. “Not only does she bring a high level of professionalism and a lens that is focused on racial equity and what is best for our people,” said the Council’s executive
JONES 4
the street? I hesitated, knowing I just couldn’t cross the road. I wasn’t going to be that person. As I got closer, I realized the person in the street was a man in his early 60s. He had grey, short hair that looked reasonably well kept. He had a nine o’clock shadow on his face. His head was bent down as he arranged his few belongings around him on the sidewalk. One of the items was a brown disposal drinking cup. I couldn’t make out the other items as they were tiny and out of my line of sight. His legs were bent, with his bare feet planted
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Rep. Lee, Asian Pacific American leaders launch town halls addressing xenophobia during COVID-19
Amber Jones named outreach coordinator for the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage Amber Jones is bringing her passion for community and public service to her new role as community outreach coordinator for the Council of Minnesotans of African Heritage. “This is our house, the capitol is our house,” said Jones. “I really want people to feel comfortable to come to our house and to make sure our issues are heard.” Since starting her new position virtually in early April, Jones is closely monitoring information coming to the Council from the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. After collecting requests from the community and working through which issues are more urgent, Jones along with the Council will submit the information to state agencies and community partners. “(COVID-19) is going to be an ongoing thing and our communities are not going to be bouncing back so easily when the economy gets started,” said Jones. “We are working on strategy and will be reaching out to our community partners very soon so that we can be in front of the line and not the back of the line as we continue to see how our government is shaping policies and funding to address this pandemic.” As outreach coordinator, she wants to “utilize and leverage the Council’s connection to the governor, legislature and state
I’m masked up and practiced social distancing. I tried to exchange pleasantries with the grocery store staff, but they could not hear me very well because of my face mask. As I write this, I feel like I’m priming you with my excuses. Anyway, I left the store with six small plastic bags of groceries and began walking slowing home, enjoying the sun before it set down for the day. In the far distance, I saw a blurry red outline on the sidewalk. As I got closer, I saw a Black person, sitting in the middle of the sidewalk with a red blanket around their waist. I thought about social distancing. Do I cross the road to the other side of
Antone Melton-Meaux
Melton-Meaux gets Dr. Josie Johnson endorsement in DFL CD5 contest Civil rights icon and educator Dr. Josie Robinson Johnson has endorsed Minneapolis attorney Antone Melton-Meaux in his campaign for Congress to unseat 5th District incumbent, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN). “This is a critical time in our history. We need to be deliberate about who we ask to represent us, because we’ve seen the consequences of not doing so. I cannot stand idly by and let history repeat itself, nor can I support anyone who creates more division among us. That’s why I’m endorsing Antone Melton-Meaux to represent the Fifth Congressional District in Congress,” said Johnson. “The struggle of my ancestors has had a powerful and profound influence on me, and Antone
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Everyday items that can boost your immunity
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seems to understand their perseverance for fairness, justice and equality for all in the way that he approaches his work in our community. As an attorney, professional mediator, pastor and community leader, Antone clearly has the compassion, temperament and skills required to unite our district, as well as a nation divided by racism, antiSemitism and xenophobia.” Melton-Meaux launched his campaign for Congress in December against Omar after becoming disillusioned with her congressional voting record and what he said is her lack of presence in the district. “I am humbled and
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In response to the growing tide of anti-Asian bigotry in the public sphere and the continuing impact of COVID-19 in hard-hit Asian Pacific American (APA) communities, state and local Asian-American officials have gathered with grassroots and civil rights organizations to launch, “Rise: Asian Pacific America.” Leaders organizing the events include Rep. Fue Lee (DFL-59A) along with David Chiu (member, California State Assembly), Yuh-Line Niou (member, New York State Assembly), Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos (Washington House of Representatives) and Michelle Wu (Boston City Council). Together they will host a series of virtual town halls that seek to confront the significant issues facing APA communities in the wake of COVID-19. “Since the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, Asian Pacific Americans have experienced xenophobic hostilities directed their way. No one deserves to be targeted with threats, harassment, and violence based on their cultural background, especially during a public health crisis,” said Lee. “Furthermore, by relying on terms like ‘Chinese Virus,’ the President of the United States has deliberately given rise to anti-Asian hatred. As Minnesotans, and as Americans, we have a duty to stand up against bigotry of any kind. These events will give us an opportunity to collectively overcome barriers as we chart our future as a community.” In these virtual town
Rep. Fue Lee halls, the lawmakers, who represent some of the largest and hardest-hit Asian Pacific American communities in the nation, will engage in dialogue with activists, policymakers, academics and artists and athome audiences to address present challenges, historical context and the path forward to a future beyond this pandemic. The goal is to uplift diverse experiences and voices from around the country, highlight ways for individuals to get involved in local, regional and national efforts, build and amplify a collective national voice, encourage fundraising support of organizations involved in advocacy, civil rights, and support of hate
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News
When to wear a mask
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Page 4 • May 4, 2020 - May 10, 2020 • Insight News
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Barack Obama to headline a prime-time televised commencement address for the Class of 2020 The Class of 2020 is one of the most unique graduating classes in modern history. Commencements and other celebratory events have been canceled due to the pandemic. To meet the demands of the times, former President Barack Obama will deliver a televised prime-time commencement address for the Class of 2020 that will take place on May 16 at 9 p.m. Eastern. ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC will simultaneously air the special along with more than
20 other broadcast and digital streaming partners, according to the announcement Tuesday from organizers. The hour-long event will also feature LeBron James, Malala Yousafzai and Ben Platt, and others. Several high school students from Chicago public schools and the Obama Youth Jobs Corps will join, as will the Jonas Brothers, Yara Shahidi, Bad Bunny, Lena Waithe, Pharrell Williams, Megan Rapinoe and H.E.R. The event is titled
“Graduate Together: America Honors the High School Class of 2020.” It’s hosted by the education advocacy group XQ Institute, The LeBron James Family Foundation and The Entertainment Industry Foundation. To learn more about this first-of-its-kind national graduation ceremony, visit G r a d u a t i o n To g e t h e r 2 0 2 0 . com. Follow the hashtag #GraduateTogether on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and TikTok.
photo/brookings.edu
Former President Barack Obama will deliver a televised prime-time commencement address for the Class of 2020 that will take place on May 16 at 9 p.m. Eastern.
Minnesota Black Chamber shows support to Covid-challenged food businesses Few people are questioning the value of social media these days. Covid-19 has provided an unorthodox push for businesses to use Facebook and Instagram to establish an online presence. Consumers are also using social networks as a pipeline to goods and services. The Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce recognizes both and is providing additional support to restaurants and food businesses that have
been hit hard by state-mandated restrictions. The Chamber is using their Facebook and Instagram feeds as tools of promotion. And it is working. Gerard Klass, coowner of Soul Bowl, credits the Chamber and president Karl Benson for assuming the role of de facto cheerleaders for his business as well as other Blackowned food merchandisers. “They have been generous in
Black Chamber president, Karl Benson
posting about our business and events over the years.” Follow @b.a.d.wingz for ordering information. Soul Bowl is not the only business to benefit from the Chamber’s influence. Here is a partial list of restaurants, caterers and food product vendors supported by the Chamber’s social media networks. The Gold Room Restaurant & Lounge is open for
delivery and takeout. Follo their Instagram (@goldroommn) feed for updates on hours and menu. Caterer Girl & Spoon is available for food delivery and dessert orders. The menu is West African and Cajun-inspired. Follow the Chamber on Instagram @ mnblackchamber and Facebook to meet other Twin Cities food businesses and businesses who can use your support.
Aeon gets low-income housing tax credit to support Edina development Aeon, a nonprofit developer, is the recipient of low-income housing tax credits from the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency to build housing in Edina. The funds will support the development of an affordable housing project in Edina and provide 70 homes to families. The $327,722 awarded in tax credits will support the development of The Sound on 76th, a property located one block off France Avenue near Southdale Center in the heart of Edina. The majority of the homes will be two and threebedroom. There will also be eight apartments designated for people leaving homelessness. Aeon is partnering with the City of Edina, UrbanWorks, Kimley-Horn, Flannery Construction, The Richard M. Schulze Family
Foundation, Haven Housing, Hennepin County, U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation, the Metropolitan Council and Minnesota Housing and others on the approximately $23 million development. Aeon hopes to break ground in late summer 2020. “We are very grateful to receive low-income housing tax credit for this important project,” said Alan Arthur, Aeon’s president and CEO. “The Twin Cities is losing affordable homes faster than we can build new ones. We desperately need more affordable housing for families in the suburbs of the Twin Cities and The Sound on 76th is a step in the right direction. To provide all Minnesotans a home will require the financial commitment of many public and private sources. We want
to thank the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, and all of our partners, for their support.” A note of history, the site for the new development is the former location of Flyte Time Studios, the famed recording location of the dynamic production duo, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency’s Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program is a financing program for qualified residential rental properties. The LIHTC program offers investors a 10-year reduction in tax liability in exchange for capital to build eligible affordable rental housing units in new construction, rehabilitation, or acquisition with rehabilitation.
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and many other issues that disproportionately negatively impact African-Americans. Today, the Black Press continues to reach across the ocean where possible to forge coalitions with the growing number of websites and special publications that cover Africa daily from on the continent, Tennessee Tribune Publisher Rosetta Perry noted. The evolution of the Black Press, the oldest
Black business in America, had proprietors take on issues of chattel slavery in the 19th century, Jim Crow segregation and lynching, the great northern migration, the Civil Rights Movement, the transformation from the printing press to the digital age and computerized communication. With the Plessy vs. Ferguson Supreme Court ruling that said no black man has any rights that a white man must
From 2 moniker “Black” to the end of their brand. However, it was Black-owned and operated news organizations that were on the front lines for voting rights, civil rights, ending apartheid, fair pay for all, unionization, education equity, healthcare disparities
Businesses
INSIGHT NEWS www.insightnews.com
Insight News is published weekly, every Monday by McFarlane Media Interests. Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Managing Editor Harry Colbert, Jr. Culture and Education Editor Dr. Irma McClaurin Associate Editor Afrodescendientes Carmen Robles Associate Editor Nigeria & West Africa Chief Folarin Ero-Phillips Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Content & Production Coordinator Sunny Thongthi Yang Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Intern Kelvin Kuria
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From 2 and hospitality, according to a report from the McKinsey Institute that was released earlier this month. Compared to other businesses countrywide, just 25 percent of revenues are affected, the report says. “We need relief economically,” said Regina Smith, the CEO of the
Jones From 3
YouTube
Formerly the site to famed Flyte Time Studios, The Sound on 76th will provide affordable housing in Edina. honor, there came a flood of Black publications to advocate for Black rights and to protest the wrongs done to Blacks. An expose in Ebony Magazine in 1965 alerted the world to a Black female engineer, Bonnie Bianchi, who was the first woman to graduate from Howard University in Electrical Engineering. It was through the pages of the Black Press that the world learned the horrors of
what happened to Emmett Till. The Black Press continues to tackle domestic and global issues, including the novel coronavirus pandemic and its effects on all citizens – particularly African-Americans. It was through the pages of the Black Press that the world learned that COVID-19 health experts were wrong when they said the virus could last only up to 20 to 30
minutes on a surface. Now, it’s universally recognized that the virus can last for hours on a surface and in the air. “A few short weeks ago, life as we know it, was pretty different,” Ware told her readers. “These are unprecedented times, and we are working around the clock to provide the best possible coverage, sometimes taking risks to keep Metro Atlanta informed.”
nonprofit Harlem Business Alliance. “We cannot continue to support the continued demise of Black businesses.” There are about 2.6 million Black-owned businesses in the United States, which employ about one million people, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. These firms, many of which are small, are considered to be the lifeblood of many communities. They create jobs, they keep money in communities, and they provide residents with
needed products and services. But Black business owners said the COVID-19 pandemic will decimate their ranks if the government doesn’t step in to help keep them from shutting down. They need grants and loans on a hyperlocal level that will help Black business owners with their immediate bills and keep them from having to furlough, fire, or cut the pay of employees. They also need access to local, state and federal government contracts
- and specifically, a “master contract” where the government awards money to a nonprofit, community-based partner, and that entity, in turn, identifies Black businesses to fulfill the contract, according to a white paper from the Black Business Empowerment Committee, a group of business owners, houses of worship and community groups committed to growing and sustaining Black-owned businesses.
director, Justin Terrell. “People are really excited she is doing this work. That is a good sign from the community.”
Jones’ high school, college and professional careers have weaved in and out of different sectors and facets of
community such as education, community organizing, nonprofits, and more. Within the past year or so she has noticed an underlying commonality in all of the work she has done. “It’s been really important to me to make sure people of African descent are readily represented and able to benefit from the work that I’m doing in the systems that I am working in or the organizations I am working for,” said Jones. “I’ve been able to notice the thread and coming into this position with that level of clarity is really essential because of the gravity of work and the responsibility.” Jones looks forward to using her range of experience and coming to the Council with this type of clarity with a holistic approach. “Now I am focusing on the social, economic and political advancement of people of African descent and heritage in our state,” she said. “It benefits me to have multiple lanes of exposure in my career overtime and continue to build on that because we are not just looking at a monolithic person of African descent. We are not looking at a one-issue person or a one-issue community because all issues affect our community. We are multidimensional people.”
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Insight News • May 4, 2020 - May 10, 2020 • Page 5
Insight 2 Health
Everyday items that can boost your immunity As the number of U.S. COVID-19 surpassed 1 million, people across the country are taking extra precautions to protect their health and immunity. Getting your hands on immunityboosting items doesn’t require a trip to the grocery or drug store, Minnesotans might have what they need in their pantry. Dr. Michele Renee, director of Integrative Care at Northwestern Health Sciences University, offers several of these tips.
put some dried thyme or parsley in your soups and salad dressings. Both are packed with vitamin C, which support immune cells that fight off infectious agents.
Red meat, lentils or hemp seeds Zinc is also known to help maintain a healthy immune system by supporting cells that limit multiplication of the infection within your body. Instead of buying zinc lozenges at the store, add red meat, lentils or hemp seeds to your diet.
Oats, ginger or pineapple According to a study published in The National Center for Biotechnology Information, melatonin is proven to limit virus-related diseases, and it may be beneficial in the recovery of COVID-19 patients. Melatonin is naturally found in foods like oats, ginger or pineapple. While fresh ginger and pineapple are ideal, you may have dried ginger or canned pineapple in your pantry. Pickles The more diverse your bacteria strains are, the less susceptible you are to get an infection. Probiotics contain hundreds of billions of strains of good bacteria that keep your gut healthy. While many refrigerated foods like yogurt and buttermilk contain probiotics, pickles also contain healthy probiotic bacteria. However, look for pickles that are made with salty water, not vinegar, as
Sardines and tuna While we all crave a little sunshine amid COVID-19 “stay at home” orders, we’re likely getting less than we usually do. Stock up on vitamin D through shelfstable foods like sardines and tuna, which can help regulate the immune system. While shelf-stables are important during a global pandemic, fresh food is ideal. Eating the rainbow enables us to get a wide range of fruits and vegetables that boost immune system support.
istockphoto
they do not have the same probiotic effects. In case pickles aren’t your favorite, other options for probiotic rich foods worth noting are sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, and
kombucha. Thyme and parsley Vitamin C is a wellknown immunity booster. A research team at Zhongnan Hospital in Wuhan, China
launched a study on this vitamin as a potential treatment for COVID-19 symptoms. When you can’t get to the grocery store for fresh fruit or orange juice,
fresh • local • organic Your neighborhood source for local and organic foods and wellness products
2823 E. Franklin Ave. | Minneapolis & 317 E. 38th St. | Minneapolis w w w.seward.coop
Page 6 • May 4, 2020 - May 10, 2020 • Insight News
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When to wear a mask The federal government has issued some new guidance on the use of cloth face coverings to help slow the spread of COVID-19. CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies). Here are a few important things to keep in mind: Masks or cloth face coverings can help with preventing your germs from infecting others – especially in situations where you may spread the virus without symptoms. Wearing a mask does
not protect you from others who may spread the virus. So, whether or not you wear a mask, you still need to wash your hands frequently, cover your cough, and practice social distancing by keeping at least 6 feet of space between people. People who are sick should still stay home. Wearing a mask does not mean people who are sick should go out into the community. If you are sick and need to go to the doctor, call your health care provider before going in and wear a mask to the clinic. Don’t buy or wear surgical or N95 masks. These
supplies are in high need in health care facilities to protect health care workers. Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance. Visit About Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) ( h t t p s : / / w w w. h e a l t h . s t a t e . mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/ basics.html#mask) for more information on staying healthy and safe during this pandemic.
Desiree Forget
Handmade cloth masks sold at www.owlandlarkjewelry.com for $15 each.
COVID-19: The structural racism pandemic and Black lives By James Trice CEO, Public Policy Project Research has shown that Black people are “getting slammed” by the COVID-19 Pandemic said Dr. Richard Besser, former acting director of the CDC. And Black people have been getting slammed by structural racism pandemic. We need to undergird ourselves with what we already know. So, what should we as Black people do? To get us through the COVID-19 Pandemic I strongly urge that we abide by the CDC’s order on social distancing and to keep from spreading the Coronavirus – stay six feet
Bartley From 3 squarely on the ground. He had a thin red blanket around his waist and the top of his legs, respectfully covering himself. He was wearing very short pants or no pants at all. He was engrossed in organizing his stuff on the street around him neatly. As I approached, I was wracking my brain; what do I do? Do I offer him money? No, I don’t have any on me. Do I offer him my groceries? I’m not sure he could do much with the eggs, ghee, plantain, or any of the other food I brought. Do I say something? Yes, at least I can do that. I greeted him when I was about eight feet away. He didn’t look up. Maybe he didn’t hear me. I didn’t attempt to speak to him again. I focused on how I was going to pass him while keeping six feet away from him. Yet at the same time, I wanted to help him in some way. I merely did not know how, so I walked on by. I started to sweat slightly as the mask I was wearing was closely fitted on my face and the sun was shining brightly on my
Melton-Meaux From 3
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moved from the term, N-word to naming ourselves Negro to Black to African-American and back to Black again. John Henrick Clark once said, “slavery and colonialism strained, but did not completely break,
the cultural umbilical cord between the Africans in Africa and those who, by forced migration, now live in what is called the western world.” We must fall back on the virtues our people possess that help foster resilience when we have been through hell. We are a spiritual people. Most Black people are not atheist but believe in a God, Allah, Yahweh, Jehovah, etc. Or we believe in a higher power, spirit or force bigger than ourselves of which we can call on to get us through the difficulties and nuances of life. Spirituality or the church has always played a central role in our capacity to overcome any obstacle. We are inherently a social and communal people. We believe in the collective and
are all about the “we” and “us” and “ours” and the family. We believe in looking out for each other and that what affects one affects us all. We place a high value on family and friendship. Not only are blood relatives essential to us, but we also have extended family members; friends we call family. Also, our church/mosque/synagogue family who provide the care and support when we need it. And our membership in a social club, group, or sports team is critical to us and serves as another outlet or layer of support when we need it. We, like other people, are not perfect by any mean, and we certainly are not a monolith, but the qualities as mentioned above are what has fortified us and has helped us through the structural racism pandemic.
the system, institutions, and far too many people simply don’t care about the disenfranchised. More importantly, I am frustrated because I am part of the system. I am benefiting from the system at the expense of the disenfranchised man on the street. The question remains, what can I do to help, and what can I do to change the system? I can vote. During COVID-19, the role of the governor and mayors are critical in how the states and cities respond to keeping their constituents safe. I now live in Georgia, where the governor seems to value money over people’s lives. The mayor of Atlanta is the opposite; she is fighting for people to stay home, to be safe, and ultimately prevent hospitals from reaching capacity with COVID-19 patients. The importance of voting at local and state elections is abundantly clear to me during these unprecedented times. The mayor of Las Vegas called for her constituents to be a control group as she justified the need to open casinos and nightclubs. Yes, it is essential to vote at local elections. And of course, in the presidential election this November. Voting is one thing,
what else can I do right now to help? CDC guidelines strongly recommend washing our hands for 20 seconds as one of the best ways to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19. I assume the man I passed on the street has little access to clean water. I believe the same for the homeless, for people living in temporary housing, for people whose landlords cut off their water because they can’t pay their rent due to the shut-down. I assume the same for most of the 30 million-plus Americans who have file for unemployment suddenly. And the healthcare workers, the essential workers like the bus driver, the postman or woman, the delivery driver, or the grocery store worker, who come face to face with the invisible virus by doing their job which requires them to interact a lot with people and touch multiple exposed surfaces in places where there is no place to wash their hands for 20 seconds. I recognize my privilege. I have access to clean water, ample resources to work from home and eat healthy food, which is vital to boost my immune system. Yet I am still at a loss regarding what I can do to help people like the man I walked by
on the street. I didn’t see him as a threat. I simply did not know how to help him at that moment. I arrived home. Despite washing my hands for 20 seconds, I felt my hands were dirty, not with COVID-19 but with guilt. I tried my hardest to wash away the guilt, but the question persists, what could I have done to help? I’ve given money to homeless people on the street numerous times before. To be honest, I don’t know if that solves the problem. After I washed my hands, I went online to donate to a food shelter with little confidence these resources would get to the man on the street. What would you have done? What are you doing to help those in need during COVID-19 and beyond? I ask because we all have a role to play in a system that maintains the status quo of keeping certain people down while elevating and supporting others. My ah-ha moment was realizing I am contributing to the man who was sitting on the sidewalk’s situation. Giving him money would have alleviate my guilt and made me feel better. The truth is, giving him money is an indication that I believe I am not part of a system that is
keeping him down. By giving him money, I’m saying look at me I am a good person helping you out. The same feeling I felt when I was traveling in the continent, where I had to walk past women with tiny babies living on the street. I felt like I was doing something good by giving them money. I quickly ran out of money because there were too many people begging on the street. And then I felt awful, useless and helpless. These experiences drive me to think deep and more strategically about how to help. I don’t have the answer yet, but one thing is clear. I contribute to the condition of my community that I am so disturbed by. And hence my pledge from here on out is to do better in a way that everyone can do better. Dr. Sylvia Bartley, a senior global director for the Medtronic Foundation, is well known for her community work in the Twin Cities and her voice on KMOJ radio. She was recently listed in Great Britain’s Powerlist 2020, of the top 100 most influential Black people in the U.K. and she was named as one of Pollen’s 2019 50 over 50 Minnesota.
grateful that Ms. Johnson, a civil rights icon, has endorsed me. Ms. Johnson’s endorsement is affirmation that my focus on bringing people together
through thoughtful, effective and accountable leadership is resonating,” said MeltonMeaux. “Equally important, Ms. Johnson’s support as a
close advisor to our campaign is simply an extraordinary gift of wisdom and knowledge. Our campaign is so much stronger because of her support.”
Melton-Meaux has also garnered the support of other prominent Minnesotans including ones from Nekima Levy-Armstrong, former
president of the Minneapolis NAACP, Golden Valley Mayor Shep Harris and Bill George, former chairman and CEO of Medtronic.
crime victims and frame next steps for the future of Asian Pacific American communities. “Rise APA: Our History, Our Roots” is the next
in the series, May 15. It will be a conversation with policy-based, academic and activist voices on the larger historical context of anti-Asian discrimination. On
May 22 “Rise APA: Getting Back to Better” will focus on relief and recovery from the pandemic. The final townhall, “Rise APA: Reaching Beyond
Our Community” takes place May 29 and focuses on building organizational infrastructure across APA communities. The sessions will
take place online at 7 p.m. CST. Individuals may register for the series and find more information at www.riseapa. org.
apart and don’t congregate. Please wait at home if it is not a necessity to go out. If we must go out, we should wear gloves and a mask that covers our mouth and nose. I understand that we are social people and like the company of family and friends. We should wash our hands often for at least 20 seconds. And don’t touch our faces. Since we seem to have a target on our chest for this virus, we can ill-afford to take chances. After the COVID-19 pandemic is over, for our continued existence and to fortify us through whatever challenges we face, we must be committed to always educating ourselves and our children about the history and culture of Black people. We have a uniquely rich history and should be proud of
it. So much so other cultures have tried to appropriate it as their own. We must teach ourselves about our history of continued struggle and how we have managed to overcome in the face of impossible odds. Let’s talk about how we
face and the man I was passing by. My breathing became shallow and my heart raced slightly. My conscience spoke up very loudly, “Where is your compassion and humanity?’” My heart sank; “What happened to your values? ‘Do they only apply at your convenience?” I slowly walked on, feeling guilty, my privilege, and frustrated. I hanged my head the rest of my walk home. I was frustrated because I wanted to help but didn’t know how. I was and still am frustrated because this man is who I’m referring to when I discuss the people most disadvantaged by the system and now most at risk for COVID-19. I am frustrated because the resources created to help him are not reaching him – the stimulus package funds for small businesses are being awarded to institutions like Harvard University who have a $ 40 billion endowment. I am frustrated because I judged Harvard University who refused, at the time, to return the $8.6 million they received from the government. I question now if my principles are any better than theirs. I am frustrated because
After the COVID-19 pandemic is over, for our continued existence and to fortify us through whatever challenges we face, we must be committed to always educating ourselves and our children about the history and culture of Black people.
insightnews.com
Insight News • May 4, 2020 - May 10, 2020 • Page 7
Julien’s via AP
Julien’s via AP
Prince’s guitar up for auction The Associated Press reports that a guitar from “Prince’s prime” is up for auction at a music artifacts sale. Julien’s Auctions
announced Monday that the auction taking place June 19 and 20 in Beverly Hills, Calif., and online will include a 1984 blue custom-made guitar Prince
played in his prime period just after “Purple Rain.” It is their annual Music Icons event. The guitar contains Prince’s “love” symbol and
has gold hardware. The auction house said that the instrument is projected to fetch between $100,000 and $200,000. One of Prince’s purple
suits, a pendant and a pair of boots will be for sale, too. The auction will also have memorabilia from Paul McCartney, Madonna, Michael
Jackson, Whitney Houston, Johnny Cash, Jim Morrison, the Rolling Stones, Queen and David Bowie.
Page 8 • May 4, 2020 - May 10, 2020 • Insight News
insightnews.com
Minneapolis restaurateurs Gerard and Brittney Klass use food and faith to survive pandemic By Robin Caldwell Contributing Writer Chef Gerard Klass and his business partner and wife, Brittney Klass are hospitality veterans accustomed to the ups and downs of the industry, but the coronavirus crisis is unlike anything they have ever seen or experienced. “The reality of this pandemic is that it is affecting people in different ways,” said Gerald Klass, noting that most food professionals focused on either serving first responders and school children, the couple decided to turn their attention to food insecurity in North Minneapolis. “We thought about the seniors in need of nutritious meals as well as families suffering because someone was suddenly unemployed, and that’s who we wanted to serve.” The Klasses instantly set out to manage their food business, Soul Bowl, during state-mandated restrictions and preparing meals to distribute in the community. Financial support for “Food for Your Soul” came directly from their church, Glendale Seventh Day Adventist, and from donations received from customers. To date, they have served upwards of 125 meals a week for the past month in the greater Minneapolis area to individuals and organizations such as Youth Link and Naomi Family Center. They have their logistics down to a science, serving the public for takeout, curbside and delivery orders and preparing meals for delivery to community customers between 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. daily. Chef Gerald Klass credits working on church
hospitality committees as a boost to preparing for and serving meals to hundreds at a time. The restaurant also relys on paid staff to assist with cooking, assembling meals and delivery. Right now, the couple is devising a strategy for the future. They are exploring funding options for “Food for Your Soul” in the form of sponsorships and community partnerships that involve collaborations with local food producers and vendors as well as donation models. No matter what or when, Gerard Klass says the program will remain. “It is an extension of what we have always done. To be honest, we’d been happy to feed the community whether our business succeeded or failed during restrictions,” he said. The chef is also adjusting his current business model for Soul Bowl. A steady stream of sales has allowed him to maintain some staff and Brittney Klass’ management skills have kept them open and thriving during the crisis, however, they both realize that a plan for later is in order as the industry changes daily. With optimism, Gerard added, “People will always need the comfort of soul food and as long as we are able, it is our goal to serve them.” Soul Bowl’s is open for business Monday – Friday: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m., closed on Saturday and open Sundays 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Soul Bowl is located in the Graze Provisions and Libations Food Hall, 520 North 4th St. , Suite 202, Minneapolis. Call Soul Bowl by phone at (612) 567-7044 or visit www.soulbowmn. com to view the menu, order and make a donation to “Food for Your Soul.”
Gerard (left) and Brittney Klass are devising a strategy for the future. They are exploring funding options for “Food for Your Soul” in the form of sponsorships and community partnerships that involve collaborations with local food producers and vendors as well as donation models.
Caribe Bowl is back at Soul Bowl. Jr. Gong jerk chicken, sweet plantains and toasted coconut rice and peas.
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