Democrat Kamala Harris urged unity in a concession speech at Howard University following her defeat to Republican Donald Trump. The election results prompted foreign leaders and President Joe Biden to congratulate Trump and left Democrats downtrodden after the former president scored victories in swing states.
Trump’s victory was felt down ballot, with the GOP reclaiming control of the Senate by flipping seats in Montana, West Virginia and Ohio. House Republicans hold the upper hand to retain control though the lower chamber’s Democratic leaders insisted Wednesday night that the potential for their majority was still in play.
Trump has vowed to shake some of democracy’s pillars
Even as Trump prevailed, most voters said they were very or somewhat concerned that electing Trump would bring the U.S. closer to being an authoritarian country, where a single leader has unchecked power, according to the AP VoteCast survey. Still, 1 in 10 of those voters backed him anyway. Nearly 4 in 10
Trump voters said they wanted complete upheaval in how the country is run.
Former Vice President Mike Pence congratulated Trump for winning a second term in office, writing yet another awkward chapter in the relationship between the president-elect and his former running mate.
“We will continue to pray for all those in authority and urge every American to join us in praying for our incoming President, Vice President and elected officials at every level,” Pence concluded.
Pence’s relationship with Trump fractured after the former vice president declined to follow the Republican president’s wishes and went ahead with certifying the 2020 election. Trump did not hold back in his contempt for Pence, questioning his judgment and calling him “delusional” on the campaign trail. Pence, in turn, declined to endorse his one-time running mate.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a statement late Wednesday, saying that “we all pray for America’s success under the next administration,” but did not make mention of Trump by name.
Pelosi was seen as the architect of the Democratic party’s strategic shift from Joe Biden to Kamala Harris as top of their ticket over the summer. The California Democrat has been Trump’s biggest critic, saying previously that her goal is to ensure Trump never enters the White House again.
“The peaceful transfer of power is the cornerstone of
“The American people have spoken and Karen and I send our sincere congratulations to PresidentElect Donald Trump and his family on his election as 47th President of the United States,” Pence wrote on behalf of him and his wife. The former vice president also congratulated Ohio Sen. JD Vance, who ran in place of Pence as Trump’s running mate.
our democracy,” Pelosi said. “After every election, we all have a responsibility to come together and find common ground.”
Trump led the Republican ticket to a sweeping national victory. He was on track to improve upon his 2020 vote performance in 48 states.
This included bringing back into the fold the five states that had abandoned him for Democratic Joe Biden four years ago. Six of the seven 2024 presidential battlegrounds that helped decide Tuesday’s election had all moved sharply away from Trump in 2020. They included Georgia and Arizona, which hadn’t supported a Democrat for president in more than 20 years, as well as North Carolina, which shifted sharply to the left but barely remained in Trump’s column in 2020.
Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin all supported Trump in 2016 after supporting Democratic presidential candidates for at least six consecutive elections but swung back toward Democrats in 2020.
This year, Trump significantly outperformed his 2020 showing in all battlegrounds.
In a statement issued Wednesday, former President Barack Obama, along with former first lady Michelle Obama, said the election’s result “is obviously not the outcome we had hoped for” but noted that “living in a democracy is about recognizing that our point of view won’t always win out, and being willing to accept the peaceful transfer of power.”
“As deeply, deeply disappointed as I am by the results of the election, make
no mistake: my Democratic colleagues and I — unlike many Republicans after the 2020 election — will uphold the will of the American people, fulfill our constitutional duty and do our part to ensure a peaceful transfer of power,” Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois said in a statement.
Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders did not mince words in a scathing statement Wednesday.
“It should come as no great surprise that a Democratic Party which has abandoned working class people would find that the working class has abandoned them,” Sanders, Vermont’s senior senator, said. Sanders won reelection to a fourth term on Tuesday. He singled out wealth inequality, a slipping standard of living in the U.S., a lack of full health care guarantees and support for Israel’s recent military campaigns as problems Democrats need to focus on.
Sanders’s 2016 presidential run was a key factor in pushing the dialogue in the Democratic party to the left. Sanders has built his political career outside -- and often criticizing -- the Democratic Party, but he caucuses with Democrats in the Senate.
“This is not a time to throw up our hands,” said Harris. “This is a time to roll up our sleeves.”
“Only when it is dark enough,” she said, “can you see the stars.” Harris told supporters gathered at Howard University that she had lost her race against Trump, conceding to the Republican president who is now empowered by a sweeping mandate.
“The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for,” Harris said. “But hear me when I say, the light of America’s promise will always burn bright, as long as we never give up and as long as we keep fighting.”
Voters in Missouri cleared the way to undo one of the nation’s most restrictive abortion bans in one of seven victories for abortion rights advocates, while Florida, Nebraska and South Dakota defeated similar constitutional amendments, leaving bans in place.
Abortion rights amendments also passed in Arizona, Colorado, Maryland and Montana. Nevada voters also approved an amendment, but they’ll need to pass it again it 2026 for it to take effect. Another that bans discrimination on the basis of “pregnancy outcomes” prevailed in New York.
Harris spoke to Trump by telephone to congratulate him on winning, according to one of the VP’s aides. Trump’s team has confirmed the conversation.
Special counsel evaluating how to wind down two federal cases against Trump after presidential win
Special counsel Jack Smith is evaluating how to wind down the two federal cases against Trump before he takes office in light of longstanding Justice Department policy that says sitting presidents cannot be prosecuted, a person familiar with the matter said Wednesday.
The White House said staff would coordinate a date “in the near future.” Biden plans to address the nation on the election results, which will have sharp implications for his legacy on Thursday. Biden also spoke with Vice President Harris to congratulate her on her campaign.
Donald Trump’s election
Smith charged Trump last year with plotting to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and illegally hoarding classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. But Trump’s election defeat of Kamala Harris means that the Justice Department believes he can no longer face prosecution in accordance with decades-old department legal opinions meant to shield presidents from criminal charges while in office. Biden calls to congratulate Trump President Joe Biden called President-elect Trump to congratulate him on his election victory and to invite him to the White House to discuss the transition.
By Haley Taylor Schlitz, Esq.
Last night was a painful reminder of the distance left for us to travel. For Black Gen Z, it was a night that challenged the very hopes we held for this country, a night when the dream of progress met a harsh, unflinching reality. We went into this election believing we were on the edge of a monumental shift, that our nation was ready to embrace HERstory by electing the first Black woman as President. We believed that her qualifications, her dedication, and her vision for an inclusive America would be enough. But last night, we were reminded of a truth our ancestors knew well: that progress in America is hard-fought and easily undone, that the forces of resistance are still deeply entrenched, and that even our fundamental rights are fragile, always vulnerable to being eroded. For so many of us, this election was supposed to confirm what we were taught to believe – that the arc of history is bending toward justice. But last night’s results shattered that illusion. We saw, in real time, that we are not anywhere near post-civil rights, that the battles our ancestors fought were not closed chapters but ongoing struggles. And as we wake up to this reality, we’re
faced with a choice: Will we rise to protect the rights they secured, or will we sit back as those rights are stripped away?
The truth is, this work is not new. It has been passed down, generation after generation, like an heirloom too precious to be lost. Our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents carried the weight of this fight with dignity, courage, and strength. They endured unimaginable hardships, facing down injustice in the streets, in the courts, and even in their own neighborhoods. They paid in blood, sweat, and sacrifice to secure the freedoms we
sometimes take for granted. And they passed on to us not only those rights but the understanding that these rights must be defended continuously, deliberately, and together.
But over time, our generational connection to that legacy has frayed. We’ve come to see the civil rights movement as history – as something finished, something accomplished and filed away. Many of us were taught a sanitized version of that era, a narrative that suggested our rights were secured, that the hardest work was already done. We learned about Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks
as icons, but we didn’t always learn about the sustained, gritty, community-driven work that made their victories possible. We weren’t always taught about the layers of organizing, of building bridges across differences, of mentoring and being mentored. This is our call to reclaim that spirit of deliberate engagement. We need to look to our elders not as symbols of a bygone era but as living archives, as keepers of strategies, tactics, and wisdom that are essential to the work ahead. They carry with them the lessons of hard-won battles, the understanding of how to navigate institutions resistant
to change, and the resilience to withstand setbacks. We need their knowledge, and they need our voices, our energy, and our commitment to ensuring that the next chapter of this fight is stronger, more connected, and more determined than ever.
Let’s be clear: we are in a new ear of the civil rights movement. The forces seeking to dismantle our rights are powerful, and they are determined. This movement may look different than it did in the 1960s, but it is just as critical, just as urgent. If we fail to rise, if we do not reconnect to the wisdom and strength of those who came before us,
we risk failing them – and ourselves. We risk losing what was so painstakingly built. Our generation is now the steward of this movement, responsible for defending and expanding the rights we cherish. This moment calls for deep reflection, but it also demands action. To my peers, I say: there is no time to wallow in despair. We cannot afford to indulge in self-pity or to stand on the sidelines, hoping someone else will step up. The work is here, and it requires all of us – not tomorrow, not later, but right now. Our response will determine if we shape an America that truly reflects our values and aspirations or if we allow others to drag us back into a nightmare of oppression, inequality, and fear. This is our choice, our responsibility, our fight. The stakes are
Taylor Schlitz, Esq.
As I stood among fellow Minnesotans at a DFL Get Out
The Vote event in Minneapolis, listening to Attorney General Keith Ellison and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, I felt the weight of this election more than ever. Their words underscored a pivotal truth: our nation stands at a crossroads, and the direction we choose now will shape not just the next four years, but the next sixty.
Attorney General Ellison highlighted the progress we’ve made in Minnesota— universal school meals, legalized marijuana, protected reproductive rights, and restored voting rights for formerly incarcerated individuals. These achievements are not just policy wins; they are investments in our communities and our future. Lt. Governor Flanagan reminded us that “when we vote, we win,” emphasizing the power each of us holds to influence the trajectory of our nation.
But recent events have cast a shadow over this optimism. In Oregon and Washington, ballot drop boxes were set on fire, destroying hundreds of ballots. These attacks are not just crimes; they are direct assaults on our democracy, attempts to silence our voices and undermine the very foundation of our electoral process. In a time when voices of our generation are rising louder than ever, there are forces actively working to prevent our voices from being heard.
As a member of Gen Z and a young Black woman, I understand the stakes of this election on a deeply personal level. My generation is the most diverse in American history, and we are coming of age in a time of profound social and political upheaval. The decisions made today will determine whether we inherit a nation that values our contributions and respects our rights, or one that forces us to fight tirelessly to reclaim freedoms that should never have been in question.
For Black Gen Z, the stakes are even higher. In the past few years, we’ve seen our generation lead protests, mobilize communities, and demand accountability for racial injustice. We took to the streets to demand justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and so many others whose lives were unjustly cut short. But I need to be real with you, because if we claim to be fighting for justice, we cannot sit at home on Election Day. We cannot call for change while refusing to exercise the most powerful tool we have to bring it about: our vote.
This election isn’t just about checking a box for a candidate. It’s about protecting our right to live freely, to make decisions about our own bodies, and to have a voice in a country that too often tries to silence us. When we vote, we’re telling the world that Black lives do matter, not just on protest signs or hashtags, but in every aspect of our society. And to those who may feel disillusioned or skeptical, I say this: voting is not the end of our fight—it’s the beginning. Protests and marches bring attention to the issues, but votes bring the power to enact laws, to elect officials who stand with us, and to remove those who don’t. Recent rhetoric from some leaders reveals the very forces we’re up against.
At a Republican rally in New York City, a speaker referred to Puerto Rico as “an island of trash floating in the ocean.” This statement was not just offensive; it was a deliberate attempt to dehumanize an entire community. This isn’t new. Trump and Senator J.D. Vance have spread similar lies about Haitian immigrants, accusing them of actions they never committed, just to stoke fear and resentment. This isn’t accidental—this is a playbook of division, a way to keep us distracted from what truly matters. When we let this language go unchallenged, it lays the groundwork for policies that harm our communities and limit our futures.
As Black Gen Z, we’re inheriting a world where our rights are not guaranteed.
We have seen the rollback of fundamental protections, from voting rights to reproductive autonomy. We know the stakes because we live them daily. We know the cost of sitting out of the process because we have seen, time and again, what happens when people who do not represent our interests are elected into positions of power. This election will set the tone for decades to come. Do we want leaders who will serve as bridges to the inclusive, equitable future we envision, or those who build barricades, forcing us to spend our lives dismantling the damage done in one election? Another Trump presidency won’t just set us back; it will create hurdles that could take a lifetime to overcome.
To my fellow Black Gen Z voters: if there was ever a time to show up, it is now. Our votes aren’t just expressions of preference; they are declarations of the future we demand. We must understand that the policies enacted today will shape our lives and the lives of generations after us. We cannot afford to be complacent, skeptical, or silent. We cannot sit back and hope someone else makes the right choice for us.
Voting is our chance to prove that we will not be silenced, that we will not be deterred by fear tactics, voter suppression, or even the destruction of ballot boxes. We owe it to ourselves, our communities, and to those who fought for our right to vote. And we owe it to those who will come after us, who will look
back on this time and judge us by what we did—or did not do—when our future was on the line. So, I urge every young
wds.) 3. Improve
**Folk opera "Porgy ___ Bess"
Cooked in oil (F _ _ _ D)
Access Control List, for short
Between MM and OO
Old Issue (abbr.)
"Take ___ (coach's order; 2 wds.)
10. Miami basketball team 14. Acronym: "An eagle in flight" 18. Distance (LEN _ _ _) 19. Okay! 21. **"Native __" Richard Wright novel 23. Dined 24. Core 25. Tiny bit 26. Sheepskin
29. Halts
30. South Mesa, Arizona (initials)
31. *"Island In T_ _ _ _N" (Belafonte 1957 film) 32. Tennessee/Iowa (2 states' initials) 35. Always, in verse
Minor Turn Over (initials) 37. Abbr. for East Harlem Mission 39. **Singer LaBelle's monogram 40. **_ _DAN (African nation) ANSWERS ON PAGE 9
Black voter: let’s make our voices heard. Let’s vote for the future we deserve. Let’s prove that we are not only witnesses to history—we
MN DFL Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan
Columnist
Tim Walz will face new
of divided government in Minnesota
By Steve Karnowski Associated Press
Gov. Tim Walz faces a new era of divided government when he returns home from the presidential campaign trail, now that Republicans appear to have broken the Democratic trifecta that helped put him on Kamala Harris’ radar. While Democrats will keep their one-seat majority in the Senate, leaders on both sides agree that Republicans gained enough seats in the election to tie control of the House at 6767.
According to a tally by The Associated Press, the chamber stood at 65-65 Wednesday afternoon. It would end in a 67-67 tie if the leaders of the last four undeclared races remain ahead. Two of them are so razor-thin that automatic recounts have been triggered unless lawmakers waive them.
The last time the House was tied was in 1979, and the history of that legislative session suggests that power-
sharing will be contentious. In House District 14B, in the St. Cloud area, Democratic incumbent Dan Wolgamott led by just 28 votes over Republican Sue Ek in unofficial results as of midday Wednesday, while in District 54A, in the Shakopee area, incumbent Democrat Brad Tabke led Republican Aaron Paul by just 13 votes. Two other races had margins of 225 votes and 160 votes with 99% of the votes counted.
Recounts in legislative races rarely change outcomes, according to Minnesota’s nonpartisan Legislative Reference Library. Fluctuations in the vote totals, if any, usually stay within single digits. The prominent exception in recent decades was in Minnesota’s U.S. Senate race in 2008, when Democrat Al Franken came from behind to unseat Republican Norm Coleman by 312 votes after an eight-month recount and court battle.
While Democratic legislative leaders warned ahead of the 2024 election that
split control would be a recipe for gridlock, both sides tried to sound optimistic notes at news conferences Wednesday afternoon. They said they’ve hardly begun to discuss what their power-sharing agreement might look like as they contemplate their main task of the 2025 session, passing a balanced budget. Among the questions is who will be speaker of the House.
The current minority leader, Republican Lisa Demuth, of Cold Spring, said the tie will mean “balance” after two years of full Democratic control.
“This is the opportunity for us to work together with our colleagues, the Democrats across the aisle, and find ways to best serve Minnesotans,” Demuth told reporters.
The current speaker, Democrat Melissa Hortman, of Brooklyn Park, acknowledged that she’d like to keep the job but agreed that everything will have to be negotiated.
“There will be an opportunity for us to show Minnesotans some good
bipartisan working together and getting things done,” Hortman told reporters. “Minnesotans certainly sent us a tied Minnesota House. What they are asking us to do is to work together and be productive.”
Hortman said she and Demuth already have “a great friendship and working relationship to build on.” She also noted that she worked well with Senate Republicans when that body was under GOP control. Power-sharing works when lawmakers treat each other with respect and “fundamental decency” and keep their word, she said.
Minnesota has usually had some degree of divided government over the last several decades. The 2019 session — the first under Walz — wasn’t always pretty, but both sides agreed it was fairly productive despite Republicans holding the Senate and Democrats controlling the House.
Democrats gained their trifecta — control of the
Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar won reelection to a U.S. House seat representing Minnesota on Tuesday. Omar will get a third term representing the heavily Democratic 5th District, which includes Minneapolis and some suburbs, The Associated Press reported.
Omar is one of the progressive House members known as the “Squad” and a sharp critic of Israel’s conduct in its war with Hamas.
When Omar first ran in 2018, she became one of the first two Muslim women elected to Congress. Her Republican challenger was Dalia Al-Aqidi, an Iraqi American journalist and self-described secular Muslim who called Omar proHamas, AP said.
Democratic Rep. Betty McCollum won reelection for the 13th time to the U.S. House seat representing Minnesota’s 4th District, which includes St. Paul and several east metro suburbs.
McCollum is the dean of the state’s congressional delegation. First elected in
2001, McCollum was the second woman ever elected to Congress from Minnesota, AP reported. Her Republican challenger was real estate broker May Lor Xiong, of Roseville, a Hmong American whose refugee family settled in the U.S. in
Dwyane Wade’s statue sparks heated debate
By Pulane Choane Contributing Writer
By Steve Karnowski Associated Press
Democratic U.S.
Amy Klobuchar has won a fourth term, defeating antiestablishment Republican and former NBA player Royce White in Minnesota’s top election matchup.
“To the state of Minnesota. I once again pledge to you I will stand my ground while always seeking common ground,” Klobuchar told cheering supporters in St. Paul. “I will strive every day to be worthy of your faith and trust.”
On a recent episode of Radio KFAI’s popular program The Conversation with Al McFarlane, the hosts and guests dug deep into the realm of sports, art, and identity as they discussed the unveiling of a statue commemorating NBA star Dwyane Wade.
Hosted by Al McFarlane, the show explored how art attempts to capture the essence of a celebrated figure and how public sentiment often diverges from the honoree’s personal perception.
“Your voice matters,” began McFarlane, urging listeners to vote in the upcoming election, framing the conversation as a critical reminder of civic engagement. But the tone soon shifted to the lighter, though equally complex, realm of sports.
“Thank God for the relief that professional sports provide,” McFarlane added, emphasizing that sports, too, often mirror our collective spirit and struggles.
Joining McFarlane was CoachLeah, who quickly introduced the controversial statue. “Over the weekend, there was a statue unveiling for Dwayne Wade,” she said.
“And there’s been a lot of flak for people thinking the image does not look like Wade at all.” The statue depicts Wade
in an iconic, intense moment mid-celebration, mouth open and fists clenched—a scene intended to capture his passion but leaving some viewers cold. Yusef Mgeni, a guest on the show, was candid in his critique: “It’s almost expressionless. It’s hard to tell whether he’s happy, angry, or excited… It raises more questions than it answers.” Mgeni’s description, likening Wade’s face to “King Kong,” highlighted the statue’s failure to capture the familiar warmth or spirit many associate with Wade. The debate quickly turned to the artistic challenge of creating a lasting tribute that resonates with both the honoree and the community. Jonathan Palmer, another guest, added, “When I think of statues, maybe I’m just old school, I think of things that are regal, honoring.” Reflecting on monuments like the statue of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Morehouse, he argued that Wade’s statue, caught in a moment of action, lacked the gravitas one might expect. CoachLeah clarified that the sculptor behind Wade’s statue is the same artist responsible for the iconic Michael Jordan statue in Chicago. Wade himself reportedly “provided the
spent hours with the
and visited Chicago about four
WADE 5
Wikipedia
Rep. Ilhan Omar
AP Photo/Morry Gash
presidential nominee Minnesota
Tim Walz, right, hugs former Rep. Ron Kind, D-Wis., after speaking at a campaign stop Monday, Nov 4, 2024, in LaCrosse, Wis.
photo,
sculptor,
Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images Dwyane Wade’s new statue outside the Kaseya Center in Miami has stirred up more jokes than admiration. Unveiled on October 27, the 7-foot-3 bronze figure commemorates his famous “this is my house” gesture from the 2008-2009 season. However, fans have criticized the statue, sculpted by Omri Amrany and Oscar Leon, saying it looks nothing like the three-time NBA champion.
Wikipedia Rep. Betty McCollum
Rising above divisiveness: Leaders discuss democracy and unity ahead of election results
By Pulane Choane Contributing Writer
This conversation took place prior to last week’s election, as community leaders and activists prepared for an outcome that could reshape Minnesota’s future. At the time of discussion, Al McFarlane and his guests were eagerly awaiting election’s results, hopeful that their efforts would foster a strong voter turnout and propel meaningful change. Their words capture the anticipation and stakes felt by many leading up to the final count. The discussion reflects pre-election perspectives, with participants rallying the community to exercise their voting power for equitable representation. The panelists’ messages were deeply rooted in their commitment to civic engagement, regardless of the final outcome. As results come in today, these voices offer a reminder of the importance of persistent advocacy and the power of each vote cast. On election day, KFAI’s The Conversation with Al McFarlane gathered community leaders and changemakers for a powerful
discussion on pressing issues— from civic engagement to the state of education and the impact of media and celebrity.
Host Al McFarlane opened the conversation with a call for community involvement, underscoring that voting is both a right and a responsibility. As McFarlane introduced Alfred Babington-Johnson, a civil rights veteran and founder of His Works United. Johnson traced his roots in activism back to the 1950s and 60s, expressing deep concern about today’s fragmented social landscape.
“I’m a child of the civil rights era,” he shared. “I think our community lost sight of what the prize was—equal resources and real equity.” His reflection on the struggles of the past laid the groundwork for discussing ongoing challenges facing the Black community, including the rise of white Christian nationalism.
McFarlane pivoted to the influence of religion on politics, specifically calling out recent remarks by Pastor Donnie Swaggart, who criticized Black church leaders supporting Vice President Kamala Harris. “So said the man whose fathers enslaved mine,” McFarlane remarked, encapsulating the
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a
future and beyond.
anger and frustration felt by many. Johnson echoed these sentiments, condemning the manipulation of faith to maintain power structures.
“We see a form of privilege disguised as principle,” he asserted, prompting listeners to consider the intersections of faith, politics, and justice. The conversation shifted naturally to education, with attorney Haley Taylor Schlitz, who, at 22, is the
youngest Black woman to earn a law degree in the U.S., offering insights. Reflecting on her own experiences in Texas, Schlitz noted how the education system fails students of color. “We’re missing the cultural foundation that grounds students in truth and equity,” she argued, describing a system that often glosses over Black history and civic values. Schlitz’s words highlighted the need for cultural representation in curricula and
reinforced Johnson’s belief in the importance of communitydriven education. “The struggle continues,” he stated, warning that “if you slack, you fall back.” Schlitz expanded on the importance of community engagement in education, stressing that parents, teachers, and organizations must work together to support Black and Brown students. “It’s not enough to just check students in and out each day,” she said, urging for deeper involvement to instill values and cultural pride.
Her comments set the stage for Jonathan Palmer, a community leader and former head of the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, to speak on the evolution of media and its responsibility in educating the public. Palmer described the shift from traditional journalism to today’s media landscape, where opinion is often presented as fact. “We trusted journalists once, but now we have opinion posing as fact,” he said, emphasizing the need for critical engagement with information. Highlighting the significance of diverse media sources, he pointed out that international outlets often provide more objective
perspectives on American politics than many domestic ones.
As the conversation flowed into a discussion on the influence of celebrities in politics, McFarlane brought up public figures like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and LeBron James, acknowledging their role in mobilizing public sentiment and pushing for social change. Johnson agreed, noting, “The power of these voices is undeniable.” He acknowledged that today’s influencers occupy a space where they can inspire real political action, transcending their industries to advocate for justice and equity. McFarlane wrapped up the hour with an urgent reminder to listeners. “Today is the moment of decision,” he declared, leaving the audience with a rallying cry to exercise their rights and remain vigilant in the fight for a fairer, more inclusive society. The discussion on The Conversation with Al McFarlane underscored the intertwined nature of education, media, and political engagement, reminding Minnesota’s community of the ongoing work needed to build a future where everyone’s voice is heard and valued.
Community voices call for multigenerational change
By Pulane Choane
Writer
This article captures the intensity and optimism that filled the air in the hours before last week’s election results. Al McFarlane and his guests explored critical issues affecting democracy, equity, and intergenerational cooperation, expressing hope that the votes cast would strengthen their vision of progress. Their conversation underscores the collective anticipation that characterized the eve of this pivotal election. The panel’s discussion reflects the concerns, hopes, and strategies outlined prior to election day. While the results of today’s election remain unknown as of this publication, the dialogue provides a snapshot of the unity and resolve community leaders brought into this moment. Regardless of the outcome, the conversation reinforces a shared commitment to continued work toward justice, representation, and inclusive policy.
As a pivotal election neared, The Conversation with Al McFarlane brought a diverse panel of community leaders together for a dynamic discussion on the power
of civic engagement, the ongoing fight for democracy, and the importance of crossgenerational collaboration in political advocacy. Host Al McFarlane set the tone with a call for community unity, reminding viewers of the historic importance of the day: “We’re at a moment of decision,” he declared, urging people to make their voices heard.
McFarlane introduced U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar, who shared her reflections on the day before the election and her sense of hope in an expanding coalition of voters, even in states like Iowa. She spoke passionately about the importance of resisting divisive rhetoric and focusing on safeguarding the future of democracy. “This election is a future-saving election,” she emphasized, urging people to vote without fear and to stand strong against intimidation.
The panel flowed naturally into a conversation on women’s rights, with McFarlane asking Omar to weigh in on the gender implications of the election. Omar warned of the dangers posed by candidates who openly celebrate the reversal of reproductive rights, noting, “It’s not just about me; it’s about my daughters, my
nieces, my sisters.” Omar’s words resonated with Haley Taylor Schlitz, a Gen Z columnist and attorney, who pointed out the deeply divisive rhetoric of the opposing side, which often aims to alienate minority communities. “What they stand for is really just attacking others,” she noted, highlighting the difference between policies of unity and those that thrive on division. Omar and Schlitz’s discussion highlighted the generational impact of today’s political landscape, particularly on Gen Z, which Schlitz described as the “most diverse generation.” Omar added that young people today are highly motivated and engaged, a shift from past generations. “As a member of Gen Z, I’m very aware of how divisive politics has become, and it’s frustrating to see leaders focus on tearing down others instead of building policies that unite us,” she remarked. “Our generation is the most diverse America has ever seen, and we’re also the first majority-minority generation. We’re growing up in a world where issues like racial justice, climate change, and reproductive rights directly impact us. So, when we look at politicians, we’re looking for those who see beyond differences and work towards unity. For us, it’s not about hating or fearing the ‘other side’—it’s about building a future that includes and protects everyone. That’s what really
resonates with us, and that’s what we stand for.” CoachLeah, Insight News MN’s Sports Editor, added an intergenerational perspective, noting that while messaging often targets older generations, Gen Z’s mobilization is vital. She questioned how Democrats were preparing for a truly multigenerational coalition that could mobilize voters across age groups. Omar responded by emphasizing the inclusivity of the Democratic platform, explaining how policies like debt cancellation and environmental protection resonate across generations. “We are going to see a multigenerational coalition come out and vote,” she affirmed.
Turning the discussion to local issues, McFarlane introduced state representatives and community organizers to discuss the impact of the election on Minnesota’s political landscape. Former Senator Jeff Hayden reflected on the long journey toward equitable representation for Black communities, sharing the struggles and triumphs that have led to a more inclusive government today. “People don’t think things can change. It can, and it could change rapidly if we’re committed,” he remarked, crediting the unwavering dedication of leaders like Omar and Representative Esther Agbaje for paving the way forward.
Representative Agbaje then took the floor to discuss how the increased
representation of BIPOC voices in Minnesota’s legislature has brought real change, especially in areas like Black maternal healthcare and affordable housing. She noted how this new political reality allows for bolder stances, ensuring that previously marginalized communities receive the support they deserve. “We’re always learning and building,” she said, acknowledging the collaborative nature of legislative progress.
Community organizer Shemeka Bogan described the energy on the ground as “hopeful and informed,” crediting efforts to educate voters and make voting accessible, such as early voting initiatives. “When you know better, you do better,” she said, reinforcing the theme of empowerment through knowledge. She highlighted her work mobilizing community organizations and churches to make voting easier and emphasized the importance of collective action.
In the final moments, the panel turned to the question of political capital and community influence.
McFarlane and Hayden shared the history of African American political advocacy in Minnesota, with Hayden recounting how the groundwork laid years ago allowed current leaders like Agbaje to push forward transformative policies. Agbaje stressed that voting is only the beginning of civic engagement. “Find an issue that you care about,” she
Former Senator Jeff Hayden passionately discusses the significance of mobilizing Black communities and the role of grassroots political engagement in shaping Minnesota’s future, during a panel on The Conversation with Al McFarlane.
encouraged, advocating for sustained involvement beyond election day.
As the conversation concluded, McFarlane reflected on the transformational potential of a Harris-Walz administration and the significance of multigenerational unity in creating lasting change. In a closing call to action, he urged listeners to remember that they are not merely voters but active coauthors of the future. “This is a truly rich and wonderful conversation,” McFarlane said, summing up a discussion that underscored the urgency, unity, and hope defining Minnesota’s path forward.
Identity, politics and faith
By Pulane Choane Contributing Writer
Hmong Today editor, Wameng Moua joined fellow Insight News editor, Al McFarlane on The Conversation with Al McFarlane on KFAI Radio in a thought-provoking dialogue around identity, politics, and faith as they prepared for the pivotal 2024 presidential election. The segment explored the complexities surrounding why some Hmong voters align with former President Donald Trump despite his anti-immigrant rhetoric—a stance that deeply perplexes community leaders and stands at odds with many Hmong values, Moua said.
“The Hmong are the largest Asian group here in Minnesota,” shared long time community leader Wameng Moua. “We arrived here in the
late ’70s after fighting alongside Americans in Southeast Asia. And yet, I see many in my community, especially Christian Hmong voters, who side with Trump—a man who, on all fronts, speaks against the values we hold as immigrants.” Moua expressed bewilderment at what he called a “misguided allegiance,” adding, “I want to address why you would side with someone who actively dislikes who we are.”
McFarlane emphasized the high stakes of this election, framing it as a crossroads in America’s ideological landscape. “This isn’t just about who sits in the Oval Office,” he noted. “It’s about defining our country’s identity, safeguarding democracy, and addressing systemic issues
that affect every community.”
The program underscored the mounting tension across the U.S., with political strategies like voter suppression and rhetoric steeped in nationalism stoking division and eroding trust in democratic processes.
Panellist Yusef
Mgeni drew attention to the growing influence of “Christian Zionism,” a force aligning evangelical nationalism with unwavering support for Trump.
“It’s loyalty driven by fear and old affiliations,” he explained, noting that some Hmong Republicans may feel allegiance rooted in past support from figures like the late Senator John McCain. “But today’s political climate is different,” Mgeni cautioned, referencing a spike in anti-Asian violence fuelled by Trump’s inflammatory language on China. Meanwhile, Jonathan Palmer argued that the racism emboldened in today’s political climate was never eradicated but merely resurfaced. “What we’re seeing now is White supremacy in full force, dressed in bravado, and openly calling for dominance over communities of color while holding up Trump as a ‘saviour.’ It’s the playbook of authoritarianism, and many feel it’s tearing at the nation’s democratic fabric,” he stated. Palmer added that the resurgence of this rhetoric calls for unity and resilience among marginalized communities. CoachLeah, another panellist, voiced concern about the influence of faith leaders in political discourse, particularly after Donnie Swaggart recently condemned Black churches for supporting Democrats. “It’s heartbreaking,” she said. “To say we’re not one church because of our political choices speaks volumes about the divisive power of Trump’s message.” She underscored that this election could provide a unique opportunity to “show that things can be inclusive,” urging voters to unite in favor of leaders who advocate for equity and justice. The conversation turned to polling and voter suppression, with Mgeni warning that the sheer number of mail-in ballots, combined with restrictive voter laws,
YouTube (@BlackPressUSA}
left to top right, bottom left and bottom right): Al McFarlane hosts
powerful pre-election conversation on The Conversation with Al McFarlane with prominent voices including CoachLeah, Alfred Babington-Johnson, and Haley Taylor Schlitz, Esq., discussing the stakes of the upcoming vote for Minnesota’s
McFarlane, Host of The Conversation with Al McFarlane; Ndugu Yusef Mgeni, Civic Activist and CounterRacist; Wameng Moua, Editor of Hmong Today Newspaper; Jonathan Palmer, Nonprofit Heroes for Hire, LLC. Though not pictured, CoachLeah was also a part of the discussion.
ffi
di
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governor’s offi
ce and both legislative chambers — in the 2022 election and used it to enact a long list of pentup priorities last year. Those included stronger protections for abortion rights and trans rights, child tax credits, paid family and medical leave, free school meals for all kids and gun safety measures, to name just a few.
From 3
issues, primarily a fear of flying, and he calls his podcast, “Please, Call Me Crazy.”
Democrats also held full power under Gov. Mark Dayton in the 2013 and 2014 legislative sessions and in the four sessions from 1987-1990
Critics have denounced White’s comments on social media and other forums as misogynistic, homophobic and antisemitic. In an interview with Bannon, he once said: “Look, let’s just be frank. Women have become too mouthy. As the Black man in the room, I’ll say that.”
under Gov. Rudy Perpich. But Minnesota Republicans haven’t had a trifecta since the late 1960s under Gov. Harold LeVander, when legislative races were technically nonpartisan and lawmakers caucused as either conservatives or liberals.
In 1979, GOP and Democratic leaders came up with a power-sharing agreement after weeks of
cult negotiations that gave Republicans the speakership, while Democrats got the chairmanships of the three most powerful committees. The arrangement worked fairly smoothly for most of the session. Bills that advanced through the process generally had bipartisan support. But the deal fell apart in the closing days, and lawmakers needed a
Tuesday’s victory gives Klobuchar Minnesota’s record for the most consecutive wins by a Democratic senator since the state began directly electing senators in 1918, according to Eric Ostermeier, curator of the Minnesota Historical Election Archive at the University of Minnesota. She’s tied for four terms with Henrik Shipstead, who was elected as a Farmer-Laborite in 1922, 1928 and 1934 and as a Republican in 1940. Only two Minnesota senators won five terms: Republican Knute Nelson, who was elected by the Legislature for his first three, and Democrat Hubert Humphrey, whose terms were not consecutive.
“Does it truly represent him, or does it leave more questions unanswered?”
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In Wade’s own words, the statue was “a beautiful process to be a part of.” Yet, Coach Leah still questioned,
one-day special session to finish off the year’s must-pass bills. Hortman said the approach leaders tried in 1979 seems “a bit archaic,” and that they’ll study how shared power has worked in other legislatures in hopes of finding a better model.
According to a report by the National Conference of State Legislatures, tied chambers aren’t that unusual nationwide. Every election in even-numbered years from 1984-2010 led to at least one deadlocked chamber somewhere, and they’ve often worked out better than expected, the report found.
Klobuchar, who announced her 2019 run for president amid a heavy snowstorm, was chief prosecutor in Minnesota’s largest county when she was first elected to the Senate in 2006. She chairs the powerful Senate Rules Committee, which examined the security failures surrounding the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection. And as a member of the Judiciary Committee, she drew attention for her questioning of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh in 2018. Klobuchar is the daughter of Jim Klobuchar, a well-known Minneapolis newsman who died in 2022, and Rose Klobuchar, a schoolteacher who died in 2010. Her grandfather was an iron miner.
For guest Wameng Moua, the debate felt subjective. He admitted that while Wade’s statue wasn’t perfect, it was “better than the one that Allen Iverson received.” To Moua, such statues are ultimately “more of an artistic thing than a social thing,” suggesting the public might judge too harshly based on their own emotional attachment to the athlete’s image. As the conversation wound down, CoachLeah teased listeners with a preview of her upcoming article on the origin of the term “Hail Mary” in sports, tying the day’s discussion back to the intricate relationship between sports and culture. The legendary play, famously coined by quarterback Roger Staubach during a game against the Minnesota Vikings, has since become shorthand for a last-second, high-stakes attempt—echoing the election sentiments McFarlane voiced at the start of the show.
could delay election results. He predicted that swing states like Pennsylvania and Georgia, where early votes won’t be counted until Election Day, will play critical roles. “This will be the tightest race possibly
in the history of presidential elections,” he remarked, “and it may take days to know who won.” Polling shows that Black women overwhelmingly support Kamala Harris, though 14% of Black men are leaning
toward Trump—a trend Mgeni flagged as significant. McFarlane closed with a sobering perspective on the post-election landscape, foreseeing potential conflict no matter the outcome. “If
With “The Conversation” transitioning back to election matters, McFarlane concluded, reminding listeners, “We’re on the countdown towards the moment of decision… Make sure your voice is counted.” As the Minnesota community digests both the statue and the broader societal moment, The Conversation offered listeners a platform to examine how icons—whether athletes or elections—shape our perceptions and collective future.
Republicans win, it feels like they’ll double down on divisive policies,” he cautioned. “But if Harris prevails, we’re likely to see a misinformation campaign claiming the election was stolen, stirring people to conflict.”
Palmer offered a tempered note of optimism, saying, “While some may follow Trump’s lead, many Americans won’t tolerate blatant racism. But we need unity now more than ever.”
Wade
Moua
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Parte 3 de 3
Guerras y asentamientos forzados Los pueblos indígenas respondieron al Requerimiento de diversas maneras. Cuando los mayas chontales de Potonchán (una capital maya que ahora forma parte de México) oyeron al conquistador Hernán Cortés leer el documento tres veces consecutivas, respondieron con tomó la ciudad, aceptaron convertirse en vasallos cristianos
de España con la condición de que los españoles “abandonaran su tierra”. Cuando los hombres de Cortés se quedaron después de tres días, los mayas chontales atacaron nuevamente. Más al norte, los expedicionarios españoles Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca
Requerimiento para reubicar por la fuerza a varios grupos indígenas. Un sanguinario gobernador de la provincia, Nuño Beltrán de Guzmán –tan violento que los propios españoles lo encarcelaron por abusos de poder– había expulsado a los residentes indígenas del Valle de Culiacán
en una serie de guerras brutales. Pero en 1536, Cabeza de Vaca y incluidos los tahue, a repoblar el valle después de convencerlos de que aceptaran los términos del Requerimiento. El reasentamiento permitiría la recaudación de tributos y la conversión al catolicismo. Era simplemente más fácil asignar misioneros y recaudadores de tributos a los municipios hispanos establecidos que a las comunidades móviles diseminadas por vastos territorios.
Cabeza de Vaca alentó a los líderes indígenas a aceptar
dios, Aguar, era el mismo que el de los cristianos, y que por lo tanto debían “servirle como les ordenamos”. En tales casos, la conversión al catolicismo era tan ridícula como el propio Requerimiento.
Violencia y legado colonial Sin embargo, incluso cuando los pueblos indígenas aceptaron el Requerimiento, Las Casas escribió que “son tratados con dureza como esclavos comunes, sometidos a trabajos forzados y a todo tipo de abusos y tormentos agonizantes que aseguran una muerte más lenta y dolorosa que la ejecución
across vast territories.
sumaria”. En la mayoría de los casos, el Requerimiento fue simplemente un precursor de la violencia.
de la actual Colombia del norte, una vez lo leyó en un lugar donde no lo oyera un pueblo justo antes de lanzar un ataque sorpresa. Otros leyeron el Requerimiento “a los árboles y las chozas vacías” antes de sacar sus espadas. El camino hacia el vasallaje estaba pavimentado con sangre. Estos son los indicios más se convirtió en la práctica. Los soldados y los funcionarios se contentaban con desplegar o descartar violentamente las prerrogativas reales a su antojo en su búsqueda del botín de guerra. Y, sin embargo, a pesar de la crueldad, muchos pueblos indígenas sobrevivieron tensando sus arcos como los mayas chontales o negociando una nueva relación con España como los tahue de Culiacán. Las tácticas variaron mucho y cambiaron con el tiempo. Muchas naciones indígenas que las ejercieron sobreviven hoy en día, sobreviviendo mucho más que el Imperio español y los pueblos que llevaron el Requerimiento en su cruzada a través de las Américas.
Parte 3 de 3
Mexico – heard the conquistador Hernando Cortés read the document three consecutive times, they answered with arrows. After Cortés captured the town, they agreed to become Christian vassals of Spain on the condition that the Spaniards “leave their land.” When Cortés’ men remained after three days, the Chontal Maya attacked again.
Part 3 of 3 Wars and forced settlement Indigenous people responded to the Requerimiento in numerous ways. When the Chontal Maya of Potonchan – a Maya capital now part of
Guerras e assentamento forçado Os povos indígenas responderam ao Requerimiento de várias maneiras. Quando os maias chontais de Potonchan – uma capital maia que agora faz parte do México – ouviram o conquistador Hernando Cortés ler o documento três vezes consecutivas, eles cidade, eles concordaram em
Farther north, Spanish expeditioners Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca and Melchior to forcibly relocate various Indigenous groups. A bloodthirsty governor of the province, Nuño Beltrán
se tornar vassalos cristãos da Espanha com a condição de que os espanhóis “deixassem suas terras”. Quando os homens de Cortés permaneceram após três dias, os maias chontais atacaram novamente. Mais ao norte, os expedicionários espanhóis AlvarNúñezCabeza de Vaca
Requerimiento para realocar à força vários grupos indígenas. Um sanguinário governador da província, NuñoBeltrán de Guzmán — tão violento que os próprios espanhóis o prenderam por abusos de poder — expulsou os moradores indígenas do Vale de Culiacan em uma série de
de Guzmán – so violent that the Spanish themselves imprisoned him for abuses of power – had driven Indigenous residents out of the Valley of Culiacan in a series of brutal wars. But in
forced several groups, including the Tahue, to repopulate the valley after convincing them to accept the terms of the Requerimiento.
Resettlement would enable the collection of tribute and conversion to Catholicism. It was simply easier to assign missionaries and tribute collectors to established Hispanic townships than to mobile communities spread out
guerras brutais. Mas em 1536, vários grupos, incluindo os Tahue, a repovoar o vale após convencê-los a aceitar os termos do Requerimiento. O reassentamento permitiria a coleta de tributos e a conversão ao catolicismo. Era simplesmente mais fácil designar missionários e coletores de tributos para municípios hispânicos estabelecidos do que para comunidades móveis espalhadas por vastos territórios. Cabeza de Vaca encorajou os líderes indígenas a aceitar a proposta alegando que seu deus, Aguar, era o mesmo dos cristãos e, portanto,
Cabeza de Vaca encouraged Indigenous leaders to accept the proposition by claiming that their god, Aguar, was the same as the Christians’, and so they should “serve him as we commanded.” In such cases, conversion to Catholicism was just as farcical as the Requerimiento itself.
Violence and colonial legacy
Even when Indigenous people accepted the Requerimiento, however, Las Casas wrote that “they are (still) harshly treated as common slaves, put to hard labor and subjected to all manner of
abuse and to agonizing torments that ensure a slower and more painful death than would summary execution.” In most cases, the Requerimiento was simply a precursor to violence.
of present-day northern Colombia, once read it out of earshot of a village just before launching a surprise attack.
Others read the Requerimiento “to trees and empty huts” before drawing their swords. The path to vassalage was paved in blood.
These are the truest indications of what the Requerimiento became on the were content to violently deploy or discard
royal prerogatives as they pleased in their pursuit of the spoils of war.
And yet, despite the viciousness, many Indigenous peoples survived by stringing their bows like the Chontal Maya, or negotiating a new relationship with Spain like the Tahue of Culiacan. Tactics varied greatly and changed over time.
Many Indigenous nations that exercised them survive today, long outliving the Spanish Empire – and the people who carried the Requerimiento on their crusade across the Americas.
eles deveriam “servi-lo como ordenamos”. Nesses casos, a conversão ao catolicismo era tão ridícula quanto o próprio Requerimiento. Violência e legado colonial Mesmo quando os povos indígenas aceitaram o Requerimiento, no entanto, Las Casas escreveu que “eles são (ainda) duramente tratados como escravos comuns, submetidos a trabalhos forçados e a todo tipo de abuso e a tormentos agonizantes que garantem uma morte mais lenta e dolorosa do que a execução sumária”. Na maioria dos casos, o Requerimiento era simplesmente um precursor da violência.
do atual norte da Colômbia, uma vez leu fora do alcance da voz de uma aldeia antes de lançar um ataque surpresa. Outros leram o Requerimiento “às árvores e cabanas vazias” antes de sacar suas espadas. O caminho para a vassalagem foi pavimentado em sangue. Essas são as indicações mais verdadeiras do que o Requerimiento se tornou estavam contentes em implantar violentamente ou descartar prerrogativas reais como quisessem em sua busca pelos despojos de guerra. E, no entanto, apesar
da crueldade, muitos povos indígenas sobreviveram encordoando seus arcos como os maias Chontal, ou negociando um novo relacionamento com a Espanha como os Tahue de Culiacan. As táticas variaram muito e mudaram ao longo do tempo. Muitas nações indígenas que as exerciam sobrevivem até hoje, sobrevivendo muito mais que o Império Espanhol — e as pessoas que carregaram o Requerimento em sua cruzada pelas Américas.
Art from Madrid’s Museo de America depicts enslaved Indigenous people forced to build Mexico City on the ruins of the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan. Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images
By Diego Javier Luis Translation by Macdonald Anyanwu, Afrodescendientes
Text
Por Diego Javier Luis Translation by Macdonald Anyanwu,
Por Diego Javier Luis
by Macdonald
Partie 3 sur 3 Guerres et peuplement
forcé Les peuples autochtones ont réagi au Requerimiento de nombreuses façons. Lorsque les Mayas Chontal de Potonchan – une capitale maya qui fait aujourd’hui partie du Mexique
– ont entendu le conquistador
Hernando Cortés lire le document trois fois de suite,
Après que Cortés eut pris la ville, ils ont accepté de devenir des vassaux chrétiens de
l’Espagne à condition que les Espagnols “quittent leur terre”.
Lorsque les hommes de Cortés sont restés trois jours plus tard, les Mayas Chontal ont attaqué à nouveau. Plus au nord, les expéditionnaires espagnols
AlvarNúñezCabeza de Vaca
Requerimiento pour déplacer de force divers groupes autochtones.
Le gouverneur sanguinaire de la province, Nuño Beltrán de Guzmán, si violent que les Espagnols euxmêmes l’ont emprisonné pour abus de pouvoir, avait chassé les habitants indigènes de la vallée de Culiacán au cours
d’une série de guerres brutales. Mais en 1536, Cabeza de Vaca groupes, dont les Tahue, à repeupler la vallée après les avoir convaincus d’accepter les termes du Requerimiento. La réinstallation permettrait de collecter le tribut et de se convertir au catholicisme. Il était tout simplement plus facile et des collecteurs de tributs à des communes hispaniques établies qu’à des communautés mobiles réparties sur de vastes territoires.
Cabeza de Vaca encouragea les dirigeants indigènes à accepter la
leur dieu, Aguar, était le même que celui des chrétiens et qu’ils devaient donc “le servir comme de tels cas, la conversion au catholicisme était tout aussi farcesque que le Requerimiento lui-même.
Violence et héritage colonial Même lorsque les peuples autochtones acceptaient le Requerimiento, Las Casas écrivait qu’ “ils étaient (toujours) traités durement comme de simples esclaves, astreints au travail forcé et soumis à toutes sortes d’abus et à des tourments atroces qui leur assuraient une mort plus lente
et plus douloureuse que ne le ferait une exécution sommaire.”
Requerimiento n’était qu’un précurseur de la violence.
de l’actuelle Colombie du Nord, l’a lu un jour, hors de portée de voix d’un village, juste avant de lancer une attaque surprise.
« aux arbres et aux huttes vides » avant de dégainer leur épée. Le chemin vers la vassalité était pavé de sang. Ce sont les indications les le Requerimiento sur le terrain.
Les soldats et les fonctionnaires se contentaient d’utiliser ou de rejeter violemment les
prérogatives royales à leur guise dans leur quête du butin de guerre. Et pourtant, malgré la cruauté, de nombreux peuples indigènes ont survécu en tendant leur arc comme les Mayas Chontal, ou en négociant une nouvelle relation avec l’Espagne comme les Tahue de Culiacán. Les tactiques variaient considérablement et
autochtones qui les ont exercés survivent aujourd’hui, survivant bien plus longtemps à l’Empire espagnol – et aux peuples qui ont porté le Requerimiento lors de leur croisade à travers les Amériques.
Qaybta 3 ee 3
khasab ah uga jawaabay Requerimiento siyaabo badan. Markii Chontal Maya ee Potonchan - oo ah caasimadda Maya ee hadda qayb ka ah Mexicowaxay maqashay hantiilaha
Hernando Cortés oo akhriyay dukumeentiga saddex jeer oo isku xigta, waxay ku jawaabeen fallaadho. Ka dib markii Cortés ay qabsadeen magaalada, waxay ku heshiiyeen inay
noqdaan Masiixiyiin reer Spain ah oo shardi ah in Isbaanishka “ka baxaan dhulkooda.” Markii ragga Cortés ay joogeen saddex maalmood ka dib, Chontal Maya ayaa mar kale weeraray. Woqooyi ka sii fog, duuliyayaasha Isbaanishka AlvarNúñezCabeza de Vaca
adeegsadeen Requerimiento si ay si qasab ah ugu raraan kooxaha asaliga ah ee kala duwan. Badhasaab dhiigyacab ah oo ka tirsan gobolka, NuñoBeltrán de Guzmán - aad u rabshad badan oo Isbaanishka laftoodu u xidhxidhay ku takri fal awoodeed - ayaa dadka
kooxood, oo ay ku jiraan Tahue, inay dib u soo nooleeyaan dooxada ka dib markii ay ku qanciyeen inay aqbalaan shuruudaha Requerimiento.
waxay awood u siinaysaa ururinta abaal-marinaha iyo u-noqoshada Katooliga. Way fududahay in adeegayaasha iyo cashuur-ururinta lagu meeleeyo magaalooyinka Isbaanishka ee la aasaasay halkii la heli lahaa bulshooyinka guurguura ee ku baahsan dhulalka ballaadhan. Cabeza de Vaca wuxuu ku dhiirigeliyay hoggaamiyeyaasha asaliga ah inay aqbalaan soo jeedinta
iyagoo sheeganaya in ilaahooda, Aguar, uu la mid yahay Masiixiyiinta, sidaas darteed waa inay “u adeegaan sidaan ku amarnay.” Xaaladahan oo kale, u beddelashada Catholicism waxay ahayd mid aad u fog sida Requerimiento laftiisa.
laga dhaxlay Xitaa markii dadka asaliga ah ay aqbaleen Requerimiento, si kastaba ha ahaatee, Las Casas ayaa qoray in “iyaga (wali) si adag loola dhaqmo sidii addoommo caadi ah, la geliyo shaqo adag oo loo geysto nooc kasta oo xadgudub ah iyo cadaabyo xanuun leh kuwaas oo hubinaya in ay si tartiib tartiib ah oo xanuun badan u dhimanayaan waxay
soo koobaysaa fulinta.” Kiisaska intooda badan, Requerimiento ayaa si fudud horudhac u ahaa rabshadaha.
waqooyiga Colombia ee maanta, ayaa mar akhriyay iyada oo laga maqlayo tuulo wax yar ka hor inta uusan qaadin weerar lama
akhriyaan Requerimiento “geedaha iyo aqallada madhan” ka hor intaysan seefahooda la bixin. Jidkii vassalage waxa lagu goglaaday dhiig. Kuwani waa calaamadaha ugu runsan ee waxa Requerimiento noqday dhulka. Askarta iyo saraakiishu waxay ku qanacsan yihiin inay si xoog leh u daad gureeyaan ama u tuuraan xuquuqaha
boqortooyada sida ay raalli ka yihiin inay u baacsanayaan qaniimada dagaalka. Hase yeeshee, inkasta oo xumaanta, dad badan oo asaliga ah ayaa ka badbaaday iyaga oo qaansooyinkooda ku dhejinaya sida Chontal Maya, ama gorgortan cusub oo lala yeesho Spain sida Tahue ee Culiacan.
Boqortooyada Isbaanishka - iyo dadkii qaaday Requerimiento ee saliibadooda ee Ameerika.
Sehemu ya 3 ya 3
Vita na makazi ya kulazimishwa
Watu wa kiasili waliitikia
Requerimiento kwa njia nyingi. Wakati Wamaya wa Chontal wa Potonchan - mji mkuu wa Maya ambao sasa ni sehemu ya Mexico - waliposikia mshindi Hernando Cortés akisoma hati hiyo mara tatu mfululizo, walijibu kwa mishale. Baada ya Cortés kuuteka mji huo, walikubali kuwa Wakristo
vibaraka wa Hispania kwa sharti kwamba Wahispania “waiache nchi yao.” Wakati wanaume wa Cortés walibakia baada ya siku tatu, Wamaya wa Chontal walishambulia tena. Mbali zaidi kaskazini,
AlvarNúñezCabeza de Vaca
Requerimiento kuhamisha kwa nguvu vikundi mbalimbali vya Wenyeji. Gavana mwenye kiu ya umwagaji damu wa jimbo hilo, NuñoBeltrán de Guzmán - mwenye vurugu sana hivi kwamba Wahispania wenyewe walimfunga kwa matumizi mabaya ya mamlaka - alikuwa
amewafukuza wakazi wa kiasili kutoka Bonde la Culiacan katika mfululizo wa vita vya kikatili. Lakini katika 1536, Cabeza de vikundi kadhaa, kutia ndani Tahue, kulijaza tena bonde hilo baada ya kuwasadikisha kukubali masharti ya Requerimiento. Makazi mapya yangewezesha ukusanyaji wa kodi na uongofu kwa Ukatoliki. Ilikuwa rahisi kuwapa wamisionari na watoza ushuru kwa vitongoji vilivyoanzishwa vya Wahispania kuliko jumuiya zinazotembea zilizoenea katika maeneo makubwa. Cabeza de Vaca aliwatia
moyo viongozi Wenyeji kukubali pendekezo hilo kwa kudai kwamba mungu wao, Aguar, ni sawa na Wakristo, na hivyo wanapaswa “kumtumikia kama tulivyoamuru.” Katika hali kama hizo, kugeukia Ukatoliki kulikuwa jambo la kipuuzi sawa na Requerimiento yenyewe. Vurugu na urithi wa ukoloni Hata hivyo, hata wakati Wenyeji walikubali Requerimiento, Las Casas aliandika kwamba “wao (bado) wanatendewa kwa ukali kama watumwa wa kawaida, wanaotumikishwa kwa kazi ngumu na kuteswa
kila namna na kuteswa kwa uchungu sana na kusababisha kifo cha polepole na chenye uchungu zaidi. ungetekeleza muhtasari.” Katika hali nyingi, Requerimiento ilikuwa tu kitangulizi cha vurugu.
la kaskazini mwa Kolombia, aliwahi kukisoma kijijini kabla ya kufanya shambulio la kushtukiza. Wengine walisoma Requerimiento “kwa miti na vibanda vitupu” kabla ya kuchora panga zao. Njia ya uvamizi iliwekwa lami katika damu. Hizi ndizo dalili za ukweli zaidi za kile Requerimiento ikawa kwenye ardhi. Wanajeshi kwa jeuri au kutupilia mbali haki za kifalme wapendavyo katika harakati zao za kupata nyara za vita. Na bado, licha ya ukatili huo, Wenyeji wengi walinusurika kwa kufunga pinde zao kama Wamaya wa Chontal, au kujadili uhusiano mpya na Uhispania kama Tahue wa Culiacan. Mbinu zilitofautiana sana na zilibadilika kwa wakati. Mataifa mengi ya Wenyeji ambayo yaliyatumia yamesalia leo, yanaishi kwa muda mrefu zaidi ya Milki ya Uhispania - na watu waliobeba Requerimiento kwenye vita vyao vya msalaba kote Amerika.
AlvarNúñezCabeza
apakan ti
ti agbegbe naa, NuñoBeltrán iyipada si Catholicism. Ó yà alágbèérìn tí ó tàn káàkiri
gba run lú n bí a ti pa ràn sìn Kátólíìkì bí
Iwa-ipa ati ogún ti ileto ara ilu ti gba Requerimiento, iwa-ipa lasan. kan láti inú abúlé kan kí ó tó miiran ka Requerimiento “si
Spain bii Tahue ti Culiacan. yipada ni akoko. gbe Requerimiento lori ogun
dahun si Requerimiento ni Chontal Maya ti Potonchanolu-ilu Maya ni bayi
yìn tí Cortés gba ìlú náà, gágun
Nigbati
aririnkiri ara ilu Sipania
de Vaca ati
Map of Early Spanish Colonies in Mexico
By Diego Javier Luis Translation by Macdonald Anyanwu
Par Diego Javier Luis
by Macdonald
Kwa Diego Javier Luis
Diego Javier Luis
by Macdonald
By Haley Taylor Schlitz, Esq.
On a night when time felt like it slowed to the rhythm of soul, Leon Bridges transformed Minneapolis’s historic Armory into a sanctuary of unity, love, and timeless sound. Touring with his new album, Bridges delivered a performance that fused classic soul with a modern edge, captivating a diverse crowd with a sound that knows no boundaries. From the cosmic opening act to his final song, the concert felt like a shared experience, where music became the bridge between cultures, memories, and emotions. The night began with Hermanos Gutiérrez, whose
Aesthetically It
mesmerizing set took the audience on a journey into a different sound world with their new album, Sonido Cósmico. Leaving behind the desert for the cosmos, this duo brought a hallucinogenic, almost spiritual energy to the stage, filling the Armory with a Latin mystique. Each note pulsed with the soulful heritage they carry, drawing us into their own odyssey. Then came Leon Bridges, whose presence shifted the Armory’s atmosphere instantly. Known for his unique blend of timeless soul and contemporary expression, Bridges turned the expansive space into an intimate gathering where every song felt personal. With the venue’s mood-lit ambiance and ever-changing lights, each song seemed to take on a life of its own. The Armory’s historic charm contributed to the evening’s warmth, allowing Bridges’ music to flow naturally into the hearts of the crowd.
Bridges’ set drew an exceptionally diverse audience, crossing generations and backgrounds, all united by the love of his music. His blend of classical soul with modern storytelling seemed to resonate deeply here. Each song called for reflection on themes of Black culture, history, and resilience, woven seamlessly into lyrics and melodies that felt
both nostalgic and fresh. When he performed River, a crowd favorite, it was as if every voice in the room joined his, creating a powerful moment of shared humanity and connection. Throughout the evening, Bridges balanced high energy with intimacy. He invited the audience into his world with every question, singalong, and even his own dance
moves, making everyone feel part of the performance. One particularly memorable moment was when his band stepped offstage, leaving Bridges alone with his guitar. In that quiet moment, he delivered a song
filled with visible emotion, his voice echoing through the silent room with a rawness that made the experience unforgettable. The concert’s technical elements enhanced the experience even further.
The lighting design seemed to dance with the music, shifting in perfect harmony to amplify each mood, beat, and tone.
The visuals created a dynamic backdrop that mirrored Bridges’ unique style—a blend of past and present, merging soul’s classical elements with the vibrancy of modern sound. Bridges ended the night with Beyond, an upbeat yet deeply heartfelt song that left the audience on a high. The lyrics carried the audience into the messages of love and the possibilities
of a deep and meaningful relationship. Though his set wasn’t specifically tailored for Minneapolis, his warmth and sincerity made it feel like a gathering of friends celebrating the simple joy of music. For me, the concert was a reminder of the light and unity music can bring, especially in challenging times. Bridges’ music is a testament to the power of cultural expression and its ability to transcend, inspire, and heal. It’s a beautiful reminder of why music—and its stories—are so essential in moments where division often overshadows our shared humanity. In every sense, Leon Bridges and Hermanos Gutiérrez delivered an unforgettable experience. From cosmic guitar sounds to soulful lyrics, the concert was a journey through love, unity, and cultural expression, leaving us all with a renewed spirit and a sense of connection that lingered long after the final note.
Minneapolis musician Tyka Nelson, Prince’s sister and only full sibling, dies at 64
By Maria Sherman AP Music Writer
Minneapolis musician Tyka Nelson, Prince’s only full sibling, died Monday at North Memorial Health in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, her son President Nelson confirmed to The Associated Press. She was 64. A cause of death was not immediately available, and President Nelson said he doesn’t expect to know “for a couple of days.”
Born to jazz musician John L. Nelson and Mattie Della Shaw in 1960, two years after Prince, Nelson was a singer-songwriter, releasing four albums across her career,
starting with 1988’s “Royal Blue.” That album produced her biggest hits, “Marc Anthony’s Tune,” which spent 11 weeks on Billboard’s Hot R&B/HipHop Songs chart, peaking at No. 33, and “L.O.V.E.,” which spent seven weeks on the chart and topped at No. 52.
At the time, she told the Star Tribune of Minneapolis, “The album is basically about love relationships between a man and a woman. I’m royal blue because I can’t find him,” she said.
It’s an alternative to her brother’s chosen color of purple. Of their relationship, she said: “The funniest thing is people say, ‘How does it feel to be Prince’s sister?’ They don’t actually realize what they’re
saying. I’ve been Prince’s sister ever since I got here on Earth.”
The Associated Press described her “Royal Blue” album as “mostly adultcontemporary or easy-listening” material, “far removed from Prince and the so-called Minneapolis sound. Hers is a mature, romantic sound aimed at 25- to 45-year-olds.”
Then came 1992’s “Yellow Moon, Red Sky,” 2008’s “A Brand New Me,” and finally, 2011’s “Hustler.” Nelson is survived by two sons, President and Sir, and five grandchildren.
“Born 1960, the daughter of Mattie and John Nelson, she was best known as Prince’s sister and worked to keep his legacy alive with
his fans attending fan and industry events,” President Nelson shared in a statement. “Services will be private, and in lieu of flowers, the family has asked that you take care of one another.”
According to the Star Tribune, Nelson was scheduled to retire and perform a farewell concert at the Dakota in downtown Minneapolis in June. Illness caused her not to take the stage. A few days before the concert, she said she had a mixtape on the way and was working on a memoir.
Prince died of an accidental fentanyl overdose in 2016 at his home in Minneapolis. He was 57. He had no will, and his six siblings inherited equal interests in the estate: Tyka
Nelson and five half-siblings — Sharon Nelson, Norrine Nelson, John R. Nelson, Omarr Baker and Alfred Jackson.
Tyka Nelson, Baker and Jackson, the three youngest, sold their stake to a music publishing company called Primary Wave Music, LLC, which later assigned its interests to an affiliate, Prince OAT Holdings LLC. Jackson has since died. Representatives for Paisley Park, Prince’s private estate which is also a museum, studio, and concert venue in Chanhassen, Minnesota, did not immediately respond to The Associated Press’ request for comment.
AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File Tyka Nelson, sister of the late musician Prince, appears in front of his costumes at the
“My Name is Prince” exhibition at the O2 Arena in London, on Oct. 26, 2017. Nelson, Prince’s only full sibling, died Monday. She was 64. Her son President Nelson says she died at a hospital in Robbinsdale, Minnesota. A cause of death was not immediately available.
Anne Shade’s Leather, Lace, and Locs
By W.D. Foster-Graham Book Review Editor
LEATHER, LACE, AND LOCS
By Anne Shade
Representation matters in all the diversity of the African and African American diaspora, be it in friendships, love relationships, or familial relationships. This certainly holds true for those of us who stand at the intersectionality of race, gender, and orientation.
Such is the case in the lives of three 30-something sistahfriends in Anne Shade’s Leather, Lace, and Locs.
Our story opens in New York City. Golden Hughes
is suffering from the loss of her father to cancer, and she has been working in a “secure” job financially to be there for her mother and her brother. Lately, the call of her first love, dancing, has been strong, and she opens a dance academy and a classy burlesque troupe, which takes her to Paris for a search into the history of a mysterious greataunt. Rhythm Twins duo Jade and Kendra have caught her eye, and they are actively pursuing her in the hope of making this a polyamorous relationship.
Melissa Hart has battled issues of self-esteem and feeling unwanted by her conservative mother and stepfather. Staying closeted cost her two relationships; she subsequently comes out and with a need to control in her life. Breaking free of a position as a nanny/governess, she accepts a position at an art gallery. But there is another part to her new boss’ business enterprises: a high-end adults-only club
specializing in clients who want to experience their kinks, and Melissa embraces her persona as dominatrix Mistress Heart, keeping her double life hidden from her friends.
Entrepreneur Zoe Grant runs a successful beauty salon and hair products business while raising her teenage daughter Kiara and putting her own needs last. Divorced, she has borne the emotional scars of a bad marriage to her ex-husband, and she doesn’t want to get hurt again. Until one day, Danice walks into her shop in distress and desperate for a totally new haircut, newly divorced from a manipulative man and hungry for love.
Will Golden solve the mystery of her heritage and overcome her fear of loss to take a chance on Jade and Kendra?
Will Melissa embrace her total self with confidence and recognize what the mysterious, non-binary Black is offering? Will Zoe put herself first? Will Danice break free of the hold
her mother and ex-husband have had on her life? I have always enjoyed female-female romance novels for incorporating sisterhood and family dynamics as well as romance, and Shade shares this story with panache. Through their complicated personal love lives, the friendship of Golden, Melissa, and Zoe shines through. Unlike Zoe and Golden, Melissa’s family of origin didn’t accept her, but instead she has something far stronger—her chosen family. Also, on the road to true love, authenticity, and a happilyever-after, Shade reminds us that it often involves getting out of our own way. Leather, Lace and Locs is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bold Strokes Books, and her website www.anneshaderomance.com.
Thank you, Anne, for sharing your story on love and romance. At the end of the day, love wins out.
De-complicating Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement plans.
By
When you reach Medicare age, it can be a little overwhelming. It’s like a whole new puzzle of health plan coverage that needs to be solved. There are many who call me and ask, “Can you just put it together for me?”
At UCare, we can certainly do that. But we also really want members to understand what they are getting and why. The plan you select all depends on your life and what kind of coverage you need and don’t need.
Apart from Original Medicare, there are two plan types that people who are aging into Medicare gravitate toward: Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Supplement plans. Let’s dive in.
Medicare Advantage plans
Think of a Medicare Advantage plan like a bundle of benefits. It combines your Original Medicare, Part A (hospital insurance) with Part B (medical insurance). UCare Medicare Advantage plans give you extra coverage and benefits like dental, prescription
eyewear and hearing aids. Most plans also include prescription drug coverage (Part D), which can become increasingly important as you age.
UCare has been offering Medicare Advantage plans since 1998 — longer than any other health plan provider in Minnesota. And today, they’re some of the most popular plans. We have a range of Medicare Advantage plans to choose from that include coverage while you travel and allowances for over-the-counter purchases.
One more thing: UCare Medicare Advantage plans work fantastically for local Minnesotans, due to their large network that includes 97% of Minnesota medical clinics and hospitals. So if you have a clinic you’ve always used, your chances are good that it’s in-network. And with no referral needed to see a specialist, getting the care you need is easy.
Medicare Supplement plans
A Medicare Supplement plan is something you pair with your Original Medicare. In other words, it supplements your plan. Get it? These policies help pay for the out-of-pocket costs that are not covered by Original Medicare (Part A and Part B).
The main benefits of a UCare Medicare Supplement plan is protection and predictability.
You will have low or no copays or coinsurance when you get care, so your costs are predictable. Your monthly premiums are your main costs — no more unexpected medical bills. Speaking of, UCare’s Medicare Supplement plans offer some of the lowest Medicare Supplement premiums in Minnesota.
Another great benefit of a Medicare Supplement plan is the nationwide coverage. You can see any doctor who accepts Medicare patients, anywhere you go in all 50 states. This is especially useful whether you’re traveling, moving or living in a place where there are fewer providers nearby.
You also get extras like no-cost fitness memberships and discounts on hearing aids.
Why roll with UCare? I’ve just gone over a couple categories of plans, but please know that we have a variety of plans for everyone, all across Minnesota! Each of them is designed to meet your health and lifestyle needs. The best way to know which one is right for you is to sit down with a broker, or someone like myself, to help find the plan that’s right for you.
Finally, I’ve been riding with UCare for nearly 10 years now, and I can honestly tell you — it’s the people who make our com-
pany go. That’s why we often say we’re “people powered” — never stopping until we know that you understand your plan and you’re comfortable with it. And if there’s ever a problem, we don’t send you up a phone tree. We work the problem individually until it’s solved. It might be why nearly 95% of UCare Medicare Advantage members choose to stay with UCare year after year.**
If you have any questions about anything I’ve covered, you should reach out to your local broker. They can help you decide which plan makes the most sense. Visit ucare.org/ma to find a broker near you.
You can also give UCare a call at 1-866-460-5093 or stop by the headquarters in NE Minneapolis or our Duluth office.
UCare headquarters 500 Stinson Blvd NE Minneapolis, MN 55414
Monday – Friday, 9 am – 4 pm
UCare Duluth office 325 West Central Entrance Suite 200 Duluth, MN 55811
Monday – Friday, 9 am – 4 pm
Albert — UCare plan de-complicator
By Ting Zhang Research Scholar of Orthopedics, University of Pittsburgh and Jianying Zhang Research Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh
Because there are typically no symptoms until the first fracture occurs, osteoporosis is considered a silent disease. Some call it a silent killer.
Osteoporosis is a bone disease characterized by decreased bone density and strength, leading to fragile, brittle bones that increase the risk of fractures, especially in the spine, hips and wrists.
The National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that more than 10 million Americans have osteoporosis. Another 43 million have low bone mass, which is the precursor to osteoporosis. By 2030, the number of adults with osteoporosis or low bone mass is estimated to increase by more than 30%, to 71 million.
The reasons for the increase include lifestyle issues, particularly smoking, lack of physical activity and alcohol abuse. Our aging population, along with the insufficient attention paid to this disease, are also why osteoporosis is on the rise.
If you are older, it may be discouraging to read those statistics. But as orthopedic specialists who have studied this disease, we know that osteoporosis is not inevitable. The key to having healthy bones for a lifetime is to take some simple preventive measures – and the earlier, the better.
Insight 2 Health
Although the symptoms are not obvious early on, certain signs will indicate your bones are becoming weaker. The most serious complications of osteoporosis are fractures, which can lead to chronic pain, hospitalization, disability, depression, reduced quality of life and increased mortality. Worldwide, osteoporosis causes nearly 9 million fractures annually. That’s one osteoporotic fracture
every three seconds.
Height loss, back pain Minor bumps or falls may lead to fractures, especially in the hip, wrist or spine. These types of fractures are often the first sign of the disease. If you notice that you’re getting shorter, the cause could be compression fractures in the spine; this too is a common
symptom of osteoporosis.
Although it’s typical for most people to lose height as they age – about 1 to 1½ inches (2.5 to 3.8 centimeters) over a lifetime – those with osteoporosis who have multiple spinal fractures could lose 2 to 3 inches or more in a relatively rapid time frame.
Curved posture, or noticeable changes in posture, may lead to a hunched back, which could be a sign that your spine is weakening and losing density.
Persistent back pain is another indicator – this too is the result of tiny fractures or compression of the spine.
Calcium and vitamin D
Osteoporosis cannot be completely cured, but certain lifestyle and dietary factors can lower your risk.
Calcium and vitamin D are essential for bone health. Calcium helps maintain strong bones, while vitamin D assists in calcium absorption. Women over age 50 and men over 70 should consume at least 1,200 milligrams of calcium daily from food and, if necessary, supplements.
The easy way to
get calcium is through dairy products. Milk, yogurt and cheese are among the richest sources. One cup of milk provides about 300 milligrams of calcium, one-fourth of the daily requirement. If you are vegan, calcium is in many plantbased foods, including soy, beans, peas, lentils, oranges, almonds and dark leafy greens.
Adults should aim for two to three servings of calciumrich foods daily. Consuming them throughout the day with meals helps improve absorption. Vitamin D is obtained mostly from supplements and sunlight, which is the easiest way to get the recommended dose. Your body will produce enough vitamin D if you expose your arms, legs and face to direct sunlight for 10 to 30 minutes between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., two to three times a week. Although it’s best to wear short-sleeve shirts and shorts during this brief period, it’s okay to wear sunglasses and apply sunscreen to your face.
Sunlight through a window won’t have the same effect –glass reduces absorption of the UV rays needed for vitamin D production. People with darker
skin, or those living in less sunny regions, may need more sunlight to get the same effect. If a doctor has given you a diagnosis of osteoporosis, it’s possible the calcium and vitamin D that you’re getting through food and sun exposure alone is not enough; you should ask your doctor if you need medication.
Dance, jog, lift weights and avoid alcohol Regular exercise is an excellent activity that can help stave off osteoporosis. Weightbearing exercises, such as brisk walking, jogging and dancing, are great for increasing bone density. Strength training, such as lifting weights, helps with stability and flexibility, which reduces the risk of falling. Aim for 30 minutes of weight-bearing exercise at least four days a week, combined with muscle-strengthening exercises at least twice a week. Particularly for women, who lose bone density during and after menopause, regular exercise is critical. Working out prior to menopause will reduce the risk of osteoporosis in your later years. And avoid harmful habits – smoking and heavy alcohol consumption can weaken bone density and increase the risk of fractures. Fall prevention strategies and balance training are crucial and can help reduce the risk of fractures.
Screening and treatment
Women should start osteoporosis screening at age 65, according to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Men should consider screening if they have risk factors for osteoporosis, which include smoking, alcohol use disorder, some chronic diseases such as diabetes, and age. Men over 70 are at higher risk. Medical imaging such as a bone density scan and spinal X-rays can help confirm osteoporosis and detect compression fractures. These basic tests, combined with age and medical history, are enough to make a clear diagnosis. Managing osteoporosis is a long-term process that requires ongoing commitment to lifestyle changes. Recognizing the early warning signs and making these proactive lifestyle changes is the first step to prevent the disease and keep your bones healthy. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.
iStockphotos
Sports
The birth of the Hail Mary: From miracles to legends
By Leahjean M. Denley, MBA
In a heart-stopping showdown on a recent autumn Sunday night, the Washington Commanders snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with a jaw-dropping 18-15 win over the Chicago Bears that will echo through NFL history. As the clock ticked down to zero, Commanders rookie quarterback, Jayden Daniels, unleashed a prayerful 52-yard bomb that bounced off a Bears’ defender and into the outstretched hands of wide receiver, Noah Brown, who
secured the ball in the end zone for a miraculous game-winning touchdown. This thrilling finale marked the first time since 2018 that a game-winning touchdown of 50 yards or more had been thrown as time expired, igniting a frenzy in the Commanders’ faithful and reigniting the lore of the legendary “Hail Mary” pass.
In my own amazement as I sat up from the comfort of my recliner while watching, the thought immediately came to mind, “Why do we use the term “Hail Mary”? As an avid researcher, I soon learned some remarkably interesting origin facts. The term has transcended football, becoming a symbol of hope and desperation in the face of overwhelming odds, and its roots run deep through the annals of sports history.
It was popularized in 1975 by Dallas Cowboys quarterback, Roger Staubach, after an unforgettable playoff game against my Minnesota Vikings. With just 24 seconds left and the Cowboys trailing, Staubach launched a high, arcing ball toward the end zone, where Pro Football Hall of Famer, Drew Pearson, raced to make a miraculous catch despite a chaotic collision with the Vikings’ defenders. “I just threw it up there as far as I could,” Staubach recalled, and thus the term “Hail Mary” was born –well, at least in the “modern” era.
As I dug deeper, I learned that the phrase had been whispered in huddles long before Staubach’s moment of glory. In 1922, Notre Dame players were said to have
literally recited a “Hail Mary” prayer before executing a successful touchdown play against Georgia Tech. When offensive lineman, Noble Kizer, dubbed it “the best play they had,” the term began to gain traction. Elmer Layden, who played in that game and later coached the Fighting Irish, recalled a similar last-second victory against Ohio State in 1935, referring to it as a “Hail Mary play.” It wasn’t until Staubach’s 1975 miracle that the phrase truly captured the imagination of football fans. The Dallas Cowboys were facing elimination, and Coach Tom Landry called for a long pass, acknowledging the slim chances of success. The ensuing chaos of Pearson’s catch—complete with near-pass
interference and a fortuitous collision—turned the moment into an instant classic.
Newspapers the next day hailed the “Hail Mary” as the play that saved the Cowboys’ season, with Staubach coining the term and forever cementing its place in the lexicon of the sport.
Fast forward to the present day, and the “Hail Mary” continues to inspire awe and disbelief. Jayden Daniels’ game-winning pass to Noah Brown was a modern echo of Staubach’s fabled throw, a reminder that in football, miracles can happen when you least expect them. As fans celebrated in the stands, the phrase “Hail Mary” once again reverberated through the stadium, a testament to the power of hope, skill, and a little
divine intervention.
From Staubach’s iconic playoff moment to Daniels’ electrifying finish, the “Hail Mary” has woven itself into the very fabric of sport. It’s more than just a play; it’s a story of resilience, belief, and the magic of the unexpected.
And as long as there’s a football in the air, the legend of the Hail Mary will continue to soar.
Do you have a favorite “Hail Mary” play in football [at any level]? We’d love to hear about it from you. Send an email to CoachLeah@ InsightNews.com to let us know. Your email automatically enters you for a chance to win in our “Cheers to the New Year!” giveaway on New Year’s Day 2025.
The “HailMary” in sports other than football
By Leahjean M. Denley, MBA Sports Editor
Interestingly enough, while the term “Hail Mary pass” is most commonly associated with American football, similar desperation plays exist across other sports including basketball, soccer, baseball, hockey, and tennis. In basketball, a “Hail Mary” often manifests as a “buzzer-beater” or “half-court shot,” a long, low-probability attempt taken as the clock expires. In soccer, it might be a “last-ditch effort” or “long ball”—a hopeful pass or shot in the dying moments of a match. Rugby features its version as well, with a long kick or pass made in desperation to score a try. Even in ice hockey, a “Hail Mary” could be a long shot from the defensive zone, hoping for a lucky deflection or bounce to find the back of the net.
Here are notable “Hail Mary” moments in sports where a team or player resorts to a high- risk, high-reward strategy in a last-ditch effort to win: In the 1995 NBA Playoffs, Indiana Pacers’ guard, Reggie Miller, famously scored eight points in nine seconds against the New York Knicks, which included an extremely long three-pointer. Although not quite a Hail Mary, it exemplified the desperation and skill involved in long, high-stakes shots to secure an unexpected win when the Pacers were behind in the closing seconds. In the Premier Soccer League in 2021, Liverpool goalkeeper, Alisson Becker, scored a last- minute header against West Bromwich Albion, becoming the first Liverpool goalkeeper to score in their history. This dramatic move secured Liverpool’s win and their place in the Champions League.
In the 1988 World Series, Kirk Gibson, of the Los Angeles Dodgers, hit a dramatic walk-off home run off
pitcher, Dennis Eckersley, in the bottom of the ninth with two outs. Battling injuries, Gibson’s unlikely home run is often cited as one of the most legendary “Hail Mary” moments in baseball history.
A decade ago, during the 2014 Stanley Cup Finals, the New York Rangers pulled their goalie, Henrik Lundqvist, in the final minutes of Game 5, trailing the Los Angeles Kings by one goal. While they didn’t manage to score, the high-stakes gamble exemplifies a classic hockey “Hail Mary” play.
The great Serena Williams has been known to use this tactic in high-stakes moments, like during her 2012 Wimbledon final against Agnieszka Radwańska, where she opted for aggressive serves under pressure. The risk paid off as she regained control and ultimately won her fifth Wimbledon championship and her 14th career Grand Slam singles title.
A few lesser known sports gaining widespread popularity in the US in the midst of the Paris Olympics, Cricket, Rugby, and Water Polo, have also utilized “Hail Mary” tactics.
In Cricket, a team needs an unusually high number of runs in the last over (six balls) to win or tie the game. The batsman may go for highrisk shots, aiming for sixes (the maximum score per ball) instead of safer shots that yield fewer runs. This tactic carries a high risk of getting caught out or bowled. In the 2019 IPL Final, Mumbai Indians’ bowler, Lasith Malinga, delivered a successful final over to deny the Chennai Super Kings a lastminute victory. The batsman’s attempted sixes in the last few balls exemplify this “Hail Mary” approach, though it ultimately did not pay off In Rugby, when a rugby team is trailing in the final minutes and near the opponent’s goal line, the flyhalf might attempt a cross-field kick, sending the ball high across the field to a winger in
hopes of scoring a try. This risky maneuver often catches defenders off guard but can easily result in a turnover if it fails. During the 2015 Rugby
World Cup, New Zealand’s Dan Carter used a surprise crossfield kick to set up a try against Australia, securing their lead. While not in the final seconds,
it highlighted the high-reward nature of the risky play under pressure.
In Water Polo, if a water polo team is down in the final seconds, a player might attempt a full-court lob shot, launching the ball from their end of the pool toward the opposing team’s goal. The distance, combined with defenders and the goalie’s positioning, makes it a low-percentage play, but it can lead to a buzzer-beater goal if successful. UCLA’s Maddie Musselman scored a full-court shot just before the buzzer against USC in a 2019 NCAA match . This rare, but thrilling move, is a classic example of a “Hail Mary” in water polo. All of these plays
share a common theme: highrisk, high-reward attempts made when conventional strategies are unlikely to succeed. As long as there’s a ball in play and a clock ticking down, the spirit of the “Hail Mary” will continue to thrive.
Do you have a favorite sport where you’ve seen a dramatic last-second play? I have a couple from Women’s NCAA Basketball and the WNBA Final’s most recently, but we’d love to hear about it from you. Send an email to CoachLeah@InsightNews. com to let us know. Your email automatically enters you for a chance to win in our “Cheers to the New Year!” giveaway on New Year’s Day2025.
Sports Editor
Getty Images
NFL Hall of Famer, Roger Staubach while at the U.S. Naval Academy
Tom Pennington/Getty Images
NFL Hall of Famer and Dallas Cowboys legend, Drew Pearson
