Commentary
A cabinet of clowns: Trump’s circus returns to center st age
By Haley Taylor Schlitz, Esq.
As Donald Trump begins rolling out names for a potential cabinet, it’s difficult to see his choices as anything other than an insult to serious governance. From career sycophants to realityTV personalities and corporate titans with controversial track records, Trump’s picks underscore that he’s not assembling a government but a spectacle—a circus in which clowns hold center stage. It’s both tragic and absurd, as these figures are set to fill the highest offices of our nation, governing 330 million lives while reshaping our global standing. But make no mistake: this isn’t just Trump’s fault. The real issue is that we, as a nation, let it come to this. And now, Gen Z and young generations are left wondering what will be left to salvage. Consider the lineup so far. Marco Rubio is slated for Secretary of State. Once a vocal critic, Rubio famously said Trump would be “selling watches in Manhattan” if he hadn’t inherited millions. Now, Rubio seems poised to champion foreign policy—a role that demands integrity, consistency, and diplomatic nuance, none of which Rubio has demonstrated in his about-
By A. Scott Bolden
“Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they have done.”
In a stunning turn of events, America has once again found its neck under Donald Trump’s foot—a figure with a history that should make any truly patriotic American pause. Instead, voters have chosen to dance with the devil they know (and, apparently, miss). They’ve chosen to forego their own interests in the name of “change.”
It’s a choice that, maybe this time, we will come to regret.
Trump’s re-election has made it clear that we underestimated the power that economic anxiety has in shaping voter decisions. While many of us assumed that the protection of democracy and the core American values of choice and freedom would take precedence, the stark reality is that the fear of inflation, food, gas, and housing costs won out. People voted with their feelings instead of their minds, and Trump masterfully exploited this, offering hollow promises to fix” it all without any real plan.
Just as he did before, he leaned into his manufactured, fabricated persona—a successful businessman, a fixer, a man of the people— and even more Americans bought the con again.
But let’s be real: this isn’t a man who knows what he’s doing. He’s not a planner or a visionary; Donald Trump is a liar. He’s a con artist, plain and simple. We saw his inaction on healthcare reform during the pandemic, his disastrous pre-pandemic tariff policies that economists almost universally criticized, and his complete disregard for the truth the entirety of his presidential tenure.
Does character even matter anymore in seeking America’s highest office?
America: you voted for him; you now own him. Now what?
Now, he’s back with Project 2025, deputizing loyalists like Stephen Miller to reinforce a conservative agenda that’s dangerously extreme. With fewer guardrails this time around, Trump is poised to impose an agenda
face from critic to Trump ally. Then there’s Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense, a Fox News personality who favors chestthumping over constructive policy debate. Hegseth recently targeted Joint Chiefs Chairman General C.Q. Brown, questioning whether Brown achieved his position due to his skill or his skin color, implying that race, not merit, played a role in Brown’s advancement. “Was it because of his skin color? Or his skill?” Hegseth asked, adding that he will “always doubt” Brown’s qualifications because of his focus on race. This divisive rhetoric, paired with his lack of experience in substantive defense strategy, risks turning the Pentagon into a political soapbox. And Matt Gaetz as Attorney General—a choice that seems almost unimaginable in its audacity. Gaetz has faced years of investigations, first by the Justice Department and now by the House Ethics Committee, over allegations related to sex trafficking and obstruction of justice. Although the Justice Department declined to charge him in 2023, Gaetz’s entanglement in these investigations, stemming from his association with former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg—who pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including sex trafficking a minor—casts a long shadow over his suitability for the role. Despite his denials and the Justice Department’s decision not to press charges,
that could reshape our Democracy for generations to come—and not for the better.
Another Trump presidency means that Black and Brown communities could once again find themselves marginalized even further, but he somehow made significant inroads in urban centers and among Latino and Black voters—a shocking and sobering fact. It seems the Democratic Party took these communities for granted, assuming their loyalty without taking meaningful steps to address the everyday issues impacting their lives. Dem strategists wrongfully believed that Trump, with his history of bigotry and divisive rhetoric, would translate into a common sense vote for Harris.
But for voters grappling with soaring living costs and stagnant wages, Trump’s promises, however empty, offered a glimmer of hope that the Democrats, regrettably, failed to provide.
Trump sold himself as the answer to America’s problems, yet he offers only the same lies: he is the only one that can end the wars, fix inflation, bring down food and gas prices, and make life affordable, again.
How, exactly? I don’t know. These are the same promises he made years ago, and we’re still waiting for those results.
This time, he’ll have even more power to push through his agenda without fear of accountability: the House flipped red, the Senate flipped red, and the Supreme Court is already red–coming down with a decision that offers him protection from many criminal prosecutions. The guardrails that once kept him somewhat in check are now gone.
We’re about to see Trump unhinged and unleashed: backed by a court that’s aligned with his vision and a Congress ready to do his bidding, ready to turn back the clock on progress under the guise of “saving” America. Plus, expect another round of conservative federal judicial appointments blessed by the Federalist Society and the Heritage Foundation.
Why do people vote against their own interests? Why do they ignore the acute, undeniable flaws in
the ongoing House Ethics probe further highlights the ethical questions surrounding Gaetz’s potential leadership in the Justice Department. Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination for Director of National Intelligence is equally troubling, not only for her controversial foreign policy stances but for her history of political flip-flopping. Once a progressive Democrat and vocal supporter of issues like Medicare for All, she has since shifted to support Trump. Gabbard has gone from opposing U.S. military interventions to meeting with leaders like Bashar al-Assad, a move widely condemned for its apparent endorsement of authoritarian regimes. Her shifting allegiances and inconsistent stances raise serious questions about her reliability in a role that requires steady judgment and bipartisan trust.
Perhaps the most absurd appointment of all is Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy as co-leaders of a so-called “Department of Government Efficiency.” It’s almost comedic to appoint two men to manage “efficiency” together, as if symbolism itself is dead. Musk has demonstrated little regard for regulatory norms, and Ramaswamy’s lack of any public-sector experience raises immediate questions. Together, their presence promises to gut meaningful regulation, leaving Americans in the hands of corporate self-interest.
Adding to this lineup is Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as
Secretary of Health and Human Services. Kennedy, known for his anti-vaccine rhetoric and promotion of conspiracy theories, has a history of spreading misinformation that undermines public health efforts. His comparison of vaccine mandates to the Holocaust and baseless claims about COVID-19 being engineered to spare certain ethnic groups are not only offensive but dangerous. Kennedy’s personal controversies, including allegations of infidelity, further erode the integrity needed for such a critical role. Appointing someone with such a track record to oversee the nation’s health policies is a reckless decision that could have dire consequences for public trust in health institutions. While it’s easy to laugh at the sheer absurdity of this lineup, there’s a tragic reality lurking underneath. These individuals may actually assume control over departments responsible for national security, justice, defense, health, and international diplomacy. What we’re seeing isn’t just a parade of misguided nominations; it’s a deliberate reshaping of America’s government into a stage for settling grievances, scoring partisan points, and dismantling essential democratic functions.
To be shocked by this is, frankly, gaslighting. Trump laid this plan out for us from the start, promising to upend the “deep state,” yet many Americans chose to ignore the danger and
a man like Donald Trump? It comes down to ignorance and despair, plain and simple. When people feel disempowered, when they see no real improvement in their lives despite positive economic indicators, they gravitate towards strong, unfiltered rhetoric. Trump presents himself as a man outside the system, a disruptor who will fight for the average American. And so, many Americans— jaded and desperate for change—chose to embrace the “devil” they know, believing that maybe, just maybe, this time he’ll be different. But he won’t be different. Donald Trump was never the man that they thought he was, and he never will be. This is the same man who suffers from deep narcissism, chronic business failure, who’s been found liable for fraud and sexual abuse, and who stoked the flames of division and discord to further his own agenda. This is the man who led America to one of its darkest moments on January 6th, 2021. This is a convicted felon 34 times over. And somehow America still voted for him. In a strange way, this says more about America than it could ever say about Trump. We know who Trump is—is this really who America is and wants to be today and has always been? To believe that he’s somehow learned his lesson or will suddenly care about the quality of life for all Americans is to ignore the mountain of evidence to the contrary. America is not getting a new and improved Trump; it’s getting a more experienced version of the same divisive, self-serving con man. The repercussions of
treated it as entertainment. Now, we’re seeing those consequences unfold, and now younger generations are watching this clown car wreck with no choice but to hope that there’s something left to salvage when it’s over.
This isn’t just about Trump’s cabinet choices; it’s about our national culture of entitlement, our addiction to the sensational, and our tendency to shrug off accountability. In electing Trump and indulging his whims, we ignored the
a bulwark may now find it to be an assailant, with policies that prioritize corporate interests and the wealthy at the expense of the working class.
This election has exposed a painful truth about America: we are willing to overlook character and competence, even racism and sexism when we feel desperate for change. But be clear—this is not the kind of change we need.
this election will be felt deeply in the coming years. America will see a reversal of healthcare reform, human rights, civil rights, climate regulation and other constitutional safeguards as Trump and his cronies take over. The marginalized communities that once looked to the government as
Those who voted for Trump may/will come to regret their decision, that he never cared about the average American and that he was always in it for himself. But the realization will have been too late. The damage will have been irreparably completed. Policies, once enacted, can take decades to reverse, and the scars left on our democracy will take generations to heal, if at all.
Choosing Trump
cracks in our democracy. For the younger generations, the “adults in the room” aren’t adults anymore; they’re clowns, willingly participating in a circus while our future dangles in the balance. If Americans are tired of watching this circus,
won’t be laughing.
means that America has placed its faith in a man who trafficks in chaos, corruption, and crime. He is not the solution to our problems; he is a reflection of the underbelly of this country—a society so fractured and jaded that it’s willing to entrust its future to a man it would never let babysit their own children. As I write this, I hope I’m wrong. I sincerely, deeply hope that Trump proves me and every critic wrong, that he somehow rises to the occasion and becomes the leader we need. But history tells a different story, and I can’t help but brace myself for what’s to come. May God Bless America, especially for the next four (4) years. A. Scott Bolden is the former Chair of the DC Democratic Party and a NewsNation political contributor.
Columnist
families as havens of safety — both physically and culturally — HBCUs produce nearly 13% of all Black graduates, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics.
They’ve shaped generations of Black professionals. Now HBCUs are working to educate students K-12, particularly in STEM fields.
What do Martin Luther King Jr., Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, and Vice President Kamala Harris have in common? They’re all graduates of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
The schools saw a surge in applications from high school seniors after the murder of George Floyd. And along with increasingly being seen by Black high school students and
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I’m a Morgan State graduate, so I know firsthand these schools aren’t just academic institutions. They’re a testament to the determination of Black Americans to create spaces of excellence, empowerment, and cultural affirmation in the face of racism. And in the nearly 187 years since the first HBCU
— the African Institute, later renamed Cheyney University of Pennsylvania — opened its doors, they’ve become incubators of Black intellectuals, activists, and professionals.
The 2022 proclamation from President Biden for National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week pointed out their incredible contributions to society: “HBCUs have produced 40 percent of all Black engineers and 50 percent of all Black lawyers in America. Seventy percent of Black doctors in our country attended an HBCU, and 80 percent of Black judges are alumni of these schools.” The institutions also play a prominent role in
maintaining the Black teacher pipeline. They produce 50% of Black teachers, thus boosting the number of Black men entering classrooms and introducing students to the love of learning. So, this Black History Month, let’s look at the contributions five HBCUs have made, and how their current impact on K-12 education makes a difference.
1. Howard University Listen, when the school is the alma mater of Carter G. Woodson, the creator of Black History Month, you know it has to be No. 1 on the
Antonio Rosell presents data on U.S. presidential election voting trends, highlighting a spike in 2020 and a drop in 2024 for the Democratic vote, sparking reflections on voter sentiment and policy implications. In the wake of the recent US elections, The Conversation with Al McFarlane on KFAI 90.3 FM tackled the urgent themes of race, fear, and power. Host Al McFarlane was joined by guests Jonathan Palmer, Wilfred Harris, and Antonio Rosell, who provided piercing analysis on these subjects and examined how they shape both American society and global policies. The conversation, McFarlane explained, was
about more than simply reacting to election results and instead, it was a profound exploration of where America stands and where it may be headed.
Opening the dialogue, McFarlane placed the concept of fear at the forefront, describing it as a primary tool used by political figures to leverage, secure and maintain power. “The Trump agenda was not about economic policy but fear,” he said. “Fear that ‘white people’—an invented term in itself—are losing power.”
He asserted that this fear, embedded in white identity politics, fuels division and taps into long-standing racial insecurities. Jonathan Palmer, former director of St. Paul’s Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, supported this viewpoint, calling the current political climate a mirror reflecting America’s unresolved racial and gender biases. Palmer then
Edgar
Minnesota man is free after 16 years in prison for murder that prosecutors say he didn’t commit
A Minnesota man was released from prison after serving 16 years for a murder he did not commit, a local prosecutor announced on Tuesday. Jurors in 2009 found Edgar Barrientos-Quintana guilty of killing 18-year-old Jesse Mickelson in a drive-by shooting. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole. But after a threeyear investigation, Attorney General Keith Ellison’s Conviction Review Unit in August released a damning report of Minneapolis police’s original investigation that
Barrientos-Quintana’s alibi. A judge approved Barrientos-Quintana’s release last week. “Nothing can give Mr. Barrientos-Quintana back those 16 years, and for that, we are so sorry,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said in a statement on Tuesday. “Our hearts are also with the family of Jesse Mickelson over their irreparable loss. When the criminal legal system does not function ethically, it causes significant harm.” In a Wednesday
As the conversation continued, the guests explored the complex interplay of racism and misogyny in shaping American politics and global policies. Jonathan Palmer emphasized that America’s social structures are still heavily influenced by entrenched biases. “This isn’t just about race; it’s about misogyny too,” Palmer argued, drawing parallels between the 2024 election and the struggles women and minorities face daily. He expressed frustration
By Dakota Rudesill
at America’s double standards, highlighting that while Black and brown communities have long demanded empathy and support, it was often Trump’s “MAGA” base that received it. “When will we get that empathy for Black and brown people, for women, for all marginalized communities?” Palmer questioned. Harris interjected, offering a perspective shaped by his experiences in Liberia. He noted that fearmongering is not unique to America, though it has been expertly deployed there
Black Nativity returns to Penumbra
By Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr.
Public Domain
Howard University Graduating Class of 1900. The photograph was taken outside the Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel.
Jonathan Palmer
By Aziah Siid Word In Black
By Pulane Choane Contributing Writer
CHAVIS JR. 5
Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr.
Al McFarlane
YouTube Former President Donald Trump exits the courthouse after being found guilty of 34 felonies in May 2024.
By Pulane Choane Contributing Writer
Antonio Rosell
Wilfred Harris
Today he
By Luis Andres Henao Associated Press
The young Buddhist lama sat on a throne near an altar decorated with flowers, fruits and golden statues of the Buddha, watching the celebrations of his 18th birthday in silence, with a faint smile.
Jalue Dorje knew it would be the last big party
before he joins a monastery in the Himalayan foothills -thousands of miles from his home in a Minneapolis suburb, where he grew up like a typical American teen playing football and listening to rap music. But this was not an ordinary coming-ofage celebration. It was an enthronement ceremony for an aspiring spiritual leader who from an early age was recognized by the Dalai Lama
and other Tibetan Buddhist leaders as a reincarnated lama.
From the stage, he saw it all: The young women in white long bearded masks who danced, jumping acrobatically and twirling colorful sticks to wish him luck in a tradition reserved for dignitaries. The banging of drums. The procession of hundreds – from children to elderly -- who lined up to bow to him and present him with a “khata” -- the white Tibetan ceremonial scarves that symbolize auspiciousness.
From a throne reserved for lamas, he smelled the aroma of Tibetan dishes prepared by his mother over sleepless nights. He heard the monks with shaved heads, in maroon and gold robes like his own, chant sacred mantras. Behind them, his shaggy-haired high school football teammates sang “Happy Birthday” before he cut the first slice of cake.
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One of his buddies gave him shaker bottles for hydrating during training at the gym; another, a gift card to eat at Chipotle Mexican Grill.
“I was in awe!” Dorje recalled later. “Usually, I’d be at the monk section looking up to whomever was celebrating. But that night it was for me.”
Watching Monday Night Football and memorizing ancient Buddhist prayers
Since the Dalai Lama’s recognition, Dorje has spent much of his life training to become a monk, memorizing
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sacred scriptures, practicing calligraphy and learning the teachings of Buddha.
After graduation in 2025, he’ll head to northern India to join the Mindrolling Monastery, more than 7,200 miles (11,500 kilometers) from his home in Columbia Heights. Following several years of contemplation and ascetism, he hopes to return to America to teach in the Minnesota Buddhist community. His goal is “to become a leader of peace,” following the example of the Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela and Gandhi
“There’s going to be a lot of sacrifice involved,” Dorje said. But he’s not new to sacrifices. He remembered all the early mornings reciting ancient prayers and memorizing Buddhist scriptures, often rewarded by his dad with Pokémon cards.
“As a child, even on the weekend, you’re like: ‘Why don’t I get to sleep more? Why can’t I get up and watch cartoons like other kids.’ But my dad always told me that it’s like planting a seed,” he said, “and one day it’s going to sprout.”
It all began with the process of identifying a lama, which is based on spiritual signs and visions. Dorje was about 4 months old when he was identified by Kyabje Trulshik Rinpoche, a venerated master of Tibetan Buddhism and leader
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based on income at some locations.
Properties is an
of the Nyingma lineage. He was later confirmed by several lamas as the eighth Terchen Taksham Rinpoche — the first one was born in 1655.
After the Dalai Lama recognized him at age 2, Dorje’s parents took him to meet the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism when he visited Wisconsin in 2010.
The Dalai Lama cut a lock of Dorje’s hair in a ceremony and advised his parents to let their son stay in the U.S. to perfect his English before sending him to a monastery.
Dorje is fluent in English and Tibetan. He grew up reading the manga graphic novel series “Buddha,” and is an avid sports fan. He roots for the Timberwolves in basketball, Real Madrid in soccer, and the Atlanta Falcons in football. He even keeps a rookie card of wide receiver Drake Londo pasted to the back of his phone, which he carried wrapped in his robes during his party. On the football
field, playing as a left guard, his teammates praised his positivity, often reminding them to have fun and keep losses in perspective.
“It’s someone to look up to,” said Griffin Hogg, 20, a former player who took Dorje under his wing. He said they learned from each other and credits Dorje with helping him find his spirituality. “I’m more of a relaxed person after getting to know him and understanding his own journey.”
While Dorje tries to never miss Monday Night Football, he’s always there to help with any event hosted by the local Tibetan community, one of the largest in the United States.
“He has one foot in the normal high school life. And he has one foot in this amazing Tibetan culture that we have in the state of Minnesota,” said Kate Thomas, one of his tutors and the teachings coordinator at Minneapolis’ Bodhicitta Sangha Heart of Enlightenment Institute.
“You can see that he’s comfortable playing a role of sitting on a throne, of participating and being honored
as a respected person in his community, as a religious figure. And yet, as soon as he has the opportunity, he wants to go and hang out with his high school buddies,” she said. “That’s testimony to his flexibility, his openness of mind.” Listening to rap and making Tibetans proud For years, he has followed the same routine. He wakes up to recite sacred texts and then attends school, followed by football practice. He returns home for tutoring about Tibetan history and Buddhism. Then he might practice calligraphy or run on a treadmill while listening to BossMan Dlow, Rod Wave and other rappers.
Although he was officially enthroned in 2019 in India, an estimated 1,000 people gathered at the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota for his recent ceremony.
“He unites us – Jalue is always here for us,” said Zenden Ugen, 21, a family friend and neighbor who performed Tibetan dances at the event.
“I wish him the best in life because being born and not being able to choose your life must be very hard,” Ugen said.
“But he has a responsibility and him being able to take on that responsibility, I’m very inspired by him. I just hope he keeps being who he is.”
Dorje’s proud uncle, Tashi Lama, saw him grow up and become a Buddhist master.
“He’s somebody who’s going to be a leader, who’s going to teach compassion and peace and love and harmony among living beings,” he said about his nephew, often referred to as “Rinpoche” -- a Tibetan word that means “precious one.”
Associated Press video journalist Jessie Wardarski contributed to this report.
Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
AP Photo/Luis Andres Henao
U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, right, and a member of the Minnesota Tibetan community bow and touch foreheads in a traditional Tibetan greeting at his 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024.
AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski
U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, is presented with “khata,” the Tibetan ceremonial scarves that symbolize auspiciousness, at his 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony, in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024.
AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski
U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, watches a traditional Tibetan performance at his 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024.
AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski
High school friends present U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, with a “khata,” the Tibetan ceremonial scarves that symbolize auspiciousness, at his 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony, in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024.
Five HBCUs
list. Founded 150 years ago by Army General Oliver Otis Howard, Howard University has also long been a pioneer in educating Black women at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Our first black vice president, Kamala Harris, graduated in 1986. Charlotte Ray, the nation’s first Black woman lawyer — and the first woman admitted to the Washington D.C. bar — graduated from Howard’s law school in 1872.
HU continues to make modern-day strides as it competes directly with schools in underserved communities through its dual enrollment courses.
From 3
2. Spelman College Voted as the #1 HBCU in the country for 17 consecutive years by U.S News & World Report, Spelman College has earned its distinction for more reasons than one. Founded in 1881 as Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary, the all-women’s campus has been a beacon of education and hope for Black women nationwide. Spelman College was home to visionaries like Martin Luther King Jr’s daughter, peace advocate and CEO of the King Center, Dr Bernice King, politician and activist Stacey Abrams, and the legendary novelist Alice Walker. Walker’s Pulitzer Prize novel, “The Color Purple,” is one of the most frequently banned books in the United States and continues to serve as a staple in Black history and culture. Spelman continues to serve the greater Black
The loss of Title IV funding would drastically affect around 80 percent of the student bodies at HBCUs and would have a consequential negative impact on the future of these vital institutions of higher education.
Endowments at HBCUs pale in comparison to those at the U.S.’s top ranked colleges and universities, with the overall endowments at all the country’s HBCUs accounting for less than a tenth of Harvard’s.
The gap in funding between PWIs and HBCUs isn’t just because of smaller endowments, it’s also because state lawmakers keep funds off HBCU campuses – in North Carolina, for example, legislators awarded N.C.
From 3 it right for over 130 years. Take historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), which have throughout their existence struggled to find the substantial funding that many state and private predominantly White institutions (PWIs) of higher education enjoy and who are already steeling themselves to deal with an expected surge of applicants following the Supreme Court’s regressive decision to effectively end affirmative action admission programs.
Pos t-Election 1 Post-Election
From 3
addressed Vice President Kamala Harris’s unique struggles in the 2024 election, which he said underscored America’s ongoing resistance to non-traditional leadership.
“If America wasn’t ready for a Black president in 2008, it’s still not ready for a woman in 2024,” Palmer stated. He went
on to highlight how Harris had a limited campaign period to distinguish herself while facing heightened scrutiny. “In a hundred days, she had to pull together a coalition. Meanwhile, Trump has been campaigning since 2020,” Palmer said, emphasizing that Harris’s bid for the presidency was mired not only by a compressed timeline but by deeply ingrained societal misogyny. Harris, an elder in the Liberian community and an author, echoed these sentiments on the strategic use of fear in
education community through partnerships like their initiative with the National Education Equity Lab, a nonprofit that works to boost economic and social mobility for high school students. The program provides free college-level courses to low-income high school students to make them confident they can succeed in college and prepare them for higher education. In addition, alumnae of the college are working to make attending the institution more affordable for incoming freshmen and current students.
3. Florida A&M University Through rhythm and song, FAMU alumni, like musical artist Common, have spoken life into the Black community. In 2018, Common helped launch Art in Motion Charter School in his hometown as a way to, as he told Ebony magazine last year, “bring
State an extra $79 million for research while N.C. A&T –the nation’s largest HBCU –was given only $9.5 million. When it comes to access to technology, HBCUs also face an uphill battle with 82 percent of HBCUs being located in socalled “broadband deserts.”
Despite their struggles with funding, and the fact that these schools constitute only 3 percent of four-year colleges in the country, HBCU graduates account for 80 percent of all Black judges, 50 percent of Black lawyers, 50 percent of Black doctors, 40 percent of Black members of Congress and our country’s current vice president.
HBCUs truly know
political campaigns. “Kamala was talking substance, but Trump was talking fear, and fear motivates,” he noted, referencing historical anxieties in U.S. elections, especially in Barack Obama’s 2008 run for president. Harris’s commentary drew from a personal and historical perspective, reflecting Liberia’s complex relationship with the United States, and his deep awareness of how American policies fuel global division and exploitation, particularly in Africa. “Liberia is Africa’s oldest
academics but also artistic expression and holistic living to children that are from Chicago.” As for Common’s alma mater, the 140-year-old university — which began with only 15 students and two instructors — is currently ranked as the No. 1 HBCU for research and development by the National Science Foundation. The university continues to make immense strides in law, pharmaceutical sciences, and more. To encourage more young people to pursue STEM, FAMU hosts an annual STEM Day for students in grades 6-12. The event features academic speakers, hands-on activities, and science demonstrations to give participants a realistic look at what the future holds. Additionally, the university holds a “Women and Girls in STEM Mentoring Event” each year, introducing
how to do more with less, but they cannot be saddled with costly regulations that pose an existential crisis to their ability to operate and be given no help to deflect some of the costs. Fortunately, however, there are businesses and individuals who see the importance of HBCUs to the Black community and are willing to lend their hands – and their dollars – to support them.
The Student Freedom Initiative (SFI), a non-profit chaired by philanthropist and entrepreneur Robert F. Smith and funded by major tech companies like Cisco, has raised millions of dollars to help HBUs comply with the Education Department’s mandates. Cisco alone donated $150 million to the SFI with $100 million
democracy and a testament to American intervention,” he said, “but also to American negligence and self-interest.”
While discussing systemic issues, Rosell, an activist and educator, focused on U.S. foreign policy, specifically the Biden administration’s stance on Palestine. He argued that American taxpayer dollars continue to fund conflicts globally, creating disillusionment among voters who long for a more peaceoriented foreign policy. “The Biden administration’s support
nearly 200 K-12 girls to female engineers, scientists, and academics. In 2022, FAMU expanded its STEM Day to include third, fourth, and fifth graders, broadening the event traditionally aimed at girls in grades 6-12.
4. Morgan State University One thing Prairie View A&M University has said is her name. Sandra Bland. As a 2009 graduate, member of the Sigma Gamma Rho sorority, civil rights activist, and summer school counselor, Bland’s name echoed throughout the university and the Black Lives Matter movement after her death in 2015.
Founded in 1876 as the Alta Vista Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, the second public institution of higher learning in the state initially admitted only men. Recognizing the need for all
allocated to bringing HBCU cybersecurity system upgrades and $50 million going to establish an endowment to offer alternative student loans. With $89 million already distributed to 42 HBCUs across the nation, the initiative has already saved around $1.5 billion in needs-based funding to these colleges and universities and is making strong inroads to helping these institutions meet the new cybersecurity regulations, but more is required if all HBCUs are to be saved. Given the empowering impact HBCUs have on the nation’s Black community and the future promise of a more inclusive America, it is imperative that more companies support the
of the genocide in Palestine is morally repugnant,” Rosell remarked. “It’s not just a policy—it’s an erasure of people, funded by our own taxes.” He further criticized the administration’s failure to empathize with its citizens’ desire for peace, suggesting that this misalignment contributed to Harris’s lack of enthusiasm from some Democratic voters.
Together, McFarlane and his guests dissected the sociopolitical landscape, illustrating how fear-driven narratives affect voter perceptions
Black people to be educated, it soon welcomed women.
PVAMU carries the legacy of inclusivity into its STEM Mobile Road Show. On-board technology allows Prairie View to bring hands-on demonstrations to high schools across the state and enable students to engage in activities. Leaders of the program hope the mobile show will “play a role in exciting and engaging young minds, in particular under-represented minorities, in STEM education.” The university also has a shadowing program where secondary students can sign up to follow a College of Engineering student around for a day to get a feel for what the school’s STEM programs are like.
work the Student Freedom Initiative is doing to ensure these vital higher education schools can continue to educate and inspire future generations.
As Vice President Harris said, “What you learn at an HBCU is you do not have to fit into somebody’s limited perspective on what it means to be young, gifted and Black.” We in the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO) https:// www.nafeonation.org/ stand in strong support of the Student Freedom Initiative. We all should work together to ensure the sustainability of HBCUs in America.
and weaken public trust. The discussion underscored the importance of addressing root causes within both foreign and domestic policies to bridge societal divides. McFarlane’s parting words to listeners were poignant: “We must be co-authors of a future where winning doesn’t require losers.” His sentiment signified a hope for a society built on collaboration rather than competition, an ideal in stark contrast to the fear-based campaigns dominating modern politics.
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to divide communities along racial and ethnic lines. “Fear took the lead,” he explained. “Black people, white people, immigrants—all are being manipulated by fear for political gain.” He recounted Liberia’s complex colonial legacy and how it continues to suffer from the historical influence of Western powers. “Liberia, with all its natural resources,
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ruling vacating BarrientosQuintana’s convictions and ordering his release, state court
is underdeveloped because of Western exploitation,” Harris remarked, pointing out the global influence of systemic racial and economic oppression.
The conversation shifted to the international stage, where Rosell made a compelling case against the U.S.’s foreign policy decisions, particularly in relation to Palestine. He compared the current administration’s support of Israel’s policies to past U.S. support of apartheid in South Africa, underscoring the moral contradictions inherent in America’s global role. “The Biden administration is
Judge John McBride found that Barrientos-Quintana did not receive a fair trial.
facilitating genocide,” Rosell stated firmly. “And this is the same logic we used to justify supporting South Africa’s apartheid system.” He argued that just as it became untenable to support apartheid, the U.S. must re-evaluate its position on Palestine to avoid being complicit in atrocities. McFarlane drew a parallel between U.S. immigration policies and foreign affairs, noting how policies toward Latin American and African nations often revolve around control rather than support. “They love Africa’s resources, but they
don’t like Africans,” he stated. Rosell supported this sentiment, explaining that U.S. policies toward Venezuela and Cuba aim to destabilize these nations to maintain American influence. “Venezuela has the largest reserves of oil in the world,” Rosell explained. “Our policies are not about people—they’re about resources and control.”
The conversation wrapped up with each speaker sharing reflections on what it means to be part of a global society where the struggles of one nation reverberate globally. Harris, in particular, advocated for a return to
diplomatic principles that prioritize humanity. “We must come together to address these injustices—not as separate nations, but as one people,” he said.
McFarlane’s parting words resonated as both a warning and a call to action. “Our organized systemic ignorance allows injustices to continue unchecked,” he said. His message to Minnesota’s diverse community was clear: a commitment to inclusive dialogue and progressive change is necessary to foster a society that values equity over dominance.
In closing, The Conversation illuminated the need for Minnesotans—and Americans at large—to engage deeply with issues of race, fear, and justice. It underscored the power of informed and empathetic dialogue in shaping a future that transcends feardriven politics. As McFarlane put it, “Let’s become co-authors of a world where progress doesn’t come at someone else’s expense.” This episode left listeners with a profound reminder that, while systemic change is challenging, each person has a role in creating a more equitable world.
conviction, however, is a longstanding disqualifier for holding a security clearance – a license to access national security secrets, including documents marked Top Secret. Just being charged criminally can mean denial or loss of clearance too.
Trump also was criminally charged in Georgia state court and the Washington, D.C., federal court in relation to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, and he was criminally charged in federal court in Florida for obstruction of justice and wrongful retention of a trove of highly sensitive documents after his first term ended.
This dilemma is one that I, as a law professor who teaches and writes about secrecy and who earlier in my career handled classified information while working for the U.S. intelligence community and a U.S. Senate committee, would never have expected.
Barrientos-Quintana’s attorney failed to effectively represent him and prosecutors didn’t disclose favorable evidence, Moriarty said. Investigators also used coercive lineup tactics and interrogation tactics, resulting in unreliable eyewitness identifications, she added.
the law has clear answers.
Access because of his elected position
Security footage captured Barrientos-Quintana at a grocery story shortly before the shooting, and the attorney general’s office pointed to phone records not presented at trial that placed him at his
girlfriend’s suburban apartment shortly after the shooting. The Conviction Review Unit determined that he could not have traveled to and from the crime scene in that time. The reviewers also cast blame on police, who showed an old photo of Barrientos-Quintana with a
shaved head to eyewitnesses who had described the suspect as being bald. Security footage showed Barrientos-Quintana had short, dark hair at the time of the shooting.
Barrientos-Quintana last month asked McBride to vacate his conviction based on Ellison’s report. In September,
other kinds of coercion.
Moriarty revealed that Mickelson’s sisters believed Barrientos-Quintana to be innocent and supported his release.
clearance process.
incumbent is running, to have access to classified briefings during the campaign. Although U.S. intelligence officials had planned to do the usual briefings this year despite Trump’s criminal record, Trump refused them. He said he worried that the briefers would leak them and blame him. Now that the election has been decided, reports indicate that Trump will begin receiving intelligence briefings. It is not yet completely clear, but Trump’s election does appear to be pushing aside his numerous criminal cases. In New York state court, the judge is considering whether to dismiss the case in which he has already been convicted. And the Georgia state case may face years of delay. Because of the Justice Department’s long-standing policy against prosecuting a sitting president, special prosecutor Jack Smith is moving to abandon both federal cases and resign in advance of Trump’s threat to fire him.
Normally, Trump wouldn’t get clearance The dilemma is obvious: Trump will lead a national security enterprise that surely would have denied him a security clearance if he had to follow the rules that apply to his former and future subordinates. If someone has a criminal indictment or conviction, or a civil judgment involving fraud, they generally cannot get clearance. Such a court record suggests disrespect for the law, dishonesty and problems following rules, which are integral to protecting classified information. No reasonable background investigator would ignore the staggering evidence against Trump if he were to apply in the normal way. Under the commonly used SMICE rubric, for example, Trump is all red flags. SMICE stands for categories of temptations to put personal interests over one’s obligations to the nation and to protect classified information: sex, Trump
The good news is that
Those answers start with this legal certainty: Presidents get access to classified information because of the office they hold, not because they meet criteria in executive orders and administrative rules. The president technically does not even have a clearance. Practically and legally speaking, the president also sits at the apex of the executive branch’s massive secrecy apparatus. Therefore, because Trump was elected to a second term, he will again have expansive access to classified information and control over it as of noon on Jan. 20, 2025, when his term begins. He will also have control over secrets and clearances available to others. The American electorate made that decision. Before Trump again takes office, his access to classified information is in the hands of the current and outgoing president, Joe Biden. Typically, a sitting president authorizes the major party nominees, including their opponent if the
a security clearance. But those whose jobs involve handling sensitive information must apply for clearance. If their record suggests trustworthiness, they can receive permission to access one or more of the several levels of classified information, including Confidential, Secret and Top Secret.
The president’s broad power
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The US secrecy system Most U.S. government employees and contractors do not have or need
Federal investigators carefully screen applicants for national security positions and security clearances. To assess a candidate’s trustworthiness, investigators interview the candidate, review their application and search databases. Some investigations involve a polygraph of the candidate and interviews of people they know. Once a clearance is granted, investigators continue to monitor clearance holders. Key factors the investigators consider include loyalty to the United States, respect for rules and the rule of law, psychological stability, good judgment and good character in terms of trustworthiness and integrity. Substance abuse, marital infidelity or financial problems can suggest poor judgment and vulnerability to blackmail or
The president oversees the country’s entire national security secrecy system. The president has the authority to read all classified documents, to classify and declassify almost any piece of information and to oversee the security clearance system. There is no other government official who decides whether the president should have access to the nation’s secrets.
The Supreme Court has held that authority over classification and clearances flows in part from the power the Constitution gives the president. In a dangerous international security environment, the president needs to be able to know secret information about foreign threats, communicate confidentially with foreign colleagues and subordinates, and act with what Alexander Hamilton called in the Federalist Papers “secrecy, and dispatch.”
Like the president, members of Congress get access to classified information by virtue of election, not by going through the regular security
Chavis Jr.
Aesthetically It
Black Nativity returns to Penumbra
Penumbra Theatre, 270 North Kent Street Saint Paul, presents Black Nativity, its enduring holiday tradition that celebrates the spirit of the season with Langston Hughes’ lyrical adaptation of the Nativity story. This year’s production is directed by Lou Bellamy, with musical direction by Sanford Moore and the Kingdom Life Church Choir and choreography by Marciano Silva dos Santos. Black Nativity features the return of company performers, including vocalists Greta Oglesby and Dennis Spears, along with narrator Jennifer Whitlock. Audiences will hear favorite gospel songs including “I Wonder As I Wander,” “No Room at the Hotel,” and “Go Tell It On the Mountain,” along with new and familiar music that reflects the joy and tenderness of the season.
Longtime Penumbra collaborator Marciano Silva dos Santos brings powerful dance choreography to the production, and new voices join the Kingdom Life Choir this year.
Founded in 1976, Penumbra honors the emotional, physical, and spiritual power of Black cultural expression to advance racial healing.
Penumbra nurtures Black art, promotes social equity, and inspires creative resiliency.
Once home to playwright August Wilson and standing as Minnesota’s sole Black professional theatre company, Penumbra garners national acclaim with a remarkable portfolio of nearly 200 plays and over 30 premieres, serving 40,000 patrons and 5,000 students annually.
Building upon this 47-year history, the newly evolved Penumbra Center for Racial Healing, situated in the heart of Saint Paul’s Rondo neighborhood, extends its
legacy through fresh artistic endeavors, robust equity and inclusion training, and wellness services.
Lou Bellamy is the founder and Artistic Director Emeritus of Penumbra.
During his forty-year tenure, Penumbra has evolved into one of America’s premier theaters dedicated to dramatic exploration of the African American experience. Under his leadership, Penumbra has grown to be the largest theater of its kind in America and has produced 39 world premieres, including August Wilson’s first professional production.
Penumbra produced more of Wilson’s plays than any other theater in the world.
Bellamy is an OBIE Award-winning director, an accomplished actor, and for 38 years was appointed as Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota in the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance. His directing credits include plays at Arizona Theatre Company, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Penumbra Theatre, Signature Theatre, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, The Cleveland Play House, Indiana Repertory Theatre, The Guthrie Theater, The Kennedy Center, and Hartford Stage Company.
Sanford Moore is the director of the University Gospel Choir. He is the founder, director and arranger for the award-winning vocal jazz ensemble Moore By Four. He and his ensemble have performed and presented workshops and concerts in the U.S., Europe and Japan. He has shared the stage with such notable jazz artists as Bobby McFerrin, Harry Connick Jr., the late Dizzy Gillespie, Carmen McRae, Sarah Vaughn and Joe Williams.
In addition to his work with Moore By Four,
Langston Hughes’ BLACK NATIVITY
Directed by Lou Bellamy
Musical direction by Sanford
Moore is a musical director and arranger for theatrical and choral productions. He was the musical director most recently with Penumbra’s production of Dinah Was, Mixed Blood Theatre’s production of Two Queens One Castle, written by and featuring Jevetta Steele and Hey City Theatre’s production of Smokey Joe’s Café. Other musical direction credits include Fever, a tribute to Peggy Lee featuring Connie Evingson, the Guthrie Theater’s production of Dream on Monkey Mountain (directed by Bill T. Jones), Triumph of Love, As You Like It, and the production of Crowns, in addition to Mixed Blood Theatre’s Black Belts I, II and III, featuring Jevetta Steele. He
with the Kingdom Life Church Choir and friends
is also the creator, together with director Richard T. Thompson and choreographer Garry Q. Lewis, of an original musical review trilogy (Always and Forever, 2-Gether and Living Beauty) with Illusion Theatre. Moore’s choral experience includes work with the Dale Warland Singers, VocalEssence, the Minnesota Chorale, and the Bach Society.
Moore has extensive experience arranging and conducting industrial and business theater productions, as well as writing and producing jingles. He has served as producer, arranger and pianist on various recording projects including Swing Fever, Deck The Halls, I Let a Song Go Out
of My Heart: A Tribute to Duke Ellington, I Have Dreamed, Fever, Some Cats Know, and his first solo recording, My First Love: A Collection of Hymns, Gospels and Spirituals. Originally from Brazil, Marciano Silva dos Santos studied theatre and dance at FAFI, a professional performing arts school in Vitória. His work in Brazil for three dance companies— NegraÔ, Bale da Ilha, and Homem Cia de Danca—earned him international critical acclaim as a dancer and had a profound impact on his artistic trajectory. After being recognized by the American Folklore Society as a “Brazilian folk artist of unique and
exceptional ability,” he moved to Minnesota, where he has worked with TU Dance, Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater, and in Penumbra Theatre’s Black Nativity. He is also the founder of Contempo Physical Dance, a company known for its AfroBrazilian contemporary dance fusion. Marciano is a dance teacher in the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater BFA Actor Training Program and has taught master classes and residencies throughout the United States and Brazil. To learn more about the Penumbra Center of Racial Healing, visit penumbratheatre. org.
The Dakota: Minnesota’s first people
By Teresa Peterson and Walter LaBatte Jr MinnPost
The footprint of the Dakota people, past and present, is evident throughout Minnesota.
Mni Sota Makoce, the land of cloudy waters, has been the homeland of the Dakota for hundreds of years. According to the Bdewakantonwan Dakota creation story, Dakota people and life began in Minnesota, and despite a tumultuous history, they continue to claim this land as their home.
It is difficult to define how Dakota people have shaped the state, when in fact the land itself has shaped the Dakota. The land—its valleys and peaks, its waterways and seasons, all the gifts it has to offer—has influenced the way Dakota have lived, interacted, sustained, and viewed themselves. And despite the environmental degradation that occurred upon European settlement, the relationship between the land and its original people continues today.
By stepping into the Dakota people’s moccasins and following the pathways they have taken across the land through history, you will better understand the original people of Minnesota. You will see how
they have lived in harmony with the land, how their language has named places, and how their movements and migrations, both voluntary and forced, have been significant.
The seven council fires Dakota people are divided up into seven bands or council fires. All are related, share customs and practices, and are easily understood among each other. The far western bands, which use the L-dialect, Lakota, are the Titonwan (Dwellers of the Prairie). The Nakota make up the Ihanktonwan (Dwellers at the End) and Ihanktonwanna (Little Dwellers at the End). They are also located primarily west of Minnesota. The D-dialect Dakota are considered the eastern bands, whose homelands are in Minnesota. They are sometimes called the Santee, from Isanti Mde (Knife Lake), southeast of Mille Lacs. They make up the Sisitonwan (Dwellers of the Fish Ground), Wahpetonwan (Dwellers Among the Leaves), Wahpekute (Shooters Among the Leaves), and the Bdewakantonwan (Dwellers of the Spirit Lake).
The band names are significant because they originally defined the location
of each village or camp. For example, the village of the Bdewakantonwan at one time was located near Mille Lacs. Evidence of Dakotastyled burial mounds is found throughout the Mille Lacs area, typically along forests or waterways, and in places such as Shakopee Road, named after a Bdewakantonwan chief. The Ihanktonwan and Ihanktonwanna bands were named as such due to their place at the ends of the horseshoeshaped camp where the seven bands came together.
The push south Through our oral history and stories, we
understand that the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) who migrated through the passage of the Great Lakes pushed the Dakota further south. In fact, the history of warring between the two tribes is readily available. However, both the Dakota and Anishinaabe oral history and stories also tell of a time between the two tribes that was respectful and friendly. The story of the Big Drum giving continues today, recognized through ceremonies.
The Dakota gifted the drum to the Anishinaabe people and it has been an ongoing symbol of friendship and peace. While both tribes continue to come together in peace and often collaborate on Native issues, the government commemorated and sealed the peace between the historically warring tribes through the 1825 Treaty of Prairie du Chien, defining set boundaries of tribal land. This treaty identifies the peace boundary between the two. Today, the boundary roughly follows Interstate 94.
Gathering news Mni — water Waterways have been important to the Dakota as a means of travel, sustenance, fishing, and swimming; people have always gathered near
water. Cloudy waters identifies the mighty Minnesota River and is namesake to our state.
One Dakota meaning of the Minnesota River is within the place name itself, pronounced Mini–so–tah Wahk–pah: cloudy water (“cloudy” in this context could refer to misty fog, or to turbulence, or to the clear waters reflecting the sky). Different bodies of water have served multiple purposes, including the marshes, ponds, creeks, and lakes that are a source of wild rice. Yearround, springs provide access to water, and oftentimes are locations of winter camps.
And birch bark and dug-out canoes traversing across lakes and up and down rivers enable trade and allow people to meet. Villages gathered around water, including the village of Chief Istahba, or Sleepy Eye, who camped near the Cottonwood River; Cloudman’s village on Bde Maka Ska; and Little Crow’s at Kaposia, which is in South St. Paul. Confluences also have been important; they are where waterways of two separate origins meet together as one. They have synonymously served as gatherings sites of different peoples, but people, all the same. The confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers at Mendota has long been significant to the Dakota people. Oral history identifies it as the origin of the Dakota people themselves and the center of the universe. Mendota, or Bdote, meaning the confluence of two rivers, has been an important site for the Dakota, French fur traders, and American soldiers, including those who built Fort Snelling, the first fort in the area, staking claim to the lands of Minnesota.
Other confluences and springs (including Wakoniya present-day Waconia), while
not quite as widely known, were also marked in earlier history by the Dakota and early French traders, pioneers and Minnesotans. Rightfully, Minnesota is known for its ten thousand lakes. While today Minnesotans utilize the waters for recreation, sport, transportation, irrigation, and industrial uses, the Dakotas’ existence was based upon the gifts the waters had to offer, and the water names identified then continue to be used today.
Moving camp
Primary paths in Dakota history indicate that seasons and the availability of sustenance dictated much of their movements throughout the state. Wild ricing, maple sugaring, and hunting were all reasons for moving camp and have inspired Dakota names, several of which remain as adopted locations of white settlers. These include Canhasan, a sugar camp (today Minnesotans refer to it as Chanhassen), and Kandiyohi, a place where Dakotas fished the buffalo fish and that today is a county in central Minnesota. Additionally, areas identified as the gathering place of particular medicines or foods, including Cansasa Yankadan, a place where they gathered tobacco (red willow) and Uta Pahida (acorns). These particular Dakota place names have not been maintained by Minnesotans but are remembered through Dakota history.
Caring for Mother Earth Designated sites were identified in the language and the Dakota exercised conservation, which has given direction to today’s decision-making and conservation efforts. Dakota
Penumbra
Moore
Choreography by Marciano Silva dos Santos
Seth Eastman
Watercolor on paper depicting Wabasha’s village of Mdewakanton Dakota on the Mississippi River, 650 miles above St. Louis.
Vikings keep putting pressure on opposing QBs without relying as heavily on the blitz
By Dave Campbell AP Pro Football Writer
With the Minnesota Vikings holding a 10-point lead at Tennessee midway through the fourth quarter, Titans quarterback Will Levis lined up in the shotgun formation for a crucial fourth-and-4 play from the Minnesota 43.
Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores ordered six men up on the line, once again threatening to blitz without guaranteeing his team would actually bring it. Sure enough, the linebackers dropped back at the snap, leaving the pass rush for the front four.
Patrick Jones powered past Titans right guard
Peter Skoronski, the 11th overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, and pulled down Levis for a 6-yard loss with 8:32 left to force the turnover on downs and all but seal Sunday’s 23-13 victory that moved Minnesota to 8-2.
The Vikings have been hounding quarterbacks all season, often without any extra help.
“We were just all out there rushing together. Just trying to work off of each other,” said Jones, who had two of the five sacks of Levis, none of which required an extra rusher.
“We were all just playing free out there. Just having fun.”
With Andrew Van Ginkel (eight), Jonathan Greenard (seven) and Jones (seven), the Vikings are on pace to have three players with 10-
plus sacks for only the third time in franchise history. The Purple People Eaters produced three — Alan Page, Gary Larsen and Jim Marshall — in 1968. When the Vikings had a team-record 71 sacks in 1989, Chris Doleman, Keith Millard and Al Noga all reached double digits.
“That group as a whole is really a strength,” coach Kevin O’Connell said.
The addition of Greenard and Van Ginkel in free agency, even while letting fourtime Pro Bowl pick Danielle Hunter leave, has fueled a passrushing renaissance for the Vikings. Flores still calls blitzes at a league-leading rate (36%), according to Sportradar, but the frequency of extra rushers is significantly down from last year (53%).
Regularly removing all of the interior linemen and putting four edge rushers on the front, Flores has found an effective formula for pressure without relying on the blitz. Yet he’s still sending extra rushers often enough — including inside linebackers Blake Cashman and Ivan Pace and safeties Josh Metellus and Harrison Smith — to ensure the opponent is constantly guessing about where the protection is most vulnerable.
“Our guys up front did a great job. First, stopping the run. Second, getting after the quarterback,” Smith said. “That makes it hard, no matter what you know at that point. You’ve got guys trying to put pressure on you all day.”
What’s working The defense against the run, as Smith alluded to, was nearly impenetrable. Titans running back Tony Pollard had his least productive game of the season with nine carries for 15 yards, and the Vikings stopped five running plays for negative yardage.
What needs help The presence of mammoth defensive tackles
Jeffery Simmons and T’Vondre Sweat in Tennessee made running the ball inside difficult, but the Vikings need more production on the ground to
keep their offense on the right track. They averaged a seasonlow 2.48 yards on 33 attempts against the Titans.
Stock up QB Sam Darnold deftly bounced back from a two-game stretch with five interceptions and a lost fumble. Though he was charged with another lost fumble on a toss that was bobbled and dropped by Aaron Jones, Darnold didn’t force any throws that weren’t there and stayed plenty aggressive when he needed to. He ranks fifth in the NFL in touchdown passes, sixth in yards per attempt and 10th in
quarter and running back Ty Chandler — now third on the depth chart — took a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty on punt coverage. Linebacker Brian Asamoah and cornerback Akayleb Evans are in special teams-only roles.
Injury report
Tight end Josh Oliver departed the game with a sprained ankle, putting his availability for the week in question. Oliver’s overall effectiveness has allowed the Vikings to ease T.J.
passer rating.
“It speaks to kind of where he’s at right now. Just really proud of the way he played,” O’Connell said.
Stock down The game at Tennessee marked a low moment for the 2022 draft class that has been a drag on this otherwise well-constructed roster.
Among the five players who remain, right guard Ed Ingram was benched for Dalton Risner, wide receiver Jalen Nailor dropped what would’ve been a 46-yard touchdown pass in the fourth
Randle hits 3 at the buzzer to lift Timberwolves over Booker, Suns with 120-117 win
By Tyler Mason Associated Press
Julius Randle hit a buzzerbeating 3-pointer to cap his 35-point night and lift the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 120-117 win over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday afternoon.
Randle and the Wolves got the ball back with just 2.1 seconds remaining and called a timeout to advance the ball. The ball found Randle, who hit a 24-footer as time expired. Minnesota overcame a season-high 44 points from
Dakot a Dakota From 6
people lived in agreement with the land, its resources, and seasons. Camps were moved for that very reason, in order for the land to repair and refresh itself. Dakota people did not shape the land; they lived in harmony with nature. Today, Dakota people still understand this concept, leaving a gift, often tobacco and a prayer, when taking from the land, acknowledging that relationships, including one with the land, should be handled with reciprocity. A growing conservation movement throughout the world is widely found in Indigenous populations and is embedded within the Dakota people as well, for they end all their prayers with Mitakuye Owasin,” all my relations.
Traveling paths Dakota travelled throughout Minnesota along identified paths and again, some of those names are maintained, with some variations that arose through misunderstandings of speech. For example, present-day Chokio (Cokaya) is translated as the middle or center and located along a Dakota trail. Another example is Wayzata (Waziyata), referring to the north, which references earlier migrations and travels to the northern parts of Minnesota. Other Dakota place names haven’t been maintained by white settlers. They are no longer part of Minnesota culture and language but are maintained
Devin Booker, who needed to carry the offensive load for a Suns team still missing Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal with injuries.
Anthony Edwards added 24 points for Minnesota, most of that coming in the second half. He also picked up a technical foul on the same day he was fined by the league for an obscene gesture he made in Friday’s win over Sacramento. Grayson Allen scored 18 points off the bench for Phoenix, including a few 3-pointers in the fourth quarter.
Takeaways
Suns: Phoenix led by
by Dakota people. A good example is the white rock face that is exposed in St. Paul along the river, which the Dakota call Imniza skadan—small white rock. Why some Dakota names persist and others do not remains to be understood.
The change
Early life among the Dakota, before the influx of settlers, remained fairly peaceable. The Dakota adopted fur-trade goods that made life easier. They shared the land’s resources and knowledge of its uses and locations, continuing to live according to their own set of beliefs, customs, and language. Statehood had not yet emerged, and lands to the west were viewed by many as vast and pristine. However, a period of turmoil in the 1830s can be identified first through the advent of Christian missionaries and soldiers, the westward movement, and the desire for more land for those who were immigrating from the east. One could argue that Christianity killed much of the Dakota culture even though it was the intent of the missionaries to convert and save the Dakota. Yet the language’s survival today is primarily attributed to the missionaries’ work in creating a Dakota languagewriting system. Documents such as the Bible and hymn books were the impetus for creating a dictionary that is still used today: Stephen R. Riggs’s Dakota–English Dictionary
Chief Cloud Man and his village camped at Bde Maka Ska, and this is where some of the first Dakota were exposed to the missionaries and their
as many as 16 points in the first half but let the Wolves hang around after halftime, which eventually cost it in the end. Timberwolves: This was Randle’s best game as a Timberwolf since he was acquired in a blockbuster trade from the Knicks before the season. He was Minnesota’s most consistent scorer all game and capped the night with the winning shot.
Key moment A timeout gave the Timberwolves the ability to advance the ball up the floor and allowed Minnesota to run the out-of-bounds play that
work. The early Presbyterian missions, including those at Lac qui Parle and Hazelwood, proposed drastic changes to the Dakota way of life. Not easily accepted, the introduction to farming contradicted much of the Dakota belief system, gender roles, and the interaction between Dakota people and the land.
Loss of land
As immigration and the westward movement continued, Dakota were forced into treaties, ceding most of their land in exchange for goods, services, and money. While the government fulfilled none of the treaties, the most significant and recognized are those of 1851 and 1858, both of which transferred Minnesota lands to the United States. The Dakota lost all but a ten-mile strip of land on each side of the Minnesota River, and subsequently the northern strip. The people whose way of life was dependent upon hunting, gathering, and a relationship to the land were separated. The Sisitonwan and Wahpetonwan bands were placed on the northwest end of the narrow reservation, while the Wahpekute and Bdewakantonwan bands were placed on the southeast.
Time of exile Failed treaty promises, late annuity payments, poor crops, and confinement to a narrow strip of land were the primary causes of a hostile atmosphere. The US–Dakota War of 1862 was a turning point in Dakota and state history. Unfortunately, it is a source of much of the current prejudice, misunderstanding, and lack of
ended with Randle’s 3.
Key stat Edwards was quiet in the first half for Minnesota, scoring just four points. It was his lowest point total in the first half this season and came when the Timberwolves needed a lift as they trailed by double digits.
Up Next
The Suns host Orlando on Monday, while the Timberwolves play at the Raptors on Thursday. AP NBA: https:// apnews.com/hub/nba
trust between the Dakota people and Minnesotans, the U.S. government and neighbors. A forced march in the winter of 1862, the largest mass-hanging in U.S. history, an internment camp, and, ultimately, the exile of all Dakota people from Minnesota ripped apart the very relationship between land and its people. While some Dakota fled to Canada and into present-day North Dakota before the war ended, those imprisoned in Mankato and at Fort Snelling were shipped to Davenport, Iowa; Crow Creek, South Dakota; and subsequently to Santee, Nebraska. A few Dakota, considered “friendly” during the war, remained in Minnesota and were given individual allotments. Many Dakota remained in outlying states and Canada after the war. But during the 1880s and 1890s many Dakota people, lonesome for home, dared to come back to the land they were so inextricably tied to. Some even purchased their own land. Primary resettlement occurred in presentday Granite Falls, Morton, Prairie Island, and Shakopee. These four Dakota communities were later federally recognized and nominal land bases were returned.
Kill the Indian, save the man After the 1860s, while the “Indian problem” was no longer under the jurisdiction of the Department of War, the Bureau of Indian Affairs within the Department of Interior was charged with assimilating Native people. The boarding school era began in 1879 at the Carlisle Indian Industrial
School, a boarding school in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Its first director, army officer Richard Henry Pratt, coined the phrase, “kill the Indian, save the man.” The Dawes Act of 1887 and the 1956 Indian Relocation Act were both deliberate detriments to the Dakota communal and family way of life. The onceinterdependent roles of and responsibilities to our tiwahe (family), tiospaye (extended family), and oyate (people and nation) within the Dakota community were forever changed. In 1934, the Indian Reorganization Act reestablished minimal land bases and defined a cookie-cutter form of government for tribal groups, including those of the Minnesota Dakota. While its legislation may have had a good intent, it was one that did not resemble the traditional ways of governing and leading. The Boarding School era, which lasted until the 1950s, removed children from their homes. Many never returned home. The Indian Relocation Act placed young adults in urban centers like Minneapolis and St. Paul for the purposes of assimilation.
1960s to today The 1960s were a time of awakening for Dakota and other Native people. Their connection to their homelands and all that is related to it (kinship, history, and language) became the driving force for a period of reclamation. The American Indian Movement (AIM), originating in Minneapolis in 1968, was instrumental in this change. A desire for living in dignity was
asserted, and the 1972 Indian Education Act and the 1975 Self-Determination Act were passed. Many Native Americans wondered where their children had gone, and the 1978 Indian Child Welfare Act was born. The connection to and practice of living in harmony with all living things was reclaimed, and the 1978 Indian Religious Freedom Act was born. Dakota people remembered their mother tongue, and the 1990 Native American Languages Act was born. Within Minnesota today, the four Dakota communities exercise selfgovernance rights and tribal sovereignty. While many are quick to name gaming as a primary outcome of those rights, there exists much more evidence of self-determination and self-governing. This includes: tribal courts; law enforcement; health, education, and social welfare programs; and other economic initiatives. Gaming has been a primary economic engine for many of Minnesota’s tribes. Minnesota Native American gaming began in the early 1980s, and in 1988, with the passage of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, gaming was protected as a mechanism for economic development among Native tribes. In 1850, 84 percent of Minnesota’s population was Native. Today it’s less than 1 percent. Take the time to learn about the first peoples of Minnesota. Mni Sota Makoce is and remains the homeland of the Dakota. For more information on this topic, check out the original entry on MNopedia.
AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) shoots against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Minneapolis.
AP Photo/George Walker IV
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) breaks up a pass intended for Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley (0) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn.
The
Education
Education – HBCU expanding medical schools in professional development
Reposted from New York Carib News
For many years, Black medical practitioners have been trained and empowered by Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). By providing a solid academic basis, encouraging surroundings, and opportunities for practical experience, HBCU medical schools are crucial in reducing healthcare inequalities and broadening the medical community. This article lists some of the nation’s best HBCU medical schools, which are well-known for their resources, academic prowess, and dedication to helping marginalized populations.
One of the most prominent HBCU medical schools is Howard University College of Medicine, which is situated in Washington, D.C. It was established in 1868 and has a long history of educating African American scholars, doctors, and other medical professionals. With a major emphasis on helping underprivileged areas, the institution provides programs in medicine, surgery, and research.
A significant number of Black
Trump
From 5
money, ideology, crime and contraband, and ego.
First, sex: There is extensive evidence that Trump committed sexual misconduct. Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts resulted from prosecutors at trial convincing the jury of what Trump continues to deny: his participation in a conspiracy to falsify business records to facilitate hush money payments to a porn star with whom Trump had sex in 2008 while he was married and his wife was pregnant. Even marital infidelity on its own can endanger a clearance, because it suggests disloyalty and deception. It creates a dirty secret, creating
physicians who specialize in general care, surgery, and public health are among the medical specialties that Howard is renowned for generating. Students get access to beneficial clinical training opportunities thanks to Howard’s connections with nearby hospitals and research facilities.
Founded in 1876, Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, is still a popular choice for students pursuing a career in healthcare, especially those who are enthusiastic about helping underprivileged communities. In addition to providing medical, dental, and public health initiatives, Meharry is also known for its work tackling health inequalities in rural and African American communities. By emphasizing compassionate care in its curriculum, Meharry prepares students to function successfully in underprivileged communities. In order to give students practical learning experiences, the institution also maintains a number of agreements with medical facilities across the nation.
The Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM),
a risk of blackmail. The public record contains considerable evidence of Trump’s misconduct and infidelity. In recent civil cases, the writer E. Jean Carroll won judgments against Trump for sexually assaulting her in the 1980s and making knowing harmful false statements about it. There are other credible allegations, as well. In 2005, Trump bragged on tape about his sexual assaults, saying that he will “just start kissing” women without consent, and that “when you are famous they let you do anything.” Second, one of the most common reasons for clearance denial or suspension is credit card debt or other financial problems. They create a motive for taking bribes or doing business deals in exchange for leaking secrets or other disloyalty.
Trump’s businesses
established in 1975 in Atlanta, Georgia, has rapidly emerged as one of the top HBCU medical schools. Morehouse is committed to expanding the number of primary care physicians and enhancing access to healthcare in underserved areas, especially in the Southeast. Morehouse is known for its dedication to community service, advocacy, and public health, and its primary care focus is in line with its goal of improving public health outcomes. Morehouse offers programs in medicine, biomedical sciences, and public health. Los Angeles, California’s Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science stands apart among HBCU medical schools due to its West Coast location. In order to solve the problem of healthcare access in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, Charles R. Drew University (CDU) was established in 1966. Since then, it has expanded to include courses in nursing, medicine, and health sciences. CDU is well-known for emphasizing social justice and minimizing health inequalities.
have recorded six bankruptcies. A US$450 million fraud judgment from February 2024 has put Trump’s finances in jeopardy. There is credible evidence that his business finances have been linked with foreign governments, particularly Russia. Third, there is abundant evidence that Trump is a political extremist. Trump told a violent militia before the 2020 election to “stand back and stand by.” The U.S. House Jan. 6 committee found in 2022 that Trump was part of a “multipart conspiracy” to overturn the lawful results of the 2020 presidential election, an effort that included the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol spearheaded by that same militia, the Proud Boys. Even Trump’s own White House chief of staff chairman of the joint chiefs of staff and secretary of defense
In collaboration with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), it offers a Doctor of Medicine program that gives students a combination of top-notch medical education with a community focus.
Xavier University of Louisiana’s College of Pharmacy is recognized as one of the top HBCU pharmacy programs in the nation, despite the fact that it lacks a medical school. Located in New Orleans, Louisiana, Xavier’s College of Pharmacy has a reputation for generating the biggest number of African American pharmacists in the U.S. It has long been known for its dedication to resolving health inequities, academic rigor, and strong emphasis on service. One of only two pharmacy schools in Louisiana, Xavier was named the leading source of Black physicians in 2015. Graduates of Xavier frequently work in public health, clinical practice, and research, significantly influencing healthcare nationwide.
As was already mentioned, Howard is one of the best medical schools in the country. But according
have warned that Trump fits the definition of a fascist, meaning he is a violent authoritarian and a threat to democracy. On contraband, the Justice Department presented overwhelming evidence that Trump knowingly retained thousands of pages of classified documents after the end of his term in office – at which point his authority to have them expired – and opposed lawful government efforts to retrieve them. That case was later dismissed for other reasons.
Finally, ego: The public record is awash with testimonials from people who have worked closely with Trump that he is a narcissist. Although that kind of mental health assessment can be problematic for nonprofessionals to make without a formal assessment, the common claim here is that Trump has a grandiose sense
to statistics, the majority of Black medical school graduates come from Xavier University in New Orleans.
How a school with barely 3,000 students can produce more Black physicians than any other institution in the United States, public or private, was once a mystery to some. The manner it distinguishes itself from other medical schools holds the solution.
Norman Francis, the school’s head for almost 50 years, spoke about his resolve to prevent Xavier from using the “weeding out” methods used by other pre-med programs after the school was recently highlighted in a well-known publication for its medical enrollment. He didn’t want his pupils to be in competition with one another. Rather, pupils who were more prepared than their classmates would assist others who had arrived rather late in catching up.
In order to ensure that as many of their students as possible survive and maintain their medical aspirations, peer-to-peer learning and paternalistic program counselors are quite helpful.
In the context of
of self-importance. Critics, including former colleagues, say he expects special treatment, avoids accountability and is so self-absorbed that he cannot act responsibly or with appropriate empathy.
For all of these reasons, there is no question: If he were treated like anyone else, Trump would never get clearance.
But the voters have decided to restore Trump to the White House and in the process again invest him with the central role in the government’s massive secrecy apparatus. That was their choice. It was an unusually informed one, too, thanks to the various court cases and other evidence in the public record. Appropriately, the Biden administration has respected the electorate’s judgment by moving to provide
during this
American healthcare, HBCU medical schools have a special place. They are vital avenues for boosting diversity in medicine in addition to being hubs of academic brilliance. These institutions offer a supportive setting that fosters the growth of Black healthcare professionals and highlights the value of working with underrepresented and underprivileged populations. These institutions’ dedication to education and social impact is demonstrated by their significant emphasis on primary care, public health, and minimizing health inequities. More than ever, HBCU medical schools play a crucial role in preparing the next generation of diverse healthcare professionals. These institutions are influencing the direction of medicine with their unwavering dedication to healthcare fairness, diversity, and community involvement. In addition to becoming physicians, dentists, pharmacists, and public health officials, the alumni of these prestigious institutions are actively attempting to close the healthcare access gap in the areas where it is most needed.
presidential transition period. This is a revised and updated version of an article originally published July 9, 2024. Dakota Rudesill is registered to vote in the primaries as a Democrat. During his life, he has voted for -- and at various points has also made campaign contributions to and/or worked for -- Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. Also, while in government service Prof. Rudesill held a high-level security clearance. In his professional work as a legal academic, he focuses on nonpartisan constitutional, civic, and professional ethics values. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.
By W.D. Foster-Graham Book Review Editor
CHOOSING TO BELONG:
A Memoir of Faith, Identity, Healing, and Learning to Love Myself
By Dr. Naomi Rae Taylor
“Without a test, there is no testimony.”
We have known about generational curses, and many of us have lived with the legacy of a generational curse. It takes strength to break the conspiracy of silence, bring it out into the open, and break the curse going forward. These stories need to be shared as inspiration from one who not only survived, but broke the curse. Such is the testimony of Dr. Naomi Rae Taylor’s memoir Choosing to Belong: A Memoir of Faith, Identity, Healing, and Learning to Love Myself.
As a biracial woman born to a White teen mother in the poorest section of St. Paul, Taylor shares the history of the generational curse of her mother’s family, one of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse of the women, from her grandmother (who dealt with abuse in the form of denial), to her mother (who suffered from mental health issues and resorted to prostitution) to herself (experiencing sexual abuse as a child and later becoming, like her mother, a single mother at the age of 15).
Growing up in survival mode, Taylor also dealt with self-esteem issues, identity issues, and an absence of belonging. Her mother told her that her father was Mexican, and the one place she felt love
and nurturing was with her tias, especially her godmother Tia Violeta. Her mother, due to her own issues, kept her away from them except during her incarceration. She wanted to be part of Mexican and later Black culture, to have that sense of belonging somewhere when it came to her and her younger sister.
Through this childhood, there would be glimpses of hope. Her prayers to God were there in her darkest hours. People like Tia Violeta, her friend Imani, and the educators who encouraged her to pursue college and a teaching career reminded her that her past did not define her.
The road wasn’t easy, and healing from those wounds takes time. Abusers use fear, intimidation, and the victim’s guilt and shame to control them and perpetuate the conspiracy of silence. Indeed, Taylor questioned why the ones who were supposed to protect and support her did nothing to stop
the abuse, instead choosing to live in denial that it happened, to the point where it required persons outside the family to take action.
Through it all, Taylor has broken the curse. As a teen mother of two children, she graduated from high school with honors. She now has a doctorate in educational leadership and is an educator and advocate for social justice. The founder of Pleasant Spirit Consulting, she builds bridges. In her words, she is “an accomplished educator, adept at teaching both children and adults, while also excelling as a facilitator, guiding adults in their personal development.”
And let us remember the allimportant key to her success— her faith journey.
Choosing to Belong is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and AuthorHouse.
Thank you, Naomi, for sharing your strength, resilience, faith, hope, and your victory with us.
Insight 2 Health
An early intervention for kids with mental health needs
By Andy Steiner MinnPost
For 20 years, Clara’s House, a behavioral health program based in St. Cloud, has been a place of respite for children ages 5-18 who struggle with mental health concerns. In recent years, the CentraCare-run facility, a partial-hospitalization program — with intensive, day-long therapy combined with school instruction to keep young participants on track academically — has been fielding an increasing number of requests from parents and care providers searching for mental health care for toddlers and preschool-age children.
Barbara SkodjeMack, CentraCare director of child and adolescent behavioral health, chalked some of this increase up to a growing cultural awareness and treatment of mental illness in even the very youngest children. “We have integrated behavioral health therapists in our primary care settings now,” she said.
When a parent brings their child to the pediatrician for a routine visit, Skodje-Mack explained, young patients are regularly screened for mental health concerns. This approach is uncovering mental health issues in young children, she added: “We are seeing greater demand for early-intervention services, which is great. Just like any other medical condition, the sooner we can spot a mental health issue and provide therapy, the better the outcome for the parent and the child.”
While the growing presence of behavioral health providers in pediatric clinics leads to more mental health diagnoses in children, a more accepting attitude about mental illness and its impact also plays a role in the growing interest in programs like Clara’s
House, Skodje-Mack said. “Our society is recognizing and talking about mental health and trauma and taking care of our mental wellness much more than we did in the past. We are also paying attention to and understanding early brain development, how significant traumatic experiences can be in the first five years of life and how those experiences build core brain development. This shift increases interest in our services.”
In response to this growing need, Clara’s House administrators made plans to expand their offerings to include mental health services for children as young as 3 years old. The CentraCare foundation raised the funds needed to add a 5,785 squarefoot early-childhood unit to the program’s existing building. The addition includes space for two group rooms, psychiatry services, psychological testing and art and recreational therapy, as well as occupational and family therapy. Construction is nearly complete, with a grand opening scheduled for Jan. 27. While there are already a variety of agencies in the state that provide mental health services to children ages 0-5, Skojde-Mack said Clara’s House will be “the first in the Midwest to have a partial hospitalization program for these earliest ages.”
Jeffrey Reed, a psychotherapist who has worked at Clara’s House for eight years, said early intervention is key to the successful treatment of mental illness in children.
“The earlier we are able to intervene the better,” Reed said. “At these young ages, critical brain development and attachment are happening. If we can get to mental health issues sooner, we’re more likely to be able to
help family systems understand the significance of these issues and change their path.” In the years leading up to the early childhood expansion, Clara’s House has been enrolling what Reed describes as “some very fresh 5-year-olds” or “kids at the very tail end of what we generally accept here.” Even though these participants seem young, Reed said he and many of his colleagues wish they would’ve been able to intervene even sooner. “We can see we’ve waited too long, that many of these issues have been going on for some time,” he said. Much of this has to do with limited availability of mental health care options for young children. “Parents were waiting a long time to get this kind of intensive care,” he said. Though staff could see that they needed support, Reed said some of those fresh 5-yearolds struggled to find a place in programming designed for older children. “They have been hard to manage,” Reed said. “It felt like our program wasn’t equipped with the right space and the right interventions for
may be a symptom of a larger developmental concern. “We are able to do early psychological testing to assess whether there are learning needs or neurodiversity needs,” she said.
Exhibiting intense, negative behaviors may be a young child’s only way of expressing their emotions around formative negative experiences, Reed said. “When a young person has experienced scary life events repeatedly, it causes a hypersensitivity to stress. Maybe something small, like having to transition from one setting to another, creates a very large amount of hyperarousal for a child.”
them.” The new early-childhood addition is designed to better meet the developmental needs of these young participants, he said: “The way the program will work with the right equipment and interventions for their age group will be excellent.”
What brings kids in What kinds of behavioral issues inspire parents and pediatricians to seek mental health care for very young children? To the untrained eye, some issues may appear to fall under the category of “normal” toddler or preschool behavior, Skodje-Mack said, but are actually more intense and difficult for parents and other caregivers to address.
“Sometimes, we will have situations where the parents are reporting their child isn’t sleeping well, is refusing to eat, is having frequent and intense tantrums,” Skodje-Mack said. In many children, she added, “Tantrums are normal, but these would be intense tantrums or negative behaviors that are interfering with daily activities. Some kids are being told they can’t come back to childcare settings due to their behaviors and uncontrolled emotions.” Reed said he and his Clara’s House colleagues see a range of behavioral concerns, including “hitting, kicking, elopement, biting, being destructive in terms of throwing objects around the room and damaging property.” Some young children even exhibit suicidal statements and selfinjurious behavior. Sometimes the youngest children exhibit the most intense symptoms, he added. “We’ve got our hands full with some of those younger students,” he said. Behavioral health symptoms in young children often are a reaction to early traumas they have witnessed in their households, Skodje-Mack said. Other times, the behaviors
Typical diagnoses for Clara’s House participants include, Reed said, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, depression and anxiety disorders. Because young children lack the vocabulary to clearly explain how they are feeling, their mental health symptoms may present in ways that feel confusing to adults, Skodje-Mack said.
“Sometimes people think of these symptoms as behavior outbursts or tantrums,” she said. “If we look a little deeper we might see that the root of that anxiety might be about the family system and the dynamics in their home.”
While many Clara’s House participants come from intact middle-class families, Reed said that others come from households that are experiencing financial upheaval and personal struggles. In those cases, adult stressors can trickle down to the youngest family members.
“We see a lot of single parents that are struggling emotionally and financially,” Reed said. “They lack support. In my experience of being a child therapist, one of the largest underpinning reasons for these kids to be struggling is a struggle in the family system.”
In acknowledgement of the key role parents and other caregivers play in supporting the mental health of children, Clara’s House requires parents to attend regular therapy sessions with their children.
“There are family sessions both with the child and without the child,” Skodje-Mack said. The child-free sessions focus on “providing parenting skills education and advice for raising young children in an emotionally healthy manner. These are skills that have a long-lasting impact.”
A place of respite
Clara’s House programming is intense and tightly scheduled, SkodjeMack said. Children come to
the program every weekday for as long as six weeks, and children in the early childhood program may participate for as long as 12 weeks: “They don’t stay overnight. They go home to their families, but it is much more intensive than seeing a therapist once a week.” For older children, school classes are included, as well as a variety of therapy modalities, including individual therapy, group therapy, recreational therapy and family therapy. The self-contained facility was designed to put young participants at ease. “We have a really great space that feels comfortable,” SkodjeMack said. “It doesn’t feel like a hospital.” In the new early-childhood wing, she explained, “We have two group rooms that are set up for kids to be in. They look like a childcare setting. The therapy isn’t like therapy for adults. It is engaging and play-based.” Clara’s House is small by design, and the earlychildhood program will be no different, Skodje- Mack said. “We are planning to have five to six kids in each group room for a total of 12 as a cohort,” she said. Reed said Clara’s House’s personal, focused approach to therapy helps young participants achieve their mental health goals in a relatively short period of time. “The [older] kids are here in place of school,” he said. “You get to connect with them on so much more of a deeper level. That’s what’s neat about the work: We really get to know our patients. We really make an impact on them in a positive way.” While an intense, multiweek program focused on mental health may sound exhausting, Reed said most children who spend time at Clara’s House find the experience relaxing and freeing — a safe, hopeful space where they can process their feelings and emotions without judgment.
“It’s a breath of fresh air,” he said. “When they are with us, these kids feel like they are on a bit of a vacation. I don’t mean to say we shower them with prizes and luxury, but we do shower them with praise. We give them a lot of reinforcement, reassurance and validation. By the end, they seldom want to leave. They just love it here.”
Andy Steiner Andy Steiner is a Twin Cities-based writer and editor. Before becoming a fulltime freelancer, she worked as senior editor at Utne Reader and editor of the Minnesota Women’s Press. Email her at asteiner@minnpost.com.
Courtesy of Clara’s House The CentraCare foundation raised the funds needed
Yadessa Tola
You know who’s been good this year? You. So this holiday season, don’t just give and give and give. Treat yourself! With holiday scratch games from the Minnesota Lottery.
