Statewide newspaper, radio ad campaign encourages African Americans to vote in record numbers The ads connect the fight for Black lives this summer to the fight for Black dreams at the ballot box this week A statewide push seeks to deliver increased turnout by African American voters across Minnesota with ads in newspapers across the state and on targeted radio stations. The ads are part of work by the Barbershops and Black Congregation Cooperative (BBCC) and highlight how Black Minnesotans are the most politically active and engaged group of Black people in the United States. “BBCC has already had thousands of conversations with Black Minnesotans across the metro this election season. We are hearing lots of the same things, ‘we’re ready for real change and I’m ready to make it happen’,” said Brian Fullman, lead organizer of BBCC. “We’re excited to be able to have these conversations with people on the phones, face-toface, through texts, and now, over radio waves and in their newspapers.” The newspaper ads appeared in Rochester, St. Cloud, Minneapolis and St. Paul, with radio ads in the metro area. All the ads are part of a nation-wide push by a coalition of groups called the Black Popular Front working to heighten the awareness of the power of the “Black vote” and the political engagement of Black people through their brand “Deliver Black Dreams.” “For too long, we’ve talked about how much power there is in voting, but we don’t show people the receipts,” said JaNaé Bates, co-lead of Black Popular Front national and communications director of Faith in Minnesota. “It is hard to
conceptualize how important a single individual’s vote is, when millions of people are casting ballots. But when you can show how the sheer number of Black voters have been determining every election in Minnesota since 2012, we can start to have a real conversation about how we want to wield that power to get all we need for our families and community.” Faith in Minnesota also convened Minnesotans of different faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds at the Cedar Cultural Center to have a phone bank party and celebration - encouraging their friends, family and neighbors to go out and vote. Faith in Minnesota said despite several attacks on Somali, Muslims and immigrant Minnesotans In recent weeks, the will not let the few silence the many. The Oct. 7 event was held outdoors with social distancing and mask wearing required. “In Minnesota, we know that we are better off together and that all of us, no matter where we come from or how we pray, want our communities to thrive and our voices to be heard. Overcoming tremendous challenges, Somali Minnesotans bravely moved to Minnesota with their families and have helped make this state vibrant.,” Faith in Minnesota said in a press statement. “The recent comments by President Donald Trump and others, singling out and attacking Somali and Muslim Minnesotans, are used to try to divide all Minnesotans, distract us, and keep us from doing what we do best - care for one another.”
Two hundred Minnesotans across race and region came together at the state Capitol in late September to declare that We Make Minnesota in a physically distanced, but socially connected march, rally and voter fair. They chanted for a vision of Minnesota that they know is possible - one that includes things like quality and fully funded healthcare, childcare, and education, clean air, water and land for future generations to come, as well as safe communities with livable wages, paid time to care for one another, and freedom from police brutality.
Betty McCullom
Ilhan Omar
Tina Smith
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris
Bobby Joe Champion
Rena Moran
Esther Agbaje
Kerryjo Felder
We endorse the DFL field of candidates Insight News endorses democrats up and down the ballot for this week’s general election. Our endorsement reflects our belief that the party’s ability to invite conservative, centrist, and progressive democrats to singlemindedly focus on removing Donald Trump, an existential threat to American values and aspirations, simultaneously paves the way for an new era of
healing and prosperity through visionary leadership. Our edorsement includes. President/Vice-President: • Joe Biden/Kamala Harris US Senate: • Tina Smith US House of Representative: • Betty McCullom CD4 • Ilhan Omar CD 5
• Dean Phillips CD3 • Angie Craig CD2 • Dan Feehan CD1 MN State Senate: • Ron Latz SD 46 • Melisa Franzen SD 49 • Sahra Odowa SD 55 • Bobby J. Champion SD 59 • Kari Dziedzic SD 60 • Scott Dibble SD 61 • Omar Fateh SD 62 • Patricia Torres Ray SD 63
• Erin Murphy SD 64 • Sandy Pappas SD 65 • Foung Hawj SD 67 MN House of Representatives: • Leroy McClelland HD 23B • Melissa Hortman HD 36B • Amir Malik HD 37B • Samantha Vang HD 40B • Cedrick Frazier HD 45A • Ruth Richardson HD 52B • Tou Xiong 53A • Fue Lee 59A
• • • • • • • • • • • •
Esther Agbaje 59B Mohamud Noor 60B Frank Hornstein 61A Jamie Long 61B Hodan Hassan 62A Aisha Gomez 62B Jim Davnie 63A Kaoly Her 64A Rita Moran 65A Carlos Mariani 65B John Lesch 66B John Thompson 67A
• Jay Xiong 67B Hennepin County Board: • De’Vonna Pittman Dist. 1 Mound Mayor • Sherrie Pugh Maple Grove City Council • Shirlynn LaChapelle Minneapolis school board • Kerryjo Felder Dist. 2
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Insight News • November 2, 2020 - November 2, 2020 • Page 3 WINNER: 2020 T YPOGRAPHY & DESIGN, 1ST PLACE, PHOTOGRAPHY (PORTRAIT & PERSONALIT Y), 1ST PLACE, WEBSITE, 3RD PLACE
Insight News November 2, 2020 - November 8, 2020
Vol. 47 No. 44• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com
Brilliant minds magnified by staunch Islamic spiritual connection
The Golden King By Brenda Lyle-Gray, Columnist
In 1829, 19-year-old poet laureate Alfred Lord Tennyson won a Cambridge University Chancellor’s Medal for his poem, “Timbuctoo”. The subject of this literary piece hinted at the beginnings of European colonization of the interior of Africa, but not of an impending genocide. Then I rais’d My voice and cried, ‘Wide Africa, doth thy Sun Lighten, thy hills enfold a City as fair As those which starr’d the night o’ the elder World? Or is the rumor of thy Timbuctoo A dream as frail as those of ancient Time?’
On Friday, May 29, former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin, 44, was arrested for the killing of George Floyd. He is charged with second degree murder and second degree manslaughter.
Court sustains eight of out nine total charges against defendants in murder of George Floyd
Attorney General Ellison: Ruling in Floyd case ‘important, positive step forward in the path toward justice’ Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill has dismissed one of the charges –third degree murderagainst former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. On May 25, Chauvin knelt on the neck of George Floyd for nearly eight minutes, resulting in Floyd’s death. Chauvin, is being charged with second degree murder and second-degree manslaughter along with former officers J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao who are charged with second degree murder and adding and abetting second degree manslaughter. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison released
the following statement today upon the ruling of Hennepin County District Court to sustain eight of the nine total charges against the four defendants in the death of George Floyd: “The court has sustained eight out of nine charges against the defendants in the murder of George Floyd, including the most serious charges against all four defendants. This means that all four defendants will stand trial for murder and manslaughter, both in the second degree. This is an important, positive step forward in the path toward justice for George Floyd, his
family, our community, and Minnesota. We look forward to presenting the prosecution’s case to a jury in Hennepin County. “The court’s decision to dismiss just one of the lesser charges against just one of the defendants — while leaving intact all the charges against the other three defendants — is based on how appellate courts have interpreted the statute in question. We are considering our options in light of the court’s strong order on the remaining charges.” The following charges against the following defendants were sustained:
Derek Chauvin: Second-degree murder, second-degree manslaughter J. Alexander Kueng: Aiding and abetting second-degree murder, aiding and abetting seconddegree manslaughter Thomas Lane: Aiding and abetting second-degree murder, aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter Tou Thao: Aiding and abetting second-degree murder, aiding and abetting seconddegree manslaughter
I would soon learn as a graduate student that ancient times in West Africa were far from a ‘frail dream’ . . . that, yes, in the 14th and 15th centuries, the mud architectural wonders . . . the masterfully-built mosques and universities of this Islamic fortress . . . were quite real; that thousands of Arabic manuscripts had been written and preserved by brilliant minds and magnified by their staunch Islamic spiritual connection; and the Benin golden sculptures are still considered among the w o r l d ’ s greatest artistic treasures. Mansa Musa I If someone would have told me when I was 5 years old and becoming a revolutionary even then that the richest man (an estimated wealth of $400 billion dollars) to ever walk the face of the earth was royalty who looked like me, I probably would have been arrogant and far more defiant than I already was. It wasn’t time. There were other things I had been assigned to do first . . . a number of burning stones I had to tip toe across before the heartache and uncertainty of life’s trials would lessen. Perhaps in my winter season, there would be a little light bearing success, paying-it-forward opportunities, love, joy, and laughter before my earthly encore performance ended and the curtains gradually came down. I wasn’t to learn what I believed to be a plausible (inmy-opinion) answer to black America’s forever oppressed fate until I started researching and writing for “Insight News”. T’Challa – Mansa Musa I – Timbuktu – Africa. That was it . . . the history many ‘red’ states had long taken out of their curriculums . . . antiquity many black baby boomers never knew because most of our parents didn’t know. I’m assuming this was why later in life I would earn LYLE-GRAY 4
$1.9 billion bonding bill invests in communities throughout Minnesota
Governor Walz signs jobs and projects plan into law At the Ironworkers Local 512 Training Center in St. Paul, Governor Tim Walz signed the $1.9 billion Local Jobs and Projects Plan that will invest in construction and renovation projects across the state and create thousands of jobs for Minnesotans. The bill received overwhelming bipartisan support in the Minnesota House and Senate. “Our Local Jobs and Projects Plan will create thousands of good-paying jobs at a time when Minnesotans are looking for work,” said Walz. “This bipartisan plan invests in the projects that local communities told us matter most to them. Whether that’s roads
and bridges, clean water, or affordable housing, this plan will help ensure every community in Minnesota prospers.” “This historic bonding bill includes investments that will help build stronger, safer, and more equitable communities across the state. When we listen to, partner with, and invest in communities, we get better results. I’m grateful to the community leaders and legislative partners who worked with us to get this done, including $30 million dedicated to BIPOC communities,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. “These projects reflect our commitment to the world-class educational
Data shows African Americans have increasing cultural, economic and political influence Minnesota Governor Tim Walz institutions, affordable housing, and safe infrastructure that make
WALZ SIGNS 4
Afrodescendientes - Hispanic Heritage Month 2020
El Nuevo Normal – The New Norm Afrodescendientes
By Carmen Robles COVID-19 is a global viral pandemic hoovering over the
world. The silent invisible killer lurking in every human’s droplet. 2020 has left its indelible mark on each human being on this beautiful marble we call Earth, including me. Like most folks I have been in a slump lately. Social distancing’s destruction of the foundation in community engagement was taking a toll on my syce. A friend defined slump as a ‘state of strategic
adjustment’ helping me to turn my lemons into lemonade. I began to look at community engagement in a different light. The light of technology. I entered this new norm kicking and screaming all the way. Longing for the days of human interaction. Six months in I understood the term ‘necessity is the mother of invention’. It was time to go with the flow. To adapt. To
News
Why the 2020 vote matters more than ever to African Americans
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modify outreach techniques and to bring in the experts. Al McFarlane of Insight News/Conversations with Al McFarlane led the way in my approach to this new normal through the ingenuity and creativity of media. Guiding me through the overwhelming transition into the world of social media platforms, making
EL NUEVO 4
Black influence on the economy and pop culture continues to drive not only significant moments in history, but drive change across industries and digital platforms. From video streaming, radio listenership and podcasting to buying Black and staying connected to social movements through social media, African Americans are leading the conversation with an unprecedented impact on brands, policies and what the country watches, buys and listens to. “African Americans are calling out systemic racism while at the same time creating opportunities for growth across social platforms and businesses with various levels of innovation,” said Cheryl Grace, Senior Vice President
of Consumer Insights and Engagement, Nielsen. “African Americans have historically navigated these imperfect structures— but this current global reckoning brought on by a unique confluence of moments, proves the power of the Black community and its incredible influence.” Grace is also the founder of Nielsen’s Diverse Intelligence Series of annual reports about U.S. multicultural communities. Key findings from “The Power of the Black Community – From Moment to Movement,” the 10th annual report in Nielsen’s Diverse Intelligence Series on African American consumers, report include:
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I2H
Breast cancer survival rates underscore importance of regular screening
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New Kwanzaa Stamp available at USPS The U.S. Postal Service continues to celebrate Kwanzaa, which honors the values and beliefs around African American heritage, by dedicating a new Kwanzaa stamp. News of this Forever Stamp is being shared with hashtag #KwanzaaStamps. “This new Kwanzaa stamp captures the essence of the African American cultural celebration. The stamp depicts the profile of a reflective woman with a kinara, or candleholder, with seven lit candles in front of her,” said USPS Regional Processing Operations Eastern Vice President Dane Coleman, the dedicating official. “The stamp, which was hand-sketched and digitally colored, evokes a sense of inner peace with its cool tones and vibrant design elements to give a festive feel to
Walz signs From 3 Minnesota one of the best places to live, work, and raise a family.” The $1.87 billion bonding bill will help pay for
the celebration of Kwanzaa.” The stamp is available nationwide now. A virtual dedication ceremony will be posted on the Postal Service’s Facebook and Twitter pages. The event includes remarks from Coleman and Linda Hazel Humes, adjunct assistant professor, Africana Studies Department, John Jay College; and music by Sanga of the Valley. Kwanzaa takes place over seven days annually from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, bringing family, community and culture together for many. Each year, millions of African Americans gather with friends and family throughout Kwanzaa week to honor the Pan-African holiday’s seven founding principles — unity (umoja), self-determination
(kujichagulia), collective work and responsibility (ujima), cooperative economics (ujamaa), purpose (nia), creativity (kuumba) and faith (imani). Each day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of these seven principles, collectively known as the Nguzo Saba. Kwanzaa was created in 1966, drawing on a variety of African traditions, deriving its name from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza,” meaning “first fruits.” Kwanzaa is a festive time for rejoicing in the prospect of health, prosperity and good luck in the coming year. It is also a time for contemplation and recollection of past hardships, faced by individuals and communities, and the ways history can inform and impact future happiness.
Art director Antonio Alcala designed the stamp, and Andrea Pippins was the illustrator.
The Kwanzaa stamp is being issued as a Forever Stamp in a pane of 20. Forever stamps will always be equal in value
to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.
hundreds of infrastructure projects that will bring longterm benefits to communities across the state, including: $627 million for transportation infrastructure, including local roads and bridges $269 million for water infrastructure projects
$166 million for the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State $116 million for safe and affordable housing The bill also includes tax cuts for farmers and small businesses, funding to allow the Willow River and Togo correctional facilities to
remain open, and temporary pay increases for personal care assistants who care for vulnerable Minnesotans. In addition to being the largest bonding package passed in Minnesota history, the Local Jobs and Projects Plan was built with unprecedented public input.
For the first time, Minnesotans had the opportunity to comment on all bonding projects submitted for consideration. Walz and Flanagan also embarked on the first-ever Governor’s bonding tour to visit local projects across the state. A full list of projects included
in the bill is available here. Walz also signed SF 27 into law, providing additional eligibility flexibility to the Farm Loan Origination Fee Grant Program, and HF 15, allowing notary services to be performed remotely through a teleconference.
an unprecedented time of the unknown. Evidence of the importance of collaborations. Throughout the challenges of shutdowns, selfisolation, social distancing, face coverings community engagement has evolved into a remote form of community partner exchange. Conducting community engagement activities remotely, es el nuevo normal (the new norm.)
SOBERING FACTS: A 2017 report from CDC states: *The largest percentage increase in overdose death rates involving synthetic opioids was in Hispanics aged 45–54 years (433%; from 1.5 to 8.0). *The largest percentage increase in synthetic opioid–involved overdose death rates (379%; from 1.4 to 6.7) occurred among Hispanics aged
25–34 years. *Among Hispanics, the percentage of opioidinvolved overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids ranged from 47.9% in medium/ small metro areas to 67.2% in large fringe metro areas. “The fight is never about grapes or lettuce. It is always about people.” Cesar Chavez
photo/Postaltimes.com
El Nuevo From 3 it a fun and exciting adventure. Helping to launch my own social media platform Carmen Robles and Associates LLC Aqui se Habla Espanol (Spanish spoken here) featuring Dr. Hector Colon-Rivera ‘Entre Pacientes’ (Between Patients) communitybased Q&A video segments. What began as a grassroots campaign has taken roots. The September 26, 2019 Latino focused opioid conference sponsored by the MN Department of Human Services and The Opioid Response Network, brought together an elite team of professionals and a diverse group of individuals committed to the mission of eradicating this epidemic Fast forward to September 2020, the momentum continues amidst
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“There are 30 million Gabriella Wiggins Americans with type 2 diabetes and 84 million with prediabetes. There are 324 million people in this country, so that’s half the population right there,” said Viola Davis who joined forces with the pharmaceutical company Merck to narrate “A Touch of Sugar,” which also depicts how the disease affects all communities.
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Omar From 3
Commentary by By StatePoint Hazel Josh Cobb Tricethe Edney Special from Ricki Fairley By Pam Kragen By Kevin Punsky Dr. LaVonne Moore Twin Cities Association Minnesota Department The Cincinnati Herald Reprinted courtesy ofon the Originally published Mayo Clinic of Black Journalists/ Health BlacksInTechnology.net San Diego Union-Tribune Insight News Intern March 9, 2017 By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Correspondent @ StacyBrownMedia
Lyle-Gray From 3 a master’s degree in African American studies given special permission to research and study my ethnicity from slavery to Viet Nam. I immediately called
my one former ‘white’ student who had been hounding me for years for an answer as to why the “hate target” (as he referred to black Americans) and their long road towards freedom still had not happened. “Better, he would say, but purposely allowed to regress.” A resilient, faithful, strong people who prayed their
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Insight News is published weekly, every Monday by McFarlane Media Interests. Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Associate Editor Culture & Education Dr. Irma McClaurin Associate Editor Afrodescendientes Carmen Robles Associate Editor Nigeria & West Africa Chief Folarin Ero-Phillips Columnist Brenda Lyle-Gray Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Content & Production Coordinator Sunny Thongthi Yang Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Intern Kelvin Kuria
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Red Sea would soon divide so they could cross over to the other side of the tracks, had suffered greatly, but still believed in the gift of miracles and life. From the genius creative force of the late producer, Marvel comic book writer, and publisher Stan Lee, and Black Panther comics author, Jack Kirby . . . warrior king T’Challa (portrayed by the recently late 42 year-old actor, Chad Boseman), returns to his people fearful his longtime, power hungry, vengeful nemesis, Erik Killmonger will seek absolute power, dividing the nation, and destroying the world. (Could happen on American soil very soon if the ‘unthinkable’ is allowed to happen again!) With his trusted allies by his side, T’Challa uses his power to triumph over evil. (Sounds more like an “Oh, Happy Day!” ending to me!) In the comic book series, T’Challa is known as the wealthiest man in the world having accrued extraordinary treasures. He was also the leader of a fictional
advanced technological utopia called Wakanda. Perhaps that was it coming right after Europeans set out in search of (fact or fiction) the ‘city of gold’. It was true that from the 12th through the 16th centuries, African American lineages originated from kings and queens . . . brilliant scholars, and skillful craft persons with a variety of innovative mediums, and entrepreneurial creations . . . by people who prayed day and night, and took great pride in who they were born to be. Sadly, we’ve lost at least three generations who will never know this rich history . . . all about the life blood running through our veins and coming from descendants who were strapping young black boys, ripped from their families and their homeland on the African coasts . . . many perishing in the Middle Passage. By casting the fictional story of T’Challa, people of color were given a venue to inform other movie goers about the
Black diaspora and the reallife greatness of our African royalty of the past like Mansa Musa I, the assumed Black Panther’s muse. We were also able to showcase our enormous economic power potential when our race was portrayed in such a positive light. Musa I was the great nephew of Sundiata Keita, founder of the Malian Empire. After waiting a year for his uncle and predecessor, Abu Bakr II (Mansa Qu) to return from a pilgrimage (he never did), Mansa Musa I became the tenth Mansa (King of Kings) amassing an astronomical fortune. It has been written that Musa I was beyond ambitious. He seemed to always be in the right place at the right time in the way he controlled salt production and gold. But the young king would give much of the credit for his wise intellect and his successful prowess in building a city to his deeply rooted spiritual connections. He played a key role in spreading
Islam into Africa and southern Spain. He also built up his astute and dedicated cabinet of warriors and scholars, both of which are spotlighted in the unprecedented, blockbuster, media success of Black Panther. Like Wakanda, Mali and Timbuktu were known for their advanced, holistic knowledge, much admired architectural edifices, and futuristic technology. During his reign, Mansa Musa I urbanized the city of Timbuktu, making it the blueprint of brainpower and infrastructure that is historically known today, but no longer the same. His intelligence aided in the country’s military success which Musa I sustained by recapturing the rebellious trading city of Goa. The wise sultan progressively forged ahead, building the Djinguereber mosque which housed his royal residence, the Madugu. one of three structures making up what is believed to be one of Africa’s oldest learning centers. Historians and archeologists write of Mansa Musa I’s 1324 extravagant pilgrimage to Mecca with 60,000 servants and slaves as the catalyst arousing the curiosity behind the trade routes rumors that this ‘city in the sand’ was a giver of abundant wealth and resources. Musa I gave away lots of money to the poor along the route to that sacred place he held so dear to his heart. He also freely luxuriated, bringing back not only souvenirs, but master scholars, city planners, and architects. It was this ‘brain trust’ that built the famous universities and hundreds of new mosques. I had to think that perhaps in today’s modern times . . . in the era of a deadly viral pandemic (seemingly not medically conquerable any time soon); an economy buckling at its very core; and fracturing political and racial unrest poised to destroy a democracy only partially enjoyed by people of color . . . that maybe we could use a more sincere ‘prayer connection’ to whatever religion we were born into or spiritual belief we cherish, recognizing we haven’t been, nor can we walk down this life path alone. Upcoming: “Timbuktu: A City in the Sand”
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photo?Bettmann
photo/NNPA_iStock
Suppression efforts have continued, and, in 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court eliminated the federal government’s ability to block states’ voting restrictions.
photo/Chantelle McCall_usustatesman.com
Lex Scott, president, Black Lives Matter Utah.
Sherwood Ross (right), a Washington public relations advisor, and an unidentified police officer examine the wounds of African American student James Meredith, after he was shot with a shotgun during his one man “March Against Fear” from Memphis, Tennessee, to Jackson, Mississippi, in an effort to urge African Americans in his home state of Mississippi to register to vote.
Why the 2020 vote matters more than ever to African Americans By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia Her father survived Jim Crow and saw the evolution of the vote in America, so Lex Scott speaks from a unique perspective when she champions African Americans’ historical significance casting their ballots. “When my father voted, his life was at risk,” remarked Scott, the president of the Black Lives Matter Utah Chapter. “Black people were also filled with many obstacles that prevented them from voting. Some had to be landowners; some had to be sponsored by white personnel,” Scott recalled. “Some had to pay fees. Some were tested. Many people died for that right. It is too important for us not to vote, and if we want to have a democracy, we need to participate in it. We can’t hope that situations will
Political From 3 There has been an overall increase in buying power across the community, and also where and what African Americans are buying. African Americans are limiting the amount of time they are spending out in public due to COVID-19, and shopping where they can get more value. Blacks make more frequent trips to the store, spending less per trip than the total population. Online shopping is a convenient and safe alternative to brick-and-mortar shopping – this year, 48% of African American households shop online, 11% more than the average household. In the last decade, there have been more successful Black brands, Black-owned businesses, and investment in expanded economic opportunities for African Americans. African Americans are nearly three times as likely to take to social media to show support of their favorite companies and brands. African Americans are now 58% more likely to expect the brands they buy to take a stance on issues and 37% more likely to buy a brand when they do The Black Lives Matter movement has influenced allies to take action as well. For example, Hispanic consumers outpaced African Americans in their expectation that the brands they buy support social causes as well. African Americans have been at the forefront of the COVID-19 crisis, as they’re more likely to be employed as essential workers. Needing to strike a balance between work and home, African Americans are spending the most time on their smartphones compared to the
change. We have to be active in helping candidates get elected who will create that change.” The fight for African Americans’ right to vote dates back to the late 1800s. Freed Blacks in New York briefly held the right to vote before the Civil War, and there were similar instances in other Northern states. “African American men were given the right to vote with the passage of the 15th amendment in 1870 as one of the Reconstruction Amendments after the Civil War, Brianna Mack, an assistant professor of politics and government at Ohio Wesleyan University, wrote in an email to BlackPressUSA. “The Reconstruction era ended in 1877 with President Rutherford B. Hayes explicitly ending federal oversight of Southern states to fund public schools, establish charitable institutions, raise taxes, and fund public improvements to incorporate newly freed Blacks into the fabric of daily life as citizens and equal participants in
America,” Mack noted. During Reconstruction, the Black vote’s influence materialized as African Americans won election to local, state, and national offices. “Black men won election to state legislatures and Congress indicating an impending drastic social change,” Mack added. “Starting in 1868, we see white supremacist groups, precursors to the Ku Klux Klan, use violence to suppress the Black vote, and fraud was rampant. Many congressional elections in the South were contested,” she continued. “Such tactics were used because white political leaders quickly realized that African Americans are independent political beings whose participation in elections can upset the ‘balance’ that previously existed without their involvement. These political leaders could not appeal to Black people and/or Black people were not responsive to their appeals because their appeals
were rooted in the subjugation of the racial group i.e. for the foreseeable future, southern Democrats would/could not count on Black support.” President Lyndon Johnson signed the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which reinforced the 15th amendment of nearly a century earlier. The Voting Rights Act outlawed discriminatory voting practices and effectively provided African Americans the right to cast ballots freely. Despite the 1965 law, Blacks were still denied the right to vote. In some cases, by violence and in many instances through suppression and misinformation tactics. One year after the Voting Rights Act, civil rights activist James Meredith was shot and wounded during a voter registration march between Tennessee and Mississippi. Undaunted, 4,000 African Americans registered to vote in Mississippi the day after the shooting as Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr. and Stokely Carmichael joined the march. Suppression efforts have continued, and, in 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court eliminated the federal government’s ability to block states’ voting restrictions. In doing so, the high court effectively struck down a significant part of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which has led to restrictive laws that have primarily affected African American voters. “In a general sense, the power of the vote is absolutely critical to the creation and maintenance of an equal society, and that’s why ruling classes fought the concept of universal suffrage for so many years in Europe and the U.S.,” remarked Amber Dozier, the managing partner, and chief strategy officer of the ABCD & Company, a Rockville, Maryland-based marketing firm. “In the case of African-Americans, voting is even more important because the laws of this nation have
been historically designed in a way that leads to the de facto economic, cultural/social, and political subjugation or AfricanAmericans,” Dozier added. “The Constitution, a document that framed the legal and political essence of America, declared the AfricanAmericans were three-fifths of a White person – all for the purpose of amassing political power through the vote.” She concluded: “This demonstrates that the Black vote has power and has always been a commodity to those in power, even when we were deprived of that right. Voting gives citizens, the power to shape the laws that govern their lives. In a sociopolitical climate where there is vehement debate over the appropriateness of saying ‘Black lives matter.’ AfricanAmericans must vote because our lives and the sanctity with which they are treated depends on it.”
total population. In one week, African Americans spend over eight hours social networking, about three hours watching videos and over one hour streaming audio on their smartphones. Smartphone ownership for African Americans has grown from 44% in 2011 to 98% in 2020—faster than the total population.
streaming service, compared to the total population.
Black Americans will contribute to more than 20% of the total U.S. population growth. African Americans are significantly younger with a median age of all 32—six years younger than the national average and 11 years younger than non-Hispanic whites.
and younger children, Black grandparents are filling the role of caregivers. African American households are smaller than the national average at 2.48 vs. the national average of 2.52. 29% of these households are more likely to have children under 18 compared to 27% of all U.S.
households. 5% of African American grandparents live with their grandchildren, and 40% of those grandparents are the main caregivers for their grandchildren. For more details and insights, download the report at http://www.nielsen. com/africanamericans
Podcasts have become a central stage for Black voices. African Americans spend more time per week streaming audio, including podcast listening, than the total U.S. population. In a typical week, almost half (49%) of African American podcast listeners spend about 1 to 4 hours listening to podcasts. Radio has remained a trusted channel for news and information for African Americans, reaching 98% of them every month. Black consumers are the No. 1 ethnic group in watching live TV, playing game consoles, smartphone media consumption, and streaming audio. The Top 20 advertisers’ spend on media focused on African Americans has increased from $3.34 billion in 2011 to $3.86 billion in 2019—almost a 16% increase. This time of racial reckoning has placed great responsibility on Hollywood and other media publishers to be more inclusive in the stories and characters they tell. With streaming offerings, Black audiences now have a lot more choice in programs that depict their reallife experiences, Black households have steadily increased subscriptions to streaming services— from 65% in 2019 to 70% in 2020. African Americans are more likely to download a video podcast, watch live TV, or keep up with news through a
In the past decade, there’s been considerable growth in African Americans’ population, buying power, education and income. There are 48.2 million African Americans in the U.S. From 2020 to 2060,
With
smaller
households
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Page 6 • November 2, 2020 - November 8, 2020 • Insight News
Insight 2 Health
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MDH encourages anyone with a delayed mammogram to schedule an appointment this October as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Breast cancer survival rates underscore importance of regular screening A new breast cancer report from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) shows a 30-year trend of decreasing mortality rates, suggesting improved diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in Minnesota. However, providers and public health officials are concerned that delays in breast cancer screenings in 2020 may slow the progress. Though breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in Minnesota women, the report shows survival rates of about 93%. This high survival rate is due to decades of progress in early diagnosis and treatment. Between 1988 and 2017, Minnesota breast cancer mortality rates declined 2.4% per year compared with the national overall decline of 1.8% per year, according to the report, Breast Cancer in Minnesota Women (PDF). However, public health officials are concerned that some women may choose to delay screenings in order to avoid visits to a health care facility during the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies from the National Cancer Institute and the American College of Radiology indicate that such delays could impact breast cancer survival rates. “We know women have their best chance of beating breast cancer when it is diagnosed and treated early, and this is why mammograms are so important,” said Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm. “Our health care systems are taking extra precautions to ensure the safety of patients and staff, and we urge all women to talk to their primary care provider about cancer screenings. This report
photo/SDI Productions_iStock
Though breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in Minnesota women, the report shows survival rates of about 93%. This high survival rate is due to decades of progress in early diagnosis and treatment. also underscores the importance of focusing on health equity and ensuring women of color have safe access to screenings and treatment.” Mammograms are the most reliable way to detect
breast cancer early when it is the easiest to treat. Not scheduling a mammogram can allow breast cancers to grow, becoming less treatable with time, and more deadly. MDH’s Sage Screening Program partners with more than 480 clinics statewide to offer free mammograms and Pap tests to Minnesota’s women. Sage observed a rapid decline in the number of breast and cervical cancer screenings through their program since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. MDH urges women to talk with their doctor about the risks and benefits of being screened now or postponing for a later date, taking into account personal and family history, other risk factors, and previous screenings.
“In the spring, it made sense to hold off on routine health visits but mammograms are potentially lifesaving tests,” said Matt Flory, cancer control strategic partnerships manager with the North Region American Cancer Society. “Hospitals and clinics have learned a lot since then. Now is a great time to call your doctor to see if you should schedule a screening.” Minnesota’s persistent health inequalities have a significant effect on Black Minnesotans with breast cancer. Black and American Indian women have the highest mortality rates, due in large part to later diagnoses and limited access to treatment. Black and American Indian/Alaska Native women die of breast cancers at higher rates than white women.
Black women in Minnesota have substantially lower overall relative survival compared to white women (78.7% for Blacks compared to 92.9% for whites). New to this year’s report is a description of the frequency of four main breast cancer molecular subtypes, Luminal A, Luminal B, Triple negative/basal-like and HER2enriched. Studying and tracking breast cancer subtypes is useful in planning treatment strategies and developing new therapies. Other findings from the report: In 2017, there were more than seven times as many new breast cancer diagnoses (4,643) as deaths from breast cancer (627) for Minnesota women. In 2017, an estimated
61,650 women (or 2.2%) in Minnesota were either newly diagnosed with a breast cancer or were diagnosed before 2017 and survived their cancer. The report also found that Minnesota is on par with national public health standards set by Healthy People 2020 to reduce breast cancer mortality rates to 20.7 per 100,000 women. Incidence rates in Greater Minnesota have been historically lower than rates for the Twin Cities seven-county metro area, but overall trends in both regions were similar to the state. For more information, see Minnesota Cancer Reporting System (MCRS) Cancer Statistics and Reports.
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Insight News • November 2, 2020 - November 2, 2020 • Page 7
Voter suppression tactics and long lines fail to quell resolve of Black voters By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia The lines are long, but Black voters are demonstrating their will to vote. In Texas, Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina, and Indiana, African Americans’ resiliency and resolve have never been as severely tested. They have gone to great lengths to overcome voter suppression, discouragement, misinformation, gerrymandering, and so many other obstacles to participate in America’s elections. In Fort Bend County, Texas, a check-in machine glitch shut down at least four precincts, and a court ruling that significantly limited ballot locations didn’t stop many African Americans from traveling long distances and overcoming even longer wait times to vote. In Georgia, NPR reported that the clogged polling locations in metro Atlanta reflected an underlying pattern: the number of places to vote has shrunk statewide, with little recourse. “Although the reduction in polling places has taken place across racial lines, it has primarily caused long lines in nonwhite neighborhoods where voter registration has surged and more residents cast ballots in person on Election Day. The pruning of polling places started long before the pandemic, which has discouraged people from voting in person,” the report noted. In Virginia, a glitch shut down polls and forced officials to push back deadlines to cast early votes. Also, General Registrar Donna Patterson told reporters that the long lines in Virginia Beach had been like that each day since early voting began about one month ago. Add to that number the 55,000 mail-in ballots the registrar received to that point. Patterson noted
that the state might have the highest voter turnout ever. In North Carolina, about 163,000 votes were cast in person across North Carolina on Saturday, bringing the total to 828,456 in the state — more than double the number of people in North Carolina who went to the polls at this time in the 2016 election. “Texas has been under siege confronting voter suppression from multiple fronts from our Governor Greg Abbott to the state higher courts,” noted Sonny Messiah Jiles, the publisher, and CEO of The Houston Defender Media Group, DefenderNetwork.com. “It is unbelievable or ridiculous for a county with 2.4 million registered voters to have one location to drop off mail-in ballots,” Jiles remarked. “Despite their efforts, the Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins, a smart young millennial, has been strategic and innovative with drive-thru voting, doubling the early voting locations and the historical move of 24-hour voting. But aside from voting access, we need to beware not to be bamboozled listening to the polls and just go and vote like our life depends on it, because it does,” said Jiles. Numerous voter suppression tactics have been used in Texas and throughout the nation, added Patrick Washington, CEO, and copublisher of the Dallas Weekly. “Like the late-night ruling, from a 5th Circuit Court via a three judge panel, all of whom were appointed by President Trump to uphold Governor Abbot’s mandate to limit one ballot drop box for millions of voters in Dallas county,” Washington observed. However, he continued: “Despite this deliberate, detrimental move, the night before early voting in Texas, I am pleased to see that the very voters that may have been affected in Dallas counties came to the polls big. “I witnessed many volunteers at the Martin Luther King Center assisting the elderly with remaining comfortable with chairs and water during the
In Georgia, NPR reported that the clogged polling locations in metro Atlanta reflected an underlying pattern: the number of places to vote has shrunk statewide, with little recourse.
long wait and assisting first-time voters by explaining the sample ballots,” said Washington. “To know that ballot records are being broken in counties all over Texas doesn’t shock me. Unfortunately, a lot of tragic events due to racism and police brutality have occurred during Trump’s time in office. “People are tired. People can’t see family and friends like they used to. In some cases, people are unemployed, angry, scared or
maybe all of the above. So, in any case, people have the time to exercise their civic duty and vote,” Washington said. Even in states like Indiana, voter suppression efforts haven’t stopped Black people from lining up at the polls. “Indiana has some incredibly restrictive voter laws, and currently we only have one early voting site in all of Indianapolis,” stated Robert Shegog, CEO at the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper.
Page 8 • November 2, 2020 - November 8, 2020 • Insight News
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TOGETHER WE CAN DELIVER BLACK DREAMS. BE A VOTER. By Titilayo Bediako
#DELIVERBLACKDREAMS VISIT BBCCSTRONG.ORG FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Prepared and Paid for by Faith in Minnesota faithinmn.org
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Insight News • November 2, 2020 - November 2, 2020 • Page 9
There Is An Idiot And A Wicked In The White House By Douglas R. Ewart, artist, inventor, educator Well, thinking PEOPLE, it is time to clear the muck from the White House and other halls/houses of our representation, those that can VOTE must do so no matter what you may be thinking. No thinking person could place a VOTE for an unmitigated super fool, psychopath, and sociopath. Donald J. Trump the Chump has grown in ineptitude over his nearly four of having the office of the president. If you are grown/an adult and still following and/or looking to Donald Dumb Chump Trump for guidance and leadership, you deserve whatever adversely happens to you as he is largely a replica of Jim Jones and you should know that fact by now. Trump is not as intelligent as Jim Jones, but he is just as insecure, narcissistic, sociopathic, psychopathic, sadistic and his followers are guzzling the killer-aid in copious quantities. “There is an Idiot and A Wicked in the White House.” There is an idiot in the White House Trump’s conduct leaves us no doubt Every time he opens is mouth Unending filth and dumb shit comes tumbling out He doesn’t care about about you nor me And that has been quite plane to see Donald think he is slick But we know he more than sick Donald think he is slick But his brain is more like a pit toilet Donald thinks he is smart But he is not smart and has no heart With mounting deaths from Covid 19 Over two hundred twenty one thousand dead Trump just shakes his head He does not care how many people are dead He will never admit to his negligence Trump and Pence could never mount a logical and humane defense They are suffering from constipation of the heart and the brain And diarrhea of tongue Trump is the Commander Making Grief Trump is the Commender in Thief The Commander of Sleaze The Commander of Lying The Commander Spreading Covid The Commander Spreading Dying Trump and Pence must go Or America will remain a morgue and an Poppy Show People are dying like flies While Trump, Pence, and Republicans keep lying Those of us that have an heart Know that they don’t give a fart Trump and his people are suffering from mental mange This administration is totally de-brained We don’t care what Trump’s flock says We know that they are mentally deranged As we can plainly see People are suffering and dying at undivulged speeds There is a wicked in the White House Trump and his people’s conduct leaves us no doubt
DFL & LABOR ENDORSED
Every time they opens their mouths Unending filth and feces comes tumbling out They don’t care about about you nor me And that has been quite plane to see We must vote them out As what they are doing is tantamount to cutting The Peoples Throat We must vote them out As what they are doing is tantamount To cutting The People’s Throats We The People must vote him out Try Donald Trump at the Hague Mass Murderer Wear your mask We The People must vote them out Try Donald Trump at the Hague For Genocide Wear your mask We The People must vote him out Try Donald Trump at the Hague Mass Murderer Wear your mask We The People must vote them out Try Donald Trump at the Hague For Genocide Wear your mask We The People must vote him out Try Donald Trump at the Hague Mass Murderer Wear your mask VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE,VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE! Don’t be fooled by Donald and his cabal’s now you see me, now I have changed trick.It is only a fool that can/would think or believe anything Trump and his cohorts would say. They will never change! NEVER!!! And if by some miracle they should attempt to change, they need a life time of rehabilitation on their own time and dime.They have had four years to show us that they are humane, and all they constantly reveal is just how mean, cruel and unjust they are. Trump could never grow in anything but what he is, a crook and a wicked, he is not a businessman, he is a parasite that sucks and never reciprocates, he has been a crook, a liar, and sadistic all his life and his day of demise is coming as no feast last forever. He is one of the most unpleasant things to look at as he exudates bile and hate. Trump has outstripped Ted Bundy, Jeffery Dahmer, John Wayne Gacy, Richard Speck, and a whole lot more combined as he seems to be enjoying all the death and dying as he is doing nothing to mitigate the CORONA SCOURGE in America. The whole world is coming to its senses. I tolerate fools, however, I don’t suffer them, and I cease talking to James/him/them as it is a waste of energy and time. So many people the world over are bereft of discernment and that is the reality that has the world so imbalanced, however, have no fear, the planet is quite intelligent and will clear the deck. Stay Strong, Stay Positive, Stay Relentless, and Remain The Trees Planted by The River of Truth, Justice, and Equality. Walk Good!
VOTE NOVEMBER 3 OR VOTE EARLY
visit www.mnvotes.org for more information Visit us at www.fuelee.org | Call 612-568-0870 | Email info@fuelee.org
Page 10 • November 2, 2020 - November 8, 2020 • Insight News
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