December 22, 2022 - MN Spokesman-Recorder

FINDING LIGHT FINDING LIGHT

IN WINTER’S DARKNESS

What LIFTS your SPIRITS in the WINTER?

By Nikki Love Contributing Writer

During this season of shortened daylight, the MSR took to the streets to ask community members how they adjust to keep their spirits bright in the colder, darker months of winter.

Seeing my grandkids brightens my days. What keeps my spirits up is I go by my friend’s house who encourages me. He motivates me in the right way to make me want to do better for myself. Prayer and a support team lift my spirit. Stay prayed up.

MELANIN in MOTION: Embracing the outdoors with purpose

By Travis Lee Contributing Writer

When I was assigned this story on Melanin in Motion (MIM), I perused their website and Facebook page in semi-disbelief. “What?” I thought to myself. Black folks don’t like the outdoors—especially in the winter. We may go fishing, but camping, skiing, and hunting? We just don’t really get into all that.

offer. They were even assisted by African American park rangers as they camped at Yosemite Park.

It was fun to watch them shopping for all the newest camping gear and getting advice from all the experts, but they never answered the question “Why was this show necessary? Why have Black Folks, for the most part, avoided the outdoors?”

Cheryl Anderson:

To brighten my days, in the beginning I pray and thank the Lord I woke up. I like to listen to music, mostly gospel, but during Christmas time I listen to Christmas music, especially the Jackson 5 and Motown.

I like to read happy romantic comedy books, or I love being involved with the Mother’s Love [organization] helping my people.

Sometimes I watch a movie, relax and have some tea. To brighten my days when it gets dark early, I turn on more lights! Love and embrace one another. Don’t waste food to give to the

Sharon Baker:

To brighten my days, I usually like to listen to music or watch something on TV, like Netflix. Something lighthearted to get me into the

“What an ignorant assumption” was my next thought. Then I instantly questioned why I would go along and believe a generally accepted assumption or urban myth that African American people don’t like to participate in outdoor activities.

I remember about a decade ago when the Oprah Winfrey Show was in its last season. There was this camping series she did with her best friend Gayle King, who is now a bigtime morning journalist on national TV.

The purpose of the series was to encourage African Americans to participate and enjoy all that nature has to

You know with the historic stories of the Underground Railroad, Lewis and Clark, and the great Jean Baptiste du Sable, to name a few, our very freedom depended on full knowledge of navigating and surviving in the wilderness.

Looking into the topic, I learned that historically an African American family going camping, hiking, or hunting would frequently face horrifying encounters that often ended in attacks, injury, or even death.

Thinking about grizzly bears, mountain lions, or venomous snakes? Think again. Think lynchings, beatings, and written and unwritten segregation laws that effectively

homeless who are always in need.

Rico Mullins:

Story and photo by Zan Tomko

December 21 is the first day and longest night of winter and the turning point to a daily increase of sunlight. After the longest night, the Earth begins its seasonal trek back to summer. ■ See LIGHT on page 6

Photos courtesy of Melanin

Members of MIM in action.

Longtime activist’s brain tumor scare creates community conversation

By Charles Hallman Contributing Writer

Nekima

soon will return to her normal routines as a local civil rights attorney and social justice activist. She is close to full strength after recovering from surgery that removed a benign tumor against an optic nerve.

The 46-year-old Levy Armstrong has been a familiar fixture in the Cities over the years, but during the summer she was uncharacteristically out of sight. Last week on her social media account she made public the reason for her absence.

“I take the work seriously and my passion for the community seriously,” Levy Armstrong told the MSR last week. “But I also wanted them to know why they haven’t seen me or I haven’t been as visible. I thought that it was important for me to share the journey that I’ve been on.

“My only symptom was blurry vision in my right eye,” she said. “I attributed it to using

the computer on my phone and needing glasses. I didn’t even know that was a symptom of a brain tumor.”

Once doctors informed her, Levy Armstrong soon underwent surgery in July. The attor-

ney-activist stressed that she doesn’t want to rush back into action until she feels that she is at full strength. “My initial recovery period after the surgery was six weeks. So technically, after six weeks, I can go back to fulltime employment and carry on whatever activities I feel com-

fortable doing,” she pointed out.

“But for me personally, I’ve been taking it slow because I want complete and total healing or restoration, and also to be able to take the time to listen to my body.”

To her surprise, her revelation about her health last week also created another community connection. “I just had to go to the place where I felt comfortable enough and felt recovered enough,” Levy Arm-

strong said.

“People were tuning in and connecting, sharing their stories of medical crises that they face—people who I had no idea, who either battled cancer or battled brain tumors or other conditions, or people who are close to them.

“It became like a community conversation around a sensitive topic,” she said.

A brain tumor is serious business, and even though doctors told her it wasn’t cancerous, going undetected can lead to other health problems in due time.

“They [the doctors] probably would have never found it unless some other condition occurred,” Levy Armstrong said.

“I was told that there are some people who have brain tumors who have no idea that they’re there. And as long as the brain tumor is not posing a problem to the individual, then it can go undetected their entire life.”

Another lesson learned: “I guess having this experience has shown me that there’s not enough research about the

causes of brain tumors and the symptoms of brain tumors.

“We have to protect our health and just be more vigilant and more proactive. People have a right to distrust the medical profession based on what has happened to us [Black people] historically. At the same time…we have the power to seek the medical care that we deserve, and we should demand the right to be treated equitably and fairly when we seek medical care, be treated humanely, and have our dignity intact.

“So, I would encourage people in our city that may have something abnormal that they’re experiencing to go and get checked. And to find a doctor that they can trust.

“We could be putting our own health in jeopardy by not seeking a second opinion and being more vigilant in making sure we have a battery of tests,” Levy Armstrong concluded.

Northside Santas bring joy to the community

By Nikki Love Contributing Writer

The mood was joyful and festive at the 4th Street Saloon on Saturday, Dec. 17, and not just because the Vikings’ historic comeback win against the Colts was playing in the background. Much to the delight of the little kids, a pair of Santa Clauses were on the scene to make their dreams come true.

The “Northside Santa Toy & Food Giveaway,” made possible through donations from patrons and community partnerships, transformed the bar into a family-friendly hot spot.

This year, the saloon had a White Santa Claus, Mike Oker, and a Black one, artist Charles Caldwell. Both of the Santas, with the assistance of volunteers, helped shop for toys.

“I love the giving part of Christmas ‘cause it’s better to give than to receive,” said Caldwell. “I’m thankful for all the sponsors and

support that went into this event. This will be an annual event at the 4th Street Saloon.

“The saloon gave away over $10,000 worth of toys to the

kids but didn’t have enough,” continued Caldwell. “Hopefully, next year they can add more partners with support so this event can be what it is

Photo of the Week

A wintery landscape

supposed to be—a wonderful experience in North Minneapolis. We do care about the kids and the seniors.”

Oker added, “Our Northside kids are the most important resource we have. We have to be the village. I love

the fact that everyone came together to give the Northside kids toys, food and fun.”

Akir Norris, a young volunteer for the event, said it was important to come to help out because “We helped save people’s Christmases and came to

be nice to others. Christmas means to have fun, be kind, and it is not about presents, it’s about family.”

Nikki Love welcomes reader responses to nlove@spokesmanrecorder.com.

Health insurance that fits my budget? I’m covered.

Find free help at mnsure.org

MNsure helped me save money on my health insurance.

Levy Armstrong

Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.

Nekima Levy Armstrong

Photo by KingDemetrius Pendleton

The Santas Charles Caldwell (front) and Mike Oker shopping for toys. Submitted photo

Last week’s heavy snow made for many postcard-perfect scenes around town, like this one shot near Lake Hiawatha in South Minneapolis.

Photo and text by Paige Elliott

We have to protect our health and just be more vigilant and more proactive.

Stiff-person syndrome can be debilitating

system fails to recognize a person’s own cells and responds to them as if they are an infectious agent. According to the Cleveland Clinic, there are more than 100 autoimmune disorders.

Stiff person syndrome impacts twice as many women as men. Symptoms may include

sations can lead to muscle spasms. These symptoms often respond to medications such diazepam, a medication for anxiety, or muscle relaxants such as baclofen or gabapentin. For some, the spasms may be debilitating.

Recently, superstar singer Celine Dion announced on Instagram that she was canceling her concert tour due to an incurable, progressive medical disorder. Her condition, called “stiff-person syndrome,” is a rare neurological disorder. The condition is suspected to be an autoimmune disorder.

A person’s immune system consists of the organs and cells that protect the body from infections caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, and even cancer cells. The immune system is similar to a surveillance system looking for invaders that do not belong.

Sometimes the immune

stiff muscles in the torso, arms and legs plus a greater sensitivity to environmental stimuli such as noise, touch, and emotional distress.

Common, everyday sen-

Outwardly, others will experience physical changes in their appearance. For example, they may acquire a hunchedover posture and difficulty walking or moving.

Many individuals with stiff person syndrome may need assistance to walk because their reflexes more slowly respond, which increases their risk for falling and experiencing serious fall-related injuries. Others may develop anxiety disorders such as panic attacks or agoraphobia, fear of leaving their home, because normal noises such as traffic sounds cause muscle spasms.

Because this condition is rare, the diagnosis can be iso-

lating. While celebrities such as Celine Dion do not have an obligation to share their personal health concerns, their decision to do so can give others hope and bring attention and research dollars earmarked for such rare health conditions.

To learn more about stiff person syndrome, please check out this website: my.clevelandclinic. org/health/articles/6076-stiffperson-syndrome.

Dr. Dionne Hart is board certified in psychiatry and addiction medicine practicing in Illinois and Minnesota. She is an adjunct assistant professor of psychiatry at Mayo Clinic. In 2014, Dr. Hart was named Minnesota Psychiatrist of the Year. In 2017 she received the National Alliance on Mental Illness Exemplary Psychiatrist Award. Dr. Hart holds local, state, and national positions in organized medicine.

Traveling while Black, remember to breathe

By Charles Hallman Contributing Writer

Traveling is often stressful and can be dangerous, especially if you’re Black. The Civil Rights Memorial Center (CRMC), operated by the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery, Alabama, earlier this year produced a public education resource, “Movement and Space: CRMC Community Guide” on the current and historic constants Black people have encountered while traveling in this country.

“Traveling while Black” is more than a slogan but a real-life aspect for most Black Americans, said author Zee Clarke, who recently published a similar book, “Black People Breathe” (Penguin Random House) as a helpful source.

Clarke is a “mindfulness” and breathwork expert for Black and communities of color. She told the MSR that Black travelers often deal with racism, microaggressions, stress and anxiety. She strongly suggests deep breathing can help the individual deal with stressful situations, whether at the airport, driving, or with the police.

“Mindfulness is really about intentional breathing,” she explained, “because as a Black person traveling, we know that we get treated differently than other people.”

Clarke offered several suggestions for handling such situations, including a 4-78 breathing practice: “This breathing practice is amazing for calming your nervous system,” she noted. “You inhale for a count of four, you hold [it] for a count of seven, and you exhale for a count of eight. There’s a lot of medical research that shows that this calms your nervous system.”

She also described a second exercise, the “the belly breath”: “If you just inhale and stick that belly out on the inhale,” continued Clarke, “that allows us to respond from a calmer place.”

ed a Gallop poll that says Black people are 19 times more likely to be stopped and checked by airport security.

Hair incidents are a common occurrence for Black women, said Clarke. “I read an article that an anonymous TSA officer said [airport] scanner alarms go off more often because Black women have thicker hair. That wearing a hairpiece extension or wearing their hair in a bun or braids could trigger the alarm. I have definitely been stopped and gotten the hair pat down,” she admitted.

get the stop-and-check treatment as well. “I think height also plays a role here, because I have friends that are 6-3, 6-4 Black men and they feel even more that they are a target,” reported Clarke, who said that applying her breathing practices may help.

“Another research study shows that Black people are five times more likely to be treated with less courtesy and respect,” she stressed. “Has anybody ever cut you in line, and you’re just angry about it?” asked Clarke.

“You’ll be in that line and a White person” will get favored treatment. “That leads to a lot of frustration,” said the author. “I suggest an extra-long exhale, just exhale as long as possible. Once you take that extra long exhale when you’re talking to that person that makes that a calmer place.”

Driving while Black, especially while traveling out of town, also can be stressful. “I am so scared of the police” said Clarke. “You don’t know where you’re going… You might be late. So, I say while you’re driving, just [use] mindfulness, become aware of how you’re feeling and just notice if you’re feeling any stress.”

Clarke’s expertise came after working in corporate America. She has an MBA from Harvard and worked in leadership roles at Fortune 500 companies and Silicon Valley startups.

then made a life decision—she quit her job and went to India. There she learned yoga, meditation, breathwork, sound healing and Reiki, and later brought those tools back with her as she returned to the States.

“I am a strong believer that these tools, especially those breathing practices” can be helpful, especially for Black

people, she noted. However, she added, “I think one of the

challenges there is that people often associate yoga and mindfulness with religion.

“Yoga is not exercise. It is a lifestyle. It is a way of life” and not a religion, she stressed.

“Traveling while Black is a tough thing. Our emotions get heightened, and we get stressed out. Remember to breathe.”

Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.

Black men with dreadlocks could be subjected to this as well, she added. “A male friend of mine was stopped recently because of his dreadlocks. But it’s not just about the hair. A Black woman friend of mine who’s also queer has really short hair, but she said she gets [checked] up to 75% of the time when she travels.”

Tall Black men sometimes

“I was working in San Francisco. I was working in Silicon Valley, and I was experiencing a number of microaggressions at work [with] people not treating me right,” recalled Clarke, adding that she too often had to prove herself to both co-workers and business clients.

Some “wouldn’t even believe that I was the boss. They would look at my White colleagues…and talk to them like they were the boss.

“Basically, I was tired. I was frustrated. That started to affect my mental health and my physical health,” said Clarke, who

Because this condition is rare, the diagnosis can be isolating.

Examples of stressful times for Blacks traveling may occur at the airport, said the author. “When you’re in line and you’re about to go through the security check, and you’re like, ‘Are they gonna stop me?’ She not-

Zee Clarke

Submitted photo

Courtesy of Penguin Random House

“As a Black person traveling, we know that we get treated differently than other people.”

Bremer Bank names Justin Butler executive vice president

By MSR News Service

Bremer Bank, a St. Paulbased financial services company, recently named Justin Butler as its new executive vice president and chief risk officer. In this role, Butler will join Bremer’s senior executive team and be responsible for leading the process of defining and implementing standards for risk identification, management, monitoring, reporting, oversight, and guidance, to better and more securely serve Bremer Bank’s customers and communities.

“Justin is a strong and tenured leader in the financial services industry. He is an excellent addition to Bremer’s senior executive team,” said Jeanne Crain, president and CEO of Bremer Bank. “Ad-

Mortenson names new vice president of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

By MSR News Service

Mortenson Construction recently named Joffrey Wilson, vice president, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Wilson joined the Minneapolis-based company in 2016 and has served in various leadership roles in corporate strategy and energy businesses. Prior to joining Mortenson, Wilson

worked for Ford Motor Company and General Mills.

Born and raised in Minneapolis, Wilson currently serves on the Carlson School of Management undergraduate advisory board and volunteers as a youth sports coach for the Minneapolis Park Board.

He has previously served on the National Black MBA

Twin Cities board, St. Louis Park Planning Commission, United Way, and YMCA. Wilson received a bachelor’s degree from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota and an MBA from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.

He lives in St. Louis Park with his wife and two kids.

ditionally, Justin’s expertise, energy and collaborative approach enhances our risk management capabilities, allowing us the opportunity to accelerate our ongoing business transformation at Bremer.”

His background in risk

dent of Consumer Bank Control programs at Wells Fargo. His specialty areas include risk transformation and remediation, governance, corporate strategy and finance.

Butler currently serves on the board of directors for the Greater Twin Cities United

Justin is a strong and tenured leader in the financial services industry. He is an excellent addition to Bremer’s senior executive team.

management spans almost two decades and includes key roles at various Fortune 500 companies. Most recently, he served as senior vice presi-

Way, the board of trustees for Hamline University and the board of directors for Turning Point, a nonprofit providing support and services to the

Twin Cities African American community.

He attended Saint Louis University and Northwestern University – Kellogg School of Management–and is also very active in the local Twin Cities community including the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA), National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA), The Monitors Club and Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.

“Bremer Bank has a strong reputation in financial stewardship and a deep commitment to cultivating thriving communities,” Butler said. “I am eager to join its impressive team of experts and I look forward to working alongside many talented risk management professionals in my new role.”

Wells Fargo hosts a diversity networking event

By MSR News Service

Wells Fargo’s Wealth and Investment Management (WIM) division organized a community networking event on Nov. 2. WIM Minnesota Market Leader Chris Murphy hosted the discussion on “Diverse Perspectives: Lessons Learned from Navigating Corporate Culture as a Diverse Leader,” along with Clarence Nunn, head of Diverse Segments for WIM, who was the featured keynote speaker. The event was designed to bring together corporate representatives

and a diverse group of local community members to establish a networking and relationship-building partnership.

More than 40 guests, from various sectors of the Twin Cities’ communities of color— primarily African American— attended the event including members of fraternities, sororities, social organizations, nonprofits, as well as other local organizations and associations. Representatives from Wells Fargo shared the company’s efforts in helping to create greater awareness around various types of career opportunities in the financial services

industry, an industry that has traditionally been lacking in diversity for both communities of color and women.

The format for the program began with Nunn sharing key insights regarding his professional journey along with covering important aspects of how he managed to navigate his career progression through various major corporations including General Electric and J.P. Morgan Chase prior to joining Wells Fargo. Nunn also addressed sensitive issues impacting African Americans in the financial services industry and encouraged those in attendance to continue the

momentum with future events aimed at opening the dialogue on these topics. Local diversity consultant, Bill Wells, served as moderator.

The overall response to the event was positive, and an important step forward in providing an opportunity to address key issues around career and employment success with major financial services companies. “Wells Fargo is committed to advancing diverse representation, equity, and inclusion, and this event was an important step in opening up critical dialogue to help make this happen,” added WIM’s Chris Murphy.

We’ll help you do the little things

© 2022 Bremer Financial Corporation. All rights reserved. Bremer and Bremer Bank are registered service marks of Bremer Financial Corporation.

Joffrey Wilson

Submitted photo

(l-r) Wells Fargo’s Audrey Johnson, Clarence Nunn and Christopher Murphy; moderator Bill Wells. Submitted photo

Justin Butler

Submitted photo

Turning from darkness to light is a renewal. Winter can be a time of renewal for everyone frazzled by the hectic holiday season, and it requires just a bit of your attention.

A study by Yale University reports that time spent observing and enjoying nature reduces stress and anxiety in many ways: It reduces blood pressure and stress hormones while it calms the nervous system, promotes calm, and increases self-esteem.

In his book “Vitamin N: The Essential Guide to a Nature-Rich Life,” Richard Louv says that spending time with nature is the antidote for the stress and anxiety created by the high-tech digital world. We are hardwired to respond positively and connect to the natural world.

Nature begins our renewal through our five senses, the more senses involved the richer the reward. Let’s start with just one of our senses, sight. Seeing in a way that is not just a casual glance but looking longer or slower at something, giving

MiM

a bit of reflection sometimes called mindfulness.

When you reflect on nature and take a longer look, your blood pres-

sure responds and brings a moment of calm. Observing nature can be meditation.

A simple way to begin is to observe nature by simply looking out a win-

had to endure to enjoy the great outdoors. Understanding this history allowed me to fully appreciate the existence of Melanin in Motion.

dow, going for a short walk, or driving to a park or local nature center. One way to begin looking at nature is to try to look out the same window at

the same time each day.

Checking outside when you have your morning coffee and checking in every day adds to your observations. Maybe you already feed the birds or

squirrels and you will start to see the variety of colors and temperaments that each individual animal has.

A good friend of mine took photos of the squirrels she noticed near her house, and soon she began to tell me stories about the crazy things they do. When I asked how she saw all these things, she replied, “Oh, I’ve been throwing out shelled nuts for them so I can watch them open them!”

That’s moving beyond observation and into talking to the animals! Begin by observing with attention.

If you want to know more about the animals, plants, trees or rocks you notice, there are many local and online resources available for you and your family. Check with your park district or nature center and attend one event. Walk or ride to local parks or parks in nearby cities for places to walk and observe; most activities are open to the general population.

At the darkest time of the year, it’s time for renewal.

Zan Tomko is a horticulturist and MN master naturalist. She welcomes reader responses to ztomko@spokesman-recorder.com.

Resources

• A national organization, Outdoor Afro, is dedicated to encouraging Black connections and leadership in nature. There is a Minneapolis chapter with connections through the organization, MeetUp. For more info, visit outdoorafro.org and bit.ly/OutdoorAfroMNMeetUp.

• The University of Minnesota Extension offers a MN Master Naturalist Program if you want a closer link to the natural world. Various program sites and dates are available, and scholarships are open for any adult interested in getting to know MN through the Master Naturalist Program. Find more info at minnesotamasternaturalist.org.

• Another great resource is Melanin in Motion, an initiative that connects Black people to active living opportunities in the outdoors. Find more info at melanininmotion.org. (See MIM story).

forbid Blacks from enjoying the beautiful landscapes and connection with nature that America has to offer.

As recent as 2020, climbers were still encountering remnants of this racist history when they discovered climbing routes with offensive names like “Slavery Wall,” “Happiness in Slavery,” and “Welfare Crack” in Wyoming, for example.

The information is out there and still being uncovered about the dangers and obstacles African Americans

Founded by Anthony Taylor and Lynnea Atlas-Ingebretson as an initiative of the Cultural Wellness Center in partnership with the Loppet Foundation, the REI Cooperative Action Fund, and The House, this Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) organization calls itself a “movement movement.”

Their goal is simple: to connect Black people with opportunities to experience the outdoors with the belief that Black bodies in motion are the “ultimate expression of freedom.”

Paying homage to their

ing positive and knowing that tomorrow is not promised but threatened. Service and significance are the key to success.

ancestors, MIM is dedicated to removing barriers from point of entry opportunities with free-to-low-cost activities. That was the purpose of the organization’s most recent event on Dec. 2, as Taylor explained to the MSR. “We started an event called ‘Warm Up to Winter’ because

Taylor explained that winters in Minnesota are often seen as dangerous, and as something to be suffered through until summer.

“So, that’s why we wanted to call it ‘Warm Up to Winter,’” Taylor continued, “and introduce people to opportunities to learn about how

munity. It was a night of music, food and celebrating community, and sharing information about what we can do.”

Taylor added, “We asked people, not what do you want to do but what are your aspirations for this season. When they answered build

ation Area. The group also offers I/She Boards, a woman-and-girl-led community program to teach girls how to snowboard at Theodore Wirth Park.

Check out the website melanininmotion.org for even more ways to explore naturebased activities all year long, meet other BIPOC community members and allies, and

I hope MIM gets as much assistance from the multibillion-dollar camping and outdoor companies as Oprah got when she did her special. It would just be the right

what we found is that, particularly African American people, and immigrant community members, were in some ways afraid of winter.”

the type of person to understand when I’m feeling down— I know what to do to lift my spirits. My therapy is comedy!

holiday spirit. I sometimes go to the gym and work out to release stress and unwind. I like to work out early in the mornings during the dark, light candles, read a book or watch TV.

I’m a goof troupe; I love watching funny movies such as comedies. My favorite of all time forever and ever is “Martin.” The show brightens my days. I watch each episode as if I have never seen it before.

I listen to inspirational music and try to read an inspirational quote or watch a video, my Malcolm X or Oprah, for inspiration. Due to my mental health, I adjust by taking my medication daily, stay-

I dance around the house and watch comedies, my favorite shows, and entertain my friends—that lightens my days. Laughter is always a spirit lifter for me.

My faith keeps me adjusted.

I don’t believe I have experienced seasonal depression because I tend to keep positive people around me. I am

I

to

a good

surf the internet, look

new exciting things going on in the news and

my

games—that brightens my day. We as a community need to continue to educate ourselves, embrace learning, embrace the different ways we learn whether it’s visual or audio. We need to learn, learn and learn because that empowers us more than you think.

Nikki Love welcomes reader responses to nlove@ spokesman-recorder.com.

Christopher Bilal Brown:

Lisa Moy:

John Baker:

like

read

book,

for

play

video

“Turning from darkness to light is a renewal.”

“Melanin In Motion believes that Black bodies in motion are the ‘ultimate expression of freedom.’”

Pexels

Arts & Culture

Not Just

Exhibits show how Interstates uprooted other Black communities Rondo:

By Tony Kiene Contributing Writer

The story of St. Paul’s historic Rondo neighborhood, decimated by the construction of Interstate 94, is one that most Twin Cities residents should be familiar with by now. Especially as the Reconnect Rondo project seeks to “recreate land that was once lost.”

Similar stories are still being told today in places such as Kansas City, Portland, Oregon, Detroit, Los Angeles, Syracuse, NY, Columbus, Ohio, and Philadelphia among other cities. All told, over the course of two decades, the Federal Highway Act of 1956 routed more than 40,000 miles of interstate freeway across America, destroying scores of Black and low-income communities along the way.

In Minnesota, at least until recently, not much has been discussed here about how Interstate 35W pierced the heart of South Minneapolis, when construction began in the 1960s.

Star Tribune reporter, Katy Read, notes that the construction of 35W, coupled with the steering of I-94 through Near North neighborhoods, “disrupted businesses, displaced households, and left hundreds of Black families with nowhere to live in an era when most metro-area neighborhoods did not welcome residents of color,” a holdover from the city’s decades-long history of racially discriminatory housing covenants that barred many from White neighborhoods and suburbs.

That story is being told now in “Human Toll: A Public History of 35W,” one of two exhibits currently featured at the Hennepin History Museum that chronicle just some of the candid history of South Minneapolis in the 1960s and 1970s.

The other exhibit, “Separate Not Equal: The Hale-Field Pairing,” spotlights the unconventional strategy to desegregate two of Minneapolis’ public elementary schools in adjacent, but quite different

neighborhoods.

Seeing it from ground level “Not only do these exhibits bring this history to light,” noted Cindy Booker, a longtime South Minneapolis resident. “They bring it to life.” If anyone should know, it would be Booker, who lived through both experiences and served as an advisor on each exhibit.

Booker, the former executive director at Sabathani Community Center and current board member with the Minneapolis Public Schools district, grew up in the Field neighborhood at East 47th St. and 3rd Ave. S., just a few blocks from where 35W was under construction.

She still remembers her brothers venturing outside their home, toy dump trucks in hand, pretending to be part of the road crews. There were constant reminders that construction was taking place. In addition to the noise, sand and gravel, dirt and concrete were scattered across southside neighborhoods.

Although too young to understand the social and political realities of the 35W project, Booker does remember some families having their homes physically relocated from one lot to another, while others simply lost their homes altogether.

“It is imperative to understand,” explained historian, Dr. Ernest Lee Lloyd, “that the Interstate Highway Act was, at the time, not just the biggest public works project in U.S. history.” But it was also a “convenient way to dismantle African American and BIPOC neighborhoods and low-income communities all over urban America.”

Lloyd’s doctoral dissertation, “How Routing an Interstate Highway Through South Minneapolis Disrupted an African American Community,” details this iniquitous history and sets the stage for the exhibit.

Lloyd, who partnered with public historian Denise Pike and University of Minnesota Professor Greg Donofrio to curate “Human Toll,” added that this exhibit is an opportunity to absorb

how Interstate 35W destroyed a thriving middle-class African American community in South Minneapolis in the 1960s. “It gives voice to the community impacted by the highway system, and provides an opportunity for policymakers under [President Biden’s] infrastructure bill to correct past wrongs caused by racist transportation policies, advancing a better future for all citizens.”

“Separate Not Equal: The HaleField Pairing” is being presented in the museum’s North Gallery and is also open Thursdays and Fridays, from 10 am to 3 pm, and Saturdays from 10 am to 5 pm. This exhibit will continue through Saturday, April 1, 2023.

Admission is free, but donations are welcome. For more information on this exhibit, visit the Hennepin History Museum’s website at www. separatenotequalmn.org, call 612870-1329, or email info@hennenpinhistory.org. The Hennepin History Museum is located at 2303 3rd Ave. S., Minneapolis.

The “Human Toll: A Public History of 35W” exhibit is open Thursdays through Saturdays,

Desegregating South Minneapolis Schools

Cindy Booker recalled her mother telling her and her brothers, “School is going to be different this year,” as she prepared to enter the first grade. On September 2, 1971, Booker was one among many Black students bussed from their neighborhood school Eugene Field to Nathan Hale school approximately a mile-and-ahalf away, in what became known as the Hale-Field pairing.

This initiative turned Hale into a K-3 school, and Field was transformed into a center for fourth through sixth graders, allowing both schools to achieve a 70 to 30 percent balance between White students and students of color.

Legendary community leaders like W. Harry Davis, Sr., and Dr. Richard Green were among those who championed the move, while many in the White community, including Minneapolis Mayor Charles Stenvig and a majority of parents in the Hale neighborhood, opposed combining the two schools.

By contrast, as Booker recalled, most Black parents expressed little opposition to desegregation but feared for the safety of their children. Although threats of violence were made, nothing serious ever materialized.

And, by most accounts, the Hale-Field affiliation seems to have been a success.

“I think that everyone I’ve encountered who experienced this pairing first-hand looks back at it fondly,” said Hennepin History Museum Curator Alyssa Thiede. “That includes alumni, teachers, administrators, community members and others. These are the people that tell the history in our exhibit.”

For her part, Booker also said that the experience had a tremendous impact on her life and in some ways shaped the person and the professional she’s become today.

Of course, this school pairing, and other desegregation strategies didn’t last forever, and today Minneapolis Public Schools are again among the most segregated in America.

However, after the

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Cindy Booker

in the Main Floor Gallery of the Hennepin History Museum. It will close for good on December 31, 2022.

exhibit closes, visitors can continue to view the exhibit and learn more about this history by visiting the

University of Minnesota online at bit.ly/umnexhibits and Twin Cities Public Television at bit.ly/ tptalmanac35W.

Tony Kiene welcomes reader responses to tkiene@spokesmanrecorder.com.

■ See JP Morgan on page 10

Some self-hate is not accidental It’s the old ‘House Negro’ resurfacing

By Stacy M. Brown

“So, you have two types of Negro. The old type and the new type. Most of you know the old type. When you read about him in history during slavery he was called ‘Uncle Tom.’ He was the House Negro.”—Malcolm X

In the 1960s, African Americans embraced a locally fashioned brand of Black pride, and “Black is beautiful” was their traditional motto. According to writer Ronald E. Hall, African Americans mostly embraced the Black pride movement in the 1960s.

“Unfortunately, such activist idealism manifested in Black pride expired with the passing of the times,” Hall asserted. The author then noted that Black Americans “remain the most despised” among the community of human races, reinforced via media images.

“In response,” Hall determined, “is Black self-hate acted out by the political conservatism of Black American Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas as an icon.”

In the eyes of many in Black America, Justice Thomas—disparagingly described by some as “Uncle Thomas,” isn’t alone. Recently, the antics of Republican Georgia Senate Candidate Herschel Walker, hip hop star Kanye West, sports commentator Stephen A. Smith, CNN contributor Van Jones and others have drawn the ire of fellow African Americans.

Walker’s campaign against Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock infuriated Black Americans, many of whom called him a “House Negro” and an

“Uncle Tom.”

“Herschel Walker being in this election is an insult to Black Americans,” Rutgers University Professor Valerie Fitzhugh determined. “How does he not know he is being used?”

Earlier this month, a photo of Dallas Cowboy owner Jerry Jones surfaced showing him among the crowd of White people in 1957 who blocked six Black students from desegregating a high school in Arkansas.

changes it. But, unfortunately, it’s the same for some of our people.”

West, the rapper now known as “Ye,” also upset many of his own race with comments ranging from “slavery is a choice” to asserting that George Floyd died of a fentanyl overdose. He further angered the masses by donning White Lives Matter shirts alongside Candace Owens, whom many Black people dismiss as a self-loathing individual.

Far-right school board candidates: ‘We’ll be back’

By Ben Jealous

Back in August, I wrote that getting “back to school” this year would also mean getting back to fighting far-right attacks on education. The threats included a rising number of efforts to ban books and the right’s efforts to take over local school boards.

So how did the right do in this fall’s school board elections? Well, as in Congress there was no conservative “red wave.” However, the right did score just enough wins to keep coming back. And the groups behind those wins are promising to do just that.

According to news reports, about half the candidates endorsed by one national group, Moms for Liberty, and a third of those endorsed by another, the conservative 1776 Project PAC, won in November.

Earlier this year Moms for Liberty racked up notable wins in their home state of Florida, where extremist Gov. Ron DeSantis gave them a boost In addition to taking over some school boards in their home state, they took over some boards in a few districts in South Carolina.

1776 Project reportedly spent almost $2.8 million on ads and other campaign material for candidates.

In Texas, a right-wing cellphone company called Patriot Mobile spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to help right-wing candidates in several school districts, and called it “just the beginning.”

In the end, this campaign strategy was not the universally successful formula the right hoped it would be. For starters, the so-called “parental rights” groups don’t speak for all parents—especially Black and Brown parents. In many places, parents and teachers worked together to push back against ultraconservative takeover attempts.

tion’s troubled past. As a parent, I don’t want my children lied to in school. That won’t help them succeed in school or in life.

As a lifelong student of history, I know that we can’t understand our present reality or begin to shape a more inclusive future without being grounded in the complexity of our past. But I also know the far right wants to make school board races a stepping stone to bigger things.

Investing in school board takeovers is a power-building strategy. Ultraconservative activist Steve Bannon said it himself when he claimed the path to “save” the nation will “go through the school boards.”

Not only that, but extremists in the GOP—including former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos—now want to get rid of public education entirely. And yes, many public schools, including those in Black and Brown neighborhoods, need to get better. But privatizing education is not the way to get there.

Before Jones responded to the criticism, Smith quickly jumped to the owner’s defense, and the uproar from the Black community proved swift. Most observers noted that in his four decades owning the Cowboys, Jones had never hired a Black head coach.

Further, the owner had vociferously blasted former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick for kneeling during the national anthem. Kaepernick hasn’t received an NFL job since.

“Sometimes a fruit falls from a tree and rolls so far away from its roots that it’s no longer of the tree,” asserted Brother Jamaal Nelson, the owner of the app Knowledge of Self. Continuing his quoting of Malcolm X in describing Smith, Nelson said, “the hard fall, and long journey, bruises the fruit so much that it totally

“Many millennials viewed West as an older brother,” writer Minda Honey wrote. “Losing hope in him can feel like losing hope in ourselves, like we’re looking at what’s waiting for us after a few more successes, after we find out that White validation is goldplated and something green and corrosive waits for us beneath it,” Honey, the owner of TAUNT, insisted.

“If West can’t be Black and brilliant in America, someone like me can’t survive it either. So, we’re resistant to giving up on him,” Honey assessed.

As for Jones, the CNN contributor, his “apology” for what he deemed the lack of response by the Black community to West’s anti-Semitic comments drew the ire of nearly all social media.

“Now, I must have missed the meeting where we all came together on Black Twitter and elected Jones the representative of the ‘community,’” Jessica Washington wrote for The Root. “But, I kind of think I’d remember making the man the supreme leader who said we don’t give Donald Trump ‘enough credit’ for his love of Black people.”

Washington called White supremacy a threat that impacts all oppressed peoples, and all should take it seriously. “But trying to make the victims of White supremacy fight like crabs in a barrel does nothing to make the situation better,” she declared.

Dr. Jeff Menzies, a clinical psychologist, said it’s often difficult to label someone an “Uncle Tom” or a “House Negro.” “Part of [some people’s behavior], I think, is stubbornness,” Dr. Menzies said on the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s Let It Be Known live morning show.

“For example, some people are like, ‘You’re not going to move me from my political views.’ Some will point out that Democrats are not that better, just maybe not as condescending,” he said.

Dr. Menzies called self-hate “real.” “It’s a learned process and learned as a conditioning,” the clinical psychologist continued. “The process of learn-

Their strategy was to try for a repeat performance of the Virginia election in 2021, where Republican Glenn Youngkin won the governor’s race on a similar cynical “parental rights” platform.

The platform is code for highlighting culture war battles over issues like COVID mask and vaccine policies, “critical race theory,” and anti-LGBTQ activism. Let’s be clear: Despite the marketing behind this movement, it doesn’t represent the views of many parents.

And if the far right doesn’t have good ideas, it definitely has plenty of money. The

Winning candidates endorsed by Moms for Liberty and the 1776 Project were in the few hundreds, far fewer than the thousands endorsed by the National Education Association—of which more than 70 percent won their races.

This time.

I’m an optimist at heart, and it gives me hope to see that the dishonest and damaging drive to take over school boards did not sweep the nation. It is very good to know that enough parents, teachers and students spoke out to prevent that from happening.

We want schools where all kids can flourish. We want schools where history lessons are not whitewashed to hide harsh realities about our na-

MAIL BAG

So we need to stay alert to the right’s efforts to get control of school boards because they’ll be back. We who care about honest teaching and inclusive public schools should go to school board meetings. We should pay attention to school board races and candidates.

And if we can, we should run for the school board ourselves. Our kids’ educations, and their futures, depend on it.

Ben Jealous serves as president of People For the American Way and professor of the practice at the University of Pennsylvania. A New York Times bestselling author, his next book “Never Forget Our People Were Always Free” will be published by HarperCollins in January 2023.

In response to the story “Homeless advocates demand winter moratorium on encampment evictions” by Cole Miska

Thank you for your detailed article about the homeless encampments. However, as a Black woman, I have to ask whether advocating for encampments to remain over a Minnesota winter will make Black people safer, healthier, and more likely to find long term quality housing? I recommend that we ask more questions about whether this particular advocacy is leading us toward equity or away from it.

Terry H. via spokesman-recorder.com

In response to the story “Racial taunting nothing new in sports” by Charles Hallman

Obviously as a white man I have no way to know how such taunts feel. However, I see them as totally, completly

ing is a deep and systematic

Dr. David Childs, a History and Black Studies Department professor at Northern Kentucky University, said it’s proper to view West, Smith, Jones and others in a historical context. “Since the time of enslavement there have been African Americans that have sided with White forces that joined up with the enslaver to get benefits,” Dr. Childs said.

“Sometimes I wonder if they believe everything they put

and entirely unacceptable in a supposedly civilized country.

Many famous athletes have had to deal with taunts, including Paul Robeson and Jackie Robinson. It is discouraging that the problem still exists.

When such taunts occur, would it be possible to halt the game immediately and announce that it will not be resumed until the guilty persons have left? It seems to me that that policy could quickly eliminate the problem if carried out.

Frank Eggers via spokesmanrecorder.com

In response to the commentary “The prison treatment trap for release violators” by Lamart Coleman

Nicole Lewin via spokesmanrecorder.com

In response to “Former drug kingpin shows how he turned wrong into right” by Abdi Mohamed

Great story. Terrific collaboration between Ramsey County and HSRA. Thanks for researching and writing this story.

Joe Nathan via spokesmanrecorder.com

As a Black woman, I have to ask whether advocating for encampments to remain over a Minnesota winter will make Black people safer.

forth. But it’s very lucrative to sign up with certain individuals like those with [former President Donald Trump].

“They stand to benefit, reminding me of what Malcolm X said in his speech differentiating between the House Negro and the Field Negro. He talked about how the House Negro benefitted from the master.

“I see that today. If offered the right amount of money, many people in our community would say and do whatever.”

Sonny Etienne, a licensed mental health counselor, and certified addiction professional, said self-hate isn’t always by accident. “It’s well-orchestrated,” Etienne stated.

“There are folks out there perpetrating fake news. So, the thing you’ve got to ask with Kanye [is], are there unseen political hands working behind the scenes?”

Stacy M. Brown is an NNPA Newswire senior national correspondent.

Baloney, sex crime perpetrators only recommit that crime 3% of the time. You forgot to mention that most of them commit 150 such crimes before being successfully prosecuted. Quit lying to people.

As a parent, I don’t want my children lied to in school. That won’t help them succeed in school or in life.

“Herschel Walker being in this election is an insult to Black Americans. How does he not know he is being used?”

concept.”

St. Paul • Holiday Lights on York Avenue, 1526 York Ave. (11 yards lit up and synchronized to 91.5 FM)

• The Beaumont’s Holiday Light Show, 229 21st Ave. S (synchronized to music on 97.1 FM)

• Rice Park, 109 W. 4th St. • Friends of Mears Park, 261 5th St. E.

Bloomington • 1400 E. 96th St. • 10730 Xerxes Ave. S. • 9331 Chicago Ave. S. • 1000 Mound Spring Terrace • Holiday Lights Drive-Thru at Martin Luther Campus (senior living community), 1401 E. 100th St. (free and open to all)

Find more Bloomington listings by going to www.bloomingtonmn.gov/pr/bloomington-winter-lights-tour. Visit spokesman-recorder.com for more light displays.

obert was a great husband, father, and friend.

He tried to do right by everybody; he loved everybody, and everyone loved him.

His smile and laughter were contagious, and he would light up any room.

Robert, I think of you every day and find myself laughing at the things you were always saying. Your friend John gave a toast to you at his recent retirement, saying how it was a shared dream for you and him to retire together at the same time. We all miss you dearly.

Your loving wife, Tracey Williams-Dillard

Photos by Paige Elliott

Best ways to dispose of holiday greenery and trees to protect the environment Invasive pests can hitchhike on festive foliage

While holiday greenery and trees can bring joy throughout the season, they can also hide dangerous hitchhikers. Diseases and invasive species can make their way into our landscapes on trees and boughs brought into Minnesota from other states.

To protect the environment, the State of Minnesota is asking residents to properly dispose of greenery and trees after the holiday season.

The best way to dispose of holiday greenery and trees is to use a curbside tree collection or bring trees to a designated drop-off site. Check with your waste hauler, city, or county to see what services are offered in your area.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has a map of yard waste compost locations; contact locations directly to see if they accept trees and greenery.

Do not toss trees and greenery into your backyard

woods or residential compost pile, which can spread the invasive species or disease.

Wreaths and other decorative greens can be disposed of in trash cans.

If your city or county does not have an organized pick-up or dropoff, the last resort is to burn the greens. Always check fire danger conditions and burning restrictions before burning and follow local ordinances.

Pests of concern include elongate hemlock scale, a small insect established in the eastern U.S. where many decorative Fraser firs are grown. Feeding damage from this invasive insect can cause the needles

of hemlocks, firs, and spruces to yellow and prematurely drop. Also, boxwood blight, a fungal disease, and Oriental bittersweet, an invasive noxious weed, sometimes found on wreaths and centerpieces, can endanger native trees and other landscaping.

If you suspect your greenery or tree may be infested with an invasive insect or disease, contact the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Report a Pest line at 1-888-5456684, reportapest@state. mn.us, or through the online reporting form.

Source: Minnesota Department of Agriculture

SOE

in 2022. This makes up 50% of the teams (more on this later).

• POC assistant coaches are up for the third straight season—almost 62% in 2022.

• Blacks as VPs are up more than five percent (17.2% to 22.4%).

Unfortunately, the TIDES report does not reflect that since the 2022 season ended, two Black HCs left. Of the five total head coaching openings, none were filled by Blacks.

As a result, there’s only three Black head coaches in the league: Tanisha Wright (Atlanta) and Noelle Quinn (Seattle) as the only Black female HCs, and James Wade (Chicago) as the only Black male head coach in the W.

Among the nine women holding team presidents’ positions at the time of TIDES’ data gathering for this year’s report, two are Black (Nikki Fargas, Las Vegas; Daakeia Clarke, New York) and three Black GMs— Wade, Las Vegas’ Natalie Williams, and Derek Fisher, who

JP MOrgan

Contunued from page 7

saving up to buy that new game or bicycle they’ve been wanting.

Provide hands-on experience. Kids often learn by doing, so consider opening a child savings account as soon as they start receiving money. Empowering them with a child debit card can help build good money habits.

Teach them more about banking. Your child can learn how to deposit checks in a branch, bank online, and withdraw cash at an ATM by helping comanage their account.

Building a Healthy Financial Future

Opening a kids’ savings account provides a natural

avenue for parents to talk to children about their financial wellness and, while they often don’t pay high yields, these accounts are meaningful tools to start a child on a responsible financial path from an early age.

It’s important to provide ways for kids to earn money through chores, an allowance or a summer job. Long-term, the goal is for children to gain real-life experience earning and managing money when they become adults. That way, they will be more equipped to be part of a larger discussion about debit cards, credit cards, auto loans or other financial products they may need as they enter adulthood.

Visit chase.com/parents to discover more tips and tools to teach your kids good money habits.

was Los Angeles coach-GM before he was dismissed during the 2022 season.

The report also noted several new social justice and inclusion initiatives in health equity, food insecurity, LGBTG+ advocacy, civic engagement, and confronting anti-Asian hate. These are both league-led (W players wore Juneteenth warmup shirts and led discussions on the holiday on WNBA.com and social channels) and team-led (Atlanta hosted their first annual HBCU + Divine Nine weekend).

“The overwhelming encouraging part,” continued Lapchick, “is the extensive nature of the diversity initiatives and social justice initiatives, that they’re implemented at the WNBA and also at the NBA.” He especially pointed out how the WNBA players for several years have been out front advocating for social change.

“You got to give credit to the WNBA for athletes protesting,” noted the TIDES director.

Union officials chosen Los Angeles veteran Nneka Ogwumike last week was elected to her third term as WNBA union presi-

dent, a role she has held since first elected in 2016. Among the seven-person executive committee, Minnesota’s Natalie Achonwa was reelected as union treasurer along with Elizabeth Williams (Washington). Dallas’ Satou Sabally and Phoenix’s Brianna Turner both were chosen as two of three new vice presidents.

Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.

Natalie Achonwa Courtesy of Twitter

WNBA leads the leagues in racial/ gender hiring

hey’re still the best—the WNBA for the 18th straight year leads all pro leagues in racial and gender hiring.

Last week’s 2022 WNBA Racial and Gender Report Card continues to show that America’s longest women’s pro basketball league is earning high grades: A overall grade, A+ in racial hiring (players, head coaches, assistant coaches, league office and team staff), and A for gender hiring.

The lowest grades the W got on this year’s report was for team presidents (C-), owners (the league calls them “governors”) and general maWNBA logonagers (both B).

“The WNBA is out front” in so many ways, Richard Lap-

chick told the MSR last week.

Lapchick is The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES) founding director.

Consider these highlights:

• Blacks holding professional team staff positions are up from 32 in 2021 to 44 this year.

• Black head coaches increased from five in 2021 to six

■ See SOE on page 10

ecause of the growing but still low number of Black female college basketball head coaches, a Sistahood—a support lifeline whether formal or informal— does exist. For many HCs, this is as important as wins and losses.

“You carry a lot of burden on your shoulders when you get those head coaching op-

Sistahood offers support in a competitive business

portunities,” Chicago State’s Andrea Williams told us after her team’s loss Dec. 12 at Minnesota. The Cougars left the Western Athletic Conference after the 2021-22 season and are playing an independent schedule this season.

Williams, a 27-year veteran coach, was named CSU head coach July 1. “I’m fortunate enough to be able to have this be my second go-round as a Division I head coach,” stressed Williams, who was U.S. Air Force Academy head coach for six seasons (2010-15).

The Sistahood didn’t exist when C. Vivian Stringer started coaching back at Cheyney State in 1971, noted Rutgers Coach Coquese Washington, who’s also in her second goaround as an HC. “I think one of the things that she’s constantly talked about to the

Black female head coaches around the country is encouraging us to support each other,” recalled Washington, now in her first season as Stringer’s successor at Rutgers.

“She [Stringer] talks about how when she was starting out in coaching, she didn’t have a network and she didn’t have a [female] support system. She was by herself.”

The now-retired Stringer is “a trailblazer for us,” added Kentucky Coach Kyra Elzy. “People like her blazed the way and ■ See View on page 11

his past week there were a couple of high school basketball games in Minneapolis and a Hall of Fame induction of an esteemed assistant coach and columnist.

Friday, December 16

Sophomore guard Ebon Lo and senior forward Jazavious Dickerson led the way with 21 points each to lead Patrick Henry High School to a 65-62 nonconference boys’ basketball victory over St. Paul Johnson.

The Patriots overcame a 16-point deficit at the 10-minute mark to capture their first victory.

Senior guard Ka’Jon Jordan led the Governors with 16 points.

Wednesday, December 14

Junior guard Deidrick Taylor scored 17 points and sophomore guard Legend Wright, junior guard Isiah Ayala, junior guard Jumarion Weh, and senior guard Micah Young each

The week in review

added 11, leading Minneapolis Edison to a 79-69 win over Minneapolis South in a City Conference matchup.

Junior guards Poet Davis and James Underwood led South with 16 points apiece.

Wednesday, December 14 Minnesota Spokesman Recorder (MSR) columnist Charles Hallman, an assistant coach at Minneapolis South, was recently inducted into the school’s athletic Hall of Fame before a game against Edison.

Hallman, already a Hall of Fame writer as a columnist, has been at South since 1995.

He’s currently the longest running coach in Minneapolis at one school.

Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader responses to mcdeezy05@gmail.com.

Visit to Pettis Bridge inspires Gopher athlete

By Charles Hallman Sports Columnist

innesota sophomore forward Rose Micheaux, the only returning starter from last season, is a virtual veteran in the Gophers’ current starting lineup, which consists of three true freshmen, one redshirt sophomore, and Micheaux.

of graduations and transfers. But a field trip Micheaux took this summer as part of a large contingent of Big Ten studentathletes, staffers and others, including Commissioner Kevin Warren, gave her a new perspective on things.

that the civil rights field trip she participated in this summer offered her a fresh perspective on life. “There’s so much good in the world that we’re not really seeing,” she noted. Being down South “makes you want to do more.”

The average age of the five starters is 19 years and four months. Only Wisconsin, which starts three freshmen, is as young as this year’s Gophers.

The 6-2 Wayne, Mich. native virtually was thrust into a leadership role in only her second collegiate season because

They visited Selma and Montgomery, Alabama as part of the conference’s “Big Life” series. The group’s stops included the Edmund Pettis Bridge, the infamous site of Bloody Sunday in 1965 where over 600 mostly Black people were attacked by Alabama state troopers as they tried to cross over to march to the state capitol.

Nearly 60 years later, the Bridge is now a national historic landmark. “It was a really good experience,” Micheaux told the MSR.

Added Warren, “When I looked as we walked across the Edmund Pettis Bridge, to

be able to feel what happened on Bloody Sunday, to be able to feel what it means to be an American, to be able to feel how the Civil Rights Movement was important, my heart was warmed.”

Minnesota Coach Lindsay Whalen said that she believed Micheaux’s summertime ex-

perience has uniquely helped her become a better leader on the team. “I think first and foremost, her leadership, her voice has been just more noticeable,” observed the coach. “She stepped up in a lot of different ways. It’s been fun to see Rose really take on some more leadership.”

Thus far this season, Micheaux is among the top ten in rebounds per game (10th) and offensive rebounds per game (7th). She also changed uniform numbers from 54 that she wore last season to 4 to honor her brother who is battling health issues.

Also, Micheaux admitted

“This summer was emotional,” Warren concurred. “I think about the Selma trip every single day. One of the things I challenged myself and individuals on the trip, they [the 1965 demonstrators] weren’t on a bus. They were walking. They just walked for the opportunity to vote.

“To think of the many sacrifices that individuals made, it makes days like today incredibly special for us to be able to tell those stories.”

All photos by Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald

Minneapolis South guard Poet Davis during a game against Minneapolis Edison Wednesday December 14, 2022, at South High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Hall of Fame coach, two former metro area girls’ basketball players among those featured

Longtime boys’ basketball assistant coach and MSR columnist Charles Hallman waves to fans at South High School after being inducted into the school’s athletic Hall of Fame Wednesday, December 14 in Minneapolis.

Minneapolis Edison guard Deidrick Taylor during a game against Minneapolis South Wednesday, December 14 at South High School in Minneapolis.

Minneapolis Henry guard Ebon Lo during a game against St. Paul Johnson Friday, December 16 at Henry High School in Minneapolis.

St. Paul Johnson guard Ka’Jon Jordan during a game against Minneapolis Henry Friday, December 16 at Henry High School in Minneapolis.

“You got to give credit to the WNBA for athletes protesting.”

Richard Lapchick

MSR file photo

Andrea Williams

“It’s a sign of strength. It’s a sign of togetherness.”

Coquese

Washington

Kyra

Elzy

Niya Butts

All photos by Charles Hallman

Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.

Rose Micheaux Photos by Charles Hallman Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren, MN Coach Lindsay Whalen

“There’s so much good in the world that we’re not really seeing.”