October 18, 2018 - MN Spokesman-Recorder

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Ramsey County judge candidate: I play to win, not for fun

Calandra Revering intends to get respect for people of color in the courts

By Solomon Gustavo Contributing Writer This article is part of an ongoing series profiling candidates running for various offices and how their election might impact our communities.

A William Mitchell College of Law graduate with over a decade of private practice experience, Calandra Revering is one of the only Black women criminal defense attorneys in the state. Black women are also missing from the bench — including the Ramsey County judge seat for which Revering is challenging an incumbent this November.

There are some Black men on the bench, said Revering, “but you won’t see anybody that looks like your mother. That means something. You are affected by the court system, directly or indirectly.”

From child protection to ten-

Calandra Revering

Photo by Phillip McGraw

ants’ rights, zoning and service licenses, or even the way a police officer pulls over people and treats them are informed, she said, by judicial decisions that trickle down into the way people live.

She notes it is not just the bench, but the entire downtown Ramsey County court administration that woefully underrepresents the minorities it serves.

“People go into that building and they are tense because they feel they are not going to be respected. And, they are not.” Even wearing a suit and carrying a briefcase, she said, a clerk addresses her as a defendant every time she enters the building.

Revering remembers raising a child alone and walking him to William Mitchell classes because her car barely worked.

She has compassion for diverse ■ See Judge on page 5

Mpls YWCA says it’s time to act against racism

take place. This event is [about] action in get there.”

Upwards of 1,200 Twin Cities leaders the workplace.

“Because of the national narrative com- in business, education, arts, advocacy As of 2017, Minnesota’s unenviable ing out of Washington and across our and social services are expected to join track record made it the nation’s second- country [and at] the state level as well, in the conversation.

“One of the ways we measure our sucmost unequal state (just after Wisconsin). there is a real frustration [on the part of] An inRead study measured disparity some people in our community as to how cess is that it continues to be a very popgaps between Black and White residents they might be able to be part of the solu- ular event,” said Vázquez. “Another measure is that our sister organization in, amongst other areas, unemployment, tion,” she continued. income, education and homeownership.

It also found Black Minnesotans are 10 times more likely to serve jail or prison time.

YWCA Minneapolis is hosting its annual symposium, “It’s Time to Talk: Forums on Race,” on Thursday Oct. 25 to further its commitment to counter such racial disparities.

The forum is designed to remedy inequity and move attendees through honest conversation about race. Caroline Wanga, Target Corporation chief diversity and inclusion officer and vice president of human resources, will serve as keynote speaker.

“We are excited to put this event together and to engage the community, especially with the current political environment, everything that’s happening Attendees at 2017 “It’s Time To Talk” Photo by Rachel Palomo/ YWCA Minneapolis at the national level,” said YWCA Racial Justice and Public Policy Vice Pres“Our goal is to challenge attendees YWCA Mankato has taken this model ident Rubén Vázquez. “At the local level, it’s important to provide a space [for] to improve on racism in the workplace. and is using it.”

Other organizations either utilizing uncomfortable, much-needed conversa- We offer services through customized workshops for employers so they can YWCA Minneapolis’ trademarked fotions.”

YWCA President-CEO Luz Maria then move the needle on how they in- rum or expressing interest include the Frias said, “Racism is about the barriers teract with people of color and indige- YWCAs in Washington, D.C., Cleveland that result in disparities, systemic barri- nous people. In their heart, people want and Atlanta as well as the Mayo Clinic in ers, which is why this event is valuable, to be part of the solution. But, they don’t ■ See YWCa on page 5 dismantling racism by having training know where to start, what to do, how to

By Dwight Hobbes Contributing Writer

County Attorney debate probed volatile issues

By Dwight Hobbes Contributing Writer “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu,” said Black Votes Matter MN (BVMM) founder Anika Robbins at last week’s Hennepin County Attorney debate. BVMM is a local nonpartisan voter engagement effort to increase voter and civic participation amongst Blacks.

“Our community is the most impacted by the criminal justice system,” Robbins said about bringing a debate between incumbent Mike Freeman and challenger Mark

Mike Freeman

County than Whites. It’s the prosecutor’s responsibility to adjust charging accordingly.”

He cited a recent newspaper article reporting that undercover Minneapolis Police Department officers had solicited $20 sales, then arrested the sellers. “The County Attorney’s Office prosecuted those cases. I’m going to move away from prosecuting marijuana and publicly advocate for legalization partly because of the disparities.”

Mike Freeman stated his office had been unaware of the sting operations Haase

Mark Hasse Photos by Sunshine Joy Hedlund

Haase to the African American community. “We’re dealing with the disparity in incarceration. So, it was important the candidates share their vision with us.”

BVMM sponsored the evening at the Minneapolis Urban League, hosted by Robbins and activist Bill English and moderated by former Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton.

The tone of the debate was cordial, forgoing confrontation. Despite the potential vol-

described. “We didn’t know about it. The [MPD] didn’t share the information, and those cases came in over a three-month period along with a thousand other cases. It was not clear what Minneapolis police were up to. We diverted some of it [as an alternative to criminal charges] and, when we reviewed the rest, we dismissed them all.”

He added, “It’s a system issue. I’ve spent five years at the legislature trying to make

“It’s vital we get involved and engaged because decisions are made after the election — about us, without us.” atility of the subjects involved, Freeman and Haase politely exchanged perspectives in a conversational fashion. Each cited stats and data supporting how he would work against racial discrimination in Minneapolis Police Department law enforcement and Hennepin County the criminal justice system for Hennepin.

“A lot of disparities,” Haase acknowledged, “are created by how the law is enforced by police. There are things a prosecutor should consider in deciding whether or not to charge.

Blacks are six times more likely to be charged with marijuana offenses in Hennepin

changes in the drug laws, particularly marijuana. What we accomplished was about half a loaf. What we did was reduce sentences for possession for small amounts. The problem is they didn’t finish the job, because there are still some of these sentencing and charging levels that are too high. We need to go back to the legislature.”

Police accountability remains a sensitive subject, raising controversial cases that have fostered alarm and protest over officer-involved killings.

Sayles Belton addressed Mike ■ See debate on page 5

U of M’s Humphrey School honors longtime civil rights leader Josie Johnson

Josie Johnson at portrait unveiling and room dedication

Photos courtesy of Humphrey School of Public Affairs

For decades, Josie Johnson has been one of Minnesota’s foremost leaders in civil rights activism. Now a new fellowship at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs has been named in her honor.

Some 200 attendees gathered at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs Monday evening, October 15, to hear of plans to create the Josie Robinson Johnson Fellowship and rename a community meeting room after her.

The $2M fellowship fund will support graduate students at the school who have specific interests in addressing racial inequities and injustice.

“I’d like us collectively to make certain that generations of students, fac-

ulty, and community partners continue to know of Josie’s work and be inspired by her formidable leadership,” said Humphrey School Dean Laura Bloomberg.

The school also unveiled a portrait of the honoree during the dedication of the newly renamed Josie Robinson Johnson Community Room.

Civil rights leader Vernon Jordan, a close friend of Johnson’s, said the fellowship is a fitting tribute to her lifetime pursuit of equity and justice, and to “the historical impact she has made at the University of Minnesota.”

“While many things happening in ■ See Johnson on page 5

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October 18-24, 2018

UNCF director prepares for next level of student engagement, fundraising students as interested or as engaged in the classroom. “I think they’re coming with a lot of other issues so, as a result, school just doesn’t hold their undivided attention.”

The answer, she said, is coordinated programming and financial assistance.

“You’ve got to have mentoring programs, you’ve got to have tutoring programs, you’ve got to have sports programs,” she said. “But, we’ve got to really give our kids the tools they need to excel and have opportunities for them to want to participate. I don’t think our kids always think that school is cool, but it’s got to be cool. School needs to be cool.”

“The biggest barrier for students would be financial resources, having financial assistance to attend colleges and you know, making sure they have enough money to pay for tuition and room and board and books and all those things,” she said.

Those barriers are why she said she wants to use her skills as a networker and connector to “build on keeping scholarships front and center of what we do.”

But, McCartney-Knighton said fundraising has been the biggest challenge.

“It’s been a steep learning curve. Fundraising is not my forte, but because of my ability to build relationships and

connections will already be made so, all I needed to do was continue to momentumbuild upon that.”

Prior to her current position, McCartney-Knighton said she had always been on the philanthropic side of fundraising. “Now I’m on the side of asking for the money, and I am just taking some of those lessons I learned in being a funder to now being the one asking for funding and utilizing what I’ve learned on the other side of the fence.

It gives me, I think, an edge to know how funders think and what funders are looking for.”

That edge is what she hopes to utilize when fund-

“We’ve got to really give our kids the tools they need to excel and have opportunities for them to want to participate.”

By Keith Schubert Contributing Writer

P

romoting education has been the biggest reward for Laverne McCartney-Knighton since taking over as area development director for the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Minneapolis/St. Paul office last year.

“When education is high on the priority list, students are able to get college degrees and are able to come back and work and live and thrive in their own communities and be a contributing factor to building a stronger economy and building stronger families,” said McCartney-Knighton.

“If we aren’t working dai-

ly to make sure those needs are being met for our students,” she added, “then we’re doing a disservice to our community.”

McCartney-Knighton said she enjoyed school growing up. “School was always interesting for me, I was always an engaged student.”

When visiting schools today, she said she doesn’t see

Unique, local content from the African American community's perspective!

because of the network and relationships that I have here in the Twin Cities, I’ve been able to utilize that skill set to build upon and really enhance my ability to move into the fundraising space,” said McCartney-Knighton.

She added she is fortunate that her predecessor, Sharon Smith-Akinsanya, left her with a stable supply of relationships and partners before leaving the position. Because of that, she said, “Coming into the role wasn’t as difficult as it might have been for somebody else. I wasn’t needing to rebuild connections. Those

raising for the 2019 Masked Ball, the organization’s largest local fundraising event of the year. It will be her first time organizing and hosting the event all on her own. “[I’m] really gearing up for that and making sure I’m maintaining the previous relationships we’ve had in fundraising for, but also building on past momentum,” she said.

While fundraising and networking may be at the crux of her position, providing students with access to education is what she said drives her in the role. It is also the reason she took the job in the first place.

“I can be honest, I wasn’t looking for this role, and I didn’t always believe that I was equipped to be a fundraiser, but because I know this community, I love this community, and I love what UNCF stands for, it wasn’t a hard thing,” she said. “It was really me trying to do the right thing for an organization that’s doing really good for the community.”

For more information on the UNCF’s local efforts and scholarships, visit www.uncf.org/ minneapolis. Photo courtesy of UNCF.

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The financial assistance is where UNCF comes in.

Established in 1944, the organization provides 10,000 students with scholarships worth more than $100 million each year. It also provides financial support to 37 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and advocates for equitable education for students of color, according to its website. The UNCF has already raised nearly $100,000 for Minneapolis freshman college students via its annual MLK Holiday Breakfast this past January in partnership with General Mills.

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October 18-24, 2018

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Cutting one’s skin is a cry for attention and help

By Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD and Alexis E. Carrington

M

any things happen behind closed doors and in private, sometimes going completely unnoticed or unimaginable. One of those things is self-harm, such as cutting, which occurs much more often than people would expect.

Every year, one in five females and one in seven males engage in self-injurious behavior.

About 90 percent of those who participate in self-harm began during their pre-teen or teenage years.

Approximately two million cases are reported annually in the U.S. Imagine how many cases there actually are, since a majority of the cases go unreported.

When cutting occurs, it usually manifests as horizontal scars across the lower arms (as in the picture) and upper thighs. These are both areas that can easily be covered with clothing.

Cutting isn’t the only form of self-harm that can be done. Other types of harm that can be self-inflicted and warning signs to look out for include: • Burning • Picking at or reopening wounds • Punching or hitting oneself • Inserting objects into the skin • Purposely bruising or breaking one’s bones • Pulling out one’s hair There are several myths about cutting and other forms of self-harm, which are important to recognize, understand, and even debunk.

First, cutting isn’t considered an attempt at suicide. According to the Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the authoritative guide for doctors, cutting is considered a non-

suicidal self-injury disorder.

Second, it is not a mental illness.

Cutting is a behavior indicating a lack of coping skills for emotional pain, intense anger and frustration. Even though self-injury brings a brief feeling of calm, it is usually followed by guilt, shame, and the return of painful emotions. This destructive cycle can become addictive to the point that it becomes a compulsive behavior and difficult to stop.

There are a great many reasons why people engage in cutting. It can be triggered by someone’s social environment. An overwhelming amount of stress can lead someone to feel like there’s no way out or to feel so empty that the only emotional release is through inflicting pain.

and oppositional defiant disorders) Common signs and symptoms might include: • Parallel linear scars on the arms (as in photo below) • Fresh cuts, scratches, bruises or other wounds • Possession of sharp objects, like a razor • Difficulties with relationships • Persistent questions about personal identity, such as “Who am I?” and “What am I doing here?”

• Emotional and behavioral instability, impulsivity and unpredictability • Statements of helplessness, hopelessness or worthlessness Each of us has a responsibility to look out for friends, family and acquaintances for any signs or suspicions of self-harm and to offer help and support during whatever is compelling someone to hurt themselves. If you have a friend,

Parallel linear scars on the arms What you can do: In order to help prevent someone from harming themselves, it helps to understand the risk factors and to be aware of red flags of secretive behavior. Risk factors include, but are not limited to: • Age (teenagers and young adults most common, although it can happen at any age) • Having friends who self-injure • Abuse (sexual, physical or emotional) • Social isolation/ loneliness • Mental health issues (i.e., borderline personality disorder, eating disorders, depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, conduct,

loved one or acquaintance who is self-injuring or has revealed thoughts about self- harm, you must take it seriously.

You may feel shocked, scared, or even feel you’re betraying their privacy. However, this is too big of a problem to ignore, and their safety and well-being are the most important considerations.

If you know anyone injuring themselves, suggest they reach out to someone they trust, such as their parents, friends, teachers, a counselor, a physician or spiritual leader. Furthermore, always keep the suicide hotline number close by: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). If you

find yourself in an emergency situation, this requires a quicker but, most importantly, calm response by calling 911 or other local emergency number.

Do not condemn or criticize anyone who has cut themselves for their behavior. What they need most is support and healthy coping skills rather than added negativity.

Preventing self-harm should be the utmost goal. There’s no fool-proof way to do so, but there are various avenues that can be taken to curtail it, including many seemingly small things anybody can do to look out for others and make a real difference.

Help is available If you have ever harmed or currently harm yourself in any way, or if you’ve had suicidal thoughts, remember one thing: You can overcome almost any challenge. If you have injured yourself and believe your injury is life-threatening in any way, immediately call 911 or the suicide hotline.

Most importantly, reach out to somebody, anybody. If you can’t talk to your family members, talk to your doctor. If the doctor is not available, there is always help available at the hospital’s emergency room. Be it family, friend, minister or doctor, there is always someone there to help you. Please reach out.

Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD is a board-certified dermatologist and Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. He also has a private practice in Eagan, MN. He received his M.D. and Master’s Degree in Molecular Biology and Genomics from the Mayo Clinic. He has been selected as one of the top 10 dermatologists in the United States

by Black Enterprise magazine. Dr. Crutchfield was recognized by Minnesota Medicine as one of the 100 Most Influential Healthcare Leaders in Minnesota. He is the team dermatologist for the Minnesota Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves, Wild and Lynx. Dr. Crutchfield is an active member of both the American and National Medical Associations, and president of the Minnesota Association of Black Physicians.

Alexis E. Carrington is a senior medical student at St. George’s University School of Medicine and a graduate of Pepperdine University. She is currently applying for a dermatology residency and research fellowship.

Are you in an abusive relationship?

Emotional Wellness with Dr. Golden by

DeiDre Annice GolDen P h.D., lP

Every minute, 20 people experience domestic violence in the United States. Over 10 million individuals have experienced domestic violence in the last year, and three out of four people personally know someone who has been victimized.

In 1987, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence designated October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month to mourn victims and celebrate survivors of domestic violence, as well as connect advocates working to end violence.

In domestic violence, the abuser’s priority is control and power. This has many forms, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual coercion, digital intimidation, reproductive abuse, and financial deprivation. Examples include: • Physical abuse: punching, slapping, hair pulling, pushing, choking; use of weapons; preventing you from calling the police, sleeping or eating; forcing you to use drugs; and hurting your children • Emotional abuse: humiliation, name calling, jealousy, accusations, cheating, isolation; monitoring and/or controlling your whereabouts; as well as blaming you for the abuse • Sexual abuse and coercion: forcing or demanding that you engage in sexual activities, calling you negative sexual terms, purposely transmitting sexual diseases, forcing

you to engage in sex with other partners, and hurting you with weapons or objects during sex • Financial abuse: taking paychecks, giving you an allowance; refusal to give you money for necessities like food, clothing, transportation and medical care; stealing your money, maxing out your credit cards without permission, and refusing to pay any of the household expenses • Digital abuse: use of technology such as texting and social media to bully, threaten, demean, harass, stalk and intimidate; sending explicit pictures or demanding that you send such pictures; monitoring and controlling your use of the internet and social platforms such as Facebook and Twitter; and, monitoring your whereabouts using GPS • Reproductive abuse: Refusing to use or removing condoms during intercourse, preventing the use of birth control, forcing or preventing abortion, and forcing unwanted pregnancy Domestic violence can negatively affect physical health as well as mental health and lead to feelings of worthlessness.

According to the Children’s Domestic Violence Network, over five million children witness domestic violence each year, which has a profound effect on their emotional, cognitive, social and academic development.

Children who witness domestic violence have increased risk for suicide, self-injurious behaviors (such as cutting), eating disorders, fighting and conduct problems, depression and anxiety, and for being in domestically violent relationships later in life. They are also six times more likely to commit suicide,

50 percent more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, and 74 percent more likely to commit a violent crime during adulthood.

It is important to develop a safety plan for you and your children when you are living with a domestic abuser. Domestic violence resources can help you identify ways to stay safe during a domestically violent relationship, while planning to leave and after you leave. There can be an escalation in violence if the perpetrator discovers that you are going to leave. Removal of access to weapons and having an escape plan may be critical to your survival.

Several stages occur when someone is deciding to leave a violent relationship: During the first stage, the victim has not yet acknowledged that they are being abused. The progression to violence in relationships is sometimes gradual from occasional verbal abuse to physical abuse.

In the second stage, the victim is still in denial but starts feeling shame and isolation from friends and family.

During the third stage, others have noticed signs and begin to help the victim identify the emotional, physical and mental abuse. Once the victim acknowledges the abuse during the fourth state, the process of grieving begins. Once shock, depression, anger and acceptance begin to be processed, the motivation for change develops.

In stage five, the individual seeks resources and begins the planning for safety and exiting the relationship.

During stage six, the decision to leave is made and is sometimes triggered by an episode of abuse.

In stage seven, the victim escapes to safety.

Fear, shame, love, belief that abuse is normal, culture and religion are some of the reasons why people stay in domestically violent relationships. Education and support can assist in the decision to leave.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact your local domestic violence support organizations or shelters. There are also numerous online organizations that can provide education and resources. You can also make an appointment with a mental health or primary care provider who can provide assistance with safety resources. Information about your legal rights and

the domestic violence laws for your state can be obtained from these organizations.

The Domestic Violence Awareness Project has developed a social media message called “Change can start with only #1Thing.” One person’s actions may seem insignificant, but together a community’s collective “#1Things” can lead to real social transformation.

Resources for those experiencing domestic violence: Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233; 1-800-787-3224 (TTY) Domestic Violence Project (DAP): 612-874-7063

Day One Call to Safety: 1-866223-1111; 612-399-9995 (text) Phyllis Wheatley: 612-374-4342 Resources for men with histories of domestic violence: NorthPoint Health & Wellness Domestic Violence Program: 612543-2500; Dr. Joshua Sabin or Dr. Laci Rumpza Phyllis Wheatly Wayne Hunter Stronger Together Program: 612374-4342 For further information, contact Dr. Deirdre Golden, director of Behavioral Health at NorthPoint Health & Wellness, 612-543-2705, or contact your primary care provider.

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October 18-24, 2018

The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder (MSR) welcomes and values commentary and feedback from the community. The articles found here are edited for clarity and/or space, but the opinions are the author’s own and do not reflect the views of the MSR.

Kavanaugh’s confirmation shows power of White privilege, sexism

By Austin R. Cooper Guest Commentator

20 years later: Was Matthew Shepard’s murder a hate (or drug) crime?

By Rev. Irene Monroe Guest Commentator October is LGBT History Month, encouraging the LGBTQ community to celebrate its progress and contributions, as well as look back at historical events.

That includes the murder of Matthew Shepard. Last week marked 20 years since his death on October 12, 1998. Shepard, then 21, was a first-year college student at the University of Wyoming. Under the guise of friendship, two men (Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson) lured him from a tavern, tortured and bludgeoned him with their rifles, and then tethered him to a rough-hewn wooden fence to die — simply because he was gay.

That’s the story the world over has come to know. And, for the most part, the LGBTQ community has tenaciously stuck with it, resulting in numerous hagiographies on Shepard as the quintessential LGBTQ icon.

However, despite all the iconic narratives, apocryphal tales also abound, resulting in queries concerning the story’s true nature.

he was also a courier who had plans just before his death to drive a shipment of meth.

“I learned that Matthew had been a user of meth. And from everything I was able to trace, Matthew got into meth in a serious way when he was living in Denver before he moved to Laramie,” Jimenez stated in an NPR interview with Rachel Martin of “Weekend Edition.”

According to Jimenez, Shepard’s murderers were not strangers — one is a bisexual crystal meth addict who not only knew Matthew, but partied, bought drugs from and had sex with him. With this “new” information, a more textured but troubling narrative emerges.

The response, however, to Jimenez’s book was a thunderous rebuke, making him an instant media sensation as a pariah, a Judas, and a colossal sellout. It even inspired Aaron Hicklin’s article, “Have We Got Matthew Shepard All Wrong?” in The Advocate, where he posed the question, “Did our need to make a symbol of Shepard blind us to a messy, complex story that is darker and more troubling than the established narrative?”

dent from the heart of conservative America,” Gabriel Arana wrote in her 2009 piece, “The Deification of Matthew Shepard: What the gay-rights movement has lost by making Shepard its icon.”

The anointing of Shepard as an iconic image for LGBTQ rights not only concealed from the American public the real person, but it also hid the other varied faces of hate crimes in 1998.

For example, the murder of James Byrd, Jr. — which many saw as a hate cirme — was instead depicted as lynching-bydragging. Walking home from a party along a highway in East Texas, Byrd was offered a ride.

The ride resulted in him being dragged by his ankles to his death — simply because he was Black.

Some, however, would empathically argue Shepard’s narrative is a good one to politically canonize in order to push for needed legislative changes in the protection and understanding of LGBTQ Americans.

The fruit of that narrative included the launches of The Matthew Shepard Foundation and

Homophobia, unquestionably, played a role in Shepard’s death, but drugs might have, too.

In 2013, investigative journalist Stephen Jimenez, himself gay, wrote The Book of Matt: Hidden Truths About the Murder of Matthew Shepard. The book upended a canonized narrative the public has grown familiarly comfortable with, irrespective of its sensationalized macabre details.

In reading Jimenez’s book, we shockingly learn that Shepard is a fictive narrative. Jimenez posits that Shepard’s murder had nothing to do with his sexual orientation, but rather his involvement in the deadly underworld of Laramie, Wy.’s crystal methamphetamine drug trafficking. Jimenez writes that Shepard was not only a user;

In a 2004 episode of “20/20,” investigative journalist Elizabeth Vargas also reported that money and drugs motivated Shepard killers’ actions and not homophobia. However, many immediately discredited the episode once finding out that Jimenez was its producer.

This story, nonetheless, shatters a revered ico-n for LGBTQ rights, one who was deliberately chosen because of his race, gender, and economic background.

“Matthew Shepard’s status as a gay everyman was determined — first by the media, then by gay-rights groups — with little knowledge of who he was. He looked like an attractive, angelic, White college stu-

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The Laramie Project, the TV movie The Matthew Shepard Story, as well as hate crime legislation, including The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act, mostly known as the Matthew Shepard Act. Not bad, some would say, for a story built on more fiction than truth.

The cultural currency of the Shepard narrative’s shelf life, however, might now, after nearly two decades, be flickering out. It’s now of no immediate political expediency to its framers and the community it was intended to serve.

“There are valuable reasons for telling certain stories in a certain way at pivotal times, but that doesn’t mean we have to hold on to them once they’ve outlived their usefulness,” Hicklin wrote.

I read Jimenez’s The Book of Matt as a cautionary tale of how the needs of a community might have trumped the truth.

In retrospect, crystal meth was popular in urban gay clubs and in small-town America like Laramie. Homophobia, unquestionably, played a role in Shepard’s death, but drugs might have, too.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Shepard’s death.

Perhaps, we should revisit the story anew.

Rev. Irene Monroe is an African American lesbian feminist public theologian, sought-after speaker, and preacher.

As I sat in my hotel room in West Africa watching Justice Brett Kavanaugh confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court, I was reminded of what several Africans have asked me since the election of President Donald Trump: “So, my American friend, how does it feel to live under a dictator? Welcome to the African way.”

On the afternoon of September 27, I posted on Facebook, “Dr. Christine Blasey Ford is not only poised but also credible. Without a doubt, she is being truthful. The Brett Kavanaugh nomination is dead.” Clearly, I was wrong.

Later I wrote, “Sen. Lindsey Graham’s conscience died last month,” referencing the passing of Sen. John McCain. I was right.

The following morning, I said, “The president, prior to shaming him into not running for re-election, often referred to Sen. Jeff Flake as flaky.” The president and I remain in agreement on that assessment.

Senator Flake’s request to delay a committee vote in order to give the FBI one additional week to explore other allegations of sexual misconduct, was nothing but a fleeting display of political courage (if it was even genuine to begin with).

selves for who they really are on national television. They then publicly sidelined her and returned to their comfort zone with a soothing questioning of Justice Kavanaugh.

An insensitive president, who himself has been accused of offensive behavior to women, was suddenly empowered to ridicule and attack Dr. Ford to the delight of many, some of whom in their ignorant splendor, shouted: “Lock her up!”

It offered Senators Mitch McConnell and Chuck Grassley the opportunity to deny Judge Merrick Garland even the basic courtesy of member meetings and a committee vote.

Such privilege also offered Justice Kavanaugh protection to lie under oath and deny ever drinking obsessively in college, despite the contrary observations of several former buddies who drank with him.

It also grants political cover under oath — the privilege to express an intent to extract political retribution to those whom you feel have wronged you once on the Court.

Remarkably, it can even transfer power to White women and permit, for example, Sen. Susan Collins and others to argue that Dr. Ford was assaulted, just not by the person she identified with “one hundred percent” certainty as her assailant.

We all have behavior in our past which

Certainly, after this newest addition to the Supreme Court, everyone should realize that elections matter.

The investigation was a sham at the implicit direction of the White House. Numerous individuals who wanted to share their stories with the FBI were ignored.

A former boss used to remark, “When I come back in another life, I want to be a White man. It’s just too difficult being Black in America.” I always laughed at his comment, despite the deep realization that it is a true statement.

I also find truthful humor in comedian Chris Rock’s routine as he reflects on White complaints of reverse discrimination: “Oh, we’re losing everything we worked for. We’re losing…,” jokes Rock. “White people ain’t losing s#*t. If you all are losing, who’s winning? It ain’t us. There ain’t a White man in this room who would trade places with me. And, I’m rich.”

White male privilege allowed Justice Kavanaugh to comfortably display a complete lack of judicial temperament, respect and regard for members of the very government body that would decide his fate, without repercussion.

It allowed him to yell at senators in the minority, while those in the majority sat silently. Tennis champion Serena Williams was held to a higher standard and suffered more consequences for her outbursts at the last US Open than Justice Kavanaugh.

It allowed the Senate majority to cower behind prosecutor Rachel Mitchell as she posed questions on their behalf to Dr. Ford — lest they lose their cool and show them-

would be embarrassing if it ever came under media scrutiny. However, we also each have an obligation and responsibility to acknowledge and own our past. Both the good and bad.

To those who doubt the truthfulness of Dr. Ford’s testimony, I ask: How would you have voted had the accuser been a loved one of yours? Your mother, wife, daughter or sister? Would you be comfortable with the scope of the FBI investigation? Would you laugh as the president mocked her?

There is nothing that Justice Kavanaugh could have said to convince me to support his nomination. After all, he was nominated by a president who does not represent my interests and will be as useless to me as Justice Clarence Thomas.

As Grassley sped Justice Kavanaugh’s nomination to a vote, he declared the Senate was approaching “rock bottom” and needed to right itself. He was correct.

Voters in general, and women, in particular, can begin righting this ship by voting in November. Certainly, after this newest addition to the Supreme Court, everyone should realize that elections matter.

Austin R. Cooper, Jr. is the President of Cooper Strategic Affairs, Inc.

Trying My Best How come renters can’t get help, but landlords can?

By Frank Erickson Contributing Commentator Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has been touted as the “affordable housing mayor” and his first big thing to combat rising rents is called “naturally occurring affordable housing.” It is nothing short of a mob-style approach to running the city. But, this is the way it has always been with rich and powerful White males being above the law, cutting deals in back rooms.

have to prove hardship — but not landlords. Who is running the city, these wealthy landlords or the mayor?

You want assistance? Prove you need it. Show us your bank accounts, show us your assets, your taxes, etc. This is what renters have to do when applying for help. If landlords can get handouts from just saying how taxes are hurting them, then renters should get help from just saying higher rents are hurting them.

This program is also counter-productive in that

If landlords can get handouts from just saying how taxes are hurting them, then renters should get help from just saying higher rents are hurting them.

Just 14 percent of Minneapolis landlords own 80 percent of the city’s rental units. These landlords are very wealthy, yet they will be the ones to receive the bulk of the huge property tax breaks (a 40 percent deduction) from this new program for keeping rents “affordable.”

The landlords are getting government handouts without having to prove hardship and this is illegal. When a renter applies for a Section 8 voucher, they have to prove that they need help, they

it reinforces the capitalistic belief that those who are not in “affordable units” can have their rent raised simply because they have more money. That increase has nothing to do with the landlord doing any extra work, but rather, it is because it assumes the renter has more money.

Frank Erickson lives in Minneapolis.

October 18-24, 2018

d ebAte Continued from page 1

Front row (l-r): Carissa Slotterback, Laysha Ward, Josie Thomas, Norma Williams, Josie Robinson Johnson, Heather M. Johnson, Norrene Duffy. Middle row (l-r): D’Angelos Svenkeson, Denetrick Powers, Arleta Little, Richard Copeland, Vernon Jordan, Tracey Williams-Dillard, Kim Nelson, Lea Hargett, Lisa Crawford, Laura Bloomberg. Back row (l-r) James A. Johnson, Rev. Alfred Babington-Johnson, Taylor Cooper, Pat Cruikshank, Alvin Abraham

Johnson Continued from page 1

YWCA Continued from page 1

Rochester, Minnesota.

Last year, YWCA Minneapolis served more than 30,000 people through racial justice advocacy and training, early childhood education, girls and youth programming and health and wellness. New

our country are not normal, they also are not new,” said Jordan. “And because we have been here before, we know what we need — more Josie Johnsons. This fellowship will give the next generation of Josie Johnsons the tools they need to keep fighting for the justice we this year is a program called “It’s Time to Act!” designed to help participants continue the conversation on racial equity.

Beginning in December, the four-part series is aimed at undoing institutionalized conditioning that has impeded the ability to recognize and rectify prejudice. The series workshops include: “Systemic Racism: Identifying

all seek, and bring us closer to the world Josie has always been pushing us toward.”

— Information provided by the Humphrey School of Public Affairs

and Dismantling It” (Dec. 4); “White Fragility: Unpacking Privilege” (Feb 13); “Before Jesus Was White: Unlearning Our Truth” (Apr. 11); and, “Racism and Sexism: Revealing the Intersectionality” (June 13).

“White fragility,” Frias said, “is a topic very much in conversation, particularly in Minnesota, where we have very well-meaning people who are White and who think they are ‘woke.’ Yet, if they

oung and Anthony Galloway, who’ve written on this and will have a provocative conversation [to discuss] why it matters that we need to [accept] that he was not White and how that works into the power structure,” said Frias.

The “It’s Time to Talk” forum takes place Thursday, Oct. 25, 11:30 am-1:30 pm at the Minneapolis Convention Center located at 1301 Second Ave. S. in downtown Minneapolis. Locations and times

“White fragility is a topic very much in conversation, particularly in Minnesota...”

YWCA President-CEO Luz Maria Frias

Judge Continued from page 1

life experiences and would extend that to circumstances many judges would not. If a typical White male judge sees a single parent of color arrive late to court, he might react harshly. However, Revering said, “I’m not going to take her into custody.”

Revering said she has witnessed countless examples of indignities at every procedural level of Ramsey County courts. And she’s had enough.

She moved back to the county and, no matter the outcome of her race, she and a growing cohort of like-minded lawyers have committed to making Ramsey County courts a fairer, more respectful place for everyone.

“I play to win. I don’t play to have fun. It’s going to change, either through me or my work,” said Revering.

Judges are rarely challenged. Then again, many voters aren’t aware of judge races or the general court system.

“Incumbents get comfortable because they know you don’t know what’s going on,” Revering said. “They do nothing and keep disrespecting not only people of color, but White people, too.”

In our interview with Revering, she gets voters acquainted with issues she hopes to address on the bench.

MSR: What’s the most important thing you want to accomplish when you get the judgeship?

Calandra Revering: The most important thing I want to accomplish is to establish an environment of diversity in the courthouse and the judiciary. I believe that diversity is not just about race and ethnicity, but also includes gender, sex-

are met with criticism, they get defensive. [Author] Robin DiAngelo [will talk] about how to move past it, so they actually can be authentic allies in eliminating racism.”

“Before Jesus Was White” flies in the face of images depicting Jesus Christ as flaxenhaired and blue-eyed despite coming from a region where inhabitants did not have European features.

“We have two speakers coming, Curtis Paul DeY-

for “It’s Time to Act” will be announced in the coming weeks.

For more information, visit

www.ywcampls.org.

Dwight Hobbes welcomes reader responses at dhobbes@ spokesman-recorder.com.

Freeman, saying, “Your office has been reluctant to charge police officers except in rare occasions. There is one such case that involved [Minneapolis Police Department Officer] Mohamed Noor. I really want you to talk about, if you would, why it might seem to the public that the decision to charge may be based on the race of the victim and color of the police officer. How did you make the decision to charge in that case?”

“The alleged perpetrator’s race or of the officer or victim has nothing to do with our charging decision,” answered Freeman in disagreement. “We try to view each case based on the evidence the investigation shows and whether it meets the police standard.”

He went on to cite several examples of officer prosecutions. “We charged Officer [Christopher Michael] Reiter with assault for kicking people in the face,” said Freeman. “He was convicted and is in prison.

“We charged Officer [Thomas] Tichich with sexual assault. He was convicted by a jury. He’s in prison. We have charged and convicted nine Minneapolis police officers in

5

tine Damond, we charged Officer Noor not only with manslaughter, but murder — the first Minneapolis police officer charged with murder in at least the last 40 years.

“I took that decision away from the grand jury because I felt people didn’t trust them. I did that after studying grand juries around the country and talking with many people in the community. I made those decisions. I spent 33 hours reviewing Jamar Clark facts alone. All the information we used to make that charging decision is on our website, and it’s the most transparent process in police officer shootings that I’m aware of in the United States.”

Haase, however, said charging decisions should not come from one person. “I want to create a police charging advisory panel who would advise me on [charging decisions],” said Haase.

“That would eliminate any bias the office might have, because we all have biases. I would try to make that panel representative of the community.”

Sayles Belton was pleased with the debate’s outcome.

“The public turnout was extraordinarily high,” she said. “I enjoyed seeing a cross-section in the audience, young people

Sharon Sayles-Belton the last six years. I’ve had, in the recent past, three very difficult officer-involved cases in which people were killed by the officer. Each one of those cases is a tragedy.

“In two of the cases, the evidence, after a great deal of investigation, did not support the criminal charge [that] the police officer violated their duty to use deadly force when they fear for their lives or the lives of others.”

Freeman went on to explain the Noor charges. “In the case [of] Mohamed Noor, when he recklessly shot Jus-

ual orientation, and life experience. I want to quite possible they may have a personal reason bolster trust in the judiciary by creating an at- to say they hate judges. I respect their feelings, and I am cognizant of their position. mosphere of inclusion, respect and fairness.

Instead of delving into the reason, I would MSR: What’s the most controversial issue you say to learn more about the judiciary, the prothink you would have to deal with if elected? cess of becoming a judge and the law. Also, regCR: I think the most controversial issue I will istering to vote means you could be selected to have to deal with when I become a Ramsey serve on a jury, which is a great service to our County judge is probably inclusion and respect community. Many people learn a significant from several of the other judges on the bench. amount of information about the court process Some judges are elected to the bench, some are by serving on a jury. appointed. Although the paths are different,

“I want to bolster trust in the judiciary by creating an atmosphere of inclusion, respect and fairness.”

[as well as] people who have historically voted in our community. The engagement was real positive.”

“It’s [vital we] get involved and engaged, even after the election,” added Robbins. “Because decisions are made after the election — about us, without us.”

For more information on Black Votes Matter MN and its election efforts, visit blackvotesmattermn. com.

Dwight Hobbes welcomes reader responses to dhobbes@spokesman-recorder.com.

the Ramsey County bench will also mean staying connected to the community and continuing to mentor and encourage all people. Every person has value.

MSR: What elected judges (past or present) in the state do you most admire or serve as role models for you?

CR: Well, I have several friends who currently serve on the bench as well as my mentor, whom I consider to be a role model. There are also judges from other counties — like Hennepin, Anoka and Scott County — who I hold in high regard and follow their examples of judicial temperament and consideration.

Of course, I most admire The Honorable Wilhelmina (Mimi) Wright who now sits on the Federal Bench in Minnesota. She was the first Black woman appointed to the Ramsey County bench and the first Black woman appointed to the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Four years later, she was nominated to the federal bench, where she currently resides. I believe that she exemplifies fairness and has a deep respect for the law, the courts, and all participants in the judicial system.

Judge Mimi Wright has said that “fairness, impartiality, respect for the rule of law, and respect for all litigants are fundamental requirements for a judge… Indeed, I have no agenda as a judge other than these values.”

She has also said numerous times that to achieve this level of fairness in the courts, diversity enriches the practice of law and is an integral part of the judicial system. I regard Judge Mimi Wright’s statements as true for our judiciary, and I am confident that I will represent the standard she has set forth for judges today.

MSR: What’s your favorite thing or story about your county?

CR: My favorite thing about Ramsey County is being treated like family at local establishments like restaurants, small retail shops and coffee shops. It is also the prominence of the diverse elements of St. Paul. I love the close familial reMSR: How do we get money out of politics, i.e. lationships that I have developed over the years with many individuals of diverse backgrounds. campaign financing?

CR: Other offices might take a page from judi- I believe that these relationships have been encial candidates. Judicial candidates must follow couraging, empowering and inspiring for me the rules of campaign finance as presented by and my son. the Minnesota Secretary of State.

Campaign financing rules have been estab- MSR: What is the greatest impact your posilished for judicial candidates to eliminate the tion will have on th e African American comappearance of influence of any donor over the munity?

CR: I think the greatest impact on the African candidate running for public office. Having a few individuals on my committee familiar with American community is knowing there is somecampaign financing rules has been a great asset one on the bench that is a reflection of their culture. Black women are mothers, daughters, sisduring this election.

Solomon Gustavo welcomes reader reters, aunts, nieces and friends, and have a major MSR: What do you say to people who hate role in the Black family. To see a face that iden- sponses to sgustavo@spokesman-recorder.com. tifies with your race can have considerable sigjudges?

CR: When individuals say they hate judges, it is nificance to a person of color. For me, being on pursuing the goal is the same, and some judges regard one path as more reputable than another.

I won’t allow any criticism of an election victory to discourage my intentions. I am confident my presence will bring value to the Ramsey County bench.

6

October 18-24, 2018

Legendary Ethiopian musician enjoys career resurgence Hailu Mergia to visit Twin Cities on Oct. 26

the title of that song means like a love song. I composed the melody for my friend Tilahun Gessesse to sing with lyrics. He passed away before he sang it. He was very famous in Ethiopia — one of the best singers.

So now I play it on piano in memory of him. Then the label guys Brian [and others] thought it should go at the end of the album.

By Paige Elliott Digital Editor

H

ailu Mergia, a 71-year-old Ethiopian organist and accordionist, is enjoying a career revival of sorts in the U.S. Once a popular figure of the ’70s Ethiopian nightclub scene, Mergia first came to the U.S. as a member of the Walias Band, serving up a heady cocktail of Ethio-jazz with a splash of funk.

After the band dissolved, Mergia remained in the U.S. and settled in Washington, D.C., where he found work as a cab driver. He never lost his love of music, however; he’d still compose in his spare time. Thanks, in part, to the 2013 re-issue of his earlier works by Brian Shimkovitz of the Awesome Tapes of Africa label and blog, Mergia’s career began to flourish again. The renewed interest also led to the release of his most recent offering, the critically acclaimed LaLa Belu.

Mergia is now bringing his sound to the Twin Cities with a live performance at the Cedar Cultural Center presented by the Cedar and the Walker Art Center. We spoke to the legendary musician in advance of his Oct. 26 performance.

An excerpt of the conversation appears below.

MSR: You’ve lived in the U.S. since touring here in the ’80s, right? What made you stay?

MSR: Have you ever played in the Twin Cities before?

HM: No, I’ve never played there. This will be my first time.

Hailu Mergia

Hailu Mergia: Yes, I came here with the Walias Band, which is a famous band in Ethiopia, in 1981. Well, after we had a tour in the States and after three years, some [band members] went back home and some stayed here.

Me, Moges [Habte] and Tamiru [Ayele] then formed the Zula Band in 1984 and separated in 1991. Y’know, I was planning to stay for only five years and then go back...

But I stayed instead, and I’ve been here for over 30 years!

[Laughs]

Photo by Piotr Gruchala MSR: And then you found work as a cab driver in D.C.?

What drew you to that line of work?

HM: Yeah, I started driving a cab in 1998… After the [Zula Band] separated, I was involved in the African nightclub business for seven or eight years and then, after that, I went into the taxi business.

My reason to drive a taxi is, for one, I just wanted to have my own schedule. If I want to practice or do some recording, whatever in my private life, as a cab driver I

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can have my own schedule.

At the same time, y’know, instead of waiting for check payment for two weeks or one week or a month, I can have money every day and I go out any time to make some money. That’s how I started it. It’s a very interesting job, anyway.

MSR: Being an artist and being a cab driver both give you a certain independence.

HM: Yes, yes. By the way, I quit driving a taxi [today]. Now I will focus more time on the music!

MSR: Wow, a scoop!

[Laughs] So, Lala Belu was released in March of this year. What does the album title mean to you?

HM: “Lala Belu” in Amharic [most popular Ethiopian language] means “Say la la.” So, the [album] title comes from the [title track] composition that doesn’t have any lyrics.

For anybody to sing along to the song, they just have to sing “la la la.”

MSR: So, “la la” is kind of a universal lyric to apply to wordless melodies? Is that right?

HM: Yes, that’s it. Perfect.

Perfect.

MSR: There are elements of funk on this album, like on “Gum Gum”...

HM: It’s [pronounced] Goom Goom. [Laughs] MSR: Ah! Goom Goom.

That song had shades of funk. The album also has elements of jazz. Who or what do you enjoy listening to?

HM: Well, most of the time, I listen to organ players like Jimmy Smith. Also, old bigband era jazz music and African music and reggae. Any kind of music I will listen to, but most of the time, I listen to Jimmy and big-band era music.

MSR: I was struck by the closer, “Yefikir Engurguro.” It’s a very sparse, pianodriven piece, almost a little sad and sentimental.

HM: It is. Well, you know,

Hailu Mergia plays both organ and accordion

MSR: What can Twin Cities’ audiences expect to hear, or what do you hope they take away from seeing you live?

HM: Well, one thing, I think they will love the melodies that we play, and at the same time, most of my music is funk and kind of groovy music. We play almost like a dancing kind of music. So, I hope they will enjoy this combination. I hope people just listen to the music and if they like it, just have a good time.

MSR: Anything else you’d like to add?

HM: I’d just like to say thank you to the audience who likes to listen to my music.

And thank you to the media for inviting me to discuss my music. I really appreciate the support for the show.

Hailu Mergia, along with the Yohannes Tona Band, will play the Cedar Cultural Center located at 416 Cedar Ave., S., in Minneapolis on Oct. 26 at 8 pm. Tickets are $2025. For ticket info, visit bit.ly/ HailuMergiaOct26.

For more info on Hailu Mergia, visit hailumergia.bandcamp. com or @Hailu Mergia on Facebook.

Paige Elliott welcomes readers responses to pelliott@spokesmanrecorder.com.

Photo by Avery Leigh

October 18-24, 2018

7

New book captures images of Black life in the 1940s

Never seen before photo of Prince Rogers Trio with John Lewis Nelson (aka Prince’s dad) on piano and Lawrence Griffin on saxophone Photos courtesy of Minnesota Historical Society Dwight Hobbes Contributing Writer

per in sharp suits and ladies wore lovely dresses in styles of the day.

Throughout the 143 pages, we also see him capturing images of the Prince Rogers Trio (Prince’s father group), weddings and other festivities at then-social hub Bethesda Baptist Church — which still stands today — along with broadcasters taking a break at the former WLOL radio station and more.

Anthony Scott, who brought Double Exposure to

the Minnesota Historical Society, states, “These photographs capture the rhythm and the tone of the Black presence… and allow us to see a world where family and friends were the glue holding the thriving community together. This collection is a treasure to be savored and enjoyed.”

Scott, president of Minnesota’s Black Community Project (MBCP), came across the photos by happenstance after Glanton’s passing in 2004. A Glanton family member was

cleaning out the garage and found nearly 1,000 pictures and negatives. After cleaning them up, digitizing the negatives and even helping to host meetings to identify some of the people in the photos, Glanton selected 200 images to publish.

This isn’t the first time Scott served as an advocate to document African American contributions to society. He saw to it that his own father Walter Scott’s volume, The Scott Collection: Minnesota’s Black Com-

Double Exposure: Images of Black Minnesota in the 1940s (Minnesota Historical Society Press) is more than merely a book of pictures; it chronicles a community, preserving the vitality of a historic era. Those for whom Double Exposure resonates will appreciate, indeed, admire the compelling authenticity by which photographer John F. Glanton captured an unprecedented window, lensing this bygone Twin Cities era.

Glanton worked as an engineer for the Minnesota Highway Department and, among his assigned tasks, surveyed what would become Highway 35. Beyond earning a living to support himself and his family, Glanton had a passion for taking in life around him and putting it on film.

He shot on the streets, in parks, clubs, restaurants and private homes of Minneapolis, documenting everyday people’s leisure, as well as subjects who were larger than life, including luminaries like Nat “King” Cole and then-mayor Hubert H. Humphrey.

For the most part, his subjects were simple folk relaxing with easy smiles, conveying a warm, timeless sense of com- Patrons at Cassius’ including Harold Robinson (second from left), Melvin Stone, and Louis munity. Gentlemen were dap- Robinson

with their sister Vera [and] another brother, Jack. We were always together doing something, especially around holidays. We’d go on walks. John would take pictures with this professional looking camera.

Though, at the time, we never realized. Actually, he was one of the first photographers for the Minneapolis Spokesman [and St. Paul Recorder] right after he got out of the armed service, after World War II. MSR: Why the title Double Exposure?

AS: Even though the pictures were taken in the late ’40s to early ’50s — these are long lost photos. They didn’t come to light until recently — that’s why the title was chosen.

MSR: What was most rewarding about how attendees received the book launch?

AS: Well, the event was excellent. It was just such a great

MSR: You follow in your father’s footsteps as a guardian of history, community, and culture. What do you add to the legacy?

AS: Hopefully, I’ll be able to continue this legacy. I think what it is, it’s an overlooked [history], especially as it reflects on [African Americans] in Minneapolis, St. Paul and, statewide. My dad had a vision showing a positive side — opposite to what you see on TV and the news about Black people. [He provided a] perspective of what community’s about, which I don’t think the general media has a real interest or had a real interest in doing.

MSR: In the 1940s, that was a bold step to put forth a positive image.

AS: Yeah. It really was. When I think about 1954, when I started school, it basically was illegal for Blacks to attend public schools.

“These photographs capture the rhythm and the tone of the Black presence.” munity in the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s, was reissued by MHSP. He also plans to publish a revised edition, Minnesota’s Black Community Project, in spring 2019.

The MBCP and Minneapolis Central Library launched Double Exposure on Sat., Oct. 6 to a packed house at Doty Room in the library. After which, Anthony Scott shared with the Minnesota SpokesmanRecorder his thoughts and feelings about the project. An excerpt of that conversation appears below.

MSR: What are your most memorable recollections of John Glanton?

Anthony Scott: He was my wife’s uncle. Our families knew each other ever since [they] came to Minnesota. We had a lot of gatherings [with] John and his brother Wayne.

They were real close along

feeling. My sister, Dr. Chandra Scott was in town for it. The questions people had shows that this collection was something people were really taking to. We talked about the process of making the book available to the public.

I was looking for my father’s first book, Minneapolis Beacon, done in 1956. I went to the library, of course. Well, they had it downtown. Mr. Ted Hathaway [who wrote the forward to Double Exposure] was impressed that Walter Scott was my father. They had articles and pictures of his work I’d never seen before. That started the library working with me to help reprint my dad’s book The Scott Collection.

MSR: Then, came Double Exposure.

AS: Yes.

It was right around the time that segregation, as we know, the barriers were broken down.

MSR: To call Double Exposure a labor of love understates the case. Would you like to add anything in that regard?

AS: Only that we’ve been really overwhelmed by the positive responses from the community on our work. It fuels us to continue what we’re doing.

For more info or to order a copy of Double Exposure, go to http:// bit.ly/DoubleExposureMNHS. Dwight Hobbes welcomes readers responses at dhobbes@ spokesman-recorder.com.

8

October 18-24, 2018

Festival serves as launching pad for local Black filmmakers

By Stephenetta Harmon Editor-in-Chief The entertainment industry has finally caught on that Black films can break box office records. As the mainstream searches for the “next” Ryan Coogler, writer-director of the smash hit Black Panther, local film festivals prove that these creatives have been here all along.

In Minnesota, it is the Twin Cities Black Film Festival (TCBFF) that stands as an important launch pad for emerging filmmakers.

Now in its 16th year, the TCBFF has showcased and given a platform to hundreds of new and award-winning films.

“They really gave me a platform to be myself...

There [are] a lot of different festivals in Minnesota…but there’s no other festival in Minnesota that does that as much as this one does.”

“We get to see that we have talent everywhere. We are a talented people,” said founder Natalie Morrow. “I’m looking and working to be a platform for this new group of people in film. I have been doing this for 16 years and people [around the world] are starting to notice. This is the time to step into our talents and embrace them.”

The platform has already opened up filmmakers to national exposure and awards. Davar McGee, who won best film in 2016 with his first-ever film (Suspect?), said he would not have gotten such a big break if not for the festival.

“They supported me a lot,” said McGee. “They really gave me a platform to be myself, even pushing my [film] to HBO. I didn’t even know that was on there until [Friday]! There [are] a lot of different festivals in Minnesota… but there’s no other festival in Minnesota that does that as much as this one does.”

While the four-day festival receives submissions from all over the world, including Germany and Japan, instead of seeking big name marquees, Morrow said she was keen on shining a spotlight on the Twin Cities’ filmmakers. That included a night dedicat-

Natalie Morrow

ed to local talent. “Brown Creatives” featured a series of shorts and feature-length films

by McGee (Let Go), James Curry (masterjam), Chris McDuffie (Sola Rise), Henry Tribes (Bald and Beautiful), Erica Jeffers (Pregnancy Test) and D. Wilmos Paul (Heart Wound).

“Minnesota is very resourceful and rich for many things,” continued Morrow. “We have the most Fortune 500 companies of any other state. We have four [sports] teams. We [had] the Super Bowl. There is so much. They keep saying we are the next ‘Mini-apple’ and we’re seeing that. This is the time.”

McGee stressed the importance of not just seeing Blacks on the screen, but also behind the camera.

“Perception is reality, and those that control the perception can control the reality. My goal with filmmaking is to make something that can shift that paradigm. I want to make something that shows us in a different light… that has a backstory of…why some people might be [the way they are] because it’s a systemic thing that set us up that way,” said McGee

Davar McGee

“We need more Black filmmakers to show that,” he continued, “and also just to inspire kids. Everybody can’t play basketball and everybody can’t rap. So I want to just be able to show that there are different avenues of art that people should be able to tap into as Blacks, and we don’t really get enough representation of that.”

“I just want people to see that we’re out here and that there are these things that people can get behind in Minnesota.”

Photos by Stephenetta Harmon The Twin Cities Black Film Festival ran from Oct. 11-14. Read more about this year’s festival at msrnewsonline.com.

Stephenetta Harmon welcomes reader responses to sharmon@spokesman-recorder.com.

A brand new makeover

Obituary

Lillian Louise Smith July 11, 1923 — October 6, 2018

L

illian Louise Smith passed away on October 6, 2018 at the age of 95. Lillian was born to Henry and Lillian Schofield on July 11, 1923 in Minneapolis, MN. Her nickname was Choo Choo.

Lillian retired from the Main Minneapolis Public Library. After staying at home for a few years, she went back to work and was employed as a receptionist for WCCO Television.

Lillian is preceded in death by her parents and eight siblings (Grigsbys and Schofields) and granddaughter Elise Simpson.

She is survived by Gwendolyn Dillion (sister), Judy Baker (daughter); grandchildren John (Sonja), Melissa Simpson,

and Dana Rivera (nephew); great grandchildren Jua, Safiya, Christopher, Davis, Marianna, Marsalis; and a large, loving family and a host of loving friends.

At Lillian’s request, no memorial is being planned.

Photo by Travis Lee

Peace and Love Unto You Estes Funeral Chapel and Cremation Services celebrated the grand opening of its new state-of-theart building in North Minneapolis, Sunday, Oct. 14.

Jamil Ford of Mobilize Design Architects, Nawal

Noor of Noor Construction and Tracy Wesley, Estes funeral director (pictured above), enjoyed the fruits of their labor during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “[This] is a celebration of our longevity of service to

the community,” Tracy told the MSR. “For the community, it gives a sense of pride and purpose in the burial of our loved ones.”

Don’t be scared, Ghouls & Goblins!

Todd Williams NMLS ID 341222

Let me take an application, pull credit and take the fear away. You will be surprised it is never as scary as you think. The only way to know is to get on the monstrous path of home ownership and start today. I can certainly say with my 25 years of experience that what stopped you in the past may not be the problem today.

So, come out of that creepy cave and start today!

Whether you are ready today or tomorrow, please contact me to help you with your dream of homeownership.

952-201-4077 Todd.Williams@fcmhomeloans.com

October 18-24, 2018

9

Legals NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE

THE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that default has occurred in the conditions of the following described mortgage: DATE OF MORTGAGE: February 11, 2014 ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $10,000.00 MORTGAGOR(S): Katie J. Dupay MORTGAGEE: US Federal Credit Union DATE AND PLACE OF RECORDING: Recorded with the County Recorder in and for the County of Hennepin, State of Minnesota, on April 1, 2014, as Document No. 10066167 ASSIGNMENTS OF MORTGAGE: Assigned to Glenwood Financial, LLC, recorded May 21, 2018, as Document No. 10555516; subsequently assigned to Minneapolis Property, LLC, recorded May 21, 2018, as Document No. 10555517 LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: Lot 18, Block 14, Lincoln Street Supplement to East Side Addition to Minneapolis PROPERTY ADDRESS: 1823 Pierce St. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418 COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: Hennepin AMOUNT DUE AND CLAIMED TO BE DUE AS OF DATE OF NOTICE, INCLUDING TAXES, IF ANY, PAID BY MORTGAGEE: $10,685.49 THAT there has been compliance with all pre-foreclosure requirements; that no action or proceeding has been instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof; THAT pursuant to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above-described property will be sold by the Sheriff of Hennepin County as follows: DATE AND TIME OF SALE: November 12, 2018, at 11:00 a.m.

PLACE OF SALE: Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Room 30, 350 South Fifth Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota to pay the debt secured by said mortgage and taxes, if any, on said premises and the costs and disbursements, including attorneys’ fees allowed by law subject to redemption within six (6) months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s), their personal representatives or assigns.

The date on or before which the mortgagor must vacate the property if the mortgage is not reinstated under section 580.30 or the property redeemed under section 580.23: May 13, 2019, at 11:59 p.m.

THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR’S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED. Dated: September 17, 2018 Minneapolis Property, LLC Assignee of Mortgagee HOELSCHER LAW FIRM, PLLC By: Brian G. Hoelscher #0238752 Attorneys for Assignee of Mortgagee 13100 Wayzata Boulevard, Suite 100 Minnetonka, MN 55305 (952) 224-9551

THE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED

BY THIS ACTION. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that default has occurred in the conditions of the following described mortgage: DATE OF MORTGAGE: November 6, 2004 ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $20,000.00 MORTGAGOR(S): Aaron B. Henne and A. Catherin Henne MORTGAGEE: US Federal Credit Union DATE AND PLACE OF RECORDING: Recorded with the County Recorder in and for the County of Hennepin, State of Minnesota, on December 8, 2004, as Document No. 8486572 ASSIGNMENTS OF MORTGAGE: Assigned to Glenwood Financial, LLC, recorded May 21, 2018, as Document No. 10555518; subsequently assigned to Minneapolis Property, LLC, recorded May 21, 2018, as Document No. 10555519 LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: Lot 8, Block 11, Thorpe Bros.’ William Penn Addition to Minneapolis PROPERTY ADDRESS: 3931 Russell Ave. N., Minneapolis, MN 55412 COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: Hennepin AMOUNT DUE AND CLAIMED TO BE DUE AS OF DATE OF NOTICE, INCLUDING TAXES, IF ANY, PAID BY MORTGAGEE: $14,143.81 THAT there has been compliance with all pre-foreclosure requirements; that no action or proceeding has been instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof; THAT pursuant to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above-described property will be sold by the Sheriff of Hennepin County as follows: DATE AND TIME OF SALE: November 12, 2018, at 11:00 a.m.

PLACE OF SALE: Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Room 30, 350 South Fifth Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota to pay the debt secured by said mortgage and taxes, if any, on said premises and the costs and disbursements, including attorneys’ fees allowed by law subject to redemption within six (6) months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s), their personal representatives or assigns.

The date on or before which the mortgagor must vacate the property if the mortgage is not reinstated under section 580.30 or the property redeemed under section 580.23: May 13, 2019, at 11:59 p.m.

THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR’S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED. Dated: September 17, 2018 Minneapolis Property, LLC Assignee of Mortgagee HOELSCHER LAW FIRM, PLLC By: Brian G. Hoelscher #0238752 Attorneys for Assignee of Mortgagee 13100 Wayzata Boulevard, Suite 100 Minnetonka, MN 55305 (952) 224-9551

THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. FORECLOSURE DATA Minn. Stat. Sec. 580.025 (1) the physical street address, city, and zip code of the mortgaged premises is 1823 Pierce St. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418; (2) the name of the transaction agent, residential mortgage servicer, and the lender or broker, as defined in section 58.02, if the person holding the mortgage is a transaction agent as defined in section 58.02, subdivision 30 are as follows: – not applicable; or the name of the residential mortgage servicer and the lender or broker, as defined in section 58.02, if the person holding the mortgage is not a transaction agent as defined in section 58.02, subdivision 30 are as follows: residential mortgage servicer – Superior Financing, Inc., lender or broker – Minneapolis Property, LLC; (3) the tax parcel identification number of the mortgaged premises is: 12-029-24-34-0152; (4) if stated on the mortgage, the transaction agent's mortgage identification number is: - not applicable;(5) if stated on the mortgage, the name of the residential mortgage originator as defined in section 58.02 is: US Federal Credit Union Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, September 20,27 & October 4,11,18 & 25, 2018

THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. FORECLOSURE DATA Minn. Stat. Sec. 580.025 (1) the physical street address, city, and zip code of the mortgaged premises is 3931 Russell Ave. N., Minneapolis, MN 55412; (2) the name of the transaction agent, residential mortgage servicer, and the lender or broker, as defined in section 58.02, if the person holding the mortgage is a transaction agent as defined in section 58.02, subdivision 30 are as follows: – not applicable; or the name of the residential mortgage servicer and the lender or broker, as defined in section 58.02, if the person holding the mortgage is not a transaction agent as defined in section 58.02, subdivision 30 are as follows: residential mortgage servicer – Superior Financing, Inc., lender or broker – Minneapolis Property, LLC; (3) the tax parcel identification number of the mortgaged premises is: 05-029-24-41-0078; (4) if stated on the mortgage, the transaction agent’s mortgage identification number is: not applicable; (5) if stated on the mortgage, the name of the residential mortgage originator as defined in section 58.02 is: US Federal Credit Union Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, September 20,27 & October 4,11,18 & 25, 2018

View

When told that he made another list as well as the first Hall-of-Famer I ever coached, Mead responded, “That’s awesome. I think this is a first for me [as well].”

Continued from page 10

“Getting selected to the Hall of Fame is probably second to the Olympics,” Mead surmised. “It speaks of [my] hometown and how it supported me. It’s an honor to be on this list.”

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

SOe Continued from page 10 and the NCAA can’t enforce it.

“There virtually has been no change,” TIDES Director Richard Lapchick said in an MSR phone interview. Lapchick believes that on-field diversity on the football sidelines should at least be reflective of its sport’s population — there are 18 head coaches of color in

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Contributing Writers

Kenneth Brown Dr. Charles E. Crutchfield III Dr. Deirdre Golden Charles Hallman Judith Hence Dr. Clarence Hightower Dwight Hobbes Brandon Jones Tony Kiene Issa A. Mansaray Tammy McIntyre Juliet Mitchell Khymyle Mims Ivan Phifer Brandi Phillips Nicole Pillow Keith Schubert James L. Stroud, Jr.

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Sports Writers

Larry Fitzgerald Charles Hallman Dr. Mitchell P. McDonald

Opinion Writers

Myrle Cooper Ron Edwards Frank Erikson Rev. Irene Monroe Mel Reeves Lucky Rosenbloom

Contributing Photographers Onika Nichole Craven Olivia Crutchfield Steve Floyd Chris Juhn Travis Lee

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total nationwide while over 54 percent of football players are of color. It’s not that much better in basketball, either, and its player population is this high or higher percentage-wise.

“What we need is action,” Lapchick said. “I believe it will be student-athlete activism as well as professional athletes demanding more representation of people who look like them in the coaching ranks at the professional level as well as the college level. The roster of people in the athletic department” should be more reflective as well, he said.

The full report can be read and downloaded at www.tidesport. org.

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

State of Minnesota County of Hennepin Without Real Estate In Re the Marriage of: Kimberly Marie White-Collins, Petitioner and Kanya Collins Sr, Respondent

Case Type: Dissolution Without Children District Court FourthJudicial Court Court File No. 27FA-18-4703 SUMMONS WITHOUT REAL ESTATE ORDER FOR SERVICE BY ALTERNATIVE MEANS

THE STATE OF MINNESOTA TO THE ABOVE-NAMED RESPONDENT: WARNING: YOUR SPOUSE (HUSBAND OR WIFE) HAS FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST YOU FOR DISSOLUTION OF YOUR MARRIAGE. A COPY OF THE PAPERWORK REGARDING THE LAWSUIT IS SERVED ON YOU WITH THIS SUMMONS. THIS SUMMONS IS AN OFFICIAL DOCUMENT FROM THE COURT THAT AFFECTS YOUR RIGHTS. READ THIS SUMMONS CAREFULLY. IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND IT, CONTACT AN ATTORNEY FOR LEGAL ADVICE. 1. The Petitioner, (your spouse) has filed a lawsuit against you asking for dissolution of your marriage (divorce). A copy of the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage is attached to this Summons. 2. You must serve upon Petitioner and file with the Court a written Answer to the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, and you must pay the required filing fee. Answer forms are available from the Family Law Facilitator Program, Family Court Self Help Center located in the Family Justice Center, 110 South Fourth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55401. You must serve your Answer upon Petitioner within thirty (30) days of the date you were served with this Summons, not counting the day of service. If you do not serve and file your Answer, the Court may give your spouse everything he or she is asking for in the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage.

3. This proceeding does not involve real property.

NOTICE OF TEMPORARY RESTRAINING PROVISIONS: Under Minnesota law, service of this summons makes the following requirements apply to both parties to the action, unless they are modified by the Court or the proceeding is dismissed: (1) Neither party may dispose of any assets except (A) for the necessities of life or for the necessary generation of income or preservation of assets, (B) by an agreement of the parties in writing, or (C) for retaining counsel to carry on or to contest this proceeding. (2) Neither party may harass the other party. (3) All currently available insurance coverage must be maintained and continued without change in coverage or beneficiary designation. (4) Parties to a marriage dissolution proceeding are encouraged to attempt alternative dispute resolution pursuant to Minnesota law. Alternative dispute resolution includes mediation, arbitration and other processes as set forth in the district court rules. You may contact the Court Administrator about resources in your area. If you cannot pay for mediation or alternative dispute resolution, in some counties, assistance may be available to you through a nonprofit provider of a court program. If you are a victim of domestic abuse or threats as defined in Minnesota statutes, Chapter 518B, you are not required to try mediation and you will not be penalized by the Court in later proceedings.

IF YOU VIOLATE ANY OF THESE PROVISIONS, YOU WILL BE SUBJECT TO SANCTIONS BY THE COURT. Date: 7/13/2018

Signed: Kimberly Marie White-Collins Minnesota Spokesman Recorder October 11,18 & 25, 2018

Fitz Continued from page 10

Timberwolves apparently are taking his demands seriously. He has practiced with the team the last few days, and he says he’ll start the season with the team. He and team owner Glen Taylor have talked and apparently have come to an agreement on how to proceed.

With LeBron James now with Los Angeles, the Western Conference has gotten even more competitive.

It’s going to be a battle every night in the rugged Western Conference. The back-to-back NBA Champion Golden State Warriors are the gold standard.

If Butler were to be traded this season, he would be playing for his third team in three years. It appears the team and Butler have agreed to allow the process of potentially trading him to play itself out.

Butler said three weeks ago he can’t play with Towns and Andrew Wiggins for whatever reasons. There has been offthe-court speculation also, so over the last three weeks this organization has become a huge social media soap opera with different stories circulating each day.

The Timberwolves gave up a bundle to acquire Butler from Chicago two years ago, including guards Zach

LeVine and Kris Dunn, as well as a first pick. President and Head Coach Tom Thibodeau really pushed for the trade, and so his situation for five years at $10 million a year has been jeopardized.

Because Taylor wants results and is now a consistent winner, he is growing impatient with his franchise suddenly again being in the eye of controversy and rumors.

I’ve been told Taylor has even gone to the extreme of putting in a contingency plan that includes a new coach and general manager if he and Thibodeau and Butler can’t come to a solution that works to Taylor’s approval. This is going to be interesting if these men can’t come together and play for and with each other.

Who knows how much damage and lasting scars may have been inflicted. Stay tuned to NBA season number 30 featuring As the Timberwolves Turn.

Larry Fitzgerald can be heard weekday mornings on KMOJ Radio 89.9 FM at 8:25 am, on WDGY-AM 740 Monday and Friday at 9:10 am, and at www.

Gamedaygold.com. He also commentates on sports 7-8 pm on Almanac (TPT channel 2). Follow him on Twitter at FitzBeatSr. Larry welcomes reader responses to info@larry-fitzgerald.com, or visit www.Larry-Fitzgerald.com.

10

October 18-24, 2018

A new soap opera: As the Timberwolves Turn Stay tuned — the 30th season of Timberwolves basketball could be dramatic, and it starts this week when the Timberwolves travel to San Antonio. Over the last 14 years, the Timberwolves have reached the playoffs just once.

On the final day of last season, the team beat Denver in overtime to clinch the eighth and final spot. Then Houston beat them in the playoffs in five games.

Good at basketball, great at running Hall of Fame Olympian now runs for a living

fans got a taste of good basketball; the team shattered several singleseason scoring marks.

They were fourth in the NBA in scoring at 109.5 points per game and shot 47.6 percent. There was a buzz in Minnesota.

The team had two All-Star players, Karl Anthony Towns and Butler. In the offseason, Butler turned down a multi-year $100 million extension and just three weeks ago told the team ownership he wanted to be traded.

James Harden attacks Jimmy Butler.

Photo by Steve Floyd

The team struggled in the pre-season, finishing 1-4. Butler, after being excused by the team from training camp because of a procedure on his right hand, missed all of the preseason.

Butler has told all that he wants to be traded, and the

At the All-Star break last year, the Timberwolves were in the fourth spot in the West.

The injury that required surgery on All-Star Jimmy Butler’s knee, causing him to miss 25 games, hurt the Wolves and the team slipped.

They still finished 47-35 and were outstanding at home, going 30-11. The Timberwolves

■ See Fitz on page 9

I’m sure that there are plenty of sports journalists who can claim they know Hall of Famers (HOFs), but how many can say they knew them long before they got so honored? That’s a list I Charles have made this year. allman h Tonyus Chavers (Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame) and Katie Smith (Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame) both were inducted this summer. The former I knew when she coached North High girls’ basketball, and I covered and got to know the latter during her Minnesota Lynx playing years. My personal trifecta occurred on the last Saturday of September.

Hassan Mead was among four inductees in the Roy Griak Hall of Fame. He ran cross country, indoor and outdoor track for Minnesota (2007-11) and still holds four school records in the 8,000 meters (cross country), 5,000 meters indoors, 5,000 and 10,000 meters outdoors.

On the outdoor award stage during the annual Griak Invitational cross country event at the Les Bolstad Golf Course in St. Paul, Mead quickly spotted this Hassan Mead (l) and Gary Wilson journalist in the crowd. We first met in the Minneapolis South gym midway through his junior year in the mid-2000s. run like a Christopher Cross song — like The six-foot, long and lean young man the wind. He also realized that running was shooting baskets. Mead and his fam- might get him a college scholarship.

“Running was a thing I did because I ily had recently moved to the Cities from Seattle, and the Somalia-born teenager was good at it,” Mead recalled. “A friend and the [South] coaching staff convinced had just enrolled at South.

ANOTHER

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“It speaks of my hometown and how it supported me. It’s an honor to be on this list.”

After a one-day tryout, Mead made the South junior varsity basketball team — he couldn’t play varsity due to transfer rules. He easily fit in with his new teammates despite joining the squad with barely a month or so left that season, which was the only time I got to coach him.

He could play ball, but he also could

me that it was more than running. I could take advantage and go to college at a Division I institution and run for them.

When I heard that as a 17-year-old, it was a key to opening doors, and to this day [it is] still unlocking doors.”

The “U” offered the young running machine a scholarship. He won the Griak individual title as a South senior in 2006

Latest report shows little or no voluntary improvement

TIDES Director Richard Lapchick

By Charles Hallman Contributing Writer What does diversity in sport really mean? Should it resemble what America really looks like or the America most of us hope for? This is what The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES) has been asking regularly through its Racial and Gender Report Cards (RGRC) since the late 1980s.

TIDES last year upped its grading standards on race and gender based on the most recent Census that shows all people of color in this country, almost 35 percent of the total population.

For example, to get an A for race, you’d need to have at least 30 percent people of color, and 45 percent women for an A as well.

Division I college sport leadership at Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) schools and conferences, in the latest RGRC that came out October 3, scored an overall D,

MSR file photo

a C for racial hiring, and an F for gender hiring. “The results show very little deviation from last year’s findings, but do show a slight improvement in the overall grade,” the TIDES executive summary points out.

es out of 130; and all 10 FBS commissioners are White.

The 2018 College Sport RGRC moreover shows that Whites hold over 85 percent of the 395 campus leadership positions, and White men hold 73 percent of the 130 presidents.

The University of Minnesota, an FBS school, is currently searching for a new president. The “U” supposedly has a presidential search committee that is diverse, but odds are it won’t make a diversity dent when it’s all said and done.

Athletic Director Mark Coyle last week got a contract extension from the school’s regents. Only two Blacks are part of his 20-member senior administration staff. The Gopher head coaching roster has been all White since Tubby Smith learned he was fired by watching ESPN in

as well as the state Class AA cross country title, and he set a state record that year as well. He won the Griak again in 2009.

Mead became the first-ever Gopher freshman to be All-American, and he made it eight more times before he left the school with a communications degree. Mead later ran for the U.S. in the 2006 Olympics, and last year he won the 10,000 meters at the 2017 USATF Outdoor Championships.

Now running professionally and living in Eugene, Oregon, Mead said humbly of his accomplishments, “I get to see the world…”

“Hassan always has been one of my all-time favorites,” said former Gopher women’s track coach Gary Wilson, who was inducted into the Griak Hall with Mead. “He’s a special kid, so humble.”

PreP Scene Dr. mitChell Palmer mCDonalD

This week’s “Fantastic Four” flashback photos feature one of the top football and basketball prospects in the state (Jalen Suggs), two prep basketball players who attend the newly developed Minnesota Prep Academy (Lu’Cye Patterson and Zion Sanford), and one of the top football prospects in the state (Omar Brown). Check out the pics and captions!

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

1. Jalen Suggs, one of the top football and basketball prospects in the country, completed 11 passes for 152 yards and one touchdown, leading undefeated St. Paul Academy/ Minnehaha Academy/ Blake to a victory over St. Paul Johnson last Friday. The 6’4” junior has led Minnehaha Academy to Class A state basketball titles in 2017 and 2018.

2. Minnesota Prep Academy’s Lu’Cye Patterson (pictured right), considered among the top basketball prospects in the state, shown during an inter-squad scrimmage last Saturday. The 6’2” junior point guard averaged 23.1 points per game in leading Brooklyn Center to the Class 2A state tournament last season.

1. Jalen Suggs

“The results show very little deviation from last year’s findings.”

We narrowed down the 15-page report to three areas: • “Biggest improvement” — one of two new women athletic directors is Black.

• “Minor increases” — there’s one Black woman president, one more from last year.

• “Constant underrepresentation” of Blacks, other people of color and women in leadership positions: 14 percent of presidents are people of color, and 17 percent women; 11 Black men and one Black female out of 130 ADs; 14 Black head football coach-

2013. Only three Black men and one Black female have been head coaches at the school, and there has been only one Black AD and one Black female temporarily in charge of athletics in school history as well.

Minnesota is among 862 schools and 102 conferences that signed the NCAA Commitment to Promoting Diversity and Gender Equity in Intercollegiate Athletics pledge since it was introduced in 2016. But the pledge is non-binding, and ■ See SOe on page 9

■ See View on page 9

‘FANTASTIC FOUR’ PREP PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

Sports odds and ends

A call for action to force more diversity in college sport leadership

Photo by Charles Hallman

2. Lu’Cye Patterson

3. Zion Sanford

3. Zion Sanford, shown here running the point during an inter-quad scrimmage between players from Minnesota Prep Academy, is just scratching the surface. The 2018 graduate displayed extreme skills and created space for teammates to score — the same skills he displayed as a point guard for Minneapolis North.

4. Omar Brown, a 6’0” 175-pound wide receiver/ defensive back, has led Minneapolis North to a 7-0 record and a top ranking in Class A competition. The senior is also a lockdown defender as a guard for the basketball team.

4. Omar Brown