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Celebrating 90 years of Black journalistic excellence. April 3 - 9, 2025
Vol. 91
No. 36
Phone: 612-827-4021 www.spokesman-recorder.com
MSR in Full Bloom:
Inspiring Growth, Empowering Change
Retaliation alleged for inmate’s criticism By Jasmine McBride Staff Writer
National Poetry Month
Minneapolis’ next poet laureate rooted in artistic activism Toni Morrison, Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary and Langston Hughes. Early on, she learned unauda Petrus, the Min- about activism through works neapolis-based writer, like “The Autobiography of Malactivist and artist, is step- colm X” and “Assata” by Assata ping into a new chapter of her Shakur, in addition to literature literary journey as the city’s next from other freedom fighters. poet laureate. Renowned for her evocative storytelling and commitment to elevating Black, queer, and Caribbean narratives, Petrus continues to inspire with her distinctive voice and powerful perspectives.
By Kiara Williams Staff Writer
heritage. This duality shapes her view of Blackness, blending personal and historical narratives of migration and cultural identity. “I’m from Caribbean heritage. Both of my parents were born on different islands,” she explains.
n February 2024, Willie Crump, an inmate housed at Faribault Minimum Security Prison at the time, reached out to MSR claiming he faced retaliation after publishing an opinion piece about the prison’s conditions. Crump’s story, which centered around the dire state of Faribault and his struggles with the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC), prompted MSR to follow up with him a year Inspiration behind the creativity later, especially after his transiPetrus, who has a rich tion from Faribault to the 180 background in theatre and Poet Laureate, Junauda Petrus, pictured with photos related Degrees halfway house at 236 DIY creative projects, was no to diasporic themes. Sarah White Clifton Avenue in Minneapolis. Clifton House at 236 Clifton Ave. in South Minneapolis Since MSR’s article was 180 Degrees stranger to the written word. Though she always aspired to When Petrus began writ- “I had to find a ‘Blackness’ that published on February 1, 2025, Crump has been sent back to portunity to present a defense. safe, unsanitary, and violated write a novel, she initially en- ing “The Stars and the Black- made sense for me. I’m a firstprison. His attorney, Michael The court simply informed him basic human rights. Among visioned it as a script before ness Between Them” in 2015, generation Black Minnesotan, so McLaughlin, who represented that his work release had been the issues he highlighted were it evolved into her debut non- it was during the height of the I don’t have the Black Minnesohim in a case against the DOC, revoked and that he would be mold, asbestos, unsafe drink- fiction work, “The Stars and Black Lives Matter movement. tan heritage or traditional Black condemned the hearing that led sent back to prison. McLaugh- ing water, pest infestations, a the Blackness Between Them.” “I was reflecting on how Black American heritage to rely on.” “I had this idea for a script, victims of police violence Petrus underscores the to Crump’s re-incarceration as lin asserts that Crump’s de- lack of hygiene facilities, and prejudiced and unconstitutional. fense centered on the belief the misuse of both organiza- and then I thought, what if I were often put on trial, ques- significant role Caribbean wrote it as a novel instead? tioning their actions, appear- immigrants have played in “Inmates on work leave that his termination from the tional and personal funds. He also described instances That would allow me to ex- ance or behavior, instead of shaping the American experihave a right to due process,” halfway house was retaliatory said McLaughlin. “The DOC — a consequence of his outspo- of mistreatment by the DOC pand on the ideas. A friend of focusing on the systemic vio- ence. “From Marcus Garvey made it so all that needed to ken criticism of the living con- and Clifton House staff, fur- mine, Shannon Gibney, who lence that led to their deaths.” to the influx of Haitians into New Orleans after the Haitian ther accusing the facility of is a young adult novelist, inbe shown is that 180 Degrees ditions at Clifton House. Revolution, or even Malcolm Crump’s claims about Clif- retaliation for his complaints. spired me with her ability to A connection to the diaspor terminated him. But they Though Petrus grew up X’s mother being West Indian, didn’t provide an examination ton House mirror his previous Crump even raised concerns develop her story in the young criticisms of Faribault Prison. about potential fraud involv- adult genre,” Petrus explains. in the Midwest, far from her there’s a profound connection as to why.” She cites many literary fig- Caribbean roots, her identity between Caribbean and Black According to McLaughlin, He alleged that conditions at ing his Social Security number. ■ See INMATE on page 5 ures as inspirations, including remains deeply tied to her ■ See LAUREATE on page 5 Crump was not given an op- the halfway house were un-
Grassroots programs cushion Trump retaliations on judges, law called ‘mob boss government’ Trump attack on civil rights firms 21 attorneys general, including Minnesota’s, fight back
limit their access to fair educational opportunities. Despite these challenges, local organizations are working tirelessly to support Black students and their families. In Minneapolis, two organizations — the Black Family Blueprint and Network for the Development of Children of African Descent (NdCAD) — are playing an essential role in providing education and support to Black communities. The Black Family Blueprint, founded by Ayolanda and Mujasi Jaara Bandele, offers a comprehensive program to empower Black families, focusing on education, emotional healing, and overall well-being. The program aims to level the playing field by ensuring that Black families have the tools, resources and opportunities they need to succeed. One of its cornerstone Ayolanda Bandele with son initiatives, “Parenting Against White Supremacy,” addresses and Inclusion (DEI) programs. efforts aimed at rolling back the unique challenges Black parents face in raising children His administration’s direc- these programs. For years, Black students, in a society that often margintive challenges the continued preservation of DEI initiatives, families and communities have alizes them. viewing them as a form of “left- faced systemic obstacles that “We know that Black families are continuously impacted by systems that aren’t deCORRECTION signed with us in mind,” said Ayolanda Bandele. “Our work In MSR’s print editorial edition No. 25, the article titled at Black Family Blueprint is to “Sculpture honoring Cecil Newman gifted to Minnesota offer families the tools to heal, Spokesman-Recorder” featured an error. The article stated, educate, and build resilience “Newman…was born in 1917 and passed away in 2011”; in ■ See GRASSROOTS fact, Newman passed away in 1976. on page 5 wing indoctrination.” His orders, for example, include dismantling civil rights resident Donald Trump’s protections that seek to adrecent executive orders dress systemic inequalities in have stirred contro- education. Trump appointed versy, particularly regarding Linda McMahon, a businessthe Department of Education’s woman with limited backhandling of Diversity, Equity ground in education, to lead
By Clint Combs Staff Writer
By Jasmine McBride Associate Editor innesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and a coalition of 21 state attorneys general have issued a strong rebuke of President Donald Trump’s executive orders targeting law firms and the legal community. The open letter urges lawyers across the nation to “stand together” in defense of the rule of law amid what they describe as unconstitutional attacks on the legal profession and judicial independence. Trump’s latest actions, the attorneys general argue, amount to political retribution against law firms that have challenged his administration’s policies. Five recent executive orders take direct aim at legal entities, alleging they have “weaponized the judicial process” against the president. These orders revoke government contracts, strip attorneys of security clearances, and limit their access to federal buildings, including courthouses. In a striking move, one order calls for investigations into law firms with diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, an action the attorneys general strongly denounce. The coalition warns that Trump’s targeting of attorneys and firms represents an unprecedented attack on the independence of the legal profession.
President Donald Trump speaks at an education event and executive order signing in the East Room of the White House in Washington on March 20. AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File “We stand firm in our sup- munity on behalf of the coaliport of the federal judiciary and tion states. “We categorically judicial independence,” says the reject the President’s calls for ■ See MOB BOSS on page 5 issued letter to the legal com-
RETRACTION The Spokesman Recorder has retracted a story it published on February 20, 2025 titled “Former Minneapolis Public Schools employees allege cycle of race-based retaliation.” After publication, Minneapolis Public Schools and Alicia Miller, the District’s senior human resources officer, called into question the accuracy of certain statements in the news report. In light of new information provided by MPS and Miller, the Spokesman Recorder was unable to validate the accuracy of the challenged published statements and determined that the news report did not meet its editorial standards. We regret the rush to publication without verifying this information.