PRST STD U.S.POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES MN PERMIT NO. 6391
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THE VOICE OF BLACK MINNESOTA SINCE 1934
December 22 - 28, 2022
Vol. 89
Phone: 612-827-4021
No. 21
www.spokesman-recorder.com
FINDING LIGHT IN WINTER’S DARKNESS December 21 is the first day and longest night of winter and the turning point to a daily increase of sunlight. After the longest night, the Earth begins its seasonal trek back to summer. Story and photo by Zan Tomko
■ See LIGHT on page 6
MELANIN in MOTION:
What LIFTS your SPIRITS in the WINTER?
By Nikki Love Contributing Writer
D
homeless who are always in need.
uring this season of shortened daylight, the MSR took to the streets to ask community members how they adjust to keep their spirits bright in the colder, darker months of winter.
Cheryl Anderson: To brighten my days, in the beginning I pray and thank the Lord I woke up. I like to listen to music, mostly gospel, but during Christmas time I listen to Christmas music, especially the Jackson 5 and Motown. I like to read happy romantic comedy books, or I love being involved with the Mother’s Love [organization] helping my people. Sometimes I watch a movie, relax and have some tea. To brighten my days when it gets dark early, I turn on more lights! Love and embrace one another. Don’t waste food to give to the
Embracing the outdoors with purpose
By Travis Lee Contributing Writer
Rico Mullins: Seeing my grandkids brightens my days. What keeps my spirits up is I go by my friend’s house who encourages me. He motivates me in the right way to make me want to do better for myself. Prayer and a support team lift my spirit. Stay prayed up.
Sharon Baker: To brighten my days, I usually like to listen to music or watch something on TV, like Netflix. Something lighthearted to get me into the ■ See WOS on page 6
W
hen I was assigned this story on Melanin in Motion (MIM), I perused their website and Facebook page in semi-disbelief. “What?” I thought to myself. Black folks don’t like the outdoors—especially in the winter. We may go fishing, but camping, skiing, and hunting? We just don’t really get into all that. “What an ignorant assumption” was my next thought. Then I instantly questioned why I would go along and believe a generally accepted assumption or urban myth that African American people don’t like to participate in outdoor activities. I remember about a decade ago when the Oprah Winfrey Show was in its last season. There was this camping series she did with her best friend Gayle King, who is now a bigtime morning journalist on national TV. The purpose of the series was to encourage African Americans to participate and enjoy all that nature has to
offer. They were even assisted by African American park rangers as they camped at Yosemite Park. It was fun to watch them shopping for all the newest camping gear and getting advice from all the experts, but they never answered the question “Why was this show necessary? Why have Black Folks, for the most part, avoided the outdoors?” You know with the historic stories of the Underground Railroad, Lewis and Clark, and the great Jean Baptiste du Sable, to name a few, our very freedom depended on full knowledge of navigating and surviving in the wilderness. Looking into the topic, I learned that historically an African American family going camping, hiking, or hunting would frequently face horrifying encounters that often ended in attacks, injury, or even death. Thinking about grizzly bears, mountain lions, or venomous snakes? Think again. Think lynchings, beatings, and written and unwritten segregation laws that effectively ■ See MIM on page 6
Members of MIM in action.
Photos courtesy of Melanin in Motion/Facebook