PRST STD U.S.POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES MN PERMIT NO. 6391
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Celebrating 90 years of Black journalistic excellence.
October 31 - November 6, 2024
Vol. 91
Police negligent in reign of terror
By Alexzia Shobe Staff Writer
fficers new to the Minneapolis Police Department recite an oath—swearing to “protect my community from those who would seek to cause harm.” The department now admits failure in upholding that oath in the aftermath of the shooting of 34-year-old Davis Moturi by neighbor and known risk John Sawchuk. Following a year of escalating threats, intimidation, and assaults, Sawchuk shot Moturi once in the neck—fracturing his spine, breaking two ribs, and causing a concussion.
incident, the termination of Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, and the resignation of Mayor Jacob Frey. “The conduct of Chief O’Hara and Mayor Frey is unconscionable. They have shown throughout this affair that they are both unwilling and incapable of keeping the community safe,” reads the statement, issued through Communities United Against Police Brutality. “The Minneapolis Police Department cannot be reformed under their leadership. We also call for a thorough investigation to determine why the city allowed an individual to menace his neighbors for a decade and
No. 14
Phone: 612-827-4021 www.spokesman-recorder.com
From redlining to resource deserts
Marginalized neighborhoods suffer the most
The legacy of redlining has left enduring impacts. Communities that once were categorized as undesirable continue to struggle with higher poverty rates and lower access to grocery stores and heath care facilities. Jenny Matthews By Alexzia Shobe Staff Writer
John Sawchuk in custody Three previous warrants were issued in Hennepin County for Sawchuk’s arrest in connection with threats to Moturi and other neighbors dating back more than a year. On Oct. 24—one day after the shooting—Sawchak was charged in Hennepin County District Court with seconddegree attempted murder, first-degree assault, stalking, and harassment. He remained at large until Oct. 28, when Minneapolis police finally apprehended Sawchuk, who was taken into custody and held on $1 million bail. A coalition of Twin Citiesbased police accountability organizations has issued a statement calling for an independent investigation of the
tions, leading to systemic disinvestment and exclusion from essential resources. Historical redlining has gone unremedied and is the root innesota is one of the richest states in the country, cause of many disparities in the state. As Professor Samuel yet many of its communities find themselves in re- Myers Jr. noted in his research essay “The Minnesota Paradox,” source deserts. These areas, known as critical “racist policies were ‘baked in.’” sources of urban social inequality, are characterized by limited The legacy of redlining has left enduring impacts, particularly access to food, green space and health care. They reflect deep- in urban neighborhoods. Communities that once were categorooted systemic inequalities exacerbated by historical injustices rized as undesirable continue to struggle with higher poverty like redlining. rates and lower access to grocery stores and heath care faciliThe Social Vulnerability Index developed ties, including pharmacies. by the Centers for Disease Control classiFor instance, research shows that neighfies areas into levels of vulnerability—“least,” borhoods with historical redlining patterns “When people “some,” “significant,” and “most”—based on lack supermarkets, forcing residents to rely why the Moturis’ pleas for socioeconomic factors, including poverty, on convenience stores that often sell uncan’t afford to help went unanswered.” unemployment, access to transportation, healthy options at inflated prices. (On page 7, eat or maintain a The Moturis reported at and crowded housing. Ramsey and Hennemeet a local entrepreneur who is helping to healthy lifestyle, least 19 instances of van- pin counties rank high in vulnerability due to reverse food access inequalities.) dalism, property destruc- economic and historical barriers that disproAccording to the U.S. Department of Agrisomething drastic tion, theft, harassment, hate portionately impact Black, Latino, and Naculture, 1 in 7 households experienced food needs to happen speech, verbal threats, and tive American communities. insecurity in 2023, with this issue disproporphysical assault since the For example, out of 43 ZIP codes in Hentionately affecting low-income, Black, and on the policy level.” couple moved next door in the nepin County, 17 are classified as “most” vulHispanic families. In Minnesota, these dis3500 block of Grand Avenue nerable, and 12 ZIP codes in Ramsey County parities are stark as many communities, parlast September. Despite mul- share that highest ranking. ticularly those with a higher concentration of tiple pending warrants for his In Minnesota, the history of redlining plays a crucial role in racially marginalized groups, face challenges in accessing both arrest, Sawchak remained at understanding the current landscape of resource deserts and nutritious food and quality health care. large. Wanted flyers went up social vulnerability. Food access in Minnesota is particularly evident in Minnearound the neighborhood sevThe Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC) was created in apolis and St. Paul, where gentrification and ongoing socioecoeral months before, declaring 1933 as part of the New Deal to provide relief to homeowners nomic inequalities further complicate the landscape. The term Sawchak “armed and danger- at risk of foreclosure. HOLC created “residential security” maps “food desert” increasingly is criticized for suggesting that the lack ous” and advising residents to of major American cities. These maps later were used by loan of- of food access is a natural occurrence, neglecting the structural call 911 should they see him. ficers, appraisers, and real estate agents to evaluate lending risk. forces that created these disparities. A more accurate term, reIn an online fundraiser, CarNeighborhoods considered high risk or “hazardous” were searchers say, is “food apartheid,” reflecting intentional policies oline Moturi detailed how the “redlined,” denying them access to investment that could improve and practices that historically marginalized certain communities. harassment began when the the housing and economic opportunity of residents. These areas Many low-income neighborhoods in Minnesota still experi■ See SHOOT on page 2 were predominantly inhabited by Black and immigrant popula- ence significant barriers to ac■ See DESERT on page 5
Universal free school meals a Minnesota success But hunger demand in the state continues to rise By Cynthia Moothart Managing Editor
Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan visits with students at Oak View Elementary in Maple Grove.
busy days. By providing free breakfast and lunch at school, we’re nurturing our children, or hundreds of thou- saving families thousands of sands of Minnesota dollars, investing in the longschool kids, a nutritious term future of Minnesota, and breakfast is now a staple as creating the best state in the they head to class each morn- country for kids.” According to the Minneing. In its first full year, Minnesota’s universal free meals pro- sota Department of Education, gram served more than 150 the number of school lunches million breakfasts and lunch- served during the 2023-24 es—representing a sharp in- school year increased by 13.6 meals—15%—comcrease over previous years million when students were required pared to the same period in to pay for food at school. 2022–2023. School break“I am proud to be celebrating fasts increased by 13.8 milthe first year of our free school lion meals over the previous meals program,” Lt. Gov. Peggy school year, a 40% increase. Flanagan said on Oct. 23 while The program is estimated to serving breakfast to students save Minnesota families about at Oak View Elementary in $1,000 annually per student. Maple Grove. “When our kids Gov. Tim Walz signed Free are fed, they are better able to School Meals for Kids into law focus, learn, and tackle their ■ See LUNCH on page 5
Black patients prescribed more opioids By Stacy M. Brown y an overwhelming margin (almost 75%), Black patients were more likely to be prescribed oral opioids in combination with intravenous (IV) opioids compared to white patients, despite the known risks of opioid addiction, according to research presented Oct. 18 at the Anesthesiology 2024 annual meeting in Philadelphia. Black patients also are about 30% less likely than their white counterparts to receive multimodal analgesia, which uses various medications to improve pain control while reducing opioid use. Experts note that this approach has been particularly effective after complex surgeries, such as lung or abdominal cancer
procedures and hernia repairs. “We know that multimodal analgesia provides more effective pain management with less need for opioids, which are highly addictive. It should be standard practice, especially in high-risk surgical patients,” said Dr. Niloufar Masoudi, lead author of the study and an anesthesiologist at Johns Hopkins University. The study examined the pain management of 2,460 white patients and 482 Black patients during the first 24 hours following high-risk surgeries between 2016 and 2021. Researchers ruled out variables such as insurance, health conditions, and age— identifying significant racial disparities in pain treatment. While most patients received ■ See PAIN on page 5