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Inside this Edition... Read about MnDOT’s I-94 debatable plans on page 2.
Celebrating 90 years of Black journalistic excellence.
January 30 - February 5, 2025
Vol. 91
No. 27
Phone: 612-827-4021 www.spokesman-recorder.com
What Trump’s ‘America First’ agenda means for Black Americans
By Stacy M. Brown, Micha of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Green, Hamil R. Harris, and Trump was officially inaugurated, offering a speech outlining James Wright Jr. his America First agenda. His espite Donald Trump’s policies raised alarm among swearing-in as the citizens and activists, espe47th president of cially in communities that have the United States long struggled against racial on January 20, 2025, leaders inequality. at both the local and national Rev. Al Sharpton, during levels are pushing back against a National Action Network his policies, which they fear (NAN) rally at Metropolicould have detrimental effects tan A.M.E. Church in Northon Black Americans. These con- west D.C., called attention to cerns are amplified by Trump’s Trump’s plans to eliminate DEI agenda, which includes propos- initiatives. Sharpton argued als to dismantle Diversity, Equi- that DEI was a necessary rety, and Inclusion (DEI) programs sponse to the racial inequities and other measures that activ- that persist in academia and ists believe could harm margin- corporate America. “Why do we have DEI? Because alized communities. On the same day that the you denied us equity, you denation honored the legacy nied us inclusion,” he said. “DEI
On the heels of Donald Trump’s swearing in as president on Jan. 20, local and national leaders such as Rev. Al Sharpton are fighting against Trump’s policies that could have negative implications for Black Americans. Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer was a remedy to the racial in- intentionally scheduled at the stitutional bigotry practiced in same time as the inauguraacademia and in these corpo- tion, was a direct response to rations.” ■ See TRUMP AGENDA Sharpton’s rally, which was on page 5
Minnesota leaders battle Trump order to end birthright citizenship By Clint Combs Contributor Writer
documented immigrants should not be entitled to citizenship, claiming that such children are not “subject to the jurisdiction thereof,” a key phrase in the amendment. Ellison, along with 20 states and San Francisco, filed a lawsuit to block the order, calling it a “blatant breach of the Constitution.” This sentiment was echoed by a federal judge who temporarily blocked the order last Thursday, describing it as
innesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, alongside civil rights groups and community leaders, has launched a strong opposition to President Donald Trump’s recent executive order that seeks to end birthright citizenship, a longstanding guarantee under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. This executive order chal- ■ See BIRTHRIGHT on page 5 lenges the established principle that anyone born in the U.S. automatically gains citizenship, regardless of their parents’ immigration status. The 14th Amendment has traditionally ensured that all individuals born on U.S. soil are granted citizenship, a rule upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court for over 125 years. Trump’s directive, however, argues that children born to unNBC News
Be willing to step into leadership African American communities came together to chart the course for a brighter future for Minnesota’s youth. Each week throughout It was midday on a Tues2025, space in these pages day, and still the community will be given to organiza- showed up in force to launch tions working to end racial “United 4 Youth,” a campaign by ISAIAH aimed at securing injustice across the state. We public funding for afterschool hope that these reflections and youth programs across the spark policy changes for a state of Minnesota. more equitable Minnesota. This effort is a testament to the power of community orgaBy Brian Fullman nizing and the recognition that, despite the odds, when people he day after many come together they have the honored the legacy of ability to make meaningful, imMartin Luther King Jr. pactful change. and watched Donald Trump’s But how did this all come tosecond inauguration, a differ- gether, and why has there been ent kind of gathering was hap- so much energy behind it? pening in a church basement in Minneapolis. Despite freezing Acknowledging our agency temperatures in the single digOne of the driving forces its, members of the East African behind “United 4 Youth” is the Muslim community and Black/ understanding that we all have
we give up on the belief that two key community groups, the allies, and the opposition. came together to focus on the They also examined their existchange is possible. But that’s not the truth. The issues they care most about ing power and what they would story of change is still being — funding for youth programs need to build to make it hapwritten, and community mem- being a priority for both. pen. This is where true powerHowever, recognizing per- building comes into play. bers are leading the way. It’s about forging relationsonal agency isn’t enough to create widespread change. To ships with people who care Building power through truly make a difference, you about the cause, and somecollective action “United 4 Youth” didn’t need power. And power comes times that means merging efagency. For many, this is a concept that’s often overlooked or come to life by accident. It from both organized people forts with other groups who undervalued. Agency isn’t just came about because people and organized money. So, once share the same priorities. By about making daily decisions, in the community recognized the goal to secure state fund- combining their efforts, the like picking a certain brand of their agency and decided to ing for youth programs was set, BBCC and MCI were able to cereal at the store. It’s about take action. The Muslim Coali- the BBCC core team began tap into a larger pool of wisdom, capacity and influence, making recognizing our capacity to tion of ISAIAH (MCI) and the mapping out a strategy. They identified the decision- the campaign stronger than it influence real, substantial Barbershop and Black Con■ See CV on page 5 change in our communities. gregation Cooperative (BBCC), makers, the potential obstacles, It’s the awareness that the conditions around us are not just passive elements of our existence; they were shaped by people, and they can be reshaped by us. Whether it’s the lack of funding in schools, the rise in gun violence, the increasing cost of living, or the issue of inaccessible health care, we all have issues that weigh heavily on our hearts. And, over time, it can be easy to internalize the idea that nothing can be done about it — especially not by us. This mindset can lead to a sense of resignation, where ISAIAH’s “United 4 Youth” campaign meeting Courtesy of ISAIAH
Halfway houses face daunting challenges Complaints raise concerns about conditions, treatment
By Jasmine McBride Associate Editor
n inmate who has been ordered to participate at the 180 Degrees 236 Clifton halfway house says something needs to be done about the conditions inmates are faced with. Willie Crump, who was ordered to transition from Faribault Minimum Security Prison to 180 Degrees this past July, says his journey towards corrected behavior has been surrounded by corruption far beyond cell walls. He says life inside facilities like the 180 Degrees halfway house and Faribault Minimum Security Prison are far from what the public might expect. He says inmates are subjected to unsafe, unsanitary and unjust conditions that violate their basic human rights. “As someone who is living through these conditions, I
Chief Programs Officer Richard Coffey feel it is my responsibility to bring attention to what is happening. This is a cry for help,” said Crump. “The conditions at 180 Degrees halfway house and Faribault Minimum Security Prison are not only unacceptable, but they are also unconstitutional. As inmates, we are still human beings with rights, and those rights are being violated daily. Get us out of this place if you want us to succeed. The Department of Corrections is put-
ting us in bad environments expecting us to do good.” These complaints are coming in during 180 Degrees’ roughly $5 million renovation on their Clifton location building that is just about to be completed. I80 Degrees is a longstanding re-entry program for incarcerated men. It opened its doors in 1973 and has evolved to a wider range of social services for youth, adults and families facing adversity. The Clifton location in particular serves about 250 men annually, with a capacity for 36 inmates at a time. Chief Programs Officer Richard Coffey says he is proud of what 180 Degrees is able to provide for individuals within Clifton House — and all their programs alike. “I love what we do. Without programs like Clifton House, many of our men would be sent back to prison,” said Coffey.
180 Degrees’ Clifton House provides new beds, desks, and air conditioning system in inmates’ rooms amidst $5 million dollar renovations. Jasmine McBride “I’m not mad at the individual who reached out with complaints. The truth is, not everyone is happy to be here. My goal is to make sure everyone here gets the help they need to take that next step forward in reintegrating back into society — and it’s a process.” Prison-to-halfway-house is a common Department of
Corrections practice intended to support the rehabilitation process of inmates. Like Crump, before inmates are released back into society they are often required to complete a portion of their sentence in transitional housing — commonly known as a halfway house — like 180 Degrees (which no longer subscribes to
the term due to its derogatory connotation). Halfway houses are predominantly funded by the U.S. Department of Justice but run by private contractors. This influences the requirements, rules and regulations an inmate must adhere to, in addition to orders issued by federal, state and county courts. Crump says this leaves room for inconsistencies that lead to unethical conditions. He says aside from the toll that prison generally has on inmates, he feels the lack of regard for proper rehabilitation is setting up our local incarcerated community for failure. “180 Degrees halfway house, located at 236 Clifton Avenue South in Minneapolis, is meant to be a transitional space where individuals who have served time in prison can begin to rebuild their lives,” ■ See 180 DEGREES on page 5