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Inside this Edition... Celebrate Juneteenth 2023 Check out Juneteenth Celebrations on page 2.
THE VOICE OF BLACK MINNESOTA SINCE 1934
June 15 - 21, 2023
Vol. 89
Phone: 612-827-4021
No. 46
www.spokesman-recorder.com
JUNETEENTH’S DIVISIVE HISTORY Spokesman-Recorder By Niara Savage Contributing Writer
Yohuru Williams, distinguished professor of history at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. “Teachers are under assault right now,” Williams said. “I do a lot of talks for teachers. They have to be very cautious. We’re living in a moment where there are ramifications for an educator who is actually trying to teach their students to think critically about history, then finding themselves on the wrong side of history.” The dangers of censorship of history in the classroom extend beyond the walls of American schools and have major societal consequences, according to Williams. Without confronting the horrors of the country’s bloody history through education, we run the risk of losing “the willingness to go deep to do the work necessary to dismantle systems of inequality,” he said. “They’re trying to argue that it is in some way psychologically damaging or traumatic for
his year’s Juneteenth will mark the first June 19th—the date commemorating the emancipation of the last enslaved people in the U.S. in 1865—that will be formally recognized by Minnesota as a state holiday, after the bill was signed by the Governor Walz in February. But in states where classrooms have become battlegrounds for the political warfare surrounding how race is discussed in school, educators planning lessons about “Freedom Day” could be forced to Emancipation Day celebration, June 19, 1900, in Austin, Texas Photo courtesy of Austin History Center navigate legislation that seeks to censor American history. In Virginia, teachers are pro- feel schools are engaging in so- WOKE Act limit race-related hibited by the state’s Republi- called “divisive” practices. “We conversations in schools. Dozcan governor via executive or- should not be teaching our chil- ens of states have introduced or der from discussing “divisive” or dren to see everything through adopted laws that restrict con“inherently racist concepts,” in- the lens of race,” said Youngkin versations about race in schools, cluding critical race theory. Gov. last year in a state that has had according to a 2022 report by Glenn Youngkin also set up an a long legacy of slavery. Chalkbeat. email tip line for parents to reIn Florida, similar rules unThe burden of these laws falls port instances in which they der Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Stop especially heavy on teachers, said ■ See JUNETEENTH on page 7
THE CLASS OF 2023 By Cole Miska Contributing Writer
he MSR has had a long tradition of featuring local high school graduates in the newspaper, and this year is no exception. However, this year’s graduating seniors have had a four-year high school experience perhaps like none other. Most have endured an entire year of distance learning during the pandemic, felt the impact of social movements and racial uprisings in the wake of George Floyd’s murder and Amir Locke’s shooting, while trying to adapt to a new reality of disruption and displacement from COVID and the loss of classmates to gun violence. What is remarkable about this snapshot of the Class of 2023 is their perseverance and resilience in the face of tremendous challenges. Their stories should give us optimism and hope for the future, and a reason to applaud their efforts. Name: Tate Mack Age: 18 South High School (Online), Minneapolis GPA: 3.80
Name: Nalah Fearce Age: 17 Hopkins High School, Minnetonka GPA: 3.39
Tate Mack did all four years of high school online, but he does not feel that he missed out on anything. “From my perspective, I just felt like the in-person environment never really worked for me very well to begin with,” Mack said. “I don’t feel like I missed out on anything so Tate Mack Photo by Chris Juhn much as I gained an opportunity.” Mack originally started online, as he said the chaotic environment of in-person classes made it difficult for him to do academic work. He said online courses allowed him to work at whatever pace he was comfortable with and was a welcome change. He was part of his school’s e-sports club and entered a Super Smash Bros. league (gamers sports competition). He won the tournament for South High School two years in a row. Tate Mack plans to attend Macalester in the fall, where he has already received the Posse scholarship, a full-ride, four-year scholarship. He has not decided on a major but is considering psychology and is looking forward to his future. “I feel like it’s difficult not to be [optimistic] with the position I’m in at the moment,” Mack said.
Nalah Fearce attended high school in Hopkins, where a hybrid in-person/ online curriculum was used during the pandemic. Fearce says that despite the Covid-19 pandemic, she considers her high school experience to be “kind of normal,” because of the school’s efforts to bring the community together despite dis- Nalah Fearce Submitted photo tance-learning. Fearce says the most memorable experience from high school was when she organized a week of protests after the shooting of Amir Locke by Minneapolis police in early 2022. A majority of the student body joined either the sit-in, walk-out, or march she helped organize. “We heard the news that weekend and then we came to school. It was not being talked about at all,” Fearce said. “Everybody was going about their day like it was a regular day. This isn’t right. We’re not going to let injustice go unspoken in our building. We’re going to talk about it, we’re going to have everyone here.” Fearce and other organizers convinced the school to make the curriculum more inclusive. The school will be adding an AP African American history class next year. Fearce has not chosen a college yet, but has been accepted to 14 different schools, with some offering full scholarships. ■ See CLASS OF 2023 on page 7
Co-Publisher Passes
other, grand- married couples can now mother, sister, trace their relationships back friend, and to Norma’s matchmaking former Minne- skills. Her sense of humor sota Spokesman-Recorder was quick and razor sharp, co-publisher, Norma Jean leading to a popular run as Williams, passed away a stand-up comedian perTuesday, June 6, 2023. forming at various locations Norma was born in Des around the Twin Cities, as Moines, Iowa on Decem- well as becoming a radio ber 28, 1941, to parents personality on local radio staWallace O’Neal and Launa tions KMOJ and KFAI. Later (Quincy) Jackman, the first in life, Norma went back to of two children. She passed school and earned a CNA away peacefully at the age certificate and a desire to of 81, at home where she serve and care for the elderly. resided with her daughter, Norma is mostly admired Tracey. She was preceded in and appreciated greatly death by her parents, her fa- for her heart and openther Wallace Jackman, and ing her doors to many. She her mother Launa Newman. invited those who didn’t Norma moved to Minne- have anywhere else to go apolis in 1965 with her then into her home, and they husband James Williams, Sr., immediately became exand two young daughters, to tended family. Her smile join her mother and brother was infectious and her comWallace “Jack” Jackman Jr., pany was enjoyed by most and began her association who came in contact with with the Minnesota Spokes- her. Norma is survived by man-Recorder (then the her children Vicky, Tracey, Minneapolis Spokesman and James Jr, Greg and Tina, and the St. Paul Recorder). She her brother Wallace Jackoften joined the newspa- man Jr. She leaves behind a per’s backroom performing host of friends and family, many duties. Her involve- including 12 grandchildren ment increased in 1976, and 17 great-grandchildren, when she became the pa- to cherish her memory and per’s vice president, during continue her legacy. The memorial service which time she interviewed local and national notables. will take place on Saturday, Her writing skills were also June 17, 2023, at 2 p.m., at put to use when she inter- the Kingdom Hall of Jehoviewed visiting celebrities vah Witnesses, 701 Humlike Eartha Kitt, Rosa Parks, boldt Ave. North, MinneJames Brown, and B.B. King apolis, MN. The service will for the newspaper. be streamed virtually and Norma’s “Bachelors and can be joined via Zoom ID: Bachelorettes” weekly col- 237 723 0277 Password: umn that culminated in an 120190. Services will be annual gala event was very followed by a celebration of successful at providing life at 6 p.m., at the Chamopportunities for singles— bers Hotel, 901 Hennepin young and old—to meet, so Ave., Minneapolis, MN, much so that many long- 55403.
With graduation rates rising, are schools rebounding after the pandemic? By Cole Miska Contributing Writer inneapolis Public Schools (MPS) announced a three percent gain in graduation rates this year, resulting in a 77 percent graduation rate overall for the district in 2022. St. Paul Public Schools’ (SPPS) graduation rates stayed relatively stable, dropping .6 percent to 75.4 per-
cent overall. (Graduation rates for the 2022-23 school year are not yet available.) The majority of the gains in MPS’s graduation rates over the past four years came from students of color, particularly Native American and biracial students. MPS Interim Superintendent Rochelle Cox celebrated the increase in graduation rates. “Our students continue to show their resilience in the
wake of everything they’ve been through,” Cox said in a press release. “The Class of 2022 only spent one year of their high school experience in a typical learning environment before the pandemic changed everything. “In spite of this, students stayed committed to their academics and went on to graduate. I am so proud of our students and staff for all their hard work
over the past several years.” “How long will it take for ev- demic, we saw all student groups Josh Crosson, executive direc- ery student to graduate high actually increase in graduation tor of local education firm EdAl- school if we’re increasing by rates from the year before with lies, did not think a three percent three percent?” Crosson said. the exception of Black students.” Crosson says that he has no gain in graduation rates was a “And we’re celebrating that as an hard data on why only Black reason to celebrate, saying that unusual outcome for the year. “We also ignore the fact that graduation rates decreased this year’s fluctuation in graduation rates at both MPS and SPPS graduations decreased in other since 2020. But he has heard were “within the margin of error.” years. So how long will it take from Black students and parCrosson said that graduation for us to actually graduate all our ents that they were not given rates did not significantly change Black and Brown kids if we only “the same grace” as students from before the start of the CO- go up three percent a year?,” he of other races, being punished said. “The first year of the panVID-19 pandemic. ■ See EDUCATION on page 7