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Counting down to our 90th Anniversary
July 4 - 10, 2024
Vol. 90
Phone: 612-827-4021 www.spokesman-recorder.com
No. 49
Black America’s quest for true Independence runs deeper than July 4 By Al Brown Assignment Editor s fireworks sizzle in the night sky and proud waves of red, white, and blue banners decorate the streets, the United States celebrates Independence Day. For most, it is a time of historic joy, reveling in the storied past of a young nation’s fierce resolve for freedom from colonial rule. But for many African Americans, July 4 often carries a weight of reflection and critical introspection—a reminder of an unfulfilled promise and a stark acknowledgment of a nation’s ongoing struggle with its inclusive ideals, wrestling for white freedom but synchronizing efforts to further dehumanize Indigenous Natives and those of African descent brought here by force to exploit their labor. As quoted and written countless times, the core of America’s Declaration of Independence is its clarion call
By Al Brown Assignment Editor
for “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness,” an inspiring doctrine that envisioned a land where all men were equal and free from tyranny. Yet, history paints a starkly different picture of African Americans. From chattel slavery to the Jim Crow era and from the civil rights struggle to the systemic inequities still pervading our society in 2024, the journey to equality and inclusion has been fraught with profound and enduring obstacles. At the heart of this harsh and shameless crudeness lies the brutal truth that the inception of American independence did not include Black lives within its emancipatory promise. While white Americans celebrated their freedom from British rule, African people were shackled in chains, brutally subjugated, and considered mere property. For over 500 years, the shadow of this historical injustice has lingered, casting an “otherworldly weight” upon African Americans, an indelible albatross
Spike Moss Way named for longtime activist
pike Moss Way, a street in North Minneapolis, will be named after the longtime activist on July 16. Moss graciously acknowledges this recognition, highlighting its significance as a form of reparation for his challenges while advocating for justice. Reflecting on his journey as an activist, Moss acknowledges the criticisms and vilification he has endured for speaking out against systemic injustices. Addressing the impact of recent events like the tragic murder of George Floyd, Moss emphasizes the importance of this honor as a symbol
of progress and acknowledgment of his lifelong dedication to social justice. He also pays tribute to Launa Q. Newman, the late publisher of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. “Mrs. Newman provided me with a platform to amplify my voice and counter the narratives of detractors when no one else did. I truly believe her efforts helped save my life. For that, I’m forever indebted and thankful,” Moss explained. In a poignant statement about Independence Day and its relevance to the Black community, Moss draws parallels between the nation’s fight for independence and the ongoing struggles faced by African Americans.
MSR 90th Anniversary, Juneteenth celebrated at Saints game By MSR News
tied to the pursuit of their true independence. Even today, the disparities between whites and nonwhites are glaring and deeply embedded within the fabric of our political, religious, economic, and social systems. From biased policing and racial profiling to wage gaps, disparities in education, and barriers to health care, the echoes of systemic racism resonate across every facet of life. The dream of an America where everyone truly enjoys equal opportunity, and rights remains elusive—more so for the Black community, which continues to bear the brunt of these systemic inequalities. It’s a bitter reality that, for every step forward, African Americans have had to fight. From the Civil Rights Movement led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., which sought to eradicate segregation and secure voting rights, to the more recent Black Lives Matter movement, which protests against After centuries in America, Blacks now understand the difference between freedom and ■ See INDEPENDENCE on page 4 independence. Photo by Pexels
sist in society. Along the way, Moss has overcome a lot, like being shot at repeatedly by those trying to stop his activism. “I was shot at nine different times but never cried out because I was cautious never to expose any weakness in my armor. So, I always acted as if everything was okay with me. Again, even though this is great, even greater was [that] during these times, the Spokesman-RecordSpike Moss Submitted photo er let me tell my truth, or they would have stopped me way He highlights the disparity of a back in the day,” he said. tax system that fails to provide Throughout his activism, reparations for the historical Moss remains focused on injustices endured by Black the well-being of his people, Americans, pointing out the emphasizing the importance continued inequities that per- ■ See SPIKE MOSS on page 4
From History to Heritage: Rondo’s Enduring Spirit
H i s to r i
ca l Capsule
Publication date: February 22nd, 2001
tion in the 1960s. The extreme uprooting displaced many families of color, their homes, businesses, and community, fracturH is tor ica l Capsul e ing a close-knit neighborhood. Despite this, Rondo’s legacy and community unity endures continually and through events like Rondo Days, an annual apsulcelebrae i ca l C H i s to r tion recognizing the strength and commitment to maintaining the fabric of this long-standing MSR Newspaper Archives community. Former residents shared personal stories, recapn this week’s MSR 90th An- ping the neighborhood’s rich niversary countdown His- cultural ule the sand M Sand social l life R H i s t o r i ca C a p toric Time Capsule, we revisit ongoing impact of its loss. the culturally notable Rondo Neighborhood’s vibrant AfriTo read more about this historic can American community in St. event and others, visit our website Paul before the I-94 construc- www.spokesman-recorder.com.
Mpls health commissioner focuses on substance abuse, racial equity, climate
The Saints, a Minor League Baseball team and the Tripleast week on Juneteenth, A affiliate of the Minnesota ahead of the Saint Paul Twins, invited MSR to throw Saints game against the the opening pitch in celebra- By Tony Kiene Toledo Mud Hens in the sec- tion of Juneteenth and in Staff Writer ond game of their six-game recognition of the 90th-anniseries, Minnesota Spokesman- versary milestone the paper is career in profesRecorder’s Associate Editor celebrating. sional football is what Abdi Mohamed threw out one As Mohamed walked up to Damōn Chaplin had of the opening pitches to start the mound to take his pitch, in mind when he matriculated the game. the announcer took to the mic to Norwich University, a priand invited Saints fans to do- vate senior military college nate 90 dollars to celebrate 90 located in Northfield, Vermont. years of continuous publishing. An injury ended those dreams, The organization also but the Boston native wasn’t commemorated the life of deterred. When he transferred Willie Howard Mays Jr., a to Central State University in hall-of-fame baseball player Wilberforce, Ohio, to study who started off in the Negro biology, it was “all about acaLeague before joining Major demics.” League Baseball in 1951. The Chaplin became the first day was celebrated as the member of his family to graduSaints recognized individuals ate from a four-year institution. and organizations from the Today, he is the commissioner Black community on June- of the Minneapolis Health Deteenth for their contributions partment, a position he was to the community. nominated for and confirmed The Saints won the game to in 2023 after having distinand the rest of their series guished himself as the director MSR Associate Editor Abdi against the Mud Hens. of health for the city of New Mohamed on the mound Bedford, Massachusetts. That For more MSR news, visit said, a career in public health delivers the opening pitch. Courtesy of the Saint Paul Saints spokesman-recorder.com. was not something Chaplin
His own experience with deep poverty informs his work 1999, Chaplin returned home to Boston, landing a job with the city’s Public Health Commission, where he worked on the issue of lead abatement. In 2004, his father passed away at the age of 54; a little more than a decade later, Chaplin’s mom died at only 64 years of age. “My parents left this world before their time,” observes Chaplin, “So, I started to think more honestly about my own life, my health.” Coming of age in the projects, Chaplin struggled with asthma and was rushed to the local emergency room on several occasions. When he reflected on all the environmental hazards that disparately affect communities like the Damon Chaplin, commissioner, Mpls. Dept of Health one he grew up in—be it an Courtesy of MDH open incinerator on the premever envisioned for himself, at foray into health or environ- ises, the precarious chemicals least not early on. mental work of any sort was frequently used in pesticides, “I spent 15 years trying to in 1995 as a naturalist with or any other detrimental health get out of public health,” he Cleveland Metroparks. ■ See HEALTH Shutterstock COMMISSIONOR on page 4 says, noting that his initial When his father fell ill in