Issuu

— More Vikings on pg. 10

January 18-24, 2018 Vol. 84 No. 24 www.spokesman-recorder.com

Social justice activist turns to health advocacy

Trump disparages African nations Civil rights groups, U.S. lawmakers condemn president’s latest slurs

By Dwight Hobbes Contributing Writer

Kinshasha Kambui has been a community resource pretty much since her days as a rug crawler, exposed to grassroots activism at an early age, basically born to it. After all, her dad was Matthew Little, the illustrious pioneering champion of social justice. For good measure, her twin sister is Titilayo Bediako of We Win Institute, which is dedicated to adequately educating Black youth. It simply makes sense that Kambui is a career health advocate. “I don’t think there can be By Freddie Allen anything more revolutionary Contributing Writer than taking care of our bodies.” As producer and host of Health ivil rights groups, U.S. lawNotes from the Heart of a Natural makers condemn president’s Woman (KFAI-Fresh Air Radio), latest slurs she provides a forum to, as she Trump made the comments during a says, “share pertinent and timely meeting with Republican and Democratic congressmen about immigration reform and President Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The New York Times reported: “When Mr. Trump heard that Haitians were among those who would benefit from the proposed deal, he asked whether they could be left out of the plan, asking, ‘Why do we want people from Haiti here?’” Congressional Black Caucus Chair-

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

man Cedric Richmond said that the Diversity Visa Program “greatly benefits immigrants from African countries and provides an opportunity for them to achieve the American Dream.” Civil rights groups and lawmakers on Capitol Hill condemned racially hostile comments that President Donald Trump made during a recent meeting about immigration reform with Democrats and Republicans at the White House. The New York Times reported: “President Trump…balked at an immigration deal that would include protections for people from Haiti and some nations in Africa, demanding to know at a White House meeting why he should accept im-

migrants from ‘sh--hole countries’ rather than from places like Norway, according to people with direct knowledge of the conversation.” The U.S. congressmen who attended the meeting, according to The New York Times, included: Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.); Senator Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.); Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.); Senator David Perdue (R-Ga.); Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.); Representative Robert W. Goodlatte (R-Va.). Trump’s disparaging comments received quick condemnation in the civil rights community and across the political spectrum. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., the president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, tweeted: “It is a glaring contradiction that as the U.S. is preparing to celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as a national holiday, President Trump utters racist statements against Africa and people of color.” In a statement about the president’s comments posted to her Twitter account, Rep. Mia Love (R-Utah), the only Republican serving in the U.S. House of Representatives of Haitian descent, said that his “behavior is unacceptable from the leader of our nation.” Love continued: “My parents came from one of those countries but proudly took the oath of allegiance to the Unites

States and took on the responsibilities of everything that being a citizen comes with. They never took a thing from our federal government. They worked hard, paid taxes, and rose from nothing to take care of and provide opportunities for their children. They taught their children to do the same. That’s the American Dream.” Love added that Trump must apologize to “the American people and the nations he so wantonly maligned.” Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.), the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, said that President Trump’s comments are yet another confirmation of his racially insensitive and ignorant views. “It also reinforces the concerns that we hear every day, that the president’s slogan ‘Make America Great Again’ is really code for ‘Make America White Again,’” said Richmond. Richmond continued: “All of the reservations we have had about negotiating with him on immigration are well-founded. President Trump is clearly more concerned with ending the future flow of immigrants from Africa and the African diaspora than providing relief to Dreamers who came here through no fault of their own. Unfortunately, there is no reason to believe that we can negotiate in good faith with a person who holds such ■ See Trump on page 8

At-risk youth find support at Face to Face

Kinshasha Kambui Photo by Dwight Hobbes

Demand for their services on the rise

health topics on nutritional, mental, emotional, spiritual and political health topics,” as well as her favorite subject, colon hydrotherapy. She has stressed time and time again, “We [African Americans] experience the top five diseases, including diabetes and high blood pressure.” That, it goes without saying, is due in large part to how we treat our bodies, basically as depositories for some of the worst, most chemically laden substances the market foists upon undiscriminating consumers — fast food and junk food. “Of course, how many of us think is heavily influenced by media, what we see and hear, often accepting without question or at least mindful scrutiny. Health Notes From the Heart of a Natural Woman materialized 25 years ago, Kinshasha more or less backing into the opportunity that has become a hallmark of her career. “In the community, I’ve always been a person who knows a lot about herbs, juices and things like that.” A friend referred Mari

By Ethan Horace Contributing Writer

■ See HealTH on page 8

PRST STD U.S.POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES MN PERMIT NO. 6391

THE VOICE OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY SINCE 1934

Face to Face, funded by the United Way, has been helping young people in need since 1972, particularly runaway, homeless, and at risk-youth. Many of the services provided by Face to Face are free of charge and available to youth as young as 11 years old. Face to Face has found success in basing their work on respectful relationships with their youth, staff volunteers, and community members. For over 40 years they have aspired to be the leading organization in the Twin Cities where youth can find information to better themselves as well as the community. . The organization has gone through many changes over the years. Beginning as a crisis call-in center during the early 1970s, Face to Face now serves over 3,000 youth annually with multiple support services to youth in need. The growing demand for their services from young clients has caused Face to Face to grow continuously since their

opening over 40 years ago. Services at Face to Face range from free health services to a food shelf, on-site clothing closet, shower and laundry, counseling and more. In-need youth can also find other resources such as job listings and housing resources. The organization experienced some hardship back in 2016 while awaiting funding for their Safe Zone Dropin Center. However, enough money was raised and the Center had its ribbon cutting on April 13, 2016, opening shortly thereafter. The Safe Zone Drop-in Center, located in downtown St. Paul, serves as a hub for 14-to-20-year-olds who need immediate help. It is open Monday through Saturday. The Center has been a major success since its opening. Many youth have called the location “a safe place” and “full of support.” Many also recall their enjoyment of the free yoga classes Face to Face offers. As the organization con-

Face to Face group enjoying yoga tinues to see rising numbers in the young people they are helping each year, the need for volunteers has increased as well. Volunteers have been an essential part of the organization’s major success, along with the donations of many kindhearted people over the years. One of the many success stories at the organization

Photo by Ethan Horace

comes from Gabrielle. At the age of 17, Gabrielle came to Face to Face looking for help. Coming from a background of a heroin-addicted mother and an alcoholic father, Gabrielle needed real help. She was on the run from a group home where she had lived. She built trust with Face to Face staff and was assigned a case manager. To meet her

goals, Gabrielle started independent living classes and obtained her state ID, as well as making a health and medical plan. Even though she has more work to do, Gabrielle’s progress to date is encouraging. Another success story comes from Rachel, who ■ See Face To Face on page 8

Historic Dayton building repurposed in downtown St. Paul The Wild will train in the basement, practice on the roof

PR Andrea Novak offered the MSR a brief timeline of the process involved in the transformation. A historic community asset, va“When we purchased the buildcant since 2013, is now reborn in ing” in early 2014 for $3 million, “at downtown St. Paul. The former Dayton/Macy department store building has been redeveloped as a mixed-use facility, and according to the Saint Paul Port Authority it is now “positioned to rejuvenate the center of downtown St. Paul” much as the St. Paul Saints ballpark did for the Lowertown neighone time we were looking at leveling borhood. Businesses also grew along the building,” she recalled. “But the Kellogg Boulevard and West Seventh cost of digging that hole would have Street years earlier when the Minnecost up to $13 million and probably sota Wild moved into a brand-new would have been significantly higher arena built in the area, says Authorthan that. When we took a look at the ity officials. building, it was built with such qualSitting in the Authority’s downity infrastructure. [Then] we looked town St. Paul conference room, Seat transforming it into residential nior Vice President, Marketing and space, but it was so wide — it takes

By Charles Hallman Staff Writer

“We want the rink and the center to reflect the community.”

St. Paul “Made in Minnesota” mural

Photos by Charles Hallman

up an entire city block.” Then the Wild started looking for a practice facility. The old Dayton building was a possibility, and the Authority began looking for investors to redevelop the place, Novak continued. “It took five years…to find the best use of the building. We talked to so many developers and pitched the idea, but so many people couldn’t see how it could get done and didn’t believe in the project. We knocked on a lot of doors. We kept going until we got a yes.” Hempel Companies, who manages the redevelopment, “saw the vision,” Novak said. They created the joint venture Go Wild, LLC and have 75 percent ownership in the building; the Authority owns the remaining 25 ■ See ST. paul on page 8

January 18-24, 2018

We already know that poverty is a math problem. So, what else is it? The psychological toll of poverty can be extreme

such a concept is often “recognized for racial and ethnic groups, but not particularly for economic groups.” Still, before I begin to address Poverty is like punishment for a these issues over the next couple of crime you didn’t commit. — Eli Khamonths, I would like to briefly dismarov cuss some of the inherently unique obstacles that people living in povPoverty is brutal, consuming and The Antierty face, which are generally unbeunforgiving. It strikes at the soul. — Poverty knownst to others. I am reminded Charles M. Blow Soldier of a passage from James Baldwin’s by essay “Fifth Avenue, Uptown,” First of a six-part series Dr. Clarence where he writes: Hightower “Anyone who has ever struggled with poverty knows how exast August, I introduced the first column in a six-part series tremely expensive it is to be poor, and if one is declaring that “poverty is not a char- a member of a captive population, economically acter flaw,” but rather a math problem (and so speaking, one’s feet have simply been placed on much more). The math problems identified dur- the treadmill forever.” A half-century after these words were coming the course of the series focused on America’s substantial inequities in employment, edu- posed by the legendary writer and activist, New York Times Op-Ed columnist Charles M. Blow recation, housing and transportation. Then, in the final column, I began to explore visited Baldwin’s assertion, noting that while its the idea that, in addition to being a math prob- “original intent” was related to monetary matlem, poverty is “so much more.” Poverty is an ters (namely paying more for lesser goods), he unrelenting assault on humanity, a wicked has personally “always considered that statescourge that can have a decidedly detrimental ment in the context of the extreme psychologieffect on the health and wellness of those caught cal toll of poverty.” To his point, consider some of the decisions in its steely grasp. Poverty is the worst form of violence. — Mahatma Gandhi

“Anyone who has ever struggled with poverty knows how extremely expensive it is to be poor.” In this new six-part series titled “We already know that poverty is a math problem. So, what else is it?” I will explore the impact that poverty has on the physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual well-being of people. The series will conclude with an attempt to tackle Ruby K. Payne’s intriguing notion of the hidden rules among classes, which she describes as “the unspoken cues and habits of a group.” She adds that here in the United States,

people in poverty make that others couldn’t bear to imagine, like choosing between buying food, paying the light bill, or purchasing prescription medications. In fact, the threat of unexpected costs or the potential of a personal or family crisis likely figures in every choice made by those below the poverty line. The truth is that poor households don’t have the luxury of planning for the future. For those in poverty, sometimes the day’s only objective is

Photo by KEEM IBARRA on Unsplash to survive into tomorrow. These are just some of the reasons that the life expectancy of someone who is poor is 10 to 15 years less than someone who is not. Or why many in poverty are forced to find more than one job, often working longer hours than most and performing back-breaking work for insufficient pay. Far too many of our fellow citizens live in substandard housing, can’t find or afford nutritious food, lack access to quality health care, and are consigned to underfunded public schools. The stress of poverty, as demonstrated by a number of recent studies, plays havoc with the physiological, psychological, emotional and spiritual health of millions of Americans each and every day. Pure and simple, poverty is violence and it should not stand.

As Dr. King famously said upon winning the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize, “I have the audacity to believe that people everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits.” Yes, indeed. Clarence Hightower is the executive director of Community Action Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties. Dr. Hightower holds a Ph.D. in urban higher education from Jackson State University. He welcomes reader responses to 450 Syndicate Street North, St. Paul, MN 55104

A mid-seAson reminder of sAfe winter driving tips

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY

Take precautions before driving • Clear snow and ice from vehicle windows, hood, headlights, brake lights and directional signals. • Drive with lights on for best visibility. The law requires drivers to turn on headlights when there is precipitation. • If the conditions are too poor, do not travel unless it is necessary. • If taking a trip, tell someone at your destination of your expected arrival time and your travel route. • Buckle Up: It’s the first line of defense in a crash. • Drive at safe speeds according to road conditions and give yourself plenty of travel time. Be patient, there will be traffic. • Increase stopping distance between vehicles. • Use extra precautions when driving near snowplows by keeping at least 10 carlengths behind plows. • If skidding, remain calm, ease foot off the gas and turn the steering wheel in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go. • Do not use cruise control on snowy, icy or wet roads.

Move over for flashing lights • Law enforcement, tow trucks and other emergency vehicles will be assisting motorists who are involved in crashes or become stranded. • Always look for flashing lights and move over at least one lane as soon as possible to protect yourself and those working on the side of the road. It’s the law! If you cannot move over, drivers are encouraged to at least slow down. Winter survival kit • Winter weather can pose a deadly threat in mere minutes for any unprepared person exposed to the elements. • Drivers can become stranded for long periods of time anywhere, whether you’re in a well-populated or a rural area. • Stranded drivers should stay in their vehicle to take shelter from the elements. • Response from law enforcement may be delayed due to weather conditions, lack of cell phone service, or an increase in calls for help. • A winter survival kit should

be kept in all vehicles in the event of spin outs and/ or break downs. This kit should include the following items: boots, jackets, gloves, blankets, a cell phone charger, flashlight with spare batteries, bottled water and snacks, booster cables, basic tools, sand or cat litter, a red bandana, a pencil and paper. Calling 911 • If you become stranded and need to call 911, make sure you know your exact location, especially if you’re in an unfamiliar area. • Dispatchers can send help more quickly with a precise address, mile marker or cross street information. • Follow instructions; you may be told to stay where you are and wait for rescuers. • Drivers should not hang up until they know what will happen next. — Information provided by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety

On this day, we embody the Real Possibilities of making the world a better place for us all. We are committed to uplifting and empowering new generations.

U.S. Air Force photo/Harry Tonemah

January18-24, 2018

Croup: a common childhood illness with a strange cough

By Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD

roup, most commonly, is a viral infection of the upper airway in young children. The condition can partially obstruct the airway. This blockage can cause the child to have a strange cough that sounds like a barking dog. Croup often starts out like a common cold, but breathing difficulties may soon develop. The most common virus that causes croup is parainfluenza. The viral infection causes swelling and inflammation of the airway including the vocal cords, windpipe, and passages into the lungs. When these areas have air forced through them as the sick child breathes, the sound can be that of a barking dog, a barking seal, or even like that of a high-pitched whistle. This whistling sound is medically called “stridor.” The patient may also have a fever and a raspy or hoarse voice, especially when crying. Other symptoms include enlarged lymph nodes, fast breathing, drooling (difficulty swallowing), ap-

pearing lethargic, being dehydrated (few wet diapers), and a general rash. Parents may also see a retraction of the skin of the chest between the ribs as the child struggles to breathe. Breathing retraction or turning bluish is a medical emergency. The condition is most common for children ages four months to five years. Croup is more common in boys than in girls and is seen more often in the fall and winter. The child is contagious until the fever resolves. Of the infectious forms of croup, 80 percent of cases are viral, and about 20 percent of the cases are caused by a bacteria. There is a second, rarer type of croup called spasmodic croup. This is not caused by a viral infection, and doctors believe it is caused by irritation and inflammation of the throat and voice box (vocal cords) from either an allergy or from the acid in the stomach coming up into the throat when the child is lying down. In this case, the child will wake suddenly grasping for air, have a barky cough, and have difficulty breathing. In spasmodic croup, the child will not have a fever. No matter what the cause, if your child is having difficulty breathing, get medical attention immediately. Prognosis The majority of croup cases present as a mild illness and will get better in just a few days; the normal course is three to five days. In a small percentage of cases, the swelling of the airway can become so severe that it interferes with normal breathing and immediate medical attention is required.

Treatment For mild cases, supportive measures with rest at home are all that is needed. These supportive measures include: • Keep your child relaxed and calm. Crying or getting worked up can worsen airway irritation and obstruction. Rock or hold your baby, cuddle, sing songs, read or tell stories. Offer your child the things that give them the most comfort, like a special blanket or favorite toy. • Use a humidifier. This will soothe inflamed airways and enable your child to breathe easier. • Hold the child upright. Breathing is easier when the child is positioned upright. • Push fluids. This includes milk, for-

What is the primary cause of children needing foster care? Parental drug abuse! Child protection reports continue to increase in Minnesota, and parents’ substance abuse is the most common primary reason for children entering the foster care system, according to information released recently by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. In 2016, more than 39,700 children were the subject of almost 31,000 accepted maltreatment reports. Of those children placed in foster care and other out-ofhome settings, parents’ substance abuse was the primary reason for 27.1 percent of children placed for the first time in 2016, surpassing alleged neglect. In addition, prenatal drug exposure has also been on the rise since 2012. There were 1,330 children prenatally exposed to substances and alcohol in 2016, representing a 113 percent increase since 2012.

The data is part of two reports to the Minnesota Legislature: “Minnesota’s Child Maltreatment Report” on children entering the child protection system, and “Minnesota’s Outof-Home Care and Permanency Report” on children in out-ofhome care and adoptive homes. The reports are yet another warning sign that Minnesota must step up its efforts to address substance use disorders, said Minnesota Human Services Commissioner Emily Piper. “Substance abuse has reached a crisis in Minnesota,” Piper said. “To protect and safe-

ly care for children, we must act quickly to help parents work through their struggles and overcome their addictions.” Most people who enter chemical dependency treatment usually complete it and show considerable improvement, and abstinence from substance use and other benefits of treatment tend to continue over the long term. The trend for American Indian children and children who identify as two or more races being disproportionately more likely to experience out-of-home care is also on the rise. In 2010, American Indian children were 14 times more likely than White children to experience out-ofhome care, based on 2015 Minnesota population estimates. In 2016, American Indian children were 17.6 times more likely. For children who identify as

two or more races, the change went from being three times more likely to experience out-ofhome care than White children in 2010 to 4.8 times more likely in 2016. African American children were four times more likely than White children to experience out-of-home care in 2010. In 2016, African American children were 3.1 times more likely to experience out-of-home care. A number of efforts are underway to address problems in the child welfare system, including: DHS and Minnesota counties continue to implement the

changes recommended by the Governor’s Task Force on the Protection of Children, published in March 2015, with shortand long-term steps for improving the child protection system. The state increased funding for the child protection system by $25 million a year beginning in 2015, with the majority of funding for counties to hire staff and provide services. This increase was a reinvestment after cuts more than a decade earlier. In 2016, the department began working with Collaborative Safety, LLC, to implement a trauma-informed, scientific critical incident review process for child fatalities and near-fatalities due to maltreatment. The review process is designed to analyze the child welfare system to identify opportunities for improvement, as well as address barriers to providing the best possible services to children and families. In 2016, the department awarded $1.5 million per year for two-year grants to tribal, county and community agencies to reduce disparities in the state’s child welfare system. The Minnesota Legislature appropriated these funds to develop, implement and evaluate activities to address disparities and disproportionality in the child welfare system. “Amidst all of this, we have good news,” said Piper. “Most children in foster care — 63 percent — left the system in 2016 to safely return home to their parents or other primary caregivers. And, last year families adopted 868 children from the foster care system.” Photo by Smoke & Vibe on Unsplash — Information provided by the Minnesota Department of Human Services

mula, water, soup and popsicles. • Have the child get plenty of rest. Rest allows the immune system to work at its best to fight the infection. • Use an over-the-counter medication to reduce pain and fever. Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) is good for reducing pain and fever. In croup, children often do better in the day and worsen at night. This is a medical phenomenon known as “sundowning.” Consider sleeping in the child’s room to provide them an extra level of security and enable you to act appropriately and quickly if the condition takes a turn for the worse. If the symptoms are mild but last more than four days, or if your child has trouble breathing, call your doctor

immediately. Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD is a board-certified dermatologist and Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. He also has a private practice in Eagan, MN. He has been selected as one of the top 10 dermatologists in the United States by Black Enterprise magazine and one of the top 21 African American physicians in the U.S. by the Atlanta Post. Dr. Crutchfield is an active member of the Minnesota Association of Black Physicians, MABP.org.

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February 16-22, 2017

4 January 18-24, 2018

Coffee cup culture Shift

Photo courtesy of University of Minnesota

n recent years the popularity of the coffee shop has skyrocketed and the industry is booming. According to the official website, Starbucks beverages account for approximately four billion cups globally each year. Many people think that most disposable paper cups are recyclable, but this is not the case.

The majority of disposable coffee cups used by large corporations and small businesses alike are made of paper and lined with a thin, film plastic called polyethylene that waterproofs the cup. Separating this polyethylene from the paper is a complex process most municipal recycling facilities can’t do. Studies estimate that less than one in 400

coffee cups gets recycled. In the United States roughly 54 percent of the population drinks an average of three cups of coffee every day. Though there are people who brew at home or use a reusable cup, this still is a staggering amount of unnecessary waste. So how can we make a difference?

The easiest step to take is to invest in a reusable cup! Bringing your own cup to your favorite java shop eliminates the need for a disposable one, plus it keeps your beverage warmer for longer and is less likely to spill. There are many coffee shops, including Starbucks that offer a small discount to customers who provide their own cup. Okay, so we probably won’t be able to convince everyone to use a reusable mug, what else can we do? There are alternative materials available that can drastically decrease the environmental impact of a disposable cup. Encourage your local businesses to buy compostable, pressed paper cups that are waterproofed using PLA, not polyethylene. Polylactic Acid or PLA is bio plastic that is derived from organic materials like cornstarch, tapioca roots, and sugarcane that keeps liquid from leaking and is completely compostable. Just because these products are made from plants doesn’t mean they are low quality or will melt in hot temperatures; there is a special type of PLA, CPLA that is made specifically to withstand higher temperatures. We have all of the tools to reduce waste, let’s work together with businesses and consumers to educate people about recycling and the waste they generate and move away from a disposable consumer culture. —Information courtesy of the University of Minnesota

ElEctronics donation and rEcycling Recycling and donation ResouRces • Call2Recycle • Earth911 • Electronic Industries Alliance • GreenerGadgets Electronics donation and recycling is a great way to help conserve resources and natural materials. It is important to make sure you are donating and/or recycling electronics safely and correctly. Why donate or recycle electronics Electronic products are made from valuable resources and materials, including metals, plastics, and glass, all of which require energy to mine and manufacture. Donating or recycling consumer electronics conserves our natural resources and avoids air and water pollution, as well as greenhouse gas emissions that are caused by manufacturing virgin materials.

For example: • Recycling one million laptops saves the energy equivalent to the electricity used by more than 3,500 U.S. homes in a year. • For every one million cell phones we recycle, 35 thousand pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold and 33 pounds of palladium can be recovered. Before donating or recycling your used electronics • For your computer or laptop, consider upgrading the hardware or software instead of buying a brand new product. • Delete all personal information from your electronics. • Remove any batteries from your electronics; they may need to be recycled separately. • Check for recycling facilities in your state or community.

Disclaimer: These sites are listed for informational purposes only. US EPA does not endorse any of these entities nor their services.

—Information from United States Environmental Protection Agency

Help your refrigerator save food Your fridge can help to extend the life of food. It comes down to where you place your food within your fridge and keeping your fridge at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Here’s what to store in your refrigerator and where: • Top shelf: Has the most consistent temperature in the fridge so store butter, cheese, and cooked meats here. • Door: This is the warmest place in the fridge, so keep condiments and hard to spoil items here. • Bottom shelf: The coldest area of the fridge, so keep eggs, milk, raw meat, and other perishable items here. • Crisper drawer: Controls humidity for better storage (e.g. high humidity for lettuce, low humidity for fruits and veggies). • Freezer: The freezer should obviously be used for frozen goods, but also use it to freeze now/use later items. If you won’t be able to eat bread, meat, or fruit before they go bad, stick them in the freezer and use them later.

go green!

Best if used: Understand food labeling The dates on food labels are generally not expiration dates*, but merely suggestions as to when the product is at its freshest. The grocery industry recently adopted voluntary standards to clear up what product date labels mean. “Use by”—products with this label should be consumed by the date listed on the package. “Best if used by” describes product quality. After that date, the product may not be at peak flavor, but is generally safe to consume. Use your sense of smell, sight and judgment to determine when food has gone bad. Don’t use foods that have developed an off odor, flavor or appearance. *The only federally regulated food labeling is on baby formula to ensure that the nutrient levels listed on the packaging are accurate until the expiration date. Practice meal planning Plan your meals out for the

whole week and then make your shopping list based off of that. Begin by shopping in your refrigerator and cupboards. Use the food you already have in your home instead of wasting money on new food. When you start cooking, create meals in batches. Freeze them for later use in portion sizes that you’ll want to defrost. Have a leftovers night each week. Use it up It can be hard to keep up with your busy schedule, so here are a few tricks to use up your food before it goes bad. Create an “Eat Me First” bin for the fridge so your family knows what to eat first. Write what date an item was opened on the packaging. Can’t use it up before it goes bad? Freeze or preserve it.

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—Information from Sustainable Management of Food (EPA): epa. gov/sustainable-management-food

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January 18-24, 2018

The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder (MSR) welcomes and values commentary and feedback from the community. The articles found here are edited for clarity and/or space, but the opinions are the author’s own and do not reflect the views of the MSR.

Last year could be a foretaste of what is to come MELLANEOUS By Mel Reeves Contributing Commentator

The mysterious death of a Wilmar, Minnesota Black man in police custody Through My Eyes The Minneapolis Story Continues By Ron Edwards

Contributing Commentator The family of George Edward Washington, a 56 yearold African American, was shocked when they were notified on Sunday, January 7, 2018, that their father had died while in police custody in the Kandiyohi County Jail in Wilmar, Minnesota. The incident explains Thurgood Marshall’s insistence on the importance of both the idea of justice and the actual pursuit and practice of justice without any discrimination. Neither are done well when procedures are not understood and practiced by all. How it has been handled in Kandiyohi County is a reminder to tighten law enforcement procedures and their practices year-round and especially for the Super Bowl in Minneapolis in February, when the whole world will be watching. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported this incident in its January 9, 2018 story (but did not identify him as an African American). The Star Tribune’s coverage, and the coverage on my national radio broadcast that same day, is self-explanatory. The Sheriff of Kandiyohi County says his department is conducting the investigation. Mr. Washington was arrested for a DWI. Yet, the authorities on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday would not make the report available, nor would they explain why they said he was acting crazy and why he was placed on suicide watch. “Crazy,” is

code for a Black person being viewed as a threat. And yet, his daughter told me that when she talked to him when he called her, he sounded fine. The authorities said he was found at 1:30 pm, CST. They said they had all the information and yet were still unable to produce any documents on him when his daughter arrived at the county jail. Our observation is that the investigation has been tainted, and that the autopsy will be tainted as well. We fear there will be no justice for Mr. Washington. Will the sheriff explain both the mysteries caused by sloppiness and the intentional mysteries? Hence, the family has asked the FBI and the BCA (Bureau of Criminal Apprehension) to also conduct an investigation. Friends and supporters of Mr. Washington also asked about a number of seemingly haphazard procedures that were carried out by the county sheriff’s department after Washington’s death. At first they said he was not deceased. Only after Mr. Washington’s daughter inquired, did the Kandiyohi Sheriff’s Department correctly reverse themselves and state that Mr. Washington was indeed deceased. They said his body was sent to Anoka County, after first saying the body was transported from the Kandiyohi County Jail to Anderson’s funeral home in Wilmar, and then 80 miles east to the offices of the

LETTER TO THE EDITOR POLICY The MSR welcomes letters to the editors. Letters should be typed, double-spaced, in 12 point font and must be signed. Anonymous letters will not be printed. A telephone number or email address must be included for verification. Letters of 250 words or less are more likely to be published. The editor reserves the right to edit letters for length.

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Mid-West Medical Examiners Association in Ramsey, Minnesota. Why was this information intentionally used to mislead not only the family, but also others who inquired? The confusion, sloppiness or mystery (call it what you will) is all extremely traumatic for any family suffering grief and to civil rights activists seeking justice. Authorities now say, and we were the first to report it when this column was submitted to our editor, that an autopsy has been completed. The Kandiyohi Sheriff’s Office is investigating itself and will make the findings known at some time in the future. Some will think this is trivial. It is never trivial when families lose a loved one, far from it. Death matters. Life matters. Accurate reporting matters. And far from being trivial, it is important for Minnesota authorities in general, and Minnesota law enforcement, in particular, to be prepared for their security roles at the Super Bowl in Minneapolis in February. All must know how to handle and report on any and all incidents that will happen. Stay tuned. Ron hosts radio and TV shows. To read his solutions papers, books, and archives, go to www.TheMinneapolisStory. com.

Last year wrought disasters of Biblical proportion. The disasters weren’t limited to natural disasters, but social, economic and political calamities as well. These events gave us a peek into our future and revealed that failure of this society to change course will ultimately result in catastrophe. But like actors in a horror movie, we ignore the signs of our impending doom. We pretend that we didn’t see what we saw, didn’t hear what we heard, or didn’t feel what we felt. Yes, part of the horror is that the society we consider as being so much better than everyone else’s, took a giant step backwards and in the direction of barbarism and savagery. There was much weeping and gnashing of teeth as Donald Trump took over the reins of U.S. imperialism. Folks cried and some proclaimed, “Not my president.” But none of the 44 who had come before him was their president, either, unless their last name was Rockefeller, Vanderbilt or DuPont, or were members of that special group of elite and legitimate criminals, the corporate heads, banksters and others that make up the point one percent. Incidentally, more recent democratic administrations brought us the end of welfare as we know it, and mass incarceration (with its accompanying racist and draconian two-tiered drug sentencing), bank bailouts, the foreclosure crisis, the opioid crisis (manufactured by U.S. pharmaceuticals) drone warfare, torture and the destruction of Libya. Moreover, this system encouraged us to believe that some human beings have more value than others. When hundreds of Somalis were victimized by a crazed suicide bomber, it would have been easier to find a million dollars just lying around than Somali flags as Facebook profile pictures. The global capitalist world has brought about the wreckage of even our climate, which resulted in catastrophic fires, famine and hurricanes. The hurricane that struck Puerto Rico and the Caribbean elicited less sympathy from us than the one that struck Houston. And that has logic because we are more likely to feel a certain affinity to those that are close to us. But Puerto Ricans are our brothers and sisters, too, even fellow citizens. There was no national effort to help them turn their lights back on, and no national insistence that they be delivered food and water in the city and the hill country. There was no insistence that we mobilize our storehouse of resources or including technological know-how and the equipment of our armed forces, to alleviate the suffering of our fellow human beings. We may have just as coldly tossed them paper towels along with the insensitive leader of the so-called free world. We wrung our hands as some crazed person got their hands on multiple automatic weapons and mowed down dozens in Las Vegas. We pretended that this will be the last of the mass

Send story ideas, news tips and opinions to Judith Hence at jhence@spokesmanrecorder.com. Send sports, community news, and health stories to Jerry Freeman: jfreeman@ spokesman-recorder.com. Send entertainment stories, events you want posted, and notices exclusively for our website to Paige Elliott: pelliott@ spokesman-recorder.com.

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Mel Reeves welcomes reader responses to mellaneous19@yahoo.com.

Workforce Center limited use of computers creates undue hardship Issues And New Perspectives

Call us, write us, email us - your stories

shootings, as the gun manufacturers and their lobbyists insist that there is a practical need for the average citizen to have an automatic weapon. We may have to stop pretending we are a village, because even a clan of simpletons would demand some kind of moratorium on the buying and selling of guns. Even they would demand that people be prioritized over profit making. We watched, stunned, as we learned about Harvey Weinstein, Matt Lauer and a whole host of males, with power and privilege, sexually assaulted, abused or acted inappropriately toward women. And, yet, despite the good works of the “Me too” movement, very few called for ending patriarchy, sexism and male privilege outright and eliminating the system (capitalism) that nurtures it! No demands from women to wipe it and the system that nourishes it from the face of the earth. While acting the fool, the “clown” prince that is president, has distracted us from the fact that “the” not “our” elected officials signed off on a $700 billion defense budget, which was about $37 billion more than the president requested. Incidentally, both parties co-operated in this madness. Imagine what a sane, civilized society could do with half of that money! It could create work, guarantee health care, improve education and provide affordable day care for working mothers and provide decent stipends to those down on their luck and for those in the twilight of their years. And then we watched Daniel Shaver get blown away on video, by New Mexican law enforcement, who murdered him because they could. And adding insult to injury, human beings considered his peers thought it was Ok and allowed the cops to evade any consequences and literally get away with murder. Meanwhile, youth who can no longer cope turn to drugs while the pharmaceuticals knowingly supplied drugs to underground distributors — all for the sake of making money. The nation’s response led by its “clown prince,” was to call for a health emergency, rather than a national one, while tossing what amounts to pennies at the problem. See http://bit.do/Ex-DEAagent The year 2017 was as dark as they come. Yet, it exposed the corrupt underbelly of the very system too many of us hold so dear. In fact, the tragedies that occurred, even the natural disasters, the mass murders, the drug crisis, the tax cuts (which amounted to welfare for the rich) the defense budget, the police violence, the sexual assaults and misconduct that were exposed, all point toward there being something deeply wrong with the system and that much more is needed than reform. But reform with an eye toward permanent transition to something better is a good start.

By Lucky Rosenbloom Contributing Commentator Poor, single parent mothers and men looking for work are being denied access during the times they can use the Workforce “Unfriendly” Center. Our neighbors being single parents mothers and/ or other out of work citizens (mostly minorities) using their last money to catch a cab, pay for babysitters, bus fair and other hardships they have to work through, are being denied access to simply use a computer to job search. I have witnessed the above-mentioned. I would recommend sending people to the Workforce Center as a test to determine if poor people of color, single parents, people getting out of lock up, and others looking for work are being denied access to the Workforce Cen-

ter’s (on University and Fairview) computers during certain time periods. Employees are working eight hours a day, Monday through Friday. If employees are not working M-F, eight hours a day, I stand corrected. What are they doing that citizens cannot sign in to use the computer? I have been told by staff that the computers cost money and our poorest citizens have been compared to citizens living in Anoka and other areas, whereby folks can afford home computers and pay monthly bills. Poor people, single parent mothers paying for sitters, men looking for work to stay out of trouble and support their families, being given a schedule and told to return, waiting in the hallways, or coming in when closed and having to return the following day, appears to be the antithesis of the Ramsey County’s mission statement. This practice serves to discriminate against poor

minority citizens who are already hurting and suffering. Where is your decency and compassion? I am asking anyone reading this complaint to call me at 763-707-1847 about what I have witnessed, and to listen to my radio show regarding this terrible, hurtful treatment of minority job-seekers, and all the people I have brought attention to this matter, too. I am left to explore the possibility of filing a Human Rights complaint based on discrimination with respect to public accommodations. There is a really easy solution: Like other Workforce Centers within the poorest areas of last hired, first fired, allow access to computers to job search during the working hours. Simple solution. Lucky Rosenbloom welcomes reader responses to 612661-0923, or email him at l.rosenbloom@yahoo.com.

January 18-24, 2018

Hanks and Streep co-star in Spielberg freedom of the press thriller

Courtesy of DreamWorks Studios By Kam Williams Contributing Writer

he Post is a picture fated to be compared to a couple of classic newsroom thrillers: All the President’s Men (1976) and Spotlight (2015). Like the former, it’s set in Washington, D.C. in the ’70s and revolves around an attempt by the Nixon administration to prevent the publication of incriminating information leaked to the Washington Post by a whistleblower. And it’s eerily similar to the Best Picture

Oscar-winner Spotlight in that they’re both ensemble dramas recounting an idealistic newspaper’s legal battle on behalf of Freedom of the Press. Risk-averse Hollywood honchos have a very predictable habit of parroting success, which means it’s just a matter of time before a knockoff of a big hit arrives in theaters. In this case, Spotlight’s Academy Award-winning scriptwriter, Josh Singer, was tapped to tweak first timer Liz Hannah’s original screenplay about the Pentagon Papers. So, it makes sense that one might have great

expectations for the production, given that it was also directed by the legendary Steven Spielberg and co-stars Tom Hanks and perennial Oscar-nominee Meryl Streep. But while the movie is certainly worth seeing, it’s actually a disappointment, given the cast and crew’s impressive pedigree. The picture’s point of departure is Vietnam in 1966, which is where we find Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara (Bruce Greenwood) on a fact-finding tour. Upon landing back in the States, he lies through his teeth on the tarmac to put a positive spin on the odds of

America winning the war. Fast forward five years, which is when military analyst Daniel Ellsberg (Matthew Rhys) goes rogue after becoming disillusioned by the government’s continued cover-up. He then proceeds to turn over to the Washington Post and other publications an internal, Department of Defense report about the war. Dubbed the “Pentagon Papers,” the top secret files refute the irrationally-optimistic assessment being presented to the public by the president. The decision to publish the documents was a no-brainer for the Post’s editor, Ben Bradlee (Hanks), and owner, Katharine Graham (Streep). What ensued was a Constitutional crisis ultimately settled by the U.S. Supreme Court, which had to weigh the Freedom of the Press against President Nixon’s (Curzon Dobell) request for an injunction preventing dissemination of the classified documents in the interest of national security. Too bad the story Spielberg opted to tell is primarily a tale of female empowerment that quite frankly doesn’t ring true. Why resort to politically correct revisionist history reflecting present-day values when simply ratcheting up the tension around the original landmark legal case probably would’ve proved far more riveting? The Post opened nationwide January 12. Check local listings for show times. Kam Williams welcomes reader comments to kam_williams@hotmail.com. Find more interviews and reviews by Williams at www. kamwilliams.com.

BOOK REVIEW: Mothering Through Pain and Suffering in Silence

Arts No Chaser Dwight Hobbes

Contributing Writer

Mothering Through Pain and Suffering in Silence: A Collection of Stories from Survivors (The Haven Publishing), prose and poetry edited by Jasmine Tane’t Boudah, is a true find that will benefit readers regardless of gender. That in and of itself makes this impassioned, eloquently articulate anthology a profoundly rewarding breath of fresh air. The advent of spoken word open mics at clubs and cafés,

along with the proliferation of Internet self-publishing, has spawned a vitriolic free-for-all by which any female with an imagined axe to grind can hop on a soapbox to spitefully harangue men in strutting, swaggering self-congratulation for being born a woman. Mothering Through Pain conversely, thankfully, presents, yes, a powerfully fierce voice but not out of arbitrary or gratuitous spite. Make no mistake — there quite understandably is anger on these pages. However, it first and foremost speaks to, in fact declares, self-empowerment. The fire here, keenly focused, rages against those who, plainly put, should catch hell. Starting with a society that ever since slavery has envied sisters their unique vitality while at the same time obscuring their femininity and, in actuality, their very humanity. As the introduction states, these are “life experiences as Black wombmen combatting what has been coined and continually normalized and reinforced as the ’Black superwom-

an’...archetypes.” It adds, “This strips us of our right to choose our role in society.” And a Malcolm X quote furthers the point: “The most disrespected...unprotected person in America is the Black woman.” Herein, the authors do a fine, page-turning job of respecting and protecting themselves. Not demonizing Black men wholesale, nonetheless holding accountable those who historically victimize Black women and girls just as badly, if not more ruthlessly, than racism ever could, betraying them from within the very same community. After all, no one can hurt you to your soul like he to whom you turn to for love and trust. As well, there is in these pens the power of transcending life’s bitterest lessons to emerge positive, stronger still and, paramount, salvage self-love. Two disquieting aspects these writers courageously confront are dead center at the heart of grassroot families and, thereby, the very core of their communities. One is fatherless families with man-less women

sustaining self-worth, in which children are left to find male role models in rap videos and the street corner. As well, as Rashena D. Johnson relates in “Memoirs of an Ebony Mother,” frequently there’s no real female guidance, girls become moms before they’re ready to actually be women, themselves. “My mother and I often didn’t get along when I became a teenager. As a young mother, herself, she did not have the emotional support she needed and, sadly, she didn’t know how to give that to me.” It was far from easy, dealing with her demons, including at one point daily drinking, but at length she garnered the strength of purpose to not only persevere but prevail. She states, “I learned to be gentle with myself and to design my life in a way that joy can always be found. I learned to pay attention to my own energy and that allowed me to tune into my children’s as well.” Another aspect is the catastrophic effect of crack on the very quality of existence. Boudah’s “Blissfully Falling into Oblivion and Existing without Reciprocity: Motherhood Was My Saving Grace” attests, “I am the culmination of a union that was purely sexual to say the least. A product of long nights,

acts of adultery, the abuse of crack cocaine and a mother’s desire to have a beautiful Black child she hoped would gain her access into the loving Black family unit and present a love of her own to ease the desires of her lonely heart. “Unfortunately, although my mother loved me something fierce and with every inch of her tattered soul, she strug-

OF SUCH I DREAM season

2017 - 201 8

Sun, Feb 18, 2018, at 4 PM Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis VocalEssence Chorus | VocalEssence Youth Choir | VocalEssence Teaching Artists Patricia Brown, Karla Nweje, and Roxane Wallace, dancers | Niles Phillips, hip-hop artist | Members of Zeitgeist Tickets: $10–$40 vocalessence.org 612-371-5656

gled terribly with a spiritual hold in the form of an addition to crack. Just like my father....” It concludes, “Mya is my revolution and I have to be around to see her grow and blossom and to pass on the knowledge that she is never alone. Black motherhood is revolutionary and I’m learning to do it differently with her so that the cycle does not repeat itself. I’ll bend, but I’ll never break...Ashé.” Motherhood repeatedly proves its own salvation, time and time again inspiring valiant fortitude where static thinking would expect miserable failure. At the length, the stories told in Mothering Through Pain and Suffering in Silence must be taken in and well heeded. For more book info, visit https:// motheringthroughpain.weebly. com. For more on author Jasmine Tane’t Boudah read “Silent no more: Local author gives voice to pain of Black mothers” by Brandi Phillips on MSRNewsOnline.com. Dwight Hobbes welcomes reader responses to P.O. Box 50357, Minneapolis, MN 55403.

January 18-24, 2018

Spotlight on Minnesota’s Black Community Project Saturday February 24, 2018 The Scott Collection Publication Celebration This free event will take place at the Hennepin County Library in Downtown Minneapolis, 300 Nicollet Mall, 11 am -1 pm. Entertainment and refreshments will be provided

Saturday February 17, 2018 Presentation: Celebrating Minnesota’s African American Photographers and Artists This presentation will take place at the Minneapolis Hennepin County Library, 300 Nicollet Mall. Presenters include: Olivia Crutchfield, Bruce Palaggi, Gilbert Baldwin and Dr. Charles Crutchfield III. The time of this event is 11 am – 1 pm. The George Scott Trio will provide entertainment, and refreshment will be served. The Pollination Project Foundation will sponsor entertainment and refreshments.

All of the above events will provide information on the forthcoming 2019 publication, Minnesota’s Black Community: The 21st Century, which will be released by MBCP. A Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grant through the Minnesota Historical Society has provided funding for this upcoming publication of the Minnesota Historical Society Press.

Tuesday, February 20, 2018 Book Release Party for the Scott Collection Celebrating the re-release of the late Walter R. Scott Sr. historical books, which highlight the contributions and accomplishments of African Americans in Minnesota during the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s, this free and public event will be held at the Minnesota History Center in the History Lounge, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St Paul, MN 55102. The time of this event is 7 pm-8 pm.

Walter R Scott Sr. holding one of his books. Photo courtesy of Minnesota Black Community Project

innesota’s Black Community Project (MBCP) is a nonprofit organization launched in 2016 that serves to applaud and highlight the contributions and achievements of Minnesota’s Black community. In 2017, MBCP was awarded two grants to support its efforts from the following organizations: the Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grant through the Minnesota Historical Society and the Pollination Project Foundation. The board members of MBCP are: Anthony Scott, president; Dr. Charles Crutchfield III, vice president; Dr. Chaunda Scott, secretary; and Anthony Scott II, treasurer. The members at large of MBCP are Dr. Crutchfield II, George Scott, Christopher Crutchfield, Walter Scott Jr., and Beverly Lambkins. Upcoming 2018 events sponsored by

For more information regarding these MBCP events, contact Anthony R. Scott, MBCP president, at 612-578-0171 or at anthony. scott@comcast.net. Also visit Minnesota’s Black Community Project’s website at www. minnesotasblackcommunityproject.org.

Apply now for the 2018 Cecil E. Newman Scholarship

MBCP are the following: Saturday February 10, 2018 Presentation: Celebrating the Historical African American Research of Walter R. Scott Sr. This presentation will take place at the Empowerment Church in Southfield, Michigan and will discuss three historical books by the late Walter R. Scott Sr. that served to highlight the contributions and attainments of successful African Americans during the 1950s,’60s and ‘70s in Minnesota. The re-release version of these books entitled the Scott Collection, which will be made available to the public on February 1, 2018 by the Minnesota Historical Press, will also be displayed.

Obituary

Daisy Lee

April 2, 1930 – December 27, 2017

other Daisy Lee passed away on December 27, 2017. Funeral services were held Friday, January 5, 2018 at Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. The family of Daisy Lee thanks everyone for the love and support extended to them.

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Rev. Billy G. Russell, Sr. Pastor 2600 E. 38th Street. Mpls., MN 55408 612-827-7928 fax: 612-827-3587 www.greatfriend.org Sunday Morning Worship: 8 am Sunday School: 9 am Morning Worship: 10:40 am N.B.C.: 5:30 pm Evening Worship: 7pm (1st Sunday) www.greatfriend.org The Friendly Church Where Everybody Is Somebody

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Dr. Willa Lee Grant Battle, Pastor 1908 Fourth Ave. So. Mpls., MN 24 Hour Dial-A-Prayer: 612-870-4695 www.gtdci.org Sunday School 9:30 am Sunday Worship 11:30 am Prayer Daily 7 pm Evangelistic Service: Wednesday & Friday 8 pm

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January 18-24, 2018

that his slur was coupled with a desire for more immigration from overwhelmingly White countries like Norway,” said Morial. “Congress must reject this divisive and racially-discriminatory approach to immigration policy.” Rev. Al Sharpton, the president and founder of National Action Network (NAN), said that Trump’s deplorable statements while meeting with a bipartisan group of lawmakers at the White House regarding an immigration deal go beyond racial insensitivity. “For the President to make these remarks just after he was quoted as saying all Haitians have AIDS and Nigerians live in huts demonstrates a consistent pattern of racism and bigotry. It is further concerning that he is doing it in policy meetings that Photo courtesy of MGN Online will impact laws in this country and can nations is appalling for its lack of abroad,” said Sharpton. vile and reprehensible beliefs.” “Trump uses White nationalist rhetMarc Morial, the president and compassion, and stunning for its ignoCEO of the National Urban League, rance about the contributions of Hai- oric to continue to explicitly defile, disrespect and destroy communities of said Trump’s crude statement regard- tian and African immigrants. “Even more troubling was the fact color. His lack of presidential decorum ing immigration from Haiti and Afri-

“Trump uses White nationalist rhetoric to continue to explicitly defile, disrespect and destroy communities of color.”

Trump Continued from page 1

Face To Face

ST. paul

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was couch-hopping and unemployed by the time she came into contact with Face to Face. Her mother didn’t approve of her lesbian lifestyle and she was kicked out of her mother’s home. She came to the Safe Zone and was assigned a case manager. Housing and employment goals were set in place. Based on Rachel’s homeless status at the time, her mother was trying to gain parental rights and custody of Rachel’s son. Motivated to keep her son, Rachel filled out applications every day at Face to Face and was able to find a $13/hour job and housing. The support from Face to Face facilitated her transition into a more self-sufficient life. Face to Flace plans on increasing access to medical services, mental health care, and other basic needs for Minnesota youth. Part of that includes working to end social inequities that limit access to services needed by today’s youth. For over 30 years their mission has been to empower youth who need help and to steer them into a positive lifestyle. Many members of the community have praised Face to Face for their continued dedication to empowering the youth of Minnesota. For more information about Face to Face, go to www.face2face.org. Ethan Horace is a journalist and radio personality.

percent and invested an additional $5.5 million to remove all asbestos from the building and prepare it for redevelopment. “It took five years…to find the best use of the building,” The historic building, once a downtown retail shopping hub, now features a basement training facility for the Wild 40 feet underground “in a space that has not been used for 2030 years. It’s the ultimate man cave,” Novak joked. A two-story national drug store chain along with TRIA Orthopedic Clinic also have space, as does the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency that moved in last September and occupies the fourth floor. Soon to come: two new restaurants and a brewery. But the new enclosed roof-top TRIA ice rink is the building’s “crown jewel,” as Novak calls it — an NHL-quality ice

sheet with 1,100 seating capacity that is used for Wild practices. “Having them commit to the project and to downtown St. Paul really helped bring the rest of the tenants to the space,” she said of the Wild’s involvement. The rink also is the home of the Hamline University’s men’s and women’s hockey teams for practices and home games. “Treasure Island and TRIA came in to make this more of a community asset. Treasure Island was extremely generous in providing sponsorship funding to help center costs of the project,” for which they receive naming rights. A new 300-foot “Made in Minnesota” mural is being installed on one corner of the building’s exterior. “We wanted to make sure it has kids of color,” Novak says of the Terrence Fogarty creation. “He painted a picture of real hockey players. We want the inside and outside to match” the intended equity of the new center, which also will be

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BORN TO BE GREAT To be ready for the jobs of the future, students need learning experiences that meet them where they are, engage them deeply, let them progress at a pace that meets their individual needs, and helps them master the skills for today and tomorrow. To learn more about ESSA and how you can get involved, visit www.nnpa.org/essa. Made possible by a grant from the

home for children from disadvantaged backgrounds to play hockey, academic tutoring, and other public activities, she pointed out. “This is not where our specialty is. We are an economic development agency; we are not a sports organization,” Novak says of Equity on Ice, an initiative by Capital City Properties. The notfor-profit arm of the Authority was established to raise funds for nonprofit organizations to use the ice rink and other youth outreach programming. M i n n e ap ol i s - b a s e d DinoMights youth hockey program also is a partner. Brownbody, a Black interpretive dance company, and the St. Paul Police Athletic League are also considering leasing space at the center. “We want the rink and the center to reflect the community,” Novak stressed. “We expect 750,000 people to come to the building” each year. More importantly, she noted that the new center in essence filled “a hole”

is a disgrace to our country’s highest office.” Sharpton continued: “We must challenge the Senate and Congress to repudiate President Trump’s comments, and every Senator that was in that meeting should publicly denounce him. They should also explain why they didn’t say anything in the meeting—and if they fail to answer they should be targeted by the civil rights community as accomplices.” Sharpton said that Trump’s comments were the ultimate disrespect to hundreds of communities who believe in the American Dream — the same dream of equality and justice that Dr. King had. “We will not let Trump or his administration forget these words when we vote this year or in 2020,” Sharpton said. Freddie Allen is editor-in-chief of BlackPressUSA. Our thanks to the NNPA for sharing this story with us.

Andrea Novak, Sr. V. P, Marketing and PR , St. Paul Port Authority in the middle of downtown St. Paul. A January 31 Equity on Ice evening fundraiser is planned at the center’s rink “so we can raise funds…for ice time” and other programs, said Novak. It is open to the public; more details can be found on www.equityonice.org. Since 1962, the Saint Paul Port Authority has helped develop 17 business centers, which has helped contribute at least

HealTH Continued from page 1

Lankford to her, who suffered cancer and was undergoing the ordeal of chemotherapy. ”My friend told her to call me to see whether I had suggestions as to what she could do to not lose hair, getting sick from chemo. We talked a couple hours. I never anticipated hearing from her again. Maybe six months later she called and told me the cancer was [in remission].” One thing led to another and she was invited to partner on a public affairs program to get the word out on how to responsibly care for one’s body. Though Mari did eventually succumb to cancer, Kinshasha carried their fledgling endeavor to well-noted fruition, staying on the air for a full quarter-century despite turnovers in staff and programming over the years at KFAI. Acting on a commitment to community, she joined Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak’s administration as policy liaison in 2005. She was a natural selection to afford city hall credibility in terms of actually moving to empower minority communities. “I met [Rybak as a] candidate in North Minneapolis at a debate with the candidates for mayor,” Kambui recalls. “I was there advocating for children to make sure they were a part of the platform. R.T. was the only candidate that would listen and learned about the issues of African American youth and added it to the debate. At the time he was also a community advocate, which was my heart.” It did not work out. When the mayor’s actual commitment to the community fell short of her expectations, she didn’t simply hang on as some sort of affirmative action window dressing but, true to her reputation for unassailable integrity, returned to the grassroots and has since steered clear of aligning herself with politicians. There was, however, another experience of being disappointed by trying to work with the sys-

25,000 jobs in St. Paul. “We are now focusing on how we can do a better job of that,” Novak concluded. “We need to focus on that in 2018-19.” Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@spokesmanrecorder.com.

tem for the benefit of those it historically gives short shrift. In 2008, she became an organizer for the watchdog entity African American Mobilization for Education, which had been examining policies and practices of the Minneapolis Public Schools, particularly the rate of suspension for Black students. “In fall of 2005,” she recalled in an earlier MSR interview, “78 percent [of suspensions were] African American children. At the November 2007 school board meeting, a document showed the suspension rates of students from September through November 15, 2007 of 2,263 suspensions, 1,107 [were] African American males.

“I don’t think there can be anything more revolutionary than taking care of our bodies.” “I was the point person for the covenant created with the public schools to change the way African American children are taught in the schools [in order to] support our kids’ success. We brought together most of the Black leadership in Minneapolis to sign off on this covenant [with] the Minneapolis Public Schools. But after the document was signed, the Minneapolis Public Schools sabotaged its success.” These days she contents herself with activism that’s about helping people with their wellbeing (consult the website for her practice of doing body work), giving Health Notes From the Heart of a Natural Woman. For more information, Health Notes from the Heart of a Natural Woman airs Mondays, 7:00pm to 8:00pm at KFAI. Or go to the website (www.healingwithinmn.com/ kinshashakambui) Dwight Hobbes welcomes readers’ responses to P.O. Box 50357, Minneapolis, MN 55403

January 18-24, 2018

Legals

Employment

STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF HENNEPIN

DISTRICT COURT JUDGE, PROBATE DIVISION 4TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT FILE NO. 27-PA-PR-17-1487

In Re: Estate of GLORIA MILDRED WATTSON, Decedent.

NOTICE OF INFORMAL APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND CREDITORS: Notice is given that an Application for Informal Probate of Will and Informal Appointment of Personal Representative was filed with the Registrar, along with a Will dated June 10, 2017. The Registrar accepted the application and informally appointed Grant C. Jensen, whose address is 12900 1st Ave. S., Burnsville, MN 55337, to serve as the personal representative of the Decedent’s estate. Any heir, devisee or other interested person may be entitled to appointment as personal representative or may object to the appointment of the personal representative. Any objection to the appointment of the personal representative must be filed with the Court, and any properly filed objection will be heard by the Court after notice is provided to interested persons of the date of hearing on the objection. Unless objections are filed, and unless the Court orders otherwise, the personal representative has the full power to administer the estate, including, after thirty (30) days from the issuance of letters testamentary, the power to sell, encumber, lease, or distribute any interest in real estate owned by the Decedent. Notice is further given that, subject to Minn. Stat. § 524.3-801, all creditors having claims against the Decedent’s estate are required to present the claims to the personal representative or to the Court within four (4) months after the date of this notice or the claims will be barred. SIGNED BY: Alonna Warns, Probate Registrar, Probate Division Sarah Lindahl-Pfieffer, District Court Administrator SIGNED DATE: January 02, 2018

MOOSBRUGGER LAW OFFICE P.A. Anthony J. Moosbrugger MN# 0322180 208 W Main Street Kasson, MN 55944 Telephone: (507) 634-4111 e-mail: anthony@moosbruggerlaw.com ATTORNEY FOR GRANT C. JENSEN

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Housing Riverview Senior Housing 5360 Riverview Road Minneapolis, MN 55417 612-843-5885

Minnesota Spokesman Recorder January 11 & 18, 2018 STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF HENNEPIN

DISTRICT COURT JUDGE, PROBATE DIVISION 4TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT FILE NO. 27-PA-PR-17-1548

In Re: Estate of DONALD JOSEPH OCEL, Decedent.

NOTICE OF INFORMAL PROBATE OF WILL AND INFORMAL AND APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND CREDITORS: Notice is given that an Application for Informal Probate of Will and Informal Appointment of Personal Representative was filed with the Registrar, along with a Will dated August 8, 2007. The Registrar accepted the application and informally appointed Samuel C. Ocel, whose address is 4109 Overlook Circle, Bloomington, Minnesota 55437, to serve as the personal representative of the Decedent’s estate. Any heir, devisee or other interested person may be entitled to appointment as personal representative or may object to the appointment of the personal representative. Any objection to the appointment of the personal representative must be filed with the Court, and any properly filed objection will be heard by the Court after notice is provided to interested persons of the date of hearing on the objection. Unless objections are filed, and unless the Court orders otherwise, the personal representative has the full power to administer the estate, including, after thirty (30) days from the issuance of letters testamentary, the power to sell, encumber, lease, or distribute any interest in real estate owned by the Decedent. SIGNED BY: Julie Peterson, Probate Registrar, Probate Division Sarah Lindahl-Pfieffer, District Court Administrator SIGNED DATE: January 02, 2018

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Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, January 11 & 18, 2018

SOE Continued from page 10 10-point road win. The Auggies played only two of their several POCs and starts one of them. The second game, however, was different complexion-wise as visiting first-place Saint Benedict also was Hoosiers-like while the hosts started four sistahs: Sophomore guard Tamira McLemore (Eagan, Minn.), one of the team’s two captains, leads her squad in scoring and assists. She is also among the MIAC top 15 in scoring (12th), second in assists (3.5) and third in steals (2.3). “I came from a team of predominately White players, and [to] play with African American players because they are more passionate about the sport” is what attracted her to Augsburg, McLemore pointed out. Guard Arianna Jones (Brooklyn Park) is second on the club in assists and fourth in scoring. She also is third in the league in assists. “I love it here ath-

letically,” she told the Only One. K’Aezha Wubben (Minneapolis) also is in her second year. She’s fifth in shooting in the MIAC at over 54 percent a contest, while Speese (Bloomington) leads the team in rebounds and is third in scoring. “It is almost like family. It’s a great environment to be around,” Speese declared. Soph Aiza Wilson (Minneapolis) and froshs Jazmyn Solseth (Inver Grove Heights) and Pashia Scott (Columbia Heights) round out the Auggies “7” — only Scott didn’t play in Saturday’s contest due to an injury. “I’ve been playing with African American people almost all of my life in basketball,” Wilson stressed. “I think there is a difference in the style of play. I feel my play fits that.” “Here the chance to play with predominately people of color is fun, and all the girls are great,” Solseth pointed out. “Athletically I’ve enjoyed it here because I’ve always played with predominantly White teams.”

Fitz Continued from page 10 Now the 14-3 Vikings have a date Sunday in Philadelphia with the 14-3 Eagles, who survived a goal line stand in beating the Atlanta Falcons 15-10. A victory by the Vikings and they will host Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium Sunday, February 4. The Vikings are 8-1 at home. Sunday’s game was my first missed playoff game since I started working in 1978. I’m recovering in Phoenix from having a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). My heart valve was virtually closed. I did not have a heart attack, although Sunday’s 29-24 win truly tested the new valve. Thanks to all of you for your prayers and kind words of support. I’ve covered every Super

It might not be noticed outside of the Only One’s diversity and inclusion eyes, but these seven Auggies of color are making league history. “We [all] got recruited at the same time,” Solseth continued. “Most teams in the MIAC are predominately White. It was an emphasis we saw that we wanted to bring to Augsburg, to an MIAC school, to change the league in a way.” “It was very important for me wanting to come and play [here],” McLemore added. The seven women, whose team is currently .500 in the MIAC (4-4, fifth place) and 8-6 overall, told us that for the most part they all have academically settled in at the city’s Division III school as well. “Academically it was hard, but as I kept going it’s gotten better with the support of my teammates and coaches,” said Wubben. Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@spokesman-recorder. com.

Bowl since 1981, and I’m the first sportswriter in history to cover his own son in the Super Bowl. I’m on recovery road now in Arizona with a green light working my way back. God has been great to me. If the Vikings beat the Eagles Sunday like the Arizona Cardinals did 32-25 in 2009, I will cover the Vikings vs. (Patriots or Jaguars) in Super Bowl LII February 4. Larry Fitzgerald can be heard weekday mornings on KMOJ Radio 89.9 FM at 8:25 am, on WDGY-AM 740 Monday-Friday at 12:17 pm and 4:17 pm, and at www.Gamedaygold.com. He also commentates on sports 7-8 pm on Almanac (TPT channel 2). Follow him on Twitter at FitzBeatSr. Larry welcomes reader responses to info@larryfitzgerald.com, or visit www.Larry-Fitzgerald. com.

Pro Se Law Clerk The U.S. District Court, District of MN is accepting applications for a full-time Pro Se Law Clerk in St. Paul, MN. Salary range is $65,463 - $143,332. For more information visit the court’s website, www.mnd. uscourts.gov, Employment. An Equal Opportunity Employer

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ViEw Continued from page 10 four years America will be ready for a Black quarterback,” he remembered the coach telling him when he first arrived at the school. At the time he was drafted in the late 1960s the NFL wasn’t ready for that yet — Blacks who played quarterbacks in college often were switched to other positions. The 6’-4” Harris, after four years at Grambling (1965-68), winner of four SWAC titles, and 1967 Orange Blossom Classic MVP, was Buffalo’s eighth-round pick, the 192nd player drafted in the 1969 NFL Draft. But Harris playing quarterback wasn’t in the Bills plans. As a result, he was ready to take his education degree and go into teaching, he recalls. But Robinson talked him out of “early retirement.” “He encouraged me to reconsider,” Harris told us after receiving the 2017 Sam Lacy Sports Pioneer Award in New Orleans. “We were sitting in the stadium, just he and I. He said to me [playing in the NFL] is going to be unfair. As a Black “you got to be better”

to make it there as a QB. The coach also advised him to not use being Black as an excuse if he doesn’t make it. “I took those profound words with me to the Buffalo Bills, and in spite the unforgettable thought [by White coaches] that Blacks weren’t smart enough [to play quarterback], that Blacks couldn’t read [defenses], that Blacks couldn’t be the face of the franchise,” where usually quarterbacks are placed, continued Harris. “But with the support of family and friends, I was able to overcome and became the starting quarterback for the Buffalo Bills.” On September 14, 1969, the man whose nickname is “Shack” became the first Black quarterback to start a season-opening NFL game. The Bills didn’t win that day, but history was made nonetheless. Harris played 12 years in the league, where he recorded a couple more firsts: the first Black QB to play in a Pro Bowl and to win the game MVP honors (1974), and leading the Los Angeles Rams to their first playoff victory in 23 years. After retirement as a player, Harris carved out a successful front office career in Baltimore (personnel director, 1997-2003), Jacksonville

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612-827-4021 (player personnel vice president, 2008), and Detroit (player personnel executive, 200915) before he retired from football for the “third” time in 2015, 46 years after he took his first NFL snap. As he accepted the Lacy Award, Harris said, “There are a lot of people I need to thank — a lot of coaches and teachers. Tonight I like to share this honor with the Black quarterbacks who were denied the opportunity to play quarterback. I also want to share with other contributors — Marlin Briscoe, Warren Moon and many other (Black) quarterbacks who contributed to this journey — to all of you here tonight and across America that supported me, I say thank you. I hope I represented you well, and I hope I made a difference, and I hope you’re proud. “For a young guy from Monroe, Louisiana, my family and I want to say thank you.” Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.

June 8-14, 2017

January 18-24, 2018

It’s Vikings vs. Eagles for the NFC title! Former Black NFL quarterback honors those denied the opportunity ANOTHER

VIEW charles hallMan

ast year the Patriots pulled off the most incredible comeback in Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons. On Sunday, the Vikings pulled off the most remarkable ending ever, as they snatched victory from the Saints in the first NFL playoff game that ended in regulation on the last play, a walk off touchdown — Vikings quarterback Case Keenum 61 yards to Stefon Diggs. The Vikings blew a 17-0 halftime lead and allowed the Saints to score 17 points in the fourth quarter. After an interception

Hall of Famer and former Vikings wide receiver Cris Carter with “man of the hour” Stefon Diggs, who made the unbelievable catch to give the Vikings the victory over the Saints. Photo by Steve Floyd

and blocked punt, Drew Brees grabbed the lead 21-20 and then 24-23 with 10 seconds left. The Vikings took .25 seconds on the touchdown drive. Saints

rookie defensive back Marcus Williams mistimed his attempted tackle, and Diggs did the rest. ■ See Fitz on page 9

Listening to Greatness: Part 3 Each of the 2017 National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Former Bills QB James Harris MSR file photo Sam Lacy Pioneer Award winners has a historical tale worth knowing about. The MSR heard them all at this year’s banquet during the NABJ’s August convention in New Orleans. We will share them with our readers over the next few months in our “Listening to Greatness” ship. He largely credits his pioneering status series. This week: James Harris to his late college football coach. Harris was ready to give up football. He James Harris never played in a Super starred at Grambling as quarterback under Bowl, but he earned a Super Bowl ring as the tutelage of legendary coach Eddie RobBaltimore’s vice president of pro personnel inson. “Coach Robinson said to me [that] in after the team won the 2000 NFL champion■ See View on page 9

“I hope I made a difference, and I hope

Sports odds and ends

Surprise: Seven Auggies make league history By Charles Hallman Staff Writer This column continues the Only One series in which this reporter shares his experiences as the only African American journalist on the scene. Rarely seen in these parts across all three NCAA divisions is a college basketball team, men and par-

ticularly women, where the majority of its players are of color. “It’s very unusual,” noted Camryn Speese, one of seven players of color on Augsburg University’s 12-member team. The non-HBCU school is nestled inside Minneapolis’ Cedar-Riverside area. This rare sight, whether in the MIAC or in fact anywhere in Minnesota, was witnessed last Saturday by

“Here the chance to play with predominately people of color is fun.”

(front l-r): Arianna Jones, Camryn Speese, Tamira McLemore; (back l-r): Jazmyn Solseth, Pashia Scott, K’Aezha Webben, Aiza Wilson

TRIALS OF AN ONLY ONE ...

By Charles Hallman

the Only One at the school’s Si Melby Hall when Augsburg hosted an afternoon basketball doubleheader. The first game featured first-place Saint John’s, which looked like a Hoosiers throwback squad. But one of the Johnnies’ POCs, Jubie Alade, led all scorers with 21 points in a ■ See SOe on page 9

Photo by Charles Hallman

This week’s ‘Fab Five’ prep stars

PreP Scene Mitchell PalMer McDonalD

This week’s “Fab Five” photos feature a former boys’ basketball standout (Bryndan Matthews) leading his college team in scoring; a girls’ basketball player (Ysareia Chevre) turning heads with her outstanding play; a point guard (Antwan Kimmons) having an outstanding game in a loss; another point guard (Bryce Phillips) leading his team to an important victory; and a former girls’ basketball prep star (Nia Hollie) contributing at the collegiate level in the Big Ten. Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader responses to mcdeezy05@gmail. com. Photos by Mitchell Palmer McDonald except where noted. Junior guard Bryndan Matthews (Eagan) is the leading scorer for the Concordia University-St. Paul men’s basketball team at 16 points per game. Courtesy Concordia University-St. Paul

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Morris Day and the Time

Idina Menzel

Sophomore Ysareia Chevre is Tartan’s leading scorer with a 17 point per game average.

Tartan Junior guard Antwan Kimmons scored a gamehigh 38 points in the Titan’s 76-72 loss to North St. Paul last week.

Soul Asylum

Idina Menzel kicks off Super Bowl LIVE with a frozen rendition of “Let It Go” Friday, January 26

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MONDAY, JANUARY 29 Performances by Sheila E., Morris Day and the Time, and The Revolution.

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Sophomore Michigan State guard Nia Hollie (Hopkins) scored 14 points in a 66-63 loss to the University of Minnesota a couple of weeks ago.

The near flawless play of point guard Bryce Phillips helped North St. Paul defeat Tartan last week.