Issuu

THE VOICE OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY SINCE 1934

July 23-29 2020 Vol. 86 No. 51

85Anniversary

FIND US ONLINE AT WWW.SPOKESMAN-RECORDER.COM

Many see new opportunity amidst the rubble of uprising Business association steps up Lake Street Council, a business association that spans the Lake Street corridor, has been at the center of some of the organizing. “We've had a lot of conversations around what our role is,” said Lake Street Council Board Member Lorena Pinto. “Right now, it's about us stepping up as a business organization to help the businesses that have been impacted by the looting and the destruction and, ultimately, the communities that need to heal due to the murder of George Floyd.” As of Wednesday, the Lake Street Council has raised about $8.8 million from more than 65,000 people. The organization has created a Recovery Fund Oversight Committee, comprised of local business and community leaders, to help disburse the funds. The organization is offering the funding application in Somali, Spanish and English. So Shop owners and bystanders survey the damage at Midtown Global Market after Lake Street far, more than 300 applications rioting in May. MSR file photo. have been received. The Lake Street Council webcago Ave. in South Minneapolis. and nonprofits, hundreds of milBy J.D. Duggan The area near the Minneapolis lions of dollars could be allocated site has become a hub for all Contributing writer Police Department’s Third Pre- toward relief efforts in the Twin kinds of relevant information— ooting and fires broke cinct, at Lake Street and Minne- Cities. Some stakeholders said listing out organizations taking out in late May follow- haha Avenue, was among those the efforts have spurred strong donations and business owner collaboration and have opened resources, among other assising the police killing of hit the hardest. tance. The team has also linked Between government entities new doors for opportunity. George Floyd at 38th St. and Chi-

■See OPPORTUNITY on page 6

Strike for Black Lives launched nationwide

Local healthcare workers strike for more respect—and sick pay

By MSR News service As part of a national effort to bring attention to the plight of Black workers, unions and activists across the nation on Monday, July 20, organized what they called “a Strike for Black Lives.” Actions took place in several U.S. cities including Minneapolis and St. Paul. In St. Paul, healthcare workers employed by Cerenity Humboldt Care Center voted to authorize a 24-hour Unfair Labor Practice strike, which they carried out on Monday, after rejecting their employer’s contract proposal. SEIU Healthcare Minnesota represents 85 healthcare workers who work as cooks, housekeepers, janitors, nursing assistants, laundry aides, dietary aides, and restorative aides. According to SEIU, the two sides are divided on a few issues including: a demand for a 5.25% pay increase (workers currently start under $15 per hour), main-

taining current sick pay considering that healthcare workers are on the front line of the COVID pandemic (employer proposes to roll back sick pay), and employer’s proposal to restrict leaves of absences. “We’ve been bargaining for six months and management just doesn’t seem to want to ne-

gotiate,” said Rhonda Little, who has worked at Cerenity for over five years and is a member of the union’s negotiating team. “During this pandemic we’ve kept COVID away from our patients, and it is time our facility steps up to respect our work. “We only can put up with so much,” said Little. “We have lost

so many employees because of turnover, but they don’t want to give us a fair raise and they are talking about taking away paid sick time.” Patricia Nott, vice president of people development, said the company “can’t give what it doesn’t have.” Cerenity is a nonprofit that, according to Nott,

1934 - 20 19

“AS IT WAS SPOKEN ... LET US RECORD.”

MSR News Briefs Asheville, North Carolina Council resolution redresses reparations, harm done to Blacks

Ashville, NC City Council

The city council of Asheville last week agreed in principle to provide reparations to its African American residents. Within the next year, the city council commits to convening a commission to examine how to create equity among the city's Black residents on issues including education, public transportation and home ownership. By a vote of 7-0 the council passed a resolution seeking to redress harm done to Black residents as a result of the city’s participation in slavery. The resolution also seeks to redress current injustices. It says Black people "have been unjustly targeted by law enforcement and criminal justice procedures,

Workers on a one-day strike picket Cerenity Humbolt Care Center in St. Paul. Photos (l) courtesy of SEIU Healthcare (r) by King Demetrius Pendleton ■See STRIKE on page 6

Community members urged not to take it lightly

Thornton. According to a nearly 400page unpublished White By Charles Hallman House Coronavirus Task Force Contributing writer state-by-state report that the Some believe the COV- nonprofit, nonpartisan Center ID-19 pandemic isn’t being taken seriously enough by people of all ages, especially among Blacks. “We are still learning about COVID-19,” said Children’s Minnesota for Public Integrity obtained Infection Prevention Nurse and published last week, Minnesota is in the “yellow zone” Adriene Thornton. Black Minnesotans make with three countries—Henneup at least 21 percent of CO- pin, Ramsey and Dakota—acVID cases, the highest of any counting for 47% of new COethnic group. Nationwide, VID cases in the state. Thornton, a regular panelist Blacks are disproportionately dying of the disease at on the African American Leadhigher rates than others as ership Forum’s (AALF) biwell. “It is not a hoax,” said weekly series on the disease’s

impact on the Black community, said last week, “We don’t know the long-term impact of COVID-19. We are still learning how to treat it. “It is not [just] older people”

“Too many people still think this is just like the flu.” even though this group is among the most vulnerable to contract the coronavirus. People of all ages can get infected, she said. “How did we get exposed? I don’t have the answer,” admitted Charles Johnson-Nixon, whose entire family became infected with the virus. He noted that before he got tested, ■See COVID on page 6

Courtesy City of Ashville

incarcerated at disproportionate rates and subsequently excluded from full participation in the benefits of citizenship that include voting, employment, housing and health care." Rob Thomas of the Racial Justice Coalition, which led the push for reparations, has said that the reparations will not be just monetary but would also require the city to make financial investments in a number of programs. The resolution is "asking you to look at the facts, and saying, yeah, this happened… This many people died. This much money was taken out of the Black community and it would equal this much today," Thomas said.

Portland, Oregon Trump’s federal agents brutalize peaceful protestors

U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered federal agents into a few cities, and in Portland they have been caught on video brutalizing peaceful protestors. In a video that has been

COVID-19 is ‘a nasty, relentless disease’

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

viewed over 12 million times, federal agents beat with batons and maced a 58-year-old Navy veteran who was merely standing in front of them. ■See NEWS BRIEFS on page 6

COVID testing and the Floyd memorial By Charles Hallman Contributing writer Since George Floyd’s death, the area surrounding 38th Street and Chicago Avenue South has become what some are describing as a “mini-Disneyland.” Jaana Hull, who grew up in the area, said, “People fly in from all over the world to take pictures” of the mural and other artwork and the tributes placed in honor of Floyd, who was killed by police at that South Minneapolis corner on Memorial Day. Hull observed, “[People] set up tents and they sell products, and they take that money with them. The media comes in and get their take on it, and they leave the community. The memorial has become the numberone tourist area.” She is concerned that with the daily influx of people to

the now-famous (or infamous) corner, “the 16 blocks around the George Floyd memorial is a high level of exposure for COVID. Minneapolis is the biggest hot spot. It is one of the biggest hot zones right now.” Hull now lives in California and works for a Los Angelesbased company that does COVID-19 testing. She comes back to town at least three days a week to test first responders. Because of the nature of their jobs, first responders are most susceptible to contracting the virus, Hull explained. She and her group perform two types of COVID testing: diagnostic and antibody. “The diagnostic testing is looking for the COVID,” she explained about the test regularly given to first responders. “[It is] for somebody who has symptoms or who has been exposed to someone that has been diag■See TESTING on page 6

July 23-29, 2020

Lead exposure remains an environmental health concern

By Zeke J. McKinney, MD, MHI, MPH, FACOEM Guest contributor Lead exposure continues to be an ongoing and preventable health issue for children. Although lead is hazardous to humans of all ages, children ages six and under are at a greater risk of harm because of their rapidly growing brains. Younger children are especially at risk for environmental lead exposure because they frequently touch the ground and put their hands in their mouths. These behaviors can result in lead exposure if lead dust is present in the home or the soil. Lead exposure is usually measured with a simple blood test, where an elevated lead level in children is a level of five micrograms per decili-

ter (mg/dL) or more. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) collects lead data from states, and lead was the first noninfectious laboratory test to be monitored nationally in this way. National data from 20122017 shows 2-3% of children ages six and under who were tested had elevated lead levels, though Minnesota has continued to have under 1% elevated lead levels in children. However, only 16-19% of children under six are being tested nationally, and we are only doing slightly better in Minnesota, testing 20-22% of children. Exposure to lead can occur from many sources in the home and local environment. At home, lead can be part of paint in homes built before 1978 (and more before 1950). Lead can also be in tap water if the plumbing in the home contains lead, such as with older plumbing before 1980. According to Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) data, about twothirds of homes in Hennepin and Ramsey counties were built before 1980, and about one quarter of homes in Hennepin County and over 30% of homes in Ramsey County were built before 1950. Outside the home, air and soil can contain lead, especially in areas with industrial buildings or near airports because of the type of gas used.

Like most health conditions, lead exposure is also more common in lower income areas and in non-White populations. In Minnesota, the Black and Native American populations have four times higher rates of poverty compared to the White population. National data has demonstrated a higher average lead level in Black children compared to White children. Unfortunately, state-level reporting of race in Minnesota is not complete enough to evaluate inequities in lead exposure in Minnesota children based on race. Elevated blood lead levels were found in 2% of children in the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, which is twice as much as in the rest of the Twin Cities Metro Area and in the entire state. Lead exposure can also occur because of what we bring back to the home. Products made outside of the United States may contain lead, such as toys, jewelry, candy, home remedies or cosmetics. Lead dust can also be brought home if lead is used in the workplace, such as was seen in Minnesota in 2019 from workers at a company that produces fishing sinkers and lures. The long-term consequences of lead exposure for children are damage to the brain and nervous system, which can impact hearing, speech, growth, development, learn-

Courtesy MGN ing and behavior. Research has shown lower school performance and problems with attention in children with long-term lead exposure. These same brain-related effects have continued into adulthood in longer research studies. The good news is that lead exposure is 100% preventable. In the home, paint and water can be tested for the presence of lead and can be removed from the home by specialists with the appropriate equipment. Renters can find out about their rights related to lead in the home on the MDH website (see below). The MDH’s website also has lots of information about removing lead sources from the home and

otherwise reducing the risk of exposures in children. The simplest way to understand the risk of environmental lead exposure is to have your children tested. MDH recommends testing children at one and two years old, as well as any other children under six years old who may be at risk of lead exposure. Children in this age range should be having visits with their doctor multiple times per year before the age of two, so this screening should happen as part of a child’s regular visits to the doctor. Even though lead has been a well-known environmental hazard for a long time, the health hazards of lead exposure are still not known to everyone.

MDH has excellent resources available on their website (www. health.state.mn.us) where you can learn more about risks and recommendations regarding lead exposure and prevention. Dr. Zeke McKinney practices clinical occupational and environmental medicine (OEM) for HealthPartners in St. Paul and Anoka, MN, and he is one of few clinicians in Minnesota who evaluates patients for environmental toxicologic exposures. He is also a faculty physician in the HealthPartners OEM Residency where he trained and an affiliate assistant professor at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health.

Protecting your eyes in the COVID-19 pandemic 10 ways to combat health disparities vices and president of Advanced Eyecare of New York. “People also need to know, even though there are many concerns about COVID-19, common-sense precautions can significantly reduce the risk of infection,” he says. “Wash hands frequently, follow good contact lens hygiene, and avoid rubbing or touching your mouth, nose, and especially your eyes.'' The COVID-19 pandemic has By Dr. Daniel Laroche also changed the way people visContributing writer it their doctors. For patients over 60, Dr. Laroche advises it's better “During the coronavirus pandemic, people should guard their to stay home and do telehealth eyes with glasses or face shields over the phone or video consulto protect their eyes from virus tation until the pandemic flat- maintain social distancing, even infection," says Dr. Daniel La- tens. He also encourages people if they are in a health clinic. “Eyesight or human vision is roche, director of glaucoma ser- to wear face masks on visits and one of the most important senses. As much as 80% of what we feel comes through our sense of sight. By protecting the eyes, people will reduce the chance of blindness and vision loss while also staying on top of any developing eye diseases, such as glaucoma and cataracts. “A healthy brain function requires a healthy vision. The brain is our most essential organ, and it allows us to control other organs. Normal and healthy vision contributes to improved learning and comprehension

Why there are No George Floyds in Cuba

The massive protests against racist cop killings of George Floyd and others that have been sweeping the world are dealing blows to racism and opening possibilities for deeper political changes. 61 years ago the people of Cuba made a revolution bringing about even bigger changes. Join the Minnesota Cuba Committee to discuss: Police Conduct and Community Crime Control: Lessons of the Cuban Revolution. Speaker – August Nimtz, MN Cuba Committee, Faculty, Political Science, African American & African Studies, U of MN. Sunday, July 26, 3pm Matthews Park, 27th Ave. S. between 24th and 25th Sts., Minneapolis Masks and social distancing please, bring your own lawn chair Facebook & minnesotacubacommittee.org MnCuba@gmail.com – 612-367-6134

for a better quality of life,” says Dr. Laroche . Healthcare disparities He says there is another critical issue that COVID-19 has brought to the forefront, and that is the issue of healthcare disparities among Black and Brown people. “Nationally, African American deaths from COVID-19 are nearly two times greater than would be expected based on their share of the population. “In four states, the rate is three or more times greater. In 42 states, plus Washington, D.C., Hispanics make up a greater share of

4. Provide a living income stipend for poor people to access food and reduce malnutrition. 5. Eliminate racism to reduce stress. 6. Identify White Supremacist organizations as terrorist groups. 7. Recommend all corporations have people of color in the top management and leadership positions. 8. Eliminate sole reliance on standardized testing as the criteria to be used at entry to magnet schools. Courtesy MGN 9. Provide more funding to reduce homelessness and for confirmed cases than their share mental health. of the population. In eight states 10. The government should it’s more than four times greater,” also require medical school, rehe says, adding: “In stark con- search and hospital funding to trast, White deaths from COV- diversify and benefit people of ID-19 are lower than their share color. of the population in 37 states.” Dr. Laroche says there are Dr. Daniel Laroche is a glaucoma several things that can be done specialist in New York. He studied to not only address but to help and received his bachelor's degree combat this issue: from New York University and a 1. Increase the number of medical doctorate with honors in reBlack and Afro-Latino physi- search from Weil Cornell University cians worldwide. Medical College. 2. Implement universal health care. 3. Increase wealth and education, which produces better health.

PLEASE HELP SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BLACK PRESS! Minnesota SpokesmanRecorder has been the voice of the African American community for over 85 years! Please consider making a donation to help us continue bringing you the news that matters most and to ensure our financial stability for another 85 years!

4 July 23-29, 2020

Business

Dance entrepreneur aspires to world prominence New studio opens in spite of pandemic

By Ashley Lauren Contributing writer Upon arriving at Carmilla Rose Peterson’s House of Modern Dance and House of Theatre, participants are immediately greeted with a warm welcome. In an effort to ensure safety due to COVID-19, participants are provided with complimentary masks, sanitizer spray, and rules for proper social distancing. The youth participants were sporting smiles, visibly happy to be involved with the new company. Peterson opened the Minneapolis dance studio at 6015 Lyndale Ave. S. in June 2020. The modern dance workshops are affordable, safe, and provide high-quality instruction. “You’ll learn something

Prince. She recalled, “I got to dance for Prince,” which she found interesting. “You couldn’t look at him, couldn’t shake his hand.” Despite the rules, she was grateful for the opportunity. During the last three years, Peterson has hosted numerous workshops. Many of her days begin at 5 am as she takes time to meditate. Aside from running a business, Peterson attends Metropolitan State University where she’s pursuing a double major. Her work ethic is matched with an upbeat outlook on life. Peterson is well-versed in moving to her own beat, and a pandemic couldn’t prevent her from pursuing her dream to open a studio. As for the impact of COVID-19, Peterson said, “I had pre-registration

“You are only what you think you are, so believe bigger than your current situations.” new,” Peterson promised. Peterson is equipped with over 10 years of experience. Her love of dance began when she was eight years old. At age 18, she started a dance group called “CRP” Dance. She used to be involved with the Concordia Theatre Camp for Music and Dance and has performed at numerous dance competitions, as well as at Juneteenth, Rondo Days, and even for the late

that dropped to zero. Instructors were here to be employed and backed out.” Another barrier she’s faced pertained to finding commercial space. She had to overcome preconceived notions from those who refused to lease to her. When Peterson reached out to find a place for her dance studio, some property owners have mistakenly assumed the genre of dance she teaches is hip hop. As a

result, “I feel like I’ve been redlined,” said Peterson. Despite the challenging quest to find a location, she finally found a beautiful, spacious studio. Although resistance has been a harsh reality, “Success comes from being talented and not giving up” said Peterson. In the future, she aspires to purchase her own building. As for the youth, “Students aren’t being taught about fine arts. More funding is also needed,” she said. So the workshops she offers focus on the fundamentals. Attendees are trained on the basics of modern dance and encouraged to live out their dreams. The workshops start promptly, and everyone is expected to put their best foot forward. Peterson said the growing trend of TikTok, a popular social media app where users create short dance, lip-sync, comedy and talent videos, makes it difficult for her to promote modern dance. She said, “[The] TikTok challenge becomes the main focus, but it doesn’t relate to fine arts.” As for future plans for her company, “I want to be that platform where everyone is welcomed. I want to be an attraction,” said Peterson. The House of Modern Dance and House of Theatre offers student employment, choreography training, and pays dancers who are a part of a production. The studio is currently seeking to hire a lead

Carmilla Rose Peterson in her dance studio teacher and theatre director. As for Peterson’s ultimate goal, the sky’s the limit: “I want to become the largest culturally diverse company in the world,” she said. Peterson also has a message for our youth: “You are only what you think you are, so believe bigger than your current situations. Live in the attitude as if you're rich and you'll become richer." For those who would like

to support her efforts, Peterson welcomes donations and encourages parents to sign their children up for modern dance workshops. Adults can sign up, too. “When we work together, we can build friendships that will last forever,” said Peterson. The House of Modern Dance and House of Theatre workshops are usually held on Saturdays from 11 am to 3 pm for youth

Photo by Ashley Lauren ages 7-11, teens 12-17, and adults 18+. No experience necessary. For more information, visit www.homdtheatre.com. Ashley Lauren welcomes reader responses to alauren@ spokesman-recorder.com.

July 23-29, 2020

Revisiting ‘The Spook Who Sat by the Door’ Powerful message stands the test of time By Dwight Hobbes Contributing writer

am Greenlee’s classic novel “The Spook Who Sat by the Door” originally couldn’t get published in the U.S. for a completely understandable reason. It was the riot-torn, late ’60s and no one in the business was going to touch a viable blueprint for defeating the occupation army of police departments subjugating urban Black America. Not with a 10foot pole. So, in 1968, Greenlee took it to England where, within a year, the book that otherwise would never have seen the light of day in the U.S. was a hit and eventually translated into French, Italian, Dutch, Japanese, Finnish, Swedish, and German. When it was released in the States, critics ignored it. But Dick Gregory called it, "an important, original, nittygritty book.” Donald Trump can’t possibly know it exists or every copy would’ve been rounded up and burned by now. It's a frank, fluidly penned story that, in the tumultuous aftermath of George Floyd’s death, could have been written this morning. Dan Freeman disciplines Chicago street gangs into an orga-

but to outwit and consistently thwart everything they threw and him and his resistance fighters to the extent that the government was so tied up contending with this national crisis it was forced to come to the table and do something about rectifying the conditions of Black life. In 1973, television actor Ivan Dixon (“Hogan’s Heroes”) directed a film version starring film-television veterans Lawrence Cook, Paula Kelly and J. A. Preston. It was a modest, sharply crafted production that, thanks to nized guerrilla fighting force that, the characters and action being instead of warring with each oth- brought to immediate life, was er, takes it to the real enemy with even more powerful than the hit-and-run tactics that grow so novel and just as disturbing to successful in battle the operation the establishment.

so-called Blaxploitation flicks ed, “is that gangs could become of the day than a serious drama with a profound message. Not long after being released U.A. yanked it from theaters and, for decades, if you hadn’t caught it at the movie house, you missed out unless you lucked up on a bootleg video. That is until 2004, when actordirector Tim Reid, best known for cutting up as Venus Flytrap on the sitcom “WKRP in Cincinnati” and directing “Once Upon A Time...When We Were Colored,” tracked it down and released it on DVD, where it’s available today through Monarch Home Entertainment. Robert Townsend is quoted in the liner notes: “It changed my

“The purpose of the film was to encourage Blacks to create an action plan to ‘survive in the belly of the beast,’ rather than always reacting as victims of a racist society.” expands to other major cities. With armed revolt in effect, authorities call in the National Guard, which has about the same results as the U.S. did in trying to defeat the North Vietnamese on their home terrain. The objective for Freeman was never to actually beat the enemy,

It had to be shot mostly in Gary, Indiana, because Chicago Mayor Richard Daley refused to have it filmed in Chicago. The movie was little better received than the book. In fact, the distributor, United Artists, gave it negligible support, censoring promotional trailers to make it look more like

life...I love this film.” In 2012, it was added to the National Film Registry, which selects 25 films each year that it deems culturally, historically or aesthetically significant. Without question ‘Spook’ is all three. "One of the things I was saying with that book,” Greenlee reflect-

first Black agents recruited to the

Images courtesy of Wikipedia the protectors of the community rather than predators." He also stated, "The purpose of the film was to encourage Blacks to create an action plan to 'survive in the belly of the beast,’ rather than always reacting as victims of a racist society." To this day, the premise remains dangerously threatening, a feasible means of bringing White supremacist America to heel. All that’s missing is a Dan Freeman. Aubrey Lewis, one of the FBI’s

Bureau in 1962, imparted to Sam Greenlee that “The Spook Who Sat by the Door” was required reading at the FBI Academy. That’s how dangerous it was and still is. Dwight Hobbes welcomes readers’ responses to dhobbes@spokesmanrecorder.com.

How did ‘white’ become a metaphor for all things good? By Aradhna Krishna Shortly after George Floyd’s death, one of my friends texted me that Floyd wasn’t necessarily a bad person, but, pointing to his prior stints in prison, added that “he wasn’t lily-white either.” Soon thereafter, I read an article in The New York Times written by Chad Sanders in which he noted his agent canceled a meeting with him because he was observing a “Blackout Day” in recognition of the Black men and women who have been brutalized and killed. In the first example, white represents purity and morality. In the other, black represents nothingness or absence—similar to the use of “black hole” as a metaphor. These types of linguistic metaphors—pervasive in speech— have been a focus of my research. There are “brighter days ahead” after “dark times.” We want to be whitelisted and not blacklisted for jobs. Black hats are the bad hackers and white hats the good ones. White lies make stretching the truth okay, while we don’t want to receive a black mark on our records. In picture books, good people, angels and Gods dress in white, but the villains, devils and the Grim Reaper dress in black.

White-clad angels in ‘Jacob’s Dream’ by Salvador Rosa (c. 1665) abstract concept of power is connected to the concrete concept of height—perhaps because, as children, we saw adults as taller and more powerful. Then, as adults, we continue to implicitly associate height with power. It isn’t just tall buildings or tall people. In multiple studies, participants judged symbols representing people or groups to be more powerful if they simply appeared at a higher position on a page than other symbols.

more dangerous at night. While observing all of this, we start forming conceptual metaphors— or subconscious connections— between color and goodness. Experiments have documented the existence of this relationship. In one paper, for example, psychologists Brian Meier, Michael Robinson and Gerald Clore showed that the color white is implicitly connected with morality, and the color black with im-

What if we wrote that something was as pure as the blackest eyes; as rich as the darkest hair; or as sophisticated as a black dress? My research with fellow behavioral scientists Luca Cian and Norbert Schwarz found that vertical position also has an implicit association with emotionality and rationality. If something is at the top of a page or a screen, we tend to perceive it as more rational, whereas if something is at the bottom, it appears more emotional. One Processing a complicated reason may be that we metaphorworld One theory, proposed by ically tend to connect the heart cognitive linguists George La- with emotion and the head with koff and Mark Johnson, is that logic, and, in the physical world, metaphors are a cognitive tool our heads are actually higher allowing people to comprehend than our hearts. what they cannot see, taste, hear, smell or touch. They help people Infusing color with meaning In a similar vein, fresh snow understand difficult, abstract concepts through simpler, more and clean water are white or transparent, whereas sullied watangible, paradigms. These metaphors get formed ter turns brown and then black. It as people gain experience in the is also bright and relatively safer physical world. For instance, the during the day, but dark and

Of course, there are exceptions: We prefer to be “in the black” versus “in the red” in financial statements. But for the most part, the delineation is remarkably consistent. How do such linguistic metaphors get formed? And do they perpetuate racism?

morality. In another study, they asked participants to evaluate words as positive or negative. The words were shown in black or white font on a computer screen with a program measuring the speed of the classification. Participants evaluated words with a positive meaning like “active,” “baby,” “clean” and “kiss” faster when they were shown in a white rather than black font. On the other hand, they classified words with a negative meaning— terms like “crooked,” “diseased,” “foolish” and “ugly”—faster when they appeared in black. These studies have been replicated, and the same findings emerge, indicating that they’re not a fluke: The perceptual-conceptual links between color and goodness are ingrained in people.

Artuk.org

The race factor Could something as simple as the color-goodness relationship drive racial prejudice? In the color-goodness studies above, black and white colors were connected with good and bad. Implicit race bias tests, on the other hand, look for a connection between Black and White faces and goodness. There is a subtle but important difference here. The implicit bias race test detects prejudice towards Black people. So besides skin color, it also picks up reactions to other differences in appearance—from hair to facial structure—along with any animosity one may have previously harbored. Still, the color-goodness association is clearly a factor in racial prejudice. Can these conceptual metaphors—so ingrained in our ev-

eryday speech—be upended? What if we wrote that something was as pure as the blackest eyes; as rich as the darkest hair; or as sophisticated as a black dress? What if Gods and heroes were dressed in black and villains in white? What if, as Muhammad Ali pointed out in a 1971 interview, we had vanilla devil’s food cake and dark-chocolate angel cake? Metaphors aren’t ironclad. It’s possible to consciously change the way we write, draw, design costumes—and, yes, bake. Over time, perhaps this could gradually erode some of our implicit biases. Aradhna Krishna is Dwight F. Benton professor of marketing, University of Michigan. This story was republished by permission from The Conversation.

A sample of words used in the experiment by Meier, Robinson and Clore. Aradhna Krishna CC BY-SA

6 July 23-29, 2020

NEWS BRIEFS Continued from page 1 Oregon Governor Kate Brown said in an interview that the presence of the federal officers was like “adding gasoline to a fire." Brown and other Oregon officials have expressed disappointment with the feds’ behavior, which they say only served to inflame tensions between the authorities and protesters. State Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum filed a lawsuit last week against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other federal agencies stating that they have "en-

gaged in unlawful law enforcement in violation of the civil rights of Oregonians by seizing and detaining them without probable cause." "The federal administration has chosen Portland to use their scare tactics to stop our residents from protesting police brutality and from supporting the Black Lives Matter movement," Rosenblum said in a statement. "Every American should be repulsed when they see this happening. If this can happen here in Portland, it can happen anywhere."

Columbia, Missouri Governor says reopening schools worth the risk

Governor Mike Parson Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Missouri Governor Mike Parson has advocated for children to return to school while admitting that he thinks it is likely kids will get COVID-19. Experts and scientists have advised caution when considering school reopening. “These kids have got to get back to school,” Parson told local radio station KFTK. “They’re at the lowest risk possible. And if they do get COVID-19, which they will— and they will when they go to school—they’re not going to the hospitals. They’re not

StRIkE Continued from page 1 provides care “for those who are underserved. “They are asking for something we cannot afford,” explained Nott, who said the company has attempted to negotiate with the union without success. Nott said that they have provided the union with its financial

tEStINg Continued from page 1 nosed with COVID. “The antibody testing is testing someone who is asymptomatic, who may be a carrier,” continued Hull. “We are looking at your immune system and not looking for COVID. If you had COVID in the past and didn’t know it, and you have antibodies, that doesn’t mean you won’t get COVID again. It means that your immune system is 99.9 percent able to handle it.” Testing results usually take 24 to 48 hours, Hull said. The local first responders Hull regularly works with is called 612 M.A.S.H. “They are there day and night,” she pointed out, adding that

COVID Continued from page 1 he often didn’t wear a mask in public settings. He and his wife first tested positive for COVID; their three teenage children later got tested and were found positive as well. The Johnson-Nixon family all spoke on last week’s panel. “We kept to ourselves,” said Kristin Johnson-Nixon on their recovery. “We did have to call some people and let them know,” adding that she still is having “leftover” aftereffects from the virus.

going to have to sit in doctors’ offices. They’re going to go home and they’re going to get over it.” Parson’s remarks overlooked how the children being infected will infect everyone else in the household, especially parents and older adults. While symptoms of COVID-19 have been reportedly more mild in children, there have been reports of serious illness and even death among children under 12. Some studies indicate children are less likely to contract and transmit the coronavirus, but researchers have not pinpointed the reason and know little about the long-term effects of COVID-19 on children and adults. A South Korean study found that children over ten have the same capability of spreading the disease as adults. If the stats hold true, it will not bode well for states that are determined to have a full reopening this fall.

He said they will eventually opened up even more opportunity to expand what we know come back and “raise from the The PROMISE Act Last month, the MN House we need in our community,” she ashes like a phoenix,” and even Continued from page 1 though he’s now jobless, he’s of Representatives passed the said. Beyond rebuilding, Drummer working harder than before. The PROMISE Act, which allocates the websites for assistance in North Minneapolis and the said she has heard from a lot of restaurant’s GoFundMe, orga- $300 million toward rebuilding Midtown area of St. Paul, two young people that change is com- nized by a family friend, has ac- parts of the Twin Cities. The bill’s other regions of the Twin Cities ing in the country. Migizi held a crued about $120,000 so far. chief sponsor, Rep. Mohamud Behind the scenes, Construc- Noor, DFL-Minneapolis, said that were hit hard by the pro- healing event a week after the tests that turned destructive. The group has conducted tours with state and federal lawmakers and connected with the many businesses affected in the corridor. The council’s website notes that many businesses in the area are owned by immigrants and People of Color. According to its website, Lake Street Council hopes to distribute funds as equitably as possible with a focus on helping “the hardest-hit and most vulnerable businesses in our community, which disproportionately includes immigrant and POC-owned businesses.” “We know that there is a need Migizi Youth Center in the aftermath of the Lake Street violence for social justice and a need for Photo by King Demetrius Pendleton reform,” Pinto said. “We are really concerned with what that fire, and she heard many young tion Connecting Community lawmakers are working to find impact is for the business owner, people feeling empowered to (CCC) is a collaboration bringing a consensus to bring forward in contractors and tradespeople to- the legislature’s second special the business owner who is an speak up. “I think all of our young peo- gether to aid in rebuilding efforts. session. immigrant, and/or if they are a Person of Color and Indig- ple that I've talked to and been The group is working to create a Although the legislation enous here in Minnesota.” passed the Democrat-controlled House, the Republican-conConstructive collaboration trolled Senate hasn’t yet taken Some groups are finding on a version of the bill. Generally, that, amid tragedy, the recent Republicans favored the aims of unrest has created an opportuthe bill. nity for change. Migizi, a Native Rep. Aisha Gomez, DFL-MinAmerican nonprofit dedicated neapolis, created an amendment to youth outreach, caught fire around, they feel like this is the framework that businesses and to the bill that would establish time now, that nothing's going to organizations can utilize as they a “Civil Unrest Investigatory in the first week of protests. Kelly Drummer, Migizi’s stop them from having this voice, seek to rehabilitate and recon- Commission” to investigate and president, said there’s been an and that there is no going back to struct in the aftermath. publicize government response “The CCC was born and cre- to unrest—and to create policy outpouring of support. Migizi what was before,” Drummer said. Drummer has met with vari- ated in a space where we thought recommendations if unrest were has traditionally been dependent on federal and state grants, ous contractors and is currently innovation was going to be im- to recur. but they’ve gone from about 20 working on the demolition for the portant. It’s an opportunity for Noor is also hoping the bill can donors before the fire to 15,000 building to clear the rubble and systemic change,” said Keith provide protections that ensure donors since. Migizi has raised start anew alongside Ruhel Islam, Baker, board president for the re- against gentrification and stabiabout $1.8 million from its Go- the owner of Bangladeshi Indian gional chapter of the National As- lize rent costs. “It’s something restaurant Ghandi Mahal. Migizi sociation of Minority Contractors. that I think we need to be able to FundMe campaign. “What we’re offering here is an bring back the economic vitality “I've really never seen any- and Ghandi Mahal, just a block thing like this as far as our from the now-destroyed Minne- opportunity to find some clarity for those areas and ensure that we whole nation coming together apolis Third Precinct headquar- and a framework approach that generate good economic prosperand really uplifting minority- ters, have chosen to collaborate will also result in meaningful ity,” he said. owned businesses,” Drummer and work together in their initial impact on reconstruction in the Noor is also the vice chair of industry, particularly businesses the Jobs and Economic Develrebuilding efforts. said. Islam’s story went viral after of color.” Lake Street Council has opment Finance Division of the

OppORtuNIty

“I think all of our young people feel like this is the time now and that there is no going back to what was before.”

statements for the past five years, which she says offer proof that the company has been negotiating in good faith. “My department lost 17 people in the last year,” said Little, “many because our pay is some of the lowest around for our work. Enough is enough. We want them to realize that we are tired of not being taken seriously.” there always is a need for volunteers. Hull has also started a nonprofit called Heads Up Help USA. “Our nonprofit concentrates on the economic gap in communities in health care,” she said. “What we do is try to bring light to the core problem of health disparities in the city.” Hull expressed concern about the future of her native neighborhood. “There’s a lot happening at 38th and Chicago. We are the epicenter of the [social justice] movement around the world.” Potential volunteers can contact Hull at jaana@headsuphelp. org. Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@ spokesman-recorder.com. “It was tough,” she stressed. “We [would] feel better one day, and the next day we would be knocked out.” “It would knock you down and you’d not want to do anything at all,” her husband noted. “You have good days, then it reminded you that you were not altogether there.” Dr. Simon Noel-Ndely, a University of Minnesota Fairview Medical Center pediatrics doctor, reaffirmed the importance of wearing masks over your nose and mouth as “the most effective way” to not transmit the virus.” Health experts said if ev-

The site of what used to be Ghandi Mahal, which suffered the same fate as much of the rest of Lake Street after the death of George Floyd Photo by King Demetrius Pendleton reached out to help, but Drummer said it has felt like Migizi is on its own. The organization has put together a rebuild committee and has tapped into industry experts. She said that regardless of the assistance that’s offered, it’s up to the businesses to take the necessary steps. Drummer added that they’re thinking bigger for the nonprofit since the fire. She is dreaming up ideas for a solar roof or a media lab. “I think it's eryone in the country wears a mask, the coronavirus could be controlled perhaps in about two months. “We know that if everyone’s face is covered, COVID will not be transmitted from person to person,” reiterated Thornton. Charles Johnson-Nixon said that he is a believer and learned his lesson: “Having had COVID and going through it, the last thing I ever wanted to do is put myself in the situation where a large group of people [are],” he said of his concern that too many people seem to not take the virus seriously. “People still don’t believe

his daughter posted his words to the restaurant’s Facebook: “Let my building burn, Justice needs to be served.” Islam is dreaming bigger for Ghandi Mahal since the fire ravaged his building. “I don't feel comfortable asking people to give me money, but this is already happening, like people are sending their love differently,” Islam said. “I want to make a building which is one of the best energy-efficient green buildings in the entire globe.” that this is a bad disease,” he explained. “Too many people still think this is just like the flu. I still see people not wearing a mask, not social distancing. This disease is relentless. It’s just nasty.” When asked about opening up school buildings this fall, Johnson-Nixon, a middle school administrator, expressed wariness about it. The school population, classroom size, transportation, and installing proper safeguards are among his concerns. “I have a school with over 900 kids,” he said. “I don’t see any safe way of bringing kids back in the fall in the building. We are

“The team is aiming for community enrichment and economic healing,” said Lynn Pingol, CEO of the construction consultant MaKee Company. Leaders of CCC said this is a chance to change the trades and bring People of Color to the forefront of redevelopment conversations. “It has to go beyond, and include,” Pingol said, “the development, the wealth building, and the healing of an economy that's been deprived.”

House. “Essentially, we want to return those folks to continue working in those areas and be able to give them the help they need.”

discussing what we are going to do in the fall. “We need to use the science and listen to science, and make the right decision for the kids,” Johnson-Nixon continued, adding that he understands the concerns that parents have with distance learning. Still, he reiterated, “I think putting school back to January…is a much better way to go.” “It depends on the school system,” said Noel-Ndely on school openings, but he stressed that if safeguards aren’t in place, school kids as well as staff could be susceptible to getting sick. “I would

be concerned.” Thornton said everyone should hold each other accountable for being safe. “We have to remind each other” to wear masks and stay at least six feet away in public, wash your hands and refrain from touching your face. “This is not the time to take a couple of steps back. “We have to be responsible and accountable to each other to make sure we don’t transmit COVID in the community.”

J.D. Duggan welcomes reader responses to jduggan@spokesmanrecorder.com.

Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@spokesman-recorder.com

July 23-29,2020

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.

'Da 5 Bloods' and America abroad By Oscar H. Blayton

What about armed protests? By Robert C. Koehler I understand the symbolism of packed heat. A gun says: We mean business. But that symbolism stops as soon as the trigger is pulled. What the armed protesters could wind up with is a bitter present-day civil war and the blood-stained illusion of change. The country—and the world—have been in the midst of a social uprising for the past month and a half, ignited by the brutal police killing of George Floyd. The global protests against structural racism have been racially diverse and, for the most part (and except for the police) unarmed. But that’s shifting. Armed Black protesters have begun making their presence known. So have armed White counter protesters. “We want change that’s really going to permanently help us. We don’t want [any] little change, we want some real change,” said

landmark on the same day in Richmond, the capital of Virginia, where a statue of Robert E. Lee has been under siege for a while now and protesters, demanding its removal, spent the weekend camping out at the statue’s graffiti-covered base. Hannah Allam of NPR reported that opponents to this cause were also present: “a gathering of heavily armed White men—some prepping for a second Civil War, some calling for a White ethno-state. Their speeches were essentially the overtly racist version of President Trump’s divisive lament at Mount Rushmore National Memorial about lost heritage and fallen statues.” Allam also notes that Black gun clubs in the Richmond area “have come together to safeguard the protest site. They call themselves a deterrent—a defensive, not offensive, presence.” Their presence, she says, is controversial among the protesters, but

“Maybe there’s a force larger than hatred that is permeating multiple sides of this movement for change.” one of the organizers of the Not F**king Around Coalition, in an interview with Newsweek. The group called a protest on July 4th at Stone Mountain Park in Georgia. Several hundred mostly Black, mostly armed men and women marched through the iconic Confederate “theme park” that features an enormous carving of Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson and Jefferson Davis on the face of the mountain and was the site, back in 1915, of the rebirth of the Ku Klux Klan. The march was peaceful and there was no confrontation with White Supremacists. However, there was a confrontation—armed but, fortunately, nonviolent—at the base of another iconic Confederate

grudgingly accepted. And then, on the morning of July 4, the boogaloo bois— armed White males in Hawaiian shirts—showed up and stood in front of the capitol building. Other, more traditional-type White Supremacists joined them, and just as the speeches were about to begin, another group joined them as well. “Then, from around a corner,” Allam writes, “a group of armed Black protesters showed up, many of the same who patrol the Lee site. The gun-toting Black group stood across the street from the gun-toting White group.” But instead of a simplistic, armed standoff—hatred spewing back and forth across the street—the leader of the boo-

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.

SEND LETTERS TO: Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder- Letters to the Editor P.O. Box 8558 * Minneapolis, MN * 55408-0558 Or email your letters/commentary to mreeves@spokesman-recorder.com

READER SERVICE • Circulation Department/Billing Department If you have any questions regarding your invoice or subscription, call 612-827-4021. 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Thursday. • News Department To report a news event, call 612-827-4021 or email to sgustavo@spokesman-recorder.com • Advertising Department To reach our advertising departments call 612-827-4021 or email to: display@spokesman-recorder.com

CORRECTION POLICY If we make an error, we want to correct it. If you believe that an error has been made email sgustavo@spokesman-recorder.com. If a correction is warranted, it will be printed the next week.

galoo bois, a 19-year-old young man, crossed the street and introduced himself, evoking solidarity with them in support of the Second Amendment. Members of the Black group crossed the street with him and they mingled.. And then, according to Allam, something truly surreal happened: “At one point, a guy in a Hawaiian shirt and tactical gear wished everyone a happy Fourth of July and led the crowd—the White nationalists, the boogaloo boys, the Black gun group—in a surreal rendition of ‘America The Beautiful.’ But the harmony was fleeting.” As soon as the White nationalists took the microphone and began talking about “White genocide” . . . well, the unity, not surprisingly, fell apart. Fascinatingly, the boogaloo bois sided with their armed Black brothers and started shouting things like “White Supremacy sucks!” All of which seems to indicate—I actually have no idea what—except that the stew of change the nation is in may be more complex than anyone realizes. Maybe there’s a force larger than hatred that is permeating multiple sides of this movement for change. However, Allam brings up a cautionary moment, when an armed Black protester asked the boogaloo leader, Mike Dunn: “Who’s going to regulate if anything jumps off?” “We just hope it doesn’t,” Dunn said. In other words, things are volatile. According to statistics, an estimated 2,387,524 guns were sold this past June, the fourth straight month in which gun sales have been up compared to last year. “Experts” attribute the sales spike to the unrest going on out there, the site unsurprisingly informs us. Gun aficionados talk about their right to defend themselves, but mostly the purpose of openly carrying a gun is to give a public display of seriousness. The carrier, after all, holds the power of life and death in his or her hands. I get the symbolism and I get the absolute urgency of the current protests: We must acknowledge and atone for our racist history, defund the police and rethink the keeping of social order. We must do so now. This is a life-or-death situation. But there’s a difference between carrying a gun and using it—indeed, all the difference in the world. As soon as we pull the trigger, we’ve dehumanized the enemy and gone to war. When we go to war, nobody wins.

I get an ache in my heart every time someone who learns that I am a Vietnam veteran says, “Thank you for your service.” Even before I returned to the United States from my combat tour in Vietnam, I had decided that we were fighting an unjust war. Now more than 50 years later, Spike Lee's “Da 5 Bloods” set off my internal alarm bells, warning against African Americans blindly participating in U.S. foreign policy. Lee's latest movie is an excellent commentary on some of the complexities of the Vietnam war for African Americans, which he boils down to a single line spoken by a central character: “We fought in an immoral war that wasn’t ours…for rights that wasn’t ours.” I am a big fan of Spike Lee, and "Da 5 Bloods" is among his best work, but the film points out how Black folk were victims of America’s foreign policy while understating our complicity in it. I do not fault Lee for this because this war was too broad in its social and political ramifications to fit into a single movie. But it omits two lessons Black folk should have learned from this painful bloodbath. First, the American War in Vietnam was an attempt to maintain White Supremacy in Southeast Asia. U.S. involvement in

that part of the world did not ramp up until after the Vietnamese had forced out their former colonial masters —the French. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, with Blacks being murdered with impunity and denied basic constitutional rights in America, the U.S. government chose instead to focus on the “rights” of people half a world away. But “freedom” was not what Washington was seeking to establish in Southeast Asia; it was “compliance.” The United States wanted to bend that part of the world to its will—world order based upon White Supremacy. If one ignores the rhetoric and examines America’s actions towards Africa, Asia and South

larly as it related to Africa and South America, did not make the connection between U.S. foreign policy and White Supremacy. Attempts to deny our complicity in spreading misery around the globe in support of White supremacy is not unlike Confederate sympathizers refusing to acknowledge that the underlying cause of the Civil War was the preservation of slavery, not the noble South. As Confederate statues finally come tumbling down, African Americans are asking, "Why has it taken so long? There was no just cause. There was no noble South.” By that same measure, we must ask ourselves, "What was the true cause and where

“The United States wanted to bend that part of the world to its will—a world order based upon White Supremacy.” America, the evidence is clear that White Supremacy has driven U.S. foreign policy throughout its post-World War II history. Secondly, African Americans have been complicit in U.S. aggressions towards People of Color around the world. Black folk have too often been enablers in America’s efforts to keep Whiteness perched upon its global pedestal. Even those of us who knew that Washington’s anti-Communist zeal made no sense, particu-

was the nobility of America's involvement in Vietnam?" Not only must we ask ourselves these questions about Vietnam, we must continue to ask these types of questions about all of America’s foreign policies. Oscar H. Blayton is a former Marine Corps combat pilot and human rights activist who practices law in Virginia.

Democrats listen to Black demands—and then gut them By Glen Forde

An existential political crisis for the racial capitalist order will only happen when the left puts forward a viable political alternative. The COVID-19 epidemic proved beyond all rational doubt that decades of bipartisan privatization and austerity had destroyed the U.S. “public” health care system, rendering the nation structurally incapable of coping with the viral onslaught. The late and geographically uneven lockdown succeeded only in creating Great Depression levels of unemployment without halting the spread of the disease, which has now devoured over 133,000 lives, with Blacks and Native Americans succumbing at five times the rate of Whites. Latin Americans are dying at four times the frequency of Whites. While home to only 4% of the Earth’s population, the United States accounts for 25% of the global coronavirus death toll—a proportion that precisely matches the U.S. share of the global prison population, with the result that U.S. prisons, packed with Black, Red and Brown inmates, are by far the biggest Covid-19 hotspots on the planet. The nation that claims exceptional national—imperial— rights and privileges is exceptionally sick, gasping for air but still issuing threats and sanctions against much of the rest of humanity. The raging U.S. health and economic crises are vastly exacerbated by the ruling class’s four years-long, self-inflicted crisis of legitimacy, with one faction of the corporate oligarchy raving endlessly that the sitting U.S. president is a dupe of a foreign power. On top of that imagined illegitimacy, is the real failure of U.S. rulers to protect the populaRobert C. Koehler is a Chicago tion from a contagious disease. award-winning journalist and editor. A state that cannot safeguard He is the author of “Courage Grows the lives of its citizens has failed Strong at the Wound.” a basic test of legitimacy. In that sense, the U.S. state has never been legitimate for Black America. This chronic, historical condition became acute with the very public murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis cops on May 25. The month long outpouring of mass rage spread to every state and U.S. territorial

possession and sparked demonstrations around the world in solidarity with U.S. Blacks. The scale of protest rivaled the tumultuous ’60s, but most remarkable was the scope of the public political transformation. “Black Lives Matter,” the premier slogan of Black militancy, was at the center of what the New York Times called “the largest movement in the country’s history.” Even more amazingly, a Pew Research poll showed that twothirds of Americans supported “the Black Lives Matter movement” and other polls confirmed that slim majorities of Whites now believe that police are “generally more likely to treat Black people unfairly than to mistreat White people.” For the first time in U.S. polling history, Whites recognized that cops, the coercive forces of the State, systemically mistreat Black people. In the US of A, where the Warrior Cop was invented to suppress, contain and mass incarcerate Black, Brown and Red people, that qualifies as a public perception sea change. However, these combined and overlapping crises—economic, public health, political legitimacy, and criminal justice—do not amount to an existential political crisis for the racial capitalist order, because there does not yet exist a viable political alternative. Racial capitalism has undergone many crises, in the U.S. and globally, and outlived them. As a political economy, it is in its late stage, moribund and incapable of reversing its accelerating decline. But its ruling classes are not the least bit threatened with loss of power. Indeed, no significant social forces are even proposing to nationalize the banks, or to socialize any significant sectors of the economy. Yet Black people, the—now recognized—leading edge of the current upheaval and the most left-leaning, peace-loving, socialist-minded constituency in the nation, remain locked in the lethal embrace of the corporate duopoly through the Democratic Party, which is hegemonic in Black America. Three-quarters of the 50 Black full-voting members of the U.S. House ought to be on the list as Class A “Enemies of the People,”

based on their votes for the 2018 legislation that made cops a protected class and assault on police a federal hate crime. Black Democrats have for nearly half a century been the hands-on managers of mass Black incarceration, gentrification and austerity in Black America. They don’t give a damn about Africa, including the slaughter of six million Congolese at the hands of U.S. client regimes—the worst genocide since World War II. Joe Biden is a proud architect of mass Black incarceration, a friend and ally of segregationist politicians, and a warmonger of the lowest type who has promised to veto Medicare for All. No one in Congress is more loyal to the corporate class. But Biden and the rest of the corporate Democrats do take Black demands seriously. It is their job, not White Republicans like Trump, to listen to the demands of the party’s most loyal constituency—and then gut them. In Black America, radical politics has always been quite popular, and not just with the youth. The job of Black Democrats is to make radical politics appear idealistic but impractical. It’s alright to shout righteous demands in the street, but serious politics must be vetted by the Democrats to be acceptable. The truth is that transforming the police from defenders of capital and White privilege to facilitators of the Black community’s security needs will only happen when the rulers conclude that it is more costly to reject our demands than to accept them. We must not wait on capitalist crises to further devastate our communities. Rather, the movement must create a political crisis for the ruling oligarchy by agitating to actually end their rule. Glen Ford is the executive editor of BlackAgendaReport.com.

8 July 23-29, 2020

Join in NAMIWalks Minnesota’s virtual walk For the past 14 years, NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness) has been bringing together thousands of people to raise awareness about mental illnesses and provide support for NAMI’s programs of education, support and advocacy for children and adults with mental illnesses and their families through its annual NAMIWalks event. This year’s walk will be a little different but has the same goals. It will be a NAMIWalks DIT (Do It Together) virtual Walk. So many people are impacted by mental illnesses and experiencing worsening symptoms and others are in need of treatment services, perhaps for the first time in their lives. In this year of the pandemic, engaging thousands of Minnesotans in this important awareness-raising event and celebration of hope, is perhaps more vital now than ever before. This year’s modified NAMIWalks DIT Walk event is set for Sept. 26, from 11 am to 3 pm and has a new format that will combine virtual “socially distanced” components with “real life” safe-distance celebrations. All are encouraged to join with mental health supporters and advocates in a one-hour online meeting and to find out how to participate. Choose one of the meetings to learn more: July 30 at 6 pm, July 31 at 9 am, Aug. 4 at 12 pm, Aug. 5 at 12 pm, and Aug. 6 at 2 pm. To register, “see classes” at namimn.org or, contact Julia at directorofdevelopment@namimn.org or 651-645-2948 x104.

BULLETIN

July 23-29, 2020

Legals and Classifieds CONDEMNATION STATE OF MINNESOTA IN DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF HENNEPIN FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT FILE NO. 27-CV-20-8674 The Honorable David L. Piper State of Minnesota, by its Commissioner of Transportation, Petitioner, vs. Scott W. Baker, et al. Respondents. IN THE MATTER OF THE CONDEMNATION OF CERTAIN LANDS FOR TRUNK HIGHWAY PURPOSES NOTICE To the Respondents hereinabove named: You, and each of you, are hereby notified that on October 16, 2020, at 10:00 o’clock am., or as soon thereafter as counsel can be heard, before Judge David L. Piper, in the Courthouse at Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, the above named petitioner will present to the above named Court a petition now on file herein for the condemnation of certain lands for trunk highway purposes. A copy of said petition is attached hereto and incorporated herein. YOU, AND EACH OF YOU, ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED, That at the above time and place the above-named petitioner will also move the court for an order transferring title and possession to petitioner of the parcels described in the petition in accordance with Minn. Stat. §117.042, as of November 19, 2020. YOU, AND EACH OF YOU, ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED, that all persons occupying the property described in the petition must VACATE THE PREMISES AND MOVE ALL OF YOUR PERSONAL PROPERTY FROM SAID PREMISES ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 19, 2020. All advertising signs or devices located on the property being acquired must be removed by November 19, 2020. YOU, AND EACH OF YOU, ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED, that (1) a party wishing to challenge the public use or public purpose, necessity, or authority for a taking must appear at the court hearing and state the objection or must appeal within 60 days of a court order; and (2) a court order approving the public use or public purpose, necessity, and authority for the taking is final unless an appeal is brought within 60 days after service of the order on the party. Dated: 7/08/20KEITH ELLISON, Attorney General, State of Minnesota, s/ Erik M. Johnson, ERIK M. JOHNSON, Assistant Attorney General, Atty. Reg. No. 0247522, 445 Minnesota Street, Suite 1800,St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-2134 (651) 757-1476 (Voice) (651) 297-1235 (Fax) erik.johnson@ag.state.mn.us ATTORNEY FOR PETITIONER CONDEMNATION STATE OF MINNESOTA IN DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF HENNEPIN FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT State of Minnesota, by its Commissioner of Transportation, Petitioner, vs. Scott W. Baker and Scott Moller, as trustees of Scott Ward Baker Revocable Trust u/a dated June 5, 2000, American National Bank of Minnesota, doing business as American National Bank, County of Hennepin, also all other persons unknown claiming any right, title, estate, interest or lien in the real estate described in the Petition herein, Respondents. IN THE MATTER OF THE CONDEMNATION OF CERTAIN LANDS FOR TRUNK HIGHWAY PURPOSES PETITION To the District Court above named the State of Minnesota brings this Petition and respectfully states and alleges: I. That Trunk Highway numbered 12, being Route numbered 10, has been located according to law and passes over the lands herein described. That it is duly covered by Right of Way Plat Order numbered 98158. II.That the Commissioner of Transportation deems it necessary that the State of Minnesota for trunk highway purposes obtain the lands herein described in fee simple absolute, together with the following rights: to acquire a temporary easement in those cases which are herein particularly mentioned. It is the intention of the above-named petitioner to move the court for an order authorizing the Court Administrator to accept and deposit in an interest bearing account payments from the petitioner to the court pursuant to Minnesota statutes. Further, it is the intention of the above-named petitioner to move the court for an order transferring title and possession of the parcels herein described, prior to the filing of an award by the court appointed commissioners, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes §117.042. The petitioner reserves its right to recover costs of clean up and testing and all other damages arising from the presence of pollutants, contaminants, or hazardous materials on the property described herein, from all potential responsible parties, including respondents herein where appropriate, in a separate legal action to the extent permitted by law. III.That the following described lands in these proceedings taken are situated in Hennepin County, Minnesota; that the names of all persons appearing of record or known to your petitioner to be the owners of said lands or interested therein, including all whom your petitioner has been able by investigation and inquiry to discover, together with the nature of the ownership of each, as nearly as can be ascertained, are as follows: FEE ACQUISITION, Parcel 267 C.S. 2713 (12=10) 904 S.P. 2713-123RW All of the following: That part of the Southwest Quarter of the Northwest Quarter of Section 30, Township 118 North, Range 23 West, shown as Parcel 267 on Minnesota Department of Transportation Right of Way Plat Numbered 27-232 as the same is on file and of record in the office of the County Recorder in and for Hennepin County, Minnesota; containing 112219 square feet, more or less; together with other rights as set forth below, forming and being part of said Parcel 267: Temporary Easement: A temporary easement for highway purposes as shown on said plat as to said Parcel 267 by the temporary easement symbol, said easement shall cease on December 1, 2023, or on such earlier date upon which the Commissioner of Transportation determines by formal order that it is no longer needed for highway purposes. Names of parties interested in the above described land and nature of interest: Scott W. Baker and Scott Moller, as trustees of Scott Ward Baker Revocable Trust u/a dated June 5, 2000 Fee, American National Bank of Minnesota, doing business as American National Bank Mortgage, County of Hennepin Taxes and Special Assessments WHEREFORE, Your petitioner prays that commissioners be appointed to appraise the damages which may be occasioned by such taking, and that such proceedings may be had herein as are provided by law. Dated: 06-16-2020 KEITH ELLISON Attorney General, State of Minnesota, s/ Erik M. Johnson, ERIK M. JOHNSON, Assistant Attorney General Atty. Reg. No. 0247522, 445 Minnesota Street, Suite 1800, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-2134 (651) 757-1476 (Voice), (651) 297-1235 (Fax) erik.johnson@ag.state.mn.us, ATTORNEY FOR PETITIONER 100730 MINN. STAT. § 549.211 ACKNOWLEDGMENT The party or parties on whose behalf the attached document is served acknowledge through their undersigned counsel that sanctions may be imposed pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 549.211. Dated: 06-16-2020 KEITH ELLISON, Attorney General, State of Minnesota s/ Erik M. Johnson, ERIK M. JOHNSON, Assistant Attorney General, Atty. Reg. No. 0247522 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder July 16, 23 and 30, 2020 From Classified Department/MN Spokesman-Recorder PHONE: 612-827-4021 FOR BILLING INQUIRIES & TEARSHEETS PLEASE CONTACT ACCOUNTING DEPT

LEGAL NOTICES SIZE: 6 COL X 17.5 RATE $15.53 PCI (1ST RUN) SUBTOTAL: $1630.65 RATE $10.35 PCI (PER ADDITIONAL RUN) $ 1086.75 X 2 SUBTOTAL: $2173.50 Total: $3804.15

10 July 23-29, 2020

Legals

Continued on page 11

July 23-29, 2020

Legals, Classifieds, and Employment Continued from page 10

Sr. IT Business Systems Analyst Sr. IT Business Systems Analyst for Medtronic, Inc. at its facilities located in Mounds View, MN. Provides system support, analysis, and process improvement for SAP Business Warehouse / Business Intelligence (BW/BI) and SAP HANA / BOXI production environment utilization for Sales Process. Masters’ degree or foreign equivalent in Information Technology, Computer Science or closely related Engineering field and two (2) post-bachelor’s progressive experience in all of the following: Digital Platforms; SAP ECC, SAP CRM, SAP BW, SAP BOBJ and S/4 HANA; Business Intelligence (BI) Application Roadmaps; Supporting OTC cycle to include Sales, Distribution & Customer segmentation, and sales reporting systems; Implementation of end-to-end digital solutions involving SAP and nonSAP systems; Implementation of new SAP functionality; Software IT reporting solutions; SAP & Oracle Business Intelligence (BI) solutions related to Sell lifecycle; Development and support of integrated business applications process definition, requirements definition and technology solution research; Analytical and stakeholder coordination; Implementation of end-to-end digital solutions involving SAP and other Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). Apply at https://jobs.medtronic.com/, Req.20000AUR. Medtronic is an equal opportunity employer committed to cultural diversity in the workplace.

NAMEHOLDER(S): Name: Address:

Renew Family Coaching 4725 17th Avenue South Minneapolis MN 55407 USA

Let It Speak! Piano Tuning and Repair Service LLC 4725 17th Avenue South Minneapolis MN 55407 USA

If you submit an attachment, it will be incorporated into this document. If the attachment conflicts with the information specifically set forth in this document, this document supersedes the data referenced in the attachment. By typing my name, I, the undersigned, certify that I am signing this document as the person whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required who has authorized me to sign this document on his/her behalf, or in both capacities. I further certify that I have completed all required fields, and that the information in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I understand that by signing this document I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document under oath. SIGNED BY:

Daniel Ankerfelt

MAILING ADDRESS:

None Provided

EMAIL FOR OFFICIAL NOTICES: DATED: 07/11/20 11:59 PM

LetItSpeakPiano@gmail.com

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder July 23, 30, 2020

DOE, SPC, Variable Gage R & R, ANOVA, t-test, regression analysis, Process Capability, Confidence & Tolerance interval EMPLOYMENT DISPLAY analysis process control; SIZE:& 2 COL X 4.5= 9 Process risk utilizing d/pFMECA, Quality Management System, identify CTQ/KDC, FDA RATE $43.65 NET 21 TOTAL: CFR Part$392.85 820 & ISO 13485:2003 follow Good Documentation Practices; troubleshooting production & other issues utilizing problem solving techniques, incl. A3 thinking, Plan, WEEKS Do,+2Check, Act,ONLINE 5 Why’s, @$153.05 Ishikawa (Fishbone); & product TOTAL: $545.90 development activitiesNET incl. CREO/Pro-E, GD&T per ASME Y14.5, BOM, & DMR.

St. Paul, MN 55103 651-227-4444

Church School 9:30 am Morning Worship 8:00 & 10:45 am Prayer Service:

Wednesday 7 pm "Welcome to

Mt. Olivet Baptist Church"

Please proof, respond with email confirmation to dis play@spokesman-recorder.com. For more exposure: We are also inviting our clients to advertise on our web site for 2 weeks for a flat net fee of $150 per position with purchase of print ad.

At the Old Landmark 1118 So. 8th Street

2600 E. 38th Street Minneapolis, MN 55408 www.greatfriend.org Phone: 612.827.7928 Fax: 612.827.3587 info@greatfriend.org

Sunday Service Times: Early Morning Service 9 am Sunday School 10 am

The Friendly Church Where Everybody Is Somebody

Wednesday Prayer Meeting, 6 pm Adult Bible Class 7 pm Children's Bible Class 7 pm

The deadline for submissions is August 10, 2020. We will notify participants by September 1, 2020.

Sundays 8:00am Sunday School 9:30am Worship Service

Sunday Worship 11:30 am

Submit your artwork to be included in the MSR 2021 Calendar

ASSUMED NAME

Mpls., MN 55404 612-332-5904

www.bethesdamnonline.com bethesdamn@prodigy.net

Call for Art

FLAT RATE $150.00 2 WEEK RUN

Bethesda Baptist Church

Rev. Arthur Agnew, Pastor

451 West Central

+2 WEEKS ONLINE @$153.05 TOTAL: $524.08 NET

From Classified Department/MN Spokesman-Recorder PHONE: 612-827-4021 FOR BILLING INQUIRIES & TEARSHEETS PLEASE CONTACT ACCOUNTING DEPT

Rev. Dr. Billy G. Russell, Sr. Pastor

Rev. James C. Thomas, Pastor

EMPLOYMENT DISPLAY SIZE: 2 COL X 4.25=8.5 RATE $43.65 NET TOTAL: $371.03

To Please apply, visit https://jobs.medtronic.com/, select Req. to dis proof, respond with email confirmation #20000AUS. play@spokesman-recorder.com. For more exposure: We are also inviting our clients to advertise on our Noweb agencies or phone calls is an equal site for 2 weeks forplease. a flat Medtronic net fee of $150 per posiopportunity employer committed to cultural diversity in the tion with purchase of print ad. workplace.

Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church

Worship Mount Olivet Missionary Baptist Church

From Classified Department/MN Spokesman-Recorder PHONE: 612-827-4021 FOR BILLING INQUIRIES & TEARSHEETS PLEASE CONTACT ACCOUNTING DEPT

All individuals are encouraged to apply.

Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State Certificate of Assumed Name Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 333 ASSUMED NAME: PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS:

From Classified Department/MN Spokesman-Recorder Sr. Mechanical Design Engineer PHONE: 612-827-4021 Sr.FOR Mechanical Design Engineer, Medtronic, Inc., Fridley, BILLING MN. Req. Master’s in Mechanical or Biomedical Engr. & 2 INQUIRIES yrs. of mechanical design exp.; or Bachelor’s in Mechanical & TEARSHEETS or Biomedical Engr. & 5 yrs. of mechanical design exp. Must PLEASE CONTACT possess 1 yr. exp. in the following: FEA (ANSYS); utilizing ACCOUNTING DMAIC methodology orDEPT DRM principles & MS Project;

IN PRINT & ONLINE! • • • • • • •

Employment Rentals For Sale Divorce Adoption Bid Public Notices CALL

612-827-4021

Submit your work to admin@spokesman-recorder.com.

MINNESOTA SPOKESMAN-RECORDER 3744 4th Ave. South • Minneapolis, MN 55409 Phone: 612-827-4021 • Fax: 612-827-0577

Tracey Williams-DillarD

cecil e. NeWmaN

Publisher/CEO

Founder-Publisher 1934-1976

Wallace (Jack) JackmaN Co-Publisher Emeritus

Senior Editor Jerry Freeman Community Editor Mel Reeves Digital Editor Paige Elliott

l auNa Q. NeWmaN CEO/Publisher 1976-2000

Norma JeaN Williams Vice President Emeritus

Vice President of Strategic Planning John Jamison

Tony Kiene

Account Representatives Cecilia Viel

Abdi Muhommed

Contributing Writers

Desktop Publisher Jennifer Cherrier

Dr. Charles E. Crutchfield III

Administrative Assistant Kris’Tina Holmes

Aleezeh Hasan

Distribution Manuel Alvarez

Dr. Deirdre Golden

Juliet Mitchell Khymyle Mims Monica Zorilla Sports Writers Larry Fitzgerald Charles Hallman Dr. Mitchell P. McDonald

Dr. Clarence Hightower

Contributing Photographers

Abeni Hill

Onika Nicole Craven

Dwight Hobbes

Steve Floyd

Tiffany Johnson

Chris Juhn

Brandon Jones

Travis Lee

MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

Minnesota Newspaper Association • National Newspaper Publishers Association The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials. Publications are published every Thursday by the Spokesman-Recorder Publishing Co., Inc. Editorial/Business office is at 3744 Fourth Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55409 POSTMASTER Send address changes to: Minnesota SpokesmanRecorder, P.O. Box 8558, Minneapolis, MN 55408

Pilgrim Baptist Church Rev. Doctor Charles Gill 732 W. Central Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104 Sunday Worship Service: 9:45 AM Sunday School: 8:45 AM

Participants will receive a one-year subscription to the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

P.O. Box 8558 Minneapolis, MN 55408

SUBSCRIPTION RATES:In-state $35 yearly • Outside Minnesota $40 yearly All subscriptions payable in advance.

INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER

July 23-29, 2020

This exhausting 2020 continues! starting up again, and for the first time without fans—MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS and the NFL. And of course there’s the huge question over college athletics and football and basketball on campus. You can't play college sports without students. No sports, no revenue. Not all of the 300 Division I schools have television contracts with ESPN, FOX, CBS, ABC, NBC. That's why right now a college football season is in great jeopardy. A lot of pro athletes are opting out of their respective sports and will not return with their teams when MLB, NHL, NBA and NFL resume. These are serious decisions. Careers and jobs and livelihoods and families are at risk. It won't be easy. MLB tested all the players and 71 tested positive, including Miguel Sano of the Twins. The NFLPA tested all of its players and 72 tested positive for COVID-19. The NFLPA is seeking to acquire opt-out clauses for at-risk players and conditional stipends. Some players are requesting financial backing in case they decide to sit out this year because of the virus. Will priority testing for athletes hurt overall public health? The NFL has unveiled its secret plan for the 2020 NFL season: the Oakley mouth shield. In the name of health and safety, players will sport the new look to battle the coronavirus. Doctors and engineers from the NFL and NFLPA are in agreement that all 32 teams have started testing with rookies reporting early.

Fitz Beat Larry FitzgeraLd

he year 2020 is wearing me out. I don't know about you, but living through this coronavirus pandemic has been among the greatest challenges of my life. This is serious business, every day battling an invisible killer with every step you take, every decision when you step on an elevator, walk to your car, or enter a room where people are. Are they wearing masks? Are they social distancing? You can almost tell a person’s political choice—Republican or Democrat, red or blue, elephant or donkey—by whether or not they care enough about themselves and you to have a mask on. It's been five months and counting. 600,000 people around the world and 140,000 in the United States have died. Believe it—40% of Black-owned businesses may not survive the coronavirus. We have to take this public health crisis seriously. Understand we have to sacrifice. I have. I have played only two rounds of golf this year although the weather has been great. The challenge of living is complicated. God is watching over us, yet we have to be of sound mind and keep our minds open to the reality of 2020. People are going to bars, nightclubs and other public places around the country as if the virus is gone. The coronavirus is racing through the U.S., forcing a grim reality on cities, communities and states. Not everyone cares about their health or your health based on their careless approach to life. So watch out. We’re getting closer to all of the professional sports leagues

Larry Fitzgerald is a longstanding contributing columnist at the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. He can be heard weekday mornings on KMOJ Radio 89.9 FM at 8:25 am, on WDGY-AM 740 Monday and Friday at 9:10 am, 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@ larry-fitzgerald.com, or visit www. Larry-Fitzgerald.com

WNBA finally starts

he WNBA never really got full credit for its lead role among pro sports teams for shining light on social justice issues and racial inequities. This weekend the W be-

ham, a five-year veteran guard playing her first season in a Lynx uniform. “We are trying to keep the conversation going as best we can.” Seimone Augustus added, “Being able to use this platform

walk in and there are two courts and a curtain is the only thing between you. I don’t like it. “Playing games without fans will be different,” she said of no home court advantage for her club and the other teams. Minnesota opens its 2020 season Sunday, July 26 against Connecticut (11 am Central time), vying to become only the third W team to post consecutive double-digit playoff appearances. Their streak now stands at nine straight (2011-2019). Fowles, the lone holdover from the Lynx’s championship runs, and second-year Napheesa comes the first domestic league for social justice, Breonna Taylor, Collier are expected to lead one of dedicating its entire season to all of these other victims of police the franchise’s youngest squads Black Lives Matter as well as brutality, we’re able to figure out in years. Lexie Brown and Karina honoring Blacks who have died a way to support them as well as Christmas-Kelly return for their create the change that we feel is second year on the team, but Odat the hands of police. BLM will be prominently dis- necessary with our league and yssey Sims is expected not to play played on warm-up shirts and on game courts. The players for opening weekend also will wear on the backs of their uniforms the name of Breonna Taylor, this season after having a baby. who was killed in her home by with society.” New additions include 2020 All 12 WNBA teams this police in March. The Minnesota Lynx, among season are playing in Braden- draft picks Mikiah Herbert Harother teams in 2016, wore protest ton, Florida, the first time the rigan and Crystal Dangerfield, along with off-season trade acT-shirts against police brutality quisitions Shenise Johnson and on Blacks before Colin Kaeper-

“Black lives need a little more attention these days.”

Seimone Augustus

Rachel Banham nick famously took his knee in protesting the same. “Black lives need a little more attention these days,” said Lynx Center Sylvia Fowles. “We are a league that’s 80 percent women of color,” said Lakeville native Rachel Ban-

Lexie Brown regular season started this late in the summer. “It’s the strangest thing,” Minnesota Coach-GM Cheryl Reeve admitted. “You

NBA and WNBA lead in diversity and inclusion But there’s still plenty of room for improvement

Fourth in a multi-part series The WNBA and the NBA have for several years set the standard for diversity and inclu-

Gersson Rosas Photo courtesy of Timberwolves

sion in pro sport, consistently getting high marks in racial (Aplus for both leagues) and gender hiring (A for WNBA and B for NBA), says The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES). Yet both leagues are still far from perfect in its percentages of Black players (nearly 80% in the NBA, almost 70% in the W) relative to league and team on-court and front office positions. Nearly 28% of the NBA head coaches are Black, the league’s

highest percentage since 2014, and the NBA League Office “had better racial and gender hiring percentages than the individual teams,” says the TIDES report. • League office: 40% (WNBA) and 16% (NBA) are Black • Team president/CEO: 27% (W) and 9% (N) are Black • GMs: 27.3% (W) and 21.7% (N) are Black • VPs: 22.6% (W) and 14% (N) are Black • Senior administrators: 17.4% (W) and 16% (N) are Black • Other administrators: 16% (W) and 20% (N) is Black This year’s TIDES report card says the WNBA “continues to pave the way for racial and gender diversity amongst all professional leagues.” For 15 consecutive years the league has received at least an A for overall race, gender and combined grades. There have been 16 Black league female head coaches alltime, including two in Minnesota, and a league-high five was twice achieved (2011, 2017). However, the report found a “notable” decline in WNBA Black women head coaches from one in 2019 to none this season for the first time since 2006. “We have a league that represents 80 percent women of color. [But] we don’t reflect that in our leadership positions,” said Los Angeles Sparks’ Candace Parker

during a June Women’s Sports Foundation panel discussion. “How can we then go out and ask other leagues, other places and other organizations to do these things and hire [Blacks and other women of color] when we don’t do it? That’s a major thing.” Locally, the Minnesota Tim-

in 2019 after 17 seasons with the Houston Rockets organization. “We have been in the organization for a year and are looking to create the best staff and organization possible,” Rosas said. “I am very proud of the group we have – individuals that… represent Minnesota and represent

“African Americans are very important to us, to not only relate with our market but also our players.” berwolves and Lynx combined have around 25 Blacks in their respective front offices: less than 10 Blacks (Lynx) and 12-13 Blacks (Wolves). “I feel we have one of the most [diverse] front offices in the NBA or in all of sports,” declared second-year Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas. “We are always looking for the best. “We are not in the business of checking boxes,” Rosas said. “We want to find the best individuals and we want to support them. We are an organization that values the strength of diversity. “African Americans are very important to us, to not only relate with our [Twin Cities] market but also our players,” stressed Rosas, who was hired

this country. “Can we do better? Particularly with African Americans?” concluded Rosas. “Absolutely.” Also… Kara Lawson last week was introduced as Duke head women’s basketball coach. She is the school’s first Black coach and third Black female “big hire” at a Power 5 school since March. The MSR was among the many journalists at the July 13 virtual press conference, and her comments will be featured in a future column. Next: Sports media Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.

minutes [here]. This is my true opportunity.” The 2020 first-time 22-game regular season features new faces in new places, but also longtime

faces in new surroundings. Such as Augustus, who after 14 seasons left MN as a free agent and signed with LA this winter. “A lot of people are still overcoming that I play for the Sparks,” the former Lynx franchise player said during a virtual appearance with reporters. She later told the MSR, “I don’t see myself as other people see me. I’m trying to get better just like everyone else. It is much appreciated [for the accolades], but at the same time I’m here for a purpose… Don’t put too much respect on it.” Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@spokesman-recorder.com.

Banham, the third Minnesotan acquired to play for the hometown team in franchise history (with Tamara Moore and Lindsay Whalen). “As much as I didn’t play in Connecticut [for four seasons], I got a lot of experience and I learned a ton,” the 5’-9” guard told me last week. “I will get

All photos courtesy of Twitter

A look back at the Governors And, three coaching changes of note

PreP Scene Dr. Mitchell PalMer McDonalD

This week’s column takes a brief look back at the accomThe Islanders captured the plishments of a St. Paul City boys’ basketball team and 2019 Class 3A state championthree current coaching chang- ship under Scott’s leadership es throughout the metro area. and were poised to play the championship game before St. Paul Johnson State the coronavirus COVID-19 Champs halted tournament play. Ten years ago Maxie Rosenbloom, Estan Tyler, Damian Johnson Roosevelt Scott, Demetri Johnson, a former UniverConwell, Jordan Pluff, Dante sity of Minnesota men’s basWarlick, Anthony Lee, Mar- ketball forward, takes over cus Marshall, Xavier Henry, the Benilde-St. Margaret’s Christopher Smith-Bond, boys’ basketball team. Prince Williams and Xavier He had coached the past Black led St. Paul Johnson to three years at North St. Paul, the 2010 Class 3A state title leading them to two Metro in domination fashion with a East Conference titles. John32-0 record. son had a very successful proThe Governors, led by fessional career in the NBA head coach Vern Simmons and overseas before entering and assistants Colin Moore the coaching field. and Anthony Williams, used an 11-man rotation that wore Yolanda England teams down as games proEngland, an assistant gressed. girls’ basketball coach at St. Moore was named head Paul Como Park, became coach when Simmons retired the school’s head coach afafter a successful 20 years at ter Alexis Gray-Lawson rethe helm. They were the St. signed to coach at St. Joseph Paul City Conference champs Notre Dame in California. this past season. Como Park has been one of the state’s most dominant Tanysha Scott teams the last half of the deScott is the new girls’ bas- cade, winning the last six conketball coach at Roseville ference and Twin City chamHigh School. The former pionships. DeLaSalle standout, who went on to star as a point Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonguard at the University of ald welcomes reader responses to Minnesota-Duluth, previous- mcdeezy05@gmail.com. ly coached at her alma mater.