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THE VOICE OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY SINCE 1934 March 8-14, 2018 Vol. 84 No. 31 www.spokesman-recorder.com
Women of color want ‘equal representation of our own’
Celebrants and supporters join in a toast with the Rev. Jesse Jackson at the inauguration of Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton in 1994. Foto by Flashman ly 1,900 women state legislators in office nationwide today, 24 percent are women of color, and of the eight women Second of a two-part story of color who are now serving as mayors in the nation’s 100 This story concludes last largest cities, five are Black week’s “Who’s at the table when women. Participants in a redecisions are made?” cent symposium say the time utgers University’s for that to change is overdue. Center for American “I do think it makes a differWomen and Politics ence for African Americans, La(CAWP) tells us that of near- tinos, Asians or Native Ameri-
By Charles Hallman Senior Staff Writer
R
cans to have the opportunity to be able to be in elected office, to speak authentically on issues that their communities uniquely experience,” former Minneapolis mayor Sharon Sayles Belton told the MSR during the February 23 all-day symposium. “It doesn’t mean that you’re the African American mayor or just the Latino mayor.” The event, named in her honor, was held at the University of
Minnesota and hosted by Hubert Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Participants included Mary Parham-Copelan, one among a handful of newly elected Black female mayors and the first woman to be mayor in her city of Milledgeville, Georgia; and Melisa Franzen, one of five Latino state lawmakers, currently serving her second term in the Minnesota State Senate. Sayles Belton and Copelan described their experiences as mayor. Said Parham-Copelan, who defeated the incumbent mayor, “They said I won by six votes, but they took the sixth vote back — I’m OK with that. That five is fine with me.” Franzen, who represents Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Edina and Minnetonka, added that she was an unknown when she first ran for state office in 2012. The DFLer won her seat in what has traditionally been a Republican-leaning district. “I didn’t run as a Latina, but as a young woman,” said the Puerto Rican native who was reelected in 2016. Parham-Copelan said she got into the mayor’s race about two months before last fall’s election. “I had prayed about it when I came into this race. There were
Facing up to untreated trauma
Some say it and other mental ills have been ignored too long how took away from your been through much untreatBlackness; it was these stigmas ed trauma dating all the way that the panel directly and in- back to when Africans were On February 27, Hope and snatched out of their homes directly addressed. Healing Counseling Servic“It’s past time that we begin and countries. es (HHCS) hosted a conversaRev. Herron, who trains and to talk about this to break the tion entitled “Mental Health: stigma around mental health provides mental health first aid, Breaking the Stigma.” The in our community,” said Arm- took a moment to connect the event was moderated by Rev. dots surrounding the trauma strong. Nekima Levy-Pounds and featured panelists Marques Armstrong, owner of HHCS; Dr. Peggy Elliot, author and counselor; and Rev. Dr. Brian Herron Sr. of Zion Baptist Church. Most of the discussion focused on the theme of trauma and the effects of trauma to individuals as well as to the community when trauma goes untreated. The panelists wasted no time getting to the point, saying the first step to breaking the mental health stigma is simply acknowledging it. In the Black community, Rev. Nekima Levy-Pounds and featured panelist mental health has traditionalMarques Armstrong ly been viewed and referred to Photo by Olivia Crutchfield negatively and associated with To address the stigma, the experienced by the Black comweakness. Such mental disorpanelists also added historical munity. Some of the traumatic ders such as depression, hearcontext pertaining to the Afri- events referenced were being ing voices, and untreated recan American community. The captured, coming to a foreign tardation remained well-kept panelists agreed that the Afri- land in the bowels of the ship secrets and were ignored. To can American community has stacked on top of each othhave a mental disorder some-
By Khymyle Mims Contributing Writer
er, living in filth, families torn apart and sold off from each other, and always being on the brink of freedom and having fair shot only to have the rug pulled from under their feet. Two prominent questions that really stuck out during the discussion were whether there is a “post-traumatic slave syndrome” and whether racism is a mental disorder. One conclusion that seemed mutually accepted by all is that in the field of psychology, African Americans must create and establish their own evaluation scales and tools. Both panelists and audience members made the case that tools used to evaluate sanity were created by the oppressors for use on the oppressed. One audience member, a member of the Association of Black Psychologists, spoke on the scale of normalcy and how at its base are the essential necessities of life such as food, shelter and safety. He then raised the question of how someone can apply such ■ See trauma on page 5
Cardiologist and churches join on heart-felt mission African American women most at risk
Brewer is an assistant professor at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine’s department of cardiovascular medicine. She began her training in internal medicine at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland and completed the cardiology training at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Her focus is preventative cardiology and women’s heart health. Her research focused on risk factor modification in underserved populations. That research led to her interest in making sure underserved populations would become aware of high-risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. Dr. LaPrincess Brewer These factors place African Americans at a higher risk for heart disease. “My passion is to develop interventions that can help By Brandi Phillips people overcome the risk factor,” she says. Contributing Writer Brewer oversees the FAITH program February was National Healthy Heart (Fostering African American Improvement Month, and thanks to Dr. LaPrincess Brewer to Total Health), which collaborates with and local church leaders in Rochester, Mincommunity churches to improve particinesota, the FAITH Program promoted heart pant health. FAITH was originally creathealth one heart at a time.
ed as part of Brewer’s public health studies at John Hopkins, where the students were challenged to come up with a community intervention to help prevent chronic disease. “We thought about where we should go that was the center of the African American community. As a group working on the project, we decided that was the Black church,” Brewer said, adding, “The program was created with church leaders.” The church is a long-standing cornerstone of the African American community. “We initially wanted to focus on healthy eating and how to prevent chronic disease by way of healthier eating patterns in the African American community,” said Brewer. The program offered healthy cooking classes and advice from guest speakers about hypertension, how to read nutrition labels, and how to prevent diabetes. Said Brewer, “It was really a great success. We had a really good time.” ■ See Heart-felt on page 5
some challenges I did face on the campaign trail” as a female candidate, but she believes voters found her “more personable” than her opponent. Both women disclosed that some people discouraged them from running for office. Franzen reportedly was told that her first foray into politics shouldn’t be for a state senate seat, and Parham-Copelan’s background as a realtor, an educator, and pastor of her church was questioned as she lacked the business and professional experience held by her predecessors. “It was a lot
of challenges for me,” she added. “We never stopped [campaigning] until the very last minute.” Now in office, both women say they still must reassure their constituents. “I represent my district first and foremost,” Franzen said. “I’m also [a] state senator and have to represent my state.” Parham-Copelan stressed, “I have found that most [of the residents] have warmed up to me.” She said in response to a question, “It is very important to have a person of color in office, ■ See WOC on page 5
Parham-Copelan being sworn in as first woman mayor in Milledgeville, GA Photo courtesy of Facebook
Teens prepped as fuTure enTrepreneurs By Dwight Hobbes Contributing Writer As class lets out, North Minneapolis’ Patrick Henry High’s hallways, like any school’s, teem wall to wall with chaotic vitality, the boisterous signature of spirited teenagers. It isn’t just any school, though, not one that meets the mainstream notion of wholesome boys and girls being boys and girls, which makes all the difference in the world.
write.” There is a poster announcing an upcoming event at nearby Webber Park with Mahmoud El-Kati and Lissa Jones. One practical, richly promising means of empowerment that enables budding entrepreneurs is the newly instituted Junior Achievement and Metropolitan Economic Development Association initiative, known as the JAMEDA Fellows Program. Pilot program mentor Christopher Fleming, the Black male
(l-r) Gerald Woods and Christopher Fleming Photo by Dwight Hobbes Society doesn’t readily see these brightly animated adolescents as fresh-faced, flowering youth in whom the proverbial sap rises because they’re not suburbanites who are automatically accorded a Norman Rockwell quality of innocence. When these kids hit the streets, they’re subject to a biased lens, no longer protected from the conferred status as living, breathing, walking, talking problems. They are potential threats to the peace. And on graduation, leaving for either college or the workplace, they stand to be viewed on sight as less-than. While the world and how it views and treats them is not going to change, Patrick Henry empowers them to meet those challenges and more. The spirit of encouragement is right there on the walls. Excerpts from passages by Frederick Douglass, a James Baldwin quote: “Read, read, read. Never stop reading. And when you can’t read anymore...
achievement coordinator, appreciates that first and foremost, to reach and resonate with youth (five young women out of the 18 students), they need to feel you respect their minds. “I’m in a place to push the agenda forward to them. As an educator [for] the past 10 years, I’ve seen that students have the desire in them to succeed. We want to make sure our scholars get the tools they need.” That includes particulars like product and market research. As well, Patrick Henry High provides iPads to aid in the technology of starting and owning a business. Fleming adds, “Sometimes there will be gaps [in their skill set] because of the unfortunate system. A lot of our students aren’t afforded the [right] opportunities. We have to be about fostering that.” Fleming insisted on the involvement of entrepreneurs of ■ See teens on page 5
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March 8-14, 2018
Parents are the First Teachers and Home the First School
Readers are leaders: Buy your children more books ing wouldn’t fit with their father’s image in the community. Maybe Sunday, a pretty new nanny with a knack for getting to the bottom of household mysteries, can crack the case. Ages eight-12: Children in this age group are familiar with story line. They understand setting, plot, and characters.
Courtesy of NNPA
By Elizabeth Primas Contributing Writer
We
are our children’s f i r s t teachers, and what we teach them makes a difference. According to research by Betty Hart of the University of Kansas and Todd Risley of the University of Alaska, by age three, poor children have an accumulated experience with 30 million less words than their wealth-
ier counterparts; a greater percentage of the words that poor children accumulate were discouraging compared to their wealthier peers. We have to read more to our children and encourage them to read more for themselves. Books not only promote literacy, they also encourage our children to see themselves as an integral and valued part of the society in which they live. Walter Dean Myers, author of the critically acclaimed
Monster, asserts that exposure to culturally relevant books can lead to self-validation and higher self-esteem for young people. This year let’s help reduce the 30-million-word gap by adding more books to our shopping list. A Guide to Purchasing Culturally Relevant Books Birth to age seven: Children in this age group enjoy books with vibrant colors, a predictable
pattern, and interactive pages. Our Picks: 1. Please, Baby, Please by Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee describes the behindthe-scenes look at the chills, spills, and unequivocal thrills of bringing up baby.
Our Picks: 1. The Broken Bike Boy and the Queen of 33rd Street by Sharon Flake explores the meaning of being a good friend and “happily ever after.” 2. Fifty Cents and a Dream: Young Booker T. Washington by Jabari Asim tells the story of a young Booker T. Washington, the cherished American educator and advisor to presidents, journey five-hundred mile journey to Hampton Institute immediately after emancipation. He arrived with only fifty cents in his pocket. 3. Mr. Chickee’s Funny Money by Christopher Paul Curtis takes readers on an exciting adventure with best
Books not only promote literacy, they also encourage our children to see themselves as an integral and valued part of the society in which they live. 2. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Mill Martin Jr. uses an alphabet rhyme to race to the top of a coconut tree. 3. Chicka Chicka 1,2,3 also by Bill Martin Jr. is the counting-themed complement to the popular Chicka Chika Boom Boom. 4. Brothers of the Knight by Debbie Allen is a modern retelling of the classic tale The Twelve Dancing Princesses. Reverend Knight can’t understand why his 12 sons’ sneakers are torn to shreds each and every morning, and the boys aren’t talking. They know their all-night danc-
friends Steven, Russell, and Zoopy. Steven was given a mysterious dollar bill from Mr. Chickee, an elderly blind man in the neighborhood. When Agent Fondoo from the U.S. Treasury Department finds out about it, he wants the currency back; but the team of secret government agents may have met their match in the three best friends. Ages 13-18: By this age, teens have established what they like to read, and some have decided that they don’t like to read at all, but with the right books, that can change.
Our picks: 1. Firebird by Misty Copeland tell the story of a young girl with fragile confidence who questions her ability to reach the heights that Misty has. 2. Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is the coming of age the story of a Nigerian American girl discovering the meaning of “Blackness” in the United States of America. Her companion Obinze, was not able to join her in the states due to post 9/11 immigration policies and they eventually stop contact. He chose to try his chances as an undocumented person in London; as an alternative to the American dream. However, they reunite years later in a newly democratic Nigeria. 3. Tears of a Tiger by Sharon M. Draper uses the grief of a young Andy to refute the belief that strong boys don’t cry. After allowing the death of one of his close friends consume him, a series of letters, articles, homework assignments, and dialogue makes clear that indeed tigers do cry. Dr. Elizabeth Primas is an educator and program manager for the NNPA’s Every Student Succeeds Act Public Awareness Campaign. Follow Dr. Primas on Twitter @ElizabethPrima3. Learn more about the Every Student Succeeds Act at nnpa. org/essa. Book summaries from Amazon.com. All the books listed can be purchased on Amazon. Thanks to Elizabeth Primas and NNPA and for sharing this story with us.
March 8-14, 2018
The thyroid: a master gland with widespread influence on our health Thyroid disorders, including Grave’s disease, are important to recognize and treat
By Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD
T
he thyroid is a small gland located in the middle-front of your neck. It is a bit smaller than a soda cracker and is shaped like a butterfly with open wings. The thyroid gland is a major regulator of your metabolism and other functions. The thyroid gland is a member of your endocrine system. Your endocrine system is a group of glands that produce substances known as hormones. Hormones are released by endocrine glands into the bloodstream and can then travel around the body, having widespread and profound effects and controls on how your body functions. Your thyroid needs iodine to work correctly. That is why table salt has iodine added to it (often mentioned on the label) to make sure we get enough of that vital nutrient essential for thyroid health. In humans, the primary endocrine glands include: • Pineal gland • Pituitary Gland • Thyroid • Parathyroid • Pancreas • Ovaries • Testes • Adrenal glands In humans, the part of the brain that regulates the endocrine system is called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus controls the thyroid gland via another gland
called the pituitary. The branch of science that studies the endocrine system is called endocrinology, and the type of physician who helps patients who have problems with their endocrine system is called an endocrinologist (an internal medicine doctor who has specialized in endocrinology). Your thyroid gland, situated in the front-center and just above the base of your neck, produces two important hormones. These two hormones are called T3 and T4. The pituitary gland influences the thyroid and how much T3 and T4 are made. Thyroid functions • Regulates metabolism (how you get energy from the food you eat) • Influences breathing patterns • Influences the rate your heart beats • Regulates body temperature • Influences menstrual cycles in women • Regulates cholesterol levels • Regulates weight stability and control • Influences gastrointestinal stability
Thyroid problems Almost 15 percent of all people will develop thyroid problems in their lifetime. Women, statistically, have more thyroid problems than men. • The thyroid can produce too little hormones (hypothyroidism). • The thyroid can create too many hormones (hyperthyroidism). • The thyroid can swell and enlarge (goiter). • The thyroid can develop lumps and nodules.
Common thyroid problems Hypothyroidism is when your thyroid does not make enough hormones. When this happens, people suffering from hypothyroidism can feel tired, sluggish and depressed. They can, without apparent reason, gain weight. Their skin and hair can also become dry and cold. A common cause of hypothyroidism is a condition called Hashimoto’s disease or thyroiditis. Hashimoto’s is an auto-immune condition where the body becomes confused and the body’s immune system attacks its own thyroid gland. There are other causes of hypothyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is the condition where the thyroid gland produces too much hormone. Excess thyroid hormones can cause affected individuals to feel anxious, irritable, weak and hyperactive. Patients with this condition will also notice significant weight loss, rapid heartbeat, clammy and overly-perspiring moist skin, difficulty sleeping, hair loss, hand tremor, diarrhea, frequent bowl movements, decreased libido, thick enlarged neck, difficulty swallowing, brittle nails, bulging eyes, vision changes, thick bumpy skin on the shins and tops of feet, elevated blood pres-
sure, irregular periods, and complain of feeling hot much of the time. The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is Grave’s disease. Television personality Wendy Williams was recently diagnosed with Grave’s disease. Although there are other (less common) causes of hyperthyroidism, Grave’s disease is an auto-immune condition where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland causing it to overproduce hormones. The immune system actually makes antibodies that stimulate the thyroid into making excess hormones. As you can see from the very long and vague list of symptoms of hyperthyroidism, it can often be challenging to diagnose. A history, physical examination, and blood test can usually secure the diagnosis. An enlargement of the thyroid is called a goiter. Goiters can make one’s neck look larger via a visible bulge in the neck. A goiter can also cause difficulty swallowing, produce a hoarse voice, or initiate an annoying cough. There are many causes of goiter, but one common cause is a lack of iodine. Goiter is rarely seen in the United States because, as mentioned earlier, iodine is added to most table salts.
Thyroid nodules are the result of abnormal growth of thyroid tissue. These growths on the thyroid gland can cause too much thyroid hormone to be made. Sometimes they can even be cancerous. They are often first noticed as an abnormal bump on the neck by the patient or a doctor on a routine examination. As you can see, the thyroid is a master gland that has a wide range of influence on how well we are. The good news is that there are excellent treatments for most all thyroid disorders, including medications, supplements, and even surgery. If you’re experiencing any of the thyroid symptoms listed above, talk to your physician. They can develop a strategy to pinpoint the problem and treat it effectively. Also be sure to check with your doctor to see how often you should have a regular medical examination. These examinations are excellent opportunities to screen for conditions such as thyroid disorders. Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD is a board-certified dermatologist and Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. He also has a private practice in Eagan, MN. He has been selected as one of the top 10 dermatologists in the United States by Black Enterprise magazine and one of the top 21 African American physicians in the U.S. by the Atlanta Post. Dr. Crutchfield is president of the Minnesota Association of Black Physicians.
Now is the time to address old views on aging of 65. The MN2030 initiative is about building on our successes and nurturing bold ideas to shape our future as we grow older. We want to make Minnesota a great place to grow up and grow old. We want all Minnesotans to be treated with respect, regardless of age. We’ve learned through these conversations that people of all ages want to be connected and to figure out how to support each other. Older adults have come for-
By Emily Piper and Kari Benson Contributing Writers Older Minnesotans today serve as workers and volunteers in government, our schools, faith communities, civic organizations, the arts, and other places that make our communities vibrant, enjoyable places to live. Older adults already are helping to alleviate a caregiver shortage likely to become more severe in the years to come. Many are not only supporting their own parents but their children, grandchildren and other family members and friends as well. We now have an opportunity to maximize what each of us can contribute as we, on average, live longer and healthier lives. In just a few years, one-fifth of our popu-
lation will be age 65 or older. This represents a gold mine of resourcefulness, creativity and experience we must tap for the health of our state. Standing in the way of these benefits is ageism, discrimination based on prejudices about age. It can be directed at people of any age, but when it’s directed at older people, it often involves the assumptions that older people are less competent than younger people and need someone else to take care of them. Ageism is largely unconscious. Our exposure to pervasive negative messages about older people and their capabilities leave us with a prejudice we may not even be aware of. The negative effects of this bias, however, can be dramatic. It can range from workplace discrimination and ha-
rassment to social exclusion and neglect to egregious abuse in older adult care settings. Ageism affects the economic security of many older adults who would like to be working. Stress, depression, and a higher risk of heart disease result when we internalize negative messages about growing older. Conversely, a Yale study showed that positive attitudes about aging could extend one’s life by more than seven years. Many Minnesotans are ready for change. People participating in community conversations sponsored by our agencies ranked respect and social inclusion high on issues our state should address as we prepare for the year 2030. That is the year baby boomers will begin to turn 85 and one in five Minnesotans will be over the age
ward in these discussions with ideas for making that happen and with creativity and energy to solve other community problems. The same ingenuity that has made Minnesota a national leader supporting older adults can help us see aging differently. We can reframe how we look at older people who, if we think about it, are ultimately the people we all hope to be. Now is the time to address old views on aging.
Emily Piper is commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Kari Benson is executive director of the Minnesota Board on Aging. Information provided by the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
go green! Stay Informed on envIronmental and SuStaInabIlIty topIcS!
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4 March 8-14, 2018 The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder (MSR) welcomes and values commentary and feedback from the community. The articles found here are edited for clarity and/or space, but the opinions are the author’s own and do not reflect the views of the MSR.
Black Panther showcases the power of STEM By Tyra Metoyer Contributing Commentator
OPEN LETTER
A mother’s counsel to her dAughters By ShaRhonda KnottDawson Contributing Commentator To my beautiful, brilliant Black daughters: I have so many hopes and dreams for you, that if I tried to say them all, they would run longer than the entire Harry Potter series! My hopes for you, my two beautiful Black girls, are so simple and yet also entirely grandiose. My dreams for you, beautiful Black girls, are that you are free to be whoever you want to be. If you only get one lesson from me, your mother, let it be this: Your history didn’t start with slavery, and White people’s history didn’t start in the United States of America. As your Black parents, your father and I are teaching you our viewpoint. Our Black culture begins with the beginning of humans. In fact, the first humans lived in Africa. The first civilizations were in Africa. Our Christianity began in Africa. Africa is our homeland, and everything about Africa should bring you pride. Wear your African-ness, your Blackness with pride! Your history, the history of the continent of civilization in Africa, starts in modern-day Sudan, around 6000 B.C. In fact, the first ”empire” of two great nations happened between modern-day Egypt and modern-day Sudan. We will be sure you know those modern names are European names. We will teach you their deeprooted African names: KMT and Meroe. We are teaching you the history of Ancient Kemet, Meroe and Nubia. You will learn of the
African civilizations, the use of iron and tools in Africa, the resource riches of the African continent and the complicated, fascinating history of over 10,000 years of human civilization. Africa had kings and queens and warriors, slaves, artists, scientists, mathematicians, farmers, sailors, inventors, and musicians. You come from a beautifully talented Black culture. As your mother, I have told you repeatedly that you are already free to be whoever you want to be. But as you approach adolescence and spend more time in schools than you do with your parents, you may begin to doubt that I told you the truth. See, the books that you will read and the lessons you learn, will not validate your potential exactly as you are, beautiful, brilliant Black girls, from a legacy of beautiful, brilliant Black women. You must learn their history. But you can take a broader perspective. In formal school education, you will be exposed to a different viewpoint. Most school curricula in the United States are completely uninterested in young, brilliant Black girls like you learning about your culture, discovering multiple viewpoints or forming your own opinions. In school, you will likely be inundated with stories of Europe: Ancient Greece, Roman Empire, the Medieval Period, Dark Ages, Industrial Revolution and the British Empire. Then you will be told all about the greatness of the United States of America that comes from the rich history of Europe. This is something I cannot protect you from. You must learn
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their history. But remember, more than facts are at stake. In those classrooms, you are seeing only their viewpoint. You can take a broader perspective. Our Blackness is beautiful, brilliant, and resilient. Understand this, my beautiful, brilliant Black daughters. Your history is over 10,000 years old. The enslavement of Black people by White people is, at best, only 550 years of your history. What makes you, and other beautiful, brilliant, Black children, different from many White children is you know that their history isn’t just fact — it is a viewpoint. And, that you, as a Black American, as a Black African, have completely different interpretations of history, of heroes, of scholars and who is ”important.” As your parent, I wish you were free, my beautiful, brilliant Black children to speak openly, honestly and without fear of who you are and your Black history. But it is not always safe for you to do that. Talking about ancient Egypt being African can get you in trouble. Having a name that ”sounds Black” can lose you a job. In fact, much of life will be devoted to protecting yourself from White people’s false views about who Black people are and what they have and can do. But I promise you, with all that I am, I will tell you the truth, just as my mother told me the truth. Your ancestors who came to the Americas 500 years ago not only survived attempted physical and cultural genocide, they kept our Black African story, culture, and beauty alive. Remember 550 years is nothing compared to over 10,000 years. Our last 550 years is not our whole story. In fact, it is just a tiny piece of the story. No matter what White people think, or try to tell you about who you are as a Black person, we have a very different perspective. As your parent, I swear on the lives of all our ancestors over our 10,000-year history, I will never let you forget how beautiful and brilliant you are, my Black daughters. Nor will I let you forget our beautiful, brilliant Black culture. You are part of a beautiful, brilliant, Black people that have a history and presence throughout the world. 500 years? Ha! You are in but a minute of your 10,000-year story. Our Black is brilliant, beautiful and most importantly, resilient. This piece originally appeared on EducationPost.org. ShaRhonda KnottDawson writes on politics, education, current events and social justice.
As I sat in the theater mesmerized by Marvel’s record-breaking Black Panther, there were so many moments and messages that filled me with an overwhelming sense of pride. The “Black Girl Magic” was palpable. King T’Challa was a strong, thoughtful king who loved and respected all of his leading ladies. Erik Killmonger was the best super villain I’ve seen in a really long time. And of course, I want my next trip to the continent to include a visit to the breathtakingly beautiful but fictitious Wakanda. However, all of those moments paled in comparison to my fascination with the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) applications and the genius of Princess Shuri. I am convinced that we can use Black Panther and Princess Shuri to help young people imagine their own STEM futures and the role they can play in driving innovation as we all prepare for the fourth industrial revolution. A range of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and digitization, will characterize this revolution. This revolution can be led by the next generation of “STEMinists.” The Wakandan princess is the youngest of the strong, female characters showcased in this Ryan Coogler-directed blockbuster. She is unapologetically smart, funny, brave, and beautiful. Her language even demonstrates her techsavvy leadership of the most technologically advanced nation in the world. As Shuri emerges as an unlikely “Shero,” her position is challenged when M’Baku tries to dismiss her as a mere child. Yet, we are introduced to energy spears, kimoyo beads, sound absorbent sneakers, variations of the Black Panther’s suit, vibranium cars, and virtual modes of transportation — all out of the imagination and innovation of the young, hip princess. In her very first scene, after lovingly teasing her brother, she snaps back, “Just because something works doesn’t mean it can’t be improved.” Hence, our first glimpse into her engineering mind. Yes, we fell in love with the way she proudly showed off her latest advances in her lab, but hopefully, you took note when Agent Ross expressed his skepticism, stating, “Bullet wounds don’t just magically heal overnight.” Shuri chided him, saying, “They do here: but not by magic; by technology.”
For now, I will forgo my strong desire to layout the numerous parallels between vibranium (the fictitious precious metal) and natural gas and oil, but I will say that they are not only driving our advanced manufacturing renaissance in this country but are also the building blocks of innovations that will support prosperity, discovery and human advancement across the world. The energy industry is and will continue to be a major source of job opportunities in STEM fields. The natural gas and oil industry supports more than 10.3 million U.S. jobs, and recent reports project 1.9 million job opportunities by 2035, nearly 40 percent of which will be held by African Americans and Latinos. In addition to the large number of engineers, more than a million jobs can be characterized as semi-skilled and skilled craft trades positions. I like to say that every job in our industry is a STEM job because they will all include technology and problem solving (engineering). More than ever, I am convinced that jobs are the solution to so many of our national and global challenges. Jobs (careers) are not only a way out of poverty, but they also give people’s lives purpose, meaning, and a reason to get out of bed every morning; when we’re really fortunate, jobs fuel our passion. The future belongs to those innovators who are preparing now to address the challenges of tomorrow. That future is a STEM future — no matter what career or profession we choose. Based on everything we understand now and contemplating the disruptions we haven’t yet imagined that are sure to define this fourth industrial revolution, we know that our future will be characterized by constantly evolving technology. I imagine a future where our children thrive on innovation, work in labs like Princess Shuri’s and participate in making choices for how to make our communities safer and better. I am passionate about our industry’s workforce of the future and the role I get to play in building awareness that I hope will lead to more jobs for more women and people of color. I hope you are raising or mentoring the real-life Shuris who will push the boundaries of what’s possible and lead the innovations of the future. I can’t wait to meet them. Tyra Metoyer is a manager of external mobilization for the American Petroleum Institute. You can follow Tyra on Twitter @tyram02.
Pastor’s criticism of LGBTQ not mentioned in his public eulogies By Rev. Irene Monroe Contributing Commentator The Reverend William (Billy) Franklin Graham Jr. (1918 - 2018) has died at the age of 99. Too often, hagiographies are painted when people die, especially of ministers. The televangelist, however, is not deserving of such high praises. While Graham’s inarguably the most influential minister of the 20th Century, his ministry — which provided pastoral counseling to U.S. presidents from Harry Truman to Barack Obama — lived at the crossroads of fear and intolerance as the wrath of God. Graham promoted his brand of evangelical Christianity — the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association — like a traveling salesman by conducting tent revivals in rural backwaters and gospel fests in urban cities. When Graham expanded his ministry to include multimedia — a television show and his famous weekly Hour of Decision radio program that was broadcast on more than 1,200 stations across the globe — many queried about his zealous self-promotion that morphed into a global business. “We are selling the greatest product on earth. Why shouldn’t we promote it as effectively as we promote a bar of soap?” Graham told the Saturday Evening Post in 1963. Looking at the arc of Graham’s public ministry, from the 1950s to the present, the outpouring of grief has overlooked his damaging and damning messages toward and about LGBTQ Americans. To his dying day, Graham believed LGBTQs could be cured. His website still promotes reparative therapy: “If you have a loved one who’s homosexual, you may refer to Someone I Love is Gay by Anita Worthen and Bob Davies, or if you’re a Christian struggling with homosexuality, consider Coming out of homosexuality by Bob Davies and Lori Rentzel.” As an opponent of marriage equality, Graham’s pastoral advice concerning LG-
BTQ marriages was that “The Bible provides God’s blueprint for marriage and for His good gift of sex in Genesis 2:24. The gift is only to be enjoyed within a marriage between a man and a woman. There are no exceptions suggested, such as homosexual partnerships.” And, in 2012, Graham supported actions to amend his state constitution to define marriage “between one man and one woman.” At a time when many Americans were looking for a definitive spiritual answer for the occurrence of AIDS, Graham, in 1993, told a crowd of 44,300 in Cooper Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, that he thought the AIDS epidemic was the wrath of God: ”Is AIDS a judgment of God? I could not say for sure, but I think so.” Graham’s response went global. He retracted with an apology, but the damage was done. Sadly, Billy Graham’s ministry of intolerance toward LGBTQ people has unquestionably been passed down to his son Franklin, whose homophobic remarks trumps his father’s and is in lockstep with this present administration. ”I’m going to encourage the Church to take a stand for Christ. Homosexuality has been allowed into our schools, that’s why I want to get the school boards back,” Franklin Graham stated during a radio Q&A segment with Focus on the Family program, another national religious anti-LGBTQ organization. “You cannot stay gay and continue to call yourself a Christian. You can’t do it,” Franklin continued. Unfortunately, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association will continue to be a revered global ministry around the world. I shudder to think of all this hate speech passed down from father to son will be done in the name of God. Rev. Irene Monroe is a Huffington Post blogger and freelance journalist.
March 8-14, 2018, 2018
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“It’s past time that we break the stigma around mental health.”
ham-Copelan gave as her reason for running for mayor. Milledgeville, located about 90 miles from Atlanta and two hours from Augusta, has around 19,000 people. “I wanted to become a vital part of restoring [Milled- Continued from page 1 geville] and vitalize our city.” Now, as mayor, Parham-Copelan said she hopes in the next a scale to a population that, for the most part, four years to expand her career doesn’t meet the scale’s baseline. from local to state level. “I want While addressing the elephant in the room to help foster and facilitate laws pertaining to mental health in the Black comto move forward so that every- munity, Armstrong expressed the importance body has representation.” of seeking the right help. Early in the discussion, University of Notre Dame he stated that there’s something wrong with all Africana Studies Professor and of us, meaning everyone deals with the effects of Chair Dianne Pinderhughes, one trauma, directly or indirectly. of the symposium’s two keynote “I am pleased about the panel and what it is speakers, told the MSR that she that they discussed,” Armstrong said following advocates “gender quotas” for the event. “I appreciate the diversity that we saw U.S. elected offices. in the room, not just diversity in culture but the “They may reserve seats in the legislature…a certain percentage of women in office,” which she pointed out is the case in some European, African, Asian and Middle Eastern countries. She said she would like to see women serving as at least 30 to 40 percent of elected officials in this country.
Trauma
Sharon Sayles Belton and Mary Parham Copelan Photo by Charles Hallman
W.O.C. Continued from page 1
especially in this day and time. “We need equal representation of our own in office so that we can identify whence we come from, where we’ve been, and the discrimination and inequality that requires someone of color to be at the table, sit down, and bring those issues to the forefront and move us forward in the future.” “Hopefully, we can get other [women]” to seriously think about running for office, Franzen added. The MSR briefly talked after-
ward to both Franzen and Parham-Copelan. While about 19 percent of Minnesota’s population is people of color, around eight percent of these (16 members) now hold legislative seats. “We certainly need more representation in government, not just women but men [of color] who can have a voice for people who are underrepresented,” said Frazen. She is co-sponsor of a bill introduced by State Sen. Bobby Joe Champion (DFL-Minneapolis) for undocumented immigrants Charles Hallman welcomes readto get driver’s licenses. “This is er responses to challman@spokesa safety issue as far as I am con- man-recorder.com. cerned,” she pointed out. “I think it’s finally time to get it done.” “I saw our city declining,” Par-
weeks, which was longer than the program in Baltimore. There were meetings every other week with surContinued from page 1 veys at the beginning and at the end of the program. Research showed an increase in participants’ knowledge about heart disease and the benefit of After transferring to the Mayo Clinhealthier eating and healthier lifestyle ic in Rochester, she wanted to continue practice. the work she started in Baltimore, “… because it truly made a difference in changing the culture of the church in Baltimore.” According to final reports, changes were made in participants’ eating habits, eating less fried chicken and more fruits and vegetables at church Brewer noted that research results events. Participants reported spreadwere encouraging, prompting the deing their knowledge into the commusire to expand the program into more nity-at-large. churches. The first participants were Brewer collaborated with three so happy about the program that they churches in Rochester to reinvigorate asked Brewer to help them make a their health ministries with a focus on community-based mobile application heart health. “Within those churchcalled The FAITH! APP developed es in Rochester, many African Amerbased on the needs, wants and expecicans were being affected by heart distations of the church community. ease and…the FAITH program was “We wanted to make sure that the right on time to help address these isapp was culturally appropriate and sues.” that it was something they would enThe Rochester program ran for 16
HearT-felT
joy using,” Brewer said. The app was launched in 2015 as a research study similar to her in-person groups. Brewer said the app was a huge success with a huge impact on participants’ lives. “They felt it was useful and it was easy for them to use and… share with others in the community.” Baltimore is no longer hosting the
Continued from page 1
color. “What’s hindering is, society doesn’t show them that. [This] has to be in the interests of our scholars, how it connects to their passion.” Junior Achievement president-CEO Gina Blayney reflects, “When we approached Christopher Fleming, he said, ‘I’m all in. I want to pilot this with my kids.’ He found seniors, juniors, sophomores [and] a freshman who want to start their own company. He [Fleming] understands. He’s an
FAITH program specifically but, said Brewer, “They are still implementing some of the things we taught them while hosting our programs.” The Baltimore church created a food pantry that provides healthy snacks after church services. The congregation buys the snacks and the funds collected are used to replenish the supply each month. Brewer noted that members have also begun taking heed of the need to eat healthier. This year, 2018, marks the pro-
entrepreneur. This is in his soul, why we’re developing this partnership.” His passion is one reason students trust him. They appreciate and respond to the simple fact that, instead of just punching the clock, he cares and approaches each student as his or her own individual. Gerald Woods, a Patrick Henry junior, says, “With Mr. Chris, it’s not about being compared to other students. I’m learning a lot. It’s hard not to give him credit because this is something that’s going to build me, help create my future.” Gerald also benefits from business being in his family. “[This is] a second teaching. My father owns a business and teaches me. Along with this program, I get two pieces of knowledge that per-
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Khymyle Mims welcomes reader responses to khymylewrites@gmail.com.
[l-r] Dr. Peggy Elliot, Rev. Brian Herron, Rev. Nekima Levy-Pounds, Marques Armstrong Photo by Khymyle Mims
“African American women don’t recognize heart disease as their greatest threat.”
Teens
diversity in age ranges. It ended at eight [o’clock], it is nine o’clock [now], and we still have a conversation happening. It shows me that the conversation was well received and well needed, and we will have more.” Armstrong said HHCS will soon be launching a new series modeled after TED Talks (hourlong videos from expert speakers). Armstrong’s version will be titled, “Assata Speaks” with topics focusing on racial, social, economic and environmental justice. Armstrong assured participants that these will have “a lot more flavor” than the traditional TED Talks.
gram’s 10-year anniversary. FAITH program will feature several events over the summer in Rochester and Baltimore. “During our 10-year celebration, we hope to go back to Baltimore and talk to some of the original FAITH participants to see how they continue to live healthy.” Although still in the planning stages for many of the events, Brewer is very excited about the Faith Walk. It celebrates the hard work of community churches, the participants, and Brewer while promoting fitness for heart health. On February 11, Brewer promoted heart health for women at St. Albans Church of God and Christ in St. Paul, Minnesota. The event, “Red Dress, Red Tie,” encouraged women to wear a red dress and men to wear red ties as a reminder to take care of their heart health. The goal was to increase awareness about how heart disease as the leading cause of death among women and that it is worse in African American women. “African American women don’t recognize heart disease as being their
tain to the same thing.” Fleming stresses the importance of this not being a one-shot opportunity that only benefits one group of students. He emphasizes the value of keeping in place a curriculum that evolves and expands to serve future scholars.
greatest threat,” said Brewer. “It is not breast cancer, it’s not stroke, it’s not the flu – it’s actually heart disease. “Each year, more women die from heart disease than breast cancer, stroke and lung cancer combined. Only about one-third of African American women are aware that heart disease is our number one-cause of death.” Brewer recommended not to just look at the body outside, “but to also look at the health of the body from the inside, beginning with the heart. The seven simple steps strategy is provided to help prevent heart disease: Know your blood pressure numbers, your cholesterol, and your blood sugar numbers.” Heart disease is preventable by taking the correct steps. If you need more information on prevention or cures, check out the American Heart Association website at www.heart.org, for “Seven Simple Steps to Heart Health.” Brandi Phillips invites reader responses to bphillips@spokesman-recorder.com. Photo by Brandi Phillips.
sota JA Company of the Year and intern at a company this summer. “We know from working with [youngsters] they can be entrepreneurial minded but not know how to go about it.” They certainly will by the time they’ve finished their fellowship. Significantly, graduating as a JA-
“I’m learning a lot. This is something that’s going to build me, help create my future.” “There has to be longevity because we tend to see programs that last only for a semester or one quarter,” Fleming says. Blayney is on the same page. She attests that once the pilot succeeds and is off and running, “Next year, we’ll open a St. Paul cohort. We’re investing heavily in this.” The idea of the partnership, Blayney notes, was to leverage the considerable resources and assets of both organizations. “[JA has] great relationships with educators, the kids. We’ve got great programs and curriculum. MEDA has this network [with a history of] hiring successful entrepreneurs of color who also need a pipeline of future [professionals].” Among executives who’ll interface with program participants are Tashita Tuffaa (Metropolitan Transportation Network), Jawad Behsudi (United Translation Services), Mauris DeSilva (3D Pars) and Elizabeth Sarquis (Jukko). Volunteers were selected based on students’ specific areas of interest to guide them on vital aspects of starting a business. Their charges will create, market and run an actual company, having the option to continue the company at the program’s conclusion. Blayney added, “We are layering in mentors who look like them and have already been successful. Together, we’ve created a new model, an innovation to give students opportunities significantly different than what [they] currently have.” For instance, in addition to sharpening business and career development skills by taking part in JA Job Shadow events at MEDA’s client companies, JA-MEDA Fellows compete for Minne-
MEDA Fellow should cut some ice on college and university applications and help smooth the way to entrance interviews. Gary Cunningham, president-CEO of MEDA, relates that so far as shepherding fledgling entrepreneurs goes, “There isn’t a lot in place. So we needed to help them find out what business is like, including risking failure.” He sums up, “The Junior Achievement- MEDA Fellow program is [a vital] investment in youth.” Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest has been serving students in Minnesota, North Dakota and western Wisconsin since 1949 and, in 2018, expects to reach upward of 163,000 students in grades K-12 with education in financial literacy, career and college readiness, and entrepreneurship. MEDA, founded by Minnesota business leaders, acts to rectify a chronic, ongoing educational disparity and has helped launch more than 500 minority businesses as well as assisting more than 20,000 Minnesota aspirants to become business owners. Clearly, these institutions grasp that it is smart business to develop business smarts. Just as clearly, the JA-MEDA Fellows Program at Patrick Henry High School is a powerfully effective means of hands-on strengthening for students to graduate, encounter society on its own terms, and prevail. Dwight Hobbes welcomes readers’ responses to P.O. Box 50357, Minneapolis, MN 55403
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March 8-14, 2018
Shut up and listen: grooming Black boys to be kings
Angela Bassett (right) and Chadwick Boseman play mother and son in Black Panther. Photo courtesy of Marvel/Disney By Sheletta Brundidge Contributing Writer Second of a four-part series Sheletta Brundidge has made a living talking — from TV, radio and as a standup comedian — you name it, she’s done it. But after being blown away by Black Panther, Brundidge decided to enlist other voices in the community to unpack the power and reach of the blockbuster film. —Hence, she must Shut up and listen.
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or the second part of her fourpart series, Brundidge chats with Ramsey County Commissioner Toni Carter, mother of St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, III to gain insight into how to raise boys to be “kings.” It has been a rough week for me as a momma. I’ve been called to the principal’s office twice for my 11-yearold son Andrew’s antics. Whether it’s
a joke he tried to tell that went horribly wrong or a rubber band rocket that hit an unintended target, the boy was causing me grief. And this is my oldest child — the one who is supposed to be setting the standard for my three younger children. I have high hopes for Andrew. I mean he’s been to the Capitol to advocate for police officers to be better trained to deal with people with autism (a condition that all his younger siblings have been diagnosed with). He’s a member of the anti-bullying committee at his school. And he works as a crossing guard to make sure the other students get back and forth safely to school. But here lately, all those hopes of Andrew being the next King T’Challa of Wakanda have been dashed by his misbehavior and disobedience. You can’t be king when you’re serving a week of detention. I’m over here raising Erik Killmonger (the antagonist/ villain in the movie) instead.
So I called someone who has raised a king so I could get Andrew back on track, and get some advice on how to be a better mother and guiding force in his life. You see, Ramsey County Commissioner Toni Carter is the proud mother of the first African American mayor of St. Paul, Melvin Carter, III. I knew she had the recipe for success for how to groom my son to be a king since her son was now sitting on the throne. So I’m gon’ shut up and listen to her advice. Below is an excerpt from my conversation with Commissioner Toni Carter (TC). SB: A quote from Black Panther made me think of you and Melvin and I knew I had to do an interview with you. Queen Mother, portrayed by Angela Basset, told her son T’Challa played by Chadwick Boseman, “My son, it is your time…” TC: I am so thrilled to be a part of your series. I relate to what you just said. But listen, it was not intentional. It was just doing the best we could do to raise a strong young man to be a community owner. SB: What is a community owner? TC: Well, it just means that you care for things when you recognize you are a steward and you have a responsibility. You want to make certain your family and your wealth are protected and guarded. You will try to improve the world around you. It makes a difference in your life and the lives of those you love. So my husband and I have always felt we needed to grow into stewardship and ownership and learn to care for things. Care for our family, and most important than us, care for our community and the people who live around us. Really try to make things better for all of them and all of us. That’s been our commitment to living in connection to our neighborhood, our city, and our state. SB: I remember growing up, all my parents expected of me was that I graduate from high school and not get pregnant. But I have set the bar much higher for Andrew. What did you expect from Mel-
vin when he was growing up? TC: I always expected that Melvin would graduate from high school and go to college and become something far more than I had ever been. Even before that though, Sheletta, I had expectations of him as a child. As we talk to our children about what they could be, we have the opportunity to talk to them about the special gifts and talents that we see in them. SB: I believe God puts in each of our children a gift that is unique to just them. What gift did you see in Melvin at an early age? TC: I saw his eagerness. He was the kind of young man at a young age [who] was always moving and wanting to do something. He always wanted to create. He would use sticks to build go-carts with his uncle from sticks. He and his sister would play together. And Anika [Melvin’s sister] was great because she would teach him and he was so eager to be a student and to learn. SB: Girl, I get chills when I think about Melvin standing there with his hand on
that Bible taking that oath to become the first African American mayor of the city of St. Paul. What was going through your mind? TC: I wish my parents and my husband’s parents who had sacrificed so much for us and to help us raise our children had been there to see it. It was just such a gratifying moment that our work for our children was being honored and we were there to see it. I was so thankful. I was nervous, to tell the truth, because this was a very huge responsibility. Even so, seeing the community there surrounding him in the way they did, it felt to me that we are safe and it’s going to be good. You know, he’s got the opportunity to do so much good for so many people with their help. Next week’s story: One brother talks about his struggle to live his life like King T’Challa with his inner Killmonger always lurking... Sheletta Brundidge welcomes reader responses to shelettab@gmail.com.
Ramsey County Commissioner Toni Carter looks on as son St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter III shares a congratulatory kiss with wife Sakeena on election night. Photo by Chris Juhn
Issa Rae: African Americans must ‘reclaim’ their stories By Charles Hallman Senior Staff Writer
TIMBERWOLVES.COM
Issa Rae once wrestled with either going to business school or law school after her graduation from Stanford University. She ultimately opted for neither as her career as a producer and creator became more focused and drew her away from her original post-college pursuits. “A clear path? No!” Rae told an audience of mostly women at the downtown Minneapolis’ Pantages Theatre in early February. She was the featured guest speaker at the “In the Huddle” women’s summit sponsored by the NFL and held for the third straight year during Super Bowl week. She spoke to host Maria Menounos during an on-stage Q & A conversation. Jo-Issa Rae Diop — her given name — was born in Los Angeles, and grew up in Maryland where she graduated from high school, then attended Stanford and graduated from there in 2007. As a collegian, Rae kicked start her career making music videos. She later went to acting school on a fellowship while deciding whether to pursue business school or law school. But her success on the Internet, where she started a YouTube channel that now boasts over 200,000 customers, ultimately clinched her decision. “The first two web series I had I made right out of college,” Rae offered. She watched a lot of television while growing up: “What I wasn’t seeing on television” was “authenticity” among Black characters, she explained, adding that she grew tired of seeing programs that seemed to be focused on “the struggles” of Blacks and other people of color. “The authenticity was what helped my
Issa Rae at the “In the Huddle” women’s summit Photo by Onika Nicole Craven career,” she said proudly. The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl, a 12-episode web series, garnered rave reviews during its successful run, and later produced a book by the same name written by Rae. This led her to HBO, where she launched Insecure, a series she co-writes and stars in. The show has earned Rae two Golden Globe Best Actress nominations. Rae told the audience that she first pitched Insecure to ABC but the network balked. That decision ultimately played in her favor, said Rae. “It would have been scripted,” she noted of her series. Rather HBO “allowed” Insecure to grow into a solid hit, she added. Wearing multiple hats is challenging, Rae admitted. She’d made mistakes and learned from them. “There’s so much pressure on camera,” she stressed on playing her character on screen. “It’s all about learning from mistakes,” she reflected. “It’s all about finding the good in everything that went wrong. It’s all about how life happens to you.” Rae’s other work includes
The Choir (nine episodes), The ‘F’ Word (seven episodes) and Rachetpiece Theatre — all are web series. Rae also decried the continued existence of the “only one shot” philosophy among television and movie executives when it comes to Black talent and shows that feature Blacks as leads. “The ‘one shot’ thing is ridiculous,” she reiterated. “A lot of television executives have that mentality. That’s really discouraging. There are so many stories to tell.” The actress-writer-producer is committed to bringing to light these stories, especially those of Blacks and other people of color and women in a myriad of roles. “You are seeing a shift behind the camera as well. I do feel hopeful that things will change. We can make a change, reclaim our own story,” Rae concluded. “That very much excites me…how to empower other women and other minorities to do the same thing.” Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.
March 8-14, 2018
Fashioning You! INSIDE & OUT
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elcome to Fashioning YOU – Inside and Out. This two-fold column aims to keep readers in the know about the latest fashion trends and ideas for everyday life. Fashion Columnist Nicole Pillow also intends to provide food for thought on how to cultivate beautiful and confidence that radiates from your soul.
Enjoy!
By Nicole Pillow
Say hello to your new best friend can practice this skill as an adult until it becomes a part of our healthy lifestyle. Find the balance. Cut yourself some slack when you slip up or if things don’t go your way, while still being accountable to your actions. (We are not making excuses for poor behavior here.) Think kind encouraging thoughts about yourself when things are fantastic, and also when they’re not going so well — both are equally important.
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hen people we care about are having a hard time, we usually treat them with kindness, understanding, and respect — yet when we are the ones having a hard time, we are often quick to be unkind. We may get angry, frustrated, and impatient with ourselves, even calling ourselves nasty names. Have you ever responded to yourself in an unkind way before? I most certainly have. HAVING COMPASSION FOR OURSELVES IS A POWERFUL ACT OF SELF-LOVE Instead of mercilessly judging and criticizing yourself for various inadequacies or shortcomings, self-compassion means you are kind and understanding when confronted with personal failings. Self-compassion is the care and nurturing that we offer ourselves when we make mistakes, embarrass ourselves, or come short of a goal we were hoping to achieve. It is the acknowledgment of our pain and the rejection of the notion that we should just “tough it out.” Just think how many times you may have witnessed someone else’s suffering or hardship and how your heart was moved by their pain. For example, imagine your best friend (or even a stranger) is feeling bad about themselves or is struggling in some way. Compassion for them and their situation might lead you to offer a listening ear, a comforting hug, or maybe some kind words of encouragement. Now consider for a moment how you respond when you feel bad about yourself or are strug-
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HOW CAN THIS HELP YOUR LIFE? Research supports the idea that when you are able to take your successes and failures in stride, you may find that you are less afraid of failure and more satisfied with your life. People who practice self-compassion are more likely to eat Photo courtesy of Istock well, exercise, and take good care of themselves even when stressed. I have experienced the gift gling in some way. What do you typically think and do? What do of self-compassion first-hand. It you say to yourself? Even your has given me freedom from the tone of voice matters. Do you need to be perfect, and has emoffer yourself the same kind of powered me to procrastinate less as I reach toward the fulllove and supportive care? If your answer is no, you’re ness of my dreams. It has given not alone. Loving yourself and me permission to feel what I feel extending self-compassion can and then get up and try again without judgment. be much easier said than done. It’s also allowed me to take ownership of the role I may play FOUR TIPS TO CULTIVATE in a problem, remain open to SELF-COMPASSION feedback, and grow from evAcknowledge your pain. ery situation. And on top of Notice that you’re hurting, and that, learning how to be my best allow yourself to mourn the fact friend has helped me accomthat you are not perfect. Are plish 40 pounds of weight loss, your friends perfect? No, right? which I have kept off for the Learn to resist the temptation to past 10 years. Practicing self-compassion is pretend that nothing’s wrong or that your feelings don’t matter, everything, my friends. I sure because they do. Failure, suf- hope you’re feeling me on this. fering, and imperfection are all The next time you’re tempted to a part of the shared human ex- give yourself a hard time, please check your thoughts at the door. perience. Let’s face it — if your so-called Adopt a new perspective. best friend kept speaking to you View your situation through the in a mean or condescending lens of a best friend or a caring way, you wouldn’t put up with individual. When you’re tempt- it for long (if at all), right? So ed to be self-critical or judg- why should you put up with it mental, try to speak to yourself from yourself? You shouldn’t — as someone who cares about you’re way too valuable for that. It’s time to put your self-critic you would. If your best friend was feeling this same way or in check. Now take a look in the had this same situation, would mirror and know that there is you dare say mean and critical no one more qualified than the things to them? Imagine what woman looking back at you, to you would say to them and how be your new best friend. By practicing these tips, you you’d want them to feel. can increase your sense of perPractice often. Being self- sonal well-being in every area of compassionate is not a quali- your life. I can’t wait for you to ty that typically comes innately try it. And PLEASE share your for most people. Depending on thoughts when you do. your childhood circumstances, Nicole Pillow welcomes reader this may or may not have been a skill that you learned. Unfor- responses to npillow@spokesmantunately, responding to our- recorder.com. selves unkindly can become a habit. The great news is that we
Inside
Uplift your mood and attitude with the power of accessories
L
et’s face it, Minnesota winters can feel long and daunting, especially for those of us (like myself) who are not cut out for the frigid cold. This is the time of year when most folks can’t wait for spring to arrive. Many of us are looking for hopeful signs that a warmer seaso n is drawing near. One sign of spring can be seen in the increasing amount of daylight, while another comes in the happy songs of birds. However the most encouraging sign I like to see is the wave of spring fashions and accessories, inspired by top designers around the world, that begin to appear in our retail stores. Here are four fabulous and practical ways you can add a few new “on trend” accessories to your current wardrobe that will be sure to elevate your mood and attitude, and have you feeling the spirit of spring in no time. Hats A great way to liven up your ordinarily dull wardrobe is by topping it off with a stylish hat. Baker boy hats and beret caps are currently all the rage. Either style is a great go-to option for enhancing your outfit in a completely chic way. These hats are perfect choices for your favorite weekend look. Whether paired with jeans, a dress, or even a chunky knit, this stylish accessory always looks great. So, say goodbye to your beloved wide-brim styles, because these are the must-have hats of the season. If you aren’t ready for this trend, don’t fret—baseball caps have also made a fashionable, non-casual return.
continuing to dominate the world of street style. I just love their unique aesthetic and practical appeal. These hands-free handbags blend function and fashion and add a glamorous, utilitarian touch to any outfit. From sporty bum-bags to sleek, structured designs, belt bags are available in a range of styles, colors, textures and can be worn in many ways. I love the fact that this accessory trend is one that every lady can wear, no matter what her style. Statement Earrings When it comes to investing in new accessories, a great pair of statement earrings are always a must. The possibilities are endless! If you’re looking to feel vibrant, why not throw on some colorful tassel earrings to make your outfit unique? Statement earrings have been the must-have jewelry item for the past couple of seasons. In fact, statement earrings appear to be growing larger in both popularity and size. Today, these eye-catching earrings have reached new shoulder-grazing lengths. I just love this! So if you’re in the mood to make a bold fashion update, be sure to go for the longest and loudest pair you can find. If you desire a more conservative option, there’s always the classic hoop — they look fabulous with every outfit! Although we will not see the true summer styles emerge until as late as April, this is the perfect time of year to start adding some of these cool accessory trends into your current wardrobe mix. Not only is it the economically smart option, but it’s a lot of fun. And it’s an incredibly easy way to ensure an uplifted mood and attitude as you look forward to warmer days, and walk out your door in style.
Out
Bold Necklace When in doubt on how to make any outfit look special, just add a statement necklace and boom — you’re on the right track girlfriend! Statement necklaces are trendy, colorful, and can add funky pizazz to any look. There are endless styles to choose from. You could wear a gold chain collar necklace, or a silver fringe necklace, or a colorful beaded necklace. From a simple white t-shirt to your classic black dress, this one accessory in itself can spice up any outfit that you currently own. Belt Bags Want to add convenience and cutting-edge style to your wardrobe all at the same time? Then be sure to put a stylish belt bag on your shopping list. I am super excited to learn that the belt bag is
Belt bags are all the rage.
Nicole Pillow welcomes reader responses to npillow@spokesman-recorder.com.
Photo courtesy of Istock
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Bring this ad to the offices of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder (3744 4th Ave. S., Minneapolis) starting Monday, March 12, at noon, for a chance to win a screening pass (admits 2) to
Screening is Tuesday, March 20 at 7:00 P.M. Winners will be chosen at random from entries received. One pass per person. Each pass admits 2. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Employees of all promotional partners and their agencies are not eligible.
IN THEATERS MARCH 23
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March 8-14, 2018
Black Census Project to build and mobilize Black political power By Alicia Garza Contributing Writer
B
lack Lives Matter launched the Black Futures Lab (BFL), a new mobilization effort to engage Black people, legislators, and community-based organizations to build political power and push for policies that help strengthen Black communities. Launched in partnership with Demos, Color of Change, Center for Third World Organizing, Socioanalitica Research, and the Tides Foundation, the Black Futures Lab will develop strategies that help Black people imagine the political, social and economic alternatives needed at the local, state, and federal level, while also building the political power needed to implement those alternatives. “If we’ve learned anything from this past election, it’s that Black folks drive the progressive political power in this country, but rarely benefit from the fruits of our labor. Today, we are launching the Black Futures Lab as a way to mobilize around our needs, hopes and dreams,” said Alicia Garza, founder of The Black Futures Lab. “For too long, people have spoken for us and perpetuated false representations of the issues that drive our votes.”
Image courtesy of www.blackcensus.org As its first initiative, Black Futures Lab also launched the Black Census Project, a national data collection effort to hear directly from 200,000 Black people in 20 states about the issues directly affecting their communities. Designed by a group of distinguished sociologists and social science researchers, the Black Census will capture a more precise and holistic picture of the issues affecting Black communities. Unlike the U.S. Census, which polls only for population count, the
Black Census will be conducted online as well as through a coordinated on-the-ground, door-knocking effort. The survey will collect information about key issues impacting Black communities, including generational oppression, mass incarceration, police violence, and inequities in healthcare and economic access. This information will then help organizers better understand how to build and mobilize Black power within their communities and nationally.
Sister Spokesman talks mental health Sister Spokesman’s “Let’s Talk About It: Mental Health” lived up to its title as an expert panel discussed a wide range of mental health issues at Hallie Q. Brown on Saturday, March 3. Attendees packed the room to hear Marques Armstrong of Hope and Healing Family Counseling; Renita Wilson of Kente Circle LLC and Dr. Roli Dwivedi of Community-University Health Care Center (CUHCC) address various mental health concerns and answer questions ranging from signs of mental illness to tools and resources available to receive help. See more photos and Facebook Live video of the event on Facebook/Sister Spokesman or MSRNewsonline.com. Next up: “Black Excellence: The HBCU Experience” on Saturday, April 7 at Northside Achievement Zone in North Minneapolis.
Attendees shop with local vendors Assata (l) daughter of panelist Marques All photos by Olivia Crutchfield Armstrong (and wife Nekima Levy-Pounds), with host Tracey Williams-Dillard.
“For a country built on the exclusion of Black votes, the Black Census Project is a vital step towards asserting the power of our community’s voices in an era where our president is leading a White Nationalist Movement against us,” said Rashad Robinson, executive director of Color of Change. “Never before has there been such a concerted effort to survey the concerns of Black voters and shore up Black political power.” Forms for the Black Census Proj-
ect became available online starting Feb. 1, which coincided with the 92 anniversary of Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s launch of ”Negro History Week.” Black Future Lab’s organizers began conducting in-person surveys in March. The survey will be available online and in person through August when the data will be compiled, analyzed and revealed by the end of 2018. The 21 states the survey will be targeting include Alabama, California, Delaware, Washington, DC, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. To access the Black Census survey, go to www.blackcensus.org. Alicia Garza is co-creator of Black Lives Matter.
OBITUARY
Jordyn Elizabeth Owens May 17, 2011 – Thursday, March 1, 2018
She’s Now Dancing With the King
J
ordyn Elizabeth Owens, a young lover of the arts, entered this world on May 17, 2011 in Wilson, North Carolina and departed on Thursday, March 1, 2018 at Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN. She was truly a God-given gift and child to the parents of Reverend Fred and Minister Tonya Owens. Jordyn loved to dance, sing, paint and draw. She was lovable and carried a smile everywhere she traveled. Even at six years old she dreamed of becoming a dancer and cardiologist. She was truly a daddy’s and mommy’s girl. Jordyn is survived by her parents, Reverend Fred and Minister Tonya Owens; two brothers, Justin and Malcom (Colorado Springs); her sister and best friend Jada Owens; her grandparents, Jimmy and Ornedia Richardson of Roanoke Rapids, NC; her aunts Tiffany Richardson of Greensboro, NC, Marchelle Marshall (Bill) and Gwendolyn Owens of Trenton, NJ, and Sarah Foreman of Willingboro, NJ; and a host of cousins, friends and other relatives. Celebration of Life Services will be held at the Woodlake Lutheran Church, 7525 Oliver Ave. So., Richfield, MN. Viewing at 1 pm and service at 2 pm. All cards and condolences may be sent to Brooks Funeral Home, 862 Concordia Ave., St Paul, MN 55104.
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Legals
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Employment
STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF HENNEPIN WITHOUT REAL ESTATE
CASE TYPE: DISSOLUTION WITHOUT CHILDREN DISTRICT COURT FOURTH JUDICIAL COURT CASE NO: 27-FA-18-634
ORDER FOR SERVICE BY ALTERNATIVE MEANS In Re the Marriage of: Rahma Ahmed Yussuf , Petitioner and Khader Abdi Abdulahi, Respondent THE STATE OF MINNESOTA TO THE ABOVE-NAMED RESPONDENT: WARNING: YOUR SPOUSE (HUSBAND OR WIFE) HAS FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST YOU FOR DISSOLUTION OF YOUR MARRIAGE. A COPY OF THE PAPERWORK REGARDING THE LAWSUIT IS SERVED ON YOU WITH THIS SUMMONS. THIS SUMMONS IS AN OFFICIAL DOCUMENT FROM THE COURT THAT AFFECTS YOUR RIGHTS. READ THIS SUMMONS CAREFULLY. IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND IT, CONTACT AN ATTORNEY FOR LEGAL ADVICE. 1. The Petitioner, (your spouse) has filed a lawsuit against you asking for dissolution of your marriage (divorce). A copy of the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage is attached to this Summons. 2. You must serve upon Petitioner and file with the Court a written Answer to the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, and you must pay the required filing fee. Answer forms are available from the Family Law Facilitator Program, Family Court Self Help Center located in the Family Justice Center, 110 South Fourth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55401. You must serve your Answer upon Petitioner within thirty (30) days of the date you were served with this Summons, not counting the day of service. If you do not serve and file your Answer, the Court may give your spouse everything he or she is asking for in the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. 3. This proceeding does not involve real property. NOTICE OF TEMPORARY RESTRAINING PROVISIONS: Under Minnesota law, service of this summons makes the following requirements apply to both parties to the action, unless they are modified by the Court or the proceeding is dismissed: (1) Neither party may dispose of any assets except (A) for the necessities of life or for the necessary generation of income or preservation of assets, (B) by an agreement of the parties in writing, or (C) for retaining counsel to carry on or to contest this proceeding. (2) Neither party may harass the other party. (3) All currently available insurance coverage must be maintained and continued without change in coverage or beneficiary designation. (4) Parties to a marriage dissolution proceeding are encouraged to attempt alternative dispute resolution pursuant to Minnesota law. Alternative dispute resolution includes mediation, arbitration and other processes as set forth in the district court rules. You may contact the Court Administrator about resources in your area. If you cannot pay for mediation or alternative dispute resolution, in some counties, assistance may be available to you through a nonprofit provider of a court program. If you are a victim of domestic abuse or threats as defined in Minnesota statutes, Chapter 518B, you are not required to try mediation and you will not be penalized by the Court in later proceedings. IF YOU VIOLATE ANY OF THESE PROVISIONS, YOU WILL BE SUBJECT TO SANCTIONS BY THE COURT. Date: 01/26/2018 Signed: Rahma Ahmed Yussuf MN Spokesman-Recorder, February 22, and March 1 & 8, 2018
NOTICE OF JUDICIAL SALE
SOE Continued from page 10 The lack of diversity among the decision-making positions in college sport continues as well: Division I conference commissioners remain White-male dominated. Only two women and two people of color are in these roles. Whites “overwhelmingly” are college athletics directors in the high 80’s-low 90’s percentiles in all NCAA divisions, the report revealed. Speaking by phone last week, Lapchick told the MSR, “I’m not sure when we will get the things [highlighted] in this report drastically changed. College sport continues to do business as usual…to be run by White men.” Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.spokesman-recorder.com.
Continued from page 10 in Chicago that I was assigned to, Larry. But my mother said no, no, that’s not happening. Here’s what you’re going to do. Fitz: What makes Michael Wilbon go? MW: Larry, that’s a good question; I probably shouldn’t ask myself that question now at this stage after 38 years. I think it’s still just the love of storytelling, and it’s evolved all these new things, and you’re doing all these different things to the different platforms, things that we did not start out aspiring to do at 18 to 22 years old. But I’m learning how to do that, how to navigate those things. It’s still the love of storytelling, telling the story today whatever that is. Today I’m going to get into this thing on LeBron James and somebody telling him to shut-up and dribble, which is patently offensive and insulting. So whether the story is purely sports or the lighter side, like watching a certain Larry Fitzgerald, Jr. go out and win at Pebble Beach, or hard stuff that’s difficult to jump into but we
Frana Companies Inc. acting on behalf of Aeon Prospect Park, LLC. invites prospective Bidders to submit Subcontractor bids for the Aeon Prospect Park – The Louis project. This will be a 70-unit mixed use building in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Sealed bids will be received at Frana Companies until 4:00 pm CDT, Thursday, March 15th, 2018. Bids received after this date and hour will be returned unopened. No telephone bids, emailed or fax bids will be accepted. Bids will be opened publicly. Bids shall be addressed to: J.J. Webster, Frana Companies, 633 Second Avenue S., Hopkins, Minnesota 55343. Bidding Documents will be available on or about Wednesday, February 28th, 2018. Bidding Documents are available electronically online at the following site: http://frana.sharefile. com. You will need to enter franabids@frana.com for the email address and franabids for the password. Alternatively, Bidding Documents can be viewed at Frana Companies, 633 2nd Avenue S,Hopkins, MN 55343 with office hours of 8:00am to 5:00pm CDT, Monday thru Friday, (952) 935-8600; CD’s or flash drives of Bidding Documents may be requested through Michelle Christensen at mchristensen@frana.com The Subcontractor must be a responsible bidder as defined in the bid documents. Frana Companies Inc. acting on behalf of Aeon Prospect Park, LLC. reserves the right to reject any and all bids received and to waive informalities and irregularities in the bidding.
Bilingual Family Law Attorney Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid. For details go to www.mylegalaid.org/jobs.
STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF HENNEPIN
DISTRICT COURT FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT PROBATE DIVISION Court File No.: 27-PA-PR-18-249 NOTICE OF INFORMAL APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS
TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND CREDITORS: Notice is hereby given that an application for informal probate of the above-named Decedent’s last will dated September 26, 2006, (“Will”), has been filed with the Registrar herein, and the application has been granted informally probating such will. Any objections may be filed in the above, and the same will be heard by the Court upon notice of hearing fixed for such purpose. Notice is hereby given that the s informal appointment of Sandra Denise Mack-Miller, whose address is: 3926 Colfax Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55412 as personal representative of the Estate of the above-named decedent has been made. Any heir, devisee or other interested person may be entitled to appointment as personal representative or may object to the appointment of the personal representative and the personal representative are empowered to fully administer the estate including, after 30 days from the date of issuance of letters, the power to sell, encumber, lease or distribute real estate. . Unless objections are filed with the Court (pursuant to Minn. Stat. 524.3-607) and the Court otherwise orders, the personal representative has full power to administer the Estate including, after 30 days from the date of issuance of letters, the power to sell, encumber, lease or distribute real estate, unless objections thereto are filed with the Court (pursuant to Section 524.3-607) and the Court otherwise orders. Notice is also given that ALL CREDITORS having claims against said estate are required to present the same to said personal representative or to the Probate Court Administrator within four months after the date of this Notice or the claims will be barred Dated: February 27, 2018 ALONNA J. WARNS Registrar SARAH LINDAHL PFIEFER Deputy Court Administrator
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Public Notices Notice of Comment Period on the Reappointment of U.S. Magistrate Judge Steven E. Rau The U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota invites comments from members of the bar and public as to whether incumbent U.S. Magistrate Judge Steven E. Rau should be recommended for reappointment. Comments should be received by 5:00 p.m. (CST) on Friday, April 6, 2018, and may be directed to: U.S. District Court Clerk’s Office ATTN: Tricia Pepin, Chief Deputy Clerk 300 South Fourth Street, Room 202 Minneapolis, MN 55415 meritselectionpanel@mnd.uscourts.gov
MN Spokesman-Recorder, March 8, 2018
In Re: Estate of Grace Perkins Chavers, a/k/a Grace Mae Chavers, Deceased.
Pursuant to an Order of Sale entered in United States vs. Cynthia Aldrich, Individually and in the Capacity as Personal Representative for the Estate of Don C. Aldrich, deceased, et al., Civil Action No. 0:16-CV-00387-JNE-SER, United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, the United States will offer for sale at public auction, to the highest bidder, according to law and pursuant to the terms and conditions set in herein, the property described below: Date:March 28, 2018 Time:10:00AM Sale Location:1146 14th Avenue, S.E., Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414. Title Offered:The property shall be offered for sale at public auction, free and clear of all liens and interests of the parties to this action. Description of Property:Single Family Residence with approximately 3 bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms. Property has an attic and an unfinished basement. Property address is 1146 14th Avenue, S.E., Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414. Property May Be Inspected at:Open House on March 27 from 1:00 to 4:00PM and on date of sale from 8:30 until 10:00AM Legal Description:Lots 22 and South ½ of 23, Block 2, Elwell’s Second Addition to Minneapolis. Minimum Bid:$80,000 Information about the sale:Please call Sara Wright at 865-274-7349 The Terms of Payment:See Below Form of Payment:All payments must be by Certified or Cashier’s Check made payable to the United States District Court of Minnesota. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE: No bid (except for bids made by the United States) shall be accepted by the IRS, unless the same is accompanied by a certified check or cashier’s check, in the minimum amount of $16,000.00 made payable to the United States District Court of Minnesota. Before being permitted to bid at the sale, all bidders shall display to the IRS proof that they are able comply with this requirement. No bids will be received from any person who has not presented proof that, if he or she is the successful bidder, he or she can make the deposit required by the Order. The successful bidder shall tender the balance of the purchase price, in certified funds payable to the United States District Court, at the office of the IRS on or before May 28, 2018. In the event the successful bidder defaults on any of the terms contained in the Order, the deposit shall be forfeited and retained by the IRS as part of the proceeds of sale, and the real property shall again be offered for sale, without further permission of the Court, under the terms and conditions of the Order, or, in the alternative the real property shall be sold to the second highest bidder. The United States may bid as a creditor against its judgments without tender of cash. The sale of the real property shall be subject to confirmation by the Court. Upon confirmation of the sale and receipt of the entire purchase price, the Court shall issue and the IRS shall deliver to the purchaser, a deed conveying the real property to the purchaser. Upon confirmation of the sale, all interests in, liens against, or claims to, the real property that are or may be asserted by any of the parties to this action are discharged and extinguished. The United States reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to withdraw the property from sale. ***IMPORTANT INFORMATION*** This is not an advertisement of a sale of administratively seized property. This is an information notice only regarding a sale being conducted by the Internal Revenue Service as a result of the foreclosure of an Internal Revenue Service Federal Tax Lien by the Department of Justice. Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, March 1,8,15 & 22, 2018
Fitz
PUBLIC NOTICE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
To view the full public notice, visit the Court’s website at www.mnd.uscourts.gov.
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do anyway, I think it’s just the love of diving into that material every day and trying to make sense of it. Fitz: Having the platform that you have, do you get a sense of responsibility and having to do more and recognizing and making some of the athletes aware of the social responsibility that they carry? MW: In part, I think it’s in making everybody aware of the social responsibilities. Sometimes I think the pendulum might have swung too far and it might be too heavily weighing in on what their responsibilities are, and all of us have those responsibilities. I certainly [do], and you and I have dealt with this over decades. In terms of our own responsibilities, it’s funny. I think someone was just talking about this, Draymond Green, and the word obligation. Whether or not it’s an obligation for you to want to dive into. It was an interesting topic and conversation they were having, and I was listening in on it. I don’t think none of us are as aware – or should I say woke – as we should be, and that’s part of the process. And storytelling is examining it and finding new stories myself that may inspire me to be more aware. Fitz: The juice you carry in covering major
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sporting events, Super Bowls, NBA Finals, AllStar Games, NCAA Final Fours – talk about how you go into covering games, events, knowing what your responsibilities are, yet trying to get the top story. That’s what our goal is? MW: There is a juggling act that goes on, and the bigger the event, the more balls that are in the air. And I’m still trying to be true to my work and my employer, as you mentioned the Washington Post and ESPN. There was a time where they were overlapping. I was doing both employers for nine years… I take the work seriously still, and I feel fortunate to be able to do that. I think we cheat the listener, the viewer or reader if we don’t. I want to be ready for April, for the playoffs, listening in to LeBron James, Kevin Durant or Damien Lillard, whether it’s the most popular guy or least-known guy, and everybody is popular here at the All-Star weekend. That’s what locker rooms are still for, and I take that responsibility pretty seriously still. Fitz: The success and chemistry of ESPN’s popular PTI and you and Tony Kornhieser – talk about that. MW: It’s just a long time we’ve known each
other, for 38 years. A lot of that was done at byplay, was started in the newspaper, and Tony would do it. He would refer to me, and someone said they wanted to put it on television, and we were like, what? What are you talking about? And so people now think they can just pair people and they are going to have chemistry. No no, it’s 30-some years of that, and PTI is a relationship show as much or more than anything else. It’s grounded in sports, but it’s not as much a sports show as other things. It’s about two people able to do that with somebody, a family member, your child, your parent, your boy, your frat brother, your cousin, and having that type of by-play with somebody. And Tony and I have had that with each other. Larry Fitzgerald can be heard weekday mornings on KMOJ Radio 89.9 FM at 8:25 am, on WDGYAM 740 Monday-Friday at 12:17 pm and 4:17 pm, and at www.Gamedaygold.com. He also commentates on sports 7-8 pm on Almanac (TPT channel 2). Follow him on Twitter at FitzBeatSr. Larry welcomes reader responses to info@larryfitzgerald.com, or visit www.Larry-Fitzgerald.com.
June 8-14, 2017
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March 8-14, 2018
Pardon the Interruption:
interviewing Michael Wilbon
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ports and politics: In 2018, the two are inseparable thanks to Donald Trump, because he has gone where no U.S. President before him has gone in the White House. All of his flaws and scars are open wounds, and because of it we have dialogue.
and others – refuse to go to the White House. O.J. Simpson, Colin Kaepernick, Tiger Woods, LeBron James and Stephen Curry have over the last 20 years reminded us for better or worse what Muhammad Ali stood for. Recently in Los Angeles, while covering the NBA All-Star weekend, I had a conversation with my friend, Chicago’s own Michael Wilbon (MW). The Northwestern graduate and Emmy Award-winning columnist (Washington Post) and TV host of Pardon the Interruption, ESPN’s popular and highly rated show, opened up with me about the landscape and challenges and responsibilities we face today as journalists.
Women’s sports still shoved to back of media coverage bus
C
ollege sport coverage is as sexist and unbalanced as ever. March Madness each year sadly brings this to light, especially in Charles hoops. Men’s posthallman season tournaments, for example, will get the lion’s share of media coverage while their female counterparts barely get mentioned. We again tested our aforementioned hypothesis by doing an unscientific analysis of television sports listings usually found on the back pages of the local newspaper’s sports section: One weekend: Friday, five men’s basketball games, zero women’s games; Saturday, 29 men’s games, five women’s games; Sunday, seven women’s games, four men’s games. Second weekend: Friday, five men’s games, zero women’s games; Saturday, 22 men’s games, one women’s game; Sunday, seven men’s games, five women’s games. One weeknight: five men’s games,
ANOTHER
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Coquese Washington Photo by Charles Hallman the remaining 23 hours of daily programming is all men all the time. One Saturday night while watching BTN, hopelessly looking for more than score updates found on the bottom of the screen, this columnist listened to the two male announcers endlessly promoting all evening a men’s basketball game scheduled for the next night. Nothing
The continuing disparity in women’s sports coverage “is a microcosm of what’s going on in our larger society.”
Michael Wilbon
Fire NFL players, he told the owners in 2017, for their protesting during the playing of the national anthem. Sports teams or players on teams that win championships – now Golden State, South Carolina
two women’s games. Leading the sexist way, so to speak, is the Big Ten Network (BTN), the first of several conference-specific cable channels now on the air. BTN’s original programs include The Journey, a week Photo courtesy of Wikipedia in the life of Big Ten basketball, one of 17 such men’s sport-oriented shows. Fitz: Where did you go to There’s no such “Journey” for women’s basketball, only a weekly women’s high school in Chicago? MW: St. Ignasuis. I would sports report that airs in the afternoon have gone to Calumet had I in a time slot historically for soap operas gone to the public high school and game shows. That’s it, one half-hour devoted ■ See Fitz on page 9 to women’s sports each week while
was said, however, about the women’s hoops doubleheader scheduled to air before the over-promoted men’s game that would follow. “I’m hoping that was an anomaly,” Penn State Women’s Basketball Coach Coquese Washington told me when I made mentioned of this in a postgame interview. Her Lady Lions played Minnesota in one of the aforementioned doubleheaders. “Every time I’m watching the BTN I don’t see that happening.” This columnist humbly begs to differ with Coach Washington. BTN seems to
By Charles Hallman Staff Writer College sport, according to two new report cards, is doing average in racial and gender hiring. The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES) and the University of Minnesota’s Tucker Center both released their annual report cards last month. The Tucker Center’s Women in College Coaching Report Card released February 7 found that 41 percent of women’s teams’ head coaches are female, but a male was hired in 60 percent of vacant head coaching positions. They also found that none of the seven NCAA Division I conferences
Richard Lapchick
reverse,” she noted of the sixth annual report that features Cincinnati Women’s Basketball Coach Janelle Elliott on its cover. The report looked at 86 “big time” Division I schools, sports and conferences to analyze progress and give out passing and failing grades in gender hiring. Minnesota got a B – the Gophers have nine Nicole LaVoi females and five males as MSR file photos women’s teams’ coaches, one of 17 schools with B studied earned above a C grade, and grades. Twenty-nine schools each got Division III schools have the highest C’s and D’s, and nine schools failed. percentage of women head coaches Two schools – Cincinnati and South Florida – earned the only A’s. (45.7 percent).
hasn’t changed that much over the six years the Tucker Center has produced their report. “I can’t believe it’s been six years already,” the co-director said. The 2017 TIDES report card, on the other hand, gave college sport a C-plus for both racial and gender hiring and a C-plus combined grade. This is the second consecutive year for a combined grade of C-plus. “College sport still had the lowest grade for racial hiring practices and gender hiring practices among all of the college and professional sports covered by the respective Racial and Gender Report Cards,” TIDES Director Richard Lapchick wrote in the February 28 report’s executive summary. Lapchick’s report also noted Division I men’s coaching opportunities for Blacks continues to be poor (7.6 percent), and not much better in Division II (4.4 percent) and Division III (five percent). Although there’s some increase in Black Division I men’s basketball coaches (up 1.5 percent from 20.8 in 2015-16 to 22.3 percent this year), Whites still make up 84 percent, 91 percent and 94 percent of basketball, football and baseball head coaches in all divisions combined. Black women head coaches (11 percent) aren’t that much better, the TIDES report continues. “This
U of M women’s hockey marches on Minnesota (24-10-4) currently is the only Gopher team that is still playing in March – the Gophers made the NCAAs by defeating top-ranked Wisconsin 3-1 and won the WCHA tournament championship for the first time since 2014 last Sunday. Then a few hours later the team learned they will face the Badgers again as their opponent, this time in Madison on Saturday. The winner will advance to the 2018 Frozen Four, hosted by Minnesota. Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@spokesmanrecorder.com.
Fab Five’ prep stars of the week
Sports odds and ends
New reports show little progress in college sport race, gender hiring
see men’s hoops, or for that matter men’s sports in general, as its top priority, bottom line, second to none. But the college sport network isn’t alone in its one-sided, man-sided coverage. You name it, whether cable or over-the-air television, radio, newspaper, magazine, Internet – women’s sports, no matter the sport or the time of year, gets the bum rush to the back of the coverage bus. And it’s not just college sports: WNBA free agency began February 1, and there’s been barely a mention of it. Yet NBA free agency talk virtually started as soon as the season began in late October. The WNBA draft is next month, and again there’s barely any mention of it. But don’t we already know the NBA draft picks for 2020? Just kidding, but you get the idea. “I think it speaks to a broader issue that’s happening in our society right now…for women, and respect for women in general,” Washington continued. She easily noted that the imbalance, the continuing disparity in women’s sports coverage that seems not to be getting better anytime soon, “is a microcosm of what’s going on in [our] larger society.”
PreP Scene Dr. mitChell Palmer mCDonalD
This week’s “Fab Five” photos feature five boys’ basketball players – Tayler Johnson, Tre Holloman, O’Dell Wilson IV, Nasir El-Amin (Minneapolis North), and DeWayne Givens (St. Paul Johnson) – who turned in brilliant performances in the Twin Cities boys’ basketball championship last Saturday. North defeated Johnson 84-58 to capture their third consecutive TC title. (pictured left) Senior forward O’Dell Wilson IV, a varsity player since eighth grade, was unstoppable inside as he scored 24 points in helping North.
(pictured right) Junior guard Nasir El-Amin contributed seven points to North’s TC triumph along with a solid floor game.
(pictured below) Guard DeWayne Givens – seen here in an earlier season contest – led St. Paul Johnson with 17 points as a seventh grader coming off the bench.
(pictured above) Senior guard Tayler Johnson led Minneapolis North with 25 points in the TC win. (pictured below) Tre Holloman, an eighth grader who starts at point guard, finished with 20 points for North in their TC victory.
“College sport continues to do business as usual… to be run by White men.” Tucker Center Co-Director Nicole LaVoi told the MSR that the percentage of women head coaches of women’s teams went up for the fifth year: “It’s better than going in
LaVoi reiterated that the number of A’s has remained the same since 201415, and the number of F’s dropped by two from 2016-17. Nonetheless, the number of women head coaches
remains a major area of concern,” Lapchick points out.
■ See SOE on page 9
Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader responses to mcdeezy05@gmail.com All photos by Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald.