Vol 92 / Edition 16 - Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

Supreme Court weighs damages for inmate’s forced haircut

By Damenica Ellis

ASHINGTON (HUNS) — Damon Landor, a Rastafarian who had taken a Nazarite vow to grow his hair in locks, was transferred to Raymond Laborde Correctional Center for the final three weeks of his sentence. He arrived with proof of religious accommodation from two previous facilities, along with a court ruling showing that Louisiana recognized his practice under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (RLUIPA).

to a chair, and shaved his head. After completing his sentence, Landor sued the Louisiana Department of Corrections, the prison, Myers, and the department’s secretary, James LeBlanc, in both their official and individual capacities. Twentytwo organizations, including religious groups, former correctional officers, and the United States, filed amicus briefs supporting him.

Jamar Clark’s mother keeps son’s legacy alive

By Clay Masters and Ngoc Bui

aturday, November 15, marks 10 years since the fatal shooting of Jamar Clark by Minneapolis police.

Sixty-one seconds after two police officers first encountered the 24-year-old Clark outside of a house party on the North Side, an officer shot Clark in the head. He died the next day. Clark was unarmed, and the officers were never charged.

A guard discarded Landor’s documents and called in the prison’s warden, Marcus My-

ers. When Myers asked to see additional proof of Landor’s religion, he no longer had it, and two guards carried him to another room, handcuffed him

The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments Nov. 10 in Landor v. Louisiana Department of Corrections to determine whether individuals may sue state officials for monetary damages over RLUIPA violations. Louisiana argues that individual-capacity claims are barred. Landor’s attorney, Zachary Tripp, countered that RLUIPA clearly allows “appropriate relief,” which includes damages.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett questioned whether that clarity exists, noting that both the district court and the 5th Circuit sided with the officials before appeal. Tripp argued that the law holds the government, and individuals acting

“It don’t never click in that this thing is real and so you have to be jerked, in a sense, back to reality that is real.”

In the aftermath of the shooting, there were questions of whether Clark was handcuffed at the time of the shooting, and whether Clark had reached for an officer’s gun. And in the absence of conclusive video, there were concerns over whose accounts investigators and prosecutors considered when deciding not to file charges — the police officers, or other witnesses to the shooting.

The shooting prompted protests, including an occupation outside the city’s 4th Precinct that lasted 18 days.

“It still feels like yesterday,” Burns said. “It don’t never click in that this thing is real and so you have to be jerked, in a sense, back to reality that

Even though it’s been 10 years since the shooting, Clark’s mother feels as though no time has passed at all.

■ See JAMAR on page 5

Mpls street renamed Lena Smith Blvd. corrects a historic wrong

By Lizzy Nyoike Contributing Writer

A Minneapolis street along the Mississippi River has been renamed Lena Smith Boulevard to honor Lena Olive Smith, Minnesota’s first Black female attorney and longtime civil rights advocate.

The street, formerly known as Edmund Boulevard and named for segregationist developer Edmund Walton, is part of a broader effort to confront systemic racism in the city’s history and spaces.

in 2020 by Joe Larsen and Mark Brandt. The pair said the project was inspired by Minneapolis’ reckoning with racial inequality after the murder of George Floyd.

“Edmund Boulevard was never a reflection of our shared values,” one committee member said. “Reclaiming it allows us to replace a name rooted in exclusion with one grounded in justice and belonging.”

Walton, the original street’s namesake, had used racially restrictive covenants to pre-

has been documented by the Mapping Prejudice Project, which highlights how segregation shaped neighborhoods across the city.

As the effort gained momentum, organizers realized that simply removing Walton’s name was not enough. They wanted to replace it with a name carrying intention and meaning. In 2024, a ninemember naming committee was formed to recommend a replacement, ensuring diverse voices were included.

“We recognized that the core group was primarily white,” said Kristen Eddy, a committee member. “We felt responsible to try to correct a historic wrong, but we worried we were in an echo chamber, so we broadened our outreach.”

The committee required that any final name recommendation be unanimous. Criteria included a connection to Minneapolis, ties to racial justice or community repair, and the ability to inspire learning.

After community input, Lena Olive Smith emerged as the clear choice. Nearly 600 residents participated in the public survey.

Born in 1885, Smith became Minnesota’s first Black female lawyer in 1921. She served as president of the Minneapolis NAACP, fought against police brutality, and defended Black homeowners facing racial intimidation. Her work preceded the Civil Rights Movement by decades.

“Lena Smith challenges us to see our city in a fuller, more

“Symbols matter. The renaming is a signal to all our community members: You belong here.”

honest light,” the Reclaiming Edmund Boulevard committee said.

The initiative prioritized community engagement throughout the process. Organizers partnered with the Longfellow Community Council, Council Member Aurin Chowdhury’s Ward 12 office, local schools, churches, and neighborhood groups.

“We wanted this process to be inclusive and communitydriven,” Eddy said. “As neighbors working to address a legacy of racial exclusion, we made it a priority to listen and connect across communities.”

After the City Council approved the change in 2024,

the committee continued supporting residents by holding drop-in sessions to help update mailing addresses and other documentation.

“Symbols matter,” Eddy said.

“It’s a signal to all our community members: You belong here.”

For Larsen and Brandt, the renaming represents a broader movement to confront racial inequalities in housing and history. “What began as an effort to remove a name misaligned with our community’s values grew into an opportunity to educate and uplift powerful figures from underrepresented groups in our local history,” they said.

Eddy reflected on the personal lessons learned during the process. “I learned something new about myself during this process: that urgency can be a form of oppression,” she said.

Now, Lena Smith’s name stands not just as memory, but as presence, direction, and a way forward, inviting residents to learn her story and understand that the fight for justice in Minneapolis extends across generations.

Lizzy Nyoike is a Hubbard School of Journalism & Mass Communication student with interest in community stories, investigative and multimedia journalism

Providers say universal Pre-K falls short for Minnesota families

By Scott Selmer

Gov. Tim Walz raised eyebrows when he said “… And then in Minnesota, we have universal Pre-K for everyone, so students come ready to do what they need to do,” in front of a Texas audience on Nov. 13. Many in the Black community disagree, saying the state’s early-learning system is far from universal, and far from equitable.

Danielle Tucker, an earlychildhood educator who owns ProVisionary, an Afrocentric child care center in North Minneapolis, said that even if universal Pre-K eventually exists on paper, it still won’t match the realities facing Black children or the needs of Black families.

Tucker argues that the state’s focus on expanding free Pre-K for four-year-olds misses a deeper opportunity: providing universal or meaningfully subsidized childcare beginning at infancy, which she says would do far more to close Minnesota’s persistent racial achievement gap.

Minnesota currently ranks 37th in the nation for preschool enrollment, serving just 11% of four-year-olds and 1% of three-year-olds in state-funded programs. The Legislature approved an additional 5,200 voluntary Pre-K seats by 2026, but the state remains far from universal access. The gaps are even wider for Black families, according

to public school data.

Child care in Minnesota remains among the most expensive in the country, costing $12,000 to $15,000 a year per child, far out of reach for many working families.

Walz’s proposed expansion may help some parents save a year of child care costs, but Tucker says it has unintended consequences for independent providers and does little to prepare Black children in culturally appropriate ways.

“Universal Pre-K actually takes kids away from us a year earlier,” Tucker said. “Before, a child would stay with me from infancy to age five. Now, at four, they leave for free Pre-K. That’s not necessarily better for the child, and it hurts the

sustainability of small providers like mine.”

She said the state is using free Pre-K to solve a different problem, children arriving in kindergarten unprepared because families can’t afford early learning programs. But school-based Pre-K, she argues, is not designed to meet the developmental, cultural, or emotional needs of many Black four-year-olds.

“A four-year-old in a big public school, with kids up to age 11 or 12, is not always the best environment,” she said. “Early childhood educators like me are trained specifically for this age group. We could prepare them better if the funding came to us.”

Tucker said cultural affirma-

tion and identity-building in early childhood, something missing in most public programs, are essential. Public schools, she said, are already failing to reflect Black children’s lived experiences.

“My third grader had 20 stories this year. Only one featured a Black child, and that story was about segregation.”

An elementary school teacher who works in the South but has ties to Minnesota agreed that the issue is bigger than Pre-K. “Child care and Pre-K are two different worlds,” he said. “Universal child care would let families work and survive.” He argued that subsidized child care would ease financial strain, reduce the need for parents to

work multiple jobs, and give families more time to build routines and support learning at home.

Minnesota’s Black-white achievement gap remains among the worst in the nation.

A Minnesota Reformer analysis found that fewer than one in eight school districts have returned to pre-pandemic reading or math proficiency levels, with Black students facing the steepest barriers.

By Lizzy Nyoike

Contributing Writer

As food shelves across Minnesota strain under soaring demand and government support wavers, one St. Paul community hub is charting a different path. At Zion Community Commons (ZCC), neighbors aren’t waiting for charity; they are feeding each other.

As of Nov. 1, State officials claimed roughly 440,000450,000 Minnesotans faced losing Supplemental Nutrition

distributed on schedule, uncertainty remains.

Many food-relief programs have been forced to rely on donated or subsidized items to meet demand. But ZCC has taken a different approach: It sources fresh, high-quality produce directly from Minnesota and Wisconsin farmers and co-op distributors, and shares it freely with anyone who shows up.

“There are two different food-justice programs coming out of Zion Community Com

source of recovered food in March 2024, the organization decided not to revert to the typical charity model. “We were too small and volunteer-run to work with Second Harvest, so we looked into the idea of purchasing from local farmers, initially modeled on an open market,” Schauffler said. The shift has improved the nutritional quality of food available and redirected thousands of dollars into local farms.

“The charity food system

Tucker also emphasized that Black-led early childhood programs provide cultural grounding that public systems cannot replicate. “Most public school teachers are not Black,” she said. “They don’t share the cultural identity, don’t understand the family structures, [and] don’t always live in the communities. They’re good people, but they’re not equipped to give Black children the cultural foundation they need.”

Both Tucker and the teacher said the state should prioritize scholarships, direct funding for child care centers, and free or low-cost commercial space for Black providers to expand. “We could serve more kids if we had the funding public schools get,” Tucker said. “We could offer real early childhood education, not just a seat in a classroom.”

“By the time a child is four, inequities are already baked in. Families who can’t afford child care from infancy are at the biggest disadvantage. If we want to close the gap, we need to start before age four by making child care affordable.”

“By the time a child is four, inequities are already baked in,” Tucker said. “Families who can’t afford child care from infancy are at the biggest disadvantage. If we want to close the gap, we need to start before age four by making child care affordable.”

They also say Black community voices must be centered in early-learning policy.

“Families need to be at the Capitol, but many don’t have the time or the political experience,” Tucker said. She pointed to organizations like the Northside Achievement Zone as potential leaders in pushing for systemic change.

Asked what she would tell the governor and state legislators, Tucker didn’t hesitate: “If Minnesota wants Black kids to succeed, start earlier. Invest in culturally affirming child care. Put resources where they’ll make the biggest difference.”

Scott Selmer welcomes reader responses at sselmer@ spokesman-recorder.com.

one form of resilience. It also underscores a broader shift in thinking: Hunger is not just a charity problem, but a justice issue. In the words of Pastor John Marboe, quoted in a ZCC press release: “Here we are gathering to be community. To care for one another. To co-create a food resource that does not depend on unreliable government assistance, nor a large charity model … Because everyone deserves this.” As winter approaches and traditional supports wobble, ZCC is preparing for its largest event of the year. On Tuesday, Nov. 26, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., the commons will host an open-market with local produce and groceries alongside prepared Thanksgiving meal, free and open to all.

“We wanted this process to be inclusive and commudriven,” said committee member Kristen Eddy. “As neighbors working to address a legacy of racial exclusion, we made it a priority to listen and connect across communities.”

For the St. Paul community, the renaming isn’t just about food, it’s about belonging, stories, and justice. “Symbols matter. It’s a signal to all our community members: you belong here,” Eddy said. In an era when federal safety nets are uncertain, Zion Community Commons is showing that the strongest support might come from the neighbor next door, neighbors feeding neighbors with no

For grocery, meal, and open market schedule, www.zlcmid-

Lizzy Nyoike is a Hubbard School of Journalism & Mass Communication student with interest in community stories, investigative and multimedia

Minneapolis council members back arresting federal agents who violate law

Clint Combs

Contributing Writer

Minneapolis City Council

members Jason Chavez, Elliot Payne, and Robin Wonsley said Nov. 14 that local police could, and should, arrest federal agents if they fail to identify themselves or wear face coverings.

Their comments come as the city prepares to negotiate a new police contract, set to expire in December. Members of the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) have long pushed for a stronger separation ordinance to prevent Minneapolis police from sharing information with federal immigration authorities or assisting with crowd control.

The call for stronger measures follows a city auditor’s report that concluded police did not violate the existing separation ordinance during a June 3 raid on Lake Street. Immigrant rights advocates say the ordinance needs enforceable consequences for officers who violate it.

“We need that contract to include real, enforceable consequences for any officer who collaborates with ICE or violates our separation ordinance,” said MIRAC member Myrka Zambrano.

“I stand with our immigrant neighbors who are demanding the city update what we have found to be a 20-yearold ordinance,” said Wonsley, who serves on the Enterprise Oversight Committee.

At a press conference at the Public Service Center, Wonsley said the Mayor’s Office has deflected accountability to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights and the Department of Justice, which dismissed a federal consent decree last summer.

“We need to codify discipline, actions, and consequences in the police contract when officers are found to have violated our separation ordinance,” Wonsley said.

Chavez also called for an updated city ordinance with stronger penalties for officers who fail to comply. “We know that a police union contract with language codifying violations is something we desperately need. If it’s in the contract, there will be real consequences for violations, especially under a Trump administration,” he said.

At a press conference last month at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, where immigration court is held, Department of Homeland Security adviser Kristi Noem criticized Minneapolis’

separation policies. “Under the leadership of Mayor Frey and Gov. Walz, more violent crimes are being perpetuated in these communities because of their refusal to defend American citizens,” Noem said. Journalists from the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder and Sahan Journal were denied

At Collective Sum, culture and change came together

By Jasmine McBride Managing Editor

The Black Collective Foundation Minnesota is redefining what it means to gather for change. This November, the organization hosted its first Collective Sum, a threeday multicultural convening designed to advance racial justice, strengthen community, and build bold strategies for collective progress.

The event took place November 18-20 in Minneapolis, featuring two nationally acclaimed headliners: Brandon Blackwood, founder and creative director of Brandon Blackwood New York, and Tricia Hersey, founder of The Nap Ministry and author of “Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto.”

founder of The Nap Ministry and author of “Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto”

we give, and the traditions we practice. I wanted to create a space here that reflects that brilliance, one where culture and change meet.”

Inspired by vibrant hubs like Atlanta, Chicago and D.C., Mola imagined a Minnesotabased space where creativity, strategy and justice could co-exist. The Collective Sum, she explained, “flips the script,” centering Black culture as the mainstream while convening changemakers across race, industry and geography.

“We’ve brought 400 changemakers together with culture as our backdrop,” Mola added.

“Minnesota isn’t always viewed as a national center for innovation and leadership, but it’s time to change that. This community holds extraordinary brilliance, creativity and resolve.”

A space for rest, creativity, strategy

inclusive, innovative and impactful,” said Blackwood.

Hersey, known as “The Nap Bishop,” has built a movement around the radical act of rest. Through The Nap Ministry, she’s helped redefine rest as a form of resistance and community care, particularly for Black people navigating the pressures of grind culture.

A Minnesota moment

The Collective Sum’s programming featured immersive workshops, art, wellness sessions, and learning tracks focused on emerging frontiers, infrastructure, and organizing. Participants, including delegations of grassroots leaders, entrepreneurs and advocates, used the space to collaborate, exchange ideas, and renew their spirits.

“Right now, things are really hard,” Mola reflected. “But we can come together and care for each other. The summit was a full, multi-sensory experience: arts, speakers, ceremonies, coaching, good food. It was just the place to be.”

press access at that event.

“Good legal research has shown that local law enforcement can arrest ICE and other federal agents if they violate the law,” said Michelle Gross of Minneapolis for a Better Police Contract. “We are demanding that it be codified in policy and enforced through the police contract.”

and ideas, and to realize a Minnesota where all Black people live in dignity, prosperity, and holistic well-being.

While The Collective Sum’s

Mayor Jacob Frey rejected the idea at a recent mayoral debate, saying, “That would be dangerous. That would be irresponsible.”

In response, MIRAC member Die Do Mir dismissed the mayor’s comments. “I don’t really care what he has

tickets are already closed, the Black Collective Foundation recommends subscribing to the newsletter to stay informed on upcoming events. For more information, visit

to say because he’s not doing anything anyways. When he comes back with a list of ways he’s going to protect immigrants, then we’re going to listen,” Do Mir said.

Other politicians outside Minnesota have floated similar ideas. San Francisco District

Attorney Brooke Jenkins and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have suggested arresting federal agents who violate California’s ban on ICE agents wearing masks, set to take effect next year. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche warned of a potential standoff with the White House.

“The job of our Minneapolis Police is to protect us, not federal agents that come here to harm our community,” said Gross.

Council President Payne emphasized accountability:

“I am very much on record in holding any agent of any agency accountable to our laws and arresting them if they break our laws.”

As of this writing, neither the City Attorney’s Office nor the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office had responded to inquiries about arresting federal agents.

Clint Combs welcomes reader responses at combs0284@ gmail.com.

www.minnesotablackcollectivefoundation.org.

Jasmine McBride welcomes reader responses at jmcbride@ spokesman-recorder.com.

Lulete Mola, co-founder and president of the Black Collective Foundation MN, asked why she is activating this kind of space now, said, “The Collective Sum” represents a longheld vision finally realized.

“Growing up in Minnesota, I noticed that sometimes we as Black people are made to feel like our disparity is our culture,” said Mola. “But our culture is in the stories we hold, the love

The event’s keynote speakers exemplified that creative power. Blackwood, a contemporary fashion icon celebrated for his “End Systemic Racism” tote and named to the “Time 100 Next List” in 2024, has become a leading voice for fashion as activism.

“My work has always been about creating a platform for change and advancing a vision of fashion and culture that is

While The Collective Sum may become an annual event, Mola said the larger mission of the Black Collective Foundation is permanent. “We’re building an institution that loves Black people every day, not just when it’s trending,” she said. “We think about our hopes and dreams, not just our struggles.”

The Black Collective Foundation MN

The Black Collective Foundation MN is Minnesota’s first Black community foundation and a national leader in culturally specific philanthropy. Its mission is simple yet profound: to invest boldly in Black-led organizations, leaders, systems

For Michael Hill, recovery is more than a personal journey; it’s a mission to inspire others. With 18 months clean and sober, Michael has become a fixture in Minneapolis’ recovery community, dedicating himself not only to his own growth but to helping others navigate addiction and find hope.

“I’m pretty big in my recovery community,” Michael says. “I’ve worked here about nine months. I’ve seen growth, not just in myself, but in the people I get to support.”

Michael’s involvement with Anything Helps began simply: “I just showed up and

volunteered,” he recalls. “The community here is incredible. They offer food, showers, and everything you need. Most people genuinely need help and appreciate it. I’m grateful for that.”

His path to recovery wasn’t easy. After leaving prison and discovering that someone he trusted and loved went after his money, Michael found himself at a crossroads. “I was on my way for revenge,” he says.

“Then a recovery center reached out, and my journey started. I jumped in, both feet, and never looked back.”

Life in recovery, Michael explains, requires constant vigilance. “It’s been rough, but now I meet life head-on instead of on my terms. There’s a lot of temptation, but I’ve built a foundation of like-

That

connection

emphasizes the

importance of community and support in maintaining sobriety. He stays active in recovery meetings weekly and participates in fellowship activities like bowling, frisbee golf, and Top Golf. “We support each other through the tough days,” he says. “Being connected keeps us accountable.”

His journey has also involved guiding others. “I’ve shared my story, saved a few people from relapsing, and helped someone reconnect with treatment after they’d fallen away,” he says.

“It’s about showing a better way through action, not preaching.”

Michael reflects on why many people struggle with addiction. “A lot of it comes from not valuing yourself, peer pressure, or trying to cover

sadness with substance use. But if you approach recovery with an open heart, mind and soul, the promises come true. You just have to believe in yourself.”

Even with ongoing medical challenges, Michael remains steadfast. “I choose to be better today than I was yesterday. I love myself, and I’ve built a strong foundation. It’s about progress, not perfection.”

For those facing similar struggles, his advice is clear: “Trust your higher power, surround yourself with like-minded people, stay active in recovery, and believe that there is a better life. It’s out there, and you can get there too.”

Michael’s story is a testament to resilience, community, and the power of recovery. Through his own journey and his work with Anything Helps, he embodies the hope and strength that make long-term recovery possible.

For more information, visit www.anythinghelpsmn.org.

Cooler breezes…golden sunsets…crimson-colored trees… “achoo!” Seasonal changes bring welcome transitions, but as temperatures drop, colds and the flu often follow.

Contrary to popular belief, it’s not the weather itself that causes more illness. Instead, it’s how we behave. In autumn and winter, people spend more time indoors, often in close contact with others, making it easier for germs to spread.

Who’s most at risk?

Anyone can catch a cold or the flu. Children are especially prone, averaging six to 10 colds

Common viruses

Several viruses circulate during colder months, but the most frequent culprit is the rhinovirus, or common cold. It spreads through airborne droplets when a sick person coughs or sneezes, or by touching surfaces that someone infected has recently touched, such as doorknobs or kitchen counters.

per year, compared with two to four for adults. Infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals are more likely to experience severe symptoms.

Cold vs. flu

Colds are typically mild and short-lived, while influenza can be severe and lead to complications like pneumonia. Symptoms for both usually appear

one to four days after infection and can last days to weeks.

Prevention tips

Avoiding infection is the fastest way to get better. Rhinoviruses can survive up to three hours outside the nasal lining, so vigilance matters.

1. Keep warm. Dress in layers, and cover your neck and head. Heat can help neutralize germs.

2. Wash hands frequently. Soap and water reduce the chance of transferring germs.

3. Catch it early. Initial symptoms: Scratchy throat, fatigue, or mild aches can signal the start of a cold. Early selfcare helps shorten the illness.

When to see a doctor

Seek medical attention if you experience high fever, sinus pain, swollen glands, mucus-producing cough, worsening symptoms, or if your illness doesn’t improve after a few days. Seasonal viruses can sometimes lead to secondary infections like pneumonia or ear infections.

Treatment tips

Antibiotics do not work for viral infections like colds or flu. Over-the-counter remedies can help ease symptoms. Never give aspirin to children with viral illnesses due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome.

Dr. Q’s personal strategy

1. Adjust diet. Avoid refined sugar, alcohol and dairy. Increase water, teas, soups and broths.

2. Boost nutrients. Vitamins C, D, A and zinc help the

immune system. Foods high in these include:

Vitamin C: bell peppers, cauliflower, cabbage, blueberries, grapefruit

Vitamin D: salmon, egg yolks, mushrooms, cod liver oil

Vitamin A: kale, collard greens, pumpkin, carrots

Zinc: almonds, cashews, sardines, chicken, whole grains

3. Stay home. Limit unnecessary contact and conserve energy.

4. Prioritize rest. Sleep allows the immune system to

focus on fighting the infection. Catching a cold or flu is never fun, but bundling up, hydrating and resting can minimize the disruption. And if you do get sick, consider it an excuse to cozy up with a warm drink and finally enjoy that book or movie you’ve been putting off.

Learn more about Dr. Ayanna Quamina and her practice at www.drayannaq.com. Email her directly at info@drayannaq.com.

on its behalf, responsible for violations.

Joshua McDaniel, director of Harvard Law School’s Religious Freedom Clinic, which filed a brief supporting Landor, said the officialcapacity claims will likely be dismissed because previous Supreme Court precedent shields states and state officials in their official capacity from damages. But, he said, the allegations remain serious.

“No one can deny that this is a really egregious violation of the law and also an instance of prison guards thumbing their nose at a binding court precedent,” McDaniel said.

Because Landor is no longer incarcerated, he cannot seek injunctive relief. “The only re-

maining remedy he could possibly get would be the individual-capacity damages remedy,” McDaniel said. Without it, he added, most incarcerated people whose religious rights are violated would be left without any recourse.

Steven McFarland, director of the Christian Legal Society’s Center for Law and Religious Freedom, agreed. “If the warden and officers here are not individually liable for their grotesque violations of Mr. Landor’s rights, then the federal law at issue is functionally toothless,” he said. “If the state’s argument wins, then there is no remedy.”

Louisiana’s attorney, Benjamin Aguinaga, argued that officers cannot be sued for damages because they do not personally receive federal funding and therefore did not have notice they could face liability. Tripp responded that

meaningful police accountability.”

prisons receive federal funds, must comply with RLUIPA to accept them, and operate only through their officials. Former correctional officers filing briefs in support of Landor agreed that they understood they could be sued individually when violating federal law.

Chief Justice John Roberts questioned whether prison guards are actually aware of federal funding conditions when they are hired. Tripp replied that officers receive training on federal legal requirements.

Observers noted mixed reactions from the Court. McDaniel said the conservative justices showed more skepticism, while the liberal justices appeared supportive. Meredith Holland Kessler of the Notre Dame Law School Religious Liberty Clinic said the questioning suggested that Justices Jackson, Sotomayor, and Kagan backed Landor’s position, while the conserva-

dation was holding a community event there.

tive justices seemed doubtful. Still, she said, it was significant that the Court chose to hear the case at all, given that lower courts had ruled against Landor.

Support from a diverse coalition, including Jewish, Christian, and Muslim organizations, also signals the potential importance of the ruling. Kessler said the number of parties backing Landor shows the stakes involved.

A ruling in favor of Landor, McFarland said, would mean incarcerated people retain meaningful protection of religious freedom as Congress intended. “If Mr. Landor loses, then wardens and state prison officers can violate federal law with impunity,” he said, arguing that the behavior described in Landor’s case undermines rehabilitation and public safety.

Daren Zhang, an attorney for former correctional officials, said the decision could

even turned the gun that he had in.”

correct an imbalance between federal and state prisons.

Federal prison officials can already be sued for religious freedom violations; state officials cannot if Louisiana prevails. “Those state prisoners will continue to suffer from religious violations that have no recourse,” Zhang said.

“If officials aren’t held liable, this federallawis functionally toothless.”

Kessler noted the Court could also issue a narrower ruling. If the Court finds Congress did not state clearly enough that RLUIPA authorizes damages, it may invite Congress to clarify the statute. A ruling that Congress lacks authority to authorize such dam-

ages would be more limiting but could push states toward stronger protections. Why do some prisons enforce hair-cutting policies at all? Correctional officials often cite security concerns, fear that inmates may hide contraband or change their appearance. But the Supreme Court already rejected overly broad grooming restrictions in Holt v. Hobbs, a 2015 case involving a Muslim prisoner seeking to grow a short beard. McDaniel said prisons often claim safety justifications but apply them rigidly, even when they conflict with established religious rights.

This piece first appeared in the Howard University News Service. It has been edited for style and length, and is being published with permission. For more information, visit HUNewsService.com.

is real.” Burns has since focused on honoring Clark’s life and legacy by starting a foundation in his name. It’s called Project Jamar Saving Me.

“He always wanted to help people,” Burns said. “So, Project Saving Me is a project designed to help the community, to try to reach our youth.”

On Saturday, Clark’s family will unveil a new memorial bench at the exact spot where Clark was shot. They hope the bench ”honors his life, his spirit, and his role in galvanizing a generation of community members fighting for transparency, justice, and

Burns said an existing bench for Clark in Plymouth had already led to a powerful encounter for one young man. Burns met him while the foun-

“He sat on that bench because he was getting ready to go do something really bad, and he say something stopped him,” Burns said. “He

Beyond the work she’s doing in the community, Burns is holding onto the memories of her son, including Clark bringing home a very heavy table for her. “He was determined to give me a table, which was a glass table,” Burns said. “But he didn’t have no way of getting it to my house. So, he carried it on his back.”

It was a 10-block journey in scorching heat. The table still stands in her living room today. “I dare anyone to come close to it, to touch it the wrong way. You’re gonna hear from me,” she said.

Burns said in these last 10 years, she’s seen the larger impact her son has had. “I feel like Jamar was a big piece of even starting that journey to

bring awareness,” she said.

“I know that it’s a big sacrifice, but I feel if these things come together in his name, I’m gonna continue to say I don’t think this would be in vain.”

This article first appeared in Minnesota Public Radio News. It retains original language, and is being posted with permission. For more information, visit www.mprnews.org.

THANK YOU to our community

n behalf of the entire Williams and Jackman family, we want to extend our deepest and most heartfelt thanks to everyone who came out to support us during the homegoing celebration of our beloved Wallace “Jack” Jackman, our father, uncle, and friend who made his transition on Oct. 27, 2025.

Your outpouring of love, presence, prayers, and kindness meant more than words can express. So many of you showed up far more than we could personally greet or thank on that day, and we want each and every one of you to know how much we truly appreciate you.

Whether you contributed gifts, a card, shared a message of encouragement, attended the service, or simply kept our family in your thoughts, your support strengthened us during a very difficult time. We are grateful for this community that surrounds us with love and compassion when we need it most.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for honoring Wallace “Jack” Jackman’s memory with us, and for lifting our family up with such grace and generosity.

With sincere appreciation, The Williams & Jackman Family

Arts&Culture

Local author celebrates the world through a child’s eyes

By Binta Kanteh Contributing Writer

In 2020, as Minneapolis grappled with the twin realities of pandemic isolation and civil unrest, South Minneapolis native Jocelyn McQuirter found herself observing a quiet but powerful story unfolding at home: the world through the eyes of her twoyear-old son, Kaiden.

While the city experienced uncertainty and tension, Kaiden remained fully immersed in play, mesmerized by bubbles, colors, and the small wonders of everyday life. McQuirter began documenting these moments with photos and phrases, capturing her toddler’s curiosity and joy. Those early notes would eventually grow into her debut children’s book, “Biggest Rainbows in the Sky.”

Illustrated by Suryaa Rajan and inspired by Kaiden’s likeness, the book follows a day in the life of a young boy as he discovers the magic in his surroundings, from the levity

Roger Louis Clarke

Sunrise January 4, 1943 — Sunset October 22, 2025

Roger Louis Clarke passed away peacefully at the VA Hospital, surrounded by loved ones, after a long illness. Born January 4, 1943, in Moline, Illinois, Roger lived a life of service, faith, and devotion to family. He is preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Pauline Clarke, and his siblings, Charlene Clarke, Paul Clarke, Craig Clarke, and Charles Clarke.

Roger is survived by his sisters, Velva Clarke Stewart and her husband Michael Rosenberg, Myrtle Clarke, and JoAnne Clarke; his brother and sister-in-law, Frank and Kathy Clarke; and a large host of nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and grandnephews, and great-great-grand-nieces and nephews.

Roger was a lifelong member of Emmanuel Tabernacle of Minneapolis and a proud member of the United States Armed Forces. He served as a Navy Corpsman on the USS Kitty Hawk during the Vietnam War and was awarded seven medals of honor for his service.

A Military Memorial Service will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery Wednesday, November 19, 2025 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM (brief service). Please meet outside the gate of Assembly Area 3 between 9:00 and 9:15 AM. A reception will follow at Elks Lodge #38 (North Minneapolis), 1604 Spike Moss Way, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, for friends and family to gather, share memories, and celebrate Roger’s life.

For additional memorial information, please call 507-338-2294.

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder November 20, 2025

Marjorie Eloise Johnson

Sunrise

Mand her sister, Audrey Guidon. Marjorie graduated from East St. Louis Lincoln High School and, in 1960, married the love of her life, Delbert, in San Francisco. Early in her career, she worked as a laboratory technician before dedicating herself to creating a warm and loving home for her family.

She is survived by her sons, Arthur Johnson and his wife Pashell, and Delbert Johnson; and her grandchildren, Zachary Winston Johnson, Jeremy Lee Johnson, Jacob Arthur Johnson, Luke Sessom Johnson, and Delbert Patrick Johnson Jr.

An avid golfer, Marjorie achieved a career-low round of 75 and recorded three hole-in-ones. Her flair for decorating and interior design was second to none. In addition to her many talents, she was deeply committed to philanthropy, raising thousands of dollars for Parkinson’s care and research.

A Celebration of Life for Marjorie Eloise Johnson was held on Sunday, November 17, at 2:00 p.m. at Brookview Golf Club, 316 Brookview Parkway, Golden Valley, MN 55426.

of bubbles to the simple joy of play. The motif of bubbles, inspired by Kaiden’s distancefriendly activity with his grandmother during the height of the pandemic, symbolizes hope and lightness in a time defined by fear and uncertainty.

“Amid so much loss, Iwantedthe world to remember how bright, bold, andbuiltforjoy kids can be.”

For McQuirter, the story is as much about her own childhood as it is about her son’s. “I loved going to the library and buying joke books,” McQuirter recalled. “I wanted to create a world that was less serious, one filled with play and energy. Writing has always been the place where I cultivate joy.”

Becoming a mother, she said, reawakened that sense of wonder. “From the moment my son entered the world, there was this elation I felt called to write about. Watching him grow brought me back to what childhood is supposed to be.”

Raised in an entrepreneurial family, McQuirter drew on that spirit while navigating the world of self-publishing. She researched industry norms, learned about pacing and word count, and sought mentorship wherever she could, ensuring the book met the

standards of children’s literature while remaining authentic to her vision.

“Biggest Rainbows in the Sky” launched locally on October 25 at Bichota Coffee in Minneapolis, drawing a surprising and enthusiastic crowd. Since then, McQuirter has spotted her book in barbershops, beauty salons, and hospital family rooms, spaces

and built for joy our children can be.”

Gratitude and ancestry are central to McQuirter’s journey. She honors forebears she never met in Africa, those who survived enslavement, fought for civil rights, and preserved cultural memory. She also celebrates family storytellers, including her uncle Myron and cousin Jasmine, whose own

where Black families gather, heal, and pass on stories.

While the story emerges from McQuirter’s South Minneapolis experience, its themes of joy, play, and resilience resonate universally. The book also carries a deeper purpose.

“The book grew from witnessing the devaluing of Black life during the pandemic and unrest,” she said. “I kept asking myself, ‘What is your proximity to the Black child?’

Amid so much loss, I was observing my toddler’s joy in real time. I wanted the world to remember how bright, bold,

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Augsburg University

Bethany Lutheran College

Bethel University

Carleton College

College of Saint Benedict

The College of St. Scholastica Concordia College, Moorhead Concordia University, St. Paul Gustavus Adolphus College

work in documentation and narrative inspired her path.

Through “Biggest Rainbows in the Sky,” McQuirter offers readers a lens into Black childhood filled with wonder, resilience and imagination. It is a book for families, communities, and anyone seeking to remember the power of play and joy, even in challenging times.

To learn more or purchase a copy, visit www.bolderjoce. com/shop.

Binta Kanteh welcomes reader responses at bkanteh13@gmail.com.

Hamline University

Macalester College

Minneapolis College of Art and Design

Saint John’s University

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota

St. Catherine University

St. Olaf College

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Education

Where history meets the future Black Minnesota as a source of inspiration worldwide

Most 50-year-olds do not move to a new state with their nearly adult children. The vast majority of Minnesotans over 50 would never consider it. Both facts require some explanation about my presence in the Twin Cities.

As the DeWitt Wallace Professor of History at Macalester College, I carry forward the legacy of Elder Mahmoud El-Kati and the dedication of his distinguished colleagues, Professors James Stewart and Peter Rachleff. Few scholars achieve recognition in the Black community while alive, but this column marks a rare moment.

We stand together now, 10 years after the surge of the Black Lives Matter movement and in the shadow of Barack Obama’s presidency. Against

LET THEM RISE:

A Blueprint for Educating Black Boys

the white nationalism of Donald Trump and the MAGA movement, artists and scholars like Nikole Hannah-Jones and Ibram Kendi have challenged us to redefine justice in the 21st century.

Locally, Duchess Harris and Yohuru Williams carry that banner forward. Community initiatives such as the Rise and Remember Project in South Minneapolis (led by Jeannelle Austin), the ReConnect Rondo project (led by Keith Baker), and renewed energy at the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center (led by Benny Roberts) demonstrate a rising cohort of leaders shaping the Twin Cities.

What can I contribute to this conversation? My work focuses on preserving the archives and historic sites that safeguard rare histories, particularly in the face of violent repression. My first two books chronicled rural, independent Black communities and examined how government and private policies undermined the infrastructure of the Civil Rights and Black Power Movements after 1965.

This work informed a syllabus on the history of racial violence in the United States, a history almost entirely erased from public memory. After 2017, following the white nationalist rally in Charlottesville,

Virginia, this syllabus gained renewed attention.

Beyond the classroom, my work has influenced popular culture. “The Wakanda Syllabus,” published by the African American Intellectual History Society in 2016, became a foundational resource inspiring Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” films and television projects. The syllabus has been revised nearly a dozen times and now

supports courses on the history of Black architecture.

This year, academic and cultural breakthroughs continue. New York City schools adopted the study of hip hop as part of their social studies curriculum, guided by “The Graphic History of Hip Hop,” a celebration of 50 years of Black music in a format that energizes middle and high school students.

Local priorities include restoring the Rondo community and preserving records related to George Floyd Square.

The book draws on the scholarly work “Illmatic Consequences” (UWP Books), which provides an analysis of critical race theory, exposes misrepresentations by white nationalist pundits, and links hip hop to public policy through Afrofuturist design principles. “Illmatic Consequences” earned the top scholarly research prize from the National Council for Black Studies, honoring the legacies of Anna Julia Cooper and C.L.R. James.

Even global events resonate with these ideas. The election of Pope Leo XIV by the Vatican College of Cardinals reflects the influence of social justiceoriented education.

The Pope, trained at Villanova University, benefited

from a 30-year institutional commitment to cultural diversity and youth leadership, emphasizing Afrofuturist design principles that align with global efforts toward equity and human dignity. Minnesota is uniquely positioned to follow this example, fostering social justice statewide through the traditions of local civil and human rights leadership.

Locally, priorities include restoring the Rondo community and preserving records related to George Floyd Square. Macalester College can extend the work of Elder Mahmoud El-Kati and Kofi Annan for another generation, yet much of the responsibility falls on college leaders.

Many students and faculty are already shaping ethnic studies curricula in Minnesota, but it is time for newcomers like me to contribute to the next generation of activism and public policy. In many ways, Black Minnesota is a Wakanda inspiring people around the world. Here, in this space, we move the conversation forward together.

Walter D. Greason, Ph.D., is a Twin Cities metro historian and Dewitt Wallace Professor of History at Macalester College. For more information, visit www. walterdgreason.com.

Disabling the “School-to-Prison Pipeline”

systemic process where marginalized students are pushed out of mainstream education and into the criminal justice system due to exclusionary discipline policies, lack of emotional support, and exposure to violence.”

For many Black boys, this is not theoretical. It is a daily reality. The school-to-prison pipeline describes a system that punishes instead of nurtures, isolates instead of supports, and ultimately pushes students, especially Black boys, from classrooms into courtrooms.

view themselves.

People often talk about “dismantling” the school-toprison pipeline. I use a different word: disable. Disabling acknowledges an uncomfortable truth that the current system is functioning the way it was designed to. Real change requires more than policy shifts; it requires a collective effort by educators, parents and community members working together from the inside out.

By Richard D. Terrell

Before diving into this column, I want to be clear: This is not a critique of any one school, district or institution. It is a reflection rooted in research, observation, and personal experience on the current state of education for Black boys in America.

The phrase “school-to-prison pipeline” has been used for years by the U.S. Department of Education, the Department of Justice, and education advocates to describe the disproportionate discipline Black boys face in schools. If you’ve never heard the term, here’s what it means.

The American Bar Association defines the schoolto-prison pipeline as “a series of practices and policies that funnel children and adolescents from public schools into our juvenile and criminal systems.” The ACLU describes it as the policies and practices that “push our nation’s schoolchildren, especially our most at-risk children, out of classrooms and into the juvenile and criminal justice systems,” reflecting a prioritization of incarceration over education.

The nonprofit Why Me? Transforming Lives Through Restorative Justice calls it “the

In Minnesota and across the nation, data continue to show that Black students are more likely to be suspended, expelled, or referred to law enforcement for the same behavior that might result in a warning or conversation for white students.

Behind those statistics are real boys, students full of potential who are pushed out before they have a chance to rise.

This work cannot wait for the next school year or the next round of legislation. It must begin now. Disabling the pipeline means shifting from punishment to partnership, from exclusion to restoration.

Here is what that can look like in schools:

• Prioritizing relationships over reactions. Many suspensions can be avoided through conversations rooted in care.

Example: Instead of writing up a student who leaves class frustrated, check in later

Black students are more likely to be suspended, expelled, or referred to law enforcement for the same behavior that might result in a warning or conversation for white students.

How did we get here?

Zero-tolerance policies, implicit bias, and a lack of culturally responsive practices have created environments where normal childhood behavior is criminalized when exhibited by Black boys. A Black boy showing frustration may be labeled “aggressive.” A student struggling academically may be labeled “defiant” or “lazy.” Over time, these labels shape how educators interact with students and how students

and ask what happened.

• Training and supporting educators. Culturally responsive training helps teachers understand the “why” behind behavior.

Example: Offer coaching sessions where staff walk through real behavior scenarios and practice responses.

• Implementing restorative practices. Restorative circles and mediation can turn conflict into opportunities for growth.

Example: When two students argue about a basketball game, take them to the gym for a brief one-on-one instead of issuing a referral.

• Centering mental health. Many behaviors are rooted in trauma, not defiance.

Example: Bring counselors and school therapists into the discipline process, not just administrators.

• Engaging families as partners. Strong home-school relationships lead to better attendance, fewer removals and stronger connections.

Example: Make positive phone calls part of your weekly routine.

Families and community members have a role:

• Build relationships with teachers.

Example: At the start of the

school year, share your child’s strengths and needs.

• Advocate for restorative discipline.

Example: If your child is facing a suspension, request a restorative meeting instead.

• Teach self-advocacy.

Example: Role-play scenarios that help your child express needs clearly.

• Monitor grades and attendance.

Example: Check the school’s system regularly and reach out early if something seems off.

• Stay involved in conferences, parent meetings and school board conversations.

Example: Ask questions and take initiative during conferences.

As a Black male educator, I have seen both the harshness of the current system and the

power of grace. I have seen what happens when a teacher chooses patience over punishment, when a principal chooses mentorship over removal and when a community chooses understanding over judgment.

I have witnessed restorative conversations that bring parents and educators together, de-escalation led by a calm security officer, and apologies from teachers that repair trust with students. These choices matter. They change lives.

Consider this:

• What would schools look like if suspension wasn’t the first option but the last?

• What could be possible if every school was known for restoring students rather than removing them?

• How much further could Black boys go if we invested in their gifts as urgently as we respond to their mistakes?

• What would it mean if every parent met with teachers before the school year began?

• And how can each of us — educators, parents, and community members — help disable the pipeline and build pathways to possibility instead?

Let’s rise together.

Richard D. Terrell is a native of Minneapolis, MN. He is the father of three; Zyree, Raymond and Vivian. Richard has a passion for community, education, and youth development. For the last 20 years, he has served at various schools working with and supporting students, families, and teachers. He currently serves as an Assistant Principal with Saint Paul Public Schools. For more information on Richard D. Terrell or to purchase his book “Letters to my Young Brothers: There is Hope!” visit his website at https://mrrichardterrell.com.

Opinion

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By DAV National Commander Coleman Nee

According to U.S. government data and recent policy studies, nearly 25% of America’s veterans live either below the federal poverty level or paycheck to paycheck, with little margin for unexpected expenses.

To get by, many adopt emergency-level budgets. But even the harshest austerity measures may not be enough. Life at the bottom still costs money. Mortgages and rent must be paid. Vehicles are needed to reach work or medical appointments.

So, what can be cut? Too often it’s food, eating less or sacrificing nutrition. Tragically, many veterans and their families face this choice every day.

themselves. These aren’t abstractions, they’re neighbors, family and friends.

VA disability benefits are often treated as unearned income for the purposes of means testing in some federal programs. But these benefits were never meant to be treated as a paycheck. They were designed to offset the extra costs of living with a disability.

In programs where they are counted toward income limits, this classification can unfairly block many veterans from receiving assistance through programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.

when individuals who served this country bravely and honorably, so that others could pursue the American dream, now face malnutrition and hunger.

On Veterans Day, crowds gather to give speeches and host parades honoring those who wore the uniform with fierce pride. But veterans can’t eat their pride. On Thanksgiving, we sit down to abundant meals of turkey, vegetables, and homemade desserts, raising a toast to those who secured our freedoms. But veterans can’t eat our thanks.

Rather than simply thanking veterans for their service, we can show our gratitude through meaningful action.

Dr. Andre M. Perry

Somewhere between the wrenching ICE raids that tear families from the places they call home and the political battles those raids spark lies a question we have never fully confronted: What does it mean to belong? And what do we owe people who live, work, worship and contribute alongside us yet lack a single document that would recognize them as citizens?

Undocumented immigrants occupy a strange and familiar space in American life: They are members without membership, participants without protection.

Like Black Americans who built the nation while being denied its promises, or women who sustained our democracy while being barred from the ballot box, many undocumented people meet nearly every expectation of citizenship. They pay taxes, raise families, attend our schools, and strengthen our communities, yet remain vulnerable in ways even our most marginalized citizens do not.

Repeating history

The current debate over immigration is not new, but its urgency is unmistakable. America has always wrestled with who gets to belong, who

deserves rights, and who must wait outside the circle of membership. Citizenship has long shaped our social order, distributing benefits and protections unevenly. As sociologist T.H. Marshall observed, citizenship has often been used to “legitimize” inequality. The very institution meant to guarantee fairness instead becomes a tool to justify exclusion.

Misplaced blame

Much of today’s tension stems from fear that undocumented immigrants drain public resources. But this narrative collapses under scrutiny. Many undocumented workers pay billions annually in payroll taxes through falsified Social Security numbers they can never use. They subsidize a system that excludes them, contributing to benefits they

The latest data from The Department of Agriculture shows that 7.5% of veterans, about 1.5 million, are hungry or food insecure. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reports that those ages 65–74 are now most at risk, a shift from only a few years ago when 55- to 64-year-olds faced the highest rates.

The picture grows bleaker within subgroups. Nearly one in five women veterans, many raising children, report food insecurity. More than a third of disabled workingage veterans struggle to feed

SNAP can provide essential short-term relief, adding protein, vegetables, and fruit to meals.

Yet because disability benefits often push veterans over the income threshold too many are excluded. According to RAND, only 4.9% of food-insecure veterans in the U.S. received SNAP assistance in 2023.

It is a failure of our system

Immediate steps taken today can make a difference, from supporting or volunteering with trusted organizations to helping at local veteran food pantries and nutrition centers. Veterans stood up for us; now it’s our turn to stand up for them. Through awareness, advocacy, and community support, we can work toward a future where all veterans live safe, healthy lives free from hunger. Now that’s something to give thanks for.

Coleman Nee is a serviceconnected disabled Marine veteran currently serving as National Commander of DAV (Disabled American Veterans). For more information, visit www.help.dav.org.

And yet, global movements after World War II expanded our understanding of human rights, pushing nations to provide basic protections to all residents. Philosopher Michael Walzer argues that members of a community are those committed to sharing its social goods. Belonging, then, is not just a legal category; it’s a lived relationship of mutual obligation. By that standard, millions of undocumented immigrants are already members. They are de facto Americans and deserve the de jure recognition that comes with citizenship.

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will never receive.

Meanwhile, they are scapegoated for economic challenges they did not create, from rising housing costs to broken health care and tax systems crafted by policymakers, not foreign-born workers. The blame placed on immigrants reflects anxieties about belonging, not economic reality.

Redefining belonging

Our political discourse reduces belonging to a binary: legal or illegal. But the real questions are deeper. Are undocumented residents already living as members? Should their demonstrated commitment earn a pathway to citizenship? And what does it say about the integrity of citizenship itself when we deny recognition to people who meet its responsibilities every day?

To withhold citizenship from people who have woven themselves into the fabric of American life is not only unjust, it is incoherent. It denies the reality of the communities we have already built together.

Citizenship should affirm contributions, not erase them. If we continue to ignore the membership that exists in practice, we erode the very principles that hold a democracy together: reciprocity, recognition, and shared commitment.

Immigrants are vital community members. It’s time our laws reflected that truth.

This commentary first appeared in Word in Black. It has been revised for style and length. For more information, visit www.wordinblack.com.

When we vote, the ground itself shifts. The air feels different the next morning, as if the earth finally released a breath it has been holding since Reconstruction. I’ve seen it happen. Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, was one of those moments when history stopped pretending to be distant.

Mississippi turned its head toward justice again. Georgia rose up, stubborn and radiant. And across Virginia, young, determined candidates stepped forward, refusing to wait their turn.

That is the power of the Black vote, not a number or a footnote in some D.C. spreadsheet, but a pulse, a force, a rhythm older than the Republic. It is the sound of ancestors humming through ballots, the echo of those who could not vote but prayed we’d one day shape our destinies with ink instead of blood. This year, that prayer became practice.

Victories born of faith and fire

Downstate Mississippi, long dismissed by pundits, delivered surprise after surprise. Theresa Gillespie Isom shattered barriers in DeSoto County, becoming the first Black woman ever elected to the State Senate there, flipping a seat that had been red longer than she has been alive.

In Hattiesburg, former mayor Johnny DuPree rose again, winning a Senate seat and helping break the Republican supermajority that tried to choke progress at its roots.

Georgia added its own chapters. Alicia Johnson made history as the first Black woman elected statewide, capturing a Public Ser-

vice Commission seat on a platform of energy justice.

In Conyers and Swainsboro, Connie Alsobrook and Lily Ann Brown became their cities’ first Black mayors. Their campaigns weren’t built by consultants but in church basements, barbershops, and beauty salons. They wrote their own permission slips, signed with faith and filled with fire.

These victories were not accidents. They were seeds planted years ago, watered by resilience, and shielded by belief.

Black voters the architects

Lessons from a renewed strategy

Kamala Harris’s 2024 campaign didn’t just inspire, it organized. Working with groups like #WinWithBlackWomen and the Divine Nine, her run helped register hundreds of thousands of new voters, many of them firsttimers. She reminded the country that leadership can look like us, speak like us, and dream like us. She reignited the idea that our vote is not just an act of survival, but of creation.

Now the Democratic Party seems to remember what it once forgot. New DNC Chair Ken Martin echoed it plainly: “We’re running all 50 states.”

His approach revives the Ron Brown and Paul Tully strategy, early investment, real resources, and respect for local organizers. Finally, someone understands that showing up matters.

Because the truth is, we’ve always shown up, even when no one thanked us, even when we were blamed for losses we didn’t cause. That must end. Black voters are not merely the backbone of democracy, we are the architects of its victories. The strategists who know how to win in places others never visit. The hands that make miracles look methodical. Equity must follow our labor. Black consultants deserve a seat at the table, Black contractors deserve fair pay, and Black-led organizing groups deserve early, consistent investment. Democracy cannot keep borrowing our genius while refusing to fund it.

Moving closer to justice

When we vote, we shift this nation’s moral compass. We remind America that progress has a rhythm, a cost, and a beauty born from sacrifice. We vote because ancestors demanded it, because children deserve it, because we still believe in bending the arc toward grace.

Every ballot cast by a Black hand is a sermon in motion, a love letter to possibility. When we vote, we don’t just make history, we make a way. And this time, the nation finally noticed.

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and treated as non-humans, or suggesting their athletic skills are something magical and not based on hard work.

“Playing the Game” investigates the intersection of race and ethics in cultural misinterpretations of Black athleticism in the United States, says a press release. Green’s book is a little over 200 pages, and each of the five chapters breaks it down in non-academic fashion.

He cites three Black former or current athletes — Marshawn Lynch, Steph Curry, and Deion Sanders — as case examples. “It took me nine months” to write the book, said Green.

“This is a book that I wrote from scratch, and I needed to do that because I otherwise wasn’t inspired to really tell the story. I needed to do it my way. This book is not my dissertation.”

Playing the Game supports our consistent argument that

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the two schools keeps “The Hammer” in their trophy case until they play again.

The Auggies earned the spoils that night.

But our diversity scoreboard says both Black coaches succeeded. “It just tells you how far we’ve come,” said Taylor afterwards.

“Obviously in the ‘50s and ‘60s there weren’t a lot of African American coaches, and now we’ve got these opportunities.”

“This is a fellowship,” Ware stressed. “We had a chance to scrimmage with them and build with them during the summer. We know each other … We talk all year.”

This reporter unabashedly rooted all season long

race and sports can’t be considered separately because they are too intertwined.

“I think America often fetishes Black athletes to the point where we expect Black players to play, but we still haven’t learned to appreciate the depth of what they’re doing in front of us,” stressed the author. It can be even worse for Black female athletes, he added.

“The same kind of dehumanizing caricatures that have been inscribed onto Black men’s bodies also have been inscribed onto Black women’s bodies.”

“The same kind of dehumanizing caricatures that have been inscribed onto Black men’s bodies [also] have been inscribed onto Black women’s bodies because they also live at the intersection of sex and gender,” reaffirmed Green. “I would say there still needs to be an-

for both Ware and Taylor, including attending a couple of their games this fall. Augsburg finished its year 4-6, 4-5 in the MIAC; Hamline’s final record is 1-9, 0-9 in conference.

“We are trying to build something here,” stressed Ware.

“Obviously our kids didn’t perform the way we wanted to,” bemoaned Taylor. Cooper said, “For us to be able to play under the lights tonight against Hamline [was] a perfect end to a season.”

“Representation matters,” concluded Pickard, “and that’s what makes this such a significant moment.”

History of another sort, another sport

Alicia Wood, the secondyear St. Olaf head volleyball coach, last week was named the MIAC Volleyball Coach of the Year. Wood is the first

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other book written on Black female athletes alone.”

Asked about his book’s target audience, Green replied, “I think it’s for people who care, regardless of their race, who want to do good and do right by people, and particularly for those who want to do better by Black athletes.”

“I think [readers] will find this book refreshing, challenging, certainly, but ultimately I think they’ll find a silver lining in it,” concluded Green. “Hopefully that kind of provides another way for us to relate to each other more mindfully.”

Next: A post-event report on three panelists — Union Presbyterian Seminary’s Dr. Lakisha R. Lockhart-Rusch, Minnesota Vikings fullback CJ Ham, and Union student and staff member Tamice SpencerHelms — who are expected to offer their insights during the Nov. 19 book launch at United, starting at 7:00 pm.

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

woman of color to receive this award.

St. Olaf finished their first unbeaten MIAC regular season since 1996 and was top seed in this year’s playoffs. However, they lost to St. Benedict 3-2 in last Saturday’s league title match. At press time, the Oles were in contention for an at-large berth in the 64-team NCAA Division III tournament on Monday.

Finally …

League One Volleyball (LOVB) will have a team in Minnesota beginning in January 2027. Now in its second season, LOVB has teams in Atlanta, Houston, Austin, Madison, Wisc., Nebraska, and Salt Lake. Los Angeles will join Minnesota in the league in 2027.

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

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Norma Jean Williams. Hallman informed me that my interview would be with Jack.

“Who’s Jack?” I responded. Hallman just smiled.

The next day my question was answered. It’s safe to say that I didn’t know what to expect, and at the time I felt disrespected having to go through the interview process. After all, I had nine years of experience in the field of journalism.

The realization became apparent that it’s not just

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and my book is important,” Washington stressed. All she wants is for MSU to release its fact findings on Claerbaut’s book and publicly

about experience. It’s also about the personal aspect. It was about getting to know me as an individual.

I was very nervous going in for the interview because it was also known that my last nine years were spent writing for the city’s only other Black newspaper. It turned out that my nervousness was for naught.

Jackman immediately made me feel comfortable as his outgoing personality and tough persona came pouring out.

He talked about my writing and ways in which I could contribute to the history and legacy of MSR.

The entire interview was focused on me. I say this because my father, the late

state that it’s not accurate.

Kwame JC McDonald, had written for MSR and was such a popular figure in the community that he was always mentioned in situations like this.

His name wasn’t mentioned once. Jackman focused on me.

My first column, named “The Prep Scene,” was published in the September 5-11 issue 1996. I’ve been at MSR ever since.

I owe it all to Wallace Jackman. He allowed me to become part of something special.

Thank you, “Jack.”

Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader comments to mcdeezy05@gmail.com.

Next: Maya Washington and her advocacy related to NIL for legacy athletes

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

Maya Washington spoke at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism in September prior to the USC vs. State football game. She shared historical information about the 1965 and 1966 Spartans national champions squads, and her family’s recent battles with the school over her father and his teammates’ legacy.

‘Playing the Game’ calls out stereotyping of Black athletes

nited Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities in St. Paul will host a new book launch on Wednesday, Nov. 19, of Rev. Dr. Gary F. Green III’s first book, “Playing the Game: Embodied Brilliance beyond the Moral Limits of Race in Sport” (Fortress Press). Green is a pastoral theology and social transformation associate professor and director of the seminary’s Racial Intelligence Systems. Green also is a former Division I football player with hopes of playing pro football, but an injury derailed those plans and eventually steered him on an academic track. He is qualified to speak on the various subjects discussed in his book.

The

allace “Jack” Jackman is definitely someone who will be missed. Jackman, who recently passed away at the age of 81, had a profound impact on my journey as a photo journalist.

It was the summer of 1996 and I was looking for a place to write a sports column

Augsburg, Hamline bring two Black head coaches to the field

t’s not that often you get to witness history twice in person in less than a decade.

For only the second time in MIAC football history last Friday, two Black head coaches faced each other. In fact, KiJuan Ware and Chip Taylor ran it back again after first meeting in 2021 when the former was Macalester interim head coach, and the latter was then and is now the conference’s longest tenured Black HC.

The MSR attended both headto-head matchups.

The two longtime friends and coaching compatriots closed their respective 2025 season at Augsburg under the unseasonably warm Friday night lights. We were there four years ago, and once again we witnessed history.

still work to be done,” Pickard pointed out. Sadly, no other local media saw last Friday’s game as newsworthy, as nothing was said in terms of game previews, and certainly nothing but the score afterwards.

ordinator (2022-23), and naming him the school’s first Black head football coach.

Taylor was Hamline defensive coordinator (2013-15) before he was elevated to HC in 2016.

“I’ve had multiple experiences that illustrate what I’m talking about in the book,” said Green in a recent MSR phone interview. “But even beyond my experiences, I draw on other examples about how this stuff shows up in our culture routinely, and just how we’re not seeing it.”

and photograph Black high school student athletes. I had just left Insight News, where I had been since graduating with a journalism degree from Central State University in 1987.

MSR Hall of Fame sports columnist Charles Hallman, who brought his talents to the 91-year old Black-owned newspaper after leaving Insight News in 1990, set up an interview for me. At the time, Jackman was co-publishing MSR with his sister

The “stuff” Green refers to is how Black athletes are too often portrayed in media and society, sometimes seen

“That’s why it’s still a big deal to celebrate this,” said MIAC Associate Commissioner BJ Pickard to the MSR before the contest. “While it’s not the first time that two MIAC football teams led by Black head coaches have played against each other, it is the first time in four years that it’s happened.

“The fact that it’s still newsworthy shows that there’s

man who hired me “I’m just trying to tell a story about my father and his history and his teammates, and do that with the highest of integrity and ethics.”

Augsburg Athletic Director Amy Cooper told us during the game, “Two Black coaches playing each other in the MIAC I don’t think a lot of people would have thought they would see.”

Cooper herself made history this past spring when the school hired her as their first Black AD, and her first coaching hire was bringing back Ware, who was AU defensive backs coach and recruiting co-

“I think most of us want to live in a world,” said Pickard, “where the first things we talk about when we talk Chip or KiJuan is how great they are as leaders, how much they care about their athletes, and how much better the MIAC has become because they’ve been a part of it.”

The final score was Augsburg 43, Hamline 3. The regular season winner of the annual trophy game between

Michigan State’s ‘65,’66 Spartans subject of book/film controversy

By Charles Hallman Sports Columnist

ormer NFL and Michigan State football player and local corporate executive Gene Washington, his family, and other former student-athletes have been battling with Michigan State University officials over a published book and a film project based on it that is full of falsehoods and plagiarism.

Mr. Washington and his daughter drafted a Notice of Publication Status and Integrity Concerns “to provide immediate clarification for readers seeking to ‘learn about Michigan State University (MSU) and its history, or the individuals whose names, images, and likenesses (NIL) appear on the cover or within the text,” says a released statement from Early, Sullivan, Wright, Gizer & McRae LLP Attorneys at Law. A cease-and-desist letter was also sent to all parties affiliated with the “Black Spartans” film project.

MSU Press did stop publishing Claerbaut’s book in August 2023, and the film has also stopped production. But her father has distanced himself from MSU as a result, and the entire ordeal has taken a toll on him, her, and her late mother before her death last year, said Maya Washington in an MSR phone interview last week.

MSU officials have avoided communication with her and her father for almost four years now, she pointed out. “What happened in these past four years really tested my personal impression of the university,” Maya admitted.

Washington and his daughter Maya have led the fight against an MSU Press publication, “Duffy Daugherty: A Man Ahead of His Time,” written by David Claerbaut in 2022, and a film titled “Black Spartans.” They immediately notified MSU that the book contained defamatory content and fabrications, and the “Black Spartans” screenplay was bad as well. They demanded a factcheck and plagiarism review of the book.

“It impacted my father’s relationship with the institution as well as my mother’s. She passed away in the summer of 2024 and continued to use her voice until she passed away.”

Gene Washington was

among 20 Black players on the 1966 MSU team coached by Duffy Daugherty. His daughter in 2018 produced an award-winning film, “Through the Banks of the Red Cedar,” about her father and the desegregation of college football at the time he attended Michigan State. That film later became a companion to her memoir, “Through the Banks of the Red Cedar: My Father and the Team that Changed the Game” (2022), and her film also was shown on PBS.

“I’m just trying to tell a story about my father and his history and his teammates, and do that with the highest of integrity and ethics,” explained Maya.

Then who is David Claerbaut?

“We’ve never met him, and he did not contact my father

or my family to participate in his book. And neither did his stepson filmmaker,” continued Maya. “I was contacted by actors who were auditioning for the role of Gene Washington in this film project in the spring of 2022, but we had no affiliation or no awareness of who David Claerbaut is.”

The MSR did a Google search and found that Claerbaut is now deceased, but his book still is available on Barnes & Noble website but listed as “temporarily out of stock online.” Maya Washington in September wrote on Goodreads.com, warning readers that the book “contains factional inaccuracies and plagiarism.”

It is believed that nearly 400 copies of Claerbaut’s book were sold.

“I believe my film is important