Insight News ::: 01.09.17

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Insight News January 9 - January 15, 2017

Vol. 44 No. 2• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Happy birthday Dr. King TURN TO PAGE 2

Page 2 • January 9 - January 15, 2017 • Insight News

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Remembering the real Dr. King Managing Editor

By Harry Colbert, Jr. A bullet killed the man, but it didn’t kill the message and it couldn’t kill the movement.

With each passing year, the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. grows stronger. But with each passing year the acts of the man seem to get diluted or lost altogether.

It has become commonplace for those who wish to diminish the works of today’s freedom fighters to do so by invoking King’s name, erroneously stating how King would not have approved. To the contrary, while King was non-violent – just as Black Lives Matter, Colin Kaepernick and other fighters of today are – he was very much pro-disruption.

The practice of diluting

King’s works is known as revisionist history.

The revisionists would have us believe all King did was give speeches and somehow, magically civil rights were won. They conveniently leave out the part where King orchestrated mass boycotts to gain just the most basic of rights for African-Americans.

The revisionists will tell the uninformed that King didn’t “resort to such tactics” of today’s activists such as blocking roadways (see Edmund Pettus Bridge).

They’ll say he obeyed the law … no matter how unjust.

Maybe that accounts for his multiple arrests and jail stays. They’ll have us believe King would have been mortified at Kaepernick’s decision not to stand for the “Star Spangled Banner” but forget that during the March on Washington in King’s “I Have a Dream” speech King offered his harshest words, not to the many racists of the land, but towards the government itself, saying “It would be fatal for the nation

to overlook the urgency of the moment.”

That’s in the text most revisionists hope would not be routinely quoted. It concludes his demand that the nation make good on its promissory note to Black people in the land. It is within that text that King said … and I quote, “In a sense we have come to our nation’s capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

“It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which

has come back marked ‘insufficient funds.’ But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. So we have come to cash this check — a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice. We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now.

This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quick sands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God’s children.”

Yes, a bullet killed the man, but there aren’t enough bullets in the world to kill the righteousness for which he

firmly stood. King died so that 37,685,848 (give or take a few) Black people could live.

Ceremonies honoring King Each year, the General Mills Foundation and UNCF present an annual MLK Holiday Breakfast at the Minneapolis Convention Center to celebrate the life and legacy of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Interfaith Action of Greater St. Paul hosts breakfasts at nine neighborhood locations, featuring a live broadcast of the General Mills event as well as a hot breakfast and local programming.

This year’s breakfast will be keynoted by Myrlie Evers-Williams, author and civil rights activist. EversWilliams was the wife of murdered civil rights leader, Medgar Evers.

The breakfast takes place next Monday (Jan. 16) at 7 a.m. For more information and for neighborhood viewing locations go to www.mlkbreakfast.com.

Also that day, the State of Minnesota Governor’s

Council will host a youth rally and march starting at 9 a.m. at the Capitol, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. That’s followed by an event at the Ordway Theater, 345 Washington St. in St. Paul. The event features Gov. Mark Dayton and Lt. Gov. Tina Smith as well as a performance by the Sounds of Blackness and is hosted by KSTP’s Brandi Powell.

About the cover In this issue of Insight News we celebrate the words, but more importantly, the actions of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. On our cover, to honor the tireless servant for justice we reached out to artist Kenneth Caldwell, who granted us permission to use his portrait of King. The original painting hangs at the Wilder Center, 451 Lexington Pkwy. N. in St. Paul. Prints of this work are available at the C. Caldwell Fine Arts Gallery and Studio, 125 W. Broadway, Minneapolis.

To contact Caldwell call (612) 386-5114.

Do not despair America: 2017 New Year’s resolution Commentary

By Irma McClaurin, PhD Culture and Education Editor

pixabay.com

A better community starts with one person making a difference

Great leaders leave a mark on the communities they serve.

They are one person that focuses on bringing people together to make positive change. The small difference accomplished today can grow and last for generations.

We’re proud to recognize the African American community. wellsfargo.com

© 2017 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. (3627601_19666)

Jan. 1 is the day for resolutions with which to begin this New Year.

While people will be focused on resolving to eat less; exercise more; stop smoking; stop drinking; end that disastrous relationship; and be kinder to parents, siblings, children and self, I am focused on sending psychic energy and vibrations of hope to America.

Six score and four years ago, I was born into a segregated America. I recall in 1965 being giving the option to attend a white high school as part of desegregation where there was one seat. I can’t imagine what my life would have been like had I made that choice … going to school every day in an environment brimming with rejection and hatred simply because of the color of my skin.

I made a different choice and attended the all-girls Lucy Flower Vocational High School on the west side of Chicago. There I had Black and white teachers who showed us great love, taught us life skills and professional skills such as typing and shorthand. I always had cash in addition to my scholarships because I could type. I thank the teachers who taught us Latin roots – a great help in the SATs. Mrs. Freedenberg, my English teacher who encouraged my writing; and on my becoming president of Shaw University, decades later wrote to me, “I always knew you would do great things.”

To this day, I remain in touch with her. I also built forever friendships with Yvonne and Dena – women from those high school years.

We forged ties stronger than any I developed in college or graduate school.

These girls grew up to be women I trust with my life.

And while our paths have transected the country, we have remained in touch – Yvonne and I since we became friends in 1965 and Dena more recently when we reconnected in the 1980s. We now have our own high school reunion.

Despite a racist administration at Flower, determined to control the bodies of us impoverished Black girls by monitoring the lengths of our skirts and imposing other humiliations that I am sure the white girls at Richardson did not have to endure, we thrived and learned.

Before abandoning Lucy Flower to Blacks, Richardson was built on the north side of Chicago. There they taught cosmetology and we Black girls could not attend. By the time I arrived at Flower, there were two white girls in a school of several hundred students.

We Black girls were never given the option of attending Richardson, and we dared not venture there on our own for fear of our safety in residentially segregated Chicago. Blacks had the south side and a small segment of the west side, though 5000 West at Cicero marked the beginning of very white space. You crossed that imaginary line at your own peril.

The Irish and “king” Mayor Richard Daley had the north side and Jewish people occupied Skokie, Ill., where my Dad worked at a synagogue for more than 30 years as a maintenance man who spoke a bit of Polish, learned to cook kosher, and sit Shiva. On Saturdays, the Jewish Sabbath, my late brother and I sometimes helped him out. I did not know Puerto Ricans existed in Chicago. Our paths never crossed. They occupied the space near the University of Illinois – Chicago, which eventually expanded them out of that area. And, Hyde Park, I learned years later, was considered the space for integrated couples.

Despite saying no to attending a majority white school and desegregating it, I have gone on since then to be a trailblazer of white spaces.

In college at Grinnell (Iowa), I was part of the cohort of 18 Black students that marked the largest group of Blacks admitted at that moment in 1969. In graduate school, most Black students at the University of Massachusetts were in the School of Education. Myself and two others, Bheki and Dennis, were anomalies in the Master of Fine Arts program in the English Department.

That creative writing program was taught solely by white men, and very much the norm. Occasionally, they

would bring one or two white women as visiting writers, but certainly in the mid-1970s absolutely no Black writers or other writers of color ever darkened the windows of this white writing space.

I have said all of this as a prelude to saying, America, do not despair. We have seen the power of white space and white supremacist thinking before, and overcome them.

America, do not despair; we are braver and more resilient today than in the past. And of one thing I am certain … the genie of Black genius will not go back into the night, the bottle, the closet or the box.

America, do not despair at the rising tide of elitism, incivility, racial and religious intolerance and good old fashioned racism and white supremacist thinking that has taken hold of our country at this political moment. We’ve endured worse and still we rose.

America, do not despair; we will right (and write) the wrongs currently being perpetrated in the name of conservative politics. We will endure the hyperbolic provocations. But we will not go quietly into the night.

America, do not despair; we will lift every voice and challenge injustice wherever it rears its ugly head.

America, do not despair, we will live true to the words engraved on the Statute of Liberty … “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore.”

America, do not despair, because when they call for Muslims to register, we will all appear – Jews, Gentiles, Baptists, Protestants, Catholics, Seven Day Adventists, Jehovah Witnesses, Atheists, believers and non-believers – and sign our names in solidarity.

America, do not despair, for when they build the wall or lengthen the fence, which makes us not so nice neighbors to Mexico, we will stand as united Americans ready to tear it down as we demanded be done with the Berlin Wall.

America, do not despair, because for my 2017 New Year’s Resolution, I resolve, and ask every person reading this to do the same, to be filled with hope and optimism and the certainty that we will, through the power of the people, forge a better, civil and more inclusive America for all of us in the present and in the future. Happy New Year.

(C) 2017 McClaurin Solutions Irma McClaurin was named an award-winning columnist by the Black Press of America and is an anthropologist, senior consultant and most recently founded the Black Feminist Archive at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. More of her story can be found at www.irmamcclaurin.com.

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Insight News • January 9 - January 15, 2017 • Page 3

aesthetically speaking

Aesthetically It!: Events, concerts, venues in the Twin Cities

MORE ON PAGE 10

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Insight News January 9 - January 15, 2017

Vol. 44 No. 2• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Historians rank President Obama’s legacy

Jeremiah Ellison

Freddie Allen/AMG/NNPA

Historians agree that the Affordable Care Act will stand as one of President Obama’s greatest achievements during his tenure in The White House.

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA News Wire Contributor Supporters and critics alike may eventually come to view President Barack Obama’s twoterm White House tenure the same way.

His determination for change never appeared to cause him to stumble on his goals, be it Obamacare or commuting the sentences of so many who were imprisoned for so long — primarily because of antiquated laws that punished mostly lowlevel drug offenders who were often people of color.

Even as Obama is set to leave office, he took unprecedented

steps to retaliate against alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Obama labeled Russia’s action as significant and malicious and sanctioned six Russian individuals and five Russian entities while ordering dozens of Russian diplomats to leave the country.

“These actions follow repeated private and public

warnings that we have issued to the Russian government, and are a necessary and appropriate response to efforts to harm U.S. interests in violation of established international norms of behavior,” said Obama in the statement released by the White House.

OBAMA 5

Jeremiah Ellison outlines vision

By Ingrid Ferlo Jeremiah Ellison ventured into politics to improve the lives of the people of Minneapolis’ 5th Ward.

His vision has been influenced from living in the community and communicating with the people on a daily basis. Ellison shared his philosophy, inspirations and campaign platform a couple of weeks ago on the weekly radio show “Conversations with Al

McFarlane.” The show airs live on Tuesday mornings at 9 a.m. on 90.3 FM and reaches audiences globally on www. kfai.org.

Ellison said his platform consist of three major points – safety/policing, wealth creation and environmental justice.

The candidate said police accountability is a top priority. He said tactics used to supposedly combat gang violence in the community have been wrongly used by police.

ELLISON 9

Raeisha Williams:

Commitments not platform

Raeisha Williams

Photo courtesy of Ronnie Notch

Students in St. Louis during a Notes for Life session at the Microsoft store in the St. Louis Galleria.

Notes for Life offers music production course at MOA Microsoft store

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor Mint Condition’s Ricky Kinchen directs the class Following the untimely death of Prince, stories began to

circulate that the multi-talented musician and philanthropist wanted to open an area music school.

While that dream wasn’t realized, the need for music education has been independently realized by others, including those at Microsoft.

Two years ago the software giant

Business

Dayton proposes massive jobs bill

PAGE 4

partnered with a hit-making St. Louis music producer, Ronnie Notch, to present the Notes for Life Arts and Technology program. The program, designed

by Notch, uses Microsoft retail stores to serve as classrooms, teaching music production, entrepreneurship and life lessons to students who gain

these valuable teachings free of charge. In the Twin Cities the eight-week course takes place at the Microsoft store in Mall of America. And while other Notes for Life programs throughout the nation have capable and

LIFE 8

By Ingrid Ferlo “I don’t believe in platforms.”

Those where the words of Minneapolis 5th Ward City Council candidate Raeisha Williams during a recent “Conversations with Al McFarlane” on KFAI (90.3 FM). “I believe they (platforms) are used to elevate the individual and speak all beautiful things.

I have commitments,” said Williams.

The candidate outlined the

Commentary

I2H

Mayo Clinic Diet named best commercial diet by U.S. News & World Report

PAGE 5

Say ‘meh’ to the Russian hacks

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five commitments that guide her campaign as economic development, community engagement, fair and affordable housing, youth and senior services and educational development.

Host Al McFarlane asked Williams about her views and plans on economic development for the community and she said economic development is one of her priorities because it is the foundation for community and neighborhood stabilization.

WILLIAMS 4

Community

Call for Black male mentors at Patrick Henry

PAGE 9

Page 4 • January 9 - January 15, 2017 • Insight News

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Business

Black-owned ComproTax is one of the best in the business NNPA Newswire Columnist Black onomics James Clingman Having written many articles on what takes place from January through April, each year, relative to our tax payments and refunds, I understand that we need reinforcement and repetition on certain issues.

Just as advertisers and marketers understand the power of continuous exposure to their messages, Black folks

INSIGHT NEWS www.insightnews.com

Insight News is published weekly, every Monday by McFarlane Media Interests.

Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane

need the same thing, especially when it comes to getting us to act on basic, sound, practical and collective economic and business principles. So please take a little time to read my latest repetitive missive on one of this nation’s finest Black-owned businesses, ComproTax. The tax preparation industry generates between $6 billion and $9 billion annually, which indicates that there are plenty of tax returns to go around – the IRS estimates that there will be more than 250 million filed by 2018 with revenues of $11 billion. Compared to our percentage of population (13 percent), Black-owned tax preparation businesses should have revenues of at least $1 billion. As far as I am concerned, ComproTax alone should be a billion-dollar business, considering it has some 220 affiliates throughout the nation.

One advantage that ComproTax brings to its customers is year-round services.

That’s because ComproTax is more than a tax preparation service. Most of the large chains only come into our neighborhoods for four months or so, until around April 15. ComproTax is always there, providing tax preparation training, insurance products, bookkeeping services, payroll services, business mentoring, and small business consulting.

Additionally, ComproTax Founder, Jackie Mayfield, and

his two co-founders, Yusuf Muhammad and Craig Johnson, believe in something many Black businesses only talk about – giving back. They return some of their profits to community activities and charitable causes,

and bookkeeping services with the personal attention that you deserve,” said Mayfield. “We have over 220 offices nationwide and we are steadily growing. In addition to our convenient office locations, we have hundreds

to brag about is the Compro Event Center, a full-service convention center built, owned and operated

by ComproTax and located in Beaumont, Texas. Managed by Fred Zeno, another ComproTax stalwart and long-time business

The tax preparation industry generates between $6 billion and $9 billion annually, which indicates that there are plenty of tax returns to go around.

and they provide sponsorships for many Black events across the country. In other words, they are “conscientiously conscious” business owners.

“When it comes to tax preparation, you have a lot of choices. So, why choose ComproTax? ComproTax provides complete and professional tax preparation

of mobile affiliates that will come directly to you. Our tax preparers are committed to ongoing training to ensure that you get the best service and the best tax refund available. In short, we offer a vast network of trained professionals that are ready to serve you in tax season and out of season.”

One thing I personally love

associate to Mayfield and the co-founders, the event center is a spacious and luxuriously appointment venue that can be used for weddings, various meetings and conventions, parties, and banquets. I am proud to say that the One Million Conscious and Conscientious Black Contributors and Voters held its quarterly training and

orientation gathering there this past weekend. It would be great of other Black groups would do likewise. It is one thing to talk about supporting Black venues, but it is much better to act upon those words.

ComproTax was founded in 1982 and has since created a platform for true economic empowerment via entrepreneurship, by modeling a high level of consciousness.

As Brother Mayfield said in a speech 16 years ago at a conference in Philadelphia, “Not only should we be conscious, our consciousness must be disturbed enough for us to do what must be done to achieve real economic power.”

To that I say Ase (Ashe) and amen.

We should support this and other Black-owned businesses that believe in reciprocity and providing top-quality goods and services to their customers. For more information on ComproTax and to find an office near you, go to www.comprotax.net or call (888) 884-2829. In any case, however, use a competent Black-owned tax firm this year.

James Clingman is a writer on economic empowerment for Black people. His latest book, “Black Dollars Matter! Teach Your Dollars How to Make More Sense,” is available on his website, www.Blackonomics. com.

Assistant to the Publisher Shumira Cunningham Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Managing Editor Harry Colbert, Jr.

Dayton proposes massive jobs bill

Associate Editor Afrodescendientes Carmen Robles Associate Editor Nigeria & West Africa Chief Folarin Ero-Phillips Associate Editor Culture and Education Dr. Irma McClaurin Associate Editor Leadership and Social Enterprise Dr. Anita Davis-DeFoe Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Content & Production Coordinator Sunny Thongthi Yang Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Contributing Writers Melvin Carter, Jr. Julie Desmond Fred Easter Gloria Freeman Timothy Houston Penny Jones-Richardson Michelle Mitchum Darren Moore Artika Tyner Toki Wright Photography David Bradley Rebecca Rabb Contact Us: Insight News, Inc. Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis., MN 55411 Ph.: (612) 588-1313 Fax: (612) 588-2031 Member: Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium (MMMC), Midwest Black Publishers Coalition, Inc. (MBPCI), National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Postmaster: Send address changes to McFarlane Media Interests, Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55411.

Governor Mark Dayton

Williams From 3 “Every sector, be it education, health, beautification and all others are dependent on economic activity,” said Williams. “We have a really low rate of Black-owned businesses in the Twin Cities.”

Williams believes the infrastructure for economic development has been put in place already and it is a matter of putting it in the right places.

One of the right places is small business creation, according to her. To further monitor the distribution of business development resources, Williams believes there is an

Gov. Mark Dayton and Lt. Governor Tina Smith introduced a jobs bill that they say would invest $1.5 billion in community infrastructure projects statewide, creating an estimated 22,950 Minnesota jobs and support local economies across the state.

“My proposals would put thousands of Minnesotans to work throughout our state, increasing economic opportunity and strengthening local economies,”said Dayton. “This bill will help deliver clean, reliable water to Minnesota communities, ensure our higher education institutions have the facilities they need to train our workforce, and build community projects across our state. I urge the Legislature to pass this jobs bill quickly, to support our local economies and create good jobs across the state.”

The proposed bill would help address many of the state’s critical infrastructure needs, including essential water infrastructure, farming operations, college and university facilities, and community buildings that are the drivers of economic opportunity across Minnesota, said Dayton.

“Our top priority is to expand opportunity through an economy that works for everyone, everywhere in Minnesota,” said Smith.“This bill will invest in classrooms for our students, affordable housing for more Minnesotans. These community construction projects will strengthen our local economies and improve opportunities for all Minnesotans.”

Within the bill are what the governor and lieutenant governor call “critical investments in Minnesota students.”

With a boom in population among the youngest, a proposed a $15 million investment in the jobs bill would be earmarked to help schools expand their facilities for kindergarten and pre-kindergarten learners.

The bill would also invest $135 million in basic infrastructure maintenance at the Minnesota State and University of Minnesota campuses statewide. The type of projects that would be funded includes roof repairs, heating and cooling system repair and replacement, and electrical equipment repairs.

To strengthen the University of Minnesota Medical School and Health Sciences, Dayton and Smith’s bill would invest $67 million in a health science education facility at the school.

The renovated facility would include additional classrooms, new simulation centers, small group rooms and an advanced technology-rich biomedical library to better prepare students for careers as doctors and other health professions.

The bill proposes a $70 million investment to help cities, counties or townships with local road projects that Dayton and Smith say will reduce traffic crashes, deaths, injuries and property damage. The funding also could be used to help pay the local share of improving state highways.

And with approximately one in 10 locally maintained bridges longer than ten feet structurally deficient or functionally obsolete in Minnesota, the jobs bill would invest $70 million in the Local Bridge Replacement Program to fund the rehabilitation or replacement of local bridges across the state.

essential need to install a North Minneapolis Development Center so people can access business development resources fairly. However, she believes that economic development on the Northside is a matter of political will.

“We have to put people in position who wants to see (business) be brought into North Minneapolis,” said Williams.

Williams spoke about gentrification and the marginalization from home ownership that the people from the poorest strata are facing.

She said one of her goals as councilperson would be to protect the people who are being pushed out from their homes and are being denied home ownership.

Speaking on violence and

lack of economic opportunities, Williams said substantial investments have been made to mitigate the violence and poverty in the community and yet there is still a high poverty rate, suggesting mismanagement.

“It’s important that we have leaders that are committed to the community and love the community” said Williams.

Williams said with the rich history of North Minneapolis the next city councilperson from the 5th needs to be a vanguard of that history and seek to write new, glorious chapters.

“There is so much rich history that I want to make sure that we hold on to, but apart from holding on to history, I want to expand,” said Williams.

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Insight News • January 9 - January 15, 2017 • Page 5

Insight 2 Health

Mayo Clinic Diet named best commercial diet by U.S. News & World Report

By Kelley Luckstein, Mayo Clinic News Network ROCHESTER — The Mayo Clinic Diet has been named No. 1 in the Best Commercial Diet category in U.S. News & World Report’s 2017 Best Diets rankings.

“We are honored to be recognized for a weight-loss method that offers lasting results,” said Dr. Donald Hensrud, medical editor of The Mayo Clinic Diet and director of the Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Program. “With twothirds of Americans overweight or obese, we know that managing a healthy weight can be challenging, but when people see results quickly, they feel empowered to continue on their journey to a healthier weight.”

With the arrival of the

Obama From 3 It’s the kind of action that some said will make them miss the progress of the past eight years and critics will come to realize that Obama’s place in history will be a lofty one.

“The biggest tragedy of the Obama presidency was the relentless and often irrational unwillingness of Republican lawmakers to work with him to achieve meaningful objectives,” said Mario Almonte, a public relations specialist who also blogs about politics and social issues. “Even so, many years from now, when the history of his presidency comes into better focus, our society will come to recognize the enormous impact Barack Obama had on American culture and possibly world culture as the first Black president of the United States.”

New Year, many people may vow to adopt a healthier lifestyle, including weight loss. Mayo Clinic experts say dieting in the traditional sense may not lead to lasting results.

“The Mayo Clinic Diet is much more than a diet,” said Hensrud. “It’s a lifestyle program in which people can eat great-tasting food and feel better right away ─ even while they lose weight. More importantly, these lifestyle changes are sustainable and can improve long-term health as people reach and maintain a healthy weight.”

The Mayo Clinic Diet is designed to help people manage weight long term. The two-phase plan offers practical and flexible approaches to shedding pounds and keeping them off. The Mayo Clinic Diet begins with a quick start plan. The first phase is designed to help dieters lose six to 10 pounds in the first two weeks by adding five habits, breaking five habits

And, as Kevin Drum, a writer for “Mother Jones” noted, Obama has moved forward on eight substantial executive actions over the past month – aside from the Russian sanctions – including enacting a permanent ban on offshore oil and gas drilling in areas of the Arctic and the Atlantic Seaboard, refusing to veto a UN resolution condemning Israel’s settlements in the West Bank, designating two new national monuments totaling more than 1.6 million acres – Bears Ears Buttes in southeastern Utah and Gold Butte in Nevada and he’s instructed the Department of Homeland Security to formally end the long-discussed National Security Exit-Entry Registration System database.

Obama has also instructed the Army Corps of Engineers to deny final permits for the Dakota Access Pipeline where it crosses the Missouri River near the Standing Rock Sioux reservation and he’s issued a final rule that bans the practice among

Mayo Clinic News Network

and adopting five bonus habits.

The second phase, is designed

to turn those new habits into a lifestyle. This phase is designed

to help dieters continue to lose one to two pounds each week

some red states of withholding federal family-planning funds from Planned Parenthood and other health clinics that provide abortions.

Also, the outgoing president completed rules to determine whether schools were succeeding or failing under the “Every Student Succeeds Act.” “He was most effective as a normal president, and he helped put the presidency back on a human scale,” said Stephen Walt, a professor of international affairs at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. “He was a devoted and involved father, a loving husband, a man with acknowledged – albeit – vices and someone who made it clear that he did not regard himself as omniscient.”

Walt continued, “As president, he showed that effective governing requires careful deliberation, discipline, and the willingness to make hard and imperfect decisions, and he let us all watch him do just that.”

Walt added that future historians will give President Obama “full marks” for never acting impulsively or cavalier.

Daniel Rodgers, the Henry Charles Lea Professor of History and historian of American ideas and culture who taught at Princeton University, wrote that what buoyed Obama’s aspirations was not a program, but a dream that in his person, the people might come together and shape politics to their will and common aspirations.

“That was what the ‘we’ in the brilliant ‘Yes We Can’ slogan in the 2008 campaign was essentially about,” said Rodgers.

“He has not called the nation to new feats of courage – ala (John F.) Kennedy – to make war on poverty, as (Lyndon) Johnson did (or) even to dream more freely than ever before, as stated by (Ronald) Reagan. What Obama’s words have called for is for Americans to be the people they already are,” said Rodgers.

Even as Donald Trump and other Republicans promise

to do all they can to repeal the Affordable Care Act, known as Obama’s signature piece of legislation, historians wrote in New York Magazine that it has been the president’s greatest accomplishment.

They noted that presidents from Harry Truman to Bill Clinton failed to accomplish a passable affordable health care law.

“Obamacare is easily the signal accomplishment of this president, assuming current efforts to unravel it will be defeated,” said Thomas Holt, the James Westfall Thompson Professor of American and African-American History at the University of Chicago.

“It’s an achievement that will put Obama in the ranks of (President Franklin Delano Roosevelt) with social security and Lyndon B. Johnson with Medicare because of its enduring impact on the average American’s well-being,” said Holt. “He won’t need bridges and airports named after him

until they reach their desired healthy weight and sustain it.

Plan designers say the diet isn’t restrictive or confusing.

There is no calorie counting, or excluded foods or groups of food.

The dietary plan is built around health-supporting vegetables and fruits, lean proteins, whole grains and healthy fats, such as nuts and olive oil. The diet focuses on generous amounts of vegetables and fruits and healthy choices in other food groups. Portions of highercalorie foods are limited but not excluded. Physical activity of at least 30 minutes most days also is emphasized to highlight overall health and weight.

“Managing weight does not have to be a negative experience,” said Hensrud.

“When approached in the right way, achieving a healthy weight, feeling better and having an enjoyable lifestyle can go hand in hand.”

since opponents already did him the favor of naming it ‘Obamacare.’”

One historic trend-break that occurred during Obama’s presidency that has major significance for the well-being of African-Americans has been the beginnings of a decline in the national prison population, after decades of expansion, said Gavin Wright, professor of American Economic History at Stanford University.

“The Obama Administration deserves a fair share of credit,” said Wright. “In 2010, Obama signed the Fair Sentencing Act, reducing prison time for convictions involving crack cocaine. Under Atty. Gen. Eric Holder, sentencing guidelines were made retroactive, leading to the release of thousands. To date, the reductions have been small compared to the total incarcerated population, but the reversal is historic, and its disproportionate significance for African-Americans is evident.”

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Page 6 • January 9 - January 15, 2017 • Insight News

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Commentary Why is President Obama getting no credit as he leaves office?

By Roger Caldwell (NNPA Newswire Columnist) In less than a month, Americans will be forced and some will be ready to drink President Trump’s Kool-Aid. There is a reverence for Trump, and 62 million Americans’ voted for his platform, even though they really have no idea what he stands for, and what he is going to implement.

Many of Trumps supporters believe that the country does not belong to them, because White people no longer are in control, locally, nationally and internationally. For the last eight years, a Black man has been in control, and made decisions that supported people of color. As a result of Obama’s genius and intelligence, White America’s only goal was to make him look bad, and stop his progress.

President Obama will leave the economy far stronger

than what he started with and inherited. Unemployment is 4.6%, a nine-year low, the stock market is breaking all kind of records, and an additional 20 million Americans are with health insurance coverage.

The country is no longer just dependent on oil, and has shifted the nation on cleaner energy sources; natural gas, wind and solar.

During the president’s tenure, he can boast about creating 15 million new jobs, and 74 months of consecutive job growth. More minorities have been appointed to management positions in the history of the federal government. The first Hispanic woman has been appointed to the Supreme Court, and the first Black man and Black women have been appointed to the position of Attorney General in America.

As the president gets ready to leave office, his approval rating remains the highest it has been since the spring of 2009.

But there has been a major backlash to his administration.

During the president’s eight years in office, the Democrats have lost over 1,000 political seats in state legislatures,

challenge Republicans on the federal level.

It is easy to place the blame on President Obama, but the entire Democrat leadership team must also share in the blame. For

As the president gets ready to leave office, his approval rating remains the highest it has been since the spring of 2009.

governor’s mansions and Congress. The defeats have destroyed a generation of young Democrats, leaving the party with limited power in statehouses and a thin bench to

the last six years, it appears that the Republican Party is quicker to the draw, and they appear to work harder.

When President Obama won the election in 2008, he

tried to reach across the aisle, and work with the Republicans.

But the Republican leadership was working from a different playbook, and their plan was to suppress and obstruct every policy the president tried to implement.

The mid-term election of 2010 is where the Republicans began to take control of the federal government, state legislatures, and governorships.

“The refusal by many Democrats to accept help from Obama in 2010, and 2014 midterms was also a strategic mistake. Some Democrats blame Obama for an executive agenda that highlighted social issues, such as transgender rights and access to birth control - over the economic anxiety still felt by many voters,” says Lisa Lerer, AP reporter.

Even though President Obama won the president campaign in 2012, the Democrats were still losing political seats, and in 2014 the Republicans

controlled both Houses on the federal level. President Obama’s administration did not develop a job strategy for the middle states in America, and the citizens felt they were no longer living in the country they grew up in.

The final reason that President Obama is not getting any credit as he leaves office is the problem of the color line.

America is changing, because there are more people of color with positions of responsibility, influence and power. Systemic racism still exists and it is difficult to give a Black man credit for a job well done.

President-Elect Trump and the Republicans can blame President Obama for not accomplishing anything and it is easy to criticize when you are on the sidelines. But, January 20, 2017 starts a new administration, and President-Elect Trump says he is ready to go.

Say ‘meh’ to the Russian hacks Satirical freelance columnist

By Carol Cao When there’s a ginormous elephant in the room glowering at you with the evil eye, what do you do?

Don’t talk to it.

Don’t talk about it.

The CIA reached their conclusion about the Russian hacks intervening in the tides of the 2016 Election. But the news outlet entertained us enough with Hillary Clinton’s email scandal.

So let’s follow the Presidentelect’s counsel … get over it.

It’s because you’re mad that you lost, sore loser. It’s your moral failing to accept the reality of Donald Trump as the President. Say you tell us, “Wait, it’s not about Clinton losing, it’s actually about the possibility of future breaches.”

Nope, ain’t happening.

Take the skepticism pill.

According to Trump and his crew, when a hacking suspicion (that has been invoked in America’s intellectual agency circles in June and then elevated to public attention a month before election) has been belatedly reported to the public, the crime never happened. End of story.

Our democratic system can’t

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An image of the Russian flag. act on every mite … unless said suspicions are against Muslims in their heavy garb going to the airport on a family trip.

Leaks won’t escalate into World War III. Look away, change the channel, pump up

the volume, and ignore the rising sea soaking our socks and climbing up from our ankles to our knees. If you’re so insecure about your emails, revert to the archaic era of a paper and pen (Our President-elect’s

recommendation) and a lifetime supplies of envelopes and stamps with the American flag.

Meh to democracy. Meh to the reports of trolls hired by Russia to circulate fake news.

Meh to the earthquake of the floor as the tusked elephant heads over about to stab you.

We

can afford to our heads away.

Whatever public revelation Trump promises on the Russian hacks, I hope he delivers it through the convenience of Twitter on … Tuesday or Wednesday. Or maybe he’ll distribute them through turn

the labor of handwritten letters for the entire nation.

Carol Cao is a satirical freelance columnist whose works have appeared in various publications, including Insight News.

insightnews.com

Insight News • January 9 - January 15, 2017 • Page 7

Education

Incarcerate, not educate is the new law in Missouri

By Brittini Gray St. Louis American Columnist

canstockphoto

A new law in Missouri now makes it possible for students of any age to be charged with a felony for fighting on school grounds.

A little more than a month ago, 23 school districts in Missouri came together to make a commitment to keeping children in the classroom.

Now, we face an imminent threat to that promise with a statue change (Statute 565.054.1) that went into effect Jan. 1. According to the Missouri statute, assault in the third degree can now be charged as a Class E felony rather than a misdemeanor.

Students of any age or grade caught fighting, particularly in the presence of a school resource officer, can now face jail time – up to four years, as permitted by state law for Class E felonies.

Not only does it conflict with the commitment to keep children in the classroom (reducing and ending out of school suspensions), but it also further criminalizes children rather than supporting and developing them.

What is the responsibility of the state to ensure that our children are protected, safe and fostered? Criminalizing them for school fights is not the answer. What does it profit the state to implement such a law? Legislators are

obviously disconnected from the communities they are supposed to serve.

As we approach the inauguration of the new president and a new administration, we must remain vigilant about pushing back against the harmful policies that are in the policy pipeline or sure to come.

Children continue to be one of the most vulnerable populations in our society.

Being unable to defend or speak for themselves without adults leaves them subject to injustices imposed on them.

The real issue at hand is not this new classification. In fact, it helps (a little) to reduce the severity of punishment that already exists in other legislation, especially the Safe Schools Act. This change in classification is creating a buzz about how absurd our country and, more specifically, this state is. The real issue at hand is suspensions along with criminal charges.

Schools cannot be an innocent bystander, sending out memos about changes in the law without being adamantly committed to the education and protection of the whole child. Every school district should make a commitment to policy changes that keep children in the classroom, as well as continue to advocate against poor legislation.

Page 8 • January 9 - January 15, 2017 • Insight News

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Lifestyle Happy birthday to me, 55 and alive Man Talk

By Timothy Houston This week I will celebrate my 55th birthday.

Although I don’t feel my age (hopefully I don’t look it either), I do want to take this time to pause and reflect. “Fifty-five saves lives,” was a quote from the 1970s when the speed limit was changed from 75 miles per hour to 55 miles per hour. The belief was that slowing down would save lives. I agree. Over the years, I have moved from

life in the fast-lane to a more manageable pace, and I believe that I have learned a few things along the way. Here are my top five at 55.

God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son.

There was a time that I would not have given a nickel for my life. It was during this time that I learned that God commented his love towards me while I was a sinner. Christ died for me. To know that God loved me when I did not love myself was life changing. Once I received his love, forgiveness and salvation, I was able to genuinely love others. Like me, the world needs love, and God is waiting to give it to them. His unconditional love can end wars, remove guns from our schools, and take violence off our streets.

God’s love is truly the greatest love of all.

What is the rush? It will be there when you get there.

These were words of wisdom shared to me years ago by a coworker. Slow down.

This hurry-up lifestyle that we live in will only add stress and frustration to our lives.

Everything is on the fly. We eat while we are driving, rush to work in rush-hour, rush home in rush-hour, only to rush somewhere else. No more rushing for me. If I am late, adding pressure and frustration to the trip will not get me there any quicker. So slow down and enjoy the journey, it will be there when you get there.

You don’t have to give an account of what people do to you.

But you do have to give an account to what you do to them. My mother received these words from her grandmother and passed them down to me. You are responsible for you, and you always have the power to choose your response. No person should have the right to control your actions. They may influence them, but they do not control them. I am in charge of me. I have learned to acknowledge that I am the master of my fate, and I am the captain of my soul.

I am altogether beautiful (Songs of Solomon 4:7).

In middle school, I was teased a lot about my nose. I learned very quickly that my nose was different, but it is what made me uniquely me. Once I begin to see it as an asset and not a liability, I saw myself

differently and people responded to me differently. It was not my nose that defined me, but the way I felt about it that did.

There is beauty in uniqueness.

From that day to this one, I have been comfortable in my own skin. I may not look like you or anyone else, but I am altogether beautiful.

We are all leaving here, so live life like there is no tomorrow.

Death will come to us all, but when it comes, it will find me living. There are three things you should do every day – make peace with God, laugh and or cry and give away all the love that you have. If possible, visit with your parents, spend time with your children, and do something that you enjoy every day. One day it will be your last, and when

that day comes, it should find you living life like there is no tomorrow.

There are so many other wonderful things I have learned in these 55 years of living.

Thank you all for reading my commentaries and being a part of the Insight News family. As we journey through this New Year together, know that I will always have your best interest in mind. Happy Birthday to me.

It is great to be 55 and alive.

Timothy Houston is an author, minister, and motivational speaker committed to guiding positive life changes in families and communities.

For questions, comments or more information, go to www. tlhouston.com.

The lost art of writing things down (StatePoint) – In this digital age, you may go days without using a pen and paper, but there are many reasons to skip the devices and stick to writing things down.

From staying organized to planning your week to tracking career growth, here are a few things to take note of when it comes to taking notes.

A study from Princeton University and UCLA suggests taking notes in longhand can help you retain more information, as taking notes makes you more likely to process the information and reframe it in your own words. Not only that, your notepad is likely to contain fewer distractions than your laptop, tablet or phone.

Taking notes during a meeting will make you look engaged and interested in what is happening, and a professional planner and/or notebook

are must-have workplace accessories.

Also, making comments in your notebook or planner helps you become the publisher of your story, capturing your life’s moments along the way. These are tools that help you look back on events in a tangible way.

Seeing everything written down will give you a sense of control. You will feel confident in knowing you have it all set, and keeping a record of your tasks in one location gives you an easy, organized way to get a grasp on your days. Using a planner to track your schedule can actually help you find missing time. You will have a better grasp on what is coming up and may even see a break that leaves you time to schedule dinner with a friend, try that new recipe you’ve been craving, or time to search for that special birthday present you

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need for the party this weekend.

Note taking increase productivity by maximizing the 24 hours that you have. Seeing everything on paper will help you plan and prioritize. Having “scheduled downtime” can help you to know when to go full steam ahead and when to take a break and unwind for a bit. Tracking in one place can also help prevent committing to things you can’t do. Wall calendars for the house are a great tracking tool for multiple schedules, helping day-to-day tasks run smoothly.

Whether you’re planning a wedding or a work conference, a planner is among the most important assets you can use to aid your efforts, helping you keep track of all the details, large and small. Find a favorite pen and a favorite planner, and get back to basics. It may have been a little while since you relied on paper, but you may find that writing things down helps you keep better track of all of life’s little details and makes you the publisher of your own story.

Life From 3

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qualified instructors, they don’t have a 2017 Grammy hopeful providing direction.

Ricky Kinchen, bass player, writer and singer with Mint Condition will conduct the sessions for the up to 16 students in the class. For Kinchen, he said he’s more honored to teach than the students will be to learn from him.

“Giving back and helping kids is what I’m about,” said Kinchen, who last month donated books to students at Elizabeth Hall Elementary School in North Minneapolis. “I do it because it’s in my heart; it’s who I am.”

Kinchen said he believes doing good comes with its own reward, but good happens to people who do good.

“I was at a school one day donating books and the next Monday I woke up to a Grammy nomination out of nowhere,” said Kinchen. His band, Mint Condition is up for the 2017 Grammy for Best R&B Album for their LP, “Healing Season.”

For Notch, a producer who has worked with several industry heavyweights including producing the last song UGK rapper Pimp C ever recorded, Notes for Life is his way of offering others the opportunities he was afforded.

“In many cases we have students who play traditional instruments but don’t have access to today’s technology and that’s why I started Notes for Life,” said Notch, who was teaching a music course at the University of Missouri-St. Louis when he came up with the curriculum for Notes for Life. “So really we’re offering college-level instruction to a younger audience.”

Notes for Life is available to students elementary through high school. Started with one class at the Microsoft store in the St. Louis Galleria, the program is now offered to more than 240,000 students nationwide, with the Twin Cities offering serving as one of its anchor programs.

“To have someone like Ricky Kinchen involved is giving those students an invaluable education in music,” said Notch. “Having him as an instructor should offer instant inspiration to the students.”

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Insight News • January 9 - January 15, 2017 • Page 9

Community Call for Black male mentors at Patrick Henry

A call has gone out to adult Black male community members.

The young Black male scholars at Patrick Henry High School need and want your mentorship. That’s the statement from the leadership team at Patrick Henry Senior High School, 4320 N Newton Ave, Minneapolis. They are asking for mentors to volunteer to join them for their 100 Black Men Strong event Friday, Jan. 13, from 10 p.m. – 3 p.m. The goal is to get more than 100 Black male professionals to engage with scholars in focused conversations about college, career, and life readiness.

“We want to flood our school with the presence of Black males. There is power in numbers; there is power in our community,” said Chris Fleming, Black male achievement coordinator at Henry.

Fleming said the program is looking for adults to engage scholars in authentic conversations about career,

college, and life explorations.

He is also asking for members of the community to spread the word about the event in order to reach at least 100 Black professionals.

The first portion of the event will be an engagement session with student-led breakouts followed by lunch.

The event culminates with a second student-led breakout session.

“Your (Black male professionals) presence will send a strong message to our community about the power of Black males,” said Fleming.

“Your presence will disrupt the single (negative) narrative of Black males; your presence will build dreams, roads of opportunities, and perspective for our Black males and create hope for the future for our Black males.”

To learn more about the 100 Black Men Strong program or to volunteer contact Fleming at (612) 668 – 2012 or Christopher. fleming@mpls.k12.mn.us.

Flyer

Peace and justice at the Rotary Club of North Minneapolis

By Ann Luce, member of the Rotary Club of North Minneapolis The Rotary Club of North Minneapolis is known as the Little Club that Can. Founded in 2012, the club works to both promote North Minneapolis and to make it a better, more harmonious place to live. While much of North Minneapolis has vibrant, lively and diverse neighborhoods, the club acknowledges that parts of the area have higher than desired crime rates and gang violence. Members of the club believe positive activities often displace negative activity as people take back their streets

Ellison From 3 He acknowledged that gang violence and youth trauma are issues that need attention in the Northside, but said community safety should not be used to justify unreasonable tactics and said trust has been broken

and neighborhoods.

In 2015, Rotary Club of North Minneapolis received a grant to promote peace and justice in the neighborhoods of North Minneapolis. In partnership with Men Against Destruction Defending Against Drugs and Social-Disorder (MADDADS) an international organization bringing conflict resolution and peace advocacy to troubled areas, our Rotary Club organized a variety of activities to spotlight peace and justice.

After the killing of Northsider Jamar Clark by Minneapolis Police Officers in the fall of 2015, Rotary Club of North Minneapolis responded to sponsor a peace forum bringing all factions of the issue together

with the goal of engaging in a respectful and positive manner.

One of the initiatives resulting from the forum is the designation of four “peace blocks” in North Minneapolis, the addition of two “peace benches” purchased by the Club, and having more than 4,000 people take a “peace pledge,” with the purpose of working individually toward creating a more peaceful environment in the community.

Community members also agreed to place “I Stand Up for Peace” signs in their yards.

In addition to peace blocks there is the Rotary Club of North Minneapolis Peace Garden at 18th Avenue North and Emerson Avenue North.

between the community and the police.

“I think that trust is, to say the least, very shaky” said Ellison.

On the environment, especially addressing poor air quality, Ellison said he seeks to collaborate with the county and state authorities to improve the community he wants to serve.

Ellison also discussed at length the obstacles he has

observed as a candidate during his campaigning.

“One of the things that really struck me after having worked in some campaigns is that the municipal turnout is very low,” said Ellison, who said he does not believe that the turnout is low because people are disinterested in politics, but because politicians do not appeal to their needs.

The candidate said low

Classifieds

Photo courtesy of the Rotary Club of North Minneapolis

A member of the Rotary Club of North Minneapolis sits on one of the club’s “peace benches.”

turnout in the African-American community at the polls allows political victories for some candidates who do not represent their best interest. He also said there is a lack of information when it comes to governance.

“One of the most common questions I am asked after deciding to run is not about our policy, but what does a city council person do” said Ellison, reflecting on the failure of

Phone: 612.588.1313

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Income Restrictions Apply Call 952-229-4288 www.premierhousingmanagement.com TUTORING OPPORTUNITIES Volunteer with Kids at East Side Learning Center. At East Side Learning Center build a life changing relationship by meeting the individual needs of diverse children on St. Paul’s East Side through one-on-one reading tutoring with K-2nd graders. Tutoring opportunities available Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Volunteers tutor a minimum of one child, once a week for about 45 minutes. Training, materials, and on-site support are provided. Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 651-793-7364 for more information on this or other volunteer opportunities or visit www.eastsidelearningcenter.org

Child Care Assistant Volunteer/ Volunteer Drivers Make a difference in the life of a child. The Mothers First program provides prevention and intervention services for pregnant women who are abusing chemicals. Mothers First is seeking a Child Care Assistant volunteer to help agency staff in providing supervision and care for the children with our Mothers First program while mom is attending counseling sessions. Volunteer Drivers are also needed to provide transportation to mothers in recovery to/ from groups with our Mothers First program. Reimbursement for mileage is provided. Contact Ramsey County Health & Wellness Service Team — Volunteer Services at 651-266-4090 for additional information or e-mail to HumanServicesVolunteer@co.ramsey.mn.us.

politicians to educate the public on the relationship between government and the people. He said that he has taken it as a personal responsibility to start that conversation.

When it comes to running as an incoming candidate against an incumbent, Ellison said it will be a “tough battle” but promised he is willing to work hard to reach out to the people and spread his message.

Fax: 612.588.2031

Show host Al McFarlane asked Ellison how ranked-choice voting affects Black political leaders in the community.

Ellison said split votes are less likely to happen if candidates run positive campaigns. He believes that voter power has increased under the model of instant run-off voting provided that candidates keep the betterment of the community in focus and not a personal agenda.

Email: info@insightnews.com

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Completed applications must be received by mail or hand delivered, on or before January 31, 2017. All qualified Applicants will be placed on the Waiting List in the order they are received.

CommonBond Communities Equal Housing Opportunity

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NOTICE: OPENING THE 1 BEDROOM WAIT LIST

Project-Based Section 8/202; rent based on income for qualified applicants. Applications may be downloaded at www.commonbond.org from 9am January 1, 2017 until 12pm January 31, 2017.

Completed applications must be received by mail or hand delivered, on or before January 31, 2017. All qualified Applicants will be placed on the Waiting List in the order they are received.

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Outreach Assistant

Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) seeks an organized, efficient, and flexible person to provide administrative and programmatic support for FMR’s public engagement and outreach work. Responsibilities: assist with volunteer outreach, communications and event registration; provide support at outdoor stewardship events/classes with youth and adults. Qualifications: 1-2 years experience in administration, communications, teaching, volunteer management or related field; solid communication skills; adept with computer/web platforms, able to handle multiple details as part of a team in a fast-paced office environment. This is a part-time position with pro-rated benefits ($12-13/hr; 20 hrs/week). To apply: email cover letter, resume and the names of three references in PDF format to ijones@fmr.org with “Outreach Assistant” in the subject line by Jan. 22, 2017. For more info visit fmr.org

Cookie Cart Volunteer Opportunities Cookie Cart welcomes individuals and groups of up to 25 to volunteer in the bakery at any time of the year and especially during the busy holiday season – this year the bakery expects to bake approximately 25,000 dozens of cookies between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Volunteer shifts are available weekdays, weekday evenings, and Saturday and Sunday. It’s a fun way for family, friends and colleagues to give back to the community while working alongside the talented and dedicated Cookie Cart teens. For information about volunteer opportunities, contact Sara Ernst at 612-843-1942 or sernst@cookiecart.org.

Page 10 • January 9 - January 15, 2017 • Insight News

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The Beatnuts

Patti LaBelle

Jan. 9 – Jan. 15

Monday, Jan. 9 JAZZ/SPOKEN WORD McNally Smith Mondays Golden’s Café and Deli 275 E. 4th St., St. Paul 8:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Jan. 9 Jan. 15, 2017

Aesthetically It! is a list of picks from the editors of Aesthetically Speaking.

Aesthetically It! features venues, events, outings and more that are worthy of “It” status. If you have a venue, event or outing that you feel is “It” worthy, email us at aestheticallyit@ insightnews.com

Join some of McNally Smith College of Music’s student performers Monday night’s at Golden’s.

Tuesday, Jan. 10 HIP-HOP/ PERFORMANCE Pledge Empire “Welcome Back from Australia” First Avenue & 7th St. Entry

701 N. 1st Ave., Minneapolis 8 p.m.

18-plus $10 advance, $12 door Welcome Ced Linus, Sti-Lo Reel and Prince Carlton back from Australia with performances by ek, Big Wiz, Lyric Marid and Reefa Rei.

Wednesday, Jan. 11 HIP-HOP/ PERFORMANCE Frozen Over First Avenue & 7th St. Entry 701 N. 1st Ave., Minneapolis 8 p.m.

18-plus $10 Strange Oasis Entertainment presents

Ness Nite, Lucien Parker, Drelli and DJ Smoov in the Entry.

Thursday, Jan. 12 BLUES/ PERFORMANCE Battle of the Blues Bands Famous Dave’s Uptown 3001 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis 7 p.m.

Free Hit up Famous Dave’s for some Barbecue and blues with new acts and Twin Cities staples.

Friday, Jan. 13 HIP-HOP/ PERFORMANCE The Beatnuts X Big Pooh X Termanology

Amsterdam Bar and Hall 6 W. 6th St., Saint Paul 8:30 p.m.

18-plus $15 advance, $20 door Hip-hop legends, The Beatnuts have given us classic tracks like “Props Ova Here” and “Watch Out Now.” For this show they play alongside Big Pooh of Little Brother fame and Termanology.

Saturday, Jan. 14 SOUL/ PERFORMANCE Patti LaBelle Live State Theatre 805 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis 8 p.m. $55-$105 Before selling her

famous pies at Walmart, Patti LaBelle became one of the most respected voices in music. From her time with LaBelle to her solo career she’s got nothing but hits.

Sunday, Jan. 15 DANCE/ PERFORMANCE Jawaahir Dance Company’s 24th Annual Henna Party Jawaahir Dance Studio Theater 1940 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis 2:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Learn about Middle Eastern culture through dance, henna, food and more during this annual gathering.

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Insight News • January 9 - January 15, 2017 • Page 11

Ringing in the New Year

The always fashion-forward, Jamil Smith Cole and Michael Cole Smith.

Drināl Marie and Bobby Battle ringing in the New Year.

Photos by Harry Colbert, Jr.

More than 300 people brought in the New Year in style during Shed G’s Can I Vent and Thee Urbane Life’s New Year’s Eve celebration at the Minneapolis West Marriott in Minnetonka. Here are a few scenes from the high fashion soiree.

The beautiful Angel Smith and handsome Adeniyi Ayinde.

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Page 12 • January 9 - January 15, 2017 • Insight News

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5 for ’17 – Minnesota hip-hop’s top 5 new MCs MycDazzle

Daddy Dinero

Destiny Roberts

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Reefa Rei

By Toki Wright

Is it just me or was everyone complaining about 2016?

I don’t know how many Internet memes, articles and tweets I saw that had some statement about getting the year over with. Yes, Trump is about to be in the Oval Office. Yes, we dealt with a lot of police brutality. Yes we lost a lot of our favorite celebrities. All of those issues are important but let’s think about the good as well.

Most importantly, you made it through another trip around the sun. What helped you through that trip; some great music and some promising artists for 2017?

It’s that time of year again to name the 5 for ’17 Minnesota hip-hop’s top 5 new MCs. In no particular order here’s the list.

Destiny Roberts Walking the line as an MC, music producer and video producer for SPNN, Destiny Roberts is a triple threat. Over the past year she has had notable performances alongside some of the biggest acts in the Twin Cities. Roberts dropped the EP, “Just A Reminder” with standout cuts like “Glow,” where she rhymes, “My melanin adapts to every element.”

In July she dropped the video for “Wake Up” (codirected by up and coming videographer Brian Few, Jr.) to critical acclaim. In the video she tackles police brutality, Black Lives Matter and violence perpetrated by Black people on members of the community. Her work is content heavy, but not over the head of the listener. She has great potential to break out in 2017.

Check out her music at www.soundcloud.com/ destinyrawberts.

Reefa Rei Bar for bar, Reefa Rei may have had the best past two

years in Twin Cities music. The Chicago native has obliterated every guest appearance and mixtape track. Rei first caught the attention of many in 2015 with his guest spot on Mista Maeham’s, “That Line” and hasn’t let up since. The MC is frequently dropping both tracks and music videos that have received a lot of respect in the streets.

In August he put his own spin on the “Shook Ones” challenge by taking aim at the XXL Freshman class. On the remix track he spits, “I run with 21 Savages, let the Uzi clap/ muzzle flash like a Kodak, that’s when you fade to Black.” Never one to mince words, Reefa Rei gets straight to the point. He’s coming for the crown and has all of the potential to take it.

You can check out more of Reefa Rei’s music on YouTube and Soundcloud.

MycDazzle Visual artist and MC, MycDazzle, is an unflinching creative. By his own definition he’s “a leader, a revolutionary, a healer, a shaman and a Conduit.” The St. Paul native took that description to the edge on his new project, “God Flow.” Released on Dec. 25, the project made it just in time to get recognized by a lot of heads in the hip-hop and spoken word community.

MycDazzle has a unique presentation that shines in his live performances, his fashion and visual artistry. He’s colorful, off center, intelligent and entertaining to be around. If you needed some examples, his work sits somewhere between Tyler the Creator and Big Krit with a little Jean-Michel Basquiat sprinkled on top. Recently returning to Minnesota from Los Angeles he’s definitely one to watch in 2017.

Check out more from MycDazzle at www.mycdazzle. com.

RÅDĮØ ÅHŁËË Continuing in the spirit of

the hybrids, RÅDĮØ ÅHŁËË has made as much noise as a dancer this year as he has as an MC. His music has movement and he isn’t afraid to bring that to life live on stage and in his videos. In February ÅHŁËË independently released the 12-track project, “The Universal C.O.D.A Experience.”

The album features the song “WCKD” (produced by Nathn) to which he soon after released an underrated music video. With pitched down vocals, glitches, and lines like “wickedness tries to grip my conscience but I hold up for the moment,” he doesn’t shy away from experimentation.

In a place like the Twin Cities that’s a great combination for crossover appeal. Look for big things from RÅDĮØ ÅHŁËË in 2017.

Check out more from at RÅDĮØ ÅHŁËË at www. radioahlee.bandcamp.com/ releases.

Daddy Dinero Over the past two years have been a real breakout for Romar “Daddy Dinero” Daniel.

The nephew of DJ Eddie Fingaz, Dinero grew up surrounded by music and has made a real name for himself on a national level on his own account.

Out of nowhere, in 2014 Dinero dropped the visual for “All Black,” which has received more than 650,000 plays on Facebook and more than 150,000 plays on YouTube. Dinero also boasts more than 5,000 followers on Soundcloud with some tracks receiving beyond 100,000 plays. If you aren’t from the Internet generation of music listening, that means he’s putting up some pretty big numbers for an independent operation. In August the release of “Ego” (with Tre Gramz[Rift] and 2015 5 for 15 honoree J. Plaza) got some serious rotation.

Check in with Daddy Dinero at www.soundcloud. com/daddydiner0 so that you can say you knew him before the fame.