Presidential Slam Dunk Obama wins electoral landslide re-election For the second time Justspeak
By Irma McClaurin, PhD, Culture and Education Editor
in this 21st century Barack Hussein Obama, the first Black President of the United States of America, has made history. He won his re-election by an electoral landslide. He beat the odds that predicted he would win the electoral vote but not the popular vote, and thereby further polarizing America. Well, they were wrong. This incumbent president has won reelection with 50% of the people claiming President Barrack Hussein Obama as the person to lead them over the next four years. But the road ahead is a tough one.
studiotobechi
We Need an ObamaDeal America is in trouble, and it is not only the middle class who has suffered. We have always been a country of the “haves” and “have not’s.” The economic divide has deepened, and we are moving again to a more economically segregated country. We need a series of government sponsored programs that help the people not the corporations or businesses. The government has bailed out and distributed support to these entities over the last four years, and it didn’t work as effectively as it should have. We now need bold government initiatives and some Presidential Executive Orders along the lines of Roosevelt’s New Deal, which established the Social Security Act; the WPA (Works Progress Administration) that put artists, writers, and others to work; the Federal Emergency Relief Administration, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Farm Security Administration, and the United States Housing Authority. We need an ObamaDeal to carry us forward.
FORWARD TURN TO 12
Photos: Harry Colbert, Jr.
Voters stand in line at the University of Minnesota’s Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center (UROC), 2001 Plymouth Ave. N.
Obama makes history
Minnesotans reject amendments By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer
Dr. Josie Johnson speaks to supporters of Our Vote Our Future, a group dedicated to defeating the proposed state voter ID amendment.
Business
Savings tool helps build assets and change lives
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Lifestyle
Barack Obama made history … again. The nation’s 44th president and its first African-American to be elected to the office was re-elected on Nov. 6 by beating Gov. Mitt Romney; winning in virtually every battleground state. Pres. Obama won in battleground states of Ohio, Virginia, Colorado,
Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, and most likely Florida. Florida’s vote favors Obama, but is still considered too close to call. The only battleground state the president did not carry was North Carolina. Pres. Obama handily defeated Romney in Minnesota outpacing his Republican challenger by nearly 220,000 votes. “We believe in a generous America, in a compassionate America, in a tolerant America,
Full Circle
Dateline Spain: Racism abroad
How sensitive should a man be?
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open to the dreams of an immigrant’s daughter who studies in our schools and pledges to our flag,” said the president in his victory speech. He continued, “To the young boy on the south side of Chicago who sees a life beyond the nearest street corner. To the furniture worker’s child in North Carolina who wants to become a doctor or a scientist, an engineer or an entrepreneur, a diplomat or
ELECTION TURN TO 15
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Business profile: Safari Pride Coffee
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Page 2 • November 12 - November 18, 2012 • Insight News
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Youth turnout: At least 49%, 22-23 million under-30 voted Medford/Somerville, Mass. – The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) the preeminent youth research organization at Tufts University this morning released an exclusive turnout estimate showing that 2223 million young Americans (ages 18-29), or at least 49%, voted in Tuesday’s presidential election, according to national exit polls, demographic data, and current counts of votes cast. In Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia, if Romney had won half the youth vote, or if young people had stayed home all together, he would have won those key battleground states. A switch of those 80 electoral votes would have also changed the
presidency, electing Romney as president. To see more on this analysis, please visit: http://www. civicyouth.org/?p=4905. Young people represented 19% of the voters in yesterday’s election, with President Obama winning the majority of those votes over Governor Romney by 60% to 37%, according to the early released NEP. “Confounding almost all predictions, the youth vote held
up in 2012 and yet again was the deciding factor in determining which candidate was elected President of the United States,” said CIRCLE director Peter Levine. “Young people are energized and committed voters. Youth turnout of around 50% is the ‘new normal’ for presidential elections. Considering that there are 46 million people between 18 and 29, this level of turnout makes them an essential political bloc.
Right now, they form a key part of the Democrats’ national coalition. Republicans must find a way to compete for their votes.” According to CIRCLE’s exclusive estimate, youth voter turnout was at least 49.3%, based on data from about 97% of precincts that have fully reported their votes as of Wednesday morning. Youth turnout may reach 51% when the remaining 3% of precincts report. The minimum
CIRCLE estimated at the same point in time in 2008 was 48.3%, but our 2008 estimate rose to 52% as more precincts reported. That means that 2004, 2008, and 2012 have been three strong elections in a row for youth, with turnout in the vicinity of 50% each time, compared to just 37% in 1996 and 41% in 2000. These estimates are subject to change, because in several states, less than 95% of precincts
are reporting. Also, in some past years, the National Exit Polls (NEP), conducted by Edison Research, have adjusted their statistics in the first few days after an election. CIRCLE estimates youth voting after elections based on several variables, including the total number of ballots counted and the exit polls. These variables
YOUTH TURN TO 5
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Page 4 • November 12 - November 18, 2012 • Insight News
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BUSINESS Savings tool helps build assets and change lives Bobbie Harris is following her dream of developing a selfpublishing company that will publish literature to improve reading literacy. Now a student at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, her goals are to engage readers to want to read more to support self-sufficiency and personal development. She got her start through the Eastside Financial Center in St. Paul where she enrolled in a matched-savings program that helped her complete her bachelor’s degree. “I received so much more than just ‘financial services’,” she said. “They helped me become selfsufficient and helped me realize the inspiration I had for working hard towards my own goals.” Through the same program, Alejandro Valenzuela became a first time home owner. He and his wife also learned invaluable skills in savings and goal setting that have enabled them to start a family. Valenzuela and Harris are among 186 people who have
Eastside Financial Center
Bobbie Harris (left) used a matched-savings program to further her education. She is pictured with Pha Chia Yang Moua, formerly on staff at the Eastside Financial Center.
improved their lives through Individual Development Accounts at the Eastside Financial Center that have helped people save more money, more quickly to become homeowners, start businesses or get an education. Harris, Valenzuela and others shared their successes at a celebration on October 30 at the Eastside Financial Center, located in the Old Swedish Bank Building at 965 Payne Avenue in St. Paul. “We are so proud of the accomplishments of our graduates,” said Eva Margolis director of the Eastside Financial Center, a program of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. “They have worked really hard to achieve their goals, start to build assets, and in doing so, build our community.” Over the past five years, “Payne-Phalen Saves” has provided a 3:1 savings match toward a home, education or
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Leave your most personal issues at home Plan Your Career By Julie Desmond julie@insightnews.com
Workplace conversations can get even the best employees into trouble. Working with the same people day after day, week after week, the comfort level goes up and good judgment goes away. Employees who tell too much can find themselves at odds with co-workers, managers and sometimes with HR. The best way to get ahead at work is to
stay upbeat, professional and successful. Tell the truth. Most jobs require multiple interviews. If you get too creative about your past, it will be difficult to keep your own stories straight. Interviewers take notes. Storytellers usually don’t. The people you interview with are the people you will work with and they will remember what you said. Just be honest. But not too honest. If you hated your boss and your coworkers were inept, you can state simply, It wasn’t a positive environment. Or, we didn’t
always see eye to eye. Wild horses and curious co-workers can drag the whole truth from you, especially during a happy hour, but your job is to stay optimistic and friendly; you never know who knows whom, and bad mouthing a bad manager looks bad no matter how bad the situation was. Get personal. Your experiences are unique and valuable. Choose to share the positives: I bought a car, my sister won the lottery, my team won the Super Bowl, my customer doubled his order. But not too personal. You
leave early once a week for marriage counseling; you went through treatment; you took time off three jobs ago to recover from a nasty divorce… As your friend, I care deeply. As a manager or colleague, the last thing I need is baggage, even if the baggage was left behind long ago. People today offer way too much information. At work, none of your career choices have anything to do with your personal life. Unless you’re asked. Repeatedly. And even then, keep it brief and, as fast as you can, get back to talking
about something positive. At work, people count on you – and pay you - to do the job you were hired to do. Be an expert in your role, stay enthusiastic and keep your conversations light. You are uniquely qualified to be the best at your job. Be that. And leave your criticisms, prejudices, baggage and bad attitude at home. Julie Desmond is IT Recruiting Manager with George Konik Associates, Inc. Write to Julie at jdesmond@georgekonik.com.
Public meeting on workforce center relocation The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) will hold a public meeting at the Urban Research and OutreachEngagement Center in North Minneapolis on Nov. 20 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. to provide updates on the relocation of the North Minneapolis WorkForce Center.
The current facility, located at 1200 Plymouth Ave. N., has outgrown its space and capacity to serve the needs of the community. DEED formed a community advisory council to increase community involvement and oversight in the decisionmaking process, and the agency encourages the public to attend
the Nov. 20 meeting. In May of this year, DEED issued a request for proposal (RFP) for developers to submit plans to relocate the WorkForce Center. After reviewing the first round submissions, DEED determined that the proposals did not meet the requirements of the posting. The department will re-issue a new RFP sometime in December. Minnesota’s 48 WorkForce Centers help people develop skills to prepare for work and find jobs, and they act as a resource for businesses to find talented
employees. Further details are available from Brandon Toner at 651-2597218, Brandon.Toner@state. mn.us. DEED is the state’s principal economic development agency, promoting business recruitment, expansion and retention, workforce development, international trade and community development. For more details about the agency and our services, visit us at www. PositivelyMinnesota.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ PositivelyMN.
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Insight News • November 12 - November 18, 2012 • Page 5
EDUCATION Saint Paul voters “Say Yes” for Saint Paul Public School students The voters of Saint Paul on Tuesday approved the Saint Paul Public School District’s 2012 Strong Schools, Strong Communities excess property tax levy referendum. This property tax levy will replace a voterapproved property tax levy that expires at the end of 2012. The new property tax levy will provide $39 million each year for the next eight years for critical educational services provided by the largest school district in Minnesota. The measure received more than a 60 percent majority.
“We are grateful to the voters of Saint Paul for this vote of support for our schools and our children,” said Superintendent Valeria Silva. “We will be able to continue essential programs that we know prepare our students to succeed in school and in life.” The property tax levy will provide continued funding for the following services for the Saint Paul Public Schools 39,000 students: • All day kindergarten for all children • Pre-kindergarten and ECFE
for many of youngest • Student support and staffing in math and science classes • Counseling to help our high school students get ready for college • And many other programs that we can fund because the referendum helps us meet our Special Education and EL responsibilities. In addition, Saint Paul Public Schools will now accelerate investment in instructional technology, teacher/staff professional development in
personalized learning, and online resources related to personalized learning. This investment will allow the district to begin an important transition to the future of education. Jean O’Connell, Chair of the Saint Paul Board of Education acknowledged that this was a challenging time to go to voters, and that the Board undertook this referendum only after deep reflection and exhaustive research. “We knew we had no choice if we were to continue showing the gains in student achievement that
Savings
with Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota in creating this program to encourage participants to be wise with money.” Since 2007 the matchedsavings program, has invested over $1.1 million into the community in colleges, housing and business development in Ramsey County. Of the 186 successful graduates, 60% used the funds towards post-secondary education, 15% towards firsttime home ownership and 25% towards building their small businesses. “All participants collectively saved and invested over $330,000 of their own money – a major feat considering that they must have incomes at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines,” Margolis said. The Eastside Financial Center is a unique institution on the Eastside. The center not only
offers traditional services, such as checking and savings accounts on site through University National Bank, but also serves unbanked and underserved people who often have no credit or banking history and have turned to high-cost services such as check cashing outlets and payday lenders as a result. Financial counselors are on site as well to offer financial education, free budget counseling and debt management plans. On the horizon is a new service that will offer a low-cost, prepaid debit card that is coupled with financial counseling. A pre-paid debit card provides the convenience of direct depositing tax refunds, accessing cash at ATMs, keeping your money safe, and avoiding check cashing fees. “Over the last five years, the Eastside Financial Center has rooted itself in this community and has truly blossomed,” said
John Vaughn, Executive Director of the East Side Neighborhood Development Company, Inc. “The EFC has helped hundreds of individuals and families build their assets and achieve personal financial goals during some rough economic years. In particular, the IDA program is where low- and moderate-income people can truly build their assets, which leads to real victories in life like completing an education, or owning a home.” While the five-year, matchedsavings program has come to a close, the need continues. “Matched savings has been the spark that all of our graduates needed to get a leg up on a path to financial well-being,” Margolis said. “Thrivent Financial has served as an outstanding corporate partner on this initiative over the past five years.”
“Turnout” means the percentage of eligible citizens who voted, and youth voter turnout is the percentage of eligible 18-29 year olds who voted. CIRCLE’s final estimate will be based on the National Exit Polls conducted by Edison/Mitofsky, the number of ballots cast in the United States (aggregated from data provided by local election officials), and current Census data on the number of young citizens in the United States. CIRCLE has used precisely the
same method to estimate youth turnout after previous elections since 1996. Using this consistent method, we estimate a historical trend that can be seen here: h t t p : / / w w w. c i v i c y o u t h . o r g / w p - c o n t e n t / uploads/2012/11/2012exitpoll.jpg There is no official count of voters by age nationally immediately after the election. Therefore, any statistic on youth voter turnout is an estimate based on survey data. Like any survey, the National Exit Polls
use methods that may introduce sampling bias. However, our estimates of youth turnout from the National Exit Polls (shown above) have produced a trend that closely tracks the trend in the Census Current Population Survey (CPS), which is the other reliable source for estimating youth turnout. CPS voting data for 2012 will not be available until spring 2013. Until then, our method produces the only reliable estimate of youth turnout.
From 4 new small business. Funded by a federal grant and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, the Individual Development Accounts were designed to help low-income individuals and families gain financial well-being on the Eastside of St. Paul. Along with matched savings, participants learned money management skills, received guidance on asset purchases and had the opportunity to access tax services. “The habit of saving money for one’s long-term goals is critical to financial stability and security,” said Terry Rasmussen, senior vice president, general counsel and secretary for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. “We are delighted to have worked
Youth From 3 are subject to change in the hours and days after an election. Young voters favored Obama by a 24-point margin. The average gap from 1976 through 2004 was only about two percentage points, as young voters basically supported the same candidate as older voters in most elections.
we have experienced in recent years,” she said. “We were fortunate to have the support of many people and organizations in our work toward this success - teachers,
parents, community volunteers, community leaders and hundreds of volunteers,” said O’Connell. “We are grateful to each and every one.”
Page 6 • November 12 - November 18, 2012 • Insight News
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Photos Valerie Rose Redmond:
Sky Dogs Left to Right: Doug Gray, birding enthusiast; Dr. Drew Lanham, Clemson University Professor of Wildlife Ecology; Dudley Edmondson, wildlife photographer and author; Bob Gibson, Three Rivers Park District Senior Outdoor Education Manager; Paul J. Baicich, birding enthusiast; Roy Rodriguez, Texas Parks and Wildlife Ranger; and Dave Magpiong, Fledging Birders Institute President.
Sky Dogs, Bird Chick and Odd Bird land in Midwest By Valerie Rose Redmond Sky Dogs, Bird Chick and Odd Bird flew in and landed at Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge on October 13 for a birding diversity convention aimed at increasing birding among nontraditional audiences. The “Focus on Diversity: Changing the Face of American Birding” themed convention attracted a large flock of 75 birding enthusiasts from New York, Washington D.C. and from across the nation
as far west as Los Angeles, Calif. The conference was spearheaded by Dave Magpiong, president of the New Jersey non-profit corporation, Fledging Birders Institute. Magpiong is one in the group of birders who have donned the monikers Sky Dog, Bird Chick and Odd Bird. “We’re excited to be part of this conference,” said Minnesota Valley NWR Refuge Manager Charlie Blair addressing the crowd. “We know that we will get information today that will
help us move our program forward.” The conference focused the nation’s demographic shift and the increasing and imperative need for concentrated outreach to nontraditional audiences. Barriers to birding and call to action strategies were also points of discussion. The diverse crowd at Minnesota Valley NWR looked like America. “Who are American birders?” Magpiong asks. “This does not look like any other birding event that I’ve ever been to,” he said looking
Two Birders Enjoying the Landscape: Birding enthusiast Dan R. Kunkle (l) and one of the Sky Dogs, Clemson University Professor of Wildlife Ecology Dr. Drew Lanham (r) take a break from the conference to take in the beautiful landscape at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge.
Birding Audience: The audience at the birding conference looked like America out at the crowd before drawing the contrast of the American populace of 65 percent white and 35 percent non-white as compared to the birding community at 92 percent white and 8 percent non-white. “We share this love—beautiful birds. Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge was no accident,” he said, referring to the venue. “It is perfect.” The dual mission of Magpiong’s Fledging Birders Institute is “enhancing the healthy development of our youth with the profound benefits of bird watching and promoting public awareness of avian diversity and factors which threaten it thereby fostering a societal bird conservation ethic.” The event was live streamed and tuned in by viewers at http://www.livestream.com/ USFWSMidwest Themes of relevancy, perspective and people were repeated throughout the conference. Speakers at the conference indicated that social economic factors, perspective and relevancy play a huge role
when making attempts to reach non-traditional audiences. In his presentation, Clemson University Professor of Wildlife Ecology Dr. Drew Lanham referenced a popular birding corridor in an impoverished South Carolina community where the people have no water to drink. Attempts to rectify the situation were met with concerns from environmental communities about how it was going to impact bird habitat. This, he says, “while people have no water to drink.” Lanham also referenced a population density map of people of color in the nation and invited the audience to overlay it with a bird conservation map. “Do we ever think about land conservation regions and think about the layers of humanity underneath? It’s a critical thing,” he says. “If you are not talking to the people on that landscape, then you are not addressing the issues of conservation.” Magpiong invited the audience to submit their call to action ideas before announcing that the next conference will
be in the Rio Grande Valley. This diversity conference and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s decision to host it, brings us all one step closer to changing the face of American birding. Notable speakers at the conference in addition to Lanham included wildlife photographer and author Dudley Edmondson, bird guide author Kenn Kaufman, birding enthusiast Paul J. Baicich, birdchick.com blogger Sharon Stiteler, Texas Parks and Wildlife ranger Roy Rodriguez, and birding enthusiasts Doug Gray, Marta DelCampo, and Derek Washington, among others. While Washington answers to Duck and Oddbird and Stiteler to Bird Chick, Edmondson, Gray, Lanham, Magpiong, Baicich, and Rodriguez have dubbed themselves the Sky Dogs. Also on the speaking agenda were the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s own, Dr. Mamie Parker, Judy Geck, and Tom Worthington. For more information on this and other birding events, visit: http://fledgingbirders.org/
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Insight News • November 12 - November 18, 2012 • Page 7
AESTHETICS Tresvant channels Billie Holiday, Etta James By Sharon Brooks Minnesota is synonymous with great music. The state produced blues greats such as greats “Lazy” Bill Lucas and “Big” Walter Smith. Of course, the state was home to folk-rock legend Bob Dylan; and thanks to Brother Ali (and others) Minnesota is becoming known for its hip-hop scene. Just in one family, the area produced Ann Nesby, mother to Jamecia Bennett and grandmother to Paris Bennett. No one can dispute the area’s phenomenal R & B contributions to society with artist Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Morris Day – the band that birthed them, The Time and the state’s prize, Prince. Now the state has claim to a new star, Catrina “Trina Gurl” Tresvant. Trina Gurl – which is Tresvant’s stage name – is as real as they come. This highly talented vocalist and actress with an alto tone voice reminiscent of Billie Holiday and Etta James, seems to hold the listeners’ hands and takes them into her music with the specific intent to entertain. Most of Trina Gurl’s music is originally composed by her. Her single, “I’m So Glad I Found You,” is one that KMOJ, KFAI or other independent stations of Minnesota are missing out on.
“The lyrics come from my experiences in life, the good and the bad, and I feel good about sharing them with the crowd through song,” said Trina Gurl. I recently saw her performance on Halloween night at the Red Sea (320 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis) and was mesmerized by every song she sang. Her band was professional, in sync and extremely soulful. They knew the rhythm of this star’s focus and how passionately she enjoys performing. We all did. Her rendition of Tina Turner’s “I Smell Trouble” was so good that we all had to blink to make sure it was still Trina Gurl on stage. In between sets (there were three), this veteran vocalist generously allowed other local talents to showcase their talents. Her connection to the audience was nice and easy, smooth and appetizing. Trina Gurl truly gives a show that music lovers won’t want to miss. Fans can catch the versatile artist Trina Gurl performing as “Felicia” in the long-running play, “I’m A Deadbeat Who?” (Directed and Produced by AT Productions). The show takes place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 20, at Normandale College. Check out Trina Gurl’s latest video “My Past” on YouTube.
Catrina ‘Trina Gurl’ Tresvant
Courtesy of the artist
Obama Talks Back: Global Lessons Book Review By Kam Williams kam@insightnews.com “This collection of letters [offer] a rare glimpse into the dialogue between our nation’s youth and the President of the United States...They cover a wide range of human emotions, fears and concerns, and echo
President Obama’s message for change as these young people make their spiritual and intellectual pilgrimage into adult citizenship... From these letters, we learn that young citizens are committed to their country. They are not quitters. From President Obama we learn the importance of listening to one another, and of perseverance. We learn in desperate times we must have faith and know we are empowered to change the the circumstances and conditions of our lives and the destiny of
America for the better.” - Excerpted from Introduction (pages 2-3)
the
How might the President respond if your child wrote him a letter expressing his or her most urgent concerns? There’s no need to speculate, since just such exchanges are the subject of Obama Talks Back, a fascinating collection of his responses to inquiries posed by precocious kids about everything from healthcare to education to racism to war to poverty to climate change. The book was compiled
The cast of There’s No Place Like Home
by Gregory J. Reed, Esq., founder of Keeper of the Word Foundation, and includes a biographical sketch of the President, as well Barack Obama trivia, plus a list of his greatest accomplishments since taking office. Still, the meat and potatoes of this opus are all the heartfelt exchanges. For example, when a child name Alex from Chesapeake, Virginia admits that he’s worried about gang violence, Obama allays his fears with, “No child should have to walk to school every morning in fear.”
Courtesy of zAmya Theater Project
zAmya Theater Project launches monthly performances of There’s No Place Like Home zAmya Theater Project, a troupe of actors who’ve experienced homelessness, has launched a monthly presentation of their original work There’s No Place Like Home at St. Stephens’ Human Services (2309 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis 55404). The next monthly “inhouse” performance will occur during National Hunger and Homelessness Week (Nov. 1118) on November 15th at 7pm. Tickets are $10 or donation. For reservations and more information contact zamya@ ststephensmpls.org. There’s No Place Like Home is a take-off of the
familiar story The Wizard of Oz complete with song and dance. In zAmya’s educational , emotionally stirring and surprisingly funny version, Dorothy loses her home in rural Minnesota to a flood. Newly homeless and without a support network, Dorothy heads to Minneapolis in search of assistance. She encounters the Great Witch of Good Intentions who recommends she travel to the Government Center to check in on the “county plan to end homelessness”. Along the way, Dorothy and Toto, played by Caroline
Mannheimer and her 7 year old daughter Chloe, encounter Scarecrow – who is homeless and mentally ill – and Rusty – a homeless teenager, and the Gambler, who lost his home in the financial crisis and has since become addicted to gambling. Together they complete their quest for assistance. There’s No Place Like Home was written by local playwright Josef Evans(Superlatives of Excellence, Million Dollar Museum) and the zAmya Theater Troupe from material generated at workshops and storycircles at St. Stephens and the Salvation Army.
zAmya, a Sanskrit word for “justice”, was founded in 2004 as a way of creating dialogue between housed and homeless so that the communities could learn from each other. In 2009 zAmya became a program of St. Stephens Human Services, a social services nonprofit that works with people experiencing homelessness. The monthly “in house” productions of There’s No Place Like Home reflect a growing presence of zAmya as part of St. Stephen’s community engagement work – seeking to involve the general public in their mission to end homelessness.
However, he also exhibits a concern for the rehabilitation of juvenile perpetrators, saying, “When a gangbanger shoots indiscriminately into a crowd... not only do we need to punish him for the crime, but we need to acknowledge that there’s a hole in his heart,” before concluding, “We must do
more to address this issue than passing harsher punishments.” The sensitive sort of solutions and sage advice that sees both sides because it comes from a Chief Executive with street cred who spent time in the ‘hood as a community organizer en route to the presidency.
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LIFESTYLE
Dateline Spain: Racism abroad By Abeni Hill Insight Intern As a writer and journalist, I am not one to voice my opinion and personal beliefs, aloud or in writing. I am very grateful that Insight News has given me a chance to share my experiences abroad. Although I have had many great experiences here in Spain, I cannot deny that racism is everywhere. My major is Communication and Journalism and I am required to take an Intercultural Communication class. A couple of weeks back, my professor for that class was talking about stereotypes and began talking about stereotypes and jokes containing prejudicial undertones. She even gave some examples. She talked about Jews, Gypsies, Arabs, other Spaniards, and ultimately Africans and AfricanAmericans. This made the class as a whole feel uncomfortable. After her lecture, she asked us are there any jokes in America about certain groups of people. Now at this point I thinking in my head, If someone knows a joke they are not going to admit it. After class, two students(one Caucasian and one African-American) approached the teacher after class and said that the United
Although I have had many great experiences here in Spain, I cannot deny that racism is everywhere.
Abeni Hill States doesn’t have prejudice jokes. The week after that my professor started to talk about globalization and began with colonization and colonialism. It was a powerpoint presentation. As she is talking I notice a picture that she put on the colonialism slide that I thought wasn’t a very accurate depiction of colonialism. When I think of colonization I think of chain gangs and slave ships. However, my professor chose a caricature-like cartoon of very dark Africans (they
Suluki Fardan
were basically in “black face”) carrying a stereotypical European explorer in a throne. The first thing that went through my mind at that point was that this picture isn’t very accurate because that is not the way Colonialism even happened. Secondly, why use a cartoon when there are so many pictures available with real people in them? That was strike one. The next day, I approached the other African-American student, Kami, in my class and talked to her about it. She told
me that she felt uncomfortable in the class as well. She told me that she would email the teacher and say she wanted to talk to her. I said that I would email the professor also, but Kami said she didn’t want the teacher to feel like she was being attacked. Fast forward to next Monday after class, Kami talked to our professor. Kami came up to me after her discussion with our professor and said it had been difficult because of the language barrier (we are required to speak in Spanish during class and to the professors). She also said the professor didn’t understand what she was trying to tell her.
Kami said she automatically went to the “cliche response”, which was that she loved black people; things such as “I think black skin is really pretty”, “I had a black boyfriend”, and that she experienced a lot of racism when she was with said boyfriend. That was strike two. After Kami told me this I said ,”Wow, what are we going to do?” She said that there isn’t really anything we can do now and that she was over it because she at least tried to talk with the teacher. On Wednesday during the class, our professor brought up the fact that she talked to Kami and brought up the powerpoint
and started talking about how learning about stereotypes is important to intercultural communication. She basically reiterated the same lecture about stereotypes. This was strike three. Not only did this professor call out Kami, but going back to the lesson and talking about how important it is to the subject and knowing how Kami felt about the topic. At that moment I said to myself I need to talk to this professor. When I talked to the professor and expressed my feelings, she immediately began to apologize and say that by putting the photo on the powerpoint she was showing how negative it was. I told her that the photo hurts me as an African-American. She replied by saying that she needed the photo to demonstrate that colonialism is bad, but also that she would make it more clear to the class that the picture demonstrates something negative. This experience taught me the importance of speaking my mind, especially when my feelings are involved. I also learned that solidarity is important when facing ignorance. I am glad that Kami and I worked together to make the classroom a safer place for us.
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HEALTH Nuts: Powerhouses of nutrition and prevention There is some evidence to suggest that a diet that is rich in nuts can: decrease the risk of diabetes (to date, this effect has been seen mostly in women), decrease the risks of some cancers and decrease the risk of developing gallbladder
Our Health
By Nicole Winbush MD Nuts are rich sources of energy and protein and there is substantial evidence of their benefit for several health conditions. This week we talk about the benefits of nuts and why they are a high quality addition to everyone’s diet. What is considered a nut? The term nut is commonly used to refer to tree nuts (e.g. almonds, walnuts, cashews, pecans, brazil nuts, pistachios, etc.) and peanuts which are actually a type of bean. Nuts are rich in B vitamins and in the minerals such as Calcium, Potassium and Magnesium. Nuts are cholesterol free and are also high in antioxidants that are thought to play a role in protecting cells from damage which can make them more vulnerable to inflammatory changes that are involved in heart disease and other chronic conditions. How to eat your nuts Since nuts are high in fat and calories, a little goes a long way. For most nuts, a serving size is considered to be 1 ounce or approximately a small handful of nuts. Nuts make an excellent between meal snack and consuming 1-2 servings of nuts per day will likely allow you to derive the nutritional and health benefits of nuts. There are a wide variety of nuts. To maintain the nutritional benefits of nuts, eat them in their least processed form. Whole nuts that are raw (or dry roasted) and minimally salted are best. For example, eating peanut butter
Cashews that is laden with additional fats and sweeteners is not likely to be as beneficial as eating peanut butter that has not added oils or sweeteners. (Read your food labels!!) Cholesterol lowering Nuts have been shown consistently to lower total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and blood triglycerides (which are often elevated in individuals at risk for developing diabetes). Two servings (approximately 2 handfuls) of nuts per day can lower total cholesterol an average of 7% and LDL cholesterol 5%. The lowering can be higher in individuals who are starting with elevated cholesterol levels. While nuts
are high in fat, much of this fat is in the form of healthy unsaturated fats which have been shown to have a favorable effect on blood cholesterol. Nuts are associated with decreased risk heart disease Long term epidemiologic studies where individuals were followed for several years have consistently shown that regular nut intake is associated with a sizable (~ 35% ) decreased risk for heart disease. The benefits of nuts appear to be applicable to most individuals as nut consumption reduced risk in both men and women, younger and older individuals, those who were overweight and those who had risk factors that increased their risk of
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developing heart disease. Weight loss and weight maintenance Despite being high in fat and calorie dense, nut consumption does not appear to be associated with weight gain and consuming nuts twice or more per week (in the context of a healthy diet) is associated with decreased chance of weight gain. Because nuts are high in proteins and good fats, eating nuts may allow one to feel more satisfied and full for longer and lead to better food choices and less snacking. In the long term, this may contribute to maintaining or losing weight. Other potential but less well studied benefits
disease. However, more study is definitely needed in these areas. Also, Brazil nuts which are high in the mineral selenium are thought to support thyroid
NUTS TURN TO 11
Page 10 • November 12 - November 18, 2012 • Insight News
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FULL CIRCLE How sensitive should a man be? the contrary, he welcomes and supports it. Once the plant is exposed, it depends on the soil for balance and stability. Good men, like good soil will not let you fall. They will cover you when you are down, and they will support you when you are up. Good men are sensitive and supportive, and able to change when change is necessary. When is a man too sensitive? A man is too sensitive when his emotions only allow him to be aware to his own needs. This man’s sensitivity only focuses inward. A good man must be perceptive enough to be in tune with your needs as well. Your need for support, protection, and acceptance are paramount in his heart. This man is able to change when you change. He laughs when you laugh, sings when you sing, and cries when you cry. He understands your boundaries and respects them. His sensitivity focuses outward. He is aware of the things that take place below your emotional surface. How sensitive should a man be? He should be sensitive enough to really and truly be in tune to the spirit of who you are.
Man Talk
By Timothy Houston Relationship expectations are changing with the times. The modern day woman is looking for a man that is sensitive but not too sensitive. How sensitive should a man be? How much emotion is too much? What is the standard a man should aspire to? I believe a man is too sensitive when he is only sensitive to his own needs, and he is not in control of his emotions. If his emotions are the driver of his actions, he can and will not be in tune with you. A good man must be sensitive to the real you. He should know your dreams and encourage them, and he should know your passions and embrace them. First, good men like good ground are sensitive to the changes that take place in their environment. Change is a part of spiritual, emotional, and natural development. In nature, once you plant a seed, it goes through various stages of change. When the seed is below ground, it needs covering, and when it is above ground it needs support. Every significant change that takes place begins in the heart of the earth. You know you have a
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good man when he is so tuned into you that the changes that take place in your heart reaches his heart. Next, good men are sensitive to what you need to be safe and secure. The natural elements can be harsh and severe. The seed must remain
in the heart of the soil where it can be protected. There, the seed is sheltered. Good men carry those they love in their heart, protecting and providing for them. This is a requirement from God. “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate
family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (I Timothy 5:8). You know you have a good man when he is sensitive enough to you to know what you need to be so safe in your relationship with him that you are free to be yourself.
Finally, good men are sensitive to what you need to feel supported. He is like the soil that supports and nourishes the plant once it has blossomed. He is not imitated by your success. On
Timothy Houston is an author, minister, and motivational speaker who is committed to guiding positive life changes in families and communities. For questions, comments or more information, go to www. tlhouston.com.
Sea change in how we view LGBT neighbors WASHINGTON – Upon news voters in Minnesota voted down the discriminatory anti-marriage amendment, HRC President Chad Griffin made the following statement: “Minnesota is a prime example that we are experiencing a sea change in how Americans view their LGBT neighbors. With 30 states having voted to write discrimination into their constitutions, Minnesotans stood up and said, ‘not us,’ and more are sure to follow their lead. “No amount of lies and deception funded by deeppocketed donors could convince Minnesotans that loving and committed couples should be excluded from marriage. “Our work begins anew in the state and with new fair-minded leadership in the legislature we move forward toward a day when all families in Minnesota are protected equally under the law. Clearly the momentum is on our side with support for marriage equality – both nationally and in
Minnesota – growing by the day. “Minnesotans United for All Families exemplifies a dedicated and well run campaign with an amazing leader in Richard Carlbom. Our entire steering committee and board members Les Bendtsen and Tom Knabel have been a part of this fight since the beginning were true partners to the campaign.” HRC is proud to have contributed more than $1 million to defeat the amendment. The organization also sent 480,000 emails to supporters of marriage equality and we’ve helped recruit over 1,100 volunteers and sent staff to work on the campaign. The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
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Morehouse to name building for Massey Article & photo courtesy of The Atlanta Inquirer ATLANTA-During his 12-year tenure at Morehouse, Dr. Walter E. Massey, a 1958 graduate of the school, dedicated his vision to making Morehouse, “...one of the finest liberal arts institutions in the nation - period.” He realized that vision and now the institution is giving him an honor that will live forever. The Leadership Center facility at Morehouse will bear Massey’s name. The official naming ceremony was held last month in honor of his wife and former First Lady Shirley A. Massey. During the naming ceremony, Massey formally presented his presidential papers to the College. “The entire Morehouse College family is pleased and proud of this opportunity to name this cherished building and conference center in honor
of President Emeritus Walter Massey and Shirley Massey,” said Dr. Robert M. Franklin, the 10th president of Morehouse. “I am particularly excited because I know about the magnitude of their dedication, sacrifice and love for this school. This is a fitting honor and a wonderful reminder of the lasting legacy of my friend, fellow alumnus and mentor.” Massey preceded Franklin as the school’s ninth president, serving from 1995 to 2007. Under his tenure, the college created and launched a minor in Leadership Studies and later erected the more than 70,000-square- foot facility that now houses the Andrew Young Center for Global Leadership, the Emma and Joe Adams Public Service Institute, and the Division of Business and Economics. The building, which was one of the cornerstones of capital improvements made to the College under Massey’s administration, opened in August 2005.
Shirley Massey and Walter E. Massey The naming ceremony held a special significance for the Massey’s, as it took place on their
anniversary. In a statement, the couple remarked: “We have been
fortunate to have had a wonderful life together. Morehouse has been a significant part of our lives, and for Walter it has been the most important institution in his life, from the time he arrived from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, until now as president emeritus. We are deeply honored and thrilled to have The Leadership Center and Executive Conference Center named in our honor, and it is especially gratifying that the ceremony takes place on our 43rd wedding anniversary. What could be better? Our profound thanks to the board of trustees and President Franklin.” Massey’s commitment and service to education are vast. Currently, he is the president of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He holds more than 30 honorary degrees from institutions that include Yale University, Northwestern University and The Ohio State University. The Leadership Center is located at the edge of the historic
West End district of Atlanta, at the corners of West End Avenue, Westview Drive and Wellborn Street. The facility provides an exciting and welcoming entrance to the Morehouse College campus. The 70,000-square-foot facility is a key landmark for the College, anchoring the south campus expansion detailed in the College’s Master Plan. The facility functions as: • A multi-use facility as the primary location for leadership training and development, as well as community service programs • Office space for administrative and management structure in support of the mission of the Center • An appropriate environment to promote advanced research in the area of leadership that involves faculty, students, fellow
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Clergy and community celebrate voter restriction defeat Clergy and community leaders with ISAIAH celebrated the defeat of the voter restriction amendment last night after months of talking with religious voters in their congregations and neighborhoods. The effort to defeat the photo ID amendment started months ago. More than 350 volunteers made 23,000 phone calls and made hundreds of home visits, eventually reaching more than 36,000 voters for conversations about how photo ID would negatively impact the elderly, youth, people of color, and the poor. This initiative, called the Faith in Democracy Campaign, was a statewide effort of Prophetic Voices. The campaign included an intentional and robust education and outreach effort across Minnesota. Congregations held petition-signing events, hosted phone bank programs, and organized forums to raise awareness about harmful affects of the voter restriction amendment. Many individual faith leaders
proclaimed their vision of a more just and inclusive democracy in sermons, two press conferences, and community events. The civic engagement effort was ISAIAH’s first effort to mobilize people of faith to raise their combined voices – as voters – on behalf of racial, economic and social justice issues. As a member of PICO National Network, the country’s largest faith-based organizing network, ISAIAH joined similar efforts happening in ten states. Nationally, PICO and its federations spoke to more than half a million religious voters on a range of economic and social justice issues that went before voters on Election Day. “We started this movement with the courage of our convictions and our belief that every voice should be heard. Against what looked like overwhelming odds, we threw everything we had into this fight to defeat this amendment. Driven by the power of thousands of grassroots people making a decision that everyone matters
Nuts
Dr. Winbush is a family physician practicing at NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center. She has a strong interest in wellness and patient education to help individuals feel empowered to optimize their health and functioning. For more information, to leave suggestions for future articles and for additional resources as mentioned in the article visit www.functionwellmedicine.com.
From 9 function. Please remember nuts and nut-containing products should not be given to children under one year of age or those with allergies to nuts. However, as we have reviewed, nuts are a healthy addition to most diets and have shown benefits in obese individuals and in those with high blood cholesterol levels. Nuts are a rich food with rich benefits and making one small and positive change in one’s diet has a way of leading to more positive changes and shifting one’s balance toward improved health. Consider adding more nuts to your diet or if you are already eating nuts, keep it up! Your body will thank you with the gift of feeling and functioning better.
The information contained herein should not be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician or other health care provider. The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only. In no way should it be considered as offering medical advice. Please check with a healthcare provider if you suspect you are ill.
in Minnesota, we defeated this cynical attempt to restrict the vote in Minnesota.” – Doran Schrantz, ISAIAH Executive Director. For ISAIAH, the last few months of campaigning on photo ID also meant new volunteers, new technology and new insights about how to reach and activate people of faith. ISAIAH volunteers, mostly from congregations, learned how to integrate new technology and social media with grassroots organizing to reach thousands of new constituents. Those new constituents will be critical to ISAIAH as it takes on its next big fight. ISAIAH will
not take a long post-election break. Planning is already underway for organizing religious voters to get ready for the next challenge. “There is still much more to be done. We successfully defended our electoral system. Now we must take the movement and the values at the center of that movement to the Legislature. There is so much to do to ensure that the decisions the Legislature makes reflects our vision of a state where everybody matters. Inclusion, love and a place at the table for all God’s people are all at stake as we move into determining the future direction of our state.” – Pastor Paul Slack,
Pastor at New Creation Church in North Minneapolis and President of ISAIAH. ISAIAH is a multi-ethnic, congregation-based community organization in the Twin City and St. Cloud regions. Its mission is to promote racial and economic equity by working to ensure that all people, regardless of class, race, ethnicity or religion, are involved in creating the region’s future. ISAIAH is a member of the PICO National Network, the largest grassroots, faith-based organizing network in the United States. PICO works with 1,000 religious congregations in more than 200 cities and towns through
its 60 local and state federations. ISAIAH and PICO are nonpartisan and do not endorse or support candidates for office. ISAIAH and PICO urge people of faith to consult their faith traditions for guidance on specific policies and legislation. Learn more at isaiahmn.org and www. piconetwork.org. Prophetic Voices is a faithbased initiative that seeks to create a statewide network of clergy and their congregants from various faith traditions who act from a common set of values to create a more just and abundant Minnesota.
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Forward From 1 And Romney and Ryan must now walk the walk they pitched during the election. They must support the President in challenging businesses to step up job creation and rehire America’s unemployed. The Republican losers must support increased taxes for the rich, and Romney should volunteer to pay more since he’s had a government subsidy in the form of low taxes for most of his life. Towards a Bold New America It is time for the President to be bold. He cannot allow himself to continue to be bullied by the Republican dominated House. And the Democratic Senate must find its courage (or cajones) to prevent the President’s initiatives from stalling. President Obama must take heed of the words of Frederick Douglass who reminds us that there is no progress without encountering challenges: “If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom, and deprecate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground, they want rain without thunder and lightning.” President Obama must take off the kid gloves and don the boxing gloves. He must agitate for his policies and legislation. He must expose the naysayers and obstructionists for what they are. He has nothing to lose except our respect and our hope. Doing our Part as Citizens We went to the polls. Hallelujah. We marked our ballots, and we casted our votes for whom we thought
should remain the leader of the free world. But our job is not finished. As citizens we have a responsibility to hold all publicly elected officials accountable for representing us, whether we voted for them or not or whether they are of our political persuasion or not. Once elected—they belong to us. We must challenge our political representatives when they stall the President. Blow up their emails and telephones with our concerns as citizens that by withholding their support of Presidential initiatives they have failed us, their constituencies. We must also hold President Obama accountable as well. He must articulate a position on poverty reduction that acknowledges the persistence of an unequal and unjust system of inequality. He must advocate as boldly for the poor and disenfranchised as he has for the middle class and our educational system. He must take on the issue of the growing prison industrial complex that perpetuates an unjust legal system because it needs prisoners to survive. I am not suggesting that those who do the crime should not do the time. I am advocating that the Attorney General must scrutinize the fact that the prison sentences of young Black and Latino men are vastly different than the sentences of young white men for the same crime. We must question the integrity and ethics of ourselves as a country when we have made the creation of prisons a commodity. Are we so desperate? Whatever happened to the idea of rehabilitation? When did we drop that as an outcome of prison sentencing? We need greater interventions for our youths, and a good place to begin is to reinstitute some of
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the Poverty Programs created under President Lyndon B. Johnson: Job Corp, Vista, Head Start, Upward Bound, etc. They worked. They moved us forward. Bearing Witness The late James Baldwin once commented that he wrote in order to bear witness to the persistence of racial inequality. His writings were a literary documentary of the trials and tribulations of living in a unjust society of racial inequality. Baldwin became an ex-patriot and resided in France, but returned to the United States periodically. I had the pleasure of knowing him during his time as a visiting professor in the early 1980s at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His wisdom and knowledge were tangible, and his idea of “bearing witness” has stayed with me over the last thirty years. America, as a society, has made progress. But we are not there yet (meaning that for all our talk of multiculturalism, diversity, inclusion, and equality, we have not yet achieved a truly just and equal society). And so, it is our responsibility as citizens, as writers, as artists to continue to bear witness. I bear witness to the reelection of President Barack Hussein Obama. I bear witness to the politics of divisiveness that has characterized the last four years of his terms. I bear witness to those who wish to reclaim whiteness as privilege. I bear witness to the reality of an ongoing struggle for freedom for all in these United States of America. I bear witness to the right of contemporary immigrants to have the same opportunities in this country as the European immigrants of the early 1900s. I bear witness to the continuing
James Baldwin – Photo copyright 2012 McClaurin Solutions All Rights Reserved
1983 photo signed by James Baldwin to Author’s Mother inequality for people of color, and increasingly the lack of tolerance for religious diversity. In the tradition of the late James Baldwin, I bear witness. I bear witness. I bear witness. And, I promise to fight with my vote, with my words, with my mind, and with my heart against a return to an earlier America in which social inequality was the rule of law. We cannot go back. President Obama, I move forward with you today. But I also will hold you accountable to fight the good fight not just for the middle class but for the impoverished, the economically, politically, and socially disenfranchised and for those who cannot fight for themselves because they are caught in the throes of simply surviving. We have witnessed the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, but there is an ongoing social hurricane that continues to assail American society, and we need President Barrack Hussein Obama’s leadership and his strongest efforts to rebuild and recover the American dream and transform it into an American reality. Mitt Romney and his crew, including the erstwhile Donald Trump and smug Paul Ryan, should not be the only beneficiaries of America’s wealth and privilege. We all
want a piece of the democratic social contract embedded in our constitution to deliver life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness—which should include marrying whom you damn well please and having a livable wage job. President Obama, Lead us righteously. Lead us into that better world you promised upon your re-election: “Tonight, in this election, you, the American people, reminded us that while our road has been hard, while our journey has been long, we have picked ourselves up, we have fought our way back, and we know in our hearts that for the United States of America the best is yet to come. “ I will bear witness to your efforts and I will hold you accountable for promises kept and promises broken. ©2012 McClaurin Solutions Irma McClaurin, PhD is the Culture and Education Editor for Insight News of Minneapolis. She is a biocultural anthropologist and writer living in Raleigh, NC, the Principal of McClaurin Solutions (a consulting business), and a former university president. (www. irmamcclaurin.com) (@ mcclaurintweets).
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COMMENTARY Minneapolis NAACP silent on school issues By Bill English Student Advocate Recently, Booker Hodges, President of the Minneapolis NAACP wrote an op-ed piece in another publication condemning Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) in general on the continuing achievement gap for African-American students. Hodges’ views were severely critical of the Superintendent, Dr. Bernadeia Johnson. Hodges is entitled to opinions but he cannot make up his own facts. As a frequent school board meeting attendee and as a long term education advocate for our students I offer the following facts for consideration. Despite the lingering gap some progress is evident in improving graduation rates and test scores. However neither the increase in graduation rates or improvement in math and reading scores are satisfactory to
our superintendent. She has led the district in education reforms and implemented evidencedbased strategies that have proved successful in other districts. Specifically she has implemented effective teacher and principal evaluation systems. Professional development for teachers has emphasized professional learning communities and individual learning plans for students. Johnson has led the district’s implementation of focused instruction and improved both math and reading strategies across the district. These are only a few examples of the superintendent’s leadership in addressing the academic results of MPS students. This superintendent has made recruiting and training of transformational school leaders a high priority in her administration. Her partnership with Harvest Preparatory Schools (one of the most effective charter school in the country) is revolutionary in
Minnesota. All of these strategies are being implemented in a very transparent manner. The trajectory for MPS’s students of color is in the right direction and
questions on the role of the local NAACP on issues of education. The need for substantial reform in public education has been at the forefront in Minneapolis
While nationally the NAACP has supported the kind of reforms we have advocated our local branch has been silent we need constructive criticism and partnerships rather than the slanted misinformed opinions offered in Hodges’ op-ed piece. That article raises interesting
for several years. The African American Leadership Forum (AALF), Put Kids First and the Coalition of Black Churches have led the push for effective reforms
in Minnesota. Where was our local NAACP on these issues? The fact is it was largely silent. Issues like alternative certification and ending “last in and first out” where efforts to bring national reforms to Minnesota were fought at the legislature without the support of the Minneapolis NAACP. Last year during MPS’s negotiations with the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers, the issue of providing extended day and extended school year for our high priority schools was being contested and our NAACP was silent. While organizations like those mentioned earlier were asking the school board not to approve the contract without those changes the NAACP was not present. There has been no evidence of our NAACP supporting Harvest Prep, Hiawatha Learning Academies; all outstanding charter schools that are effectively educating our children.
It appears to this writer that President Hodges is once again wrongheaded in his opinions. While nationally the NAACP has supported the kind of reforms we have advocated our local branch has been silent. What is needed is for the NAACP to join with others in this struggle to improve outcomes for our students. MPS and Superintendent Johnson have been receptive to constructive criticism and engagement by all of the stakeholders. It would be helpful if in our op-ed pieces we offer constructive advice. The proverbial, “it takes a village to raise a child” is still valid. We need the NAACP and its leadership to join organizations such as AALF, Put Kids First, the Coalition of Black Churches, the Minnesota Business Partnership in pushing for the reforms that will enable MPS and Superintendent Johnson to achieve the objective of making all MPS students graduating college ready.
Coalition stood up, locked arms and outvoted big money Nobody Asked Me
By Fred Easter Nobody asked me, but, I think we have witnessed the birth of a new nation. Republican big money has taken a beating for believing its own myths about the true character of the American masses. The poor, lower-class African-Americans and LatinoAmericans were not supposed to care enough about their
futures, their interests, their children, their communities to stand in lines for hours for the chance to pour over 12 pages of ballot initiatives to intelligently vote their interests. But they did. They beat back the most insidious, broad-based, well-organized, mean-spirited, un-American effort at voter suppression in this country’s history. The clear, demographic fact is that a coalition of African-Americans, LatinoAmericans, young white woman, gays and college students stood up, locked arms and out voted enough money to buy a medium sized, third world country. They announced to the Tea Party
that this is their country too, that they are its future, and that they will be here for a long time. I looked on my television at the people at Mitt Romney’s headquarters in Boston. Nice people, I know them (or people like them). I went to school with them. They took pride in helping me when I was a young token in the best schools in this country. They are the upper class, the ruling class, the compassionate Republicans that, sadly, lost control of their party and their status with it. Then the cameras panned the crowd in Chicago – young people, older folks, black, brown and white folks. Not
nearly as conservatively dresses as the Romney crowd. I saw one tie. I even saw a number of white folk who had rhythm. I closed my eyes and saw America’s future in that crowd of diverse and happy people. Folks my age have faced police dogs, fire hoses, billy clubs and worse … much worse. Now, we have seen the faces in that crowd. We have seen that exceptional and exceptionally normal First Family facing another four years in the White House. We hold a hope for America not seen since the John F. Kennedy inauguration. I burst with pride at what the folks on Main St. accomplished on Nov.
6 against great odds. I conjure up the image of the faces in that crowd as well as the faces of my equally exceptional and exceptionally normal children and grandchildren and the sting of aging dissipates. Old folks like me can take pride in handing over a better America than was handed to us. I heard last night that President Obama’s ground forces had began registering new voters as far back as when Mitch McConnell was establishing his priority to make Obama a one term president. The groundwork for Obama’s victory was laid before he took office. I heard today that 60,000 LatinoAmericans turn 18 every
month. These are our brothers and sisters in arms. Just as the marriage amendment, in all its forms across the country was an attempt to force a wedge between folks in our community; artificial wedges will be fashioned between the black and brown communities. We cannot let this happen. The same Republicans who brought us voting lines around the block are already planning the fracture of this marvelous coalition. A wise old friend of mine says, “no permanent enemies, no permanent friends, only permanent interests.” Ya heard? The campaign is over. The voting is done. The real work begins.
Page 14 • November 12 - November 18, 2012 • Insight News
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COMMUNITY Business profile: Safari Pride Coffee By Shaina Brassard “For a long time I didn’t know what coffee was meant for until I came to the University of Wisconsin. Then I realized that everyone was walking around with coffee, coffee, coffee. I then saw the need to revitalize the knowledge I had of coffee and to take it a few steps further.” After finishing a Bachelors degree in Business Administration and later a Masters in Industrial Technology, he went back to Cameroon and worked for the Cameroonian government and later for a United States Agency for International Development (USAID) program that provided technical assistance to coffee growers. In 1994 he returned to the U.S. and started importing coffee from West Africa. By 1996 he was also roasting and operating his own business, Safari Pride Coffee. He eventually developed a steady customer base of about thirty local independent restaurants and coffee houses. Unfortunately, many of those small businesses were hurt by the recent economic recession. Ngwa’s response was to start importing tropical foods from his region in Africa in addition to coffee. Today, under the company name Dessco International Company, Ngwa supplies much of the Twin Cities’ African population with staples such as yucca and oat flours, spices, seeds, black eyed peas,
Safari Pride Coffee dried shrimp, palm oil and dried vegetables. All Dessco imports are handpicked and brought over by Ngwa himself, who travels to Cameroon and neighboring countries as often as four times per year. While the tropical foods meet a substantial market demand and help pay the bills, it’s obvious that coffee is Ngwa’s favorite product. “What keeps me going is my passion for coffee and blending different profiles, and seeing that enjoyed by somebody else.” Ngwa describes the process of coffee production like that of wine. He also explains how a person’s coffee preferences and wine preferences are usually related; those that lean towards darker red wines will want a darker,
Photo Shaina Brassard
For Samuel Ngwa, owner of Safari Pride Coffee and Dessco Imports, coffee is an important part of his identity and life, and it is not hard to see why. “I grew up in Cameroon, a country in West Africa, where most families live on a compound with about an acre of surrounding land. My father took care of coffee trees, which was a staple commercial product that sustained most of the families. So my brothers and I tended to the coffee when we were not in school.” more full-bodied coffee profile, while white wine drinkers tend to choose medium to light roasts. Not surprisingly, good coffee starts with the coffee fruit. “My base beans are from Cameroon. Actually, some of them come from my father’s place and the cooperative where he and his neighbors sell their coffee.” He supplements
Calendar • Classifieds Send Community Calendar information to us by email: info@insightnews.com, by fax: 612.588.2031, by phone: 612.588-1313 or by mail: 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis, MN 55411. Free or low cost events preferred.
EVENTS The Council on Crime and Justice is moving temporarily! While the current location at 822 S. 3rd Street is under construction, The Council on Crime and Justice will be working at a new location in Golden Valley and expect to return in approximately 6 months. Effective October 26th, the mailing address is: Council on Crime and Justice, 1109 Zane Avenue North, Golden Valley, MN 55422. The phone numbers and email address will remain the same. If you have questions, please contact us at 612-353-3000 or info@crimeandjustice.org Register for Winter Term at Camden Music School Registration opens Monday,
November 12 for Camden Music School’s Winter Term, January 7 – March 15. All ages, abilities and experience levels welcome. CMS offers vocal and instrumental lessons, Musikgarten early childhood music classes (newborn to age 8), ensembles, music theory, songwriting and more! Scholarships and family discounts are available. Scholarship application deadline: 5pm Friday, December 28. Classes in Camden: Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, 3751 Sheridan Ave. N., 55412. CMS in Northeast Minneapolis: Student Veterans Appreciation Day Nov. 15 University of Minnesota students, staff and faculty will celebrate the sixth annual Student Veterans Appreciation Day from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, in honor of student veterans’ service to our country. Held at the McNamara Alumni Center, 200 Oak St. S.E., Minneapolis, the event is free and open to the public. University Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education Robert McMaster
those with Sumatran, Cuban, Colombian and Mexican coffee purchased from wholesalers in New York City and Houston. He then prepares his unique blends of beans which are tailored to a particular profile: medium roast, breakfast blend, French Roast, espresso, and so forth. Then coffee is ready to enter the roaster, a large red, sparkling machine capable of
Phone: 612.588.1313
will speak during a brief program recognizing the contributions of university student veterans, military members and their families. McMaster will also introduce the university’s three Tillman Military Scholars for the 201213 academic year. A free lunch will follow at noon. For more information, visit onestop. umn.edu/veterans/news_ and_events/svad_archive/ index.html or contact Julie Selander at (612) 625-6579. International expert discusses adolescent brain development and the law Nov. 15 Laurence Steinberg, one of the world’s leading authorities on psychological development during adolescence and bestselling author, will give his lecture, “Should the Science of Adolescent Brain Development Inform Legal Policy?” from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15 in the theater in Coffman Union, 300 Washington Ave. S.E., Minneapolis. Sponsored by the University of Minnesota’s Consortium on Law and Values in Health, Environment & the Life Sciences, the event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Martha Coventry at coven002@
roasting up to a ton of coffee per day. With his experienced eye, Ngwa watches until the coffee is the appropriate color for each particular roast. Ngwa’s deep relationship to the coffee he produces is incredibly unique and as strong as his signature espresso, which he makes with Cameroonian beans. You can’t get his coffee anywhere else, which is why he
Fax: 612.588.2031
umn.edu or (612) 625-2948. CEHD Reads presents author Wes Moore Nov. 16 The university’s College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) will host the “CEHD Reads” public lecture and discussion with bestselling author Wes Moore at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16 at The Commons Hotel in Stadium Village, 615 Washington Ave. S.E., Minneapolis. The Other Wes Moore was published in 2010 and is a New York Times bestseller. The combined autobiography and biography is an alternating narrative that tells the story of two boys—both named Wes Moore—growing up in similar Baltimore neighborhoods and the very different paths their lives take. A book signing will take place after the event. For more information, visit w w w. c e h d . u m n . e d u / r e a d s / default.html or contact Serena Wright at wrigh103@umn.edu. University Opera Theatre presents Giuseppi Verdi’s Falstaff Nov. 15 - Nov. 18 The University of Minnesota Opera Theatre presents a fourday run of Giuseppi Verdi’s Falstaff. Evening performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. from
has several customers that he says, “are hooked,” including eleven individuals located throughout Minnesota and in other states that order regular shipments from Ngwa. Safari Coffee recently secured a logo and individual packaging that will allow Ngwa to sell smaller quantities. The coffee houses that have been brewing Safari Pride will now offer the packages to their customers. Safari Pride and Dessco Imports is located in the North Minneapolis Business Center, a Small Business Incubator located on the corner of N 2nd Street and 22nd Avenue N, run by Dennis Werneke, owner of the Center and founder of the adhesives company, American Chemical. Like many small business owners, Ngwa finds there aren’t enough hours in the day, but he is hoping to expand his business and see his coffee being consumed in the North Minneapolis neighborhoods near his offices. “I would love to supply the coffee to the neighborhood. “ He would like to hire two to three people to help him run his operations and keep up with the demand for his products. If you love premium coffee, stop by Safari Pride. It’s truly a local business you’ll love to support. Dessco International Company Safari Pride Coffee 202 22nd Avenue N, Minneapolis 55411 612.871.5244
Email: info@insightnews.com
Thursday, Nov. 15 through Saturday, Nov. 17, with a 1:30 p.m. matinee Sunday, Nov. 18. All performances are at the Ted Mann Concert Hall, 2128 4th St. S., Minneapolis. Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for U of M students and children. Two-for-one tickets are available for U of M faculty, alumni, staff and retirees. Pre-opera lobby discussions begin 45 minutes before each performance. Running time is 2 hours and 45 minutes, with two intermissions. For more information, visit music.umn. edu/ensembles/opera. Annual Health Fair Nov. 17 GFMBC Health and Social Concerns Ministry hosts Annual Health Fair on Saturday, November 17th from 9a to 1p. All are invited and welcome to attend this FREE event which will offer FREE Flu Shots provided by Open Cities Health Center, FREE Blood Pressure and Glucose Screening provided by NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center. Health and Wellness workshops to include: 9:15a - 10:15a - ‘O Taste and See’ (Diabetes Awareness); 10:30a - 11:30a - ‘Learn it! Check it! Live it!’ (Kidney Disease Prevention);
Morehouse From 11 and scholars-in-residence in data collection, analysis, writing and publishing on interdisciplinary issues pertinent to the mission of the Center • A place for training and consultation in using intensive experimental strategies, including servicelearning as focal points for ongoing campus, local, state, national and international leadership development The Executive Conference Center, which includes a prefunction area and lobby, can accommodate 300 to 500 guests. The space also can be used for formal banquets. The Bank of America Auditorium seats 300 and is equipped with state-of-theart audio/visual equipment, including a ceiling-mounted projector and a smart podium. Meeting room areas can be partitioned for any combination up to six breakout rooms, each accommodating up to 50 people. Both of these areas are fully equipped for professional presentations, exhibits or seminars.
10:30a - 11:30a - ‘Exercise & Nutrition’ Awareness (for youth and teens); and 12:30p 1p - ‘Health Impact of Tobacco on the African American Community. A FREE lunch will be provided at 11:45a. Call 612.827.7928 to register. Wind Ensemble: Blockbuster Evening with Frank Ticheli Nov. 20 Guest composer Frank Ticheli joins the University of Minnesota Wind Ensemble as guest composer for regional premieres of two new works, Concerto for Clarinet featuring Alexander Fiterstein, clarinet, and Songs of Love and Life, featuring D.M.A. voice student Jennifer Olson. Also receiving its regional premiere will be Rio’s Convergence by Justin Freer. The concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20 at the Ted Mann Concert Hall, 2128 4th St. S., Minneapolis. There will be an open preconcert talk beginning at 7 p.m. Sponsored by the university’s School of Music, the event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit events. umn.edu/021787 or contact Lisa Marshall at mus-ppr@ umn.edu or (612) 626-1094.
As the nation’s largest, private liberal arts college for men, Morehouse College was recently recognized as the number one liberal arts college in the nation by Washington Monthly; one of 45 “Best Buy” schools for 2011 by the Fiske Guide to Colleges; one of the nation’s Most Grueling Colleges in 2010 by The Huffington Post; the number three HBCU in the nation for 2011 by U.S. News and World Report; and as one of American’s Best Colleges for three consecutive years by Forbes magazine. Prominent alumni include Martin Luther King Jr., Nobel Peace Prize winner and civil and human rights non-violent leader; Dr. David Satcher, former U.S. Surgeon General and director of the National Center for Primary Care of Morehouse School of Medicine; Shelton “Spike” Lee, filmmaker and president of 40 Acres & A Mule Productions; Samuel L. Jackson, Academy Award-nominated actor; Maynard H. Jackson, founder of Jackson Securities and the first African American mayor of Atlanta; and Nima A. Warfield, the first African American Rhodes Scholar from an HBCU.
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Insight News • November 12 - November 18, 2012 • Page 15
Lawal designs Washburn Center By Ivan B. Phifer Staff Writer A new service facility, Washburn Facility – a three story building – is set to be placed on 1128 Glenwood Ave. The facility, founded by Walter Caldwell Crosby, has a mission to help children and their families with social, emotional and behavioral problems lead successful lives. With 130 years of experience in assisting high-risk children, Washburn Center for Children is a leading children’s mental health center, caring for a wide variety of children’s needs such as trauma, anxiety, depression and learning difficulties. Mohammed Lawal, an architect of the Washburn Facility has worked on education instituted projects for 15 plus years. “We were hired two years ago to start designing new children’s mental health institute, specifically for the Washburn Center for Children,” said Lawal. The current facility is located on 24th Street and Nicollet Avenue. It is a center that helps toddlers to teens with behavioral issues, mental health, and undiagnosed family issues. More
State Representative Bobby Joe Champion
Election From 1 even a president – that’s the future we hope for. That’s the vision we share. That’s where we need to go – forward.” The president expressed hope for the nation in his second term. “Our economy is recovering. A decade of war is ending. A long campaign is now over,” said Obama. “And whether I earned your vote or not, I have listened to you, I have learned from you, and you’ve made me a better president. And with your stories and your struggles, I return to the White House more determined and more inspired than ever about the work there is to do and the future that lies ahead.” The key to Obama’s win was his overwhelming support of African-Americans, LatinoAmericans and women. Obama carried 93 of the AfricanAmerican vote and 71 percent of the Latino-American vote. The president lost among white men. Faced with mounting voter suppression laws and tactics, many Americans took their right to vote seriously. Some voters in states such as Florida and Ohio stood in lines as long as nine hours. Locally, voting ran smoothly for the most part, with a couple of exceptions. Minnesota’s Secretary of State’s press coordinator, Patricia Turgeon said minus a few
Washburn Center for Children building concept than 2,000 children go through the program each year. Most are in day treatment and attend the facility four days a week in addition to regular schooling to assist with therapy. “We looked at over 2,000 sites, ranging from Southwest to Downtown,” said Lawal, who said the final location was based on a few factors. “We saw it as a real connection to nature; a site along a cultural corridor and is also located in a dense
urban neighborhood. One of the things we are working on is the restorative power of nature related to children’s mental health and behavior.” The site is along – and connected to – Basset Creek, Bryn Mawr Park and its bike path. It is an unconventional building with slim footprints. “This way we receive natural daylight into all the spaces in the building. It is also more energy efficient so you do not have
State Representative Jeff Hayden
State Representative Rena Moran
ballot box jams, lines were short and voting was unhampered. One exception was in Yellow Medicine County where a bomb threat was phoned in. That threat proved to be a hoax.
Take Action Minnesota, AAPR, the League of Women Voters and elected officials such as Rep. Keith Ellison for helping to defeat the measure. Ellison, who handily defeated his House challenger, Republican, Chris Fields, said a strong ground game was able to defeat the proposed amendment despite initial polls showing 80 percent support for the measure. “We proved that if you do the right thing regardless of what polls say that democracy would prevail,” said Ellison. “We didn’t care that at the start of this the polls said this (measure) would pass by 80 percent. When the polls started moving in our favor, we didn’t coast – we ran faster. We knew this was important because the people we were fighting for were the people who are on the margins of society.” Civil rights pioneer, Dr. Josie Johnson said working to defeat voter ID in the state was something she had to do. “It made me terribly disappointed and angry – and I try not to entertain the emotion of anger – but it made me angry that a group of people, for selfish reasons, would try to take away the rights that many people I know died for and sacrificed so much for,” said Johnson. “This (proposed) amendment would have put us in the category of Mississippi in 1964.” In another stunning defeat, the proposed amendment to ban gay marriage fell by just
Proposed state Constitutional amendments fail The big news in the state – besides the presidential election – was the defeat of two proposed amendments that many say would have infringed on the liberties of Minnesotans. The voter ID amendment was handily defeated by a more than 173,000 votes. The proposed amendment would have become one of the most restrictive voting laws in the land had it passed. Our Vote Our Future, which coordinated the opposition to the initiative, celebrated the defeat as a victory for democracy. “We are going to be the leader in the country and we’ll show the rest of the country we’re moving towards equality and not away from it,” said Minn. House Minority Leader, Rep. Paul Thissen. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak pointed to the troubles others states such as Ohio and Florida were having with voter suppression efforts and said he is proud of the choice Minnesotans made. “Here in Minnesota, thank God we’re better than that,” said Rybak. Rybak praised a coordinated effort of many forces including
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excessive heat,” said Lawal. According to Lawal, the new building is 50,000 square feet, more than double the current site of 24,000 square feet. “That will only allow them to better serve and take care of the children that so desperately need the service,” said Lawal. “Often times you do not even know a child can have a mental health disorder, until you can’t help them.” Lawal said simple tasks
such as taking a walk around creeks and parks before and after therapy can be a way of reducing anxiety and escalated conditions. “We have been looking at how to incorporate these aspects to relieve anxiety into design, in terms of shape of building, access to natural daylight, and landscaping,” said the architect. As a city kid, Lawal used to wonder how to bring nature to the city.
over 100,000 votes. No votes received a little more than 1.5 million votes as opposed to just fewer than 1.4 million in favor of the ban. In 30 states prior, similar ballot questions were approved by voters, thus making the Minnesota defeat all the more shocking. Though the measure was defeated, marriage in the state is still defined as between a man and a woman, but the door is now open for court challenges to that definition.
4,207 votes or 50.45 percent to 49.27 percent. As mentioned earlier, Ellison defeated Fields to retain his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Ellison bested fields by a three to one margin, 257,295 to 88,040. As expected, Bobby Joe Champion easily defeated his Republican challenger, Jim Lilly, for Minnesota State Senate capturing 82 percent of the vote. The same was true for Sen. Jeff Hayden, who beat his challenger, Eric Blair by capturing more than 86 percent of the vote. In St. Paul, State Rep. Rena Moran ran away with her re-election bid, besting her opponent 13,263 to just 2,387 for Republican challenger Daniel Lipp. Champion, Hayden and Moran are the only African-
Other state and local races Sen. Amy Klobuchar easily won re-election besting her closest challenger by almost a million votes. In a surprisingly close vote, Tea Party darling, Rep. Michele Bachmann escaped being ousted by her DFL challenger, Jim Graves. Bachmann won by just
“Choosing a site in North Minneapolis and working with the Harrison Neighborhood Association, it would be a very rewarding asset for families and children that do need the services,” said Lawal. As a student at Harrison Elementary School, Lawal said he was very interested in the arts. At age 9 he and his family moved to Nigeria. “While in Nigeria, my parents encouraged me to select a vocation; so I thought architecture seemed close to the arts,” said Lawal. “I approach architecture from an artistic phenomenological point, how people feel in the space, how you feel about yourself when you enter a building.” According to statistics, one out of five Minnesota children will experience mental health challenges, yet only 20 percent of these children will get the professional help they need. Responding to the community’s growing needs, Washburn expanded its services and now serves 81 percent more children than it did five years ago. “For Washburn, it’s been a very exciting and rewarding time working with them,” Lawal said. “They are very aware of the work and the amount of time they spend with children.”
Americans serving in the Minnesota State Legislature. Tori Hill, an AfricanAmerican seeking to unseat Republican Jennifer Toon in the State House in Dist. 48B came short in her bid, losing 12,787 to 8,891. In the special election for Hennepin County Commissioner, Dist. 2, Linda Higgins defeated Blong Yang. On the Minneapolis School Board, Carla Bates was elected over Doug Mann as Member at Large. In Minnesota, Obama defeated Romney 1,543,102 to 1,321,154. For complete state election results, visit www.electionresults. sos.state.mn.us/enr/enr/home/1.
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Page 16 • November 12 - November 18, 2012 • Insight News
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