Insight News ::: 11.18.13

El-Kati and McQueen on 12 Years a Slave MORE ON PAGE 5

November 18 - November 24, 2013

Vol. 40 No. 47 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Teen designer Amirah Coney, Mother Trayshana Thomas

Amirah Coney seeks to put her stamp on the fashion world L-R: Associate Supreme Court Justice Alan Page, Dr. Josie Johnson, Temple Israel Senior Rabbi Marcia A. Zimmerman, and Father Michael O’Connell.

By Abeni Hill

Dr. Josie Johnson honored by Temple Israel Upon the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, Dr. Josie Johnson has been honored with the prestigious Rabbi Max A. Shapiro Tzadik Award at Temple Israel in Minneapolis for her lifetime commitment to the struggle for civil rights and social justice.

Johnson joins Father Michael O’Connell, former Vice

President Walter Mondale and Associate Supreme Court Justice Alan Page as the fourth annual recipient of this award given

by Temple Israel. The award is named for the late Rabbi Max A. Shapiro, who served Temple Israel and the greater community for more than 40 years. Rabbi Shapiro was a visionary with a passion for learning, a quest for

NNPA Photo by Freddie Allen

Anton Gunn says despite glitches, no one is being turned away from health care.

social justice and an undying faith in humankind.

“Rabbi Shapiro believed we needed to do more than applaud or support civil rights legislation,” Johnson said upon receiving the award on October 18. “He declared, ‘We must do more. Now, my friend, it is time to do more! I ask you to do more!’

“The March on Washington 50 years ago called for the redress of the evils of white supremacy and economic deprivation,” Johnson continued. “These old grievances still exist and may be more deeply etched in the fabric of our society than we realize.

JOHNSON TURN TO 4

NNPA Photo by Freddie Allen

Marc Morial believes Obama will fix website problems

Obama on defensive over healthcare glitches

By Freddie Allen NNPA Washington Correspondent WASHINGTON (NNPA) – Under unrelenting attacks – including from Democratic supporters – President Obama and White House officials

continue to struggle as they try to blunt criticism that that President Obama stretched the truth in describing coverage options for consumers who already had health insurance before the roll out of healthcare. gov and the individual mandate policy of the Affordable Care Act.

In a number of speeches leading up to and following the passage of the Affordable Care Act, President Obama assured American citizens that if they liked they’re health insurance, they could keep it. However, for about 5 percent of people who purchased their health insurance on the individual market, that’s

not the case. Thousands have received letters informing them that their current plans don’t meet the standards of the Affordable Care Act and that their current plans will have to be upgraded. In those instances, some will have to pay more.

HEALTH TURN TO 11

Amirah Coney, 16, is a student at St. Paul Central High School.

Coney is a member of SHE, a student group at her high school that advocates for, and promotes female empowerment.

The engaged teenager is highly focused on her academics – her favorite subject is science and she also loves to learn about AfricanAmerican history. One of her career goals is to be a coroner because of her interest in forensic science. Coney is also a teacher’s assistant to an accelerated precalculus teacher. She has a strong passion for track and field and plans to join St. Paul Central’s track team.

It should be noted that this ambitious student has an entrepreneurial side.

Coney launched her own clothing line, VMIRVH Apparel, a year ago. She describes her fashion line as “unique and different” and the style is retro apparel. VMIRVH is Coney’s first name Amirah, with ‘A’s switched to ‘V’s. The young entrepreneur defines herself as a young lady aiming for greatness in all aspects of life and daring to be different.

“Since I was 10-years-old I have always had a passion for fashion,” said Coney. “I feel like this is a great way to express my feelings and emotions in a positive way.”

Coney is inspired by the 1960s and describes the decade as “an era of African-American pride and liberation.” During this time, African-Americans began changing the way they dressed and the way they wore their hair and embraced their African roots.

Coney said 1960s AfricanAmericans began wearing a garment called the dashiki, a West African clothing item worn mostly worn by males, but also by some women.

The young entrepreneur wants her peers to have the same sense of expression.

“I just want to be a great example for all teens and young African-Americans that are my age,” said Coney, who believes there are not many positive role models in popular culture today.

The aspiring fashion designer talked about how some celebrities portray a negative image and yet today’s young people admire them for their fashion sense.

“This generation is really experiencing a hard hit because the people that we look up to such

as rappers, actors and actresses aren’t portraying themselves in a positive manner,” said Coney.

For Coney, one person who does use fashion in a positive manner is Tyra Banks.

“We have a lot of similarities,” said the aspiring designer, who said Banks was bullied because of her tiny build. Coney identifies with her experiences. “I am a very skinny person, so I would get bullied a lot.”

Coney said Banks’ perseverance and demonstration of self-confidence and selfesteem through fashion and modeling was “a great way for other people to follow behind her and become successful leaders.”

CONEY TURN TO 12

Insight2Health

Health

Man Talk

Community

Healthy holiday eating

A special date…

Look forward for your purpose

From homelessness to connectedness, empowerment, and self-reliance

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Page 2 • November 18 - November 24, 2013 • Insight News

insightnews.com

HE HEALTHY HOLIDAY EAT EATING

By Janet H. Matope, MS, CCT Men’s Health Network It’s finally November and we all know what that means - The Holidays - first Thanksgiving, then Christmas, and New Year’s.

Fun with the family, office parties, or stores offering candy and other seasonal favorites - who can resist?

Emotions are elevated, hopes are high, and the temptation of tasty treats adds yet another dimension to the season: concern over holiday weight gain. While eating lots of good food is both expected and encouraged during these special times, excessive indulgence can create problems later.

The holidays don’t have to be synonymous with weight gain, especially if you approach them with a sound game plan. Here is a holiday eating game plan that you can follow before you find yourself making yet again another New Year’s weight loss resolution.

PRE-GAME TIPS Don’t skip meals – especially breakfast, in anticipation of eating larger holiday meals later on. Research shows people who eat a healthy breakfast tend to consumer fewer calories during the day.

Have a pre-meal – Don’t go to a holiday gathering on an empty stomach. Snack on fruits or vegetables before heading out the door. This will give you a slight feeling of being full, which will help prevent overeating later.

Plan ahead – Have a plan for self-control, especially when it comes to your most tempting treats. Think ahead about the sights, sounds, aromas, and feelings that trigger your personal patterns of overeating, and then make plans to combat these beforehand so they don’t become overwhelming.

ONCE YOU ARE IN THE GAME

© Can Stock photo

Drink lots of water – Sipping on a glass of cold water or ice throughout the event helps keep you feeling full and staves off the dehydration that comes from eating too many high-sugar, high-salt goodies. In fact, dehydration can actually mimic hunger, tempting you to eat more when you should really be drinking more water.

The holidays don’t have to be synonymous with weight gain, especially if you approach them with a sound game plan.

Practice portion control – It’s nice to dig in to your favorite holiday treats.

However, the extra effort required later to work off the calories, or, worse, the gaining of unwanted body fat from eating too much, should be reminders for portion control. So, eat what you want, just keep your portions reasonable, chew food slowly, and keep return trips to a minimum.

Size matters! The bigger the plate you are eating from, the more food you are likely to eat. Use smaller plates at the buffet line as they can help with portion control. There is something about seeing an empty plate that helps us feel satisfied whether the container is large or small. That’s why using smaller plates is so effective.

Eat food because you’re hungry, not because it’s there – Make a deliberate decision to control so-called recreational eating. Eat with your appetite, not with your eyes. Examine

what’s available, and then decide what you really want Eat slowly – The stomach needs about 20 minutes to tell the brain that it’s feeling full. But when food is gulped down, by the time the stomach sends its fullness signal to the brain, you’ve probably already eaten too much food and too many calories. Fill up your plate, eat slowly, and then put the brakes on for a while so that your stomach can send its fullness signal to your brain.

Veg out on veggies – Filling up on healthy, lowcalorie, high-fiber vegetables instead of high-fat, high-sugar, high-salt, and high-caffeine treats will make you feel full without the drawbacks of dehydration, nervousness, weight gain, and overeating.

Share the holiday spirit – and your food. Save calories by splitting treats with another person.

Enjoy yourself – They don’t call it “the most wonderful time of the year”

for nothing! But rather than focusing on food, allow yourself to enjoy the personal relationships, meaning of the season, personal reflections, renewed spiritual dedication, holiday games, fun, and memories you’re blessed to have.

Additionally, remember that healthy eating is only half the battle. You also need to stay physically active. Try these easy steps to burn more holiday calories: • Maintain or slightly increase your regular exercise program. This will help decrease your appetite, keep your metabolism high, and give you a little caloric leeway for those sweet treats.

• When shopping for holiday gifts, park furthest away from the shopping entrance.

• Always take the stairs instead of the elevator.

• Take a walk after a heavy meal. As tempting

as laying on the couch afterwards may be, taking a short walk instead will actually help your body digest your food.

Remember the key to winning is a good defense.

Following this game plan for healthy eating will help you maintain good physical and mental health while celebrating with friends and family.

Men’s Health Network (MHN) is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to reach men, boys, and their families where they live, work, play, and pray with health prevention messages and tools, screening programs, educational materials, advocacy opportunities, and patient navigation.

Learn more about MHN at www.menshealthnetwork. org and follow them on Twitter @MensHlthNetwork and facebook.com/ menshealthnetwork

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Insight News • November 18 - November 24, 2013 • Page 3

HEALTH

A special date…

By Al McFarlane, Editor-in-Chief with color commentary by Batala McFarlane People tell me and my wife and business partner, Bobbie Ford, that they enjoy seeing us strolling hand-in-hand on our daily walks across the Mississippi River at the Stone Arch Bridge, or just about anywhere else. And we enjoy the feedback…the idea that people notice and nod or smile approvingly, applauding our

INSIGHT NEWS www.insightnews.com

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

Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane CFO Adrianne Hamilton-Butler Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Vice President of Sales & Marketing Selene White Culture and Education Editor Irma McClaurin Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Sr. Content & Production Coordinator Ben Williams Production Intern Sunny Thongthi Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Receptionist Lue B. Lampley

40+ year love affair.

We take satisfaction in recounting that from day 1, we both have been “all in” fiercely pursuing and defending our vision of who we are and why we are inseparable.

So this week, we had that chance to take it to a new level.

I am 66, and since the age of about 50 have been getting the colonoscopy screening every five years. I skipped out on the screening last year, but procrastinatingly resolved that I would do it soon. Bobbie turns 65 this year and since 60 follows the same doctor’s recommended colonoscopy screening every five years.

We scheduled to have our procedures at the same time. You have to have a driver, since you are partially sedated for the invasive procedure. Our daughter, Batala, volunteered and drove us to the HealthPartners Specialty Clinic for our 2pm appointments.

Bobbie and I walked in hand-in-hand as usual. I stood to her side while she presented her insurance cards to the intake specialist. Perhaps the specialist thought I was being an overbearing spouse, not giving my wife room to handle her business. But as soon as Bobbie’s paperwork was complete, I handed the intake specialist my insurance cards.

She looked at me a said, “Ah ha!”

I smiled and responded, “This is our idea of a date!”

While we find a way to bring humor to every challenge, on the serious side, we are earnestly committed to doing all we can to ensure health and vitality in our lives and we want the same for everyone else. Here are some facts you should know about colorectal cancer. Facts that will encourage you to act and not procrastinate .

My Two Cents, by Batala McFarlane I knew Mother was a bit nervous and not looking forward to the screening –I mean, really, how can one be excited about a colonoscopy?

During the drive to St. Paul, I attempted to ease Mother’s nerves by offering some interesting random facts and a few jokes. I dropped them off at the door to park the car.

By the time I reached HealthPartners Digestive Center, mother was already in the room waiting for a quick consult with the physician –a cheerful character who

How can you limit your risk for colorectal cancer?

• Regular testing • Regular exercise • Stop smoking • Talk to your family to find out if anyone has a history of cancer • Talk to your doctor about options for testing

B.P. Ford and Al McFarlane introduced himself as “The Plumber.” Mother was calm and well-prepared for her 20-minute procedure –I guess my jokes helped-- when the nurse escorted her to the exam room. I then went and sat with Dad as he waited for his procedure. Shortly he, too, was escorted to a different exam room.

While I waited for my folks, I simply, thought: “Wow.” You see, over the past three years I have had several visits to my pulmonary physician, and I have had three operations, one major and two small. During the procedures, my nerves were always on 10. Mother would comfort me, also with jokes. Dad always rubbed my feet, sending positive vibes and telling me not to worry.

I am honored that I was able to sit with my folks and provide comfort as they have done with me. I commend them for being extremely mindful of their health. It sounds strange, but it was a good time for us to bond. I suppose, I busted in on their date –I was told as a child I used to be the “date buster-upper.” I suppose some things never change ….

Ok, so now the facts on colorectal cancer.

What is colorectal cancer?

• Colorectal cancer is cancer in the colon or rectum. In most people, colorectal cancer develops slowly over a period of several years. It usually begins as a small, polyp (growth) that may eventually change into cancer.

cancer-related deaths in the United States.

• Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer in both men and women.

• Over 147,500 new cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed each year.

More than 57,100 people die from colorectal cancer each year.

What things put people at risk for colorectal cancer?

• Age • Inflammatory Bowel Disease or Crohn’s Disease • A personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps • Lack of regular physical activity • A diet without enough fruits and vegetables • A low-fiber / high-fat diet • Obesity • Alcohol use • Tobacco use

When and how often should you be tested for colorectal cancer?

Testing for colorectal cancer is recommended for all adults starting at age 50. AfricanAmericans should start at age 45.

The following tests are available: • Colonoscopy every 10 years – This is the best test for screening.

• Fecal (stool) testing every year.

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy with or without fecal testing every 5 years.

People at higher risk should start being tested at a younger age and should be tested more frequently, ideally with a colonoscopy. Talk to your doctor about your risk.

What tests are available for colorectal cancer screening?

• Colonoscopy: This test looks at the rectum and the entire colon using a lighted instrument called a colonoscope. This test can find growths throughout the colon. It also checks the upper part of the colon where growths would be missed by a sigmoidoscopy.

• Fecal testing: This is a test to check for blood in the stool.

This test, when performed every 1 to 2 years in people ages 50 to 80, reduces the number of deaths due to

colorectal cancer by as much as 30 percent.

• Sigmoidoscopy: This test looks at the rectum and the lower colon using a lighted instrument called a sigmoidscope. This test can find growths in the rectum and lower colon only. Regular testing with a sigmoidscope after age 50 can reduce the number of deaths from colorectal cancer.

• Combination of fecal testing and sigmoidoscopy: This testing combination can detect cancers and large polyps better then either method alone.

It has limitations, however.

Fecal testing should be done before sigmoidoscopy. This is because if you have a positive fecal test result, you should have a colonoscopy, rather than a sigmoidoscopy.

References: American College of Gastroenterology (ACG).

2008 Guidelines for Colorectal Cancer Screening.

Available at www.amjgastro. com. Accessed May 6, 2009 Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Guide to Clinical Preventive Services, 2008.

Available at www.ahrq.gov.

Accessed May 4, 2009 Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (ICSI).

Healthcare Guideline: Colorectal Cancer Screening, Twelfth Edition, June 2008. Available at www.icsi.org. Accessed May 6, 2009 ©2009 HealthPartners 5-09/9.3/052982

You belong.

The health plan with you in mind.

What are the facts about colorectal cancer?

• Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of

Contributing Writers Harry Colbert, Jr. Julie Desmond Fred Easter Timothy Houston Alaina L. Lewis Darren Moore Alysha Price Photography Michele Spaise 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.

At Medica, you’re not just part of a health plan.

You’re part of a community that believes in better health for all.

Learn more at medica.com/PublicPrograms

Page 4 • November 18 - November 24, 2013 • Insight News

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BUSINESS

Listening with curiosity Plan Your Career

By Julie Desmond julie@insightnews.com At an event this week, I had

a chance to hear about the internal workings of companies around town – what the different company cultures are about and how management at these companies want to shape their company cultures and the challenges they face. A common theme was around curiosity.

One manager said they’re going for a “culture of curiosity,” and another manager agreed that

that was a good idea. Get your people curious, get them asking questions, get them psyched up to learn and to innovate.

Sounds great. Now, how do we do that? And why does it matter? These are the questions I asked, and the response of one participant really put curiosity into perspective for me in a way that applies to everyone, whether someone is trying to

drive culture change or is simply driving the family to a football game. “Curiosity is about asking questions,” this manager said.

“And more importantly, it is about listening to the answers to those questions.”

Nobody listens anymore.

We all know that. With the barrage of information coming at all of us every day (even billboards change their images

every fourteen seconds), who has time to really listen? This point became really clear when the manager described a recent meeting. She said, the executive team had agreed on developing a culture of curiosity. Then they agreed that listening would be a key piece of that. And then they wanted to know, “What should our message be while we’re listening?” They wanted to

know how to lead a conversation where they were supposed to be listening. They wanted to know what to… SAY… while listening.

The answer? Just listen. Just get curious. Just find out what there is to find out. Don’t say anything. You might be surprised at what you hear when you take the time to listen to what the rest of the world is saying.

Are you ready to retire?

FUNdraising Good Times

By Mel and Pearl Shaw With an estimated ten percent of the workforce employed in the nonprofit sector, retirement benefits can be a factor that impacts individual employees as well as the nonprofits they work for. For example, do older employees delay retirement because they don’t have enough money to fund their retirement?

Johnson From 1 “I would like to have seen the dream of the 1963 March on Washington come true. I thought the election of President Obama represented Dr. King’s dream that ‘...some day my four little children will be judged by the

Does this impact the ability of a nonprofit to promote talent from within, or to attract new talent from outside the organization? Do younger and mid-career employees evaluate employment opportunities based on retirement benefits?

Earlier this year the TIAACREF Institute and Independent Sector issued a report on a joint study they conducted on retirement and the nonprofit sector, a topic of interest to both.

The TIAA-CREF Institute helps advance the ways individuals and institutions plan for financial security and organizational effectiveness, and Independent Sector is a nonprofit, nonpartisan

network of approximately 600 nonprofits, foundations and corporate philanthropy programs.

Key findings of the study included the following: 45% of nonprofit employees are not confident about their ability to retire from their employment; almost one-half of nonprofit employees are not satisfied with their ability to prepare financially for retirement; and more than 40% do not feel that they are accumulating sufficient financial resources to ensure their longterm financial security. Over three-quarters reported access to an employer-sponsored retirement plan or plans; almost

one-third have access to a defined benefit pension plan, and more than two-thirds to a defined contribution plan, such as a 403(b) plan. While 76% are currently saving for retirement, less than 20% of these savers are extremely or very confident that they are saving the right amount.

What is hidden within these numbers is the difference – if there is one – between those who work for large nonprofits such as hospitals, colleges and universities, and those who work for small to mid-sized nonprofits. Could it be that these employees may find that they won’t have enough to fund their retirement, and may in time

have to depend on nonprofits for assistance?

Related to this, here are a few more findings: one third of sector employees have received retirement planning advice within the past three years; twothirds have not tried to determine how much money they will need to accumulate so that they can live comfortably in retirement; and among savers who are confident that they are saving the right amount, one-third have not attempted such a calculation.

These issues are by no means the sole concern of nonprofits. But, given that many nonprofits are mission-driven, it is important to consider how

this sector can address issues that face their employees. This is something for board members to consider and discuss. For example, when reviewing and approving budgets, is there a discussion about employee benefits including retirement?

What actions can your nonprofit take to help employees prepare for retirement?

content of their character, not the color of their skin.’ However, unfortunately…the laws of denial were too deeply rooted in the fabric of American life for Dr. King’s ‘child,’ President Obama, to be judged by the content of his character alone.

“The Rabbi urged us to do more, and I ask you to do more,” Johnson said.

Presenting the award before

dignitaries, past award winners, congregants and friends, Temple Israel Senior Rabbi Marcia A. Zimmerman declared: “Tzadik is the Hebrew word for righteous person. It is said that such righteous people live among us, and in Josie Johnson, we know that is true. She has fought for many years for fair housing practices, equal voting rights, equal employment, full

educational opportunities, and the elimination of poverty and racism. We are blessed to be able to call her our friend and honor her with the Rabbi Max A. Shapiro Tzadik Award.

“Josie Johnson has been a friend to Temple Israel and the Jewish community since the early years,” Zimmerman added.

“She and Rabbi Shapiro found themselves on the same side of

many issues over many years as they fought for civil rights in Minneapolis and sought to strengthen cross cultural ties.

“When her own daughter died in a tragic plane crash with Congressman Mickey Leland in 1989, it was the Jewish community that Josie partnered with to memorialize her daughter’s passion for social justice.”

In memory of her daughter and Congressman Leland, Johnson founded a nonprofit organization called LelandJohnson Common Vision, which brings together AfricanAmerican and Jewish high school students to dispel myths and stereotypes, promote understanding, and develop leaders who will fight racism and anti-Semitism.

Copyright 2013 – Mel and Pearl Shaw Mel and Pearl Shaw are the authors of “Prerequisites for Fundraising Success.”

They position nonprofits for fundraising success. Visit them at www.saadandshaw.com.

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El-Kati and McQueen on 12 Years a Slave

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer

Harry Colbert, Jr.

Professor Mahmoud El-Kati (l) and Steve McQueen

Following a sold out matinee showing of the acclaimed film, “12 Years a Slave” a clearly emotional audience stayed for a nearly hour-long discussion with the film’s director, Steve McQueen.

The film, which is an adaptation of the autobiography of Solomon Northup, a free Northern Black man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in the South, has been called the most realistic depiction of the brutalities of slavery captured on film. The book, which in recent years has been largely ignored outside of academic circles, has gained new life due to the film and McQueen hopes it will become core reading in schools throughout America and Europe.

The audience, all of whom remained for the discussion following the showing, seemed to agree that the once hidden story needed to be told to the world.

“This is not a passive movie, it’s a call to action,” said McQueen, who is from Great Britain and makes a home in

Amsterdam. “What I want is for this book to be a part of national curriculum here in America and in Europe.

When I read this book I could not believe I hadn’t heard this story before.”

MCQUEEN 6 TURN TO

Young artists find magic in North Minneapolis aimed to create prideful visual documents representing the beauty of these communities.

In his talk, he emphasized the importance of pictures as a visual medicine to be uplifting and sending positive messages to viewers.

When students were asked what drew them into photography, Namir Fearce (15) said, “It’s a way to get someone’s energy – a memory, finger print, or a portal into who they are.”

Jahliah Holloman (17) spoke about how the residency helped her to be more observant and to look at what’s beyond the picture.

“It opened up a new light to things I didn’t see before and be able to appreciate the little things more by capturing their essence and beauty.”

Students also spoke

By Huda Bashir, TC Daily Planet The magic of picture taking is the ability to tell people how beautiful they are through a photograph. This was the take-away message from Jamel Shabazz’s talk at Juxtaposition Arts this past Thursday. Jamel Shabazz is a photographer, lecturer and teacher of the visual arts from Brooklyn. This artist talk and reception was held in honor of the work of youth artists at Juxtaposition Arts as well as a part of One Minneapolis One Read, which invites residents in Minneapolis to partake in a city-wide read. This year’s book is A Choice of Weapons

by Gordon Parks.

During Shabazz’s weeklong residency working with six youth artists, students’ photographs focused on the communities we live in and

Youth artists with Nate Young (Gallery & Contemporary Arts Director at JXTA) and Jamel Shabazz.

MORE

• Seasonal sequel finds reunited BFFs romancing and reminiscing

• BronzeLens Women Superstars Awards

ART TURN TO 6

• Snapshots

Page 6 • November 18 - November 24, 2013 • Aesthetically Speaking

insightnews.com/aesthetics

Universal Pictures

Seasonal sequel finds reunited BFFs romancing and reminiscing

By Kam Williams When released back in 1999, “The Best Man” was dismissed by some as merely an AfricanAmerican variation on “The Big Chill,” and by others as the black male answer to the sassy sisters dishing the dirt in “Waiting to Exhale.” But the romantic romp revolving around a sophisticated set of college grads was actually entertaining enough to stand on its own, and was even wellenough received to land a trio of NAACP Image Awards, including Best Picture.

Set 15 years later, “The Best

McQueen From 5 McQueen, who also coproduced the movie with several others including Brad Pitt, who also has a role in the film, said being exposed to the book “12 Years a Slave” so late in his life was an injustice.

Art From 5

Man Holiday” is an eagerlyanticipated sequel reuniting the principal ensemble for a mix of reminiscing, rivalry and sobering reality unfolding during a very eventful Christmas season. Written and directed by Malcolm Lee (Undercover Brother), the film features Morris Chestnut, Nia Long, Terrence Howard, Sanaa Lathan, Taye Diggs, Harold Perrineau, Regina Hall, Melissa De Sousa and Monica Calhoun reprising the roles they played in the first episode.

At the point of departure, we find the gang gathering at the sprawling mansion of

Lance Sullivan (Chestnut), an NFL running back on the brink of retirement after a record-breaking career with the New York Giants. The God-fearing family man is relishing the prospect of spending more quality time with his wife, Mia (Calhoun), and their children.

Author Harper Stewart (Diggs), the best man at their wedding, had stirredup considerable controversy in the original by writing a thinly-veiled account of his buddies’ sexual exploits. This time around, he lands back in trouble when plans to publish a biography of host Lance

come to light.

Furthermore, despite the fact that his wife, Robin (Lathan), is 9-months pregnant, Harper feels pangs of passion at first sight of his gorgeous ex-girlfriend, Jordan (Long). So, when her handsome beau (Eddie Cibrian) excuses himself to spend Christmas with his parents, it’s just a matter of time before flirting leaves Harper in the dog house with Robin, too.

Meanwhile, nerdy Julian (Perrineau), who tied the knot with the stripper (Hall) he fell for way back at Lance’s bachelor party, is currently

worried that an old Youtube video of his scantily-clad spouse might surface, now that he’s made an honest woman of her. Hard to ignore is Julian’s flamboyant exgirlfriend, Shelby (De Sousa), a drama-loving reality-TV star.

All of the above is cleverly commented upon by the clownish Quentin (Howard), a one-man Greek chorus again supplying intermittent comic relief.

The multi-plotted storyline proves thoroughly absorbing for the duration, feverishly alternating between fond reflections and fresh crises.

By viewing’s end, all the loose ends are satisfactorily resolved, allowing for a memorable, if bittersweet sendoff, as well as a transparent setup of the franchise’s next installment. Let’s just hope it doesn’t take Malcolm Lee 15 years to shoot another sequel!

“I felt stupid for not hearing of the book, but soon I realized no one I knew had read the book before,” said McQueen, who is of African descent. “To me that was amazing.”

In a bit of a disjointed and oftentimes awkward question and answer session between McQueen and historian Prof.

Mahmoud El-Kati, McQueen

seemed a bit taken aback with some of the questions posed

by El-Kati and members of the audience. At times the back and forth between the director and El-Kati bordered on confrontational and when El-Kati questioned McQueen’s usage of the N-word in the film – a word commonly used during slavery – McQueen abruptly

thanked the audience and ended the discussion.

The question and answer discussion started with ElKati praising McQueen for making such a realistic depiction of slavery.

“People who keep up with this know that there’s a huge conspiracy about the truth of slavery,” said El-Kati. “The myth is more powerful than

the truth.”

“I think we’re in the beginning of a second Reconstruction,” said civil rights icon and founder of the Children’s Defense Fund, Marian Wright Edelman, who was in town for another event. “Eighty percent of our children can’t read at grade level and we better wake up to what’s happening.”

“12 Years a Slave” debuted in just 19 theaters nationwide but due to extremely positive box office results in those theaters the film is being shown on 1,444 screens.

Many critics are predicting Oscar nominations for the film and McQueen.

about their own personal transformations as they built up their own confidence and were encouraged in their

photography.

It was also evident that the story of Gordon Parks in his autobiography A Choice of Weapons had a profound impact on the youth artists.

Camila Merino (15) found it inspiring that Parks’ was able to raise awareness about issues in a non-violent way, especially through the arts saying, “You are able to photograph what’s going on in our communities and show different perspectives of what’s really happening.”

Parks’ story of overcoming his own struggles was

motivational for the youth artists. “He was able to resurrect himself and be reborn. Moving out of survival and into living” said Namir Fearce.

The photographs taken by these students during Jamel Shabazz’s weeklong residency show that they were embodying these ideals.

Each photograph tells the story of residents in North Minneapolis, and in a way that is prideful and captures their beauty. Their photography truly is truly transformative.

The youth artists’

photographs will be on display alongside those of Gordon Parks and Jamel Shabazz at Juxtaposition Arts (until December 1, 2013) and the Mill City Museum (June 8, 2014). Both exhibits are free and open to the public.

The youth artists are apprentices in the JXTA

Contemporary Arts lab, which creates opportunities for youth to build their resumes and artistic portfolios through paid apprenticeship positions.

Youth work with professional artists in graphic design, screenprint, environmental design, contemporary arts, or public art studios.

Excellent

Rated R for profanity, sexuality, ethnic slurs and brief nudity Running Time: 124 minutes Distributor: Universal Pictures

insightnews.com/aesthetics

Aesthetically Speaking • November 18 - November 24, 2013 • Page 7

BronzeLens Women Superstars Awards Atlanta – The BronzeLens Women Superstars Award was created to honor the accomplishments of women of color in the film and television industry.

In four short years it has become a coveted signature event for industry insiders, corporations and the local community, inspiring and informing women from all walks of life while providing a platform for interactive networking.

This year’s awardees included LaTanya Richardson-Jackson, Issa Rae, Anna Maria Horsford, Tonya Lewis Lee, Mahira Kakkar, Kasi Lemmons, Ingrid Saunders-Jones and Valerie Benning Barney.

Star of stage, film and television, RichardsonJackson, who is married to actor Samuel L. Jackson, recently played the role of Grandma Sands in the “The Watsons go to Birmingham 1963” which aired on the Hallmark Channel. She was named Visionary Superstar.

Honorees at 2013 BronzeLens Women Superstars Awards The multitalented Rae is CEO and Owner of Issa Rae Productions.

Named the Emerging Superstar awardee, Rae is the writer, director, producer and star of the highly successful web series “The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl.”

Horsford is known for her role as Thelma in the NBC sitcom “AMEN,” as well

as the sitcom “The Wayans Bros” and films “Friday” and “Friday after Next.” Horsford is currently starring in the BET sitcom “Reed Between the Lines.” She was honored as a Legendary Superstar.

The Vanguard Superstar award went to Producer and author Lee, founder of Madstone Company Inc. Most recently Lee partnered

with Emmy award winning producer Nikki Silver to form ToniK Productions and served as producer for the film version of the children’s book, “The Watsons Go To Birmingham 1963.”

Rising Superstar honoree Kakkar is an actress of stage, film and TV who starred as Asha in the award winning film “Hank and Ahsa.”

Legendary Behind The Lens Superstar, Lemmons started in films such as “Silence of the Lambs” and Spike Lee’s “School Daze” before moving behind the camera with her directorial debut “Eve’s Bayou,” which won several awards including the Spirit Award for Best First Feature.

Lemmons’ latest directorial/writing project “Black Nativity” is due this Thanksgiving.

Retired Coca-Cola executive, Saunders-Jones, served as senior vice president of global community connections for The CocaCola Company and chair of the Coca-Cola Foundation.

As the leader of Coca-Cola’s philanthropy efforts, the company contributed more than $460 million to support

sustainable community initiatives. In her position at Coca-Cola, SaundersJones was the first corporate sponsor of the BronzeLens Film Festival. She was honored as a Dream Maker Superstar.

Another Behind The Lens Superstars awardee, Benning Barney is a television and movie producer whose credits include “Shaquille O’Neal Presents: All Star Comedy Jam,” “Laugh at My Pain” and “Eddie Griffin: Freedom of Speech.”

Founded in 2009, The BronzeLens Film Festival of Atlanta is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing worldwide attention to Atlanta as a center for film and film production for people of color.

Marry Me for Christmas Malinda Williams headlines the Holiday UP original movie ‘Marry Me For Christmas’ Production began this week in Atlanta on the UP original movie “Marry Me For Christmas,” a romantic homefor-the-holidays drama with “Soul Food” co-host of ASPiRE’s “Exhale,” Malinda Williams.

The made-for-television movie premieres on UP Saturday, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m.

Along with Williams, the film’s ensemble cast includes Brad James (“For Better or Worse”), Tamara LaSeon Bass (“Boston Public,” “The Fugitive”), Jason Weaver, Karon Riley (“Necessary Roughness,” “Single Ladies”), DeEtta West, GregAlan Williams (“Necessary Roughness,” “The West Wing”) and Victoria Rowell (“Single Ladies,” “The Young and the Restless”).

Smart, stylish Marci Jewel (Williams) is the owner and creative director of an up-andcoming ad agency and thrilled with her single life in New York – except during the holidays.

Marci has put marriage and motherhood on hold for the sake of her career, but all of her cousins are married and having babies. When the family’s epic Christmas celebration is about

unexpected wedding planning to her employee, pressing work calls and more, Marci learns some unexpected lessons about love, trust and family, particularly when it comes to her new faux fiancé Adam and old beau Blair (Riley).

Marci Jewel (star and producer Malinda Williams) and new fiancé Adam (Brad James) show off the engagement ring to a cousin, Preston (Carl Payne) in the UP Original Movie “Marry Me For Christmas” a romantic home-for-the-holidays drama, airing Saturday, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m.

Marci Jewel (star and producer Malinda Williams) and new fiancé Adam (Brad James) show off the engagement ring to a cousin, Preston (Carl Payne) in the UP Original Movie Marry Me For Christmas a romantic home-for-the-holidays drama, airing Saturday, December 14 at 7 p.m. EST to start, Marci learns that her favorite cousin Dana (Bass), her husband Frankie (Weaver) and their family are leaving the country for 5 years on missionary work, so at the last minute, Marci promises to come home for the holidays for the first time in years.

With a deadline looming for a new client, she drags

her employee Adam (James) to Atlanta and does the only thing she can do in the face of unbearable pressure from her ailing mom Stephanie (Rowell), aunt Myra (West), Uncle Donald (Williams) and cousins – fakes a fiancé.

While caught up in the family’s frenetic search for the perfect Christmas tree,

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Page 8 • November 18 - November 24, 2013 • Aesthetically Speaking

insightnews.com/aesthetics

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THIS IS MY GREEN JOB. Every day, I help turn Hennepin County’s postrecycled garbage into enough clean, renewable energy to power 25,000 Minneapolis homes.

In addition to serving the community with sustainable waste disposal and clean, renewable energy, the Hennepin Energy Resource Center (HERC) provides well-paying, green jobs for area residents.

For more information on HERC and its operations, visit covantaenergy.com or hennepin.us/herc.

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.

Recover Energy-from-Waste.

Minnesota music lovers packed the Dakota Jazz Club for two capacity shows featuring neosoul/ soul icon, Dwele. The two Nov. 11 performances marked the three time Grammy nominee’s first trip to the Twin Cities in more than 5 years.

1) Brothers for The D: Dwele and singer, J Tate represented their hometown of Detroit during Dwele’s recent performance at the Dakota

2) Dr. Juneau Robbins and Anika Robbins with Mr. “Find a Way” follow the first of two shows at the Dakota.

3) Not just a pretty face: Though known as a neosoul/soul heartthrob, Dwele is an accomplished musician who plays several instruments, including the trumpet.

4) Soul brothers: Dwele hanging out after the show with music head Anthony DuBose

5) Sing to me: Melvina Harrell got a treat when the man of the hour came out into the crowd and sang to her... and several others in attendance.

6) The star of the show with Insight News’ Harry Colbert (left) and Thee Urbane Life’s Bianca “Cali” Lewis (center).

7) Soul brothers: Dwele hanging out after the show with music head Darren Hayes.

insightnews.com

Insight News • November 18 - November 24, 2013 • Page 9

Look forward for your purpose Man Talk

By Timothy Houston “I know the end from the beginning … my purpose will stand,” (Isaiah 46:10).

God goes to the end and works his way back to our beginning, ensuring we have everything that we need to be successful. We must also do the

same. Looking forward to how we would like to be known will establish the types of actions we should be taking today. We were all created to do something that is greater than the accumulation of money. Real success in life can only be measured by the accomplishment of your future purpose. What you have done will always be minuscule in comparison to what you should be doing now, therefore your true purpose is in your future.

Finding purpose is a forward thinking activity.

The dictionary defines purpose as the object toward which one strives or for which

something exists; an aim or a goal. It is necessary that we know the future goals we are working towards. The past goals may no longer be relevant.

You will always be greater in the future because there, you can benefit from your current choices. When you use your God given abilities to work towards your future objectives, you will make the changes necessary to experience true happiness and success.

Finding purpose is reveled in natural abilities. Don’t try to be something that you are not.

The things that you are able to do naturally (without much

effort) help to illuminate what you are here to do. This will bring you the greatest amount of contentment. We all have natural abilities within us. Some can run like the wind, sing without trying or do complex math in their heads. Others like me have to look harder to find our gifts, but they are there just the same. I was almost 40 before I realize that I could write something worth sharing, but if we look to our natural abilities, they will lead us to our future purpose.

Finding true purpose can only be known in the mind of the creator. God has established

your end from your beginning.

That means he knows you from beginning to end. He is the only one that can give you the object towards which you should be striving. He will give you the true measurement for your success.

He declares that his purpose will stand. You need God’s help find your future purpose.

Your future is bright. You are still here for a reason. You are here for a greater purpose than you may have realized. You must never give up the quest for find it. Your future goals in life should be connected to your divine purpose that can and will be revealed to you by God. This

will establish your end from your beginning and allow you to look positively to the future.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declared the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,” (Jeremiah 29:11).

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.

Clean out your life closet Motivational Moments

By Penny JonesRichardson Last week I decided to clean out my closets.

I decided to give away all of

my old clothes and all of my old shoes that I haven’t worn in years.

I decided that it was time be “outwith-the-old, and-in-with-the new.” I had clothes that I hadn’t worn in more than 15 years in there. I had to stop and ask myself why I was holding on to all of these old things. I meditated on this, and I came to the conclusion that I was holding on to a lot of old stuff because I wanted to hold on to the past.

Holding on to the past is

something that we all do from time to time. I know I have been guilty of this myself. I have found myself thinking about things I did years ago and people who were a part of my life. I think about what a loving childhood I had and what a supportive and giving mother I had.

However, those aren’t the memories I need to let go of.

The memories that I had to learn to move on from and leave in the past are some of the

disappointments and let downs I had to deal with. I need to let go of past mistakes and some of the terrible choices I made as a young adult.

Until you move on and let those bad memories go, you will never have the life you so desire.

Holding on to bad memories keep you in that time.

Let’s face it, we all have had some things in our past that we are not proud of. But the key is to understand that it is a part of a

time and place that you no longer live in anymore. Dwelling on old mistakes only takes you back to that time and place. And believe me, that is not how you move forward and live in today. You will not be able to move into your greatness until you decide that it is time to clean out your closet and throw out all of the old stuff that is only taking up space.

Make room for all of the new and beautiful memories that you are making and going to make in

your life today. Get excited about your life and appreciate all of the lessons learned.

And as always remember, stay focused, stay determined and keep striving for greatness.

Penny Jones-Richardson is a published author and life coach.

She can be reached via her website at www.thequeensproject. com or email at penny@ thequeensproject.com.

Religious groups call for changes in payday lending laws in 2014 The Joint Religious Legislative Coalition (JRLC) called for an end to predatory payday loan practices at the capitol last week. Its report, Payday Lending in Minnesota, recommended changes needed to the state’s payday lending practices.

“The vast majority of payday borrowers are caught in a trap with the first loan,” said Brian Rusche, executive director of JRLC. Payday loans are short-term, high-interest loans that require full payback, usually on the date of the borrower’s next paycheck.

Lenders typically charge flat fees that equate to annual rates (APR) ranging from 391 percent to 1,170 percent.

According to data from the Minnesota Department of Commerce, the number of payday loans in Minnesota has more than doubled in the last five years.

From 2007 to 2012, the number of payday loans issued in Minnesota leapt from 172,000 to 380,948.

The majority of payday loans are issued to repeat borrowers who carry loan balances at costs that routinely exceed 400% APR. The typical payday borrower takes an average of 10 loans per year, often spending substantially more on interest than on the original principal.

Rusche said 69 percent of borrowers take out their first payday loan to meet ordinary expenses like rent or groceries.

“The debt-trap gets set; and it’s impossible for most folks to pay off the last loan plus a new layer of debt. And then it’s even harder to pay the rent.”

Anna Brelje, 33, of Minneapolis, found herself caught in the payday loan debt trap as a young woman. “During a tough

From far left: Rev. Jane McBride (First Congregational Church of Minnesota UCC), Rev. Alison Killeen, (director of Organizing and Practical Theology Joint Religious Legislative Coalition), Jason Atkins, (executive director of Minnesota Catholic Conference), Anna Brelje, (former victim of payday lending, member at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church), Rev. Jay Carlson (Holy Trinity Lutheran Church), and at the podium is Brian Rusche (executive director of JRLC). time after college, I had medical bills and credit card payments that I couldn’t afford.”

Brelje used payday loans over a two-year span. “I couldn’t get out until I got a better paying job. As a consumer, I didn’t know how expensive the fees really were. I just kept borrowing to pay back the loans on the previous paycheck. When I finally got into financial counseling, I learned that I had lost over $2,000 in fees.”

Rev. Jay Carlson of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Minneapolis said, “Anna, others in my congregation, and our neighbors are hurting. There are five places to get payday loans within a half-mile of our church.

We’ve decided to speak up. We’re looking for ways to lessen the hurt predatory payday lending is causing.”

Carlson hopes Holy Trinity can spark changes in the laws

as well as neighbor-to-neighbor lending alternatives.

JRLC’s report notes that a handful of payday lending

companies have discovered a loophole in Minnesota’s law that allows rates that are not only “shockingly usurious, but

are designed to trap people into repeat borrowing and growing indebtedness.”

JRLC spoke out to: Close the loophole. Regulate all payday loans in the same way, regardless of the category or license held by the business offering them.

Cap the combined number of payday loans that can be issued to a borrower at four within a 12-month period.

Protect military personnel and families. Require payday lenders to inquire about the borrower’s military status in order to assure compliance with the federal law capping interest rates at 36% for payday loans issued to veterans or their families.

Require sound underwriting.

Hold payday lenders to underwriting standards and require verification that the borrower has a reasonable ability to repay the payday loan.

JRLC is co-sponsoring a community summit November 14 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. The purpose of the summit is to build a coalition to support reform legislation in the 2014 session. See www. jrlc.org for details. Minnesota Community Action Programs, Jewish Community Action, AARP, Growth and Justice, Center for Responsible Lending, Legal Services Advocacy Project, Justice and Witness Team of the United Church of Christ, and others have already declared support.

The Joint Religious Legislative Coalition is an interfaith coalition representing the Minnesota Catholic Conference, Minnesota Council of Churches, Islamic Center of Minnesota and the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas.

insightnews.com

Insight News • November 18 - November 24, 2013 • Page 11

COMMENTARY 12 Years a Slave: A necessary movie

Commentary by Harry Colbert, Jr. Melissa Harris-Perry called “12 Years a Slave” the best movie you’ll only want to see one time.

This is one of those very rare times when I disagree with my celebrity news crush. Normally I find her insight on issues spot on and in toe with my own. But this time she got it wrong.

Now understand, I get where the host of the “Melissa HarrisPerry Show” was coming from.

“12 Years a Slave,” the adaptation of the book written by Solomon Northup, a free Black man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery, is not an easy watch.

And that’s precisely why people need to watch the movie multiple times. The fact is, the institution of slavery – and the truths of the brutality and depravity heaped upon human beings shouldn’t be easy to watch. If we’re going to have a serious conversation about

the slave experience – and the long-term implications – we need to watch “12 Years a Slave” until it physically sickens us.

Unlike the gory, cartoonish violence of “Django Unchained” – a slave-era movie I enjoyed as entertainment, there was nothing entertaining about director Steve McQueen’s “12 Years a Slave.”

Let’s be honest, this is not a fun movie. But it’s a necessary movie.

With “Django” I remember the mood in the theater was almost upbeat. People were clapping at scenes, eating their popcorn and having a good ‘ol time. Not to say “Django” didn’t evoke certain moments of anger, but at the end of the day, Django was an avenger – he was a hero.

But “Django” was fiction.

Solomon Northup was real.

His account was real. The brutality he witnessed and endured was real.

As I said earlier, “12 Years a Slave” was not entertaining. Don’t go thinking you’re going to sit

back with your soda and popcorn and have a jolly time at the show.

In fact, my purchase of a drink and popcorn was a waste of $12

repulsive and heartbreaking acts ever done to man. I couldn’t take another bite.

In one particularly emotional

Solomon Northup was real.

His account was real. The brutality he witnessed and endured was real.

because at some point during the movie I thought to myself, how can I sit back a “enjoy” my treats while witnessing the most vile,

scene of a whipping of a young woman, McQueen brilliantly shows the mist of blood with each striking of the whip. I say

brilliantly, because in almost every other slave-era depiction of a whipping, there’s the sound of the crack and screams and then a scene of the healed scars. In many ways, with other depictions of slavery the viewer gets to escape the horrors of what these human beings really endured.

Torture is not only physical.

“12 Years a Slave” shows how day in and day out, men, women and children lived in constant anguish – constant fear. When we talk about mental health in the African-American community, there’s no wonder why we are disproportionately affected with psychological aliments. Study after study confirms that stress from the mother is passed on to the child. It’s a wonder we’ve progressed so far so fast.

Even for white Americans, there’s got to be a level dysfunction that exists embedded in their genetic codes, as it is clearly not natural to inflict such horror on a fellow human being without

leaving some psychological scars.

Now it’s time to heal, but in order to heal, you’ve got to know you have an illness. “12 Years a Slave” reminds us of the illness we as Americans suffer from collectively.

Director McQueen said his hope in making the movie is that the book would become required reading in schools throughout America. While I don’t think the film should be given that same distinction, as the images of brutality are more than what I would want to expose to a child, I’d push for every American history course in institutions of higher learning to require its students to view the film – at least once.

For me, I’m going to watch it a couple more times to truly digest what my not-to-distant ancestors endured. Melissa, maybe you’re right. “12 Years a Slave” is the best movie you’ll only want to see once. I don’t want to see it again.

I’m obligated to see it again.

12 Years a Slave reflections

American slavery as close as three generations printing enterprise that enabled the eventual acquisition of most of the houses on the block. Next to my uncle Mr. Powell and Baby Sister is my Aunt Teola, we call her Mrs. Powell. She is the epitome of elegance and class. At the other end of the sectional divan is Aunt Della. Aunt Della was mentally ill. Some years later, I watched her spill out of a rocking chair and die in a pool of vomit. She lived on the 2nd floor with Big Mama & Dad, our grandfather, Elder Lee Nall, a retired railroad worker and now pastor of our family church, Prayer Temple Church of God In Christ.

Next to Aunt Della, my mom holds my 4 month old brother, Ray. Between my mom, Maxine McFarlane, and her mom, Big

By Al McFarlane Editor-In-Chief I saw 12 Years a Slave for the 2nd time Saturday. When I came home, the family photograph on the dining room mantle caught my eye. I was 4 years old in this 1951 photo. I sat at the feet of Big Mama, our grandmother, Martha Nall. To my right were my cousins Bernard, his twin brother, Burnele, and their brother Robert. To my left were my sister Kathleen, cousin William, and Bernard, Burnele and Robert’s older brother, Lonnie.

Lonnie is seated in front of his dad, Mr. Powell, the patriarch of our extended family. We were in the Powell house, a huge brownstone, that was also home for my grandmother and grandfather and aunts who lived with them in the building’s 2nd story apartment.

My sister and new baby brother Raymond Lee, and our mom

Health From 1 During a recent forum on the Affordable Care Act, hosted by the National Urban League, Anton Gunn, director of external affairs in the Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs (IEA) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, acknowledged the problems with the rollout of healthcare.gov, but said that the law is still valuable.

“We are at very critical and important time for so many people in this country that never before had the opportunity to access health care coverage,” said Gunn.

In his remarks, Gunn steered clear of the technical problems of healthcare.gov and the heated Capitol Hill hearings that Republicans used to grill government contractors and HHS officials. Instead, he focused on the goals of the Affordable Care Act: covering people with pre-existing conditions, making health insurance more affordable, and mandating that insurance companies spend at least 80 cents of every dollar on actual health care and no more than 20 cents on administrative costs. Gunn said that the law also insures more than 3 million young adults, at least 500,000 of them Black and allows those under 26 to continue to get coverage through their parents insurance plans.

“It’s not just about getting more people covered so when they get sick they can get treatment or lowering the cost for people who already have coverage or making sure that we protect consumers when they use the health care system and making sure it’s quality when they use it,” said Gunn. “But how do we work as a country and as a community to make sure that we prevent disease, prevent illness, and prevent crises from happening? How do we prevent people from going to the emergency room where care is most expensive?”

Gunn also sought to clear up the controversy over health insurance plan “cancellation” letters millions of consumers have received because of the Affordable Care Act. “People are not getting dropped or getting cancelled,”

and dad lived in the three room efficiency on the third floor.

Mr. Powell is holding his only daughter and last child, Teola, who we called Baby Sister. Teola would

eventually inherit and reside in the brownstone at 2801 Brooklyn Avenue. An entrepreneur at heart, Baby Sister created a successful home based graphic design and

said Gunn. “Nobody is losing coverage.”

Gunn said that the ACA requires that all health insurance plans meet a set of basic standards that all health insurance companies must comply with or risk penalties. Now those companies are playing catch up.

The Associated Press reported that 3.5 million Americans have received those cancellation letters and that’s just in half of states.

White House officials have said that 5 percent (15 million) of Americans will need to have their plans upgraded to meet minimum ACA requirements.

“Millions of people, before the Affordable Care Act, had health insurance that didn’t cover maternity, that didn’t cover mental health, that didn’t cover routine preventative services,” explained Gunn.

Gunn know that from firsthand experience.

“It didn’t cover the pregnancy that my wife had in 2004 for my daughter,” he said. “I paid for the birth and delivery of my own child out of my own pocket – $17,000.”

Gunn said, at the time, he was spending $700 per month on a health insurance premium on the individual market.

Now, under the ACA, all plans have to cover mental health and substance abuse services, prescription drugs, and maternity.

Gunn compared buying health insurance coverage to buying a car.

“Before the Affordable Care Act, if you wanted to buy a car, you could buy a car with no seat belts, no headlights, no heat, didn’t have a windshield and many times didn’t have the tires that were screwed on tight,” said Gunn. “But you thought that you were good, because you owned a car, but it really didn’t get you to where you needed to go.”

Gunn continued: “But now under the Affordable Care Act, the law says that nobody can sell you a car that doesn’t have seat belts, that doesn’t have headlights, that doesn’t have heat, that doesn’t have a windshield, that doesn’t have four tires that work. So, you can get to where you need to go.”

For young people who don’t get sick and have tuned out of the battle over the health care law,

buying health insurance can still be a tough sell, no matter how affordable.

The Department of Health and Human Services analyzed data from 34 states and found that, “nearly 5 in 10 uninsured young adults in single-person households who may be eligible for the Health Insurance Marketplace may be able to purchase a bronze plan for $50 per month or less after tax credits.”

According to the HHS study, “In these states, a total of 1.9 million young adults, representing nearly 7 in 10 (66 percent) of the potentially Marketplace-eligible uninsured ages 18 to 34, may be able to pay $100 or less for coverage in 2014.”

Marc H. Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League, recounted his own personal experience, when as a young lawyer managing his own firm he procrastinated on buying health insurance. After looking at health insurance options with a consultant, he decided to shop around a bit more for better prices and a better plan. That weekend, Morial tore his left Achilles tendon during a game of pickup basketball and spent the next six months on crutches.

“First, I was embarrassed and felt like a fool, because if I had signed that insurance binder a week ago I might not be in this position,” recounted Morial.

“But for young people, and like so many people, I was healthy, I was in shape, I had not spent a day in the hospital in my life. I had no reason to feel the urgency of getting health coverage.”

Morial ended up with a $20,000 bill that took him three years to pay. Morial said that for young people, the Affordable Care Act is not just about health, it’s about accidents, athletic injuries, and the unexpected slip and a fall that can happen to anyone.

He said although people of disappointed in the glitches in the roll out of website, that’s a shortterm setback.

“We’re confident that with the president’s leadership and his team they are going to solve whatever challenges they face,” said Morial. “I know that they are going to get it straight.”

Mama, sits regally bespectacled, Lizzie Harrison, Big Mama’s mother, my mother’s grandmother, and my great grandmother. Lizzie Harrison is 92 years old. She dies at 101 in 1959.

She was born a slave.

Slavery is not that far away.

Think about it: A woman who was born into slavery, whose parents were considered white people’s property, touched me, loved me.

This photo reminds me that the past that she and her forbearers endured, cannot, must not be forgotten. It doesn’t go away. I stand in it, on it. It is the source of the future I am creating in this eternal moment.

Page 10 • November 18 - November 24, 2013 • Insight News

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From homelessness to connectedness, empowerment, and self-reliance Voyageur Outward Bound School (VOBS), the national leader in experiential and outdoor education, has teamed up with Minneapolisbased YouthLink to connect homeless young adults to the outdoors. With funding from Hennepin County and the State of Minnesota, the program, called S.T.A.R.T. (Surviving to Thriving a Real Transition), focuses on creating a new approach to support some of the area’s most vulnerable young adults. S.T.A.R.T. is the first known program in the country that melds education and social services in an effort to combat homelessness.

YouthLink (www.

YouthLinkMN.org) works with homeless youth and young adults to build healthy relationships and to open doors of opportunity to futures of empowerment, connectedness and self-reliance. Last year, 2,291 homeless young people ages 16-23 turned to YouthLink

VOBS

YouthLink participant Rosetta Fuller of Minneapolis as a safe and supportive refuge from life on the street. This number is up 27 percent from 2011. The net result is a perfect storm of hyper-vulnerable young people who are ill-

prepared for adulthood facing a system they may not trust and do not understand.

“Many homeless youth are stuck in an unforgiving cycle, only able to focus on the most

basic and current need at hand -- be it their next meal or a place to sleep for the night,” said Heather Huseby, executive director of YouthLink. “They need help and guidance from a

trustworthy and reliable source to reframe who they are and where they are going in life.”

Always looking for new programs to provide homeless youth and young adults with a healthy social network led YouthLink to VOBS. Together, they have created a unique partnership and a fresh way to build stability and trust, which are critical on their path to independence.

“VOBS’s programs help people of all ages and from all walks of life discover the strength of their character, their ability to lead and their determination to succeed,” said Jack Lee, executive director of VOBS. “Through expeditions, participants gain self-reliance, trust and support, while learning from each other.”

Part of Outward Bound, VOBS connects individuals with their inner strength and leadership qualities through outdoor expeditions.

Over the course of the nine month

program, which began in 2012, young adults ages 1923 in the S.T.A.R.T. initiative participate in numerous types of experiential leadership, teamand confidencebuilding programs, including backpacking and hiking, rock climbing and canoeing, and skiing and snowshoeing.

Now in its second cohort of S.T.A.R.T., VOBS participants are currently in their third month of programming, which works with up to ten students each year.

The results of the first year’s program are remarkable. More than 90 percent of the graduates are in their own housing, most of them paying their own rent; more than 80 percent are working; and most are back in school.

“These outdoor experiences can be transformational because the programs can help young adults – particularly those at risk -- change their lives through challenge and discovery,” said Lee.

MABL honors Bernadeia Johnson for courageous leadership Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) superintendent, Dr. Bernadeia Johnson, was honored on Saturday, Nov. 9, by the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers (MABL) for her courageous leadership in eliminating the achievement gap for minority students in Minneapolis. Johnson received the 2013 Profiles in Courage Award, an annual recognition

Bernadeia Johnson

award bestowed on individuals who demonstrate courage and excellence in their leadership.

“Under Dr. Johnson’s leadership, Minneapolis Public Schools has continually endeavored to improve the educational conditions with her bold leadership in eliminating the achievement gap for students of color in Minneapolis,” a statement from MABL said.

Community Calendar • Classifieds Send Community Calendar information to us by email: info@ insightnews.com, by fax: 612.588.2031, by phone:( 612)5881313 or by mail: 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis, MN 55411. Free or low cost events preferred.

EVENTS Images of Africa Film Series – Thru Nov. 21 The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul presents Images of Africa, a film series highlighting the cinema of Africa. The series is part of the Film Society’s Diaspora Project, a program of films, dialogues and discussions illuminating elements of the human experience that exist across cultural boundaries and explore the experiences of Minnesota’s new international communities.

Images of Africa will present 30 narrative and documentary films from some 15 countries.

Several visiting filmmakers will be in attendance, as will experts in the field of African history and cinema, to add context for attendees. Opening and closing nights will include public receptions. The seriaes

runs from November 15 to November 21, 2013.

Screenings take place at the St. Anthony Main Theatre at 115 SE Main Street in Minneapolis and at the Mixed Blood Theater, 1501 S. 4th Street, Minneapolis.

For information on tickets, visit www. mspfilmsociety.org.

Marketing Your Business Seminar – Nov. 21 SCORE “Mentors to America’s Small Business” will hold a seminar “Marketing Your Business” on Thursday, November 21st. from 9:00 a.m.

– 1:00 p.m. at Wilder Center, 451 Lexington Parkway North, St. Paul.

The seminar covers identifying your target market, pricing of products and services, making the sale and customer relations management.

Fee info and to register go to the SCORE website www.stpaul. score.org or call 651261-1429.

Career Workshop Nov. 21 Women Achieving New Directions offers individual counseling and on-going career development workshops.

Career counselors will help you find ways to increase your income,

get a promotion or develop a new career path. . A workshop on “Goal Setting/Where are you going?” is scheduled to be held on November 21st, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Women Achieving New Directions, 2143 Lowry Ave. N., Minneapolis, MN 55411. On-site child care and a light meal provided. For more information call Pat in Minneapolis at (612) 752-8554. For further information contact Candice Rogers-Siers at (612) 752-8495.

Nominate community volunteers for the 2014 Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Breakfast Awards Due Nov. 22 The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Breakfast Committee is seeking nominations for the Local Legend and Emerging Legend awards.

Each year during the holiday breakfast, the committee honors those who are actively engaged in their community through volunteerism, demonstrating Dr. King’s dedication to nonviolent social change. The The Local Legend award honors those with a legacy of service. The Emerging Legend award honors youth who are serving

The association recognized Johnson’s leadership and commitment to raise academic achievement for all students, noting increased high school graduation rates, greater participation among students of color in advanced courses, and decreased numbers of students suspended and days lost to instruction due to suspension.

Johnson was credited for

Phone: 612.588.1313

“thinking outside the box and engaging in bold initiatives to eliminate the achievement gap in Minneapolis,” noting accomplishments in early childhood education, charter collaboration compact and her Shift initiative.

“Receiving this recognition is both exciting and humbling,” Johnson said. “I accepted this award on behalf of MPS’ 34,000

Fax: 612.588.2031

Sen. Franken’s staff to hold office hours in North Minneapolis November 20 On Wednesday, November 20, U.S. Sen. Al Franken’s constituent service staff will be at Turning Point, 1500 Golden Valley Road in North Minneapolis to meet with area residents who need assistance with a variety of federal agencies.

The office hours will run from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., when Sen. Franken’s staff will be available to meet with constituents who need help securing Social Security, Medicare, or Veterans Benefits, or information on issues like immigration, federal housing programs, federal student loans or applying for a passport of visa. Area residents do not need an advanced appointment to attend the office hours.

Constituents attending the office hours should check in at the front desk when they arrive.

with distinction in their communities.

Both nomination forms are available online at http:// www.mlkbreakfast. com/LocalLegends/ Default.aspx .

The deadline for submitting the forms is Friday, Nov. 22.

Award winners receive complimentary tickets to the breakfast and recognition for their valuable service. The 2014 breakfast will be held Jan. 20, 2014, at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

Tickets now are available. The 24th annual holiday breakfast is sponsored

by UNCF – the United Negro College Fund -and the General Mills

Foundation. For more information, visit www.mlkbreakfast. org Celebration of Life for Kenneth Tilsen Nov. 23 The family of Kenneth Tilsen and Hamline Law School are hosting a celebration of his life on November 23, 2013, at 2:30 PM. This celebration will be held in the Anderson Student Center, 774 Snelling Avenue North, St. Paul, Minnesota.

The afternoon will include speakers from various parts of Ken’s life – his family, his clients, his political work, and his coworkers.

Included will be photos of

Legislative Analyst/Attorney The MN House of Representatives House Research Office has a full-time Legislative Analyst/ Attorney position available.

The complete job posting can be found at: www. house.mn/jobs or call 651-297-8200 for a faxed or mailed copy. Cover letter and resume must be received by Friday, November 22, 2013.

EEO/AA EMPLOYER

APARTMENT OPENINGS Delton Manor is accepting applications for future 1, 2, & 3 Bedrm apartment openings.

Delton Manor has 3 two-bedrm handicapped accessible units located in the building. Delton Manor promotes equal housing opportunities for all perspective residents regardless of race, color, creed, sex, sexual preference, religion, handicap, marital status, familial status, national origin or source of income. For applications and qualifications, contact NANCY at 218-7592523.

AN EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.

SCHOOL BUS DRIVER

Saint Paul Public Schools seeks a School Bus Driver to join its team! Candidates must have a High school diploma or G.E.D. and two years of experience as a School Bus Driver, which includes experience working with special needs students. Must have a valid Class A or B commercial driver’s license (CDL) with a current unlimited school bus driver’s endorsement and a current passenger endorsement.

For more details and to apply, visit hr.spps.org/Search_Jobs_and_Apply.htm. Saint Paul Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and supports an inclusive workplace environment.

Ken’s life, along with displays of some of the organizations he valued and with which he worked. There will be ample time for visiting and browsing.

Hamline Law School and Ken’s friends, family, colleagues, and clients are creating this event to celebrate his life and to help each other through grieving and loss. He will be greatly missed, but we want to keep his legacy alive.

life. You bring the creativity - HQB will supply the materials.

At this event there will be make-n-take crafts, a holiday bake and rummage sale. A $5 donation is requested that will go towards helping support our food shelf or bring 3 canned goods. Hallie Q Brown Community Center is located at 270 North Kent Street, Saint Paul, MN. For more information: (651) 224-4601.

Hallie Q Brown Community Center Holiday Workshop – Dec. 7 On Saturday December 7th 12:00pm – 2:00pm Hallie Q Brown Community Center is having a Holiday Workshop for those special people in your

9th Annual Camden Music School Holiday Sing-Along - Dec. 7 9th Annual Camden Music School Holiday Sing-Along plus “A Recipe for FUN” Craft and Bake Sale A simply delightful, neighborly way to celebrate the

Vacancies

Cokato Apts, Cokato, MN (a seniors complex 62 or over or handicapped) has vacancies on 2nd Floor for one BR apts. Waiting list open. Contact Don at 320-286-2758. E-Mail cokapts@embarqmail.com

RENTAL UNITS AVAILABLE

The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Housing Authority has rental units available in Cass County, MN. Please call 218-335-8280. Must meet certain qualifications.

students, all who deserve an exceptional school experience that will prepare them to be future global leaders. There is a lot of work to be done in combating the achievement gap and we must work together to accelerate outcomes.”

Johnson was honored at the MABL Foundation Scholarship Gala at the Marriot Hotel City Center in Minneapolis.

Email: info@insightnews.com

season. 4pm, Saturday, December 7 CMS/ Camden: Luther Memorial, 3751 Sheridan Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN. 55412. FREE. Proceeds from the craft and bake sale go to the CMS Scholarship Fund, a sponsored project of Our Neighborhood Works, w w w. o u r n e i g h b o r hoodworks.com. For more information: 612-618-0219 or www. camdenmusicschool. com.

Interpreting the Language of the Heart - Dec. 7 River of Life and Waters of Life Church host Interpreting the Language of the Heart Women’s Health Fair in Saint Paul, MN. The fair will be held at the Community Center on 999 Selby Ave, on December 7th 2013 from 11 AM to 3 PM. There will be many doctors, dentists, nurse practitioners and other health professionals who can discuss with you topics of your interest such as dental health, heart disease, cancer, nutrition, weight loss, sleep, exercise and many more.

PACER workshop addresses special education, parent involvement – Dec. 10 PACER Center is offering “Special Education: What Do I Need to Know?”

a free workshop for parents of children with disabilities. It is on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Stillwater Public Library (Margaret Rivers Room), 224 Third St. N., Stillwater, Minn.

Advance registration is required. Special education is instruction designed specifically to meet the unique needs of children with disabilities. It is provided in the most appropriate setting and at no cost to parents or families. To register for the workshop, call PACER at (952) 838-9000. In Greater Minnesota, call (800) 537-2237 (toll free) or visit PACER.org Register at any time for lessons at Camden Music School - Ongoing Looking for a place to play? You can enroll in lessons at CMS at any time! Tuition is prorated to the number of lessons you take.

All ages, abilities and experience levels are welcome. The CMS Fall Term runs through Saturday, January 18. Recitals will be held on January 25.

Spring Term starts the week of February 3. CMS offers vocal and instrumental lessons, Musikgarten early childhood music classes (newborn to age 8), hand drumming, community choir,

music theory and more! Family rates and discounts are available. Scholarship applications for the spring term will be available Monday, December 2.

Classes in Camden: Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, 3751 Sheridan Ave. N., 55412.

CMS in Northeast Minneapolis: Grace Center for Community Life (formerly Holland School), 1500 6th St. NE, 55413. More information: 612618-0219 or www. camdenmusicschool. com.

Volunteers of America Foster Parent Information Meetings – Ongoing Foster Parent Information Meetings for interested skilled parents desiring to provide care for troubled youth in the Volunteers of America foster care program.

Kids of all ages are in need of a stable home with dedicated parents.

Information meetings are held at Volunteers of America Corporate Office every Friday from 10am-11:30am.

To RSVP or for additional information on becoming a foster parent, contact Jolene Swan at (952) 945-4064, email ftpfostercare@voamn. org or online at voafostercare.org

YOU CAN PREVENT

DIABETES Diabetes is the 6th leading cause of

death in Minnesota, and African Americans die from diabetes at more than double the rate of

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and overweight, you are at high risk for Type 2 diabetes. But the good news is “It’s not too you can prevent or delay diabetes. Lose a small amount of weight by being physically active 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week and eating healthier.

Join a Stairstep Foundation/His Works United “I Can Prevent Diabetes” Program offered in area churches at no cost to you and receive $125 in gift certificates for completion. For more information call Sylvia Amos at 612-521-3110.

Page 12 • November 18 - November 24, 2013 • Insight News

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Minnesota has nation’s 3rd highest cost of child care

By John Michaelson, Minnesota News Connection The cost of child care continues to increase faster than income, and a new analysis also shows that parents in Minnesota pay among the highest rates in the nation. The average annual cost for care for an infant in Minnesota is nearly

$14,000, and for a four-year-old it’s more than $10,000.

According to Ann McCully, executive director of Child Care Aware of Minnesota, however, those numbers are based on care at centers, while Minnesota is actually more of a state of home providers, which generally charge less.

“And then furthermore, the centers we do have, about 70

percent of those are clustered in the Twin Cities metro area, where the rates are higher,” she pointed out. “But we do tend to have high standards here in Minnesota. We really believe in having qualified staff, having small ratios of staff to children, and that does drive costs.”

Since quality opportunities for all are vital for future success of the children and the

state, McCully said, the 2013 Legislature did approve funding to provide scholarships so some of those living in poverty or from low-income families can have access to high-quality early care and education.

“And coming this March will be another $20 million worth of additional incentives for childcare programs, specifically who take children on child-care

assistance, to also increase their quality. So we are starting to see some action,” she said, adding that, “Unfortunately, those scholarships only are going to reach about 9 percent of the children in Minnesota.”

The report from Child Care Aware of America also found that in the last year, the cost of child care increased at up to eight times the rate of increases in family

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The states with the highest cost of child care are New York and Massachusetts, while Mississippi is at the bottom of the expenses list in all categories.

The “Cost of Care” report is at bit.ly/1ecxeoP.

November arrives in MN, along with cuts to SNAP

By John Michaelson, Minnesota News Connection The month of November has arrived in Minnesota, and along with it, an automatic reduction in funding for many families in the state who struggle to put food on the table. During the recession, there was a temporary increase in SNAP or food stamp benefits, but Colleen Moriarty, executive director of Hunger Solutions Minnesota, declared that that stimulus program is now officially over.

“A family of four living under $22,000 a year, it means losing at least $36 a month - which is you know, milk and chicken breasts, fresh fruits and vegetables - and it is very significant,” she said.

More than a half-million Minnesotans receive SNAP benefits. About one-fourth of the recipients are elderly or disabled adults and one-third are children.

The reductions come as Congress is considering cuts to SNAP as part of a new Farm Bill. The Senate has proposed $4 billion in cuts, while the House wants to slash the program by up to $40 billion over ten years.

According to Moriarty, that has many families who are struggling financially, and groups like hers, on edge.

“People who are calling our help line, because we operate the Minnesota Food Helpline, people are calling. They’re very concerned, They’re upset.

They’re very worried about what this is going to mean for them moving forward,” she said. “And we need to be aware of the fact that this has a disastrous effect on people at a time when they’re just trying to get back on their feet.”

Among the conferees working on the Farm Bill in Washington are three members of Minnesota’s delegation, Senator Amy Klobuchar and Congressmen Collin Peterson and Tim Walz.

The Minnesota Food Helpline is 888-711-1151.

More information on SNAP reductions is at bit.ly/15gnWhF.

Coney

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From 1 The now upbeat young girl’s hopes of being a designer were almost dashed by her tormentors.

“I was feeling a lot of heartache from being bullied and rejected by people,” said Coney.

“I would look in the mirror and dislike what I saw.”

Coney realized that she should not define herself by her bullies’ words.

“One day, I began having a conversation with God through prayer and asked God to help me understand who I was and show me a sign of greatness within myself,” said Coney. “He answered and told me to always remember that your name means what you represent.”

The aspiring designer plans to attend a Historically Black College or University, specifically Tennessee State University or Virginia State University.

Coney believes determination and focus are important parts of achieving success.

“Without determination you really can’t be successful. You have to have a drive and passion for what you want to do,” said Coney.

On Aug. 31, Coney had the launch of her fashion line at the Lowry Café. She said her most memorable moment was “seeing a full house of supporters that believed in my dream.”

Right now, VMIRVH apparel is available only online, but Coney wants to open boutiques in Atlanta and New York City. Coney is planning house parties for VMIRVH apparel and traveling boutique shows to different states. To view Coney’s designs, visit www. vmirvhrgapparel.com.