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Insight News • February 26, 2024 - March 3, 2024 • Page 1

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February 26, 2024 - March 3, 2024

Vol. 51 No. 9• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Celebrating Black History: A daily imperative By Pulane Choane Contributing Writer Dr. Irma McClaurin, the culture and education editor for Insight News, unequivocally asserts, “We need Black History Month every damn day of the year.” This sentiment, echoed through generations, underscores the enduring importance of recognizing and honoring Black history beyond a mere month. McClaurin’s call for perpetual acknowledgment of Black contributions reflects a longstanding debate within academic circles—a debate fueled by the conviction that Black history deserves a central place in our collective consciousness year-round. The origins of Black History Month trace back to the visionary eﬀorts of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, hailed as the Father of Black History. Initially established as Negro History Week in 1926, it

Dr. Irma McClaurin

Yusef Mgeni

Dr. John Henrik Clarke

Saunders Redding

commemorated the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, symbolic figures in African American history. This week-long celebration served as a catalyst for broader recognition, culminating in the declaration of African or Black History Month in 1976, coinciding with the Bicentennial of the United States. Yusef Mgeni, in his illuminating discourse alongside

Dr. McClaurin, sheds light on the enduring relevance of Black history through poignant quotes from renowned historians. Dr. John Henrik Clarke eloquently articulates the transformative power of history, stating, “History develops a pride and awareness in people so that they can become better instruments for living together with other people.” This assertion resonates deeply, emphasizing the role

of Black history in fostering solidarity and understanding among diverse communities. Saunders Redding further enriches the dialogue with his metaphorical depiction of history as a compass and a clock, guiding individuals through the complexities of human geography. His words underscore the intimate connection between a people and their history—a connection

likened to that between a child and its mother. History not only informs us of our past but also serves as a beacon, illuminating the path forward. Despite the strides made since the inception of Black History Month, contemporary challenges persist, casting a sobering shadow over progress. Instances of police brutality and systemic

racism continue to mar the socioeconomic landscape, perpetuating injustices that echo across generations. Movements like Black Lives Matter emerge as powerful catalysts for change, demanding accountability and systemic reform. As we commemorate the 98th observance of Black History Month in 2024, it is imperative to reflect on the journey thus far and the road ahead. By embracing the timeless wisdom of scholars like Dr. John Henrik Clarke and Saunders Redding, we reaﬃrm our commitment to truth, justice, and equality for all. Black history is not a mere footnote in the annals of time but a living testament to resilience, courage, and triumph over adversity. It is a legacy worthy of celebration, contemplation, and perpetual acknowledgment—every damn day of the year.

Museums as cultural keepers In the vast landscape of American history, there are often overlooked stories, untold narratives, and voices waiting to be heard. Amidst this rich mosaic of experiences lie the vital stories of Black Americans—stories of resilience, triumph, and cultural heritage. Dr. Deborah Johnson-Simon emerges as a guiding light, dedicating over three decades to ensuring that these narratives remain etched in the annals of time. Dr. Johnson-Simon’s journey commenced with an unyielding passion for anthropology and museum studies, culminating in degrees from esteemed institutions such as Arizona State University and the University of Florida. Her academic pursuits laid the foundation for a remarkable career devoted to the preservation of African descendant

museums across various states, from Arizona to Georgia. Reflecting on her extensive research and teaching experience, Dr. Johnson-Simon shares, “Being a museum anthropologist, most people kind of look at me and say, ‘What in the world? How do you do it? Does anybody care?’ And once I start to talk about the fact that even children can get excited about doing this, it takes on a diﬀerent flavor.” Throughout her illustrious career, Dr. JohnsonSimon’s research has traversed continents, from the shores of Belize to the bustling streets of Ghana and Halifax, Nova Scotia. Her tireless eﬀorts have not only enriched academic discourse but have also highlighted the global significance of preserving Black history. “I think the most important thing for me is that we all remember that museums aren’t always those formal buildings. Museums are us, museums are people,” Dr. Johnson-Simon emphasizes. “We leave a legacy. And I want

you to think about what is the legacy that you’re leaving because somebody has to come along and they won’t know that story if you don’t tell them.” But Dr. JohnsonSimon’s impact transcends academia. As a prolific author, her books such as “Cultural Keepers Arizona” and “Cultural Keepers-Florida” serve as invaluable resources for understanding the rich mosaic of Black culture and heritage. Her commitment to education is evident in her children’s books, which not only entertain but also instill a sense of pride and curiosity about museums in young minds. Speaking about the importance of passing down cultural traditions, Dr. Johnson-Simon shares, “Tell your story through your stuﬀ. Find those things. If mama did this thing and you are doing it and you don’t know about it, write it down so that when your grandchild or your greatgrandbaby comes along, they don’t have to figure it out.” Yet, perhaps Dr.

Johnson-Simon’s most profound impact lies in her advocacy for Black museums and grassroots cultural initiatives. She understands that museums are not just brickand-mortar institutions but living, breathing repositories of history and culture. Through her work, she has documented countless grassroots museums, from family collections in private homes to community spaces like the Kiah Museum in Savannah, Georgia. The story of the Kiah Museum is a testament to Dr. Johnson-Simon’s unwavering dedication to preserving Black history. “It wasn’t a museum as this colonial concept of what a museum is. She had her own vision and she called her museum in Savannah, and the one that she did to honor her mother in Baltimore, museums for the masses, meaning all of those who would normally not be welcome or appreciated,” Dr. Johnson-Simon reflects. Dr. Johnson-Simon’s message is clear: Black history is not confined to textbooks or

Q Bear Banks

Richard Chakolis

Augustine Willie Dominguez

Shirley Gardner

By Pulane Choane Contributing Writer

Dr. Deborah Johnson-Simon is a scholar-in-residence at Savannah State University and the CEO and founder of the African Diaspora Museology Institute in Savannah. She›s worked for a decade to preserve the Kiah House, and was the driving force behind the historical marker that now stands in front of the 505 W. 36th St. property. museum walls—it is woven into the fabric of everyday life. As we navigate the complexities of the present, let us heed her call to embrace our history, preserve

our heritage, and ensure that future generations inherit some world rich in the stories of those who came before us.

Chief Vusumuzi Zulu

Medaria Arradondo

Preserving Legacies: Honoring living history in Black communities By Pulane Choane Contributing Writer Celebrating Black History Month goes beyond mere recognition; it’s about amplifying the voices and stories of those who have made significant contributions to society, often without receiving the recognition they deserve. In a recent conversation led by Dr. Irma McClaurin, the spotlight was on two remarkable individuals, Dr. Alicia Gibson and Pastor Lorraine Gurley, whose dedication to their communities and commitment to preserving history serve as inspirations to us all. Dr. Alicia Gibson,

an educator and community advocate, has dedicated her life to fostering collaboration, advocating for criminal justice reform, and promoting education and environmental sustainability. With a diverse background spanning anthropology, law, and conflict resolution, Dr. Gibson’s journey is a testament to the power of interdisciplinary knowledge and a global perspective. As she eloquently puts it, “I enjoy learning deeply about how we organize our social lives and about people and cultures around the world.” She further emphasizes her passion for building collaborative community partnerships, stating, “I’m passionate

about building collaborative community partnerships, the environment, criminal justice reform, education and caring for people.” Dr. Gibson’s leadership is not just about words; it’s about action, about making tangible diﬀerences in the lives of those around her. Joined by Pastor Lorraine Gurley, whose decades-long work in supporting children, families, and communities exemplifies resilience and compassion, the conversation delved into the importance of celebrating living history. Pastor Gurley’s expertise in grief recovery, advocacy, and mentorship underscores the transformative power of community engagement and support.

In Pastor Gurley’s own words, she expresses the heart behind their initiative: “We are a group of men and women who have gotten together... to showcase some of [the elders]. We want to continue this on every year so that we let them know how much that we love them, how much that we thank them, how much that they have given to us. We want to give something back to them.” Together, Dr. Gibson and Pastor Gurley are spearheading a celebration of elders, a heartfelt acknowledgment of the often overlooked contributions of community members. Their event, to be held at the Capri Theatre, promises an evening of reflection, appreciation,

and storytelling. With a lineup including esteemed guests like the Sounds of Blackness and Senator Bobby Joe Champion, the event aims to honor individuals whose impact reverberates far beyond their immediate circles. Dr. McClaurin emphasizes the importance of recognizing and celebrating individuals like Q Bear Banks, Richard Chakolis, and Augustine Willie Dominguez, stating, “Black history is not confined to textbooks or museums— it’s alive in the stories of those who have dedicated their lives to uplifting others.” For those eager to participate in this momentous occasion, tickets for the dinner are available, oﬀering an

opportunity to not only enjoy a delicious meal but also support a worthy cause. Pastor Gurley encourages participation, stating, “They can come to our show... We want to let them know how much that we love them, how much that we thank them.” In the spirit of Black History Month, let us come together to honor the living legends among us, to celebrate their resilience, and to amplify their voices. Visit legaciesmn. org for more information on how you can be a part of this transformative event. Let us heed the call to action and ensure that the legacies of those who have shaped our communities endure for generations to come.

Page 2 • February 26, 2024 - March 3, 2024 • Insight News

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Insight News • February 26, 2024 - March 3, 2024 • Page 3

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February 26, 2024 - March 3, 2024

Vol. 51 No. 9• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s hospitalization reignites controversy over transparency amid health concerns By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin found himself back in the spotlight as he was urgently admitted to an emergency hospital on Sunday afternoon for symptoms related to a bladder issue, just weeks after his previous hospitalization. The 70-year-old cabinet oﬃcial’s decision to withhold information from the White House about his earlier health episode has triggered a renewed wave of criticism and scrutiny. The latest incident, detailed in a report by USA

DoD Photo by U.S. Air Force Staﬀ Sgt. Jack Sanders

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III briefs the press from the Pentagon Briefing Room, Arlington, VA, Feb. 19, 2021. Today, saw Secretary Austin move to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for treatment—the announcement,

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Kamala Harris

Historic White House gathering celebrates descendants of civil rights pioneers By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia In a Black History Month event at the White House on Tuesday, Feb. 13, Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the descendants of some of the most influential civil rights leaders from the 1950s and ’60s, along with other foundational historical figures. The gathering marked the first time many of those families convened in the same

room. Prominent figures such as Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Booker T. Washington, Ida B. Wells, Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, Emmett Till, Thomas Jeﬀerson, and Sally Hemings were scheduled to attend. Harris praised the descendants as “extraordinary American heroes” who embody the promise of the nation and the Constitution. “They’ve passed the baton to us,” Harris remarked during her address. Stephen K. Benjamin, the director of the White House Oﬃce of Public Engagement, outlined the administration’s initiatives, including an executive order

related to police accountability and President Joe Biden’s signing of the law establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday. The group, known as “The Descendants,” gathered to pay homage to their familial legacies in celebration of Black History Month. One of the coordinators, Joshua Jordison, revealed that discussions to bring this diverse group together began several years ago. “It was amazing that many of them had never met,” he said. While invitations were extended to other notable families, some could not attend due to scheduling conflicts and other

factors. According to Kenneth B. Morris Jr., a descendant of Frederick Douglass and Booker T. Washington, the goal of The Descendants is to lead the nation in a spirit of collaboration and community. “This historic event marks the beginning of coalescing The Descendants’ families and like-minded leaders and organizations to catalyze transformative positive societal change amongst the most significant challenges faced by our country,” Morris emphasized. Beyond the White

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Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) and Diageo North America kick off partnership to tackle impaired driving in the U.S. The MADD-Diageo relationship will focus on education, awareness, and prevention campaigns to help end impaired driving. Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) and Diageo North America have agreed to a new partnership to collaborate on public awareness and education campaigns aimed at ending drunk driving. In late 2023, MADD created the MADD Network, a firstof-its-kind campaign that aims to unite diverse supporters of MADD who share the commitment of creating a future of No More Victims. Diageo, which has a proven track record of eﬀective programming to prevent impaired driving, is an inaugural member in the launch of the MADD Network. Their first partnership initiative will be to jointly send a clear “don’t drink and drive” message to football fans throughout the U.S. and beyond as the big game approaches, encouraging everyone to celebrate and enjoy the game safely while refraining from drinking and driving. “In recent years we have witnessed a surge in drunk driving. Just since 2019, alcohol- related traﬃc fatalities have increased by 31%. MADD and Diageo are acutely aware that lives are at stake,” said MADD CEO Stacey D. Stewart. “We all want to savor the big game, but no one should get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs and substances

From left at Thursday’s event are NBC10 anchor Fred Shropshire, keynote speaker Ben Chavis and Robert W. Bogle, president and CEO of The Philadelphia Tribune.

Dr. Benjamin Chavis Jr. keynotes Philadelphia Tribune annual Black History Luncheon By Chanel Hill Tribune Staff Writer Civil rights leader Benjamin Chavis delivered a powerful keynote speech on Thursday at The Philadelphia Tribune Christopher J. Perry/ Carter G. Woodson Black History Awards Luncheon. The theme for his speech was American democracy and how it relates to education, community, business and politics. Chavis is currently the president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, an organization that focuses on

iStockphoto / NNPA

that can impair driving. Our partnership will help carry this message far beyond what either of our organizations could reach alone.” Having a great time before, during and after the big game is wonderful, say MADD and Diageo, but no one should put lives at risk by drinking and driving. Impaired driving deaths and injuries are a concern that aﬀects Americans in both urban and rural area s and from all walks of life. Impaired driving has increased by 14% two years in a row and has caused 13,000 deaths in a single year for the first time since 2007. Every 79 seconds, someone in the U.S. is killed or injured by a drunk

driver — and that number does not include the deaths and injuries caused by drivers who were impaired by cannabis or other controlled substances. MADD has helped save nearly 400,000 lives and served nearly 1 million victims in the last 43 years. MADD recently celebrated the greatest legislative victory in its history —the passage of the HALT Act which requires advanced impaired driving prevention technology in all new cars. The organization continues to pass lifesaving legislation, advocate for victims and survivors and change America’s culture around drinking and driving. Today, MADD is fiercely dedicated to a future in which

drunk driving is eradicated. “We are proud to join forces with MADD on the shared commitment to address impaired driving, and extremely honored to become the inaugural member of the MADD Network,” said Stephanie Childs, Executive Vice President, Corporate Relations, at Diageo North America. “With our combined expertise, networks and educational resources to address alcohol-related harm, together we are stronger to raise awareness and help save lives.” Diageo has a record of implementing and supporting multi-agency drunk driving

Afrodescendientes

The “Worker Shortage” myth depresses Black wealth

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supporting and advocating for publishers of the nation’s more than 200 Black newspapers. “One of the things that I learned from Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement was to not let anything or anybody break your spirit,” Chavis said. “There is a lot going on in some of our communities that is trying to break our spirit. “I’m glad that Pennsylvania as a state has not joined Florida as a state to ban books and change the curriculum to deny the truth not just for Black youth, but for white youth,” he said. “Everybody deserves

CHAVIS JR.

IN MEMORIAM: Tributes pour in for host, activist Joe Madison By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia Tributes continued to pour in throughout Friday for Joe Madison, the talk show host, activist and philanthropist known as “The Black Eagle.” After a lengthy bout with prostate cancer, the popular SiriusXM host died on Feb. 1. He was 74. Madison’s death comes as America observes the start of Black History Month. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), stated,

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Joe Madison, “The Black Eagle,” Radio Hall of Famer, Human & Civil Rights Activist and Author.

“On behalf of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, representing the Black Press of America,

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Anita La Haye, RN – Cardiac Rehabilitation

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Business Governor Walz, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan recognize career and technical education month On Tuesday, February 20, 2024, Governor Tim Walz visited students at Normandale Community College in Bloomington, Minnesota to recognize Career and Technical Education Month. Photos from the visit can be found here. Last week, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan visited Minneapolis Technical and Community College to also celebrate the month and highlight the demand for technical careers in Minnesota. Photos from that event can be found here. “Our community and technical colleges are the foundation of Minnesota’s economic future,” said Governor Walz. “I’m proud to celebrate the sophisticated job training and incredible education happening at campuses across Minnesota and thank the educators who are dedicated to empowering students to enter

into high-demand, good-paying careers in rapidly growing industries like manufacturing.” “Whether it’s repairing HVAC systems, welding, or preparing for a career in the culinary industry, career and technical education is crucial to providing opportunities for every Minnesotan to thrive,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “I am grateful for all the technical and community colleges who are helping fill the gaps in our workforce and providing every student with an exciting, individualized pathway to success.” Last year, Governor Walz signed into law the North Star Promise Scholarship Program to create tuition and fee-free pathway to higher education for eligible Minnesota residents at Minnesota State colleges and

universities. This scholarship serves as a “last-dollar” program by covering the balance of tuition and fees remaining after other scholarships, grants, stipends, and waivers for families with a household income below $80,000. This program will impact 15,000 to 20,000 students in the 2024-25 academic year. Additionally, last fall, Governor Walz signed an executive order eliminating college degree requirements for over 75% of state government jobs. The executive order opens job opportunities for more people and makes it easier for people in Minnesota to choose state service. In October, Governor Walz and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) launched the Drive for 5 Workforce Initiative, a major new eﬀort to prepare

more Minnesotans for highdemand jobs in five occupational categories: technology, the trades, caring professions, manufacturing, and education. The Drive for 5 initiative is part of a slate of historic workforce development investments Governor Walz secured during the last legislative session. Governor Walz also allocated more than $216.5 million for DEED’s Employment and Training Programs over the next two years, including $20 million for Drive for 5 and $50 million to support workforce development in historically overlooked communities. Minnesota’s economy added more than 50,000 jobs over the past year, and more than 185,000 jobs remain open in Minnesota as employers try to find enough workers to fill these vacancies. Job demand over the

Lieutenant Governor Flanagan and Governor Walz past two years was at or near record highs in every region of the state and in most industries,

with many openings providing opportunities for career growth and family-sustaining wages.

Nine local leaders join Board of Directors at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity The Board of Directors at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity welcomes nine new board members this week. The new cohort joins as the organization continues its Build Forward Together strategic plan to expand homeownership opportunities, advance racial equity, and engage the community. The organization is also gearing up to host the 2024 Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project this fall, a global event which will bring together thousands of volunteers, celebrities, elected officials, and other VIPs to build homes and cast a global spotlight on the urgent importance of affordable housing. The Carter Work Project will launch Habitat’s construction efforts at The Heights on St. Paul’s East Side, Twin Cities Habitat’s largest-ever development. The newest board members are:  Cecilia Stanton Adams, DEI Coach and CEO, The Diversity Institute  Steve Albrecht, Operations Administrator and Community Engineer, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community  Brian Durmaskin, Vice President & General Manager, North America Surgical, Ecolab  Lara Koza, Chief Strategy and Product Officer, Longevity Holdings  Jamie McCarty, Partner, Dorsey and Whitney, LLP  Tariq Malik, Second Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, Securian Financial  Tara Norgard, Attorney, Carlson Caspers  Rich Rubenstein, Vice President, Data and Analytics, General Mills  Jonathan SageMartinson, CEO, Amplio Economic Development Corporation Nash Shaikh, Chief of Staff to the President & CEO at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of

Minnesota, is serving as Board Chair. Shaikh leads an executive committee that includes:  Tony Barranco, Vice Chair; President, North Region, Ryan Companies  Jim Mulrooney, Treasurer; Director Commercial Banking, SVP, Bremer Bank  Keiko Sugisaka, Secretary; Board Chair, Litigation Attorney, and Partner, Maslon LLP  Paul Delahunt, Past Chair, Community Volunteer See a complete list of the Board of Directors at tchabitat. org/board-of-directors.

Cecilia Stanton Adams Cecilia Stanton Adams is an award-winning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) researcher, strategist, and keynote speaker. Cecilia’s advocacy for inclusion and equity is deeply personal. Her New York City roots and personal academic journey through predominantly white institutions have armed her with invaluable perspectives on power, privilege, and resilience. A firstgeneration college graduate, her educational pursuits include a BA in Psychology from Bloomfield College, a master’s in psychology from Lehigh University, and a master’s in industrial psychology from Capella. Cecilia is known for her growth mindset approach to DEI. Often described as bold, inspiring, and warm, she empowers leaders to critically and deeply consider their roles in forging inclusive and equitable spaces. Enriched by over twenty years of experience as a DEI leader and practitioner, Cecilia’s insights into what makes leadership eﬀective are not only unique but tried and tested across an impressive roster of clients, including Fortune 100 companies,

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non-profit organizations, government agencies, and academic institutions. The Diversity Institute and Stanton Adams Consulting, under Cecilia’s visionary leadership, have become synonymous with positive change, helping organizations not merely adapt, but flourish in a richly diverse world.

retention. Prior to joining Ecolab in 2019, Brian was a Senior Marketing Manager at General Mills with successive brands where he owned P&L responsibility, managed the annual strategic plan for topline and bottom-line growth, and drove the evolution of marketing creative and a margin expansion roadmap. Brian received his MBA from Harvard Business School and his bachelor’s degree in business marketing & finance from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.

systems, physician groups, other providers, and payors in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and other strategic partnerships. Jamie also advises clients on a breadth of regulatory issues, including state and federal licensing requirements, corporate practice of medicine, Stark Law, state and federal anti-kickback statutes, and HIPAA. Jamie serves as co-chair of Dorsey’s Minneapolis oﬃce and the Minneapolis Women Attorneys’ Resource Group. Jamie also maintains an active pro bono practice advocating for reproductive rights, including providing regulatory support for Just the Pill, a non-profit organization working to bring telehealth and mobile reproductive healthcare to patients across the nation regardless of their ability to pay. Prior to joining Dorsey, Jamie worked in the health group of another national law firm. Jamie earned a J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School and a B.B.A from Loyola University Chicago.

Steve Albrecht Steve Albrecht, P.E., has served as operations administrator and community engineer for the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community since 2018. In this role, he is charged with leadership, budgeting, and planning for the Public Works, Property Services, and Land and Natural Resources Departments. The SMSC Department of Land and Natural Resources helps fulfill the tribe’s commitment to environmental stewardship and planning seven generations ahead. Previously, Steve served as the Director of Public Works for the City of Burnsville from 2011–2018. From 2004–2010, he served as public works director/ city engineer for the City of Prior Lake. From 1994–2003, Steve worked as consulting engineering for a several municipalities and developers in Carver, Scott, Dakota, and Hennepin Counties. Steve received his bachelor’s degree in agricultural-water resource engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is a licensed civil engineer in Minnesota. Brian Durmaskin Brian Durmaskin is Vice President & General Manager, North America Surgical, at Ecolab, Inc. In this role, he leads the creation of a surgically focused business unit, where he oversees top-line and bottom-line responsibility for a $200 million surgical healthcare business with 3,000+ employees for North America. He has also served Ecolab as Vice President, Healthcare Corporate Accounts & Customer Success, and Senior Marketing Director, North America Healthcare, where he built a highperforming sales and service team culture and developed a strategy to drive customer satisfaction and

Lara Koza Lara Koza is the Chief Strategy and Product Officer at Longevity Holdings. In this role, she leads the exploration and development of new growth opportunities for the company and manages the current and future product portfolio iterations. Lara brings 11 years of diverse corporate strategy experience to Longevity including developing and executing both organic and inorganic growth initiatives in small, medium, and large organizations. Prior to joining Longevity, she most recently served as the Chief Strategy Officer at Surest, a UnitedHealthcare company, where she built the strategy function and led the organization’s launch into new health insurance markets. She also previously worked at Optum (a UnitedHealth Group company) developing product strategy in numerous divisions of the business, Norwest Equity Partners evaluating new private equity investments and working with portfolio companies on strategic growth initiatives, and Piper Jaffray advising clients looking to raise capital or sell their business. Lara received her MBA from Harvard Business School and her bachelor’s degree in finance from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. Jamie McCarty Jamie McCarty is a partner at Dorsey and Whitney, LLP. Jamie counsels clients in the healthcare industry in connection with complex business transactions as well as regulatory compliance issues. Jamie represents health

Tariq Malik As Second Vice President and Chief Diversity Oﬃcer at Securian Financial, Tariq Malik leads diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), associate engagement and community strategies which include the Securian Foundation, corporate giving, and volunteerism. Prior to joining Securian Financial in 2023, Tariq worked at Target Corporation for 16 years in positions of increasing responsibility in diversity and human resources. He served as Target’s director of DEI, where he managed a team of consultants across analytics, operations, communications, and research in support of their DEI strategy and goals. Prior to his time at Target, Tariq worked for several nonprofits including Teach for America, AmeriCorps, and The President’s Summit for America’s Future. Tariq serves on the Board of Directors for Emma Norton Services, a St. Paul organization that is dedicated to providing healing and recovery from homelessness. He served as Board Chair from 2020-2022. Tariq earned a Bachelor of Arts in

Tara Norgard Tara Norgard focuses on high-stakes patent, trade secret, trademark, and business litigation. In addition to her IP practice, Tara routinely serves as an appointee of the Federal Court in various capacities. Tara previously worked for a global consulting firm before becoming a lawyer. Prior to joining Carlson Caspers, Tara clerked for the Honorable Donald P. Lay of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, and practiced with Sidley, an international law firm headquartered in Chicago. Tara is the firm’s chief marketing partner and co-founder and cochair of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Beyond the firm, Tara is a widely recognized national leader advancing DE&I in the legal profession and is a frequent speaker on these topics. At the national level, she founded and chairs the FBA’s DE&I Committee. Tara works with Friends of FANA, Minnesota, a non-profit organization established to unite Colombian children of all ages with adoptive families. She also has served on the Board of Trustees for Sunny Hollow Montessori. Tara has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Marquette University and a JD from the University of Minnesota Law School. Rich Rubenstein Rich Rubenstein is Vice President, Data and Analytics, at General Mills. In this role he is the global leader for data and analytics across all segments and functions for General Mills. Rich leads a team of more than 250 building and deploying a modern cloudbased data foundation, ingesting and managing 1st/2nd/3rd party data, building industry leading tech capabilities in data science, process automation, and more. He develops General Mills digital factory and deploys agile business + tech teams to accelerate tech development and embed analytics across the enterprise. He was previously Vice President, Strategic Revenue Management, at General Mills, where he led a team of revenue management / IT resources to build and drive best in class strategies, analytics, execution, systems, and sustainable financial impact at enterprise scale. Prior to joining General Mills, Rich was VP of Revenue Management and Spend Optimization at Diageo, a global beverage company. Rich earned an AB in physics and English from Amherst College and a PhD in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Jonathan Sage-Martinson Jonathan is the CEO of Amplio Economic Development Corporation, a non-profit certified development company whose mission is to provide innovative financing for small businesses in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Amplio works with banks and credit unions, small businesses, and the U.S. Small Business Administration to provide SBA 504 loans. These loans typically range from $100,000 to $5.5 million and help small business owners access aﬀordable financing to purchase real estate, buildings, or equipment. Founded in 1981, Amplio has originated over 1,200 loans totaling over $600 million, creating or preserving more than 28,000 jobs. Prior to joining Amplio, Jonathan served as the Director of the Department of Planning and Economic Development and Executive Director of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority for the City of Saint Paul. He also previously led the Central Corridor Funders Collaborative and has also served in several additional nonprofit community development roles. Jonathan earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and German and an MPA in nonprofit management and community economic development from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.

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House reception, a series of activities were planned for

Austin From 3 made by Pentagon press secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder disclosed that

MADD From 3 programs that address education and enforcement all over the world. In the U.S., the company has supported initiatives aimed at reducing traﬃc deaths and improving road safety through a range of interventions, including partnerships with the private sector, local authorities, law enforcement, and other agencies that support the enforcement of impaired driving laws. Some of these eﬀorts include:  Launching the ‘Wrong Side of the Road,’ an interactive experience aimed at educating people on the consequences of impaired driving.  Providing educational

Chavis Jr. From 3 high quality education and there should be no attempt to deny equal education.” Chavis also spoke about the upcoming presidential election and

Madison From 3

we express our profound condolences to the family of Joe Madison. As a trailblazer and consistent freedom fighter journalist and broadcaster, Joe Madison embodied the essence and courage to speak truth to power.” President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris also oﬀered their thoughts. “Whether it was a hunger strike for voting rights or his advocacy for antilynching legislation that I was proud to sign in 2022, Joe fought hard against injustice,” Biden stated. Madison aligned his platform with his purpose, Harris added. “Through his decades-long career in radio, he championed the fight for equity and justice. Our nation is better because of his voice.” According to his oﬃcial bio, the native of Dayton, Ohio, was an All-Conference running back at Washington University in St. Louis where he was also a baritone soloist in the university choir and a disc jockey at the campus radio station. He earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology, becoming the first person in his family to graduate college. At age 24, he became the youngest executive director of the NAACP’s Detroit branch before being appointed the organization’s National Political Director and eventually being elected to the National Board of Directors where he served for 14 years. During his tenure at the NAACP, Madison led hundreds of volunteers on a series of successful voter registration marches, including a crosscountry “March for Dignity” from Los Angeles to Baltimore. The marches garnered thousands of signatures for an anti-apartheid bill in Congress. Madison’s radio career began in 1980 at Detroit’s WXYZ. He continued his broadcast journey to WWDB in Philadelphia, WWRC and WOL in Washington, DC. The popularity of his WOL program led to syndication on the Radio One Talk Network and its

Insight News • February 26, 2024 - March 3, 2024 • Page 5 the descendant families in Washington on both Tuesday and Wednesday. The itinerary included stops at the U.S. Capitol, the Lincoln Memorial, the Supreme Court, and a tour of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Additionally, there were dinners and opportunities for group dialogue. Ernestine “Tina” Martin Wyatt, a great-greatgreat-grandniece of Harriet Tubman, was among those to express excitement about meeting the descendants of

fellow freedom fighters. “It’s an equal collaboration. We are all coming together,” Morris asserted. Nearly 100 other guests, including members of the Congressional Black Caucus and administration oﬃcials, attended the event. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Ala.), a

featured speaker, commended the families for their personal sacrifices and tireless work to preserve and protect their ancestors’ legacies. “At a time when our fundamental freedoms are once again under attack, we are grateful to President Biden not only for convening this

event but for his commitment to furthering the progress that our foremothers and forefathers fought and died to achieve,” Sewell stated.

Austin is undergoing treatment for symptoms indicating a severe bladder issue, raising concerns about the gravity of his health condition. This recurrence comes on the heels of Austin’s earlier hospitalization, a matter that was not promptly

disclosed to the White House, Congress, and other Pentagon oﬃcials. The deliberate delay in communication has intensified scrutiny and fueled outrage among right-leaning media pundits and lawmakers. During his prior hospitalization, Austin

delegated his duties to his deputy, but the decision to withhold pertinent information from key stakeholders has ignited widespread criticism. Shortly before 5 o’clock, Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder announced that Kathleen Hicks had taken over as deputy secretary of defense.

The Pentagon’s statement emphasized the urgency of Austin’s hospitalization for symptoms related to a bladder issue. The White House, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staﬀ, and Congress have all been informed about the unfolding situation.

The controversy surrounding the delayed disclosure raises fundamental questions about transparency within the Defense Department and the communication protocols governing the health status of high-ranking oﬃcials.

resources available through its DRINKiQ platform, which provides information (in English and Spanish) about alcohol and its eﬀects, empowering people to make responsible choices.  Funding safe rides, designated drivers and free transportation to provide consumers with safe alternatives.  Supporting the enforcement of drunk driving highly visible laws where they exist and the establishment of eﬀective laws where they don’t.  Diageo brands, dedicating advertising and activations toward promoting moderation and responsible drinking. One of Diageo’s most recent initiatives, in 2022, was the creation of the Multicultural Consortium

for Responsible Drinking (MCRD) in partnership with influential members of the Black, Latino and Native American communities to address alcohol-related harm. In the U.S., research has shown that alcohol consumption affects ethnic communities differently and through this hyperlocal community-focused effort, Diageo has provided educational resources to over 1.6 million people. MADD is proud to join the MCRD and looks forward to working with other members in our shared mission and vision. “We all need to work towards a future in which no one has to fear becoming the victim of an impaired driver.” added Stewart. “The power of the MADD Network comes from each partner — whether

a corporation, a foundation, or an individual — using their own platform to help educate their unique community about the dangers of impaired driving, the need for underage drinking education/prevention, and legislative eﬀorts that will eﬀect real change.” MADD and Diageo North America will announce additional details about their partnership in the near future.

helped reduce drunk driving deaths by more than 50%, saving more than 400,000 lives. The organization is a vocal advocate for tougher sentencing, new laws and new technology, including implementation of the Halt Act. MADD also has provided supportive services to nearly one million victims of drunk and drugged driving at no charge through local victim advocates and its 24-Hour Victim Help Line 1-877- MADD-HELP. For more information or to make a donation, visit us at https:// madd.org/and follow MADD on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoﬀ, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Casamigos, DeLeon and Don Julio tequilas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and Guinness. Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE: DGE) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at http://www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, http://www. DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA.

charged the audience to make a diﬀerence by voting. “There have been not only attempts to keep us from voting, but I’m concerned about social media and the distribution of content targeting young people and having them think that voting is not important,” he said. “I want us to be mindful of what’s going on, but also realize how

important the right to vote is.” Approximately 300 people attended the event at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. NBC10 anchor Fred Shropshire guided the program. Attendees were welcomed by Robert W. Bogle, president and CEO of The Philadelphia Tribune. Tiﬀany Thurman also spoke on behalf of Mayor Cherelle

Parker, who was unable to attend the event due to illness. “This gathering is a stark reminder of the rich and diverse tapestry of African-American history in our beloved city,” said Thurman, who is chief of staﬀ for the Parker administration. “As we come together to commemorate the legacy of Perry and Woodson,

XM satellite channel which merged with Sirius to become SiriusXM in 2008. In 2023, Madison celebrated his 15th anniversary with SiriusXM. In 2015, Madison set the Guinness World Record for the longest on-air broadcast, 52 hours. During the record-breaking show, he raised more than $250,000 for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Five months later, Madison made history again by broadcasting live from Cuba and becoming the first American radio host to do so in more than 50 years. In 2021, Madison went on a 73-day hunger strike to encourage passage of voting rights bills. Unbeknownst to his listeners, he was fighting prostate cancer during his hunger strike. When asked if he understood the danger he was in, he replied, “I am willing to die.” His bio further noted that a few months after his hunger strike, the Emmett Till Antilynching Act passed in the Senate with the help of Madison’s continued push on the radio. His eﬀorts were noticed

by many, including the then Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who publicly thanked him for another fight for justice. Madison and his wife Sharon have been married for more than 45 years and they currently reside in Washington, D.C. Their blended family includes four children, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. In a statement, Madison’s family invited fans and friends to send condolences. “Joe dedicated his life to fighting for all those who are undervalued, underestimated, and marginalized. On air he often posed the question, ‘What are you going to do about it?’. Although he is no longer with us, we hope you will join us in answering that call by continuing to be proactive in the fight against injustice. The outpouring of prayers and support over the last few months lifted Joe’s spirits and strengthened us as a family. We continue to ask for privacy as we gather together to support each other through this diﬃcult time.”

About Mothers Against Drunk Driving Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is the nonprofit leader in a movement to create a world where there are #NoMoreVictims of impaired driving. By working in collaboration with law enforcement to end underage drinking and all drunk and drugged driving, MADD has

About Diageo Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie we pay tribute to their resilience, determination and contribution to the AfricanAmerican community that has left a lasting mark on the city’s identity,” she said. “Your stories are intertwined with the essence of Philadelphia. A city that has stood as a beacon of liberty and justice for all.” Pennsylvania Gov.

Josh Shapiro praised The Tribune during his speech for being an accurate source of news. “I want to applaud The Philadelphia Tribune for getting out accurate information at a time where there is misinformation in political discourse and in the news cycle,” Shapiro said. “The Philly Tribune is a source that we need and you can trust.”

The Disproportionate Impact of Long COVID on African Americans: Why Us Again? The African American Child Wellness Institute Cordially Invites you to Join us for our Weekly Podcast:

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4, 2024 • Insight News Page 6 • February 26, 2024 - March 3,

insightnews.com

Workers, many of them migrants, grading beans at a canning plant in Florida in 1937

A. Philip Randolph

Workers at a metallurgical factory, 1919. W. E. B. Du Bois

Image of Great Wave of Immigration

El mito de la “escasez de trabajadores” deprime la riqueza negra Por Roy Beck Translation By Yoji Senna, Managing Editor, Afrodescendientes

Spanish Text

Las élites empresariales de Estados Unidos han utilizado la inmigración como una herramienta para evitar la contratación de estadounidenses negros durante los últimos dos siglos. Este patrón de discriminación ha deprimido el empleo y los salarios de los afroamericanos, y es una causa importante de las persistentes brechas de riqueza racial. La tendencia comenzó antes de la Guerra Civil. A principios del siglo XIX, muchos estados del norte habían prohibido la esclavitud y eran el hogar de un número sustancial de trabajadores negros libres. Pero a partir de la década de 1820, los empleadores del norte buscaban cada vez más trabajadores inmigrantes

blancos más baratos de Europa, lo que estancó el impulso económico de los negros. Después de la Guerra Civil, los ex esclavos comenzaron a migrar a los estados del norte para dotar de personal a las fábricas de una nación en rápida industrialización. Esto condujo a grandes saltos en las habilidades, los ingresos e incluso la propiedad de los negocios de los afroamericanos. Las plantaciones y empresas del sur se desesperaban de su creciente fuente de mano de obra barata. Pero en la década de 1880, fueron rescatados por la gran negociación política y económica que resultó en la “Gran Ola de Inmigración” de la era de Ellis Island. Cada año, durante las siguientes cuatro décadas, un promedio de casi LQPLJUDQWHV ÀXtDQ principalmente a los mercados laborales del norte. Eso bloqueó en gran

PHGLGD HO ÀXMR GH WUDEDMDGRUHV negros del sur. De hecho, muchos antiguos esclavos y sus familias regresaron al Sur de bajos salarios después de ser desplazados por inmigrantes desesperados dispuestos a aceptar salarios bajos y condiciones de trabajo espantosas. En 1910, alrededor del 90 % de todos los afroamericanos todavía trabajaban como trabajadores agrícolas y sirvientes domésticos en el sur. Finalmente, en 1924, la presión pública, incluso de notables líderes negros de la época como A. Philip Randolph y W. E. B. Du Bois: obligó al Congreso a reducir drásticamente la inmigración anual. La consiguiente tensión en los mercados laborales del norte creó la demanda de trabajadores del sur subempleados y mal pagados. Unos seis millones de afroamericanos se fueron del Sur

durante la Gran Migración, que fue posible gracias a la situación más ajustada de los mercados laborales. En la década de 1960, la proporción de hogares negros que se consideraban de clase media había pasado de dos de cada 10 a siete de cada 10. Pero el auge económico no duró. El Congreso reabrió la migración masiva en la década de 1960, y, al igual que antes, el progreso económico cesó para la mayoría de los estadounidenses negros. En respuesta, las comisiones federales en la década de 1970 pidieron al Congreso que redujera la inmigración, pero los legisladores en su lugar prestaron a las preocupaciones de los grupos de presión de los empleadores que expresaban temores de “la escasez de trabajadores”. En lugar de ver los estrechos mercados de trabajo como una oportunidad para traer a más estadounidenses

negros a la fuerza laboral y cerrar las brechas de riqueza racial, el Congreso optó por permitir a las empresas llenar puestos de trabajo con trabajadores extranjeros. En las décadas posteriores, el gobierno de los Estados Unidos ha ofrecido una autorización de trabajo de por vida a más de 30 millones de inmigrantes, sin contar a millones de trabajadores extranjeros que han entrado ilegalmente en el país. Estados Unidos no tiene escasez de trabajadores. Aproximadamente cuatro de cada 10 afroamericanos en edad de trabajar con solo diplomas de escuela secundaria no tienen trabajo. Muchos aprovecharían la oportunidad de trabajar, si fueran reclutados con salarios y condiciones de trabajo justos. Durante dos siglos, el mito de la escasez de mano de obra se ha utilizado para MXVWL¿FDU ODV SROtWLFDV GH

inmigración que perjudican a los estadounidenses negros. Hoy en día, la riqueza media de los hogares de los descendientes de la esclavitud estadounidense sigue siendo mucho menor que la de los inmigrantes recientes, y menos del 15% de los descendientes de los inmigrantes y colonos europeos. Dada nuestra historia, las D¿UPDFLRQHV GH XQD ³HVFDVH] de trabajadores” deberían poner a cualquier estadounidense racialmente sensible en alerta máxima. Roy Beck es el único fundador y ex presidente de la Fundación de Educación e Investigación de NumbersUSA, y el autor de Back of the Hiring Line: A 200-Year History of Immigration Surges, Employer Bias, and Depression of Black Wealth. Esta columna apareció originalmente en el Washington Informer.

The “Worker Shortage” myth depresses Black wealth Special for Insight News

By Roy Beck Translated from Spanish by Yoji Senna

America’s business elites have used immigration as a tool to avoid hiring Black Americans for the past two centuries. This pattern of discrimination has depressed African Americans’ employment and wages -- and is D VLJQL¿FDQW FDXVH RI SHUVLVWHQW racial wealth gaps. The trend began before the Civil War. By the early 1800s, many Northern states had banned slavery and were home to substantial numbers of free

Black workers. But starting in the 1820s, northern employers increasingly sought cheaper white immigrant workers from Europe -- which stalled Black economic momentum. After the Civil War, former slaves began migrating WR QRUWKHUQ VWDWHV WR VWD൵ the factories of a rapidly industrializing nation. This led to huge jumps in African American skills, incomes, and even business ownership. Southern plantations and businesses despaired of their dwindling source of cheap labor. But by the 1880s, they were rescued by the grand political and economic bargaining that resulted in the Ellis Island-era “Great Wave of Immigration.” Each year over the next four decades, an average of nearly LPPLJUDQWV ÀRZHG

primarily into northern labor markets. That largely blocked the ÀRZ RI %ODFN ZRUNHUV IURP the South. In fact, many former slaves and their families moved back to the lower-wage South after they were displaced by desperate immigrants willing to accept low wages and appalling working conditions. By 1910, about 90% of all African Americans were still laboring as farm workers and household servants in the South. Finally, in 1924, public pressure -- including from notable Black leaders of the day like A. Philip Randolph and W. E. B. Du Bois -- forced Congress to drastically reduce annual immigration. The ensuing tightness in northern labor markets created demand for underemployed,

underpaid southern workers. Some six million African Americans left the South during the Great Migration made possible by tighter labor markets. By the 1960s, the share of Black households that were considered middle class had expanded from two in 10 to seven in 10. But the economic boom didn’t last. Congress reopened mass migration in the 1960s, and -- just as before -- economic progress ceased for most Black Americans. In response, federal commissions in the 1970s called on Congress to reduce immigration, but lawmakers instead heeded the concerns of employer lobbies that expressed fears of “worker shortages.” Instead of viewing tight job markets as an opportunity to

bring more Black Americans into the workforce and close racial wealth gaps, Congress FKRVH WR HQDEOH EXVLQHVVHV WR ¿OO jobs with foreign workers. In the decades since, the 8 6 JRYHUQPHQW KDV R൵HUHG lifetime work authorization to more than 30 million immigrants, not counting millions of foreign workers who have entered the country illegally. The United States doesn’t have a worker shortage. Approximately four in 10 working-age African Americans with only high school diplomas don’t have jobs. Many would jump at the chance to work, if recruited at fair wages and working conditions. For two centuries, the labor shortage myth has been used to justify immigration

policies that disadvantage Black Americans. Today, the median household wealth of descendants of American slavery remains much less than that of recent immigrants -- and less than 15% that of the descendants of European immigrants and settlers. Given our history, claims of a “worker shortage” should put any racially sensitive American on high alert. Roy Beck is the sole founder and former president of the NumbersUSA Education and Research Foundation, and the author of Back of the Hiring Line: A 200-Year History of Immigration Surges, Employer Bias, and Depression of Black Wealth. This column originally appeared in the Washington Informer.

O mito da “escassez de trabalhadores” deprime a riqueza negra Por Roy Beck Translation By Yoji Senna, Managing Editor, Afrodescendientes Traduzido do original em ingles por Yoji Senna

Portuguese Text

As elites empresariais da América usaram a imigração como uma ferramenta para evitar a contratação de negros americanos nos últimos dois séculos. Esse padrão de discriminação deprimiu o emprego e os salários dos afro-americanos -- e é uma FDXVD VLJQL¿FDWLYD GH ODFXQDV persistentes de riqueza racial. A tendência começou antes da Guerra Civil. No

início de 1800, muitos estados do norte haviam proibido a escravidão e eram o lar de um número substancial de trabalhadores negros livres. Mas a partir da década de 1820, os empregadores do norte procuravam cada vez mais trabalhadores imigrantes brancos mais baratos da Europa -- o que bloqueou o impulso econômico negro. Após a Guerra Civil, os ex-escravos começaram a migrar para os estados do norte para trabalhar nas fábricas de uma nação em rápida industrialização. Isso levou a grandes saltos nas habilidades,

rendas e até mesmo na propriedade de negócios afroamericanos. As plantações e empresas do sul se desesperavam por sua fonte de diminuição de mão de obra barata. Mas na década de 1880, eles foram resgatados pela grande negociação política e econômica que resultou na “Grande Onda de Imigração” da era Ellis Island. A cada ano, nas próximas quatro décadas, uma média de quase 600.000 imigrantes ÀXtDP SULQFLSDOPHQWH SDUD RV mercados de trabalho do norte. Isso bloqueou em grande SDUWH R ÀX[R GH WUDEDOKDGRUHV

negros do Sul. Na verdade, muitos ex-escravos e suas famílias voltaram para o Sul de salários mais baixos depois que foram deslocados por imigrantes desesperados dispostos a aceitar baixos salários e condições de trabalho terríveis. Em 1910, cerca de 90% de todos os afroamericanos ainda trabalhavam como trabalhadores rurais e empregadas domésticas no Sul. Finalmente, em 1924, pressão pública -- inclusive de notáveis líderes negros da época como A. Philip Randolph e W. E. B. Du Bois -- forçou o Congresso a reduzir drasticamente a imigração

anual. O aperto que se seguiu nos mercados de trabalho do norte criou a demanda por trabalhadores subempregados e mal pagos do sul. Cerca de seis milhões de afro-americanos deixaram o Sul durante a Grande Migração, possibilitada por mercados de trabalho mais apertados. Na década de 1960, a participação das famílias negras que eram consideradas de classe média havia expandido de duas em 10 para sete em 10. Mas o boom econômico não durou. O Congresso reabriu a migração em massa na década de 1960 e -- assim como antes --

o progresso econômico cessou para a maioria dos negros americanos. Em resposta, as comissões federais na década de 1970 pediram ao Congresso que reduzisse a imigração, mas os legisladores, em vez disso, atenderam às preocupações dos lobbies dos empregadores que expressaram temores de “escassez de trabalhadores”. Em vez de ver os mercados de trabalho apertados como uma oportunidade de trazer mais negros americanos para a força de trabalho e fechar as lacunas de riqueza racial, o Congresso optou por permitir

insightnews.com que as empresas preenchessem empregos com trabalhadores estrangeiros. Nas décadas seguintes, o governo dos EUA ofereceu autorização de trabalho vitalício a mais de 30 milhões de imigrantes, sem contar milhões de trabalhadores estrangeiros

22,26, 2024 - January Insight News •January February 2024 - March28, 3, 2024 • Page 7 que entraram ilegalmente no país. Os Estados Unidos não têm escassez de trabalhadores. Aproximadamente quatro em cada 10 afro-americanos em idade ativa com apenas diplomas do ensino médio não têm emprego. Muitos

aproveitariam a chance de trabalhar, se recrutados com salários e condições de trabalho justos. Por dois séculos, o mito da escassez de mãode-obra tem sido usado SDUD MXVWL¿FDU SROtWLFDV GH imigração que prejudicam os

negros americanos. Hoje, a riqueza familiar média dos descendentes da escravidão americana permanece muito menor do que a dos imigrantes recentes -- e menos de 15% da dos descendentes de imigrantes e colonos europeus. Dada a nossa história,

as alegações de “escassez de trabalhadores” devem colocar qualquer americano racialmente sensível em alerta máximo. Roy Beck é o único fundador e ex-presidente da NumbersUSA Education and Research Foundation, e o autor de Back of the Hiring

Line: A 200-Year History of Immigration Surges, Employer Bias, and Depression of Black Wealth. Esta coluna apareceu originalmente no Washington Informer.

Le mythe de la « pénurie de travailleurs » déprime la richesse des Noirs Par Roy Beck Translation by Macdonald Anyanwu Afrodescendientes Traduit de l’espagnol par Yoji Senna

French Text

Les élites commerciales américaines ont utilisé l’immigration comme un outil pour éviter d’embaucher des Noirs américains au cours des deux derniers siècles. Ce modèle de discrimination a fait baisser l’emploi et les salaires des AfroAméricains – et constitue une cause importante des écarts persistants de richesse raciale. Cette tendance a commencé avant la guerre civile. Au début des années 1800, de nombreux États du Nord avaient interdit l’esclavage et abritaient un nombre important de travailleurs noirs libres. Mais à partir des années 1820, les employeurs du Nord recherchaient de plus en plus de travailleurs immigrés blancs bon marché en provenance

d’Europe, ce qui freinait la dynamique économique des Noirs. Après la guerre civile, d’anciens esclaves ont commencé à migrer vers les États du nord pour travailler dans les usines d’un pays en rapide industrialisation. Cela a conduit à d’énormes progrès dans les compétences, les revenus et même la propriété des entreprises afro-américaines. Les plantations et les entreprises du Sud étaient désespérées de voir leur source de main-d’œuvre bon marché diminuer. Mais dans les années 1880, ils furent sauvés par les grandes négociations politiques et économiques qui aboutirent à la « Grande vague d’immigration » de l’époque d’Ellis Island. Chaque année au cours des quatre décennies suivantes, près de 600 000 immigrants en moyenne ont D൷Xp SULQFLSDOHPHQW YHUV OHV marchés du travail du Nord.

Cela a largement bloqué OH ÀX[ GH WUDYDLOOHXUV QRLUV HQ provenance du Sud. En fait, de nombreux anciens esclaves et leurs familles sont retournés dans le Sud, où les salaires sont moins élevés, après avoir été déplacés par des immigrants désespérés prêts à accepter de bas salaires et des conditions de travail épouvantables. En 1910, environ 90 % de tous les AfroAméricains travaillaient encore comme ouvriers agricoles ou domestiques dans le Sud. Finalement, en 1924, la pression du public – notamment celle de dirigeants noirs notables de l’époque comme A. Philip Randolph et W. E. B. Du Bois – a forcé le Congrès à réduire considérablement l’immigration annuelle. Les tensions qui ont suivi sur les marchés du travail du Nord ont créé une demande de travailleurs du Sud sousemployés et sous-payés. Quelque six millions d’Afro-

Américains ont quitté le Sud lors de la Grande Migration rendue possible par le resserrement des marchés du travail. Dans les années 1960, la proportion de ménages noirs considérés comme appartenant à la classe moyenne était passée de deux sur dix à sept sur dix. Mais le boom économique n’a pas duré. Le Congrès a rouvert les migrations de masse dans les années 1960 et, comme auparavant, le progrès économique a cessé pour la plupart des Noirs américains. En réponse, dans les années 1970, des commissions fédérales ont appelé le Congrès à réduire l’immigration, mais les législateurs ont plutôt tenu compte des préoccupations des lobbies patronaux qui exprimaient des craintes de « pénurie de main-d’œuvre ». Au lieu de considérer les marchés du travail tendus comme une opportunité d’intégrer davantage de Noirs américains

sur le marché du travail et de réduire les écarts de richesse raciale, le Congrès a choisi de permettre aux entreprises de pourvoir leurs emplois avec des travailleurs étrangers. Au cours des décennies qui ont suivi, le gouvernement DPpULFDLQ D R൵HUW XQH autorisation de travail à vie à plus de 30 millions d’immigrants, sans compter les millions de travailleurs étrangers entrés illégalement dans le pays. Les États-Unis ne connaissent pas de pénurie de main d’œuvre. Environ quatre Afro-Américains sur dix en âge de travailler et titulaires seulement d’un diplôme d’études secondaires n’ont pas d’emploi. Beaucoup sauteraient sur l’occasion de travailler s’ils étaient recrutés avec des salaires et des conditions de travail équitables. Depuis deux siècles, le mythe de la pénurie de mainG¶°XYUH D pWp XWLOLVp SRXU MXVWL¿HU

des politiques d’immigration désavantageuses pour les Noirs américains. Aujourd’hui, la richesse médiane des ménages des descendants de l’esclavage américain reste bien inférieure à celle des immigrants récents – et inférieure à 15 % de celle des descendants d’immigrants et de colons européens. Compte tenu de notre histoire, les allégations de « pénurie de main-d’œuvre » devraient mettre tout Américain sensible au racisme en état d’alerte. Roy Beck est l’unique fondateur et ancien président de la NumbersUSA Education and Research Foundation, et l’auteur de Back of the Hiring Line: A 200-Year History of Immigration Surges, Employer Bias, and Depression of Black Wealth. Cette chronique a été initialement publiée dans le Washington Informer.

Khuraafaadka “Shaqaale yaraan” waxay niyad jabisaa hantida Madow Waxaa qoray Roy Beck Translation by Macdonald Anyanwu Afrodescendientes Waxaa laga soo turjumay Isbaanishka Yoji Senna

Somali Text

Dadka caanka ah ee ganacsiga Ameerika waxay u isticmaali jireen socdaalka sidii qalab si ay uga fogaadaan shaqaaleysiinta dadka Madaw ee Maraykanka ah labadii qarni ee la soo dhaafay. Habka takoorka ayaa niyad jabiyay shaqada iyo mushaharka dadka Ameerikaanka ah -- waana sababta ugu weyn ee farqiga hantida jinsiyadeed ee joogtada ah. Isbeddelku wuxuu bilaabmay ka hor dagaalkii sokeeye. Horraantii 1800-aadkii, gobollo badan oo Woqooyi ah ayaa mamnuucay addoonsiga waxayna hoy u ahaayeen tiro badan oo shaqaale madow ah oo bilaash ah. Laakiin laga bilaabo 1820-meeyadii, loo-shaqeeyayaasha woqooyiga waxay si isa soo taraysa u

raadsadeen shaqaale caddaan ah oo soogalootiga ah oo ka jaban Yurub - taas oo hakisay dhaqdhaqaaqa dhaqaalaha Madow. Dagaalkii Sokeeye ka dib, addoommadii hore waxay bilaabeen inay u haajiraan gobollada waqooyi si ay uga shaqeeyaan warshadaha waddan si degdeg ah u warshadaysan. Tani waxay horseedday kor u kac weyn xagga xirfadaha Afrikaanka Ameerikaanka ah, dakhliga, iyo xitaa lahaanshaha ganacsiga. Beeraleyda koonfureed iyo ganacsiyadu waxay ka quusteen ilmihii ay ka heli jireen shaqada jaban ee sii yaraanaya. Laakiin sannadihii 1880-aadkii, waxaa badbaadiyay gorgortankii siyaasadeed iyo dhaqaale ee weynaa ee sababay xilligii Ellis Island “Wave Great of Immigration.” Sannad kasta afartankii sano ee soo socda, celcelis ahaan ku dhawaad 600,000 oo soo galooti ah ayaa ugu badnaan geli jiray suuqyada shaqada ee waqooyiga.

Taas oo si weyn u xannibtay isu socodkii shaqaalaha Madow ee ka imaanayay Koonfurta. Dhab ahaantii, addoomo badan oo hore iyo qoysaskoodii waxay dib ugu noqdeen koonfurta mushaharka hoose ka dib markii ay soo barokiciyeen muhaajiriin quus ah oo doonaya inay aqbalaan mushahar yar iyo xaalado shaqo oo naxdin leh. Sannadkii 1910kii, qiyaastii 90% dhammaan Afrikaan Ameerikaanku waxay weli u shaqaynayeen sidii shaqaale beeralay iyo adeegayaal guri oo ku yaal Koonfurta. Ugu dambeyntii, 1924kii, cadaadiska dadweynaha - oo ay ku jiraan hoggaamiyeyaashii caanka ahaa ee Madow ee maalinta sida A. Philip Randolph iyo W. B. Du Bois - waxay ku qasbeen Congresska inay si weyn u yareeyaan socdaalka sannadlaha ah. Cidhiidhiga ka dhashay suuqyada shaqada ee waqooyiga ayaa abuuray

baahida shaqaalaha koonfurta ee aan shaqayn. Ilaa lix milyan oo Maraykan ah oo Afrikaan ah ayaa ka tagay koonfurta intii lagu jiray socdaalka Weyn oo ay suurta galisay suuqyo shaqo oo adag. Sannadkii 1960-aadkii, saamiga qoysaska Madow ee loo tixgeliyey dabaqadda dhexe waxay ka korodhay laba 10kiiba ilaa toddobadii 10kii. Laakiin kobaca dhaqaale ma sii waarin. Koongarasku waxa uu dib u furay socdaalkii tirada badnaa 1960kii, iyo -sidii hore oo kale -- horumarka dhaqaale ayaa joogsaday badiba dadka Madaw ee Maraykanka ah. Iyaga oo ka jawaabaya, guddiyada federaaliga ah ee 1970-meeyadii ayaa ugu baaqay Congress-ka in ay yareeyaan socdaalka, laakiin sharcidajiyayaashu taa beddelkeeda waxay dhegeysteen walaacyada loo-shaqeeyaha ee muujinaya cabsida “shaqaale yaraan.” Halkii laga arki lahaa suuqyada shaqada ee cidhiidhiga ah inay

tahay fursad lagu keeno dad badan oo Madow Ameerikaan ah oo ku jira xoogga shaqada iyo xiritaanka farqiga hantida jinsiyadda, Congress wuxuu doortay inuu awood u yeesho ganacsiyada inay buuxiyaan shaqooyinka shaqaalaha ajnabiga ah. Tobannaankii sano ee la soo dhaafay, dawladda Maraykanku waxay siisay oggolaansho shaqo oo ay ku noolaadaan in ka badan 30 milyan oo muhaajiriin ah, iyada oo aan la xisaabin malaayiin shaqaale ajnabi ah oo si sharci darro ah dalka ku soo galay. Maraykanku ma haysto shaqaale yaraan. Ku dhawaad afar ka mid ah 10kii da’da shaqada ee Afrikaan Ameerikaanka ah ee haysta shahaadada dugsiga sare oo keliya ma haystaan shaqooyin. Qaar badan ayaa ku boodi lahaa fursad ay ku shaqeystaan, haddii lagu shaqaaleysiiyo mushahar cadaalad ah iyo xaalado shaqo. Muddo laba qarni ah,

khuraafaadka shaqo yaraanta ayaa la isticmaalayey si loo caddeeyo siyaasadaha socdaalka ee dhibaya dadka Madaw ee Maraykanka ah. Maanta, hantida dhexdhexaadka ah ee faraca addoonsiga Maraykanka ayaa aad uga yar tii soogalootiga dhawaanta -- iyo in ka yar 15% ta faracyada soogalootiga Yurub iyo degayaasha. Marka la eego taariikhdeena, sheegashada “shaqaale yari” waa inay geliyaan Mareykan kasta oo dareen jinsiyeed feejignaan sare leh. Roy Beck waa aasaasihii iyo madaxweynihii hore ee Mu’asasada Waxbarashada iyo Cilmi-baarista ee NumbersUSA, iyo qoraaga Dhabarka Shaqaalaysiinta: Taariikhda 200-Sano ee Soogalootiga, Eexda Looshaqeeyaha, iyo Niyad-jabka Xoolaha Madow. Tiirkani wuxuu asal ahaan ka soo baxay wariyaha Washington.

Hadithi ya “Uhaba wa Wafanyakazi” inakandamiza Utajiri mweusi

Ilitafsiriwa kutoka Kihispania na Yoji Senna

Swahili Text

Wa f a n y a b i a s h a r a wakubwa wa Amerika wametumia uhamiaji kama zana ya kuzuia kuajiri Waamerika Weusi kwa karne mbili zilizopita. Mtindo huu wa ubaguzi umekandamiza ajira na mishahara ya Wamarekani Waafrika -- na ni sababu kuu ya pengo la utajiri wa rangi. Mwelekeo huo ulianza kabla ya Vita vya wenyewe kwa ZHQ\HZH .X¿NLD PZDQ]RQL mwa miaka ya 1800, majimbo mengi ya Kaskazini yalikuwa yamepiga marufuku utumwa na yalikuwa nyumbani kwa idadi kubwa ya wafanyikazi wasio na malipo Weusi. Lakini kuanzia miaka ya 1820, waajiri wa kaskazini walizidi kutafuta wahamiaji wazungu wa bei nafuu kutoka Ulaya -- jambo ambalo lilizuia kasi ya uchumi wa Weusi. Baada ya Vita vya wenyewe kwa wenyewe, watumwa wa zamani walianza kuhamia majimbo ya kaskazini ili kuajiri viwanda vya taifa linalokua kwa kasi kiviwanda. Hii ilisababisha mafanikio makubwa katika ujuzi, mapato ya Wamarekani Waafrika, na hata umiliki wa biashara. Mashamba ya kusini na biashara zilikata tamaa ya kupungua kwa chanzo

chao cha wafanyikazi wa bei QDIXX /DNLQL NX¿NLD PLDND ya 1880, waliokolewa na mazungumzo makubwa ya kisiasa na kiuchumi ambayo yalisababisha enzi ya Ellis Island “Wimbi Kubwa la Uhamiaji.” Kila mwaka katika miongo minne ijayo, wastani wa karibu wahamiaji 600,000 walimiminika hasa katika masoko ya kazi ya kaskazini. Hiyo ilizuia kwa kiasi kikubwa mtiririko wa wafanyikazi Weusi kutoka Kusini. Kwa kweli, watumwa wengi wa zamani na familia zao walirudi Kusini mwa ujira wa chini baada ya kuhamishwa na wahamiaji waliokata tamaa walio tayari kukubali mishahara ya chini na hali mbaya ya NXIDQ\D ND]L .X¿NLD takriban 90% ya Waamerika wote walikuwa bado wakifanya kazi kama wafanyikazi wa shamba na wafanyikazi wa nyumbani huko Kusini. Hatimaye, mnamo 1924, shinikizo la umma -- ikiwa ni pamoja na viongozi mashuhuri Weusi wa siku hiyo kama A. Philip Randolph na W. E. B. Du Bois -- ililazimisha Congress kupunguza kwa kiasi kikubwa uhamiaji wa kila mwaka. Msongamano uliofuata katika soko la kazi la kaskazini ulisababisha mahitaji ya wafanyikazi wa kusini wasio na ajira duni, wanaolipwa uduni. Baadhi ya Waafrika Waamerika milioni sita waliondoka Kusini wakati wa Uhamiaji Mkuu

uliowezeshwa na soko la ajira NDOL .X¿NLD PLDND \D sehemu ya kaya za Weusi ambazo zilizingatiwa kuwa za tabaka la kati zilikuwa zimeongezeka kutoka mbili kwa 10 hadi saba kwa 10. Lakini ukuaji wa uchumi haukudumu. Congress ilifungua upya uhamaji mkubwa katika miaka ya 1960, na -- kama hapo awali - maendeleo ya kiuchumi yalikoma kwa Waamerika wengi Weusi. Kujibu, tume za shirikisho katika miaka ya 1970 zilitoa wito kwa Congress kupunguza uhamiaji, lakini wabunge badala yake walitii wasiwasi wa ushawishi wa waajiri ambao walionyesha hofu ya “uhaba wa wafanyikazi.” Badala ya kutazama soko la ajira ngumu kama fursa ya kuleta Wamarekani Weusi zaidi katika wafanyikazi na kuziba mapengo ya utajiri wa rangi, Congress ilichagua kuwezesha biashara kujaza kazi na wafanyikazi wa kigeni. Katika miongo kadhaa tangu, serikali ya Marekani imetoa idhini ya kazi ya maisha kwa zaidi ya wahamiaji milioni 30, bila kuhesabu mamilioni ya wafanyakazi wa kigeni ambao wameingia nchini kinyume cha sheria. Marekani haina uhaba wa wafanyakazi. Takriban Waamerika Waafrika wa umri wa kufanya kazi wanne kati ya 10 walio na diploma za shule ya upili hawana kazi. Wengi

wangeruka nafasi ya kufanya kazi, ikiwa wataajiriwa kwa

malipo ya haki na mazingira ya kazi.

Kwa karne mbili, hadithi uhaba wa wafanyikazi

Los virus no discriminan.

Y nosotros tampoco deberíamos hacerlo.

ĚĂƉƚĞĚ ĨƌŽŵ ^ĞĂƩůĞ Θ <ŝŶŐ ŽƵŶƚǇ WƵďůŝĐ ,ĞĂůƚŚ

Imeandikwa na Roy Beck Translation by Macdonald Anyanwu Afrodescendientes

El coronavirus NO se combate estigmatizando. Compartir información veraz sí ayuda. Más información en health.mn.gov ^ŝ ĐŽŶƐŝĚĞƌĂ ƋƵĞ ŚĂ ƐŝĚŽ ĚŝƐĐƌŝŵŝŶĂĚŽ ĚĞďŝĚŽ Ăů Ks/ Ͳϭϵ͕ ĐŽŵƵŶşƋƵĞƐĞ ĐŽŶ Ğů ĞƉĂƌƚĂŵĞŶƚŽ ĚĞ ĞƌĞĐŚŽƐ ,ƵŵĂŶŽƐ ĚĞ DŝŶŶĞƐŽƚĂ Ăů ƚĞůĠĨŽŶŽ ϲϱϭͲϱϯϵͲϭϭϯϯ Ž ϭͲϴϬϬͲϲϱϳͲϯϳϬϰ͘ 05/04/20 | Spanish | 651-201-3920 | Contact health.communications@state.mn.us to request an alternate format.

February 26, 26, 2024 2024 -- March March 3, 4, 2024 2024 • Insight News Page 8 • February imekuwa ikitumika kuhalalisha sera za uhamiaji ambazo zinawakosea Waamerika Weusi. Leo, utajiri wa kaya wa wastani wa wazao wa utumwa wa

Marekani unasalia kuwa chini sana kuliko ule wa wahamiaji wa hivi majuzi -- na chini ya 15% ya vizazi vya wahamiaji na walowezi wa Uropa.

Kwa kuzingatia historia yetu, madai ya “upungufu wa wafanyikazi” yanapaswa kumweka Mmarekani yeyote anayejali ubaguzi wa rangi

insightnews.com katika tahadhari kubwa. Roy Beck ndiye mwanzilishi pekee na rais wa zamani wa Wakfu wa Elimu QD 8WD¿WL ZD 1XPEHUV86$

na mwandishi wa Back of the Hiring Line: Historia ya Miaka 200 ya Kuongezeka kwa Uhamiaji, Upendeleo wa Waajiri, na Unyogovu wa

Utajiri Weusi. Safu hii awali ilionekana kwenye Washington Informer.

Awon Adaparo “Osise aito” awon irewesi Dudu oro Nipa Roy Beck

Translation by Macdonald Anyanwu Afrodescendientes 12*Ʃ ) 1& "!" &- +&0& +&- 0Ź ,'& "++

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Gainesville Midland track maintenance crew, CA. `1890

A cargo worker

Ellis Island-era Immigration

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Young Factory worker in early 1900

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insightnews.com

Insight News • February 26, 2024 - March 3, 2024 • Page 9

Insight 2 Health

Courtesy photo

Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity scientist at Harvard Medical School, joins health care advocates to unveil the Obesity Bill of Rights in Washington, D.C.

Health care advocates unveil historic Obesity Bill of Rights By Lindiwe Vilakazi | Washington Informer In efforts to create a supportive ecosystem for people facing chronic obesity nationwide, an influential collection of public health groups, aging experts, and leading consumer advocates introduced the Obesity Bill of Rights. The goal of the bill is to protect the dignity and autonomy of those battling obesity. Spearheaded by the National Council on Aging (NCOA) alongside the National Consumers League (NCL), the initiative sets a plan of action to reframe obesity care in employer, federal, and state policies. Inspired by a yearlong effort of research and community feedback, the Obesity Bill of Rights is a landmark effort in targeting how the healthcare industry and legislators alike will address the chronic yet commonly undiagnosed disease. “Our aim with the Obesity Bill of Rights is to designate quality obesity care as the inherent right of all adults, empowering those with the disease to demand unbiased treatment, regardless of their size or weight,” Sally Greenberg, CEO of the National Consumers League, said in a

statement. The legislative proposal outlines eight key fundamental rights designed to ensure proper care and protection for individuals with obesity, including proper diagnosis, screening, counseling, and suﬃcient treatment under medical guidelines, while obliterating ageism and weight bias across the healthcare system. Statistics show that out of 108 million adults who are living with obesity, only 30 million have been diagnosed, and only 2% of those individuals who are eligible for anti-obesity prescriptions have actually received medical treatments. Further, oﬃcials highlight bleak outcomes for cases of untreated obesity, leading to over 230 medical conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease, certain cancers, and diabetes. Dorothea Vafiadis conducts obesity town halls across the country to garner deeper analysis behind the experiences and concerns of individuals with obesity. As senior director for the National Council on Aging, Vafiadis shared the sentiments of many obese Americans, many of whom felt invisible and hopeless from a lack of support and proper treatment within medical spaces.

“Many people with obesity feel stuck because they don’t get the care that they need, especially people of color, but older adults with obesity face both ageism and weight stigma. In Jackson, Mississippi, at a faith-based organization, we had an older adult man stand up and say, ‘We live sick and we die quick,’ as he had lost several relatives to diet-related obesity, all dying around the age of 50,” Vafiadis told The Informer. “It was very powerful to hear the stories of older adults and their search for information to be recognized, to get the care that they need and to feel supported.” The Obesity Bill of Rights highlights the severe disparities in chronic obesity seen in communities of color, particularly among the Black American community. Nearly 48% of African American adults are clinically obese, with 37.1% of men and

56.6% of women, compared to 32.6% of white Americans. The Oﬃce of Minority Health reports that roughly 4 out of 5 African American women are overweight or obese, while in 2018, 1.3 non-Hispanic Black people were more likely to be obese as compared to their nonHispanic white counterparts, largely explaining why obesity is deemed a national crisis. Contrary to the common biases of people with chronic obesity, Dr. Fatima Stanford, an obesity medicine physician-scientist and staunch supporter of the Obesity Bill of Rights, told The Informer that beyond poor eating habits, pathophysiology explains the root of chronic obesity, as food intake is regulated in the brain. Stanford emphasized the crucial importance of reducing stigma and bias towards patients managing obesity in medical spaces, as obesity shows to be a complex

chronic disease largely influenced by a multitude of factors including food insecurity, trauma, and psychological triggers outside of the common focus on dietary habits. “A lot of people talk about biological or medical reasons, age-related changes. Those menopausal changes and perimenopausal changes will affect you. Genetics and epigenetics, something about us being Black [people] may affect us. Different medications that are prescribed to us, [or] sleep deficit may affect us, but we don’t ever hear about those things,” said Stanford. She considered mental health as a contributing factor to many obesity struggles. “What was mom’s stress? What was her obesity? What were all of mom’s issues when she was going through pregnancy? What is your trauma history? Are you dealing with emotional

coping issues? We haven’t talked about those issues.” The Obesity Bill of Rights has received a collective endorsement from 36 leading organizations, including the American Nurses Association, the Academy of Nutrition, and the Obesity Action Coalition. Likewise, the collective’s eﬀorts are publicly backed by prominent policy makers such as Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI), and Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), who are also leading the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA) to push expansion of access to obesity treatments across the country. “Obesity is a chronic condition – not a personal or moral failing. We need to ensure our health care system treats it as a disease so that Americans with obesity can access holistic, high-quality care that meets the full spectrum of their needs,” Moore said.

COVID-19 Vaccines and Pregnancy COVID-19 vaccine is safe for pregnant people • dŚĞ ĞŶƚĞƌƐ ĨŽƌ ŝƐĞĂƐĞ ŽŶƚƌŽů ĂŶĚ WƌĞǀĞŶƟŽŶ ĂŶĚ Minnesota Department of Health strongly recommend that all people who are pregnant, recently pregnant, ďƌĞĂƐƞĞĞĚŝŶŐ͕ ĂŶĚ ĐŽŶƐŝĚĞƌŝŶŐ ƉƌĞŐŶĂŶĐǇ ŐĞƚ ǀĂĐĐŝŶĂƚĞĚ ĨŽƌ Ks/ Ͳϭϵ͘ථWƌĞŐŶĂŶƚ ƉĞŽƉůĞ ĂƌĞ Ăƚ Ă higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease compared to non-pregnant people. • If you are pregnant, get vaccinated to help protect you from severe illness from COVID-19. • ^ƚƵĚŝĞƐ ĐŽŶƟŶƵĞ ƚŽ ƐŚŽǁ ƚŚĂƚ Ks/ Ͳϭϵ ǀĂĐĐŝŶĞƐ ĂƌĞ ƐĂĨĞ ĚƵƌŝŶŐ ƉƌĞŐŶĂŶĐǇ ĂŶĚ ǁŚŝůĞ ďƌĞĂƐƞĞĞĚŝŶŐ͘ • 'ĞƫŶŐ ƚŚĞ Ks/ Ͳϭϵ ǀĂĐĐŝŶĞ ĐĂŶ ƉƌŽƚĞĐƚ ŶŽƚ ũƵƐƚ ƚŚĞ ƉƌĞŐŶĂŶƚ ƉĞƌƐŽŶ ďƵƚ ĂůƐŽ ƚŚĞŝƌ ŶĞǁďŽƌŶ ďĂďǇ͘ ѕ Studies show that babies born to those who are vaccinated for COVID-19 during pregnancy had a ůŽǁĞƌ ƌŝƐŬ ŽĨ ďĞŝŶŐ ŚŽƐƉŝƚĂůŝǌĞĚ ĨŽƌ Ks/ Ͳϭϵ ŝŶ ƚŚĞŝƌ ĮƌƐƚ Ɛŝǆ ŵŽŶƚŚƐ ŽĨ ůŝĨĞ͘ • The developing baby of a pregnant person who is sick with COVID-19 may also be at risk. ѕ dŚĞƌĞ ŝƐ ĂŶ ŝŶĐƌĞĂƐĞĚ ƌŝƐŬ ŽĨ ƉƌĞƚĞƌŵ ĚĞůŝǀĞƌǇ͕ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞƌĞ ŵĂǇ ďĞ ĂŶ ŝŶĐƌĞĂƐĞĚ ƌŝƐŬ ĨŽƌ ƐƟůůďŝƌƚŚ ĨŽƌ ƉĞŽƉůĞ ǁŚŽ ƚĞƐƚĞĚ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ĨŽƌ Ks/ Ͳϭϵ ǁŚŝůĞ ƉƌĞŐŶĂŶƚ͘

Anita La Haye, RN

Hennepin Healthcare professional profile

Anita La Haye, RN – Cardiac Rehabilitation “When you work in cardiac rehab, you never have to wonder if you made a diﬀerence. I’m really proud of our team because of our shared work ethic and patient-first approach. We invite patients to partner with their healthcare to aﬀect change – it’s an experience with dignity and respect. We meet people within a day of their

admission for a cardiac event, and we journey with them. We take the time and opportunity to lay down foundational frameworks for the patient to understand a very complex organ and what their medical team has planned for their care. Then we help them build back their strength and resiliency. It’s empowering.”

• dĂůŬ ǁŝƚŚ ǇŽƵƌ ŚĞĂůƚŚ ĐĂƌĞ ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞƌ ŝĨ ǇŽƵ ŚĂǀĞ ƋƵĞƐƟŽŶƐ͘ • Already vaccinated for COVID-19? Make sure you’ve received at least one dose of the 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine to be up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines.

COVID-19 vaccine is safe for people who want to have a baby one day • If you are trying to become pregnant now or want to get pregnant in the future, it is recommended that you get a COVID-19 vaccine. • dŚĞƌĞ ŝƐ ŶŽ ĞǀŝĚĞŶĐĞ ƚŚĂƚ ĨĞƌƟůŝƚǇ ƉƌŽďůĞŵƐ ĂƌĞ Ă ƐŝĚĞ ĞīĞĐƚ ŽĨ ĂŶǇ Ks/ Ͳϭϵ ǀĂĐĐŝŶĞ͘

mn.gov/vaccine Minnesota Department of Health | health.mn.gov | 651-201-5000 | 625 Robert Street North PO Box 64975, St. Paul, MN 55164-0975 Contact health.communications@state.mn.us to request an alternate format. 9/ /2023

Page 10 • February 26, 2024 - March 3, 2024 • Insight News

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Sideena Grace pens children’s book: Adventures with Sideena: ABCs of Space Sharing Our Stories

By: W.D. Foster-Graham Book Review Editor ADVENTURES WITH SIDEENA ABC’s of Space By Sideena Grace The idea of Black folks in space was a foreign concept to me as child of the 1950s and early 1960s. In the sci-fi movies of the 1950s, we were absent from that picture (Note: in the 1951 sci-fi movie When Worlds Collide, how many Black folks were on that spaceship when it left the Earth?). 1966 changed all that with the arrival of Star Trek and Lt. Uhura as a bridge oﬃcer on the USS Enterprise. Using her fame as Lt. Uhura on the show, Nichelle Nichols encouraged African Americans to become part of the space program years later. The result: Guy Bluford became the first African American astronaut, and Dr. Mae Jemison became the first African American female astronaut. And the gift keeps on giving, thanks to authors such as Sideena Grace with her children’s book Adventures with Sideena: ABCs of Space. Beautifully illustrated with fun and whimsy by Roo Taylor, Grace takes the reader through the ABCs of word association in the world of space exploration. Starting with Astronaut and ending with Zero Gravity, her style engages children in thinking and visualizing themselves achieving success in the field of aeronautics/astrophysics, inviting them to join in the adventure. The fact that Grace

Sideena Grace herself is a space scientist makes this book even more meaningful and inspiring. She has a bachelor’s degree in Applied Physics from Hamline University, and a master’s degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics from MIT. In addition to her gifts as an engineer, author, and speaker, she is the founder of Grace Innovations, LLC. Her love of learning and her earnest desire to pay it forward is captured in this part of her dedication: “I dedicate this book to young dreamers who are curious about the universe. May this book inspire and

fuel your passion to pursue STEAM, reminding you that with curiosity, determination, and perseverance, anything is possible.” Adventures With Sideena: ABCs in Space is available through Amazon and the Minnesota Black Authors Expo website (www. mnblackauthorsexpo.com). Thank you, Sideena, for those who have gone before you, for those who have made you the role model you are, and for those who will follow you as you pay it forward. The universe is infinite!

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Insight News • February 26, 2024 - March 3, 2024 • Page 11

Commentary

Remembering Malcolm X Hobb servation Point

By Chuck Hobbs 59 years ago today, El Hajj Malik El Shabazz, known by most across the globe as the Honorable Minister Malcolm X, was gunned down in New York’s Audobon Ballroom by assassins while his wife, the late Dr. Betty Shabazz, and daughters watched in horror. As I contemplated how to tackle another life from history cut down far too soon, unlike some of my posts commemorating Black History Month, I have decided to avoid merely focusing upon the typical linear biographical retrospective that notes when and where a significant person was born, where they were educated, or their significant life’s works and death date. Not that biographical tidbits are unimportant, but in the time from Malcolm X’s death 59 years ago, one in which Time Magazine noted the week after by calling him a “pimp,” to today, where legions of Americans of all races have either read Alex Haley’s seminal Autobiography of Malcolm X, or watched Spike Lee›s classic «Malcolm X,» the basics of the minister’s life are well documented and covered. But on the oﬀ chance that someone reading this blog may be totally unfamiliar, I note herein that the man we knew as Minister X was born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925, and as a child his father, a strong, dark skinned Black pastor, “mysteriously” died after being run over by a train; his father has been a follower of Marcus Garvey, a man who during his generation scared whites—all the way up to the FBI—with

his talk of Black pride, Black self help, and ultimately, the need for Blacks to leave America and return to Africa. It is strongly believed that Malcolm’s dad was killed by white supremacists, a death that ultimately led his fairer skinned mother to an insane asylum, his family left scattered in the foster system, and for young Malcolm to begin a journey that led him from being a precocious, academically brilliant child, to a hustler and pimp in Boston—a move that eventually landed him in prison. While incarcerated, Brother Malcolm was introduced to the teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam, (NOI) and once freed from prison, he became a prolific preacher for the organization. Brother Malcolm remained with the NOI until about a year before his death when, upon taking a Hajj (pilgrimage) to Mecca, he chose to shun the Black separatist ideology of the sect and committed to working towards racial harmony in America. Now that the biography is established, to this writer, the crucial issue regarding Malcolm X is that by being killed barely 20 months after Medgar Evers was killed in Mississippi—and a full three years before Dr. Martin Luther King was killed in Memphis, Tennessee—one cannot be misled into avoiding the one very crucial underlying truth in the deaths of all three men—which is that systemic racism was THE culprit! By systemic I do not mean just the wicked hearts and minds of privately bigoted white citizens, I mean the conscious targeting and harassment of Black leaders by the government to stymie Black progress during the Civil Rights era—a targeting that often led to mass mayhem and deaths. To be clear, the history books and popular teachings about the events of February 21, 1965 prefer

Malcolm X was 39 years old... to leave Malcolm’s death as an internecine battle between Black Muslims. For years, the Hon. Elijah Muhammad, whose ideology that all whites were “devils” had been Malcom’s own ideology until his trip to Mecca, was cast as the culprit for the ultimate decision to kill Malcolm. Other historians have focused on another then young (and popular) NOI Minister, Louis X, known today as Min. Louis Farrakhan, as having been the figurative hand that pulled the trigger on Malcolm. But the fact remains that because of the shadowy nature of the federal government’s covert operations against ALL Black civil rights groups during this era, that the truth with respect to the government’s complicity in Malcom’s demise has yet to be fully revealed. I do not mean to go all Oliver Stone/ JFK on my readers at this point, but do know that what is fully documented is that on the night before Malcolm’s

assassination, John Ali, a leading member of the NOI, just “happened” to meet at length with FBI agents in New York. We also know that the FBI, under the leadership of J. Edgar Hoover, instituted a Counter-Intelligence Program (COINTELPRO) that was designed to infiltrate Black civil rights groups and to disrupt their aims. Last decade, former FBI Director James Coney all but admitted in the wake of the movie “Selma” that the FBI had Dr. Martin Luther King under surveillance; it is also well documented that the FBI wire tapped King’s phones, bugged his hotel rooms, and was complicit in sending a letter to King’s wife with tapes of his sexual trysts with other women—along with a letter that implied that King should kill himself to avoid being outed as a “fraud.” Now, if the FBI was willing to go that far to destroy King, a pacifist who preached

that Blacks, even in the midst of beatings, bombings and murders at the hand of whites for decades, should love racist whites like Jesus Christ encouraged his followers to love their enemies, one can only imagine what lengths the FBI was willing to go to destroy a man like Min. Malcolm X, one who appealed to militant Blacks with his ideology of liberation “by any means necessary,” which included violence for violence! To rectify this, I join the chorus of historians, lawyers, and leaders who seek to have ALL of the government’s records with respect to Min. Malcolm X released so that we can ascertain the truth behind his assassination. But what we can do even without those records is spread the truth about the impact of Minister X’s works— and his death. Simply stated, Brother Malcolm was a strong and proud Black man long before the concept of being Black and proud had caught on among the masses grooving to the tunes of James Brown. And yet, while he was alive, Malcolm was hated by many in America, both Black and white. During the bulk of his public ministry, Malcolm lobbed rhetorical bombs at Black Christian leaders like Dr. King, calling most “Uncle Toms” at almost every chance. But far more dangerous for his own life, though, was the fact that to whites, the ones he and other NOI adherents referred to as “devils,” he was introduced nationwide as “the hate that hate produced” on a segment that CBS News’ Mike Wallace produced in 1960. The CBS News piece arguably is one of the early progenitors of Islamic hatred in America. Clearly, most Americans, both then and now, lack the discipline to ascertain the philosophical diﬀerences between the NOI, the Shia, and the Sunni sects of Islam. Lacking any fundamental understanding, it is

understandable that even when considering that CBS segment’s title, “the hate that hate produced,” most whites, both then and now, focus more on the latter hate (Black angst), and completely ignore the “original” hate (white supremacy) that led to such enmity. Even unto this day, there is a sick sophistry written by right wing thinkers and increasingly some on the left that discusses the hate that “some” Islamic adherents across the globe feel toward America, without taking into account the bombings, the invasions, and the CIA covert ops that have destroyed the lives of millions of Muslims under the guise of seeking to find “weapons of mass destruction” or other seemingly lofty but completely untenable modern day Crusades type ends! Contrary to what then President George W. Bush averred, “they” (Muslims) don’t “hate us for our freedoms,” rather, some of them hate “U.S.” because of America’s covert acts to control their oil rich region as modern day colonial puppet masters! Malcolm X understood this reality and because he did, he was killed 59 years ago today. Soon thereafter, with bombs dropping in Vietnam under the guise of stopping communism (but under the true aim of feeding the lucrative military industrial complex), Dr. King recognized the same wiles of the Federal government, and he was killed, too! Lest we forget… Subscribe to Hobbservation Point By Chuck Hobbs · Hundreds of paid subscribers “Real Politics in Real Time” Chuck Hobbs is a freelance journalist who won the 2010 Florida Bar Media Award and has been twice nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary.

The Givens Collection Sharing Our Stories

By W.D. Foster-Graham Book Review Editor THE GIVENS COLLECTION “Until the lion tells his side of the story, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.” (African proverb) In observance and celebration of Black History Month, we are having diﬀerent events taking place around the metro area. In speaking of our history, we have in our

community a huge archive of letters, books, periodicals, manuscripts, and narratives that speak volumes about our history as African Americans and those of us who are African born. It is the Archie Givens, Sr. Collection of African American Literature, one of the largest collections of its kind in the U.S., located in the Elmer Andersen Library on the University of Minnesota’s West Bank campus. In 1985, University of Minnesota professor John S. Wright, Claudia WallaceGardner, the Givens family, and a Patrons Council of Black community leaders came together to acquire what is now known as the Givens Collection, named after Archie Givens, Sr., a successful Black entrepreneur in the Twin Cities who was strong in his support

for higher education as it pertained to African American young people. Through partnership with the community, the University of Minnesota, and the Givens Foundation, the collection today is phenomenal. The building the collection is housed in is an architectural wonder, built into the Mississippi River bluﬀs. Caverns on the lower level are kept at a lower temperature to protect the paper quality of the older collections as well as providing an intake area for the initial contributions. The upper levels house the research center and oﬃce areas, and exhibition areas for the respective archival collections housed in the library. From Enlightened Age books to dinosaur bones to architectural archives to Black history, this

research library has it. I had the good pleasure of taking a tour of the facility with Givens Collection curator and performing artist Davu Underwood Seru. One of the books in the collection was a first edition of the first book published in the U.S. by an African American--Phillis Wheatley’s “Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral” in 1773. Holding that book in my hands had me in awe. I read letters by Countee Cullen, Sojourner Truth’s narrative from 1850, transcripts of letters from former slaves, original works from the Harlem Renaissance, and periodicals from the Black Panther Party. Trust and believe, this is barely scratching the surface of this amazing collection’s past and present bodies of work.

U of M

The Givens Collection As curator, Seru is committed to finding ways for the community to have access to and connect with this rich, vital source of research and history. One means is the Givens Conference Room, which will provide space for exhibitions and literary events. Another is Umbra Search (umbrasearch. org), a free database of Black history resource materials from libraries and archives across

the U.S. Third, this collection is open to the public, with the lions and lionesses of the opening proverb ready to share their stories with you. For more information about the Givens Collection, please contact Davu Seru at (612) 624-8812 or givens@ umn.edu to schedule a tour. We are descended from kings and queens—and griots.

Page 12 • February 26, 2024 - March 3, 2024 • Insight News

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