Insight ::: 10.19.20

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Insight News

October 19, 2020 - October 25, 2020

Vol. 47 No. 42• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

#blues4george ARTIST AND ADVOCATE SEITU KEN JONES HAS BEEN TENDING THE SOIL OF COMMUNITY THROUGH ART FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS. THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER, HE HAS HARNESSED THE TOOLS OF VISUAL ART, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT TO CREATE WORK THAT LINKS HISTORY TO THE PRESENT AND HONORS THE COMMUNITY’S ASSETS — FROM ITS HISTORIC FIGURES TO NATURAL RESOURCES TO CULTURAL TRADITIONS. SEITU CREATED THE #BLUES4GEORGE STENCIL AND WORKED WITH STUDENTS TO PAINT THEM ON PLYWOOD AT GORDON PARKS HIGH SCHOOL IN ST. PAUL, MN. HERE’S A LINK WHERE YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT SEITU’S WORK AND DOWNLOAD THE TEMPLATE. #BLUES4GEORGE #MURALS #MURALART #STREETART

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Seitu Jones

Page 2 • October 19, 2020 - October 25, 2020 • Insight News

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Insight News • October 19, 2020 - October 25, 2020 • Page 3 WINNER: 2020 T YPOGRAPHY & DESIGN, 1ST PLACE, PHOTOGRAPHY (PORTRAIT & PERSONALIT Y), 1ST PLACE, WEBSITE, 3RD PLACE

Insight News October 19, 2020 - October 25, 2020

Vol. 47 No. 42• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Unholy Oppression Part 2 of 3

By Brenda Lyle-Gray Columnist

Video of the incident showed Chauvin pressing his knee on the neck of a handcuffed and subdued Floyd for more than 8 minutes.

Derek Chauvin, officer in George Floyd killing, released on $1 million bail

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia NNPA NEWSWIRE — “Mr. Floyd was treated with particular cruelty,” prosecutors wrote in court filings. “Despite Mr. Floyd’s pleas that he could not breathe and was going to die, as well as the pleas of eyewitnesses to get off Mr. Floyd and help him, [Chauvin] and his codefendants continued to restrain Mr. Floyd.”

Video of the incident

showed Chauvin pressing his knee on the neck of a handcuffed and subdued Floyd for more than 8 minutes.

Derek Chauvin, the ex-Minneapolis police officer facing murder charges in the killing of George Floyd, recently was released from custody after posting $1 million bond.

The Hennepin County Department of Corrections confirmed on Oct. 7 that Chauvin posted the bond and walked out of the maximumsecurity Minnesota Correctional Facility in Oak Park Heights shortly after 11 a.m.

Chauvin initially was housed at the Ramsey County

Jail in St. Paul before authorities transferred him temporarily to Hennepin County Jail.

Prior to his release, Chauvin was incarcerated at the Oak Park Heights prison.

He faces seconddegree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter in the May 25 killing of Floyd, a hiphop artist, truck driver, security guard, and mentor.

Three other officers stood by and did nothing as Floyd struggled to breathe and call out for his mother.

Prosecutors charged the other officers, Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and

Tou Thao, with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter.

Hennepin County terminated each of them.

“Mr. Floyd was treated with particular cruelty,” prosecutors wrote in court filings. “Despite Mr. Floyd’s pleas that he could not breathe and was going to die, as well as the pleas of eyewitnesses to get off Mr. Floyd and help him, [Chauvin] and his codefendants continued to restrain Mr. Floyd.”

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz appointed State Attorney

CHAUVIN 5

From 1868 to 1888, electoral fraud and violence throughout the South suppressed the African American vote. During this period, the Supreme Court generally upheld efforts to discriminate against racial minorities, especially African Americans. No explanation as to why. From 1888 to 1908, Southern states legalized their path of ‘white privilege’ and oppression by enacting Jim Crow laws (state and local laws enforcing racial segregation in Southern states); they amended their constitutions; and passed legislation to impose various voting restrictions including literacy tests, poll taxes, property ownership requirements, moral character tests, requirements that voter registration applicants interpret particular documents; and grandfather clauses that allowed otherwise ineligible persons to vote if their grandfathers voted (which excluded many African Americans whose grandfathers had been slaves or otherwise ineligible).

In 1957, Congress passed the first civil rights legislation since the Reconstruction era authorizing the attorney general to sue for injunctive relief on behalf of persons whose 15th Amendment had been denied. This legislation opened the door for the Civil Rights Division within the Department of Justice. The charge of this division and the Commission on Civil Rights was to investigate and enforce civil rights (including addressing voting rights deprivations) through litigation.

Further protections were enacted in the Civil Rights Act of 1960 which allowed federal courts to appoint referees to conduct voter registration in jurisdictions that engaged in voting discrimination against racial minorities. Quite often, legal standards made it difficult for the Department of Justice to pursue every litigation vigorously and successfully.

The Department’s efforts were further hampered by resistance from local election officials who would sometimes claim they had misplaced the voter registration records of racial minorities, removed registered racial minorities from the electoral rolls, and then resigned so that voter registration ceased.

In Shelby County v. Holder (2013), the U.S. Supreme Court abolished the coverage formula in The Voting Rights Act of 1965 calling the section unconstitutional.

The Court reasoned the coverage formula violated the constitutional principles of “equal sovereignty” of the states and federalism because its disparate treatment of the states was based on antiquated and false information . . . making the formula irrelevant to modern

OPPRESSION 9

Comcast brings grants, equipment, marketing and technology to small businesses hit hardest by COVID-19 Comcast Corporation this week launched Comcast RISE, an initiative created to help strengthen and empower small businesses hard hit by COVID-19. The Comcast RISE program will help thousands of small businesses over the next three years. The multifaceted program offers grants, marketing and technology upgrades, including media campaigns and connectivity, computer and voice equipment, as well as free marketing insights to all applicants.

U.S. small businesses have been particularly hard

hit by the pandemic. A recent study from the National Bureau of Economic Research found that the number of U.S. active business owners dropped from 15 million to 11.7 million from February to April. The study cited that Black-owned small businesses were hardest hit, suffering the steepest decline (41 percent), followed by Hispanic and Asian Americanowned small businesses.

The program will roll out in waves, and starting now, U.S.-based Black-owned small businesses can apply for marketing and technology

support and equipment to jumpstart and help them sustain business operations. In addition, all small businesses are able to sign up for free marketing insights and resources. The next wave of the program will open up eligibility to include Black,

Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), those next hit hardest by the effects of the pandemic.

“There’s this old saying, ‘When America catches a cold, Black America catches

COMCAST 5

Twins Cities Greater United Way initiative addresses food insecurity for low income residents

Grants support North Minneapolis food system In the face of COVID-19, civil unrest and the resulting economic challenges, accessing food and food-related jobs is a growing concern in North Minneapolis, an area that consistently is challenged by some of the highest rates of poverty in the Twin Cities.

As a result, Greater Twin Cities United Way is launched the “Nourishing Resilient Community Food Systems” grant program in honor of the United Nations’ 75th World Food Day on Oct. 16 – a day when people around the globe commit to raising awareness of hunger* and hunger-relieving strategies.

Greater Twin Cities United Way’s funding includes $250,000 in grants to further the work of nonprofits leveraging food innovation efforts in North Minneapolis, including urban gardening, mobile markets, community supported

agriculture (CSA) programs, food entrepreneurship, hydroponics projects and more.

The funding will serve immigrant and refugee residents as well as Black, Indigenous and People of Color with low incomes with the goal of supporting a healthy, equitable and resilient local food system in North Minneapolis.

“These grants will support the innovative work already happening as well as the continued resiliency in North Minneapolis,” said John Wilgers, President and CEO of Greater Twin Cities United Way. “Importantly, the funding will help residents access healthy and affordable food and provide opportunities to build wealth through food-related jobs as well as ownership in shifting policies to address food access disparities.”

Grantee Organizations The

organizations

receiving funding for their innovative work include: • • • • • • •

Appetite for Change Food Group NoMi Roots Northside Economic Opportunity Network Pillsbury United Communities Project Sweetie Pie Urban Strategies

The work of these organizations builds on previous Greater Twin Cities United Way’s community food security efforts and the Full Lives initiative.

Global Hunger Data According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations: Over two billion people do not have regular access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food. The global population is expected to reach almost 10 billion by 2050.

Nearly 60 million people are hungry, up 10 million since 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic could add between 83 to 132 million people to this number, depending on the economic growth scenario.

The impact of malnutrition in all its forms (undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, as well as overweight and obesity) on the global economy is estimated at $3.5 trillion per year.

About Greater Twin Cities United Way: Greater Twin Cities United Way unites changemakers, advocates for social good and develops solutions to address the challenges no one can solve alone to create a community where all people thrive, regardless of income, race or place. For more information, visit www.gtcuw.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Petition asks state to include anxiety, Sickle Cell Disease, and Tic Disorder as qualifying conditions for medical cannabis A coalition of patients, advocates and physicians are petitioning the Minnesota Department of Health to add new qualifying conditions for medical cannabis Vireo Health of Minnesota, is joining a coalition of patients, advocates, and physicians to petition the Minnesota Department of Health (“MDH”) to expand the state’s Medical Cannabis Program. The MDH is currently accepting public written comment on the addition of three new qualifying medical conditions - anxiety, sickle cell disease, and tic disorder.

Vireo is urging Minnesotans to take action through a digital advocacy campaign that allows people to pledge their support for adding anxiety, sickle cell disease, and tic disorder as qualifying conditions for medical cannabis use. Adding these conditions will allow certified physicians to prescribe medical cannabis to patients who are diagnosed with any of these ailments.

“Our goal is to make medical cannabis accessible for those in Minnesota who suffer from anxiety, sickle cell disease, and tic disorder,” said Vireo’s Chief Medical Officer Stephen Dahmer, M.D. “Now more than ever, adjunct therapies are needed to address the issues and challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic – such as anxiety. It is equally important to include conditions, such as Sickle Cell Disease, which disproportionately impact communities of color.

We ask the MDH to review the available research and data which supports the benefit of offering Minnesotans impacted by these conditions access to medical cannabis in the safety of a closely monitored program.”

Research has shown that medical cannabis can reduce anxiety in patients being treated for other qualifying conditions, such as chronic pain and cancer. A majority of older patients when surveyed

CANNABIS 9

News

Health

Transcript: Q & A with UROC’s Makeda Zulu-Gillespie

Unconditional love

PAGE 6

PAGE 7

Page 4 • October 19, 2020 - October 25, 2020 • Insight News

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Charcoal Child

By Brenda Lyle-Gray Columnist

(Part 2 of 3) Professor Frederick Beasley had been reprimanded for being a participant in student protests on campus. He was told it was against university

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We said – Black Lives Matter Never Said – Only Black Lives Matter We Know – All Lives Matter We just need your help with Black Lives Matter for Black Lives are in danger.

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policy. The professor replied in a letter written to the university president in unapologetic anger.

“It’s against human rights policy to lynch young Black men in broad daylight and kill unarmed Black women in their own homes and no one be held accountable. What’s going on in this country is wrong. It’s been wrong, and I refuse to remain silent.”

Grateful students rallied beside him while at the same time a white fraternity rode down the university’s main street on horseback, clad in Confederate uniforms, and brandishing Confederate flags.

This was then and is now a stark reality in black and white.

It has been so sad for my children and for many of my former students . . . some having a difficult time carving out a good life even with college degrees . . . to

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understand ‘why’ and ‘how’ we have returned to the same hatred that spewed in the streets during the 60s. As sports icon LeBron James painfully admitted in an interview a few months back, “Our young Blacks are afraid to even walk down the street today wearing their brown skin, and Black mothers and fathers fear if

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they will return safely when they leave their homes. It appears to be an open season of retribution on their freedom and on their lives.”

I had been on the front lines for truth and justice since the age of 16 but managed to fulfill my parents’ wishes as their only child wearing my debutante dress that cold Thanksgiving night in 1964, and always receiving academic honors and two degrees but not allowed in the field of my choice as a journalist. Lebron’s painful veracity has inspired me even more now to let my voice be heard. I am grateful to be given the opportunity to do so through my writing. Four years ago, a hatred of a different kind was stirred in a pot of fear mongering, tyranny, and blatant persecution costing innocent lives, deepened and disregarded discrimination, and the loss of personal and professional livelihoods. A year ago, a pandemic made our plight far worse. November 3rd will determine if the pot will boil over.

Today, we all have a choice. We can be silent and walk away or be like Colin Kaepernick and declare the sacrificial “no more”.

We have to call it like we see it as did Professor Beasley. We must vote for change. We are obliged to take the time to explain to our youth about the on-going American stain we wish to eradicate. How do parents explain racism to their

black children? We can no longer say, “it’s just the way it is.” What questions must white parents ask themselves about their personal prejudices and how they are passing this same hatred on to their children whose attitudes and actions will either positively or adversely affect innocent young people of color who deserve a fighting chance.

These conversations will not be easy, especially in these unparalleled times, but they must happen creatively, informatively, and expeditiously . . . in the classroom, at home, and with peers. It will be the millenniums and the next generation of youth from all ethnic, religious, and class backgrounds who will be directly affected by the ‘unbroken divide’ as talk show host Tamron Hall identified our current state-of-affairs.

How are parents of children of all colors raising them to understand changing times and the loss of normalcy in their world? How much is too much for them to comprehend or is it time to cease tip toeing around realities? Like the mission of “Black Lives Matter”, are we willing to change ourselves and care about each other, acknowledging, respecting, and celebrating differences and commonalities while co-creating alongside comrades, allies, and family a culture where each person feels seen, heard, and supported? Will we eventually be able to answer our children’s question . . . “why do so many

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Insight News • October 19, 2020 - October 25, 2020 • Page 5

Chauvin From 3 General Keith Ellison as lead prosecutor in an effort to quell growing racial tensions and to ensure justice in the case.

“Unfortunately, our constituents, especially constituents of color, have lost faith in the ability of Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman to fairly and impartially investigate and prosecute these cases,” Walz wrote in a letter explaining the appointment of Ellison, an African American.

Chauvin’s release from custody comes within weeks after a Grand Jury in Louisville, Kentucky, failed to indict police officers in the shooting death of Breonna Taylor, an African American woman who was sleeping in her home when officers served a late-night warrant.

The officers claimed that Taylor received mail at home for her exboyfriend, Jamarcus Glover, an alleged drug trafficker.

However, authorities never found proof of that claim, and police cited as evidence “a package” Glover allegedly left at Taylor’s apartment

about

two months earlier.

Glover was arrested and released after the March 13 incident.

When authorities rearrested Glover in August, he told reporters he had nothing to do with what happened at Taylor’s apartment.

“The police are trying to make it out to be my fault and turning the whole community out here making it look like I brought this to Breonna’s door,” Glover stated.

“There was nothing … anything … ever there.

They went about it the wrong way and lied on that search warrant and shot that girl.”

When officers broke in through Taylor’s front door, her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, said he feared they were intruders because they didn’t identify themselves.

Walker, licensed to carry a weapon, fired a shot that hit one officer in the leg.

At the scene, police reigned a barrage of bullets into the apartment, hitting Taylor 8 times and killing her.

After Floyd’s death, demonstrations took place worldwide in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Major corporations, including Disney, Hulu, and Pepsi, called for racial

justice

and social change.

When American professional sports leagues resumed play, athletes kneeled during the National Anthem.

The NFL played “Lift Every Voice,” the Black National Anthem, at every stadium during its opening week.

NBA players, led by Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James walked off the court and halted play in protest.

In subsequent negotiations with the players, team owners agreed to several demands, including establishing a social justice coalition to focus on increasing access to voting, promoting civic engagement, and advocating for meaningful police and criminal justice reform.

The agreement also included NBA owners opening their arenas to serve as polling places around the country.

It was unclear who posted Chauvin’s bond.

Bail bond companies in Minnesota charge a nonrefundable premium of up to 10 percent of the bond amount, meaning, at most, Chauvin needed $100,000.

A trial date for Chauvin and the other officers hasn’t been set.

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Page 6 • October 19, 2020 - October 25, 2020 • Insight News

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Unconditional love

By Brenda Lyle-Gray Columnist The world would be a nicer place if everyone had the ability to ‘love unconditionally’ as a

dog. M.K. Clinton In the “Age of Corona”, people became more keenly aware of the emotional, mental, and physical benefits and rewards of having an animal companion. No one saw

COVID19 coming. Many have been shaken and shocked by the deadly devastation and the temporary shattering of faith and hope in the future of our country.

The multifaceted spewing of racial hatred, economic

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ruins, political corruption, and dangerous incompetence from top and state leaderships have weakened our constitution and punched holes in our democracy. What comfort and motivation just having a hug from our furry canine friends can bring us in these days of sadness brought on by the loss of normalcy. Animal shelters continue to be bombarded with requests, and celebrities are spotted everywhere walking their newly fostered or adopted animals. There is no price tag on “unconditional love” provided by these innocent and caring beings.

My Saturday mornings most always start out with coffee and Starbucks toffee nut creamer and then enthralled with 30 minutes of “Lucky Dog” with the amazing trainer, Brandon McMillan. When he successfully and lovingly gave life back to “Saffire”, a deaf and almost blind mix breed left in a shelter for months, it was amazing to watch this unforgettable display of human-animal connection. It reinforces why I have almost always had a dog in my life.

The responsibility of caring for them was well worth the effort in exchange for the love and laughter they so freely provided.

What fond childhood memories of Pudgy, my mutt of multiple breeds; Frisky, the black-asnight, handsome cocker spaniel; Paco and Sabu, the beautiful Afghan hounds I should never have tried to own; and Mandela and Biko, our stunning Siberian huskies. Biko and I had quite a life-saving trade for the 10 years of our journey.

As reported by the 2019-2020 APPA (American Pet Products Association) National Pet Owners Survey, 67% of U.S. households own a pet which equates to 84.9 million homes.

In 1988, the first year the survey was conducted, 56% of U.S. households owned a pet. There are so many benefits attributed to this addition to the family circle including the strengthening of real-life people networks, especially getting to know our neighbors. The emotional bonds and finding new contentment in life are invaluable.

The older most of us get, the more we dread exercising. Our joints might start to ache, so we use the excuse that taking the time to work out doesn’t help anymore. Sometimes we tend to break our routine discipline because we simply run out of time in our days. Those who are knowledgeable about the advantages of working out; eating well-balanced meals; and maybe having a canine friend experience are aware of how these choices can promote better health and a happier demeanor overall. Having the responsibility and love of a pet, especially a dog, offers so many ways one can benefit and enjoy taking care of our bodies, hearts,

Columnist Brenda Lyle-Gray with Biko. and minds.

Moving every day is vital for maintaining total body health as we age. Adding steps to our daily routine can indeed increase our lifespan. Having a dog; perhaps being able to take him/her to work; or volunteering at an animal shelter is a great way to make sure we don’t miss out on daily walks. In a recent study published in a Boston Medical Center health journal, researchers asked a group of community-dwelling senior adults to wear an activity monitor. Those who were dog owners logged an additional 22 minutes of walking time each day. The study also found dog owners sat down less throughout the day.

Being in the company of a dog encourages social interaction between family members, peers, and often friendly strangers and is believed to improve heavy moods and encourage us to move past our sadness and despair. Most of our canine companions can sense our emotions, and might show concern if we are excited, happy, and applauding ourselves . . . or in tears with a broken heart, our face buried in a pillow.

“Someone to care for who cares for you.” This sentiment, expressed by respondents of 17 Swedish nursing home interviews, proved to be powerfully true for these stroke recoverers who were motivated physically and psychologically by the companionship of their dog to fight back. . . . for the children Much loved and welltrained canines can help children regulate their emotions by being able to trigger and respond to attachment-related behavior.

Multiple studies disclose that infants who are raised in families with pets are less likely to acquire asthma or any other allergies and fewer colds or ear infections.

Children who have difficulty communicating due to autism appear to behave calmer and connect with family when they have a support dog.

Early lessons in being responsible for a pet life can lead to young people being more accountable for themselves, their personal belongings, and their required completion of academic and household assignments.

Pediatric research studies reveal that pre-teens between the ages of 8 and 12, whose daily lives were bound to a pet - especially a dog - were far more empathetic towards animals and people who were hurting and often less fortunate than themselves. . . . for the adults A key health benefit of having a dog is a reduced risk of heart problems due to lower blood pressure numbers leading to a decrease in blood clots and strokes. The lowering of triglyceride (main constituents of natural fats and oils) and cholesterol is also an advantage of “walking the dog”.

Nurturing and loving interaction between dogs and people for at least 30 minutes, 5 days a week, can result in a boost of dopamine

(neurotransmitters) levels associated with depression, along with an increase in betaendorphins and oxytocin.

These two body enhancements facilitate the management of pain, individuals’ threshold of the discomforts, and a decrease in the need and consumption of pain relievers.

Although a canine friend might not be a comparable substitute for humans, they can afford us opportunities to meet area business owners and residents; forge lasting friendships; become better communicators; and ultimately become less isolated and adversely affected by aloneness.

Dog owners tend to live longer; maintain a healthy weight; and seniors have fewer doctors’ visits.

Positive interaction between Alzheimer’s patients and dogs have revealed calming and soothing of symptoms, and an acceptance of conditions beyond their physical control.

Many patients tended to have hope for the improvement of their overall well-being.

Interestingly, researchers say when dogs that are covered with germs come into our homes, they increase the diversity of germs that we are normally exposed to, thus helping us build up our immunity.

Veterans who have returned home from the war front with obvious symptoms of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), e.g. depression, disorientation, and anxiety, sometimes depend on the trust and ‘unconditional love’ of a dog. One veteran candidly admitted that his dog helped him to remember feelings of love which lifted him out of the fog of PTSD. His canine friend reminds him of the goodness and beauty still left in the world while also effectively redirecting his attention towards a purpose . . . bringing raw laughter and the mending of his recovery.

As we memorialize the 220,000 plus Americans, and over a million global citizens who unfortunately did not survive the horrific COVID19 attack on populaces of all ages, we must respect that many had underlying health conditions that were of no fault of their own. Another portion of the cases might have been prevented by taking the time to take care of one’s health. Having a friend bearing consistent ‘unconditional love’ might be a proven consideration.

Resources: Dr. Alan Beck – Center for the Human-Animal Bond at Purdue University International Journal of Workplace Healthy Management Journal of BMC Health Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health Journal of Personality and Social Psychology - A Study with Monash Dog Owner Relationship Scale (MDORS) in Committed Spanish Dog Owners Journal Plos One

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Insight News • October 19, 2020 - October 25, 2020 • Page 7

Transcript: Q & A with UROC’s Makeda Zulu-Gillespie Part 1 of 2 Al McFarlane: I’m Al McFarlane.

Welcome to the Friday session of “Conversations with Al McFarlane”.

On Fridays, we focus on critical issues pertaining to health and wellness. Today’s program gets to the heart of health and healing in our community by a renowned institution and its partner center – the University of Minnesota’s Robert J. Jones Urban Research Outreach and Engagement Center (UROC). The center’s building is located on Plymouth Avenue just below the new Thor building, across the street from the old Urban League, and kittycorner from the Urban League.

Today it is one of the anchor institutions for our community housed in a renovated and revitalized important space in the development of North Minneapolis.

Al McFarlane: Plymouth Avenue was the site of urban unrest in the 60s and early 70s. After Dr. King was murdered and beyond, Plymouth Avenue lay in disarray with a lot of burnt buildings and closed businesses. Over time, the community residents were able to rebuild and build the new Urban League offices; barbershops; new housing apartments; and the Plymouth Penn Shopping Center. That shopping center itself didn’t maintain its capability to be viable. What came in its place was the University of Minnesota’s project – UROC (The Robert J. Jones Urban Research Outreach and Engagement Center).

Al McFarlane: Today, we are pleased to welcome the executive director of UROC, Makeda Zulu-Gillespie. In disclosure, I’ve known Makeda pretty much all her life. Her family and mine go back a generation. Her parents are dear friends, elders, and leaders. For me personally, and for our community, they’ve been part of the stability and grounding of North Minneapolis . . . the African American

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Makeda Zulu-Gillespie community in particular.

Makeda Zulu-Gillespie: I’m honored to be here with you, Baba. And for those who are not familiar with this reference, Baba is a West African term used in many places all over the continent. It means ‘father’, an honor for our elder not just in the community, but in my life. Baba has been someone full of wisdom and curious about this community.

He takes great care of his family and his business and all of us. I just want to say, ‘thank you’.

Al McFarlane: Thank you for being here and thank you for your kind words. It is fitting to acknowledge each other and to speak to our best selves. We are evolving all the time, and we can all do and be better. But when we have done well and continue to do good, it’s wonderful to acknowledge that with the expectation that better things still lie ahead. Every breath we take in the future is a step towards completion, fulfillment, and self-realization. That’s what we’re all about. Now Makeda, tell us what UROC is about?

Makeda Zulu-Gillespie: The charge of UROC is to address the critical issues in the urban core using the land grant mission and the research mission of the University of Minnesota. How we make this work is by transforming how communities and institutions of higher learning come to the table

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with meaningful conversations and solution recommendations for the concerns of our neighborhoods. I was so excited to be a participant in this project just as a community organizer.

As you know, many African American family’s value both informal and formal education, so we understand both are important. Having the university consider coming to North Minneapolis was a good thing, but they had to implement this major undertaking in a different way. The community wanted to make sure we were looking at not just formal education, but also honoring the history and knowledge already existing in many of our neighborhoods.

Makeda Zulu-Gillespie: We accomplish this feat through community engagement at every level initiated by our first executive director, Dr. Irma McClaurin.

And when university representatives came and talked about the different ideas they had for the community, they were very honest and authentic. I think that speaks to the chancellor at Champaign Urbana, Illinois, Robert J. Jones, who cited things the university thought would be good resources. But then we were asked, what do you all want? That led to a big discussion and not everyone was excited. There were picket signs.

I think the reason why we’ve been able to build trust over the years is when the university said they were going to bring 40 new jobs to the community.

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Inside U of M’s UROC building on Plymouth Avenue.

I believed them, but there were other community members that were a little more skeptical of the possibility. “Now are those 40 university jobs . . . people from on campus who were just going to move over here, or 40 new jobs?”

Makeda Zulu-Gillespie: When Irma came on, that question was asked at the Capri Theater which is now being renovated. And I remember it was Rosina Fuller, another elder in the community whose family has done a lot of work in our neighborhoods, who asked, “So how many jobs are you all going to have?” Irma was honest when she reported, “Right now - the way it looks – one, at the most.” There was a silent hush over the Capri. But I had told Irma that in my humble wisdom, we should always be honest. If we don’t know, that’s okay. If the answers are rough, at least people will know you will tell them the truth. What grew out of that exchange was Ms. Fuller asking, “What about other contracts?” And so, our landscaping and maintenance is done by community members.

Makeda Zulu-Gillespie: We contract that out.

That’s not how the university does its business. That’s usually all handled by facilities management.

But that was how we were able to transform the way the community and the university began working together. The building design became a joint effort of

community residents, artists (Brother Seitu Jones, Alicia Belton, and Chuck Lavigne), and folks who were working at UROC at the time. Questions on the table . . . “What’s this building going to look like?

What do we want it to say . . . to represent?” One of the first requests was to acknowledge the assets of North Minneapolis that people don’t often recognize.

Makeda Zulu-Gillespie: We wanted to include the history of the area . . . like the Mississippi River and the Parkway. With the investment that has happened on the Trailhead and Glenwood, all the people we see that may not have grown up in North Minneapolis . . . who loved hanging out over there . . . would see more positive things about the area. And so, in claiming the Mississippi, there is a gallery wall I like to call the ‘Mississippi Wall’. It’s concaved and was included as a centerpiece to recognize the eastern border to North Minneapolis. The community also wanted to make sure the new facility didn’t look like an institution. There’s glass all around the building so that people working at UROC could look out, and community residents and visitors could look in and see there was business going on inside. They wanted the university to be transparent.

That was a way to demonstrate that.

Makeda Zulu-Gillespie: There was

also

this myth . . . let’s say more than a myth. There was a conversation about a lab being inside the building. We found two ways to dispel some of the community members’ concern.

The windows helped them to see there was no lab in the building. In addition, we have a community day once a year so those interested can come through the building, look at all areas, and see for themselves that there was no secret research going on. We also approached our research differently. All the researchers who do their work out of UROC or are affiliated with the center have a community partner. That doesn’t mean the community partners are experts, but it does validate they have a mutually beneficial interest in the partnership.

Sometimes that means they are deciding the research question from the beginning together, and then deciding how they’re going to get that message out.

Makeda Zulu-Gillespie: The methods they were going to use to gather and code the information and then get that information back out to the community had to be decided next. There were some people who worked together through all those steps, and then there were some who just had questions and needed immediate follow up . . . for instance, “Can you get us some information on the foreclosure crisis?” It was imperative that both parties agreed in the beginning and that the university understood this would be a mutually beneficial partnership. One of the mistakes we made early on was grasping the abundant financial resources made available. We didn’t necessarily ask our community partners to give at the level they could, and that was not a healthy relationship. I am from frugal means. I believe everybody needs to bring something to the potluck so we can all eat well.

Al McFarlane: You talked about the community’s attitude and fear of research. I think that’s worth talking about. When the idea of UROC first surfaced, one of the pivotal concerns was

Page 8 • October 19, 2020 - October 25, 2020 • Insight News

insightnews.com

Lifetime experiences help older adults build resilience to pandemic trauma among other practices, the study found.

“It’s important to focus on the things we can control and recognize that we do still have agency to change things,” said Lindsay Kobayashi, a coauthor of the study and assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

By Judith Graham Kaiser Health News Columnist Older adults are especially vulnerable physically during the coronavirus pandemic. But they’re also notably resilient psychologically, calling upon a lifetime of experience and perspective to help them through difficult times.

New research calls attention to this little-remarkedupon resilience as well as significant challenges for older adults as the pandemic stretches on. It shows that many seniors have changed behaviors — reaching out to family and friends, pursuing hobbies, exercising, participating in faith communities — as they strive to stay safe from the coronavirus.

“There are some older adults who are doing quite well during the pandemic and have actually expanded their social networks and activities,” said Brian Carpenter, a professor of psychological and brain sciences at Washington University in St. Louis. “But you don’t hear about them because the pandemic narrative reinforces stereotypes of older adults as frail, disabled and dependent.”

Whether those coping strategies will prove effective as the pandemic lingers, however, is an open question.

“In other circumstances — hurricanes, fires, earthquakes, terrorist attacks — older adults have been shown to have a lot of resilience to trauma,” said Sarah Lowe, an assistant professor at Yale University School of Public Health who studies the mental health effects of traumatic events.

“But COVID-19 is distinctive from other disasters because of its constellation of stressors, geographic spread and protracted duration,” she continued. “And older adults are now cut off from many of the social and psychological resources that enable resilience because of their heightened risk.”

The most salient risk

photo/FG Trade

Older adults have listened to public health authorities and taken steps to minimize the risk of being infected with COVID-19, according to a new study in The Gerontologist. is of severe illness and death: 80% of COVID-19 deaths have occurred in people 65 and older.

Here are notable findings from a new wave of research documenting the early experiences of older adults during the pandemic: Changing behaviors. Older adults have listened to public health authorities and taken steps to minimize the risk of being infected with COVID-19, according to a new study in The Gerontologist.

Results come from a survey of 1,272 adults age 64 and older administered online between May 4 and May 17. More than 80% of the respondents lived in New Jersey, an early pandemic hot spot.

Blacks and Hispanics — as well as seniors with lower incomes and in poor health — were underrepresented.

These seniors reported spending less face-to-face time with family and friends (95%), limiting trips to the grocery store (94%), canceling plans to attend a celebration (88%), saying no to out-of-town trips (88%), not going to funerals (72%), going to public places less often (72%) and canceling doctors’

appointments (69%).

even more important” as stress related to the pandemic persists, Whitehead said.

Maintaining meaningful connections with older adults remains crucial, she said. “Don’t assume that people are OK,” she advised families and friends. “Check in with them. Ask how they’re doing.”

Safeguarding well-being. In another new study published in The Gerontologist, Brenda Whitehead, an associate professor of psychology at the University of MichiganDearborn, addresses how older adults have adjusted to altered routines and physical distancing.

Her data comes from an online survey of 825 adults age 60 and older on March 22 and 23 — another sample weighted toward whites and people with higher incomes.

Instead of inquiring about “coping” — a term that can carry negative connotations — Whitehead asked about sources of joy and comfort during the pandemic. Most commonly reported were connecting with family and friends (31.6%), interacting on digital platforms (video chats, emails, social media, texts — 22%), engaging in hobbies (19%), being with pets (19%), spending time with spouses or partners (15%) and relying on faith (11.5%).

“In terms of how these findings relate to where we are now, I would argue these sources of joy and comfort, these coping resources, are

Coping with stress. What are the most significant sources of stress that older adults are experiencing? In Whitehead’s survey, older adults most often mentioned dealing with mandated restrictions and the resulting confinement (13%), concern for others’ health and well-being (12%), feelings of loneliness and social isolation (12%), and uncertainty about the future of the pandemic and its impact (9%).

Keep in mind, older adults expressed these attitudes at the start of the pandemic.

Answers might differ now. And the longer stress endures, the more likely it is to adversely affect both physical and mental health.

Managing distress.

The COVID-19 Coping Study, a research effort by a team at

the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research, offers an early look at the pandemic’s psychological impact.

Results come from an online survey of 6,938 adults age 55 and older in April and May. Researchers are following up with 4,211 respondents monthly to track changes in older adults’ responses to the pandemic over a year.

Among the key findings published to date: 64% of older adults said they were extremely or moderately worried about the pandemic. Thirty-two percent reported symptoms of depression, while 29% reported serious anxiety.

Notably, these types of distress were about twice as common among 55- to 64-yearolds as among those 75 and older. This is consistent with research showing that people become better able to regulate their emotions and manage stress as they advance through later life.

On the positive side, older adults are responding by getting exercise, going outside, altering routines, practicing selfcare, and adjusting attitudes via meditation and mindfulness,

Addressing loneliness. The growing burden of social isolation and loneliness in the older population is dramatically evident in new results from the University of Michigan’s National Poll on Healthy Aging, with 2,074 respondents from 50 to 80 years old. (It found that, in June, twice as many older adults (56%) felt isolated from other people as in October 2018 (27%).

Although most reported using social media (70%) and video chats (57%) to stay connected with family and friends during the pandemic, they indicated this didn’t alleviate feelings of isolation.

“What I take from this is it’s important to find ways for older adults to interact face to face with other people in safe ways,” said Dr. Preeti Malani, chief health officer at the University of Michigan. “Back in March, April and May, Zoom family time was great. But you can’t live in that virtual universe forever.”

“A lot of wellintentioned families are staying away from their parents because they don’t want to expose them to risk,” Malani continued. “But we’re at a point where risks can be mitigated, with careful planning. Masks help a lot.

Social distancing is essential.

Getting tested can be useful.”

Malani practices what she preaches: Each weekend, she and her husband take their children to see her elderly inlaws or parents. Both couples live less than an hour away.

“We do it carefully — outdoors, physically distant, no hugs,” Malani said. “But I make a point to visit with them because the harms of isolation are just too high.”

By Titilayo Bediako

YOUR MINNESOTA DFL TEAM

Minnesota has three ways to

VOTE:

VOTE AT HOME 1.

You can request your ballot to be sent to you in the mail for the general election.

EARLY 2.VOTE IN PERSON Joseph R. Biden Jr. for President of the United States

Kamala D. Harris for Vice President

Tina Smith for U.S. Senate

Vote early, in person, at your local elections office.

VOTE ON 3.ELECTION DAY Head to your polling location, and vote on November 3, between 7am-8pm.

Dean Phillips for U.S. Congress District 3

Betty McCollum for U.S. Congress District 4

Ilhan Omar for U.S. Congress District 5

Questions about voting?

Call 1-833-DFL-VOTE (1-833-335-8683) or visit IWILLVOTE.COM/MN

Make sure your voice is heard: vote for the DFL team on or before Tuesday, November 3rd Prepared and paid for by the Minnesota DFL Party, Ken Martin, Chair, www.dfl.org

insightnews.com

Insight News • October 19, 2020 - October 25, 2020 • Page 9

Oppression From 3 day needs.

The sad irony of today’s decision lies in its utter failure to grasp why the Voting Rights Act has proven effective.

Throwing out preclearance when it has worked and is continuing to work to stop discriminatory changes is like throwing away your umbrella in a rainstorm because you are not getting wet. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg The Court did not eliminate Sec. 5, but without a coverage formula, Section 5 was not acknowledged. In jettisoning Section 4 (b), Southern states – especially those with a history of victimizing minority communities – began using every discriminatory law they were previously denied when preclearance was partially being enforced. Voter suppression went into high gear (then and now), lasering in on African American communities. After

Cannabis From 3 report cannabis to be extremely or somewhat helpful for anxiety and additional research supports the reduction of benzodiazepine use in medical

Charcoal Child From 4 white people – especially those in power - treat Black people so badly?”

For U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr who accused “Black Lives Matter” of using the deaths of young Black men and women by white police officers as ‘props’ for their own political agenda, allow me to throw a

the decision was celebrated, several states that were fully or partially covered – including Texas, Mississippi, North Carolina, or South Carolina – put all the suppression maneuvers they could legally get away with into play. They included stricter identification requirements; limiting or ending early voting; precinct closures; purging voting rolls; reducing voting days; and racial gerrymandering (redrawing electoral districts that dilute the votes of protected minorities without state or federal oversight). It’s quite evident how willfully deep the efforts have been to deny minority generations – one after another - one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” The high court first recognized the justiciability of affirmative racial gerrymandering claims in Shaw v. Reno (1993) and in Miller v. Johnson (1995). The Court explained that a redistricting plan is constitutionally suspect if the jurisdiction used race as the “predominant factor” in determining how to draw district lines.

The late Georgia Congressman John Robert Lewis was just as devastated as the voters who had been at ease casting their ballots with state and federal protections under the preclearance of the VRA (Sections 4b-5). In 2006, Lewis, a true champion for justice, equality, and peace . . . ushered in the reauthorization of the VR Act through overwhelming support by Congress. When its constitutionality was challenged, Lewis filed an amicus brief (for the purpose of providing additional information from a somewhat neutral position) in the Supreme Court. He immediately went to work on restoring the Voting Rights Act with the first bill being introduced in January of 2014. It took 5 years for the bill to finally pass the House (Dec. 6, 2019), but the bi-partisan bill has sat on Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell’s desk for almost 300 days.

It is the general opinion of most constituents that the law will never pass the Republican controlled Senate.

The current occupant of the white

house threatens to veto. “The obstruction is unforgiveable, especially now,” said Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. “The same Republicans who paid tribute to the late Congressman refuse to move on his signature legislation . . . The John Lewis Voting Advancement Act.” I truly have no explanation to give my children and many of my former students who are quite perplexed by the entire frightening, political dynamic. They struggle with what might happen in November amid one of the world’s worst and deadliest pandemics; the fears of possible election fraud and anarchy; and the deplorable and dangerous division in this country. They wonder what their future might hold. Maybe we should boldly venture out and ask the question to both sides . . . what shall we tell our children? How will we answer when they ask - what did we do to make a difference . . . to make things better . . . to give us all faith, hope, and an offering of peace and love?

Part 3 – “Unholy Oppression” (I Dream A World)

cannabis patients, Vireo said in a recent press release.

Vireo said recent research supports the ability of medical cannabis to not only reduce pain associated with Sickle Cell Disease, but also to be a cost-effective alternative that could reduce hospital admissions.

The company said research and its own anecdotal

evidence of treating Minnesota patients with the Stateapproved qualifying condition, Tourette Syndrome, support the ability of cannabis to safely decrease the intensity of tics, as well as slow the tic urge, among other positive benefits.

“These three conditions merit consideration from the Minnesota Department of Health. We remain hopeful

that Minnesota will expand its list of qualifying conditions,” said Dr. Sujit Varma, MD, a Minneapolis-based physician certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

“Research has shown that medical cannabis can provide ample relief and serves as a safer alternative to traditional pharmaceuticals.”

few irrefutable props his way.

African American students are nearly four times as likely to be suspended from school as Caucasians, researchers say. Black students overall make up just 17% of public-school enrollment but 26% of suspensions and expulsions. In addition, many of their schools provide less exposure to experienced educators and a lower likelihood they will have access to relevant, technological, and rigorous

coursework. Even with college degrees, they make less than whites with a high school diploma. If their name sounds “ethnic”, they will more than likely not even get an interview.

Black children as young as 10 – and sometimes even younger – are targeted by law enforcement through school referrals that have them standing in criminal courts far more than the majority white children and forever branded. A Harvard study finds

institutional racism permeates the justice system and a despotic political agenda. If they make it through this terror stage, few economic, housing, bank loans, and employment opportunities are available to them.

Evidence .... demonstrates that people who experience racial discrimination are more likely to have a range of health problems including poorer mental health and a lower quality of life stemming from the stress of being Black

How to create your own #blues4george Create your own stencils of any size with the 4 patterns provided.

Pick up shades of blue paint and memorialize George Floyd in the streets and on the boarded up storefronts across the United States and beyond. Depending on size and paint supplies accessible to you, there are many ways to create a #blues4george portrait. materials you’ll need: • Cardboard/Foamcore/Paper/ • Something you can cut out!

• Spray Paint/Acrylic/Chalk/ Markers/ • Something with the color blue! option 1: easy One shade of blue paint Seitu Ken Jones 1. Download the stencil from tiny. cc/b4gE 2. Print the stencil out or trace it on some spare cardboard 3. Cut along the lines and remove the hatched areas using a utility blade, Xacto knife, or scissor 4. Start painting option 2: challenging Five shades of blue paint 1. Download the 5 stencils from tiny.cc/b4gC 2. Print the stencils out or trace them on some spare cardboard 3. Cut along the lines and remove the hatched areas using a utility blade, Xacto knife, or scissor 4. Start painting Layer 1 with your lightest blue, making your way up to Layer 5 and up to your darkest blue! some tips!

You can mix 5 shades of blue with just one jar of blue and one jar of white paint, and a brush you can scale your paintings up using a projector and a marker to trace onto some scrap cardboard, or print on a bigger paper. Shop local when possible! remember!

Get permission from local businesses, organizations, and building owners to place a portrait on their boarded up windows. Get permission for sidewalks, walls, or other locations across your neighborhoods.

Take photos and share your results on social media. Be sure to tag it #blues4george and @seitukjones questions?

Reach out to us at seitujonesstudio@gmail.com and living in America. We’ve always needed more trained social workers and psychologists in our schools and health insurance coverage for parents.

The poverty rate of Black Americans has more than doubled that of whites and an even larger share lack health insurance compared to whites.

The median net worth of Black households is 10 times less than the net worth of white households, making 1/10 of white wealth (mostly front-line

BUILD BACK BETTER JOBS AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY AGENDA Joe Biden believes we cannot build back better without a major mobilization of effort and resources to advance racial equity across the American economy

Ensure all small business relief efforts are specifically designed to aid businesses owned by Black and Brown people.

Spur more than $150 billion in additional public-private venture capital and non-profit lending programs to minority-owned small businesses.

Reform Opportunity Zones to Fulfill Their Promise.

Ensure his housing plan makes bold investments in homeownership and access to affordable housing for minority families.

Boost retirement security and financial wealth for minority families.

Visit joebiden.com/racial-economic-equity to learn more PAID FOR BY BIDEN FOR PRESIDENT

workers) with 41% of Black businesses closed down as a result of COVID19 compared to 17% of white businesses.

How do we explain these inequities to our children, when we sometimes feel helpless to make a difference? The adult role models and guardians of our children’s future MUST try.

We all deserve better. There are ways to begin.

Next: Part 3 Final – Charcoal Child: A Roadmap to Healing

Page 10 • October 19, 2020 - October 25, 2020 • Insight News

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Now Available at our Broadway and Lake St. locations.

Order online.

We’ll shop for you.

Cub community pickup is our way of bringing the full selection of a Cub store to the convenience of the temporary store at our Broadway and Lake St. locations.

Place your order by 9pm and the order will be available the next day afternoon at your scheduled time.

You will be able to pay for your order at the time of pickup for your added convenience.

Order online @ cub-community-pickup.com Pay in store at pickup, including cash, credit and EBT.