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Insight News

October 21, 2019 - October 27, 2019

Vol. 46 No. 42• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Congressman

ELIJAH CUMMINGS

ELOQUENT, MILITANT VOICE

FOR DEMOCRACY

CUMMINGS 3

Page 2 • October 21, 2019 - October 27, 2019 • Insight News

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People-powered neighborhoods Neighborhood News Victory Neighborhood The Victory Neighborhood will host its October gathering this coming Wednesday (Oct. 23).

The gathering takes place at 7 p.m. at Robbins Urban Wellness Retreat, 3900 Thomas Ave. N., Minneapolis.

Sen. Bobby Joe Champion (DFL-59) and Minneapolis Public Schools board member Kerry Jo Felder will share what they have been working on and will listen to residents’ needs for the state legislature and Minneapolis Public Schools.

Rep. Bobby Joe Champion

Residents will also be able to weigh in on design concepts for the water feature at Victory Park.

Hawthorne Neighborhood Council The Northside Urban Coalition, a Drug Free Communities project of the Hawthorne Neighborhood Council, will host its next coalition meeting Nov. 8 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the North Regional Library, 1315 Lowry Ave N., Minneapolis.

The coalition will discuss the upcoming Hawthorne Neighborhood Council Winter Warmth project, as well as its initiative around

the opioid crisis.

Midtown Phillips Neighborhood Association The Midtown Phillips Neighborhood Association will host its monthly meeting tomorrow (Oct. 22) from 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Banyan Community, 2529 13th Ave. S., Minneapolis.

Those attending are asked to consider bringing a donation for its Phillips Family.

For more information visit www. midtownphillips.org.

Fun in fall!

With the sun shining on a brisk fall day Katherine Mayfield (left) decided to get some work done, raking leaves in the front yard of her Cleveland (Minneapolis) neighborhood front yard. Her daughter, 17-month-old Ivy Mayfield, had other plans in mind. Ah, the beauty of fall in Minnesota.

Harry Colbert, Jr.

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Insight News • October 21, 2019 - October 27, 2019 • Page 3

Insight News

WINNER: 2019 GENERAL EXCELLENCE, 3RD PLACE, COLUMN WRITING, 2ND PLACE

WINNER: 2018 NNPA MERIT AWARDS: 3RD PLACE BES T COLUMN WRITING

October 21, 2019 - October 27, 2019

Vol. 46 No. 42• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Citizens League honors Sharon Sayles Belton, David Durenberger The Citizens League honored former Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton, and former Sen. David Durenberger.

The two were honored for innovative leadership and a commitment to public service.

Sayles Belton was the first woman and first African-American to be elected mayor of Minneapolis. Serving from 1994 to 2001, Sayles Belton achieved national recognition as an expert on public/private partnerships in public safety, neighborhood revitalization, and economic development.

Prior to becoming mayor, Sayles Belton served on the Minneapolis City Council for 10 years (1984-1994) and was council president from 1990-1994. She co-founded the Harriet Tubman Women’s Shelter in 1976, the third battered women’s shelter in the country, the National Coalition Against Sexual Assault, an organization that advocated for policies and resources to help sexual assault victims and the Homeownership Preservation Foundation, a nonprofit organization that guides individuals onto the path of sustainable homeownership and good financial health.

Sayles Belton is currently the vice president of Strategic Partnerships and Alliance for Thomson Reuters.

Durenberger was elected to the U. S. Senate in 1978. He was re-elected in 1982 and 1988, and retired in January 1995, be-

Attorney General Keith Ellison

Session in St. Cloud to focus on white nationalism Lara Leimbach Photography

Former Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton (fourth from the right) was honored for her years of leadership by the Citizens League. coming the longest serving popularly elected Republican senator in Minnesota history.

During his three terms, Durenberger served on several Senate committees, including the Finance Committee, the Committee on Governmental Affairs, the Committee on Environment and Public Works, and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, and the Select Committee on Intelligence. He was considered the leading Republican au-

thority on health care policy.

Durenbergerserved as Citizens League board chair in 1997.

Upon retirement from the Senate in 1995, Durenberger continued as a leader in health policy, helping found the National Institute of Health Policy at the Opus College of Business in the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, as well as its now popular Masters in Health program.

“Despite different backgrounds and political parties, Mayor Sayles Belton and

Senator Durenberger share a deep, long-standing commitment to finding common ground, developing a true civic culture, and advancing community-driven solutions to improve the lives of Minnesotans,” said Pahoua Hoffman, Citizens League executive director. “Minnesota is the fortunate home to these two leaders, whose legacies have inspired countless others throughout the state.”

Omar endorses Sanders WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Ilhan Omar announced she is endorsing Sen. Bernie Sanders’ bid for the White House.

“Bernie is leading a working-class movement to defeat Donald Trump that transcends generation, ethnicity, and geography,” said Omar. “That is why he is fighting to cancel all student debt. That is why he is fighting to make all school meals universal. That is why he is fighting for a humane immigration policy that treats immigrants as human beings and not criminals. And its why Bernie is fighting to end our forever wars and truly prioritize human rights in our foreign policy; no matter who violates them. And it’s why I believe Bernie Sanders is the best candidate to take on Donald Trump in 2020.”

“Ilhan is a leader of strength and courage,” Sanders said. “She will not back down from a fight with billionaires and the world’s most powerful

Rep. Ilhan Omar corporations to transform our country, so it works for all of us.

I’m proud of what we’ve done in Congress, and together we will build a multiracial workingclass coalition to win the White House.”

Omar and Sanders

Sen. Bernie Sanders are co-leading several pieces of legislation in Congress. They proposed legislation to provide free breakfast, lunch, and dinner to every student in America, regardless of income. The pair also introduced a bill in June to cancel all student debt and make

tuition and fees at all public four-year colleges and universities, as well as make community colleges, trade schools, and apprenticeship programs tuitionand fee-free for all.

Attorney General Ellison to host listening session on hate crimes Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison will be hearing Minnesotans’ concerns about hate crimes and seeking community-based solutions to ending them at an upcoming listening session.

Tomorrow (Oct. 22), Ellison will host a listening session at St. Cloud State University that will be focused on white nationalism.

The event runs from 6 p.m.

–7:30 p.m. at Atwood Memorial Center Student Union, 651 1st Ave. S. in St. Cloud.

“Hate crimes aren’t limited by geography. They’re threatening people and communities in every part of our state – urban, suburban, exurban, and Greater Minnesota,” Ellison said. “We have to be clear-eyed about the danger and strategic about the solutions. But we also have to believe in our ability as humans to connect across whatever differences we may perceive and stand firm in the hope that we can reach each other’s hearts and reconcile with one another. People around Minnesota are doing good work that proves it. I look forward to hearing more from them and helping to lift up their success.”

Ellison will be joined by faith leaders of a variety of different traditions, State Rep. Dan Wolgamott (DFL-14B) and Christian Picciolini, an author, television producer, peace advo-

cate, and former violent extremist. His involvement in and exit from the early American whitesupremacist skinhead movement is chronicled in his memoir “White American Youth.”

He now leads the Free Radicals Project, a global extremism prevention and disengagement network, and has helped more than 300 individuals leave hate behind. His work is spotlighted in his MSNBC documentary series “Breaking Hate.”

“We’re thankful to Attorney General Keith Ellison for bringing this important discussion on hate crimes to St. Cloud, especially with the cancellation of a similar discussion last month,” said Natalie Ringsmuth, executive director of #unitecloud, a St. Cloudbased nonprofit dedicated to resolving tension and restoring dignity to all people in Central Minnesota. “With the continued rise of white-nationalist violence in our country, we must have honest conversations about how we can ensure peace and safety for everyone in our communities. Although there are those in Central Minnesota who dehumanize others based on difference, St. Cloud is filled with beautifully-hearted people who stand with their neighbors against hate and bigotry and for human connection and community solidarity.”

Nation morns the passing of Elijah Cummings

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor harry@insightnews.com An outpouring of condolences are being expressed in the wake of the passing of revered legislator, Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD).

Cummings, 68, lost his battle with cancer on Oct. 17.

“Michelle (Obama) and I are heartbroken over the

passing of our friend, Elijah Cummings,” said former president Barack Obama in a statement. “As chairman of the House Oversight Committee, he showed us all not only the importance of checks and balances within our democracy, but also the necessity of good people stewarding it. Steely yet compassionate, principled yet open to new perspectives, Chairman Cummings remained steadfast in his pursuit of truth, justice, and reconciliation. It’s

a tribute to his native Baltimore that one of its own brought such character, tact, and resolve into the halls of power every day. And true to the giants of progress he followed into public service, Chairman Cummings stood tallest and most resolute when our country needed him the most. May his example inspire more Americans to pick up the baton and carry it forward in a manner worthy of his service. Our deepest sympathies and abiding love go to his wife,

News

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation

PAGE 4

(Dr.) Maya (Rockeymoore Cummings), his three children, and all those whose lives he touched.”

Fifth Congressional District Rep. Ilhan Omar (DMN) also expressed deep sorrow. “ I am simply devastated and shocked by the loss of Chairman Elijah Cummings,” said Omar in a tweet. “Elijah was a fierce champion of justice, a moral leader in the house, and a wonderful mentor to me as a

new member of Congress.”

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who preceded Omar in the 5th and also served with Cummings in the House, sent condolences to Cummings’ family and called the representative “a brilliant man of integrity” and said he was “truly a public servant.”

Cummings, chair of the House Oversight Committee, which is investigating President Donald Trump for possible impeachable offenses, served

in Congress from 1996 until his passing, representing Maryland’s 7th congressional district. A graduate of Howard University and a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Cummings held a law degree from the University of Maryland School of Law. “He worked until his last breath because he believed our democracy was the highest and best expression of our

CUMMINGS 6

Community

Transformation

PAGE 5

Page 4 • October 21, 2019 - October 27, 2019 • Insight News

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Application deadline Nov. 8

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation accepting applications for fellowship and internship programs The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) is offering fellowships and internships for the coming year.

The (CBCF) Congressional Fellowship program equips early careerpolicy professionals who are committed to contributing to public policy to become the next generation of leaders in public service. The program is an intensive 20-months policy training and leadership development program providing hands-on public policy training as full-time legislative aides and policy analysts. CBCF fellowship issue areas include foreign policy, energy and environment, health policy,

woman and health sciences, finance and economic policy, technology and cybersecurity and technology and diversity.

Through the CBCF’s 20-month fellowship programs, participants work with congressional members and committees, attend leadership development seminars, complete community service projects and produce policy papers. Fellows work 40 hours per week on a range of staff assignments including legislative analysis, responding to constituent mail, drafting talking points and speeches for members and coordinating logistics and public testimony for congressional hearings. During the second

2019 Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Fellows half of their program, fellows transition to a congressional committee, which complements their experience in a member’s office and provides them with

a full view of the legislative process.

Fellows are paid an annual salary plus benefits. Participants must reside in or relocate to the

Washington, D.C., metropolitan area and are responsible for their own travel, housing and other living expenses.

CBCF’s internship program prepares college students and young professionals to become the next generation of leaders in public service by giving them first hand leadership experience by working with and learning from members of the Congressional Black Caucus and other leaders in Washington, D.C. Interns are exposed to processes that develop and implement national policies – from Capitol Hill to federal agencies. While in the internship, students work five days a week, attend professional

development events and participate in leadership development projects.

Program participants receive housing, a stipend, office placements and opportunities to meet and interact with professional legislators and leaders working in all branches of government. Additionally, interns are eligible for scholarships for prestigious public policy graduate programs, such as the University of California-Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy and UC Hastings College of the Law. To apply for either a fellowship or internship go to www.cbcfinc. org.

Former deputy director of Minnesota Historical Society

Melanie Adams at the helm at Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum

By D. Kevin McNeir Senior Editor Washington Informer After months of construction and shuttered doors, the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum in Southeast will reopen to the public on Oct. 13.

Some have compared the Museum to a “diamond in the rough” – a fitting description for one of the many arms of the Smithsonian whose acquisitions deserve far more attention and support than it’s seen in years past.

But we have a feeling that’s all about to change with the hiring of Dr. Melanie

Adams who recently accepted the position as director, moving from the Minnesota Historical Society where she previously served as deputy director for learning initiatives.

Adams brings over 25 years of community engagement experience in museums and higher education and a clear dedication to bringing stakeholders together to address relevant community issues. While in her stead at the Minnesota Historical Society, she managed 26 historic sites and museums throughout the State, creating a community outreach department which provided partnerships and programs outside the walls of the museum.

Her past work has

Dr. Melanie Adams

focused on racial inequality in areas such as education.

Appointed by the mayor in 2007 to the Special Administrative Board of St. Louis Public Schools, she worked for nine years with students, staff and the public to help the district regain accreditation.

Along the way, she received numerous accolades for her community work; she was named a St. Louis NAACP 100 Community Leader in 2009 and the Royal Vagabonds Foundation Extraordinary St. Louis Trailblazer in 2014.

“I am excited and honored to join the staff of the Anacostia Community Museum and build upon the great legacy of socially relevant programs,

exhibitions and collections that explore the D.C. community and serve as a national model for the museum field,” Adams said.

Additionally, she holds a bachelor’s degree in English/African-American studies from the University of Virginia, a master’s degree in education from the University of Vermont and a doctorate from the University of Missouri St. Louis in educational leadership and policy studies.

She succeeds Lori Yarrish, who was the director of the museum from December 2017 until her death in August 2018. Lisa Sasaki, director of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, has served as interim director since then.

That said, and given her impressive resume and successful experiences in the field, she has all the makings of the perfect person to take over the ongoing mission of the Southeast community’s reservoir of knowledge and history.

“Melanie is a proven educator, administrator and leader,” said David Skorton, secretary of the Smithsonian.

“Her stellar leadership at cultural institutions and national non-profits demonstrates that she has the experience and vision to guide the Anacostia Community Museum to a bright future by expanding

ADAMS 7

Open houses to be held on east metro bus rapid transit line

Public comment needed on METRO Gold Line

The public is being asked to weigh in on a new rapid transit line that will connect the east metro to downtown St. Paul.

Planning, design and development work is underway on the METRO Gold Line Bus Rapid Transit

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line that will serve Woodbury, Oakdale, Maplewood, Landfall and St. Paul. Service is scheduled to begin in 2024.

Both the state and federal government require a detailed environmental assessment of the project. That work has been completed, and the public has 30 days to review it and make comments that will be included in the final public record.

The environmental assessment considers a wide variety of possible impacts the project could have on the neighborhoods and communities it serves. Some of the topics covered include connection to community and social resources, impacts on the environment, historic properties and even indirect effects and long-term impacts.

“No one understands these impacts better than the people and organizations the line will serve,” said Gold Line Project Manager Christine Beckwith. “A successful transit line has to become part of the communities it serves. Feedback

from the people and businesses who will use the line every day is essential and extremely helpful

partnership between the Metropolitan Council, Metro Transit, Minnesota

Council is hosting public events to provide information on the environmental assessment,

No one understands these impacts better than the people and organizations the line will serve.

to us as we work to make sure the project becomes a seamless part of the community.”

The METRO Gold Line is a planned 10-mile bus rapid transit (BRT) line that will connect St. Paul, Maplewood, Landfall, Oakdale and Woodbury with bus-only lanes generally north of and near Interstate 94. The Gold Line will provide more transit connections to the east metro with 21 transit stations and all-day service.

The project is being managed through a

Department of Transportation, Ramsey and Washington counties, and the cities of St. Paul, Maplewood, Landfall, Oakdale, and Woodbury.

The environmental assessment has been completed and results are provided in the document. The 30-day public comment period is through Nov. 6. The full environmental assessment is available on the Gold Line project website, metrotransit.org/gold-lineenvironmental, and at local government offices and libraries throughout the corridor.

The Metropolitan

answer questions and offer an opportunity for public comment.

The environmental assessment document along with supporting materials will be available for viewing. The public may also provide written comments or verbal comments on the document at these events. There will be no formal presentation.

Public events will be held tomorrow (Oct. 22) from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at East Side Learning Hub at Harding High School, 1526 Sixth St. E., St. Paul and Wednesday (Oct. 23), 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Landfall Community Center, 2 Fourth Ave., Landfall.

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Insight News • October 21, 2019 - October 27, 2019 • Page 5

Hope for recovery workshop National Alliance on Mental Illness Minnesota (NAMI) will hold a free workshop that provides information on

mental illnesses, treatments, crisis management, suicide prevention and the mental health system.

This workshop is for family and friends of a teen or adult living with a mental illness and people living

with a mental illness who are doing well in their recovery.

It will be held at St. Joan of Arc Church, 4537 3rd

Ave. S. in Minneapolis on Nov. 23 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. For information or to register (required) call (651)

645-2948 or see “classes” at www.namimn.org.

Timberwolves, Lynx, announce new social responsibility platform The Minnesota Timberwolves announced the launch of a new community impact platform called Pack Gives Back.

The campaign will involve the organization’s four franchises – the Timberwolves, Lynx, T-Wolves Gaming and Iowa Wolves. In addition to the franchises, the platform will include the FastBreak Foundation and corporate partners under a single umbrella.

“It’s an amazing opportunity to leverage all our teams, players, and partners to support our community and drive successful outcomes,” said Timberwolves and Lynx Vice President of Social Responsibility Jennifer Ridgeway. “This is a unique effort that allows us to engage fans from all four teams and unify them with the efforts of our employees, partners, players and foundation. Due to the nature of our teams’ seasons, this structure will provide support in

our identified focus areas 365 days a year and we are excited for this organizational-wide effort and commitment.”

The Pack Gives Back campaign includes fiveyear goals for the organization that include $5 million dollars distributed via monetary and in-kind donations, 500,000 Minnesota youth & families impacted, 15,000 volunteer hours, 2,500 non-profits served and 500 player appearances.

As part of this community program restructuring, the FastBreak Foundation will become the charitable arm for all four franchises and will transition from a private to a public organization. As part of this transition, the foundation will also unveil a new grant program later this fall.

Another key component of the Pack Gives Back platform is an increased

commitment of team employee volunteerism efforts. Under the new campaign, the organization

is introducing a new Employee Volunteer Program that will provide an additional 16 hours

of Volunteer Time Off to all employees to be used towards a charity of their choice that

drives meaningful impact in the areas of education, inclusion and wellness.

Next meeting set for Wednesday

Transformation: Upper Harbor riverfront development

By Randall Bradley Architect The third meeting of the Upper Harbor Development Community Planning and Engagement Committee met to discuss progress on the proposed project.

The September meeting in North Minneapolis was facilitated by Pillsbury United Community.

Upper Harbor artist rendor.

The discussion focused on the evolution of the property from its’ present profile into the possible future that it can become. The group will continue to facilitate these meetings from now until completion of the information gathering and discussion phase, scheduled to be in the spring on 2020.

This “learning table” event focused on “community ownership,” or, how do public people “own” public land? Prior

to the panel presentations, a very interesting and telling question was asked by an attendee regarding past treaties signed by both the State of Minnesota and the then Native-American occupants, tribes of the Sioux Nation. Are these treaties still in effect?

And if so, what will the effect of these treaties be, binding or not, on this project?

This question will require

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Page 6 • October 21, 2019 - October 27, 2019 • Insight News

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Insight 2 Health

Opioids in Latino community The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) hosted a September “Hope Against Opioids Conference” at Neighborhood House in St. Paul.

The conference brought together approximately 100 individuals and service providers committed to addressing health disparities impacting the Latino community.

Researchers, practitioners and advocates shared emerging research and best practices, as

well as community perspectives that shape the agenda for the health of Minnesota’s Latino communities.

The conference featured keynote speaker Dr. Hector Colon-Rivera, medical director of the behavioral health program of Asociación Puertoriqueños en Marcha, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of Hispanic communities through direct behavior and

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substance use disorder services in the Philadelphia area.

The Latino community has not been spared from the opioid epidemic.

In 2007, 74 Latinos went to treatment in Minnesota due to opioids. By 2017, that number increased seven-fold to 563. The conference highlighted the need for culturally specific services both in prevention and treatment.

The event was sponsored by DHS, in

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research by the appropriate governmental and tribal agencies. More information to follow.

The bulk of the conversation focused on ownership and what can (and possibly what cannot) be owned, by the community. Could the process, or land, or businesses, or intellectual property be owned by the community? Can there be cultural ownership?

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partnership with La Clinica and CLUES (Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio).

Nick Puente, prevention supervisor for the Behavioral Health Division in DHS’s Community Supports Administration, kicked off the day and introduced keynote speaker Dr. Hector ColonRivera.

Nick Puente, prevention supervisor for the Behavioral Health Division.

collective humanity,” said in a statement Rockeymoore Cummings, who is also chair of the Maryland Democratic Party.

“I loved him deeply and will miss him dearly.”

In a pinned post from July 24 on Cummings’ Twitter page the congressman wrote, “I’m begging the American people to pay attention to what is going on. Because if you want to have

a democracy intact for your children, and your children’s children, and generations yet unborn we’ve got to guard this moment … this is our watch.”

of City of Lakes Community Land Trust, Minneapolis, Dave Swanson, attorney with Dorsey and Whitney and World Wise Advantage and Paul Bauknight, spoke regarding specific community ownership projects located throughout the U.S. Arnone spoke regarding the investment tool structured for Opportunity Zones. These are areas that are economically distressed and have been for some time.

These are areas that are also identified as poor or low-income as defined by U.S. Census data.

She presented various ways that Opportunity Zone investors may choose to be involved in this project. More meetings and conversations will need to take place before this financial mechanism is selected for this project.

Washburne presented

the legal and financial structure of land trust ownership. This organization is very active in residential ownership, with a current focus on commercial ownership. This model may also be implemented on this project.

Future meetings will have to review this methodology prior to its implementation.

Swanson, an attorney, presented information regarding legal structures and configurations that should be considered for this project. He suggested that a cooperative legal structure, rather than a corporate structure. He said he would be willing to offer his services on a pro-bono basis if the cooperative model is chosen.

Bauknight, a board member of the Friends of the Mississippi River, and a member of the city’s Collaborative Planning Committee, spoke

regarding examples of community projects located in other parts of the country. The Market Creek Project, in San Diego and the Eleventh Street Bridge Project, in Washington, D.C. both began as communitybased projects, such as this one.

Their evolutions may inform us of what the future may hold for us in our own work effort.

The overwhelming thread of this meeting is that this process is going to take time. These learning tables are scheduled through next spring.

These topics will be repeated, altered, modified, added to, diminished, abandoned and rediscovered.

The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday (Oct. 23), at NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center, 1256 Penn Ave. N., from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

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Insight News • October 21, 2019 - October 27, 2019 • Page 7

Film tackling white supremacy, police shootings, to screen in Minneapolis “The Education of a Negro” will premiere today (Oct. 21) at the Showplace Icon Theater in St. Louis Park and screen again on Nov. 2 at the St. Anthony Main Theater, Minneapolis.

Set against the backdrop of the fictional Twin Cities Police Department, the film explores the depths a young couple will go to

Adams From 4 its

reach and impact.”

We spoke with Adams at The Washington Informer offices about her vision — one which will undoubtedly bring greater luster to our community’s “diamond.”

Wa s h i n g t o n Informer: You have a strong background in education and have focused on racial inequality. How has that interest informed your work?

Melanie Adams: I received my Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies with an emphasis on critical race theory. After living in St. Louis for 25 years, you cannot help but talk about race, especially after the Mike Brown situation happened.

But before that my work and our president at the Minnesota Science Museum, a white male, was never afraid to address the tough topics. We were handling related issues in the 2000s — looking at the inequities that were in St. Louis. We recognized that someone had to start the difficult conversations about race. Failure to do so often is the reason why people begin to talk in code.

WI: We hear

“The Education of the Negro” tackles white supremacists operating in the ranks of an urban police force.

you live East of the River.

How do you like your new neighborhood and neighbors?

Adams: I followed the footsteps of one of my predecessors, John Kinard, and my husband and I are really happy living in the Anacostia community. As a communitybased museum, it’s important to me that I live in the community.

I feel that if I’m talking about community issues I need to be part of that community.

Coming from the Midwest, I’m not used to a commute to work. I’ve always lived within five miles of the job. And as we all know, five miles in D.C. can be more like 45 minutes in commute time. I am learning about Ward 8 and Congress Heights a little each day. And it’s a great experience so far.

WI: You have authored a book for children that is doing quite well. Tell us about it.

Adams: It’s a book about civil rights for fourth graders and is based on an exhibit we developed in St. Louis. We found that fourth graders, while the curriculum was set to provide them with instruction in civil rights history, failed to adequately give them lessons in local civil rights history, the story of Dred Scott perhaps being the exception. The book was a departure from the normal

articles and publications that come out of the museum system which are traditionally aimed at an adult audience. I’m pleased that it’s doing so well.

WI: What do you like so far about living in the District?

Adams: I was born and raised in New Jersey outside of Newark, went to school at UVA and have been in the Midwest for about 28 years. In some ways, D.C. is different but in many others, it’s the same. There are urban issues we face from educational equity to gentrification and crime. But D.C. has so many amazing cultural options and opportunities from theater and music to the museums, including, of course, the Smithsonians. The culture here is overwhelming. I particularly enjoy seeing the pride that people have in their neighborhoods.

It’s pretty amazing. For me and my husband, our toughest task has been finding the time to get to learn more about Southeast and the rest of the City. The Anacostia Community Museum has so much to offer. I just want people to come out and see the changes that we’ve made during the construction period. I want people to understand that this is their museum. And I want to help bridge the gap between those who live on the two sides of the river. We have much to share and to learn about one another.

in order to get justice for a murdered loved one, and the terrifying lengths the white supremacists killers will take to cover it up.

“The Education of a Negro” was written and directed by Minneapolis North High graduate Ryan Culver, who began penning the screenplay the day after the Philando Castile murder trial ended.

“(Jon) Tevlin’s Strib (Star-Tribune) article about the ‘fault of circumstances’ was the exact type of media-rationalizing that was used for 150 years to normalize race violence against blacks. I wanted to counter,” said Culver.

“The Education of a Negro” is big and bold in both talent and scope.

Shot in Los Angeles over 22 days, it includes 50 actors and has already been accepted into several film festivals including The Twin Cities Film Fest (TCFF).

Both the TCFF premiere and St. Anthony screenings will include a question and answer with the director at the conclusion of the film.

The Museum celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2017. With our exhibits and the changes we’ve made to the physical property, I’m excited about the opportunity to both reflect on our founding and to see where we go for the next 50 years. People have the idea that a museum is where you go to see things but not touch things. We are showing people here in Anacostia that their stories matter. But we want to tell more stories. And we want those in the community to use the museum to better their own neighborhoods.

This is a vibrant community and the museum should be an extension of that vibrancy. After all, a museum is so much more than just a place where artifacts sit behind glass cases or where things hang on the wall.

About the Museum The Anacostia Neighborhood Museum (original name) was established in a converted Southeast Washington movie theater in 1967 to bring the Smithsonian off the National Mall and into a local, inner-city environment.

In 2006, the name was changed to the Anacostia Community Museum.

Exhibitions, collections and public programs examine contemporary themes through the eyes of diverse community

members.

The museum’s collections consist of objects and archival materials that document urban communities and the lives of urban residents, from home life and everyday activities to the community-building efforts of artists, activists and others.

While closed for renovations until October 13, the museum has offered

“Offsite and In the City,” an initiative that includes satellite locations of the exhibition “A Right to the City” at branches of the D.C. Public Library and complementary public programs at venues throughout the District.

SATURDAYS at the MUSEUMɨ Storytellers, Activities and Fun! Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery 1256 Penn Ave No, Minneapolis, MN 55411, 4th Floor

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"The Children's Reading Circle is partially supported by The Givens Foundation for African American Literature through operating support funding from Target. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund."

Marc Cohn

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The MAAHMG is a fully qualified 501c3 nonprofit organization based in Minnesota.

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Page 8 • October 21, 2019 - October 27, 2019 • Insight News

insightnews.com

Black representation in Japanese pop culture Commentary by Noah Washington, NNPA Newswire Pop Culture Contributor With the release of Netflix’s “Cannon Busters,� we go back to the age-old conversation of representation of AfricanAmericans in anime.

The most wellknown characters in Japanese pop culture have often been represented with European features and fairer skin tones such as Naruto, Ichigo, Luffy, or Spike Spiegel. Even in liveaction adaptations, some of these characters have been played by Caucasian actors.

Even when there is a Black character written into a storyline, their features are often exaggerated or they are made into a stereotype, most infamously with Mr. Popo of “Dragon Ball� fame; his dark as night skin and big red lips reminiscent of blackface.

This issue extends outside of classic cartoon anime. Japanese video games are also guilty of unequal and stereotypical representation.

There are many different types of representation and all of these entertainment companies are missing the mark on all of them.

The closest thing we have gotten to a fair and entertaining anime representation is in Aaron Mcgruder’s “The Boondocks.�

Yes, I know that “The Boondocks� is not considered an anime, but it has anime influences, and development by Madhouse Studios made it the closest thing we have gotten to an enjoyable anime with a predominantly Black-filled cast.

Unfortunately though, as much as I enjoyed “The Boondocks� and how it cleverly portrays stereotypes, they are stereotypes nonetheless. “Cannon Busters,�

which is a part of Netflix’s anime initiative to bring about more original content was recently released, and I have to say the quality of it and the writing are outstanding. “Cannon Busters,� has all the qualities of a traditional anime, giant mecha’s, over-the-top protagonists, and a dramatic impossible plot, but I am disappointed with “Cannon Busters� in one aspect. In episode two of the series, we are introduced to the Gearbolt Empire. “Cannon Buster’s� has Black warriors, a Black prince, a Black king and most importantly a Black hero named Odin. I see Odin as a double-edged sword.

This presented a chance to show off powerful deities with African origins.

There are plenty of gods to choose from in the Yoruba and Egyptian pantheon such as Ogun, Sango, or Horus. On the other side of this problem is the fact that a Black man is depicted as a powerful larger than life figure named Odin who has traditionally looked like a grizzled Caucasian male with an eye patch.

Video games also have their own role in this dilemma. Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy are two of the most popular video game series and have cemented themselves in American pop culture.

Kingdom Hearts is a joint venture with Disney Interactive and Square Enix.

Kingdom Hearts combines the worlds of Final Fantasy and Disney films.

The third entry in the Kingdom Hearts series was released early in 2019 and the game overall is good, but yet again another missed opportunity.

Several Disney worlds were featured in the game, but the easy slam dunk world that is missing is “The Princess and the Frog.� For some fans of the series, this was a disappointment.

iStockphoto / NNPA

Japanese video games are also guilty of unequal and stereotypical representation. There are many different types of representation and all of these entertainment companies are missing the mark on all of them.

Kingdom Hearts is overflowing with the themes of dark vs light, love conquers all, magic (good and bad), and whimsically simple-minded villains such as Dr. Facilier.

Even the Bayou would have made a great location for the main characters of Sora, Donald Duck, and Goofy to play around in, you could have even turned them into frogs like the design mechanic that was done when the characters went to see Simba from the Lion King in Kingdom Hearts II which visualized them as Lions.

Final Fantasy faces a different issue. More than 13 plus games make up the Final Fantasy series and there has barely been a handful of memorable characters. Barret Wallace and Sazh Katzroy are practically the same characters.

They both use guns as their main style of fighting and have operated as comic relief at various points in the main story.

Sazh is a mild-

mannered character who represents a big problem.

Sazh himself isn’t a bad character, but it’s what he is carrying around with him constantly ‌ a Chocobo.

Chocobo’s are like horses in the Final Fantasy series and to any uninformed viewer, kind of cute, but to the informed it carries the stereotype that Black people love chicken, which is an insulting character choice. Barret Wallace, on the other hand, is made to look like a stereotype, a muscled up Black man with a gun (as I previously stated).

I hope they treat Barrett a cut above his old self in the Final Fantasy VII remake set to release March 3, 2020. I just want a Black Final Fantasy character that has a slim muscular build who carries around an awe-inspiring sword that one day my kids would want to dress up as for Halloween.

Is this an issue of the Japanese studios not

interacting enough with people of African heritage or is it a matter of malevolence?

We notice the trend of African-American stereotypes even outside of Japanese anime and video game culture. In Jordan Peele’s critically acclaimed movie “Get Out� there is a scene where the main character, Chris, played by Daniel Kaluuya is attending a “get together’’ for his girlfriend’s family which is filled with nothing but Caucasian Americans with the exception of a man played by the Japanese actor, Yasuhiko Oyama.

On IMDB the character is listed as Hiroki Tanaka, a Japanese name. Is this a commentary on how Asian-Americans are allowed opportunities that AfricanAmericans are not? Is this a way for Jordan Peele to say that the Japanese see African people the same way Caucasians do? Or is this a way of saying that the Japanese identify with Caucasian Americans more

than the other marginalized and oppressed groups due to their colonization by the English?

We as Black nerds are entitled to characters that we can identify with and can show to children for them to take pride in. Growing up I loved Goku, Cloud, and Sora. But it would have been nice to have a stalwart and cool character that I was a kid could look up to that I could identify with that looked like me.

The good news is that the release of Marvel’s “Black Panther� brings in a new era of representation that does not have the word “stereotype� anywhere around it. The bad news is that there is not a character of color that stands out in the world of anime like Goku or Naruto.

Noah Washington is a Media Entrepreneur major at Georgia State University.

Follow him on Instagram under Riotboyatl and on Facebook.

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