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THE VOICE OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY SINCE 1934
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December 13-19, 2018 Vol. 85 No. 19 www.spokesman-recorder.com
Let’s talk Whiteness
‘Minnesota Nice’ and prejudice explored at race forum
Amidst glowing remarks, MPD chief gets full term By Dwight Hobbes Contributing Writer
M
Dr. Nell Irvin Painter
By Solomon Gustavo Contributing Writer A trope still good for a bit of a face-palming laugh is a look through most African American studies programs — they tend to be lined with White faculty. Dr. Nell Irvin Painter gave the irony a laugh, her plume of pristinely white curly hair bouncing up and drooping to reach her light blue glasses. Painter had just finished her presentation on systemic racism as part of the YWCA Minneapolis’ series of forums on race within the vast Westminster Presbyterian Church nestled just north of Minneapolis’ business district. The historian and author of the 2010 book The History of White People is a New Jersey native, Harvard graduate, Princeton history professor and visual artist. She is also a darkskinned Black scholar who is
fascinated with Whites. Painter has dedicated herself to compiling detailed records from scientists and thinkers defining and redefining White identity, how pure Whiteness shifted over the years, how conceptions of racial hierarchy are ingrained in American culture and produce tangible consequences along racial lines. “I’m focusing on White identity because it is so under-studied,” Painter told the large crowd resembling a typical Minneapolis scene of mostly Whites with a few people of color sprinkled about. Regardless of race, few historians, or people in general, are concerned with the history of White people. “You ask White people, ‘Why are White people called Caucasian?’” said Painter. “They haven’t the faintest idea.” When she first published her book and went on tour to ■ See WhiteneSS on page 5
Robin Hickman (left) and other attendees Photos by Rachel Palomo, YWCA Minneapolis
inneapolis’ first Black police chief, Medaria Arradondo, has been re-appointed to serve a three-year term. The Minneapolis City Council voted Friday, Dec. 7 to extend Arradondo’s position. Arradondo has served as interim chief since July 2017 after the former police chief, Janeé Harteau, resigned following the police shooting of an unarmed woman. “I am thrilled to be celebrating the council’s unanimous move to confirm my appointment of Chief Arradondo to a full term as chief of police,” said Mayor Jacob Frey. “His leadership, character, and commitment to building trust between community and MPD have made him an invaluable partner and a good friend.” The Minneapolis City Council’s unanimous vote came with little surprise after Arradondo received glowing remarks from the community at a reappointment hearing during the council’s Public Safety & Emergency Management Committee meeting on Nov. 29. Prominent activists Nekima Levy Armstrong, Al Flowers and Lisa Clemons were among many voicing impassioned support. Minneapolis resident
Jacob Frey and Medaria Arradondo
Photo courtesy of Facebook/Jacob Frey
Chuck Turchick’s was the only complaint — though his was about the review process and not Chief Arradondo. “Democracy is about process, and this process [fails],” said Turchick. “A city ordinance gives the Police Oversight Commission [POC] permission to
participate in the performance review of the chief of police. Every time you preclude the POC from participating in performance reviews, you are disrespecting the civilian oversight body you created.” ■ See Chief on page 5
SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: LUTUNJI’S PALATE Lutunji Abram, M.A. has always had a sweet tooth but never thought baking would become her business. Up until this year, her work had been primarily focused on organizational leadership, community development, and diversity and inclusion. Then she hit an employment slump and launched her own southern desserts enterprise. While she still enjoys work via Voices of Effective Change, her community-based consulting service and resource company, she is already aiming to take her pies international. Her offerings, including a much-in-demand peach cobbler dubbed “Harriet’s Escape,” along with a “Dr. T. Adams Philosophy” pecan cobbler and “Exquisite Nicksology” macaroons, are already on the menus at four different restaurants, and she’s working on getting stocked in grocery stores. Here, we chat with the newly minted entrepreneur about her succulent southern-style creations and why it’s about more than just desserts.
MSR: What inspired you to launch your business? Lutunji’s Palate: I was literally blackballed from employment. Here I am, an African American woman, bright, articulate, master’s degree, [and] I was
blackballed from the work- was just awe inspiring — I literally, audibly heard my grandforce. mother’s voice from heaven. MSR: Were you not even She said, “Girl, get your a** up. getting interviews? You know what to do.” LP: Not even getting interI always had a sweet tooth views at one point — totally and I liked to bake, but all blackballed. One morning — it of a sudden, it was just the peach cobbler. When I first started baking it, I was using a cake crust, I was being creative. What I didn’t realize is my highest power was saying, “Okay, you’re about to figure this out. I’m going to let you experiment, because what you don’t know is [that] in 2018 I’m going to launch your business, and it’s going to be so powerful no man can stop anything.” And, that’s literally what’s happening. What was meant for evil really turned out for my good. MSR: It sounds like what you would consider your business’ hero product is the peach cobbler. LP: Absolutely. And the best thing about that is, I make a
Lutunji Abram
Submitted Photo
■ See SBS on page 5
Christmas tree do-over at MPD Fourth Precinct By Chris Juhn Editorial Intern
A child hangs a candy cane on a tree outside of the Fourth Precinct station.
Nearly 40 community members gathered for a holiday doover at the Minneapolis Police Fourth Precinct station. The gathering followed an uproar over a photo of the station’s Christmas tree “decorations,” which consisted of menthol cigarettes, malt liquor cans, and junk food. The photo went viral and community members demanded a change in leadership at the precinct. On Friday, Dec. 7, community leaders sipped on hot cocoa and hot cider as they decorated a new donated tree outside the station filled with ornaments representing what the North Minneapolis community really looks like. One community member added a military patch; another
brought a photo of Travis Matthew Jordan, who was shot and killed by police in November. At the close of the event, community members hoisted sixyear-old Blessing Caldwell to place the star at the top of the tree, but she was unable to reach that high. Lt. Tim Mattsson brought out a ladder with an MPD officer to add the finishing touch. Chris Juhn welcomes reader responses to cjuhn@spokesman-recorder.com. Photos by Chris Juhn (top right) A decoration created in honor of Travis Matthew Jordan (bottom right) Community members hold a “Black Lives Matter” quilted banner made by the Million Artist Movement.