December 24, 2020 - MN Spokesman-Recorder

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PRST STD U.S.POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES MN PERMIT NO. 6391

THE VOICE OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY SINCE 1934 December 24-30, 2020 Vol. 87 No. 21

FIND US ONLINE AT WWW.SPOKESMAN-RECORDER.COM

“AS IT WAS SPOKEN ... LET US RECORD.”

Seven months post-Floyd, Mpls cops still unaccountable for misdeeds Recent policy decisions dodge essential reforms

News Analysis By Mel Reeves Community editor

W

hat is clear is that tragedies like the one that happened to George Floyd do not emerge from a few isolated bad actors, but from patterns of misconduct,” Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan said not long after the death of Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis police. In the wake of Floyd’s death there were clear calls locally, nationally and internationally for prosecution of the police who killed him as well as demands that police be disciplined and prosecuted in all cases of police misconduct. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey was pictured crying next to Floyd’s casket at his funeral, yet he has talked very little about how to ensure that there are no more George Floyds. Most of the talk out of Minneapolis City Hall has addressed concerns

other than police accountability. Twin Cities’ news headlines earlier this month were filled with the political gamesmanship between the mayor and the

budget to fund its Safety for All proposal, which will provide money for training dispatchers to help identify and assess mental health calls, and for mental

However, none of the conversations involved how to hold police accountable for their actions or even how to root out the bad actors that are still a part of the

Courtesy of Pixabay As the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine continues to be rolled out to first responders and select others across the nation, and with the Moderna vaccine set to join it, the MSR News Service took to the streets to ask community members this question: When the coronavirus vaccine is available to the public, will you be willing to take it? Why or why not?

of think it was political the way it was rushed. It’s happening so fast, I don’t want to see 10 years from now where women can’t have babies or babies born with deformities. Stay masked up for a while and practice the precautions. I think we will be fine, and if the older generation follows the precautions they will be OK too. Sammie

Steven B.

Courtesy of MGN city council, primarily over the Minneapolis police budget and the number of cops the City is required to maintain. The city council voted to set aside $8 million from the police

health crisis teams. The money Minneapolis Police Department. will also fund the effort to have This is in sharp contrast to conemployees handle theft and versations held in the immediate property damage calls, which wake of Floyd’s death, including would relieve the police of some promises to disband the MPD. The backpedaling and lack of that responsibility.

I would definitely be willing to take the vaccine after they have tested the vaccine thoroughly. We I have two points of view. Yes, have the most detailed CDC mediI am willing to take it. However, I cal people in our country. If the doc■See Police on page 5 would not be the first in line to take tors and the scientists say it’s OK it. First I want to see if there are any and they take it first, yes, I would side effects from others and then I’ll definitely be taking the vaccine. weigh my options. Like the common flu shot, Tuesday research we have been doing sometimes I take it, sometimes I is longstanding.” don’t; it depends on the side effects The incoming Biden ad- of the shot. At some point, I probministration is committed ably will take the vaccine because to equity in regards to vac- I had COVID. I went through the cination, said Dr. Marcella whole gamut with headaches, an Nunez-Smith, co-chair of the upset stomach, a cough but no fepresident-elect’s coronavirus ver, which was weird. The fatigue advisory board. was the worst and the longest to At present the COVID-19 shake. I think COVID affects each vaccine rollout will be slow. individual differently. There are linI would not take it for about five The Minnesota Department gering effects. I think it’s here to stay. years. I feel they need to do more of Health has said that health Stay safe! research. There is not enough recare workers and assisted search on People of Color, youth, or care facility residents, who Shameka B. the elderly. Until then, I will not take are mostly elderly, will be the it. I think this is systematic racism. first to get it in its first phase. There are no public plans at Joy this time for when the second phase will take place, MDH officials announced. Slaughter-Acey added that structural inequities as well as the historical mistrust among many Blacks for the medical community are This is a tough question. I’m still understandable. “I am very debating that, and I do believe vaccommitted to public health cines are helpful. This whole corona being a Black epidemiologist, thing is a little strange and [the vacbut at the same time I identify cine] happening so soon makes me as an African American… I a little cautious. I’m still doing my I would have to do more revery much do understand the personal research to find out if I’d search on the vaccine before I can give a yes or no answer. I know ■See Vaccine on page 5 be comfortable or not. In my opinion, I think the vac- nothing about the vaccine or cine should be very much volun- what’s in it. Stay safe, strengthen tary—no one should be forced to your immune system, and don’t take it. People, this corona is very forget to wash your hands. serious and we all need to do our parts to make sure we can stay safe Eric B. now and a couple of months down the road. Hopefully we can return back to somewhat of a new norm. Mask up and stay safe. Corona does not have a particular person it’s seeking. Tthe virus does not see color.

Will the COVID vaccine be fairly distributed? Safety is not the only concern

By Charles Hallman Contributing writer Two COVID-19 vaccines are now available. Both vaccine makers are claiming 95% effectiveness. A Pew Research survey earlier this month, before the new Pfizer and Moderna vaccines received U.S. emergency-use approvals, found that Blacks are less likely than others to get the vaccine. Other surveys have shown that Blacks have the greatest skepticism toward the vaccine among other groups. A recent Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) poll, how-

Nonetheless, “vaccine mistrust” exists and should not be ignored, said University of Minnesota School of Public Health’s Jaime Slaughter-Acey, Ph.D. The epidemiology and community health assistant professor told the MSR, “I think that’s a valid concern that Black Americans have.” During last week’s NAACP virtual town hall on the COVID-19 vaccines, Dr. Patrice Harris, immediate past president of the Ameri- Dr. Jaime Slaughter-Acey can Medical Association, deCourtesy U of M School of clared, “Mistrust is not the Public Health same as misinformation.” Misinformation regarding senior researcher. She said on the vaccines, such as if it’s safe the NAACP virtual event that vaccine clinical trials began as early as March, and added that “a large number of eyes of people of color” were observing the entire process, including herself. Corbett noted that she and others have been working on for Blacks, must be countered virus vaccines for nearly a dewith accurate information, cade. “I’ve been [the] scienadded Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, tific research leader for NIH National Institutes for Health for six years,” she said. “The

“Anyone who does not think there is a potential for inequitable access to the vaccine is a fool.” ever, says 62% of Black Americans say they will “probably or definitely” get the COVID-19 inoculations.

In loving memory of

Robert Lee Dillard

Sunrise, March 27, 1953 — Sunset, December 19, 2020 Robert Lee Dillard of Burnsville, MN, a devoted Jehovah’s Witness and devoted husband of MSR Publisher Tracey Williams-Dillard, passed away on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at the age of 67. He was preceded in death by his mother Azallee “Mae West” Dillard and father Orange Dillard; sister Alma Johnson (James); and brother John Dillard (Linda). He is survived by his wife Tracey Williams-Dillard; brother Kelly Dillard (Bernie) of Woodville, Wisconsin; daughters Chinita Dillard of Chicago, Illinois, Juanita Holman (Scott), Tracey Dillard of Burnsville, Minnesota, and Leticia Alvarez (Manuel) of Apple Valley, Minnesota; and son Robert Ryan of St. Paul, Minnesota; seventeen grandchildren, and a host of family and friends. Robert was a great husband, father and friend. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed spending quality time with his wife, children and grandchildren. In the summer, he loved to go fishing at the cabin and grill his famous ribs on the back patio for all who came to visit. His smile and laugh were contagious, and he would light up any room. He will be missed dearly by his family and friends. A virtual memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 2, 2021 at 1:45 pm from the Burnsville Parkway Kingdom Hall. On January 2, the public can view the service live via Zoom at this link bit.ly/RobertDillardMemorial. For more info and updates, check the MSR website. The family thanks all of you for your cards, love, support and prayers. Cards and flowers can be sent to the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder office, c/o Tracey Williams-Dillard, 3744 4th Avenue South, Minneapolis 55409.

Tony H. I would not take the vaccine when it first comes out. I’m diabetic type 2 and I have a brother that is a researcher. I was told they do not test the blood of diabetics. If they did the testing of diabetes it would be totally different. I don’t think I would take the shot right away because I kind

Interviews and photos by Nikki Love


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