February 15-21, 2018
PRST STD U.S.POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES MN PERMIT NO. 6391
THE VOICE OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY SINCE 1934
— See Black History Community Profile on pg. 7
Vol. 84 No. 28 www.spokesman-recorder.com
‘Massive wave’ of civil disobedience predicted New Poor People’s Campaign calls for 40 days of nonviolent protest over 50 years ago by the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and others. They are building a coalition of groups and organizations working to end systemic racism, poverty, economic disparities, and other problems in this country Many believe the first Poor People’s Campaign in 1967 didn’t achieve its desired results largely due to King’s assassi-
poor population (17.3 million) with Blacks (9.2 million), and Latinos (11.1 million) second and third, respectively. Thirty percent of the U.S. population — more than 95 million Americans — is either in poverty or considered “low income” (twice below the poverty line). Other report findings include that the U.S. child poverty rate has risen from 15.6
“The Poor People’s Campaign needs to be led by the very people who are impacted — the very people who are poor.” nation in 1968. In December, the national progressive think tank Institute for Policy Studies released their preliminary report, The Souls of Poor Folk, finding that conditions today in this country aren’t that much different than in1968. Speaking at the State Capitol launch of the national Poor People’s Campaign were [l to r] Samantha Selina SanAccording to the report, the U.S. overchez Ibarra, DeWayne Davis (at lectern), Mary Kay Boyd, and D’Narius Lewis. all poverty rate is at the same level today Photo courtesy of Minnesota Poor People’s Campaign (12.7 percent) as it was 50 years ago. At put the lawmakers on the clock by “serv- paign, co-organized by the Revs. Dr. Wil- least 15 million more people in AmeriBy Charles Hallman ing notice” to them to seriously address liam Barber II (leader of “Moral Mondays” ca are poor because the country’s popuStaff Writer systemic poverty and other disparities in protests in North Carolina) and Dr. Liz lation has increased by over 123 million Theoharis. They launched the campaign people since 1968. The 2018 Minnesota state legislative this year’s session. The report also shows that in 2016, Last week, Minnesota joined nearly 30 on December 4 using a blueprint of grasssession begins February 20 and must end by May 21. A local coalition has virtually other U.S. states in the Poor People’s Cam- roots organizing similar to that designed Whites made up the largest share of the
Councilmember Cunningham gives Minnesota Nice a new meaning community, said Cunningham. “Then I landed in North Minneapolis and all of a sudden, I was home.” Before Minneapolis, Cunningham, A colleague once told Phillipe Cunningham that North Minneapolis was a 30, worked on Chicago’s Southside as a place where she felt safest as a Black queer special education teacher. In Chicago, he woman. “That really resonated with me was so wrapped up in his job and stubecause I have felt very unsafe as a Black dents that he was not worried or giving much thought to big things like government policy. But during the 2012 Chicago Teachers Union Strike, when Mayor Rahm Emanuel extended the school day by one hour, lengthened the school year by 10 days, and closed 50 of the city’s schools, government policy started flashing on his radar. “[Emanuel] was making policies that felt that felt retaliatory against the teachers’ union, and that was the first time I really started to make those connections,” said Cunningham. “When I saw how Phillipe Cunningham the mayor could impact my kids, that is Photo courtesy Facebook when I had this big awakening around policy and politics.” One year after the strike, Cunningqueer man,” said Cunningham. Than he ham moved to Minneapolis. “I was never became a resident of North Minneapo- really happy in Chicago after seeing how lis and understood what his colleague that city treats their Black and Brown children. I was like, you’ve shown me your meant. cards and I already don’t like it,” Cunningham said. Coming to Minneapolis Coming from the Southside of ChicaBefore Minneapolis, Cunningham hadn’t lived any place where he felt com- go to the North Side of Minneapolis, Cunfortable enough to call it home. Having ningham said the problems felt more to navigate life as a Black queer man can manageable in Minneapolis. make it hard to feel like a part of your ■ See council on page 8 Keith Schubert Contributing Writer
By Ivan B. Phifer Contributing Writer In case you missed it, over 67,000 people braved sub-zero wind chills to be part of the excitement of Superbowl LII. A host of celebrities were also present to watch the game and to entertain the crowd, chief among them hometown legends and international music producers James “Jimmy Jam”
right now today. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis made music right here at North High School. Today, they are multimillionaires, songwriters and producers. “You don’t know who you are going to become,” Berry said. “Your circumstances today do not predict your future.” Over more than 30 years, Harris and Lewis have produced the musical likes of Ush-
Patdro Harris
Photo courtesy Facebook
Tony Award-winning CTC’s peerless reputation is built on a 50-year history of adapting classic children’s literature. In the past two decades that reputation has been enhanced to include original work by
High, of the city of Minneapolis, of the state of Minnesota, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis,” said the mayor. “This is a spectacular day.”
uation rates. The North High dance team celebrated the occasion with a dance routine using Harris’ and Lewis’ works, including Rhythm Nation and
“We wear the pride of Minneapolis and the state of Minnesota anywhere we go around the world.” Harris and Terry Lewis, who served as music ambassadors for the 10-day line-up of events. The duo appeared at Lewis’ alma mater North High School to thunderous applause from students, faculty, and visiting dignitaries, including Mayor Jacob Fry, State Senator Bobby Joe Champion, MPS Superintendent Ed Graff and, North High Principal Dr. Shawn Harris Berry. “North High students, this is why this is important,” said Berry. “Terry Lewis sat in the same seats you’re sitting in
er, Janet Jackson, The Human People, Mya, Kendrick Lamar, Gwen Stefan, Mariah Carey, Elton John, George Michael, Rod Stewart, Mary J. Blidge, Beyonce and Lionel Richie. An elated Mayor Frey took the stage and proclaimed January 31, 2018 as Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis Day. “If you’ve seen the influence that Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis have [had]…the list goes on and on with their unique North Minneapolis sound to the world. “We are so honored to recognize living legends of North
Given the collaboration’s assembled talent, a hit seems likely
The Wiz was never merely a remake of L. Frank Baum’s distinctly white-bread classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Still wholesome, family-friendly fare, it nonetheless over the decades underwent a telling, timeless transformation by which, reconceived, it celebrated and sustained the contemporary Black culture. No small feat. Indeed, The Wiz is a phenomenal accomplishment one can look to see repeated and perhaps improved upon with the Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) and Penumbra Theatre production that opened January 23 at CTC. Tall talk, but consider: Staging this historic Broadway hit are institutions that epitomize theatrical excellence.
■ See DiobeDience on page 8
‘Jimmy Jam’ Harris and Terry Lewis big hits at North High
Penumbra partners with Children’s Theater on The Wiz By Dwight Hobbes Contributing Writer
percent in 1968 to 18 percent in 2016. Nearly 31 percent (3.4 million) of Black children are in poverty compared to about 27 percent of Latino children (4.9 million). Female-headed households in 2016 were five and a half times more likely to be in poverty than married heads-of-households. According to recent state data, 37 percent of Blacks, 36 percent of Native Americans, 24 percent of Latinos and nine percent of Whites live in poverty. In the two Twin Cities metro counties, 13
the likes of, among others, Chery L. West, Lonnie Carter and Carlyle Brown. Artistic Director Peter C. Brosius extols, “It is a great thrill and honor to partner with Penumbra Theater. They are a major [national] force as well as a local treasure. The insights and experience they bring to this partnership [are] extraordinary.” Penumbra Theatre is the world’s leading Black venue and among the nation’s finest. It rose in the wake of and eventually surpassed the legendary Negro Ensemble Company, which, led by Douglas Turner Ward, spawned the likes of Sidney Poitier, Rosalind Cash, Debbie Allen and more. The house that Lou Bellamy built, painstakingly cultivating singular prominence, premiered and nurtured the craft of the Broadway icon and twice-Pulitzer Prize recipient August Wilson, who remained a company member throughout
Terry Lewis (l) and Jimmy Jam with their proclamations from Minneapolis Mayor Frey Photo by Lou Michaels “I know this has been a great work in progress with many years of history,” said Superintendent Ed Graff, giving North High credit for its academics and sports programs and the 83 percent rise in grad-
his career. Newly minted Artistic Director Sarah Bellamy, succeeding founder Lou Bellamy, states, “[CTC and Penumbra] are getting to a space of depth and real honesty with each other in terms of our conversations about equity…our aesthetics..., and how we can create a proactive, equitable, shared learning environment…that feels very unique.” Key in the creative team, Patdro Harris, Theatrical Outfit artistic associate and choreographer, is the assistant director for Lou Bellamy. Acclaimed by The New York Times, his internationally accomplished dance acumen has dazzled numerous prestige venues including Kennedy Center, National Black Theatre Festival, and the Guthrie Theater. He choreographed 2004’s Tony Award-winning A Raisin in the Sun starring Sean Combs, Phylicia Rashad and Audra McDonald. Pointedly, this material isn’t new ground for Harris. “It lives inside me, one of the most successful [vehicles] I’ve done
Pleasure Principal. State Senator Bobby Joe Champion, a North High alumnus, spoke on the hometown pride. “They have done ■ See north on page 8
around the country.” His approach? “I’ve got my own style: athletic.” Importantly, grounded in the aesthetic, he adds, “[It is] very polyrhythmic, [with] a lot of rhythms going on at one time. “[It is] an aspect that is to African and African American dance as wet is to water.” As well, Harris is on the same page as Bellamy. “My [artistry] has always been from a directing point of view, looking at it [as] storytelling, not only movement. None of which, in this instance, amounts to much if you lack the wherewithal to work well with and get the best from child performers. “I’m aware they’re kids. I like kids, but I treat them like professionals.” He’s also aware that youngsters sense the difference between being patronized with a pat on the head and being respected and responding accordingly. “We’ve established that. “There are eight students in this project. ■ See Penumbra on page 8