February 8, 2018 - 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

—MSR 2018 Black History Month supplement on pg. B1

February 8-14, 2018 Vol. 84 No. 27 www.spokesman-recorder.com

Eagles’ d rea m comes true

Local high school dance teams took the stage during Justin Timberlake’s half-time show at Super Bowl LII.

Eagles’ linebacker Mychal Kendricks holds The media swarm the Super Bowl LII Champions Philadelphia Eagles the Lombardi Trophy; his brother Eric plays after the game. Photos by Steve Floyd for the Minnesota Vikings.

More Super Bowl LII entertainment highlights on Page 6. Find Larry Fitzgerald, Sr.’s game recap on page 10.

This time around, Super Bowl hosts were more diverse By Charles Hallman Staff Writer When Minneapolis last hosted the Super Bowl in 1992, there was little or no diverse presence among key organizers or those who worked behind the scenes. Several years ago, after the Twin Cities was awarded the 2018 Super Bowl, the organizers made assurances that a similar lack of diversity would not occur this

time around. “We have 18 people on our committee, and I’d say at least half of them [are people of color],” said Dana Nelson, the Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee’s vice-president of legacy and community partnership. This week we feature a few of the faces of color who were involved in a small or big way in this year’s Super Bowl.

Homecare workers got their first holiday pay on MLK Day But only in Minnesota, thanks to the SEIU

By Keith Schubert Contributing Writer

I

n the middle of a shortage crisis for homecare workers in Minneapolis, the Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled against the anti-union group Minnesota Personal Care Assistants (MNPCA), which was trying to decertify the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Union officials have expressed frustration that this legal opposition to their work has

Captain of thousands Last year, Alisha Stansil answered the Host Committee’s call for at least 10,000 volunteers who would welcome fans and others to downtown Minneapolis for Super Bowl 52. A football fan, Stansil said, “I wanted to be part of a oncein-a-lifetime experience.” She told the MSR that the interviewing process included a background check; she later interviewed other applicants

as a volunteer captain. Since last spring, “I helped interview over 10,000 volunteers. I [also] did the orientation night when we had over 12,000 people there, cheering the revealing of our uniforms,” recalled the Northsider, who works as a bank officer. Stansil, however, expressed ■ See Diverse on page 5

[l-r] Dana Nelson, D.J. Bryant, (holding football), Tatyanna Gross Photo by Charles Hallman

Hennepin County Board historically all-White This candidate hopes to change that in the next election

By Dwight Hobbes Contributing Writer

sented by SEIU. When the BMS turned down their petition for not hitting the 30 percent signature threshold, the group sued. In last Tuesday’s hearing three Appeals Court judges unanimously upheld the BMS’s decision. The executive vice president of SEIU Minnesota, Phillip Cryan, said that moving forward from this case will allow them to focus on the real issues again, like the homecare crisis LaDonna Redmond, Hennepin County — referring to the shortage of Commissioner candidate Photo from Redmond Facebook

there’s no time like the present to mobilize. Redmond has already started work on a groundswell with a December “Holiday Launch Party” at Lynlake Brewery and this month’s “Meet and Greet with LaDonna” at Butter Bakery Cafe. When her young son developed allergies to shellfish, dairy products, and peanuts, she turned to urban farming in the backyard and in vacant lots for safe food. Her decision led to raising the issue of and fighting for food justice. This included publicly pushing to see that consumers are sufficiently educated on whether legislators are safeguarding their right to know what they’re eating. Consumers needed to know just how good or bad what they ingest is for their health. “My commitment,” says Redmond, “is to make sure communities have what they need to be able to live the complete

der-represented. “I think it’s fantastic. I’ve always been supportive and will continue to be supportive. Every community has the intellect to heal itself.” Her motivation to campaign for a commissioner’s seat is not at all far removed from her reason to be at KRSM. It’s about empowering the institutionally disenfranchised. Hennepin County’s website attests, “[Our] mission...is to enhance the health, safety and quality of life of our residents and communities in a respectful, efficient and fiscally responsible way. We envision a future where residents are healthy and successful and where our communities are safe and vibrant.” Not according to LaDonna Redmond, who asserts, “Minnesota has the highest number of disparities for people of color in the country.” She corrects herself: “Well, the second highest. Which…really doesn’t matter.” Wisconsin, she notes, is actually

LaDonna Redmond’s campaign is no run-of-the-mill candidacy for District 3 Hennepin County Commissioner. As Dick Gregory once said, “We need to have statements in the political arena instead of politicians.” The gender doesn’t match in this case, but the assertion certainly fits. Instead of being plugged in- lives they want...” Part and parcel of her first, with Illinois right behind Minnesoto and obligated to the vast, cigar smoke- campaign is her show “Lavender Plus” on ta at third. filled backroom, deal-making machine, KRSM Radio’s newly launched grassroots “Something’s going on in the Midwest Redmond’s career-long proven track re- initiative “Free for All.” that is problematic for Black, Brown and Redmond has been integral in getting Indigenous people.” Redmond’s watchcord is that of a person of conscience adKRSM off the ground these past eight word is equity. That’s what she intends to Courtesy of Big Stock vocating for people’s well being. While the election is not until late this years. The station was specifically creat- see realized. homecare workers available in year, November 6, preparation being all, ed to put on the airwaves voices of the uninterfered with their efforts to ■ See BoarD on page 5 Minnesota. “It’s just been such getting better pay and benefits a huge distraction for us to confor underpaid workers. The lawsuit occurred within stantly be dealing with these lea year of the SEIU bargaining gal attacks,” Cryan said. By 2030, nearly 20 percent for a new $48 million contract “I think 2018 will be a waterwith Minnesota that included of Minnesotans will be 65 or By Charles Hallman shed year,” Klobuchar told repay raises, more training, paid older, according to the Para- Staff Writer porters after a speaking appeartime off and, for the first time professional Health Care Inance at an NFL-sponsored event ever, holiday pay. SEIU’s orig- stitute (PHI). Despite the inU.S. Senator Amy Klobuinal tentative agreement that crease in demand, there is still char (D-Minn.) and Erica Camp- at the Pantages Theatre in downbell of the gospel singing group town Minneapolis. Campbell and sibling ThomMary Mary’s, who both briefly talked to the MSR last week dur- asina “Goo Goo” Atkins also ing their separate appearanc- briefly talked about the backes at Super Bowl-related events, lash Tina Campbell, the other stressed the importance of this half of Mary Mary, had after it was reported that she voted for was worked out with the State a lot of turnover among the fall’s midterm elections. included $96 million, which roughly 93,000 homecare work“I think at this point we should Donald Trump in 2016 based on was later cut in half by State ers in Minnesota. The low pay all focus on changing who’s in his Christian views. “I think it’s pretty plain to see lawmakers at the end of the and lack of benefits are partly office in the Senate and the ConCampbell and sibling Thomasina “Goo Goo” Atkins to blame for the shortage, said gress, making sure we’re focus- that he [Trump] wasn’t a good 2017 legislative session. Campbell photo by Onika Craven The MNPCA filed a petition Cryan, “and we’re kind of the ing on our local government and choice,” Erica pointed out. “We for a decertification election in only force that is out there do- making changes there,” Camp- [as sisters] have talk ed about strued.” “People make [their] choice, Last fall, during an appear- then get vilified for it,” said Er2016 to the Bureau of Mediation ing something positive to fix bell said prior to her singing ap- it. I think anybody is entitled to Services (BMS) but failed to col- that,” he added. pearance at the Super Bowl Gos- their own vote.” She added that ance on The Real, Tina said, ica. lect signatures from 30 percent pel Celebration last Thursday at she supports her sister and that “What I said is…I chose based on ■ See HoliDay on page 5 ■ See Fallout on page 5 Tina’s statements were “miscon- my faith.” of homecare workers repreBethel University.

“The County is really an unknown governmental layer. It is a very powerful layer.”

Trump fallout energizes mid-term elections

“It’s just been such a huge distraction … dealing with these legal attacks.”


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