January 29, 2022 - MN Spokesman-Recorder

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

Inside this Edition...

THE VOICE OF BLACK MINNESOTA SINCE 1934

January 27 - February 2, 2022

Vol. 88

Read more about ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’ on page 7.

www.spokesman-recorder.com

No. 26

Hennepin County workers refuse contract offers, threaten strike

By Henry Pan Contributing Writer

J

anay Fletcher was excited to join Hennepin County as an office support specialist in 2015, working with the human services department handling child protection cases. “I was excited to be part of something that I’ve heard so much about,” said Fletcher.

But she and her union, AFSCME Council 5 Local 2822, are about to go on strike come February 2. Fletcher makes

Wages and hazard pay at issue

$25 an hour, which she says isn’t enough to cover rent at her two-bedroom New Hope residence, utilities, and maintaining her car, in addition to caring for a young cousin. To make up for the difference, she works 20-30 hours a week at a Total Wine shop.

Even that’s hard to balance. “One of my coworkers, she is actually on maternity leave,” said Fletcher. “So I will have to commute [from New Hope] to Richfield to provide coverage. The Total Wine is in Maple Grove, so I’ll [then]

(l-r) Cassandra Hendricks, Ubah Sharif, and Brett Schlosser pose for a photograph after a picket sponsored by AFSCME Local 2822. The union may strike soon if they do not reach an agreement with Hennepin County.

Photo by Henry Pan

‘Chaotic’ COVID testing sites sued for ‘deceptive conduct’

By Feven Gerezgiher Contributing Writer Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced on January 19 a lawsuit against two Illinois-based COVID testing companies, the Center for COVID Control and its associated lab Doctors Clinical Laboratory, for “false and deceptive conduct.”

Numerous consumers reported the companies never sent test results, sent results far later than advertised, or sent false or inaccurate results to consumers.

In some instances, the Center for COVID Control sent negative results to people who never got tested, the lawsuit alleges.

“The Attorney General’s office is here to help protect Minnesotans from COVID-19…but also from false, inaccurate information, which will exacerbate the crisis,” said Ellison at the virtual press conference.

Minnesota has over 44,000 new positive COVID-19 cases from the holiday weekend, said Minnesota Department of Health Assistant Commissioner Dan Huff.

Not including at-home tests, the posi-

VP Harris addresses Black issues with Black Press

Vice President Kamala Harris

The Center for COVID Control testing site on Hiawatha Ave. in Minneapolis closed early following the announcement of nationwide closure. Residents and neighboring businesses described lines extending multiple storefronts along the strip mall.

Photo by Feven Gerezgiher tive rate for daily testing is the highest actions to limit the risk of transmission.

The Attorney General’s office seeks an since the pandemic began. Huff emphasized people knowing whether they effective injunction of the test companies ■ See COVID on page 5 are positive “empowers” them to take

have to commute back to Maple Grove.”

The pay is just one point of contention that Local 2822 and another union, AFSCME Council 5 Local 34, have with the County. The unions want more pay than what management is offering, which is a 2.5% wage increase per year over the next three years, plus an additional 3% for those who perform “satisfactorily,” as long as they are not at the wage ceiling.

Workers also want hazard pay, remote work pay, and guarantees for personal protective equipment. Both parties have been negotiating since June to no avail. The last contract expired at the end ■ See STRIKE on page 5

Photo courtesy of MGN

By Stacy Brown Contributing Writer

The vice president, who cut her teeth as a California prosecutor, state attorney general, and later as an influVice President Kamala Harris provided a message of ential U.S. senator, said that hope while striking an encour- despite many setbacks to votaging tone during a recent ing rights, she and the entire exclusive interview with the Biden-Harris administration ■ See VP on page 5 Black Press of America.

The day the Harlem Globetrotters dropped by

By Julie Gordon Contributing Writer

N

EARLY 70 YEARS

have passed, but the memory of the big, orange bus pulling up to the Williams’ Minneapolis home is clear as ever to Marietta, widow of former Harlem Globetrotters player Bob Williams.

“That bus seemed like it was half a block long.”

Turns out the team decided to give Bob a lift home after

playing doubleheaders for several days in Canada. “I remember how tired they all were sitting on the couch, floor, and all over our living room,” said Marietta.

Little did Marietta know, one of those players—Meadowlark Lemon—would eventually become a household name, inspiring thousands of young players. Known as the “Clown Prince,” Meadowlark was not only a master of trick shots, but also served as the heart of the ballclub, spreading joy and laughter, playing over 16,000 games for audiences around the globe.

Bob had some notoriety of his own, too. He was the first Black player to join the Minneapolis Lakers in 1955, and one of only seven Black players in the league.

At 6-foot-7, Bob was a dominant force on the court, ters. But off the court, things playing two seasons with the weren’t always as simple.

Lakers and the Globetrot- “There were still places he

Bob and Marietta Williams’ home in South Minneapolis Photo courtesy of Google Maps At left, Marietta and Bob Williams.

Above, Bob Williams’ original Harlem Globetrotters’ luggage, circa 1956 Photos courtesy of Marietta Williams except where noted

wouldn’t allow Bob to eat or their own neighborhood, the stay with his teammates.”

Williams dedicated their lives One incident, according to serving youth in their comto Marietta, occurred at an munity. They co-founded Felexclusive restaurant in India- lowship of Christian Athletes napolis, where the chef and for Minnesota, mentored and owner welcomed the team chaired the board at Hospitalbut pointed at Bob, saying the ity House for Innercity Boys “colored boy” needed to eat in and Girls Club, started the couldn’t go,” said Marietta. the kitchen.

Sabathani basketball team and Despite facing racism in co-founded the Twin Cities “It was 1955 after all, and many restaurants and hotels sports, business, and even in ■ See GLOBETROTTERS on page 5

2 January 27 - February 2, 2022

Opinion MLK was a great American patriot

By Tony Grant

Minority-rule filibuster must end now It has obstructed civil rights for more than a century

By Mary Turck The Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, passed

by House of Representatives on January 13, is held hostage today by the Senate filibuster threat—a disgraceful tactic that has repeatedly blocked voting rights, civil rights, and anti-lynching legislation for

dent Roosevelt backed away from the bill, saying, “If I come out for the antilynching bill now, they will block every bill I ask Congress to pass to keep America from collapsing. I just can’t take that chance.”

The final effort to pass an anti-lynching bill in 1939 also failed, with Senators giving in to the

All the way to the present day, the filibuster has blocked federal anti-lynching legislation. more than a century.

One hundred years ago, in 1922, a filibuster killed the Dyer Anti-Lynching Bill. In 1934, the CostiganWagner anti-lynching bill failed as “southern senators threatened to filibuster and the Democratic leadership refused to take up the bill for full debate.”

The bill was brought up again in 1935 and again blocked by a filibuster.

In the next Congress, 58 anti-lynching bills were introduced; one was passed by the House. Again, it was killed by a six-week filibuster of southern Democrats and Republicans. Notably, Republicans said they supported the bill but refused to vote for cloture. Presi-

mere threat of a filibuster. In 2019, the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act was blocked by a threat of a filibuster by a single Senator, Rand Paul. The bill was re-introduced in December 2021. \ That’s right: All the way to the present day, the filibuster has blocked federal anti-lynching legislation.

In 1891, the House of Representatives passed the Lodge Bill, which proposed protection against legislation in southern states to take away Black voting rights. A filibuster in the Senate killed the bill. Then Congress repealed the 1870s Enforcement Acts that had provided federal supervision of

state elections to protect Black voting rights.

The longest one-senator filibuster in history delayed, but did not ultimately stop, passage of the 1957 Civil Rights Bill.

The 1964 Civil Rights Act was met with a 60-day filibuster, but also eventually passed. A bi-partisan super-majority ended a filibuster of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. The filibuster is not part of the Constitution and was not even part of the original Senate rules.

Changes to the Senate rules, proposed by Vice President Aaron Burr in 1806, opened the door to the filibuster. Before that time, a simple majority vote could cut off debate and move a bill to a vote.

The change in rules meant the debate was unlimited—as long as Senators continued to debate, no bill could get to a vote. In 1917, the Senate passed the cloture rule, which allowed cutting off a filibuster by a two-thirds majority vote, and in 1975, the Senate reduced the number needed to 60 votes.

Both Democratic and Republican majorities in the Senate have tweaked the filibuster since then, exempting some nominations and legislation. Until the early 1970s, a filibuster required Senators actually speaking on the floor.

Now the mere threat of a filibuster can stop legislation.

The argument for the filibuster is the same as the argument against the filibuster: This tactic allows a minority, sometimes a very small minority, to block legislation that is supported by the majority.

It is time to end this minority-rule tactic that has been used to block civil rights legislation for more than 100 years and now threatens voting protections needed to preserve democracy and protect against the biggest internal threat to the nation since the Civil War. Mary Turck has published extensively as a journalist and has edited the Connection to the Americas and of the TC Daily Planet. Her website, maryturck.com, includes her literary and political blogs.

Was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. the right man at the right time with the right message for America? I believe he was!

He was a man who inspired people the world over with the simplicity and profundity of his message of equal rights for all. He taught that the most immediate way to achieve this was through nonviolent civil disobedience. It was a technique perfected by the great Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi.

For nearly two hundred years (1757-1947) India was Great Britain’s money-making machine, cash cow and goose that laid the golden egg. Britain derived millions of dollars yearly from her management of the country and was able to finance several of her colonial wars against other underdeveloped countries.

Utsa Patnaik, renowned Indian economist, has stated that every year during her imperial rule, the British government siphoned off more than 25-35% of the Indian government’s budget, which was close to $45 trillion in today’s money.

The writer Paul Scott wrote a novel entitled “The Jewel in the Crown,” noting just how economically important India was to the British empire.

It was just a few years before the rise of MLK that Mahatma Gandhi performed one of the great political acts in history by extricating India from the clutches of Great Britain. This was done without firing a shot. It was achieved primarily through the action of

nonviolent civil disobedience.

This was a feat so monumental it could only be compared to the Exodus, where Moses broke the will of Ramses II and led the Israelites out of bondage from Egypt and into the arms of the promised land.

Because MLK believed and preached that all people should have equal rights, he lived most of his adult life with an assassin’s target on his back and the backs of his wife and four little children.

On December 10, 1964, Martin Luther King was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace because of his nonviolent protest against bigotry and Jim Crow laws in America.

MLK was more than an American civil rights leader; he was a leader for minority people everywhere who felt disenfranchised or oppressed by the greater body of their fellows and governments. Moreover, in every way he was a man of the people. He marched on the streets with them, was beaten on the streets with them, and was arrested and jailed with them.

In fact, he was jailed more than 30 times for civil disobedience. His home had been bombed and his congregation repeatedly threatened; yet, he marched on. Amidst the chaos of a typical march, he could be seen arm in arm with his fellow marchers demanding equal rights to vote, an end to an unjust war and that garbage collectors be paid a livable wage. His moral compass always pointed towards the rights of the oppressed, the downtrodden and other for-

gotten citizens in our society.

MLK was a great American patriot because he believed in the promise of the American Dream. This is a concept shared by people the world over who would love to come to America and live the dream.

But the American Dream is just that, a concept, a great ideal not shared by all Americans. MLK emerged into the American consciousness in the mid-’50s and, until his assassination in 1968, preached that African Americans and other American minority groups should be invited to the table of plenty to enjoy full participation in the dream.

After all, they did participate in making the dream a material reality.

Was MLK the right man at the right time for the job?

During the 13 years of his civil rights ministry to America, arguably, African Americans made more progress in civil rights than in the previous 350 years combined.

As the world stood by and watched in wonder, MLK, through skillful political negotiations, organizational genius, eloquent oratorical skills, and soaring rhetoric made his messages palatable to a resistant majority. In one of his speeches, MLK reminded us: “We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice.”

He was indisputably the right man, with the right message, at the right time!

Tony Grant writes occasional commentary.

Listen for the silent ‘White’

By Oscar H. Blayton On a recent Sunday broadcast of NBC’s “Meet the Press,” viewers witnessed a classic example of the decoupling of people of color from notions of America. The program’s White host, Chuck Todd, had as his guest Pulitzer Prizewinning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones to talk about conservatives’ latest manufactured bogeyman, critical race theory.

In framing a question to his guest, Todd stated in part, “Parents are saying, ‘Hey, don’t make my kid feel guilty,’” and then said, “And I know a parent of color is going, ‘What are you talking about? You know, I’ve got to teach reality.’”

Ms. Hannah-Jones was quick to pick up the skewed mindset of the host and brought it to his attention.

“Well, I think you should think just a little bit about your framing… You said ‘parents,’ and then you said, ‘parents of color.’ So, the ‘White’ is silent,” she told him.

Continuing, she pointed out, “As a matter of fact, White parents are representing fewer than half of all public school parents... And yet, they have an outsized voice in this debate.”

Chuck Todd made a feeble attempt to walk back his racially tone-deaf comment, but it was clear that his personal frame of reference “othered” parents of color and centered Whiteness in the American narrative.

It seemed clear that to Todd, like to so many other

White Americans, “American” means “White American” and the “White” is silent.

In our use of language, when an element is silent, we may not pronounce it but it is there just the same. And in the normative concept of America, Whiteness is always there, even when it is not pronounced. Thought leaders in this country need to ask why,

man was bound to recognize, according to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Roger Taney in the Dred Scott decision.

But over the course of time, with the rise of new nations in Africa, Asia and elsewhere, Whites had to tamp down their hubris and arrogance in order to enjoy the benefits of a new global economy. “White” had to be-

Our anger towards each other reveals how much each of us cares about our country and its future. when Whiteness is almost always present in so many American conflicts, it is silent in the related conversations?

Never does an election cycle go by without political pundits commenting on the voting patterns of “suburban moms,” although those patterns may be the exact opposite of the voting patterns of Black mothers living in the suburbs. “Suburban moms” is a term used in a way that erases the presence of Black voters and centers the focus on whiteness.

We now have the ubiquitous silent “White” because in years past the White Supremacists who set many of the norms under which we struggle today clearly articulated a preference for Whites to reap the lion’s share of what this world had to offer. There was no necessity for them to dissemble on this point because Black folk and other people of color had no rights the White

come an unspoken and unwritten inference.

But while “White” had to become silent due to social pressure, the logic of the silent “White” underpinning the expressions remained written in the continuing effects of White Supremacy. And therein lies the root of the logical disconnect.

Pundits don’t say “White suburban moms,” and Chuck Todd did not say “White parents” that Sunday morning.

But its presence is loud and clear. We must listen critically to what is being said with the understanding of what is meant by the silent “White” in statements. And we must let this understanding inform our actions.

Oscar H. Blayton is a former Marine Corps combat pilot and human rights activist who practices law in Virginia. His earlier commentaries may be found at oblayton1.medium.com.

Health & Wellness

January 27 - February 2, 2022

3

‘Please tell everyone how important it is to get vaccinated’

A COVID update in honor of the late Mel Reeves for your good health

By Charles Crutchfield III, MD and Charles Crutchfield IV Guest Contributors This week Dr. Charles E. Crutchfield III’s son Charles E. Crutchfield IV interviews his father for the MSR on the most recent COVID-19 developments.

MSR: What is the main message about COVID that you want to share with the readers?

CC: Dying from COVID is now optional. Get vaccinated and boosted today; 99% of people who die from COVID are not vaccinated.

MSR: Why is this message so important?

CC: It was the last assignment I got from my good friend and MSR editor Mel Reeves before he died from COVID. He asked me to write a special column: “Please tell everyone how important it is to get vaccinated.”

We spoke by telephone from his hospital bed as he struggled to breathe. He told me that he hoped that my words would give more credibility to the vaccination efforts as a physician. Finally, he told me to have my son interview me for this column.

MSR: In your opinion, why are people, especially People of Color, reluctant to get vaccinated?

CC: It is indeed a problem in the Black, Indigenous, Latino, Somali, Hmong, and other communities of color. For example, there have been over

one million COVID cases and over 11,000 deaths in Minnesota. People-of-Color have higher death rates.

Although admirable, only 51% of Blacks in Minnesota have been fully vaccinated and boosted. There is a lot of misinformation out there, but in my experience, after having many in-depth discussions with my patients, I find the genuine reason to be fear, the absolute fear of having something unknown and foreign injected into them when they feel fine.

This, to me, makes sense.

The key is to determine the best way to overcome this fear by educating them on the risks and benefits of not getting vaccinated.

for those under age five soon.

Vaccination is the most important public health action that we can take to end the COVID-19 pandemic.

MSR: Are COVID vaccines safe and effective?

CC: The technology used to produce the mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) has been in development for over 15 years. The current mRNA vaccines are safe and effective, especially in preventing severe illness and death.

From December 2020 to December 2021, just under 500 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the U.S. with an excellent safety profile.

However, 99% of people who die from COVID are not vaccinated. This speaks volumes about the effectiveness of the vaccines.

MSR: There still seems to be misinformation about COVID vaccines. Any comments about this?

CC: Yes. The vaccines do not cause infertility, do not contain microchips, are not activated by 5G, will not alter your DNA, don’t contain latex or preservatives, and do not contain any live virus.

MSR: How do the vaccines work?

CC: The Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are MSR: Who should get vacmessenger RNA (mRNA) vaccinated? cines.

They are now the preCC: Everyone who is five ferred vaccines. years of age and older should mRNA vaccines cause cells get vaccinated. to make a harmless piece This includes women who of the outer surface of COare pregnant, women who VID-19.

Our immune system have recently been pregnant, will then recognize this proand women who are nursing. tein piece and block infecRemember, you should get tions from the virus with the vaccinated as soon as possible protein piece in the future. to protect yourself, your family, and your loved ones from MSR: Why should people becoming seriously ill from get vaccinated with new variCOVID. Getting vaccinated ants like omicron appearing? may not completely prevent CC: This is precisely why you from getting COVID, but we need to vaccinate. The it will keep you from dying. only way for a new variant to Unfortunately, 99% of those spread is to transmit to other who die are NOT VACCINATpeople.

If we block transmisED. Also, vaccinated people sion through vaccination, we shed the virus less, protecting block new variants from dethose around them. Hopefully, veloping. Additionally, vacthe FDA will approve vaccines cines still provide excellent

side effects that can cause death in the first place. It is like saying, why wear safety equipment if we can put a MSR: Can people get the cast on a broken arm? Let’s flu vaccine and the COVID focus on keeping the arm vaccine at the same time? from getting broken.

CC: Yes. Get each in separate arms or in the same arm, MSR: Should immunothree inches apart. compromised people get MSR: Should someone get vaccinated?

CC: Yes. Immunocomprovaccinated even if they have mised people will need an already had COVID-19? extra vaccination.

In addition, CC: Absolutely. Research there are other medications has shown that immunity in a person with COVID falls like Evusheld that can be used. remarkably at 90 days. There- Check with your doctor for fore, most people with COVID details. should get vaccinated at day MSR: What should people 90. Some doctors are even expect when they get vaccirecommending a vaccination nated? at 30 or 60 days.

CC: Many people who get vaccinated feel just fine.

MSR: Do vaccinated peoSome will experience a mildly ple need a booster? sore arm at the injection site.

CC: Indeed. Without a About 50% of people will exbooster, the protection from perience cold/flu-like sympthe original vaccine drops very, toms that last 1-3 days. very low. Getting a booster is essential for continued proMSR: If a person gets vactection. In the future, we will cinated, do they still need to not even call it a booster. It wear a mask? will become part of the recCC: Yes. Preferably, wear ommended series. At this time, a KN95 of N95 Mask. After almost everyone over age 12 vaccination, masks are the should get a booster. second-most important thing MSR: I hear there are new that we can do to break this medicines to treat COVID. pandemic. To see a video that Why should anyone get vac- shows the protective value of cinated if they can just take maks, published in the New medication if they get CO- England Journal of medicine, watch this: https://www.

VID? CC: Great question. As a nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/ doctor, this is just one more NEJMc2007800. tool to fight COVID. The key MSR: What final points do is to prevent getting COVID, or COVID with devastating you want to leave with the and partial protection against the new variants.

readers?

• Dying from COVID is now optional.

• Get vaccinated and/or boosted today.

• Vaccination is the most important public health action that we can do to end the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Vaccinations are not effective without boosters.

• If you need spiritual advice, talk to your minister.

If you need medical advice about getting vaccinated, talk to your doctor and pharmacist.

• Continue to wear KN95 or N95 masks.

• Maintain social distances.

• Wash your hands appropriately (sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice).

• If you are sick, stay home and get tested.

• If you are unsure about getting vaccinated or need more information, visit the informational page: CrutchfieldDermatology.com/COVID. MSR: How does someone locate a vaccination center?

CC: Crutchfield Dermatology is offering free vaccinations. Call 651-209-3600 for an appointment. Also, to find a free COVID-19 vaccine near you visit vaccines.gov.

Charles E. Crutchfield IV is a senior at Saint Thomas Academy High School. He is an academic Eagle award (GPA 4.0) recipient. He is the president of the Martin Luther King Society.

He enjoys baseball and basketball and is currently exploring several college options.

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4 January 27 - February 2, 2022

Metro Uncleared sidewalks endanger pedestrians

The mobility impaired are especially vulnerable

By Henry Pan Contributing Writer Tommy Sar has muscular dystrophy, which has rendered him wheelchairbound much of his life. In the winter he becomes a shut-in, but not by choice.

Once it begins to snow, some sidewalks remain full of it, making it challenging for people like Sar, who uses an electric wheelchair to do his job and get around. “I have to do community engagement, so I do have to go to off-site events, but if I can’t make it, then I’m not going.

“I can’t do it. Somebody else has to do it for me,” said Sar, as he wandered the sidewalks near his apartment building in downtown St. Paul after a major snowfall in December. “Once it

eventually got stuck twice, once just as we were about to cross the street and again on the Green Line tracks.

Sidewalk removal policies differ across the metro.

Some communities have their workers remove snow from the sidewalks, but both Minneapolis and St. Paul put the onus on property owners. Sometimes owners completely clear the sidewalk in front of their properties. Other times they may let the snow melt and refreeze, leaving people to slip and slide through it.

Some believe the cities should take on snow shoveling, especially if they want to ensure everyone can get around by walking during the winter. Others believe owners should take matters into their own hands and do the work in community with

Tommy Sar crosses Green Line tracks on his wheelchair. Sidewalks and walking paths filled with snow create hazards for those with limited mobility like Sar. snows, I’m a hermit. I can’t others.

In St. Paul, property ownreally do much [of] anything.”

As we walked, Sar began ers and managers have 24 slipping on the snow and hours after a snowfall to

clear their sidewalks. Minneapolis also has the 24-hour rule, but only for singlefamily homes and duplexes.

Every other property owner has four hours between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm to do so. For example, if snow stops falling at 10 pm on day 1, the property owners have until noon the next day to remove snow from their sidewalk.

Those in Minneapolis who don’t remove snow from their sidewalks will receive a warning, which often comes from random inspections, particularly for those who have shown a tendency to not clear their sidewalks, as well as based on complaints submitted through 311.

If the sidewalk still isn’t cleared three days after a warning has been issued, crews contracted by the City will do it for them, for a fee of $239. If that fee goes unpaid, it will be tacked onto their property taxes.

Minneapolis does remove snow from some of its sidewalk areas. It does so where two sidewalks meet in a corner of an intersection, prioritizing streets identified in its transportation action plan approved in late 2020. Priorities include every downtown Minneapolis street except for Harmon Place, as well as Chicago Avenue, Lake Street, West Broadway and Central Avenue.

“We kind of already have a set of [pedestrian priority] corridors that we use when the City goes in, clears the sidewalk corners when plows create piles of snow at the corners of sidewalks.

The property owners aren’t responsible for that,” said Mike Kennedy, director of transportation maintenance and repair at Minneapolis

IN LOVING MEMORY of

Miata Fanti Smith Sunrise, December 3, 1993 – Sunset, January 13, 2022 A life so beautifully lived deserves to be beautifully remembered.

We mourn her death yet celebrate and remember her beautiful life.

Miata is survived by her parents Frank Henry Smith, II, and Munah Wotorson-Smith; sister Malaika Smith; grandparents Honorable and Mrs. Cletus Wotorson, and an amazing community of family, god-family, and friends.

The Memorial Celebration Service will take place on Friday, February 18, 2022, at 11am CST, at Waite Park Wesleyan Church, 1510 33rd Ave. N.E., Minneapolis, MN, 55418.

It is with sweet sorrow that we announce the death of Miata Fanti Smith, who surrounded by family, gained her heavenly dancing wings on Thursday, January 13, 2022.

Miata was an incredible young woman whose vibrancy and joy in life was a direct testament of God’s miraculous power, faithfulness, and resilience. She was loved by everyone whose path she crossed, and her legacy of strength, faith, and fight is immeasurable.

In-person attendance requires a negative COVID-19 test result (within 72 hours of service) and masks must be worn during the service. The service will be live streamed @ www. youtube.com/crossculturecommunitychurch.

Click subscribe and the bell to turn on notifications beforehand. Otherwise, you can go to the page at the time of the memorial and look for the lives-stream tab to see the video when it is live.

For more info, contact Snoti Wotorson at 763-347-9064, Sawie Nebo at 651-276-6503, or Kecia Sinkfield Harden at 651-263-6113.

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder January 27 - February 2, 2022

Department of Public Works.

As we walked around in St. Paul, Sar pointed out an unplowed sidewalk corner that covered up a ramp to the street. Trying to cross the street could mean tipping over face first onto the pavement. As winter progresses, City crews plowing the streets push the snow adjacent to the sidewalk, creating huge snowbanks that block the crosswalks. “I can’t get off the sidewalk or get on the sidewalk either,” said a frustrated Sar. Sometimes St. Paul crews will clear the corners. Otherwise, it’s up to the property owners.

The Federal Highway Administration believes the Americans with Disabilities Act requires communities to put in so-called reasonable efforts to keep sidewalks accessible to those with disabilities throughout the year, which includes keeping them free of snow as much as possible.

Both Minneapolis and St. Paul, in their ADA transition plans passed in 2020 and 2016 respectively, consider their existing policies to be good enough. St. Paul in their transportation action plan pledges to educate property owners more, while Minneapolis plans to devote more funding to clear sidewalk corners and consider requiring faster removal times, clearing sidewalks for property owners who won’t do it without warning, as well as taking on snow removal on so-called pedestrian priority streets.

Our Streets Minneapolis, a local transportation advocacy organization, has been pushing the City to remove sidewalk snow. This year, they plan to ask the City to fund those efforts on pedestrian-priority streets next year.

Having the cities remove snow on all of their sidewalks is challenging, with 2,000 miles of sidewalk in Minneapolis alone. Kennedy estimated in a 2018 presentation to the Minneapolis Transportation and Public Works Committee that removing sidewalk snow could cost the City anywhere from $4.5 million if done only during snow emergencies to $20 million if the City did it every time it snowed.

Heather Worthington, who has experience as a city manager and was planning director for the city of Minneapolis until the pandemic began, says municipal snow removal is expensive and infeasible, and that we all have to do our part. “I think it makes more sense for us individually to take responsibility for that 40 feet in front of our house, or if we live on a corner, that 150 feet, and go out and shovel that and help our neighbors who can’t do it, rather than to say to the City add one more service that we’re gonna have to pay more money for,” said Worthington.

To help those who are unable to clear their own sidewalks in the Hamline-Mid-

Ashley Asmus (f) demonstrates the snowblower her neighbors collectively purchased, as Mauricio Ochoa, a neighbor of Asmus, looks on.

Photos by Henry Pan way neighborhood where Worthington lives, she worked with Abu Nayeem, a local community organizer, to start a Facebook group called Midway Snow Angels shortly after the pandemic began.

“A lot of times it’s because there’s a physical limitation, or they’re elderly. We even had a request earlier this week from a woman who’s pregnant and just can’t [shovel] right now,” said Worthington about who the group has helped in the past. As of January 21, the Facebook group has 169 members. Those who do not

are safe when getting from Point A to Point B,” said public works director Chris Link in a statement.

Metro Transit does not have the resources to remove snow from all of its bus stops throughout the region and relies heavily on local communities to do so.

They prioritize clearing their operations facilities, moving on to high-ridership transit stops and facilities, stops where those with limited mobility tend to board, and stops with transit shelters.

Meanwhile, the State is working to make walking better year-round. The

“Once it snows, I’m a hermit.

I can’t really do much of anything.” have access to Facebook can reach out to the neighborhood association to get in touch.

In the same neighborhood, five neighbors on Charles Avenue, near Hamline Avenue, banded together to buy an electric snowblower because they believe in the importance of keeping sidewalks cleared.

“It’s ridiculous for one person in this neighborhood to own a snowblower,” said Ashley Asmus, a data scientist who led neighbors in buying a communal snowblower. “Our lots are barely 5,000 square feet. People already unofficially share their snowblowers, clearing more than just their strip of sidewalk. Why not extend that to co-ownership?”

Still other communities in the Twin Cities have taken on sidewalk snow clearing.

Richfield, immediately south of Minneapolis, has handled all residential snow shoveling since the 1980s. Not only does the City see it as a public good, but the fact that Richfield doesn’t have a lot of sidewalks makes the task relatively easy to accomplish.

“Richfield has always had a high number of residents that rely on bus travel, so we want to [do] everything we can to make sure they

Minnesota Department of Transportation released its first-ever pedestrian system plan last May, which pledges to better support local communities in removing snow from places where people bike and walk. “MnDOT only has jurisdiction over our own infrastructure and right-of-way, but we are also seeking more ways to be supportive of local agencies,” said spokesperson Jake Loesch.

MnDOT also plans to review and refine agreements with Twin Cities-area communities to better coordinate sidewalk snow removal resources. Although MnDOT has put the onus on local governments to remove the snow, it’s unclear if they will be able to use funds passed—but not yet allocated—in the Infrastructure Bill to do so.

At the end of our walk, Sar said what would help him get around best is simply this: “Do your part. Just clear out your sidewalk.”

Those who cannot afford to do so can call 311 in their city of residence, or connect with the Minnesota Disability Hub for a list of resources that could help.

Henry Pan welcomes reader response to hpan0003@ gmail.com.

January 27 - February 2, 2022

Strike Continued from page 1

of December. If ever ratified, the increases would not take effect retroactively.

The contract covers close to 40% of the County’s 9,000-person workforce and includes library associates; workers who handle food stamps, healthcare and cash benefits, drivers’ licenses, marriage licenses, and vehicle tabs; those who provide customer service for the County’s public healthcare plan; and those who manage sheriffs’ records, to name a few.

The County appears committed to the 2.5% annual wage increases over the life of the contract, regardless of inflation. “Five other units [representing probation officers, corrections officers, and librarians] face the same inflation and the same varying level of employees at the max and not getting market adjustments, and they still ratified,”

Covid Continued from page 1

said county spokesperson Carolyn Marinan in an e-mail.

Marinan said the wage increases for those not at max pay caught up with inflation because they performed.

“There have been many recent years when we gave 2.5% when inflation was zero. We haven’t seen a total [public sector contract] package offer higher than ours [in the state].”

Workers represented by the union in 2019 made anywhere from $15.84 an hour

for its jobs. While the minimum wage is not indexed to inflation, the County’s human resources director can consider employment and economic conditions in deciding when to raise it, and the County says it will increase as part of a ratified agreement.

Cassandra Hendricks works as an associate librarian at the County’s Washburn branch on Lyndale Avenue. She decried the proposed wage increase, saying what she is now and

of the pandemic this whole time, and been in [the] building, and yeah, [we] want to be paid fairly for the work that we’ve been doing.”

The proposed pay raise is also not enough for the expenses she has to pay, which include rent and student loans for her library science graduate work. The starting pay for the position is the same as a teen specialist, at $20 per hour. Teen specialists, however, only work up to

“We’ve been on the front lines of the pandemic this whole time, and we want to be paid fairly for the work that we’ve been doing.” for a sheriffs’ records clerk trainee to $19.78 an hour for someone who interprets convoluted legal property descriptions. Those positions topped off at $23.63 and $29.91 an hour, respectively.

Last March, starting wages for every classification represented by the union was bumped up to $20 an hour when the County board increased the minimum wage

will be paid is not enough for the work she is doing, which includes creating and running programs such as curbside pickup, culling and sorting books, as well as staffing the entire library at times.

“I was hired into an understaffed workplace and have only seen it get worse in the two years I’ve worked in the library,” said Hendricks. “So we’ve been on the front lines

“Free COVID Testing” on Google.

Thursday evening, before the site’s closure, people—mostly People of Color or with small children—crowded in a line out the door of the small basement room serving as a testing site on St. Paul’s East Side.

At the Hiawatha location, lines are frequently long with little social distancing, according to Ausdel Carrera, an employee at the neighboring strip mall business.

With test appointments elsewhere filling up, the Hiawatha testing site seemed an attractive option to Minneapolis resident Julie F. (who asked that her last name be withheld). Yet when she arrived, she faced a line down the

that already do not have a certificate of authority to transact business in Minnesota. It also seeks restitution for Minnesota consumers who suffered out-of-pocket losses.

The Center for COVID Control has moved to temporarily close its more than 300 testing sites across the country, eight of which exist in Minnesota, following increased media coverage and consumer criticism earlier this month.

“Regrettably, due to our rapid growth and the unprecedented recent demand for testing, we haven’t been able to meet all our commitments,” wrote founder and CEO Aleya Siyaj in a press release on Jan. 13.

The Center said it would use the week-long closure to train staff and “ensure compliance with regulatory guidelines.” The company had sidewalk and an unclear process.

“It seemed like a very hectic time. It was planned to reopen on Saturday, Jan. 22, but has since extended its pause and will be closed on probably one of the busiest days that I’ve seen yet. The staff seemed sort of frantic trying “until further notice.” to keep it together,” she said. Julie added that customer service was slow to respond with “Hectic” test sites “Free COVID Testing Center, no appoint- her test result, which would arrive later than ment or health insurance needed” read signs at expected.

Mostly, she is concerned about the use of Center for COVID Control pop-up testing sites.

The Twin Cities locations are simply named her data. The testing company requires those

12 hours per week.

The proposed contract increases the wage ceiling for most represented positions.

But the floor for most entrylevel positions will remain where they are, unlike the more senior-level positions, possibly making it harder for those new to the County to achieve the highest pay grade in their position, depending on how long they are in it.

Take the human service representatives, who handle food stamps, for example: The starting wage for a junior-level position in 2021 is $20.27 per hour, which will not change in the proposed contract. However, the top pay will change from $27.37 per hour to $29.58 per hour. The seniorlevel human service representatives will see their starting wage change from $20 per hour to $23.76 per hour, with the ceiling increased from $34.75 per hour to $35.93 per hour.

Another point of contention is hazard pay. The County is offering a one-time $500 payment to all of its workers, including workers they hire in the coming years into remote and hybrid positions. This is not enough for Fletcher, who said she is not being compensated for using her home as a workplace for the County.

“More of a payment that I would like to see…let’s go with a $3,000 hazard pay stipend.

You know, let’s go with $1,000 lump sum for remote workers, and $100 monthly stipend after that,” said Fletcher.

being tested to upload photos of their driver’s licenses to access testing.

False results The Attorney General’s lawsuit claims the Center for COVID Control has billed private insurers and the federal government for reimbursements. Doctors Clinical Laboratory billed the federal government $113 million, according to the lawsuit.

Edward Hugener reported the Center for COVID Control to the Attorney General after he and his daughter received negative results without being tested. He noted a scenario similar to that of Julie F. upon arrival and, finding it “shady,” opted to test at the airport.

“The staff seemed sort of frantic trying to keep it together.”

VP

Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote measure, Vice President Harris declined to place Continued from page 1 blame alone on those renegade party members.

“We have a fight in front of us. I will emphasize that there also are haven’t stopped and won’t stop 50 Republicans who took an oath to fighting.

“I will tell you that I gave a speech support and defend the Constitution,” with President Biden at Morehouse she remarked.

“I’m not prepared to absolve them College, and afterward, I had a quiet visit with Ambassador Andrew Young of their responsibility to stand in the because I was looking to him for shoes and in the legacy of the Repubinspiration,” Vice President Harris licans who, in 2006 in that chamber told the gathering of publishers and journalists from the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA).

“Based on what history has taught us, Ambassador Young said in a nutshell that freedom is a constant struggle, the vice president asserted.

“But we don’t give up. That’s where I in the U.S. Senate, voted 98-0 in am. I’m not giving up.”

She continued: “We are going to favor of the extension to the Voting keep on. This is a movement for vot- Rights Act. “Let us be clear about the challenge ing rights. Coretta Scott King said the fight must be fought and won with here and who the protagonists and each generation. This is certainly a the antagonists are. The bottom line moment that we should not have to is that we must march on and fight be in, which is fighting against bla- on. It’s not new to us. We can’t be tant laws that are designed to target tired even though we are frustrated, specific communities that obstruct and yes, disappointed, if not angered that we’re continuing to have this access to the ballot box.”

Harris offered that she’s leaned fight.”

In the news she provided excluon “folks from every walk of life.”

She declared that all must remain sively to the Black Press, Vice purposely intentional and optimistic. President Harris announced the first With Democrat Sens. Joe Manchin National Roadway Safety Strategy. of West Virginia and Krysten Sinema “It’s about putting $6 billion into state of Arizona dealing death blows to and local government to improve any hopes of passing the John Lewis safety on the roads,” Vice President

Hugener had filled out the online form at Center for COVID Control, however, and received notice of negative results even though he didn’t get tested there. The emailed results for his daughter also listed her as being tested at a time when she would have been in school.

An employee at the Center for COVID Control St. Paul testing site attested there have not been similar claims at her site where she’s worked for the past month. She attributes

Harris pronounced.

“It’s about funding for local communities for better streetlights, ensuring crosswalks are safe. We’re talking about the elderly, the mother with the stroller, the father with the stroller—people given enough time to cross the street. It’s a very big thing when you talk about the quality of life and when you live in communities where they rely on public streets to walk to church, to get the kids to school, to get them to the bus stop.”

Vice President Harris noted that

“The bottom line is that we must march on and fight on.” her first year in office had kept her busy. She has met with heads of state, prime ministers, and other dignitaries.

“I hosted at the vice president’s residence [former German Chancellor] Angela Merkle, and while talking about China and Russia, she asked, ‘What is going on with voting in America?’”

“We as Americans are about to take ourselves off the map as a role model for what democracy should be… It has a direct connection to our standing around the world. We lose our legitimacy. [Voting rights] is a domestic issue, but it will impact our standing in the world,” she said.

5

Workers think the County has the money to provide them with hazard pay, in part because County buildings have seen less use as work from home increased. “So the County’s got this extra money from that,” said James Leonardo, a librarian at Hosmer Library in South Minneapolis.

As for protective equipment, the County recently ordered 50,000 KN95 masks for their workers but say they are unable to contractually commit to PPE because of ongoing supply chain issues.

Leonardo hopes that they will get what they want from the County owing to the work that they’ve done so far during the pandemic.

“This isn’t just a library. This is, you know, teachers, nurses, all the frontline staff, the people working in the grocery store, all the folks who are coming in. We’re keeping everything going right now,” said Leonardo.

Henry Pan welcomes reader responses to hpan0003@gmail. com.

consumer claims and frustrations about delays in processing and errors to a reset in the company’s system.

However, the Attorney General’s office says former employees reached out and described the Illinois lab as “chaotic.” With increasing testing—up to 10,000 samples arriving daily for two fridges—test samples were collected in garbage bags. They were stored throughout the labs in an unorganized fashion so they could not be processed effectively.

Minnesota consumers and former workers are encouraged by the Attorney General’s office to report their concerns with the Center for COVID Control and Doctors Clinical Laboratory, including inaccurate reporting or failure to receive test results by submitting a complaint at www.ag.state.mn.us/Office/Complaint.asp or by calling the Attorney General’s Office at 651-296-3353 (Metro) or 800-6573787 (Greater Minnesota) or 800-627-3529 (Minnesota Relay).

To find reputable testing sites, the Federal Trade Commission recommends consumers go to places referred to by their doctor or check the Minnesota COVID-19 Response site at mn.gov/covid19/get-tested/testing-locations/ index.jsp.

Feven Gerezgiher welcomes reader responses to tips@feven.net.

When discussing the administration’s success, Vice President Harris noted the massive bipartisan Infrastructure Bill that passed last year. She pointed out that the bill contains significant funding for public transportation, a vital issue for people of color and the poor. “African American workers are four times more likely to take public transit than White workers.

“If we’re not putting funding in public transportation—$90 billion specifically—it means that if you miss your bus, you might lose an hour waiting for the next, and you could lose your job. So, it’s a big deal.”

She noted that the bill funds broadband in areas where none exists and many find it hard to afford.

Additionally, the infrastructure bill removes lead pipes and lead from paint, a serious problem facing many African American and low-income households.

“One of the things I’m so proud of is to put the issue of Black maternal mortality on stage at the White House,” Vice President Harris told the NNPA. “Black women are three times more likely to die from childbirth, and that’s a function of several things including racial bias in the medical health system.”

She said she intentionally put training at the top of the list. “The training community would be doulas and midwives who understand and know communities and who will give dignity to the families they serve,” Vice President Harris said.

“Another issue that disproportionately affects African American women is fibroids. Again, I’m talking fibroids inside the White House and what we need to do to address particular health needs of Black women in connection to what they do as wives, mothers, grandmothers, and leaders in the community.”

Stacy M. Brown is the NNPA Newswire senior national correspondent.

This story was republished with permission from NNPA Newswire.

Globetrotters Continued from page 1

Camping Club—all while raising five children of their own.

So how did that visit end with the Globetrotters? Just like any other would at the Williams’ house—with a Southern-style dinner of roasted chicken, greens, peach cobbler and pound cake.

That orange bus drove away into the night refueled with love and carrying a well-fed basketball team ready to change the world.

Julie Gordon welcomes reader responses to jgordon@spokesmanrecorder.com.

6 January 27 - February 2, 2022

Seward Pharmacy Black Business SPOTLIGHT

Business Community-based pharmacy aims to ‘make a difference’

By Ashley Lauren Contributing Writer “Before we opened the door it took us almost a year to do research, so opening a pharmacy was a long road,” said Elias Usso of his journey to open Seward Pharmacy in South Minneapolis.

“I’m a pharmacist,” Usso said, “and I graduated from California Northstate in Sacramento.

I went to school there, finished my school in 2014, and I got my license there,” he said.

“I consider [Minnesota] home,” he added, “but I lived most of my life in Atlanta, Georgia.” Usso came to Minnesota in 2015. Four years later, in 2019, he established the local pharmacy. He is the “pharmacist in charge” at his business, but “I have a pharmacist that currently helps us,” Usso said.

Usso explained how the business started. “I was thinking about business even when I was in school, and I felt like I could provide a much better service than Walgreens or CVS would’ve given to our community.”

Opening a new pharmacy was challenging. Usso elaborated on his entrepreneurial struggles: “We had to apply for a loan, do a lot of research,” he said.

“I’ve never had a business in my past, neither has my wife— so, the most difficult part was all of the insurance and the finance part.” Fortunately, he was able to secure proper funding to start the business.

Important to note, he said,

Elias Usso is that “The mission and purpose in the community is to help out as much as we can— provide something better, something more reasonable that is affordable to our patients, our community, [and] access to medicine.”

Customers can expect “the best service” Usso said. “We also do free COVID tests. We have folks that are doing the COVID testing—and the pharmacy doesn’t operate the COVID testing part, we just give them the space,” he explained.

Usso emphasized, “We’re taking a risk—but there’s a lot that we’re doing that makes a huge difference in our community day to day.” The pharmacy serves “over 50 patients a day for COVID tests alone,” Usso said.

The pharmacy is geared toward manifesting positive change in the community and

Submitted photo

enhancing the quality of life for its customers. “We hope that we do our best continuously, and hope that our patients, our neighbors will be there for us too,” Usso said.

“We want to welcome them [customers] to come, bring your prescriptions, shop from us. This is your pharmacy, that’s the idea—this is a homegrown business.”

Operating a pharmacy requires hard work and passion.

Over the last two years, the business has faced trials and tribulations since the peak of COVID and civil unrest deriving from the death of George Floyd. “It was a very emotional time,” Usso recalled.

Although there may be unexpected and challenging times in business, the owner said he stays focused on living with purpose. When asked

what motivates him every day, he said, “Every day of course my family, and making sure that I do my best every day.”

Asked about the most rewarding aspect of running his business, Usso said, “Any day when I go there and I see that I help my patients, especially those who need the most help.

I make a difference—that’s the biggest rewarding part of my life in this business that I’m in.”

Unlike corporate entities, “We’re local—minority owned. You don’t find that a lot,” Usso said. As a result, customers receive more one-on-one attention and exemplary customer service.

Of the difficulties he’s encountered in operating the pharmacy, Usso disclosed, “Billing and insurance is the most challenging. They may not reimburse you how you’re supposed to be reimbursed.”

Despite those struggles, the owner remains focused on meeting the needs of patients.

When asked about the keys to success, he said, “Know what you want. Execute that interest. In any business acumen you have to be a risk-taker.” Most importantly, You gotta have passion for what you’re doing, and that’s the main part.”

Usso shared advice for youthful and upcoming entrepreneurs: “Pick out what you’re interested in. Don’t be afraid. Try it and give it your best shot—you have to put forth full effort to see a result.

“It requires a little extra push, but anything is possible

Elias Usso and wife for young folks. There’s a lot of opportunity out there.”

Usso added, “I want the public to know that Seward Pharmacy is a communitybased pharmacy. We make an effort to eradicate COVID.” Customers can stop by the pharmacy to get vaccinated every Wednesday. If anyone has difficulty getting to the vaccination site, they will

Submitted photo

come to your home. There’s free delivery, too.

Seward Pharmacy is located at 2209 East Lake Street in Minneapolis. For more information, visit www.sewardpharmacy.com or call 612-444-3530.

Ashley Lauren welcomes reader responses to alauren@ spokesman-recorder.com.

Top 10 tips for financial security in 2022 Sponsored Content By:

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from 1926 to 1976.

Diversify your holdings Diversification is an essential principle in finance because money is spread out between different kinds of investments or accounts. This protects the assets if some kind of market turbulence hits one type of investment and not others. Some investments, such as U.S. Treasury bonds, are considered safer than others.

your best to pay off your credit cards monthly to avoid racking up large balances.

Speak to a financial planner Planning for your financial future can be tricky. If you can, try finding a financial planner you trust to help you make informed decisions and educate you on all your options. These professionals are trained to help you understand your money and help you make choices, but do your research and make sure you’re choosing one who

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Arts & Culture

January 27 - February 2, 2022

7

M OV I E R E V I E W

‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’:

A masterful, mesmerizing retelling

By Dwight Brown NNPA News Wire Film Critic

“The Tragedy of Macbeth” was theatrically released nationwide in 2021 and is now streaming on AppleTV+.

Watch this work of art on a TV screen and you’ll likely agree that last year’s “Best Film” is this year’s masterpiece.

Joel Coen (“O, Brother, Where Art Thou”) has created a magnum opus that sets a high bar few other films vying for annual awards will ever reach. He reinterprets one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays, “Macbeth,” keeping the most pivotal parts and accentuating subplots and characters at will.

Some potential viewers may have forgotten the crux of the plotting, but not the most famous lines: “Double, double toil and trouble;” “What’s done cannot be undone.”

Scottish general Macbeth (Denzel Washington) Photos and poster courtesy of AppleTV+ is warned by three witches (Kathryn Hunter) that some- rent king, becomes the new greed, deception and ruthday he’ll be king. Heeding that ruler, and murders more peo- lessness mirror the U.S.’s recent political spectrum and should enthrall audiences with its timeliness.

This film is shot in stunning black and white (cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel, Harry Potter and the “HalfBlood Prince”) with the most arresting production design prophecy and egged on by his ple during his uncontrollable (Stefan Dechant, “Avatar”), art direction (Jason T. Clark, ambitious wife Lady Macbeth fits of paranoia.

A rebellion erupts, aiming “Black Panther”), set decora(Frances McDormand), the impatient officer kills the cur- to overthrow him. Themes of tion (Nancy Haigh, “Barton

“Themes of greed, deception and ruthlessness mirror the U.S.’s recent political spectrum and should enthrall audiences with its timeliness.”

Fink”) and regal costumes (Mary Zophres, “La La Land”).

Haunting shadows and light. Shapes and textures.

Darkness and white. The vivid images will entrance audiences as much as the penetrating dialogue, treacherous plot points and Coen’s gifted direction.

Comparisons to the style of Laurence Olivier and Orson Welles’ classic 1940s Shakespeare adaptations and early 20th century German expressionism are noted.

However, Cohen’s netherworld seems unique and new top the lists. As bitter, aging in its own way. Not filmed as co-conspirators, they take a stage play, not set in real cunning and evilness to a new

Denzel Washington’s brooding performance has been heralded by critics. surroundings. A hybrid. And rarely does black and white footage produce more of an expressive richness than the most vibrant and vivid color film. But it does here.

When Oscar acting nominations are handed out, expect Washington’s brooding performance and McDormand’s scheming portrayal to

level. They seethe like vipers, as duplicitous as any con artists could be.

Award nominations should also be given to Alex Hassell as the sleezy vulture Ross, Bertie Carvel as Banquo, Moses Ingram as Lady Macduff, Corey Hawkins (“Straight Outta Compton”) as the brave and righteous Macduff

and, of course, Hunter as the sorceresses who delivered both a prophecy and misfortune in equal portions.

You may need a bit of patience and a sharp ear to understand the dialogue, which was originally written in the 1600s and adapted by Coen.

However, your perseverance will be rewarded. At the end of your 1hr- 45m-journey, you’ll discover that every element of this object d’art is beyond excellent.

“By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes.” Who could have guessed that shrewd, vile cruelty could be so dang mesmerizing?

“The Tragedy of MacBeth is now playing on Apple TV+. It is also playing in select theaters in the Twin Cities. Check your local listings for showtimes.

Find more work by NNPA News Wire film critic Dwight Brown at DwightBrownInk. com and BlackPressUSA.com.

8 January 27 - February 2, 2022

View

presence and don’t see them as marketable.”

Moore later told the MSR, “I think that’s just part of this long hang-up American advertising companies have with dark skin.

We could look at this as race and Whiteness versus Blackness.”

It’s not just college players—highly recruited highschoolers are striking their own NIL deals as well. Is this encouraging a practice of “competitive narcissism,” an endless race among young athletes to see who can get the bigger and baddest deals, to seek stardom rather than be team players?

“I think that these younger players have grown up in an era where everything’s about them anyway,” continued Moore. “I think they are used to being in this position of highlighting themselves. Years ago I think it would have been a problem, but I think these kids [today] have grown up differently, so they’re a little bit more comfortable” with self-promotion.

NIL deals and who is getting them will continue to be viewed through a racial lens, both Nteta and Moore surmised.

“I think all the debate regarding NIL—who’s getting it, who’s not—it’s just again a microcosm of the larger world in which we see racial inequity,” concluded Nteta.

Contunued from page 10

course, we’ll see those types of racial inequalities, that level of discrimination and prejudice that Black people in general experience in the marketplace, seen here as well.”

Arizona State University’s Global Sport Matters (GSM) in December reported that White support for NIL went up 9%, from 50% in 2014 to 59% in 2020.

Black support decreased from 71% to 68% during the same time span.

Blacks “are significantly more supportive of NCAA reform than Whites” according to the report. “This racial divide is a function of perceptions about ‘who benefits’ from NIL and other financial incentives or programs.”

Dr. Louis Moore, a history professor at Grand Valley State (Mich.) University, wrote for GSM in December that “who gets attention and strikes deals [by race] is not new,” adding that “ultra-talented Black women” won’t get the big NIL deals as their White counterparts.

“When women athletes first started to sign major NIL deals in basketball, it was the White ballers who hit big,” he stressed. “The majority of Black women athletes won’t get their rightful share of endorseCharles Hallman welcomes ments because American reader responses to challman@ companies don’t value their spokesman-recorder.com.

SOE Contunued from page 10 needs to be done from a basketball standpoint, which is continuing to grow and get better.”

Asked if his game-day experience has changed any as a father watching his child play college ball, “It depends on how he plays,” joked Battle. “If he’s playing great, it’s [as] a dad. If he’s playing and I see things differently, it’s [as] a coach and someone who knows the game.”

The elder Battle played college ball for the late legendary Clarence “Big House” Gaines at Winston-Salem, and was a teammate of ESPN’s Stephen

A. Smith. He also worked in the Minnesota Timberwolves basketball office. He dutifully has passed on his knowledge of the game to his children.

Terrill said he is not surprised with Jamison’s seamless transition to Big Ten basketball: “He works on his game, on the things he wants to get better at. I’m proud of him and how he’s playing.”

Later this year, daughter Amaya Battle will be on the Minnesota campus. She is part of Lindsay Whalen’s highly touted 2022-23 recruiting class, which includes two local Black players, Battle from Hopkins and Niamya Holloway of Eden Prairie.

“It’s interesting that early on in the recruiting process she didn’t want to stay

BULLETIN

How to order free at-home COVID-19 tests If you’ve been on unsuccessful hunts for rapid COVID-19 tests in stores lately, your luck should be turning around soon. Starting Wednesday, January 19, every household in the U.S. will be able to order up to four free rapid tests at the government website covidtest.gov.

A “beta” testing version of the site is already live. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days, according to the White House.

The initiative is an effort by the Biden administration to accelerate COVID-19 testing capacity in the face of the highly transmissible omicron variant that has rapidly spread across the nation and internationally. The White House has ordered 420 million tests for distribution, with plans to increase the order to one billion tests.

“Testing is a vital part of stopping the spread of COVID-19. President Biden’s actions to add private health plan coverage for at-home tests is one more important option to assure Minnesotans have access to COVID-19 tests at no cost to you,” said MN Commerce Commissioner Grace Arnold.

Also as of January 15, private health insurance companies will be required to cover athome COVID-19 tests for free.

What is covered?

• Coverage is for over-the-

home,” recalled Terrill. “Then as time went on, she started to believe that she could stay home with the other [instate] girls and make a difference. She feels good about it.”

Last weekend during a big-time girls’ basketball tournament hosted by her high school, Amaya spoke with the MSR on her decision to sign with Minnesota. “I know I can lean on [Jamison] and he’ll protect me. That definitely means a lot, being able to represent my home state, having my friends and family come see me and not have to fly across the country or drive 10 hours or any of that.

“That means so much because I know they’ll be at every game,” said the Hopkins

counter COVID-19 diagnostic tests authorized, cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

• Up to $12 (or actual cost if less than $12) per individual test, and up to 8 tests per person per month, is covered.

• This additional cost coverage applies to private insurers or group health plans (such as self-insured employers). It also includes MNsure private health plans for individuals.

• Different guidelines apply to Medicare and Medicaid public health plans.

How are costs covered?

Check with your health plan first: The most important guidance for Minnesotans is to check with your health plan first, prior to purchasing athome tests, to ensure you are following the steps necessary to have your costs covered.

senior guard. Amaya added that she, like her brother, got her share of tutelage from her father. “He usually just gives me pointers on my shot…sends me a text before the game. I always get to ask questions,” Her brother wasn’t homesick, said Terrill. “He had success at GW. He just told me he wanted something different. And it’s been good for me [as well],” added his father.

Finally, having both his basketball-playing children soon playing at the same college is a proud moment for Terrill. “I think all this happened for a reason,” he said.

Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.

Find your health plan contact information by looking on the back of your health insurance card. Contact member services.

Check for direct coverage: Rather than seeking reimbursement for test costs, check with your health plan about direct coverage options, where you might be able to obtain at-home tests to be free at the point of sale, so you do not need to request reimbursement.

Follow the process for reimbursement: If you pay for at-home tests out of your own pocket, you will need to find out from your health plan how to submit to get those costs reimbursed. Your health plan may require you to submit receipts for reimbursement if you pay for the tests out of pocket and send in a form.

Your health plan may still be in process of establishing how you can obtain reimbursement or direct coverage, but both options are required for health plans to offer.

The CDC guidelines state that people should test five days after exposure to someone with COVID or as soon as symptoms occur. A person with symptoms should selfquarantine until a negative test confirms their COVID-19 status.

“We encourage you to get tested for COVID-19 if you are exposed to or feel symptoms of COVID-19, whether it’s at home or at

Worship Bethesda Baptist Church

Rev. James C. Thomas, Pastor

451 West Central

St. Paul, MN 55103 651-227-4444

Church School 9:30 am Morning Worship 8:00 & 10:45 am Prayer Service:

Wednesday 7 pm "Welcome to

Mt. Olivet Baptist Church"

612-332-5904 www.bethesdamnonline.com bethesdamn@prodigy.net Sunday Service Times: Early Morning Service 9 am Sunday School 10 am Sunday Worship 11:30 am Wednesday

Prayer Meeting, 6 pm Adult Bible Class 7 pm Children's Bible Class 7 pm

For more questions regarding at-home testing, go here.

Find a vaccine site and more info at mn.gov/covid19.

Information provided in part by WhiteHouse.gov and CDC.

3744 4th Ave. South • Minneapolis, MN 55409 Phone: 612-827-4021 • Fax: 612-827-0577

TRACEY WILLIAMS-DILLARD

Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church

Rev. Arthur Agnew, Pastor

At the Old Landmark 1118 So. 8th Street Mpls., MN 55404

Updated mask guidance In additional COVID-19 news, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently upgraded its mask guidance to encourage Americans to wear N95s and KN95 masks to better combat the omicron variant. “Masks and respirators (i.e., specialized filtering masks such as ‘N95s’) can provide different levels of protection depending on the type of mask and how they are used.

“Loosely woven cloth products provide the least protection, layered finely woven products offer more protection, wellfitting disposable surgical masks, and KN95s offer even more protection, and well-fitting NIOSHapproved respirators (including N95s) offer the highest level of protection,” according to the CDC. You can check the authenticity of your N95 masks by going here.

MINNESOTA SPOKESMAN-RECORDER CECIL E. NEWMAN

Mount Olivet Missionary Baptist Church

a testing site,” said Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcom. “Testing is one of the critical strategies to slow the spread and prevent further hospitalizations and deaths from this virus.”

IN PRINT & ONLINE! CALL 612-827-4021 • Employment

Rev. Dr. Billy G. Russell, Sr. Pastor

2600 E. 38th Street Minneapolis, MN 55408 www.greatfriend.org Phone: 612.827.7928 Fax: 612.827.3587 info@greatfriend.org Sundays 8:00am Sunday School 9:30am Worship Service The Friendly Church Where Everybody Is Somebody

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Employment & Legals Filed in District Court State of Minnesota Jan 21, 2022

HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid. For details, go to https://mylegalaid.org/employment

State of Minnesota

District Court

Ramsey County

Second Judicial District Court File Number: 62-DA-FA-21-1424 Case Type: Domestic Abuse

CONTROLLER Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid. For details, go to https://mylegalaid.org/employment

In the Matter Of

Notice of Hearing by Publication

Chanel Ann King And

(Minn. Stat. § 518B.01, subd. 8)

Obo Minor Child Vs Kevin Marcellus Cox To Respondent named above:

Client: Minnesota Legal Aid - HR Director Size: 3.4167 x 1 BUSINESS SYSTEMS ANALYST Run Date: 1/27/22 Ad For an additional with print, you can get online Co.Options: seeks qualified Business$150 Systems Analyst to utilize print $300 statistical andWithout data analysis to implement security

procedures, techniques, and remediation plans. Develop and maintain queries, reports, and metrics, to provide customized information forAid users to make business Client: Minnesota Legal - Controller decisions. Perform assurance and user acceptance Size: 3.4167 xquality 1 Run Date: 1/27/22 testing for new developments meant to close security Ad Options: Forinansystems. additionalConduct $300.00 you can getof online vulnerabilities reviews existing advertisingand as well. procedures (business technical processes) to improve protections across the company. Drive change and process improvements through metrics and analytics that will improve efficiencies and enable cost reductions. Send resumes to: HRD, Maritz Consulting (d/b/a Ledelsea), 12800 Whitewater Drive, Suite 40, Minnetonka, MN 55343

January 27 - February 2, 2022

An order has been issued directing you to appear at SEE NOTICE OF HEARING on February 11, 2022 at 08:15 AM and explain why the relief sought in the Petition for the Order for Protection should not be granted.

You may obtain a copy of the Petition and any order issued from the court from the Ramsey County Court Administrator’s Office.

If you do not appear at the scheduled hearing, the Petitioner’s request may be granted as a default matter. Failure to appear will not be a defense to prosecution for violation of the Court’s Order.

9

A/1 Contract # 22-112 INVITATION TO BID Sealed bids will be received by the Public Housing Agency of the City of Saint Paul for REFUSE HAULING SERVICES AT PHA HI-RISES AND COMMUNITY CENTERS, Contract 22-112 until 2:00 PM Local Time, on February 10, 2022 at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud via the Zoom App. Bids must be submitted electronically, in a pdf format, to Northstar Imaging, www.northstarplanroom.com A complete set of bid documents is available at www.northstarplanroom.com, under public plan room, REFUSE HAULING SERVICES AT PHA HI-RISES AND COMMUNITY CENTERS, Contract 22-112, or by calling 651-686-0477. Digital downloads are no charge; Contact Northstar for hard copy prices.

Bids must be accompanied by a $500 bid guarantee, Minnesota Responsible Contractor Compliance Form, non-collusive affidavit and EEO-1 Form.

The successful bidder will be required to furnish both a satisfactory performance bond and a separate payment bond.

Court Administrator Ramsey County District Court Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder January 27, 2022

Filed in District Court State of Minnesota Jan 19, 2022 State of Minnesota

District Court

Hennepin County

Fourth Judicial District Court File Number: 27-DA-FA-22-173

PRE-BID CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD ON January 28, 2022, AT 10:00 AM via the Zoom App. The PHA reserves the right to reject any or all bids or to waive any informalities in the bidding.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AGENCY

VANESSA AUSTIN PROJECT TECHNICIAN (651) 228-3179

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder January 27, 2022

Case Type: Domestic Abuse

BUSINESS SYSTEMS ANALYST Co. seeks qualified professional to prepare, examine, analyze financial records and reports to assess compliance with reporting and procedural standards. Develop, implement, modify, and document record keeping and Client: Ledelsea - Business Analyst - Ad 1 accounting systems.

Review and research reporting Size: 3.4167 x 3 issues to improve financial and accounting operations Run Date: 1/27/22 andOptions: procedures. andcanbusiness Ad For anMaintain additionalfinancial $300.00 you get onlinesystem internal control practices and procedures by relying advertising as well. on MS Office tools. Send resumes to: HRD, Maritz Consulting (d/b/a Ledelsea), 12800 Whitewater Drive, Suite 40, Minnetonka, MN 55343

In the Matter of:

Notice of Issuance of Emergency

Dita Jackson

(Ex Parte) Order for

Petitioner

Protection by Publication

vs.

Christopher Boswell Respondent To Respondent named above: Case: Chanel Ann King Vs Kevin Marcellus Cox

62-DA-FA-21-1424 YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an Ex Parte Order for Protection has been issued in

Size: 4.25 if you contact the court administrator’s office this case. You may3.4167 request axhearing Ad Run: 1/27/22 within 12 days of the date of publication of this notice. You may obtain a copy of Ad Options: --

the Ex Parte Order for Protection and the form to request a hearing from the court administrator’s office at the following address: 110 South Fourth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55401 Failure to request a hearing or to obtain a copy of the Ex Parte Order will not be a defense to prosecution for violation of the Court’s order.

State of Minnesota

Case Type: Personal Injury

County of Hennepin

District Court

January 19, 2022

/S/ Jessica Rahier

Date

Court Administrator/Deputy

Fourth Judicial District Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder January 27, 2022

Court File Number: 27-CV-22-876 The Honorable: Christian M. Saude Freeman Thompson,

Filed in District Court State of Minnesota Jan 18, 2022

SUMMONS

Plaintiff, v.

Client: Linda Hubbard, Size: Defendant.

Run Date: Ad Options:

Ledelsea - Business Analyst - Ad 2 3.4167 x 2.5 1/27/22 For an additional $300.00 you can get online THIS SUMMONS IS DIRECTED TO the above-named Defendant: advertising as well.

State of Minnesota

District Court

Ramsey County

Second Judicial District

FILE COPY

Issuance of Emergency

Court File Number: 62-DA-FA-21-1449 (Ex Parte) Order for

1. YOU ARE BEING SUED. The Plaintiff has started a lawsuit against you.

Protection by Publication

The Plaintiffs Complaint against you is attached to this summons. Do not throw

(Minn. Stat. 518B.01, subd. 8)

these papers away. They are official papers that affect your rights. You must respond to this lawsuit even though it may not yet be filed with the Court and there may be no court file number on this summons.

2. YOU MUST REPLY WITHIN 20 DAYS TO PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS. You must give or mail to the person who signed this summons a written response called an Answer within 20 days of the date on which you received this Summons. You must send a copy of your Answer to the person who signed this summons located at:

In the Matter of Jeanne D. Bayiha vs Kevin Astrid Bayiha Case: Jackson vs Boswell

Ad Run: 1/27/22 YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an Ex Parte Order for Protection has been issued in

Ad case.

Options: this You may-request a hearing if you contact the court administrator’s office within 12 days of the date of publication of this notice. You may obtain a copy of the Ex Parte Order for Protection and the form to request a hearing from the court administrator’s office at the following address: Ramsey County District Court 25 West Seventh Street

2200 E Franklin Avenue, Suite 202

St Paul MN 55102

3. YOU MUST RESPOND TO EACH CLAIM. The Answer is your written response to the Plaintiff’s Complaint. In your Answer you must state whether

Failure to request a hearing or to obtain a copy of the Ex Parte Order will not be a defense to prosecution for violation of the Court’s order.

Dated: January 18, 2022

Donald W. Harper Court Administrator

you agree or disagree with each paragraph of the Complaint. If you believe the Plaintiff should not be given everything asked for in the Complaint, you must

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder January 27, 2022

say so in your Answer.

4. YOU WILL LOSE YOUR CASE IF YOU DO NOT SEND A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO THE COMPLAINT TO THE PERSON WHO SIGNED THIS SUMMONS. If you do not Answer within 20 days, you will lose this case.

You will not get to tell your side of the story, and the Court may decide against you and award the Plaintiff everything asked for in the complaint. If you do not want to contest the claims stated in the complaint, you do not need to respond.

A default judgment can then be entered against you for the relief requested in the complaint.

5. LEGAL ASSISTANCE. You may wish to get legal help from a lawyer. If you do not have a lawyer, the Court Administrator may have information about places where you can get legal assistance. Even if you cannot get legal help, you must still provide a written Answer to protect your rights or you may lose the case.

6. ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION. The parties may agree to or be ordered to participate in an alternative dispute resolution process under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice. You must still send your written response the Complaint even if you expect to use alternative means of resolving this dispute.

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder January 27, February 3, 10, 2022

INVITATION TO BID Sealed bids will be received by the Public Housing Agency of the City of Saint Paul for SCATTERED SITE WINDOW REPLACEMENTS, Contract No. 22-105, until 2:00 P.M., Local Time, on FEBRUARY 8, 2022, at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud via the Zoom App. Bids may be delivered to St. Paul PHA Maintenance Contracts Department, 200 Arch St. E., St. Paul, MN 55130 OR submitted electronically, in a pdf format, to Northstar Imaging, www.northstarplnroom.com Case: AST Maintenance Contracts Refuse Hauling Services #22-112 A complete set of bid documents is available at www.northstarSize: 3.4167 x 5.75 planroom.com, under public jobs SCATTERED SITE WINAd Options: For an additional $300.00 you can get online DOW REPLACEMENTS Contract No. 22-105, or calling advertising as well.

651-686-0477. Digital downloads are no charge, contact Northstar for hard copy prices.

Bids must be accompanied by a 5% bid guarantee, Non-Collusive Affidavit, MN Responsible Contractor Compliance Affidavit, and EEO1 submittals. The successful bidder will be required to furnish both a satisfactory performance bond and a separate payment bond.

PRE-BID CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022, AT 1:00 PM LOCAL TIME AT THE MT AIRY HI-RISE, 200 E ARCH STREET, ST PAUL, MN 55130.

The PHA reserves the right to reject any or all bids or to waive any informalities in the bidding.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AGENCY

KA YANG PROJECT LEADER (651) 292-6089 Ka.Yang@stpha.org

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder January 27, 2022

27-DA-FA-22-173

To Respondent named above: Size: 3.4167 x 4.75

Brantingham Law Office Minneapolis, MN 55404

A/1 Contract # 22-105

Tourney

state tournaments, and won a regional championship in her 15-plus years of coachContunued from page 10 ing. She told the MSR after her team’s victory over the Robinson won her 500th host school, “I have a lot of game in November and won respect for Hopkins. Their DeSoto’s first state cham- players are really, really good.

“I think what I love is pionship in 2021. She had previously won two state coaching against women, titles at Fort Worth (TX) and just women in general, beCase: Jeanne D. Bayiha vs Kevin Astrid Bayiha Dunbar (2007, 2009) and cause there’s a lot of males 62-DA-FA-21-1449 reached the 2010 semifi- in the sport, in the women’s Size: 3.4167 x 4.75 nalsRun: at Cedar1/27/22 Hill (TX) High game,” said Dudley. GrandAd view was coached by Josh School.

Ad Options: -“My goal is to do right by Ulitzky. “So when you do kids, care about kids, cre- face another female, that’s ate a platform for them to great.

“And then to have a be successful young ladies,” said Robinson. “I’m doing [Black] female… It’s such a my job. I’ve been doing this historic occasion. This is a win-win situation.” for over 20 years.”

Before she came to Charles Hallman welcomes Sidwell in 2019, Dudley won 20 or more games four reader responses to challman@ times, reached four straight spokesman-recorder.com.

Sr. Software Engineer-Test/Verification/Validation Sr. Software Engineer-Test/Verification/Validation for Medtronic, Inc. at its facility in Mounds View, MN Responsible for the design and implementation of software and web-based applications. Perform requirements gathering documentation, testing and maintenance of web application solutions. Requires a Bachelor’ Degree or foreign equivalent in Information Case: AST Maintenance Contracts Technology,Window Computer Science, Computer Engineering Replacements #22-105 or Software Engineering and 5 years’ experience with Size: 3.4167 x 6 software or alternatively a Masters’ Ad Options:engineering; For an additional $300.00 you can get online Degree or foreign equivalent advertising as well. in Information Technology, Computer Science, Computer Engineering or Software Engineering and 2 years’ experience with software engineering. Experience must include one (1) year of post-bachelor’s progressive experience in all the following: Verification of FDA class I & II & III Medical Device Software Applications that comply with IEC 62304, CFR Part 820; Testing of instrument software for pacemakers, Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs), and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy devices (CRTs); Functional testing to include breaking down software requirement specifications for test plans; Test and Defect tools to include Microsoft TFS (Team Foundation Server), Visual Studio or AzureDevops; Software development with Test Automation and Frameworks; Product software applications to include C#, .Net, VB (Visual Basic) Script, SQL and Java Script; Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) with models to include Waterfall and Agile (SCRUM) and Software Testing Life Cycles (STLC); Requirements gathering documentation, testing and maintenance of web or mobile application solutions; Front end and back end web testing on Windows, Android, Linux or IOS operating systems; MS Server technologies to include MS SQL and XML. *multiple positions available. Apply at https://jobs.medtronic.com/, Req.220000VW. Medtronic is an equal opportunity employer committed to cultural diversity in the workplace. All individuals are encouraged to apply.

10 January 27 - February 2, 2022

Sports

Everybody wins in historic girls’ hoops tourney

By Charles Hallman Sports Columnist piece of “she-tory” took place in suburban Twin Cities last weekend. Three Black females led their nationally ranked girls’ high school basketball teams in the four-team 2022 Girls Basketball Invitational hosted Jan. 21-22 at Hopkins High School: Minneapolis North grad Tara Starks (Hopkins), Andrea Robin- Tara Starks Courtesy of Youtube

Andrea Robinson Tamika Dudley All photos by Charles Hallman except where indicated

female HCs versus each other: Sidwell vs. Hopkins and Sidwell vs. DeSoto in the championship game, won last Saturday by Sidwell 60-55.

All three coaches have teams currently ranked in the son (DeSoto, Texas) and Tamika nation’s top five: No. 1 Sidwell, Dudley (Sidwell Friends School, No. 2 DeSoto and No. 3 HopWashington, DC). kins.

All four squads featured Two of the four games last several top-100 players who weekend featured two Black

“This whole weekend is have either signed to play college ball next season or gonna be fun,” added Hopkins senior guard Amaya Batare being highly recruited.

Minnesota Coach Lindsay tle after her team’s 67-55 loss Whalen told the MSR, “To get to Sidwell. Hopkins later dethis many good teams together feated Grandview (Colo.) 66for a tournament here in the 37 in the third-place game.

Coaches Robinson and middle of the season, to bring this much talent together, I Dudley both told us that it think is really inspiring, and it was their first time being in Minnesota. “This is the first keeps growing our game.

“We have to work so hard for everything that we do. We have to always excel and be exceptional.”

time that we’ve ever really traveled nationally,” said the DeSoto coach.

Added Dudley, “It was a great experience for our kids.

A great platform for girls’ basketball.”

“It is surreal,” admitted Robinson. “It is beyond important [that three Black female head coaches have top-ranked teams competing against each other], because we have to work so hard for everything that we do. We have to always excel and be exceptional.”

“I think they are all tremendous leaders, very competent and great communicators,” stated ESPN Basketball Analyst Helen Williams, who called the nationally televised games. “They have the ability to build relationships with their players and get them to buy in, and that’s what makes them successful.

“The college coaches who

Helen Williams recruit their kids know they are disciplined, that they have high basketball IQs, and that they are prepared for the next level,” added Williams.

Starks led Hopkins to the state semifinals last season in her first season as HC. “It’s a credit to what Coach Starks has done and what she’s done here for Hopkins,” said Whalen.

■ See Tounrey on page 9

Fab Five photos feature top high school players and coaches his week’s Fab Five photo spread is composed of players and coaches from nationally ranked teams who competed in the championship game of the 2022 Girls Basketball Invitational in which No. 1 Sidwell Friends of Washington, D.C. defeated No. 2 DeSoto High School of DeSoto, Texas for the title.

The Invitational was hosted by No. 3-ranked Hopkins High School—who placed third in the tournament led by Head Coach Tara Starks—featuring the No. 2-ranked girls’ basketball player in the country and UCLA signee Kiki Rice (Sidwell Friends); the head coach of the Sidwell Friends Tamika Dudley;

Coach Tamika Dudley (Sidwell Friends)

Amina Muhammad (Desoto High School)

the head coach of DeSoto mad, who has signed with Ayanna Thompson, who is Andrea Robinson; a player the University of Texas; headed to the University of from DeSoto, Amin Muham- and another DeSoto player, Mississippi.

Proud father will be watching lots of Gopher basketball

Terrill Battle

Submitted photos

There are approximately 100 African American and other student-athletes of color this school year at the University of Minnesota. In an occasional series throughout the 2021-22 school and sports year, the MSR will highlight many of these players.

This week: Terrill Battle, father of sophomore basketball player Jamison Battle and incoming freshman basketball player Amaya Battle

Kiki Rice (Sidwell Friends)

Jamison Battle n his first season of watching Gopher basketball as more than just a fan, Terrill Battle keeps a watchful eye from his seat in the Barn on his son Jamison in his first season as a Gopher.

It’s been a good homecoming for the young man from Robbinsdale and DeLaSalle grad. Jamison transferred after two seasons at George Washington and signed with the Gophers as one of 10

Amaya Battle

Ayanna Thompson (DeSoto High School) Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader responses to mcdeezy05@gmail.com.

Coach Andrea Robinson (DeSoto High School) All photos by Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald

NIL deals could promote athlete stardom over teamwork Controversy grows over who benefits

ports are no different from any other aspect of American society— race matters. The ubiquitous racial divide is rearing its ugly head as some athletes begin to profit from the NCAA’s new NIL policy.

University of Massachu-

Tatishe Nteta

newcomers on first-year Head Coach Ben Johnson’s squad. and his colleagues in 2018 The 6’-7” forward leads found that Whites are less the team in scoring (nearly 19 likely than Blacks to support points a game) and minutes college players getting paid. played (over 37 minutes a contest) this season.

“The majority of Black women athletes won’t get “It’s good to have him home,” their rightful share of endorsements because said Terrill of Jamison. “EveryAmerican companies don’t value their presence thing is going well. He loves and don’t see them as marketable.” school and he knows what he needs to do from an academic standpoint and what setts, Amherst Political Sci- Now with the NCAA name, ■ See SOE on page 8 ence Professor Tatishe Nteta images and likenesses (NIL)

Louis Moore

Submitted photos

policy in place since last summer, “a very clear racial divide” still exists in supporting players getting paid for commercial use of their name, image and likeness, the Massachusetts group found.

“We know that capitalism has racial undertones or overtones,” said Nteta recently to the MSR, “and of

■ See VIEW on page 8