May 18, 2022 - MN Spokesman-Recorder

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THE VOICE OF BLACK MINNESOTA SINCE 1934

May 19 - 25, 2022

Vol. 88

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Inside this Edition...

No. 42

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T WO Y E A R S O U T

What’s changed since George Floyd’s murder?

Local voices call for more than ‘dribs and drabs’

Nationally, police reform has stalled

By Jon Jeter Contributing Writer

By Charles Hallman Contributing Writer

M

aryland lawmakers first took a stab at police reform in 2015 following the death of Freddie Gray in police custody, but they failed to muster enough votes to pass the legislation despite massive protests by Baltimore’s Black community.

Yet the murder of another African American man, George Floyd, five years later and 1,100 miles away, achieved what Gray’s could not. In April of 2021—just days before a Hennepin County jury ■ See JETER on page 5

A

lot has happened locally, nationally and worldwide since George Floyd’s murder two years ago May 25. To commemorate the two-year anniversary of Floyd’s killing, the MSR last week gathered reflections from several local activists, community leaders, politicians, and others on what’s changed in the fight against systemic racism.

Following are their responses edited for clarity and space.

Bridgette Stewart of ■ See HALLMAN on page 5

Unchecked racist rhetoric leads to heinous violence

By Stacy M. Brown

ly and literally,” Mandel stated in a published law enforcement, the young White racist interview. “They are trying to change our cul- is alive to plead not guilty or “insanity” in The victims of the racist massacre at a Buf- ture, change our demographics and change our court.

“While past violent White supremacist falo, New York supermarket on Saturday, May electorate. This is all about power,” he said.

14 have been identified. Their ages range from 32 to 86.

The names of the 10 victims are Celestine Chaney, 65; Roberta Drury, 32; Andre Mackneil, 53; Katherine Massey, 72; Margus Morrison, 52; Heyward Patterson, 67; Aaron Salter, 55; Geraldine Talley, 62; Ruth Whitfield, 86, and Pearl Young, 77.

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown called the massacre an unimaginable nightmare. Erie County Sheriff John Garcia framed the onslaught as pure evil.

The avowed racist killer Payton Gendron allegedly put together a 180-page manifesto that revealed his hatred for Black and Jewish people and the “replacement theory” ideology that Fox News often speaks of, notably hosts Tucker Carlson and Laura Ingraham.

Additionally, several Republican politicians have spouted the racist “theory,” saying that Democrats’ immigration policies would “replace” GOP voters with individuals of color.

New York Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik and Ohio GOP hopeful JD Vance recently have been outspoken in supporting “replacement theory.”

Stefanik used the concept in her 2021 campaign ads, saying, “Radical Democrats So far, the only Republican politician of attacks seem to have factored into this heiare planning their most aggressive move yet: a permanent election insurrection.” Vance, a note to call out the racist rhetoric is Wyoming nous act, we must acknowledge that extremDonald Trump-endorsed candidate, recently Congresswoman Liz Cheney. “The House GOP ist rhetoric espoused by some media and leadership has enabled white nationalism, political leaders on the right promoting theoratcheted up the rhetoric.

“You’re talking about a shift in the democrat- white supremacy, and anti-semitism,” Cheney ries that vilify or dehumanize segments of our ic makeup of this country that would mean we wrote on Twitter. “History has taught us that society like ‘the great replacement theory’ is never win, meaning Republicans would never what begins with words ends in far worse. @ a factor too,” wrote U.S. House Homeland win a national election in this country ever GOP leaders must renounce and reject these Security Chairman Bennie Thompson in a statement. again,” Vance claimed at a campaign event last views and those who hold them.”

Council on American-Islamic Relations Gendron’s live-streamed shooting spree month.

Vance’s defeated opponent, Josh Mandel, left 10 dead and several more wounded. (CAIR) National Deputy Director Edward also ran on “replacement theory”: “This is But, unlike the multitude of unarmed Ahmed Mitchell added that the organization about changing the face of America, figurative- Black people killed during encounters with condemns both the White Supremacist terror-

ist attack targeting Black men and women in Buffalo and the racist rhetoric that has sparked such violence.

“The constant repetition of White Suprema-

cist conspiracy theories on social media and even mainstream media outlets has led to horrific violence in places as distant as Christchurch, El Paso, Oslo, and Charleston,” Mitchell asserted. “Those who promote racism, White Supremacy, antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of bigotry must be held accountable for the violence they inspire.”

Mitchell added that CAIR has often spoken out against those who promote the “great replacement” and other racist conspiracy theories.

■ See VIOLENCE on page 5

Meet Hennepin County Sheriff candidate Joseph Banks

By Jennifer Cherrier Contributing Writer

Joseph Banks

police dispatcher, and later became a part-time police officer.

After moving to Minnesota in 1993, he worked in security while earning his Hennepin County Sheriff Candidate Joseph Banks built his law enforcement law enforcement degree. While attendcareer from the ground up. With more ing Central Lakes College in Brainerd, he than 20 years of service, he’s assumed became Brainerd Police Department’s first African American Police Officer many law enforcement roles.

Banks started his career in south intern. He also served in the Minnesota suburban Illinois as a Police Explorer Army National Guard while completing with the Boy Scouts of America. After his degree in criminal justice.

Banks worked for the Lower Sioux joining the United States Marine Reserves, he returned home and start- Police Department and became the Submitted photo ed his first law enforcement job as a first African American police officer

hired by the department. He went on to become the first African American police chief for the Upper Sioux Police Department.

He later served as the first African American police chief for the city of Morton. Afterwards, he returned to the Lower Sioux Police Department serving as chief investigator and acting chief of police.

Banks is co-founder of two nonprofits—Twin Cities Recovery Project Inc., designed to support pathways to recovery, and Black Butterfly, which

aims to assist young women of color experiencing the criminal justice system to stabilize and reconnect them with the community and become productive members of society.

Banks also is CEO/president of Banks Securities Inc., which assists in criminal expungement resources. He co-hosts a podcast called “Let’s Talk About It,” airing Wednesdays from 4-5 pm on local cable Channel 6 and on Facebook. Currently, Banks works as a licensed bail bondsman. He recently ■ See BANKS on page 5

2 May 19 - 25, 2022

Metro

Shared bikes and scooters back on Minneapolis streets

By Henry Pan Contributing Writer Lyft, Lime, and Spin are back with their bikes and scooters this year. The city of Minneapolis awarded a bike-share license to San Franciscobased Lyft, which operated Nice Ride in years prior. Lyft also won the scooter license, along with San Francisco companies Lime and Spin.

They can be ridden and parked anywhere, even perhaps on Minneapolis parkland by the time this story comes out.

The licenses issued by the City last one year and are renewable annually until 2026.

Some changes this year Users may notice it’s a bit more expensive to ride them. Lyft now charges 39 cents per

minute for e-bikes and scooters, up from 22 cents plus $2.50, with a $4.60 minimum fare.

The green pedal bikes now cost 17 cents per minute—up nine cents from last year—with a $2 minimum fare.

Lyft also increased their monthly membership price from $6 to $10, and their annual membership to $99 from $89. A SpokesmanRecorder visit to one station in downtown Minneapolis found that users apparently cannot purchase single rides or memberships from kiosks. Lyft did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Meanwhile, Lime charges a $1 start fee, plus 32 cents per minute, whereas Spin charges $1 to start, plus 39¢ per minute.

All three companies continue to offer discounts for low-income riders on food stamps,

Photos by Henry Pan

Medicaid, or energy assistance through Nice Ride’s “Nice Ride for All” program; Lime’s “Lime Access” program; and Spin’s “Spin Access” program. The Nice Ride for All program also offers a discount for college students receiving federal aid.

Meanwhile, the city of Minneapolis did not issue a license to Bird, a decision that Bird is appealing. The city’s scooter compliance dashboard showed Bird struggled to keep its scooters properly parked, and the Star Tribune and the Minnesota Reformer found it was struggling to make them available in lowincome neighborhoods.

Bird said in a May 11 press release that it was testing Google’s augmented reality technology to ensure users adequately parked their scooters in San Diego, San Francisco, and New York City.

Meanwhile, they are the only scooter company to operate in St. Louis Park, Golden Valley, Brooklyn Park, and Hopkins; they also operate in Duluth, Hastings, New Ulm, Grand Rapids, and southeastern Mankato.

In Minneapolis parks and St. Paul You may have seen Nice Ride stations on Minneapolis parkland that are closed. That is because the park board, which worked with the City to find bike-share and scooter share vendors, is about to finish negotiating an agreement with the companies. The park board anticipates passing an agreement during its May 18 meeting, with users being able to dock and unlock bikes and scooters on parkland the day after.

The city of St. Paul continues to negotiate with bike-share and scootershare companies interested in operating in the city. “We do not have any executed agreements regarding bike-sharing in St. Paul, but hope to have more information to share soon,” said Transportation and Public Works Director Reuben Collins.

Henry Pan welcomes reader responses to hpan@spokesman-recorder.com.

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May 19 - 25, 2022

Health

3

Get a doctor to avoid going to the doctor ternary or fourth-degree prevention is where doctors don’t do things that are unnecessary or potentially harmful.

Let’s look at high blood pressure in terms of the different forms of prevention. The primary prevention is to ensure people have a good diet, enough exercise, are not carrying too much weight, and avoid certain activities like smoking, all of which will increase blood pressure over time.

The secondary prevention for blood pressure is screening people and catching it before people feel anything or before the high blood pressure causes damage to any organs.

People don’t want tertiary prevention, which would be when a medication would Prevention This type of situation is likely be prescribed to stop where prevention can be the the blood pressure from getmost helpful. There are four ting worse. forms of prevention that we use to help people.

1. Primary or first-degree prevention is to stop disease before it starts.

2. Secondary or second-degree prevention is to catch disThe good news is that we ease before symptoms start so we can stop the disease from are also focused on quaternary prevention—we don’t becoming a problem.

3. Tertiary or third-degree want to give you too much prevention happens after a medication, and we don’t disease has been found, to want to do unnecessary manage the disease and cut screening that may make you down on how much it will more worried or might have some risks of harm. impact someone.

Prevention is best to save 4. Most importantly, qua-

where these three contribute to at least four of the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States.

I have heard people say that they don’t want to take a prescription blood pressure medication because they feel fine, but this is a problem because high blood pressure usually won’t cause any symptoms until something very bad is going to happen, like a heart attack or a stroke.

All of the conditions mentioned here are also more common in the Black community for many different

By Zeke J. McKinney, MD, reasons, so our risks overMHI, MPH all are greater than in other Guest Contributor communities.

Most people don’t want to go to the doctor. Even more, most people of course don’t want to take a medication regularly or have surgery.

Believe it or not, doctors are also interested in making sure you don’t have to come see them or get any treatment!

The challenge is that if we never go to the doctor, then we won’t know if anything is starting to become a problem.

We doctors are worried most about diseases where people will not feel any symptoms until the disease is very bad. A few conditions that really concern us are high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol,

Believe it or not, doctors are also interested in making sure you don’t have to come see them.

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you from having to end up going to the doctor, taking medication, or ending up in the hospital. For this same reason, health insurance completely covers preventive care because it saves them the most money. That means you won’t have a copay when you see your doc-

tor for an annual visit or for recommended screening, because that’s how much they want you to do it.

If you prevent disease or limit how much it affects your body, then that means you can keep doing the things you want to do, such as playing with your kids, taking care of

your home, or going to work.

So if you’re convinced now that prevention is best, then here’s how to do it.

First, get a regular doctor. If you don’t like the first doctor you meet, try others until you find one that can help you to meet your health goals. If you want to find a Black doctor, check the Minnesota Association of African American Physicians (MAAAP) website (maaap.org).

Be very clear that your goal is to not ever take medication, and they will tell you everything you can do to stay healthy. You can even look for doctors certified in the newer field of Lifestyle Medicine, which focuses on the six ways in which people can take care of their own health.

The six things you can control are: diet, exercise, sleep, mental/emotional health, having a good social

network of friends and family, and limiting harmful substance use or abuse.

The point is that it is mostly impossible to avoid ever going to the doctor. The question you have to ask yourself is whether you would rather go when you are healthy or when you are sick.

Dr. Zeke McKinney grew up and lives in Minneapolis. He practices clinical occupational and environmental medicine (OEM) in St. Louis Park, MN, and he is one of few clinicians in Minnesota who evaluates work and communityrelated environmental toxicologic exposures. He is also a researcher for the HealthPartners Institute, including on a COVID-19 vaccine trial, and in helping to set up a barbershop vaccine clinic in North Minneapolis. He focuses on health equity and environmental justice for all communities.

Unique, local local Unique, content from from the the content African American American African community's community's perspective!

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4 May 19 - 25, 2022

Local entrepreneur Matt Lara owns Blasted Ink, a tattoo shop located on University Ave. in St. Paul that will soon open a second location at the Mall of America. “My goal is just to give back to the community,” said Lara.

“I’m really from Reno, Nevada,” he said, “but I was raised here [in Minnesota]. I always say I’m from Minnesota to be honest—this is who raised me.”

Growing up, Lara’s mother served as a strong role model.

Years ago, “My mom remodeled Heritage Park—she was one of the lead managers there.” Her ambition and drive had a long-lasting impression upon him.

Most importantly, “She taught me independence. She quit her job when I was like 12 to become a realtor and was

Her independence inspired him to follow suit by becoming an entrepreneur.

As a tattoo artist, Lara is well-versed in the following genres: “photo realism, portraits, black and gray, anything to be honest.” He added, “I

knowledge, skills and expertise by working in different tattoo shops to gain experience. There’s a process and protocol that tattoo artists must follow in order to become a professional. “It took me 2½ years to get my actual license, but that’s quicker than most schools.”

Lara initially had plans of becoming a barber but decided to focus instead on tattoo artistry, primarily because he didn’t want to be in debt. “At 20, I was like, I don’t want no student loans. Then what I found out about tattooing is you’ll have no student loans.

You work for them. You pay off your debt basically working for them.

“And then when you get your provisional license, they take a percentage,” he continued, “but you’re basically working and you’re making more than the average person.

When they sign off, you’re able to sign off on other people and license people also.”

Lara entered the tattoo industry during 2012. “I started at 21 while everybody was at college—I dropped out of college and started apprenticing.” Through hard work and dedication, Lara opened his own business, “Blasted Ink,” in

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Blasted Ink is located at 1722 University Ave W, St Paul, MN. For more information visit www. blastedinktattoos.com or call 612-483-2838.

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

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Before you even get into the real world, try things and try to start a business so you get the idea of management, failures, ups and downs,” he said.

He also encourages individuals to “save.”

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they’re never going to value it or take care of it like you will.”

He operates the shop “like a family,” he said.

Although business is flourishing, there are ups and downs. Lara explained what it took to establish and maintain his business. “The first thing is just saving. I wanted to get out; I wanted to not be a statistic, so I just started saving,” he explained.

Lara shared advice for youth and upcoming entrepreneurs: “Right away, while you’re in high school, try stuff.

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love doing portraits of family members, parents, moms, your kids, grandparents, celebrities—color work too.”

He acquired a wealth of

Photo courtesy of Atria Books

lvd 1) au B 8 ne Road tti y Bo ount (C

working for herself,” said Lara.

He added, “My mom built that in me. She never installed fear, and I seen her quit and never had to work for people.”

Marc Lamont Hill

2015 at age 23.

The business features other tattoo artists as well. Lara said, “The artists that have been with me lately, for like four or five years, they’re starting to get their own apprentices. So I’m cutting them in on their own percentage and then giving them possibly, after a certain amount of years, a percentage of the company.

“I’m starting a nonprofit called Entrepreneur, so we’re gonna start trying to give back to the kids,” he said. The youth will have an opportunity to learn about “entrepreneurship, photography, video editing, art—microblading, embroidery skills, flooring skills, barbering,” said Lara.

The Blasted Ink business will also offer a clothing line for customers; two brands will be available in the near future. “Realistically, there’s a lot of things I can do—I just want to have residual income,” said Lara.

Blasted Ink is set to open at the Mall of America sometime this summer. There was a lot of grit, planning and preparation that was required for Lara to open there. “I wanted to advance my team—I felt like the Mall of America would be a great place for me to showcase myself and my team’s talent,” he said.

Speaking on his work ethic, Lara said, “What I’ve learned over the years—my mom told me that people are going to value your business, but

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May 19 - 25, 2022

Hallman

all my years on this earth, I’ve never seen so much interest in people talking, especially in congregations. They Continued from page 1 want to discuss more about this— what we call racism in the church, as well as in the world.

“I think we’re moving forward, [but] Agape Movement, a group of community members and activists who in a slow pace,” said Howell. “Yes, I’ve created “an autonomous zone” at seen some changes…[but] is that fast 38th and Chicago, now known as enough? Are things moving in the George Floyd Square, expressed right direction?”

D.A. Bullock, community organizer disappointment in the local corporate community that seems to have and media artist, said, “I think a lot backed away from earlier pledges to has changed and a lot has stayed the same or maybe even regressed. We support the Black community.

“On May 26 of 2020,” she said, had 44,000 people come out in this “the day after George Floyd was city and voted [last year] to go from a murdered, [the corporations] came police department to a department of out and said that they were going to stand with the Black community and make sure that they had funding that was going to help small Black businesses. You just don’t see it.

“We now have on Chicago, from public safety.

“Even though it didn’t pass on the 38th to 37th, I think there are eight Black-owned businesses, but the ballot, I think it is important that business owners lease [the proper- [there was] that amount of people ties]… They don’t have the financial supporting real change when it comes to public safety and how we backing,” Stewart said.

WCCO Radio host Sheletta Brun- put Black and Brown folks at risk in didge noted that she still instructs this city.”

Nekima Levy Armstrong, civil her Black sons on how to respond if stopped by the police for any reason. rights lawyer and activist, said, “I think “You do what they tell you to do,” she May 25 of 2020 was a life-changing moment. We witnessed in the afterstrongly advises them.

Bishop Richard Howell, pastor of math of the Minneapolis police killing Shiloh Temple International, said, “In of George Floyd a worldwide uprising

calling for justice and accountability, as well as people feeling empowered to stand up and fight for change within their own communities.

“We have had some policy changes,” Levy Armstrong continued. “We have had some legislation that is watered down that has been passed since George Floyd was killed. We have not seen enough change fast enough.”

Tru Pettigrew, Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx chief diversity and inclusion officer, said, “I think that one of the biggest changes is the level of awareness. We still have so much work to do. I think it’s now time to begin to hold people accountable for making smart actions that are

“We have not seen enough change fast enough.”

Jeter Continued from page 1

convicted former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin of Floyd’s murder—Maryland’s Democratically controlled legislature overrode a veto by the Republican governor to become the first state in the nation to repeal its Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights.

Widely hailed as the nation’s most sweeping statewide overhaul of law enforcement policies, Maryland’s law mandates police use of body cameras, extends to civilians a role in disciplining officers, restricts the use of no-knock warrants, and allows public scrutiny of officers’ personnel records in some cases.

The hope—openly expressed at the time by a broad range of African American activists, journalists and politicians—was that Maryland’s legislation augured a new day for American justice.

Said Adrienne A. Jones, speaker of the House of Representatives and a sponsor of

Banks

the bill, “Maryland is leading the nation in transforming our broken policing system.”

As the second anniversary of George Floyd’s murder approaches, however, the police reform movement has stalled and the momentum from a year ago has ground to a screeching halt.

While state lawmakers in Washington have banned police chokeholds and noknock warrants, and California has created a statewide certification system to prevent police officers fired by one agency from simply catching on at another, police reform at the state level has largely been limited to strengthening regulations for police deployment of body cameras.

Still, those modest statehouse measures exceed efforts to overhaul policing at the federal level, where President Joe Biden has all but abandoned his administration’s push to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which would’ve ended the longstanding practice of “qualified immunity” protecting police officers from most civil lawsuits.

His 2022 federal budget proposes nearly $2 billion

MSR: What type of work have you done this past year to investigate ways of improving the correctional system?

Continued from page 1 JB: I’ve done a lot of reading on what has and hasn’t been working. I think it’s critispoke to the MSR about his cal that we have to strengthen candidacy for Hennepin Coun- our community. We need to educate people. We need to ty Sheriff. build PR and work on the community seeing police as people MSR: What inspired you and citizens. Cops need to ask to pursue a career in law themselves, ‘Have I utilized my enforcement?

JB: I always liked giving back training to achieve the best and exploring as a kid. I grew possible outcome?’ up knowing and respecting the cops in our area. I wanted to MSR: What are your goals learn and help build peer rela- when/if elected to this position?

JB: First would be to drop tionships between law enforceviolent crime in Hennepin ment and the community.

County. The community feels held hostage due to gun MSR: What is your day-toviolence. Next would be to day like in your current role, unify the community and law and how has it helped you reimagine the criminal justice enforcement together to build a collaborative relationship. system?

JB: Currently I am a bail agent and assist folks with the criminal MSR: What would be your justice system and getting out priorities during your first of jail. Many individuals who are term as sheriff?

JB: Educating folks and incarcerated are living a life of recovery. I’ve worked with PARI lowering violent crime. I’d also (Police Assistive Recovery Initia- focus on people’s ability to help tive) and co-founded my own change laws and bring about nonprofit to help individuals in change. I’d hold camps and clinics together with legislators and those situations.

going to address the inequities or the injustice.”

Andrea Jenkins, Minneapolis City Council president, said, “The answer is no [not enough change]. But we did declare racism as a public health crisis.

So, we’ve made a commitment to trying to undo racism.

“There’s still a lot of talk like [this] in Minneapolis forever, right? We know the problems—we talk about the sadness. We study the problems. We write reports,” said Jenkins.

Brundidge: “White people under-

in federal funding for law enforcement above the 2021 funding levels, and in his State of the Union address in March he said, “We should all agree: The answer is not to defund the police. The answer is to fund the police.”

The line received the loudest applause from the audience, evoking comparisons to a Ku Klux Klan meeting by

stand now what we’ve been talking about for decades. They see what we see… When George Floyd [was killed], everything that we have been telling White folks, everything that Black folks have been telling their White friends, co-workers, church members all these years…they see it now.”

Levy Armstrong: “One of the things that I think is a positive development is the fact that the Minnesota Department of Human Rights decided to investigate patterns of practices of discrimination within the Minneapolis Police Department, and they spent the last two years combing through 480,000 pages of material.

“They interviewed over 1,000 people and watched a lot of body camera footage to get their finger on the pulse of some of the underlying issues within the Minneapolis Police Department that the average person in the public might not have been aware of,” Levy Armstrong continued.

Bullock: “I think there still needs to be a reckoning around [the] Minneapolis Police Department. We see this kind of dribs and drabs coming out slowly. There still needs to be a reckoning in the police department​,​ top to bottom. We as residents have to respond accordingly… We have to force a change that is from top to bottom, that is systemic.”

Howell: “I want to see greater

Washington, D.C. area, told the Minnesota SpokesmanRecorder.

He said, “Anybody who was even remotely cognizant of American history should’ve been prepared for the White backlash, and I don’t think we were. One of the things that the activists didn’t do is to continue to articulate what exactly they mean by ‘defund

“Anybody who was even remotely cognizant of American history should’ve been prepared for the White backlash.” many African Americans posting on social media, and signaling to others that Blacks have largely squandered their best opportunity since the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to effect meaningful police reform.

“I think that we have made some progress, but the problem is we get complacent and the minute that things look like they’re starting to change we relax,” Barrington Salmon, a 64-year-old African American journalist who lives in the

the police.’

“They needed to be more specific and to keep on saying that we need to reinvest that money in medical care, social workers, money for housing, doing welfare checks, and that type of stuff. And they needed to keep on saying it…drumming it into people’s brains until it pierced these negative narratives.”

Ron Williams, who describes himself as an African American baby boomer from Los Angeles, told MSR that

and are responsible for guarding the community. They are there to protect civil liberties.

I’d like to see a housing incentive that would encourage officers to live in the community they serve, so people know their people. We MSR: What does accountability look like to you? need to encourage the community JB: Holding folks to the so that citizens are interested in proper standards. Treating citi- becoming police officers. I salute zens as people first. We’re all cops who are sticking around who whistleblowers. If an officer is want to come to work and do the doing something illegal or doing job the right way. something wrong, officers shouldn’t feel afraid of retalia- MSR: Are you looking into recruitment options from the tion by other officers.

Police officers are there to community directly?

JB: I plan to put together protect citizens. They need to be willing to intervene and a Sheriff’s Athletic League hold each other accountable. I Association. Teens, adults and think an oversight committee police officers would be on of citizens and officers to look the same team.

I really want to bring the comat incidents that arise would be beneficial. They’d be able to munity and cops together. I’d like review situations and move on to do something like St. Cloud them much faster than waiting has done with their Cop House. for the current system to work. [St. Cloud’s Cop House is home to a handful of police officers that provide protection in addiMSR: What place do the police have in the community, tion to other services such as and what are your thoughts on health care, social services, afterthe calls to defund the police? school homework programs, and JB: I think the calls to defund even ambulatory services.] the police came out of wanting better professionally trained Jennifer Cherrier welcomes police officers. Officers are reader responses to jcherrier@ members of the community spokesman-recorder.com cities to help change outdated laws and ordinances. I’d work with federal partners to address gun violence, and put a system in place for tracking guns.

gains in education, housing and health, mental health, and disparities that have been plaguing the people of color for years. I’m hoping that they can be expedited legislatively to bridge the gap of these disparities that really need immediate attention.”

Pettigrew: “The state of Minnesota continues to be among the worst in so many racial disparities in so many categories… We still have so much work to do. We can’t have organizations and institutions with leadership that does not look like the population that we’re trying to help making decisions without a representative voice as the very members of that population.”

Levy Armstrong: “I believe that the City needs to establish a truth and reconciliation commission that is comprised primarily of Black residents. That provides an opportunity for the City to begin to make amends and provide reparations to Black folks for the harm that they have caused and that they allowed to persist for so many years. I believe that those things are part of the next phases of our healing.”

Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@spokesmanrecorder.com.

Front page photo/illustration by Steve Floyd, inset: Unsplash

effective police reform should begin with electoral politics aimed at disciplining the Democratic Party. “I think we as Black people and progressives as a whole should explicitly boycott all centrist candidates so the Dems get the message we are not playing!”

Salmon agrees that the Democrats are the problem.

“We can’t depend on people like Biden to do the right thing…

The Dems basically used Black people and then threw us away like they always do.”

Salmon said the answer to police brutality in the Black community lies in direct action such as that demonstrated during the Montgomery Bus Boycott. “Africans in this country keep on expecting legislation to change things, but you can’t legislate morality.

“One solution is mutual aid societies and organizations like the Black Panthers and the Deacons for Defense. We as African Americans have to change the way that we think.

We gotta change the way that we act.”

Mark K. Spencer, inspector general for the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Department in Maryland, said that the police

Violence Continued from page 1

5

reform legislation passed in 2021 is flawed. It continues to rely on the police to police themselves; civilian review boards are political appointees; there are mechanical issues with reporting requirements.

Nevertheless, it is a step in the right direction, largely because it provides for greater transparency in policing. Spencer, a former prosecutor in the Washington, D.C. suburb, was disappointed that more states didn’t follow Maryland’s lead.

But it’s not a panacea, he warned, and the larger problem, ultimately, is one of culture. “Too much of American policing has been influenced

by White Supremacy, and even more dangerously, the idea that police violence is, and was, a legitimate tool for maintaining order in communities.

“But you don’t change police culture by passing a statute,’’ said Spencer. “You change police culture from the ground up through training and supervision. You change police culture by hiring the right people.”

Jon Jeter welcomes reader responses to jjeter@ spokesman-recorder.com. about it, is that there is the ability for people to write and subscribe to such philosophies filled with hate.”

“The White Supremacist acts of terrorism are being fomented on social media…

What this one individual did has been shared with the rest of the world as well as the live-streaming of this military-style execution that occurred in the streets of my hometown.”

Vice President Kamala Harris said, “Law enforcement is proceeding with its investigation, but what is clear is that we are seeing an epidemic of hate across our country that has been evidenced by acts of violence and intolerance. We must call it out and condemn it.

“Racially-motivated hate crimes or acts of violent extremism are harms against all of us,” she asserted, “and we must do everything we can to ensure that our communities are safe from such acts.”

Mayor Brown told reporters that Gendron surveilled both the community and the grocery store as part of the attack’s planning. He said the teen surveilled the area for several days and targeted a busy place in an area predominantly populated by Black people.

His manifesto noted that “zipcode 14208 in Buffalo has the highest Black percentage that is close enough to where I live.”

According to the U.S. Census, the zip code is 78% Black and among the top 2% of zip codes nationwide with the highest concentration of Blacks as a percentage of the population. It has the highest concentration of Blacks as a percentage of the population of any zip code in upstate New York.

“Well, this manifesto tells everything to us,” New York Stacy M. Brown is an NNPA Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “And Newswire senior national that is what’s so bone-chilling correspondent.

6 May 19 - 25, 2022

Arts & Culture

Smartphones, social media as tools of Black liberation

By Charles Hallman Contributing Writer The disturbing graphic video taken by then-17-year-old Darnella Frazier in May 2020 that showed George Floyd’s final minutes of life was viewed and shown repeatedly around the world. Similarly, smartphones and other mobile devices are now being used to visually confirm police violence against Blacks and people of color in this country.

This is the entry point to “Seen and Unseen: Technology, Social Media, and the Fight for Racial Justice” by Marc Lamont Hill and Todd Brewster (Atria Books, Simon, and Schuster), released on May 3.

The new book discusses, among many things, how cell phones and social media have “dramatically changed the visibility of Black lives… Not only have they opened up opportunities for racial justice, they have also energized the communications of those who would undermine justice and promote racism,” says its press release.

Hill, an award-winning journalist and frequent social commentator on various tele-

Photo courtesy of Atria Books

Marc Lamont Hill

M OV I E R E V I E W

Buddy Guy (r) with Jonny Lang

By Dwight Brown “Before you leave, teach someone to drive.” That advice from a former boss at an auto shop best expresses blues legend Buddy Guy’s destiny.

This is not the definitive Buddy Guy bio/doc. That distinction goes to “Buddy Guy: The Blues Chase the Blues Away,” which appeared on PBS in 2021. This nonfiction film has a different mission. Its task is to share how and why guitar heroes like Guy mentor others, like elders in a village passing on what they know to who’s next in line.

Grammy-winning guitarist George “Buddy” Guy grew up on a farm in Louisiana and mi-

bullets. They don’t solve all the problems. They don’t fix all of our issues.

“It’s not enough to just have footage,” he continued. “We have to have a society that’s capable of responding to that footage in a responsible fashion.”

Frazier’s courageous act falls in line with the historical footsteps of Frederick Douglass and W.E.B. DuBois, who each used photographs to show the humanity and the

vision networks, is the Steve Charles Chair in Media, Cities and Solutions at Temple University. He has authored or co-authored six books.

Co-author Brewster, a veteran journalist and historian who formerly worked as a senior producer for ABC News, has directed two documentaries.

In a recent MSR phone interview, Hill warned that videos and images shot by ordinary citizens “are not silver

dignity of Black people. “This isn’t new,” said Hill. “We fell on the shoulders of a long tradition of ancestors with new media and technology.

“Whether it was Frederick Douglass or Ida B. Wells, whether it was Dr. King in the evening news, whether it was Mamie Till in Jet Magazine— we need tools, media platforms, and technologies as a means of helping us get free.”

After his freshman year at Morehouse College, Hill dropped out due to too much hanging out and getting in trouble. He later finished his undergraduate work at Temple (B.S. in education and Spanish, 2000) and obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia native admitted to often being aptly described as a controversial figure.

“My job is to disrupt the status quo,” Hill said. “If I weren’t controversial, then it would mean I’d be going along with the norm, and the norm is not doing anything to help vulnerable people in this country.”

In recent years, lies and misinformation have been more the norm than the exception,

Photo courtesy of Atria Books and the truth is too often questioned and dismissed.

“I’ve never been big on ‘capital T’ truth,” said Hill. “I think we all are fighting to figure out our own fallible truth and to wrestle with what the truth is. But at the end of the day, the notion of truth has been stretched almost to the point

that it is unrecognizable.

“So, we got to find a way to recover that, to not allow people to trick us into believing that things are what they are not.”

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

‘The Torch:’ blues legend Guy passes along lessons learned

Courtesy of IFC Films grated to Chicago in 1957 to fulfill his dream of becoming a blues musician. In the Windy City, he was mentored by his heroes Howling Wolf, Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker.

Then he gave what he got. A prime example is exhibited on screen for 1h 47m, as he shepherds fledgling blues guitarist Quinn Sullivan. He’s just one of the many musicians Guy has nurtured.

The words, deeds and instructions he’s given Sullivan started back in April 2007.

That’s when, as a seven-year-old, the talented White kid guitarist got pulled up on stage by the Black blues icon at a gig in Massachusetts. Sullivan, a prodigy and virtuoso, lit up the strings

on his guitar and could mimic any lick Guy threw his way.

Footage depicts that auspicious night and follows the youngster as he turns into a teen and then a young man trying to find his own voice. Though watching his performances and development is interesting, it’s not nearly as captivating as following the paths of other artists with similar experiences. E.g., blues/belter/guitarist Jonny Lang, who has had record contracts and a stellar career since age 15.

However, this “making of a man” aspect does provide learning experiences and a warm emotional core. It’s a feel that helps elevate this decently crafted (director/producer Jim Farrell) but not artistically daring documentation of Guy’s achievements and mentorships.

Aaron Frutman and Michael Andrus’ cinematography captures live performances, backstage rituals, musicians fraternizing and bonds that have grown over the years.

Touching moments of parenting, testimonials and lasting relationships prove that we

are all only as good as the spirit we leave behind in others. And that blazing a trail matters most when others can follow.

Guy’s most poignant recollection is his first encounter with his idol John Lee Hooker, who he yearned to meet. In Chicago, Guy ran into a man that stuttered so badly he couldn’t understand what the dude was badgering him about. Turns out the bothersome man was Hooker, trying to introduce himself but hindered by a speech impediment.

Precious anecdotes like that are like listening to songs on an anthology record—one that holds memories and treasures.

Fellow musicians spread his

legend. Carols Santana: “The Moses of the blues … he literally parts the seas.” Jonny Lang, himself the product of mentoring by blues musician Ted Larsen, has a unique perspective: “A lot of “Touching moments of parenting, testimonials and lasting relationships prove that we are all only as good as the spirit we leave behind in others.”

At age 85, George “Buddy” Guy still tours, goes from concert to concert and never does a sound check. He learned his trade from those who came before him and is leaving something behind. It’s a calling. A mission. A state of grace.

This enlightening bio/doc may not be the ultimate Buddy Guy movie, but it’s one his followers must see. The one that explains his resolve.

people are called living legends, but not all are as gracious and Check local streaming devices generous as Buddy Guy.” Susan for showtimes.

Tedeschi of the rock/blues group Tedeschi Trucks Band sees a conVisit NNPA News Wire Film Critnection: “Guy is a link between ic Dwight Brown at DwightBrownJimi Hendrix and blues music.”

Ink.com and BlackPressUSA.com.

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May 19 - 25, 2022

Opinion

7

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

With abortion rights on the table, is interracial marriage next?

If the Supreme Court’s draft opinion eliminating abortion rights that was leaked recently becomes official, interracial marriage is in the bull’s-eye of the current composition of that tribunal.

Abortion should no longer be Constitutionallysafeguarded, according to the leaked draft, because it is not “deeply rooted in

Men’s voices urgently needed to defend reproductive rights

By Rob Okun

lence, too.

Nevertheless, for many “It’s on us to listen, to men who believe in gender speak out, and to take ac- equality, myself included, tion. Not because women are there’s been little of a conour mothers, sisters, wives or sistent, sustained, male friends—but because women prochoice effort. We heard are people. And all people the maxim “women’s boddeserve to control their own ies; women’s choices” and bodies.” —Sen. Cory Booker vigorously nodded.

Then, many of us backed Exacerbated by the off from actively working news that this summer the to protect Roe, believing Supreme Court is poised we could always reengage to overturn a half century if circumstances became of precedent by declaring dire—if Roe was being Roe unconstitutional, men threatened, right? Well, must leave the sidelines in what the hell are we waitthis national reproductive ing for? rights emergency.

The stakes are too high The stakes are to simply declare that too high to simply abortion is a “women’s issue.” For decades, men in declare that increasing numbers have abortion is a followed women’s lead in “women’s issue.” challenging gender-based violence and promoting From Texas’s 2021 aborgender equality, so why are we stuck when it comes to tion ban after six-weeks (before many people even abortion?

Men must understand know they’re pregnant), that denying access to to a similar law enacted in safe abortion is a form of neighboring Oklahoma this gender-based violence. spring, every woman’s auControlling women’s repro- tonomy is being threatened.

Most Supreme Court obductive choices is Statesponsored control over a servers were convinced that woman’s body. If we speak the Court’s ultra-right majorout against all other forms ity would overturn Roe; the of violence against wom- leaked draft of the opinion en, we should speak out in Mississippi was not a suragainst this form of vio- prise. Still, men have to make

submissions@spokesman-recorder.com

submissions@spokesman-recorder.com

submissions@spokesman-recorder.com.

our voices heard, unambiguously, that we stand with women—our partners and wives, sisters and daughters, cousins and aunts—in challenging the ruling.

As an organized voting block, men have a key role to play in ousting antichoice legislators and electing pro-choice candidates. Men need to step up and join the struggle.

A decade and a half ago, before the 2006 mid-term elections, I was among volunteers who went door to door across South Dakota canvassing to overturn what was then the most restrictive abortion ban in the nation. For weeks, our pro-choice squad crisscrossed the state.

I stood on residents’ doorsteps on leafy streets in small Dakota towns explaining why I’d come all the way from Massachusetts. “I have a son, 18, and three daughters all in their 20s,” I’d begin. “Imagine if even one parent in South Dakota had a daughter who’d been raped and became pregnant.

“Must that family follow a law that forbade the young woman from aborting the rapist’s child? One that compelled her to bear his baby?” Often enough my comments struck a nerve.

We won that battle (55 to 45%) and South Dakota’s law was overturned by the will of the people.

Nevertheless, vigorous efforts to restrict a woman’s right to choose continue unabated to this day, not just across South Dakota, but in dozens of other states as well.

Trigger laws are poised to go into effect the moment Roe is overturned, banning abortion outright in a large swath of the country.

“The idea that threats to women’s reproductive freedom are also an issue for men is too often seen as an afterthought if mentioned at all,” says antisexist educator, author and filmmaker Jackson Katz.

“This has to change.

Liberal and progressive men need to hear loud and clear that their support for women’s right to comprehensive healthcare services—which includes access to safe, legal abor-

history” or expressly mentioned in the Constitution.

The same is true of interracial marriage. It can hardly be considered historically anchored because it was outlawed for years in many states and practiced by very few individuals until it was legitimized by the High Court’s ruling in Loving v. Virginia in 1966.

Nor is it explicitly refer-

enced in the Constitution; indeed, “marriage” is not mentioned there at all.

These two criteria, or their absences, make interracial marriage among the many accepted features of American life that are now on the endangered species list.

Marshall H. Tanick Minneapolis

One person can change a foster child’s life

By Tikki Brown All children need someone to be there for them, whether to kick a ball around, empathize over adolescent friendships, or provide support for mental health issues or other adversities. They need to know that at least one person will never give up on them—no matter what happens in their lives, no matter who they are, no matter what they do. They need someone who will always love, support, mentor and care for them.

When children cannot safely live with one or both of their parents, or with another relative, a foster parent can be that person.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, foster parents have kept children healthy while facing their own health scares. They’ve supported children and youth in accessing mental health services while dealing with their own fears and worries. They’ve toiled side-by-side with children during distance learning while working from home or coping with unemployment.

And they’ve supported children to visit and maintain contact with their birth families while ensuring that they also feel accepted in their foster homes.

Foster parents deserve recognition and praise yearround for their dedication and compassion—and particularly now, during Foster Care Month.

In a recent conversation with some long-time foster parents, I learned more about the realities of what they do. It can be a challenge, no doubt.

There are tough days, dealing not only with pan-

demic-related issues but also with meeting children’s day-to-day physical, emotional and mental health needs. Any removal from a home is a traumatic event, and these children may not readily trust and bond with their foster families.

But the foster parents also shared the great rewards they experience, such as seeing children succeed by getting a good grade, earning a driver’s license, or graduating from high school. Most importantly, they make a lifelong difference in children’s lives.

“They come in as a stranger.

They will leave as family.”

“They come in as a stranger,” said one foster mother. ”They will leave as family.”

“When they come in, they may be broken, but when they leave…they go away with the feeling of being loved,” said a foster father.

We always need more foster parents. While the numbers of children entering foster care has declined during the pandemic, on an average day Minnesota still has about 7,700 children and young adults who need foster families and providers.

To best meet children’s individual needs, we need a pool of foster parents to choose from, particularly those who reflect the racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds of children in care. We’re looking for foster parents who will not only nurture and care for children but also guide, compromise, keep an open mind, listen to their stories,

clinic, Planned Parenthood, NARAL, or all three.

• Urge your faith community’s leader to deliver a sermon supporting a women’s right to choose (or be the guest speaker yourself).

• Write a letter to the editor stating your unequivocal support for women’s reproductive rights.

• Invite a group of men over to talk about the threat women face and What can men do?

• Volunteer at a clinic, why men need to break including escorting pa- their silence.

• Urge researchers to tients inside.

• For Fathers Day, in lieu accelerate work on develof a gift, ask your family to oping male birth control make a donation to a local methods. tion—needs to be an absolute first-order priority, because without it there is no gender equality. And without gender equality, there is no real democracy.”

With the flames of intolerance growing like a western wildfire that’s scorching our sisters’ homes, men must join the bucket brigade to put out the fire. Now!

show patience and tolerance, preserve and make relationships, and enable children to be their true selves.

And love. Of course, love. People who become foster parents give a child not only a home but also a temporary family, as well as comfort, safety, and welcome arms to return to over the years.

One youth formerly in foster care said it’s understandable that some may have concerns about becoming foster parents, but wisely noted that the human experience involves trauma and poor life choices as well as empathy, care and love. Foster parents can help foster children with additional positive human experiences.

As another former foster youth put it: “A lot of people in the world have good hearts, and not a lot of people get to see that part of people… A good place to start is showing kids you love them when they haven’t had that before.”

One person. One caring, supportive, nurturing adult.

That’s all it takes to make a difference in a foster child’s life.

To learn more, contact your county or tribal social service agency, or visit the Minnesota Department of Human Services’ website at mn.gov/dhs/foster-parents.

As assistant commissioner for children and family services at the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Tikki Brown is responsible for services and policies that promote child care, child support, economic stability, child safety and permanency, and successful transitions for immigrants.

• If you have a son old enough, talk with him about respecting women’s autonomy.

• Let your daughter know you unequivocally support her right to control her body.

• Alert anti-choice legislators that you won’t just vote to unseat them, you’ll work to elect pro-choice candidates.

Rob Okun (rob@voicemalemagazine.org), syndicated by PeaceVoice, writes about politics and culture.

He is editor-publisher of Voice Male magazine.

8 May 19 - 25, 2022

Know your operator: Duane Moore Sponsored content provided by

As a young man working at a local grocery store, Duane Moore had had enough of working long hours on his feet all day.

He came across an advertisement for drivers at Metro Transit and applied. Today, he helps train other operators. But like some other applicants, he didn’t pass the course the first time around.

“A lot of people don’t understand that it’s not easy to get this job,” Moore said. “The process is important. It’s how we make sure there’s qualified operators on the road.”

He took not passing the first round in stride and came back ready to prove he was qualified. It’s one of many lessons he can teach the next generation of operators as they enter the field.

“When I started, the buses didn’t even have power steering,” Moore said. “Even then, I enjoyed being the captain on board a big bus.”

He’s had plenty of experience and new operators will notice his sleeve decorated with service awards. In 2022, he was recognized for 30 years of safe driving.

“Every five years, you gain a lot from experience on the road,” Moore said. “Some things you learn in a classroom, others from your coworkers, and others from experience.”

In the classroom, he tailors his lessons to help meet the needs of each operator.

He finds they all have different strengths and different questions.

And he’s not ready to slow down yet.

Duane Moore Photo by Metro Transit Marketing Team Three decades into his career, Moore still finds himself thinking, “This job is worth it.”

Operator at a glance: Duane Moore Hired: 1990 Routes: Serves various routes as an extra-board operator Garage: Heywood Family: Wife and three children. The kids have moved out, but if you ask him, his German Shepard named “King” is now his stay-at-home kid.

Lives: Minneapolis Hobbies: Motorcycling, boating, traveling and being with family.

Accomplishment: 30-year safe operator Memorable trip: 1,200 miles round-trip on his Indian motorcycle to the National Biker Roundup in Springfield, Ill., to celebrate with 90,000 other riders.

Best Advice: No matter what happens, remember to take it slow and take it easy.

Twin Cities Habitat names Sharon Sayles Belton as board chair The board of directors at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity has elected Sharon Sayles Belton as its new board chair. Sayles Belton, the former mayor of Minneapolis— the first African American and first woman to hold that position—is currently the vice president of government affairs and community relations at Thomson Reuters.

The board of directors welcomes six new leaders to their first terms of service.

The new cohort joins as the organization begins a new strategic plan focused on advancing racial equity in housing.

The newest board members include Brandon Berg, senior vice president of research, development, and innovation, Andersen Corporation; Mark Copman, president of the stationery and office supplies division, 3M; Scott Hietpas, chief executive officer, Computype; Nash Shaikh, chief of staff to the CEO, BlueCross BlueShield of MN; Dean Wahlin, retail market manager for Home Lending, Wells Fargo, and DeLinda Washington, senior vice president, and chief people officer, HealthPartners.

Sayles Belton began her term as board

chair in late February, joining an executive committee that includes Paul Delahunt, community volunteer (serving as vice-chair); Eric Skalland, chief financial officer and EVP, Capital Markets at United Properties, serving as treasurer; and Keiko Sugisaka, partner at Maslon, LLP., serving as secretary.

For more info about Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity’s board of directors, visit tchabitat.org/board-of-directors.

Source: Twin Cities Habitat

Having a backyard recreational fire?

Follow the law and be a good neighbor Whether you enjoy outdoor fires while entertaining guests or to just gaze at the stars at night, the City of Minneapolis is reminding residents about outdoor fire laws to keep neighborhoods safe and livable: • Outdoor recreational fires are permitted between 9 am and 10 pm.

• Keep fires small: less than three feet in diameter and two feet high.

• Postpone a fire when Minneapolis is under an air pollution advisory. Fires release fine particles that contribute to air pollution and are implicated in health problems including strokes, heart attacks and asthma. Sign up for air quality alerts from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency at this link: mn.enviroflash.info • Burn only untreated, unpainted dry wood. Never burn cardboard boxes, trash or debris, because the smoke can be toxic.

• Fire must be at least 25 feet away from a structure or combustible material and in a fire ring or pit with edges more than six inches high.

• Have a hose or fire extinguisher present.

• Postpone the fire when the wind exceeds 10 mph.

• Fire must be constantly attended by someone 18 years or older and completely out before being abandoned.

Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church

Worship

MSR file photo • Illegal open burning or recreational fires could result in fines that start at $200.

Consider these tips These simple suggestions could help neighbors be considerate of each other when having a fire: • Let neighbors know when planning a fire.

• Postpone a fire when smoke will blow directly at a neighbor’s house or when still weather conditions prevent smoke from moving away at all.

• Understand that recreational fires can have serious health impacts, especially for children, older adults, and people with existing health conditions.

• If neighbors say they are adversely affected, respect the serious medical harm a fire could do to them and extinguish the fire.

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Employment & Legals Principal Consultant

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE

Principal Consultant, Concord USA, Hopkins, MN. Req. Bachelors in project mgmt, communications, business admin., or related discipline, & 5 yrs exp. in software dev or Master’s in project mgmt, communications, business admin., or related discipline & 2 yrs. exp in software dev. Also req. 2 yrs. exp in at least 3 of the following: project mgmt to communicate and deliver enterprise-level projects; developing structure in ambiguous environments & managing conflict with documented success; Designing & developing highly scalable, cloud ready web applications using various web frameworks like .Net Core, Angular, HTML5, c#, css, js; guiding technical & functional resources to deliver projects; developing effective relationships with business, technical staff, & executive mgmt.; Developing efficient data processing API services that are cloud compatible by design; integration platforms as well as related architecture and implementation solutions including API-driven design, messaging patterns, and application development best practices; developing front end user interfaces using Angular; managing stakeholders, negotiating scope and clarifying priorities; software development lifecycle, messaging patterns, endpoint s ecurity, interfaces with internal and external applications, and database knowledge; driving the full cycle of project development, from requirements to delivery and support; exp w/ various data formats & protocols – REST, SOAP, JSON, XML, HTTP, FTP, AS2, EDI; connecting w/ cloud & on-premise applications & data sources; communicating w/ IT & business people about technology. Position based out of & reports to Concord’s HQ in Hopkins, MN, but may be required to travel to & work from unanticipated client sites throughout US. Travel est 10%-50% depending on work req.

New hires to undergo background checks. Submit résumé to jennifer.jamison@concordusa.com No agencies or phone calls.

THE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION.

Administrative Coordinator Full-time

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that default has occurred in the conditions of the following described mortgage: DATE OF MORTGAGE March 26, 2010, modified April 24, 2015 ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $49,000.00 MORTGAGOR(S): Jeffrey C. Bjerksett and Sheryl E. Bjerksett MORTGAGEE: Northeast Bank DATE AND PLACE OF REGISTRATION: Registered with the Registrar of Titles in and for the County of Hennepin, State of Minnesota, on April 9, 2010, as Document No. 4744632, modification recorded May 5, 2015, as Document No. 5253771 ASSIGNMENTS OF MORTGAGE: Assigned to Alabama 2, LLC in Assignment of Mortgage dated January 20, 2022, recorded February 2, 2022, as Document No. 5919605 LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: Lots 1, 2 and 3, Block 17, “Seton” (REGISTERED PROPERTY) PROPERTY ADDRESS: 2605 Tyrone Lane, Mound, MN 55364 COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: Hennepin AMOUNT DUE AND CLAIMED TO BE DUE AS OF DATE OF NOTICE, INCLUDING TAXES, IF ANY, PAID BY MORTGAGEE: $55,395.04 THAT there has been compliance with all pre-foreclosure requirements; that no action or proceeding has been instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof; THAT pursuant to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above-described property will be sold by the Sheriff of Hennepin County as follows: DATE AND TIME OF SALE: June 6, 2022, at 11:00 a.m.

The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder (MSR) enjoys living legacy as Case: ConcordUSA - Principal Consultant the oldest Black-owned in the state of Minnesota and one Size: 3.4167 xnewspaper 5.17 of theDate: longest-standing Run 5/19/22family-owned newspapers in the country.

Ad Options: For an additional you can getexperienced online As we continue to expand and grow, $300.00 we are looking for an advertising to as help well.us with our ever-increasing Administrative Coordinator

PLACE OF SALE: Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Room 30, 350 South Fifth Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota, to pay the debt secured by said mortgage and taxes, if any, on said premises and the costs and disbursements, including attorneys’ fees allowed by law subject to redemption within six (6) months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s), their personal representatives or assigns.

Monday - Thursday 10:00am - 5:30pm

The date on or before which the mortgagor must vacate the property if the mortgage is not reinstated under section 580.30 or the property redeemed under section 580.23: December 6, 2022, at 11:59 p.m.

administrative needs.

Salary based on experience Contact: twilliams@spokesman-recorder.com NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

State of Minnesota

District Court

County: Clay

Judicial District: 7th Court File Number: 14-FA-21-3035

Aug 31, 2021

Case Type: Dissolution without Children

In Re the Marriage of: Demeris Anthony Lynn Allen

Summons (Check One)

Name of Petitioner

☑ Without Real Estate

and

☐ With Real Estate

Yvonne Hannah Day Allen Name of Respondent THE STATE OF MINNESOTA TO THE ABOVE-NAMED RESPONDENT: WARNING: YOUR SPOUSE (HUSBAND OR WIFE) HAS FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST YOU FOR DISSOLUTION OF YOUR MARRIAGE. A COPY OF THE PAPERWORK REGARDING THE LAWSUIT IS SERVED ON YOU WITH THIS SUMMONS. THIS SUMMONS IS AN OFFICIAL DOCUMENT FROM THE COURT THAT AFFECTS YOUR RIGHTS. READ THIS SUMMONS CAREFULLY. IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND IT, CONTACT AN ATTORNEY FOR LEGAL ADVICE. 1.

The Petitioner (your spouse) has filed a lawsuit against you asking for dissolution of your marriage (divorce). A copy of the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage is attached to this Summons.

2.

You must serve upon Petitioner and file with the Court a written Answer to the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, and you must pay the required filing fee. Answer forms are available from the Court Administrator’s office.

You must serve your Answer upon Petitioner within thirty (30) days of the date you were served with this Summons, not counting the day of service. If you do not serve and file your Answer, the Court may give your spouse everything he or she is asking for in the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage.

3. ☐ This proceeding involves. affects, or brings into question the real property

Dated: April 11, 2022 Alabama 2, LLC Assignee of Mortgagee HOELSCHER LAW FIRM, PLLC By: /s/ Brian G. Hoelscher (#238752) Attorneys for Assignee of Mortgagee 13100 Wayzata Blvd., Suite 100 Minnetonka, MN 55305 Phone: 952-224-9551 Email: brian@hoelscher-law.com FORECLOSURE DATA Minn. Stat. Sec. 580.025 (1) the physical street address, city, and zip code of the mortgaged premises is 2605 Tyrone Lane, Mound, MN 55364; (2) the name of the transaction agent, residential mortgage servicer, and the lender or broker, as defined in section 58.02, if the person holding the mortgage is a transaction agent as defined in section 58.02, subdivision 30 are as follows: – not applicable; or the name of the residential mortgage servicer and the lender or broker, as defined in section 58.02, if the person holding the mortgage is not a transaction agent as defined in section 58.02, subdivision 30 are as follows: residential mortgage servicer – Alabama 2, LLC, lender or broker – Alabama 2, LLC; (3) the tax parcel identification number of the mortgaged premises is: 19-117-23-23-0158;

located at the following address ____________ City

THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR’S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED.

_______ _________ State Zip Code

in ___________ County, State of ____, with the following legal description: ___________________________________________________________ 4. ☐ (For a second property)This proceeding involves. affects, or brings into Case: MSR - Admin Asst. question the real property located at the following address: Size: 3.4167 x 2.5 Run Date: 5/19/22 _________________________________ in ______________ County, State of ______, following legal description: Ad Options: Forwith antheadditional $300.00 you can get online advertising as well. ___________________________________________________________

(4) if stated on the mortgage, the transaction agent’s mortgage identification number is: - not applicable; (5) if stated on the mortgage, the name of the residential mortgage originator as defined in section 58.02 is: Northeast Bank Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder April 21, 28, May 5, 12, 19, 26, 2022

Filed in District Court State of Minnesota 5/12/2022

OR ☑ This proceeding does not involve real property.

NOTICE OF TEMPORARY RESTRAINING PROVISIONS Under Minnesota law, service of this summons makes the following requirements apply to both parties to the action, unless they are modified by the court or the proceeding is dismissed: (1) Neither party may dispose of any assets except (a) for the necessities of life or for the necessary generation of income or preservation of assets,

(2) Neither party may harass the other party.

Continued from page 10

State of Minnesota

District Court

Ramsey County

Second Judicial District Court File Number: 62-DA-FA-22-439

(b) by an agreement of the parties in writing, or (c) for retaining counsel to carry on or to contest this proceeding.

Prep

Notice of Issuance of Emergency

Brenda Salcedo

(3) All currently available insurance coverage must be maintained and

(Ex Parte) Order for Protection

continued without change in coverage or beneficiary designation.

by Publication

(4) Parties to a marriage dissolution proceeding are encouraged to attempt alternative

(Minn. Stat. § 518B.01, subd.8)

dispute resolution pursuant to Minnesota law. Alternative dispute resolution includes mediation, arbitration and other processes as set forth in the district court rules. You may contact the court administrator about resources in your area. If you cannot pay for mediation or alternative dispute resolution, in some counties, assistance may be available to you through a nonprofit provider or a court program. If you are a victim of domestic abuse

SOE

Contunued from page 10 Client: Mortgage Forecl Sale - Northeast “But the leadership Size: 3.4167 x role 13.75 ofRun theDate: shortstop is still- the 4/21/22 5/26/22 same,” he stressed.

“You Ad Options: For an additional you can g still got to go$300.00 out there online advertising and control your defense and help lead the team in that way, whether it’s cutting relays or talking outs— just the basic necessities of the game.

“Carlos does a great job of that and I’m able to learn a lot from him,” said Lewis of Correa. “He’s been a real blessing and a lot of wisdom shared, which is amazing.”

Lewis is the second homegrown number-one overall pick to play for Minnesota since St. Paul’s Joe Mauer. The top overall pick in the 2017 draft, the 6-2 infielder from Aliso Viejo, Calif. has battled both a COVID-canceled season and then an injury in consecutive years to get back on the field.

“COVID and then my injury,” said the rookie, “missing really two seasons against competition and other players. That sucks.

As a competitor, it’s tough to not be able to compete.

“But coming back it’s been wonderful, glorious, just to be able to let that competitive edge out each and every day and have fun doing it.”

Now in a Twins uniform, Lewis started slowly. He was batting .310 in 24 games for the Saints, but finally got his first major league hit in the fifth inning in his first start at short.

Last Friday, Lewis’ double (his first in the majors) sparked a nine-run fifth inning in a win over Cleveland. He also crushed a grand slam homer, making him the first Minnesota player to collect two extra base hits in the same inning since 2019.

“Baseball is a tough game,” surmised Lewis.

“We’re gonna go through some tough spots, and also gonna have some highs too. I’m just blessed to be in a position to be able to compete.”

Finally, he disclosed what has been the biggest difference he’s seen after moving up from minors to majors: “The food has been amazing. I think that’s the only difference that I have seen so far.”

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

introduction, or the presentation itself. It was immediately after the presentation when hundreds of students lined up to get his autograph.

He signed every autograph.

What a cool memory.

Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader responses to mcdeezy05@gmail.com.

To Respondent: YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an Ex Parte Order for Protection has been issued in this case. You

required to try mediation and you will not be penalized by the court in

may request a hearing if you contact the court administrator’s office within 12 days of the date of

later proceedings.

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:

SUBJECT TO SANCTIONS BY THE COURT.

Ramsey County District Court 25 West Seventh Street St Paul MN 55102 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: May 12, 2022

Donald W. Harper Court Administrator

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder May 12, 19, 26, 2022

9

In the Matter of Zachary Crosby vs Brenda Salcedo

or threats as defined in Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 518B, you are not

IF YOU VIOLATE ANY OF THESE PROVISIONS, YOU WILL BE

When I heard about his passing, I thought it fitting to recall the time a young school teacher got to meet an NBA legend. The one memory that I take with me from that day was not my meeting him, the

May 19 - 25, 2022

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder May 19, 2022

Architect - Visual, multiple openings The Alliiance, Minneapolis, MN. Req. Bach. in Architecture & 3 yrs architectural exp. Degree must be obtained from National Architectural Accredited Board (NAAB) accredited university. Must be licensed architect. Also req. 3 yrs. exp in: use of arch. design software: Autodesk (Revit, 3ds Max, AutoCAD), Adobe (Lightroom, Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign), SketchUp, V-Ray, Enscape for Autodesk Revit and SketchUp, Lumion and Twinmotion; applied use of sustainable design knowledge; aptitude for design & design representation in prior work. Must have demonstrated ability to collectively integrate all of the above listed applications together. Apply at careers@ alliiance.us and https://alliiance.us/careers No agencies or phone calls.

10 May 19 - 25, 2022

hange and the NCAA historically has been an oxymoron. Nonetheless, college sport’s governing body has been dealing with unexpected changes while still trying to maintain its stonewall anti-change existence.

The NIL (name, image and likeness) issue continues to be controversial, forcing the NCAA last week to announce that it will better enforce its rules, such as boosters using NIL deals to lure athletes to a particular school. Some argue that these deals are already creating a haves-versus-have-nots system.

Are these deals, which must be approved by the school, really benefiting the players who sign them? Others argue NIL deals are a prelude to pay-forplay, which the NCAA and others have fought against for decades.

And once again the NCAA finds themselves in court.

Black college athletes represented by the National

Sports NCAA reluctantly faces its overdue ‘transformation’

Greg Sankey College Players Association (NCPA) have filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education alleging their civil rights are being violated because their compensation is being capped.

Right now, a college athlete can get a scholarship that in-

Photo by Charles Hallman cludes room, board, books, tuition, cost of attendance, and educational benefits that can’t go over $6,000. Athletes also have access to medical benefits and a student assistance fund.

The NCPA argues that capping compensation causes “a disparate impact on Black

college students,” many of whom come from financially disadvantaged families. The NCAA has lost similar lawsuits in court in recent years: O’Bannon v. NCAA (2014) and Alston v. NCAA (2021).

Earlier this year at its annual convention, NCAA members adopted a new constitution that gives each of the three divisions the power to rewrite their own rules to suit their needs. Other changes being seriously discussed involve big school football conferences doing away with divisions, which were created to set up league championships.

And, the NCAA president unexpectedly announced his retirement, which some believe will fast-track any significant changes while also searching for a new prez.

The NCAA Transformation Committee, a group of 21 persons who are in various college sport roles, is charged with addressing Division I’s most significant challenges and supposedly still meet the needs

of current and future studentathletes. According to its website, three big questions were focused on thus far this year: What it means to be a Division I student athlete, meeting the needs of today’s student athletes, and what changes must be made to NCAA rules to meet what is happening today in college sport.

“The NCAA was really good at writing rules but not good at taking them away.”

sions for athletic departments? …So one of the issues that’s changed over time is transfers,” such as the current transfer portal system, he noted.

“How do we continue to modernize? Are there opportunities to provide a more consistent experience across Division I, because it varies widely?”

Asked about the committee’s diversity makeup—four of the 21 group members are Black— Sankey pointed out, “That’s just part of the effort to make sure we have a diversity of opinions that can be considered. We’re committed to reaching beyond that committee to get the solutions… We know we have to go beyond voices immediately in the room.

“There are a lot of constituencies who might wish to be in that room,” concluded Sankey.

“So, we’ve got to find a way to engage them in the process, even if they’re not on calls.”

The NCAA officials “were really good at writing rules [but] not good at taking them away,” Committee Co-Chair Greg Sankey told reporters in a brief media scrum held at the Women’s Final Four in Minneapolis. The NCAA rulebook is over 400 pages.

Sankey, the SEC commissioner, later told the MSR, “So how do we move away a bit Charles Hallman welcomes from the NCAA manual being reader responses to challman@ the dominant point of deci- spokesman-recorder.com

Meeting an NBA legend

New Twins shortstop is ‘adjusting to the adjustments’ he shortstop in baseball is often seen as the captain of the infield, taking charge of balls hit in the air or on the ground as well as the communication among infielders. Some say it is probably the second behind catcher as the hardest position defensively to play as it requires a player’s ability to cover a lot of ground and ground balls along with covering second base and the surrounding territory.

n February 1994 I met Bob Lanier.

At the time, the former NBA superstar, who passed away last week at 73 years of age after a short illness, was in the metro area as president of the NBA Stay in School program. The program was part of the NBA All-Star weekend fes“Coming back it’s been wonderful, tivities in Minneapolis leading up to the all-star game. glorious, just to be able to let that On that day Lanier was in competitive edge out each and town to speak to a group of every day and have fun doing it.” students at EXPO Middle School, where I taught social Minnesota Twins rookie shortstop Royce studies and would eventuLewis, since being called up from St. Paul in ally coach the boys’ basketball May, has taken an accelerated crash course team the next two years. in playing the position in the majors. He As one of the few staff was rushed into service after regular Carlos members with a little knowlCorrea suffered an injured finger. Although edge of the NBA, I was sehe has played shortstop since high school, lected by my principal, Dr. Lewis told the MSR last week, “Yeah, it’s Joan Sorenson, to introduce definitely different” in the big leagues.

Royce Lewis Courtesy MN Twins Lanier to the audience. What “I’m adjusting to whatever adjustments an honor, I thought, to have have been thrown at me,” he said. “That’s tional shift on every at-bat. “You’re almost play- the privilege of introducing why I have Buck [Byron Buxton] and Carlos ing shortstop half the time when we have a left- an NBA great, a legend. and guys like that—those veteran guys and handed batter,” then shifting over to second base I didn’t realize the presence leaders that are in the clubhouse to help me or “maybe a third baseman” when a right-handed of Lanier until he entered the hitter comes to bat, explained Lewis. through these things.” gymnasium standing at 6’11”.

Today’s baseball virtually demands a posiAs I introduced myself to the ■ See SOE on page 9

Bob Lanier speaking to students soft-spoken gentle giant, he expressed doubt about the person chosen for the introduction.

“Mitchell,” he said inquisitively, “do you really know who I am?”

“Yes, I do,” I said with confidence.

“Do you really?”

My next response made it clear to Lanier that I knew a little more about him than he thought. “I remember you,”

Courtesy sportscasting.com

I said as he looked at me. “St. Bonaventure College! Graduated 1970! Played in the NBA from 1970-1984! Played for the Detroit Pistons and Milwaukee Bucks!”

The more I talked, the more he smiled. “You do know who I am,” he said, surprised. I introduced Lanier, and he and his group gave a phenomenal presentation.

■ See Prep on page 9

Fighters eager to ‘show what they know’

By Charles Hallman Sports Columnist wo title fights headline the next Saturday night fight card at the Minneapolis Armory in June. The second nationally televised co-main event (on Showtime) this year at the downtown Minneapolis venue is sched- David Morrill, Jr. uled for June 4.

“This is the biggest possible platform that you can have.”

Kalvin Henderson (15-1-1).

Current WBC and WBO Super Bantamweight champ Stephen Fulton, Jr. (20-0) will fight former champion Danny Roman (29-3-1) on the same Cuban native David Mor- fight night.

All four fighters, along with rill, Jr. (6-0) who adopted the city as his hometown in 2019, Morrill’s English translator, will defend his WBA Super held a May 10 virtual press Middleweight title against conference, which the MSR

Kalvin Henderson

attended.

Morrill said he is looking forward to fighting in his adopted hometown. “I love fighting in Minneapolis because I fought there three times and I’ve won there three times by knockout,” he noted. “I’m gonna come out there, do my job, give fans a show.”

“He’s no slouch. He has

showing what you already know to the rest of the world,” said Fulton.

Added Roman, “It’s a fight you got to see. Whoever makes the best adjustment is going to take that fight. You can say it could be like a chess game. I can do a little bit of everything. He [Fulton] could Danny Roman Stephen Fulton, Jr. do a little bit of everything as Photos by Charles Hallman well. So it all depends who makes that adjustment that June 4 for Morrill will be a night.” skills,” said Henderson of his bittersweet date as well: “It’s opponent.

“He’s a unified champion,” “This is absolutely the chal- going to be the fourth anni- noted Roman of the unbeaten lenge for both Henderson and versary of me not being able to Fulton. “I know he’s gonna I,” added Morrill on fighting on see my family,” he pointed out, want to defend his belts.” the scheduled Showtime card. due to his having defected.

“I just expect this as a vicThe Fulton-Roman clash tory,” said Fulton.

“This is the biggest possible platform that you can have to also is expected to be an exshow the world what you’re citing one, both fighters told Charles Hallman welcomes capable of, and I plan to take reporters. reader responses to challman@ “That’s all boxing is about, spokesman-recorder.com. full advantage of it.”