Inside this Edition...
Read about the JXTA groundbreaking on page 2.
THE VOICE OF BLACK MINNESOTA SINCE 1934
September 30 – October 6, 2021
Vol. 88
NO. 9
www.spokesman-recorder.com
Breakthrough biography reveals Bobby Marshall’s greatness
in the Western Conference (later to be named the Big Ten Conference) and the first to be named All American. He was a two-way star, playing both defensive obby Marshall, a great and offensive end. He graduated from athletic “everyman,” may be one of the greatest the University of Minnesota in 1907 Twin Citians to ever live with a law degree and practiced law in while remaining one of the Twin Cities for several years. our least-known bright lights. But that Marshall was the first Black person is changing as a result of a biography to play professional football, starring released last week in the Twin Cities for the Rock Island Independents at the about his life titled, “Breaking Through age of 40 in 1920. Weeks later he was the Line: Bobby Marshall, The N.F.L.’s joined in the league by African AmeriFirst African American Player,” by Terry can Fritz Pollard, who weeks later beMcConnell. gan playing for the Akron Pros of the Marshall was also nominated and then-American Professional Football presented to the NFL Hall of Fame sel to r, Lorie Washington, Kathy Washington, Betty Association, which soon changed its l to r, Tina Schlief, Don Marshall, Natalie Sims, lection committee by Minneapolis Star Washington , Bobby Marshall’s grandchildren and Bobby Marshall’s grandchildren name to the National Football League. Tribune sports writer Mark Craig, for great-grandchildren Photos by MSR Incidentally, 13 African Americans consideration for induction in the 2022 would enter the NFL from 1920 to sity of Minnesota from 1904 to 1906 in baseball, football and track. Mar- He came to Minneapolis after his fam- 1933 before an unwritten agreement Hall of Fame class. Long before turning pro, Marshall after graduating from Minneapolis shall was born in Milwaukee March 12, ily migrated there. among league owners kept more from Marshall was the first Black player starred playing football at the Univer- Central High School, where he shined 1880, the grandson of Virginia slaves. ■See MARSHALL on page 5 By Mel Reeves Community editor
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PETITO STORY EXPOSES ‘MISSING WHITE WOMAN SYNDROME’ Not all missing persons get the same attention By Niara Savage Contributing writer
Y
ou probably know Gabby Petito’s story, the Florida resident who went missing while on a road trip with her fiancé. But what about Black women and girls who’ve gone missing from Minnesota? The disappearance of Petito, which has tragically unfolded into a homicide investigation, has dominated the airwaves in recent weeks. Meanwhile, the names, faces, and sometimes
equally tragic stories of Black girls missing from Minnesota and around the country have failed to pique the interest of American media in the same way. But is the public’s fascination with the case fueled by an innocent and unbiased drive to pursue justice for Petito, or by a more complex social phenomenon—“missing White woman syndrome”? The phrase “missing White woman syndrome’’ was coined by late journalist and PBS newscaster Gwen Iffill at the Unity Journalists of Color convention in 2004, when she joked, “If there is a missing White woman, you’re going to cover that every day.” MSNBC host Joy Reid called out the disparate coverage of missing persons on an episode of the ReidOut on September 20. “The way this story has captured media attention has many Gabby Petito wondering, ‘Why not the same media attention Photo: Instagram/GabsPetito when People of Color go missing?’” she said. Viewers nationwide have been delivered who was reported missing on September 11 play-by-play updates about 22-year-old Petito, after her boyfriend Brian Laundrie returned
home to Florida without her from the couple’s cross-country road trip. The breathless coverage, delivered via television and social media feeds, extended overseas: 60 Minutes Australia aired an in-depth segment on the Petito investigation earlier this week. Ultimately, public awareness and engagement in the case is what led to the discovery of Petito’s body. Shortly after a family of YouTubers, who were in the Grand Tetons at the same time as the couple, discovered they had captured the couple’s van on film and contacted the FBI, authorities announced remains were found a short distance from where the van was spotted. But the public has not been privy to information regarding the disappearance of 16-year-old Patria Taylor Wallace, who was last seen in Fridley in February 2021, and has therefore not been able aid in the search for her. Authorities say the 5-foot-1 inch, 117-pound teen may have traveled to St. Paul. A records request submitted to ■See MISSING on page 5
U.S. Dept. of Justice investigates the MPD Citizen accounts of police encounters are invited
women from CUAPB, Michelle Color and protestors. It was a small gathering, Gross and Darlene Scott. They the first of a few such events shared some powerful facts Earlier this month Commu- intended to hear community with those in attendance, most nities United Against Police ideas and experiences, and notably that the police departBrutality (CUAPB) hosted a it succeeded in its goal. The ment’s annual budget includes public discussion in Beltrami event was hosted by two ■See CUAPB on page 5 Park on the Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) misconduct. The group was there to engage with the community, hear stories, and brainstorm solutions to our policing problems. CUAPB plans to pass these stories and ideas on to the DOJ for inclusion in a consent decree. The decree is a list of changes the DOJ will present in court and require the MPD to undertake. The DOJ is looking into such issues as police mistreatment of the homeless community, racial discrimination and lack of service to people of color, mistreatment of those with mental illnesses and other disabilities, and use of Darlene Scott holds the microphone while Tamara Russell speaks excessive force on People of Photo by R.B. King By R.B. King Contributing writer
Photo by MSN
BIDEN CALLS ABUSE OF HAITIANS ON U.S. BORDER ‘HORRIFIC’ Deportations widely challenged as discriminatory
By MSR News Service
I
Images of White men on horses at the U.S. border with Mexico swinging what appeared to be whips or ropes and shouting nasty epithets at Haitian migrants last week drew outrage among many in the U.S and abroad. The hasty deportation of Haitians at the border without allowing for asylum claims also drew criticism. Ten flights arrived in Haiti from Sunday to Tuesday last week in planes designed for 135 passengers, accord-
ing to Haitian officials, who didn’t provide a complete count but said six of those flights carried 713 migrants combined. Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday called the treatment “horrible” and said she planned to discuss the issue with Alejandro N. Mayorkas, secretary of the Homeland Security Department and the son of Cuban migrants. “Human beings should never be treated that way,” Harris said, “and I’m deeply troubled about it.” The Haiti Support Project
(HSP) last week condemned the brutal treatment and mass deportation of Haitian migrants who have gathered at the Texas border seeking refuge from the devastation of the recent earthquake, a series of hurricanes and tropical storms, and a deepening political crisis following the mysterious assassination of President Jovenel Moise two months ago. Plagued for decades by grinding poverty, Haiti’s economy has virtually ground to a halt as a result of ■See HAITIANS on page 5
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September 30 - October 6, 2021
Metropolis
JXTA groundbreaking a Northside game-changer By Travis Lee Contributing writer The sky was sunny and the air electrified last Friday afternoon as dozens of eclectics, woke wealthy, and commonfolk young and old gathered on the corner of West Broadway and Emerson Ave. North. There was valet parking, a rarity on that side of town. Food trucks, courteous greeters, live DJs, contortionists, entertainers and security personnel were also on hand to usher in a new era in servicing the often-marginalized Northside of Minneapolis. JXTAposition Arts, a nonprofit youth art and design education center, gallery and artists’ studio space broke ground on a breathtaking $12 million, 17,000 square foot facility that will house their new headquarters. Located at 2007 North Emerson Ave., the stylish high-tech hub designed by African American firm 4RM+ULA will have offices, a gallery, a fabrication
P.J. Hill and Felicia Perry
(l-r) Roger Cummings, CCP JXTA founder; DeAnna Cummings, JXTA founder; Gabrielle Grier, JXTA director; Bill and Beverly Cottman, legacy board members shop, artists’ quarters,a textile lab and much more. JXTAposition Arts is an African American organization that has over 100 fulltime and part-time youth employees who enjoy full benefits. It teaches thousands of youth each year how to develop and harness their creative energy with an entrepreneurial spirit.
Also known as JXTA, JXTAposition Arts was able to raise the substantial funding required for the project
A rendering of the new JXTA building
having these intense conver- attitude and solutions-based sations about social justice models make JXTA a necesand equity. We are building sary asset to the community. a legacy-based regenerative Their groundbreaking event organization,” said Cummings. was a stunning game-changMichelangelo is believed er on how services can be to have said, “Without art delivered to young people there is no culture.” JXTA’s throughout the country. cultivation of our youths’ artistic pursuits and innovaTravis Lee welcomes reader tions is vital and needs con- responses to travtrend@gmail. out was Fifth Ward Council- tinuous support. Their can-do com. member Jerimiah Ellison, who spoke about the importance of JXTAposition Arts. He was a student of the program at the age of six. “JXTA invested in my creativity,” said Ellison. “It’s not about a physical building per se. It’s about our youth and what we can do as a community. It’s about the Northside community, which has been deemed disposable by the rest of the city. We deserve a state-of-the-art building like JXTAposition.” Rodger Cummings, one of the founders of JXTAposition, also shared some thoughtful reflections while on stage with the co-founder and his wife Diana Cummings. “This isn’t just another arts organization,” he said. “We are investing in innovation, environmental design, advocacy, and community safety strategies. “We do this through young artists, designers, and problem-solvers of the future. If it wasn’t for today’s generation, we wouldn’t even be Minneapolis City Councilmember Jeremiah Ellison artist and iTunes Jazz charttopper LA Buckner and his Band Big Homie, who kept the vibes hot. One who stood
“This isn’t just another arts organization.” by harnessing and developing young artists and building blossoming relationships with the philanthropic community over their past 25 years of service to the community. Their many artistic exploits are known globally. The VIP reception at 3 pm was followed by a public celebration and groundbreaking ceremony in the parking lot. The atmosphere was full of excitement, promise, positivity, and talented young people. There was much discussion about JXTA’s many innovations and accomplishments. Their youth have had many large-scale collaborations that include the Super Bowl, the Final Four and other major events hosted by the Twin Cities, corporate partnerships with 3M, Target, and most recently with Red Wing Shoes through a designer who was once a youth in the JXTA program. There were many speakers and well-wishers who graced the stage during the event such as local recording
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Let’s work together for a better Highway 252/I-94 Join the online conversation! Attention Minneapolis, Brooklyn Center & Brooklyn Park! Visit the online open house. Access this any time after September 20.
Join the virtual community conversations Minneapolis: Tuesday, October 5 from 5 to 7pm Brooklyn Center: Thursday, October 7 from 5 to 7pm Brooklyn Park: Tuesday, October 12 from 5 to 7pm
Attend the in-person open house: Thursday, October 14 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Monroe Elementary School-901 Brookdale Dr, Brooklyn Park
Visit tiny.cc/252EIS or scan the QR code to access the online open house and the virtual community conversations MnDOT invites and encourages participation by all. If you need an ASL, a foreign language interpreter, or other reasonable accommodation, or need documents in an alternative format (such as braille or large print), please email your request to Janet Miller at ADArequest.dot@state.mn.us or call 651-366-4720. For more information, visit the project website at dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/hwy252study/index.html
Health & Wellness
September 30 - October 6, 2021
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Know your birth control options to decide which is best for you of contraception. An IUD is a small device shaped like a “T” that a provider places inside the uterus to prevent pregnancy. They can be lined with or without hormones. For instance, the two major IUD types are the copper IUD (no hormones) and the levonorgestrel IUD, which releases a small amount of a hormone called progestin each day to prevent pregnancy. These devices can provide years of protection; the copper IUD could last up to 10 years and the levonorgestrel IUD could last up to 3-6 years. According to the CDC, IUDs have some of the lowest Dr. Alexis E. Carrington failure rates against pregnanGuest contributor cy compared to other forms of reversible contraceptives The topic of birth control and are removed by a procontinues to make headlines, vider if not desired anymore such as recent news in France or to be replaced. Contrary to offering free birth control to a TikTok trend of women reall women up to 25 years old moving their own IUDs, it is starting next year. Yet, the dif- not recommended to remove ferent forms of birth control an IUD without a medical continue to remain a confus- professional in a health care ing topic for many women. setting. Contraception is still commonly used in the U.S., Birth control pills with 64.9% of the 72.2 million Birth control pills are an women aged 15-49 using a easy-to-use type of contraform of birth control, accord- ception, but one’s medical ing to the CDC. It is easy to get history should be considered. confused with the many birth Oral contraceptives, or birth control options out there and control pills, are prescribed by which is best, but it’s impor- a provider and must be taken tant for everyone to under- daily for its full effects. The stand the different common type of pill that is best to use types and to determine which depends on a person’s mediis better for each person. cal history. For instance, the combiIUDs nation estrogen and progestin Intrauterine Devices pill may not be recommended (IUDs) are currently the lon- for someone with a history gest-lasting reversible forms of smoking, blood clots, or
breast cancer. However, the progestin-only pill may be a good option for women who can’t take estrogen. Overall, it is necessary to discuss it with a provider to determine which form of the pill better suits you. Hormonal contraceptives Hormonal contraceptives can take many forms, including implants, injections and patches. Using either the hormone progestin, or a combination of progestin and estrogen, these forms of birth control are administered either as an injection, a patch on the skin, a ring in the vagina or an implant in the arm. The implant is a very small flexible plastic rod that is placed under the skin of the upper arm by a physician and can last for about three years during which the provider can remove or replace if desired by the patient. The injections, such as the DepoProvera shot, are done every three months. The patch and the ring is used for three weeks and removed during the fourth week to allow for menstruation, similar timeline to the pill. Of these hormonal options, implants in the arm have the lowest failure rate, according to the CDC, but all are effective in reducing the chance of pregnancy.
Courtesy of MGN and female condoms are the only types of birth control that can help prevent STIs. STIs such as chlamydia and gonorrhea have reached an all-time high for the sixth year in a row, making these barrier methods invaluable to use in combination with other forms of contraception. Importantly, a diaphragm or cervical cap, both types of barrier methods, do not prevent STIs. As we know, barrier methods aren’t foolproof and still carry a risk of getting an STI or becoming pregnant. However, it is recommended that condoms be used in addition to another forms of birth control to effectively protect against STIs.
forms of birth control. The most common contraceptive method used by women in the U.S. was female sterilization, or “tube tying,” at nearly 19%. This procedure is done by a physician in a hospital or outpatient surgical center. The method is effective immediately, and afterwards women can typically resume their normal activities within several days. The same is the case for a vasectomy in men. After the operation, the man follows up with a provider to test his sperm count and make sure it has dropped to zero, which can take a couple of months. Both are safe, routine procedures that also have very high success rates at preventing pregnancies.
Barrier methods Some barrier methods provide protection that can help reduce the risk of Sexu- “Tying tubes” and vasectomy ally Transmitted Infections “Tying tubes” and va- Weighing the options (STIs). Methods such as male sectomy are the permanent With a plethora of birth
control options, the key is to discuss the ideal options with a provider to determine which is most practical and safe for you. Considering medical history and preference are all important factors in determining which option is best for you. Alexis E. Carrington MD will be a dermatology resident at George Washington University Department of Dermatology. She completed her Internal Medicine Preliminary year at Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine Elmhurst Hospital Program in New York City, during the initial onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. She has interests in ethnic and medical dermatology, underserved and global health dermatology, and dermatologic surgery.
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September 30 - October 6, 2021
Opinion
The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder (MSR) welcomes and values commentary and feedback from the community. The articles found here are edited for clarity and/or space, but the opinions are the author’s own and do not reflect the views of the MSR.
Now is the time for environmental justice
Restorative justice should be applied to all crime By Jeffery Young Governor Walz recently signed a bill into law allowing military veterans convicted of low-level offenses to participate in a restorative justice process and avoid prison. The RJ process will not be available for “violent offenders” as if restorative justice is ineffective or inappropriate for people branded with this label. This couldn’t be further from the truth. This most recent so-called criminal justice “reform” bill falls tragically short of the Governor’s One Minnesota campaign slogan and proclaimed belief in criminal justice reform. “Violent offender” is a misnomer and should not be used to exclude incarcerated people from the many conversations and reforms occurring in criminal justice. For one, the term includes people convicted of crimes that didn’t involve “great physical force”—as violence is defined in the dictionary—such as illegal possession of a weapon. It also implies that a person is uncontrollably and perpetually violent, a constant and current risk to society and incapable of change. I am convicted of a violent act. But this one act does not justify labeling me as a violent offender. This one act occurred nearly 20 years ago when I was 24 years old. Yes, my crime caused a lifetime of unbearable pain for many. But placed in context, it made up less than three minutes of the nearly 12,614,400 minutes of my entire lifespan up to that point. In other words, my crime
did not even take up more than a tenth of 1% of my entire lifetime. Since those tragic three minutes, I have never had a violent interaction throughout my years of incarceration (an additional 10,512,000 minutes of my life). Interestingly, throughout my 20 years of incarceration, I have observed hundreds of incarcerated individuals labeled “nonviolent” offenders (parole violators, drug offenders) go in and out of segregation for multiple fights during their short stays in prison. Yet they qualify as nonviolent simply because of the act they were initially convicted of, not their recent behavior pattern. Restorative justice is a process to address crime by focusing on harms, needs and obligations in order to heal and repair relationships. Racial justice philosophy holds that everyone is capable of change and healing. Accountability and community safety are more adequately achieved across all spectrums of harm, including violent crime through the restorative justice process rather than punishment. Danielle Sered wrote in her groundbreaking book “Until We Reckon,” “Time after time, victims tell the parole board that they still feel exactly the same way they did the day the crime occurred... If someone’s pain does not subside over time, it means the tools [prison] we are using to transform it are at worst wrong and at best inadequate.” Sered also noted that results from her own restorative justice program to address violent offenses in New
York City— Common Justice— along with an abundance of studies, indicates restorative justice is capable of meeting the needs of crime victims and public safety. According to Sered, “Being punished requires only that people sustain the suffering imposed for their transgression. It is passive. Prison does not encourage people to do the hard work of being accountable and becoming someone who will not commit harm again.” “Accountability and safety are achieved when the person who caused the harm acknowledges responsibility, understands the impact of his actions, takes actions to repair the harms as much as possible, addresses the needs of the victim and community he or she harmed, and commits to living a life without crime. “Committing to living crime-free requires one to strengthen empathy and respect for others, invest time in one’s own healing of past trauma that contributes to the cycle of violence, learn strategies to manage one’s emotions and errant thought patterns, and build healthy interdependent relationships that can protect the durability of these lessons in the face of change, loss, and other stressors.” Prison is not a healthy environment conducive to the needs and obligations of those who have committed a violent crime. I know this from personal experience. If not for restorative justice practices and teachings that I have sought on my own, my belief system that led to my crime would not have changed just because I sat behind bars. It took tremendous work for me to overcome the hurdles prison imposed on me and become a socially responsible, empathetic and crime-free person. A wealth of research shows that prison is more effective at having a criminogenic effect than it is at providing public safety. Prison is an incubator for at least four key drivers of crime according to research identified by Sered: shame, isolation, exposure to violence, and poverty. If Governor Walz wants to make meaningful changes in criminal justice, he will encourage legislation that promotes a restorative approach to crime.
By James Trice The recent Star Tribune editorial “Taking the lead on new clean energy” missed a very important element. While Sen. Tina Smith’s proposed legislation on a national clean energy standard is commendable, she has ignored a major problem— trash-burning incinerators. Carbon-intensive and polluting waste incineration is included as a favored energy source in the new clean energy program. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, burning trash releases nearly as much carbon dioxide as burning coal. Additionally, mercury, lead, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter are emitted into the air. These toxins are linked to health problems including heart disease, asthma and other respiratory ailments. A study published last year noted that higher levels of particulate matter are associated with a 15% higher COVID-19 mortality rate. Unfortunately, in Minnesota (and across the country) incinerators are most often located in environmental justice (EJ) communities—these are low-income or predominantly communities of color. In fact, six of the seven incinerators in Minnesota are located in EJ communities. In Minneapolis, the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) has spewed pollution for years from burning plastics, metals, and other waste. (HERC) is adjacent to a community with higher rates of asthma, lead poisoning, obesity, diabetes, sub-standard housing, air pollution, and soil contamination as compared to other communities in Minnesota. There are already 13 companies along the river that spew toxic chemicals into the air, soil, and water. Individually, most companies pass environmental quality standards, (HERC
included), but when you take their individual contributions and add them all together, their combined pollution burden contributes to lower life expectancy and greater health challenges across the lifespan for residents in North Minneapolis. Dr. Robert Bullard, considered the father of environmental justice, said, “Everybody produces garbage but not everybody has to live next to the landfill—incinerator.” The U.S. has a long pernicious history of allowing multiple toxic manufacturing facilities to operate in mostly BIPOC and marginalized communities with little to no environmental and regulatory oversight to keep them in check. Bullard also said, “The U.S. is segregat-
or to make energy and is worse than landfilling. After the murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers, our community is grappling with the best way forward to protect our citizens. State leaders have discussed the need to implement policy changes to address systemic racism. Environmental issues like burning trash in our communities of color should be another important item to be addressed by our elected officials. President Joe Biden has pledged to help states become 80% carbon free by 2030; Gov. Tim Walz recently committed to achieving 100% clean energy in Minnesota by 2040. These are admirable and
“Politicians in Washington, D.C. have now irresponsibly categorized trash burning as ‘clean energy.’” ed and so is pollution.” For too long in Minnesota, policymakers have ignored trash-burning and its toxic emissions. Counties have subsidized incinerators like the HERC with millions in taxpayer dollars. At the state level, trash burning receives preferential treatment as it is classified as renewable energy (like solar and wind). Politicians in Washington, D.C. have now irresponsibly categorized trash burning as “clean energy” in this new legislative proposal. In Minnesota “waste to energy” are the buzzwords to prop up the dirty trash burning business. The reality is incinerators produce little energy and the pollution these facilities emit into the air far outweighs any benefits they provide. Incineration is the most expensive and polluting way to manage waste
ambitious objectives. While these goals are 10 to 20 years into the future, policy makers should step up now and address the dirty and damaging incinerators. Too much is at stake to wait and not act immediately. The time is now to bring environmental justice to our communities. At the federal level, Sen. Smith should push to remove trash burning as “clean energy” from any proposed clean energy program. At the state level, we implore Gov. Walz, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, and state legislators to end preferential treatment for the carbon-intensive, polluting industry of trashburning incinerators. James Trice is a longtime resident of Minneapolis and serves as the CEO of Public Policy Project & the Environmental Justice Coordinating Council.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Dr. Fred Iglesia will be missed By Hanif Barnwell
Dr. Fred Iglesia, my constant and caring friend, passed away on Sunday, August 8, 2021. His family, faith community, former co-workers, and students will, in the coming days, weeks, and months, memorialize him, and we will collectively share in the ebbs and flows of bereavement. I wanted to share my experience and friendship with Fred. I met him at St. Peter’s AME Church in Minneapolis where he was a guest speaker and delivered a clear and concise message of reconciliation to God. After the service, I shared with him that I just moved from Calgary, Alberta, for a career opportunity and he immediately grafted me to his Christ-centered life through ‘intentional engagement.’ Fred and I connected on many levels: We both had an offbeat sense of humor, were of Caribbean ancestry, Trekkers (not Trekkie’s), and music aficionados (he was always surprised someone of my Jeffery Young is a writer age was versed with the back and inmate at the Minnesota catalog of José Feliciano, Paul Correctional Facility at Still- Simon, and Neil Diamond). water. Fred was there at the
high, mid, and low points of my life, from officiating at my wedding and navigating fatherhood, to supporting his once upbeat friend when I fell into a depression when I lost my father to cancer. Fred operated on a heart and soul level, which, for anyone who has spent an extended time in Minnesota as a transplant from Illinois and warm Puerto Rican cultural heritage, meant an emotional jolt every time an open-hearted gesture towards someone is not welcomed or reciprocated. Fred navigated Minnesota, I believe, as a forever outsider with “a heart of sunshine in the cold.” The soul-to-soul tapestry that he carefully interwove with various denominations and outreach programs throughout the Twin Cities over the years, found my dear friend in high demand for his subject matter expertise during these last 16 months, even within the constraints of limited time and lack of ancillary support. Outside of the church, it was his work in the “streets” that fascinated me. Fred appealed to the discouraged, dejected, disheartened and even those too disap-
pointed to be disappointed. I recall one Friday morning over a coffee at a café, Fred saw a young East African man who was pale and inebriated. He was compelled to leave our conversation and buy the young man breakfast and provide him with on-thespot counseling relating to his fraught relationship with his spouse. Rev. Dr. Fred Iglesia was a man of prophetic action. He was one of the few people that would hear the call or plight of others and go above and beyond to support. Fred, in my observation, was perfectly designed for the time and his untimely death has left me unsettled, not just for his wife, grandson, and daughters, but also for the leadership void it created in a community in need of reconciliation and spiritual upliftment. His role as a spiritual leader to realign, reframe, add clarity, uncover subtexts to see in-between, above and below, in a sin-sick world, was unparalleled. He will be forever missed. Hanif Barnwell is a resident of Minneapolis.
September 30 - October 6, 2021
of pride from having fought in World War I. Their “somebody-ness” served as a catalyst for racial violence, particularly in the North. Continued from page 1 Racism and White Supremacy in the U.S, was in its heyday in the North and the South. The Ku entering the league until the agreement was re- Klux Klan had begun to make a comeback, and in Minnesota the Minnesota Eugenics Society advoluctantly rescinded in 1946. “I thought it was important that all people cated sterilization of POC. Marshall and Pollard were harassed by get to know about Bobby Marshall,” said McConnell. The author’s interest in Marshall’s story was piqued by his grandfather, OC Olson, who owned a semi-pro team, the Minneapolis Deans, which the former Gopher starred on from 1907 to 1909. McConnell said his grandfather called Marshall a tremendous presence. Writing the biography took him seven years and became a quest. “I had never had a hero that I can relate to like Bobby Marshall,” said the author. Marshall entered the NFL in 1920 during what has become known as the “Red Summer,” the same year that a group of Black men were fans from opposing teams because of their lynched in Duluth, Minnesota. White resent- color. It was said that Pollard was forced to ment and hatred for Blacks had reached a fever dress in the Akron owner’s cigar store and be pitch as Blacks returned with a renewed sense driven to games only moments before kickoff
Marshall
“Marshall lived in incredibly racist times, but he never held any animosity.”
ing children cases but receive only 19.5% of news media coverage. Bay Area newscaster Frank Continued from page 1 Somerville requested that local station KTVU allow him to add a short the Fridley Police Department regard- segment to discuss “missing White ing the case was not returned. Wallace is not the only Minnesota Black teen whose disappearance has slipped under the radar of media and public attention just this year. Judahia Pugh, 17, went missing from St. Louis Park on August 19 and has not been seen since. Layla Bajinka, 12, disappeared woman syndrome” and draw attenfrom Edina on September 5, and tion to the disproportionate coverOnjela Carter, now 16, has been age between Black and White missmissing for nearly a year after the ing persons as public fascination with Lakeview teen disappeared in Octo- the Petito case swirled. The anchor was suspended indefinitely. Mercury ber of 2020. A 2010 study by Ohio State Uni- News reported Somerville, who is versity researchers found that Black White, is the father of a Black adchildren make up 33.2% of miss- opted daughter.
Missing
to avoid being hit by thrown projectiles like bottles. Marshall was not only a great football player entering the NFL at 40 years old; he was also an accomplished lawyer, selected as the state’s grain commissioner while still finding time to play hockey and baseball. “Marshall lived in incredibly racist times, but he never held any animosity,” said McConnell. “He didn’t hold any hatred.” McConnell and Bobby Marshall’s grandson Bill Marshall have established the Bobby Marshall Scholarship. Recipients are expected to exemplify Marshall’s character traits and priorities, which include a commitment to academics, leadership and service. The scholarship is designed for student-athletes at the University of Minnesota. Marshall died of Alzheimer’s disease in 1958. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1971.
Mel Reeves welcomes reader responses to mreeves@spokesman-recorder.com.
The renewed public discourse about the way mainstream media constructs worthy and unworthy missing persons has catapulted lesser-known cases into the spotlight. Carmen Bolden-Day, the mother
“Why not the same media attention when People of Color go missing?”
Haitians Continued from page 1 the natural disasters and chronic political instability. Kidnappings and turf wars between rival gangs have also terrorized the population. Taken together, these cruel living conditions have spurred yet another exodus from Haiti by people desperate for a safe place for their families, only to be further brutalized by U.S. Border Patrol agents. “We are absolutely outraged by the images of Haitians being herded and whipped like cattle,” complained Dr. Ron Daniels, founder of HSP. “In the minds of African Americans, it conjures up
cruel and callous deportations of our Haitian neighbors and leveraging every resource available to support those fleeing the humanitarian crisis on the island.” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that President Biden has seen the images from the border and that “he believes that the footage and photos are horrific. They don’t represent who we are as a country. And he was pleased to see the announcement of the investigation.” “I urge President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas to immediately put a stop to these expulsions,” said Senator Chuck Schumer of New York of the deportations. “We cannot continue these hateful and xenophobic Trump policies that disregard our refugee laws.”
“It’s like the world doesn’t want those of us who have this color.” traumatic images of water hoses turned on Black children in Birmingham and horses trampling protesters on the Edmund Pettis Bridge. No human being should be brutalized like this. It must stop immediately.” Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley of Boston, co-chair of the House Haiti Caucus, and Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez of New York appealed to the Biden Administration to immediately halt deportations and take urgent action to provide massive support to assist the Haitian people in the wake of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that devastated Haiti last month. “The Biden administration cannot claim it is doing everything it can to support the Haitian community while continuing to unjustly deport Haitians as the island weathers its worst political, public health and economic crises yet,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “We have a moral obligation to lead with compassion. That means immediately halting the
“It is reprehensible that Haitian families seeking safety amidst political violence and a devastating earthquake at home are met with anti-Black violence and no real opportunity to seek protection,” said Katharina Obser, a director at the Women’s Refugee Commission. The Trump administration was carrying out mass deportations under the guise of taking public health precautions as stipulated in what has become known as Title 42. The Biden administration appeared to be following the previous administration’s lead until a court rejected the rationale for wholesale deportations in a recent ruling. There is still no consistent policy to determine who will and who will not be allowed to enter the U.S. According to one family interviewed by the BBC, the journey through South America to the U.S. Mexico border is a perilous one. Fiterson Janvier said he left his family in Haiti in 2014 to look for
5
of 25-year-old graduate student Jelani Day, had been searching for her son since he was last seen in Illinois on August 24. But it wasn’t until September 23, amid increasing interest and public pressure as the Petito case unraveled, that a coroner identified a body as belonging to Day. It had been found floating near
work in Brazil. The work dried up, and Janvier said he and his family have traversed through 11 countries, including the Andes and the Amazon basin, on their way to the U.S.-Mexico border, passing on the way the dead bodies of other Haitian and Cuban migrants. He is frustrated that his journey has not ended in the way he hoped. “It’s like the world doesn’t want those of us who have this color,” pointing to his black skin. “This world doesn’t want to see us.” According to the BBC, migrant rights groups estimate that in Mexico alone as many as 80% of migrants have been victimized, extorted or abused on their journey, many of them by the police and the immigration authorities. However, not all the migrants arriving at the border in Del Rio are being deported. Hundreds of Haitian families who have exhibited a “credible” fear of returning home have been allowed into the U.S. to seek asylum. Marleine Bastien, a longtime Haitian rights and community activist and executive director of the Family Action Network Movement in Miami, insisted that racism and 50 years of failed U.S. foreign policy are at the root of the country’s humanitarian crisis. “It’s U.S. foreign policies visà-vis Haiti that prioritize dictators, autocrats and corrupt leaders—some of them singlehandedly picked by the U.S.” she said. “As long as we continue failed policies, we will see this kind of tragedy and crisis at the southern border.” Steven Cesar told the Los Angeles Times that he was hoping to join cousins in Miami and Orlando and find work to support his eight-year-old daughter back in Haiti when he arrived at the U.S.Mexico border alone. He couldn’t understand why the U.S. accepted refugees from other countries in crisis even as they deported Haitians. “They received people from Afghanistan,” Cesar said. “They know all the problems we have in Haiti—the earthquakes, political problems. Why don’t they want us?”
Author Terry McConnell
the south bank of the Illinois River on September 4. On September 17, before she learned that her son had been dead for weeks, Day’s mother noted the difference in the way her son’s case has been handled by authorities and the media during a Newsy interview. “I know about Gabby, the missing girl. And she’s been missing for two days, and her face is plastered everywhere, and the FBI is involved. “And I do not understand why Jelani doesn’t get that same coverage. Jelani doesn’t get that same attention,” she said. Details about Day’s final days are scant. John Fermon of the Bloomington Police Department said of his death, “Foul play or not, it’s unusual.” Data from the National Crime Information Center shows that 33.8% of missing persons reports in 2019
CUAPB Continued from page 1 $21 million for expected police brutality lawsuits, money provided by the community. One solution the CUAPB offers for this is to require that each police officer pay for their own personal liability insurance. This idea, first proposed in the Twin Cities, is now practiced as far away as Colorado yet has never been picked up by the MPD. The group shared another ongoing strategy to fight police brutality taking place within the ranks, two projects called EPIC (Ethical Policing Is Courageous) and ABLE (Active Bystander-ship for Law Enforcement). These projects are typically combined and work to train police on how to intervene when they witness bad behavior from another cop. Both
MSR photo
were for Black people, although the demographic makes up less than 14% of the population. While Black people are more likely to go missing, they are also less likely to be found. A review of New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services records of all children reported missing in the period 2007–2010 showed Black children were twice as likely as non-Black children to remain missing at the end of researchers’ observational period. Derrica Wilson of Black and Missing Foundation, who appeared as a guest on an episode of the ReidOut, told Reid during a discussion about missing Black people, “No one’s looking for us.” Niara Savage welcomes reader responses to niaraalexandra@gmail.com
two goddaughters in getting hired. “I do believe they are hiring for a certain person,” she said. “The national average for [women in] policing is 12% right now. The City of Minneapolis stays at 12%. They’re not getting hired at all because one of the problems the City of Minneapolis has is when they get women in for testing, the [fitness] testing is geared for a 210-pound man, not a 120-130 pound woman.” One woman shared her own personal experience with the police. Tamara Russell had a son struggling with addiction and mental health issues. She said the police targeted him, picking him up for petty violations and stealing his wallet when he was in crisis. She said she is afraid that there is no current way to hold police accountable, that they are too powerful and are not focused on the practice of best care for the people they detain.
“If your story can save somebody else from experiencing some of the things that you’ve experienced, it’s worth it.” are being introduced to the MPD. Though it was cold and windy, a steady stream of citizens stepped up to the mic to contribute to the conversation. Several repeated that they felt the MPD was incapable of respecting the humanity of People of Color, the mentally ill, and those experiencing homelessness. Many advocated for scaling down police power, including demilitarizing the police and getting cops out of situations that could better be solved by social workers. Noah S., who chose not to disclose his last name, mentioned the training civilians get in the use of firearms and compared it to police practices of unholstering their weapons. He mentioned the civilian Duty to Retreat rule, which says that if there is any way around lethal use of force the shooter has an obligation not to shoot. He compared this to police escalation of the use of force, unholstering their weapons and pointing them indiscriminately. One woman brought up another worry: discriminatory hiring practices. Nicole R., who chose not to disclose her last name for privacy reasons, brought up the stats for women in policing. She shared the struggle of her
Although there is clearly a high level of community concern over police misconduct, the CUAPB say they presently have only 750 community stories about encounters with police. They need 1,000 to share with the DOJ to make sure that the future of policing in Minneapolis is based on what the community wants. “If your story can save somebody else… from experiencing some of the things that you’ve experienced, it’s worth it,” Darlene Scott said during the meeting. When the question was raised if the community might be afraid to hold police accountable, one voice stood out. Rabla Said replied, “We’re very institutionalized. We’re very systematically oppressed, and we’re jaded.” She said the community had felt powerless and was just now getting back a sense of control. “Some people are afraid to hold them accountable,” she said. “I’m not.” People who wish to share their stories of police encounters can do so at www. cuapb.com or directly with the DOJ at community.minneapolis@usdoj.gov. R.B. King welcomes reader responses to kaysi003@umn.edu.
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September 30 - October 6, 2021
Business
Up from the ashes: Clothing store opens storefront at MOA
Urban 29
mindset she has in order to be successful. “You have to be focused. You have to be strong. You have to be creative—just can’t give up. Every day is not going to be all roses,” she said. Being an entrepreneur requires grit, focus, and dedication. Sanders disclosed, “It looks easy, but it’s not easy. It’s work, more hours, less pay, no benefits.” The tradeoff is being independent. She added, “I did work in corporate America for a long time and I didn’t want to be confined. And my main reason is because I want to build my own dreams, not someone else’s.” Sanders exudes humility and is grateful to live her dream every day. “Have a dream, have a plan, stay focused, don’t give up!” was Sanders’ advice for future entrepreneurs and the youth. “It’s not all about looking good, you’ve got to put the work in.” She added, “Whatever you believe, you can achieve.”
Black Business SPOTLIGHT By Ashley Lauren Contributing writer Local entrepreneur Joyce Sanders recently opened her Urban 29 clothing store at the Mall of America in Bloomington, MN. She describes it as “a premium, luxury streetwear brand” that caters to men and women ages 18-35 years old. The U29 brand offers more than unique fashion. There’s also an inspiring backstory. She shared, “I had a mentor [that] I had about maybe 10 years now. I used to do a lot of vendor shows; I used to do some Sister Spokesman stuff.” The Sister Spokesman events were sponsored by the Minnesota SpokesmanRecorder’s nonprofit and geared toward serving African American women in the community. It is temporarily postponed due to COVID-19 safety concerns. The vendor shows provided the U29 clothing store with great opportunities to grow, strengthen and establish the brand. Sanders would set up her merchandise for customers to view and pur-
chase apparel and accessories. She recalled, “I used to have my jewelry, purses—I did that for a long time. Then I started doing events like parties, ladies’ night—I did a lot of vendor stuff at first.” The popup clothing store was wellreceived by customers. Sanders aspired to expand her business in a major way. She said, “I wanted to own my own store and sell men’s clothing—I wanted to step out on my own.” Her dream came to fruition. In June 2019, Sanders established the U29 clothing store in South Minneapolis. “Our first location was 804 East Lake Street, I’d say my first real business,” Sanders said. The business was operating smoothly until the unexpected happened. First came the COVID-19 pandemic, and then civil unrest negatively impacted her livelihood. “We were closed for COVID due to executive order and then when we opened, it was burned down due to the civil unrest [following the murder] of George Floyd, so it was destroyed in that,” Sanders recalled.
U29 is currently located at the Mall of America in BloomJoyce Sanders ington, MN, on the second floor. Store hours are Monday-Thursday 11 am to 9 pm; FridayAlthough she experi- ly, she received an opportu- upscale U29 clothing store Saturday 10 am to 9 pm, and enced trials and tribulations, nity to relaunch her clothing is inviting and vibrant. Every Sunday 11 am to 7 pm. Sanders persevered through enterprise. U29 was selected item is hand-picked by SandNote: The upscale U29 tumultuous times. Fortunate- as one of 16 businesses fea- ers. When individuals shop at
Blac Leaf is one of the stylish Black-owned brands offered at U29.
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Free assistance for your small business Reach out today: MNSBDC.com
tured at Mall of America’s Community Commons. The MOA’s Community Commons storefront opened in October 2019. “The mall has this pop-up. They gave this opportunity for six months and it was a space for 16 businesses in there,” Sanders explained. The local businesses that occupied the space weren’t charged any rent due to COVID and the civil unrest that business owners experienced. After Sanders showcased her products for six months at the MOA’s Community Commons, she was presented with another stellar business opportunity: in May 2021, Sanders opened a storefront at the MOA, located on the second floor. The layout of the new
U29, they can expect a variety of trendsetting items to choose from. U29 offers a selection of luxurious garments that are sourced from various places. Sanders explained, “A lot of luxury brands coming out of
clothing brand will also be expanding to new territory in October/November 2021 when customers can expect to see a second location on Dale and University in St. Paul, MN.
“I want to build my own dreams, not someone else’s.” Paris—I do carry a lot of Black brands that are popular. I carry a brand out of Miami called Blac Leaf; they were real instrumental to me being able to come into this side of the business.” Sanders explained the
For more information about Urban 29, visit www. urban29fashion.com. Ashley Lauren welcomes reader responses to alauren@ spokesman-recorder.com.
Arts & Culture
September 30 - October 6, 2021
7
Questlove discusses Prince, new film, during intimate screening at Paisley Park By Marquis Taylor Contributing writer Excitement was in the air as hundreds flocked to Paisley Park in Chanhassen for an intimate screening of the music documentary and film, “Summer of Soul.” Released theatrically and digitally on Hulu this past summer, the two-hour concert film is a historical time capsule into Black culture and soul during the late 1960s and features performances by an array of artists including Sly and the Family Stone, Nina Simone, the Staple Singers, and Stevie Wonder. Directed by musician, writer, and noted Prince enthusiast Amir “Questlove” Thompson, the film unearths footage from the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, which took place over the course of six days. The film screening and event on Sunday, Sept. 19 at Paisley Park featured a 30-minute Q&A session with the film’s director and a Prince-themed DJ set for VIP attendees. Moderated by music journalist, author, writer, and host of the “Official Prince Podcast,” Andrea Swensson, Questlove spoke at length about Prince’s legacy, the significance of the film, and what he hopes to be its lasting impact. A noted historian, the Roots’ drummer also took time to recount his first visit to Paisley Park while on tour with D’Angelo. “I remember first visiting Paisley Park back in 2000,
“Questlove recalled. “We were on the ‘Voodoo’ tour and had checked into our hotel when we received a message saying, ‘He wants to see you.’ Of course, that ‘he’ was Prince and suddenly we were summoned to Paisley Park. “This was before social media, so it was always interesting that Prince knew where to find us,” continued Questlove. “What I remember most about my first visit was getting the chance to perform with Prince and D’Angelo. We were performing in front of a small audience of three, but Prince still gave his all. That’s one of the things that made him special.” For Swensson, moderating the session for such a prominent figure meant tapping into Questlove’s vast knowledge of music and other historical moments. She described the feeling of conversing with hip hop’s Renaissance Man during the event.
“It was a little intimidating trying to put together questions that could match his depth, but I also wanted to give him space to share how he was feeling in that moment, showing his debut documentary in the same space where one of his biggest heroes made his music videos and films,” Swensson said. In the five years since Prince’s passing, Paisley Park has played host to a variety of events and celebrations. Sunday’s film screening was a welcome addition to the venue’s lineup as Swensson would explain. “Seeing ‘Summer of Soul’ at Paisley Park seemed like such a natural fit, not only because of Questlove’s deep admiration for Prince but also because of how hard Prince worked to uplift Black talent—and particularly Black women—throughout his life and career,” Swensson noted. “I couldn’t help but think about how much Prince would
Questlove
Photo by Adam Meyer
released rather than discarded,” Swensson continued. “And something that really struck me while speaking with Questlove is how impactful this film will be on the young musicians coming up now. It felt healing to watch this film at Paisley Park, especially after the trauma that Minnesotans have endured over the past 18 months. “It made me wish that we could “It made me wish that we could have a Minneapolis Culhave a Minneapolis Cultural Festival tural Festival now to uplift our now to uplift our Black community Black community members in the same way that the Harlem members in the same way that the Cultural Festival did in the sumHarlem Cultural Festival did in the mer of 1969.” Questlove was able to fursummer of 1969.” ther reflect and elaborate on “Questlove’s deep well of have loved watching the foot- the film’s retrospective impact knowledge about Black music age of a young Mavis Staples, by drawing comparisons to history, and particularly the de- who was his friend and who Prince’s 2019 memoir, as well tails of Prince’s recording career in recorded two albums with him as a ’70s TV show that changed the 1980s, is such an inspiration at Paisley Park, or what impact the landscape of Black culture. “When I was looking at the to me, as a fellow historian and this footage would have had on film’s footage, it was around researcher,” Swensson explained. him as a teenager if it had been the time that ‘The Beautiful
Ones’ had come out. In the book, Prince spoke about how Woodstock was such a pivotal moment for him and how it helped him to realize what he wanted to do for a living,” Questlove explained. “Then it made me wonder, ‘What if this film had come out in ’71 or ’72? Could it have changed my life?’ And the weird thing is what ended up replacing this film was Woodstock. “But with our film, I wonder had it actually come out would it have defined a generation and flourished had it been released in the same fashion? Yet what wound up replacing this movie was ‘Soul Train.’” He continued, “With Soul Train, it was the first time the world got to see what we now call ‘Black joy.’ It showed Black people not mired in controversy or civil unrest. It was our first look at Afrocentricity and that’s what this film could have been.” As the film continues to
amass praise and attention, Sunday evening’s event at Paisley Park is undoubtedly a testament to its staying power as an important historical picture. For Swensson the praise is well-deserved. “Without hyperbole, I can say it’s the best music documentary I’ve ever seen,” she said. “The concert itself is mesmerizing, even without the additional interviews and archival footage, but the way Questlove wove everything together is truly a work of art. Other filmmakers will surely be inspired by the message of this film.” “Summer of Soul” is available for streaming on Hulu. For info on events at Paisley Park, visit the official website: www.paisleypark.com. Marquis Taylor welcomes reader responses to mtaylor@ spokesman-recorder.com.
Yaya DaCosta on new show ‘Our Kind of People’ and how she healed from trauma By Nadine Matthews Contributing writer “I’m very silly,” asserts actress Yaya DaCosta in an interview with the MSR to promote her new drama about Martha’s Vineyard’s Black elite, “Our Kind of People.” “Anyone who really knows me is like, ‘Why aren’t you a comedian?”
“That introduction to the public eye felt very toxic and abusive,” she noted. The appearance on the competition show also led many to believe that modeling was her primary goal when, in fact, the native New Yorker had been acting since childhood. She shared that her junior high school acting teacher
myself of that and owning the confidence to call myself that no matter what side hustles I did,” she said. DaCosta remains grateful for some of her experience on ANTM saying, “It created opportunities, gave me fans that have followed my whole career, and paid my college loans.” However, she is candid
(l-r) Yaya DaCosta, Nadine Ellis, and Morris Chestnut in “Our Kind of People” Photo by Brownie Harrise/Fox she added light-heartedly. Part of the reason the public may not know of DaCosta’s playful side is how she was introduced to the public. In 2004, DaCosta was a contestant on “America’s Next Top Model” (ANTM), the Tyra Banks-hosted reality competition. DaCosta was harshly criticized by the show’s judges and the public for being, among other things, too “intense” when she sported natural hair and clothing styles that highlighted her Blackness.
was “like a second mother to me. She said, ‘I really think you could do this as a career.’” DaCosta said she started modeling to pay bills in college at the urging of a friend, eventually ending up on the reality show. Modeling was only one of many jobs DaCosta did in service of her true calling. “I was teaching, I was hostessing, bartending, writing grants for people. When I was 11, someone told me, ‘You are an actor.’ I spent years reminding
about it also being extremely damaging. “It created heartbreak and trauma that I had to heal and separate myself from. I never had it on my resume or spoke about it. I declined offers to be a judge on it or go on Tyra’s talk show because I knew it didn’t resonate with who I was and where I needed to be.” It may have also ended an acting career that she had been carefully and diligently nurturing since she was a child, something else many in the public didn’t realize about
her. “At several wrap parties, I was told by directors that if they had known beforehand that I was on a reality show, they wouldn’t have even auditioned me,” DaCosta said. The challenges she confronted during ANTM and the lingering after-effects forced DaCosta to make some changes in how she dealt with her self-care. First, she achieved clarity about what she experienced during ANTM. “I had to realize that I’m dealing with people who have preconceived notions of me that are not real that were designed by these writers,” she said. “We were all impressionable young girls coaxed into saying certain things to serve these storylines.” The experience forced her to work harder at maintaining emotional well-being. “I realized the work that it takes to heal and maintain one’s nervous system in a healthy state. I became a lot better at taking
care of myself in those situations; shielding myself from anyone else’s story and being confident in my purpose regardless of anyone’s else’s confusion or insecurities or attempts to siphon my energy or thwart my path.” DaCosta over time developed a comprehensive regimen for self-care. “I do Kundalini Yoga, take baths, work with essential oils and herbs. I take pauses.” DaCosta literally takes long pauses during the interview to make sure she says what she means to say. “I have to not feel pressured to be on anyone else’s timeline. When I was younger, I felt so overwhelmed with everything being demanded of me and felt I had to serve other people’s agendas,” she recalled. The experience has also given her another dimension of appreciation for the role she plays in “Our Kind of People” as an outsider who insists on stay-
ing true to herself and dreams in the face of fierce pushback. “One of the themes that is talked about in this show is defining oneself for oneself. That was one of the most powerful lessons that I learned because I was very young and misrepresented and, in some ways, abused on national television,” DaCosta said. What she ultimately came to know is most important, she said is “my integrity, and am I making my parents proud, my ancestors proud. Am I doing the work? Am I making my junior high acting teacher—who gave me this gift—proud as she looks down from heaven? That’s what I hold onto.” “Our Kind of People” premiered on Sept. 21. It airs Tuesdays at 8 pm CST on Fox. Nadine Matthews welcomes reader responses to nmatthews@ spokesman-recorder.com.
8
September 30 - October 6, 2021
NFL Continued from page 10 and street tacos (14.79). If you want just snacks, there’s candy ($4.69), popcorn (5.19), peanuts (5.39), and a drink to wash it down—$5.19 for a fountain drink and $8.39 for one in a souvenir cup. Merchandise: A foam finger was the cheapest item at $10, and a player’s jersey was highest at $115 in 2019. We stopped by one fan gear booth this year and found $3 will get you a car window decal and $79 a sweatshirt. A deck of playing cards costs $5. We also talked to several Black fans, all of whom agreed to speak with us save for a Black couple who were wearing blackface. A longtime Black stadium worker told us he estimates that between 25-30% of the fans at Vikings games look like him, adding “maybe 5% more when Chicago or Detroit comes to town.”
HOCKEY Continued from page 10
Our three-question quick survey consisted of: 1) what kind of fan they see themselves as—avid (or huge fan), causal, or no fan at all; 2) how much they spend or expected to spend at the game, and 3) do they get their bang for their bucks. “I’m a diehard Vikings fan,” declared DeMarco Cavil, who was there with his two sons. Janahai, age nine, said he’s a big fan like his father. “I’m a causal fan,” said Marty (not his real name). “We spend about $6,400 per year for two season tickets. We feel the money is well spent…[and] is a good experience as a Black fan.” 51-year-old Sarah (not her real name) and 37-yearold Jamarcus Artis from North Carolina both saw themselves as avid fans. “I’ve been a fan since I was a kid,” said Artis, there with his wife as they celebrated their firstyear wedding anniversary. “[I’m] not really into it,” admitted a 20-year-old Black
woman who was there with her 48-year-old mother, who also saw herself as a causal fan. “My husband is a diehard fan,” said the mother of three, whose husband is a Vikings season ticket holder. Sarah, who lives in New Orleans, said she spends “around $2,500,” which includes airfare and hotel. Artis estimated his expenses at “a couple of thousand dollars” for him and his wife. Cavil said he spent around $450 for himself and his kids. And a 26-year-old Black male predicted he would spend “more than $150,” mostly on beer. “Everybody has been good,” concluded Artis of his first NFL game of the season. He plans to attend at least two more games later this season in his home state of North Carolina. Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@spokesman-recorder.com.
NBA
Major League Baseball finally allowed a Black player, Jackie Robinson in 1947.” Continued from page 10 “Let’s get it straight,” he continued. “It would make more some of the NBL’s most powersense for the NBA to claim that ful teams to jump, particularly the NBL absorbed the BAA. [But] the Fort Wayne Pistons and they don’t even talk about the Rochester Royals. The MinneNBL.” apolis Lakers was a prize beCan we get a ruling here? cause of George Mikan. “I have nothing against “Two owners, Ned Irish naming 75 best players,” said of the New York Knicks and Walter Brown of the Boston Celtics, had a tremendous support of influence in league affairs. These two, more than anyone else, contributed to the NBA origin myth,” said Watson. Johnson told us last week that the NBA is “fudging history” and not taking into account the 10 Black players Johnson on the NBA’s plans who were signed by the BAA to name a 75th anniversary “all the way back in 1941,” he team sometime this season. pointed out, “years before “But just don’t call it the 75th
anniversary because if you do, you are also diminishing the National Basketball League and those 10 Black players in 1942.” “They’re counting on no one saying anything,” he concluded. “My question is why it is so important to say that [now]” rather than celebrating it three years from now, when it’s actually been in existence 75 years?
“This is a classic case of history being written by the winners.”
Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.
coaches and athletic directors: • Over 69% of Power Five schools have never hired a 39 Black football coaches and Black AD. 29 Black ADs have been hired • Only four schools have over a 40-year span.
after his media address, Felton said, “We’re excited about the partnership with RISE. I consider them an industry leader in the sports world in helping organizations like us The report lowlights indo more, do better in the arcluded: eas of diversity, equity, inclu• All 30 Black football coachsion [and] in particular, racial es have been hired at “powjustice and social justice. er programs.” “It’s necessary work.” • 20 schools have hired a Black AD, one at Minnesota. College diversity lowlights • Over half of Power Five An August ESPN report schools, including Minnesofound slow progress since ta, have never hired a Black 1981 in hiring Black college football coach.
“More needs to be done to make our sport more inclusive and welcoming, particularly for those of color.” hired back-to-back Black HCs (Northwestern, Stanford, Vanderbilt, Colorado). • The Big Ten from 19912013 had zero Black football head coaches. Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@spokesman-recorder.com.
In Loving Memory
Deborah Ann Cooper Sunrise: February 6, 1954 — Sunset: August 29, 2021 Deborah (Debbie) Cooper made her grand introduction into the world on Saturday, February 6, 1954, to loving parents Jack and Betty Cooper. She left this world peacefully on Sunday, August 29, 2021, to be reunited with her parents and life partner, Herbert (Fuzzy) Brock, Jr. Those left to cherish her memory: sister Jackie Cooper; and a host of other relatives and friends. A private service will be held to honor and celebrate Deborah’s life and legacy.
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder September 30, 2021
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Employment & Legals Filed in District Court State of Minnesota SEP 13, 2021
CASE TYPE: PERSONAL INJURY
State of Minnesota District Court County of: Hennepin Judicial District: Fourth Court File Number: 27- FA-21.412 70 Cast Type: Dissolution without Children In Re the Marriage of: Elizabeth Tookes Coleman Summons (Check One) Pétitioner (first, middle, last) X Without Real Estate and And _ Without Real Estate and Melvin Dwayne Coleman Respondent (first, middle, last) THE STATE OF MINNESOTA TO THE ABOVE-NAMED RESPONDENT: WARNING: Your spouse 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 a 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 located at the following address: at the following address. ___________________________ _____________________ __________ City State Zip Code in_________________________ County, with the following legal description: ______________________________________ 4. (For a second property) This proceeding involves, affects, or brings into question the real property located at the following address: at the following address ____________________________________________ City State Zip Code ______________________________________ in______________________________________ County, with the following legal description: 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, (b) by an agreement of the parties in writing, or (C) for retaining counsel to carry on or to contest this proceeding. X (2) Neither party may harass the other party. (3.) All currently available insurance coverage must be maintained and continued without change in coverage or beneficiary designation. (4) Parties to a marriage dissolution proceeding are encouraged to attempt alternative 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 or threats as defined in Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 518B, you are not required to try mediation and you will not be penalized by the court in later proceedings. DIV43
State
ENG
Rev 7/15
www.mncourts.gov/forms
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder September 30, Oct. 7, 14, 2021
STATE OF MINNESOTA
DISTRICT COURT
COUNTY OF HENNEPIN
FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
Fadumo Jamac, Plaintiff, vs. Farah Warsame, Defendant.
AMENDED SUMMONS
THIS SUMMONS IS DIRECTED TO the above-named Defendant: 1. YOU ARE BEING SUED. The Plaintiff has started a lawsuit against you. The Plaintiff ’s Complaint against you is attached to this summons. Do not throw 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: Brantingham Law Office 2200 E Franklin Avenue, Suite 202 Minneapolis, MN 55404 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 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
September 30 - October 6, 2021
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Filed in District Court State of Minnesota Sep 24 2021 10:54 AM State of Minnesota
District Court
Ramsey County
Second Judicial District
Court File Number: 62-DA-FA-21-1035
Case Type: Domestic Abuse
In The Matter Of Tracy Ann Jones Vs Mark Paul Vanliew
Notice of Hearing by Publication
(Minn. Stat. § 518B.01, subd. 8)
To Respondent named above: An order has been issued directing you to appear to a hearing on 10/22/21 at 9:15am before Referee Victoria Elsmore for an Order for Protection Hearing and explain why the relief sought in the Petition for the Order for Protection should not be granted. You must contact the Ramsey County Court Administrator’s Office at 651-266-5130 for hearing location details. 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. Court Administrator Ramsey Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder September 30, 2021
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
Sr. Supplier Quality Engineer for Medtronic, Inc. in Fridley, MN.
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 to the Complaint even if you expect to use alternative means of resolving this dispute.
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder September 23, 30, & Oct 7, 2021
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT ASSOCIATE, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid. For details, go to https://mylegalaid.org/employment.
FAMILY LAW SUPERVISING ATTORNEY, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid. For details, go to https://mylegalaid.org/employment.
Writers invited to join the Spokesman-Recorder The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, weekly African American community newspaper (print and online), welcomes inquiries from freelance writers interested in writing compelling news stories and features. Looking for writers intimately familiar with the African American experience, interested in telling its stories. Experience in journalistic writing preferred. Payment is per article and is commensurate with experience. Send inquiries to Mel Reeves (Community editor), at mreeves@spokesman-recorder.com.
Req. Master’s in Biomedical, Mechanical or Industrial Engr. & 2 yrs. exp. in quality engr. in the medical device or pharmaceutical field. Must possess a min. 2 yrs. exp. w/each of the following: Risk Management & Analysis, Supplier Controls, Process Validation (IQ, OQ, PQ), Design of Experiments, Gage Repeatability & Reproducibility, & Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing; external audit execution w/suppliers; FDA 21 CFR Part 210, 211, 820 & Part 11, ISO 13485:2016, ISO 9001: 2015, ISO 17025:2005, ISO 14971: 2007/2019, Current Good Manufacturing Practices, MDSAP & EU Medical Device Directive (EU MDD 93/42 EEC); Corrective & Preventive Action actions, non-conforming product controls, & approved Supplier Listing Coordination; failure investigation techniques, statistical quality control, statistical analysis, & protocol & report preparation; & Quality Management System overview & maintenance. To apply, visit https://jobs.medtronic.com/, select Req. #21000ONO. No agencies or phone calls please. Medtronic is an equal opportunity employer committed to cultural diversity in the workplace. All individuals are encouraged to apply.
Field Technical Service Specialist-CRDM for Medtronic, Inc. in North Carolina Field Technical Service Specialist-CRDM located in North Carolina is the primary technical representative for Medtronic Cardiac Ablation Solutions (CAS) customers and the sales and clinical groups. Responsible for the technical assessment, installation, support, servicing, maintenance and de-installation of all CAS systems at customer sites. Requires a Masters’ degree in Biomedical, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering and one (1) year of post-bachelor’s progressive experience in all of the following: Performing installations, inspections, verification, corrective and preventive maintenance for installation of Cardiac Ablation Solutions consoles. Maintenance of technical records per ISO 13485 regulatory. Development and maintenance of Service documentation and procedures. Working in an operating room or invasive procedure room. Must be insurable (car insurance) and have a valid driver’s license and must be able to travel 75% or greater. Apply at https://jobs.medtronic. com/, Req.21000ONK. Medtronic is an equal opportunity employer committed to cultural diversity in the workplace. All individuals are encouraged to apply.
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September 30 - October 6, 2021
Sports NFL fans are big spenders —by necessity
Is the NBA ‘fudging history’?
T
Its claim to be 75 years old draws challenges
he National Basketball Association (NBA) earlier this year announced that this upcoming season is its 75th anniversary. It was created in 1949 after the Basketball Association of America and the National Basketball League merged. But according to league officials, the longstanding men’s pro hoops league claim that the NBA started in 1946. Phil Watson in Sportscasting. com calls this “NBA math— 2021 minus 1949 equals 75.” Claude Johnson, founder-director of The Black Fives Foundation, says the NBA is “fudging history.” Why is the NBA pushing this historical fiction, and why haven’t the PWM (primarily White media) called the league out for this? A league spokesperson, when contacted last week, told the MSR, “The Basketball Association of America (BAA) be-
By Charles Hallman Sports columnist
Claude Johnson gan with the 1946-47 season under the leadership of Maurice Podoloff. Teams from the National Basketball League (NBL) were absorbed into the BAA in 1949, and the name was changed to the National Basketball Association.” We also found a newspaper account from 1949 that called the new NBA “the biggest post-war merger involving professional sports enterprises.”
I
f you attend an NFL game, you probably know it isn’t cheap. According to Statis Submitted photo ta, the average NFL ticket price has increased over $42 So, when did the NBA ac- since 2006 ($62.38) to 2020 tually begin—1949 or 1946? If ($104.73), at least a five-dolit’s the former, then it’s only lar increase each year and an 72 years old, not 75 unless eight-dollar yearly increase you are using 1946 as a start- between 2016-18. Last season, Statista ing point. Watson added, “This is added, a Minnesota fan’s cost a classic case of history being for a family to go to a Vikings written by the winners. The game was $562.35—the NFL BAA had the big-market teams average was $553.53. This (New York, Boston and Phila- includes four average-price delphia) and had already gotten tickets, two small beers, four ■ See NBA on page 8 small soft drinks, four hot
Fans headed to The People’s Stadium on Sunday to watch the Vikings beat the Seattle Seahawks 30-17. Photo by Charles Hallman dogs, parking, two game programs and two least-expensive adult-size caps. Two seasons ago, food prices at The People’s Stadium in downtown Minneapolis ranged from a $5.75 hot dog on the low end and a pulled pork sandwich for $14.50. Before last Sunday’s MinnesotaSeattle game, we checked on this year’s stadium prices: Hot dogs went down 36 cents to $5.39, but outside of fries ($5.19) that was
the cheapest food to buy. The pricier items included a brat ($7.49), a cheeseburger ($8.69), chicken and fries ($8.29), and a slice of pizza ($8.01 for cheese, $8.99 for pepperoni). Combo meals included the chicken and fries ($8.29), hot dog and fries (10.58), brat basket (13.59) and chicken tenders and fries (21.96). Among the specialty food offerings were cheesesteak ($13.49), a loaded taco (13.59), ■ See NFL on page 8
Outstanding players in the metro
Here are 13 players who have caught my eye during the first part of the prep football season. Six are from Minneapolis North, three from Robbinsdale Cooper, while Fridley, St. Paul Central, St. Paul Highland Park and Robbinsdale Armstrong each have one player representing. Remember, these are 13 players I have seen! Jaylon Washington (Minneapolis North): The senior running back has been one of the Polars’ most outstanding players so far this season. He is averaging 137.5 yards per game with eight touchdowns while
linebacker is contributing big averaging 7.3 yards per carry. time to the Polars’ defense. Deshaun Hill (MinneapMJ Newton (Fridley): The olis North): The sophomore 240-yard three-touchdown quarterback has passed for six rushing performance by the setouchdowns while averaging nior quarterback against Min135 yards per game. neapolis North speaks for itself. Mario Sanders (MinneDavid Connors (Robapolis North): The senior has binsdale Cooper): Everyone been somewhat overlooked, took notice when he returned but he’s currently leading the the opening kickoff for a touchPolars in receiving, averagdown against Robbinsdale Arming 12 yards per reception. If strong, but the defensive back you missed his touchdown also leads the Hawks in tackles. reception against Fridley, you Joe Russell (Robbinsdale missed something special. Cooper): The senior running AuVon Sager (Minneback has already passed for apolis North): The junior de814 yards and nine touchfensive end leads the Polars downs while averaging 203 defense in tackles. yards per game. Chasmere HamiltonCameron Royal (RobGrunau (Minneapolis North): binsdale Copper): The senior The sophomore linebacker is Minneapolis North running back Jaylon Washington is purrunning back has 533 yards helping to lead a dominant sued by Fridley’s Salmon Shafi (13) and Kerome Thompson rushing to go along with six Polars’ defense. (10). Washington leads the Polars in rushing. Khalil Brown (Minneap Photo by Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald touchdowns and a 133.2 yards per game average. olis North): The sophomore
Peyton Newbern (Robbinsdale Armstrong): The senior wide receiver showed what he can do by catching two passes for touchdowns against Robbinsdale Cooper in dramatic fashion. He has caught six touchdowns averaging 21.5 yards per reception for 236 yards this season. Melvin Mensah (St. Paul Highland Park): The sophomore had a dominant performance against St. Paul Central, running for one touchdown and intercepting a pass as a defensive back. Cole Fee (St. Paul Central): The senior quarterback rushed for 92 yards and a touchdown against St. Paul Highland Park.
Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader responses to mcdeezy05@gmail.com.
College hockey pledges more diversity, equity, inclusion By Charles Hallman Sports columnist
son of working to improve race relations inside and outside the sport of hockey. The eightThe National Collegiate team league recently teamed Hockey Conference (NCHC) up with a national organization begins in October its ninth sea- also dedicated to such aims. RISE is a national nonson of competition, but it has already begun its second sea- profit organization founded in
2015. Its partnership with the NCHC, which came about earlier this year and was announced in September, will include organizing activities and educational programming for league staff, players, coaches and administrators. It will primarily focus on
promoting diversity, equity and inclusion along with other pertinent topics and issues. “We continue to believe that the best in college hockey can be found within the NCHC,” League Commissioner Josh Fenton told reporters in St. Paul Sept. 16, including the MSR, during the annual Media Day to kick off the season. “We’ve entered a new world that will require us to adapt… and support student-athletes well beyond their traditional athlete and academic rigors. “The racial injustice and inequities that played out during the summer of 2020 were impactful across our campuses,” admitted Felton. Earlier this year the NCHC joined the newly-formed College Hockey for Diversity, Equity Commissioner Josh Fenton File photo & Inclusion Task Force that represents 11 Division I hockey con- more inclusive and welcoming, are the league representatives ferences, both men and women particularly for those of color,” on the task force. Fenton added, “We held an initial climate discussion with a group of student athletes from all eight member schools. We held a similar one with coaches and staff late last spring. These initial discussions will lead to more topical-based conversations with student athletes, coaches and staff throughout the course of the year.” said the NCHC commissioner. leagues. “NCAA college hockey Speaking with the MSR He and Nebraska Omaha Assisalso recognized that more needs tant Hockey Coach Paul Gerard ■ See HOCKEY on page 8 to be done to make our sport
“More needs to be done to make our sport more inclusive and welcoming, particularly for those of color.”