June 13, 2019 - MN Spokesman-Recorder

June 13-19, 2019 Vol. 85 No. 45 www.spokesman-recorder.com • THE VOICE OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY SINCE 1934

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THE OMAR EFFECT

On the pulse of controversy and change First of a two-part conversation

color, first naturalized citizen from African and the first of By Solomon Gustavo two Muslim women to serve in Contributing Writer Congress. She has also become a beaearly immediately after Congresswoman con for controversy, particularIlhan Omar won her ly for comments that have been seat last November she be- viewed anti-Semitic (which she came a household name. As adamantly denies), has been a Black Muslim immigrant fined for misuse of $3,500 in woman, she doesn’t just stand campaign funds and has even out — she has set a laundry list been attacked on Twitter by of firsts that took until 2019 to the president. Omar, however, has often topple. She is the first Somali American, first woman of sidestepped media responses

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Last week, the MSR explored Minneapolis’ public housing rehab woes related to HUD’s Rental Assistance Demonstration. This week, the MSR explores the birth of its staunchest opponent: Defend Glendale & Public Housing Coalition. For years, Glendale Townhomes have served as point of contention for residents who feared gentrification, privatization and the subsequent destruction of Minneapolis’ public housing. On its surface, Glendale stood as one of the highest rated public housing complexes in Minneapolis Public Housing Authority’s (MPHA) portfolio. Built in 1952, it is the city’s oldest public housing structure

and is the only public housing built expressly for families, comprised of separate townhomes — instead of high rises — each with its own front porch, basement and back yard. They are also nestled within the affluent Southeast Minneapolis’ Prospect Park neighborhood and sit on prime real estate.

and it didn’t make sense for a country like the United States to ignore it. I wanted to make sure we were leading in calling that out, in taking a stance against this inhumane proposed penal code.

MSR: Part of your foreign policy work includes the recent sanction of Sultan of Brunei’s penal code which imposes such penalties as death by stoning for extramarital affairs and sodomy. Why? IO: It’s a continuation of the work we’ve been really focusing on — for there to be a watchdog to make sure that we have the opportunity to advance human rights around the world, and that we’re not tiptoeing around issues because the particular regimes that are perpetuating them

MSR: You’re far more recognizable than many other representatives. IO: There’s a negative and a positive to it, as there is to everything. I’m always focusing on the opportunity that the profile provides. It allows us to call attention to a lot of things that others might not be able to, and because we do, it’s something that sort of takes off. There’s a real opportunity to give hope to so many people. I think it balances out the loss of privacy, not being able to go to the grocery store and not be

“I know that my challenges aren’t only as a Muslim. They are also because I’m Black, an immigrant, and a woman.” to focus her aim at the thorny and intractable issues that face her former 5th congressional district in Minneapolis and the greater nation. She is also forming alliances that look to broaden her lens and impact, including becoming a member of the Congressional Black Caucus and, most recently, a new bipartisan Black-Jewish congres-

sional caucus. In the first of a two-part series, the MSR speaks with Omar about her rise in notoriety, challenges and what she hopes to accomplish with her heightened platform. MSR: What’s changed in your work now that you’re at the federal level?

might be an ally. We’ve been really consistent in trying to speak about human rights abuses against the LGBTQ community, against religious minorities, the rights of children, the rights of women. This particular case exemplified all of the human rights violations that a country can have,

stopped every five seconds or get in a plane in a peaceful way without taking 500 selfies. Even in the challenging times when you’re in a grocery store, 90 percent of members of Congress have to generate that conversation. For me, ■ See Omar on page 5

Breaking stereotypes with fashion

The birth of Defend Glendale & Public Housing Coalition NEWS ANALYSIS By Mel Reeves Contributing Writer

Ilhan Omar: The biggest difference is I really get the opportunity to dive into foreign policy, which you don’t get to do at the state level. We’ve been trying to really address military spending and the demilitarization of our foreign policy.

looking for better employment opportunities. Now, the Townhomes include a mix of South East Asians, East Africans (Somali and Oromo) immigrants and refugees, Whites and African American descendants of slaves. Despite glowing reports, residents were demanding re-

“It was obvious to me and my neighbors that they had been purposely neglecting upkeep.” Housing and Urban Development (HUD) inspectors had also given the townhomes high marks — a score of 98 out of 100 — according to housings inspections released in 2010. The first occupants were U.S. veterans and their families, then by Black families who migrated to Minneapolis

pairs be made to their townhomes, including fixing faulty electrical outlets, corroded pipes, upgrading the heating system, and upgrading pest control efforts. But, according to the residents, the buildings were not in such a state of disrepair that would require demolition and reconstruction. “We found out people were not getting enough heat in their homes — there were issues with the heating system. The homes were in good shape, just in need of minor repairs and more pest control,” said Ladan Yusuf, Glendale ■ See Glendale on page 5

Protesters in front of MPHA offices on May 22, 2019.

Submitted photos

BLACK BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT:

HUMANIZE MY HOODIE Over the past decade, Jason Sole has been a staunch supporter of criminal justice reformation and motivating Black youth to excel above stereotypes of violence, drugs and criminal activity. A convicted felon, Sole published his own story of redemption — From Prison to Ph.D.: A Memoir of Hope, Resilience, and Second Chances — in 2015, served as president of the Minneapolis NAACP and was the first director of St. Paul’s Community-First Public Safety Initiative. He is currently a visiting professor of criminal justice at Hamline University and is now working on stopping the stereotyping of Black youth (and adults) based on how they are dressed via his clothing line Humanize My Hoodie. Starting as a hashtag in 2016, it has grown into a full-fledged fashion campaign with hoodies serving as the foundation for training workshops on such topics as leadership and healthy masculinity, along with a traveling art exhibit. The MSR sat down with Sole to learn more about he’s using fashion to challenge the perceived “threat” of Blackness. MSR: What is Humanize My Hoodie? Jason Sole: What started out just as a [fashion] project quickly became a movement. My friend Andre Wright, who’s a fashion designer, reached out and said, “let’s let the world feel it.” Since we started having [the message] on our bodies and allowing others to wear it as well, we’ve heard a lot of amazing stories. A lot of people say, “I feel more protected when I have on Humanize My Hoodie because they can see the good in me rather than looking at me and seeing the worst.”

Jason Sole

Photo by Chris Juhn

MSR: So, it’s a clothing line? JS: It’s not just hoodies. We also do workshops and art exhibits to let people talk about their implicit biases or their lack of cultural competency. We already have about 120 allies trained and we’re going to go up to about 500 by the end of next year. MSR: What does it mean to be an ally? JS: The only way you can [become an ally] and receive an ally hoodie is if you go through the workshop and actually know the history of the hoodie, know what the hoodie meant when Trayvon Martin was killed. MSR: What inspired you to start this movement? JS: Going into my eighth year as a professor of criminal justice, I was walking into Hamline [University] as a visiting professor teaching three courses. That mixed with how I was treated [outside of work] when I had on hoodies and ball caps versus when I had on a suit with a briefcase. I was tired of it, and I definitely wanted to do something important for Trayvon Martin. I realized that we all have biases when we look at someone’s clothes. I wanted them to understand that while they’re young. I wanted my students to deal with their biases up close and personal. These are traditional students, 1823, who are going to have careers in criminal justice or sociology where they are going to be working with people intently. For me, it was more trying to change ■ See BBS on page 5

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June 13-19, 2019

Hats off to the graduates! F

A look back as we move forward

or over two decades, the MN Spokesman-Recorder (MSR) sponsored the Graduation Celebration, an annual event that recognized and honored the achievements of local African and African American high school graduates. With the theme, “Education and Graduation: It’s a Family Affair,” the annual event celebrated graduating seniors and their families with a notable keynote speaker, entertainment, and dinner, to rejoice in their hard-won achievements. The

event was capped off with a presentation of Cecil E. Newman and Launa Q. Newman Scholarships to essay winners to help further their educational pursuits. After careful consideration, the MSR will not host the event this year. Instead, we are working toward establishing a new and fresh tradition in 2020 to showcase the achievements of young people, as well as continuing to report on the disparities and areas of improvement needed in our education system.

To the graduating class of 2019, the MSR is proud to acknowledge and celebrate the fact that you’ve succeeded, in spite of whatever challenges you faced. The sky’s the limit.

Congratulations!

TOP: (l-r) Maya Moore of the Lynx; rapper-actor L.L. Cool J; actor-TV personality Nick Cannon MIDDLE: Students enjoying the festivities and receiving scholarships BOTTOM: (l-r) MSR Publisher/CEO Tracey Williams-Dillard with actress Kimberly Elise; actor-author Hill Harper engaging a student in the audience; a youth performance

TAKE ON CONNECTING

IN YOUR COMMUNITY

TODAY What we do might surprise you. If you haven’t joined AARP Twin Cities for bike rides, brewery tours, free movie screenings or concerts — you don’t know what you’re missing. Sure, we still help families plan for the future, fight fraud and work to make communities better places for all ages- but we’re so much more. That’s why AARP Twin Cities is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the 21st Annual Twin Cities Jazz Fest, June 20–22 at Mears Park in St. Paul.

See other surprising places we’re popping up, get connected, and help make where you live, work and play even better at aarp.org/TwinCities.

June 13-19, 2019

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Four ways to cut body fat There are several different methods available to help with body contouring.

By Dr. Inell Rosario and Dr. Charles Crutchfield Conclusion of a two-part column

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ast week’s column on getting in shape for summer covered sleep, water, exercise and meditation. This week, we look at how diet and body contouring can help in achieving your best body. Diet Eating is designed to fulfill many purposes, including nourishment of the body, connection with friends and family over a shared meal, and enjoyment of nature’s bounty. Whatever we choose for our diet should, on some level, address all of these areas and be something that we can sustain long-term. The key aspect is balance and proportion — and less about the name of the diet. We need to see diet as a thing that we control and not the other way around. That is, our diet should not consume every waking thought, but rather just be a part of the daily necessities of life. In general, our diets should be rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. Meals should be eaten at intervals to minimize large swings in our blood glucose levels. Often, despite exercise routines and healthy eating, we may have stubborn areas of fat deposits that are not responding to our best efforts. Generally, when we lose weight it is an all-over process, and this often leaves fatty deposits in what are considered trouble zones.

Cool sculpting This is the first FDA-cleared procedure (as of September 2010) for permanent reduction of subcutaneous fatty tissue. The research behind cool sculpting dates back to publication in November 2008 by Harvard University scientists, Drs. Dieter Manstein and Rox Anderson. It originated from the observation that some children got dimples due to sucking on frozen popsicles. This idea that cold can selectively affect fat was the insight behind the proven cryolipolysis science on which cool sculpting technology is based. Cool sculpting uses cold therapy to break down fat cells without damaging other tissues. The destroyed fat cells are removed from the body by the lymphatic system, similar to fat from foods. Cool sculpting can be used on many areas of the body such as under the chin, abdomen, love handles, bra fat, thighs, arms and knees. Each treatment typically removes 20 to 25 percent of the subcutaneous fat in the treated area. The fat that is removed is permanently gone and will not come back! If you gain weight, your other fat cells in the area enlarge. Thankfully for most adults, by age 25 we are not gaining new fat cells except with pregnancies. Cool sculpting has many advantages over traditional ways of removing fat, like liposuction, in that it is nonsurgical. There are no incisions, bruising, bleeding, risk for blood or fat embolism, or downtime, and no anesthetic is required. Generally, it is also more cost-effective. While cool sculpting is not for weight loss, combining it with a healthy diet and exercise can deliver the body contour we desire .Treatments are typically spaced four to eight weeks apart and results are noticed one to three months after treatment. Most people will require two treatments to an area in order to achieve optimal results.

Image courtesy Shutterstock

Radiofrequency In June 2018, the FDA granted truSculpt 3D clearance for lipolysis, or the breakdown of fat. Rather than cold, this technology uses monopolar radiofrequency to deliver targeted uniform heat to the subcutaneous tissue, killing fat cells without damage to the overlying tissues. Similar to cool sculpting, the fat is permanently removed. Two or three treatments to an area may be needed to achieve the desired contour. Results can be seen one to three months after treatment. Another radiofrequency treatment, FDA-approved Venus Legacy, works to eliminate facial wrinkles, tighten sagging skin and improve overall skin quality using a combination of multipolar radiofrequency and pulse magnetic field treatments. It is also used in body contouring to reduce circumferential fat and the appearance of cellulite. Generally, multiple treatments are required with packages consisting of five or more treatments to an area, separated ideally by one to two weeks. It is generally less expensive than coolsculpting, but it does not have FDA clearance for permanent fat reduction.

Liposuction Liposuction is the surgical removal of subcutaneous fatty tissues for body contouring. Compression garments are often required. Anesthetic is used, and often general sedation is preferred depending on the areas being treated and the amount of tissue to be removed. It is generally done in one session with downtime being most limiting in the first two weeks. Its huge advantage is that the results are immediate and larger volumes of tissue can be removed in a single session. The disadvantages, however, center around cost, downtime, and risk of complications, such as fat or blood emboli to vital organs like the brain and lungs. This can not only affect the quality of life, but can be life-threatening or ending. As always, a positive attitude and enjoying the body you have now will help you to live a more productive, fulfilled life as you strive towards the changes you want to see in your body as well as your life. Enjoy summer!

went on to attend medical school at the University of Minnesota. She is boardcertified in otolaryngology, head and neck surgery, and sleep medicine. She is the president of Andros ENT & Sleep Center. When she isn’t working at the clinic, Dr. Rosario likes to exercise, play basketball, and do mission work. She is married and has two children. Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD is a board-certified dermatologist and Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. He also has a private practice in Eagan, MN. He received his M.D. and Master’s Degree in Molecular Biology and Genomics from the Mayo Clinic. He is the team dermatologist for the Minnesota Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves, Wild and Lynx. Dr. Crutchfield is an active member of both the American and National Medical Associations, and president of the Minnesota Association of Black Physicians.

Dr. Inell Rosario was born and raised on Andros, an island in the Bahamas. She graduated from Macalester College in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts and

Annual screenings are the best available protection from oral cancer

By Dr. Michael Brooks Guest Columnist Oral cancer is not a rare disease. Close to 53,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer in 2019, meaning that approximately 132 new individuals will be diagnosed each day across this country. This is a 32 percent increase over the 40,000 individuals who were diagnosed only five years ago in 2014. Tobacco use (in all of its forms) and alcohol consumption have traditionally been the major risk factors associated with oral cancers occurring in the front of the mouth. However, while diagnoses due to these historic causes have leveled off in frequency, a new set of causes is increasing the incidence of oropharyngeal cancers (those occur-

ring in the back of the mouth, throat and tonsils). There has been an increase in oral cancer diagnosis in non-smokers. HPV (human papillomavirus) has now become the leading cause of oral cancer in the U.S. While there are nearly 200 strains of HPV, it is the HPV16 version that is responsible for the majority of oropharyngeal cancers. HPV16 has been linked to five other cancers, most commonly cervical cancer, and affects both males and females. Because of this, the quickest growing segment of the oral cancer population is young, healthy non-smokers. One critical problem with HPV is that those affected will not develop signs or symptoms that they are aware of. Most people will become infected, naturally clear the virus, and nev-

Photo by Hero Images er know that either event occurred. Only when HPV is producing a cancer will symptoms appear. This lack of precancerous warning signs and knowledge of infection is in sharp contrast to the highly visible years of smoking and alcohol use that society traditionally links to oral cancer. Oral cancer will cause over 9,750 deaths this year, killing roughly one person per hour, 24 hours per day. Unfortunately, oral cancer has a very high death rate, and almost half of individuals with oral cancer today will not be alive five years from now. It is a lack of public awareness along with a lack of national screening policy or protocol that leads to the majority of oral cancers being

detected in late stages. The good news is that oral cancer can often be discovered in its early stages through a simple, painless and quick screening. Survival rates are highest, and side-effects from treatment are lowest, when the cancer is caught early. Just like other cancers — such as skin, breast, cervical, colon and prostate — a screening for oral cancer should be part of everyone’s annual health check-up. Your health professional should also be notified if any of the common signs or symptoms are noticed in the mouth. These include: • Any sore or ulceration that does not heal within 14 days. • Red, white, and/or black discoloration of the soft tissues in the mouth. • Any lump or hard spot in the soft tissue. • Hoarseness that lasts for a prolonged period of time. • Difficulty swallowing or a sensation that something is stuck in the throat. • Difficulty mov ing the tongue or jaw • Unexplained numbness in the mouth or lips. • Ear pain that occurs on only one side. Before these symptoms present, an individual may not be aware of anything happening within their oral cavity. However, slight changes in tissues can often be seen or felt by a doctor or den-

tist. These screenings are the most effective means of finding cancer in its early and most highly curable stages. Through the mouth, we consume the food that nourishes our bodies, we communicate through speech, and we express the emotions we are feeling. Oral cancer can devastate more areas of our lives than just the inside of our mouths. The mortality rate from oral cancer is high because individuals typically don’t get annual screenings and so, once it is diagnosed, it is usually more progressed. Adults should be screened every year. Screenings should begin even before the age of 18 for teens engaging in high-

risk behaviors such as smoking, drinking, vaping, or engaging in sexual activity. For more information about oral cancer screening and treatment, follow up with your dentist or primary care provider. For a referral for NorthPoint dental services, please follow up with your primary care provider or therapist at NorthPoint. Additional information can be found at bit.ly/2R35xG2. Dr. Michael Brooks is director of the dental clinic at NorthPoint Health & Wellness. Dr. Deirdre Golden, director of behavioral health at NorthPoint Health & Wellness, welcomes reader responses to 612-543-2705.

Do you have a work-related injury? Have you been off work more than 60 days due to that injury? Is the injury affecting your ability to earn a living and be happy? If you answered YES to these questions, you need a Qualified Rehabilitation Consultant,

. . . Call Nate! Nathaniel Stewart, Jr. MA, LP, QRC, CRC Psychology & Rehabilitation Services 1535 Laurel Avenue St. Paul, MN 55104 (651) 645-0645

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June 13-19, 2019

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.

Why aren’t Black people allowed to be mentally ill? MELLANEOUS By Mel Reeves Contributing Commentator

A CITY UNDER SIEGE THROUGH MY EYES The Minneapolis Story Continues By Ron Edwards Contributing Commentator Two decades after “Murderapolis,” African American communities are once again feeling agony from failed answers for dealing with violence. Last month, eight African American women were shot and wounded in five separate incidents in the Twin Cities, including women stabbed in the middle of Hennepin Avenue. On the East Side of St. Paul, there is also a renewed battleground for gang violence, with the Rondo-Dale community especially feeling the results much like North and South Minneapolis where violence also devastates communities. The Twin Cities are not alone — there is a great concern in many quarters regarding violence. Over a recent two-week period in Chicago, nearly 100 people were shot or stabbed during the city’s most violent weekends of the year. Across America, families go to bed at night and wake up in the morning to the sounds of gunfire. Official and unofficial meetings and conversations continue in government and in profits and nonprofits, including churches, think tanks, universities and policy centers, not to mention demonstrations. Will we look to Martin Luther King, Jr.’s nonviolence approach, and judge others by their character and not their color? Or will we continue with violence in response to words? Some say violence, in all its forms, is contributing to a “Black brain drain,” as problem solvers, professionals and scholars from Black communities bail out in search of safer states with better prospects. We have already seen this exit in California, Illinois, New York, and Minnesota, as they head for places like Arizona, Georgia, Texas, and Washington, D.C. Do those leaving know something the rest of us don’t know or won’t consider? Could it be that when all the talk at meetings and plans, programs, newspapers, and social media, whether official or unofficial, don’t

solve problems, our state’s best move on to ply their rhetoric elsewhere? At the same time, elected and appointed officials are more cautious as their approaches to solving violence fail. How will the $2M (set aside for Minneapolis Foundation’s safe fund) of the $20M settlement against former Minneapolis Police Officer Mohammed Noor be used toward fighting gun violence? The Minneapolis Foundation, among others, claims to have solutions that can be implemented by the right people and organizations to solve problems. Why haven’t they been able to effectively address gun, knife, and fist violence in families, schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, streets, and alleys? Have guns and other forms of violence become the order of the day? In addition, there seems to be a pattern of unkept promises to verify data in support of their efforts to combat violence and build economic wealth in African American communities. When will success claims finally be authenticated for projects and their results, such as the Hollman public housing project in the late 1990s to 2000s or now with the street and rail projects, professional stadiums and ballparks, and other private-sector, government and education building projects? Or will a major result be the ongoing lowering of confidence in African American community leaders, who too often talk the walk but do not walk their talk to reduce violence and uplift communities? Could this be another reason for both the continued violence — whether by guns, knives, or fists — and the Twin Cities’ brain drain? I have strong suspicions that this is what it is. When leaders and thinkers abandon their communities, hopelessness follows. Needed more than talk and words are actions to not only provide positive visions for African American communities but to also raise up local brains that will stay. Stay tuned. Ron Edwards is an author and hosts radio and TV shows.

Recently, Emmanuel Aranda was sentenced to 19 years in prison for throwing a five-year-old White boy from a balcony. Aranda had the book thrown at him after taking a plea that netted him practically the same amount of time had he gone to trial and been found guilty. Press outlets such as CBS, CNN, and even the UK’s BBC, reported the verdict against the 24-year-old Black man but failed to acknowledge that he was suffering from some form of mental illness. A cursive glance at Aranda’s case would lead most to infer that this man was disturbed. But apparently, the requirements of White sSupremacy do not allow for extenuating circumstances such as mental illness. Blacks cannot be crazy, only criminal. The White supremacist handbook follows John Galt’s — a physician and medical director of the Eastern Lunatic Asylum in Williamsburg, Va. — conclusion in 1848 that “Blacks are immune to mental illness.” As such, an AP article noted that “Aranda’s attorney, Paul Sellers, did not raise a mental illness defense,” even though Aranda had responded to a judge that “he had been in mental health court previously and completed required treatment.” It would appear that his attorney failed him, but upon further investigation, it appears the system tied the attorney’s hands. Aranda did not want his mental health revealed to the courts. Because he was bound by his client’s wishes, his attorney could not submit a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity, nor could he provide records of his client’s past history of mental illness. According to Aranda’s mother, Becky Aranda, her son refused to sign consent forms to release his mental health records from Illinois, where he spent most of his life before moving to Minnesota. The disturbed young man had been in trouble with the law on a few occasions in which he was charged with assault and had previously been required to undergo a psychological evaluation and mental health treatment. This man had to be deranged to decide to throw a random child over a third-floor railing — especially after Aranda said he did it because his efforts to talk to women were rebuffed and was, as a result, looking for someone to kill. That sounds crazy on its face. Becky, who Aranda refused to see while in jail, told the press that he has suffered from mental illness of some sort since he was three years old. She said that he had been diagnosed on lots of occasions and had been required to see therapists and take medication. He was said to have suffered from autism, depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and schizophrenia. His mother said they were never certain of the true nature of his mental health issues,

but that “we just know that this illness would flare up. He would be fine most of the time … and all of a sudden, out of the blue it would just kick in out of nowhere.” Had Aranda been White and wealthy, the system surely would have intervened and made sure the appropriate action — and sentence — were handed down. Compare Aranda’s fate with that of the White 18-year-old Roman Adams, who threw an eight-year-old off an Apple Valley water slide, causing the boy to fall 31 feet and severely injure himself. In his case, even the police said that Adams was “developmentally delayed.” The case is different because the young man did have an aide with him at the time, making it even more obvious he was mentally disabled. However, Aranda had previously been in the system and had been sent for mental health treatment and evaluation. For Adams, Dakota County Judge Timothy McManus acknowledged the man was mentally impaired and sentenced him to mental health treatment rather than prison. Hennepin County District Judge Jeannice Reding could have done the same for Aranda as she was made aware of Aranda’s mental health and psychological evaluations — but she chose not to. Unlike the Dakota County judge who acknowledged Adam’s mental handicap, she did not see Aranda’s humanity, but chose to see him as just another Black miscreant and sentenced him accordingly. As a rule, White-dominated society does not want to believe that people who look like them can commit heinous crimes. It does not fit the narrative that “White is good, everybody else not so much.” Ironically, considering the pressures of living every day under the pall of racism, the trauma from experiences with institutionally-reinforced prejudice, and the constant looming threat of violence from its armed enforcers (police), it is a wonder that more Black folks have not lost their minds. Everybody — including the courts, the prosecutor, the public, and the parents — seemed to have a need to pretend that this young Black man was sane and fully conscious of what he was doing. He, too, was victimized and will get out of prison one day and likely hurt someone again, because we live in a society in which it is more important to demonize Black humanity than to treat them like what they are: human beings. His mother said, “I don’t think justice was done.” She is correct; retribution, revenge and the penalty for damaging White life was assessed, but justice played no part in this case. Justice, then peace. Mel Reeves has a blog fighthepowerjournal. com and welcomes reader responses at mellaneous19@yahoo.com.

Trump’s attempt to erase Harriet Tubman By A. Scott Bolden Guest Commentator With uniquely American hypocrisy, the Trump Treasury Department has pushed back the 2016 plan to put escaped slave and Underground Railroad heroine Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill. Tubman would be the first African

American woman featured on U.S. currency. The $20 currently features a former president, Andrew Jackson, who not only owned slaves, but ordered the death march of thousands of Native Americans. Euphemistically called “Indian Removal,” the Trail of Tears made way for White settlers to claim mil-

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lions of acres of southern land. The attempted erasure of Tubman represents yet another move in the Trump playbook to disconnect racial reality from White fantasy. In the fantasy of White supremacy, traitors like former president Jefferson Davis and other Confederates are memorialized for being freedom fighters  —  the freedom of Whites to own Black human beings and work them to death  —  while a woman who risked her life time and again to free enslaved people is simply dismissed. Ignored. Erased. In the fantasy of White supremacy, White people are always justified in killing unarmed Black men, women and children, either with their own guns or by aiming the unquestioned power of the police. No act is too repugnant, even those resulting in the sexual abuse or death of immigrant children in American custody, if it can be framed as a defense of White superiority. In the fantasy of White supremacy, the FBI spent millions in time and treasure to plant false evidence of Communist influence on Martin Luther King, Jr.  —  while in reality, Russians today are using the racial tension in American

to incite violence and paralyze our society, while they work towards global dominance. By erasing Tubman, the Trump forces again deploy their most effective weapon in the quest to maintain power —  the unholy alliance of racism and misogyny. Because in America, it seems, freedom is for Whites only, and more specifically, for White men. To be sure, Trump has ordered his own digital Trail of Tears, as he rolls back civil rights protections for people of color, for women, for immigrants fleeing starvation or oppressive regimes, for LGBTQ people, for the poor and the voiceless. And currently, the cognitive dissonance in America has reached a new, critical level of psychosis. As a nation, we exalt independence, freedom and equality — we boast of our shining city on the hill. Yet, our shining city was built on the genocide of indigenous peoples, the enslavement of Africans, and the exploitation of immigrants. Without a doubt, every people and every culture on Earth have had to deal with unpleasant facts of its history — America is not special in that regard. Where most of White America goes off the rails is in completely deny-

ing and minimizing the facts of racial oppression. This erasure makes racial reconciliation — and true equality — impossible to achieve. In 2019, Tubman should be a respected and lauded icon for people of every race and ethnicity. Did she not personify American ideals, at the risk of her own life? As a Black woman in antebellum times, she was vulnerable to capture, prison, assault or lynching, but did she falter? Did she not refuse to kneel to any man or any king? Did she not fight for freedom against overwhelming odds? Are these not the qualities we hold dear in our American heroes? Instead, Tubman is erased. Instead, our current administration embraces the slave owner, the mass murderer, the White supremacist — and calls him a hero. For a psychiatric patient — in this case, White America — the reality of racism, misogyny and oppression is incompatible with their selfidentity as lovers of freedom and defenders of equality. But instead of taking the painful but therapeutic steps to achieve reconciliation and closure, the patient has opted instead to self-medicate, and maintain the delusion of

White supremacy at all costs. Jackson, a president who authored one of the cruelest and most brutal acts in American history, is a Trump hero. This is perfectly logical  —  they share a deep, entitled belief in the superiority of White men, and a world order in which Manifest Destiny is not just a doctrine, but a divine right. Jackson should never be forgotten. He should be remembered always as an example of what kind of horrors our leaders can inflict when their values and morals are wildly askew. Trump will be remembered in the same light —  if enough of us survive to tell the story. And despite their best efforts, Tubman’s legacy can never be erased. She embodies the spirit of everything our nation claims to stand for, and each one of us  —  every race, every gender  —  should be proud to call her our fellow American. A. Scott Bolden is the current managing partner of the Washington, D.C. office of Reed Smith and former at-large member on the Executive Committee of the firm.

June 13-19, 2019

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Omar

IO: No, no. I really was never very much interested in spending a lot of energy talking to the media. The onContinued from page 1 ly way that we get the opportunity to it naturally happens. Because I tell our own story, to draft our own represent a place like Minnesota, narrative, to have an honest conversawhere people are very political tion, is to be able to do it either face-toand policy-oriented, most of the face or through social media. conversations we have are about the As somebody who grew up realwork we are able to do. ly admiring the work journalists did, The work we’ve been pushing it’s really been quite disappointing for around college debt cancellation is me the last two decades to kind of see driven by a lot of the young people I the disconnect that the American meconstantly run into about the burden dia seems to have through the active they feel, between the selfies we get fact-finding process that I really ento take. joyed in the journalism I was used to. It seems like there is always a particuMSR: Were you prepared for the lar narrative that is being proven. It’s media attention? making our country more polarized IO: I was. We got a glimpse of how vithan it needs to be. cious people could be towards anybody who might be suspected of be- MSR: How do you stay positive? ing a Muslim with [Barack] Obama. I IO: That’s really how I was raised. knew that being an extremely visible My dad — one of my earliest memoMuslim politician, who not only has ries was talking to him about having a very Muslim name, but also wore stomach pain and him saying, ‘Your a hijab, was a female, and an actual stomach will feel fine, you don’t need immigrant to the country — that the to dwell on it. There are children your flood gates were going to open when age in the hospital, their parents don’t it came to a hate-filled narrative. know if they’ll survive or not. You I came quite prepared for the vitri- have to count your blessings and fool to come. The sad piece of it all, for cus on getting well.’ a lot of these people who perpetuate That kind of re-orienting yourself this hateful narrative about who I am, to constantly be present in the work don’t know that none of these things you have to do, in recognizing there impact me. And for the people who are all of these circumstances that feel like ‘oh my God, How’s Ilhan do- throw you off your focus — you have ing?,’ how are the Ilhans in America to constantly make the choice to be foand around the world doing in deal- cused. We’ve been able to use a lot of ing with it? the energy that surrounds us to focus My name might be included in the on building partnership and pushing headline, but the awful things they for the kind of progressive agenda we say are really about their feelings to- have. ward Muslims, their feelings toward MSR: What is that agenda? women, immigrants, Black people. IO: We have a bill on developing a And that’s where things get nasty, bemajor proposal for housing. We’re cause I don’t know if a 13-year-old has calling it “Homes for All,” and it’s gothe thick skin or can find the humor ing to, hopefully, produce one million in the nasty things people say. new homes to give people an opporMSR: Has your approach with the tunity to have a dignified, safe place media changed since launching into to live. the international spotlight? We are working on our huge stu-

Glendale Continued from page 1

resident and community activist. In 2015, the MPHA announced plans to make requested repairs. There was one caveat. The reconstruction plan would be achieved by demolishing and reconstructing the housing, requiring residents to temporarily relocate. Repairs would also be completed using MPHA’s RAD program (Rental Assistance Demonstration) which allows the agency to secure funds through private sources. Yusuf said MPHA’s Director of Facilities and Development, Tim Gaetz told Glendale residents that their townhomes were targeted because their repairs were the costliest. “MPHA complained they didn’t have enough money,” explained Yusuf. “They started charging people for minor repairs. We asked, ‘Why are they charging folks for minor repairs, like replacing a doorknob?’ Later, we found out that they were sitting on millions, but had stopped putting money in Glendale.” The MPHA plan called for tearing down the current 184 townhomes and replacing them with a mixed-income complex of 550 new apartments, some of which would be reserved for use as Section 8 housing. Residents were told they would be able to return using Section 8 vouchers. The agency also promised rents would not be raised and the private investors would alter the long-term use of the buildings. At first glance, residents did not see much wrong with the RAD proposal, but upon further examination, it had the potential to decrease public housing stock. While returning tenants would have a Section 8 voucher which allows residents to pay 30 percent of their income toward rent, the new project-based public housing would only guarantee a certain amount of affordable housing stock over the long term. There was no guarantee the housing that currently accepts Section 8 vouchers would remain so. Glendale residents pushed back, forming Defend Glendale & Public Housing Coalition, a grassroots residents’ group led by Yusuf to oppose relocation and address privatization fears. Residents protested, calling the plan a “glorified privatization scheme,” which would lead to gentrification and displacement of the current residents and the elimination of Glendale as public housing. The tenants expressed grave doubts about the agen-

U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar (second from left) at town hall meeting on gender pay gap and equity at La Doña Cerveceria on April 24, 2019 in Minneapolis. Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images dent debt cancelation, which will free hundreds of students from the shackles of debt. We’re having an opportunity to push for progressive foreign policy because of the opportunities that are in front of us because of the challenges. We are able to be really present in the Congressional Black Caucus and participating in a couple of task forces addressing issues that often aren’t addressed in our community, like youth suicide, mental health, problems with our young people, or the Black maternal mortality rate. MSR: What informs your policy work? IO: I’ve always talked about the importance of having intersectionality in the center of the way we propose policy. Race and gender are compounding factors of discrimination or any sort of disparity. If we are not addressing the class issues, race issues, gender issues, then we are never going to have any just policies that are going to be helpful for all of us, equally.

cy’s promises that they would be allowed to return after redevelopment was completed. Relocation would also mean disruption of their livelihood, as there was no Section 8 housing in Prospect Park and very little in the adjoining neighborhoods and not much more in Minneapolis city limits, resulting in residents being scattered all over the Twin Cities metro area causing disruption and hardship, especially for elderly residents and those who rely on public transportation. “It was obvious to me and my neighbors that they had been purposely neglecting upkeep for the last 10 years so they would have an excuse to spring this RAD plan on us,” said Yusuf. Defend Glendale and its community allies, which include members of the Prospect Park Association the area’s neighborhood group, became a vocal and visible opponent of the changes, organizing community meetings and protests at Minneapolis City Hall and at key locations, calling for “zero displacement and zero gentrification.” Glendale residents eventually filed a HUD complaint about lack of heat in their homes. A Minneapolis Council member pointed them to the Sustainable Resource Center, which helped weatherize the townhomes, replace old furnaces, and add insulation and other materials — without MPHA assistance. Residents requested MPHA use its budget to make other repairs, but according to residents, the agency blocked requests for more than a year. MPHA ultimately gave in to pressure and the repairs were performed in 2018 without relocating residents. Defend Glendale is now looking to support efforts to maintain and secure public housing at other housing sites it fears are now being targeted. It formed the Keep Public Housing Public Minneapolis Coalition, to address those ongoing concerns with the MPHA. According to Yusuf, “In 2017, Russ said, ‘They are too organized at Glendale, let’s go after Elliot Twins.’ They said, ‘Let’s go somewhere else and maybe come back to Glendale. We realized that other brothers and sisters were under threat at Elliot Twins, we wanted to form a solidarity, so we organized with them.” The MSR will continue to follow this affordable and public housing discussion as it unfolds. Mel Reeves has a blog, fighthepowerjournal. com. He welcomes reader responses to mellaneous19@yahoo.com.

The addressing of taboo issues like mental health in the Black community is something we talk about all the time. As a Somali, we don’t even have a Somali word for it. That is true of many of the African American communities. The acceptance and opportunity to form sentences around mental health doesn’t exist. That is certainly 100 percent true of many of the African immigrants. When we are talking about mental health, we are going to have a different kind of conversation than the ones the mainstream communities are having. We are at a starting point and it is important, as we are pushing for access to resources and the ability for healthcare providers to see and care for us as if we are valued. We also have to have a conversation internally about what it looks like for us to seek help, how mental health issues present in our community, and what support could really be like when we are comfortable providing support to one another. Intersectionality is the most valued lens that leaders and policy advocates can use to make sure we have

just policies. It’s a layered way of looking at issues, but as someone who carries multiple identities, it’s something I understand. MSR: How do those challenges/controversy in Congress compare to other members? IO: When somebody celebrates me as a Muslim, I know that my challenges aren’t only as a Muslim. Many of my challenges are also because I’m Black, because I am an immigrant, because I am a woman. We have to [look at that] with all of our constituents to understand they are not only having the particular access gap because they’re Black — it’s also because they are women, or because of other socioeconomic situations they are in. Next week: Omar talks reparations, alliances and working with Black communities Solomon Gustavo welcomes reader responses at sgustavo@spokesmanrecorder.com. Front page photo by Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call

JS: I wouldn’t say me, personally. The story that sticks out the most to me is [from Minneapolis Continued from page 1 NAACP compliance officer] James Badue-El. He [once told me about a time he] was going into a gas staperceptions and hearts and minds tion in Richfield. When he came of people that have issues with out, a White guy walked up to him someone that looks like me. and said, “I need to apologize to you. I waited here because when MSR: What was the initial you went in with your hoodie on I reaction on campus? thought you were going to rob the JS: Over the course of that first se- place. When you came out I saw it

BBS

You never see someone in a suit get killed by police. mester, those 97 students were like, “You helped me realize I got some stuff I need to work on” or “I was definitely feeling an uneasiness when you got closer to me with your hoodie.” A lot of other students said it was unprofessional or that they think I’m lazy. They had all of these thoughts and it made me think about all of the people that had been killed by police. You never see someone in a suit get killed by police. Even in the pushback when people were like, “You just aren’t taking the time to get ready,” [I challenged them to] measure me by how effective I am as your professor: Am I getting your emails back in time? Am I on point when I’m lecturing? If you ask me a question, do I have answers? Measure me by that, don’t measure me by the clothing. Even on the academic level, I had some of my colleagues realize that they had biases. People who knew me normally when I had on suits, they didn’t recognize me when I had on a hoodie. These are people who know me and know my family. I had to tell people, “you saw me last week. You didn’t recognize me and I think it was the clothing.”

out there and created a hoodie that said “Humanized.” MSR: What are some of your goals and vision for the brand? JS: I want you to see that 15- or 16-year-old and understand they might be the next scholar, they might be the next philanthropist, they might be someone who changes the world. I want it to be global. I want people to understand it’s not the clothing that you’re afraid of -it’s more of the perception you’ve been sold. We have colorism everywhere. We [also] want to continue to

Jason Sole teaching screen printing workshop on how to start a brand from scratch. Submitted photo said Humanize My Hoodie and I just need to apologize to you.”

stand behind the young people who have to deal with [discrimination] at a greater level. I know MSR: How has it impacted the people that are Islamaphobic and community the most? they have issues with the hijab. If JS: I’d say the youth. Having them I can help people understand that feel that it’s something they can you’re looking at someone from carry and own. With me being a the wrong lens, if we could exlittle bit older, I think I get better pand these conversations beyond treatment. The youth, they don’t hoodies and start talking about really get treated respectfully. It people who have issues with how makes me feel good knowing it’s people identify and really take something the young people can that to universities and communifeel good about and wear and re- ty members, I think [we’re on the ally feel like they have a voice. right track].

MSR: Do you have any advice for For more info on Humanize aspiring entrepreneurs? My Hoodies training workshops, JS: I’d say make sure whatever exhibits and clothing collection, visit your vision is, that it’s support- humanizemyhoodie.com. ed by lawyers putting their eyes on that paperwork. Some people Interview by Chris Juhn. just jump out there with a grand idea and end up having somebody MSR: Is there any profound mo- steal it or mimic it. Even when we ment that you found most im- started Humanize My Hoodie, pactful? there was somebody who jumped

MSR: Have the reactions changed since then? JS: I definitely saw students grow [and] saw some challenging their family members, too. That was pretty hard for some of them.

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June 13-19, 2019

Prince & the B-Sides: a love story

Instead of delivering singles that contained an additional hirty-five years ago this month, album track as its BWarner Bros. Records released the side, Prince would ofsoundtrack to Prince’s debut motion fer a brand new song picture Purple Rain. The first record to offi- to accompany most cially be credited to Prince and The Revolu- of the singles he retion, Purple Rain yielded five hit singles on leased. Granted, Prince the Billboard Hot 100 chart including two number-ones (“When Doves Cry” and “Let’s was not the first artGo Crazy”) and the title track which peaked ist to do such a thing. However, unlike other artists, the songs that Prince chose as B-sides at number two. Yet by this time, the songs that graced were almost never deemed “throwaways” each Prince album — as good as they were or “filler;” these tracks were gems, some of — did not always fully satiate the most hard- which are now considered all-time fan favorcore fans who knew there was more to be ites. Not to mention that many of these non-alheard. That’s because Prince started to employ what noted author Michaelangelo Ma- bum cuts were presented as extended mixes tos adroitly refers to as a “Prince’s B-side on the much anticipated 12-inch versions of T:5.25” Prince singles. strategy.”

By Tony Kiene Contributing Writer

T

Courtesy of Tony Kiene The first song to receive this treatment was “Gotta Stop (Messin’ About),” the Bside to the 12-inch edition of Controversy’s “Let’s Work” in early 1982. Next, three of the five singles from Prince’s double-album 1999 possessed original B-sides, including the remarkable piano ballad “How Come You Don’t Call Me Anymore,” which has been covered by the likes of Stephanie Mills and Alicia Keys among others. But with Purple Rain, the first four singles would all contain new B-sides with “Prince heads” incessantly wondering what might be next. The B-side to Purple Rain’s lead-off single (“When Doves Cry”) was the stellar

“Love Theme” on the film’s score). And, although Prince had incorporated religious and spiritual themes into much of his work already, this track represents the first of what would become several direct tributes to the Almighty and/or His Son (along with “4 The Tears In Your Eyes,” “The Cross,” “Anna Stesia,” and “God is Alive” in the 1980s alone). The final original song that shows up on a single from this soundtrack is the soulful tear-jerker “Another Lonely Christmas” (B-side to “I Would Die 4 U”). As with “17 Days,” Prince is grief-stricken over the loss of his lover, although this time not in light of her infidelity but rather death (she having passed on December 25, seven years prior).

Unlike other artists, the songs that Prince chose as B-sides were almost never deemed throwaways or filler; these tracks were gems.

T:10.5”

“17 Days.” Opening with a mesmerizing bassline, the song finds Prince lamenting the apparent loss of his girl as he sings, “You’ve been gone 17 Days, 17 long nights. The main drag is knowing that you’re holding someone else tight.” Long-time Prince associate Alan Leeds once referred to “17 Days” as a “closet hit in search of an album.” To this day, many consider it among Prince’s alltime best compositions, Bside or otherwise. Nearly as notable is “Erotic City,” which accompanied the album’s second single “Let’s Go Crazy.” Inspired by Parliament-Funkadelic’s historic 1983 performance at LA’s Beverly Theater, Prince wrote what would become one of the most talked about tracks of 1984 — both for its unrelenting groove and brazen sexuality. “Were Prince and Sheila E. singing ‘funk’ or another four-letter word?” wondered some. And, in spite of its content and not being a commercial single itself, the popularity of “Erotic City” garnered it extensive airplay, resulting in FCC fines to several radio stations across the nation. The third single off of Purple Rain was the title track that also featured the song “God” as its B-side. Punctuated by its rhapsodic and ear-piercing screams, Prince’s vocal version of “God” (the long-unreleased and much longer instrumental served as the MNL201900124_SummerCampaign_MSR_2.25x10.5_200dpi.indd 1

5/13/19 10:32 AM

“Every Christmas night for seven years now, I drink banana daiquiris ‘til I’m blind. As long as I can hear you smiling baby, you won’t hear my tears. Another lonely Christmas is mine,” he sang. This track, performed live on only one occasion (December 26, 1984, at the St. Paul Civic Center), fades out with a riveting guitar solo, prodigious drums, and Prince’s trademark piano playing before giving way to the somber sounds of a synthesizer. And so it was with Prince, who continued to delight the faithful with an assortment of distinguished Bsides through the ’80s and into the ’90s until the art of the remix spilled over into pretty much every genre of music. Among those classic tracks are “She’s Always in My Hair,” “  or $,” “Shockadelica,” “Escape (Free Yo Mind from this Rat Race),” and “Rock ‘N’ Roll is Alive! (And it Lives in Minneapolis).” For those truly interested in the stories behind the songs from Purple Rain, its B-sides, or for that matter, every song Prince recorded in 1983 and 1984, look no further than Duane Tudahl’s exhaustively researched and critically acclaimed 2017 text, Prince and The Purple Rain Era Studio Sessions. Tony Kiene welcomes reader responses to tkiene@spokesman-recorder.com.

June 13-19, 2019

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MORE THAN MUSIC:

St. Paul recording arts school makes high marks By Dwight Hobbes Contributing Writer High School for Recording Arts (HSRA) continues to prove itself to be a spawning ground for talent of remarkable consequence. Since opening its doors, HSRA students have made major contributions to the Twin Cities’ music and artist landscape. In 2016, HSRA collaborated with Sounds of Blackness for the gospel hit “Royalty” on the school’s label Another Level Records. The song charted on Billboard for 32 weeks and was nominated for an NAACP image award. Sounds of Blackness leader Gary Hines recalled, “Brother TC Ellis [HSRA founder] and I had talked about a project for Sounds and HSRA. I was asked to write and produce. “In one of my last conversations with Prince, he encouraged me to write a song focusing in on youth, teaching them history, heritage, and legacy. God sent me the title, ‘Royalty.’ A message especially for our youth.” Students helped record the track, performed it and are featured in the video. Other notable achievements for HSRA include the U Have the Right spoken word CD, which sounded off about teen rape; performances at SXSW the past two years; and last year, they swept first place through fifth in the statewide photography competition at the Minnesota State Fair.

This year, the school hit the ground running with Rondo: Beyond The Pavement, a student-produced documentary short that has been screened at — among other prestige venues — the recent San Francisco Black Film Festival, Indie Short Fest Los Angeles and Multicultural Film Festival. It will screen next on June 20 at Model Cities in St. Paul. Why is a recording arts institute making films? Morgan Welch, project publicist in her junior year, answered, “Many people know [us] for music, but, we do other forms of recording. We work with pretty much anything technologically creative.” Rondo: Beyond The Pavement honors the historic, thriving neighborhood that was destroyed by the I-94 corridor and Housing and Redevelopment Authority. Since the 1920s, it had been a district of music, theatre, busi-

nesses and, of course, families and friends enjoying a rich, vibrant community. Until 1956, when the city and state hampered civic progress by literally razing Rondo to the ground. “Learning what happened in the Rondo community…was heartbreaking,” said HSRA senior Jevrye Morris, one of 10 students who conducted interviews for the film and attested to the experience on the project’s website. “It lit a fire in me,” added Morris. “Rondo never stopped trying to rebuild what was there. I learned that I-94 going through Rondo was a power struggle to limit what the Black community could actually do. It didn’t stop us at all.” True enough, Rondo is home to a thriving community such as family-owned and operated eatery and art gallery Golden Thyme Coffee & Cafe, an enduring cultural cornerstone that annually produces the Selby Jazz Festival. Still, the community suffered a catastrophic loss. As Rondo images make clear. Scott Herold, HSRA business of media and music instructor and Bianca Rhodes, production manager and venue coordinator at Saint Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN), were faculty guiding lights. Rhodes, an Emmy-winning project director, commented, “My role was to teach the youth filmmakers basic production skills and facilitate the process. They learned media writing, video production, lighting, and audio techniques. After three months, they had a test shoot at the Saint Paul Neighborhood Network with elders.” She added, “They made it their own, and that is what I wanted for them. They became professionals, carried themselves very well.” Welch took to it like the proverbial duck to water, getting the word out on the project. She generated coverage media coverage. “It’s an amazing story. One that really sells itself,” she said. She reflected on an awakening brought about by working on the film. “I’ve lived in Saint Paul all my life and I had no idea about the history of Rondo. I grew up White, privileged. So, coming to this school, I wasn’t really thinking about problems other ethnicities faced. “That really spoke to me,” continued Welch. “When I was offered this opportunity to help spread awareness [of] gentrification, I was eager to take it. Minnesota Nice likes to sweep [something like this] under the rug. I was glad to be a part of sharing this story. If you’re not doing anything to combat racism

Students from the High School for Recording Arts in action.

or bias in general, you are being complacent. At that point, you are the problem.” Angelo Bush, a junior, also contributed video and interviews to Rondo. “I feel accomplished, man, personally,” said Bush looking back on the endeavor. “I didn’t know that [the film] was going to get popular so widely and have such an impact.” He added, “I loved the elders I interviewed. They’re some of the coolest people I’ve met!” One such elder, Donna Evans, reflected in the film, “If we know who we are and who

Submitted photos

we came from, it helps us to go forward in our lives. If we know nothing about our history, then how are we to know about our future?” The next screening for Rondo: Beyond The Pavement is on Thursday, June 20, 6-8 pm at Model Cities, located at 839 University Ave. W. in Saint Paul. Dinner is included. For more info, visit rondobeyondthepavement.org. Dwight Hobbes welcomes readers responses to dhobbes@spokesman-recorder.com.

Margaret Lovejoy being interviewed for Rondo: Beyond the Pavement.

Submitted photos

WEEKEND TOP 5 | JUNE 20-23 From jazz to food trucks, here are a few free or low-cost community events around town.

June 20-22: Twin Cities Jazz Festival 11 am -10 pm @ Mears Park, 221 5th St. E, St. Paul; Free This annual concert offers free music in a scenic park setting located in the Lowertown neighborhood in downtown St. Paul. Among the entertainers this year are James Carter, Nnenna Freelon and José James, who will celebrate Bill Withers. Info: twincitiesjazzfestival.com

June 20-22 37th Earle Brown Days Festival Various times @ Centennial Park, 6301 xzShingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center; Free With over 60 parade units, this two-day festival promises something for everyone. The fun starts with a parade on Thursday, followed up by a golf festival and a kids’ walk, and culminating with a family fest offering food, community market, youth activities, and fireworks. Info: cityofbrooklyncenter.org/earlebrowndays

June 22 Screening: Runaway Dreams and Cardboard Condos, a film by Ralph Crowder 2:30-3 pm, @Webber Park Library, 4440 Humboldt Ave. N., Mpls; Free Filmmaker Ralph L. Crowder III will screen his film that examines the psychological condition of Black men and the issues of homelessness in America. The film features the late Dr. Joseph L. White, who was professor emeritus at the University of California Irvine and founder of the Association of Black Psychologists. Info: bit.ly/RunawayDreamsJune22

June 22-23 Twin Cities Pride Parade and Festival All day @ Loring Park, 1382 Willow St., Mpls; Free This annual festival offers a two-day celebration of programming and activities to bring LGBTQ communities and allies together. The festivities include a parade (June 23, 11 am – 2 pm) that draws crowds of nearly

400,000 people each year along with 400 exhibitor booths, 40 food vendors, and four free stages with music and other performances. Info: tcpride.org

June 23 Uptown Food Truck Festival 11 am - 9 pm @ 3100 Hennepin Ave., Mpls; Free Nothing says summer like the smell of food trucks and outdoor music. This fest, billed as the largest food truck gathering in

the Midwest, boasts a lineup of over 65 food trucks offering everything from green papaya salad to crispy pork belly to gourmet mini doughnuts and wood-fired pizza. The organizers have partnered with Calhoun Square to offer fest-goers an indoor cool down before venturing back outside for one more. Info: uptownfoodtruckfestival.com Find more events, or add your own, at msrnewsonline.com.

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8

June 13-19, 2019

BULLETIN

Blood pressure screening event to honor fathers, John Singleton By Sheletta Brundidge Contributing Writer

When legendary filmmaker John Singleton died earlier this year at just 51 years old, many people were shocked. How could a man, who had access to the best of doctors and nutrition, die at such a young age? Later, it was discovered that the Ac ademy Awa rdnominee had long suffered from high blood pressure and died due to complications from the disease. High blood pressure or hypertension, is known as the silent killer and is prevalent among men. “Like many Courtesy of Getty African Americans, Singleton quietly struggled with hypertension,” said Singleton’s family in a statement after his death. “More than 40 percent of Afri-

can American men and women have high blood pressure, which also develops earlier in life and is usually more severe.” Last month, an episode of the Two Haute Mamas podcast celebrating Singleton’s life, featured an interview with LA Times columnist Sonaiya Kelley. Kelley had followed Singleton’s career from the breakout success of his first film, Boyz n The Hood, to his most recent work as a TV producer. During the segment, cohost Lindy Vincent noted, ”We would be remiss if we didn’t talk about how Singleton died. High blood pressure is killing off men, especially Black men, and it can easily be prevented. We have to do something to help men make better choices about their health.” The conversation resulted in a partnership with Black Nurses Rock (BNR), a coalition of more than 150,000 African American healthcare providers who work at hospitals and clinics in the Twin Cities, to host a free blood pressure screening just in time for Father’s Day. Kelly Robinson, president of BNR’s Twin Cities chapter, said the group has been targeting men’s health. ”The statistics are [alarming] for our non-His-

panic, African American men when it comes to being diagnosed with hypertension,” said Robinson. “With White men, it’s 23 percent, but with Black men, it’s 45 percent of men that have hypertension.” In her experience, Robinson said Black men are more reluctant to get regular check-ups, which results in later diagnosis and fewer treatment options. “A lot of our Black men have that fear of going to the doctor because they do not want to focus on anything negative. They would rather not know that they are sick and have high blood pressure.” Robinson added that you have to make it relatable for men when you’re talking about their health. ”If they know their car is going to break down when they get on the highway, they will stop it and get it checked. If you know that you have high blood pressure, you can check it and change it,” she said. “You can change high blood pressure with diet and exercise and, sometimes, it requires a small little pill. You shouldn’t die because you like to eat fried chicken.” More than a dozen nurses will be onsite to provide free blood pressure screening for

the event. Robinson said the event is about more than just finding out the numbers. “We are trying to impart some education that day, as well. We plan to bring some real stories and real events that kind of bring it home for the men who come to get their blood pressure checked.” This will also include nutrition tips, such as ways to reduce sodium, and ways to get more active. “You have to start with baby steps,” said Robinson. “Exercise and the classes are cool, if you can get into it. But for most people, that’s a barrier.” She said, instead, simple things like dancing can be incorporated for healthier living. “If you dance for 15 minutes, you can burn 100 calories. Once you get the body moving, it’s a form of exercise.” The Father’s Day Blood Pressure Screening event takes place June 14, 12 to 1 pm at Golden Thyme Café, 921 Selby Avenue in St. Paul. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit twohautemamas.com.

Apply for college free during Minnesota State Week, June 24 to 28 The 30

state colleges and seven Prospective students who state universities of Min nesota State participate can com plet e thei r will waive application fees dur ing application for admissio n free of the inaugural “Minnesota State charge during their visit. Week,” set for June 24 to 28. Dur ing More info about participation and the week, special information even ts campus-specific events being offered by and introductory campus tours will individual colleges and univ ersit ies of be held at all of the colleges and Minnesota State is available at http s:// universities of Min nesota State and www.minnstate.edu/MinnStateW k. online.

June 6-12, 2019

9

Legals STATE OF MINNESOTA RAMSEY COUNTY

DISTRICT COURT JUDICIAL DISTRICT: SECOND COURT FILE NUMBER: 62-HR-CV-18-1165 Case Type: Harassment Chafonte Hicks And Obo Minor Child Vs Timothy Kennedy, Ashbey Amorosi NOTICE OF HEARING BY PUBLICATION (MINN. STAT. § 518B.01, SUBD. 8)

STATE OF MINNESOTA RAMSEY COUNTY

DISTRICT COURT JUDICIAL DISTRICT: SECOND COURT FILE NUMBER: 62DAFA19643 Case Type: Domestic Abuset

Danielle Rea Ford, Petitioner Vs Jemone Pierre Ford, Respondent

Notice of Hearing by Publication (Minn. Stat. § 518B.01, subd. 8)

An order has been issued directing you to appear at JFJC, 25 W. 7th Street, Courtroom 5A, St. Paul MN 55102 on June 27, 2019 8:30 AM Harassment Hearing JFJC Court Room 5A Shearen, Diane Clysdale, Elizabeth and explain why the relief sought in the Petition for the Order for Protection should not be granted.

An order has been issued directing you to appear at JFJC, 25 W. 7th Street, Courtroom 5A, St. Paul MN 55102 on June 19, 2019 at 8:30a.m. and explain why the relief sought in the Petition for the Order for Protection should not be granted. You may obtain a copy of the Petition and any order issued from the court from the Ramsey County Court Administrator’s Office.

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.

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.

By the Court; Signed: Tama Hall, Court Administrator Dated: June 5, 2019

Not counting this year’s MLB Draft, the last seven first-rounds have featured 44 Blacks out of 234 total players selected. But Byron Buxton is the Twins’ only U.S.-born Black player, and thus far this season, this reporter doesn’t event need one hand to total the number of visiting Black players on the field or in the dugout. “I’m not naïve. I see the numbers myself when we are drafting players and players coming out of high school. I think it is an industry-wide issue, not individual teams,” Minnesota Executive Vice President, Chief Baseball Officer Derek Falvey told the MSR during a recent Twins game. Another obstacle, or at the very least, a hindrance, is money: buying equipment such as bats, gloves and such, plus player fees for summer traveling teams, and attending “showcase” tournaments where pro and college scouts frequent can be costly. “I think the prohibitive cost that’s associated with baseball is a lot higher than the other sports,” said University of Houston Professor Billy Hawkins in an MSR phone interview. Hawkins added that Texas Southern Professor Kenyetta Cavil, who, like

The work of this project includes: Construction of a 575,700 GSF bus operating and maintenance facility on an approximately 11-acre site in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Functions of the building include bus maintenance bays, fueling, washing, bus parking, administrative offices, and structured employee parking. The building construction is comprised of pile foundation system, cast in place concrete, structural precast concrete, architectural precast concrete, concrete masonry units, structural steel, metal framing, metal bar joints, metal decking, gypsum board on metal framing, and interior finishes. utilities, stormwater, and landscaping. Work includes make ready electric bus infrastructure to support fleet electrification.

MN Spokesman-Recorder, June 13, 2019

The COUNCIL has established a 15% goal for DBE participation. We are specifically using companies that are within the MNUCP Directory, per the Council requirements. Please contact Amy Jansen for additional information or assistance.

PreP Continued from page 10

Owned Businesses and Disabled Businesses.

Sitework includes grading, bituminous paving, concrete paving, retaining walls,

MN Spokesman-Recorder, June 13, 2019

SOe

We seek to increase business opportunities with Minority Owned, Women

Minneapolis Bus Garage

To Respondent named above:

him, regularly discusses race and sports, told him that a couple of reasons for HBCUs having low numbers of Black baseball players include: 1) few HBCUs offer full athletic scholarships for baseball, and 2) a gap currently exist between Little League and high school baseball. “If you had to choose between a full ride playing basketball or football, the majority of those multi-talented athletes will choose the full ride,” Hawkins said. “Not many middle schools in urban school settings offer baseball. They mostly offer the ‘traditional’ sports of football, basketball, and track and field.” Hawkins summed up, “I think one of the things we have to [realize] is ... we have racialized sports. It’s hard to get away from [it], especially when we have a country this divided along racial lines. It’s not anything profound, just reality.” “You already pointed it out that we don’t have much representation” when it comes to Blacks in baseball, Falvey concluded. “For young kids watching our game, they don’t see as much participation from the African American population. But I would say, I don’t have a specific answer. I wish I did.”

Knutson Construction will be submitting a bid on the following project and invites you to submit your subcontractor and supplier quotations to us.

Bid Date: June 27th, 2019 @ 1:00 PM

To Respondent named above:

By the Court; Signed: Tama Hall, Court Administrator

Attention: Disadvantage Business Enterprises (DBE)

Continued from page 10

As her story was read to the audience, it quickly became clear that Pattain was most deserving of the award. Born in Jefferson, Texas (Marion County), Pattain settled in the Twin Cities during the 1950s, embarking on a 38-year career in health care in which she helped countless others. All of Pattain’s seven children (five boys, two girls) were born and raised in St. Paul and have blossomed into valuable contributors to the community in the fields of healthcare, insurance, community service, coaching, mentoring, and education. Pattain’s sons also flourished as student-athletes in high school. Each of them were participants in the Minnesota State High School Boys Basketball tournament. Charles Pattain led Mechanic Arts to a runner-up finish in 1975. Kevin Pattain, who went onto to a Hall of Fame career as a football and basketball player at Concordia University-St. Paul, helped lead St. Paul Central to a runner-up finish in 1979. Twin brothers Derrell and Terrell Pat-

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

tain represented St. Paul Central in 1982; and Marlon McCoy led St. Agnes to the Class A Boys basketball championship in 1994. Florene Pattain had no idea she was receiving the award, as it was kept a secret until her story was being presented at the banquet. “We told her that they were honoring us for playing in the state tournament,” said Florine’s youngest, Marlon. “She never misses anything that we are involved in,” he said grinning. “I was completely surprised,” Pattain said with a smile. “My children really got me on this one!” Derrell Pattain is still amazed at how his mother, now 79 years old, continues to be the rock and matriarch of their loving family. “I don’t know how she did it,” he said. “She was, and still is, our biggest role model,” he continued in a voice of admiration. “We won’t be able to do enough to honor her for what she has accomplished as a mother, grandmother, and pillar in the community. She’s the best.”

Knutson Construction Services, Inc. 7515 Wayzata Blvd Minneapolis, MN 55426 Phone: 763-546-1400 / Fax: 763-546-2226 Email: mplsbids@knutsonconstruction.com

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, June 13 & 20, 2019 ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS REPLACEMENT OF ROOF ASSEMBLY PICA HEAD START DONALD M. FRASER EARLY CHILDHOOD FAMILY DEVELOPMENT CENTER 700 HUMBOLDT AVENUE NORTH, MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55411 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sealed proposals will be received at the Parents In Community Action,Inc. (PICA) Donald M. Fraser Early Childhood Family Development Center at 700 Humboldt Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55411 until 11:00 AM CST, Monday, June 24, 2019. Proposals must be placed in a sealed envelope marked “Proposal For The PICA Head Start Early Childhood Family Development Center” and addressed to Brody Burton, Director of Facilities. Bids will be opened on June 24, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. CST at the same location. Plans and specifications will be available on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at Donald M. Fraser Early Childhood Family Development Center. Roof access will be granted Tuesday, June 18, 2019 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00p.m. CST. Project Scope: The work includes, but is not limited to the furnishing of all labor and materials for the replacement of the roof system: • Removal of existing ballast roof. • Removal of insulation and decking as needed with owner’s prior approval (Time and Materials). • Any changes to mechanical venting gas lines or drains must be in your proposal. • Preparation of metal decking. • Install spray foam roofing system. • Minor masonry repairs. • Replace skylights. The bids must be submitted in accordance with the Contract Documents, Plans, and Specifications as prepared by Volatile Free, Inc. No bids may be withdrawn for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of opening bids. PICA reserves the right to reject any or all bids. Contact: Brody Burton at 612-374-8309 with any questions

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, June 13, 2019

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

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

Legacy Boat Cruise 2019 Saturday, August 3, 12 – 4pm

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Contributing Writers Kenneth Brown Dr. Charles E. Crutchfield III Dr. Deirdre Golden Solomon Gustava Charles Hallman Dr. Clarence Hightower Dwight Hobbes Brandon Jones Tony Kiene Nekima Levy-Armstrong Issa A. Mansaray Tammy McIntyre Juliet Mitchell Khymyle Mims Ivan Phifer Nicole Pillow I. Angela Rae James L. Stroud, Jr.

Sports Writers Larry Fitzgerald Charles Hallman Dr. Mitchell P. McDonald Opinion Writers Myrle Cooper Ron Edwards Frank Erikson Rev. Irene Monroe Mel Reeves Lucky Rosenbloom Staff Photographer Chris Juhn Contributing

Photographers Onika Nicole Craven Steve Floyd Travis Lee

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10 June 13-19, 2019

NBA FINALS: Full of drama on and off the court!

W

e have seen so pears he may need surgery and may be out much careless the entire 2019-20 season. The Warriors made 20 of 42 three-point and bad behavior unfold during these shots and survived with a one-point win. first-ever International Stephen Curry led the way with 31 points NBA Finals. First, there and eight rebounds and seven assists. Klay was Golden State minor- Thompson had 27 points. The Warriors are the first NBA team to ity owner, Mark Stevens, who was physically and reach the NBA Finals five years in a row verbally abuse an NBA since the Bill Russell led Boston Celtics and star with the world watch- are attempting to join Boston, Los Angeles, ing. Stevens was ejected from the arena during Game 3 after Toronto’s Kyle Lowry fell out of bounds and Stevens shoved him. The Warriors ownership issued a statement in the aftermath: “Mr. Stevens’ behavior did not reflect the high standards that we hope to exemplify as an organization.” Also, during Game 3, Beyoncé’s fans took to social media to sound off about Nicole Curran, the wife of Golden State Warriors owner Joseph Lacob, who they thought disrespected the singer’s space, talking over Bey to carry on Kevin Durant’s return was short-lived. a conversation with her husMGN/ESPN/YouTube band Jay-Z. We’ve also witnessed an over-the-top su- and Chicago as the only teams to three-peat. Game 6 is now on Thursday in Oakland. per-fan, hip hop artist Drake, go overboard injecting his influence and celebrity on the The Warriors, however, are still in a deep game as he sat courtside rooting for his hole and superstar Kevin Durant’s return is now out of the question. Teams leading 3-1 hometown Raptors. in the NBA Finals — as the Raptors were until Monday — are 33-1 to go on and win Court action Meanwhile, the Warriors are fighting to the NBA title. If the Raptors win it, they would be the win a third straight NBA Championship, and Monday’s incredible 106-105 win in first team outside the United States to win an NBA Championship. Game 5 kept their dream alive. Toronto leads the NBA’s first InternationLarry Fitzgerald can be heard weekday al Finals 3-2. After missing nine NBA playoff games mornings on KMOJ Radio 89.9 FM at 8:25 am, with a right calf injury, superstar Kevin Du- on WDGY-AM 740 Monday and Friday at 9:10 rant, the MVP of the last two NBA Finals, am, and at www.Gamedaygold.com. He also commentates on sports 7-8 pm on Almanac (TPT was given the greenlight to play. He returned and played 12 minutes, scor- channel 2). Follow him on Twitter at FitzBeatSr. ing 11 points before suffering what is be- Larry welcomes reader responses to info@larrylieved to be a right Achilles injury. An MRI fitzgerald.com or visit Larry-Fitzgerald.com. could reveal more; however, right now it ap-

Baseball still as White as ever Sports odds and ends Conclusion of a three-part series By Charles Hallman Contributing Writer

B

aseball’s Whiteness, especially at the pro and college levels, is both obvious and concerning. There are more Latin American-born players (about 30 percent) than U.S.-born Blacks (between 7 and 8 percent) in the majors. Meanwhile, Blacks playing college baseball has remained virtually unchanged in at least a decade: from 4.2 percent in 2008 to 4.9 percent in 2018, according to NCAA racial statistics. Even more concerning is that at some Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), non-Black players outnumber Blacks on the team. The reasons vary as to why there have been so few Blacks in baseball over the years. One such reason is the notion that a lost generation of Black fathers stopped playing catch with their Black sons. This reporter often laughs at this since my father never played catch with me, and I have been following baseball since grade school.

Prof. Billy Hawkins

Submitted photo

But, according to The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES), over the past four years, baseball has seen a 53 percent “growth participation.” Since 1989, Major League Baseball (MLB) has installed several initiatives, such as Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) to get more Black youth playing baseball. The RBI website noted that at least 150,000 boys and girls ages 13-18 have participated as well. ■ See SOE on page 9

Hats off to this year’s Arline V. Winfield Award recipient! PreP Scene Dr. Mitchell PalMer McDonalD

Florene Pattain, mother of seven and longtime St. Paul resident, was the recipient of Arline V. Winfield Special Mother Award before a packed room at the 43rd Annual Winfield Awards Banquet at the International St. Paul Riverfront Hotel earlier this month.

The award, named in honor of Major League Baseball Hall of Famer David M. Winfield’s mother has been presented at the banquet for the past 25 years. As mentioned in last week’s column, the annual event honors 10 St. Paul student-athletes who successfully achieve in athletics, academics and community service. ■ See PrEP on page 9

Florene Pattain Photo by Marlon McCoy

JOIN US IN HONORING MARTIN LUTHER KING YEAR-ROUND

IF I CANNOT DO GREAT THINGS, I CAN DO SMALL THINGS IN A GREAT WAY. – MARTIN LUTHER KING