June 27, 2019 - MN Spokesman-Recorder

June 27–July 3, 2019 Vol. 85 No. 47 www.spokesman-recorder.com • THE VOICE OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY SINCE 1934

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

Pop-up and micro weddings cut stress, save cash

PURGING THE RACIST ROOTS OF AMERICAN POLICING

BLACK BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT:

Chris Juhn/MSR file photo

Marques Armstrong at Philando Castile protest, July 7, 2016

From slave patrols to traffic stops, history repeats itself NEWS ANALYSIS

By Connie Hassett-Walker Contributing Writer

O

utrage over racial profiling and the killing of African Americans by police officers and vigilantes in recent years helped give rise to the Black Lives Matter movements across the country and such efforts as the Philando Castile Foundation. However, these tensions between the police and Black communities are certainly nothing new.

roughed up by the police for resisting arrest.

The roots of racism in American policing — first planted centuries ago — have not yet been fully purged. A look back at these roots can help place the current controversies in its proper historical context.

Policing’s institutional racism of decades and centuries ago still matters.

became the second U.S. president, every state that had not yet abolished slavery had such patrols.

Members of slave patrols could forcefully enter anyone’s home, regardless of their race or ethnicity, based on suspicions that they were sheltering people who had escaped bondage.

The more commonly known precursors to modern law enforcement were centralized municipal police departments that began to form in the early 19th century, be-

Chicago

Milwaukee There are many precedents to the Ferguson, Mo. protests that ushered in the Black Lives Matter movement.

Those protests erupted in 2014 after a police officer shot an unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown; the officer was subsequently not indicted.

Other such precedents include the Los Angeles riots that broke out after the 1992 acquittal of police officers for beating Rodney King. Nearly three decades earlier, the 1965 Watts riots began when Marquette Frye, an African American, was pulled over for suspected drunk driving and

Policing in southern slaveholding states had roots in slave patrols, squadrons made up of White volunteers empowered to use vigilante tactics to enforce laws related to slavery. They located and returned enslaved people who had escaped, crushed uprisings led by enslaved people, and punished enslaved work-

Slave patrols There are two historical narratives about the origins of American law enforcement: the growth of urban police forces in northern cities and the rise of slave patrols in the South.

ers found or believed to have violated plantation rules.

The first slave patrols arose in South Carolina in the early 1700s. As University of Georgia social work professor Michael A. Robinson has written, by the time John Adams

ginning in Boston and soon cropping up in New York City, Albany, Chicago, Philadelphia and elsewhere.

The first police forces were overwhelmingly White, male, and more focused on responding to disorder than to crime. As Eastern Kentucky University criminologist Gary Potter explains, officers were expected to control a “dangerous underclass” that included African Americans, immigrants and the poor. Through the early 20th century, there were few stan■ See Policing on page 5

Pillsbury United sees challenges as opportunities

By Dwight Hobbes Contributing Writer Pillsbury United Communities (PUC) is undergoing a significant transformation focused on asking the question “What do you need?” and responding to the community’s responses. “We’ve just gone through a strategic planning process, a kind of rebrand of the organization,” said Adair Mosley, PUC president/ CEO. Functioning as a network of neighborhood centers throughout the Twin Cit- Current and past Pillsbury United Communities presidents: (l-r) Adair Mosley, ies, among PUC’s direct services are em- Chanda Smith Baker, and Tony Wagner Submitted photo ployment and training, early education, across the board, with various initiatives and touchpoints aimed at amplifying all of their services.

“We’re going to be forming more crosssector partnerships focused on social determinants of health to improve community outcomes,” he said. “We’re going its value as well as its impact under his to do more work around establishing leadership over the past year and a half. world-class community media to ampli“I’m coming in at a time when I just fy community voice and change narrareleased our strategy, and I believe the tives about community. We will invest work that’s left on the table is systemic,” in students of color as an engine of eqhe noted. “We’re looking at the systems uitable and sustainable economic prosand infrastructure that really exacerbate perity.”

Toward that end, the organization the problems in which our communities live on a day-to-day basis.”

■ See PillSBury on page 5 The institution’s planned changes run

“We will continue to meet the basic needs of the community and be a place of possibility.” youth and adult programming, community health, and food and nutrition, according to their website.

“We are community builders co-creating enduring change toward a just society where [everyone] has personal, social and economic power,” said Mosley of the organization’s goals. He has been with PUC serving in various capacities going on eight years, including assessing

SIMPLY WED Planning your dream wedding doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Simply Wed, a new Twin Cities business, is helping couples create the perfect wedding experience without breaking the bank.

The company plans micro weddings, smaller versions of traditional weddings, which lie somewhere between the mortgage-yourlife extravaganza and the backyard shot-gun affair.

They are shorter, less costly and with fewer guests while offering the same familiar features such as the venue, cake, deejay and photography.

“It’s a new trend that’s happening,” said Jamie Grays, Simply Wed co-owner. “It’s flourishing all over the country, but it’s still fairly a newer concept.”

We spoke with Grays to learn more about the business that’s billed as the Twin Cities’ number-one spot for pop-up weddings, micro weddings and elopements.

MSR: Tell us about Simply Wed. Jamie Grays: We just launched officially this year, but we have all been in the wedding business for years.

I’m an ordained minister. I officiate the weddings. Sy-

Travis and Jamesha Stringer, micro wedding customers backdrops, a wedding arch, uplighting. We usually just stick with a few themes because that also helps cut costs to couples. But, you’re pretty much going to walk into a venue already beautifully decorated, have your ceremony, have your reception — just on a smaller scale with a shorter time frame. It’s not your typical eight-hour wedding, but we do provide everything — even bouquets and boutonnieres.

MSR: What inspired you to become a team?

JG: We’ve been working with each other for some time now, unofficially collaborating together doing weddings. With referrals, one person books another person and another person, so we kind of almost were running weddings, but not as a team. So we were like, “How come we don’t just have it be an all-inclusive

“It’s flourishing all over the country, but it’s still fairly a newer concept.” mone Clay, she’s the dayof coordinator, and Angie Sheppard, she’s our resident DJ. We also have photographers who we work with.

We’ve all been doing weddings separately, but we just decided to conjoin into a package deal business.

MSR: Are those the services you provide then as micro wedding planners?

JG: Our packages include the DJ, officiant, photographer. All our packages come with a photographer — even our elope package. Besides those services, we have partnered with certain venues and we actually provide all the decor for the day of.

We have ceremony chairs,

thing?”

And of course, by doing the multiple weddings we were seeing the patterns: the amount people are spending, the stress that everyone goes through, the time it takes to find the venue, find the vendors and book everything all together. So, that’s how we decided to create it as a package deal.

MSR: You also do pop-up weddings? What are those?

JG: The micro weddings are all-inclusive, almost like your Las Vegas express wedding where you walk in, you have your wedding. The pop-up weddings are set up ■ See BBS on page 5

(l-r) Angie Sheppard, Symone Clay, Jamie Grays, Karen Boidoku

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June 27–July 3, 2019

7 ways to build your child’s vocabulary

By David Dickinson Contributing Writer

I

f you want your child to have a rich and fulfilling life, one of the best things you can do is help build your child’s vocabulary. Research shows strong language ability is associated with a number of positive things, including happiness, friendships, connections with family, academic success, and a satisfying career.

Building your child’s language ability is not something you should wait to do until they’re old enough to go to school. Vocabulary development is extremely rapid. Between birth and second grade, children, on average, learn about 5,200 root words.

The ability to quickly interpret words at 18 months can determine the size of a child’s vocabulary later in childhood. By grades three and four, vocabulary also is closely related to children’s ability to understand what they read. This is partly because a child’s vocabulary is a strong indicator of a child’s knowledge of the world.

As one who researches the best ways to develop children’s literacy, here are seven things parents and educators can do to help build children’s language and vocabulary skills.

Talk about objects and events that interest the child Talk about something that has the child’s attention.

A mother may notice her 8-month-old baby staring at a large cat and say, “Oh look at the nice kitty. She has such pretty eyes and soft fur.”

Such interactions may also occur when a child points to something and starts trying to talk about it, indicating an excited interest. These exchanges are prime opportunities for adults to name, describe and explain things.

Occasions when parents and children talk about things they are both attending to are powerful instructional moments.

Words are paired with objects, events and emotions.

The importance of these exchanges is shown by the fact that the amount of pointing by children at 18 months is related to language development at 42 months.

Have many conversations with children The amount of language children hear during conversations with adults in the first 18 to 24 months of life matters. Language areas of the child’s brain are rapidly developing. The ability to translate sounds into meaningful words is rapidly improving. Linking sounds to

Photo courtewsy of Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock

meanings quickly enables one to continue to make sense from the words they are hearing. The speed with which children assign meaning to words is strongly related to the amount of language they have heard as part of adult-child conversations.

Engage in sustained interactions By the time children are two years old, it is not only the quantity but also the

quality of the conversations they hear that matters. At this point, to really foster your child’s language growth, don’t be in a hurry — talk with your child about particular objects or events for a decent amount of time.

It’s not necessarily a certain amount of time that matters. But, there should be at least eight to 10 back-andforth exchanges between the parent and the child. When children are verbal, these

back-and-forth exchanges that take place over many turns are especially valuable.

Indeed, preschool children who have longer-lasting conversations show faster brain development and more efficient processing of information than those who have fewer and shorter conversations.

Read and discuss books One of the most powerful of all shared activities is book reading. Books can be shared and enjoyed from the first year of life. They provide endless opportunities to name objects, animals and action. These experiences can be repeated over and over. The activity also gives parents some time to bond with their child while talking about favorite pictures, events, and stories.

Use varied words while expanding world knowledge Children acquire knowledge rapidly as they learn words that refer to more complex concepts. As time goes on, these words will be used during conversations about new ideas and experiences.

For example, during a trip to an aquarium a child might see fascinating creatures as their parent names the animal, talks about parts of its body — its fins and tail, for instance — and how it moves.

Or, during a trip to the grocery store, one can name objects, discuss their attributes, talk about where they come from and much more.

Talk about past events Through language, we are able to travel through time to past and future events. As

parents talk with children about experiences from the past, they tend to use novel words and children, in turn, are encouraged to use them. For example, a parent may say, “Do you remember when we went to the aquarium?” The child responds, ”Yes, we saw that big, big fish with wings.” To which the parent replies, “Yes that was an enormous stingray.”

Regular conversations about the past foster vocabulary learning.

Engage in pretend play Language enables children to construct and live in imaginary worlds. The talk that occurs as they enact their roles in these imaginary worlds leads them to expand their vocabulary.

For example, two children are playing with action figures that represent doctors.

One child holds a doctor figure and the other is playing with one that is lying on the ground. The doctor says, “Be quiet, I need to use my stethoscope.” The “injured” figure says, “OK. Is that the thing you use to hear my heart?”

Here we see one child informally teaching a sophisticated word. The second child is learning what a stethoscope is and, as they play, will gain some understanding of how it is used.

These evidence-based methods are just a few ways that parents can help build their children’s vocabulary and knowledge of the world.

David Dickinson is a professor of Teaching & Learning at Vanderbilt University.

Republished with permission from The Conversation.

June 27–July 3, 2019

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Prediabetes? It’s time for some lifestyle changes

By Sean J. Ennevor, M.D. Guest Contributor Diabetes is a reasonably wellknown illness related to regularly elevated blood sugar (glucose) levels, which may cause a variety of medical issues. In recent years, there has been a tremendous amount of discussion concerning people with elevated blood sugars, but who have not yet met the diagnosis for type 2 diabetes.

More than 84 million people may be in this category. It is a silent medical condition known as impaired glucose tolerance (also known as prediabetes).

Insulin is made within your pancreas and allows blood sugar access into cells. The cells then use the sugar for energy. People with prediabetes have cells that don’t respond normally to insulin. As a result, their pancreases make more insulin, but eventually can’t make enough. Blood sugar rises, and if it remains elevated, eventually these individuals become type 2 diabetics.

Prevention of prediabetes also prevents advancement to type 2 diabetes. This is important because type 2 diabetes is known to cause cardiac disease, stroke, or other permanent neurologic problems.

Prediabetes typically has no distinct signs or symptoms except for the high blood glucose seen in specific lab tests. It’s essential to investigate if patients have prediabetes as it is reversible, and its treatment prevents progression to type 2 diabetes.

Patients should monitor for signs and symptoms such as increased thirst, increased urination, fatigue, vision issues, slow-healing wounds, patches of dark skin, or neurologic changes in the hands or feet. Any of these can indicate progression to type 2 diabetes.

Who is at risk?

These conditions increase the risk of getting type 2 diabetes: 1. High blood pressure (hypertension) and high cholesterol (the “bad” LDL cholesterol, triglycerides greater than 200) 2. Obesity [Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 25] 3. Familial history of diabetes 4. High-risk ethnic groups — African, Hispanic, Native, Asian Americans

Photos courtesy Getty 5. Over 45 years of age 6. Gestational diabetes or birth weight greater than nine pounds 7. Known vascular disease 8. Polycystic ovarian syndrome Testing for prediabetes Prediabetes can be diagnosed by a blood test ordered by your provider. The test may be given on an empty stomach (a fasting plasma glucose test) or after having drunk a sugarbased solution (an oral glucose tolerance test).

Treatment strategies • Perform physical activity at least two and one-half hours a week (150 min).

• Keep a healthy body

weight for your height (BMI less than 25).

• Drink water instead of sugary drinks.

• Don’t smoke.

• Have a diet composed of healthy foods abundant in fruits and vegetables.

A low carbohydrate diet may also be effective in reversing prediabetes. If effective in improving blood glucose, it is essential to recognize that a low carbohydrate diet has to be followed for life if the reversal of prediabetes is to continue.

If the above strategies fail, your healthcare provider may consider medications such as metformin or acarbose. There are other medications such as thiazolidinediones as well as newer agents. Unfortunately some have safety concerns, and others lack evidence of effectiveness. Thus, using any of these medications warrants a discussion with your provider.

One may use prediabetes as a

warning sign that change must occur in one’s life. Lifestyle changes are the most effective methods for treating prediabetes. There are lifestyle change programs throughout the country.

The Twin Cities area has lifestyle change resources listed at bit. ly/2MZYxLR Sean J. Ennevor, M.D. graduated with a B.A.S. in biology and economics from Stanford University, and as a Dean’s Scholar from UCLA School of Medicine where he received his MD. He completed his medical residency and fellowship in anesthesiology at Yale University, where he was chief resident and on staff. He practiced medicine in the Twin Cities for over 14 years, and presently serves as an advisor and investor for medical technology companies throughout the country.

PTSD exposure affects more than just combat vets

Emotional Wellness with Dr. Golden by

DeiDre Annice GolDen P h.D., lP

Dr. Lolita King-Bethel Guest Contributor Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was once considered a psychological condition of combat veterans who were “shell shocked” or experiencing “battle fatigue syndrome” and were unable to face their experiences on the battlefield.

In 1980, PTSD was recognized as a disorder that also could affect the larger society after a person has experienced or witnessed a traumatic or terrifying event in which serious physical harm occurred or was threatened.

Approximately 3.6 percent of adult Americans, or 5.2 million people, suffer from PTSD during the course of a year.

Furthermore, it is estimated that 7.8 million Americans will experience PTSD at some point in their lives.

PTSD can develop at any age, including childhood.

Likely due to the higher incidence of domestic violence, abuse and sexual assault, women are more likely to develop PTSD than are men.

Other negative life experienc-

es that can lead to PTSD include: physical abuse or emotional abuse, sexual abuse, growing up with an alcohol and/or drug abuser in the household, loss of a parent or close family member, and emotional or physical neglect.

In circumstances in which a person has been exposed to multiple, repeated, and/ or prolonged traumatic experiences during childhood, complex trauma may develop. Consequently, there may be an impediment in the child’s ability to form a strong sense of self or develop positive and secure attachments with their care givers, and they are at increased risk for a variety of emotional and physical impairments.

Other PTSD impacts PTSD tends to negatively impact several areas of an affected person’s life including relationships, employment, parenting, socialization and community involvement. Relationships with family and friends may become conflictual, distant or nonexistent.

Employment can be impacted in terms of the person’s diminished ability to complete their assigned work duties, increased absenteeism or tardiness, and even the inability to retain employment for any significant length of time.

Effective parenting may be difficult as it requires the ability to maintain a physical and mental presence and consistency with expectations and establishing limits. Attendance at social events and/or community involvement may also be challenging. Thus, institutions such as churches or other social services that have historically been a resource of support may no longer be accessed.

Most people who experience a traumatic event will

have reactions that may include shock, denial, anger, nervousness, fear, and even guilt. These reactions are common, and for many people, go away over time. For a person with PTSD, however, these feelings persist and even increase, becoming so strong that they keep the person from living a normal life.

People with PTSD have

such as anger, aggression, isolation, poor academic performance, skipping school, sleep disturbance, changes in appetite, and frequent physical complaints such as stomach aches and headaches.

PTSD symptoms Symptoms of PTSD often are grouped into four main categories, including intrusion, avoida n c e , negative alterations of cog n it ions and mood, and alterations in arousal and reactivity.

Intrusion symptoms, also referred to as “relivPhoto courtesy Getty ing,” which occur when symptoms for longer than people with PTSD repeatedone month after the event and ly relive the ordeal through cannot function as well as be- thoughts and memories of the fore the traumatic event oc- trauma.

Avoidance symptoms, curred. Still another group of people may have PTSD symp- which occur when a pertoms that do not begin to son avoids people, places, thoughts, or situations that emerge until years later.

Young children with PTSD may remind him or her of the may suffer from delayed de- trauma.

Thoughts and feelings revelopment in areas such as toilet training, motor skills, lated to blame and memories and language. Many times of the traumatic event.

Arousal and reactivity reparents do not recognize that when children are exposed to flected by excessive emotions; domestic violence within the problems relating to others, home, trauma symptoms can sleep difficulties irritability; outbursts of anger; self deoccur in these children.

Often unbeknownst to structive or reckless behavthe parents, young children ior. The person may also sufare often aware of verbal and fer physical symptoms, such physical conflict within the as increased blood pressure homes and lack the space and heart rate. and/or the tools to process their experiences. Children as Treatment The goal of PTSD treatment young as toddlers through adolescents often convey their is to reduce the emotional distress through nonverbal and physical symptoms, imand/or nonverbal behaviors prove daily functioning, and

help the person better cope with the event or experiences that triggered the disorder.

Treatment for PTSD may involve psychotherapy (a type of counseling), medication, or both.

There are a number of therapy methods that have been shown to effectively treat PTSD and result in significant symptom reduction. Psychotherapy for PTSD involves helping the person learn skills to manage symptoms and develop healthy ways of coping.

Therapy also aims to teach the person, and if the person so chooses, his or her family, as well, about the disorder and help the person work through the fears associated with the traumatic event.

If you believe that you or a loved one are experiencing these symptoms, please consult with a medical professional. This can include your medical provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner) or meeting with a mental health professional. They can recommend the appropriate care.

Mental health providers at NorthPoint Health and Wellness Clinic are available for walk-in appointments on Mondays 10 am to 12 pm, and Tuesdays 1 pm to 3 pm. Appointments can also be scheduled via telephone at 612543-2500 or by walk-in 8:304:30 Monday through Friday.

Dr. Lolita King-Bethel is a licensed clinical psychologist at NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center, where she has practiced for more than 10 years. In her current position as a clinical team manager, she divides her time between clinical practice, clinical supervision, training and administrative duties. She provides culturally competent, evidencebased therapy such as traumafocused treatment and other evidence-based models to adults, adolescents and children.

Dr. Deirdre Golden, director of behavioral health at NorthPoint Health & Wellness, welcomes reader responses to 612-5432705.

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June 27–July 3, 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.

WHERE ARE THE GREAT THINKERS?

By Ron Edwards Contributing Commentator As we prepare for the 2020 elections, many theories about the future abound in the Republican and Democratic parties. Around the world, politics and citizens alike are aggressively discussing and debating what future actions to take.

Whose dreams will prevail? Will movies such as 1984, War of the Worlds, Back to the Future, Planet of the Apes, Soylent Green and Mad Max serve as warnings or predictions for the future?

Some may even recall the 1941 book, Escape from Freedom, that talks about the fear of freedom that causes people to seek safety in authoritarians, dictators, and various “leaders” who tell us peace and safety will be ours if we just follow them.

We need to hear voices that know what they are talking about.

As Steve Jobs once said, “The future isn’t what it used to be.” Historically, however, Americans have been blessed by the voices of great thinkers, both Black and White, such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Where are today’s thinkers? When will they step forward? Where are the voices that will help us end our paralysis? What thinkers in our institutions and in our communities will aid us in maintaining some balance regarding the perspectives and overviews that can help us understand the actions to take to achieve the prize and avoid fear and paralysis?

In that same vein, who will rise to the

top of the 2020 election? Out of the group of over 20, who will bring a vision and action to get us out of our paralysis? A White person? African American? Man? Woman?

As we move forward, ponder well the 2020 election and the history, promises, and achievements of its cast of characters. Regardless, any president’s policy successes or failures are ours.

And, the world’s nations don’t seem comfortable offering peace. Whose foreign future vision will prevail? America? China?

Russia? Iran? Africa? Venezuela?

Many theories have been kicked around for how to play the peace and diplomacy game, rather than just hoping for the best. Many are understandably afraid, given so much doubt and hatred based on religion and race, and on envy and resentment.

Much of this comes down to fear — fear of losing one’s way of life, one’s wealth, one’s future and one’s communities.

So let’s honor the great minds around the world that are trying to think their way through the fear and apprehension, through the anger and frustration. African Americans, at least, understand fear and apprehension better than most, as they have experienced it the most, along with Native Americans.

But, should we play the game, ignore today’s fears and failures, and say we’ll succeed tomorrow? Will there be a tomorrow?

Far too many only have hope to get by to another day. What will be our options as we move towards the election of 2020?

Only the Almighty can answer these questions. We need to hear voices that know what they are talking about. Absent such voices, fear will prevail, not peace. Will we move forward or backward? Will we think for ourselves?

Stay tuned.

Ron Edwards is an author and hosts radio and TV shows.

America can’t be great on a dying planet

By Bill Fletcher, Jr. Guest Commentator On my morning walk, I pass a tree every day that has a long plastic bag stuck in its branches. Every day, I wonder whether my neighbor realizes that the bag is strangling the tree. I am not exaggerating.

the Guardian concerning the global glut of plastics and the United States’ role in the proliferation of plastic material.

It is not just that we, in the U.S., are producing an abundance of plastic material. It is that we are shipping the waste overseas to the global south for, alleged, recycling or, in other cases, for simply

The planetary crisis in plastics is one that no single nationstate can resolve alone.

The plastic is not simply sitting on the branches but is cutting off air to the tree. Over time, that branch could die. Think about that the next time you are driving and see plastic bags flying around and landing on bushes and trees. This is not a neutral issue.

I thought, again, about this matter of plastics when I read a fascinating piece in

dumping — a global version of “not in my backyard.”

Many countries in the global north, including the U.S., look at the countries of the global south as a massive garbage dump. You have probably heard about islands of plastic (and other garbage) inhabiting our oceans. What we use and use-up, we then send to the global south to be disposed of. The impact of

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this is the dying off of entire segments of oceans.

A recent global conference on plastics was stymied by the Trump administration which wished to take little to no responsibility for the proliferation of plastics. What was so disingenuous about this is the historical role the U.S. has played in promoting the use of plastics while paying no attention to disposal. Instead, the Trump administration acted as if there was no dirt on (or, at least, no plastic sticking to) the country’s shoes. Instead, he blamed the current glut on Asian countries.

It is critical to highlight this issue to remind ourselves that the environmental challenges facing the planet are not solely about climate change, as critical as that happens to be. There is also an environmental catastrophe unfolding, much of which is playing out in our oceans.

In this context, the notion of “America first,” in addition to having been a slogan of pre-World War II U.S. fascists, is the slogan of idiots. The U.S. does not exist on planet Earth by itself. The planetary crisis in plastics is one that no single nationstate can resolve alone. There must be a collective pact, and this necessitates a shift in the attitude of an arrogant U.S. administration.

This, of course, will only happen through a combination of mass pressure and the electoral removal of those who think that one can ‘make America great again,’ while watching planet Earth die.

Bill Fletcher, Jr. is the former president of TransAfrica Forum and author of murder mystery, The Man Who Fell From the Sky. For more info, visit billfletcherjr.com.

‘Creature of the deep’

Biden oblivious to weight of racism

By Oscar Blayton Guest Commentator Former Vice President Joe Biden, speaking in his “Aw shucks, I’m just Joe,” style has set off a firestorm within the ranks of the Democratic presidential contenders.

During a June 18 fundraiser with wealthy potential donors, he lamented the lack of civility in government. To make his point, Biden recalled how well he got along with Southern segregationists in Congress, such as former Sens. James O. Eastland of Mississippi and Herman Talmadge of Georgia. This struck a sour note with many progressive and left-leaning Democrats.

New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker issued a statement calling for Biden to apologize for his insensitivity. Biden responded by demanding that Booker apologize to him for inferring that he is a racist.

former vice president’s defense, resolutely declaring that Biden is not a racist.

But the issue here is not whether Biden is a racist — Booker did not call him a racist. What gives so many people concern is that Biden can be comfortable with racists without realizing that he is normalizing their hateful views.

The most glaring example of the tone-deafness of some of the advocates joining this debate is a statement made by MSNBC Morning Joe host, Joe Scarborough.

Scarborough likened Biden to former President Franklin D. Roosevelt, saying Roosevelt “had to deal with the same segregationists as we moved toward World War II to defeat Hitler.”

Let’s take a moment to think about that statement.

President Roosevelt was willing to work with segregationists for the sake of the

for survival. They are ”creatures of the deep.”

They live and thrive in a racist America that is like the bottom of a deep ocean — an environment in which such great pressure is exerted that only those equipped with protective shells can survive. At the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, that protective cover may be the hard exoskeleton of a lobster; in America, that protective cover is White skin.

If Scarborough gave an ounce of consideration to this issue, would he conclude that all Americans had set aside their differences and prejudices in order to defeat Hitler during World War II? Of course, Biden could be civil with Sens. Eastland and Talmadge — he is White. But, if Biden gave the slightest bit of thought to the matter, would he really believe those staunch segregationists would have shown the same civility and

What concerns many is that Biden can be comfortable with racists without realizing that he is normalizing their hateful views.

Bill de Blasio, New York City mayor and presidential candidate, also weighed in, pointing out that the segregationists with whom Biden had a civil relationship thought that his multiracial family was illegal and that his children should not exist.

As quickly as criticism was raised against Biden, defenders came to his aid.

House Majority Whip James Clyburn, an African American Democrat from South Carolina, argued that you have to work with people with whom you disagree in order to get things done.

U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson (MS) gave a more careful statement about Biden: “If he was able to work with Eastland, he’s a great person.”

Several co-hosts from The View also jumped to the

war effort. But Roosevelt, unlike the African American soldiers stationed in Southern states, was not humiliated and disrespected because of the color of his skin. Black G.I.s suffered the indignity of watching Nazi prisoners of war that they were guarding sit down and eat meals in restaurants where the Black soldiers, themselves, were barred by law.

Neither Roosevelt, Biden, nor Scarborough had a relative treated with less respect than the enemies fighting to destroy the U.S. — a country that African Americans were giving their lives to defend.

People like Roosevelt, Biden, and Scarborough can survive in the depths of a racist nation because they, like the segregationists they ”work with,” are configured

respect to a Black senator?

De Blasio put it very clearly when he said that Biden’s comments show he’s “out of step with the values of the modern Democratic Party.”

Again, the criticism of Biden is not that he is a racist, but that he is a creature of the deep — blithely swimming around without noticing that others are being crushed by racism’s enormous weight.

And, if he does not have enough empathy to recognize human suffering, why should anyone think that he deserves to lead a nation as diverse as America?

Oscar H. Blayton is a former Marine Corps combat pilot and human rights activist who practices law in Virginia.

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD THROUGH THE MSR Send story ideas, news tips and opinions to sharmon@spokesman-recorder.com

Send sports, community news, and health stories to jfreeman@spokesman-recorder.com

Send entertainment stories, events you want posted, and notices exclusively for our website to pelliott@spokesman-recorder.com

June 27–July 3, 2019

Policing Continued from page 1

dards for hiring or training officers.

Police corruption and violence — particularly against vulnerable people — were commonplace during the early 1900s. Additionally, the few African Americans who joined police forces were often assigned to Black neighborhoods and faced discrimination on the job. These factors — controlling disorder, lack of adequate police training, lack of nonWhite officers and slave patrol origins — became the forerunners of modern-day police brutality against African Americans.

Jim Crow laws Slave patrols formally dissolved after the Civil War ended. But formerly enslaved people saw little relief from racist government policies as they promptly became subject to Black Codes.

For the next three years, these new laws specified how, when and where African Americans could work and how much they would be paid. They also restricted Black voting rights, dictated how and where African Americans could travel, and limited where they could live.

The ratification of the 14th Amendment in 1868 quickly made the Black Codes illegal by giving formerly enslaved Blacks equal protection of laws through the Constitution. But within two decades, Jim Crow laws aimed at subjugating African Americans and denying their civil rights were enacted across southern and some northern states, replacing the Black Codes.

For about 80 years, Jim Crow laws mandated separate public spaces for Blacks and Whites, such as schools, libraries, water fountains and restaurants — and enforcing them was part of the police’s job. Blacks who broke laws or violated social norms often endured police brutality.

Meanwhile, the authorities didn’t punish the perpetrators when African Americans were lynched. Nor did the judicial system hold the police accountable for failing to intervene when Black people were being murdered by mobs.

Reverberating today For the past five decades, the federal government has forbidden the use of racist regulations at the state and local level. Yet people of color are still more likely to be killed by the police than Whites.

The Washington Post tracks the number of Americans killed by the police by race, gender and other characteristics. The newspaper’s database indicates that 229 out of 992 of

those who died that way in 2018, 23 percent of the total, were Black, even though only about 12 percent of the country is African American.

Policing’s institutional racism of decades and centuries ago still matters because policing culture has not changed as much as it could. For many African Americans, law enforcement represents a legacy of reinforced inequality in the justice system and resistance to advancement — even under pressure from the Civil Rights Movement and its legacy.

In addition, the police disproportionately target Black drivers. When a Stanford University research team analyzed data collected between 2011 and 2017 from nearly 100 million traffic stops to look for evidence of systemic racial profiling, they found that Black drivers were more likely to be pulled over and to have their cars searched than White drivers.

They also found that the percentage of Black drivers being stopped by police dropped after dark when a driver’s complexion is harder to see from outside the vehicle.

This persistent disparity in policing is disappointing because of progress in other regards.

There is greater understanding within the police that brutality, particularly lethal force, leads to public mistrust, and police forces are becoming more diverse. What’s more, college students majoring in criminal justice who plan to become future law enforcement officers now frequently take “diversity in criminal justice” courses.

This relatively new curriculum is designed to, among other things, make future police professionals more aware of their own biases and those of others. What these students learn in these classes will make them more attuned to the communities they serve once they enter the workforce.

In addition, law enforcement officers and leaders are being trained to recognize and minimize their own biases in New York City and other places where people of color are disproportionately stopped by the authorities and arrested.

But the persistence of racially biased policing means that unless American policing reckons with its racist roots, it is likely to keep repeating mistakes of the past. This will hinder police from fully protecting and serving the entire public.

Connie Hassett-Walker is an associate professor of Criminal Justice at Kean University.

Published by permission from The Conversation.

Front photo credits: Chicago Nuccio DiNuzzo | Chicago Tribune via AP, Milwaukee Darren Hauck/Getty Images, “Am I Next?” /Getty Images

into its next future if we keep asking that fundamental question, always have it at the center of discussion.”

PillSBury Continued from page 1

will be developing new career and early college enterprise level endeavors. Detailed information on that effort can be expected in the fall, says Mosley. “We’re also going to be advancing policy. We’re intersecting with the community at many different levels. And with institutions. It’s an intricate weave.”

Mosley said PUC also needs support and voices from the community to sustain its services and impact. “[Communities] need to continue to inform us what they need, because we believe we [succeed] through relevancy.

“Relevancy is anchoring this work in the aspirations of the community and continuing to ask that question, ‘What do you need’? That is going to continue to guide this organization

People, place, prosperity The new planning process comes under the 140-year-old organization’s “united system of change,” which focuses on three pillars: people, place and prosperity. The first two, Mosley said is about helping people “achieve greater health and well-being” and creating “places where cultural understanding creates social connections and community voices elevating the arts for social justice, civil engagement and economic strategies.”

Best known among the institution’s artistic ventures is, of course, Pillsbury House Theatre+, which typically produces work characterized by voices for social change.

That has included Lorraine Hansberry’s The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window, Tony Kushner’s Angels in America, and, this season, Athol Fu-

BBS Continued from page 1

as an event day that we pick at a particular location — it could be indoor, outdoor.

We normally choose four couples per day. They have their time slot — usually like an hour or two — get married, take the photographs and that’s it. Bring whoever to come witness and then take your little photo session with the photographer, and then that’s it. You can go off and go out to eat or whatever after that. But the pop-up weddings are really affordable for folks.

We’re looking into having pop-up weddings at fun locations: food truck festivals or outdoor venues like Minnehaha Falls, basically Simply Wed customers places people dream about getting married in and just never really have gone is easy; getting people to understand what exactly is a through the planning. micro wedding and a popMSR: What’s been the best up wedding and understand what comes with it is kind of part of working as a team?

JG: It’s really nice because a challenge. we get a chance to offer a package and it’s all set in MSR: What is the most restone, so there’s no finagling. warding part?

The reliability and consis- JG: I’m so glad I am in this tency of having packages sector. It’s a happy occasion. help, and working together The most rewarding part is feels really good. It feels like seeing people excited about we’re building something re- being able to make their wedding happen and seeally stable. It feels nice. ing couples happy and satisMSR: What’s been the most fied. The less stress you can popular feature from your bring to that couple, the better experience they’re going packages?

JG: With our bigger pack- to have overall. ages, people really love the photo booth. It’s a fun, inter- MSR: How else do you see active thing to do: You take your business impacting a picture, it comes to your the community? phone, and then you can JG: Our drive is geared towards getting people that share it, keep it. don’t have a lot of money to MSR: What’s been the big- put together a wedding [and] gest challenge since launch- making it affordable. We’ve gotten a lot of feedback from ing?

JG: Educating people on people who are still paywhat a micro wedding is, to ing off student loans, peobe completely honest! You ple who are just pretty much know, the rest of the servic- starting off their lives and es come naturally. Setting up still want to have something

gard’s Blood Knot. It has also become a major venue for cutting-edge spoken word performance with such events as “Non-English Speaking Spoken Here: The Late Nite Series.”

“Arts has always been [an integral] part of the organization,” said Mosley. “We’ve been able to take [the theater] and scale that across the organization, making an artsbased development. We know the arts can be a powerful tool to revitalize communities. We also have a unique focus on supporting artists through our Pillsbury House Theatre + enterprise.”

The last pillar, prosperity, is about more than finances. “It’s the power to learn, work and earn your future,” explained Mosley. “And, we believe that is shared by all through equitable education and employment opportunities. So, that work is really our career, future readiness, economic mobility.”

The organization operates eight social enterprises as well, said

Obituary

L

Mosely. They include North Market, a grocery store that also houses a healthcare and community wellness center, theater troupe Breaking Ice and North News.

In the current U.S. presidential administration, Mosely acknowledged that social services have been under attack. However, he is confident that the transformation will proceed unimpeded.

“What we’re presently seeing with the current administration is exacerbation,” he said. “But I believe systemic issues have been there to solve, and we ultimately need to [concentrate on] how we advance the prosperity of the communities we’re serving. That’s regardless of who is in the White House.”

Those systemic issues, he said, will require policy change and longterm visioning.

“My legacy, my contribution, is to start looking at both systems and policies going more upstream as an organization to have an impact, to

nice. So it’s making it possible for those folks.

MSR: What’s your vision?

JG: Of course, since we just launched this year, we would like to be booked regularly, daily. Right now we all have daytime jobs, so we do a lot of weekends [together] and book individual services. We also envision owning our own venue, our own space.

MSR: What advice would you give to someone who’s looking to start their own business?

JG: Be different. Be and do something that’s gonna stand out.

For more info, visit mysimplywed.com or call 612886-5251.

Interview conducted by Stephenetta Harmon.

All photos submitted by Simply Wed.

really think about changing the context in which people live their lives,” he said. “We will continue to meet the basic needs of the community and be a place of possibility.

“I also want to make sure as people come through our doors that I’m thinking about the kind of social and environmental context of what brought them to [us]. So, I’m moving this organization to focus more upstream.”

He noted that change does not come without challenge and does not happen overnight. “The challenges are also opportunities,” he said, “how we create a new model of human services. We want to disrupt the sector, bring in a new level of thinking. We will continue to do that as an organization.”

Dwight Hobbes welcomes reader responses to dhobbes@spokesmanrecorder.com.

Obituary

Yusef Shareef

LaVerne Coffee

aVerne Coffee, age 89, passed away peacefully on June 20, 2019, following a brief illness. She was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon Coffee.

Our ‘Vernie’ is survived by numerous family, friends and neighbors whose names could fill an entire page and she loved them all so very much.

Vernie also loved Christmas, flowers, her pristine yard, feeding Mother Nature’s creatures and her cats! We’ll love you forever + one day, Vernie. At her request there will be no service.

5

Y

January 18, 1937 — May 24, 2019

usuf Shareef (Joseph Raymond Lewis, Sr) passed away peacefully in Detroit Michigan, on May 24, 2019 at the age of 82. Yusuf was preceded in death by mother and father Leo Lewis, Sr., and Irene Baker, daughter Brenda Harris and granddaughter Alisa Lewis. He is survived by his children: Joseph Raymond Jr., (Vera) Lewis, Michael Lewis, Theresa Ander-

Francis (Kevin) Rudolph, Jody Lewis, Michael Anthony (Tegan) Mead, and Ashley Shareef-Hardaway.

The memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 29, from 11 am -12 pm, with visiting one hour prior at Brooks Funeral Home, 862 Concordia Ave, St. Paul.

son, Robin (Henry) Marsh, Jeri (George) Wilson, Mary

6

June 27–July 3, 2019

Ava DuVernay’s When They See Us blasts Netflix viewership records

Courtesy of Netflix

When They See Us relays the jarring miscarriage of justice of five Black teens.

By Lauren Victoria Burke Contributing Writer When They See Us has been the most-watched series on Netflix in the U.S. every day since it premiered on May 31, according to Netflix’s Twitter account on June 12. Though Netflix does not release specific viewership numbers, the streaming platform is a worldwide portal for content that has over 145 million paid subscribers.

In 2017, Netflix added 22 million paid subscribers. This put its total subscriber count at more than 117.5 million that year. A year later, Netflix boasted 146.5 million paid subscribers. Netflix reported revenue is $16 billion.

When They See Us relays the jarring miscarriage of justice against five teens — Kevin Richardson, Antron McCray, T:5.25” Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise — who

were convicted of assault, rape, and attempted murder.

Their sentences were vacated in 2002 and the City of New York paid them millions in restitution after Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who had been blocking their settlement, departed office.

Over 10,000 people signed a petition calling for another prosecutor, Elizabeth Lederer, to be fired from Columbia Law School. The college’s Black Law Students Association also called for the part-time lecturer to be fired. Lederer resigned on June 12.

Ava DuVernay’s documentary has had ramifications on the prosecutors who worked on the case.

Ava DuVernay’s documentary has had recent ramifications on the prosecutors who worked on the case. Linda Fairstein, 72, was released from her book company, Dutton, weeks ago. Fairstein was also the subject of a protest in New York on June 17.

Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent journalist and writer for NNPA Newswire, as well as a political analyst and strategist as Principal of Win Digital Media LLC. She may be contacted at LBurke007@gmail.com and on Twitter at @LVBurke.

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

Party down the St. Croix on the

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

Live entertainment from

Wenso Ashby Jazz & Beyond & Phyllis “Showtime” Braxton Plus, an all-you-caneat buffet!

Sponsored by T:10.5”

Wenso Ashby Jazz & Beyond

Phyllis “Showtime” Braxton

Enjoy a four-deck sailing experience:

Bus Itinerary:

• Deck 1: Smooth Jazz Lounge

Departs from Minneapolis & St. Paul

• Deck 2: Golden Games/Shoppers’ Delight

9:00 am – Board at MSR, 3744 4th Ave. S., Mpls 9:15 am – Departs for St. Paul 9:35 am – Board at MLK Rec Center, 271 Mackubin St., St. Paul (west side of bldg.)

9:50 am – Departs for Stillwater, arriving approximately 10:30 am

• Deck 3: Q-Bear Old School/R&B Lounge • Deck 4: Community Rooftop Smooth sounds of Wenso Ashby Jazz & Beyond

All-you-can-eat buffet Games & prizes!

Steppin’ with Phyllis “Showtime” Braxton

Best sailing outfit wins a prize!

Returns to St. Paul & Minneapolis 4:15 pm – Board bus 4:30 pm – Departs for Twin Cities 5:00 pm – Drops off at MLK Center in St. Paul 5:20 pm – Drops off at MSR in Minneapolis

To purchase tickets, visit MSR office or msrnewsonline.com • Info: 612-827-4021 ST. CROIX BOAT & PACKET, 525 MAIN ST. S, STILLWATER

MNL201900124_SummerCampaign_MSR_2.25x10.5_200dpi.indd 1

5/13/19 10:32 AM

June 27–July 3, 2019

7

These tips should put you at ease so that you can truly sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.

Theater etiquette tips Theater etiquette tips

By Juliett Mitchell Contributing Writer

T

here’s no better time to see a play than in the summer.

The Twin Cities offers some of the best and most diverse productions in the country.

The history of theater season is quite fascinating and extensive. Dress codes may be more relaxed and casual now, but manners still matter. There are still codes of conduct and behavioral expectations — what I refer to as theater etiquette — when attending a live theatrical performance.

Why all of the muss and fuss over theater etiquette? Well, your actions, behaviors, and reactions could be distracting to the performers and could ruin the experience for other patrons, as well. Unlike a recorded performance in a movie, a live theater cannot be repeated. Although there may be many repeat viewings of a production, each live performance will be different and cannot be duplicated.

I’m sure that you want to take in all that you envisioned a play would be — every nuance of the production — so that it lives in your memory as one of the best experiences ever. For me, that experience was The Lion King. And, I would not have wanted that theater experience ruined because of paper rattling, gum smacking or cell phones going off, etc.

If you plan to attend such a performance, I encourage you to know before you go. I spoke with several performance theater staff persons around the country, and below are my top tips on theater etiquette. These tips should put you at ease so that you can truly sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.

Before you go: • Learn about the performance, venue, and dress code ahead of time.

• Plan a timely arrival (30-40 minutes before the show) begins.

Before entering the seating area: • Finish food or drink (unless the theater allows drinks inside the house).

• Use the restroom.

• Have your ticket available.

Inside the seating area/during the play: • Please be quiet. Do not yell at or distract actors.

• Turn off cell phones and recording devices.

• Limit excessive movement or walking.

• No eating or smacking gum.

After the play: Show appreciation for the performers: • Clap.

• Cheer (Bravo!)

• Standing ovation: stand and clap.

• Exit in a patient and orderly fashion.

To make sure you know-before-you-go to see your next play, check the theater’s website for its specific theater et-

iquette guidelines and rules. Many theaters, such as the Guthrie in Minneapolis, provide patrons with such a list.

The guidelines can be quite extensive, covering general rules and even laws. Laws are elements of etiquette that, if not adhered to, could result not only in expulsion from the performance but legal action as well.

Here are samples of some items that are prohibited: 1. Weapons of any kind 2. Fireworks 3. Illegal drugs 4. Outside food and beverages (be prepared to give them up and/or leave the performance with no refund).

The main thing to keep in mind is that as a patron/guest, you should not do anything that will detract from anyone’s enjoyment of the performance. You want to follow the established safety guidelines so that you and others are comfortable and safe.

The Twin Cities are now lauded as a mecca for theater.

Why go to New York or Chicago when you can enjoy highquality performances right here in the Twin Cities? Enjoy the theater season, just be mindful of your etiquette so that others around you can enjoy it, too.

If you found this column interesting, entertaining or helpful, let Ms. J know at Facebook/Ms J Etiquette Expert or by emailing her at jmitchell@spokesman-recorder.com. Photo courtesy of Getty

WEEKEND TOP 5 | July 5-7

Here are the editors’ picks of free or low-cost community events around town.

JULY 6

JULY 6

Saturdays on Selby 12-6 pm @ 855 Selby Ave., St. Paul (between Milton and Fisk). Free Savor the arts and tastes of the neighborhood on St. Paul’s Selby Avenue at this weekly community gathering. Food vendors will serve up catfish, BBQ ribs, gumbo, chicken wings, steak on a stick, as well as plant-based comfort food.

Also, enjoy a car and motorcycle show, live jazz music and DJs spinning old school R&B, reggae, and hip hop.

Info: saturdaysonselby.com

Cultivating a Caring Community — Healing and Understanding 6:30-8 pm @ Falcon Heights City Hall, 2077 Larpenteur Ave. W., Falcon Heights. Free This event, held on Restoration Day in honor of the tragic police shooting of Philando Castile, seeks to build understand and healing, and stress the importance of crossing traditional boundaries to meet someone from a different background. Speakers include Valerie Castile, John Thompson, and Hawa Samatar. The event is hosted by the City of Falcon Heights. A candlelight vigil will follow from 8:40-9:15 pm.

Info: bit.ly/RestorationDay2019

JULY 6-7 Little Mekong Night Market 5-10 pm @ 422 University Ave., Suite 14, St. Paul. Free Packed with food, fun, and artisan vendors, this popular night market is back for its sixth year in the heart of the Little Mekong Cultural and Business District. Bring family and friends and experience and celebrate Minnesota’s cultural diversity.

Info: bit.ly/LittleMekong2019

JULY 7 Live at the Library: MC Longshot 3-4 pm @ North Regional Library, 1315 Lowry Ave. N., Mpls. Free Check out Chicago’s MC Longshot, billed as one of the hardest working and most underrated emcees in the business. Now residing in Minneapolis, Longshot shares his life experiences through his lyrics and performances to inspire and motivate. He will perform his set upstairs in the north meeting room of the li-

brary as part of North Regional Library’s live music series offered every first Sunday of every month.

Info: hclib.org or call 612-543-8450

JULY 7 Third Annual Philando Castile Community BBQ Unity Day 5:30-8 pm @ Falcon Heights City Hall, 2077 Larpenteur Ave. W., Falcon Heights. Free Organized by the Philando Castile Relief Foundation and family, this annual gathering brings community members together for food and fellowship in honor of Philando Castile.

Enjoy live performances and face-painting for kids. Pets are also welcome. Admission is free but registration is requested at the link below.

Info: bit.ly/PhilandoCastileUnityDay Want your event listed in the paper? Make sure to submit it at least 14 days in advance to give our print subscribers have time to plan ahead. Find more events, or add your own, at msrnewsonline.com.

8

June 27–July 3, 2019

Jammin’ in the Parks

BULLETIN

Join in a 60 minutes of fun-filled outdoor fitness, which includes Zumba, Cardio kickboxing, strength and conditioning, a live DJ and much more. Events are held at a different park all over the Twin Cities (see schedule below). Classes are led by Chaz Sandifer and Valerie Turner of Noire Elite Fitness. Children 12 and up are welcome. Admiss ion is free.

For more info, visit www.noirelitefitness.com.

PAN AFRICAN COMMUNITY ENDOWMENT NOW SEEKING PROPOSALS

HOSMER LIBRARY REOPENS IN AUGUST St. Paul and Minnesota Foundations is now accepting applications for its Pan African Community Endowment (PACE) Fund. The annual fund awards up to $10,000 to select African and African American organizations and projects throughout Minnesota to address disparities and support cultural activations.

Since 1996, PACE has provided 187 grants that have supported a broad spectrum of efforts such as improving education, eradicating health disparities, and addressing the disproportionate rate of incarceration of African and African American juveniles and adults.

Previous recipients include the East African Immigrant Health Initiative and the Mental Health Resources in the African American Community Project.

This year, PACE is seeking grant proposals for projects and/ or programs focused on reducing racial disparities in five priority funding areas: health, criminal justice, education, social justice, and arts and culture.

Grant deadline: August 14, 2019, at 3 pm.

To apply or for more info, visit spmcf.org/diversity-endowment-funds

Hosmer Library in South Minneapolis is reopening August 15 and new details have emerged about the changes inside the historic 1916 Carnegie building.

One of the most visible changes from the nearly year-long renovation will be evident right when patrons come through the door. While the building retains its two-floor layout, the entryway has been expanded to increase the sense of openness and connectivity between the main and lower levels.

The children’s and teen areas are now located in the front of the building, allowing for a larger, more open space for collaborative work, study space, and hands-on learning and activity areas.

A central corridor with access to computers, library materials, and meeting rooms now runs through to the back of the building, which is furnished with lounge seating and additional computer workstations for quieter work. The five new meeting rooms each have audiovisual capabilities, with space for groups of all sizes.

Also, an urban garden on the northeast side of the library offers seating for patrons to enjoy the outdoors and native plantings.

The building’s historic character has been carefully retained, with contemporary finishes refreshing the traditional library.

Preservation work addressed the large skylight and wood windows, and additional infrastructure improvements include Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant restrooms, site drainage, and paving repairs.

Regular library hours will resume when the library reopens, with details for reopening celebrations to be announced.

For more info, visit bit.ly/HosmerAug15.

— Information and photo provided by Hosmer Library.

June 27–July 3, 2019

Legals

9

Employment

State of Minnesota Certificate of Assumed Name Minnesota Statutes Chapter 333 ASSUMED NAME: PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS:

Affordable Law Minnesota 825 Nicollet Mall, Suite 925 Minneapolis, MN 55402

NAMEHOLDER: Cooper Law, LLC

825 Nicollet Mall, Suite 925 Minneapolis, MN 55402 I, the undersigned, certify that I am signing this document as the person whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required who has authorized me to sign this document on his/her behalf, or in both capacities. I further certify that I have completed all required fields, and that the information in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I understand that by signing this document I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document under oath.

SIGNED BY: Emily Cooper EMAIL FOR OFFICIAL NOTICES:emily@cooperlawmn.com DATED: 9/13/2017 11:59 PM

Minnesota Spokesman Recorder June 20 & 27, 2019

State of Minnesota Certificate of Assumed Name Minnesota Statutes Chapter 333 ASSUMED NAME: PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS:

SportsMartialArts.com 2751 Hennepin Ave S, Ste 597 Minneapolis, MN 55408

NAMEHOLDER: Martial Arts Sports League, Inc. 2751 Hennepin Ave S, Ste 597 Minneapolis, MN 55408 I, the undersigned, certify that I am signing this document as the person whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required who has authorized me to sign this document on his/her behalf, or in both capacities. I further certify that I have completed all required fields, and that the information in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I understand that by signing this document I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document under oath.

SIGNED BY: Emily Cooper EMAIL FOR OFFICIAL NOTICES:sportmartialarts@gmail.com DATED: 5/4/2019 11:59 PM

Minnesota Spokesman Recorder June 20 & 27, 2019

NOTICE OF INTENT TO DISSOLVE Pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 317A.727, Minnesota Sports Corp. (EIN: 47-3410837) is providing written notice to known and potential creditors that the organization is in the process of dissolving. Minnesota Sports Corp. was incorporated as a Minnesota nonprofit organization under Minn. Stat. Chapter 317A. Minnesota Sports Corp.’s Board of Directors met at the organization’s office located at 200 S. 6th St., Suite 440, Minneapolis, MN 55402 on April 29, 2019, and, with a quorum present, the Board voted to dissolve. On May 29, 2019 Minnesota Sports Corp. filed a Notice of Intent to Dissolve with the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 317A.723. Any written claims against Minnesota Sports Corp. must be presented by September 13, 2019 and mailed to: Nancy Hylden, Esq.

Principal IT SAP ECC Business Analyst

Sr. Software Engineer-Test

Principal IT SAP ECC Business Analyst for Medtronic, Inc. at its facilities located in Columbia Heights, MN. Duties: Collaborates with cross-functional groups to assist with all aspects of the sales coordination process from an IT perspective including content strategy, strategic roadmaps and integration across the organization around technologies, tools, platforms to align common approach and appropriate solution. Requires a Bachelors’ degree or foreign equivalent in Information Systems, Computer Science or instrumentation engineering and experience must include seven (7) years’ experience in SAP related function, including five (5) years post-bachelor’s progressive experience in all of the following: Working with SAP ECC and Sales and Distribution (SD Module) configuration, implementations, and integrations. Configuring SAP Sales Order Processing to include Pricing and Billing processes and functionality. Conducting OTC configuration to include sales document types, item categories, schedule lines, order reasons, shipping conditions, pricing procedures, pricing conditions, access sequences, condition tables, pricing routines, GL account determination, text and partner determination. Working with SAP ECC, and SDLC (System Development Life Cycle). Working with SAP Vistex Sales Incentives, Composites, Customer Rebates, Chargeback and Contract Management. Working with SAP NetWeaver ABAP and Solution Manager Business Process Improvement (BPI). Resource, cost and budget planning. Apply at www.medtronic.com/careers, Req.190009VA. Medtronic is an equal opportunity employer committed to cultural diversity in the workplace. All individuals are encouraged to apply.

Sr. Software Engineer-Test for Medtronic, Inc. at its facilities located in Mounds View, MN. Duties: Perform verification test activities for Cardiac Rhythm and Heart Failure (CRHF) Software Products. Requires a Bachelor’s Degree or foreign equivalent in Computer Science, Electronics or closely related and five (5) years post-bachelor’s progressive experience in all of the following: Software Test Engineering for class II & III medical device; Utilizing the following tools to include Visual Studio, Automated test tool Microsoft Test Manager, Web based applications, Eclipse, Visual Source Safe and Requisite Pro; Writing in the following programming languages: C, C++, Java, Java Script, HTML, C#, Python and Objective C; Working on multiplatform technologies to include MS SQL, XML & XSLT; Utilizing Agile and Waterfall software development methods; Working in the following environments: iOS, Android, Angular JS, Cordova, Xcode, TFS and Jenkins; Utilizing JTAG, RS232 hardware tools and Universal Lab Programmer to program and debug the bread board and devices; Utilizing the DOORS, System Parameters Database (SPD) and Cockpit as requirement management tools. Apply at www.medtronic.com/careers, Req.190009UF. Medtronic is an equal opportunity employer committed to cultural diversity in the workplace. All individuals are encouraged to apply.

Sr. Software Engineer - Test Sr. Software Engineer - Test for Medtronic, Inc. at its facilities located in Mounds View, MN. Duties: Performs Verification Test activities in the regulatory industry for Cardiac Rhythm and Heart Failure (CRHF) software and medical device applications. Requires a Bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent in Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Electronics Engineering or Bioinformatics and experience must include five (5) years post-bachelor’s progressive experience in all of the following: In the Medical Device industry including automated and manual software verification; Performing requirements analysis, documentation, testing and maintenance of Medical applications; Operating Systems to include like Windows or Linux; Test protocol development using one or more of the following languages like Python, C, C++, C#, Java, XML, SQL or VB Script; Working with Agile and Waterfall software development methods. Apply at www.medtronic.com/careers, Req.#190009YV. Medtronic is an equal opportunity employer committed to cultural diversity in the workplace. All individuals are encouraged to apply.

Hylden Advocacy & Law

Sr. Software Engineer Principal IT Business Systems Analyst - SAP EIO for Medtronic, Inc. at its facilities located in Mounds View, MN. Duties: Principal IT Business Systems Analyst SAP EIO for Medtronic, Inc. at its facility in Mounds View, MN. Provides a comprehensive, enterprise-scale process for optimizing, coordinating, and monitoring inventory stocking levels for every finished product at all global stocking locations. Requires a Masters’ degree in Information Systems, Computer Science or Industrial Engineering and three (3) years post-bachelor’s progressive experience in all of the following: Integration between SAP APO, ECC, BW and SAP EIO/EIS; Working with Supply Chain concepts to include Supply Chain Demand Planning and Supply Planning concepts; Conducting APO Demand Planning and APO Supply Network Planning systems; Working with SAP and Oracle implementations and rollouts to include Blueprinting, Gap Analysis, Configuration, Testing, Go-Live, Post-Live Production Support, User Training and Documentation; Mapping business processes to the SAP system and facilitating the conversion process of legacy data into SAP; Solving complex problems on inventory optimization and build inbound, outbound interfaces; Conducting historical data mapping, APO BW design, Statistical model analysis, macro development, demand release to SNP and reporting. Apply at www.medtronic.com/careers, Req.190009ZU. Medtronic is an equal opportunity employer committed to cultural diversity in the workplace. All individuals are encouraged to apply.

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MN Spokesman-Recorder, June 27, July 4,11 & 18, 2019

SOE Continued from page 10 Lynx slighted on TV While nearly every Minnesota Timberwolves game is televised on local cable, the more successful Minnesota Lynx get just over half of their regularseason games shown.

This season, the Lynx will be on local television 19 times out of 34 contests. Comparably, all 34 Indiana games are on television, and Chicago has 23 sched-

uled televised contests; Phoenix has the lowest with seven.

Before this season, much was ballyhooed of the WNBA’s new contract with CBS Sports Network, televising 40 games.

But a closer look shows that unlike ESPN, which has their own announcers doing games, CBSN instead airs the local team’s feed, which gives it a cheap feel.

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

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Sr. Software Engineer- Applications Development Sr. Software Engineer- Applications Development for Medtronic, Inc. at its facilities located in Mounds View, MN. Duties: Sr. Software Engineer Applications Development for Medtronic, Inc. at its facility in Mounds View, MN. Develops the next generation medical technology. Requires a Master’s Degree in Computer Science Or Software Engineering and two (2) years post-bachelor’s progressive experience in all of the following: Developing FDA class I & II & III Medical Device Software Applications and regulations that govern Medical Device Software to include Iec62304, CFR Part 820, 806 (Corrections & Removal); Implementing Software Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) Policies And Procedures; Working With Domain Specific Language For The Implantable Medical Devices (Implantable Device System Functionality); Conducting Waterfall Software Development Methods And Agile Framework Programming In C#, .Net, C/C++, And Xamarin; Practicing Software Design, Development, Debug And Test Practices; Creating Mobile Software Development For Both IOS And Android; Working With Web Based Technologies To Include Html5, Java Script, CSS, Cordova, And Xamarin; Working With Microsoft Visual Studio Development Platforms To Include Microsoft TFS, Microsoft Azure. Apply at www.medtronic.com/careers, Req.190009UH. Medtronic is an equal opportunity employer committed to cultural diversity in the workplace. All individuals are encouraged to apply.

Principal IT Technologist Principal IT Technologist (SAP Basis) for Medtronic, Inc. at its facilities located in Mounds View, MN. Duties: Principal IT Technologist (SAP Basis) for Medtronic at its facility located in Mounds View, MN. Analyze business, engineering, and other data processing problems to implement and improve computer systems. Requires a Bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent in Electronics, Computer Science or Computer Engineering, or closely related and five (5) years post-bachelor’s progressive experience in all of the following: SAP Basis Administration with SAP implementations including; SAP ERP, SCM, BW, CRM, SRM, GTS, GRC and SNC; Administrating SAP Portal, SAP ME, SAP NWDI, SAP MDM and SAP MII; Supporting production operations and maintenance of SAP NetWeaver ABAP and JAVA systems includes performance tuning; SAP BW system sizing and performance tuning; Configuring Technical monitoring in Solution Manger 7.x; Installation and configuration of Precalculation Server for BW and support Bex workbook/broadcasting issues; Performing SAP Landscape Transformation (SLT) setup and configuring Table Replication from SAP to Non-SAP systems; SAP MaxDB database administration and support. Apply at www.medtronic.com/careers, Req.190009V3. Medtronic is an equal opportunity employer committed to cultural diversity in the workplace. All individuals are encouraged to apply.

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Sports Writers Larry Fitzgerald Charles Hallman Dr. Mitchell P. McDonald Opinion Writers Myrle Cooper Ron Edwards Frank Erikson Rev. Irene Monroe Mel Reeves Contributing Photographers Onika Nicole Craven Steve Floyd Chris Juhn Travis Lee

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Fitz Continued from page 10

bought the Vikings from McCombs and then hired Warren as COO. Fowler was able to secure a minority ownership percentage with Warren.

Warren helped keep the potential Vikings sale alive by finding Zygi and Mark Wilf. The Vikings’ value as a franchise has exploded under Warren’s leadership as COO and the Wilf’s ownership. The Vikings’ team franchise value

has risen from $782 million in 2007 to a staggering current $ 2.4 billion dollars according to Forbes.

Warren, with the support of Wilf’s ownership, was the driving force in getting U.S. Bank Stadium built, which led to Super Bowl LII and the team’s state-of-the-art new headquarters, TCO Center in Eagan. It is the finest I’ve seen in the NFL, and this is my 41st year covering the NFL and the Vikings.

Now Warren will bring his talent to the BIG, one of the strongest and most powerful in college sports. It has 14 universities and a partnership

with FOX Sports that owns 50 percent the BIG TEN TV Network, the most successful and the highest revenue-generating sports network in amateur or college athletics today.

All 14 BIG schools receive $55 million each from the BIG TV Network annually.

Warren’s departure is a powerful blow to the NFL and the Vikings. His great leadership will be missed. Warren is the highest-ranking Black executive in the NFL; he is in charge of 330 Vikings employees.

As Big Ten commissioner, Warren could earn between $7-10 million a year. He will

have 56 employees and deal directly with 14 university presidents as commissioner.

He will be the highest ranking Black executive in all of college sports.

Larry Fitzgerald can be heard weekday mornings on KMOJ Radio 89.9 FM at 8:25 am, on WDGY-AM 740 Monday and Friday at 9:10 am, and at www.

Gamedaygold.com. He also commentates on sports 7-8 pm on Almanac (TPT channel 2). Follow him on Twitter at FitzBeatSr. Larry welcomes reader responses to info@larry-fitzgerald.com or visit Larry-Fitzgerald.com.

10

June 27–July 3, 2019

Kevin Warren BIG-bound NFL and Vikings lose big!

O

ne man’s opport unit y and expectations can sometimes change the course of history. Such may prove to be the case with Vikings COO Kevin Warren’s move in September to the Big Ten Conference (BIG) as commissioner.

Warren will leave his position with the Vikings after 15 years and succeed Jim Delaney who is retiring after 30 years.

2019 is the 100th celebration of the numberone game in sports: football. The National Football League (NFL) has by leaps and bounds captured the imagination of its fans. Men, women and advertisers have jumped on board, and the NFL continues to soar.

The three R’s — ratings, revenue and results — are the bottom line, and the NFL and its entertainment value has soared past Major League Baseball, the NBA and NHL as the most popular sport.

For the last 15 years, Warren, the Vikings’ chief operating officer, has followed in the footsteps of the foundation Dennis Green laid as head coach and vice president and has elevated himself and the Minnesota Vikings organization since the Wilfs became owners.

Green on the field led the Vikings to the playoffs, drafting Randy Moss and Daunte Culpepper and coaching Hall-of-Fame players Randall McDaniel, John Randle and Cris Carter to

name a few. Eight times in 10 years Green guided the team to the playoffs, twice reaching the NFC title game.

Green had to deal with the Vikings’ shaky ownership controversy. His famous book, No Room for Crybabies, exposed the issues inside the Vikings ownership group and the fact that the team was for sale.

Successful organizations require great leadership to win. Red McCombs from San Antonio later bought the Vikings from the Roger Headrick-led ownership group. Under McCombs, Purple Pride was his rallying cry, but after a few years of trying to get city and state authorities’ support on funding a new Vikings stadium, McCombs then tried to sell the team to Reggie Fowler.

Fowler was attempting to be the first Black owner of an NFL team. Warren, his legal counsel and a terrific attorney, worked with Fowler. They met in Arizona. An NFL veteran executive who was vice president of football administration and legal counsel with the St. Louis Rams 1997-2001, Warren won a Super Bowl with the Rams. He became senior vice president of business operations and general counsel with the Detroit Lions from 2001-03.

When the Fowler ownership deal failed, it was Warren who found Zygmunt Wilf, and that worked out. The Wilf brothers, New York-New Jersey developers,

■ See Fitz on page 9

Lone Black pro golfer belies sport’s ‘diversity’ Conclusion of a two-part column

“College prepared her a lot for this,” Stackhouse’s ariah Stackmother Sharon house drew Stackhouse said of a small walkher daughter when ing crowd of around 10 asked about her persons of color as she competing in a vircompeted in the LPCharles tually all-White GA’s third major of the hallman sport. Unlike past year. The second-year Black females who pro was the only Black female golfer at last weekend’s had to deal with the subtle Women’s PGA Championship and overt racism, “She don’t have to deal with the same at Hazeltine National.

“I’m happy to see a sistah things that others before her out here,” former Thor Cos. had to deal with,” Sharon said.

“She [Mariah] is handling it CEO Ravi Norman told me.

Stackhouse, who at age 17 very well.”

Stackhouse earned $273,260 was the youngest Black woman to play in the U.S. Open (67th) in 2018 and was part of in 2011, was a four-time All- an LPGA record for most golfAmerican at Stanford, where ers (79) making $200,000 in a she helped the Cardinal win single season. She made the the 2015 National Champion- cut in four LPGA majors and

M

ANOTHER

VIEW

“I hope that more girls can see me and be inspired to play golf.

Black boys, too.” ship and graduated with her communications degree in 2016. She is one of two Black women on this year’s LPGA tour.

Sharon Stackhouse

posted 20 cuts in 26 starts overall last year. “[I felt] the need to be out there and be competitive, and to be playing up here week in and week out,” Mariah said. “I hope that more girls can see me and be inspired to play golf. Not just Black girls but Black boys, too.”

Black workers were more visible at Hazeltine last weekend, clearly outnumbering the only golfer who looked like them in the 150-plus field. It resembled a Three Dog Night song — one can be

The WNBA and social media: blessing or curse?

Sports odds and ends “I love WNBA Twitter — so many smart, articulate angles and views from a wide variety of writers, coaches, analysts, etc.,” tweeted The Athletic’s Lyndsay D’Arcangelo last week.

“I’m not a big social media person,” Las Vegas Assistant Coach Vickie Johnson admitted. However, “Social media gives our

when she played for Dallas. “I take it as a blessing… I don’t take [negative] comments to heart.”

“I use social media to connect with my fans,” Cambage continued. “They lift me up and I lift them up.”

Social media also makes unintentional stars and goats as well, such as Minnesota’s Lexie Brown. Before the season, she was featured on YouTube after taking on a one-on-one challenge from a former men’s college basketball player. She won, and he got roasted on social media.

“I felt so bad about it,” Brown told me.

“He is one of the biggest advocates of wom-

“They can build you up and tear you down.”

A’ja Wilson

By Charles Hallman Contributing Writer Perhaps more than any other pro league, the WNBA has fully embraced social media. It is in the third year of a three-year agreement signed by former president Lisa Borders to live-stream 20 regular-season games on Twitter.

Players have used social media as their connection vehicle to fans and others. “Social media has become an essential conduit for players, teams, and the league to engage fans directly and deepen those connections,” WNBA COO Christy Hedgpeth told the MSR. “I think it is so different for the NBA, NFL, and guys like that,” said Las Vegas guard Kayla McBride.

fans a chance to see our en’s basketball. I was supposed to play players’ personalities and someone else. Bleacher Report got a hold of see who they are,” she not- it and it went crazy.”

She continued, “I’ve seen some [negaed.

But is social media a tive] comments on women’s basketball that friend or foe for the W? As I’ve never seen before. But I also saw some much as it has been a boon positive feedback,” the guard pointed out.

Social media and the WNBA seem to be for the league, unfortunately, it has also exposed intrinsically linked for good and bad, like the players to “trolls” — it or not. “It’s like being in the newspaper,” people who purposely Johnson said. “They can build you up and disrespect anyone who af- tear you down.” firmatively tweets about ■ See SOE on page 9 women sports in general and the WNBA in particular.

McBride, for example, got trolled last season when she spoke out on salary inequities.

Teammate A’ja Wilson got similar treatment. “There will always be people like that,” McBride said.

Hedgpeth said, “We are exceedingly proud of the women in our league for using their platforms to not only promote the game but also to speak out on issues that are important to them.”

“You can take it as a blessing or a curse,” stated Las Vegas center Liz Cambage, who has drawn her share of trolls last season Liz Cambage Photos courtesy of Twitter

Mariah Stackhouse

the loneliest number on the golf course.

It also defies LPGA officials’ contention that the sport is becoming more diverse.

The LPGA media guide notes that players hail from over 30 countries. “There are probably more players from Asia on our tour than from the United States,” 10-year pro Stacy Lewis declared.

LPGA Chief Brand and Marketing Officer Roberta Bowman pleaded, “We are working very hard to change the diversity of the game.”

“I think it’s getting there,” Lewis said of the sport’s diversity. “You have to break the barriers. It starts with kids.

You have to get kids in after-school programs to go to the golf course and learn the game. That’s really where it starts.”

Veteran golfer Phil Mickelson lauded the PGA’s First

Photos by Onika Craven Tee program as an effort to improve golf’s diversity. “Tiger [Woods] was very instrumental in helping to promote” the program, which started in 1997. But the program’s website says there are far more White youth (51 percent) as participants than Blacks (16 percent).

“It has only been 15-20 years,” Mickelson said. “I think the biggest thing is exposure.”

“She’s in it for the long run,” Sharon Stackhouse surmised of her daughter’s pro career.

“I don’t just want to be out here… I want to be out here and be competitive for as long as I am excited to play the game,” Mariah concluded.

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

Outstanding moments in girls’ basketball Here are five girls’ PreP Scene basketball players Dr. mitChell Palmer mCDonalD and state championship performances I will never forget.

Tamara Moore (Minneapolis North, 1998) The 5’10” guard scored 26 points in leading the Polars to their first Class AAA state title in 1998 in a 66-33 victory over Chaska. They finished with a 29-0 record.

Moore, who was the Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year and Ms. Basketball during her senior season, went on to a stellar career at the University of Wisconsin and the WNBA. She was inducted into the University of Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017.

Mauri Horton (Minneapolis North, 1999) The 5’9” guard displayed leadership and passion in scoring 14 points to lead the Polars to their second-straight Class AAA crown, beating Owatonna 72-44 in 1999.

Horton, after being named the Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year and Ms. Basketball as a senior that year, played four years at Rutgers University. She played on the Scarlet Knights’ NCAA Women’s Final Four team as a freshman in 2000.

Jenna Smith (Bloomington Kennedy, 2006) The 6’3” Smith scored 20 points in leading the Eagles to the 2005 Class AAAA state championship during her junior year with a 44-38 win over Hopkins. She led them back to the title game the fol-

lowing season (losing to Hopkins) while earning Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year and Ms. Basketball honors before an outstanding career at the University of Illinois.

Smith was named All-Big Ten twice during her collegiate career.

Angel Robinson (St. Paul Central, 2007) The 5’9” guard, also one of the state’s top defensive players, led the Minutemen to an 81-63 victory over Minneapolis South in the Class AAAA state title game in 2007. Her dominance that year earned her the titles of Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year and Ms. Basketball as the Minutemen finished 32-0 while setting numerous records.

Robinson went on to play at Marquette University. She was inducted into the Marquette Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018.

Tayler Hill (Minneapolis South, 2009) The 5’10” guard scored 47 points in a 68-61 Class AAAA state championship victory over Centennial for the 2009 title.

Hill, who currently plays for the Dallas Wings of the WNBA, played five years for South’s varsity, was a twotime Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year, was named Ms. Basketball as a senior, and was a two-time member of the All-Big Ten team during her four-year collegiate career at Ohio State University.

She led the Tigers to the Class AAA title game three consecutive seasons.

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