March 18, 2021 - MN Spokesman-Recorder

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THE VOICE OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY SINCE 1934 March 18-24, 2021 Vol. 87 No. 33

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Black man’s White killer set free

Ramsey County jury refuses to convict was killed by former Minneapolis police officer Chauvin as fellow officers looked on. n St. Paul last week anoth- It may be yet another indicaer case involving a White tion of how race relations are man (Anthony Trifiletti) killing a Black man (Douglas Lewis) ended in a mistrial as the jury could not reach a verdict.

Last week a Ramsey County jury refused to convict Trifiletti of 2nd degree murder in the shooting death of 39-yearold Lewis on May 1 2020 in St. Paul. After only 27 hours of deliberation the jury sent two notes to the judge declaring Anthony Trifiletti they were hopelessly deadPhoto by Chris Juhn locked, resulting in a mistrial.

The local, national and in- played out in the Twin Cities.

In his opening statement ternational attention given to the Derek Chauvin murder in the murder trial, Assistant trial has overshadowed this Ramsey County Attorney case, which occurred only Hassan Tahir told the jury weeks before George Floyd that decisions were made

By Mel Reeves Community editor

I

“based on appearance, bias, and just a complete misreading of a situation based on the anger that had gradually been increasing as a result of a road rage incident.”

“This was a verbal argument that Mr. Trifiletti turned into a deadly encounter,” said Tahir.

Trifiletti’s attorney Thomas Shiah countered in his opening that his client acted in self-defense though there was no evidence that he had been attacked by Lewis, nor did the deceased have a gun. Shiah argued in court that his client faced a “justifiable threat” because he thought Lewis had a gun and was going to shoot him. He said his client “was scared and believed he was going to die.”

What exactly led up to the deadly encounter remains

unclear, but Trifiletti, age 25 from Watertown, Minnesota, told police that Lewis’ car had bumped his truck from behind. According to Trifiletti, they pulled over supposedly to share insurance information. Words were exchanged and both drivers got back in their cars.

But according to the prosecutor, Trifiletti shouted at Lewis and Lewis got back out of his vehicle. Trifiletti, who has a gun permit, subsequently fired at Lewis, striking him four times and killing him.

Trifiletti told police that he thought Lewis was reaching for a gun under his shirt near his waistband. Trifiletti claimed that he thought Lewis, who was unarmed, had a gun, and he told police at the time that he “feared for his life.” The shooter’s claims

bear a sharp resemblance to the words police use to justify their use of excessive force or instances in which they kill someone who turns out to be unarmed.

Valerie Lewis, Donald’s eldest sister, was upset by the lack of a verdict. Her family is originally from Chicago.

“Ain’t that something?” she said. “He came here to get away from issues in Chicago and wound up losing his life.

“I am tired of White men being able to say “I was afraid for my life” to get away with killing Black men,” she said.

“It should be considered a racist statement, and people should get in trouble for using it. Too many White men have used that and got off with murdering Black people.

“It’s The Man’s justice system. Douglas Lewis Photo by Photographer Name ■ See KILLER on page 5

Chauvin trial jury selection continues after record settlement

By Mel Reeves Contributing writer The announcement that the City of Minneapolis had agreed to settle the wrongful death suit brought by the family of George Floyd for $27 million stirred a bit of controversy, but it brought little relief to a community that overwhelmingly lacks faith in the justice system. The announcement was made last Friday at the same time, and less than a mile away at the Hennepin County Gov-

ernment Center, attorneys for the defense and the prosecution were questioning potential jurors for the Derek Chauvin murder trial.

“This lynching can’t be wiped away by money. This money won’t replace his life,” said Reverend Brian Herron, pastor of Zion Baptist Church. “If justice is going to be served, then there must be convictions of every officer involved in George Floyd’s death. You can’t buy the conscience of the people nor absolve your own conscience by ■ See SETTLEMENT on page 5

Ben Crump, fellow attorneys, George Floyd family members and city of Minneapolis officials announce the $27 million settlement agreement at a press conference last Friday.

Photo by Chris Juhn

NATIONAL NEWS BRIEFS By MSR News Service

Louisville honors one-year ‘angel-versary’ of Breonna Taylor

COVID’s U.S. death toll ‘staggering’ Called ‘worst public policy failure in modern memory’

it’s possible to look more precisely at how the coronavirus compares with the more rouNow that the coronavirus tine causes of death in the U.S. has been in the United States The takeaway is that the corofor roughly a year, new num- navirus killed more Ameribers are revealing the scale of cans in the past year than any COVID-19’s impact on Amer- cause of death in 2019, other ican health: COVID has become the country’s third-leading cause of death, and could be on its way to outpacing cancer.

As of Wednesday afternoon, 528,603 Americans had died of the Photo by King Demetrius Pendleton coronavirus, according to Johns Hopkins University data. And a closely watched model from researchfollowing a high-speed chase. The four ers at the University White officers—Jacob Brown, Dakota of Washington projects DeMoss, George Harper and Randall that this number will Dickerson have been accused of using rise past 575,000 by excessive force, lying about their arrests, June 1. and turning off their body cameras.

“The toll of death is The officers, all from Troop F, sent simply staggering—worse than heart disease and cancer.

14 text messages bragging about the than I would have predicted,” And if the University of Wash“whoopin’” they had given to 29-year- said Arthur Caplan, founding ington model proves accurate, old Antonio Harris. “He gonna be sore head of the division of med- then by June the 15-month toll tomorrow for sure,” Trooper Brown ical ethics at the New York from the coronavirus will be group-texted his colleagues in May, the University School of Medi- close to matching the annual Lousiana State police brag about filings allege. beating Black man cine. “COVID has been noth- number of deaths from cancer.

All other causes of death “He’s gonna have nightmares for a long ing short of the worst failure The Washington Post has reported that four Louisiana State Police troopers time,” Trooper DeMoss allegedly said of of public policy in modern pale in comparison to the coronavirus death toll. So far, beat a Black man who had surrendered what unfolded in Franklin Parish, La. memory.”

With a year’s worth of data, ■ See NATIONAL on page 5 ■ See COVID on page 5

Protests and rallies were held across the country last week marking the oneyear anniversary of the police killing of Breonna Taylor. Taylor’s name was repeated and shouted as people took to the streets to remind the country once again that police violence is a very real problem in the U.S. that overwhelmingly affects Black men and women.

Taylor was killed after Louisville Metro Police entered her house in the middle of the night using a no-knock warrant, which has since been outlawed. She was shot as she lay in her own bed.

In Louisville, Taylor’s mother, Tamika Palmer, joined hundreds of protesters and renewed calls to bring charges against the Louisville Metro Police Department officers involved in the March 13, 2020 shooting.

“Breonna Taylor’s death was a tragedy, a blow to her family, her community, Photo by King Demetrius Pendleton and America. As we continue to mourn her, we must press ahead to pass mean- ident Joe Biden wrote in a tweet posted ingful police reform in Congress,” Pres- Saturday afternoon.

Holding a banner bearing her daughter’s likeness, Palmer marched shoulder-to-shoulder with supporters to the city’s Jefferson Square Park, where hundreds of people gathered to say her daughter’s name and joined her in chants of “No justice, no peace!”

By Louis Jacobson Contributing writer

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March 18-24, 2021

The Batson challenge and how it works - or doesn’t

Those who were watching the Chauvin jury selection this week heard the legal term Batson, probably for the first time. It refers to the process by which courts try to keep Black potential jurors from being removed during jury selection because of race.

As Justice Thurgood Marshall predicted, Batson has failed in that goal.

James Kirkland Batson was a Black man convicted by an all-White jury in Kentucky. His jury was all White because the prosecutor used his peremptory challenges to remove every potential Black juror. Although this

was in only in 1986, the year I graduated from college, lawyers could remove prospective jurors with peremptory challenges without giving a reason why.

I find it interesting that Mr. Batson insisted that his lawyer object to the State’s removal of the Black jurors. Because it was common practice for lawyers to use peremptory challenges to remove Black jurors without explanation, his lawyer probably didn’t think to object. Without Mr. Batson’s perseverance, however, his lawyer would not have objected. That objection was denied, but it paved the

way for the issue to go all the way to the United States Supreme Court, which ruled for Mr. Batson.

Although Justice Marshall hailed the Batson decision as historic, he also warned that the decision would not end racial discriminatory practices in peremptory challenges.

He was right, but first let’s talk about how a Batson challenge works.

Once either party makes a Batson challenge, the judge must apply a three-step analysis. The right to serve on the jury belongs to the prospective juror, which means, for instance, that an accused White person can challenge the State’s removal of a Black juror. The State can also challenge the defense removal of a Black juror.

The lawyer making the Batson challenge must establish a prima facie case of discrimination. This is legal language which means convincing the judge that the person is in a protected group (race, ethnicity, sex), which is the easy part, but also that the facts and circumstances

had negative experiences with police. Nor do they have particularly positive views of the court system.

If the color of one’s skin determines the type of interactions they have with police, or their views of the criminal legal system, how can those views be the basis for a raceneutral explanation? And those views often stand in stark contrast to the answers given by White potential jurors who, in my experience, are less likely to have negative interactions with the police.

The third step in a Batson challenge is for the judge to decide whether the party making the challenge has proved purposeful discrimination. Although I have had a judge or two grant my Batson challenges, which means that the person is seated on the jury, it is relatively rare.

One Minnesota dynamic I have observed is that some prosecutors get angry when I have made a challenge, and the judge bends over backwards to assure the prosecutor that no one is calling him

or her a racist. This is why Batson has been relatively ineffective in protecting the constitutional right of Black men and women to serve on juries.

Most jurors who decide criminal cases in Hennepin County are White. And, unfortunately, we have large racial disparities among those who are charged. For instance, a couple of years ago, 45.7% of the public defender clients in Hennepin County were Black.

When I think about the racial composition of our juries, I am reminded of one of my clients who saw his jury for the first time. He looked at the sea of White faces and turned to me and asked whether the plea offer was still available.

It was and he pled guilty.

will now be eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine, beginning this week,” said Governor Walz. “To reach 70% of seniors vaccinated is an incredible accomplishment in itself, but it’s not the end goal: we will continue moving full steam ahead until every Minnesotan who wants a shot gets one.”

tans.”

Equity in access to the vaccine is the stated cornerstone of the Walz-Flanagan administration’s vaccination strategy. As of last week, the State began releasing data showing the breakdown of vaccinations per race/ethnicity. According to the most recent data,

not received a vaccine should sign up for the COVID-19 Vaccine Connector to get regular updates on vaccine availability and eligibility. In some cases, health care providers or employers will have more information for patients or employees on vaccine availability.

Vaccine shipments from

Seniors have borne the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Walz-Flanagan administration has prioritized senior vaccinations to keep them safe. Nearly 90% of COVID-19 deaths in Minnesota have come from those age 65 years and over. To ensure maximum impact from the small number of vaccines the state receives each week, Governor Walz issued guidance in February directing providers to vaccinate 70% of adults 65 years of age and older before expanding eligibility to other Minnesotans, and aimed to reach that goal by the end of March.

“This is a landmark day. So many Minnesota seniors at serious risk have now gotten their shot. That is a huge relief for them—and their loved ones,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. “This week, as we continue to follow the science and vaccinate our most vulnerable, even more Minnesotans will have the opportunity to get a vaccine. We are working to ensure we’re vaccinating equitably and for the most impact as we continue to provide these life-saving shots to even more Minneso-

African Americans, who make up 6% of the state population, currently make up 3.5% of the doses administered in Minnesota.

As eligibility expands, the State will continue to work alongside local partners — including Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), community pharmacies, and the diverse array of community-based organizations that comprise our COVID-19 Community Coordinators network — to launch new vaccination clinics that specifically serve Minnesota’s BIPOC communities. These are equity-focused strategies to ensure fair vaccine access for every Minnesotan, and they will continue to evolve and expand as more vaccine doses arrive from the federal government.

In line with that guidance, Minnesota will expand vaccine eligibility this week, more than three weeks ahead of previous goals. To provide more flexibility to providers and get critical protection against COVID-19 to even more Minnesotans, two additional phases will be eligible for the vaccine beginning this week.

All Minnesotans who have

the federal government are increasing, but demand still exceeds supply. As more Minnesotans become eligible to get a shot, they should remain patient as providers vaccinate everyone who is eligible.

The Walz-Flanagan administration is following science, medical evidence, and federal guidelines as eligibility expands. Minnesota is prioritizing people for the vaccine based on underlying health conditions that have been shown to put them at risk of severe COVID-19 illness; or whose workplaces put them at higher risk of contracting this virus.

“Minnesota is national leader in getting doses to people quickly, and that hard work is paying off,” continued Governor Walz. “Because we have made such tremendous progress vaccinating Minnesotans over 65, we will be able to provide more shots, to more people, much more quickly than expected. This is good news for all Minnesotans. Today, we are one, large step closer to ending this pandemic.”

create an inference that the peremptory was used because of that status.

In my experience, if the State has removed the only Black person on the panel or is asking Black panel members different questions, this is usually enough to get to step two.

If the judge agrees that I have made my case, he or she will require the prosecutor to give what is called a “race neutral” reason for trying to remove the prospective juror.

This is where the problems arise.

Courts across the country have accepted age, maturity, criminal history of the person or family member, negative opinions about police demeanor, past victimization, and other reasons as “raceneutral.”

In my trials, prosecutors have offered a potential juror’s negative experiences with the police and issues with the criminal legal system as “race-neutral.” In my experience, however, very few Black men and women (or their relatives) have not

Mary Moriarty was a public defender for 30 years, most recently for Hennepin County.

Vaccine eligibility expands in Minnesota vaccinated.

As a result, the State will Gov. Tim Walz announced expand eligibility to the next last week that Minnesota is two phases of Minnesotans at expanding vaccine eligibility once, starting Wednesday. Proas the state reaches its goal of viders have been directed to vaccinating 70% of Minneso- prioritize people in the first of tans 65 years of age and older these phases, which includes this week. The announcement Minnesotans with specific comes several weeks ahead of underlying health conditions; schedule and on the heels of food processing plant workthe CDC’s new guidelines for ers; and Minnesotans with people who have been fully rare conditions or disabilities

By MSR News service

that put them at higher risk of severe illness. Providers will then have the flexibility to provide available appointments to other eligible Minnesotans.

“We asked most Minnesotans to wait patiently while we protected Minnesotans at higher risk and got shots to at least 70% of our seniors.

We will hit that milestone on Wednesday—well ahead of schedule. More Minnesotans

March 18-24, 2021

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Protecting yourself from colorectal cancer polyps inside the colon or rectum. Polyps can grow from the inside of the colon or rectal wall, through the layers of the colon, and eventually to nearby lymph nodes and other organs.

CRC is staged based on the TNM classification: T (depth of tumor penetration through the colon wall), N (lymph node involvement), and M (metastasis or distant spread of cancer outside of the colon).

CRC diagnosis is made by biopsy, and its subsequent staging is determined after

By Sharon Luster Dykes, MD, FACS, FASCRS Guest contributor March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and what a perfect time to heighten our understanding of colorectal cancer, especially after the 2020 loss of Chadwick Boseman to the disease.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common diagnosed cancer as well as the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States and in Minnesota. It is preventable.

Signs and symptoms of CRC include change in bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stools lasting several days); incomplete emptying; rectal bleeding or blood within the stool (bright red blood or maroon or dark stool); abdominal cramping or pain; weakness or fatigue (anemia); and weight loss.

CRC develops slowly over the course of years, and about 95% begin as precancerous

polyps or cancer; 4) family history of colon cancer and genetic syndromes (Familial Adenomatous Polyposis or Lynch Syndrome); and 5) inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.

Obesity, physical inactivity, smoking, heavy alcohol use, and diet high in red and processed meats have also been linked to CRC risk.

There is strong evidence that the most effective prevention of CRC in average

pared to other races/ethnicities.

In Minnesota, the incidence and mortality is highest for American Indians (63%), followed by African Americans (40%), then Hispanics and Caucasians (39% each).

For those at increased or

veillance colonoscopy recommended every two2 years after initial examination.

3. If polyps found on initial colonoscopy, surveillance examination should be scheduled in one, three or five years depending on size, type, and number of polyps.

4. If personal history of

discuss your best screening option. The best screening test is the one that gets done.

Sharon Luster Dykes, MD, FACS, FASCRS is a dual boardcertified colon and rectal surgeon.

She owns her independent surgical practice, Minnesota Colon and Rectal Surgical Specialists.

Screening guidelines for the average risk population have been published by several organizations, as outlined below:

1) USPSTF (US Preventive Services Task Force) 2) ASCRS (American Society Colon Rectal Surgeons) 3) ACS (American College Surgeons) 4) USMSTF (US Multi-Society Task Force) *criteria for screening in this age group individualized based on patient preference, life expectancy, overall health and prior screening history

obtaining CT scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis. Overall five-year survival is excellent for early CRC (90% for Stage 1, 80% for Stage 2, 70% for Stage 3, and 14% for Stage 4).

Risk factors include: 1) age (risk increases with age, as 90% of CRC are diagnosed among people 50 years or older); 2) male gender (CRC incidence is greater for men than women); 3) personal history of colon

risk individuals is screening.

Historically, guidelines have recommended screening begin at age 50 in the average risk population, likely contributing to decreasing rates of colorectal cancer since 2006.

In contrast and for unknown reasons, CRC incidence and mortality have been increasing in individuals aged 20 to 49, especially in the African American population. In addition, African Americans are more likely to die from CRC when com-

Courtesy of MGN high risk, referring to the factors discussed above, screening guidelines generally recommend: 1. If family history of CRC, begin screening at age 45 or 10 years earlier than family member diagnosed with CRC. 2. If family history of familial or genetic syndrome, begin screening in teenage years or early 20s, with sur-

IBD, initial colonoscopy is recommended eight years after IBD diagnosis with surveillance examination every one to two years, depending on risk factors and findings on prior colonoscopy.

She earned her Bachelor’s and Medical Degrees from Brown University and completed General Surgery Residency and Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship at the University of Minnesota. She currently serves as a Senior Oral Examiner and If you have any questions a Written Examination Comregarding your risk of CRC, mittee member for the American please talk with a health care Board of Colon and Rectal Surprovider such as myself to gery.

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March 18-24, 2021

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.

How urban planning helped create food deserts in U.S.

By Julian Agyeman Hunger is not evenly spread across the United States.

Even in the richest parts of urban America there are pockets of deep food insecurity, and more often than not it is Black and Latino communities that are hit hardest.

Urban planners are aware that this disparity is in large part through design. For over a century, urban planning has been used as a toolkit for maintaining White Supremacy that has divided U.S. cities along racial lines. And this has contributed to the development of so-called “food deserts,” that is areas of limited access to reasonably priced, healthy, culturally relevant foods as well as “food swamps,” places with a so hostile toward China in the preponderance of stores selling first place. “fast” and “junk” food.

The truth is that “Kung Flu” Both terms are controversial and other racist tropes peddled and have been contested on the

by Trump and his legions are grounds that they ignore both only one aspect of a larger U.S. the historical roots and deeply campaign to contain the rise of racialized nature of food access, China. China is set to surpass whereby White communities the United States as the world’s are more likely to have sufficient largest economy within a decade availability of healthy, reasonably and has garnered favorable inter- priced produce. national attention for its containment of COVID-19 and its efforts Unbiased, nonpartisan, factual to curb extreme poverty and cliInstead, food justice scholar mate breakdown.

Ashanté M. Reese suggests the The rise of China has placed term “food apartheid.” Accordthe hegemony of U.S. imperial- ing to Reese, food apartheid is ism into question on the highest “intimately tied to policies and stage possible: that of the funda- practices, current and historical, mental relations between nations that come from a place of antiand economies. This has spurred Blackness.” a U.S.-led Cold War against ChiRegardless of what they are na led by all sections of Washing- called, these areas of inequitable ton’s establishment, including its food access and limited options most liberal elements. exist. The U.S. Department of The only difference between Agriculture estimates that 54.4 the recent wave of intense anti- million Americans live in lowAsian racism and that which has income areas with poor access to endured over the course of U.S. healthy food. For city residents, history is the stage of the impe- this means they are more than rialist system. The U.S is no lon- half a mile from the nearest suger a rising empire. Rather, U.S. permarket. imperialism has entered a state of decay, decades in the making More expensive, fewer options and can only speak the language The development of these of military, political, and econom- areas of limited healthy food ic violence. options has a long history tied The struggle against anti- to urban planning and housing Asian racism thus cannot be left policies. Red-lining and yellowto the militarized police forces lining hindered Black progress. terrorizing Black American com- It was the process in which the munities or to the larger U.S. private sector and government political apparatus that honed conspired to restrict mortgage anti-Asian racism as a weapon lending to Black and other miof imperialist expansionism. nority homebuyers. Racial covInstead, U.S. hostility toward enants limited rental and sale China and the peoples of the East property to White people, which should be seen as an opportunity meant that areas of poverty were to develop the broadest popular concentrated along racial lines. front possible toward the cause In addition, homeowner asof peace, self-determination, and sociations that denied access liberation from the oppressive to Black people in particular rule of imperialism. and federal housing subsidies that have largely gone to White, Danny Haiphong is a con- richer Americans have made it tributing editor to Black Agenda harder for people living in lowerReport income areas to move out or ac-

Anti-Asian discrimination has a long history

By Danny Haiphong Scant attention has been placed on the context of antiAsian racism and its roots in the history of U.S. imperialism.

“Gimme that ball, gook.” “Can you see with those eyes, chink?”

“Did your dad get your mom in Vietnam?”

These were just some of the references to anti-Asian racism heard frequently throughout my childhood which were often accompanied by social humiliation and threats of violence, whether in the form of robbery (many times) or a puzzling curiosity about the size of my genitals.

More politically correct adults would throw praise at my perceived “model minority” status.

This sent an early message that the best means of surviving within a racist society was to focus on individual uplift and avoid conflict with those in power.

The U.S. mainstream has caught up with the existence of racism toward Asians in America, mainly because it has become harder to ignore. Violence directed at Asian Americans has skyrocketed since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the Asian American Bar Association of New York, more than 2,500 cases of antiAsian “hate incidents” have been reported across the country between the months of March and September of 2020. Notable cases include, the January assault of an elder Thai man in San Francisco and the stabbing of a Chinese man in New York’s Chinatown last month.

Former NBA and current GLeague player Jeremy Lin took a strong stance against anti-Asian racism in February. Lin’s posted on Facebook in response to being called “coronavirus” on the basketball court. His asked, “Is anyone listening?”

The United States was a willing participant in China’s “Century of Humiliation” following

the Opium Wars of the early to mid-19th century. Prominent capitalists such as Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s maternal grandfather Warren Delano enriched himself from the sale of opium, an industry imposed on China by way of treaties that massively displaced and impoverished the population.

Migrant Chinese workers in the United States were dehumanized as “coolies” to justify the white supremacist violence leveled against them, even by a large section of organized labor .

The dehumanization of peoples of Asian descent is often isolated and disconnected from the White supremacist violence experienced by Black and indigenous peoples in the United States. Yet the U.S.’s original sins of racialized slavery and settler colonialism helped form the material basis for the rise of antiAsian racism.

A concerted effort to “diversify” the U.S. mainstream with popular movies and programs highlighting “Asian” riches has intensified the identification of Asian America as a privileged stratum far closer to White America on the class ladder than the U.S.’s oppressed and super exploited Black and Indigenous populations. The U.S. corporate media and political establishment has reinforced this generalization by paying close attention to forces in Asian American communities calling for more law enforcement protection against racist violence.

Just as the United States deployed racism to justify its empire-building in the Asia Pacific during the 20th century, so too has the U.S. ruling class intensified a deep skepticism of China amid the devastating spread of COVID-19 on the U.S. mainland. While the corporate media has acknowledged the role of Trump’s scapegoating of China for the spread of COVID-19, it hasn’t explained why the U.S. is

Black - White divide still substantial

By Kiki Monifa It has been more than a year since we were thrown into the double pandemic of COVID-19 and our national reckoning with systemic racism.

The double pandemics were an opportunity for us to slow down and reset as a nation, to heal the wounds based on race. #BlackLivesMatter is still visible — it was even nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. But, so far, no one has been charged in the shooting death of Breonna Taylor on March 13, 2020, in Louisville, Kentucky.

George Floyd was murdered on May 25, 2020, and the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who knelt on his neck for nine minutes, is underway.

‘Karens’ abound, hate crimes against Asian Americans in the United States have spiked, and on January 6, White Supremacists instigated by Donald Trump rioted in Washington, D.C., trashing the U.S. Capitol.

Still, there is hope. President Biden and Vice President Harris are leading the country in the fight against both pandemics. The acknowledgement of systemic racism and the need for police re-imagination and reform has slowed, at least.

But, as a new poll conducted

by USA Today shows, the divide between Blacks and Whites in our country remains substantial.

Only 28% of White respondents believe George Floyd was murdered, compared to 64% of Black folks. Just 35% of Whites think U.S. race relations have wors-

ened, versus 54% of those who are Black.

As a Black woman, I am deeply familiar with this gap in attitudes. My 17-year-old son is afraid to leave the house alone.

He says: “Mom, I am a Black man, I’ll be killed.” My 20-yearold daughter does not want to take mass transit because an 18-year-old Black girl, Nia Wilson, was stabbed to death in Oakland, California, where we live, by a White man in July 2018.

There is no general feeling of safety, despite diversity and inclusion based on race in many other arenas in entertainment, corporations and technology.

The movement to defund the police/reimagine/reform is waning. According to the poll, only 13% of White Americans support defunding the police

with 67% opposed; among Black folks, 28% support the call to defund the police and 37% are opposed.

Personally, I have fear every time I see a person in uniform.

The double pandemics were an opportunity for us to slow down and reset as a nation, to heal the wounds based on race.

But systemic racism and police reform do not have the same deadline as the administration of vaccines for COVID-19.

Here’s to hoping that the cure for systemic racism does move forward so that my children’s children will not live in fear as we do.

This commentary originally appeared in the Progressive Media Project

crue wealth. It also leads to urban blight.

This matters when looking at food access because retailers are less willing to go into poorer areas. A process of “supermarket redlining” has seen larger grocery stores either refuse to move into lower-income areas, shut existing outlets or relocate to wealthier suburbs. The thinking behind this process is that as pockets in a city become poorer, they are less profitable and more prone to crime.

There is also, scholars suggest, a cultural bias among large retailers against putting outlets in minority-populated areas.

Speaking about why supermarkets were fleeing the New York borough of Queens in the 1990s, the city’s then-Consumer Affairs Commissioner Mark Green said, “First they may fear that they do not understand the minority market. But second is their kneejerk premise that Blacks are poor, and poor people are a poor market.”

In the absence of larger grocery stores, less healthy food options–often at a higher price– have taken over in low-income areas. Research among food providers in New Haven, Connecticut in 2008 found “significantly worse average produce quality” in lower-income neighborhoods.

Meanwhile a study of New Orleans in 2001 found fast-food density was higher in poorer areas, and that predominantly Black neighborhoods had 2.5 fast-food outlets for every square mile, compared to 1.5 in White areas.

of surburban Oakland supermarkets accessible by car in the 1980s and 1990s, led to a dearth of fresh food outlets in predominantly Black districts such as West Oakland and Central East Oakland. What was left, McClintock concludes, is a “crude mosaic of parks and pollution, privilege and poverty, Whole Foods and whole food deserts.”

Urban planning as a solution Food disparities in U.S. cities have a cumulative effect on people’s health. Research has linked them to the disproportionately poor nutrition of Black and Latino Americans, even after adjustment for socioeconomic status.

As much as urban planning has been part of the problem, it could now be part of the solution.

Some cities have begun using planning tools to increase food equity.

Minneapolis, for example, has as part of its 2040 plan an aim to “establish equitable distribution of food sources and food markets to provide all Minneapolis residents with reliable access to healthy, affordable, safe and culturally appropriate food.” To achieve this, the City is reviewing urban plans, including exploring and implementing regulatory changes to allow and promote mobile food markets and mobile food pantries.

Boston is engaged in a similar process. In 2010, the City began the process of establishing an urban agriculture overlay district in the predominantly Black and Latino neighborhood of Dorchester, by changing zoning to allow commercial urban agriculture.

This change has provided employment for local people and food for local cooperatives, such as the Dorchester Food Coop, as well as area restaurants.

Boston mayoral candidate Michelle Wu developed a Food Justice Agenda which declares, “Food justice means racial justice, demanding a clear-eyed understanding of how White sSupremacy has shaped our food systems” and that “nutritious, affordable, and culturally relevant food is a universal human right.”

Whole Foods and whole food deserts Geographer Nathan McClintock conducted a detailed study in 2009 of the causes of Oakland’s food deserts. Although restricted to one Californian city, I believe what he found holds true for most U.S. cities.

McClintock details how the development of racially segregated areas in the inter-war period and redlining policies afterward led to concentrated areas of poverty in Oakland. Meanwhile, decisions in the late 1950s by the then all-White Oakland City Council to build major freeways Julian Agyeman is professor of cutting through the city effective- urban and environmental policy and ly isolated predominantly Black planning, Tufts University West Oakland from downtown Oakland.

The net effect was an outward flow of capital and White flight to the wealthy Oakland Hills neighborhoods. Black and Latino neighborhoods were drained of wealth.

This, together with the advent

March 18-24, 2021

KILLER

driving down the street in the other direction which allowed the driver to see the events as they unfolded. She said she saw the two men Continued from page 1 walking away after having a brief conversation or dispute. According to her, the witness I don’t expect no more or no less.” She said said she saw Trifiletti return to his truck, reach she was disappointed and believes that the inside, grab a gun and come out shooting.

Lewis said the witness’ credibility was quesprosecutors did their job.

According to Valerie Lewis, it was her un- tioned by the defense because of a previous derstanding that one juror could not find Tri- conviction for fraud. filetti guilty. She said she heard the judge say that one man should not be able to hold up the process. She reiterated that she thought it was a travesty that one person could hold up justice.

“My brother was not the aggressor.” She “Justice is unjust,” she said.

She said the witness to the shooting was said the defense attorney never once men-

tioned her brother’s name throughout the entire proceeding. She said that the defense continued to infer that her brother, who is short, as much taller. Lewis said her brother was no more than 5’6”. She said the defense kept saying he was 5’11” in an effort to paint him as a big scary Black man.

Lewis said she didn’t understand how Trifiletti had a gun permit considering he had been found guilty of a DWI more than once. “How

“This was just another modern-day lynching.”

SETTLEMENT Continued from page 1

throwing money around.”

The somewhat celebratory tone of the press conference made it appear that both parties, the City and the family’s lawyers, had reached an amicable agreement. The family’s lead attorney Ben Crump used the word “grateful” several times. One of the attorneys made reference to policy adjustments involving police, which were revealed to the public for the first time.

The settlement is reportedly the largest in U.S. history involving wrongful death at the hands of police.

In Minnesota it was second only to the settlement awarded the family of Justine Damond Ruszczyk, who was killed in July 2017 by former Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor.

Noor was found guilty of 3rd degree murder in the case.

Community perspectives “Regardless of the outcome of the criminal trial, this settlement is a clear acknowledgement by the City of Minneapolis that Officer Chauvin’s actions directly contributed to Floyd’s death. While the award will help the Floyd family move forward with their lives, there is no amount of money that will bring Floyd back,” wrote the Justice for Justine Coalition in a release.

The organization of neighbors and activists came together to press for justice for Justine Damond Ruszczyk after her death.

“We must also remember that this settlement does nothing to alleviate the suffering of families of other police violence victims who never received a commensurate award. Hundreds of

COVID Continued from page 1

coronavirus has outpaced the number of deaths from diabetes, kidney disease, pneumonia and suicide by even larger multiples.

Caution is warranted when comparing these causes of death. Most of the 10 leading causes of death are not primarily driven by infections, whereas the coronavirus is.

So it’s hard to imagine a scenario in which any of the other causes could spike the way coronavirus did.

Another way to look at the toll of the coronavirus pandemic is by considering “excess deaths,” a statistic tracked by the CDC. This data takes the number of actual deaths in a given period and subtracts the average number of deaths from all causes during the comparable period in recent years.

The CDC data shows how excess deaths have risen with

Trifiletti has had previous run-ins with the law, including a DWI, and he was involved in a traffic accident that caused the death of another motorist, Ricardo Torres, in a motorcycle crash in 2019.

“This was just another modern-day lynching,” Valerie Lewis said of her brother’s death.

“The strange fruit ain’t hanging in trees now.

They are left lying on the ground.”

As we go to press, the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office has announced that Anthony Trifiletti will be retried for killing Douglas Lewis.

does he have a license to carry when he bla- Mel Reeves welcomes reader responses to mreeves@spokesman-recorder.com. tantly disrespects the law?” she asked.

the judge said he would take the request under advisement.

In the wrongful death suit of Justine Damond Ruszczyk, the City of Minneapolis settled with the family after Noor had been convicted.

“If you get a conviction in the criminal case, that is a great one-up for the civil case,” said criminal defense attorney Mike Padden, who represented the family of Terrence Franklin. Franklin was killed by Minneapolis police in 2013. The city settled that case for $795,000 in February 2020. ”I think an argument can be made that by settling the case now may have been a good strategy,” said Padden, “because if he [Chauvin] would have been convicted, the Floyd family George Floyd’s brother Philonise Floyd addresses the press Photo by Chris Juhn attorneys could have increased their demand.”

Padden said that under Minnesota “At the end of the day George Minnesotans have died at the hands of the police since 2000, many of whom Floyd is still dead,” said 63-year-old law juries can award punitive damunder circumstances equally as egre- Julian Johnson, a longtime Twin Cit- ages, which are open-ended. That is gious as those suffered by George Floyd. ies resident, who recalled attending separate from the damages the family would be entitled to for the death of their loved one under the wrongful death law.

If this had gone to civil trial, Padden said, “There would be an element of punitive damages. This is a penalty that the jury could assess against Chauvin personally, or assess But the legal system seized ev- Floyd’s funeral in Houston. “He it against the City for not disciplining ery opportunity it could to side with looked majestic in that casket, but the the cops and letting the Police Federapolice and deny the families of these man is no longer with us. I think we all tion run amuck. That could have been victims any measure of compensation want to see justice done. How can you a huge number.” for the wrongs they suffered. More see that video and not see murder?”

Can the State secure justice? must be done to prevent future simAs the public continues to watch ilar tragedies, and it is the responsi- Settlement questioned There were lots of questions raised the jury selection for the trial, some are bility of the City of Minneapolis, not the Floyd family, to use its resources by the timing of the settlement. De- paying close attention to the interview to bring about those reforms,” the re- fense attorney Eric Nelson asked for a process. Local attorney Jordan Kushcontinuance and a change of venue on ner pointed out that the attorneys for lease states. the grounds that the news of the settle- the prosecution—the State—are corment has contaminated the jury pool. porate lawyers working the case pro Many in the community share the However, jury selection continued as bono. He took note of prosecuting coalition’s sentiments.

“You can’t buy the conscience of the people nor absolve your own conscience by throwing money around.”

spikes in COVID infections.

In some weeks over the past year, there were as many as 22,000 excess deaths. The weekly excess deaths add up to 559,887 additional deaths since the pandemic began.

That’s a bit higher than the 502,005 coronavirus deaths officially recorded. However, the additional 58,000 deaths could reflect a combination of coronavirus deaths that didn’t get recorded as such: deaths caused by people unwilling or unable to go to the hospital for other serious illnesses during the pandemic, or from overdoses or suicides stemming from increased social isolation during the pandemic.

Because of reporting lags, the death certificates used to determine excess deaths tend to understate recent weeks’ totals and are expected to increase in future weeks as more data rolls in. “There is nothing like these abstract statistics to illustrate the ‘psychic numbing’ we experience when dealing with largescale loss of life,” said David

Ropeik, author of the book “How Risky Is it, Really? Why Our Fears Don’t Always Match the Facts.”

“It’s unlikely that, as stark as these figures are, that they will evoke nearly as much emotion as the personal story of any one of these victims,” Ropeik said. “A risk depicted

5

attorney Steve Schleicher questioning potential witnesses about equity and inequality. Kushner said, “He wasn’t so concerned about equity when he was a federal prosecutor.”

Kushner also pointed out that while the defense attorney Eric Nelson, in his questioning of potential jurors, asks often if, after a review of the evidence and the strict rules of the law, they could vote to find his client not guilty. “It is unusual,” he said, “that the State has not in turn asked if jurors could bring themselves to convict a cop.”

The lawyers’ insistence in the case to the potential jurors that all of the evidence has not been presented to determine Chauvin’s guilt or innocence is apparently having an effect on young minds. A teenager who months ago, after viewing the video of Chauvin with his knee on Floyd’s neck for over eight minutes, would have likely concluded that Chauvin killed Floyd, now thinks he needs to see “all of the evidence” before he can make an informed judgment.

“We have to get justice in this case.

It’s a must. We have to get a conviction,” said Philonise Floyd, George Floyd’s brother, when asked about the case last week.

“If the roles were reversed and George Floyd had done to Derek Chauvin what he did to George, nobody would call this a tough case,” Crump said. “When you put race into the mix” it changes to “we don’t know if this is so clear cut,” especially on the part of the justice system.

Mel Reeves welcomes reader responses to mreeves@spokesman-recorder.com.

“There is nothing like these abstract statistics to illustrate the ‘psychic numbing’ we experience when dealing with large-scale loss of life.”

as a face, or a name—that is, ‘personified’—is one we can imagine happening to ourselves. Statistics are inhuman and far less moving.”

Photo by Rhodi Lopez on Unsplash

NATIONAL

Announcer uses racial epithet to describe high school girls’ Continued from page 1 basketball team “I will state I suffer Type 1 diabetes and during the game my sugar was spiking,” Matt Rowan said. He “Warms my heart knowing we was trying to blame his diabetes for could educate that young man,” saying, “They’re kneeling? F**king n***ers” into a hot mike before a said Brown.

Norman High School girls’ basketball playoff game last week that he was broadcasting via livestream.

Norman Public Schools Superintendent Nick Migliorino said the school district supports the students.

“We condemn and will not tolerate the disgusting words and attitudes of these announcers. This type of

hate speech has no place in our society, and we are outraged that it would be directed at any human being, and particularly at our students.

“We fully support our students’ right to freedom of expression, and our immediate focus is to support these girls and their coaches and families, particularly our Black stu-

dents and coaching staff. It is tragic that the hard work and skill of this team is being overshadowed by the vile, malignant words of these individuals. We will do everything in our power to support and uplift our team and everyone affected by this incident,” said Migliorino.

6

Business

March 18-24, 2021

French artisan bakery continues to rise above pandemic La Boulangerie Marguerite

Black Business SPOTLIGHT

original PJB. After three years, in 2020, the Kiemde family changed the business name to La Boulangerie Marguerite (LBM). It is named after their 10-year-old daughter Marguerite.

Operating a business requires hard work, dedication, and capital. In recent months, LBM has undergone major renovations and they’re currently in the second phase of remodeling. They installed new signage, flooring and ovens.

In upcoming months, they’ll be focusing on phase three and four of renovations.

Customers can expect to see more exterior upgrades and a new patio hopefully by this summer.

If you plan on visiting the shop, you should know that the LBM Bakery is very popular and the items are in highdemand. Customers line up outside, wearing masks, as they wait patiently to gain

in charge of quality. But he found the job unfulfilling due to the nature of the work. “I wning a bakery is like to be involved with proa dream come true duction and have my hands for Chef Francois on the dough,” said Kiemde.

Kiemde. Chef Kiemde is the Being a French pastry chef is owner of La Boulangerie Mar- his true passion.

After Kiemde worked in guerite, and his wife Melissa Borgmann-Kiemde is his busi- the position for three years, ness partner. The upscale bak- he chose to depart and reery is located on the corner of ceived support from his wife Syndicate and Randolph Ave. in St. Paul.

Chef Kiemde is originally from West Africa and came to Minnesota in 2010, while wife Melissa is from Nebraska.

“My wife used to live down the street,” Kiemde shared.

“She’s been in Minneapolis, St. Paul for 20 years.” She also graduated from St. Thomas The Kiemde family College. The husband-andwife duo work as a team to ensure the business runs and family. He said, “What prompted me to do this is an smoothly.

Kiemde shared that he re- inspiration from my father-inceived a degree in sociology law; he asked me, ‘Why don’t before he focused on becom- you go buy an existing bakery, ing a French pastry chef. “I you have all this knowledge?’” went to the French Culinary Kiemde listened to the advice Institute in New York and and discovered that PJ Murgraduated in 2000.” Kiemde phy’s Bakery was up for sale. also worked at a restaurant The timing was perfect.

In 2017, Kiemde acquired in New York City where he learned invaluable lessons. PJ Murphy’s Bakery, an es“Most of the chefs I went to tablished bakery that will be school with are on ‘Iron Chef,’” approaching its 100th year in business. Kiemde plans on which is inspiring to him.

When Kiemde arrived in hosting a customer appreciaMinnesota, he worked at a tion event in the future to cel- The bakery is located on the corner of Syndicate and Randolph local bakery where he was ebrate the anniversary of the Ave. in St. Paul.

Photos by Ashley Lauren except where noted.

By Ashley Lauren Contributing writer

O

Submitted photo entry. Due to COVID-19, only two people are allowed at a time. Social distancing is also enforced.

When customers visit LBM, they will be introduced to an exquisite selection of French artisan products. Customers can expect some of the original recipes created by PJ Murphy’s, and a delicious medley of new items.

Customers can order a variety of French artisan breads, cupcakes, croissants, cronuts, donuts, viennoiseries (French pastries), patisseries and savory breakfast items. Wed-

dings cakes are also available upon request. The most popular item is the classic croissant.

“It’s a 30-year-old recipe,” said Kiemde. The process is very intricate, time-consuming, and it’s important to the overall quality of the products.

Although Kiemde enjoys baking a plethora of French products, he shared one favorite item that he loves to create. “I like making sourdough bread—because of the natural yeast we use to help the bread rise,” said Kiemde.

“I like to feel it, feel it daily. It’s like having a child.”

Business is thriving, but the COVID pandemic has caused disruption. Fortunately, the bakery has received financial assistance to cover payroll.

“We are taking all of the proper measures and [there are] no COVID-related issues associated with this place.” He emphasized that his team of employees are very “COVIDconscious.”

“This was meant to be for us,” said Kiemde, “because everything fell into place for us to acquire the business.”

He added, “The neighborhood is phenomenal—they embrace everything we do.”

La Boulangerie Marguerite is located at 1279 Randolph Ave., St. Paul, MN 55105. The hours of operation are Monday, from 6 am to 12 pm; and Tuesday to Saturday, from 6 am to 3 pm. Ph: 651-699-9292. Website: www.lamarg.com.

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

March 18-24, 2021

7

‘Coming 2 America’: Don’t expect much and you won’t be disappointed

Film Review

By Dwight Brown

N

othing wrong with a little nostalgia. But if you’re looking for a comedy revelation, this isn’t it. It’s an ’80s throwback with a comic superstar, his merrymen/ women and a tinge of Wakanda fever. Grab a seat and be prepared to yawn before you laugh hysterically.

If 1988 feels ancient to you, you’re young, go sit in a corner.

If that era brings back pleasant memories, step up. Things have happened since back in the day.

The larger public has learned what the African American community has known all along, being Black is cool and being Black in Africa is mythically awesome. That’s what made the original Coming to America iconic.

of Cleo (John Amos) a man who owned a fast-food restaurant named McDowell’s. The two lovebirds married and lived happily ever after—until.

That’s the old plot. The step off point for screenwriters Kenya Barris, Barry W. Blaustein and David Sheffield. It’s like they cheated off an old term paper to write the new formulaic one. Innovation, wild imagination, uncanny scenes or profound dialogue—nope.

Expect, with Barris at the helm, inside culture jokes, bawdiness (an attempted male adult circumcision. Ouch!) and Black-ish humor. Prepare for a few surprises (a welcomed touch of female empowerment).

There are plenty of laughs, oneliners, sight gags, rivalries and problems to solve. None add up to much more than an excuse to give Eddie Murphy one more run at Akeem before we all go to the elephant burial ground.

borough provided opportunities for stunning exteriors of African plains or bustling streets, but few exist. That’s because the production was largely shot at Tyler Perry Studios. Pageantry, elaborate processions, fancy royal bedrooms, neighborhood barbershops, it all looks fake.

What isn’t bogus are the comic performances, which Brewer nurtures perfectly.

These days, King Jaffe Joffer is ailing, old, contemplating succession and mortality. He turns to Semmi with certain derision: “I will be dead soon. Why couldn’t it be you?” Old laws dictate that Prince Akeem’s successor must be a male heir. That displeases the prince’s eldest daughter Meeka (Kiki Layne, If Beale Street Could Talk) and Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall return for “Coming 2 America.” his two other offspring (Akiley Photos courtesy of Amazon Studios Love and Murphy’s real offspring Bella Murphy). wonderfully evil.

The slow, tedious buildup nicely.

Marrying Meeka off to GenArsenio Hall in drag could The commissary at Tyler eral Izzi’s (Wesley Snipes) use- may make viewers doze off before any signs of action ap- Perry’s studios must have been give kids nightmares. Whopear, like Lavelle being tasked packed during the shoot. Hefty ever hit him with the ugly stick with outsmarting a lion or a main cast. Lots of supporting should be properly credited.

Also begging for laughs and attention are Jones and Morgan with more nuanced performances by Layne, Headley and Nomzamo Mbatha as Lavelle’s love interest.

Tune in looking for the old days, Afrocentric culture and silly comedy and you’ll be satiated. Expect something earthshatteringly new, and you won’t.

Remember how two African interlopers once changed audiencwomen-on-men crucial action roles. Extras in abundance. Mur- es’ perception of Queens, New scene. Otherwise, the rhythm phy plays a prince, but he is truly York? Zamunda forever! is slow (editors David S. Clark, the king of Black comedy— and Billy Fox, Debra Neil-Fisher) luminous. The Nigerian-soundand the cinematography (Joe ing accent, wicked smiles, draDwight Brown is an NNPA “Jody” Williams, TV’s Empire) matic acting and horsey laughs. Newswire film critic. For more of He plays a host of other his work, visit DwightBrownInk. unremarkable.

Campy, garish costumes characters too, the most frenetic com and BlackPressUSA.com.

(Ruth E. Carter, Black Panther), is rock/soul musician Randy less son Idi Izzi (Rotimi Akinso- extravagant sets (Douglas A. Watson, a Rick James knock off sho) could have two benefits: a Mowat, Inception), a funky mu- in a powder blue outfit warfuture male prince and uniting sical score (Jermaine Stegall) and bling “We Are Family.” Equally the two, potentially warring a host of cameos (En Vogue and disarming is Wesley Snipes as nations of Zamunda and Izzi’s Gladys Knight) fill in the cracks the duplicitous snake Izzi. He’s country Nexdoria. It’s a plan, until Akeem discovers that, due to an old indiscretion, he has a son back in Queens.

When Lavelle (Jermaine Fowler), his mom (Leslie Jones) and Uncle Reem (Tracy Morgan) show up at the palace, things get complicated.

Zamunda forever!

Expect something earthshatteringly new, and you won’t.

Remember how two African interlopers once changed audiences’ perception of Queens, New York?

Teyana Taylor and Wesley Snipes star in “Coming 2 America.”

Long, long time ago, Akeem Joffer (Eddie Murphy) was the young prince of Zamunda, a fictional country over in the motherland. Rather than taking part in an arranged marriage, as expected by his father the king (James Earl Jones), Akeem eschewed tradition. He and his wingman/coat-holder Semmi (Arsenio Hall) went to Queens, New York, looking for a wife.

He found Lisa (Shari Headley), a commoner, the daughter

Director Craig Brewer, who guided Murphy to a careerredefining performance in “Dolemite Is My Name,” helms the project. Comedy is his stomping ground, but not much else. He works in a “Black Panther” angle with a few martial arts warrior fight scenes—none particularly convincing. Romantic moments are shallow at best.

Settings in Africa and New York’s largest and most diverse

Vista Village 422 Concord Street St Paul, MN 55107 651-221-0384

NOTICE: OPENING THE 1 and 2 BEDROOM WAIT LIST Project-Based Section 8, rent based on income for qualified applicants.

Applications may be downloaded at www.vistavillage.commonbond.org from 9am March 5, 2021 until 4pm May 12, 2021.

Completed applications must be received by mail only, on or before May 18, 2021.

All qualified Applicants will be placed on the Waiting List in the order they are received.

CommonBond Communities Equal Housing Opportunity

From Display Ad Department/MN Spokesman-Recorder PHONE: 612-827-4021 FOR BILLING INQUIRIES & TEARSHEETS PLEASE CONTACT ACCOUNTING DEPT @ BILLING@SPOKESMAN-RECORDER.COM EMPLOYMENT DISPLAY SIZE: 3 COL X 4.6563 INCHES = 13.97 RATE $42.00 PER COL. INCH TOTAL: $661.50 Please proof, respond with email confirmation to display@spokesman-recorder.com.

The MSR handles billing digitally.

This means you will get e-tears and e-mailed invoices unless you specifically request a hard copy.

8 March 18-24, 2021

Minneapolis V.A. BULLETIN expands eligibility

MSR file photo The Minneapolis V.A. Health Care System is currently ranked 5th out of 140 qualifying VA Medical Centers in the number of COVID-19 vaccines provided to veterans.

Now the Minneapolis V.A. is expanding its vaccine eligibility requirements to include: • All enrolled veterans ≥ 65 years of age • Enrolled veterans of any age that have underlying medical conditions that increase the risk of severe illness from COVID-19 • Enrolled veterans of any age that are frontline essential workers • Enrolled veterans of any age that are other essential workers Eligible veterans should schedule their COVID-19 vaccination appointments by calling 612-467-1301 weekdays between 7:30 am & 4 pm. You must be enrolled and eligible to be vaccinated.

For information about pop up walk-in clinics, follow @VAMinneapolis on its social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

—Information provided by the Minneapolis V.A.

NAMI offers free online mental health support groups

NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness), a non-profit organization aiming to improve mental health of adults and their families, offers a variety of free online peer support groups for adults and young adults living with a mental illness, their families, friends, spouses/partners, as well as parents of children and teens.

African American and GLBTQ-focused groups are also offered. Led by trained peer facilitators, the support groups help individuals and families learn coping skills and find strength through sharing their experiences. Find a complete listing of group meetings and how to join in by going to namimn. org and clicking on “Support Groups” or go straight to namimn.org/support/ nami-minnesota-support-groups.

—Information provided by NAMI MN.

Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church

Worship Mount Olivet Missionary Baptist Church

Bethesda Baptist Church

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

Rev. Arthur Agnew, Pastor

Rev. James C. Thomas, Pastor

451 West Central

St. Paul, MN 55103 651-227-4444

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

Wednesday 7 pm "Welcome to

Mt. Olivet Baptist Church"

At the Old Landmark 1118 So. 8th Street Mpls., MN 55404 612-332-5904 www.bethesdamnonline.com bethesdamn@prodigy.net Sunday Service Times: Early Morning Service 9 am Sunday School 10 am Sunday Worship 11:30 am Wednesday Prayer Meeting, 6 pm Adult Bible Class 7 pm Children's Bible Class 7 pm

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

Pilgrim Baptist Church Rev. Doctor Charles Gill 732 W. Central Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104 Sunday Worship Service: 9:45 AM Sunday School: 8:45 AM

March 18-24, 2021

Legals

9

Employment

State of Minnesota County of:

District Court Judicial District: Court File Number: 20FA204505 Case Type: Dissolution without Children

In Re the Marriage of: Kletta Kjwansa Rush Petitioner (first, middle, last) and William Less Rush-Baker Sr. Respondent (first, middle, last)

Summons (Check One) X Without Real Estate �With Real Estate

THE STATE OF MINNESOTA TO THE ABOVE-NAMED RESPONDENT: WARNING: Your spouse has filed a lawsuit against you for dissolution of your marriage. A copy of the paperwork regarding the lawsuit is served on you with this summons. This summons is an official document from the court that affects your rights. Read this summons carefully. If you do not understand it, contact an attorney for legal advice.

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

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

You must serve your Answer upon Petitioner within thirty (30) days of the date you were served with this Summons, not counting the day of service.

If you do not serve and file your Answer, the Court may give your spouse everything he or she is asking for in the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage.

3. This proceeding involves, affects, or brings into question the real property located at the at the following address City

State

From Classified Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State Certificate of Assumed Name Department/MN Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 333

Spokesman-Recorder PHONE: 612-827-4021 ASSUMED NAME: FOR BILLING DinkyKeys PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS: 1724 Como Ave SE INQUIRIES Minneapolis MN 55414 United States NAMEHOLDER(S): & TEARSHEETS Name: Address: PLEASE CONTACT Joseph Yetzer 1724 Como Ave SE Minneapolis MN 55414 ACCOUNTING DEPT UnitedStates

DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

If you submit an attachment, it will be incorporated into this document. If the attachment conflicts with the information specifically set forth in this document, 3 WEEK this document supersedes the data RUN referenced in the attachment.

FLAT RATE $200.00 PREPAID

By typing my name, 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.

Linda Gail Raino 3116 Oliver N. Minneapolis, MN 55411 USA

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: Linda Raino EMAIL FOR OFFICIAL NOTICES: None Provided DATED: 02/28/2021 11:59 PM Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder March 11 & 18, 2021

View Continued from page 1

Coach-of-the-Year award [go to Black coaches],” said Texas Southern WBB Coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke. The HOF and WNBA legend last week told the MSR that this especially is true for Black female coaches.

“African American females have been around… We are now just recognizing it,” explained Cooper-Dyke. “It is a huge opportunity for us to continue to showcase ourselves as coaches and players.

“It’s on us as well,” she said.

“We can’t stop here.”

Terrence Johnson (Texas State, Sun Belt), and Lew Hill, who died Feb. 7 due to COVID-19, by the WAC. Women: Joni Taylor (Georgia, SEC), Amaka Agugua-Hamilton (Missouri State, Missouri Valley), Natasha Adair (Delaware, Colonial Athletic Association), Charles Hallman welcomes Freda-Freeman Jackson (Alabama State, SWAC), and reader responses to challman@ Tiesha “Ty” Grace (Howard, spokesman-recorder.com.

MEAC).

“It is always great to see the

Assoc. Consultant (Software Eng.) (multiple openings)

Continued from page 1

South wins City Conference crown Minneapolis South girls’ basketball team, led by Jade Hill and Angel Hill, have led the Tigers, coached by alum and former student athlete standout Ricky Hill, to another City Conference championship.

Jade Hill averages 32.4 points per game while Angel Hill adds 17.5 per contest.

Ricky Hill, a 1985 South graduate, was a football and basketball star for the Tigers.

Jade Hill will attend the

From Classified

State of Minnesota District Court Department/MN Ramsey County Second Judicial District Court File Number: 62-DA-FA-18-1631 Spokesman-Recorder

PHONE: JAMES WILLIAM HAYES 612-827-4021 FOR BILLING Notice of Issuance of Emergency Parte) Order for INQUIRIES (Ex Protection by Publication & TEARSHEETS (Minn. Stat. § 518B.01, subd. 8) PLEASE CONTACT

In the Matter of CHRISTY RAE HAYES and obo minor child vs ACCOUNTING DEPT JAMES WILLIAM HAYES To Respondent:

ASSUMED NAME

FLAT RATE YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an $150.00 Ex Parte Order for Protection has been issued in this case. You may request a hearing if you contact the court administrator's 2 WEEK RUN office within 12 days of the date of publication of this notice. You may obtain a copy of the Ex Parte Order for Protection and the form to request a hearing from the court administrator's office at the following address: Ramsey County District Court Please proof, respond with 25 West Seventh Street email confirmation to dis St Paul MN 55102 Failure to request a hearing or to obtain a copy of the Ex Parte Order will not play@spokesman-recorder. be a defense to prosecution for violation of the Court's order. com. For more exposure: We Dated: March are 9, 2021 Donald W. Harper also inviting our clients Court Administrator to advertise on our web site for 2 weeks for a flat net March fee of18, 2021 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder $150.00 per position with purchase of print ad. Online only ads run 2 weeks for $300.00 per position.

State of Minnesota Ramsey County

District Court Second Judicial District Court File Number: 62DAFA21194 Case Type: Domestic Abuse In The Matter Of Katlyn Sue Walker Vs Orlando Walker Notice of Hearing by Publication (Minn. Stat. § 518B.01, subd. 8) To Respondent named above: An order has been issued directing you to appear to a hearing on March 22, 2021 at 8:15 a.m. before Referee Christy Snow-Kaster for an Order for Protection Hearing and explain why the relief sought in the Petition for the Order for Protection should not be granted.

You must contact the Ramsey County Court Administrator’s Office at 651-2665130 for hearing location details.

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

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

Court Administrator Ramsey Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder March 18, 2021

of the Year, the 7’1” senior went out and had a triple double in leading Minnehaha Academy to a victory over Minneapolis North.

Holmgren, the No. 1-ranked senior prospect in the country from the moment the season began, had 22 points, 12 blocked shots and 11 rebounds in an 8247 win over the Polars last week.

Prep

Tamia Ugass Photo courtesy of Twitter University of St. Thomas in the fall.

Holmgren named top player After Chet Holmgren was named the 2021 Naismith Boys’ High School Player

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder March 18 & 25, 2021

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder March 11 & 18, 2021

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder March 4, 11, and 18, 2021

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work. He/ She works with the technical team and interfaces directly with external vendors to define data requirements and ASSUMED NAME resolve data integrity; prepare project status reports, and make FLAT RATE formal presentations$150.00 to management as necessary.

2 WEEK RUN Work location is Plymouth,MN with required travel to client locations throughout the USA.Please mail resumes to 3350 Annapolis Lane N, Suite A, Plymouth, MN confirmation 55447 (OR ) to display@ Please proof, respond with email emailspokesman-recorder.com : jobs-p@vitsconsulting.com

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From Classified Programmer Analyst Department/MN VITSSpokesman-Recorder Consulting Corp has openings for the position ProgramPHONE: mer Analyst with612-827-4021 Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, FOR BILLING Engineering any, Technology or related to support full life cycle INQUIRIES development including requirements analysis, design, prototyping,coding, unit testing, integration and test. The & TEARSHEETS Programmer Analyst will also be involved in design, develPLEASE CONTACT opment, implementation, software development ACCOUNTINGmaintenance DEPT

Ugass leading Roseville Tamia Ugass, the 6’3” post player who will play at LSU next year, is averaging 18.3 points per game for the Raiders’ girls’ basketball team.

Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader responses to mcdeezy@gmail.com.

Concord USA, Hopkins, MN. Req. Bachelor's or higher degree in Software Systems, MIS, Comp. Sci., or related discipline & at least 1 yr. Business, IT, professional services, or Big 4 consulting training/experience; also req. at least 6 mos. training/exp. developing applications & related solutions for From Classified technology, information Department/MNsystems, data, & business processes, performing general SLDC & software engineering tasks; and Spokesman-Recorder documented exp. with/in the following: DevOps tools expr; SQL and MySQL; technical writing; QT framework; practical PHONE:of612-827-4021 application QA testing; .Net Framework C#; Python; design & testing procedures; Crimson Framework C. Training/experiFOR BILLING ence may be pre or post Baccalaureate. Position is based out of, reports to Concord’s HQ in Hopkins, MN, but may be required INQUIRIES to&travel to, work from unanticipated client sites throughout the TEARSHEETS US. Travel anticipated to be between 10%-50% depending PLEASEisCONTACT on work requirements.

Concord requires all new hires to ACCOUNTING DEPT undergo background checks. Submit resume with requisition @ BILLING@SPOKESMAN-RECORDER.COM number GC0321AD to jennifer.jamison@concordusa.com No agencies or phone calls.

RAMSEY COUNTY

1WEEK RUN FLAT RATE $100.00 PREPAID

Sr. Integration Consultant (multiple openings)

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Concord USA, Hopkins, MN. Req. Bachelor’s or foreign equivalent degree in Comp. Sci., Comp. Eng, or Electronic Eng., & 5 yrs progressively responsible post baccalaureate exp. in integration consulting; or Master’s & 3 yrs exp. as From Classified specified above. Also req. 3 yrs. exp. in: integration platforms Department/MN as well as related architecture & implementation solutions inSpokesman-Recorder cluding API-driven design, messaging patterns, & application development best practices; software development lifecycle, PHONE: messaging patterns,612-827-4021 endpoint security, interfaces w/ internal & external applications, and database knowledge; driving the full BILLING cycle ofFOR project development, from requirements to delivery and support; historical experience w/ ESB stacks – MuleSoft, INQUIRIES TIBCO,&Apache ServiceMix/Camel; iPaaS; creating, manTEARSHEETS aging, and documenting service contracts – WSDL, RAML; PLEASE CONTACT data formats and protocols – REST, ACCOUNTING DEPTSOAP, JSON, XML, HTTP, FTP, AS2, EDI; connecting with cloud and on-premise @ BILLING@SPOKESMAN-RECORDER.COM applications and data sources; communicating with IT and business people about technology. Concord requires all new COUNTYchecks. Position is based out of, hires toRAMSEY undergo background reports to Concord’s HQ office in Hopkins, MN, but may be required1WEEK to travelRUN up to & work from unanticipated client sites throughout US up to 50% of the time. Submit resume with FLAT RATE $100.00 PREPAID requisition #GC0321SN to jennifer.jamison@concordusa. com No agencies or phone calls.

10

March 18-24, 2021

Imagining a mountainside of legendary Black coaches ANOTHER

VIEW Charles Hallman

I

f a Mount Rushmore of Black coaches is ever erected, who would be the four faces to grace that mythical mountainside?

“I’d put John McLendon, (Clarence) Big House Gaines, Cal Irvin, and Bill Russell, the first Black coach in the NBA,” suggested Jesse Washington, senior writer with The Undefeated.

Russell and Gains are considered locks. Russell, who won two of his 11 NBA titles in 13 years after being named Boston player-coach in 1966, is in the Hall of Fame (1975).

Gaines (1923-2005), whose entire 47-year coaching career was at Winston-Salem State University, won the 1967 NCAA Division II national title, coached Earl “The Pearl” Monroe among others, and is also a Hall of Famer.

But Irvin and McLendon?

Irvin (1924-2017) played two seasons in the Negro Leagues before his 18-year coaching career at North Carolina A&T, where he won four CIAA titles. His older brother Monte is in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

“I am not ashamed to say that when I started working on this book with Coach [John] Thompson, I did not

More college and high school prep updates

quickness. “He’s credited [with] full court, fast break basketball,” Washington discovered. “Coach [Thompson] learned from him. That’s just amazing to me.”

Now that we have our mythical mountain up, we need a park to put it in. “I would say let’s put up a statue of Coach Thompson and Coach [John] Chaney at the entrance to the park,” said Washington of the two legends who passed away t’s been quite the basketalmost six months apart, ball season at both the Thompson last August and high school and collegiate Chaney in January. level. This week’s column highlights a former prep star Black Coaches of the Year leading his team to a tourVeteran sportswriter Marc nament title, another who J. Spears of The Undefeated has his team on the verge of tweeted last weekend: “Be- making history, a girls’ bastween Coach-of-the-Year ketball championship for a awards up and down Divi- City team, a national award sion I, and tournament cham- for the top high school playpionships being won and ers in the country, and a brief challenged for, Black college update on a Division I signee. basketball coaches have had major success in recent days. Sims leads Texas Legends John Thompson, NoJericho Sims (Cristo lan Richardson, George Rav- Rey-Jesuit) scored a caeling and John Chaney fought reer-high 21 points in helping for this day.” the University of Texas men’s Here is a sampling of the Black coaches who this season won their respective league COY awards: Men: Juwan Howard (Michigan, Big Ten), King Rice (Monmouth, MAAC), Mike Anderson (St. John’s, Big East), Isaac Brown (Wichita State, AAC), Byron Smith (Prairie View, SWAC), Robert McCullum (Florida A&M, MEAC), Dennis Gates (Cleveland State, Horizon League), Bashir Mason (Wagner, Jericho Sims Photo courtesy of U of Texas ■ See View on page 7

I

John McLendon

know who John McLendon was,” admitted Washington, the co-author of Thompson’s autobiography “I Came as a Shadow.”

Photo courtesy of Twitter lege, he learned the sport’s intricacies from the school’s athletic director Dr. James Naismith, who years earlier had invented basketball. McLen-

“I love basketball. I read a lot. I never heard of McLendon.”

“I love basketball. I read a lot. I never heard of the man,” he added of McLendon (19151999), twice a Basketball Hall of Fame inductee (contributor, 1979; coach, 2016). After he transferred to the University of Kansas from a junior col-

don, however, never played at Kansas because he was Black.

But McLendon’s oft-overlooked influence on the game during his three decades as a successful high school and college coach is his infusing

basketball team to a 91-86 victory over Oklahoma State University to capture the Big 12 championship last week.

The 6’8” senior forward, currently averaging 9.2 points per game for the Longhorns, also grabbed 14 rebounds and had three steals.

Suggs has team on verge to making history Gonzaga University point guard Jalen Suggs (Minnehaha Academy) has his team on the verge of history. The Bull-

Jalen Suggs Photo courtesy of Gonzaga dogs go into the NCAA tournament with an undefeated 26-0 record and finished as the No. 1-ranked team in the men’s basketball poll.

If the WCC regular season and tournament champion wins the 2021 NCAA crown, they will be the first team to go undefeated since Indiana University’s 1976 squad.

Suggs, a 6’4” freshman, is averaging 14.3 points per game.

■ See Prep on page 7