May 10, 2018 - MN Spokesman-Recorder

— See Freddy Cole on pg. 6

Vol. 84 No. 40 www.spokesman-recorder.com

Soccer stadium, half-built, reportedly meeting inclusion goals May 10-16, 2018

Photo by Paige Elliott

By Charles Hallman Senior Staff Writer

T

he St. Paul Midway soccer stadium being built on the 34.5-acre former Metro Transit bus garage lot is nearly halfway completed, and the contractor reports that, at this midpoint, all workforce diversity goals and goals for subcontracting with minority-and-womenowned businesses are being met or exceeded.

The site is being called a “super block” by Mortenson Construction and St. Paul City officials. “It is Snelling, Pascal, University and [Interstate] 94, and St. Anthony, the larger continuous rectangle that [the stadium] is sited on, and the development around it,” Mortenson Executive and Project Manager Greg Huber told the MSR after an April 24 construction update meeting at Griggs-Midway Building in St. Paul. “We are not

news AnAlysis

may agree that Kanye’s behaviors have been somewhat

By Brandon Jones startling and disrespectful.

Contributing Writer If you are a fan, you might Disclaimer: While this is think that this is just “Ye benot a clinical analysis, as both a ing Ye.” Either way, his anBlack man and psychotherapist, tics have demonstrated sevthese are my views on Kanye West from a mental health lens based on his recent media appearances and discussions on slavery.

creativity to push the edge on our social reality. However, this time around he has done it in a manner that has shown another level of vulnerability.

Black males have literally been socialized to avoid feelings of vulnerability.

eral examples of someone who struggles with mental illness.

At least for the past decade, Kanye has utilized his

Courtesy of Zuma Press/MGN Online

Fear could further compromise 2020 Census

ute meeting was attended by around 50 people, mostly small business owners, officials estimated. One of them, a Latino electrical business owner, complained that business owners like him aren’t getting opportunities to work on large-scale projects like the St. Paul stadium.

“We as people of color sit on the bottom of all the work,” he said during the Q&A session.

Tony Lusiba, an IT business owner from Maplewood, asked Huber if there are any repeat subcontractors on the St. Paul job from previous stadium projects. “The reason behind my question,” he explained afterwards to the MSR, “was [to see] if there’s a way that smaller businesses just getting on the scene can show what they can do. Is there a way they can get work and get the opportunity to get in on these deals?

“The answer I got was no,” he said – that MortenGreg Huber son keeps a list on repeat Photo by Charles Hallman subcontractors. “He [Huber] said maybe that’s doing any of the development something they might do in around [the stadium],” he noted.

■ See Stadium on page 8 The scheduled 90-min-

A K Anye PlAce: Black male vulnerability and mental health

Rapper Kanye West has found a way back into our daily conversations over the past few weeks with several antics that have been labeled by many as “crazy.” One

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THE VOICE OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY SINCE 1934

Kanye is sharing the emotional toll of all Black men Like many Black males, Kanye has experienced several traumatic events in his life, including a near-death experience at a young age and the unexpected death of his mother. Compound that with being a Black man in spaces that do not offer equal treatment and opportunities, and it is no wonder that he has reached this point of a breakdown – or what he has relabeled as a “breakthrough.”

Black men endure so much stress that it is not a far reach to see someone like

■ See Kanye on page 8

Communities of color historically undercounted

By Charles Hallman Senior Staff Writer Although over two years away, work has begun on the 2020 U.S. Census and fear of filling out Census forms is already at play among persons of color, the MSR discovered in a May 1 ethnic media teleconference discussing 2020 Census key milestones.

The one-hour media briefing was led by Terri Ann Lowenthal, a former House Census subcommittee staff director and Leadership Conference Education Fund consultant, and Joseph Salvo, a New York City population official. They both explained that

all state, local and tribal governments are now working on the Census Bureau’s Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) list to check and review all addresses for their jurisdiction in order to ensure an accurate count for their communities.

This accounts for “literally every single address for every housing unit in the jurisdictions, and officials have 120 days to review that list,” Salvo explained. He added that all deletions and other changes must be completed and submitted to the Census Bureau by the end of June. The Bureau

■ See CenSuS on page 8

It’s put up or shut up time for Minneapolis progressive wave, says new parks commish

By Keith Schubert Staff Writer Every Saturday as Latrisha Vetaw was growing up, her mom would fill up a cooler with food and drinks that she got for hosting a Tupperware party and take Vetaw and her siblings to the park for the day. She did this not because she was passionate about parks, but because as a single mother the park served as a free activity to fill the day.

“My mom didn’t even know that parks had names. She just knew they were free,” said Vetaw, who is one of six newly elected Minneapolis Park Board commissioners.

What Vetaw saw in the parks is something that she tries to instill in the youth she works with at NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center, that the parks are more than just a green space and can be a form of economic sta-

Latrisha Vetaw at Willard Park

bility. “I think that peo- is a resource for you fiple in Minneapolis, es- nancially, as well.”

With a budget of pecially lower-income communities, need to more than $100 million,

“We should be doing big things around here.

If we don’t put up, then we’re pretty doomed.” understand that parks Vetaw said the average are more than just, like, park employee makes places to go play. It’s more than sports. This ■

Photo by Keith Schubert upward of $50,000. “I’ve worked with hundreds of kids who I know the parks could be a huge resource for,” Vetaw said. “So that was one of the reasons I ran [for park commissioner].”

Vetaw is part of the progressive takeover of the park board that has happened in the most recent elections. With six newly elected commissioners, three of

See ParKS on page 8

May Day Parade and Powderhorn Festival draws thousands

Photos by Sarai Lewis

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May 10-16, 2018

Does aid to the poor do more harm than good?

Paternalism – the old way we used to do development – is no match for partnership.

– Bono These [African] countries they call poor have always been a reservoir of resources to the rest of the world. They are oil rich, diamond rich, timber rich, land rich, and gold rich. So there you are in a hole, in a village with all of your skills and all of your talents. That’s unfortunately the way it is. These people are not stupid, they are just disconnected from global trade. That’s all.

– Herman Chinery-Hesse The pair of quotes above both come from the 2014 documentary Poverty Inc., co-written by international researchers Michael Matheson Miller and Jonathan Witt and directed by Miller. The film highlights the cascading “Global Poverty Industry” and its work in “third world” nations and explores whether it ultimately does more harm than good.

There are suggestions by some in the film that the majority of global anti-poverty initiatives are well-meaning, but they oftentimes foster unintended consequences. By contrast, others argue that the carefully structured blueprint of such efforts is intentional and has resulted in a massive industry that generates hundreds of billions of dollars per year.

After all, as the filmmakers ask in

avelli, who famously said way back in the 16th century that “The reason there will be no change is because the people who stand to lose from change have all the power. And the people who stand to gain from change have none of the power.”

In addition to some African nations, the film pays close attention to Haiti, particularly following the devastating earthquake of 2010. Today, Haiti has more NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) – including USAID, the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and others – operating there, per capita, than any other country on earth.

A common theme among those interviewed in the film is that, certainly, when a tragedy occurs, humanitarian need is critical. Beyond that, however, as Senegalese entrepreneur Magatte Wade points out, when aid becomes a way of life, that presents a problem.

Daniel Jean Louis of Partners Worldwide in Haiti adds that sometimes a “short-term natural disaster turns into a long-term unnatural disaster.” This occurs as the paternalism of those seeking to assist strips the people of their own expectations and prospects of self-de-

Most of those living in poverty don’t need a hand out, but rather a hand up.

Poverty Inc.’s subtitle, “Fighting poverty is big business. But who profits the most?”

At the beginning of the film, Michael Fairbanks, who co-authored the critically acclaimed book Plowing the Sea, Nurturing the Hidden Sources of Advantage in Developing Nations, quotes Niccolò Machi-

termination.

Even before the earthquake, U.S. aid policies toward Haiti, dating back to the 1980s, essentially destroyed the nation’s rice farming industry. As one farmer noted, they don’t want our rice; “we want to export our rice to you.” Others suggest that if NGOs, charities, and social entrepreneurs truly wish to help,

then they should support small business development, job creation, and skills training in addition to providing humanitarian aid where and when it is needed.

Although not necessarily related to the issue of poverty, one of the more disturbing examples from the film regarding the Western philosophy and practice of development is the case of Herman Chinery-Hesse, a Ghanaian software designer who is commonly referred to as the “Bill Gates of Africa.”

Haiti in 2010 Born in Ireland and educated in America, Chinery-Hesse returned to his parents’ native Ghana and founded SOFTribe, the nation’s leading software developer.

When it was outbid for a contract by a European company whose government provided a grant to Ghana, SOFTribe (due to its considerable aptitude) was selected to subcontract with the competitor. They subsequently ended up with the “most difficult and least profitable” part of the deal.

Of this, Chinery-Hesse noted, “They [the competitor] got the best of both worlds. Their government paid. We end up doing the work. They took the money. That’s not development. That’s not

Teacher of the Year finalist says, ‘The North Side made me’

Courtney Bell

By Ivan B. Phifer Contributing Writer As an adolescent, you often have dreams about how to plan your life for the best road to success. For many individuals from disenfranchised communities, the first and main goal is to simply “get out the hood.”

One woman in particular, however, decided that it was not just good enough to graduate from North, attend the University of Minnesota and graduate. “I felt obliged to come back,” said Courtney Bell.

Bell, a 2007 graduate of North Community High School on Minneapolis’ North Side, is currently a social studies teacher at North High.

She decided this year to focus on the sociology of W.E.B. Dubois and cultures of the African Diaspora. Previously, Bell has taught freshman history and now teaches grades 9-12.

“I always felt some kind of way that being a student in an urban high school that was predominantly Black, we didn’t get what we deserved,” Bell told the MSR. “Whether [due to] a lack of resources, attention paid, or qualified teachers, we always got the short end of the stick.

“Because of my address and the color of my skin, I was underestimated as a student. I didn’t know how to articulate that back then, but I knew I had an issue with that type of educational injustice.”

This issue motivated Bell to major in sociology. “This helped me to put labels around these injustices and understand how the inequities were formed,” Bell recalled.

The final career choice did not come about without a few changes. “As a first generation

college student, my first choice was business,” said Bell in an attempt to enter a lucrative financial career. “I had no knowledge of majors, or what they were.

“When we make it out of our community and attend these prestigious universities, the first thing on our mind is, ‘I grew up in poverty.

I want to do something that’s going to translate into a career, make money, and help my family’.”

Her freshman mentor informed her to choose her major carefully. “You don’t have to have a degree in business to do business,” he informed Bell. “If business is not your first love, I would advise you to look for something else.

I don’t even have a degree, and I own several businesses.”

At first, Bell took offense to this, but quickly reconsidered. “I was able to take the pressure off and focus on what I was passionate about.”

During her senior year of college, she applied for Teach for America, got to the final round, and was not selected. “That was heartbreaking because I really wanted to be a teacher,” Bell recalled.

“Don’t ever feel like you are at a deficit because you grow up in poverty.”

She was, however, accepted in the master’s program in public policy at the U of M Hubert Humphrey School, and later enrolled in the master’s program in education admissions, which started in fall of 2012, giving Bell a year off. During that year she started applying for positions with the Minneapolis Public Schools and landed a behavior dean position at North High for the 2012-2013 school year.

“I fell in love with the young people,” Bell said. “I still encountered the education inequality that I felt as a student. That propelled me to look into the Masters of Education Social Studies Teaching program in 2013,” which she finished in spring 2014. She was hired as a social studies teacher at North that same year.

“My position has always been student-centered, equity-based, and students first,” Bell said of her teaching style. “You would think that is the norm, but it isn’t. Students are often the forgotten players. When you line yourself up with them, you come up against ■ See Teacher on page 7

assistance. That’s Thuggery.”

In spite of the generally positive response to the documentary, Poverty Inc. is not without its critics. Economist José Caraballo-Cueto accuses the filmmakers of doing exactly what they insinuate aid organizations of doing – more harm than good – by “providing superficial recommendations and pointing fingers” in the wrong direction.

Others have observed that, whereas the poor have little or no voice in the film, most of those interviewed are

Photos courtesy of MGNOnline small-business owners and entrepreneurs who perhaps stand to lose much themselves.

Of course, this debate is not limited to the rest of the world but has implications for American policy, practice, and anti-poverty strategies as well.

In his 2011 book Toxic Charity, author and activist Robert D. Lupton argues that “Giving to those in need what they could be gaining from their own initiative may well be the kindest way to destroy people.”

Some have responded that this is a conservative argument, while others liken it to the proverb “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a life-

time.”

But beyond partisan attitudes or the search for ancient wisdom, it comes down to this: There is no question that humanitarian aid remains a necessity all over the globe. Here in America, social service agencies, nonprofits, and other community-based organizations must help to fill in the gaps and provide a safety net to our fellow citizens who are most in need.

At Community Action, we pride ourselves on providing our participants a voice in their journey with us, innovative and holistic services, and the resources to chart their own course toward financial empowerment. But perhaps the greatest measure of success that any anti-poverty agency (public, private, or otherwise) could achieve would be that they no longer need to exist.

As unrealistic as that may sound, isn’t that what we ultimately are seeking to do, to lift everyone out of poverty that we possibly can? Most of those living in poverty don’t need a hand out, but rather a hand up.

What exactly does that mean? In most cases, as highlighted in Poverty Inc., all that means is access to justice, equity and opportunity in education, health care, housing, employment, transportation, and the justice system, itself.

What is it that keeps us from providing these things to all of humankind?

Perhaps Machiavelli was on to something.

Clarence Hightower is the executive director of Community Action Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties. Dr. Hightower holds a Ph.D. in urban higher education from Jackson State University. He welcomes reader responses to 450 Syndicate Street North, St. Paul, MN 55104

May 10-16, 2018

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The news on sexually transmitted diseases in America is shocking Here’s what you should know to be safe

S

By Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD

exually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections that are spread from one person to another during sexual acts. These include vaginal, anal and oral sex.

STDs are common, and their occurrence is on the rise.

The bad news is that STDs can cause dangerous health problems.

The good news is that getting tested for STDs is easy, and most STDs are easy to treat.

The best way to prevent getting an STD is not to have sex. If you are sexually active, the chances of getting an STD are markedly reduced by properly using latex condoms or dental damns during sex. If you are monogamous, get tested and, if clear, remain so.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced that the number of cases of syphilis and gonorrhea have increased dramatically over the past few years. In fact, both diseases are up almost 20 percent.

In the United States, we have the highest incidence of STDs of any Western industrialized country in

the world. This article will limit discussion of STDs to syphilis and gonorrhea.

Gonorrhea is an STD caused by infection with the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It prefers to infect warm, moist areas of the body, including the urethra, vagina, rectum, throat, eyes, and female reproductive structures.

Syphilis is an STD caused by an infection with the bacteria Treponema pallidum. In addition to being spread during sexual contact, syphilis can also be spread from either an infected mother to a developing fetus during pregnancy or to the baby during exposure to the birth canal at the time of delivery. Syphilis can have severe and devastating health consequences if left untreated.

Experts say that the increase in the incidence of STDs is a result of several factors, making up almost a “perfect storm.” One significant factor is funding, pure and simple.

Both state and federal programs aimed at educating the public on STD prevention have been cut back across the board. As a result, the public is less aware of, and more likely to contract, STDs. One of the biggest proponents of STD education, testing and treatment is Planned Parenthood. Of note, most Planned Parenthood patients are women, but they also treat men. Politically, there are groups that are calling for cuts in funding for Planned Parenthood. Decreased funding will directly affect STD screening and treatment for a vast group of citizens.

Additionally, there are many STD clinics that are run by state health

departments that can be negatively influenced by state funding cuts. In fact, many state-funded STD clinics have already closed their doors.

These health department-associated specialty clinics are so important because many at-risk people are ashamed to discuss their health concerns and status with their family doctor, or they don’t have the financial resources to seek testing and

Additionally, HIV-AIDS, with the effective new treatments, has commonly been re-recognized to be a chronic medical condition rather than the “death sentence” it once was. As a result, the “scare factor” of contracting STDs has inappropriately diminished.

In evaluating the STD increase, one notices that the numbers are rising in all patient groups. With this in

STDs can lead to infertility, cervical and penile cancer, neurologic disease, and even death. In pregnant women, it can be spread to babies in utero, with striking health effects, including heart problems.

Sex is still a taboo topic in most of America. Talking openly and honestly about sexual practices and issues surrounding sexual health is still difficult for most people, even with their doctors. These attitudes need to change, and patients need better education and improved access to STD screening, testing and treatment.

The good news is that testing for STDs is simple, and most treatments are incredibly effective.

Reference: NPR.org If you are concerned about having an STD or want educational materials, contact your doctor, a local Planned Parenthood Clinic, or in Minnesota visit www.

RedDoorClinic.org.

treatment from traditional avenues or clinics. These clinics can provide confidential screening and no-cost therapies for patients and are critical in reducing the spread of STDs. As mentioned earlier, some STDs are without symptoms. Because of this, fewer people are getting tested for STDs, and healthcare providers are not as thorough questioning patients about sexual histories, practices and precautions. As a result, they are also not doing subsequent STD screening tests as frequently. By not picking up active STD cases, they can spread further.

mind, community disparities are also noted. For instance, groups with explosive increases include Southerners, Black and Latino women, young adults, and men.

Dramatic STD increases are also recognized in the group of men who have sex with other men; that is, in the gay community. Even with large STD rate increases in these specific groups, the STD incidence rate appears to be up everywhere.

There are very significant consequences in not treating STDs, more so in women, but still with unwanted results in all people. Untreated

Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD is a board-certified dermatologist and Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. He also has a private practice in Eagan, MN. He has been selected as one of the top 10 dermatologists in the United States by Black Enterprise magazine and one of the top 21 African American physicians in the U.S. by the Atlanta Post. Dr. Crutchfield is president of the Minnesota Association of Black Physicians.

Children’s earliest days can affect health for life Adverse childhood experiences recognized as risk factors

Nadine Burke Harris

By Charles Hallman Senior Staff Writer The impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) was first examined in 1995 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Over 17,000 Southern California participants – over 46 percent age 60 and older – responded to the two-year study. Among its major findings: Two-thirds of the participants said they had at least one ACE, and one in five reported three or more ACEs. ACEs increase the risk of various health issues such as heart disease, liver disease, alcoholism, and domestic violence.

“I didn’t learn about this in medical school or residency,” said Nadine Burke Harris, a San Francisco-based pediatrician and children’s health advocate, during her appearance at the Westminster Town Hall Forum in downtown Minneapolis on April 10.

A couple of years after Harris, current U.S. Senator Kamala Harris [no relation], and others studied this in a San Francisco

Photo by Charles Hallman neighborhood primarily populated by Blacks, Pacific Islanders and Latinos, she founded in 2012 the Center for Youth Wellness in San Francisco, which researches the impact of ACEs on long-term health behavior.

Harris, renowned as a national expert in childhood adversity and trauma, published her first book earlier this year, The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Adversity. She told the audience, “Every pediatrician in America needs to be screening for ACE,” adding that only an estimated four percent of U.S. pediatri-

ing and determining a personal ACEs score. The higher the score, the higher a person’s risk for various health problems later in life.

“I am not a mental health specialist. I’m a pediatrician,” Harris stressed. While examining her child patients, she recalled, “I started noticing a disturbing trend. Lots of kids were being referred to me for ADHD. But when I did what I was trained to do, when I did a thorough [medical] history and physical exam, for most of my patients, I couldn’t make a diagnosis of ADHD.”

“We need to support not only the children, but also their caregivers.” cians currently are doing this.”

Her goal is to see that every doctor by 2028 “is screening for ACEs,” Harris said.

An ACEs self-test is included in Harris’ book, and the CDC website also has links to test-

What she found, instead, was that many children were exposed “to the highest rates of adversity,” she continued. “Kids were being exposed to abuse, living in homes with caregivers that were co-dependent [on

drugs and/or alcohol].

“When I saw the stress on my patients…and their history of adversity, their behavior and health problems, I threw myself into the research and science. What I found completely changed my medical practice and ultimately changed my career.”

It is important that physicians and other health practitioners are “able to recognize that what happens in a child’s earliest days put us on a trajectory for a life and health outcomes…

We need to make sure early that that trajectory is a strong and healthy one,” Harris said. “Children are especially sensitive…

Their brain and body are just developing.”

Regular exercise, good hygiene and proper nutrition, along with a safe, secure home environment “helps to reduce stress hormones…and helps our

brains,” Harris said.

During the audience Q&A, Harris was asked if ACEs are generational. “I have never come across a patient who has significant adverse childhood experiences that didn’t also have” a family member with the same experiences, she responded.

“We can break this intergenerational cycle, but in order to do that, we need to take a two-generational approach. We need to support not only the children, but also their caregivers. Their understanding of their ACEs can affect their parenting.

“What is traumatic to children is also traumatic to their parents. It affects the entire family,” Harris stressed. “Whether you’re young or old, these are difficult conversations.”

Asked if racism can be included among the factors of ACEs, Harris told the MSR, “What we understand is that…the

threat the individual faces because of race also activates the same biological response [as traditional risk factors] and puts an individual’s health at risk. We now understand that race is a risk factor.”

Harris’ advice to doctors, parents, teachers and others when children are having problems either at home or school is, “Instead of looking at these kids and saying, ‘What’s wrong with you?’ begin to look at them and ask, ‘What happened to you?’”

For more information, visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov.

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

February 16-22, 2017

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4 May 10-16, 2018

Five easy ways to green up your next barbecue

By Stephenetta Harmon Contributing Writer

Spring has (finally) sprung and we all know that means barbecue season is upon us. The unofficial summer pastime brings together families and friends as we head outdoors to fire up the grill and enjoy the warmer weather.

It also provides the perfect opportunity to reduce our eco-footprint.

Not sure where to start? No worries.

Whether you are planning a huge event or just grilling for the family, here are five easy ways to green up your barbecue without killing your grilling fun.

Buy local This is an all-around win/win for you and the environment. Local, seasonal produce means fresher produce since it doesn’t have to travel as far or as long to arrive on your plate. Local produce tends to have fewer preservatives and growth chemicals. You’ll also help save the energy that’s typically needed to transport crops longer distances, thereby reducing our carbon footprint.

So, be sure to hit up the farmer’s market when it opens June 7 and also check out your local grocery stores, which are stocked with “buy-local” sections to make shopping local easy.

Use reusable and recyclable silverware While recyclable silverware is always a win, try trading in those paper plates and plastic cups for reusable silverware. That doesn’t mean you need to break out the fine china — instead, look for partyware plates and cups that can be used throughout the season. You’ll be helping to reduce overall waste and you won’t have to worry about your

Photo by Myles Tan on Unsplash food soaking through the plate. For everything else, try unbleached, 100 percent recycled and biodegradable options.

mal soda can and bottle purchases with homemade drinks like your auntie’s favorite punch, Sangria, iced tea or even lemonade.

Make your own drinks You might not be able to get everyone on board with no carbonated drinks, but you can minimize your overall imprint. Try replacing half of your nor-

Green up your grill This is a major pain point for charcoal purists, but you can green up your grill by looking for electric, natural gas, and propane options. They produce less

waste and are much more efficient.

Ditch the lighter fluid For those who are committed to that charcoal-grilled flavor, you can still reduce your grilling imprint by ditching lighter fluid. It is made with all sorts of harmful chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and carbon monoxide. These chemicals are go into the environment and into your food. In-

How to “drink responsibly” this summer

gredients than their non-organic counterparts, which also help to reduce the impact on the environment.

Read the label Yes, this is a fairly new thing, but you can now buy wine with a “California Certified Sustainable” logo. The label identifies wineries that contain at least 85 percent wine from vineyards that are certified sustainable based on their soil health, water and energy conservation, habitat preservation, avoidance of pesticides and herbicides and other key factors.

By Stephenetta Harmon Contributing Writer

stead, try an electric metal lighter, charcoal chimney, or even go old school with twigs and matches. And, if you can, opt for lump charcoal. It is a bit pricier, but it is all natural, lights easily, and burns hotter.

Stephenetta Harmon welcomes readers’ responses to sharmon@ spokesman-recorder.com.

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Skip the straw Summertime often means frozen drink cocktails and mixers that might have you reaching for that plastic straw. Stop! EcoCycle.org reports that 500 million straws are used in the U.S. each day.

Those single-use suckPhoto by Alison Marras on Unsplash ers then end up sitting at the bottom of landfills and polluting marine life. If you must use one, seek out steel and paper alternatives.

Did you know it’s possible to drink responsibly when it comes to the environment? No, we’re not talking about how many drinks you can handle in one sitting — you should have learned that by the time you graduated college.

We are talking about how to drink eco-friendly.

Yes, that may sound far-fetched, but it’s not as hard as you might think. Whether you are into beer and wine or hard liquor, there are many ways to booze it up with minimal impact on the environment. Here, we list four simple ideas to get you started.

Get local, drink organic We already know the benefits of buying local. It is by far the easiest way to reduce your carbon footprint. However, shopping local also gives you access to a whole new selection of seasonal, small-batch beverages to spice up your palette. In addition to buying local, look for organic brews or spirits that are pesticideand chemical-free. They have more natural in-

Pick your package Opt for cans over bottles whenever you can — shipping has less impact on the environment and they are easier to recycle than glass. Also, don’t turn your nose up to boxed wine. It turns out the biggest impact of wine on the environment is shipping. So, if you can’t get local, the boxed alternative can reduce your imprint by up to 60 percent and generate up to 80 percent less landfill waste. Even wine snobs will find high-end wineries that not only deliver on flavor but also extend the shelf life of their favorite reds and whites.

Stephenetta Harmon welcomes readers’ responses to sharmon@spokesman-recorder.com.

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May 10-16, 2018

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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.

Trump’s immigration enforcement is freezing out justice at courthouses

By Sarah Mehta Contributing Commentator Since President Trump took office last year, immigration enforcement officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have dramatically expanded their presence at criminal and civil courts, including in family, landlord-tenant, and traffic courts across the United States.

The presence of these officers and increased immigration arrests have created deep insecurity and fear among immigrant communities, stopping many from coming to court or even calling police in the first place.

The impact of immigration enforcement at courthouses greatly undermines the security of vulnerable communities and the fundamental right to equal protection under the law, shared by noncitizens and citizens alike.

A new and extensive survey conducted jointly by the ACLU and the National Immigrant Women’s Advocacy Project (NIWAP) shows that the fear of deportation — magnified by immigration arrests in courthouses since President Trump took office — is stopping immigrants from reporting crimes and participating in court proceedings.

This survey is based on responses from 232 law enforcement officers in 24 states; 103 judges, three court staff, and two court administrators in 25 states; 50 prosecutors in 19 states; and 389 survivor advocates and legal service providers spread across 50 states.

What is clear from the results is that when immigration officers conduct arrests in courthouses, there can be significant damage to the ability of the police, prosecutors, defenders, and judges to deliver justice.

Approximately 22 percent of police officers surveyed reported that immigrants were less likely in 2017 than in 2016 to be willing to make police reports; 21 percent said immigrant crime survivors were less likely to help in investigations when police arrived at

the scene of a crime; 20 percent reported that they were less likely to help in post-crime scene investigations; and 18 percent said immigrant crime survivors were less willing to work with prosecutors. Sixty-seven percent reported an impact on police ability to protect crime survivors generally and 64 percent reported an adverse impact on officer safety.

More than 50 percent of police surveyed said domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual assault crimes are now harder to investigate because immigrant crime survivors are afraid to seek assistance.

Fifty-four percent of judges participating in this survey reported that court cases were interrupted due to an immigrant crime survivor’s fear of coming to court. Similarly, prosecutors surveyed reported that crimes including domestic violence, sexual and human trafficking were harder to investigate and prosecute because immigrant crime survivors feared immigration consequences if they came forward.

Law enforcement officers, judges, prosecutors and advocates around the country are calling on ICE and CBP to stay away from courthouses so the justice system is accessible to everyone. Courts can’t operate fairly or effectively when people don’t feel safe coming forward. When the federal government insists on conducting immigration arrests in courthouses, it is harder for prosecutors, police, public defenders, and judges to do their job. This tactic, by instilling fear and essentially excluding noncitizens and their relatives from the courts, threatens constitutional rights, like equal protection and due process, as well as the safety of the broader community.

Sarah Mehta is a human rights researcher with the ACLU’s Human Rights Program.

Equity justice for disabled persons of color is long overdue

By Kenneth E. Brown Sr. Guest Commentator Can a person of color with a disability (or disabilities) also be a person of privilege?

Not! Privilege is defined as a special right, advantage or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or a group of people. Disabled people of color need not apply.

I have not always been a person with a disability. I have been called, referred to, classified as, and relegated to nonpersonhood as crippled, physically challenged, handicapped and disabled.

The above adjectives have one specific thing in common: THEY ARE ALL CONDITIONS. Anything or anyone considered to be a condition gives those who enjoy real personhood the option and authority to do with it or them whatever they darn well

please.

I say this not to be glib or reckless. This is my truth as well as my lived experience.

At the age of 17 I gained my personhood within myself. Once I recognized and believed I was no longer a condition but a real live person, my life changed. I began to lead instead of follow. I began to love my name, who I was, the body I was in, the heart I possessed, and the hard work I had been doing.

I stopped mistreating others. I stopped allowing others to mistreat me. Although I walked with an uneven gait, I walked proud with my head up and with purpose. I valued the few honest relationships I had, and from a troubled heart truly began the journey of loving my family members.

My one failure was that I drank too much of the KoolAid and believed in the “American Dream.”

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The “American Dream”: All men are created equal. Get your education, follow the Ten Commandments, treat others the way you want to be treated, work hard. If you work hard and follow the rules, you will be noticed and promoted to management and more money. Hard work will get you far and rich.

The “American Dream” I found and understand for persons of color with disabilities is not only a dream, but a trueto-life nightmare. The ongoing heavy hand of White Supremacy steeped in oppression and degradation of “the Other” operates well in this country. We are not equal, as the facts below will show.

Since most of us view the world as a top-down society, people of color with disabilities remain below the bottom rung of the economic ladder. Nearly 40 percent of African Americans with disabilities live in poverty.

African Americans with a disability are more than twice as likely to have not graduated high school as African Americans without disabilities: 25 percent to 11 percent.

Fourteen percent of African Americans have a disability.

Only one in four African Americans with a disability are employed.

Sixty-seven percent of African Americans with a disability are unbanked or underbanked.

What portion of diversity, inclusion, full inclusion and equity is this, 27 years after passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act? The above facts are from the National Disability Institute September 2017 report “The Intersection of Disability and Race.”

Kenneth Brown is a longtime contributor to the MSR through his column “Able Not Disabled.”

Through My Eyes

The Minneapolis Story Continues

Are job opportunities in North Minneapolis for real?

Or is it 2003-2017 again: “Blacks need not apply”?

By Ron Edwards Contributing Columnist For the past couple of weeks, residents in North Minneapolis, from Broadway to the north and as far down as Olson Memorial Highway, have seen preparations for significant construction.

There have been no public meetings about it. Has there been any public input?

We are reminded of the many public meetings almost a decade ago, 2010 and 2011, when the city, county, state and federal governments were holding many community meetings to discuss the coming of a light rail by 2014. Now, four years later, we have yet to see a light rail as part of the PlymouthPenn development.

Let’s review earlier columns and blog entries: • November 19, 2003 column: “What’s holding up Plymouth-Penn development?” In a deal related to what was referred to then as Hollman, the Northside Residents Redevelopment Council (NRRC) was designated as the prime player on behalf of Time Warner for the development of Plymouth-Penn.

At the same time, the Urban League had in place a definitive plan for the construction of a credit union for the city and county.

What happened to them?

• July 31, 2008 blog entry: We listed additional columns and solution papers, 2005– 2007, with one title being: “Black share of $5 billion construction: Zero. What

can be done to reverse ‘Blacks need not apply’ for the coming great construction boom?”

• Blog entry of August 28, 2009: We listed 12 columns regarding discrimination in economic development in Minneapolis.

• October 21, 2009 column: We asked, is the real agenda for “the Northside project, from Hollman to Heritage Park, to be a model for displacing Blacks from American cities”?

Columns in 2010 about the diversity study noted it took the City 15 years to tell us what we already knew – that the monitoring of hiring revealed the contraction of jobs and their income, leading to failure of success for our communities.

We hear many declarations about the prosperity African American communities, especially North Minneapolis, are enjoying. Is this finally it, as Penn Avenue has been torn up for quite some time? When will the Met Council, representing the interests of the state of Minnesota, let us know what this construction is all about?

In 2010 and 2011, surveys were taken, and particularly in the area bordering Penn Ave. We see significant construction in the North Minneapolis community in the area of Olson Memorial Highway. Some elements of that construction go up to the front door of OIC. Who, among the elected and appointed officials will let us know?

There are aspects that remind us of the last big construction project, the Vikings’ U.S. Bank Stadium, and the unfulfilled promises made about minority participation.

We know of at least two major projects, Thor Construction’s corporate headquarters, and across the street, Estes Funeral Home.

But, we have yet to see African American involvement working along Penn Ave. or Olson Memorial Highway.

As snow melts and work rises, which companies of color will be working on the projects and what are the work goals (percentages) of African Americans? Will big money include Black companies and workers?

With violence increasing on the streets of Minneapolis, including the North Side, we still await the report on how well the African American community did during 2018’s successful Super Bowl. Will the African American community be left at the starting gate and again miss out on the economic prosperity that has already begun?

We await the official report on the 36 percent goal on the U.S. Bank Stadium, or is that to be forgotten as well?

Who will clarify the anticipated success story of African American involvement?

Stay tuned.

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

Trying My Best

The renT is Too damn high

By Frank Erickson Contributing Commentator The definition of a cartel is a group of individuals or firms who agree not to compete with each other and therefore keeping prices fixed to maximize profits, according to my understanding. Both local landlords and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) are doing the same thing, yet when it comes to White landlords, they call what they are doing “supply and demand” but the Arabs are labeled an illegal cartel. This is racist.

President Donald Trump recently called OPEC’s oil prices “artificially high.” It is amazing that a man who has made millions on artificially high rents in New York City would call out OPEC on the same practice. Trump wishes he had all that Arab oil so he could do some fair and honest White man “what the market will bear” pricing of it.

The foundation of capitalism is artificially high prices. What else motivates the capitalist, other than the freedom to hold people hostage and charge as much as he can? Local landlords are a cartel: a drafty old one-bedroom apartment in South Minneapolis is now $1,100. How can this be anything but artificially high?

Trump doesn’t like OPEC holding car drivers hostage and I don’t like property owners holding renters hostage. But, for Trump, it is only artificially high when he’s getting screwed. Surging rental prices are no different than surging oil prices — they are both artificial.

Frank Erickson lives in Minneapolis

6

May 10-16, 2018

Black creatives explore new technologies to amplify storytelling

By Charles Hallman Senior Staff Writer

O

ver 100 Black creatives and tastemakers recently attended an invitation-only, first-ever Black Media Story Summit in New York City.

Black Public Media (BPM) hosted the summit at Google’s New York City offices on April 6. The event brought together Black filmmakers, producers, writers and directors, along with social justice activists, media and entertainment executives, funders, investors, and distributors to discuss ways to get Black content into the distribution pipeline.

The summit was part of BPM’s new initiative WOKE! Broadening Access to Black Public Media, which is designed to connect creatives working with new technologies to funding and resources, and help promote diversity in media.

Funders for the one-day historic event include the MacArthur Foundation, Google, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, along with the Wyncote Foundation, the New York State Council on the Arts, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

Alexis Aggrey Photo by Breht Gardner ers), Richard Parsons (Imagination Capital), and Shukree Hassan Tilghman (This Is Us).

The event’s discussion topics included mass incarceration, community safety and policing, technology, diversity, environment, Black women’s health, Black mental health, LGBTQ rights, and immigration.

“We’re not just creating content on ‘poverty porn’ or ‘disaster porn’— documentaries on Black people, but in relationship only to riots or the Civil Rights Movement.”

Among many notables in attendance were TV One host Roland Martin, Lisa Cortes (Precious, Monster’s Ball), Yance Ford (Strong Island), Thomas Allen Harris (Through a Lens Darkly), Shola Lynch (Free Angela & All Political Prison-

Attendees of the BPM Summit received hands-on experience with new technologies.

Photos by James Brooks

Storytelling “is the X-factor in the social movement,” said former White House speechwriter Jesse Moore, who once served as a primary liaison to the entertainment community for the Obama administration. “It’s more than

entertainment, or at least it is for people like us,” he said in his keynote address.

“It was a great opportunity…[to show how] we can create content that pushes social change forward, and amplifying activism around a number of areas,” BPM Director of Marketing and Engagement Alexis Aggrey said in a recent MSR phone interview.

“We are trying to build partner-

Crooners Lounge welcomes Freddy Cole

ships into emerging technology,” such as Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), Aggrey noted. Attendees were able to experience VR and AR first-hand during the event.

“We had a lot of different types of voices,” continued Aggrey. “We really wanted it to be an opportunity for peoB:5.5” ple to be excited to be in the room with T:5.25” people they could corroborate with.”

The blockbuster success of Black Panther was also a hot topic at the event, recalled Aggrey. “I think the excitement of Black Panther dispelled a lot of myths.

For years, [Black] filmmakers were told our stories wouldn’t do well [domestically] and wouldn’t do well overseas.

The success of Black Panther dispelled that very quickly.”

BPM’s overall mission is to help develop, produce and distribute “innovative media” about the Black experience, as well as invest in Black filmmakers, producers and directors.

“There are Black and Brown [creatives] who are in these mediums telling stories,” Aggrey said. “They are telling documentary stories [and] not just making video games.”

“I would say most of the work Black Public Media focuses on…documentary content,” Aggrey continued. “We are…in that regard still working toward creating a broader awareness of” African American and African diaspora-related stories: “[We’re] not just creating content on ‘poverty porn’ or ‘disaster porn’— documentaries on Black people, but in relationship [only] to riots or [the] Civil Rights Movement.

“Let’s talk about more mainstream real voices of Black stories and diaspora stories that don’t require an angle of desperation, and bring the characters that we see into the content that we are seeing in public television.”

Discussions, highlights, and presentations from BPM Summit will culminate in a “white paper” this summer. “It was a real giant step forward,” Aggrey concluded.

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

Must be 18+ to play.

By Charles Hallman Senior Staff Writer Pianist Freddy Cole is coming to the Twin Cities. In honor of his late brother Nat King Cole, who would’ve turned 99 this year, Freddy will perform a centennial celebration concert at Crooners on May 19 and 20.

“I always love to come to Minnesota and play,” Freddy said in a recent MSR phone interview.

Freddy called in from Atlanta, the Chicago native’s home since 1972.

Although fans often find “unmistakable similarities” between Freddy and his legendary older brother, he has forged his own unique legacy.

His voice is raspier, smokier and jazzier than his late brother’s, having more in common with Frank Sinatra or Billie Holiday, according to his website.

The 86-year-old is the youngest of his five siblings. His three older brothers — including Nat, 12 years his senior — were all musicians and taught by their mother. Freddy started playing the piano at age six. “There wasn’t anybody who coaxed me to do it,” he recalled. But if he hadn’t later suffered a severe hand injury, perhaps he would’ve made his mark on the gridiron rather than on stage.

Freddy said he was ready to hit the road to perform at age 18, but his mother wouldn’t let him.

Instead, Freddy studied music at Chicago’s Roosevelt Institute, then moved to New York and studied at the Juilliard School of Music. He eventually received his master’s degree at the New England Conservatory of Music.

After school, Freddy joined a band and released his first single in 1952. To date, he has 33 albums to his credit, including 2016’s His Was the King.

Freddy’s seven-plus-decades-long musical career first began when he started performing at Manhattan bistros, supplementing his live performances with television and radio commercial work, including doing jingles for Turner Classic Movies. His overseas following grew after he recorded several albums for European and Englishbased companies.

He calls his latest work, along with the 2010 Grammy-nominated Freddy Cole Sings Mr. B. — a

The new I’MN to Win scratch game has a top prize of $100,000.

Freddy Cole

So say I’MN and then play I’MN to Win.

tribute to Billy Eckstine — the two recordings that perhaps best exemplify his talents. “I like to say all of them,” Freddy said jokingly, but added, “Those two [albums] were very, very close” because of the “musicianship and the sound, and the presentation.”

Eckstine tops Freddy’s list of musical influences, along with Oscar Peterson and Teddy Wilson, among others, and he fondly recalled working with the late Grover Washington, Jr. “He was a beautiful man,” Freddy remembered. “He really was a great musician. I enjoyed that gig as [much as] anything I’ve ever done.”

Over the years, Freddy has created a career distinct from his famous brother. “I’m respected by my peers,” the 2007 Georgia Music Hall of Fame inductee reiterated. He also was the subject of the 2006 documentary, The Cole Nobody Knows.

When asked what keeps him doing live shows and recordings at almost 90 years old, he said, “I’ve been lucky and fortunate to stay halfway healthy.

I’m doing the best I can.”

Finally, on his legacy, Freddy simply said, “[I’m] not as good as some people, but not as bad as some.

One thing led to another and [I] met a lot of nice people over this long period of time. I’m rolling with the punches.”

For more info about Freddy Cole’s May 19 and 20 shows at Crooners, call 763-760-0062 or visit www. croonersloungemn.com.

Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@spokesman-recorder.com. Freddy Cole photos courtesy of the artist

MNL201800027_IMNTicket_MSR_5-25x10-5_200dpi.indd 1

5/3/18 5:42 PM

May 10-16, 2018

7

BlackHer releases ‘The Black Woman’s Guide to the 2018 Midterms’

B

uilding on the power Black women brought to the Alabama special election that defeated Roy Moore, BlackHer, a new online community for and about Black women, released “The Black Woman’s Guide to the 2018 Midterms,” a primer that demystifies the electoral process to ensure Black women have the information and resources they need to make informed choices in the voting booth. ”As we’ve seen in recent elections in Atlanta, Alabama, and Virginia, Black women are an incredibly potent political force and critical progressive voting bloc. In fact, we are pioneering political change at every level of government,” said Jocelyn Harmon, who co-founded BlackHer with Angela Dorn. ”We wanted to create a resource that makes it easy for all Black women to lead the nation this campaign season.”

”Black women are a political powerhouse” The 41-page guide offers clear, accessible guidance to Black women on voting, volunteering, and giving to political campaigns and candidates. It provides links to key voter resources to help Black women verify their voter registration, find their polling place, and register to vote.

The guide also shares research on the economic status of Black women, including their income Jocelyn Harmon, co-founder of BlackHer and wealth gaps, and suggests key policy reforms like raising the minimum wage and progressive tax reform, which could increase economic opportunity for millions of Black women.

Abrams, who is running for governor of Georgia and would be The guide features inspirational quotes from current and leg- the first Black female to ever win a gubernatorial race. endary Black women in politics, including: Shirley Chisholm, the The authors cite and link Black women to key organizations first African American female elected to Congress; Kamala Har- like The Collective, Higher Heights, Institute for Policy Studris, United States Senator; and, Minnesota’s own Andrea Jenkins, ies, Institute for Women’s Research, National Coalition on Black the first openly transgender Black woman elected to public of- Women’s Civic Participation, and Prosperity Now that are adfice in the U.S. vancing Black women’s economic and political power.

Also highlighted are Black women running for federal ”Black women are a political powerhouse and we understand and state office in 2018. For example, the guide profiles Stacey the importance of being at the table each election season,” added

Teacher

state. Of those nominated, the selection panel of former teachers and community leaders narrowed the field to 43 semi-finalists.

The semi-finalists were then asked to make a video answering the question, “What is educational equity, and how does it affect teachers and students?” The 12 finalists also went through 30-minute interviews with the selection panel. “I always tell my scholars, the North Side made me,” said Bell. “Don’t ever feel like you are at a deficit because you grow up in poverty. Growing up in poverty is a level of training one gets that will make you the most grateful, empathetic and hardworking person ever.

“I’m here to show these children that [as Black people,] we do exist. My family, my siblings and my scholars are who I do it for. This mission will continue.”

Continued from page 2

a lot of opposition.”

“It’s about building relationships,” Bell stated. “As a teacher, you spend time with these children for seven to eight hours a day. You are partly an additional parent, a part of the village. If one does not know who you are or where you stand, they could care less about what you’re going to teach them.

“You have to see people that look like you in order to know that it is possible. Otherwise, it’s just a figment of your imagination.”

Bell is currently working on her doctorate in education and continues her K-12 education career, in addition to possibly becoming a college professor. Her work has certainly not gone unnoticed – she was recently selected as one of 12 finalists for Minnesota Teacher of the Year 2018. The competition started with about 170 teachers nominated from across the

Ivan B. Phifer welcomes reader responses to ivan.b.phifer@gmail.com. Photo courtesy of subject

MINNESOTA SPOKESMAN-RECORDER 3744 4th Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55409

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Phone: 612-827-4021

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Photo courtesy of Twitter Dorn. “We’re energized by the opportunity to increase our political participation, leadership, and representation in the 2018 midterms.”

Find the full Black Woman’s Guide to the 2018 Midterms at http://bit.ly/BlackWomansMidtermGuide. For more information about BlackHer, visit BlackHer.us on Facebook and Instagram.

—Information provided by Trice Edney Communications.

Obituary

Patricia Jane (Crawford) King

December 5, 1955 — April 27, 2018

It is with great sadness that the family of Patricia Jane (Crawford) King announces her passing on Friday, April 27 at the age of 62.

Patricia worked in the banking industry for over 30 years and was instrumental in the organizational aspects of the annual Southside Back in the Day celebration. She was devoted to her family and loved to cook, to travel, and to

spend time with her beloved friends.

Patricia is lovingly remembered by her husband Donnie; sisters Cynthia, Nancy, Lisa and Deborah; and brothers Phillip and Marc. She will also be missed by a host of nieces, a nephew, cousins, aunts, and an abundance of friends. She is preceded in death by parents Wilma and James Crawford, brother David, sister Linda, and nephew Demond.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 11, 4 pm at the New Creation Baptist Church located at 1414 E. 48th Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55417

Fax: 612-827-0577

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May 10-16, 2018

ParKS

Stadium Continued from page 1

the future.”

The City of St. Paul contributed $16.1 million to the $200 million soccer stadium project. “The City is committed to making sure that the process is open and clear,” David Gorski, the contract compliance and business development manager in the St. Paul Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity (HREEO) office, told the MSR. “We ran an open and competitive [bidding] process,” Huber explained. “It wasn’t an invitation-only process, but we advertised in a lot of newspapers. We got a lot of sub-contractors” at various events held at the Twins stadium and Vikings stadium, he recalled. He stressed that building stadiums “is specialty work,” and due to its design, the St. Paul soccer stadium is “unique” as well.

David Gorski Bolton stated. “We should exceed the goals.”

Bolton later told the MSR, “The [inclusion] goals are the same” as those on the Gopher football stadium, “and we exceeded those goals. We’re confident and believe we will achieve or exceed” the St. Paul soccer stadium as well, Bolton pledged.

Asked for a workforce breakdown by race and ethnicity, Bolton responded, “I can get that information for you. Send me an email.” However, by press time

“More and more you are seeing a tougher drive to get young people in construction.”

“There are a lot of subcontractors [on the project] that we didn’t use at” the Twins ballpark, Huber noted, adding that the list of subcontractors working on the St. Paul project can be found on his company’s website.

However, the MSR subsequently was unable to find such a list on Mortensen’s website.

“Finding the right fit with us” as a subcontractor on largescale jobs is important, Mortenson Community Affairs Manager Trina Bolton told the gathering.

She added that the soccer stadium to date is meeting workforce equity and inclusion goals.

“We continue to push ourselves to achieve the goals” of 32 percent Blacks and other people of color and six percent female,”

Bolton had not responded to multiple MSR emails requesting the information.

Instead, we were advised only of overall progress toward inclusion goals by Cameron Snyder in an email. “These figures,” he said, “are in line with the standards set forth for the project for targeted group reporting. Further demographic details are not recorded per project requirements.

“Small Business: The Small, Women, and Minority Business Enterprise (SWMBE) goal is 25% on the project. We are exceeding this goal and achieving 28% SWMBE participation on the project through March 2018.

“Workforce Goals: The Minority workforce goal is 32% and the Female workforce goal is 6%.

We are in line with this goal and achieving 32% Minority and 10% Female participation on the project through March 2018.”

“We don’t track by zip code,” Huber pointed out at the April 24 update, “but…most of the labor is local, and the companies are local, too. But there will be specialty [subcontractors] coming on – seeding and other elements.”

“We are responsible to ensure business inclusion efforts,” Gorski pointed out. “We have an overall goal of 25 percent inclusion for local and small businesses – a five percent goal for minority-owned businesses, and a 10 percent goal for women-owned businesses.”

Huber told the MSR it has been a challenge to find people to work stadium construction jobs. “People that we have right now are really well qualified. It’s skilled labor,” he pointed out.

“More and more you are seeing a tougher drive to get young people in construction.

“We are in a virtual crisis to make sure we have enough people to be in the trades on these projects,” Huber continues. “I think it’s across the board, almost a generational difference.

There are not enough sons and daughters [of construction workers] who want to go into the trades. They want to go to college… They don’t understand the kind of careers they could have in the trades.”

Questions were also raised about vendor contracts once the stadium is finished and open next spring. “This will be happening,” said Gorski, but he declined to provide any more details at this time. He announced that stadium project update meetings will be held every other month until construction is completed.

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

Trina Bolton

Photos by Charles Hallman

Kanye Continued from page 1

Kanye in this state of vulnerability – a state in which we may see his thoughts, emotions and behaviors as extremely bizarre, offensive and outlandish. Black males have limited constructive outlets for our emotional toll. Therefore, when Black men hit a point of breakdown it can lead to dangerous results.

emotional distress or mental illness.

Kanye was probably most vulnerable when he shared that he was prescribed medications and needs to take them several times a week. While he never disclosed the actual mental health diagnosis he was given, he did allude to struggling with mental illness and chemical dependency.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and it as important as ever for Black men to address our own issues and seek several elements of help, whether through professional or traditional methods of healing. As Black people, it is difficult enough to function in a society that was developed on our subjugation. We must continue to use our cultural genius to cope and survive this world.

We must stop holding in our frustrations and avoiding our vulnerability and organize with one another to ensure the healing we need takes place. It is highly recommended that, instead of continuing to dismiss, laugh, and label the behaviors of Kanye West and other Black men, we understand that as Black people in America, we are all one to two life experiences away from our own Yeezy moment.

The vulnerability of Black men One of the most dangerous emotions for Black males is the state of being vulnerable. In many of the environments that Black males find themselves in, to risk being vulnerable may be a life-or-death matter.

Black males have literally been socialized to avoid feelings of vulnerability. This socialization needs to shift in a direction that offers Black males an opportunity to express all emotions without developing unhealthy coping strategies and/or being laBrandon Jones M.A. is a mental health beled negatively for our responses.

Think about the Black males in your life practitioner. He welcomes reader responses to and their experiences of being vulnerable – Brandon@jegnainstitute.com or follow him on was this experience something that you la- twitter @UniversalJones. beled weak, crazy or impotent? Black male vulnerability often is explained as though Black men cannot be “human.” This is problematic because, often, Black males do not believe that it is normal to struggle with

sible to underserved communities, accountability and community engagement are crucial, two things Vetaw said she wants to focus on. “I think Continued from page 1 that when we win elections, we seem to forget that people voted for us. We leave them out, we don’t talk to them. We don’t go back to talk to those peowhom are people of color, the current park board ple who checked our names on the ballot,” Vetaw is the youngest in park history. said.

Londel French and AK Hassan are the other “We just hear the people who have the time to two new commissioners of color. show up,” but not everyone has time to come to The change comes at the same time a new and the board meetings. Vetaw said she and the park more progressive Minneapolis City Council has board, in general, need to be intentional about assumed office. The relationship between them is making sure everyone’s voice is being heard. critical, Vetaw said.

“When I’m at Cub Foods, that may be where “You have these progressive bodies of govern- I’m going to have a conversation with somebody ment now, like what are you really going to do about the parks, and I’m okay with that,” Vetaw to make change? I think we all need to be work- said. “It’s not about 9 to 5; there’s no set hours.” ing together to make effective change. I can’t be, The first thing on Vetaw’s, and the whole park like, this super progressive on the park board [if board’s, to-do list is finding a new superintenthe] City Council is 10 years behind me.” dent. Jane Miller, the last superintendent, stepped With this progressive wave, Vetaw said, the down during the transition period from the pretime to make things better for communities of vious park board to the current board. Right now color in Minneapolis is now. “If it doesn’t happen the board is looking into three possible candinow, we’re screwed in this city. dates. It is also looking to hire an outside search “We did all this work to switch things around,

and we have, as we say, the most progressive mayor, the most the most progressive council… We should be doing big things around here,” she said. “These elections are going to happen again in four years. If we don’t put up, then we’re pretty doomed.”

The new park board was elected when tensions were at a high point for the board after civil rights attorney and former mayoral candidate Nekima Levy-Pounds called out the board for its treatment of employees of color. Four protesters were removed from a meeting and ticketed for disorderly conduct.

Having a board that is more representative of Minneapolis is important, said Vetaw, especially for a board that has been historically White.

Beyond just the board of commissioners, Vetaw said the entire system is not structured for underserved groups to have a voice. Due to the time of the meetings, the limits on speaking, and rules requiring that people sign up to speak at meetings, “it’s a system that’s in place for, like, old White retired people,” Vetaw said.

To change the system and make it more acces-

CenSuS Continued from page 1

in 2019 will resend the LUCA lists for any additions, such as new housing construction.

Much is at stake: An accurate Census count helps determine congressional districts, Electoral College votes, and government funding allocations.

However, Census accuracy since 1940 “has shown a persistent, disproportionate undercount of certain population subgroups,” says a fact sheet by the Funders’ Committee for Civic Participation (FCCP), a coalition of philanthropic organizations. It noted, for example, that 13 percent of Black men ages 21 to 35 were not counted.

Communities of color are historically undercounted in the Census, Salvo pointed out.

“The African American population in the 2010 Census was undercounted by 2.1 percent, the Hispanic population by 1.5 percent, renters by 1.1 percent and seniors 50 and older were over-counted by 2.4 percent.”

He added that young children historically could be undercounted “as much as five percent.”

Among the 100 largest U.S. places with Blacks living in “hard-to-count” Census tracts, Minnesota is 34th among U.S. states, Minneapolis 53rd and St. Paul 81st among cities, according to the Center for Urban Research (CUR).

The “Census Act”, passed

firm as well as former superintendent Mary Merrill, the first black superintendent, to help expand the search.

The board is also revisiting old ordinances that may no longer be relevant, like “Spitting and Lurking,” that it’s time to do away with.

It’s common knowledge among Minneapolis residents that the city has the most parks per capita in the country, but what is not talked about as much is segregation within the parks system, said Vetaw. “Almost everyone here is in a 10-minute walking distance from a park. That’s what makes this city so great,” said Vetaw. “But if your neighborhood is known for gun violence or is a neighborhood where the park is known for having broken swings, then that’s not safe and welcoming.”

Watch the MSR in weeks ahead for stories on Commissioners Londel French and AK Hassan.

Keith Schubert welcomes readers’ responses to kschubert@spokesman-recorder.com. Follow him on Twitter at @keithsch94.

in 1954, states that all Census responses must be held confidential and cannot be used “to hurt anyone or their family from a legal standpoint” by any government agencies, such as Immigration, Lowenthal noted. But, she and Salvo both admit that the fear of filling out Census forms does exist among persons of color, especially immigrants.

“There is a climate of fear that preceded the citizenship question” proposed for the

“If you don’t answer the Census, you are shortchanged in a major way.”

the over-count of non-Hispanic Whites that really have consequences for the fair distribution of political representation all the way from Congress to city council and school boards, as well as [the] allocation of real, vital program dollars, resources and business investment.”

There were almost 500 Local Census Offices (LCOs) nationwide for the 2010 Census, which hired staff and conducted visits to households that did not respond to the Census.

As many as 1.2 million people were hired over the course of that Census. However, these offices are being cut nearly in half for 2020; the plan is to open only 248 Area Census Offices (ACOs).

Locally, Minnesota may see a reduction of five ACOs. Minneapolis, Duluth and Rochester are among the proposed ACO locations for 2020.

Lowenthal and Salvo both stressed the need of “trusted messages and trusted voices” at the local level in all Census activities. “We have to have people from the neighborhood working in these neighborhoods,” said Salvo. A “very robust” outreach campaign, especially to communities of color, is needed, added Lowenthal.

2020 Census questionnaire, Lowenthal said.

Asked how to better inform and educate Blacks and other people of color on the importance of the Census, Salvo told the MSR, “The thing that concerns us the most is the underrepresentation politically and… [federal] funding that has not gone to communities that need the help the most. We need to adopt a stronger message that if you don’t answer the Census, you are shortchanged in a major way.”

“We know that Black men Charles Hallman welcomes have disproportionally high reader responses to challman@ rates of undercounting,” add- spokesman-recorder.com. ed Lowenthal. “It’s the difference between accuracy of the count for the Black population [and] for Black men, and

May 10-16,2018

Legals STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF HENNEPIN James White, Plaintiff, vs.

George Fortney, Defendant.

9

Employment CASE TYPE: PERSONAL INJURY DISTRICT COURT FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT

STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF HENNEPIN

DISTRICT COURT FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT PROBATE DIVISION Court File No.: 27-PA-PR-18-498

In Re: Estate of

SUMMONS

THIS SUMMONS IS DIRECTED TO the above Defendant: 1. YOU ARE BEING SUED. The Plaintiff has started a lawsuit against you. The Plaintiff’s Complaint against you is attached to this summons. Do not throw these papers away. They are official papers that affect your rights. You must respond to this lawsuit even though it may not yet be filed with the Court and there may be no court file number on this summons.

2. YOU MUST REPLY WITHIN 20 DAYS TO PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS. You must give or mail to the person who signed this summons a written response called an Answer within 20 days of the date on which you received this Summons. You must send a copy of your Answer to the person who signed this summons located at: Brantingham & Curtis, P.A. 2200 E Frankin Avenue, Suite 202 Minneapolis, MN 55404 3. YOU MUST RESPOND TO EACH CLAIM. The Answer is your written response to the Plaintiff’s Complaint. In your Answer you must state whether you agree or disagree with each paragraph of the Complaint. If you believe the Plaintiff should not be given everything asked for in the Complaint, you must say so in your Answer.

4. YOU WILL LOSE YOUR CASE IF YOU DO NOT SEND A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO THE COMPLAINT TO THE PERSON WHO SIGNED THIS SUMMONS. If you do not Answer within 20 days, you will lose this case. You will not get to tell your side of the story, and the Court may decide against you and award the Plaintiff everything asked for in the complaint. If you do not want to contest the claims stated in the complaint, you do not need to respond. A default judgment can then be entered against you for the relief requested in the complaint.

5. LEGAL ASSISTANCE. You may wish to get legal help from a lawyer. If you do not have a lawyer, the Court Administrator may have information about places where you can get legal assistance. Even if you cannot get legal help, you must still provide a written Answer to protect your rights or you may lose the case.

6. ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION. The parties may agree to or be ordered to participate in an alternative dispute resolution process under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice. You must still send your written response to the Complaint even if you expect to use alternative means of resolving this dispute.

Dated: 10/26/2017 Signed By: Brantingham & Curtis, P.A. Megan M. Curtis, MN #0393601 2200 E Frankin Avenue, Suite 202 Minneapolis, MN 55404 (612) 339-9700 ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, April 26, May 3 & 10, 2018

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE THE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that default has occurred in the conditions of the following described mortgage: DATE OF MORTGAGE: July 16, 2010 ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $40,000.00 MORTGAGOR(S): Ronald L. McNichols MORTGAGEE: SharePoint Credit Union DATE AND PLACE OF RECORDING: Recorded with the County Recorder in and for the County of Hennepin, State of Minnesota, on September 13, 2010, as Document No. 9558503 ASSIGNMENTS OF MORTGAGE: Assigned to Blackstone 1, LLC, recorded April 5, 2018, as Document No. 10542273 LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: Lot 3, Block 5, Hickory Ridge First Addition PROPERTY ADDRESS: 6258 Meadowlark Lane North, Maple Grove, MN 55369 COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: Hennepin AMOUNT DUE AND CLAIMED TO BE DUE AS OF DATE OF NOTICE, INCLUDING TAXES, IF ANY, PAID BY MORTGAGEE: $35,401.93 THAT there has been compliance with all pre-foreclosure requirements; that no action or proceeding has been instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof; THAT pursuant to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above-described property will be sold by the Sheriff of Hennepin County as follows: DATE AND TIME OF SALE: July 11, 2018, at 11:00 a.m.

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

The date on or before which the mortgagor must vacate the property if the mortgage is not reinstated under section 580.30 or the property redeemed under section 580.23: January 11, 2019, at 11:59 p.m.

THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR’S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED. Dated: April 20, 2018 Blackstone 1, LLC Assignee of Mortgagee HOELSCHER LAW FIRM, PLLC By: /s/ Brian G. Hoelscher Brian G. Hoelscher #0238752 Attorneys for Assignee of Mortgagee 13100 Wayzata Boulevard, Suite 100 Minnetonka, MN 55305 (952) 224-9551 THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. FORECLOSURE DATA Minn. Stat. Sec. 580.025 (1) the physical street address, city, and zip code of the mortgaged premises is 6258 Meadowlark Lane North, Maple Grove, MN 55369; (2) the name of the transaction agent, residential mortgage servicer, and the lender or broker, as defined in section 58.02, if the person holding the mortgage is a transaction agent as defined in section 58.02, subdivision 30 are as follows: – not applicable; or the name of the residential mortgage servicer and the lender or broker, as defined in section 58.02, if the person holding the mortgage is not a transaction agent as defined in section 58.02, subdivision 30 are as follows: residential mortgage servicer – Blackstone 1, LLC, lender or broker – Blackstone 1, LLC; (3) the tax parcel identification number of the mortgaged premises is: 35-119-22-34-0042; (4) if stated on the mortgage, the transaction agent’s mortgage identification number is: - not applicable; (5) if stated on the mortgage, the name of the residential mortgage originator as defined in section 58.02 is: SharePoint Credit Union Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, May 10,17,24,31 & June 7 & 14, 2018

SOE Continued from page 10 the NCAA has been used as a scapegoat for the problems in college basketball, and universities and individuals such as coaches should be held accountable for keeping the game clean.

“It sounds like the report was done for show rather than for substance,” Staurowsky said.

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

Laurie Jean Toth,

Decedent

NOTICE OF INFORMAL APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE CREDITORS (INTESTATE)

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND CREDITORS: Notice is given that an Application for Informal Appointment of Personal Representative was filed with the Registrar herein. No Will has been presented for probate. The application has been granted.

Notice is hereby further given that informal appointment of Rodney Toth, whose address is 1018 North Circle NE, Fridley, MN 55432, as personal representative of the estate of the abovenamed decedent has been made.

Any heir, devisee or other interested person may be entitled to appointment as personal representative or may object to the appointment of the personal representative and the personal representative is empowered to fully administer the estate including, after 30 days from the date of issuance of letters, the power to sell, encumber, lease or distribute real estate, unless objections thereto are filed with the Court (pursuant to Section 524.3-607) and the Court otherwise orders.

Notice is further given that ALL CREDITORS having claims against said estate are required to present the same to said personal representative or to the Probate Court Administrator within four months after the date of this notice or the claims will be barred.

Dated: April 26, 2018 ALONNA J. WARNS Probate Registrar SARAH LINDAHL PFIEFER Court Administrator Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, May 3 & 10, 2018

STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF HENNEPIN

DISTRICT COURT FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT PROBATE DIVISION Court File No.: 27-PA-PR-18-119

In Re: Estate of Gary John Palmer a/k/a Gary Palmer

NOTICE OF INFORMAL APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE

Decedent

ASSISTANT PLANNER

The City of Dubuque, Iowa (population 58,000) invites applications for the position of Assistant Planner. The successful candidate will be responsible for performing a variety of technical and basic professional city planning, historic preservation, and development service assignments, with special emphasis on the administration of historic preservation and land use regulations. The successful candidate will possess a degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in planning, geography, historic preservation, public administration or related field and experience working with a diverse workforce; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the essential knowledge, skills and abilities. The successful candidate will demonstrate an ability to follow a management philosophy that is input oriented, values equity, problem solving and the development of partnerships, and a desire to be part of an organization that values service, people, integrity, responsibility, innovation and teamwork. The City offers an annual salary range of $52,790 to $68,952 effective July 1, 2018, and an attractive benefit package. Please submit a request for a Civil Service Entrance Examination packet to Randy Peck, Personnel Manager, City Hall, 50 West 13th Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4864 by 5:00 p.m. on May 21, 2018. The Personnel Office may be contacted at 563-589-4125 or citypers@cityofdubuque.org. The job description and benefit summary are available at www. cityofdubuque.org. Women, minorities, veterans and qualified persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

EOE.

Fitz Continued from page 10

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND CREDITORS: Notice is given that an Application for Informal Appointment of Personal Representative was filed with the Registrar herein. No Will has been presented for probate. The application has been granted.

Notice is hereby further given that informal appointment of Deborah J. Palmer, whose address is: 17672 69th Place N., Maple Grove, MN 55311 as personal representative of the estate of the above-named decedent has been made. Any heir, devisee or other interested person may be entitled to appointment as personal representative or may object to the appointment of the personal representative and the personal representative is empowered to fully administer the estate including, after 30 days from the date of issuance of letters, the power to sell, encumber, lease or distribute real estate, unless objections thereto are filed with the Court (pursuant to Section 524.3-607) and the Court otherwise orders.

Notice is further given that interested persons having claims against said estate are required to present the same to said personal representative or to the Probate Court Administrator within four months after the date of this notice or the claims will be barred.

Dated: April 25, 2018 ALONNA J. WARNS Probate Registrar SARAH LINDAHL PFIEFER Court Administrator Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, May 10 & 17, 2018

A/1 Contract No. 18-117 INVITATION TO BID Sealed bids will be received by the Public Housing Agency of the City of Saint Paul at 200 E. Arch Street, St. Paul, Minnesota 55130 for Mt. Airy Homes Exterior Modernization - Phase 4, Contract No. 18-117, until 3:00 P.M., Local Time, on June 5, 2018, at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud.

The MT. AIRY HOMES EXTERIOR MODERNIZATION – PHASE 4 is a project involving modernization of fifteen (15) townhouse buildings. This work includes removal of the existing stucco, metal siding, aluminum trim, wood substrate, roofing, soffit and windows. The work will also include the installation of new roofs, concrete siding and plastic trim, new windows and new through wall air conditioning sleeves.

A complete set of bid documents are available by contacting Northstar Imaging at 651-6860477 or www.northstarplanroom.com , public plan room under Mt. Airy Homes Exterior Modernization – Phase 4, PHA contract 18-117. Digital downloads are no charge, contact Northstar for hard copy prices. Plans will be available after Tuesday, May 1, 2018.

Bids must be accompanied by a 5% bid guarantee, Representations, Certifications and Other Statements of Bidders Form, a non-collusive affidavit, and EEO/AAP submittals. The successful bidder will be required to furnish both a satisfactory performance bond and a separate payment bond.

PRE-BID CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD ON May 23, 2018, AT 10:00 AM AT THE MT. AIRY HOMES COMMUNITY ROOM, 91 EAST ARCH STREET, ST. PAUL. A tour of the project will follow.

The PHA reserves the right to reject any or all bids or to waive any informalities in the bidding.

AN EQUAL JIM ROONEY OPPORTUNITY AGENCY PROJECT LEADER (651) 292-6083 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, May 10, 2018

State of Minnesota County of Hennepin With Real Estate In Re the Marriage of: Steven Davis, Petitioner and Donnis Davis, Respondent

Case Type: Dissolution Without Children District Court Fourth Judicial Court CASE NO: 27-FA-18-1047 SUMMONS WITHOUT REAL ESTATE ORDER FOR SERVICE BY ALTERNATIVE MEANS

THE STATE OF MINNESOTA TO THE ABOVE-NAMED RESPONDENT: WARNING: YOUR SPOUSE (HUSBAND OR WIFE) HAS FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST YOU FOR DISSOLUTION OF YOUR MARRIAGE. A COPY OF THE PAPERWORK REGARDING THE LAWSUIT IS SERVED ON YOU WITH THIS SUMMONS. THIS SUMMONS IS AN OFFICIAL DOCUMENT FROM THE COURT THAT AFFECTS YOUR RIGHTS. READ THIS SUMMONS CAREFULLY. IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND IT, CONTACT AN ATTORNEY FOR LEGAL ADVICE. 1. The Petitioner, (your spouse) has filed a lawsuit against you asking for dissolution of your marriage (divorce). A copy of the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage is attached to this Summons. 2. You must serve upon Petitioner and file with the Court a written Answer to the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, and you must pay the required filing fee. Answer forms are available from the court administrator’s office. You must serve your Answer upon Petitioner within thirty (30) days of the date you were served with this Summons, not counting the day of service. If you do not serve and file your Answer, the Court may give your spouse everything he or she is asking for in the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. 3. This proceeding does not involve real property.

NOTICE OF TEMPORARY RESTRAINING PROVISIONS: Under Minnesota law, service of this summons makes the following requirements apply to both parties to the action, unless they are modified by the Court or the proceeding is dismissed: (1) Neither party may dispose of any assets except (A) for the necessities of life or for the necessary generation of income or preservation of assets, (B) by an agreement of the parties in writing, or (C) for retaining counsel to carry on or to contest this proceeding. (2) Neither party may harass the other party. (3) All currently available insurance coverage must be maintained and continued without change in coverage or beneficiary designation. (4) Parties to a marriage dissolution proceeding are encouraged to attempt alternative dispute resolution pursuant to Minnesota law.

Alternative dispute resolution includes mediation, arbitration and other processes as set forth in the district court rules. You may contact the Court Administrator about resources in your area. If you cannot pay for mediation or alternative dispute resolution, in some counties, assistance may be available to you through a nonprofit provider of a court program. If you are a victim of domestic abuse or threats as defined in Minnesota statutes, Chapter 518B, you are not required to try mediation and you will not be penalized by the Court in later proceedings.

IF YOU VIOLATE ANY OF THESE PROVISIONS, YOU WILL BE SUBJECT TO SANCTIONS

BY THE COURT. Date: 02/16/2018 Signed: Steven Davis

Minnesota Spokesman Recorder May 10 , 17 & 24, 2018

His former teammate, Eric Reid, a Pro Bowl safety as a rookie and former first-round pick, has not received any free agent offers so far this season.

He has joined Kaepernick in protesting demonstrations as teammates. Now he has hired attorney Mark Geragos, who represents Kaepernick, and has also filed a collusion grievance.

It’s not always what you suspect or believe that matters; it’s what you can prove, and proving two NFL teams or the NFL and one of its teams agreed not to sign him will not be easy.

However, it’s clear to most that the owners have agreed to back away from these guys.

Many over the last year have mischaracterized the demonstrations by many players as National Anthem protests. President Donald Trump called the players unpatriotic and said the owners should “fire their ass.”

Several NFL owners have made glaring mistakes. Washington owner Daniel Snyder

has been labeled a blatant racist. He says his team’s name, the Redskins, honors Native Americans. Houston owner Robert McNair has made racist statements. Jerry Richardson of Carolina has been forced to sell his team because of sexual misconduct allegations.

With great wealth and power you can stand above and be forgiven for mistakes. Some owners just move on to the next league meeting. No one forces their hand or demands they stand and admit their wrongdoing.

The players, however, pay a great price. It’s truly sad the number-one game of football and the NFL, like our society in general, has so many glaring issues that must be addressed.

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 www.

Larry-Fitzgerald.com.

ViEw Continued from page 10 “There are a lot of White people who care,” he said. “I was placed in the historical set of circumstances that shown the international spotlight on me for a time. But I have a lot of friends who felt the same way that I did, and who look just like me.”

Lapchick’s “immersion in sport” came naturally, so to speak. He first saw as a five-year-old how some people can’t fathom change and act out their resistance when his father Joe Lapchick, as coach of the New York Knicks, signed the NBA’s first Black player in 1950.

“I looked outside my bedroom window and saw my father’s image swinging from a tree, with people under the tree picketing. There were a lot of people unhappy that an African American [Nat ‘Sweetwater’ Clifton] was coming into the league.

“I had no idea what it meant,” said the younger Lapchick. “All I knew was that there was something wrong in the world.”

Later, as a teenager, he visited Nazi prison camps in Germany and saw how sport can impact the world socially and racially during the 1960 Summer Olympics Games. Then, after earning his Ph.D. in international relations, Lapchick earnestly began his social justice activism work in the 1970s.

He founded the Center for the Study of Sport in Society at Northeastern University in 1984, co-founded the Mentors in Violence Prevention in 1993, and started the National Consortium for Academics and Sports (now the Institute for Sport and Social Justice) in 1994.

Renowned nationally and internationally as “the racial conscience of sport,” Lapchick, the founder-director of The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport, surmised, “I didn’t think I would be involved in the world of sport. You can see the issue of race and sport is both profound and personal.”

Next: Richard Lapchick recently brought his message to the Twin Cities.

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

10

May 10-16, 2018

Conduct of some NFL owners tarnishes the league

M

any NFL owners are brilliant businessmen. Most are billionaires and usually, to protect their wealth, they seek state and federal stadium subsidies. They get their way by becoming loyal supporters of politicians in Washington.

Some of them have had issues with our president, Donald Trump, but with the congressional body of Washington politics, both the House and Senate, they get along just fine. That’s how these great stadiums get financed across the country.

Taxpayers support these bills that are passed locally.

The NFL promises you a future Super Bowl, and venues

like U.S. Bank Stadium get built.

We see annually how players are suspended for violating substance abuse policies.

The Vikings lead the NFL with two such suspensions in 2018.

DWIs and domestic abuse issues can also lead to such suspensions.

Last year, NFL owners started colluding to keep NFL players out of the league for their involvement in demonstrating against the widespread cases of police brutality and social injustice. After a flurry of Black men being shot down during routine traffic stops, quarterback Colin Kaepernick, formerly with San Francisco, the team he guided to the Super Bowl a few years ago, was denied free agency offers all of last year.

He received no offers from NFL teams. Why? Because he chose to stand up and fight by taking a knee. Kaepernick is now suing the league for collusion through a grievance filed against the NFL. ■ See Fitz on page 9

Kaepernick (r) and Reid take the knee.

‘Racial conscience of sport’ reflects on his activism Origins of The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport ANOTHER

VIEW Charles hallman

First of a two-part column

F

or virtually his entire life, Dr. Richard Lapchick has been fighting for social change. He has the battle scars to prove it.

While working late in his office in February 1978, after a successful effort in leading a boycott campaign against the South African tennis team in the Davis Cup and other international events because of its then apartheid policies, Lapchick was feeling good about his efforts. “I had done something worthwhile.

“I was working late in my office in the school library. There was a knock on the door at 10:45 in the night. I didn’t hesitate opening the door” since school security would often check on him while doing their rounds.

“Instead of the campus police, it was two men wearing stocking masks who proceeded to cause me [harm].”

As a result of the assault, Lapchick suffered liver damage and a concussion. The attackers also left another calling card: “[They] carved the N-word in my stomach with a pair of scis-

“The issue of race and sport is both profound and personal.”

Dr. Richard Lapchick Photo by Charles Hallman

sors,” he said.

“I knew that night that if people go to the lengths that they did to stop my dad 28 years before, they would try to stop me at this point,” said Lapchick. His father is Hall of Famer Joe Lapchick, who was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1966.

“The power of sport is real. I decided to spend the rest of my life in sport” and use it to further the cause of social justice, gender equity and other issues.

Also that night he got another encouraging affirma-

Sports odds and ends

NCAA panel report all show, no substance?

By Charles Hallman Senior Staff Writer Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was asked last fall to chair an NCAA-backed Commission on College Basketball. The supposedly independent panel released their 60-page report last month. “Our focus has been to strengthen the collegiate model,” Rice told ESPN.com.

Their key recommendations included eliminating the NBA’s one-and-done rule; bringing back freshman ineligibility; allowing players to return to college if they go undrafted; harsher punishment for rule breakers, including lifetime bans; and improving grassroots basketball.

After perusing the report, we found a glaring omission among Rice’s committee suggestions that NCAA President Mark Emmert says he wants implemented by October. Nothing was said about paying college players.

Two of our “kitchen cabinet experts,” Dr. Johari Shuck and Dr. Ellen Staurowsky, saw this as well and talked to us in separate phone interviews last week.

Shuck, who works with parents and youth on education issues in Chicago, said, “The climate of college basketball is changing, and a whole population of people don’t realize that it’s changing. People need to be talking about this. We are talking about mostly Black kids…”

“The Commission and the report sidestepped the issue of compensating athletes,” said Staurowsky, a Drexel University sport management professor and longtime advocate on player compensation. She said her students who also watched the April 25 nearly half-hour presentation, “picked up immediately on the whole ‘control the message.’ They thought it was a PR move and nothing more.”

Let’s briefly look at the report’s suggestions. First there’s the one-and-done rule that the NBA implemented in 2006: Shuck: “That rule focuses on such a small part of the population. I really don’t know how much of an impact that will make [in] forcing kids who don’t want to go to college to go to college.”

Staurowsky: “The discussion on the oneand-done is a veiled…collusion relationship with the NBA, NCAA and NBAPA because there is an absence of any representation group on behalf of the [college] players to

Dr. Johari Shuck balance all of that out.”

Then there’s the recommendation that college players be able to return to school if they go undrafted and didn’t sign with an

“People need to be talking about this.

We are talking about mostly Black kids.”

agent: Shuck: “I think that’s critical, because doing that would put the college degree back as the central focus.”

There’s the elimination of freshman eligibility: Shuck supports this only if it applies to all college players, not just men’s basketball: “I like the idea because it gives students a chance to get acclimated [to college].”

There’s the recommended harsher punishments for coaches who break the rules: Shuck: “A lot of times these coaches have infractions and are able to move on with their lives and get new jobs. You have coaches that do shady things…and go to new schools.”

There’s the “grassroots basketball” recommendation, the NCAA working closer with USA Basketball, NBA and NBPA to start a new youth basketball program: Shuck: “I hate that because it’s just giving the NCAA more control over the lives of these young people. Unless they are partnering with grassroots organizations that are really impacting kids from the innercity, I don’t like [it].”

The commission report surmised that

tion: “I heard women talking in the corridor and they assumed I was asleep,” he noted. “They came in one by one and kissed my hand.

“I realized that they were

African American nurses, and they went back out in the corridor. One said to the other, ‘I didn’t think White people cared,’” Lapchick remembered.

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North Dakota State ‘Fab Five’ This week’s “Fab Five” features five former metro area basketball players who teamed up to give the North Dakota State College of Science men’s basketball team a successful season. MelPreP Scene vin Newbern Jr. (Robbinsdale Cooper), Johnnie Turner (Minneapolis South), Sam Baker (BenilDr. mitChell Palmer mCDonalD de St. Margaret’s), Marquis Holloman (Minneapolis North), and Oman Oman (Austin), led the Wildcats to a 26-7 record and the Region XIII championship.

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

Melvin Newbern Jr. , a 6’4” guard, averaged 18 .6 points per game for North Dakota State College of Science, making the Mon-Dak all-conference team as well as being named conference MVP.

Johnnie Turner, a 6’3” sophomore guard, chipped in 8.5 points per game for North Dakota State College of Science, earning second team all Mon-Dak conference honors.

Sam Baker, a 6’3” freshman guard, scored 20.2 points per game for North Dakota State College of Science, earning first team all-Mon-Dak Conference recognition.

Marquis Holloman, a 6’5” freshman forward, started 29 of 33 games for North Dakota State College of Science while chipping in 7.8 points per game.

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Oman Oman, a freshman forward who stands 6’5”, averaged 10.8 points per game for North Dakota State College of Science.

Dr. Ellen Staurowsky

MSR file photos

All photos courtesy of North Dakota State College of Science Athletics