May 3, 2018 - MN Spokesman-Recorder

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May 3-9, 2018 Vol. 84 No. 39 www.spokesman-recorder.com

MAYOR FREY ADVANCES AMBITIOUS AGENDA Some see big battles ahead

housing in every single neighborhood in the city. We have an obligation…that we are doing everything possible to make sure everything is affordinneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey’s first able,” Frey pledged. 100 days in office have had him He added that “deep levels of affordability” “working like a dog,” he told the are necessary to ensure that all Minneapolis resMSR. idents can afford housing. “We need affordable Frey spoke to us last week prior to his April housing in North Minneapolis, but we also need 23 one-hour appearance at the University of it in South Minneapolis, downtown MinneapoMinnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs, lis, and Northeast.” where he reflected on his first three months in The mayor’s housing proposals include buildoffice. “We have in place a bunch of measures ing more affordable housing throughout the that will see action in the next several months,” he stressed. ■ See Frey on page 5 The first-term mayor told the mostly White noontime audience at Cowles Auditorium that there are “three overarching issues that we will be focusing on specifically” – affordable housing, police-community relations, and economic inclusion. This is part of Frey’s 14-goals “Minneapolis 2040” comprehensive plan. By Charles Hallman Senior Staff Writer

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“If there’s pushback, I’m up for the fight.” “We want to get a lot done,” the mayor stressed. “We’ve started task forces and focus groups. We want to create an action-oriented approach to move from a phase of discussion to get [things] done. We want to restructure how our city government functions, to make sure we tackle these issues directly, precisely and efficiently.” Jacob Frey On affordable housing, “We need affordable

Photo by Charles Hallman

More cops of color would change MPD culture things, how he plans on making Minneapolis’ system of public safety less threatening and mproving community more trusted within communiand police relations withties of color. in communities of color Coming into office after a seis one of the most ambitious ries of incidents involving the goals Minneapolis Mayor shootings of unarmed people, Jacob Frey has set for himFrey recognized there is a lot of self, especially considering hard work to do. Moreover, he he came into office at a time knows that there is no univerwhen tensions with police in sal solution to these problems communities of color are at a agreed upon among his constituhigh level. ents, or even within the confines Though he has only been in office for just over 100 days, he of City Hall. “There…are systemic racism recently sat down with the MSR policies that have harmed speand explained, among other cifically people of color, and we

By Keith Schubert Staff Writer

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need to make sure that the precision of our solutions matches the precision of the harm initially inflicted,” Frey said. The two most prominent policies that Frey has stood behind for improving police and community relations are a new body camera policy and the hiring of more police officers. More police Frey’s support of adding more police officers to the MPD was met with pushback during community events and public ■ See MPD on page 5

Hennepin County commits to disparity reduction ‘marathon’ Hires Alex Tittle to lead the charge

News ANAlysis By Dwight Hobbes Contributing Writer When there’s a tough, vitally important job to get done, it is all the more important to call in the right person. This is especially so when the outcome has millions upon millions of dollars at stake, purportedly for the public good, in Minnesota, which is the worst state in the nation at rectifying racial disparity.

time when a vast need for workers is anticipated – some 57,000 within this year and 2019. An unprecedented opportunity is at hand to address the gap that has mired in deprivation people subsisting below the federal level who’ve been looking for a chance to earn a decent living, many unable to earn a living at all. In a move to actually walk the walk instead of just talking the talk, this month Tittle stepped on board at Hennepin County as Director of Disparity Reduction. The position was created specifically to rectify these wrongs that have become a way of life for too many. Speaking in a conference room high above state of well-being than in Hennepin 300 South 6th Street in the Government County with its population of more than Center, he said he has no illusions about one million, more than half of whom are what is being asked of him. Confidently confronting a formidapeople of color. In fact, as reported in the Minneapolis ble challenge, he considered the lay of Star Tribune, last year officials calculated the land, noting the disproportionate that doing away with racial and ethnic state of well-being spreads wide “in a disparities in income and employment number of areas, from education to ecowould foster a full $4.6 billion in eco- nomics, everything between. All the arnomic growth. This is the equivalent of eas – education, employment, income, upwards of 17,000 individuals presently justice, transportation and health.” Tittle, understated, firmly asserted, without jobs entering the workforce at a can Americans are homeowners as opposed to about 70 percent of White residents. And while 86 percent of Whites in the county can reasonably expect to graduate high school in the customary four years, compare this to 46 percent for Native Americans and 58 percent for Blacks. Nowhere is it more crucial to concretely address these issues of men, women and children’s quality of life and

“We can’t expect to add hot water and expect instant success.” Unemployment rates for Minnesotans of color are as much as four times greater than for White residents. Most Minnesota families of color now have median incomes about half those of their White neighbors. Black families are hit hardest, earning annual incomes averaging roughly $33,900 compared to about $81,500 for White families. This glaring social injustice is long entrenched, an inequity that has steadily increased over the past five decades. Additionally, only 18 percent of Afri-

Alex Tittle, Director of Disparity Reduction Photo courtesy of Hennepin County “Hennepin County takes leadership, recognizing its own challenges by developing relationships with key stakeholders and representing [the county] in metro and regional disparities.” It will not happen, he realizes, with a quick fix. “No, we can’t expect to add hot water and ex-

pect instant success.” David J. Hough, Hennepin County Administrator, concurred, “These disparities grew over generations and will not change overnight.” Tittle added, “However, this is some■ See TiTTle on page 5

AmericA in the grip of ‘rAciAl Angst’

Michelle Norris asked audience, ‘How diverse is your world?’

Michele Norris

By Charles Hallman Senior Staff Writer Conclusion of a 3-part story

tive Director Steve Humerickhouse and the keynote address from Earvin Johnson. The story concludes this week with the conference’s closing speech by award-winning journalist and Minneapolis native Michele Norris. Norris strongly advised that getting people’s honest ideas about race will help move forward workplace diversity. “When we talk about race…is it always about skin color? Does it reflect your core values?” Norris asked the audience of local, national and international diversity and inclusion leaders and others at the University of St. Thomas-sponsored event. Norris is the founding direcPhoto by Sarah Morreim tor of The Race Card Project that The first two parts of this sto- she started in 2010, and she was ry on the April 10-12 “Power recently named executive directhe Future” conference covered tor of The Bridge, a new Aspen opening remarks from Forum Institute program on race, idenon Workplace Inclusion Execu- tity and inclusion. She admitted

that she had never envisioned talking about race around the nation as she has been doing in recent years. “I tried very hard not to be the person who focused solely on race,” she said. “I’ve been in journalism for three decades, and as an African American woman often [I’ve been] the only, the first, or one of the few people of color in the newsroom. As a person of color, you bring a special understanding around the issue of race. “But I didn’t necessarily want to be the person who covered race all the time. I wanted a full portfolio – I wanted to cover politics, sports, policy and culture. I was afraid if I covered race…that would be all I do and get pigeonholed.” But she eventually realized, especially after doing a book on her family history, that race in America couldn’t be avoided no matter how she tried. “Much of

it based on my growing up here in Minneapolis,” Norris said. “I grew up here as a brown girl. I’m a child who grew up [who] didn’t see a lot of people who looked like me. So I had to imagine a life I did not see.”

ly that race is no longer with us,” she said to the MSR. “I would like to in my lifetime see the eradication of racism… We’ve had 25 decades of slavery, 100 years of the post-slavery period, and really only five decades

“The temperature around race has changed dramatically. We are a divided nation right now.” Starting The Race Card Project “was the right thing for me to do,” Norris later told the MSR. “It is not about me.” Race isn’t always about Blacks and other people of color, and diversity doesn’t mean that Whites can’t be a part of it, Norris said. “White America…needs to understand that race and race issues apply to them as well. “I feel we do each other a disservice if we entertain the fol-

of alleged freedom. The notion that it all [would] be over just because we had a Black president” is wrong, she stressed. The Barack Obama and Donald Trump elections both produced “sudden change” in this country as it pertains to race, Norris noted. “The temperature around race changed dramatically around both candidacies, and inside both administrations. ■ See Norris on page 5

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May 3-9, 2018

Parents are the First Teachers and Home the First School

Study that lease!

Students and first-time renters urged to do their homework The school year is winding down quickly, and graduations are on the horizon. Many college students — and some high school students — will be searching for apartments or rental properties for the summer months and beyond. Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) offers tips for first-time renters and reminds students of the importance of doing their homework to ensure online listings for rental properties are legitimate. “Looking for that first apartment is exciting,” said Susan Adams Loyd, president and CEO of BBB of Minnesota and North Dakota. “It’s a definite milestone. But it’s an involved process and it requires advance planning and careful consideration.” Usually, due to the expense involved, young people tend to look for roommates when renting their first apartment. This is a practical step. Still, it’s important for everyone involved to be clear on their responsibilities per the lease, which should include the names of all interested parties. This prevents you from being responsible for rent and any other expenses should your roommate move out unexpectedly. Ideally, your roommate will be someone you know well and trust, but moving in with a close friend or friends isn’t always possible. Before even looking at apartment listings, it’s important to talk about budget and price ranges. The rental market is pretty tight, so expect to pay a premium for whatever apartment or rental property you settle on — even with a roommate. Don’t forget to factor in other expenses, like utilities, trash collection and Internet. When looking for a rental property, be sure to see if any of these costs are included with your monthly rent.

In addition, renters should always take the following steps before signing a lease: • Consider your commute to work or school and also your access to grocerystores shopping,restaurants and entertainment. Location is key.

Be wary if the deal sounds too good to be true. Scammers will often list a rental for a very low price to lure in victims. • Visit different rental units in person and be sure to research the track records of property management firms by visiting bbb.org. You can also access customer reviews through BBB and other online sites to get a sense of the

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experiences past tenants have had. • Always read the lease carefully and ask any questions you have prior to signing the lease. You’ll also want to be clear on the length of the lease and the advance notice required to vacate the premises at the end of your lease.

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Thirty to 60 days is fairly standard, and such notice is usually required in writing. • Request an inspection of the apartment prior to move-in and document any maintenance issues you see. Then maintain the prop-

erty with an eye towards getting your damage deposit back upon move out. Damage deposits range upward from several hundred dollars or the equivalent of one month’s rent. Units left in poor condition may lead to the forfeiture of some or all of these funds. • Never pay rent in cash, and either divide utility bills equitably or make sure all renters are listed on the accounts. • Renters should also be aware that before renting an apartment they will likely have to pay a fee for a background check — generally around $50. This fee is usually nonrefundable. Prospective renters should be wary if: • The deal sounds too good to be true. Scammers will often list a rental for a very low price to lure in victims. • The landlord claims to be located elsewhere and communicates solely via email. • You’re asked to wire money through wire transfer services such as Western Union or MoneyGram, or if you’re told the deposit or rent needs to be paid with a prepaid debit card. Any money sent via these means is difficult to trace, and there is little chance of getting your money back. • The rental requires a security deposit or first month payment without meeting the landlord, inspecting the property or signing a lease. Never wire money to someone you don’t know. —Information provided by the Better Business Bureau. For more info, visit bbb.org.

May 3-9, 2018

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What is insomnia and why should I care? ing high blood pressure, obesity, and other health concerns.

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By Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD nsomnia is a condition where it is difficult to fall asleep and/ or stay asleep. Getting a good, restful, recuperative sleep is a key to good health. Experts suggest that if it takes you more than 20-40 minutes to fall asleep, or if you get less than four to five hours of sleep (when your goal is eight hours of sleep), then you have insomnia. Without the proper amount of sleep, your ability to function at peak levels is diminished, and you can feel sluggish and run-down all day long. If your job requires constant and careful attention, the condition can be considered a health and safety issue. Studies have suggested that insomnia may play a role in develop-

What causes insomnia? Most cases of insomnia are acute or last for a short amount of time. These usually result from stressful or anxiety-provoking life events such as the death of a loved one, loss of a job, divorce, a troubling relationship break-up, or stressful work or school situations. Acute insomnia can also be the result of eating late at night or ingesting too much caffeine or alcohol. Additionally, acute insomnia can result from traveling to dramatically different time zones. There are other causes of insomnia that are chronic or may last for a significant period of time. These include medical conditions that interfere with sleep like prostate problems (that cause nocturnal urination), chronic depression, obstructive lung disease (difficulty breathing with ease), and any medical condition like cancer, which can cause a constant pain. Finally, there are many medications, both overthe-counter and prescriptions, that can interfere with sleep. How is insomnia treated? There are two considerations when treating insomnia. If the cause is acute and predicted to be

temporary, employ good sleep habits, counseling therapy, and shortterm sleep aids. For good sleep habits, make sure that: • You go to sleep at approximately the same time every night. • You wake at approximately the same time every morning. • You eliminate distractions such as TV, radio and cell phone. • You make sure the room is dark and quiet. • You make sure your mattress and pillow are comfortable. • You exercise in the morning or at least four hours before bed, if possible. • You don’t consume alcohol, nicotine, or caffeinated beverages be-

fore bed. • You limit naps so you are tired at bedtime. • You don’t work or eat in bed. • You do not eat large meals before bed. If the insomnia is a result of a stressful life event, talk to your doctor to arrange a few sessions with a counselor. This one simple call can make a huge difference and may be the most important thing one can do. For sleep aids or pills, be sure to consult a pharmacist or your doctor. These may be variations of an antihistamine that can make one feel drowsy, or a naturally occurring substance called melatonin. Melatonin is not without drawbacks, including interfering with other medications, and must be produced by a high-quality manufacturer. Sleep aids can also cause drowsiness the following day that could be undesirable. Nevertheless, sleep aids or pills should be used just for a few days and are not a long-term solution. Get your doctor’s or pharmacist’s input before using them. If these measures do not work, review with your doctor the possibility of medications or medical conditions that can interfere with sleep and develop a plan of attack.

Here are sleep recommendations from the National Sleep Foundation: • Teenagers 14-17 years: recommended, 8 to 10 hours; 7 to 11 hours may be appropriate • Young Adults 18-25 years: recommended, 7 to 9 hours; 6 to 10-11 hours may be appropriate • Adults 26-64 years: recommended, 7 to 9 hours; 6 to 10 hours may be appropriate • Older Adults ≥ 65 years: recommended, 7 to 8 hours; 5-6 to 9 hours may be appropriate Getting constant, quality, recuperative sleep is probably the most helpful and underrated things you can do for your good health. This previously published advice column has been republished in response to reader demand. 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.

T:5.25”

Understanding trauma triggers

JEGNA Brandon Jones It is hard to not be triggered into trauma in such a toxic stress society as ours. There are stressors lurking around many corners. What can we do to protect ourselves? As Black people, we continue to live with much selfdoubt, inferiority, and antiBlackness that streams from our historical and intergenerational trauma. These uncomfortable truths have continued to be present in many of our lives. These feelings, mindsets, and thoughts are merely responses to the oppressive and disenfranchising system we have lived in since our times of enslavement. These are not excuses for the things we may do or say; however, it is context for understanding our current plight. One result of our experiences as Black people is our “trauma triggers.” Yes, as individuals we can and do get triggered by both our individual and collective trauma experiences. Trauma triggers are events or occurrences that remind us (either on a conscious or unconscious level) of our

original traumatic experiences, causing us to feel extreme distress similar to that felt at the time of that original trauma. We are particularly likely to be affected by triggers at times of acute stress. Traumatic triggers come in many forms. Triggers are very personal; different things trigger different people. A trigger is a reminder of past traumatizing events. These triggers can be things we experience personally or have been exposed to via another medium.

imagining the same thing happening to you, thus triggering your trauma. Part of our work as Black people is in changing our understanding so that we always keep in mind that our responses must remain neutral to events and interactions to prevent a trauma response. Unfortunately, many Black people may adopt long-term patterns that reflect their efforts to adapt to the traumatizing life experiences. We must work to hold in

TAKE ON BRAIN AND

BODY

HEALTH

There will always be trauma triggers that we cannot anticipate and cannot avoid. Many things can be a possible trigger for someone. A person’s triggers are activated through one or more of the five senses: sight, sound, touch, smell and taste. Consider the impact of seeing Black people being shot or harassed by police officers on media platforms. Then you are driving in your car and a police vehicle pulls up beside your car. Some may get nervous. Some may get shaky or paranoid. Some may have an increased heart rate. These are some of the potential symptoms of a trauma trigger. You may not have done anything to prompt being pulled over by the police. However, the exposure to multiple people who share the same cultural background as you being violated or executed can lead to you

TODAY

our minds the awareness that this behavior and these patterns reflect strategies that we have developed to keep ourselves safe. This is, in essence, a reflection of our collective strength and resiliency. Once we become aware of triggers, we might feel a desire to “get rid of” the trigger. It is recommended that you avoid situations that engage the trigger and try to keep the environments we experience as calm as possible. But there will always be trauma triggers that we cannot anticipate and cannot avoid. In essence, I recommend that all Black people engage in living trauma-informed lifestyles due to our historical experiences. We must actively develop the skills to manage our trauma responses both in our comfort zones and elsewhere in the world. We can begin to develop these skills on a personal level or seek out professional help to address them. Either way, we all deserve to live in a society where we can be healthy in a holistic manner. Brandon Jones M.A. is a mental health practitioner. He welcomes reader responses to Brandon@jegnainstitute.com or follow him on twitter @ UniversalJones.

Healthy aging is much more than just staying fit. So join us at the St. Paul Healthy Aging Forum on Tuesday, May 22, where you’ll learn interesting ways to keep your brain active, tips to avoid getting scammed, and the benefits of volunteering on your mental health and community. We’re here to help you keep your mind and body active so you can take on today and every day. The event is free and open to the public; but registration is required. ST. PAUL HEALTHY AGING FORUM Tuesday, May 22, 2018 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Hallie Q. Brown Community Center 270 N Kent St. St. Paul, MN 55102 RSVP and learn more at aarp.org/twincities

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4 May 3-9, 2018 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.

Facebook continues to fail the Black community By Derrick Johnson Contributing Commentator

I say no to a Starbucks boycott By Jerroll Sanders Contributing Commentator Starbucks has proven to be one of America’s most responsible corporate citizens. In 2014 following the shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO, by Officer Darren Wilson, then Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz took action when other corporations remained silent. Starbucks launched its national “Race Together” campaign that encouraged Starbucks’ baristas (workers) to write “race together” on customer coffee cups to spur conversations about race within Starbucks locations. Months later in 2015 following the shooting of Walter Scott, Starbucks CEO Howard D. Schultz was again venturing into the arena of race relations while appearing on stage at Spelman College — a historically-Black women’s institution — as part of a panel discussion on the book titled, Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? Again and again, Starbucks has been at the forefront of corporate America when it comes to cultivating a society where all people matter. As President and CEO of ONUS, Inc.-a national organization committed to Re-

solving Longstanding Problems that Seem Too Big to Fix, I firmly believe in the power of boycotts. Following the killing of Michael Brown, ONUS conducted one of the most effective and long-standing boycotts in Ferguson, MO, against Sam’s Club and Walmart. Both stores routinely called upon Ferguson Police to arrest Black men who verbally challenged managers’ decisions. Unlike Starbucks, Walmart, Inc. doubled-down in support of its employees’ hateful actions and made no apology for saddling good citizens, who happened to be Black men, with unwarranted police records. Walmart then relied upon its deep purse to vigorously defend its deplorable actions. Starbucks is no Walmart. While I firmly embrace boycotting as an effective tool of free speech, boycotting cannot and should not be Black America’s one retort to offensive acts carried out by individual employees representing what has proven to be a good corporate citizen. I do not mean to imply that Starbucks is perfect; I surmise that Starbucks still has internal issues related to race and diversity. Nonetheless, I appreciate the steps Starbucks’ CEO and Board of Directors have and are taking in response

LETTER TO THE EDITOR POLICY The MSR welcomes letters to the editors. Letters should be typed, double-spaced, in 12 point font and must be signed. Anonymous letters will not be printed. A telephone number or email address must be included for verification. Letters of 250 words or less are more likely to be published. The editor reserves the right to edit letters for length.

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to the incident in Philadelphia, such as the swift issuance of a public apology, public rebuke of the offending employees’ actions and the planned shutdown of Starbucks outlets nationwide for diversity and customer service training. Starbucks is demonstrating that its promise to do better is far more than a mere gesture designed to quiet a public uprising. Starbucks has earned what millennials refer to as “street cred.” Consequently, the corporation deserves grace when employees make missteps or engage in discriminatory actions rooted in personal perspectives. While I am confident Starbucks will make right with the young men who were wrongfully arrested in Philadelphia, I urge its leaders to again take the corporate lead by helping to revamp policing in America nationwide. The Uniform Reporting Law Enforcement Improvement Act (URLEIA) is the solution to America’s policing problem and will effectively revamp policing from the ground up. Corporations, like citizens, have a responsibility to ensure policing nationwide is guided not by the whims of individuals and powerful conglomerates but by the constitutional and humane application of law. Jerroll Sanders is a diversity expert, strategist and the author of The Physics of Money: If You’ve Got My Dollar, I Don’t. Learn more about her by visiting www. jerrollsanders.com.

“Mr. Zuckerberg, would you be comfortable sharing with us the name of the hotel you stayed in last night?” That was a question Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) posed to Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s congressional hearing in which the latter responded with an awkward “No.” It is likely that Mr. Zuckerberg found this question too intrusive, yet when 87 million users lost their privacy under Facebook’s neglectful watch, its CEO didn’t bat an eye, offering only an insubstantial, “I’m sorry.” The Cambridge Analytica hack is just one of many transgressions by Facebook, for which an apology will simply not suffice. Facebook’s laissez-faire attitude toward privacy protection is not just a betrayal and insult to its user base, but it is compounded by its lack of vigilance to protect one of the platform’s most vulnerable user demographics — African Americans. For example, late last year, Facebook hosted Russian-sponsored ads that portrayed African Americans in a less than flattering light. The ads had political motives and aimed to sway viewers to vote for then-presidential candidate Donald Trump. Another example arose just this month when the news broke that the largest Black Lives Matter group on the social media platform was, in fact, a fraudulent page, created by a White man in Australia designed to discredit the youth-based civil rights group. Either of the above examples is enough to seriously question the general disposition and integrity of the social media juggernaut. However, Facebook’s lack of transparency, reliability, and accountability in these two situations also substantiates the increasing doubt regarding the fairness of the 2016 presidential election. Specifically, Cambridge Analytica worked with the Trump campaign, and among the data it misused were pictures, profiles, and even direct messages between users. This data mining —which used the personal information of 87 million people without their consent — was used to develop techniques for the firm’s work on the Trump campaign. This, combined with the racially charged Russian ads, some of which explicitly purporting that Black Lives Matter activists were murderers, is not only wholly unscrupulous, it also carries the stench of voter manipulation. Swaying voters toward one candidate based on racially exploitative lies smacks of a type of voter suppression that, while more insidious, is not unlike the voter ID laws that currently attempt to sup-

press the Black vote. As a pioneer in the tech industry serving 1.4 billion users each day, Facebook has a moral and ethical obligation to protect those most vulnerable on its sites, including minors, women, and LGBT, Brown, and Black communities. As a whole, Americans are more tolerant of hate speech than others in the world; however, this does not and should not permit Facebook to turn a blind eye to the copious amounts of hate speech the Black community and other vulnerable communities experience on Facebook. These communities cannot be satiated with an apology, but rather require a clear and thorough plan of defensive and offensive action. More care needs to be taken by Facebook and its tech industry peers to ensure that in connecting people with one another, these connections are positive — a sentiment which Mr. Zuckerberg said his company strives to achieve. Moving forward, companies like Facebook can take a greater stance against those who wish to use online spaces to corrupt. First, they must be on the offense, not just deleting but reporting and perhaps even fining advertisers with such ill intent. Second, they should also be more aggressive on the defensive front, removing the burden of reporting hate speech from the user and instead placing it on themselves. While Facebook has already started this approach, devoting more resources to this effort would allow for a quicker and more intelligent sweep of bad content. Additionally, these resources must include hiring more people of color across all levels of the company — an initiative that would address Silicon Valley’s failure to take real steps towards embracing diversity. This is an issue brought up on day two of Zuckerberg’s hearing, when Rep. G.K. Butterfield mentioned that the company’s Black representation has only risen from two percent to three percent. Furthermore, while 67 percent of African Americans are Facebook users, the company’s C-suite remains entirely White. Lastly, in a clear and concise manner, users should be made aware of their privacy terms, including instances when their information will be shared and how the information will be used. Facebook may or may not feel a moral imperative to protect the users that allow it to exist, but that does not mean it should not be held accountable for its actions, inactions, and indifference to user privacy. Derrick Johnson is the President and CEO of the NAACP. Follow him on Twitter @ DerrickNAACP and @NAACP.

Trying My Best More slanted coverage on “terrorism” By Frank Erickson Contributing Commentator How pitiful that the Star Tribune calls 19-year-old Twin Cities woman Tnuza Jamal Hassan a ”terror suspect.” Could the Tribune get any lazier on how they report on terror? What are the odds that most Christians who use violence are using violence that is not labeled terrorism, and most Muslims who use violence are using violence that’s called terrorism? How could only the Christians have access to the good violence? How can the Tribune not see the bigotry in how they report on terror? On the 19-yearold’s phone, she had a list: Backpack, pressure cooker, metal shards, and nails, but no 500-pound bomb. Maybe the time-wasting-terror-suspect-chasers at the FBI should familiarize themselves with the 500-pound bomb that the U.S. government dropped on a house in Mosul, Iraq that killed 100 civilians — how’s that for ensuring the public’s safety? While the FBI and federal prosecutors protect us from a 19-year-old ”terror suspect” whose crime is setting fire to paper cups and the Star “Racist” Tribune plays along, the U.S. government endangers and kills thousands of people, the Star Tribune puts Hassan on the front page…for burning paper cups. Frank Erickson lives in Minneapolis

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TiTTle Continued from page 1

Larry Jacobs (left) interviews Mayor Frey Photo by Charles Hallman

Frey Continued from page 1

cies, was the moderator of last week’s event. He called Frey’s aforementioned plans “pretty ambitious.” “Yes, I fully anticipate [some backlash],” Frey responded. “If there’s pushback, I’m up for the fight.” “I see only pushback,” Jacobs afterwards told the MSR. “Every one of these areas – the whole policing agenda or much of it – he will get resistance from the city council. “He says he’s ready for a fight with Minneapolis communities over his four-plex [plan],” Jacobs said of Frey. “I don’t know if he is going to win that battle. He really doesn’t understand how the city works.” Bryan Bradford, who lives in the Linden Hills neighborhood, was the only person of color in the audience at last week’s event. He agrees with Jacobs that Mayor Frey “is going to get a lot of pushback from those who aren’t fans of affordable housing” but added that he admires the mayor’s efforts to present his plans outside City Hall. “It is up to us as citizens to continue to pay attention and hold him accountable,” Bradford said. Frey pledged that he will use his bully pulpit whenever needed: “We welcome debates and public discourse,” he said. “If that results in people having different perspectives, I think that’s a real good thing.” Jacobs, however, said of Frey, “He hasn’t yet built an agenda and coalition that [he needs] to win those fights. I’m not hearing yet the kind of preparation for the battles ahead.” Jacobs said that Frey must now move beyond the “100 days” and start providing more specifics on his plans. “I continue to hear the poetry of campaigning. I don’t yet hear the realness and the toughness of someone ready to fight and win some big battles.”

city, especially in predominately White neighborhoods, and providing more owneroccupied multi-family housing. His “3D” program, if approved, would offer landlords property tax breaks “if [they are] willing to rent 15 percent of their unit to [persons] at or below area median income,” Frey explained. “We want to create neighborhoods with a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds. You [should] have the ability to live in the neighborhood of your choice,” he pointed out. Asked how this will help tenants in light of rising rents throughout the city, Frey told the MSR, “We have proposals that will directly benefit the renter,” without providing further specifics. On police-community relations, he said, “We need to rebuild trust where it once was and gain trust where it wasn’t from the beginning,” especially among communities of color. The new body camera policy, which now mandates that Minneapolis police officers turn on their cameras at least two blocks away from the service call, is a start, according to the mayor. “When cops don’t follow [the new policy], there’s clear discipline ranging from zero to 72 hours without pay to even termination,” he said. Frey also wants to see changes in the city’s police union: “We have two separate unions – one for administration that hands out discipline, and a second union for receiving the discipline. Our police union right now has rank-and-file officers sitting on the same side of the table as our sergeants and lieutenants,” he explained. On the first-term mayor’s economic inclusion plans, he said, “We need to make sure our investments are going to communities of colCharles Hallman welcomes or. “We never had a contin- reader responses to challman@ uous Black-owned financial spokesman-recorder.com. institution. Now I am pushing for it.” Minnesota political science professor Larry Jacobs, locally known for his commentary and research on elections and public poli-

Norris Continued from page 1

thing I expect to take not months but years.” He did not take the job without giving the matter a great deal of thought. Asked whether he went looking for it or was wooed, he answered, “We sort of wooed each other. In the end, I knew I wanted to do this. “The leadership of David Hough is an example of true courageous and transformative change,” he added. “This initiative he has chosen me to lead is at the root of issues that have plagued the country [as well as] our county, and I am excited to begin the marathon which will be disparity reduction.” Tittle’s is a proven track record at levelling the field for those historically disenfranchised. He was director for the Office of Civil Rights for the Minnesota Department of Transportation and served as vice president

of the Business Connect Program and Corporate Affairs for the Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee. The objective there was for Super Bowl LII inclusion of minority, women, veteran and LGBT businesses success with the NFL and its contractors. With Tittle at the helm, this program yielded training programs, networking events, and generated over $10 million for the targeted concerns. As chief consultant for US Bank Stadium’s Equity Program, Tittle’s duty was to oversee mandated compliance with the lawful assigning of money-making opportunities. The project exceeded expectations to the tune of more than $300 million to minority-, women- and veteran-owned small businesses, achieving 36 percent minority and nine percent women labor hours throughout the $1.1 billion project. “It set,” he said, “a state record.” According to the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority Legacy Report, “We had a fantastic approach but needed a fearless leader to see the plan through to completion. Tittle

said, “We want to bake implicit bias training into the program.” Continued from page 1 Frey’s rationale for adding more police officers is that it will give them more forums in March and April. Frey time to respond to calls and contends that right now police have more positive interacofficers are overworked, and the tions, which will lead to betresult is damage to the trust the ter overall police-community relations. community has in them. Frey made it clear, howev“If an officer is 40 minutes late er, that there is not a specific to one 911 call, has a horrible innumber of cops he wants to teraction with the community add, nor a timetable for when followed by being 45 minutes he wants to add them. late to the next one, that’s no way to build trust,” Frey explained. Body camera policy He also said that it is statistically The new body camera polproven that when “you’re over- icy has already been put inworked, when you are forced to action. The new policy to make split-second decisions, includes more detailed speciwhen you’ve been fatigued due fications about when officers to a number of poor experiences, are supposed to activate their implicit bias is far more likely to body cameras and when they come out.” can turn them off, as well as But Frey acknowledged that more specific punishments just giving officers more time for for misuse of body cameras. themselves isn’t going to get rid According to a joint press reof implicit bias on its own. He

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kitchen table look like when you have guests over? [What are] your backyard parties like when you entertain? Who are your friends? Where are your blind spots in the places where you actually encounter diversity? “When you don’t encounter diversity in your own personal life, how does that improve or impede the work that you do in diversity and inclusion?” she asked the conference participants. Norris proposed that talking about race should make people feel uncomfortable because this will help produce change. “Race will always be with us, but not always in a negative sense,” she said, ending on an optimistic note.

We are a divided nation right now. The divisions are very apparent. “The lessons I learned on the atmosphere around race was the sudden change. You’ve seen the sudden change of atmosphere with the election of Donald Trump. Some forces have become emboldened… You’ve seen racial angst. You saw this with the election of Barack Obama, but through a different lens.” Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to Norris challenged her audience to self-examine their commitment to workplace diversi- challman@spokesman-recorder.com. ty and inclusion. “Is it something you want to do or you have to do?” she asked. “How diverse is your world? What does your

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was hired as Equity Director in July of 2013. Since many projects of this magnitude fail due to a lack of implementation, his role was critical. “Tittle was tasked with the job of making sure all parties understood and delivered on the equity plan goals and criteria. He created a process of success that moved beyond the status quo to encourage and hold people accountable. He worked closely with internal stakeholders, equity partners, contractors, the City of Minneapolis, building trades, Minnesota Department of Human Rights and Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry to ensure compliance on all facets of the project. He got the job done.” David Hough attests, “We are very pleased to have Tittle join us in guiding this very important work.” He and a great many others. Dwight Hobbes welcomes reader responses to P.O. Box 50357, Minneapolis, MN 55403

lease from Frey and Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo, “Incidents requiring activation that had body camera video increased from 55% in February 2018 to 81% in April 2018.” “Any body camera policy worth its salt must have consequences when compliance isn’t met, and this one does,” Frey said about the new policy. Officers who violate the policy can face up to 720 hours of unpaid suspension and even termination if they do not comply with the new policy.

sity in communities of color. That means hiring from the North Side specifically, and it’s changing both the internal culture as well as the external perception,” Frey said. Frey pointed out that right now only eight percent of Minneapolis police live in the city, and to change that he wants to hire more cops of color from Minneapolis. More diverse hiring will lead to better trust within the community, he said. “You’re not going to have safe communities until everyone trusts the cops, and right now that is not the case, especially amongst communities The bigger picture of color. So we have work to Beyond the updated body do. We need safety, too. You camera policy, Frey said there heard it pretty clear. People needs to be what he referred are getting shot.” to as a “cultural shift” within the police department if Keith Schubert welcomes things are really going to imreader response to kschubert@ prove. spokesman-recorder.com. “That means hiring diver-

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May 3-9, 2018

Former New Power Generation keyboardist relishes lessons learned from Prince

Cassandra O’Neal

Photo by Charles Hallman

By Charles Hallman Senior Staff Writer

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hroughout her 25-year career, Cassandra O’Neal has collaborated with some of music’s top names, including her seven-year run as part of the late Prince’s New Power Generation band. “I’m a Prince fan to the bone,” O’Neal said in a recent MSR interview. She performed a couple weeks ago at Paisley Park’s “Celebration 2018.” “We’re enjoying ourselves. It’s like a family reunion,” she noted of the nearly dozen musicians who participated in live music, panel discussions, rare concert screenings and special presentations that honored the life, legacy and influence of Prince. O’Neal joined the New Power Generation in 2009 after being a member in the all-female band COED (Chronicles of Every Diva), and three years as Macy

Gray’s musical director (2004-07). She also worked with Mary J. Blige and Jay-Z on the “Heart of the City Tour” in 2008. Sheila E. first introduced O’Neal to Prince in 2005 while she was playing in her band, O’Neal recalled. “Her band backed him up” at an awards show, she noted. “That was my first meeting of him.” Prince later asked for a CD sample of her work, and invited O’Neal and her fellow female band members to join him. But due to O’Neal’s late mother’s health issues, she declined. “It was my mother’s 70th birthday… She had been in and out of the hospital and I needed to be with her,” she explained. But Prince later asked a second time, O’Neal said. “You didn’t audition for him. In popular Prince-fashion, when he asked if you are available, he doesn’t give you a date,” she pointed out. “I got the gig in October [2009]” and

Hair

Stories

joined Prince on tour in France as musical director and keyboardist. “He had that sound. When you are playing his music, you became a clone,” O’Neal said of Prince. On working with the late legendary musician, O’Neal said, “It was like being at band camp every day. There was a new lesson, a new [work] ethic…a new way of thinking every day for seven years.” Others who also worked with Prince advised her: “Play the music. Don’t make it your own. Do what he asks you to do at all times. Don’t ask any questions. Just do it.” O’Neal, who started playing piano by ear at age three, learned classical piano, played in the church, and played for high school choruses and ensembles. As an adult, she moved to Los Angles and toured with gospel singer Daryl Coley in 1994 and then became a staff musician at the West Angeles Church of God in Christ. As with other musicians who started out in the church, O’Neal was criticized when she moved to secular music. “There was pushback on so many levels. Church folk don’t understand [because being] in the church is all they know,” she said. “The decision was strictly between me and God. It had nothing to do with anyone else. “I’m a preacher’s daughter. [But] all [the diverse music] I know I wanted to play and some people didn’t quite get that. I knew at a young age I was going to play [professionally],” O’Neal said, adding that she had her parents’ blessing and encouragement. “My parents both came from diverse musical backgrounds: my father loved Dinah Washington and the standards.

My mother was a gospel person and in the choir. My siblings are older than me and listened to the sounds of the time. When I got older to turn the dial on the radio, I listened to rock music and pop stuff,” recalled O’Neal. Her mother later told her that God was preparing her for a music career that would take her to Hollywood. She played keyboards on the Dreamgirls and The 6th Man soundtracks. She also performed on various television shows such as the NAACP Image Awards, The Today Show and The Tonight Show, among others. Additionally, over the years she shared the stage and studio with the likes of Chante Moore, Babyface, LeAnn Rimes and Kurt Carr & the Kurt Carr Singers among others. “Kurt made me cry” she recalled of gospel artist, arranger and composer Carr. She said he pushed her to do her very best to ensure that her passion fully comes out in her music. “He really finetuned me… If it’s simple, make it simple.

If it’s complex, make it complex. Give the music what it deserves. Love the music and it will love you back. I was able to take that teaching and apply it to every genre.” Finally, O’Neal, who also gives private music lessons to piano and vocal students, expects to graduate with a degree in jazz vocal performance from the New School of Jazz in New York City in June. At press time, she had also planned to be a featured performer at the “Nothing Compares 2 Prince” tribute concert in Australia on April 27 and 29. “We’re doing old songs,” along with Prince music not often heard, mixed in with new work from her and other artists on the bill, she concluded. “It will allow us to relive that Prince experience.” Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@spokesman-recorder. com.

Photo courtesy of the artist

Welcome to Hair Stories, a space to share the good, bad and everything in between regarding the always-hot topic of Black hair. Look for more stories in coming issues of the MSR. THIS WEEK: Nicole Pillow shares how she learned to embrace her curls.

Discovering my curl power

By Nicole Pillow Contributing Writer While growing up as a biracial child in the ’70s here in Minnesota, my head of natural curls was in no way celebrated — in fact, my hair became a seed of insecurity planted at a young age. Many of my peers had their own cruel way of letting me know I wasn’t good enough the way I was. My mom still tells the story of how when it would rain outside, I would stand at the front door in tears. “Baby, why don’t you want to go to school?” she would ask. “If I go to school my hair is going to frizz up, and then all the kids are going to make fun of me,” I’d reply. This treatment from my peers hurt down to the core. Showing up to school with my hair straight was the best way I knew how to gain acceptance. “Daddy, please, please straighten my hair,” I would plead. My dad James Pillow (now retired) was a wellknown hair stylist in St. Paul. We had a shop in the lower level of our home, which made these weekly requests convenient. Although my dad was often resistant, he would eventually give in and make my hair smooth, straight and silky. My hero! Who would have thought that a weekend away at the cabin 40 years later would reveal how deep-

ly this “core hurt” had penetrated my belief. It happened just last summer in Isabelle, MN. My good friend who was hosting me also owns a hair salon in St. Paul called GEM Salon and Spa. She was eager to try a new line of hair products for her shop and she needed three different hair textures. I was initially hesitant when she asked me to participate. The thought of getting my hair wet was less than desirable. Nevertheless, I agreed to do it. After all, she’s my friend and I would be returning home on Sunday with enough time to straighten my hair back to “normal” before going to work. Right? Wrong. When all my friends at the cabin witnessed my full head of natural curls taking shape, they got excited. One friend said, “Wow! Is this actually your hair? It’s so beautiful!” Another person asked, “How come you don’t wear it like this every day? Why would you ever hide these curls?” I was seriously shocked and confused by their responses, and mortified at the suggestion to wear my hair like this every day — this would require me to be seen in public. Had they lost their minds? I agreed to wear my curls to work on Monday morning. Once again, excitement erupted from my co-workers with a similar set of questions. Be it at the bank, the grocery store or walking down the street, the sight of my natural curls continued to draw rave reviews. Yet in still, I found myself cringing at every compliment and managing huge layers of anxiety inside. I needed to understand why. As I did some soul searching, it didn’t take long to discover that my anxie ties traced all the way back to my childhood. As hard as it is to admit, I clearly had bought into the superficial standards set by my peers and society. In response to this discovery, I made a decision to press through the discomfort and allow for my belief to be redefined. I have not straightened my hair even for one day since my cabin experience. As the founder of Inner Beauty Project, LLC, I am proud to say that I can now wholeheartedly practice what I preach. I can see and appreciate the original one-of-a-kind design that God created me to be. And the next time I choose to wear my hair

straight or add some extensions, it will no longer define me, but only enhance. To be celebrated for the same head of curls that brought me so much pain in my past has been a healing and liberating journey. Today, I now celebrate these curls as my crown of glory.

DO YOU HAVE A HAIR STORY TO SHARE? SEND YOUR STORIES TO MSRNEWSONLINE@SPOKESMAN-RECORDER.COM.

May 3-9, 2018

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Local fashion designer evolves from doll clothes to dreamy couture Fashioning You! INSIDE & OUT

By Nicole Pillow

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here’s nothing that thrills me more than encountering an individual who is clearly walking in their purpose and has found the courage to utilize their gifts to touch the lives of those around them. This is exactly how I felt back in 2015 when I first met local fashion designer Jacqueline Amissah Addison. I was assisting with a fashion show event at the Calhoun Beach Club and I was completely awestruck as I watched the runway debut of Addison’s 2015 spring/summer collection under her label AkuaGabby. What stood out to me the most about her collection was the traditional African textiles that were masterfully constructed into unexpected modern silhouettes. While the detail, creativity, and brilliance of Addison’s workmanship wowed me (and the crowd) what drew me in even further was the answer that she gave backstage when I asked, “Where did you learn how to design like this?” I couldn’t wait to catch up with Addison again for this exclusive interview. Her sacred journey began when she was just a young girl growing up in Elmina, Ghana, West Africa. Her father, Gabriel Kofi Amissah, started a design business when she very little and had been sewing even before Addison was born. Her mother, Mena Akua Connduah, took care of the business side of things. Her father used to sew and paint and do a lot of artistic things, but his main focus was tailoring and designing. Addison explained that tailoring was her father’s gift and that he found inspiration from their culture. “He actually built our house,” said Addison. “He used to make our shoes; he used to make our beds; he used to make our bed sheets... He made everything from scratch...that was his talent. “When I was going to school, I always wanted something unique. Instead of him buying it for me, he’d want to create it so that I would stand out. My taste would be different from everybody else’s and he did that for me.” Addison began working alongside her dad helping him with projects and making doll clothes. “I have [my parents’] traits in me but mostly my dad’s. They could see me doing something in fashion as well. I’m like, yes, that’s one thing I

Designer Jacqueline Amissah Addison All photos courtesy of AkuaGabby

want to do when I grow up. I was designing and making doll clothes until we stopped — when my dad passed away. I stopped sewing for a while. I was little.” After graduating from high school, Addison came to America and studied graphic design at North Hennepin Community College. “I started doing graphic design,” Addison recalled, “[but] I didn’t like it. I really did hate graphic design. I just did it because I figured it was something that had to do with art. I feel like I was in denial for a while, but eventually decided ‘I’m just going to go into fashion and give this one more shot and see if this was my calling.’ I decided to go to school for it.” Addison honored the passion that was tugging at her heart, and enrolled at the Art Institute International Minnesota, earning a B.A. in fashion design. She is now very clear that her passion for fashion was connected to her divine calling all along. ”I figured this was my calling because it came very easy for me. I was told several times that when you love something, you don’t get tired of doing it. “In my design work, I have to come down to the sewing lab and sew; I don’t necessarily have to but I want to. I stay up sometimes until 7 am in the morning just designing. I forget to sleep. I sometimes forget to eat. That’s when I noticed that this is actually my calling because I don’t get tired of doing it — it’s my thing.” As a freelance designer, Addison works under her design label AkuaGabby, a name that was inspired by merging her parents’ names together.

Dwight Hobbes

Contributing Writer

Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner at Guthrie Theater, Todd Kreidler’s adaptation of William Rose’s screenplay, showcases acting highlights in an otherwise pedestrian production of a story that never had a great deal going for it. Regina Marie Williams (Dinah Was/Penumbra), (Ru-

ined/Mixed Blood) is priceless as the adorably feisty Tillie, who consistently oversteps her bounds. As a Guthrie veteran (To Kill A Mocking Bird, A Midsummer Night’s Dream), she effortlessly enlivens the blithely irreverent Monsignor Ryan. Likewise, Oregon Shakespeare Festival mainstay Derrick Lee Weeden is a find in his Guthrie debut, portraying John Prentice, Sr., the loving dad heartbroken and infuriated by his headstrong son. It is always a joy to watch the gifted Greta Oglesby (Caroline, or Change/Guth-

rie), (The Wiz/Penumbra-Children’s Theatre Company) work, though she is yet again typecast in a matronly role, playing handwringing Mary Prentice worried about her boy’s chances of finding happiness. Broadway’s David Manis and Twin Cities’ legend Sally Wingert are serviceable as distraught Matt and Christina Drayton, coming to grips with their daughter deciding her future with a bold lifechanging choice. Similarly, Michelle Duffy (Leap of Faith/ Broadway), (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof/Milwaukee Rep) hits her

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Black Fashion Week Minnesota kicks off Friday, May 25 at the Moxy Hotel in Uptown with offerings by HWMR's Made in America Black Excellence Collection and AkuaGabby by Jacqueline Addison. To see more of Jacqueline Amissah Addison’s work, visit her on Instagram: @AkuaGabby or Facebook/ Jacqueline Amissah Addison. For custom designs, email addison.jacqueline@gmail.com. Nicole Pillow welcomes reader responses to npillow@ spokesman-recorder.com.

REVIEW: Guthrie’s Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner a dud

Arts No Chaser

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“My mom is Akua and Dad is Gabby,” Addison explained. “My dad’s name is Gabriel but everybody called him Gabby for short. This is a name that they used to call me and make fun of me when I was a kid, so why not just put them both together?” Addison shared that she gets ideas and inspiration from looking back on her culture. She draws inspiration from seeing something in Ghana or videos and pictures of people wearing Ghanaian outfits. This could even include a bamboo hut. While the designs of AkuaGaby reflect her rich

culture, African-wear is not what she considers her forte — she has found delight and success at making wedding gowns. Addison is clearly moved by what she experiences. “I just recently made somebody a wedding dress for their wedding and it was really pretty. That’s when I actually knew what I do for fashion. I love the details and just the excitement I get when the bride sees it. “I love the fact that I spend so much time on a piece. With bridal wear, there’s a lot of details. I put pearls. I put stones, and there’s a lot of floral. My creativity really comes out. I don’t know — is this the fairy tale part of it? I get to make somebody’s day on their big day.” While Fashion Week Minnesota 2018 (FWMN) has officially launched, Addison will be taking a break this season for some self-care. Addison hasn’t decided if she’ll need to venture away from Minnesota to spread her wings higher in the fashion industry. She confided that she often wonders if Minnesota is ready for the kind of fashion that she has to offer. “We wear mostly warm clothes and sweaters. Even in the summer, we don’t wear anything too out there. I’m trying to figure it out… if I can find my own standout here and bring whatever I want to bring to Minnesota. I don’t know if anybody is ready for my creative aesthetic. It makes me want to ponder and see if I need to move out of state.” She continued, “I also want to keep the talent here. I feel like there has to be somebody like me here doing what I’m doing so far. I don’t know… I don’t know.” One thing is for sure, whether local or from afar, this talented beauty has all the makings of what it takes to rise to the top of her industry and make a powerful imprint in the world. “My big dream is to build a glass tower company with AkuaGabby’s name on the building and an orphanage and a franchise all over the world,” concluded Addison.

Join us at Sister Spokesman and meet local entrepreneurs who will help you understand the home buying process, the steps to becoming a homeowner, and how to find resources to help you finance your home.

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270 N KENT ST., ST. PAUL, MN 55102 FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 612-827-4021

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The cast of Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner directed by Timothy Bond

marks as Hillary the Drayton’s closeted bigot of a nosy neighbor. The company's Achilles’ heel is the ineffectual pairing of JaBen Early (The Great Society, All The Way/Arena Stage) and Maeve Coleen Moynihan (Little House on the Prairie, The Master Butcher’s Singing Club/ Guthrie), leading this otherwise quite capable cast, playing central characters John Prentice and Joanna Drayton. The characters’ imminent marriage has stood about everyone’s world in its ear. Timothy Bond’s directing is, in a word, unremarkable, managing to hold an even pace. In 1967, the shock value of a Black man marrying a White woman on the big screen characterized it as a cutting drama, despite such stronger stories as One Potato, Two Potato and Patch of Blue being around, but those didn’t boast the star power of

Sidney Poitier, Spencer Tracy and Kathrine Hepburn. Kreidler’s period stage piece treatment comes off as a tongue-in-cheek comedy for most of the first act. Laced with throwaway lines, the audience, in on a hip gag, continually chuckled at ’60s sensibilities in what amounts to self-congratulations for being greatly more socially evolved and enlightened. The second act isn’t any better — it simply stops playing for shtick and giggles and resorts to a tedious, quickly tiresome device: Whenever someone has anything significant to say, pretty much every time you turn around, it’s done with a speech cum social analysis. This robs the script of the compelling immediacy that stopped the film on a dime, as Roy Glenn in the role of the dad, and Sidney Poitier as the son, squared off in a fiery confron-

Photo by Dan Norman

tation at the virtual crossroad of racial progress. Here, Weeden, whose rumbling, depthless timbre powerfully echoes that of Glenn, basically blows the whining Early off the stage. The purported climax, complete with a revolving dinner table that slowly spins to the tune of Grady Tate’s “What A Wonderful World,” ends this would-be poignant saga on a nauseating note of politically correct schmaltz. Put it all together with the bland-beyond-belief Early and impossibly perky Moynihan possessing all the sexual chemistry of cold boiled eggs and well, if you miss one show this season, make sure it is Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner. Dwight Hobbes welcomes readers’ responses to dhobbes@ spokesman-recorder.com.

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May 3-9, 2018

Cancer survivor draws from own experience to help others By Keith Schubert Staff Writer

Alana Carrington

Photo courtesy Facebook/Alana Carrington

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hen Alana Carrington lay on the floor in her house and told God she wanted a change, she was not expecting the response to come in the form of being diagnosed with can-

cer and later losing her job. Nevertheless, that is exactly what happened. In January of 2008, Carrington walked out of the hospital, threw her hands up in the air and started crying. She had just been diagnosed with stage three breast cancer. She spoke out to God and beckoned, “I told you I want to get close to you and now you’re going to kill me?” For a short period, Carrington was bogged down by her diagnosis and said she was frustrated because she couldn’t figure out how this fits into God’s plan for her. But after her treatment, Carrington figured out how to turn the situation into a positive. In 2012 she started the Carrington Cares Foundation (CCF), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides resources and educational outreach for cancer patients and survivors. CCF is focused on easing the

economic load for patients going through treatment. That support can be gas cards, rental assistance, or a food shelf.

not so afraid.” There have been some bumps along the way. Carrington has had trouble getting funding for her pro-

”I want to be there to help them so they are not so afraid.” CCF was formed in response to the conditions Carrington saw throughout her treatment. She became aware of how lifeless the treatment process can make people. “People around me were so sad,” she said. “I never went in there like that because I wanted to give somebody hope.” By forming CCF, she said she hopes to provide relief for people going through treatment, so they don’t feel so hopeless. ”People hear the word cancer and they get so scared,” she said, adding, ”I want to be there to help them so they are

grams, in spite of hosting two fundraisers a year — the Pink Carpet Affair in the fall and a taco party in the summer. Also, when Carrington started CCF, she was nervous about all of the intricacies that came with starting a nonprofit and found the entire process intimidating. Consequently, it wasn’t until 2015 that CCF received the nonprofit status. ”In the beginning, I was just scared. Now it’s time to start applying and getting these grants and running these programs,” Carrington said.

Within the next two years, Carrington hopes to be working fulltime at CCF, and within the next five years, she wants to expand her program state-wide and beyond. Born in St. Paul’s Rondo neighborhood, Carrington is the oldest of four siblings. She confesses she was not a good sister growing up. But, a look at her professional resume paints a different picture. Carrington worked as an educational assistant for St. Paul Public Schools for 23 years, at the Salvation Army for seven years, and currently works as a case manager at the Union Gospel Mission. “That’s just me. I am going to help you, and if I can’t, I’m going to find someone who can,” said Carrington. = Keith Schubert welcomes reader response to kschubert@spokesmanrecorder.com.

Minneapolis NAACP #Blackout event called for inclusion at State Capitol this with community-building, street outreach and father mentoring. Youth Lens, a film production and training organization, deployed a robust crew busy capturing the images of the day to create a positive depiction of the gathering. State Rep. Rena Moran was a standout in the crowds, while few of her colleagues were in attendance. This was also true of the Black baby-boomers’ attendance. I, as a baby boomer, know this story of inclusion will incrementally change moving forward, as in the past, slowly or quickly with youth leadership and intentional involvement from all age and ethnic groups in our community.

By Pete Rhodes Contributing Writer At the recent African American Day of Unity gathering at the State Capitol, Jeffrey Aguy, event coordinator and vice president of the NAACP Minneapolis Branch, introduced James Burroughs, the chief inclusion officer for the State of Minnesota. In his remarks to Capitol visitors, Burroughs lamented the less than one percent of two billion dollars in state contracts going to African American vendors in 2016. He said although 2018 shows an increased in spending, the State can and must do better with sharing business and contracting with minority vendors. Those in attendance stressed that State contracts going to African Americans must be fixed, along with a host of other disparities. They, along with the Minneapolis branch of the NAACP, organized #Blackout, a day at the State Capitol designed to welcome Black Minnesotans and people of color to their rightful place at the shared seat of power. The buzzwords by speakers and attendees alike were equal inclusion and the importance of intentional efforts from the community. The Rotunda was alive with new faces, influencers, families, business startups, and new Americans, all eager to press towards a more inclusive and equitable state. Minnesota ranked numbertwo in Huffington Post’s top 10 worst states for Black Americans poll. Among this backdrop, Black homeownership is the eighth

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#Blackout attendees at the State Capitol lowest in the country. A fledgling new community credit union, Village Trust, was also on-hand to showcase their successful launch in the Twin Cities. Representatives of the credit union spoke about the need to provide credit literacy education to Black and immigrant communities, while removing the stigma associated with credit worthiness to people who’ve experienced institutional credit denials and predator lending practices. A mother in attendance with

her infant son from Oromo, along with a mother of an adult son, spoke about Philando Castile’s untimely death and the importance of being involved in their sons’ futures. In attendance to support this issue was V.J. Smith, the national director of MADD DADS. He also announced MADDADs’ 20th anniversary in the struggle. As with the nation, incarceration rates of Black males in the state continue to be number-one of all ethnic groups in the country. MADDADs works to change

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Legals

Employment

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

Dumpster2Day 4556 46th ave s #108 Minneapolis MN 55406 USA NAMEHOLDER: Paribus Energy Inc. 4 556 46th ave s #108 Minneapolis MN 55406 USA In whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required who has authorized me to sign this document on his/her behalf, or in both capacities. I further certify that I have completed all required fields, and that the information in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I understand that by signing this document I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document under oath. SIGNED BY: Adam Marzolf EMAIL FOR OFFICIAL NOTICES: adam@eximius.me DATED: 4/04/2018 11:59 PM Minnesota Spokesman Recorder April 26 & May 3, 2018 STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF HENNEPIN In Re: Estate of

Laurie Jean Toth,

Decedent

DISTRICT COURT FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT PROBATE DIVISION Court File No.: 27-PA-PR-18-498 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 MN Spokesman-Recorder, May 3 & 10, 2018

STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF HENNEPIN James White, Plaintiff, vs. George Fortney, Defendant.

CASE TYPE: PERSONAL INJURY DISTRICT COURT FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT 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 MN Spokesman-Recorder, April 26, May 3 & 10, 2018

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that it would push the WNBA further back in the mainstream sports landscape, going head-tohead with the NFL, NHL, college football, baseball playoffs and the World Series. Not to be overlooked is that their brother league, run by Silver, is the WNBA’s landlord because it is a subsidiary of the NBA. Does Silver really care about the WNBA? He claims he does, but his latest comments suggest otherwise. His predecessor, David Stern, did demonstrate his care from the league’s beginning and successfully fought off any attempts to kill it from naysayer NBA owners and others; he was never publicly heard uttering a discouraging word about the 22-yearold women’s league. But this longtime W reporter always was skeptical that Silver shared similar sentiments. We agree that it has been a tough sell over the years, and the “Why summer?” argument has been offered before. But if the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) has no problem playing in the summertime, when sweatbox gyms around the country are regularly packed from dawn to dusk and into the night by players, parents and college recruiters, then there’s no reason why women’s hoops played at the highest level can’t thrive in the summer as well. Perhaps Silver can offer more than token assistance to improve profitability and give the W league offices more to work with in terms of marketing and promotion, doing 365-day campaigns as opposed to its present bare minimum efforts. “Do we need to shift to the so-called more natural basketball season in the fall and winter?” Silver pondered aloud. Based on many present factors, our answer is a strong and emphatic no. Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@ spokesmazxn-recorder.com.

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guard willing to do whatever it took to put his stars in position to shine. “I think Tyus Jones is the future point guard for this franchise,” Hudson stressed. “I would like to see him play more. He’s young, quick with the ball, and a pass-first point guard. I think he would make these guys better if you put him on the court. They would have a lot more easier baskets.” Then there’s the all-controlling Thibs, the head coach and president with his whine on every call, never sitting down and never recognizing his players as they enter or leave the game and walk by him. We have yet to see the defense he’s reputed for. Minnesota, for the second year under his tutelage, again finished in the bottom half of the league’s defensive categories, including 23rd in defensive rating and 29th in opponents’ shooting percentage. Also, giving up 50 points in one quarter, as the Wolves did last Monday to the Rockets, was flat-out embarrassing. But take heart – the downtown Minneapolis basketball center soon will be the home of championship-level basketball thanks to the Minnesota Lynx, not the no-titles Wolves. Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@spokesman-recorder.com.

Anderson reiterated that it’s almost expected for frosh pitchers such as Culliver to slowly gain their groove while they adjust from high school to college ball. “It’s typical for a young high school player at this level to [learn and] to be able to execute [through] the whole lineup, not just a couple of guys, and be able to control the game, and be able to get an off-speed pitch over the plate,” the coach explained. “I consider my best pitch my changeup,” Culliver reiterated when asked. “It is something I focused on when I was a little kid. I

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612-827-4021 “I am playing with guys who are pretty much grown men. The atmosphere is a lot different compared to high school.” didn’t start throwing breaking balls until high school. I always had a changeup. I don’t rely on it, but I like to go to it when I need to.” Originally a shortstop, Culliver also played in the outfield – both spots demand a strong throwing arm. But it wasn’t until his eighth-grade year when a coach suggested he might want to focus on pitching. “My freshman year in high school, they [coaches] decided” to move him to the mound, Culliver recalled. “I pitched more than I played in the field. My first year on varsity I was a pitcher only.” Since pitchers rarely hit today because of the designated hitter, “It was a tough

transition,” he remembered. “I stopped hitting and being around position players. To only being around pitchers was a big adjustment.” “I’m very pleased with his development,” Anderson said of Culliver. “He’s very coachable. I think he understands where he’s at and what he needs to work on.” The longtime Gopher coach added that the young man has been working with the pitching coach on his delivery and mechanisms, and Culliver is progressing at this time as he hoped. “He’s got enough stuff,” Anderson said. “It’s just that he’s got to learn how to use it and get better on how to execute certain pitches.” He

foresees Culliver getting bigger and stronger in the next couple of years as well. “I couldn’t be more pleased with where he’s at and his development, and where I think his future lies.” “I think college baseball is something people dream of,” Culliver noted. “I am playing with guys who are pretty much grown men. The atmosphere…is a lot different compared to high school. “I think it doesn’t matter where we play or who we play. I’m still going to go out there and compete.” Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@spokesman-recorder.

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June 8-14, 2017

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May 3-9, 2018

Shifting the WNBA season to fall/winter a bad idea

Are the Vikings ready to go?

A

fter three long days, the exhausting NFL Draft is complete. Those among the 266 players taken have their sights set on fulfilling dreams. Lots of happy tears were shed over the weekend. All across the NFL cities, team scouting staffs are patting each other on the back for each team that has grabbed the players that can help them win. After going 14-4 and losing the NFC Championship to Philadelphia, are the Vikings positioned to go to Atlanta next February and win it all? A lot has to happen, but for now the Vikings are thinking along those lines. They’ve added Mike Hughes, corner back for the University of Central Florida, with their first pick. Sensitivity alert: Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer says, “There’s a commercial on TV right now where the lady asks this guy how many guns he needs, and he says, just one more. That’s how we feel about corners – just one more. Mike’s a tremendous athlete, great quickness in and out of the cut.” The Vikings selected Pittsburgh tackle Brian O’Neill with their second pick. General Manager Rick Spielman also traded the Vikings’ third pick to Tampa Bay and grabbed Jalyn Holmes, defensive end for Ohio State, with their fourth pick. The Vikings also added big play linebacker Devonte Downs from California.

Commissioner’s comments miss the mark

S

In the late rounds, the Vikings drafted All-American kicker Daniel Carlson from Auburn, big 6’-6” offensive tackle Colby William Gossett from Appalachian State, and picked defensive end Ade Aruna from Tulane. All the new rookie Vikings draftees and free agents will be in town this weekend for rookie mini-camp. Grading NFL Drafts is not what I do. Remember, you’re selecting players and it’s subjective, based on many considerations. This Draft featured five quarterbacks going in the first round. Cleveland, again with the first overall pick, selected Hiesman Trophywinning quarterback Baker Mayfield. For the first time ever, two brothers, Terrell Edmunds taken by Pittsburgh and Tremaine Edmunds taken by Buffalo, were drafted in the same 2018 Draft in the first round. The two brothers played together at Virginia Tech. There’s also the remarkable story of one-handed linebacker Shaquem Griffin, selected in the fifth round by Seattle. He joins his brother Shaquil Griffin, a veteran safety with Seattle. Those are just two of many remarkable stories in the 2018 NFL Draft, where dreams do come true.

ince assuming office in 2014, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver seemingly likes to sow seeds of doubts about the WNBA’s future at inopportune times. Silver has at least twice publicly said troubling things about his Charles league’s female counterparts. The hallman first came at the start of the 2015 playoffs when he said that he felt the W should be further along by that time. Whether or not that had an adverse effect, former president Laurel Richie submitted her resignation three months later. Now, during a recent ESPN interview, Silver suggested that perhaps the WNBA might want to switch from its current summertime schedule to playing in the fall and winter to help improve the league’s profitability. “It’s been harder to get people to come to the games. It may be because the games are in the summer,” Silver hinted. His comments come right on the eve of team training camps, which opened Sunday. Also his comments fly in the face of current W President Lisa Borders’ views.

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.

By Charles Hallman Senior Staff Writer

ANOTHER

VIEW

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver MSR file photo

WNBA President Lisa Borders

Photo by Charles Hallman

Last fall, Borders informed the media, including the MSR, “We had the highest attendance in six years this year for the sixth [consecutive] year.” She then boasted, “We are 21 years old this year, and we have all the markings and trappings of a growing and healthy business. “The product on the floor really drives how well the business does,” she stressed. “Minnesota is undoubtedly one of our best franchises on and off the court, but there are many attributes of many of the other [11] teams that you may not be aware of.” If indeed the W does shift its season schedule, the league will be faced with several dilemmas, the largest being that many of its stars would have to choose whether to stay home for the lesser salaries they currently earn playing in the States or go to door number two, the larger paychecks they get from playing overseas in the offseason – during the fall and winter. Another dilemma resulting from a season shift would be ■ See View on page 9

Wolves wrap-up: nothing to shout about The 2017-18 Minnesota Timberwolves most likely have completed their exit interviews as they hang up their uniforms for the year. They ended an NBA-longest 13-season playoff drought with a 1-4 first-round exit loss to Houston. That should’ve left a bad taste in the players’ collective mouths, not a ‘Well, we made it’ hangover.

Increasing regular season wins from 16 a year ago to 47 victories this season isn’t and shouldn’t be considered a satisfying standard for the Wolves franchise, especially if it only results in a firstround quickie. Instead, it should raise more questions. “They have a lot of potential,” former Wolves guard Troy Hudson told me after Minnesota’s only home playoff defeat this season. Hudson was a team member the

Sports odds and ends

Gopher frosh pitcher gaining his groove OP GO PH KG HE CK ER AC R L LA B B

10 0 By Charles Hallman Senior Staff Writer

last time the Wolves played in the post-season in 2004. “They have some great pieces” in Karl-Anthony Towns

Gibson provided only toughness. Teague was a shoot-first point guard, and Rose, a late arrival, in two

“I think Tyus Jones is the future point guard for this franchise. I would like to see him play more.” and the enigmatic Andrew Wiggins, noted the former guard. Actually there could be said to be three Wolves squads: The first: Towns is the team’s franchise player. He can be an inside beast, but too often the seven-footer drifts outside the lane and hoists jump shots. And the 6’-8” Wiggins plays like the Invisible Man, disappearing too much at crucial times of the game. These are your two bankable stars, but only Towns seems to be the one you’d want to bank on. The second: Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson, Jeff Teague and Derrick Rose were all

playoff games showed flashes of the MVP Rose. The third: Tyus Jones, Jamal Crawford and Nemanja Bjelica are reserves who should have been counted on more, but their on-court time wasn’t always assured every night. Some observers, including this reporter and several on Sirius/XM NBA Radio, believe that Towns and Wiggins need veterans to help them improve. The Wolves had that when Kevin Garnett was brought back, but the messy firing of Sam Mitchell, who years ago was brought in to help Garnett ascend to his superstar self, ran him away. Butler seems to have tried

There are approximately 100 African American and other student-athletes of color this school year at the University of Minnesota. In an occasional series throughout the 2017-18 school and sports year, the MSR will highlight many of these players This week: Gopher freshman baseball pitcher Joshua Culliver Joshua Culliver is one of eight firstyear hurlers on the 2018 Minnesota baseball team, and his coach “couldn’t be more pleased” with his progress. Culliver this season has been a spot starter as well as in relief. “He is going to be an outstanding pitcher in this program once he gets more experience and makes some adjustments and execution on some of his pitchers,” Coach John Anderson said of the 6’-2” Omaha, Neb. freshman right-hander. We watched him earlier this year pitch 2-2/3 scoreless innings March 29 against visiting St. John’s at the Vikings’ downtown stadium. He told us afterwards, “We were down big [U of M lost 11-5], but to me it didn’t matter. I think my best pitch tonight was my changeup. I mixed it in very well with my fastball and my slider. When my fastball command is there, my changeup is there really well.” The young man also struck out two in only his third collegiate appearance.

Joshua Culliver winds up. Photo by Eric Miller, U of M

■ See SOe on page 9

Troy Hudson Photo by Charles Hallman

brought in as seasoned veterans, but in reality all were brought in because they are well aware of Head Coach Tom Thibodeau’s antics. But only Butler made the Wolves better this season as a true leader on and off the court.

with Wiggins, but we don’t know how much the Invisible Man really listened to the wily veteran. And Teague is no Terrell Brandon, a point guard willing to do whatever it took to put his stars in posi■ See wOlVeS on page 9

PreP Scene Mitchell Palmer McDonald’s column will return next week..