By Charles Hallman Staff Writer A City of Minneapolis survey found that 82 percent of residents have computers with Internet access at home. However, only 65 percent of Near North residents have such access, and 25 percent of Blacks have no Internet access at home. “Eighty-two percent of [Minneapolis] households have access to the Internet,” […]
March 2013
Posted inNews
Black Minnesotans lobby at the State Capitol
Can the new ‘Black agenda’ move the community forward? By Charles Hallman Staff Writer There was nothing new revealed last week during the Council on Black Minnesotans (COBM) Lobby Day at the State Capitol presenting their Black agenda to this year’s Minnesota Legislature. Billed as “Black Minnesotans Helping Move Minnesota Forward,” around 50 people listened […]
Posted inNews
‘Harlem Shake’ videos spark effort to ‘resist the fad’
News Analysis By Jamal Denman Contributing Writer On March 13, Hamline University in St. Paul hosted a forum titled, “The Harlem Shake as Blackface: A Critical Look at Cultural Appropriation.” The forum was a panel discussion about a recent YouTube phenomenon and its relation to racism and people who identify themselves as White appropriating elements […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Black and Single Blues — A Vegas gig brought Keith and Lesli together again
How could Keith figure out a way to not break Lesli’s heart? A knife began twisting in his gut. Why? He’d walked away from women with barely more than a second thought. Who was she to be somebody so special? Back when they’d first hooked up, he’d been home from the L.A. movie shoot not […]
Posted inArts + Culture
This week’s Entertainment spotlights!
The Music Masta Killa of the Wu-Tang Clan Fri., Mar. 29, 9 pm • Amsterdam Bar & Hall, 6 W. 6th St., St. Paul, 612-285-3112 or www.amsterdambarandhall.com • Masta Killa has made appearances on every Wu-Tang Clan album, many solo Wu projects, as well as projects by Afu-Ra, Bounty Killer and Public Enemy. Redman Fri., […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
South Mpls grandmother spared eviction by Occupy campaign
News Analysis By Mel Reeves Contributing Writer After a public pressure campaign led by Occupy Homes MN ’s Foreclosure and Eviction Free Zone, Gayle Lindsey, a nursing assistant and grandmother in South Minneapolis who was facing imminent eviction, has won an 11th-hour loan modification on her mortgage from M&T Bank. Lindsey bought the home in […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Hold government, business accountable for keeping our youth from street madness
In Minneapolis and St. Paul, it’s time to build opportunity for the African American children. It’s clear that all the recreational things other communities have make a difference in a youth’s life. To begin with, we’ve got to have some real drop-in centers for these children where they can have dances and other social activities […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Create your dream job
First of a three-part series “The supreme accomplishment is to blur the line between work and play.” — Arnold Toynbee I really like this quote by Arnold Toynbee, because it resonates well with my journey to finding my authentic vocation. I have seen so many entrepreneurial people create a lucrative and thriving role for […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Living the Single Life
Look here every week for MSR’s profiles of local men and women who are, at least for now, unattached and…living the single life. This Week’s Single: Jacqueline (Jackie) Allen Age: 50 Profession: Business Manager/Baker/ Sales Consultant City: Burnsville Single life is… new to me, but adventurous. I’m dreaming new dreams and living out the desires of my […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Local chapter of National Black Nurses organizes festive gathering
Eliminating health disparities high on their agenda By Robin James Contributing Writer Stepping into Spring with the “Minnesota Black Nurses Association” was the joyous theme at the organization’s first annual gala on Saturday, March 9, held at the Crown Plaza hotel in Brooklyn Park, co-sponsored by The Minnesota Black Nurses Association (MNBNA) and a […]
Posted inArts + Culture
The Penumbra does it again — Austeen Van shines in SPUNK
By Mel Reeves Contributing Writer The saying that “the more things change the more they remain the same,” can be aptly applied to the Penumbra, which can always be expected to put on top-notch theater. Its production of SPUNK is consistent with what folks have come to expect. Anyone familiar with theatre and entertainment in […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Living, surviving and thriving with a disability
Disabilities need not stifle our hopes and dreams Hello, it’s me, Kenneth Brown. Do those of us with disabilities dare to dream? Do we have the right to have hope? Fear not, yes we do. Without hope and dreams we have no future. We believe in nothing. We cannot find a way, because we […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Ten ways to add 10 years to your life
By Charles E. Crutchfield II, MD, and Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD 1) Get an annual physical examination. Make sure it is from a doctor you are familiar with, and try to maintain continuity of care by scheduling an examination with the same doctor every year. The examination should include the standard blood tests for […]
Posted inOpinion
Will the Vikings stadium be a repeat of Target Field?
Will the State/City and Vikings/NFL allow the “Blacks need not apply” motto of Twins Field be applied to the Vikings stadium? Recall my columns: • “Stadiums go up while compliance system breaks down” (June 4, 2008). • “City failed to monitor hiring during Twins stadium construction” (May 12, 2010). • “MN attorney general was supposed […]
Posted inOpinion
It’s time for men to man-up to domestic violence
If I asked, “What is domestic violence?” how would you define it? The answer I usually get falls along the lines of “someone beating up their intimate partner.” My understanding of domestic violence used to be just as narrow. Actually, domestic violence is a pattern of coercive behavior aimed at gaining and maintaining power and […]
Posted inOpinion
Where are our leaders? What are our core values?
By Marian Wright Edelman Guest Commentator It will not be sufficient for Morehouse College — for any college, for that matter — to produce clever graduates, men fluent in speech and able to argue their way through; but rather honest men, men who can be trusted in public and private, who are sensitive to the […]
Posted inOpinion
Human perseverance overcomes daunting odds
A review of Going from the Projects to PhD: Transcending my geography By Hassen Hussein Guest Commentator In this riveting memoir, Dr. Yvette Pye weaves a compelling story of how “a ghetto bastard,” abandoned by addicted parents and wayward siblings, goes on to earn a Ph.D. from the prestigious University of Minnesota, joining a club of […]
Posted inSports
Highlights of a great state boys’ basketball tournament
The 101st boys’ basketball tournament was one to remember. TYUS JONES (Apple Valley), regarded by many as the nations’ top junior prospect, scored 28 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in leading the Eagles past Park Center, led by Mr. Basketball finalist QUINTON HOOKER (18 points, nine rebounds), 74-57 to capture their first Class 4A state […]
Posted inSports
Tubby Smith let go
University of Minnesota Director of Athletics Norwood Teague announced Monday that head basketball coach Tubby Smith has been relieved of his coaching duties, effective immediately. A national search for the 17th men’s head basketball coach in the history of the Golden Gopher program is ongoing. “Tubby has had a long and distinguished career, and we […]