Insight News ::: 12.19.11

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EducationEducation’s STEAM in the 21st century

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Art Cunningham20 years of celebrating community

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One MinneapolisA call to action

LifestylePeace on Earth and goodwill toward men

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Hope for the 2012 economy

Ofi eld Dukes: Champion of the Black Press

A new health care system for Hennepin County

It was the best of times, and the worst of times…

It was the best of times for Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain, and the worst of time for Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich. Cain,

the former Godfather of pizza, was riding at the top of most opinion polls and winning more straw polls than any other Republican candidate. Gingrich, the former

King of the Hill, was languishing closer to the bottom of earlier opinion polls, and certainly wasn’t winning straw polls. What happened to Cain, the

“999 Godfather,” the Don, and what happened to the contract on America ex King of the Hill, Sir Newt? Sex, yeah sex! It always seems to creep into every

political campaign. Cain, who the Republicans seemed to have had an extra philosophical affair

(TriceEdneyWire.com) – Ofi eld Dukes, the public relations mogul known as a powerful mover and shaker in Washington political circles, is remembered this week – not only as a national PR giant - but as a champion for the Black Press. “He was a remarkable, extraordinary individual whose presence will be missed beyond measure. He was probably the leading advocate of the Black Press and was one of the great pioneers,” said Danny Bakewell Sr., immediate past chairman of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, the Black Press of America, which Dukes served faithfully for decades. “He was always there

when we asked him to do something. His legacy will be a light of truth and courage and undaunting pursuit of equality for Black people measured through the eyes of the Black Press.” Dukes died Wednesday, Dec. 7, at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, where he started his career as an award-winning columnist and editorial writer for the Michigan Chronicle from 1958 to 1964. He had returned to his home of Detroit in the latter part of this year, suffering with multiple myeloma, a blood cancer that affects the bones. He was 79. “While Ofi eld’s accomplishments and accolades are varied and plentiful over the past four decades, the best adjective I can

ISAIAH, a 501(c)3 non-profi t coalition of over 100 congregations across the state, is praising Hennepin County’s ‘Health Care Delivery Systems Demonstration Project’ that will be submitted to the Minnesota Department of Human Services in early 2012. The county-wide integrated health care delivery network is part of the federal Affordable Care Act of 2011, which allows for the creation of new health delivery systems. New programs must provide cost savings for the reinvestment in preventive health measures and lower the cost of providing care and services. The proposed patient-centered model of care

will serve approximately 10,000 at-risk Medicaid benefi ciaries in Hennepin County and is expected to greatly improve community health outcomes. People covered by Medicaid, 68% of which are of color, are living in deep poverty and are among the most vulnerable populations in the state. They often receive no preventive care and are frequent users of emergency room care, which results in poor health outcomes at a high cost to both the individual and the community. Treating a safety net patient’s medical issues without addressing the underlying social, behavioral, and other human service barriers produces costly and unsatisfactory results for the patient and those providing health care. Addressing these issues and incorporating them into a coordinated patient-centered, comprehensive care plan

will end the cycle of continually providing costly crisis care. Jennifer DeCubellis, the Hennepin County Area Director for the project says that the system is broken because different human service providers are currently not able to communicate. “We are working on building a system with one patient record and without providers competing against each other,” she says. “It is more cost-effective to front-load on preventative care and social services, and adjust the system to the individual, rather than forcing the individual into a system that may not work for him or her. It is obvious that the most vulnerable in our society are not getting what they need to get better because we see them continually needing crisis care.” Linda Berglin Hennepin

County Health Policy Program Manager agrees that the project will be important to others in our state and our nation. “This will demonstrate that an accountable, social system based on racial disparities will work better than one based on competition,” she says. We must bring our social services together because decisions that are being made on one side of the government that may not seem to be related to health but still impacts the health of individuals and the community. Working together for racial and economic justice, ISAIAH’s criteria of which issues to pursue includes whether they have enough power to infl uence the outcome, whether there are enough leaders willing to become involved and

America’s economic prosperity in the coming year rests in the hands of its legislators. US Rep. Keith Ellison (DFL-Minneapolis) hopes Congress can settle the important legislation that will determine the economy in 2012 before they break for the holidays. He is encouraged by recent gains in employment across the nation but is concerned that Congressional inaction may jeopardize the small progress that the economy has made. Cuts in military spending would make a major improvement in America’s budget. The war in Afghanistan is particularly

expensive, Ellison says. Congress estimates that the Pentagon spends $2 million per week to maintain operations. “There

really is no military solution to the situation and would probably be very much the same whether we are there or not,” he says, “I’d rather save that money and divert it into our own economy.” Ellison argues that the nation’s defi cit will be reduced when more people are able to pay taxes from being back to work. When people have money they are able to buy more services and products, enabling businesses to hire more people. Most individuals can expect almost 35% of their wages to go to the government. Those who make their money on dividends only pay 17% on their earnings. According to Ellison’s offi ce, two-thirds of American corporations do not pay taxes. The one-third of corporations that do pay taxes is, unfortunately,

mostly comprised of small businesses. Taxes are not a punishment but are the dues we pay to live in a civilized society. Americans for Tax Reform, a conservative tax advocacy group, has been having legislators and candidates for offi ce sign a written promise, called ‘The Taxpayer Protection Pledge,’ that commits them to oppose any tax increase. Ellison believes it is a confl ict to have allegiance to a lobbyist rather than to the Constitution. “The only pledge I make,” Ellison says, “is to the American people and those who put me into offi ce. About one percent of Americans are millionaires

By Art Blackwell

By Lydia SchwartzContributing Writer

By Lydia SchwartzContributing Writer

By Hazel Trice Edney

NNPAIn this NNPA Summer Conference 2006 photo, Ofi eld Dukes

(center) receives an award from then NNPA Foundation Chairman Brian Townsend and NNPA Chairman John B. Smith

Sr. in appreciation for his years of service to the Black Press of America. The Conference was in Detroit that year.

DUKES TURN TO 3 HEALTH TURN TO 2

CANDIDATES TURN TO 6

Herman CainGage Skidmore

Newt Gingrich

U.S. Representative Keith Ellison (DFL-Minneapolis)

ECONOMY TURN TO 2

The tale of two candidates

MINDLESS BEHAVIOR: R&B’s NEXT BIG STARS MORE ON PAGE 5

Courtesy of the artists

December 19 - December 25, 2011 • MN Metro Vol. 37 No. 51 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • www.insightnews.comDecember 19 - December 25, 2011 • MN Metro Vol. 37 No. 51 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • www.insightnews.com

INSIGHT NEWSINSIGHT NEWS

Page 2 • December 19 - December 25December 19 - December 25, 2011 • Insight News insightnews.com

COMMENTARYBuild Black wealth: Celebrate Kwanzaa togetherThe most challenging issue facing Black Americans today is our lack of unity. The lack of unity that exists among African Americans undermines our ability to progress politically, socially and economically. The Black Americans that “blew up the most” over past decades typify the fact that the mass of high-income Blacks mostly “went south to the suburbs” to buy into their concept of the American Dream: materialism and individualism. To most of the African Americans who make up the middle-class and are so caught up in their own personal quest for stuff and self, “Black Unity” is a totally foreign concept. As we approach the 2011 Holiday Season, it’s evident

Black Americans don’t stick together and that results in millions of Black Americans remaining on unemployment and foreclosure rolls. Blacks’ wealth is diminishing, as is much of the Black middle-class. Across America, Black neighborhoods are in states of deterioration. As African Americans approach 2012 the economic rims seem to be coming off for a high percentage of us. As the Black middle-class declines, we fi nd that fi rst Black President Barack Obama has too shied away from “Black Unity” and has little identifi cation with our pain and no more with our plight than any of his predecessors. Most of us know the answer to our situation, but refuse to acknowledge or act on our lack of unity. The majority of Blacks seem unwilling to exercise the discipline and take steps necessary to improve their conditions. All

too many Black Americans, particularly those who have achieved “middle-class status”, take pride in declaring “we are not monolithic.” This is in direct contrast to the concepts that keep families intact and fi nancially prosperous – good neighborhoods, property ownership, saving habits, marriage, health care, strong school expectations and inherited wealth. It’s due to a lack of these factors, the majority of African-American families are either borderline or at high risk of falling out of the middle-class altogether. For African Americans to become “players” in the fi nancial system, we recommend the celebration of Kwanzaa programs. To be successful in American enterprises, Black Americans need a model such as Marcus Garvey who led the fi rst mass Black movement of the 20th century. Garvey called upon Africans

everywhere to “reclaim Africa, struggle to reclaim their better selves, and strive to restore their history and humanity.” Garvey believed in the primacy of race as the starting point for the liberation of all African people and believed that the oppressed African people throughout the world should have as their primary objective the emancipation of themselves as a race. Central to Garvey’s “race fi rst” philosophy was the doctrine of self-reliance and self-determination. All subsequent Black Power organizations and Black Nationalist leaders drew from Garvey’s “race fi rst” focus and owe a debt to his example and philosophy. Everybody practices collective economics, except us. It’s time to start a movement in which Black Americans can invest their time wisely. This movement toward Kwanzaa is based on Garvey’s

concept that “wealth” is strength, power, infl uence, justice, liberty and real human rights. Instead of concentrating on mainstream participation and acceptance; in this movement more Blacks will seek to reinforce their Black identity and roots. The hope of this commentary is to build a viable network of people involved in Kwanzaa programs across the nation. Start at Offi cialKwanzaaWebsite.org, for practices associated with Kwanzaa celebrations, which begin December 26th and lasts for seven days. The goal of the exercise is:• Harmonization of family and

community interest around the Kwanzaa Unity Principle.

• Toward more of us developing an African-centric view of ourselves - Kwanzaa Principle of Self-determination.

• Recognition of reciprocal obligations - Kwanzaa Collective Work and Responsibility Principle.

• Giving and receiving is the foundation for the Kwanzaa Cooperative Economics Principle.

• Understating that our best self comes from our own people - Kwanzaa Purpose Principle.

• Realization that the result of Kwanzaa Creativity Principle is continuous excellence and productivity.

• Development of mutual trust and belief in ourselves and our people.

Contact [email protected] for local references.

(William Reed is available for speaking/seminar projects via BaileyGroup.org)

By William Reed

take action, and whether success will improve the common good or address economic or racial inequity. “This project is a huge potential to reverse racial disparities,” says the co-chair of ISAIAH’s health task force, Dan Quillin of the Mayfl ower United Church of Christ, “and engage the community in a powerful

way. Health is affected by living conditions and the people served by this project are best suited to shape this new health care delivery system. Meaningful community engagement can both reduce the amount of money spent on health care services and help to create the conditions that will help participants thrive…This is not a new vision but is as old as the Bible we share.” David Godfrey, the Minnesota Department of Human Services Medicaid Director, says that the

project will focus on building community partnerships and help push the medical industry to looking outside of the traditional health care model. “It is morally imperative that we focus on racial equity,” he says. “There are certain aspects of our current system that reinforces the barriers to good health and poor outcomes…We ultimately pay for it as a state. Our current health care payment and delivery system will just keep costing more and I, for one, am sick of making cuts to Medicaid. We

need to change the model in order to lower costs and to change the outcomes. Successful community processes can be applied across all of Minnesota’s purchasing models.” Founder and CEO of The Stairstep Foundation, Alfred Babington-Johnson, who is also a member of the Minnesota Department of Commerce Health Insurance Exchange Advisory Task Force, argues that we need to drop the whole notion of ‘client’ and change our objectives toward

the broader community. “The current paradigm of ‘how do we help them,’” he says, “doesn’t get us any closer to a mutual respect for one another, or toward empowering communities. Our social institutions need to be rebuilt.” Dr. Ed Ehlinger, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health, stresses that health is not always an individual choice and that eating healthy is not always affordable. “We need an integrated public health system,” he says.

“Health care keeps getting more expensive because we continue using ineffective methods.” Health is not a zero-sum gain, when one person is healthy it benefi ts everyone. If our communities are not healthy, we do not really have anything else. “It’s exciting to see a new face on Hennepin County’s health care system,” says Pastor Dan Garnaas of Grace University Lutheran Church, “because health care is a God given right, not just a privilege for a select few.”

HealthFrom 1

but almost half of our elected offi cials are considered ‘wealthy.’ Everyone needs to keep in mind that legislators are making decisions for this country from their own point of view…I believe there are brighter days ahead but we need an active and engaged citizenry. A strong advocacy for the middle-class is needed in Congress if we are to

maintain economic security.” In response to the recent fi ndings of Congressional insider trading, Ellison is working with his colleague US Rep. Tim Walz (DFL-Southern Minnesota) on the ‘Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act,’ also referred to as the STOCK bills. “I am shocked,” Ellison says, “that any member of Congress would use inside information for their own personal gain.” As fi duciary employees of the American people, it is a clear confl ict of interest when someone who

is supposed to work for the public good abuses their power for personal gain. Ellison says that the STOCK legislation is necessary because there currently is not a way to truly enforce Congressional rules on insider trading. On December 6th, Ellison introduced House Joint Resolution 92, the ‘Get Corporate Money Out of Politics Amendment,’ which would allow governments to regulate the political activity of for-profi t organizations. It is becoming increasingly diffi cult to

deny that the candidate with the most money also happens to win most of the time. And since the 2010 Supreme Court decision for Citizens United, a conservative political organization, corporations are tightening their grip on the election of our country’s leaders. ‘They’ are allowed to spend unlimited sums of money to infl uence the outcomes of elections. For the sake of the public interest, and the health of our democratic system, Congress must ensure that we have a true democracy of real

people. But the outlook is not all bad. The federal ‘American Jobs Act of 2011’ is a series of economic-growth bills that are being worked on by the 112th Congress. It includes massive payroll tax cuts to hiring employers, community investments, and extending other unemployment services. Unemployment Insurance programs currently are set at a maximum of 99 weeks compensation. Ellison also introduced House Concurrent Resolution 64 to express

Congressional consensus that Social Security benefi ts should never be reduced. “Our seniors,” he says, “deserve the decency of life that they were promised, and worked for.” Ellison believes that the economy has to work for everyone, including those who are unable to work through no fault of their own. Progress has also been made in the last year on the ‘Clean Air Act,’ the law that defi nes the

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ECONOMY TURN TO 11

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insightnews.com Insight News • December 19 - December 25December 19 - December 25, 2011 • Page 3

said John B. Smith Sr., publisher of the Atlanta Inquirer and two-term NNPA chairman, a fete that he attributes to Dukes’ support. “I will never be able to recount the many times we discussed various issues pertaining to the Black Press of America and his foresight and aptitude was always on point…Ofi eld was among the premiere communications strategists you could ever fi nd.” A viewing was set for 9 a.m.-9 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 13, at the James H. Cole Funeral Home Northwest Chapel at 16100 Schaefer Highway in Detroit. The funeral was set for 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14, at Tabernacle Baptist Church, 2080 W. Grand Blvd. in Detroit with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, 19975 Woodward Ave. A Washington, D.C. memorial service is being planned for Wednesday, January 11. Richmond Free Press Editor/Publisher Raymond H. Boone Sr., who has known Dukes for 50 years, remained in touch with him during his fi nal months. “We remained in constant touch until the last weeks before his death. In our last telephone conversation, he remained courageously upbeat while cherishing the blessings of his life as he faced the reality of his future,” Boone said. Boone met Dukes as a member of the Johnson-Humphrey Administration, which Boone was covering as

a reporter for the Washington Afro American. “We immediately struck a lasting friendship in 1964,” Boone recalled. After Humphrey lost his presidential bid against Richard M. Nixon in 1968, Dukes established Ofi eld Dukes & Associates, beginning a stellar PR career. The fi rst African-American recipient of both the Gold and Silver Anvils, the highest awards of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), Dukes was among the most highly sought after

public relations executives in Washington. Motown was his fi rst client. Yet, he remained grounded, never forsaking his passion for the progress of Black people. “As a standout in politics, education and business, his foremost concern was how he could help others and advance the cause of human rights,” Boone said. “He knew the importance of the Black Press and was a strong advocate for its mission to give a strong voice to the voiceless.” Dukes organized the fi rst

Congressional Black Caucus Dinner in 1971 and worked tediously in his fi nal years to keep the CBC and Black Press connected. “He will be sorely missed for his many years of service to the Democratic party, the Congressional Black Caucus and The Black Press of America,” says Dorothy Leavell, former NNPA president and former chair of the NNPA Foundation of which Dukes served as a board member for six years. “He loved the Black Press and he

served it faithfully throughout his career. We shall all miss his service to the Fourth Estate.” Leavell specifi cally recalled Dukes’ working for Black Press inclusion in briefi ngs with President Clinton as well as the inclusion of the Black Press on advertising buys with the Democratic National Committee. Dukes was the architect of the collaboration between CBC members and NNPAF’s Wire Service to syndicate CBC op-editorials to NNPA’s 200-plus member newspapers.

Among CBC stalwarts, Dukes was especially close to U. S. Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.). “As a Member of Congress, I have been blessed to call many wonderful people my friend, but none more than Ofi eld Dukes. I am extremely saddened by the passing of such a great man who had signifi cant impact in not only my life, but that of my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus,

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DUKES TURN TO 5

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EDUCATIONEducation’s STEAM in the 21st century

Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center receives $15,000 grant from Boston Scientifi c Foundation

WE CARE helps children impacted by North Minneapolis tornado

It’s a very exciting time to be in Robbinsdale Area Schools. On December 5, 2011, the School Board approved a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM)

magnet for K-5 elementary students, set to open fall of 2012. This STEAM magnet will have traditional components found in exemplary Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education; we added an arts focus as well because of the infl uence arts has on education, and also because Robbinsdale Area Schools has a long and successful history in arts education. District staff are working hard on the creation of this magnet, and other staff are working on enrollment policies that will help to ensure

that the students who attend this magnet are refl ective of the beautiful diversity of the district. Infusing the arts into STEM education can enhance engagement and creativity, help to preserve and honor culture and tradition, and unlock creative thinking and the potential for partnerships. Connecting the arts and sciences, however innovative it sounds, really is grounded in rich traditional and cultural history. For thousands of years, African, African American, American Indian, European, Asian, Hispanic and Latino men

and women have contributed their knowledge of innovative design and architecture to the world – through music, art, writing, along with government leadership and more. Robbinsdale Area Schools is excited about the possibility that this new STEAM magnet has to emphasize that rich history of invention in our children’s everyday curriculum, and what the common methodologies were then and are now in observing and infl uencing the world around us. This is the world of 21st century education.

Mathematicians and engineers need to be effective communicators, and writers need to understand the science and nature of understanding. Students are encouraged to embrace independent innovation, and the learning allows for greater depth in many subjects. This school will infl uence learning at all other Robbinsdale Area Schools, through the professional development that teachers receive to the careful curriculum planning for the program. Teachers and staff across the district will learn

and grow from this quiet school nestled among trees and small hills in a lovely neighborhood in Golden Valley. I encourage you to take a look at this school, and to contact the district if you are interested in learning more. It’s an exciting time to be a student in Robbinsdale Area Schools; a rich future awaits. A parent informational night is scheduled for February 13, 2012. Visit us at www.rdale.org for more information, or like us at www.facebook.com/RobbinsdaleAreaSchools to follow all the wonderful things happening!

Boston Scientifi c Foundation has awarded the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland, MN with a $15,000 grant to support the center’s Environmental Science Immersion Program (ESIP). The program works annually with 24 low-income high school students from both Patrick Henry and Roosevelt High Schools, giving participating students the chance to learn alongside science professionals as well as build leadership skills while helping to educate middle school students from Imhotep Science Academy through weekend programs. “We are grateful to the Boston Scientifi c Foundation for their generous donation, providing more opportunities for Minneapolis underserved youth to become engaged in science,” said Peter Smerud for Wolf Ridge Environmental Center. “Graduates of our Environmental Science Immersion Program experience a marked increase in their interest in science following participation in the program, and we look forward to working with more students in the year ahead.” The grant from Boston Scientifi c Foundation will provide direct funding for

an after-school program and three annually scheduled fi eld immersion trips, two at the Boys & Girls Club’s Voyageur Environmental Center (VEC) in Mound, MN and a fi nal three-week overnight science course at the Wolf Ridge Center in the summer. The three-week course will pair participants along side professionals from the Department of Natural Resources, the Forest Service, and Environmental Engineers to conduct hands-on conservation research and daily assignments. At the end of the course all students will present their fi ndings and receive one elective high school science credit. “Boston Scientifi c Foundation’s grant will continue our work encouraging underserved students to unlock their academic and leadership potential,” said Foundation Administrator Jacqueline Boas. “By supporting the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center’s efforts to educate students on conservation and the environment, this grant will work to instill self-confi dence, and hopefully, a lifelong interest in the sciences.”

On May 22, 2011 a tornado struck North Minneapolis, leaving many families homeless and children in need of basic living provisions, essential back-to-school supplies, and books. In response to this need, the WE CARE Community Reinvestment Initiative was created with the primary goal of ensuring that every child who was directly impacted by the North Minneapolis tornado (approximately 1,000 children), would start and complete the new 2011/2012 school year with the tools and resources needed for academic success.

Through the WE CARE Initiative, lead donors, Target Corporation and the African American Leadership Forum contributed a total of $22,000 to purchase and distribute 1,000 brand new backpacks fi lled with essential school supplies, along with new shoes and coats. In addition, $16,000 was donated to the Minneapolis Public Schools, Mary’s Place, and Harvest Preparatory School to purchase books to rebuild the home libraries of affected students. WE CARE then partnered with World Vision and Operation Warm to fulfi ll

the order for backpacks, school supplies, coats and shoes, increasing the value of resources distributed to over $100,000* --a truly signifi cant milestone for the North Minneapolis community. WE CARE is now entering Phase II of its North Minneapolis recovery strategy, which will be focused on the ongoing development of community-based assets and resources for children and youth in North Minneapolis. For further information contact Trista Haarris at 612 879-0602 x 13.

ESIP students conduct a stream study along with scientists from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during last summer’s three-week science camp at the Wolf Ridge Environmental

Learning Center.

Courtesy of Wolf Ridge

Bright Water students learn the sweetness of giving to UNICEF

November heard the jingle of coins as students counted and sorted UNICEF donations at Bright Water School. It is an annual tradition for Bright Water students to collect UNICEF donations when they go trick-or-treating each Halloween. “This year’s donation is our highest amount ever!” notes Principal Ann Luce. Bright Water’s 175

students collected nearly $500. All students are encouraged to participate, and students who do not trick-or-treat still bring coins to school in their orange and black collection boxes. Older students tabulate school-wide results in their classrooms. Then students accompany Luce to US Bank at 1035 W Broadway Ave, help deposit the

money, and obtain the check for UNICEF. Our school develops respectful world citizens who are committed to making a better and more peaceful world.” Broadway Bank manager Mohammad Agoubi meets with the students and helps them get the exact number for the heavy bags of coins. This UNICEF donation is one of several recent projects Bright Water students have undertaken to help improve the lives of others. “My daughter has learned so much about the world and how to be a good global citizen at Bright Water,” says Nicole Messinger Post, mother of fi rst grader Emma Joy Messinger Post. Bright Water Elementary Charter School is an urban-based Montessori program designed to inspire students to be passionate, life-long learners, respectful of the environment and all humanity and to lead North Minneapolis students in closing the achievement gap. The Elementary School serves grades K-6. For more information about Bright Water, contact Principal Ann Luce at (612) 302-3410 or [email protected]

Courtesy of Bright WaterBright Water Elementary Students Maurice Wilson, Kya Phillips, Diana Rojas and James Young, assisted by local US Bank Branch Manager Mohammad Agoubi, consolidate coins they collected

into a donation check totaling nearly $500 for UNICEF.

Education

By Aldo Sicoli, Superintendent,

Robbinsdale Area Schools


dating back to its founding,” Rangel said in a statement. “Aside from his many accomplishments in business, politics and his personal life, Ofi eld was simply a true and kind person who sought to make our country a better place for all. I will forever miss his

virtue, justness and sincerity.” Dukes’ accomplishments are extensive: He was born Aug. 8, 1932, in Rutledge, Ala., served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954, earned a journalism degree at Wayne State University in 1958 and got a job at the Chronicle the same year. He left the Chronicle for Washington, D.C. in 1964 to serve as deputy director of information for the President’s Committee on Equal Employment

Opportunity under President Lyndon B. Johnson. In 1966, he joined the staff of Vice President Hubert Humphrey as a consultant and continued as a consultant to every Democratic presidential campaign since then. In 2002, Radio One founder Cathy Hughes named the building that houses three of her Detroit stations the Ofi eld Dukes Communications Center because of his sustaining impact on her career.

Known to spout wisdom and encouragement, Dukes taught as an adjunct professor at Howard University for l7 years and at the American University School of Communications for eight years. He is founder of the Black Public Relations Society of Washington and was a member of the Washington, DC/National Capital Public Relations Society of America Hall of Fame and the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame.

The PRSA Detroit, which will hold its fi rst diversity summit in February, has named the summit after Dukes and is also providing a scholarship in his name, according to the Detroit Free Press. Dukes is survived by his beloved daughter Roxi Victorian, a performing arts graduate from Howard University; a grandson; and three sisters, Anne Harris, Betty Hayden, and Lou Brock. “His kind, like that, there

ain’t no more Ofi eld Dukeses,” said Sam Logan, publisher of the Michigan Chronicle, in an interview with the Detroit Free Press. The Chronicle honored Dukes upon its 75th anniversary in November. “There will not be another,” Logan said. Concludes Ray Boone: “We can best pay tribute to Ofi eld by emulating his high level of expertise and unswerving commitment to justice.”

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Mindless Behavior: R&B’s next big stars

If you were ever in the dark about the draw and mass appeal of R&B sensations Mindless Behavior, a trip to the Mall of America this past weekend would easily have turned on a light switch. Mustering up the same bravado as a postal carrier… cold temperatures and the blustery elements were no match for young fans who lined up as early as 2am outside of the Mall of America on Sunday December 11 to purchase a wrist band and a CD from Best Buy in order to be fi rst in line to attend an autograph signing with the super

group. Doors to the mall didn’t open until 6am— this however didn’t deter fans from braving the Minnesota weather for an unparalleled opportunity to meet music’s newest idols. To the neophyte, it might seem like their star exploded overnight, but when you look back at their journey, MB has been at it three years strong and are currently face to face with the after effects of giving it your all. “My Girl,” “Mrs. Right,” and “Girls Talkin’ Bout” are amongst the hits that these 14 year old headliners have dropped in the R&B engine since they’ve started garnering name recognition and unparalleled fanship this past year. Wherever they go, they’re greeted by mobs

of hysterical screaming fans; a feeling that although 50 + years later, could easily mirror a scene out of The Beatles fi lm “A Hard Days Night.” Labeled a super talent for their blend of music and high-powered dancing, Princeton, Roc Royal, Prodigy and Ray Ray are the end result of a worldwide talent search for R&B’s next big stars. They’ve left their mark on the world opening up for such artists as Janet Jackson and Justin Bieber and been the subject of an array of musical specials on cable stations like BET, MTV and FUSE. On the surface they look like your average teens, but on a musical stage or in an interview they’re drawing and electrifying;

exuding a maturity level over their dreams that is quite rare for even adults who long to be super famous. “You gotta have great work ethic and be confi dent,” Ray Ray of Mindless Behavior told Insight News about the necessary traits needed to go after your dreams of becoming a star, “When I say work ethic I mean you have to work your hardest. Sometimes we have to stay up til 4am and then wake up at 6. It gets hard, but you have to keep working and keep pushing yourself.” Currently, MB is headlining the Scream Tour, a longtime fan staple that has seen the likes of boy band alumni B2K and Immature. Accompanying them

on the road is young rapper Diggy Simmons, son of Rev Run and nephew of Russell Simmons. Simmons also guests on MB’s hit song “Mrs. Right,” off their hit album “#1 Girl” which was released on September 21, 2011 and has already peaked at #2 on the US R&B charts. They’ve recently also dropped their very fi rst holiday song, “Christmas With My Girl,” which is quickly becoming a favorite amongst fans. There’s certainly a lot to be learned about R&B’s newest addiction, but for parents who are just catching on to the phenomenon, it is likely their moniker that probably raises the most questions. If you’ve been

asking yourself what it means t o have ‘Mindless Behavior’, the boys defi nitely have an answer that will marvel your mind. “It just means being confi dent and being a leader, everyone thinks it’s negative, but it’s not.” Ray Ray shares. “It’s a lifestyle that gives you the freedom to express yourself—,” says Roc Royal. “— in any way you want. It could be music, or art, or in fashion or writing.” Princeton adds. “Anything that you want to do, just be Mindless with it 24/7.” For more information on Mindless Behavior please visit www.insightnews.com for other links and to view an exclusive video interview with the stars.

By Alaina L. LewisContributing Writer

Corissa S. SuttonMindless Behavior (l-r): Roc Royal, Prodigy, Princeton, and Ray Ray

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with, and Newt Gingrich, whom the same party faithfuls divorced a long time ago (I’m not sure on what grounds) were at opposite ends of the political polls. Of course, there were other Republican presidential candidates that enjoyed temporary leads in the polls, such as Michelle Bachmann, who while campaigning believed that the “Duke” himself, John Wayne, was

born in Waterloo, Iowa. Actually, it was John Wayne Gacy, the notorious serial killer that was born there. Oops! Bachmann also believed that the founding fathers abolished slavery, and that John Quincy Adams was its champion. Well, it was actually John Adams, Quincy’s father, the second President of the United States who was one of America’s founding fathers. Obviously, any eighth-grade history student would have known that slavery partially ended with the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. Slavery offi cially ended and was abolished

in 1865 with the adoption of the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Then there was temporary front-runner Gov. Rick Perry who suggested that maybe Texas should secede from the United States, and that Social Security was some kind of Ponzi Scheme. To make matters worse, during a presidential debate he couldn’t remember…what he couldn’t remember. Meanwhile, the “999 Godfather” was taking the Republican race by storm with his straight, but simplistic talk, all

mixed with an aura of southern charm. The right wing of the Republican Party, inclusive of the Tea Party, had a Black man that they loved…and it wasn’t President Barack Obama. The group could now show America that members of the Republican Party were not racists, and that they found another Black man who was conservative and shared their views, just like their beloved Clarence Thomas. Certainly, the Republican faithfuls were having a bi-racial love affair. However, unlike his fellow candidates who rose and fell in the twinkling of an eye, Citizen Cain remained at the top of the polls, even though the party’s hierarchy started to challenge his “999 Tax Plan.” Additionally, the critics attacked his lack of experience, especially at it related to foreign

affairs. Candidate Cain, however, remained at, or near the top…so something had to be done; it was time to get serious and drop the S-Bomb. Yes, sex, but not just any sex; it was sex with white women. Whoa! Herman was in big trouble now, but low and behold, even though he was hit with a powerful George Foreman straight right-hand punch, Cain wasn’t knocked down… he staggered, but still remained on his feet. But allegation after allegation, amid lawsuit settlements, and the punches started to take their toll. What’s funny is that Herman Cain once ran for the United States Senate and these stories never surfaced. Anyway, still on his feet, many conservatives, including Ann Coulter, believed that the attacks on Cain were a Left Wing conspiracy. Cain was

bloodied, but was still hanging in there, still raising money, and still denying all the allegations of harassment. However, the fi nal round for the tough talking Cain came when an Atlanta Business woman, Ginger White, stepped forward to say that she and Cain had carried on a 13-year affair. Subsequently, Herman’s wife, Gloria, called her husband home and basically said, “Herman, enough is enough!” Just like that, the campaign for Herman Cain was over. No mas! The knockout blow: an extra marital affair allegation by an admitted friend who said Cain helped her. Really! With friends like that, who needs enemies! An extra marital affair…sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Meanwhile, Gingrich, because of strong debate performances and obviously being intellectually superior to his fellow candidates, began to rise in the polls. Gingrich currently is leading comfortably in all national polls, and it seems like it may be his race to lose because only Mitt Romney is left to contest the nomination. The Republican nomination…what are we missing that seems so eerily familiar? Oh, yes, the extramarital affair. The former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich has an interesting past, and I do mean interesting. However, the thing that is probably the most interesting, as it relates to this campaign, is that the very thing that brought down Herman Cain seems to have had little or no effect on Newt. Case-in-point: In December, 1988, President William Jefferson Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives for perjury and obstruction of justice, all for lying to a Federal Grand Jury about – here it goes again…an extra marital affair. President Clinton was acquitted by the U.S. Senate because it failed to reach the required two-thirds majority necessary for removal. The most interesting fact, however, was that the person leading the charge for impeachment was – you guessed it: Speaker Newt Gingrich. That would have been all right if it wasn’t totally a partisan political act. More importantly, Gingrich was involved in his own extra marital affair while he was leading the impeachment charge against President Clinton. Being a political leader and messing up is costly. However, being a political leader and messing up while being hypocritical is priceless. Oh America, Herman was so close…maybe too close for many Republicans and Tea Party elites. Think about it: two Black men possibly running for President of the United States as their respective party’s nominees. One, a Republican and conservative; the other, a Democrat and liberal. What a thought America, we were close to an historic and epic battle between two Black men who both love their country. It would have shown the world that America is the standard for what Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. envisioned in his dream for a color-blind society. However, sex and race got in the way –again. So now, it is the best of times for Newt Gingrich, and the worst of times for Herman Cain.

CandidatesFrom 1

One Minneapolis: A call to action The Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights has collaborated with experts from government, business, non-profi t, and the community to look at the disparities in education, justice, employment, health, and women & minority businesses. In collaboration with The Advocate for Human Rights, the University of Minnesota Human Rights Center, and the Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights, the One Minneapolis Call to Action Conference was held Friday, December 2, at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The conference focused on best practices currently being utilized around the region to fi nd additional solutions that will bring an end to the divide. “We are here today to talk about a prominent solution to eliminate disparities in the region,” said Velma Korbel, Director of the Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights. “We also want to talk about what success looks like when disparities are eliminated,” she said. Some startling, yet not surprising statistics, displayed the need for the gap to be closed in Minnesota most. “The disparities are deep and severe,” said Mark Brinda, Workforce Manager for the City of Minneapolis. “In the Twin Cities, you are three times more likely to be unemployed, or in

poverty if you are Black. White students are twice as likely to graduate on time than students of color. Those trends reinforce what most of us already know. What strikes me most, is when we compare ourselves to other Metropolitan areas, it says the economy is working for some, but not others,” Brinda said. According to Dr. Eljinar Austin, the Twin Cities is only second to Milwaukee in unemployment disparities between Blacks and whites. Metropolitan areas following the Twin Cities were Baton Rouge, Memphis, Baltimore, and Cleveland. “No offense to those cities, but those are not cities we typically compare ourselves to, or compete with for other

livability indicators, yet we are beating them in disparities” Brinda said. Another fact Austin found in analyzing educational obtainment in the Twin Cities, is that Blacks with a Bachelor degree were still twice as likely to be unemployed than whites. “These disparities are wider and deeper here than anywhere else in the country,” Brinda said. The biggest question is, what is the causing the since of urgency, and what are the cause of these disparities. “Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom before you come back up; I sure hope this is rock bottom for us,” said Toni Carter, Ramsey County Commissioner. “The on-going recession made us get our hands around the

reality for the future. Here in Minnesota, our reality for the future depends on demographics, the balance between seniors, and working people are changing dramatically. We need to prepare a workforce to take on the jobs of the future,” Carter said. The workshop Crime and Justice focused on racial bias in the court. Panelists provided discussion and data on criminal justice disparities, including arrest and convictions. The discussion also focused on the affects of these impacts on employment, families and the community. “One statistic that is a basis for this conference is the graduation gap,” said Moderator Judge LaJune Thomas Lange.

“One in three Black students graduate on time from the Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS). This means 67% of Black students in the MPS do not graduate on time,” she said. Council Crime and Justice Director Ebony Ruhland provided an overview of the racial disparities in the justice system. “Minnesota’s racial disparities are more than twice the national average in the criminal justice system and are even higher for part two crimes, which are usually low level offenses. We have the 12th highest Black to white prison rate in the nation,” she said. Ruhland pointed out that racial disparities are generated at the fi rst point of contact with the law offi cer. “We found that

Black, Latino and American Indian drivers were stopped and searched at greater rates than white drivers, yet found less contraband,” Ruhland said. The same occurrence resonates with juveniles as well. In 2003 and 2004 under the Racial Disparity Initiative (RDI), Minneapolis Public Schools referred 2,656 cases to the Hennepin County Juvenile Justice System. Of those, 2,300 were misdemeanor or petty offenses, with 50% involving disorderly conducted. “Low level offenses are being reported to the Hennepin County attorney’s offi ce, then creating a record for the juvenile. These fi rst points of contact

By Ivan B. PhiferStaff Writer

ACTION TURN TO 11

Suluki FardanPanel (l-r): John Keller, Executive Director of Immigrant Loss of Minnesota, Michael Davis, Chief of Police Brooklyn Park, Ebony Ruhland, Director of Research Council

for Crime & Justice, Sarah Walker, President of Coalition for Impartial Justice and John Choi, Ramsey County Attorney


When parents read the holiday classic, The Night before Christmas to their children, assuming of course this is a tradition that is still being followed, are they doing it from a classic picture book? Or from an electronic device that ensures “visions of sugarplums” are literally dancing in full color across a tablet’s screen? Do little girls still ask Santa for Barbies or Easy Bake Ovens (amazing what a strong light bulb can do, isn’t it)? And, little boys for trucks and action fi gures? Do either still ask for shiny new bikes? (I was so excited the Christmas I got a tandem – you know a bicycle built for two – and I begged my mom to let me ride it right then and there in the snow … Best Christmas ever)! But, sadly no. According to a recent Nielsen survey, now when children make out their lists, there is a very good chance they are asking for an iPad. Yes, you heard me correctly. Nielsen tracks, measures and

analyzes everything consumers watch and purchase around the globe, especially during this time of year, and our data shows that the Apple iPad is at the top of the electronics request list among nearly half (44%) of the 6-12 year old set. That number is up from 31% in 2010. I’m sorry, but I waited until my son was 12 before I even considered getting him a no bells and whistles cell phone, so any phone at age six would be out of the question, let alone an iPad. Other “i” products round out the wish list for this holiday season – the Apple iPod Touch (30%) and iPhone (27%). Apple isn’t monopolizing the list, though – 25% of younger consumers want computers and other tablet brands. Games are still big. Er, no, I’m not talking about Monopoly, Sorry or Connect Four. (A few personal favorites). Research shows that many of today’s kids are asking for Nintendo 3DS (25%) and Kinect for Xbox360 (23%). Younger children are perfectly happy to ask for older game systems like Nintendo DS (22%), PlayStation 3 (17%) and Xbox360 (16%). The Nielsen survey results indicate that those of us over age 13 also have iPads more on our wish lists this year (24%) than in 2010 (18%). Thanks to Apple iPads, there seems to be new tablet offerings popping up

left and right – and 17% of us are interested in those brands. Even with the popularity of the all-inclusive tablets, 18% of adults and older teens are expressing an interest in E-Readers, which is slightly up from a year ago (15%). I always feel more connected when I realize that people around the globe are much more alike than we are different. We Americans are not alone with technology topping the gift-giving (and gift asking) department. Another recent Nielsen survey conducted in 56 countries reveals that

technology ranks number one around the world, followed by clothing and books. And, even though holiday traditions differ around the world, the universal theme for us all (well, most of us, anyway) is celebrating on a budget. We’ve got to pay for those fancy electronics, clothes, or books and whatever else may be on our shopping lists. Here’s how we stack up against the rest of the world in terms of our pocketbooks:• Nearly three-quarters

(73%) of global consumers expect to spend the same or less on holiday gifts this

year than last. • Most Americans surveyed

(66%) plan to spend the same as they did in 2010.

• About half (48%) of global consumers expect to spend about the same as last year.

• 25% of global consumers plan to spend less this year.

• 11% (concentrated in the Asia Pacifi c and Middle East regions) plan to spend more this holiday.

• 15% do not purchase holiday gifts.

Shopping on a “budget” may mean different things to different consumers. Fifty percent have budgeted between $250 and $500 to spend this holiday season. Thirty percent plan to spend between $500 and $1,000. Only 17 percent report plans to spend more than $1,000.

These are good fi gures to keep in mind as you venture out for Holiday shopping. Always the procrastinator, I’ve perpetually been a late Holiday shopper, sometimes right up until Christmas Eve. In keeping with my pattern, I will just be getting started this weekend. Whether you celebrate Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Christmas or any other shopping opportunity, remember the reason for the season. Now get out there and embrace your consumer power like never before. Happy Holidays!

Cheryl Pearson-McNeil is senior vice president of public affairs and government relations for Nielsen. For more information and studies go to www.nielsen/africanamerican.com

Art Cunningham: 20 years of celebrating community

An iHoliday, anyone?

When a guest walks into the Brooklyn Park studios where the Art Cunningham Show is fi lmed, the fi rst thing they might see is Art Cunningham himself, beaming a welcoming smiling and asking the guest to sit down so they can talk a while. The only things missing are a front porch and some lemonade. Cunningham has a way of putting people at ease, and for the past twenty-plus years, he has been doing just that, as host of a weekly, live television broadcast, the Art Cunningham Show. Cunningham’s motivation for starting the program was giving back. “Life and the community have been so good to me,” he says. “I wondered, how could I best express my appreciation for all that’s been given to me?

How best can I give back to the community?” Beginning with his fi rst show, hosting Mayors of Golden Valley, Robbinsdale and New Hope, Cunningham strived to bring community members together; he wanted to get deeper into their stories, and he wanted to make meaningful connections among all sorts of people. After all these years, the show continues to successfully impact people of all backgrounds across the Twin Cities. Diversity is the undercurrent of the Art Cunningham Show. In addition to local leaders, Cunningham’s guests have included a foreign Prime Minister, a magician and a professional from the Hennepin County Sheriff’s department explaining how a murder scene is investigated. He never shies away from diffi cult topics: a guest who opposed interracial

marriage, for example, or a husband experiencing abuse at the hands of his wife. Because his show is meant to provide

information that will help people, he has welcomed health experts on pertinent topics ranging from diabetes and erectile dysfunction to PMS. One of Cunningham’s many memorable shows was a Thanksgiving special. Cunningham invited youngsters from local community centers to join him on the show for Thanksgiving dinner. He invited a minister to join them, as well. While they enjoyed a meal, the minister shared his views on the signifi cance of Thanksgiving. Over the years, Cunningham has seen the Twin Cities cultural landscape change. There are more people of color here now, including an increase in the Somali and Laotian populations. By his observation, the community does not see racial discrimination and denial of opportunity based on color in the same way their parents saw it; it

isn’t the same obstacle it used to be. But he’s not sure that younger people have a real appreciation, either, for the pioneers who made this city a better place for people of color. “Far too many take life much too lightly,” says Cunningham. He feels there are ample opportunities now, but only those with focus and preparation are ready to accept those opportunities. People need to choose how they will live their lives, he says, inside or outside the law, and that choice will determine their outcome. Words of wisdom from someone who has lived into his eighth decade and has made a career out of associating with all kinds of people. What Cunningham enjoys about hosting the show is, fi rst of all, “It’s fun.” When it’s no longer fun, he says, he’ll stop. But until then, the show puts

Cunningham and his viewers in touch with interesting people and rich experiences, people they might not meet otherwise. A recent show with three young people talking about Kwanzaa, for example, was informative and popular. At the end of his show, the high-spirited host might be heard telling his viewers, “Try to make yourself useful in somebody’s life.” This is what Cunningham has been about for the last twenty-something years, making himself useful to the communities he serves by bringing great people and powerful information together. The Art Cunningham Show can be seen in the Northwest Suburbs on channel 19 on Wednesdays at 8:00pm, in St. Paul on channel 15 on Wednesdays at 7:30pm and in Minneapolis on channel 17 on Thursdays at 9:30pm and Sundays at 3:30pm.

By Cheryl Pearson-McNeil

DissectingDiversity

By Julie [email protected]

Courtesy of Julie DesmondArt Cunningham


The four pillars of healthy relationships

The topic of relationship is one of the hottest topics in the country today. People everywhere are watching, listening, and reading about it because they want their

relationships to be better. They do this because they want to have successful relationships. Despite the statistics on divorce, healthy relationships do exist. This month my pastor and his wife will celebrate 54 years of marriage. I am very close to another couple who have been married for over 60 years, and I have several friends and family members who have been married 30 or more years. If the media would focus it’s greatest energy on the one half of marriages that do not end in divorce, more people would see

building a successful relationship as a possibility. In my quest to give the study of successful relationships the attention it deserves, this week I would like to share my 4 pillars of a healthy relationship. The pillars are honesty, trust, non-sexual touches, and meaningful communication. These 4 pillars are the bases for all healthy relationships. When two people come together an emotional bridge is created. This emotional bridge represents the feelings that they have for each other. Just as support is needed in a physical bridge, these feelings must be supported by underling principles. These principles serve as the foundation for the relationship, and they are supported by words and actions that work for the good of both people involved. These words and actions or pillars, are necessary for successful interaction. The fi rst pillar of a healthy relationship is honesty. It is the desire and ability to tell the truth without any intentions to deceive. This does not mean that a person has to tell everything that they know. Telling everything is a sign

of immaturity. Children tattle tale, but mature adults only tell those things, good or bad, that are for the growth and development of the relationship. Honesty requires discretion. A husband telling his wife about an affair that took place during the marriage would be something that could work for the growth and development of the relationship, while telling her about all of his sexual escapades before marriage would not. In all cases, words that come out of a person’s mouth must be the truth. The pillar of honesty must run deep into the core of all those involved. Without this pillar the relationship will become unstable and eventually it will fall. The second pillar of a healthy relationship is trust. Trust is what we do. Trust is established through, fi delity, loyalty, and respect. It is reinforced by the positive action a person takes for the good of the relationship. When actions are taken that violate trust, the relationship becomes unstable. This is a hard pill for some to swallow. Some people want be trusted, but have not taken the

actions necessary to become trustworthy. Trust has to be earned. The one that has broken the trust has to be the one that takes the responsibility for rebuilding it. You can rebuild trust by doing what you say. Your actions must line up with your words. We all have in us the ability to be trustworthy, but we have to value the relationship enough to allow it to come forth. When it comes to a healthy relationship, trust is a must. The third pillar of a healthy relationship is non-sexual touches. Touch is one of the most powerful of all the senses. The human body has over 30 thousand touch receptors located from the head to toe. These sensors are connected to nerves that are able to detect even the slightest touch. Non-sexual touches include hand holding, hugging, and cuddling. These healthy interactions prevent a person from feeling like an object and more like a respected member of the relationships. Understanding the right use of non-sexual touches is vital to a healthy relationship. A child that is not held may become underdeveloped, and some men have gone from friend to felon in one night because of the incorrect use of touch. Because of the potential long term consequences that are involved in touching, this pillar is vital to any relationship. The fourth and fi nal pillar of a

healthy relationship is meaningful communication. This is more than just talking to each other. Meaningful communication involves sharing goals and ambitions, hopes and aspirations, success and failures, and likes and dislikes. It is the opposite of arguing. Effective communication cannot be measured in the volume of words or by the length of the conversation. It exists when the words, thoughts, and ideas of both parties are respectfully received. It is the key element that holds all relationships together. When meaningful communication exists, the ability to resolve complex issues exists as well. Open communication serves as a bridge over relationship trouble. You are the principle factor in your relationship equations. Continue to seek out positive information about relationships, and you will make your relationships better. When you improve yourself, you make the potential for a healthy relationship possible!

Timothy Houston is an author, minister, and motivational speaker who is committed to guiding positive life changes in families and communities. For questions, comments or more information, go to www.tlhouston.com.

ManTalk

By Timothy Houston


LIFESTYLEPeace on earth, good will toward men

As the Christmas holidays approach, I quiet my spirit and think about what is most important. I think about the song, “Let there be peace on earth…, and let it begin with me.” I realize that whether one is a Christian, Muslim or Jew, this part of the

year reminds us to stop and think about why we are all here and what we are meant to accomplish. After all, isn’t that why they call it a “holy-day?” According to Webster’s Dictionary, the word “holy” means “exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect and in goodness and righteousness,” and “having a divine quality.” Consequently, more than toys or gifts or over-eating opportunities, holidays require us to re-evaluate our degree of congruence between our spiritual selves and our earthly selves. We have to compare what we say we are all about against what we actually do. Thus, observing holy days requires

that one become thought-fi lled, live in harmony with others and ourselves. Finally, we must seek to be, at peace, and honest in spirit. Learning to promote peace in one’s life and in the lives of those around you requires diligence, effort, and stick-to-it-ness. In fact, I once remember a cartoon from a local newspaper when a young girl was told by her mother to “Seek inner peace.” The little girl promptly responded to her mother’s request by asking the question: “How on earth can I seek inner peace, when there is so much outer obnoxiousness?” Sometimes I ask myself that same thing. Sometimes my lack of peace

has come from inside of me. I noticed that as I got older, I began to accept my faults more and work to correct them. However, when I was younger, I would fi nd it very diffi cult to accept my mistakes or errors in judgment, at times. Sometimes, it was hard to accept criticism or responsibility. I fi nd that even today, I can easily be wrapped up in “other people’s” opinions about me. I can get lost worrying about “man’s inhumanity to man.” It is true that all around me, there are people who want to use me, abuse me, and confuse me. All around me there is hate, jealously, scheming, game-playing, lying, cheating,

rejection, disrespect and anger. All around me there is fear, hurt, abuse, neglect, abuse of power, racism, discrimination, systemic barriers, apathy, and inactivity. All around me are people who want something from me that I don’t have, can’t give, and who don’t care. Yes, there surely is a lot of “outer obnoxiousness.” Therefore, being negative is the easy part. That negative part of me does not lead to peace, love, humility, patience, or compassion. When I experience those feelings, I notice that I am short-tempered, dejected, less patient with others and I feel unhappy, tearful and irritated. My blood pressure goes up, I over-eat and I don’t smile

much. In fact, I do not want to be bothered! Therefore, each day of my life, I choose to be positive. I choose to say to myself, “all around me are people who want to help me, protect me, educate and empower me.” All around me, there is love, support, alliance building, honesty, fair play, acceptance, respect and peace. All around me, there is safety, healing, growth, attention, sharing of power, reconciliation, recognition, systemic strategies for success, caring and action. All around me are people who value what I can give; ask for what I

By Dr. BraVada Garrett-Akinsanya,

Ph.D., L.P.

Murua(Swahili for ‘Respect’)

PEACE TURN TO 11

Refl ections on race and the church“Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest of me, which am a women of Samaria? For the Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.” - John 4:9 As we consider issues of race and the church, we often hear talk of the “white church” and the “black church” -- the two juxtaposed as though one stands against the other. It is true of course, that cultural differences exist in worship, preaching, liturgy, church administration, leadership and

undoubtedly many other areas. (Note that “culture” here is defi ned as the shared patterns of behaviors, interactions, and intellectual constructs that are learned through the process of socialization. These shared patterns serve to identify the members of a particular cultural group while also distinguishing them from other groups). This article highlights the importance of recognizing and appreciating our differences. Corporately, these differences are related to our kingdom assignments and interconnectedness.

Kingdom Assignments We all have particular vocations

or particular assignments in God’s kingdom, both corporately and individually, which means that we have been uniquely positioned by God to be a blessing to someone else or another group. In other words, there is an intrinsic value in our various “church contexts”. We do the kingdom a disservice if we arrogantly or ignorantly defi ne “church” only as the “black church” or “white church” without recognizing and valuing the uniqueness that each of these brings to the table. It is important to appreciate our differences while not allowing the distinctions to cause division or fragmentation within the body of Christ, because there is only

one church. The “black church” and “white church” have each given birth to great gifts for the one church. One need not be seen as better than the other or attempt to replace the other, because each exist to exercise a particular responsibility within the one church. The fact is, if they do not understand their kingdom responsibilities, they will go about their journey missing the opportunities that God has for them. Far too many of our churches are engrossed in their own contexts to be utilized to the fullest extent that God has ordained for their lives. God wants our churches to be

instruments of the kingdom transmitting, vocalizing, and manifesting the personality of the Spirit of God, effecting change in this world. We are God’s instruments to infl uence God’s word. This infl uence is ordained and at the same time leverages unique historical experiences, insuffi ciencies, and gifts of a people. It is informed, empowered, and structured as a divine partnership that cannot be what it is outside of the identities of each “church” within the body of Christ.

InterconnectednessWe learn from James H. Cone, there is an interconnectedness

of all humanity that makes the freedom of one people dependent upon the liberation of all -- or, as Martin Luther King Jr. puts it, “We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied to single garment of destiny. What affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” There will always be a deeper power and effectiveness in our churches when we can appreciate and learn from different cultural contexts. When we do not realize we are interconnected, we end up blind like the Samaritan woman found at the outset of the story in John’s Gospel. Comparisons

By Donald G. Bryant Jr. BSME, MBA

CHURCH TURN TO 11

Interested in Joining or Leading a Block Club in Hawthorne?Crime statistics go down drastically in the community when Hawthorne has active, responsible residents looking out for one another. There is training available to learn what to look for when monitoring the neighborhood, tips for staying safe, etc. Please call the Hawthorne Neighborhood Council at 612-529-6033.

GED Classes Sumner Library, located at 611 Van White Memorial Blvd. is now accepting enrollment for GED classes. A ten-dollar registration fee is required for material expense. All classes however are free. The classes are held mornings from 10:00am-noon and evenings from 6:30-8:30pm Monday

through Thursday. For more information: 612-377-5399.

Cleveland The Cleveland Neighborhood Organization will have a board meeting from 7-8pm Monday December 19 at the CAN offi ce 3307 Penn Ave. N.

Webber CamdenThe Webber Camden Neighborhood Organization (WCNO) will host a Wirth New Year celebration 5-8pm Friday December 29th at the Wirth Winter Recreation Area 1301 Theodore Wirth Parkway, Golden Valley, MN. There will be free tubing, snowboarding, snacks and refreshments. For more information: Roberta Englund 612-521-2100 or [email protected]

Loan ProgramLind-Bohanon Neighborhood Association has partnered with the Center for Energy and Environment to administer home

improvement programs. LBNA loans create opportunities for more home loans and other neighborhood activities. The loan has a 4% fi xed rate fi nancing, $15,000 maximum loan with no maximum income limit. Eligible improvements include: most interior and exterior maintenance and remodeling. For more information: Amy Lusenbrink 763-561-1616 or [email protected]

Minneapolis Park Board The proposed 2012 Minneapolis Park Board budget focuses on neighborhood parks, parkways, fi nancial sustainability and service delivery. Public comment opportunities are scheduled for December 14. For more information, Amy Lusenbrink 763-561-1616 or [email protected]

Get Paid Helping Northside Seniors & Disabled AdultsThe Community Emergency Assistance Program (CEAP) and

the Neighborhood Involvement Program (NIP) serve North Minneapolis as two senior chore service agencies. CEAP serves seniors north of 44th Ave. N. and NIP serves seniors south of 44th Av. N. Both agencies have opportunities for individuals to earn $15 an hour doing snow removal and responsibilities as independent contractors. Both programs require individuals to be 18 or older and go through a criminal background check. Participants must also have their own shovel, or snow blower and provide own transportation to job sites. For more information: Jon Burkhow at 612-374-3322.

CamdenNorth United Methodist Church (NUMC) has a Church Clothes Closet 9am-Noon the fi rst Saturday of each month and 6-8 pm the fi rst Monday of each month at 4350 Fremont Ave. N. Donations are accepted. For further information: 612-522-4497.

Weight loss classesWeight loss classes for Black men take place every Friday from 6:30-8:30pm at Kwanzaa Church 2200 Emerson Ave. N. The class is a 12-week course for Black men who live with obesity, type II diabetes, high blood pressure and hypertension. The cost ranges from $100 to $300 depending on training materials. Space is limited to the fi rst 10 qualifi ed participants. For more information: Kwasi Nate Russell 612-359-0077 or [email protected]

Volunteer opportunitiesThe Target Meals for Minds program, in collaboration with Second Harvest Heartland will have volunteering opportunities to end the fi ght of hunger in North Minneapolis. A mobile food pantry will open once per month at Nellie Stone Johnson Elementary 807 24th Ave. N. The distribution time & dates are 5-7:30pm Thursday January 26 and 5-7:30pm

Wednesday February 15. For more information: Kris Jensen, Volunteer Coordinator 651-216-2761 or visit www.2harvest.org/volunteer

North Minneapolis Tornado RecoverySites are available for mental and emotional recovery for victims traumatized by the May 22nd North Minneapolis tornado. To schedule an appointment with a health care provider, three sites are available; Northpoint Health & Wellness Center 1313 Penn Ave. N. 612-543-2566, Hennepin County Mental Health Center 1801 Nicollet Av. S. 612-596-9438 or Hennepin County Medical Center Acute Psychiatric Services 701 Park Ave. S. 612-873-3161. Crisis response teams are available 24/7. For adults, 612-596-1223 or 612-348-2233.

Send Community Calendar information to us by: email, [email protected], by fax: 612-588-2031, by phone: (612) 588-1313 or by mail: 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis, MN 55411, Attn: Andrew Notsch. Free or low cost events preferred.

EventsThe Family Life Centre Holiday Services - Dec 24 - Jan 28The Family Life Centre, formerly known as Holding Forth the Word of Life Ministries, now moved forward with the same vision for “family restoration God’s way”. FLC expanded its capacity to serve families in the Metro Area with its new site while furthering outreach to the community through the AGAPE 24-hour Child Development Centers and the OASIS of Love Crisis Intervention programs and ongoing church-based ministries.Holiday Services:•Saturday, December 24th from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. -- 2011 Christmas service •January 1, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. -- NEW YEARS SERVICE •Annual 21-day fasting commences from 6AM-6PM starting on Monday, January 2, 2012. See the church website for fasting instructions and prayer guidelines. Submit prayer requests online at www.hftwol.org •January 28th -- 2012 Women’s Prayer Brunch hosted by Dr.

Diane Thibodeaux, invites women from all over to gather at FLC from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. RSVP by January 23rd. Women’s groups and/or individual reservations welcomed. Call FLC or RSVP online at www.hftwol.org Contact FLC for more details at 612-522-5807.

Donate Now to Arc’s Value Village Thrift Stores & Donation Centers for a 2011 Tax Deduction - Dec 26-31Start the New Year with clean closets and cupboards and a charitable deduction for your 2011 itemized tax bill. Arc accepts clean clothing, accessories, housewares & small appliances, linens & crafts, kids clothing & toys, books, magazines, music & movies, home décor & accessories, art & collectibles, and vehicles too. Holiday decorations and seasonal items will be boxed up and saved for the 2012 Merry Thriftmas™ Holiday Shop. Check out the complete list of accepted donations, and fi nd your nearest drop off location at: www.arcsvaluevillage.org.

Free Health Fair - Dec. 30On Sat., Dec. 30, The Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church located at 2600 East 38th St. in Mpls will host an Annual Health Fair from 9:30am-1pm. FREE and open to the public. FREE Flu Shots and Blood Pressure Screenings will be provided for families and children. Including a workshop on Diabetes facilitated by Chris

Schaefer, ADA, MN Area Director and Colon Cancer Education and Information Session with Deaconess Ora Hokes. Lunch will be provided. For further information contact the church at 612.827.7928.

Buck Hill New Year’s Eve Bash - Dec 31-Jan 1Bring the whole family to Buck Hill’s New Years Eve Bash and enjoy the outdoor winter wonderland. Skiing, boarding and tubing runs will all be open until midnight when the sky will explode with a HUGE fi reworks display. Buck Hill Ski and Snowboard Area, 15400 Buck Hill Road - Burnsville, MN 55306 - buckhill.com

UCare for Seniors Medicare Advantage plan - JanUCare is holding informational meetings about its UCare for Seniors Medicare Advantage plan. Members of UCare’s sales staff will discuss the 2012 UCare for Seniors Classic, Value Plus, Standard D, and Value plans. For dates and times, to register for a meeting or for more information, call 1-877-523-1518 (toll free).

2012 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Statewide Holiday Celebration - Jan 16• Rally: 9:30-10:30am @ Saint Paul Central High School Auditorium 275 N. Lexington Ave. St. Paul, MN 55104. The Rally kicks off the days festivities with Rally Keynote T. A. Watson. • March: 10:35am From Central High School 275 N. Lexington Ave. St. Paul, MN 55104, to Concordia University, 235 Hamline on the corner of Hamline & Marshall Ave.• Main Program: 11am-1pm @ Concordia University Gangelhoff Arena - Keynote Speaker Bishop William Watson, III & St. John’s Boy Choir.• Education/Cultural Fair: 1-3pm @ Concordia University Gangelhoff Arena (behind the stage). ASL Interpreted. Contact [email protected] with any questions. Or go online at www.mnstatewidemlkingholiday.

com to retrieve sponsorship form and/or Essay/Poster/Spoken-word Contest form

Dr. Wendy Mogel - Jan 26The Blake

School will be welcoming New York Times bestselling author and parenting expert Dr. Wendy Mogel to our school the evening of Thur., Jan. 26. An internationally acclaimed clinical psychologist, parenting expert and the author of the New York Times bestselling parenting book The Blessing of a Skinned Knee. Her new book, The Blessing of a B Minus, is about raising teenagers. Free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase and signing. 7-8pm. Juliet Nelson Auditorium, The Blake Upper School 511 Kenwood Pkwy, Mpls. MN 55403.

Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Program (MFPP)MFPP provides free counseling for Minneapolis homeowners struggling to pay their mortgages (and referrals for clients outside of our service area). Located in the Minneapolis Urban League building at 2100 Plymouth Ave N, call 612-331-4090 and select option 3 to speak with a MFPP representative and set up an appointment.

A Special Job Search Program for Veterans - Wed’sFacilitators: Capt. Dave Recker, USN (Ret) and Sp/5 Stan Brown, USA (Ret). Christ Presbyterian Church, in the Parlor 6901 Normandale Road, Edina. Wed’s at 1pm. For more information about this workshop, call 952-943-0718, or [email protected].

The Black Parent Group - Mondays free weekly support group for parents of any race raising African American children. Mondays at 7-830PM located at: Washington Tech Middle School 1495 Rice St. Saint Paul. Please visit the website: www.theblackparentgroup.com or send an e-mail to [email protected]

African Dance w/ Whitney Every Tuesday & Wednesday•Tue. 7:00pm - 8:30pm $12 Patricks Cabaret 3010 Minnehaha Ave. S. Mpls.•Wed. 7:00pm - 8:30pm $13

Zenon School of Dance (4th Floor) Hennepin center for the Arts 528 Hennepin Ave. Mpls.

Impact the life of a child: Become a literacy tutor with RSVPRSVP of the Greater Twin Cities is accepting applications from people 55 and over who are interested in tutoring youth, either in the classroom or in an after school program format. RSVP places people in volunteer tutoring positions with organizations in their own neighborhoods. You can make a difference in a child’s life for as little as one hour a week. The RSVP program, sponsored locally by Volunteers of America of Minnesota, provides benefi ts and support to people 55 and over. For more information call Mary Jane Horton, RSVP Literacy Coordinator, at 952-945-4163 or [email protected]

Senior Companions Make a Difference - OngoingAre you interested in visiting homebound or isolated elders in their homes and helping with transportation for appointments or errands? If so, the Senior Companion Program would like to match you with people in the community who need a little extra help to stay in their homes. Senior Companion volunteers earn a tax-free stipend, mileage reimbursement, training and liability insurance while serving. Volunteers must be 55 or older and serve 15 hours a week. For more information, contact Kate Neuhaus with the Senior Companion Program of Lutheran Social Service at 651-310-9447 or at [email protected]

Free Internet Access - OngoingAccess internet, check email, look for housing, type up resumes, jobsearch, practice typing, learn Word, Excel, and Powerpoint. M-F 11am-2pm and 5pm-7pm. At Sabathani Community Center Room 324 310 E 38th St Mpls, MN 55409.

Youth Business Club Develops Entrepreneurial Skills - OngoingKids learn with support and

guidance from community. The Selby Avenue Youth Business Club is open to youth ages 9-16 who are interested in starting their own or learning more about business. The group meets the fi rst and third Saturday of ever month from 9:30 am to noon at Golden Thyme Cafe on Selby and Milton. For more information, interested parties can visit http://selbyareacdc.org/Saybcindex.html , e-mail at [email protected] or contact at: 615-964-0710.

Wanted: Community-minded book lovers - OngoingOne in seven U.S. adults lack the literacy skills necessary to enjoy great books, help their children with homework, or understand medication labels. But you can change this by volunteering with the Minnesota Literacy Council. With only two or three hours a week, your love of reading can create a stronger community. Tutor an adult learner, assist in an adult classroom, or teach a basic English or GED class. We have locations throughout the Twin Cities area, fl exible scheduling and training to help you get started. Contact Allison at [email protected] or 651-645-2277, Ext 219 or visit us on the web at www.themlc.org

Hazelden Offers Free Educational Opportunity - OngoingConcerned about someone’s alcohol or drug use? Addressing Concerns Together (ACT), Hazelden’s new outreach program, can help. Join us for a free event to learn more about addiction, intervention, assessment, and treatment. Hazelden’s St. Paul campus, 680 Stewart Ave., St. Paul. 2nd and 4th Mon. of each month at 6pm. This is an open event and there is no need to register. If you have questions, please contact Hazelden at 800-257-7800Volunteer Opportunities

COMMUNITYCOMMUNITY

Classifi eds/Calendar PHONE: 612.588.1313 FAX: 612.588.2031 EMAIL: [email protected]

Page 10 • December 19 - December 25, 2011 • Insight News insightnews.com

North Minneapolis Neighborhood beat...

Assumed Name1. State the exact assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted: Nitra Nations, Inc.

2. State the address of the principal place of business: P. O. Box 11821, Mpls., MN 55411

3. List the name and complete street ad-dress of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name OR if an entity, provide the legal corporate, LLC, or Limited Partnership name and registered offi ce address. Attach additional sheet(s) if necessary: Revinia Curry, P. O. Box 11821, Mpls., MN 55411

4. I certify that I am authorized to sign this certifi cate and I further certify that I under-stand that by signing this certifi cate, I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Minnesota Statues section 609.48 as if I had signed this certifi cate under oath.

Signed by: Revinia CurryDate Filed: 06/10/2011

Insight News 12/12/2011, 12/19/2011

SUBSIDIZED APARTMENTSSpring Lake Park, Independent living, sub-sidized low income apt. for seniors (62+) or wheelchair accessible apt. (18+) Affordable, clean, spacious, safe. An Ebenezer man-aged community. Equal Housing Opportunity 763-780-2169.

Community Organizers Wanted!!Working America / AFL-CIO is hiring full time staff to take our country back from the political forces that favor the wealthy and corporate special in-terests over your well-being! Diversity is highly valued at Working America: Women, people of color, and LGBT applicants strongly encouraged to apply. $457.60 week base pay - Entry Level. Fun work environment. EOE. Rapid advancement opportunities. - Apply Now: 612-331-5800

MBE, WBE and DBEsDuininck, Inc.’s Design Build Team is requesting bids and material quotes from minority/disadvantaged business contractors, suppliers, trucking firms and design firms for Clearing, Sawing, Milling, Drainage Structures, Curb & Gutter, Electrical, Traffic Control, Striping, Signs, Guardrail, Erosion Control, Trucking, on the following MnDOT project:

TH 55 Rockford to Medina DESIGN BUILD PROJECT, S.P. 2722-81

Construction will take place in Wright & Hennepin Co., Rockford to Medina

Quotes due by January 12, 2012 8:00am

For information on the above job and any assistance you may need please contact:

Duininck, Inc.PO Box 208Prinsburg MN 56281Phone (320) 978-6011; Fax (320) 978-4978; email to [email protected]

Duininck, Inc. will consider any special bonding, credit, and insurance needs for DBE’s.

Duininck, Inc. is an EEO Employer

Program Assistants The City of Brooklyn Park is seeking applicants for two part-time Program Assistants to provide customer service to the Brooklyn Park Recreation and Parks Department and Com-munity Activity Center and to provide general administrative and clerical support/services to Program Supervisors and Facility Coordinator. Hiring wage: $18.45/hour; 20 hours week within the schedule of M-F 5:30-10:30 PM and 9-5 Sat/Sun. Employment application and job posting with additional information and required qualifications available on city web site or address below. Application deadline: 5 p.m., Friday, January 6, 2012.

City of Brooklyn Park5200 - 85th Avenue NorthBrooklyn Park, MN 55443Phone: 763-424-8000 Fax: 763-493-8391www.brooklynpark.orgEqual Opportunity Employer

**Farmington Family Townhomes**Newer 2 and 3BR townhomes available for immediate occupancy in the heart Farmington. Townhomes feature attached garages, in-unit W/D, play area, and on-site staff.

Income guidelines apply. Please contact Teressa at (651)460-3686. Professionally managed by Hornig Companies, Inc. www.hornigcompanies.com

By Ivan B. PhiferStaff Writer


on race blinded her at fi rst to the deep compassion and sympathy that radiated from Jesus --- the authority in his voice, the passion in his tone, the conviction in his articulation. What could this have to do with her, a Samaritan? The tainted perception of race, shared by her and those around her, deafened her ears to the spoken truth. She could not see her interconnectedness until she recognized it being brought forth

in her encounter with Jesus. We should be careful lest, in our deafness, our churches do not receive the life-giving gifts that exude from being connected to other kingdom churches and ministries. This type of blindness and deafness must be removed from our churches (both the “white church” and “black church”). We must move to a context of greater appreciation for the gifts that each bring to the body.

Final ThoughtsWithin our different church contexts, there are elements that

others may admire and desire for their own congregations while still valuing ones own uniqueness. Charles Caleb Colton, stated that “Imitation is the greatest form of fl attery”. But fl attery is often seen as insincere or excessive praise. It is possible, however, to maintain identity by practicing emulation rather than imitation. Emulation maintains the identity of our particular churches while, at the same time allowing for the integration of outside ideas. Recognition and appreciation of our differences are related to our kingdom assignments and interconnectedness. This allows

our churches to offer the highest quality of ministry and services to our members and communities, while ultimately glorifying God in the process.

Donald G. Bryant Jr. is a native of Detroit, MI and is the founder and President of The Alden Group Inc., an innovative consumer products company. With the support of his wife, Donald founded Alden Group in October 2007. The company has successfully innovated two product lines since it’s inception. Through a license agreement with B. Smith Enterprises, Donald was

blessed to commercialize the fi rst black owned line of olive oils. Donald is passionately involved in the community. He is an associate pastor at Shiloh Temple International Ministries and is actively engaged in economic development work in North Minneapolis. He is a board member with the Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce, Shiloh Temple International Ministries, and Turning Point Inc. Additionally, he is the recipient of the 2011 National Black MBA Association’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award (Twins Cities Chapter).

are important. These criminal records create barriers regarding housing and employment,” Ruhland said. “One of the outcomes everyone in the criminal justice system needs to focus on, is the outcome of disproportionate racial disparity we have in the system. In Ramsey County, in the year 2035, half of the population will be people of color,” said Ramsey County Attorney John Choi. “If we continue down this path, the public will not have faith in our criminal justice system. We have by-far, the highest incarceration rate in the world,” he said.

“1 in every 31 adults are in the correctional system, and 1 in 26 are on probation, parole, or prison,” Chief Offi cer of 180 Degrees Inc., Sarah Walker said. 180 Degrees was

incorporated in 1971, and in 1973 the halfway house opened its doors to clients. Serving an estimated 250 men each year, the residential program focuses on the transitional

needs of formerly incarcerated individuals re-entering the community. The residential program provides short-term housing. Each client is assigned a case manager to develop a case

with a focus towards securing stable employment, maintaining sobriety, and establishing acceptable living arrangements in the community. The mission is to turn around lives and create safer communities. “Minnesota has the 8th highest rate of correctional control in the nation and 4th highest rate of probation,” Walker said. This is unique because we have one of the smallest incarceration rates, meaning we put a lot of people on probation. The crime rate has actually decreased. We’ve just become more punitive; increasing sentences and probation periods,” Walker said. Another factor is the easy access of records via Internet. “86% of companies do a background check that now

includes credit history. Most people believe, if you are under 18, your criminal record is private. The truth is, if you’re charged with a felony as a 16 or 17 year old, you have a permanent public record just from the charge not including conviction, and you will have trouble getting a job,” Walker said. The conference ended with a call to action, challenging more than 200 civil and human rights professionals, advocacy organization, community leaders, elected offi cials, law fi rms, corporations, educators, students, non-profi ts and local organizations to assist in closing the gap in education, incarceration and employment.

ChurchFrom 9

can share and who care about me. These thoughts give me peace. Some days they are much harder to come by than the thoughts that give me anxiety, but when these peace-fi ll thoughts are present, I fi nd that I am more loving, more patient, more joy-fi lled and more in congruence with others and myself. On the days that I see the world in a positive light, I realize that all of us have our own journeys of change, loss, grief and challenge. Each of us has the path to inner peace that only comes from realizing that we are not here alone. We are here because we

were created to glorify the God who sent us and to love (really love) those around us. We must see that we all are special. We all are beautiful. We all have gifts and talents that only we have (knowing that people can do what you do, but not like, you do it!). True peace also requires faith in yourself and other people. Faith that every Black male who passes by your car with saggin’ pants is not a gang-banger. Faith, that not every Black woman who asks if you have a job is a “gold digger.” Faith that not every police offi cer who stops you is planning to slam you against the hood and inappropriately touch you or your partner. Faith that people will help when you are stranded. Faith that there is HOPE for you to get a home, a job, fi nd a mate or heal from your addiction. To be

at peace requires that you do not think that you have to be the one to fi x everything and everyone around you, but that when the people in your life need to learn, life will provide the teachers and the lessons. To have peace, also requires that we have a child-like compassionate, playful, and joyful spirit. You must learn to laugh in order to have peace. You must learn to sing in order to have peace. You must learn to dance in order to fi nd peace. You must learn to let go and play in order to fi nd peace. There is a Serenity Prayer that is popular among folks in the recovery community. The words of the prayer are “God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I can not change, the Courage the change the things I can, and the

Wisdom to know the Difference.” Thus, the key to serenity and peace is acceptance of yourself and others, recognition that you can choose how to view the world, and wisdom to “let-go” of controlling people and situations for which you have no control. Additionally, to be at peace requires that one has HOPE. Hope that things can get better and people can be good, kind, thoughtful, considerate and love. Hold on to the Hope that we all have a chance to live our best lives, if only we can believe. We must hold on to the Hope that there is Divinity in all of us, and that our lights will shine through our words and actions of peace. Finally, in order for us to “let peace begin with us,” we have to have “good-will” toward others and ourselves. Our hope

depends on our ability to see our possibilities of change. Each breath is a new chance to start over. Each breath we take is God’s way of saying, “keep going.” There is only one breath between the “past” and “now.” There is only one breath between “now” and the “future.” One moment ago, you can say, “I was,” but the next moment, the next breath you can say, “I am.” Be at peace with the Hope of tomorrow, breath deeply and inhale the future. A further fi lled with “good will” for yourself and others.

BraVada Garrett-Akinsanya, Ph.D., L.P. is a Clinical Psychologist in private practice, serves as President of Brakins Consulting and Psychological Services, and is the Executive

Director of the African American Child Wellness Institute. The mission of the African American Child Wellness Institute is to promote the psychological and spiritual liberation of children of African Descent by providing culturally specifi c mental health services and by developing culture-based, holistic wellness resources, research, and practices. Dr. Garrett-Akinsanya warns that this column should in no way be construed as constituting a therapeutic relationship through counseling or advice. To forward a comment about this article or to make an appointment, please contact Dr. Garrett-Akinsanya by email @ [email protected] or by telephone at 612-302-3140 or 763-522-0100.

PeaceFrom 9

ActionFrom 6

Suluki FardanMichele McKenzie, Director of Advocacy, The Advocates

for Human Rights

Toni Carter Ramsey County Commissioner, District 4

Suluki FardanJennifer Ford Reedy, Chief of Staff and Vice President of Strategy for Minnesota

Philanthropy Partners

US Environmental Protection Agency’s responsibilities for protecting and improving air quality and the stratospheric ozone layer. Ellison disagrees with lobbyists who argue that regulations from the EPA that are driving this country into recession. “It is businesses based on harmful practices that are putting this country into recession,” he says, “not the regulations imposed on them.”

EconomyFrom 2


Documents

Insight News ::: 12.19.11