Richard Jenkins, Sr. of St. Paul,MN has been appointed by TheMilitary Order of the PurpleHeart the new NationalChaplain. This appointmentwas made during the recentannual convention for theMilitary Order of the PurpleHeart in Rogers, AK.

Unlike his NationalChaplain predecessors who hadall served as active dutymilitary chaplains, Jenkins wasdrafted into the US Army in1964 and was soon serving asan infantryman with the 1stBattalion, 26th InfantryRegiment, 1st Infantry Divisionin Phouc Vinh, Vietnam. Withonly seven months remainingbefore his discharge, Jenkinswitnessed the death of 29 of his

friends and fellow soldiers. Forhim, this was a traumatic eventand a turning point in his life.To help cope with the emotional

The line is drawn. TheCongressional Black Caucus(CBC) has pledged to kill anyHouse health care bill thatdoesn’t include a robust publicoption and organizationalmembers of the BlackLeadership Forum are rollingout an array of grassrootscampaigns in support of passinghealth care reform overall.

“All of us combined, theorganizations who make up theBlack Leadership Forum, aregoing to begin a series of effortsacross the nation - in ourneighborhoods, in our churches,in our communities to passcomprehensive health carereform,” said National UrbanLeague President Marc Morial,also chair of the 34-memberBLF. “This effort is going to befar ranging. It’s not the kind ofeffort where we have a big sackof money to buy televisioncommercials. But it is an effortthat is going to appeal topeople’s hearts and minds. “

CBC and BLF members

spoke out in a joint pressconference September 9. Theconference marked the firsttime that Black elected officialsand Black activists have held ajoint gathering to help pushthrough the reform that hasbecome an appendage of the

Obama Administration andcould become his legacy.

Later that evening,President Obama appeared tohave gotten his groove back ashe gave a dynamic speech

Minneapolis DFLers practicedRanked Choice Voting (RCV)last Tuesday night, in lieu of thetraditional Primary ElectionDay. “We had a good turnoutcitywide and fun events at threelocations,” said Roann Cramer,Associate Chair, MinneapolisDFL, in a note thanking partymembers for their work inmaking this Ranked ChoiceVoting education night runsmoothly. The RCV trainingsessions, which focused on the2010 governor’s race, were heldat North Commons Park, 1701Golden Valley Rd.; Tiger Sushi,2841 Lyndale Ave. S.; andCommunication Workers ofAmerica Local 7200headquarters, 3521 E. Lake St.

DFLers cast straw ballots ateach location, then rushedresults to Common Roots Caféat 26th and Lyndale, next doorto the Tiger Sushi event, to betallied for city-wide results. Thestraw ballot produced a victoryfor State Rep. MargaretAnderson Kelliher, whogarnered 55% of ballots cast.Keilliher’s nearest competitorin the RCV straw poll wasMinneapolis Mayor RT Rybak.Kelliher won after severalrounds. State Sen. John Martyand State Rep. Paul Thissencame in third and fourthrespectively.

Cramer said “this wasanother important education

event to help voters get readyfor using RCV at the polls inNovember. The citywide strawvote results are posted online at:http://www.majorityrulesmpls.org

In North Minneapolis senatedistrict 58 volunteers assembledan hour before the evening’straining session to getinstruction and orientation on

Ranked Choice Voting.FairVote Minnesota, a voter

mobilization organizationpartnered with the senatedistrict to teach people about

the new balloting process,including how to fill out aballot and how counting works.

SSeepptteemmbbeerr 2211 - SSeepptteemmbbeerr 2277,, 22000099 •• MMNN MMeettrroo VVooll.. 3355 NNoo.. 3388 •• TThhee JJoouurrnnaall FFoorr CCoommmmuunniittyy NNeewwss,, BBuussiinneessss && TThhee AArrttss •• wwwwww..iinnssiigghhttnneewwss..ccoomm

Health Care Reform a top priorityfor African Americans nationwide

2JENKINS TURN TO

New uses for paint; making theold look new

6PAGE

5PAGE

Tyler Perryback in drag for amusic-driven moralityplay

Moore By Four returns to Ruby’s @ The Lab TheaterOctober 8-11, 15-18, Special Monday Performance:October 12, 700 North 1st St, Mpls. Box Office: 612.333.7977 • www.thelabtheater.org

Jeff StrandHelen Williams and Kevin Shannon (standing) discuss Ranked Choice Voting

Ranked Choice gets trial run

Richard Jenkins named Chaplin of war veterans’Purple Heart organization

Pharoh Martin\President Barack Obama preparing to bring his game-changing health care message

to a Joint Session of Congress on September 9.

9POLITICS TURN TO

“Glenn Beck needs to stop thepersonal attacks, and get back tothe issues. In a time when nationalunemployment is approaching 10percent, it is decadent to fixate onwhat long-since disavowed clubsa civil servant belonged to incollege. The question should notbe what ideas Van Jonesultimately rejected in the past, butwhich is he actually promotingtoday.

“The only vanguard Mr. Jonesis at the front of is the one tostrengthen American industry andget American workers workingagain. The only cadre he isleading is a multi-racial group ofAmericans who believe it ispossible for us to end ourdependence on foreign oil andcreate good paying jobs at home.

“The era for politicalwitchhunts is over. Our nation

needs to focus on creating jobsand Mr. Jones has brought a lot ofcompelling ideas for doing justthat.”

Hilary O. Shelton, Director ofthe NAACP Washington Bureau

2JONES TURN TO

Not on college days’ activism

Focus on Jones’ vision forcreating green economy

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAIDMINNEAPOLIS MNPERMIT NO. 32468

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Serena Williamsmelts down duringUS Open match,shows she’sbeautifully human

11PAGE2OBAMA TURN TO

Book SigningEvent

Nigerian-born authorBukola Oriola, 32, anaward-winningjournalist and victimof internationalhuman trafficking will share her own personalstory and then take part in asigning event for her book,Imprisoned: The Trevails of aTrafficked Victim onThursday, Sept. 24 atCarondelet Center, 1890Randolph Avenue, St. Paul.To preview the book:www.lulu.comInfo regarding event: CivilSociety - (651)-291-0713 oroffice@civilsocietyhelps.org

Military Order of the Purple HeartRichard Jenkins Sr.

Pharoh MartinNAACP President Benjamin Todd Jealous and Marc Morial, BLFChair and National Urban League president, have launched a

grassroots campaign to push for health care. CBC Chair BarbaraLee (D-Calif.), at far left, says the bill will likely fail without the

public option.Tim Porter

Van Jones

By Pharoh Martin andHazel Trice Edney NNPANational Correspondentand Editor-in-Chief

Photo: Travis Anderson

Back: Sanford MooreFront (l to r): Yolande Bruce, Connie Evingson,Dennis Spears, Ginger Commodore

Page 2 • September 21 - September 27, 2009 • Insight News http://insightnews.com

pain, he sought the counsel of achaplain without success, fornone was assigned to his unit.For the next few months, helived day-to-day with a constantfear of imminent death and hadno one with whom he couldshare his thoughts and prayers.Then, while on a Search andDestroy mission, Jenkins wasgiven the mission of clearing atunnel that had been boobytrapped by the Viet Cong,resulting in the detonation of aclaymore mine that seriously

injured his leg. For his wounds,Jenkins was awarded the PurpleHeart medal.

For the next nine years,Jenkins suffered from the angerand rage of his memories untilhe finally decided to turn hislife over to the service of God.Jenkins was ordained as aBaptist minister in 1982 andwith the support of a lovingwife, he took up the ministry ofhis fellow man and has neverlooked back. For the next 34years, Jenkins served as avolunteer Chaplain in amaximum security prison inMinnesota. In that role, he wasable to counsel hundreds ofVietnam veterans who were

able to benefit from hispersonal experiences andcompassionate ministry. At thesame time, he has served as a

chemical dependency counselorto many doctors, lawyers, andother professionals at one of St.Paul’s major hospitals.

After 45 years of marriage,Jenkins and his wife Cecelianow reside in St. Paul, MN andhave been blessed with five

children and ninegrandchildren. The Jenkinscontinue to dedicate themselvesto the service of those veterans

who might feel that their livesare without worth.

Jenkins has been a memberof the Military Order of thePurple Heart since 2000, andhas served in a number ofleadership positions inMinnesota. He says he is

proud and honored to be able toserve as the National Chaplainto all 45,000 of its members,each of whom has beenwounded in combat and hassuffered the trauma of war.

The organization nowknown as the Military Order ofthe Purple Heart of the U.S.A.Inc. (MOPH) was formed in1932 for the protection andmutual interest of all who havereceived the decoration.Chartered by Congress, TheMOPH is unique among VeteranService Organizations in that allits members were wounded incombat. For this sacrifice, theywere awarded the Purple HeartMedal. With grants from the

MOPH Service Foundation, theMOPH and its Ladies Auxiliarypromote patriotism,fraternalism, and thepreservation of America’smilitary history. Mostimportantly, they providecomfort and assistance to allVeterans and their families,especially those requiringclaims assistance with the VA,those who are homeless, andthose requiring employmentassistance. Through the VAVSprogram, MOPH volunteersprovide assistance tohospitalized veterans at VAsites and State Veterans Homes.

JenkinsFrom 1

and Senior Vice President ofAdvocacy and Policy

“The tactics being deployedby right wing extremist

commentators to divert theAmerican people’s attention awayfrom very important issues of ournation such as sustainable energy,lack of dependence on foreignfuel sources, and the creation ofliving wage jobs are not onlyunethical but dangerous to thefuture of our country. Most

recently, television commentatorGlenn Beck of FOX Newsattempted to besmirch thecharacter and integrity ofPresident Obama’s administrationofficials such as White HouseSpecial Advisor for Green JobsVan Jones. This feeble, meanspirited attack is little more than a

desperate attempt to derail theadministration’s priority of cleansustainable energy while workingto end our nation’s dependencyon foreign energy sources.

“In an economy whereunemployment is leaning toward10 percent, and African Americanunemployment lies at over 15

percent, the creation ofemployment opportunities for allAmericans, including AfricanAmerican and low-incomecommunities, is a criticalnecessity. It is our experience thatMr. Jones’ plan to reinvigorateurban areas through the creationof green jobs not only

demonstrates a constructive visionto invest in our communities, butalso recognizes that climatechange is indeed a civil rightsissue. That is why we support hisimplementation of this verythoughtful plan.”

JonesFrom 1

before a joint session ofCongress with the level ofcharisma that was reminiscentof his campaign days. It alsomade a strong moral appeal tothe nation that pundits had saidwas missing in his earlieradvocacy for the health carebill.

“I am not the first Presidentto take up this cause, but I amdetermined to be the last,” hetold the members of the Houseand Senate who repeatedlyapplauded the points of thespeech. “Our collective failureto meet this challenge – yearafter year, decade after decade –has led us to a breaking point.Everyone understands theextraordinary hardships that areplaced on the uninsured, wholive every day just one accidentor illness away frombankruptcy.“

White House DomesticPolicy Advisor Melody Barnessaid in an interview with theNNPA News Service thatperceptions that Obama was notmoving swiftly enough onclarifying the issues were

wrong. She said he waslistening to the people at townhalls and other gatheringsduring the month of August.

“I think consistently he hasbelieved that when he can talkto people and talk directly tothem that he’s able to explainand convey the level ofimportance around a particularissue,” she said. “While therewas a lot of media attentionfocused on a few of the townhalls, there was a lot ofhyperbole and controversy.There were also a number ofother town halls where therewas reasonable and consideratedebate.”

Once Congress was back insession, the status quo was notacceptable to Americans but itwas also clear that because ofthe amount of informationflying around out there … a lotof misinformation around deathpanels and immigration issuesthat it was also time for thePresident to explain to theAmerican people and be veryclear about what he doesbelieve in and what he doesn’tbelieve in, to in some waysprovide a summary of what hethinks is an important healthcare plan and to cut through a

lot of the noise that had existedand some of the confusion thathad been mounted in themonths prior.”

Still, Republicans wereoften cold and vicious evenduring the speech. U. S. Rep.Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) drew afirestorm of criticism from bothDemocrats and Republicans forshouting “You lie!” to thePresident when he said noillegal immigrants will benefitfrom the bill. Democrats are

still contemplating sanctioninghim for violating the dignity ordecorum of Congress.

Though Black leaders haveunited to help push the billthrough, they may split withObama on the public optionissue, which the Presidentimplies is optional as long asthere is another affordable plan.

“The public option is only ameans to that end – and weshould remain open to other

ideas that accomplish ourultimate goal,” she said.

Barnes pointed out thatthere is a diversity of opinionabout the public option evenwithin the CBC.

“I think that there is a rangeof opinion even within theAfrican American leadership inCongress. But, I think thatleadership and the president areunited around a single goal. Ifwe don’t have adequate choicein competition; then we aren’t

going to be able to address thecost issue. And the publicoption is an excellent tool. ThePresident has never waiveredfrom saying that he believes itis an outstanding option to tryand achieve those goals.”

Still CBC ChairwomanBarbara Lee (D-CA) is adamantabout the public option

“We support health carereform that includes a robustpublic option like Medicare, a

component of health care inwhich we are unwavering in oursupport,” she told reporters.

“The Speaker [Pelosi] saidthat she doesn’t think the billwould pass without some formof a public option in the bill,”Lee contended. “We are goingto continue to fight and workvery hard to make sure that thatis included and is in all three ofthe House bills.”

Rep. Donna Christensen (D-VI), a medical doctor, arguedthat without a robust publicplan there are no guarantees ofreform, of lower rates or ofinclusion for the uninsured.

“And I might add that thereis no need for a trigger,” saidChristensen, co-chair of theCBC Health and Wellness TaskForce.

The public option “trigger”is a compromise measureintroduced by Sen. OlympiaSnowe (R- ME) that wouldphase in a government-backedhealth care insurer if privateinsurance companies fail tomeet certain qualitative andcost-related benchmarks set bylegislators by a certain time.NAACP President BenjaminJealous, also a BLF member,said his organization is

increasing pressure on Congressto pass a public option, a lower-cost alternative to private healthcare that would be funded bythe U. S. government. Thepublic option is viewed byBlack advocates as crucialgiven the disparate rate ofunemployment and poverty inthe Black community as well iswhat often amounts to poorquality health care.

“The NAACP has amassed apresence in 1,200 towns andcities across this country,” saidJealous. “Let me be very clear,we are in the district of eachBlue Dog [conservativeDemocrat] in this congress. Andwe intend to roll out a campaigncalled “880” because 880,000Black people would be alive inthis decade if we would’ve hadreal health care reform at thebeginning of the last decade.”

Jealous said the NAACP isrolling out a very aggressivecampaign in Blue Dog districts,particularly more than a dozenthat have Black voting strengthof more than 20 percent.

He warned, “We are there,we are watching you and weexpect you to do right.”

ObamaFrom 1

"I am not the first President to takeup this cause, but I am determined to

be the last..."-President Barack Obama

For the next 34 years, Jenkins served asa volunteer Chaplain in a maximum

security prison in Minnesota.

http://insightnews.com Insight News • September 21 - September 27, 2009 • Page 3

COMMENTARY

In his recent address to Congress,President Obama made whatmany consider his mostpassionate speech, urging lawmakers to put aside the‘bickering’, to think about theAmerican people and make a pushfor real health care reform.Despite the disrespect shown bySouth Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson, aRepublican, during the speech, thePresident was able to maintain hiscomposure and his focus. He’sserious about changing the wayhealth care is provided in thiscountry. So much so that he’s beenwilling to listen to and address theconcerns of insurance companiesworried about their bottom line.

The time for arguing whetheror not reform will work has past.Congress needs to heed thePresident’s advice and begin thedifficult task of building and

passing a plan that serves theneeds of the people. Action isindeed needed.

The number of Americanswithout health insurance rose to46.3 million last year as theeconomy forced people out ofjobs and away from employersponsored health benefits. Amongthose fortunate enough to work,nearly 1 in 5 are uninsured. 20percent of those who go withoutinsurance are children and nearlyhalf are below the age of 30. Themajority are people of color.

The President’s health careplan, which he detailed in hisspeech, would change the wayhealth insurance is offered in thiscountry. Private companies wouldno longer be able to denycoverage because pre-existingconditions, limits on the amountof coverage individuals canreceive in a given year or overtheir lifetime life time would beeliminated and insurers would be

required to cover routinecheckups, such as mammogramsand colonoscopies. The Presidentalso supports a public health careoption, where individuals canchoose a health plan outside of theone their employer offers, andmandatory coverage for everyone. The President estimates it willcost $900 million to put the planinto effect. But we should notfocus on cost here. The U.S.health care system is already theworld’s most expensive and isconsidered by many one of themost wasteful. With all that wespend now, so many go withoutcoverage or are covered bypolicies that don’t take care of allof their health needs.Hospitalization or a serious illnesscan mean financial ruin for someunder the current system.

Is this plan perfect? Thatremains to be seen. What is clearis that is the most thought out andcomprehensive option that has

been presented. It takes intoconsideration the needs of theaverage person and the bigcorporations. It balances publicand private. It is what we need atthis moment in time.

Take action: call yourlegislators and urge that theysupport the President’s plan. Callthem, no matter what party theyrepresent; they need to know thattheir constituents want health carereform. Go online to find yourlegislative contact info atwww.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml.

Judge Greg Mathis became theyoungest judge in Michigan’shistory and was elected aSuperior Court Judge forMichigan’s 36th District. He hasbeen called upon as a regularcontributor to national televisionprograms, including “Larry KingLive,” “Politically Incorrect,”CNN’s “Talk Back Live,”

“Showbiz Tonight” and “Extra”to discuss his opinions on complexissues of the day, such as nationalsecurity, unique sentencing,

affirmative action and celebrityscandals. He also offers his takeon high-profile legal cases.

Health plan considers needs of the average person and the big corporations

President Barack Obama took offthe gloves in his speech to Congresson health care reform, seeming tohear those who said that he was notleading, that he had not beenspecific enough; they did not knowwhere he stood on some of thecritical issues. Of course, many ofthese charges are a mystery to me,perhaps because I paid attention tothe speeches that previewed theaims of his initial White HouseSummit on health care, the bi-partisan meetings in the WhiteHouse on health care, the manyspeeches he has given on town hallsall over the country, the Saturdaymessages on health care, and themany other places where he hasgiven his views on this subject.

Where have they been? Well-regarded TV hosts, guests,

distinguished newspaper opinionwriters and others appear to want tocreate conflict to boost ratings,because they are really not thatseparated from the normal goingson in the governing process. I heardthe same thing during the campaignabout Obama; his critics claimed“lack of specificity” when he hadlaid out 328 specific policyproposals.

No matter. Obama tried to allaytheir concerns by citingimprovements that would occur forthose who wanted to keep theirhealth care. Nothing would changeexcept that: Insurance companieswould be prevented from denyingcoverage for pre-existingconditions, dropping people fromcoverage, placing caps on benefits,caps would be placed on out-of-pocket expenses, and companieswould be required to cover routinescreening.

For those who did not have

health care and worked, they wouldbe covered by employers, but ifthey left their jobs, they would beable to take their coverage withthem. They would also have accessto an exchange of companies and aPublic (Option) program that wouldbe available at an affordable cost,and have a tax credit to subsidizetheir purchase of health care.

The President stressed thepersonal responsibility for people toseek to obtain health care under theoptions available and collectiveresponsibility for companies toprovide affordable coverage to theiremployees. If not there would befines, but a hardship waiver wouldbe available that would cover 95%of businesses.

Then he turned his attention torejecting the myth-making ofRepublicans. They had, forexample, conjured up the notionthat “death-panels” would be set upby the government to determine end

of life choices for many, thatRepublican Sen. Grassley andothers called “pulling the plug ongrandma.” He said there werespecific provisions in the bill thatwould outlaw immigrants fromreceiving federal subsidy for healthcare, and denied that federal fundscould be used for abortions asagainst existing law.

He addressed the Public Optionas one part of the exchange thatwould be set up, most of whichwould be private insurancecompanies. The aim would be tobring insurance costs down andkeep quality up by having agovernment option, not having thegovernment run the whole system.And although he said he would notsign a bill that was not revenueneutral, not adding costs to thedeficit, he did not make the samepledge for the public option that ishighly popular with the Americanpeople – not just the Left. It seems

to have been left in a negotiatingposture.

Perhaps growing tired with thegames being played by Republicanswho appeared to want a bi-partisanbill, but would then go and criticizethe measures in the bill that hadcome out of the House, he soundedtough in saying that he still wantedbi-partisanship, but the time forgame-playing was over, that hewould “call them out” if they werenot serious. In fact, this wasgenerous in light of the fact thatRepublicans visibly rejected muchof what he was saying and one, Rep.Joe Wilson of South Carolina, evenshouted that the president was a liaron his statement about not coveringimmigrants. The Wilson saga wasout of character because never inthe history of modern America hasany sitting president been calledvile names from the floor in themiddle of a speech to Congress. Isthis because the man behind the

podium was Black and the personwho shouted at him was from theslave-holding south? I think so.Wilson should apologize on thefloor of the House, or be censuredby the House for his statement. TheDemocratic Party should expect thesame kind of accountability thatRepublicans would have if thesituation had been reversed.

Otherwise, it was a very goodand timely speech that addressedthe issues. At the end of that week,conservative radicals had a “marchon Washington” and the media saidtens of thousands had come. Butwho cares, they lost.

Dr. Ron Walters is ProfessorEmeritus of Government andPolitics at the University ofMaryland College Park. His latestbook is: The Price of RacialReconciliation (University ofMichigan Press)

President Obama takes off the gloves in health reform campaign By Dr. Ron WaltersNNPA Columnist

blogs.nashvillescene.com

By Judge Greg Mathis

What do a visionary and a boundand determined south Minneapolischarter school have in common?They are joined at the hips.Chrystal Deramus, a 21-year-oldmother of three, said before herfive-year-old daughter and twoyounger sons graduate from highschool, she will be a pediatrician.The Minnesota Internship Center(MNIC - pronounced “min-nic”) issteadfastly fixed on helpingDeramus’ dream come true.

Deramus is a single mother,and must manage a synchronizedroutine that will allow her time tocare for her children as well as findtime alone to solve algebraproblems and explore Blackhistory. With few exceptions,she’s up before six in the morning,orchestrating a process to wash,dress, and feed her children and

board a bus to the baby sitter. Shecatches another bus to get to herschool which is located at theSabathani Center, 310 38th Streetbefore 9 am. She’s usually thefirst to arrive.

“I have to leave home withplenty of time to spare in case ofheavy traffic,” said Janet White,who’s been employed with MNICfor five years. “I usually get hereahead of Chrystal, but there were acouple of times when she wasstanding at the door waiting to getin. I can literally set my watch byher.”

Determined and driven, it’s notsurprising that Deramus, whogrew up on the south side Chicago- in one of nation’s most troubledneighborhoods - had a panoramicview of the crippling effects ofcrime, violence, and poverty. As

she played on the front porch ofher grandmother’s south sideChicago home, the world marchedby. She easily admits that she washeavily influenced by herenvironment. And conventionalwisdom would conclude given thecircumstances, her chances ofbecoming a pediatrician are veryunlikely. However, Deramusargues that what happened in herpast will not be the sum total of herdestiny.

“I know I am too young to be amother; having three kids at myage is not what I intended. But mykids are not mistakes —they arethe joy of my life, and who knows.I will be a doctor, maybe I’ll evenbe their doctor,” laughedDeramus, but meaning everyword.

No doubt, when Deramus

looks back over her life, shewonders where she would havebeen if things had been different.Arguably, America has twoprevalent societies: privileged andunder privileged, and many layersin between. Privileged youths aremore likely to grow up with bothparents present, and are affordedgreater opportunities to attendfinancially-secured schools withsmaller classrooms, better paidteachers, well-supplied scienceand computer labs, and the ardentparticipation of parents andvolunteers.

For under privileged children,African Americans specifically,the social divide is even morepervasive: the unemployment ratefor African Americans is twice thatof the national unemploymentrate; nearly 60 percent of all

African American students willdrop out of school before reachingthe tenth grade; 60 percent of allAfrican American children growup in single parent homes; at anygiven time, as many as one in fourof young African American menare in the criminal justice system,prison, jail or on probation orparole; roughly 70 percent of allAfrican American babies are borneach year to single mothers; nearly80 percent of single AfricanAmerican mothers will nevermarry.

“I can get mad, stop caring anddo nothing, but I choose to raisemy three babies, graduate, go tocollege and become a doctor,” saidDeramus. With her teacher’sassistance, she is seeking ascholarship to attend theUniversity of Minnesota after shegraduates this January. She needsthree credits to graduate, mustcomplete two classes this summerand one this fall in order tograduate.

Deramus’ school, founded in2003, is known for working withhundreds of students likeher…students who have troubleprevailing in traditional schoolsettings. The first paragraph of theschool’s mission statementexplains: MNIC’s target age groupis 16 through 20. By buildinglearning plans within the contextof their own personal/careerinterests our students haverenewed hope for the future. Anever-increasing number of MNICgraduates are moving on to postsecondary opportunities.Sponsored by Pillsbury, MNIC hasfive sites, located in south andnorth Minneapolis. Theenrollment is usually around 400.Last May, the school observed itslargest graduation, as 120 studentsreceived diplomas. MinnesotaSupreme Court Justice Alan Page,who personally awarded 12scholarships, was thecommencement speaker.

“We recruit students from theircouches, the streets, and fromshelters. We go where they are andwe respect their needs,” saidKevin Byrne, the school’s founderand executive director, whoinsists that the MNIC staff remainalert to internship possibilities.“Many of our students need tounderstand what it means to beproductively employed.”

One 2008 graduate who was

offered a full time job at a bakeryfrequents the school, each timebearing several boxes of hugechocolate chip cookies that healways shares with teachers andstudents. It’s his first job, and he’searning $15.00 an hour, not tooshabby for an i8-year-old.

MNIC like many public andprivate schools across Minnesota,urban, suburban, and rural alikewas forced to make major budgetadjustments because of deepslashes in state funding foreducation.

“We are not without our shareof problems,” lamented Don Link,a MNIC administrator. When statelegislators were unable to reach abudget agreement last summer,Gov. Tim Pawlenty imposed a 27per cent holdback on public schoolfunding. This has led to a scurryof charter school closings. Otherschools were forced to waitmonths for funding. “We had tolay off staff and reduce salaries by10 percent, and ask several of ourmajor vendors for a 27 percentdeferment,” explained Link,crossing his fingers.

Nevertheless, the enthusiasmto make a difference in youngadult lives has not diminished.“Students not only need to feelgood about who they are and whatthey can accomplish, but they alsoneed to understand that theyoccupy an important place in theworld,” explained White. “Once Iget this over to them, they’re moreready to learn as opposed toentertaining each other.”

Students who haven’tgraduated before reaching the ageof 21, are also offered Adult BasicEducation (ABE) at the school’sSabathani site, located in southMinneapolis, 310 38th Street.Applications for enrollment arenow being received. For moreinformation on MinnesotaInternship Center, (612) 238-0905.

Page 4 • September 21 - September 27, 2009 • Insight News http://insightnews.com

A dreamer not deferred + a devoted charter school = a good pair

Chrystal Deramus

BIG BUDGET FILMS

Fame (PG for mature themes, teendrinking, sexuality and mildepithets) Remake of the 1980 classicrevolving around the aspirations ofstudents at NYC’s School for thePerforming Arts as they prepare forprofessional careers in dance, musicand acting. Ensemble cast includesNaturi Naughton, Kay Panabaker,Debbie Allen, Kelsey Grammer,Bebe Neuwirth and Charles S.

Dutton.

I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell (Rfor nudity, profanity, sexuality, crudehumor and graphic dialogue)Debauchery comedy about ahedonist (Matt Czuchry) whothrows a raunchy bachelor party fora pal (Geoff Stults) only to have thegroom-to-be land in hot water withhis furious fiancée (Keri Lynn Pratt)and to have his own invitation to thewedding revoked. With Traci Lords,Jesse Bradford and Meagen Fay.

Pandorum (R for profanity andgraphic horror violence) Sci-fi

horror flick about a couple ofstranded astronauts (Dennis Quaidand Ben Foster) with amnesia whogradually realize they’re no longeralone on their spaceship and that thesurvival of mankind is dependentupon them. With Cam Gigandet,Cung Le and Eddie Rouse.

The Pool Boys (R for nudity,profanity, sexuality and drug use)Titillating teensploit about anenterprising Harvard dropout(Matthew Lillard) who enlists thehelp of his Harvard-bound cousin(Brett Davern), a recent high schoolvaledictorian, to turn an empty L.A.mansion into an upscale house of illrepute. With George Takei, TomArnold and Jay Thomas.

Surrogates (PG-13 for profanity,disturbing images, sexuality, druguse and intense violence) BruceWillis stars in this futuristic, sci-ficrime thriller as an FBI agent forcedto investigate the first murder inwhat was presumed to be a crime-free, utopian society filled withrobotic clones. Supporting castincludes Radha Mitchell, BorisKodjoe, Ving Rhames and JamesCromwell.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGNFILMS

Blind Date (Unrated) Stanley Tuccidirects and co-stars opposite PatriciaClarkson in this remake of the lateDutch director Theo van Gogh’sbittersweet drama about anestranged couple’s attempt toreconcile by going on a series ofblind dates as strangers followingthe death of their daughter.

The Blue Tooth Virgin (R forprofanity and brief drug use) Buddycomedy about a magazine editor(Bryce Johnson) whose friendshipwith an aspiring scriptwriter (AustinPeck) becomes strained after heoffers frank feedback about his pal’slatest screenplay. With Karen Black,Amber Benson and Tom Gilroy.

The Boys Are Back (PG-13 formature themes and sexual dialogue)Clive Owen stars in this adaptationof Simon Carr’s moving memoir

about a sportswriter who suddenlyfinds himself overwhelmed by theresponsibility of raising two sons(Nicholas McAnulty and GeorgeMacKay) alone after his wife (LauraFraser) succumbs to cancer.

Brief Interviews with HideousMen (Unrated) John Krasinskiwrote, directed and co-stars in thisrelationship drama about a just-dumped doctoral student (JulianneNicholson) working on herdissertation in anthropology whodecides to conduct a series of tete-a-tetes with strangers in order tounderstand what makes men tick.Cast includes Timothy Hutton, BenShenkman, Will Arnett, Will Forte,Frankie Faison and BobbyCannavale.

I Can Do Bad All by Myself is thesixth Tyler Perry play to beadapted to the big screen. Muchlike his previous productions, thisfaith-based message movie wascrafted with an African Americanaudience in mind, between all thedown-home humor and earnestmoralizing around universalthemes particularly of relevanceto the Black community.

What’s new is that the familiarformula has been enhanced bysome stellar singing performancescourtesy of support characters, allcapably played by Gladys Knight,Mary J. Blige and Marvin Winans.As soulful a diversion as thesepop icons periodically provide,there’s still no mistaking the factthat the picture remains more of amelodrama than a musical. For itsmost memorable moments arereserved for Perry who’s back indrag, camping it up as Madea, the

wisecracking, pistol-packinggranny who is at her best whentalking trash and taking the lawinto her own hands.

At the point of departure, shecatches three kids in the act ofburglarizing her home, 16-year-old Jennifer (Hope Olaide Wilson)and her two younger brothers. Butwhen she interrogates the

“chirrun,” she soon realizes thatshe’s not dealing with juveniledelinquents but with desperate,destitute orphans whosecrackhead mother is dead and whohave now ostensibly beenabandoned by their grandmother(Gretas Glenn). So, instead ofcalling the cops, Madea decides toturn the trio over to their onlyother living relative.

But estranged Aunt April(Taraji P. Henson) is veryunsympathetic and onlyreluctantly takes her sister’soffspring in. After all, she’s analcoholic stuck in denial in anabusive relationship with adomineering married man (BrianJ. White). So, it’s no surprisewhen she proves to be inept as asurrogate parent, misbehaving bychain-smoking in the same roomas asthmatic Manny (KwesiBoakye), by teasing chubbyByron (Frederick Siglar) about hisweight and by failing to protectJennifer from a sexual predator.

Fortunately, there are a few

legit role models in April’s life,and her repeated failings giveeach an ample opportunity tocome to the rescue. Fellow saloonsinger Tanya (Blige), Pastor Brian(Winans) and his God-fearing,wife Wilma (Knight) belt outmeaningful ballads while April’shandsome Colombian tenant(Adam Rodriguez) comes inhandy with the child-rearing andwhen it’s time to belt her creepyboyfriend around. Of course,there’s Madea waiting in thewings to ensure that she finallywises up and makes the most ofher last shot at redemption.

Although the pat plot doesn’toffer much in the way ofsurprises, who wouldn’t laugh atsassy Madea’s over-the-top anticsafresh? And whose soul wouldn’tbe stirred by an inspirationalGospel duet by Gladys Knight andMarvin Winans? And whatconcerned parent wouldn’tappreciate seeing some sensibleSunday school lessons designedfor impressionable young minds?

A pleasant, if predictable,morality play offering a litany ofteachable moments certain toresonate with the Born Againdemographic.

Very Good (3 stars)Rated PG-13 for violence, druguse, smoking and the sexual

assault of a minor. Running time: 113 minutesStudio: Lionsgate Films

To see a trailer for I Can Do BadAll by Myself, visit: http://www.apple.com/trailers/lions_gate/icandobadallbymyself/large.html

By Kam Williamskam@insightnews.com

http://insightnews.com Insight News • September 21 - September 27, 2009 • Page 5

playmerchandise.com

Tyler Perry back in drag for a music-driven morality play

Weekly previews for movies opening September 25By Kam Williamskam@insightnews.com

A few weeks ago I had to have myhardwood floor replaced becausehairline cracks began appearingand then progressed to whatlooked like blisters. Thankfully,

the floor was still under themanufacturer’s warranty and theywere replaced with no problems.

The only thing I had to do wasremove all the furniture and wallhangings in that area, so that theflooring guys could easily take upthe damaged flooring and thenreinstall the new product. Once Ihad removed everything- from thekitchen, entryway, and bathroom,my walls began to call out to me.They said, “Girl you know that it’swrong for you to leave us likethis! We feel so naked wearingnothing but this beige paint! Thisis not even like you!”

Now when walls talk to you,you must listen. I promptly wentout to my garage, where I hadstored some discount paint, anddecided which color I’d use toproperly “dress” my walls. Asyou know, one project leads toanother. I got to thinking about allthe things that can be done withpaint that make a big impact, evenif the budget is small. Here are afew ideas just in case your walls-or furniture- start talking to you!

Wood Furniture - Are you tiredof your old bedroom set or hasyour child’s dresser seen betterdays? Prepare to paint it bycleaning it with a householdcleaner (don’t forget to rinse),sand it lightly, and then wipe awaythe dust. Next you will want toapply a primer and allow it to drywell before rolling on two coats ofyour favorite paint color.

Fabric - If you want to breathelife into your old decorativepillows, just grab fabric paintwhich can be found almosteverywhere. Buy or make a plainpillow cover and give it your ownsignature style!

Metal - Is your outdoor furniturelooking a little sunburned? Get itready for a second life by wipingit down and letting it dry. If youwant to make it a super quick job,like I just did on my rocker, pickup spray paint containing rustinhibitors. You’ll save the extrastep of priming. Do it now andyour almost new outdoor furniturewill be ready to make itsdebut…again next spring.

Rugs - Let’s say you have aboring sisal rug and you want togive it some pizzazz. Considerusing a stencil and a few thincoats of paint to make adecorative pattern. Anotheroption is to use masking tape, a

ruler, and your favorite paint colorto create a striped pattern on yourrug.

Don’t let a tiny budget keepyour walls (furniture, fabric, metalaccessories, or rugs) lookingnaked. Paint is one of thecheapest things you can buy tomake a real impact and mistakesare easily corrected. Find $5 paintby browsing the paint sections atLowe’s and Home Depot, wherethey sell “oops” paint (a color thatdidn’t turn out as planned). Formore on painting tips and

techniques visit www.ehow.com.Spread a cheerful vibe throughoutyour room by grabbing apaintbrush and spreading somepaint! Enjoy!

Marcia Humphrey is an interiordecorator and home stager whospecializes in achieving high styleat a low cost. A native ofMichigan, she and her husband,Lonnie, have three children.

LIFESTYLEUse paint to make the old look new again

By Marcia Humphrey

Style on a dime

Page 6 • September 21 - September 27, 2009 • Insight News http://insightnews.com

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These days, everyone is taking anew look at their finances — andno one is looking more closelythan the millions of babyboomers who are nearingretirement age. While someboomers expected to retire at oneof the traditional milestones,such as age 62, the currenteconomy is forcing many ofthem to re-evaluate their plans.Many are wondering if theyshould work longer, or how theirSocial Security benefit – or theirspouse’s benefit – would beaffected if they continuedworking.

To help them find answers,Social Security has published afact sheet called When To StartReceiving Retirement Benefits.You can read it online atwww.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10147.html.

As most workers know, yourchoice of a retirement age —from 62 to 70 — candramatically affect your monthlySocial Security benefit amount.

If you choose to startreceiving benefits early, themonthly payments will bereduced based on the number ofmonths you receive benefitsbefore you reach your fullretirement age. The rate ofreduction will depend on theyear you were born. Themaximum reduction at age 62will be: 25 percent for peopleborn between 1947 and 1958. 30 percent for people born after1959.

If you wait until your fullretirement age, your benefits willnot be reduced. And if youshould choose to delayretirement, your benefit willincrease up to eight percent ayear from your full retirementage until age 70. However,there is no additional benefitincrease after you reach age 70,even if you continue to delaytaking benefits.

Social Security also hascreated several retirementplanners to help you make aninformed decision. Social

Security has an online calculatorthat can provide immediateretirement benefit estimates tohelp you plan for yourretirement. The onlineRetirement Estimator usesinformation from your ownearnings record, and lets youcreate “what if” scenarios. Youcan, for example, change your“stop work” date or expectedfuture earnings to create andcompare different retirementoptions.

To use the Retirement Estimator, visitwww.socialsecurity.gov/estimator.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GENERAL

Question: I lost my Social Security cardand am afraid someone elsecould be using my number.Should I report it to SocialSecurity?

Answer: If you think someone is usingyour number to work, call SocialSecurity at 1-800-772-1213(TTY 1-800-325-0778). Butreporting a lost or stolen card toSocial Security will not preventits misuse. That is why youshould take further action. Ifyou think someone is using yournumber, there are several otheractions you will want to take:• Contact the Federal TradeCommission online atwww.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft or call 1-877-ID-THEFT(1-877-438-4338); • File an online complaint withthe Internet Crime ComplaintCenter at www.ic3.gov • Contact the IRS IdentityTheft Hotline by calling 1-800-908-4490 Monday–Friday, 8a.m. to 8 p.m.; and • Monitor your credit report.

RETIREMENTQuestion: How much can I earn and stillget Social Security retirementbenefits?

Answer: Starting with the month youreach your full retirement age,you will get your full benefitswith no limit on your earnings.Social Security uses the formulasbelow, based on your age, to

determine how much yourbenefit may be reduced:

If you are under your fullretirement age: when you startgetting your Social Securitypayments, $1 in benefits will bededucted for each $2 you earnabove the annual limit. For 2009,that limit is $14,160. Theearliest age you can receiveSocial Security retirementbenefits remains 62, even thoughthe full retirement age is rising.

In the year you reach yourfull retirement age: $1 in benefitswill be deducted for each $3 youearn above a different limit, butonly counting earnings beforethe month you reach fullretirement age. For 2009, thislimit is $37,680.

Keep in mind that althoughyour benefits may be reduceddue to earnings, you may receivea higher benefit later. After youreach full retirement age, we willrecalculate your benefit amountto give you credit for any monthsin which you did not receive abenefit because of your earnings.In addition, as long as youcontinue to work and receivebenefits, we will check yourrecord every year to see whetherthe additional earnings willincrease your monthly benefit.Find out your full retirement ageatwww.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/ageincrease.htm. Learn more byreading our publication, HowWork Affects Your Benefits, atwww.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10069.html.

“I can do that,” T repeats tohimself every time he reads an

ad for a job opening. And he isright. Job seekers with a widerange of skills and a deepexperience base are blessedwith a strong sense of what ispossible. They learn quicklyand readily apply oldknowledge to new tasks. Andno one wants to hire them.

The problem is simple:supply and demand. When jobseekers outnumber openpositions, hiring companieswant – and get – the perfectworker every time. Often that

person is someone who requiresno training, has previousindustry experience and iswilling to work for a very fairwage.

The solution is simple, too.Focus. Getting a foot in thedoor is easier if the door you’regoing through is familiar toyou. Look for opportunitieswhich closely align with yourmost recent or strongestexperience.

Maybe you hated your yearsin sales and want to transition

into marketing. As a hiringmanager, why would I hire youto do marketing? So I couldpay someone to train you, letyou make mistakes at myexpense and possibly cost me alot of money I don’t have rightnow? You are able to domarketing. You learned a thingor two from the marketingdepartment at your lastcompany; you never really didmarketing, but you’re sure youcould pick it up quickly. Okay,I believe you. But I’ve already

laid off anyone who could trainyou, and the next guy in line hasten years of marketingexperience with our topcompetitor. Guess who gets thejob?

When the possibilities seemendless, focus on desiredresults. Focus on positionssimilar to those you’ve hadbefore. Focus on companieswho compete against thoseyou’ve worked for. Focus onnetworking with people whoknow you and your talents. Get

in through the sales door, andthen give 100 percent to thatposition. When business picksup in the future (presumablysoon, because you’re anawesome salesperson), look forways to ease over to marketing.You don’t have to give up yourdreams; you just have tostrategize to reach them.

Please send career planningquestions toJulie@insightnews.com.

Too many options: Focus on the familiar to improve job prospects

By Julie Desmondjulie@insightnews.com

Planyour

career

http://insightnews.com Insight News • September 21 - September 27, 2009 • Page 7

Tools to help you decide when to retireBy Rhonda Whitenackand Jim CzechowiczSocial Security PublicAffairs Office in Mplsand St Paul MN

The health and safety of theAmerican people is the firstpriority of President BarackObama. Since the novel2009-H1N1 flu virus emergedin the United States during thethird week of April, thePresident has received regularbriefings and asked hisCabinet to spare no effort inaddressing this nationalsecurity challenge.

The Secretary of Healthand Human Services is leadingthe way on public healthpreparedness and responseefforts, the Principal FederalOfficial for domesticincidents, the Secretary ofHomeland Security, iscoordinating the supportingactivities of Federal

departments and agencies andfacilitating response actionswith State, local and territorialgovernments and tribal andprivate sector partners, whileother Cabinet officials areleading complementaryinitiatives in their area ofresponsibility. It is a well-coordinated, all hands on deckapproach. All Federal effortsare aimed at reducing theimpact of 2009-H1N1 on thehealth and well-being ofAmericans and on theeconomy and functioning ofsociety. Key elements of ourpreparedness and responseefforts include:

Preparing for a fall wave ofH1N1 flu with great teamwork across the Nation

• Implementing a NationalFramework for 2009-H1N1preparedness and response,including the four pillars ofsurveillance, mitigation,vaccine, and communications • Partnering with Congress,governors, mayors, territorialand tribal officials, state andlocal health departments andemergency managers, the

medical community, private-sector entities, andcommunity-based groups foran effective response • Issuing medical, science-derived public guidance for K-12 schools, institutions ofhigher education, businessesand employers, and familiesacross the country available24/7 on www.flu.gov • Making steady progress ondeveloping a safe, effective,and voluntary H1N1 fluvaccine• Preparing for a voluntary,but strongly recommended,H1N1 flu shot program to beavailable to all Americans thatwish to participate over aperiod of time • Encouraging Americans toact on a shared responsibilityto reduce the impact of H1N1flu• Calling on individuals andfamilies to plan for the fall fluseason and to take steps toprevent the spread of theH1N1 flu

To learn more about this virus,please go to www.flu.gov ortalk to your doctor.

My wife has dozens ofmagazines largely devoted tothe myriad ways in which youcan dress, style your hair andput on make-up to look youngerthan your years. But the realsecret to growing old gracefullyis taking care of both your mindand body so you can stayhealthy and active longer. Whenit comes to Alzheimer’s disease,living a healthy lifestyle is oneof the most important things you

can do to help protect yourselffrom developing it.

Every 70 seconds, someonedevelops Alzheimer’s disease, aprogressive, fatal brain disease,according to the Alzheimer’sAssociation. Alzheimer’sdisease and dementia are not thesame thing. Dementia is not aspecific disease, but rather ageneralized term to describe agroup of symptoms that usuallyincludes memory loss andAlzheimer’s is the mostcommon form. Also, occasionalforgetfulness does notnecessarily mean you have

Alzheimer’s—we all misplaceour car keys from time to time!It’s important to recognize whensymptoms like memory loss andconfusion become serious andmajor interferences in yourdaily life. Early diagnosis ofthe disease is important fortreatment and planning.

Many people think geneticsplay the biggest role indetermining who developsAlzheimer’s and while sciencehas found a genetic link toAlzheimer’s disease, truefamilial Alzheimer’s accountsfor less than 5 percent of cases.In fact, new research has shownthat people with other types ofhealth problems, such asdiabetes, high blood pressureand high cholesterol, are morelikely to develop Alzheimer’slater in life. A recent KaiserPermanente study found evenhaving slightly high cholesterollevels in your early 40s puts youat significantly – 66 percent –greater risk for developing

Alzheimer’s decades later. Because African Americans

have high incidences ofdiabetes, high blood pressureand high cholesterol, we areparticularly at risk fordeveloping Alzheimer’s.

According to theAlzheimer’s Association, thenumber of African Americansentering the at-risk age group isestimated to double to 6.9million by 2030. Makinglifestyle changes and taking theappropriate prescriptions forchronic conditions such asdiabetes, high blood pressureand high cholesterol couldreduce your risk of developingAlzheimer’s.

Preventing or slowing theprogression of Alzheimer’s isn’tjust about taking care of yourbody; it’s also about taking careof your mind. Remainingmentally and socially activehave been found to reduce thechances of developing thedisease. Just like your body,

your mind can get weak if itdoesn’t get regular exercise.Simple activities like readingand doing crossword puzzles, aswell as traveling andvolunteering, can help yourmind stay young and healthy.

While there is no cure or nosingle diagnostic test forAlzheimer’s, there are nowmore treatments than ever toenhance patients’ quality of life.And, there are 91 newmedicines currently indevelopment for the disease,including one that aims toprevent or reverse progressionof the disease, according to areport from the PharmaceuticalResearch and Manufacturers ofAmerica.

However, these medicinesare useless if patients cannotaccess them. That’s whyAmerica’s pharmaceutical andbiotechnology companiessponsor the Partnership forPrescription Assistance (PPA).Since its launch in April 2005,

PPA has helped connect morethan 5.8 million patients in needto programs that provide eitherfree or nearly free medicines.For more information, patientscan call 1-888-4PPA-NOW orvisit www.pparx.org.

Larry Lucas is a vice presidentfor Pharmaceutical Researchand Manufacturers of America(PhRMA).

HEALTH

By Larry LucasNNPA Columnist

A healthy lifestyle protects from Alzheimer’s

Page 8 • September 21 - September 27, 2009 • Insight News http://insightnews.com

secondclasscitizens.files.wordpress.com

INSIGHT NEWS

www.insightnews.com

Insight News is publishedweekly, every Monday byMcFarlane Media Interests.

Editor-In-ChiefAl McFarlaneCFOAdrianne Hamilton-ButlerPublisherBatala-Ra McFarlaneAssociate Editor &Associate PublisherB.P. FordVice President of Sales & MarketingSelene WhiteDirector of Content &ProductionPatricia WeaverSr. Content & ProductionCoordinatorElliot Stewart-FranzenWeb Design & ContentAssociateBen WilliamsDistribution/FacilitiesManagerJamal MohamedReceptionistLue B. LampleyContributing WritersBrenda ColstonJulie DesmondMarcia HumphreyMehgaan JonesAlaina L. LewisRashida McKenzieBrandi D. PhillipsRyan T. ScottPhotographySuluki FardanTobechi TobechukwuContact Us:Insight News, Inc.Marcus Garvey House1815 Bryant Ave. N.MinneAPOlis., MN 55411Ph.: (612) 588-1313Fax: (612) 588-2031Member: MinnesotaMulticultural MediaConsortium (MMMC)Midwest Black PublishersCoalition, Inc. (MBPCI)National NewspaperPublishers Association(NNPA)

Postmaster: Send addresschanges to McFarlaneMedia Interests, MarcusGarvey House 1815 BryantAvenue North, Minneapolis,Minnesota, 55411.

2009-H1N1 (Swine Flu)National Preparedness and Response Overview

After a round of questionsand answers the 48 people inattendance at the NorthCommons Park meeting votedwith ballots that allowed themto rank their favorite to leastfavorite among candidates forgovernor. The ballotdistributed had eight columnsand voters were instructed tochoose their preference foreach of the columns. Eachcolumn represented a round ofvoting and voters learned thatcandidates vote totals wouldgrow in successive rounds ascandidates with the leastnumber of votes dropped offwith their second, third, orfourth choice being assigned toa candidate depending on theround, until one candidateemerged a clear winner with50% of ballots cast plus onefor a majority.

Complicated? To say theleast.

But people at NorthCommons said they left theevening’s training with moreknowledge and more comfortwith the RCV than when theyarrived. And, they said moretraining in weeks ahead will goa long way to gettingMinneapolis ready for asuccessful RCV election inNovember.

Organizers were pleasedwith the turnout and noted that

the turnout at Tiger Sushi wasalmost triple that in NorthMinneapolis.

Senate districts 58, 60 and62 of the DFL organized theevents to educate DFLers andtheir neighbors about RankedChoice Voting, which will beused in the Minneapolis cityelection on November 3. Thedate of September 15 waschosen for the training becausethat’s the day that would havebeen the primary election, theneed for which has been

eliminated by using RCV.Event organizers hope that

each DFL senate district willtake on organizing an event.The City DFL will provideballots, event planning advice,and publicity support. FairVoteMinnesota will provide RCVexperts for ballot tallying,introducing IRV, and handlingQ&A., organizers said.

While holding multipleevents on a single nightfeaturing a gubernatorial strawvote was meant to attract

positive media coverage forthe DFL, organizers saideducating people about how touse RCV will make them moreconfident at the polls, willsupport stronger wins for DFLcandidates in November.

The Minneapolis CityCouncil races that may be mostgreatly impacted by the shift toRanked Choice Voting likelywill be the North Minneapolis

5th Ward and 4th Wardcontests.

Kenya McKnight, NatalieJohnson Lee, Lennie Chismand Roger Smithrud arechallenging incumbent DonSamuels in the 5th Ward, andTroy Parker, Grant Cermakand Marcus Harcucs arechallenging Barb Johnson inthe 4th Ward.

http://insightnews.com Insight News • September 21 - September 27, 2009 • Page 9

PoliticsFrom 1

Kenya McKnightNatalie Johnson LeeLennie ChismRoger SmithrudDon Samuels

Troy ParkerGrant CermakMarcus HarcusBarbara A. Johnson

Jeff StrandTally sheet

Page 10 • September 21 - September 27, 2009 • Insight News http://insightnews.com

Send Community Calendarinformation to us by: email,ben@insightnews.com, by fax: 612-588-2031, by phone: (612) 588-1313or by mail: 1815 Bryant Ave. N.Minneapolis, MN 55411, Attn: BenWilliams. Free or low cost eventspreferred.

Events

Looking Ahead and Embracingthe Possibilities!! – Sept. 21 - 23Monday through Wednesday, 7 p.m.nightly at Fellowship MissionaryBaptist Church, 3355 4th St. North,Minneapolis, 612/588-4709. Haveyour spirits lifted with the anointedWord from Rev. Sedgwick Easley,Union Baptist Church, Hempstead,New York.

Knocking Down Hunger:Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser –Sept. 22Tuesday, September 22, 2009,Dinner served from 5:30-6:30 pmand 6:30-7:30 pm Elsie’s Restaurantand Bowling Center, 729 MarshallStreet NE, Minneapolis, MN55413. Adults: $10 12 and under: $5.Reserved seating available. Topurchase tickets or get moreinformation, call the Greater LakeCountry Food Bank at (612) 3430-9694.

Soul of a People: WritingAmerica’s Story – Sept. 24

Thursday, September 24, 7 p.m., atthe Rondo Community OutreachLibrary, 461 N. Dale St., Saint Paul.Professor Peter Rachleff, ofMacalester College, leads adiscussion on the film and thebroader aspects of the New Deal’sWPA programs following the film.For more information, please callThe Friends at 651/222-3242 or goonline at www.thefriends.org.

The Law and Mental HealthSeries - OngoingA Free Training Series for Parentsand Caregivers, Advocates, andSupport Group Leaders. 9:30 am -Registration & light breakfast. 10:00am – 1:00 pm – Session. MapleGrove Community Center, 12951Weaver Lake Road. Presented by:Minnesota Association for Children’sMental Health • MACMHwww.macmh.org • 651-644-7333.There is no charge but space islimited; you must call to register.

Thursday, September 24 Rights and Remedies in JuvenileJustice

Tuesday, September 29 Special Education: Know YourRights

The Hawthorne NeighborhoodCouncil – Sept. 24Thursday, from 6 p.m. – 8:15 p.m. atFarview Park. Elections for seats on

Hawthorne’s Board of Directors willbe held at this event. For moreinformation about the event or tolearn more about serving on HNC’sBoard of Directors, please callAlexandra at (612) 529-6033.

Black Storytellers’ Alliance:Nothando Zulu – Sept. 26Sat. 2 p.m. at the Rondo CommunityOutreach Library, Nothando Zulu, ofthe Black Storytellers’ Alliance, willshare selections from the FWP SlaveNarratives and excerpts of work byZora Neale Hurston. For moreinformation, please call The Friendsat 651/222-3242 or go online atwww.thefriends.org.

7th Annual Dog Daze - Sept. 26Sat., 11 am - 3 pm. Folwell Park,1615 Dowling Avenue N., Mpls. FreeAdmission. More info:info@folwell.org, 612.521.2100.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

ADVERTISEWITH US:

612.588.1313

EMPLOYMENT/DRIVERS

D R I V E R S :Local/Regional. GreatP a y / H o m e -Time/Benefits. Notouch, Pd Vac. CDL-A2yrs OTR Exp. Koch:888-242-3675.

Assumed Name1. State the exact assumed name underwhich the business is or will be conducted: 3 Season's Maintenance and LandscapeProffessionals

2. State the address of the principal place ofbusiness: 1907 Glenwood Ave. North, Mpls.,MN 55405

3. List the name and complete street addressof all persons conducting business under theabove Assumed Name: Richard J. Hill, 1907Glenwood Ave. North, Mpls., MN 55405

4. I certify that I am authorized to sign thiscertificate and I further certify that Iunderstand that by signing this certificate, Iam subject to the penalties of perjury as setforth in Minnesota Statues section 609.48 asif I had signed this certificate under oath.

Signed by: Richard J. HillDate Filed: 9/04/2009

Insight News 9/14/2009, 9/21/2009

CLASSIFIEDS

CHILDREN’S THEATRE CO.AUDITIONS for MULAN

Directed by David MannRehearsals: March 23-April 26, 2010Performances: April 27-June13, 2010EOE/AA

YOUTHWHO: Boys and girls 15-18 years old, but not older than a senior in highschool. We will cast 16 kids for this production, 12 boys & 4 girls.AUDITIONS: Sun 9/27 @ Noon-9:30 pmCALLBACKS: Sat 10/3 @ 3-7 pmPREPARE: No preparation necessary: we’ll teach a song and dancecombination and do improv exercises. Dress for movement.*We are especially interested in kids who are Asian or other non-Caucasianethnicities.* Call 612-872-5395 to schedule your audition appointment.

MULAN TITLE ROLEWHO: Non-Caucasian Women 15-25 years old.AUDITIONS: Mon 9/28 @ 6-10 pmCALLBACKS: Sat 10/3 @ 9 am-1pmREQUIREMENTS: Must be ethnicity other than Caucasian; particularlyencourage Asian women to audition. Must be strong singer and dancer.PREPARE: 2 contrasting songs of only 16 measures each; bring music foraccompanist. A memorized 1-min contemporary monologue (not from film);must not exceed time limit. We’ll teach a dance combination; dress formovement. Call Nancy at 612-872-5141 to discuss setting up an audition.

ADULTSWHO: Non-AEA men & women, college-aged and older.AUDITIONS: Tue, 9/29 @ 6-10 pmCALLBACKS: Sat 10/3 @ 9 am-1pmREQUIREMENTS: Must be ethnicity other than Caucasian.PREPARE: One contemporary song of only 16 measures; bring music foraccompanist. A memorized 1-min contemporary monologue (not from film);must not exceed time limit. Call 612-872-5397 to schedule your auditionappointment.

Minnesota Blizzards Basketball We are looking for college students majoring inSports Management, Business, PublicRelations, Marketing Sales, Broadcasting,Event Planning etc. to become Interns for TheMinnesota Blizzards ABA Basketball Team.Interns will gain valuable experience, and inmost cases college credits.

Interested Parties please send resume to:Minnesota Blizzards Attn: Internship Program1161 Vierling Drive, Ste 161Shakopee, MN 55379Ph: 612-242-1909Fax: 480-302-5813ben@minnesotaBlizzards.comhttp://www.minnesotablizzards.com

Macy’s Shop ForA Cause EventSince 2006, Macy’s Shop For ACause Event has partnered withnon-profit organizationsnationwide to raise more than $28million for their ongoingcharitable efforts. This is youropportunity to be a part of thismonumental event. Macy’s will beholding its 3rd Annual Shop for aCause event on Saturday, October17, 2009.

It’s simple, any non-profitorganization with 501c3 status iseligible to sign up to receive abook of $5 Shopping Passes. Thenon-profit can sell the passes andkeep 100% of the proceeds. Theperson who purchases a pass fromthem will receive exclusive all daysavings at any Macy’s on October17th.

To sign up your group, go tomacys.com/shopforacause.

Days after Serena Williamsmelted down during her USOpen match with her long-timefriend and fellow tennischampion Kim Clijsters, thecontroversy continues to swirl.

As of this writing there is talkof a possible suspension, furtherfines, and other action againstthe phenomenal tennis diva wholet her intensity and passion runaway with her when she reactedinappropriately to what mayhave been a faulty foot fault callon the part of an overzealous linejudge. Several of thecommentators noted that the footfault call was untimely andperhaps inappropriate. Nothing,however, excuses Serena’sbehavior.

Microphones picked up heruse of profanity, her threateningmanner toward the line judge,and her obfuscating conversationwith the umpire. Her commentshave generated so muchcontroversy that you would thinkshe had, say, hollered at thePresident of the United States ashe was giving a major policyaddress. While Serena criticscall for everything but her head

on a platter, Congressman JoeWilson, the South Carolinianwho called President BarackObama a liar, has drawn a line inthe sand and says he willapologize no more.

While the stages aredifferent, there is an interestingparallel. White men canapologize once, say they won’tagain apologize, and get arelative pass on their behavior.Indeed, after a tepid apology,Wilson has gone one to put adefiantly insolent video on theInternet essentially excusing hisbehavior. You can bet thatSerena Williams won’t get awayas easily.

Both Serena Williams andJoe Wilson need to reflect ontheir behavior. The difference

between the two is that we haveevidence that Serena can reflect;Wilson’s case is far more murky.In her new autobiography, Queenof the Court, Serena Williamswrites about the game of tennisas a metaphor for the game oflife. One of the things she talksabout is the need to shake off themistakes of the last point, set,game or match as a way ofmoving ahead. The pace oftennis is such that if you dwellon the last point you can’t moveto the next one, and that’s oftenthe case with life. We have totake enough time to learn fromour mistakes, but we surely can’tdwell on them to the point thatthey become crippling orparalyzing.

If you are down 5-6, 15-30,you can’t really worry about thelast serve, you have to worryabout the next one. Serena’sbook is a great reflection on herlife and her challenges, and asshe struggles with the aftermathof last Saturday’s loss, I hope herown words will give her comfortand peace.

Many of us were quitedisturbed at the manner andmethod of Serena’s Saturdayloss. Yet as I watched her walkup to the net and shake KimClijster’s hand, I also saw her, inthe words of songstress JillScott, as beautifully human. I

saw her as both a young woman,and a seasoned one. I saw her asan intense young woman who letthe heat of the moment push herinto a zone that she clearlyregrets, and as a woman who didnot allow her intensity to preventher from being gracious towardher opponent.

I saw her as so strong and yetflawed, a player whoacknowledged her mistake inreacting so intensely. And, yes, Isaw her as a tennis icon whoselove for and contributions to thegame of tennis carry much moreweight than her Saturdaymistake. Most of all, I saw heras someone who has had toshoulder the many ways that raceand gender shape herexperiences in tennis, a womanwho has all too often beentreated unfairly, even harshly, bythose who make great profit fromher amazing athletic prowess.Serena Williams is beautiful,beautifully human, resplendentin spite of, and because of herflaws.

Congressman Joe Wilson isgetting a pass for his ignorantand intemperate behavior whenPresident Obama spoke. Indeed,he has given himself a pass. Ihope that the beautifully humanSerena Williams will get thesame kind of pass from herselfand the world as she embraces

and learns from her meltdown.

Julianne Malveaux is president

of Bennett College for Women inGreensboro, North Carolina.

Loose lips sink ships; I’ll neverforget my older brother telling methat one. The altercation whichtook place following the recentUniversity of Oregon versus BoiseState University football gamewas a useful example of the LooseLips Theory, and much more.Following the incident involvingOregon star running-backLeGarratte Blount his coachreferred to the young man as agood kid, and that thisunforgettable event would result ina “teachable moment.” I couldn’tagree more, but think attentionneeds to be paid to the largerscene, in order to absorb somegreater lessons.

To explain the event from startto finish begins with a pridefulstatement made by Blount theweek before the game. Bible

wisdom says the pride comethbefore the fall, so here we go.Blount suggested that Oregonowed Boise State a (butt)whoopin’ on the football field,because Boise State, which is asmaller school than Oregon, beatOregon in a football game lastyear. Obviously, Blount felt thatthe potato farmers (Idahostereotype) of Boise State, had nobusiness beating the University ofOregon which can boast to be thebirthplace of the Nike athleticshoe. If the Nike motto is “just doit,” then the potato farmers mottomust be “just do it again” becausethey sure helped Oregon chalk upanother loss again this year.

Naturally, Blount’s puffy talkleading up to the game reached theears in the Boise State locker-room. So, immediately after thegame, Boise State player ByronHout couldn’t resist completingthe cycle of excessive pride, andmade sure to tap Blount on the

shoulder and bark out somevicious funnies like a hyena. Ha,ha, ha, oooh! Hey dude, you gotknocked out. I guess the rewardfor making fun of people who areangry and embarrassed is aknuckle sandwich, followed by agraceful, weightless drop to thesoil below.

I must admit that in my life, Ireacted the same in a similarsituation, but thankfully the 3rdgrader excuse works fairly well.Unfortunately for Blount it wasn’tjust the P.E. teacher watching, butrather the whole world and all ofthe hyperbolic, hyper-judgmentalpeople with easy access totechnological mediums to expresstheir immediate thoughts on theshocking scene. Uh-oh.

If the story stopped there thenthe teachable moment would bemuch more standard and simple:shut-up and play because looselips sink ships. But after theknockout and subsequent

restraining session, Blountmanaged to blow-up on ateammate, and then becamerabidly belligerent when the fansnear the player exit began shoutinga bunch of who knows what; butwe can all cringe to guess whatwas being said. Reviews of thevideo thereafter report that Blountwas somehow struck by a fan,which set off the final Tasmanianswirls through the security andcoaching staff surrounding him.

It was this final exit scene thatprovided the greatest moment toponder a few additional angles ofthe entire episode. Unfortunately,the crowd surrounding the exitwas monochromatic in racialappearance. Plain and simple: anentirely Caucasian crowdexploding with vehementexpression at their victim, a youngblack man, is not a good lookingscene. This scene conjures toomany thoughts that some can’texpel from their spirits, and some

others can’t bare to think about indepth. The other unique element tothe crowd reaction was theintermittent laughter that mixed inwith the gyrations of protest.

As for Blount, it seemed thathis swirling about waschoreographed in unison with thepulling and pushing movements ofthe crowd; and so the image ofpuppet strings came to mind.

At a recent book signing,p r o f e s s o r / a u t h o r / s c h o l a rMahmoud El-Kati made astatement to the effect that: anyconscious, intelligent Black manin America is angry, or carriesanger in him. If I am the sampleby which that statement is judged,then the response is “damn right.”LeGarrate Blount did not lead withhonor by bumping his gums in thefirst place, and in doing so, hecreated an opportunity for theperfect storm to sweep in, sweepup his emotion, and allowpuppeteers to take advantage of

his loss in intelligentconsciousness. The result forBlount is branding for life, and theloss of multiple millions of dollars,as he was a coveted NFL prospect.

One of the most amazingthings recognized by the AfricanAmerican community, in ourPresident Barack Obama, is hispoise.

The result for Blount is branding for life, and the loss of multiple millions of dollars

http://insightnews.com Insight News • September 21 - September 27, 2009 • Page 11

By Ryan T. Scottryan@insightnews.com

i2.cdn.turner.comLeGarrette Blount

Serena Williams melts down during US Open match, shows she’s beautifully human By Julianne MalveauxNNPA columnistCommentary

i.a.cnn.netSerena Williams

Page 12 • September 21 - September 27, 2009 • Insight News http://insightnews.com

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