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On the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, Charles Hallman outlines the process Steven Belton went through in feeling called to do this work as the Minneapolis Urban League (MUL) president. “The change of mind was slow and unexpected,” [Steven Belton] said. Continue Reading
The Daily Planet’s 2015 was a time of pivoting and changing to a new direction. In our renewed mission to amplify and connect marginalized voices, we are excited to see the following stories resonated with you as much as they did with us. All stories below were chosen based on social media or website analytics to determine the most-viewed and/or most-talked-about content. But even if you take away the metrics, these stories were the ones that dug a little deeper, brought more context and empowered the communities that we serve.
Thanks for a great year. We can’t wait to see what 2016 brings.
— The Daily Planet Editorial Team Continue Reading
The numbers don’t lie. Andy Mannix from MinnPost reports that there are major racial disparities in Metro Transit arrest and citation rates, affecting African Americans and Native Americans most, but other groups as well. After the ACLU asked police organizations (including transit police) in Minneapolis for data about their rates of arrest for people of color, Metro Transit decided to go further and do their own study. Continue Reading
Carceral Colonialism: Imprisonment in Tribal country
As The Circle reports this week, the Minnesota incarceration rates for American Indians are higher than any other ethnic group in the state. The U.S. incarcerates more of its citizens than any other country in the world. And Minnesota incarcerates a higher percentage of American Indians than any other ethnic group, yet often the incarceration conversation fails to address Native communities. See the conversation behind the incarceration rate and what the community is doing about it at this link here. Minneapolis poverty data shows Southside needs $15 Now
Despite other larger cities like Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles in the United States adopting the demanded $15/hour minimum wage, Minneapolis has yet to take on such an increase, the Southside Pride reports. Continue Reading
Photo by Chris Juhn
Homicide aftermath: Co-victims need help too
According to this week’s Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, attention after a homicide tends to be directed almost exclusively to the victim and the perpetrator. Dr. Deirdre Golden argues in this article that we should think of the children and adult community members in our cities who see these acts of violence and feel the effects for the years to come. The press and media can be very intrusive during this period of great sadness and loss. The constant media coverage can serve to re-victimize the survivors, because they re-live the horror over and over. When there is an attempt to look for facts that devalue the worthiness of the murder victim, such as their criminal record, this can further traumatize the family. Continue Reading
Protesters stand ground in North Minneapolis
Charles Hallman from the Spokesman-Recorder provides for us an excellent slide show capturing the protest efforts of NAACP and Black Lives Matter Minneapolis, as well as a thorough breakdown of the community’s perspective on the events leading up to Jamar Clark’s death. Here’s a brief excerpt, a quote from one of the protesters interviewed at the scene:
“We are fed up,” said Williams. If this had happened to a young White male in Minnetonka, there would be no questions and the community would not be out like this. There is a real sickness in our police department here in Minneapolis. We don’t want to sit at the table and have another conversation or another dialogue. We want real action.”
Check out the full story and many great photos here. Continue Reading
Rep. Glenn Gruenhagen promises anti-transgender legislation in 2016
In The Column this week, Andy Birkey shares with us an email from Rep. Glenn Gruenhagen, R-MN. In the email, Gruenhagen discusses his belief of the invalidity of transgender people, and promises to propose anti-transgender legislation in the coming year. Here is a quote from his email:
Instances have come up in Minnesota where individuals have attempted to use bathroom facilities in workplaces that aren’t their biological sex, making some employees uncomfortable. I’ve spoken with female employees who are too afraid to speak out and wonder about their rights in the workplace if they do not want men using women’s bathrooms. This has happened to a constituent of mine who works in the metro area. A man in her department has declared himself to be a woman and wants to use the women’s bathroom. Continue Reading
Photo taken by Erin Ross
Perhaps I was listening for it, but I did not have to listen long. A person I do not know came up to me and said, “Dude, there are actual titties down there.” He gestured over his shoulder around the large hill of Gold Medal Park. I was on my way to work. I don’t even remember what I said in response—maybe nothing—but internally I had plenty to say. Something along the lines of “Get out of here, you creep,” was among these thoughts. Continue Reading
Preparing girls for their future
Don’t miss the interview on Saint Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN) this week with Neda Kellogg, founding Executive Director of Project DIVA, a nonprofit organization working to provide resources for young women as they transition into adulthood:
Project DIVA came out of me as an adult realizing how many girls like actually go through the same thing that I felt growing up….I just wanted to be able to give girls a space where they can be asked, you know, “How are you doing?” Catch the full interview and article here on SPNN. Islamophobia vs. the clamor of the good people
Engage Minnesota featured a story this week about the place and meaning of “home.” The story examines Islamophobia and its direct and daily impact on Muslims in Minnesota. Continue Reading
Minneapolis waitress’ story of transgender teaching moment goes viral
In The Column this week, Andy Birkey shows us the viral Facebook post that made Minneapolis transgender waitress Liv Hnilicka an inspiration in the community where she talked about the teaching moment she had with a young patron. Read The Column’s story here. The 46,000 consequences of crime
This week the Spokesman Recorder revealed there are over 46,000 consequences after an offender of color finishes serving a sentence, according to the American Bar Association. Blacks and other people of color who are former offenders are disproportionately affected by collateral consequences…. “No other country approaches this issue like we do” in America, said [Jenny] Roberts on collateral consequences, adding that the impact can be far-reaching. She recommended “a more rational approach: This is about the impact on families and communities.”
In the article, writer Charles Hallman tells us how many consequences directly affect African American communities. Continue Reading