Jerry Freeman of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder talks about his new novel, “In a Kick-Ass Sentimental Mood”

By |

It’s said that those who can, do, and that those who can’t, teach. In the publishing racket, more than one grousing writer would attest that those who can’t do, edit. Not the case with Jerry Freeman of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder (MSR).Freeman has been editing at MSR—which, closing on 80 years, is Minnesota’s longest-lived African-American publication (and, for that matter, the state’s oldest minority-owned business)—for the past decade. At the weekly community newspaper, he has developed a nettlesome reputation by assigning staff ace writer Charles Hallman stories delving into no small amount controversy, among them a story on black clergy members’ views on gay marriage and the series “Chasing The Tornado Money” (parts one, two, three) on just how much relief funding actually found its way to North Minneapolis victims of the deadly, vastly damaging tornado in 2011. He has also handled a range of less troubling news features from human interest to op-ed to metro news.All the while, sending writers out to cover events and fielding material for the editorial pages, Jerry Freeman has been quietly hatching a writing project of his own. In a Kick-Ass Sentimental Mood (KaZoom Digital Publishing) is a futuristic novel featuring the cynical hero with a heart of gold: grizzled, hard-bit freelance detective-cum-bounty hunter, Gib, in his hellbent determination to fly in the face of corporate convention and its stranglehold on what no longer even pretends to be a land of the free or home of the brave, but a blatant, massive bastion of haves lording over and trampling on the lives and humanity of have-nots. Continue Reading

Poet to Poet: IBé Kaba

By |

Ezra Pound famously opined that poetry is “News that stays news.” For many publications, poets are interviewed in a journalistic, narrative fashion, even when being interviewed by anoth Continue Reading

Deformed frogs still a mystery: Retired biologist recalls research was “unpopular and controversial every step of the way”

By |

In 1995, a group of schoolchildren enjoying a leisurely nature hike around Ney Pond in south central Minnesota began finding frogs with extra limbs, missing limbs and other abnormalities such as extra eyes. Their teacher placed a call to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to report this alarming discovery.

Continue Reading

Avalon School tackles bullying, in partnership with St. Paul Public Library

By |

When the St. Paul Public Library put out the call for a citywide group read of the young adult novel Everybody Sees the Antsby A.S. King, the staff and students at Avalon School answered.The public charter school’s decision to have its students spend 30 minutes a day in small groups reading a book that addresses bullying, violence against women and the Vietnam War has created a whirlwind of media attention at Avalon.The library’s Read Brave project—a collaboration between the library, author A.S. King and Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation—challenged teens with a contest to create public service announcements, poetry, music, one-act plays, posters or any other project inspired by the themes of the book.Avalon students stepped up to the plate and a number of them won tickets to Lady Gaga’s concert on Feb. 6 in Minneapolis and VIP passes to her Born Brave Bus outside the Excel Energy Center the day of the concert.The only school to participate in the St. Paul Public Library’s program, Avalon invited local media into the school to learn more about the program. Esme Murphy’s visit resulted in a report that ran on WCCO News on Feb. Continue Reading

A positive, erotic winter evening with black artists at the Smitten Kitten

By |

When I got to the Smitten Kitten this past Tuesday night it was cold, like really cold. The temperatures in February are winter’s final “fuck you” before spring starts, and because of this I didn’t expect many people to pack the house. The atmosphere at the Smitten Kitten is always warm and welcoming, and after some hot pepperment tea and delightful conversation I realized that having an intimate talk with three artists and an audience of about 15 to 20 was perfect.At about 8 p.m. we all huddled together on the couch and nearby chairs and started the evening with an erotic story by Keegan Xavi that was so hot it almost set the place on fire. It was one of those stories that ignites your imagination and leaves you stewing in a deep silence so that you can replay the sensual visuals in your mind—because that’s where the best sex happens.I wanted to stay on the couch and play with the adorable vulva puppet, but the Alicia Steele had set aside special chairs for me, Ron Brown, and Joy Spika at the front of the store and it was exciting. I was excited.I love talking about my work, process, and inspirations and I love hearing other artists do the same. Continue Reading

Nuevo Mestizos: Leo Lara at the Black Dog Coffee & Wine Bar

By |

On January 23, the theme of the Lowertown Reading Jam series at the Black Dog Coffee & Wine Bar in Lowertown St. Paul was “Nuevo Mestizos.” Here, Leo Lara shares his work.Also see performances by Emmanuel Ortiz and Louis Alemayehu.Coverage of issues and events affecting Central Corridor communities is funded in part by a grant from the Central Corridor Funders Collaborative. Continue Reading

Nuevo Mestizos: Louis Alemayehu at the Black Dog Coffee & Wine Bar

By |

On January 23, the theme of the Lowertown Reading Jam series at the Black Dog Coffee & Wine Bar in Lowertown St. Paul was “Nuevo Mestizos.” Here, Louis Alemayehu shares his work.Also see performances by Emmanuel Ortiz and Leo Lara.Coverage of issues and events affecting Central Corridor communities is funded in part by a grant from the Central Corridor Funders Collaborative. Continue Reading

Nuevo Mestizos: Emmanuel Ortiz at the Black Dog Coffee & Wine Bar

By |

On January 23, the theme of the Lowertown Reading Jam series at the Black Dog Coffee & Wine Bar in Lowertown St. Paul was “Nuevo Mestizos.” Here, Emmanuel Ortiz shares his work.Also see performances by Louis Alemayehu and Leo Lara.Coverage of issues and events affecting Central Corridor communities is funded in part by a grant from the Central Corridor Funders Collaborative. Continue Reading