The Minnesota State High School League is set to vote next week on whether to allow transgender high schools students to participate in athletics based on their gender identity.The Minnesota State High School League is “a voluntary, nonprofit association of public and private schools with a history of service to Minnesota’s high school youth since 1916.” The MSHSL oversees much of the athletics in the state.According to the policy, transgender high school students can play on the team of their choice (male or female) but have to have a physician’s documentation and in some cases must have begun hormone therapy to “preserve competitive equity.” The MSHSL policy also provides transgender students avenues for corrective action if a school district does not comply.The new policy will be discussed in a workshop on Oct. 1 and the full MSHSL is expected to vote on the policy on Oct. 2.Associations in Illinois, California, Maine, Colorado, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Connecticut have had similar policies for several years. Even associations in states that are considered conservative have adopted such policies including Nebraska in 2012, and North Carolina and Virginia in 2014. Minnesota’s neighbors to the south and west have also approved of the policies. Continue Reading
While University of Minnesota administrators continue negotiating the use of the Washington Redskins nickname at TCF Bank Stadium, student groups at the school are joining forces to protest the NFL team’s name.University leaders have been assessing how to approach the controversy surrounding the name while preparing for the early November on-campus game against the Vikings. Though President Eric Kaler said he doesn’t want the Redskins name on any materials at the game, several student groups are still developing their plan of action for the team’s arrival on campus. Other groups will use the controversy to educate students.For the past month, the Council of Graduate Students and the Native American Law Student Association have been working together to draft a letter challenging the use of the team’s name on campus, which they hope to send to University administrators soon.Though members of the groups still have to approve the letter before it’s sent, the working draft urges the University to “formally support a strong condemnation of the Washington franchise’s name.” The letter also suggests that the University and the Vikings create a scholarship endowment from game-day profits that would go toward hiring and enrolling more Native American professors and students across all departments.COGS President Andrew McNally said it’s important that the University is a welcoming environment for all cultures and having the Redskins name on campus doesn’t support that.“This is really racist, and it’s unacceptable that the University would allow this kind of behavior to happen,” he said.This summer, Kaler publicly spoke out against the team’s name and deemed it offensive after Minnesota Rep. Betty McCollum sent a letter to Vikings owner Zygi Wilf in June. McCollum said the use of the name would violate the University’s policies regarding diversity on campus.School officials are still working with the Vikings to address the issue, Kaler said earlier this month.While some groups are seeking administrative action against the name, others will take their frustrations to the streets and protest the team when it plays at TCF Bank Stadium.American Indian Student Cultural Center President Chelsea Holmes said the group will dispute the upcoming game, adding that the group also joined a protest with a Minneapolis-based organization, the American Indian Movement, last year when the team played at the Metrodome.She said it’s important that AISCC’s protests are peaceful, and she said members have been trying to rally support from other student groups at the University.Holmes said because the game will be played on campus, it’s key that students address the issue, adding that the AISCC has been working with the University’s Office for Equity and Diversity to create programs to discuss the controversy.Holmes said more people need to understand the history behind the name and why it’s considered offensive.Arielle Dagen-Sunsdahl, president of NALSA, said the mascot inaccurately portrays Native American culture and many people may not understand why it’s insulting.“I think it doesn’t give a fair representation of Native people,” she said. “So if you don’t have a background in that, all you’re [being exposed to] is this crazy caricature.”Dagen-Sunsdahl and Holmes said they’re happy OED and University officials are taking their concerns seriously.“We are glad that they are willing to address the issue, and it sounds like they’re willing to work with us,” Dagen-Sunsdahl said.Related stories:Lester Bagley says Vikings are “obligated” to promote Redskins (Michael McIntee, The Uptake, 2014)Rep. McCollum says Redskins name violates University of Minnesota policy, some students plan to protest campus game this fall (Tyler Gieseke, The Minnesota Daily, 2014)Protesters march to Metrodome, denounce Washington team nickname as racist (Ben Markhart, 2013)OPINION | Again we speak against injustice (Alfred Walking Bull, 2013)University of Minnesota panel refocuses Washington football mascot controversy on protecting youth (Ben Markhart, 2013)NEWS DAY | Protesting the R word (Mary Turck, 2013)Change the Name protest — Video report (Jamie Keith, 2013) Continue Reading
Minnesota Vikings Executive Vice President Lester Bagley says the team is in a “difficult position”. There is pressure on the team and other NFL teams to not use the Washington Redskins name when promoting the game because the name is racist. Bagley says the Vikings are “obligated” to promote the Redskins, but is going to provide opportunities the week of the game for opponents of the name to be heard.
When I was a kid, I watched the Olympics on television and they had this artist with a big mustache painting a big canvas. That painter was Saint Paul native Leroy Neiman. Whenever there was a dull moment or a break in the action, the announcer would ask, “What’s Leroy Neiman up to?” and the cameraman would pan to the painter daubing the canvas with bright pigments. Somehow, Neiman was able to finish the painting just as the games ended. It was real performance art. Here’s a YouTube video showing Neiman painting. Here’s another one.Continue Reading
The Little League World Series just ended and the whole world now knows about Philadelphia’s talented Mo’ne Davis. The second round of the WNBA gets started Friday night and our Minnesota Lynx will be trying for a third national title in four years. Continue Reading
Bike shops get the spotlight this week, which may seem odd considering the typical biking season is winding down. But we’re talking about the Twin Cities, where a sizeable portion of the bike community rides 365 days of the year. Around these parts, all seasons are bike seasons.Below we’ve highlighted just a few of the many diverse bike shops in the Twin Cities. Use the comment section to tell us your favorite shops. If you’re a bike shop owner, feel free to use the comment section to tell us more about your shop, and use our calendar to spread the word about any upcoming events.Alley Cat Cycles1621 Harmon Place, Ste 150B, Minneapolis, MN 55403 | 612-486-5807Hours: Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri 11am – 7pm; Sat & Sun 11am – 6pm; Closed TuesdaysAlley Cat Cycles, formerly Kitsune Cycles, is a hidden gem tucked, appropriately enough, in the alley just south of Hennepin Ave., between Utrecht Art Supplies and Joe’s Garage near Loring Park. Continue Reading
Despite the evils of FIFA, there is nothing like the World Cup. It is and always will be the greatest and most popular sporting event in the world. Nobody should have to wait another four years to get their football/soccer fix, and the good news is there is no wait. With footy now more available in the U.S. than ever before between the Premier League broadcasts on NBC, MLS (Major League Soccer) on ESPN, Liga Mexicana on Univision, the Bundesliga on Fox coming in 2015, not to mention accessing whatever league you want online, you can fill your plate easily. While it’s great to watch on TV, nothing beats singing and screaming your heart out at a live professional match. So come support your Loons, The Minnesota United.
Saturday, August 23, presents a great opportunity to have an historical experience relative to the African American communities’ presence in Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Major Taylor Bicycling Club is offering its Second Annual Dark 2 Dawn: A Ride Through African American History.
Like moths to a flame, Double Dutch is the perfect sport for attracting kids and keeping them moving and motivated throughout the summer.Parents, friends, community members and double dutch enthusiasts packed into the Jimmy Lee Rec Center for the Third Annual Jump Jam Double Dutch Challenge on Aug. 16. Event-goers enjoyed a family resource fair and watched this year’s lineup of Double Dutch teams square off against each other. The event capped off a ten-week fitness program centered around Double Dutch that is sponsored through a partnership between Saint Paul YWCA, Health Partners and the City of Saint Paul.“The program also offers a healthy eating and wellness component, including cooking classes,” said School Success Manager at YWCA Saint Paul Tara Munroe. “The participants come from all different backgrounds and many are new to Double Dutch. Continue Reading
