FREE SPEECH ZONE | Minneapolis Police Conduct Review Panel positions to be filled only by opponents of police conduct review?

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The first civilian members of the Minneapolis Police Conduct Review Panel, the poorly thought out substitution for the CRA, are about to be appointed. But the requirements for those positions may be as poorly conceived as the proposal was in itself.Consider the following situation. John and Jane Doe observe a police officer pounding the head of a handcuffed individual against the sidewalk. They have seen the officer in the neighborhood before and know who he is.”We should file a complaint against that officer,” says Jane.John replies, “No, let’s leave well enough alone. It’s not our business.”The next day, Jane files a complaint. For the next five years, John is eligible for the Police Conduct Review Panel; Jane is not.This is the panel from which two civilians will sit with two officers on each complaint alleging police officer misconduct. Continue Reading

FREE SPEECH ZONE | The 2010 Pan African Summit

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The 2010 Pan African Summit began to encourage unity between African Americans and Africans born in Africa. The Summit held at the North Minneapolis Center for Families started with a continental breakfast with a large array of choices. Some were happy that coffee was available as one community member stated he could not start his day without coffee! People slowly filled the large room filled with chairs. I sensed a great energy amongst the attendee’s and presenters. Continue Reading

The Morrill Hall Takeover: 40 years later

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Forty years ago, the University of Minnesota campus was plagued with discrimination and inequality like the rest of the country, until several black students led a protest to fight for their right to be heard and voice their opinions to then-President Malcolm Moos. Today, the African-American and African Studies Department, which was formed as a result of the Morrill Hall takeover, is still running. Around 60 people, including professors and former participants — but few current students — celebrated the department’s 40th anniversary Saturday. On Jan. 14, 1969 , just over 70 University students took over Morrill Hall, where the campus administration is housed, and presented a list of demands, including full scholarships for black high school students, the establishment of guidance and counseling for black students and the request for more black faculty. Continue Reading

VOICES | On Black leadership, Kersten and Bell should stay tuned

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It has taken me several weeks to respond to a couple of items that appeared in the Minneapolis Star Tribune concerning Black leadership. The two authors, Katherine Kersten and Peter Bell, are people I like and respect. Katherine and I have colluded on the state of African American academic achievement in the public schools. And, she was responsible for my now-infamous “vote with your feet” quote in the Wall Street Journal several years ago. Peter Bell is one of the brightest people I have met, and I have watched his career transcend racial boundaries. Continue Reading