Black Politics in Minneapolis

Our Black News (MN): Interview with DFL candidate (Ward 5) Victor Martinez

2023-04-07T13:45:00.000-05:00

May Lor Xiong is running for Congress in CD4 (St. Paul)

2022-06-23T09:31:00.001-05:00

www.may4mn.com

Martha Holton Dimick Endorsed by Minnesota DFL Senior Caucus

2022-04-18T18:01:00.001-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, April 18, 2022

CONTACT: Jacob Hill, (708) 616-5123

Martha Holton Dimick Endorsed by Minnesota DFL Senior Caucus

Dimick, a political newcomer, stands out among a crowded field of DFLers vying for Hennepin County Attorney

Minneapolis, Minn...The Minnesota DFL Senior Caucus has elected to endorse retired judge Martha Holton Dimick for Hennepin County Attorney.

“Martha Holton Dimick’s prosecutorial experience, 10 years in the Hennepin County Attorney’s office and 3 years as the criminal deputy in the Minneapolis city attorney's office, makes her a uniquely qualified person for this job. Her life experience, from a single mother on welfare to district court judge, speaks to the resolve she will bring into the office. And her focus on public safety shows that she has her priorities right,” said Patricia Kelly, chair of the Minneapolis Area DFL Seniors.

Hired into the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office by Amy Klobuchar in 1999 as the North Minneapolis community prosecutor, Dimick rose through the ranks, eventually landing in the Minneapolis City Attorney’s Office as the criminal deputy. From that office, she was appointed district court judge by governor Mark Dayton. If elected, Dimick will become the first Black county attorney in Minnesota’s 164 year history.

Kelly continued, “Dimick demonstrated an intimate understanding of the criminal justice system and expressed a desire to tackle the important issues without hesitation. Her passion for crime reduction through a combination of effective prosecution and rehabilitation were obvious in her thoughtful answers to our screening questions. We are proud to endorse Martha Holton Dimick for Hennepin County Attorney.”

Minneapolis Area Senior Caucus endorsed candidates for City Council and Mayor won 70% of the races in 2021.

See Martha Holton Dimick on "Our Black News"

Why all the shooting in Minneapolis and St. Paul?

2021-05-03T16:51:00.004-05:00

This weekend in St. Paul, I heard more sirens than I’ve ever heard in a city with solvable challenges but without the people that understand follow-through.

By Don Allen, Senior Editorial Columnist - Our Black News

May 3, 2021 (4:51 PM - CST).

Minneapolis/St. Paul (Minn.) –By now you’ve heard the news; another black boy shot in north Minneapolis. In St. Paul, several people shot, and the notorious party-house gets riddled with bullet holes.

The mayors of both cities haven’t a clue; nobody is talking to anyone outside of their DFL circles who might have solid solutions. This is where the failure begins and where the headcount of dead Black men and women will rise. It’s already happening already; more than 17-women shot and consistent gunfire in both hubs. Per capita, the Twin Cities is in pace with Chicago based on the population of Little Chicago (Mpls/St. Paul) - and what's the deal opening up 38th and Chicago?

The sad unfortunate truth with many Black people who are from poor urban areas is that they fail to accept responsibility for their own actions and constantly blame the system for their oppression. Instead of blaming everybody else for a pitiful and pathetic social collapse, and using ‘race’ as the prime excuse, you should try to be more forthright in addressing the issues and problems that are disrupting and corrupting our communities. It's not them, it's us!

Millions of Black men and women are being killed by other Black men and women every year…

1) Why is this not being protested against so profusely?

2) Why aren’t “BLM” taking to the streets to speak on the plenty unlawful murders of Black youths by other Black youths?

3) Why aren’t persistent, major steps being taken to prevent the devastating gun violence that affects the hundreds-of-thousands of Black neighborhoods across the country and has been doing so for decades? (Taking weapons away never solves anything.)

4) Why isn’t this very same anger, rage, and frustration they show to the police force being shown to the multitude of street gangs that plague Black inner cities and that are helping to destroy and obliterate your very own people who you so passionately claim need “justice” and need “protecting”?

5) Why isn’t president Joe Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris addressing this tragedy rather than inciting race wars?

This is why the overall Black American community will never progress into what it needs to be and why? In 2021, decades after the civil rights movement, the “White Male” is still being blamed for their social/political/economic/professional trials by the Liberals.

Ultimately, if one dresses like a thug and behaves like a thug and they choose to disobey the law, society has every right to treat you like the thug that you have made yourself out to be because this world owes you absolutely nothing in return.

Black Corners show set to change the output of Black Talk Radio and Television

2021-02-03T19:22:00.001-06:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Independent Business News Network

Minnesota (Twin Cities)

Contact: ibnnnews@gmail.com

Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Thursday, February 4th at 8:30pm CST - it’s the new Black in Black Talk Radio, “Black Corners.”

Minnesota/Chicago (Worldwide)…In celebration and recognition of Black History Month, the program Black Corners will broadcast its inaugural program on Thursday, February 4th at 8:30pm (CST). “It started out as an idea,” said Don Allen, the Independent Business News Network’s chief editorial columnist, and Thursday night it gets real. Joining Allen on this joint venture is Mr. James Holmes, Jr. owner and founder of Black Lion Inc. - the umbrella for several of his other corporations including Black Lion Investments and Black Lion Foundation.

"Uncle James" as he's affectionately known by his many mentees uses his Wall Street education and over 30-years in corporate finance to help launch start-up businesses for young entrepreneurs in the Twin Cities. His passion is to develop and create over 60 new entrepreneurs (Young Lions) each year, ultimately closing the massive wealth disparities in Minnesota. Holmes is married to Minnesota super-lawyer Kim Holmes. They have four college-educated children, all excelling in their fields. According to Holmes, he's most proud that they are debt-free, financially literate, and wonderful human beings! His quest is to do the same for all young people willing to absorb the wealth of knowledge he spreads. With all that, he’s a Black man!

Now, beaming in from Chicago to join this team of deep-space travelers (Black Corners) is Mr. Gregory Sain, currently functioning in the capacity of Director of Community Safety & Relations with the Chicago Urban League and the director of the widely-acclaimed Male Responsibility Program. Mr. Sain’s speaking abilities and outspoken disposition afforded him opportunities to work as a former radio host at WVON 1690 and WBGX 1570 and intellectual radio show and commentator on Truth Radio “Butt Naked Truth,” Co-Founder of the New Black Leadership Coalition, Mr. Sain’s management skills served him well as the Manager of Comedian, Actor, and Author Steve Harvey of the Steve Harvey Show. As a well sought-after Motivational Speaker, Mr. Sain has moderated several "Today's Black Women Expos and Town Hall meetings. Mr. Sain is recognized as a popular Keynote Speaker for Graduations, a Proud Father, FOI, and an Honorable Son to his Wonderful Mother. “Ain’t No Telling What Gregory Sain is Going to Say!”

Together, Allen, Holmes, and Sain debut, “Black Corners,” places so deep the devil himself doesn’t look. Black Corners - the program is designed to talk about the solutions and ideas that we do not have to be in the same circumstances for another 60-years. It’s time for action, melancholy will not be permitted.

Can White Educators fix the Black-White Achievement Gap in Minnesota?

2020-02-27T22:42:00.000-06:00

I understand teachers, EA's and TA's need to be paid more money, but I also understand the process across the board is skewed in favor of one group, one opinion, and one direction. I feel uncomfortable having people to think I would participate in a strike because of money. I don't want any parent or community member think I'm in the classroom for money and not to teach their children. Yes, I've learned how to live on $58 dollars until the next payday while making sure all my bills are paid, but I think if there wasn't a gap, and all students were performing and proficient at levels of 70 to 90-percent I'm sure the money-gate would open?

By Don Allen, Senior Editorial Columnist

Don Allen - I have solutions, but who can I get
to listen in a state where historical assumptions
trump a solid ideas and work-ethic...sorry, I
just look like this.

The most sensible answer is no. Before I dive into this head-first, we all must come to terms with the current situation in that many Black and Brown scholars are sitting in public school classrooms static; without station or agency in many buildings. The achievement gaps have risen to a point of no return and unless we try something different, the gaps will continue in this time of sensitivity and people being offended by everything, please don’t let my continued support of Black education and degrees be turned into a weapon of racism and hate by you…we have already have enough of that to go around. The data proves public schools are failing miserably. Parents know best and it’s time to let them decide where kids go and take the power away from the Teachers Unions set to strike. We must develop a system that surpass the current public schools in education outcomes for our children.

As an educator in the local public-school system I am bombarded with racial inferences that make me qualify myself, wear masks, and try to fit into a system that I am fully qualified to be in, but historical assumptions of the Black male educator makes what comes out of my mouth in support of education for all students that I teach is mostly received as arrogance from me; how dare me have Master’s degrees; how dare me make a suggestion about our processes in Professional Learning Communities. How dare me make a space inside of an educational institution ruled by White privilege, where I am viewed as an enemy of a sacred realm, one that I should have never been a part of. Follow me closely here – I am not a victim, nor do I need to be treated as one, but when young Black students ready to graduate in 2020 come to me with tears in their eyes and say they did not get into local (MN) colleges because of their SAT scores, it triggers me to think we (educators in secondary systems) must do something very different and new.

Recently, I had a great conversation with another Black male educator in parallel school district – I asked him what he thought about an all-Black and Brown public school? Not a charter school, but a full-blast Saint Paul or Minneapolis Public School with a focus on the Black and Brown body in literature, math, science, theory, and all of the disciplines and a few added that are in today’s Twin Cities public schools. We might not need a bunch of social workers focused on ‘dealing with trauma’ because we can take trauma and use it as a driver to change outcomes for scholars in this much needed school construct. Then I asked a Caucasian colleague. The question brought mysterious and racially-charged comments of “What if there was an all-white school?” – to “You want segregation?” The main challenge and opposition was that segregating Black and Brown students from White students within a public school and championing education versus an achievement gap is somehow racist, and that racism – for the most part was perpetrated by White privilege. Many White educators that I spoke with questioned why an all-Black and Brown school was needed first place, and heinous act of privilege.

Following the advice of Herb Shepard’s “Rules of Thumb for Change Agents” (1973), using Rule II: Start where the system is – that implies that one should begin by diagnosing the system. But systems do not necessarily like being diagnosed. Even the term ‘diagnosis’ may be offensive. And the system may be even less ready for someone who calls themselves a ‘change agent.’ It is easy for the practitioner to forget the hostility of jargon that prevents laypeople from understanding the professional mysteries.

So, can White Educators fix the Black-White Achievement Gap in Minnesota? So far that’s yet to be seen. After attempts to get an appointment with the Minnesota Department of Education commissioner, who had her assistant to call me back and quiz me about why I was important enough to meet with her, I understand I am not former MN chief justice Alan Page, but still, as she (the MDE commissioner) operating in a state with the worst achievement gaps in the United States since 1982, I feel the commissioner should sit down with my action-tank and get this figured out today.

While I understand the frustration of white privilege, I also understand that institutionalized, systemic, and educational racism remain in systems not set up for Black and Brown students. I don’t hear anybody talking about dumping Pearson (the testing monopoly), nor do I hear anyone talking about retooling the teacher oppressive teacher licensing system. I don’t hear anyone complaining about the current tax dollars being thrown down the drain at layered-systems that do not have the ability to change the downward spiral in Minnesota’s proficiency numbers.

What a difference a Race makes…

If Minnesota’s achievement gap was only affecting Caucasian students, there would be a mass reconciliation of education at every level and all of its parts. The governor of Minnesota along with the Minnesota Department of Education would deem it a “Statewide Crisis” that must be addressed immediately; just like Minnesota reacted, and currently acts inside of the opioid epidemic – of course forgetting that Black and Brown people died high numbers over the last 25-years in Minnesota and not a damn was given until a few-to-many Caucasian children from the suburbs and rural Minnesota start overdosing did opioids become a central focus. Based on this alone, it seems that the achievement gap will only be addressed when it affects Minnesota’s educational ruling class, and it at Black male educators because we are not institutionally accepted.

Don Allen, M.A. Ed./MAT can be reached at ibnnews@gmail.com. Twitter: @DonAllen02

Black Republican opens campaign headquarters in North Minneapolis

2018-08-30T14:54:00.001-05:00

Lacy Johnson for 59B

Candidate for Minnesota House

Campaign Headquarters:

North Minneapolis

827 West Broadway Avenue

Minneapolis, MN. 55411

Contact: Lacy Johnson

Phone: (612) 799-6046

Email: lacyleejohnson@gmail.com

August 30, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Minneapolis, Minn. – Minnesota GOP endorsed candidate for Minnesota House of

Lacy Johnson running for MN House 59-B
(photo: Johnson for House 59-B)

Representatives (59B) Mr. Lacy Johnson (R) has done the unthinkable…he’s opened and maintained solid community relationships and his campaign headquarters right in the middle of Minneapolis’ poorest area - north Minneapolis, at 827 Broadway Avenue West (between Lyndale and Bryant Avenues, near the Cub Foods).

“We have people stopping in all day, they want to know about jobs, wealth building, and why north Minneapolis has so many nonprofit agencies and very little opportunity for equity, education and environmental concerns like sustainable urban farming,” said Johnson.

Lacy Johnson pointed across the street to the now closed Burger King:

“When Burger King closed, people in this area lost jobs…there was nothing to replace it. North Minneapolis has seen multi-millions of dollars pass through the neighborhood from the Empowerment Zone money to the tornado of 2011 and the financial windfall that was (in my opinion), mishandled, and from what I’m seeing, a hand-up has never been available. The unemployment rate might be low for some, but in my area, it’s in double-digits. We don’t talk about this much, it makes people uncomfortable.”

Johnson is running against DFL incumbent Raymond Dehn (D) for a valued house seat to represent the people of north Minneapolis and its boundaries. Johnson’s pledge to the community members is impressive; he pledges to always act in the best interest of the people of District 59B; never put his personal, financial, or political interests above the interests of the people of District 59B; and, he will never run for re-election if he cannot achieve more visible and measurable positive differences in the lives of the people of District 59B than current and previous representatives. To get more information about Lacy Johnson, see: https://www.friendsoflacyjohnson.org/.

About candidate Lacy Johnson (R) 59B:

Lacy Lee Johnson was born in Natchez MS where his mom, dad, and elders raised him, his six sisters, and three brothers. Though times were economically challenging, Lacy had “a perfect childhood” and “the best public-school education.” Among his youthful achievements were first trombonist in the band, National Merit Semifinalist, Star Student of his senior class, and first Miss-Lou Junior Chess Champion. Lacy has been married to his wife Betty for 30 years with whom they raised two sons, Darien and Adrian. He is also blessed with a grandson Aden Prince Johnson. After completing his English studies at the University of Minnesota and graduating in Computer Programming at Brown Institute, he began his over 40-year career in information technology, systems development, and engineering as a technical writer in Hennepin County (MN).

Johnson has worked for Control Data, General Electric, Bell Atlantic, and Northwest Airlines in software and systems engineering, systems analyst, project management, and management building computer systems for fighter jets, torpedoes, air reconnaissance systems, guided missiles, and airport kiosks. He also worked as an IT solutions consultant for Xcel Energy.

Johnson also wrote, produced, and hosted a weekly radio show, “The Flipside,” which provided news, entertainment, and commentary on current events; he has served as founder, partner, and CEO of three small businesses dedicated to the business development, technology training, and education within inner city communities: Uniworld Business Systems, UrbanEd LLC, and currently Young Entrepreneurs of America (YEA!). As program director at Hospitality House Youth Directions, he also oversaw its after school programs for inner city youth and its outreach programs for gang members.

###
Paid for by Lacy Johnson for 59-B - 2018

EXCLUSIVE: Did a Minnesota construction firm build sub-standard Housing in Haiti?

2018-03-28T13:03:00.001-05:00

Tune into the Ron and Don Show by clicking this link at 8:30pm: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/theronanddonshow/2018/03/29/did-a-minnesota-construction-firm-build-sub-standard-housing-in-haiti

Call in to speak with the host (347) 426-3904

Related Stories

“How Disaster Relief Became a Disaster of its Own - Jake Johnston in Boston Review”(2014)
“Haiti: Second USAID Contractor Suspended Following Caracol Housing Debacle” (2015)
“How the US Plan to Build Houses for Displaced Haitians Became an Epic Boondoggle” (2015)

By The Ron and Don Show

Tonight on the Ron and Don Show on #BlogTalkRadio the team of Don Allen (IBNN) and Ronald A. Edwards (The Minneapolis Story) welcome Mr. Jake Johnston from the Center for Economics and Policy Research to talk about a situation (ongoing) in Haiti that first came to light in 2015.

Mr. Johnston’s piece, “How the US Plan to Build Houses for Displaced Haitians Became an Epic Boondoggle, cited the following:

After the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti in January 2010, the US government responded with an ambitious plan to build 15,000 new houses in the country. But the ensuing program to put roofs over the heads of displaced Haitians has included a boondoggle of epic proportions at one $35 million housing development, where shoddy construction practices and faulty sewage systems are currently the subject of an ongoing investigation. On February 3, the US-based company Thor Construction was suspended from receiving government contracts because of its work in Haiti. Another contractor with close ties to the Haitian president has so far escaped punishment.

###

Join us tonight at 8:30pm (CST) to hear the details, which some are calling “fake news,” while others are really concerned about the Haitian people and their continued demise.

About Jake Johnston

Jake Johnston graduated from Boston University in 2008 with a B.A. in Economics. At CEPR his research has focused predominantly on economic policy in Latin America, the International Monetary Fund and U.S. foreign policy. He is the lead author for CEPR’s Haiti: Relief and Reconstruction Watch blog and has authored papers on Haiti concerning the ongoing cholera epidemic, aid accountability and transparency and the U.S. foreign aid system. His articles have been published in outlets such as The Intercept, NACLA, Boston Review, VICE News, Al Jazeera America, and Truthout.

The Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage Statement on Trump “Shithole” Remarks

2018-01-13T12:27:00.000-06:00

Justin Terrell, Executive Director

Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage

Justin.Terrell@state.mn.us

D: 651-757-1751

Nerita Hughes

Vice Chair of the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage

nerita.hughes@gmail.com

Mustafa Jumale

Secretary of the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage

mustafa@khyresolutions.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage Statement on Trump “Shithole” Remarks

SAINT PAUL, MN – After President Donald Trump was quoted yesterday referring to certain countries in Africa and the Caribbean as “shithole countries”, the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage released the following response:

“Minnesota is home to one of the largest African and black immigrant population in the United States. These new Minnesotans are hardworking and contributors to the economy and culture of Minnesota. They work in the healthcare industry, own homes, have children in our schools, patronize our restaurants and create art and music that enriches Minnesota.President Trump's words were racist, xenophobic, and unhelpful in the midst of Congress working to find common sense solutions to the immigration crisis. Mr. Trump’s comments are problematic especially given that hundreds of thousands of people he is referring to are on Temporary Protected Status and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED)."

The CMAH also states, "Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is an immigration designation granted to immigrants in the United States who are unable to return to their countries of origin because of ongoing armed conflict, an environmental disaster, an epidemic, or any other extraordinary and temporary conditions. Close to 61,000 (14%) of TPS holders are from Haiti, Sudan, South Sudan, and Somalia. DED is similar to TPS, but only applies to Liberians. DED for Liberians expires on March 31st, this will be devastating for Minnesota and the Liberian community."

A study by Dr. Bruce Corrie (Concordia University) estimates that if only 300 Liberians, who work in the Healthcare industry, were to be deported en masse, Minnesota should expect a loss in earnings of about $300 million.

The Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage calls on the Minnesota Federal Delegation to find a bipartisan solution for TPS, DED, and DACA. This is common sense, this will help our economy, and most importantly it will help our families, friends, co-works, and our entire State.

About the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage

The Minnesota Legislature empowered the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage to ensure that people of African heritage fully and effectively participate in and equitably benefit from the political, social, and economic resources, policies and procedures of the State of Minnesota. Generally, the Council is charged with the responsibility of:

Advising the Governor and the Legislature on issues confronting People of African Heritage;
Advising the Governor and the Legislature on statutes, rules and revisions to programs to ensure that Black people have access to benefits and services provided to people in Minnesota;
Serving as a liaison to the federal government, local government units and private organizations on matters relating to People of African Heritage in Minnesota;
Implementing programs designed to solve problems of People of African Heritage when authorized by statute, rule or order; and
Publicizing the accomplishments of People of African Heritage and their contributions to the state.

###

Coming Soon: BitCoin for Black People by Coinbase

2018-01-03T18:08:00.001-06:00

Stay tuned right here as I research what the experts are saying about BitCoin and how it might create wealth. I will post successes and fails and hope that together we get this new system.

I use the Coinbase app.

Don Allen, M.A. Ed., back on the Black Republican, Black Democrat Show: Closing out 2017

2017-12-30T15:54:00.001-06:00

Join host Jamar Nelson on iHeartRadio’s Black Republican, Black Democrat Show on Twin Cities News Talk AM 1130, FM 103.5 at 6:00PM CST tonight.

By Jamar Nelson (D) - Black Republican, Black Democrat Show

The beginning: Don Allen (Republican), with Jamar Nelson (Democrat)

Join host Jamar Nelson on iHeartRadio’s Black Republican, Black Democrat Show on Twin Cities News Talk AM 1130, FM 103.5 at 6:00PM CST tonight.

Host Jamar Nelson and Patwin Lawrence (on assignment), welcome back former co-host and friend of the show Don Allen (Independent Conservative), as he talks with the old crew about governor Mark Dayton’s new appointments for the Professional Educators Licensing Board, which do not include any Black Americans born in Minnesota.

Allen wrote in a heated missive titled, "A message from Don Allen, M.A. Ed./MAT" - (4.0 GPA)/ Dual Masters (2), Hamline University (MN’s First University)/Teacher – Communications Arts/Lit 5-12. Candidate: Doctorate in Education-University of St. Thomas.

Don Allen, M.A. Ed./MAT on the set of Murder Calls for ID Discovery Telvision

“Am I wronging to question a surreptitious board of Teaching in Minnesota process that picked a group of Minnesotans that did not include any American-born Minnesotans from the state? How will this board me culturally relevant and/or responsive? What about the endless machine of testing for new teachers that is set up and mandated for European Americans; should I not question the validity and process sans the adults (black males/females; native American male/females) of the children that are doing the worst failing in school K-12? You cannot do ANY problem-solving. I’m sorry, but on this date and time (2017), this happens too repeatedly not to be the cleverest of #Minnesota #Nice; #racisminMN.”

Allen says, “it’s not the new board members fault in the least, it’s the process from which they were picked. In Minnesota, people in positions to pick and choose, think they are closer to “blackness” by ignoring black Americans in favor of Africans in America to satisfy some sort of guilt, but in the end, it is our children, descendants of slaves who are once again, left out by a political process that favors the governors political party ideology.”

You can also listen online at www.TwinCitiesNewsTalk.com starting at 6pm tonight.

Black Americans must DELETE the term “African American”

2017-12-09T10:59:00.003-06:00

Black Americans or African Americans
(photo: Google Search-Fair Use)

No, this doesn’t mean that Black Americans are denying heritage, but it brings about an opportunity to talk about Blackness and its meanings without inserting another culture that we’ve (Black Americans) have been 20-generations removed. Yes, Black Power; it’s the hour-to-tower!

By Don Allen, M.A. Ed./MAT

Let’s stick to the facts; when did the term African American become the term to identify Black American-born people? That moment unfolded in December 1988, in a lower-level conference room of the Hyatt Hotel near O’Hare Airport in Chicago. The Rev. Jesse Jackson was holding a closed session with the National Rainbow Coalition and Operation PUSH board and other high-ranking campaign supporters. The meeting was to be an “agenda-setting” session intended to send a signal about Jackson’s future and how he would harness the potential of the coalition he had built during his presidential bid. Anticipation was high from the media, with serious speculation about runs for mayor, governor, senator, or appointment to ambassadorships. The discussions were free-flowing, with most of the attendees wanting to tackle ongoing issues from apartheid and sanctions to labor unions to farmers, and even talk about planning for a third presidential race and what would be needed to make it viable.

After lunch, unexpectedly, the late C. Delores Tucker (best known for taking on rap music and Tupac Shakur) stood up and made a highly passionate argument for the use of “African-American” as opposed to Black. Her reason was clear and simple: “Nobody lives in Blackland!” Everyone has a spiritual and cultural connection attached to a place in the world that their ancestors called home, except black people. “African-American” would give us a connection to our heritage, our past and our future.

Most Black Americans do not identify with Africans and most genuine African-Americans (i.e., people who recently emigrated from Africa to the U.S. or who divide their time between two continents) do not identify with Black Americans. The Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie made this point very movingly in a recent talk she gave at the Free Library in Philadelphia as part of a tour she is on to promote her new book Americanah. “American,” Adichie explained in response to a question about what race she had in mind when someone was referred to simply as “American,” “is a mark that culture leaves, never a physical description.” She said that when she came to the U.S. she did not want to be identified with black Americans and even “recoiled” when a man in Brooklyn referred to her as “sister.” I’m not your sister, she thought to herself. I have three brothers and I know where they are, and you’re not one of them!

Many argued that the term African-American should refer to the descendants of slaves brought to the United States centuries ago, not to newcomers who have not inherited the legacy of bondage, segregation and legal discrimination. Dr. Bobby Austin, an administrator at the University of the District of Columbia understood why some blacks were offended when Mr. Kamus claimed an African-American identity. Dr. Austin said some people feared that Black immigrants and their children would snatch up the hard-won opportunities made possible by the civil rights movement (Source).

Do a google search on the term “African-American” if you want to see how many black Americans feel about it. Check out the Facebook page “Don’t Call Me African-American,” or Charles Mosley’s guest column in in the February 12, 2013 edition of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “By using the term ‘African-American’ to refer to black people,” Mosley writes, “columnists, readers, TV hosts and commentators perpetuate and embrace Jim Crow racial stereotypes, segregation and historical distortions. … Africa is not a racial or ethnic identity. Africa is a geographical identity.” In fact, you almost never hear blacks refer to themselves as “African-American,” unless it is to please a white audience, and there is a good reason for that: They do not think of themselves as African-American. They do not identify with Africa, at least not until we remind them, by referring to them as “African-American,” that they are supposed to (Source).

Black Americans are at a crossroad; when an African immigrant with no history or experience of racism or slavery associates with the mainstream, they are treated as model citizens. When Black Americans engage the mainstream system, we (in most cases) are considered “less-than” our African immigrant brothers and sisters - its been that way for a long time. The suggestion would be that Black Americans take back the power of being Black in America and call us what we are: “Black Americans.”

Part I: Are Black Minnesotans better off on the Bottom?

2017-11-17T07:47:00.003-06:00

Don Allen, M.A. Ed. (photo: D. Allen, chair surfing a
Hamline University)

If you don't have my phone number to call and speak with me, you don't know me. My agency in this story is to shake you into understanding a new leadership caste must rise in Minnesota before black Minnesotans are cast back to the days of "White Only" drinking fountains.

By Don Allen, Editorial Columnist

I’ve been called a “coon, sellout, and white-boy,” by black Minnesotans that feel like education will not get them any further than they are today. Mind you, this is not a pity-piece missive, nor does this have anything to do with feelings; but it is my opportunity to explain that something is wrong when every other group (in MN) can look at you and know for sure that your race, color and socioeconomic status, education and housing option are on the bottom in this great state.

While many of “us” do not identify with Minnesota’s black community (unfortunately) and prefer social circles that avoid the lower one-third of the community, it has also set a trend for those who participate with an illusion of agency as another race, not black people. At the end of the day the mirror never lies, so no matter who you hang out with friends and associates; if you are black in Minnesota, you’re consistently qualifying yourself because from your “cover,” you’re not qualified until deemed so by some with less…and these are the black folks.

I’ve sat by and poked the bear when I watched Minnesota lawmakers put more money and concern into Walleye fishing than homeless school children. I tried to get involved when governor Mark Dayton showered (literally) a dozen white-led agencies with over $100 million dollars to end Minnesota’s veteran homelessness challenge. The majority of the homeless veterans are of color and because I wanted to be paid for consulting and making a plan in those days, I was marginalized by Dayton’s veterans guy and basically never called upon. But still there are hundreds of homeless veterans, families and school children that never get touched by local or state funding that remain in a perpetual loop of nothingness. Unfortunately, and this is not a generalization, in Minnesota, the people I talk about are people of color: Black Minnesotans.

I have a friend who posts stuff on Facebook then says, “trigger,” which I think is absolutely incredibly hilarious; so when you ask what was my motivation, or “trigger” for this missive, you only need look at the photo above of the 2018 Minnesota Super Bowl committee sans any black Minnesotans, male or female. Of course I don’t want to dismiss the fact that I see no Asians, Hispanic-Latinos, Somali or more importantly for Minnesota, Native Americans; the fact is “surplus with exceptions” seems to be the true meaning of Minnesota Nice. This leads be to ask have people of color in Minnesota not arrived? Is it too easy to outsource racism, exclusion and marginalization via someone in that race-construct? It seems that way.

Examples: 1) In 2016 the Minnesota Department of Human Services spent over $59 million on overtime pay. Our sources tell us that more than 95-percent of the people who receive this pay were white men and women. This could never happen at a black Minnesota lead organization, the overseers have eyes and orders to hover.

The Education Gap is so wide that each year we
wait to address it - it will take five more years to fix

2) A WCCO-TV report, “Minnesota Ranked 2nd-Worst In U.S. For Racial Equality, (2017)” citing that the latest 2017 numbers from the Minnesota Department of Education found that in grades three through eight and tenth, the amount of white students who met the standard for reading and math was about double that of black students. This report also talks about the double-digit gap in household income.

3) From the Politico story, “Something Is Rotten in the State of Minnesota,” the Twin Cities it turns out, are also home to some of the worst racial disparities in the country. In metrics across the board—household income, unemployment rates, poverty rates and education attainment—the gap between white people and people of color is significantly larger in Minnesota than it is most everywhere else. Earlier this year, WalletHub used government data to measure financial inequality among racial groups in each state and found that in 2015, Minnesota ranked dead last overall.

Enough is enough!

I guess my question is, where are the black community leaders; self-appointed or otherwise? How does Minnesota (the state) keep operating in a vicious circle of neglect and malfeasance and nobody black, male or female that has contact with policy makers says a word? Also, what happened to more than 500 Super Bowl tickets scattered out in the Twin Cities? Who received them, why?

With the clear and present danger of not enough black school teachers, college professors, housing nonprofits, where are black Minnesotans headed?

Part II: Still N***a (Jay Z, 2017).

About Don Allen:
"Donny" is an educator in St. Paul and continues his education currently at the University of St. Thomas taking the Education Specialist (Ed.S.) and the Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.). He is also a motivational speaker for topics of black children, teacher licensing in the education system. To contact him, email ibnnnews@gmail.com .

Introducing - Cash Mob #3 Shows the Power of the black dollars!!

2017-10-19T09:32:00.002-05:00

At Judy's Kitchen

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

MEDIA ALERT

Who: KMOJ’s Financial Fitness collaboration with The One Million (MN)

Why: Most Black businesses don't need funding. They just need needs us to buy from them. That's all.

Who Should Attend: Whole Community, family friendly event.

When: Saturday, Nov 4th, Noon-2pm (rain or shine)

Where:Judy’s Kitchen

949 Payne Ave, St.

Paul, MN 55130

Media Contact: Lennie Chism, KMOJ Host, Financial Fitness,

#202-578-2740

lenniechism@gmail.com

{#URL="https://iamoneofthemillionmn.wildapricot.org/event-2682013"#}

Don Allen, M.A. Ed

2017-08-25T21:22:00.001-05:00

Minnesota GOP deputy chair cancels radio guest appearance frightened of Black Republican

2017-04-08T10:35:00.000-05:00

MNGOP deputy chairman Chris Fields doesn't want to tangle with Don Allen.

Minnesota GOP deputy chairperson shows he’s not fit to lead the MNGOP out of a wet paper bag; its not personal, it reflects the action s of a public person over the last 24-hours.The Minnesota GOP has always been afraid of strong black men, to bad they don't have many.

By Black Politics in Minnesota

Chris Fields, Minnesota GOP deputy chairperson caught wind that Don Allen (a republican, supporter of Donald Trump and a former candidate for MNGOP chairmanship) was the co-host of Twin Cities News Talk’s “Black Republican, Black Democrat Show,” on Saturday’s at 6pm on AM 1130, FM 103.5 and backed out according to co-host Jamar Nelson.

Fields, a candidate for the 2017 MNGOP chairmanship told Nelson, “Don attacks me personally, he doesn’t want to talk about the issues.”

We contacted Allen to get his response:

Don Allen, co-host of Black Republican,
Black Democrat Show on Twin Cities News Talk

“The Minnesota GOP is not being operated at peek-proficiency. The current leadership is not interested in anything but their low-clout in a small circle of people that don’t care about much. I have never attacked Chris personally, and I’ve always stayed on the issues. Chris is using this for an excuse because he nor Keith Downey can answer any of my questions about a long and antiquated process that has failed not only Minnesota Republican, but also many others who look the GOP way. This spineless act by the deputy chairman of the MNGOP only reflects on his ability to lead, which now should be a party-wide question. I’ve always wanted to talk about the issues and the hesitation might be because most of my issues are black issues,” said Allen.

Fields has cancelled his appearance on the Black Republican, Black Democrat Show today (Saturday), because of his deep-seeded fear of another republican. This in itself is telling; does the MN GOP need leadership that avoids the issues?

Hear more about this tonight on the Black Republican, Black Democrat Show with Don Allen and Jamar Nelson at 6pm…you can listen at www.twincitiesnewstalk.com.

Al Flowers announces his run for Minneapolis Mayor!

2017-03-27T18:12:00.001-05:00

Al Flowers...Truth to the People.com

Al Flowers - Truth to the People.

Do Black Americans have a friend in the White House? 11/09 by The Ron and Don Show | News Podcasts

2016-11-09T11:41:00.001-06:00

Do Black Americans have a friend in the White House? 11/09 by The Ron and Don Show | News Podcasts: the team of Ronald A. Edwards and Don Allen open the phone lines early in the program to talk about the historic win of the businessman Donald J. Trump. Many in the black community are mourning Hillary Clinton's loss but don't understand the the positive points of a Trump win. We have a lot of work to do and since president Obama has been in office for eight years and has not done much for black people; lets see what Trump does.

Nigga you better run; they's shooting in downtown Minneapolis!

2016-10-05T13:19:00.001-05:00

Is downtown Minneapolis safe? Call in, tell us what you think 10/05 by The Ron and Don Show | News Podcasts: Downtown Minneapolis...fine dining, dancing, people watching and bullets flying through the air. Its not the Minneapolis we come from, but a downtown area void of responsibilities to the people of this great city. Jobs, high umemployment and the lack of community leadership is partly to blame, but hell - this has happened before. Our phone lines will be open.

We need another choice for U.S. President; why vote for the Democrat? 09/28 by The Ron and Don Show | News Podcasts

2016-09-28T12:05:00.001-05:00

We need another choice for U.S. President; why vote for the Democrat? 09/28 by The Ron and Don Show | News Podcasts:

Join co-hosts Ronald A. Edwards and Don Allen for an in-depth look at the Clinton/Trump/Johnson/Stein presidential race. On Wednesday program we talk about black Americans and how we/they need another choice for president of the USA. Our phone lines will be open. There is also plenty local news to go around. Join us on The Ron and Don Show on #BlogTalkRadio - real #BlackTalkRadio.

Judge spares prison for Iowa teen who raped toddler girl in live video — and plotted to assault boy

2016-09-14T21:50:00.001-05:00

Judge spares prison for Iowa teen who raped toddler girl in live video — and plotted to assault boy

Candadate Ilhan Omar - the Unanswered Questions - the Ron and Don Show 08/31 by The Ron and Don Show | News Podcasts

2016-08-30T18:24:00.001-05:00

Candadate Ilhan Omar - the Unanswered Questions - the Ron and Don Show 08/31 by The Ron and Don Show | News Podcasts:

Tune in to the award-winning co-hosts Don Allen (Our Black News) and Ronald A. Edwards (The Minneapolis Story) as they bring you another stunning episode on this weeks program. Joining the team for Wednesday's program is investigative journalist from AlphaNews.com Ms. Preya Samsundar, who will talk to us at length about her ongoing investigation and the many inconsistencies in Ilhan Omar marriage controversy that have not been fully explained.

Samsundar and AlphaNews reported that the Brother Ilhan Omar sent an email to the news organization. The team of Ron and Don will dissect this email while discussing the many possible constitutional riff's that come to light in the case of who-married-whom, why and who benefited. This and much, much more. Phone lines will be open.

BREAKING: NAACP Leader Just Made This JAW-DROPPING Presidential Endorsement, This Changes EVERYTHING

2016-08-25T16:05:00.001-05:00

BREAKING: NAACP Leader Just Made This JAW-DROPPING Presidential Endorsement, This Changes EVERYTHING: Charles Evers, the 93-year-old brother of slain Civil Rights icon Medgar Evers, supports someone that you probably wouldn’t think that a black civil rights activist would- Donald J. Trump!
Evers was known for his role in the Civil Rights Movement along with his younger brother Medgar Evers. He was

MN Candidate Faces Scandal in Wake of Primary Victory

2016-08-14T01:56:00.002-05:00

By Preya Samsundar

lhan Omar emerged victorious from her primary as a media darling, but a look into her past reveals possible marriage and immigration fraud

Minneapolis, MN- Ilhan Omar became the biggest story of Tuesday’s Minnesota Primary election. Omar defeated 21 term incumbent Phyllis Kahn for the DFL nomination for state representative in House District 60B. It is historic because Kahn is the longest serving member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, having held her seat since 1974. Omar will make history, if elected in November, as the first Somali-American elected to the Minnesota House.

On Friday, Powerlineblog ran a story that could severely damage Omar’s chances of making history. A reader tipped Powerlineblog to a post from a Somali community forum website post that suggests Omar may be directly involved in marriage and immigration fraud. A Somali Spot user posted information last week alleging Omar married her brother in order for him to immigrate to the US, despite the fact she’s been married to the father of her three children for over a decade.

Powerline cached the original post from Somali Spot that is now removed. It shows screen shots of marriage records from the Hennepin County website showing that Omar was married to Ahmed Hirsi in 2002. Hirsi is the father of Omar’s three children and is pictured with Hirsi and their children on Omar’s campaign website.

Read the full story here.

KMOJ’s Calvin Quarles: What happened at KMOJ-FM; the Ron and Don Show

2016-08-13T22:38:00.001-05:00

Calvin Quarles LIVE!

KMOJ’s Calvin Quarles: What happened at KMOJ-FM; the Ron and Don Show

Join the team of Ronald A. Edwards and Don Allen on Wednesday, August 17 at 8:30PM for what will be a telling experience about what’s happening at KMOJ-FM Radio. We are joined by Calvin Quarles, former station manager. To tune in Wednesday night, copy and paste this link into your favorite browser:http://www.blogtalkradio.com/theronanddonshow/2016/08/18/kmojs-calvin-quarles-what-happened-at-kmoj-fm-the-ron-and-don-show