There now seems to be a vast amount of confusion over the meaning of racism. Since the daring challenge to the perpetrators of raw, mad dog racism by the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s, the history and meaning of racism has become intentionally muddled. By racism I meant white supremacy. We are now witnessing a concerted effort by the image-makers and propagandist of America to twist the facts, past and present, and redefi ne racism as a non-specifi c, generalized phenomenon. Furthermore, they

imply that every ethnic group is now practitioners of racism. In other words, we are all culpable; not only “white” people, but also all people, with or without supporting institutions with an institutional ideology that promote “race” supremacy. The fl oating fallacies about “race,” make everybody, like the hugest segment of the “white” population not racist. These fallacies leave no place in this discussion for the likes of the fi rst Black president of the United States of America, Barack Obama as well as Gen. Colin Powell and other Black personalities like them. President Obama and Powell are only occasions in the Black American’s long arduous and heroic struggle against the evils of white supremacy, since the founding of this Republic. Concurrent with the attempt to generate confusion

EbolaDeaths climb above 7,300

PAGE 2

EducationHelp college-age children resolve to manage their fi nances

PAGE 8

HealthIs it a cold or a fl u?

PAGE 3

Finding Your RootsOpening the genealogy fl ood-“Gates”

PAGE 4

The “race” card, Thomas Jefferson and white supremacy

What does Model Minority Mutiny demand?

Elected Black Republicans not expected to be a plus for the communityAS NNPA PREPARES FOR 75TH ANNIVERSARY

Chavis: Black press now mainstream

A new generation of young Black leaders have ignited a movement. They have awakened the nation and the world to the longstanding, daily brutality of state violence against Black lives. There have been daily protests against police brutality in U.S. cities for over four months now, disrupting business as usual, shutting down intersections, bridges, tunnels, transit stations, and highways with clear demands for justice and accountability. And they won’t stop soon. Alicia Garza, Opal Tometi, and Patrisse Cullors are experienced organizers who created Black Lives Matter as an ideological and political container not only for the demands to end the routine extrajudicial killings of Black people, but to end the devaluation of Black life in all its forms. As stated simply in

this must-read essay, Black Lives Matter is “a tactic to (re)build the Black liberation movement.” That tactic is realigning the national conversation about race to focus on America’s centuries-long, perpetual practice of anti-Blackness, from chattel slavery to Black Codes to redlining; from slave patrols to Broken Windows policing to Stand Your Ground laws; from convict leasing to today’s mass incarceration, gentrifi cation, gender violence, voter disenfranchisement, and school-to-prison pipeline.It demands that we address the underlying historical and structural forces that lead to the loss of so many Black lives, in a nation that has allegedly left racism behind: Amadou

WASHINGTON (NNPA) – Black Republicans made history during the midterm elections in November by winning in Texas, South Carolina and Texas, but political analysts wonder if the victories will have any long-term impact on the future of the GOP in the Black community. Traditionally, Black candidates running for elected offi ces not only need a large Black turnout, but also a majority of the Black vote to win statewide and national races.

(TriceEdneyWire.com) - Civil rights leader Benjamin Chavis, now president of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, says he envisions Black newspapers as becoming the “new mainstream” rather than an alternative press as it is often called. “The Black Press, I believe has an opportunity where it can make even more traction than it has in the past,” Chavis said in a recent interview with the Trice Edney News Wire. “In other words, I don’t see the

Black press as a side press from the mainstream press. I want the Black press to become the new mainstream because the demographics are changing.” Chavis was among the speakers at a gala celebration for the 50th Anniversary of the Washington Informer Newspaper, published by NNPA member Denise Rolark Barnes. Black-owned newspapers are often called specialty, alternative or minority press by government agencies and corporate America. But, according to an analysis of U. S. Census Bureau

REPUBLICANS TURN TO 4

Courtesy of Race Files

By Hazel Trice Edney

Roy Lewis/Trice Edney News WireNNPA President Benjamin Chavis MAINSTREAM

TURN TO 6

MUTINY TURN TO 9

RACE TURN TO 2PhotoXpress

By Freddie AllenNNPA Senior Washington Correspondent

Tim Scott

Will Hurd

Mia Love

Notes on the

struggle

By ProfessorMahmoud El -Kati

5 for ‘15: Minnesota hip-hop’s top 5 new prospects

MORE ON PAGE 10

Insight NewsVol. 42 No. 1 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.comJanuary 5 - January 11, 2015

Page 2 • January 5 - January 11, 2015January 5 - January 11, 2015 • Insight News insightnews.com

Deaths climb above 7,300Ebola may have fallen off America’s radar, but the virus continues to devastate communities in three affected West African countries. Since March, according to World Health Organization offi cials, key numbers are going down in some areas, but the epidemic continues to rage in western sections of Sierra Leone. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon led a delegation to Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Mali, all countries affected by the hemorrhagic fever. Others on the mission include WHO Secretary-General Dr. Margaret Chan; Dr. David Nabarro, the UN’s Ebola coordinator; and Anthony Banbury, who runs the UN

Mission for Ebola Emergency Response, UNMEER. The Ebola epidemic, which erupted in Guinea in December 2013, has killed more than 7,300 and affected more than 18,000 people in total, WHO offi cials said. “The key numbers are going down in some areas. We’re making progress by dealing with the epidemic district-by-district and section-by-section,” said WHO spokesman Daniel Epstein. “Areas have been divided and segmented, and we have dozens of outbreaks being handled by separate teams. We’re also making sure we have adequate burial teams. “In a sense, things have improved. The epidemic’s numbers have gone down in Liberia. But cases are increasing slightly in Guinea and markedly in Sierra Leone. We found a new surge in western Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone has surpassed Liberia

in terms of numbers. Part of it is that they’re lacking what

they need, but people in remote western areas didn’t recognize

it had cases. People were hiding cases, rejecting the idea that people had Ebola. We’re working to clean this hot spot.” The transitory nature of the epidemic has made it hard to contain, with hot spots fl aring up and moving rapidly to different regions of the affected countries. The number of Ebola cases has been stabilizing in Liberia and Guinea but is overwhelming parts of Sierra Leone. Last week, President Ernest Bai Koroma launched what U.N. offi cials described as “an intensifi ed surge operation” in Freetown, the capital, and areas in the west of the country. The international organization Doctors without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières fi rst sounded the alarm and was one of the loudest voices calling for a robust international response to the fast-moving virus. Then, as now, offi cials argued that the response to the Ebola

crisis had been slow and uneven, leaving local people, national governments and non-governmental organizations to do most of the practical, hands-on work. MSF offi cials continue to warn that the international community risks failing to adapt to the outbreak after initially failing to respond quickly enough. “People are still dying horrible deaths in an outbreak that has already killed thousands,” said MSF International President Dr. Joanne Liu. “We can’t let our guard down and allow this to become double failure, a response that was slow to begin with and is ill-adapted in the end.” She said training NGOs and local health care workers to safely operate case management facilities can take weeks. While MSF and other organizations have been offering training, she explained, the bottleneck has created signifi cant delays.

over a functional defi nition of racism is the orchestrated push to suppress an open-ended discussion on “race.” This is done by pretending that “race” is declining in signifi cance. In very recent years a gaggle of intellectual cops have been hired by certain think tanks to write a ton of books to propagate the idea that “race” is no longer an important item on the American political, economic and social agenda. One disingenuous writer has dared to title his book, “The End of Racism.” There seems to be no memory or morals in people who think this way. The new narrative suggests that we now live in a multiracial, multicultural and “post-racial society.” To some extent this has always been a fact of American life. Multiculturalism or pluralism has existed among the indigenous populations for many centuries – long before the idea of “race” emerged in the language of the human family. The notion of “race” is passé, and its offspring, racism, is too weak to affect contemporary human

relations among the American citizenry. The rise of the new false consciousness of a “post-racial” or “trans-racial,” or “color blind” society is nothing, but a new form of subterfuge for the maintenance of “white supremacy.” This trend, as indicated, began earlier in a desperate response to the legal triumph of the Civil Rights movement over the institutionalized and unashamed institutional expression of racism that we know as segregation or Jim Crow, a newer system of representation, which replaced the system of African enslavement. The “Black power” movement, coupled with the Black arts movement, of the mid-sixties hastened the reactive mode of the “white” elites who control the major media and other power centers of America. This is when we began to read and hear such phrases from major media such as “reverse discrimination,” or “reverse racism,” or even, “Black racism,” and the “The race card.” This rhetoric is promoted to confuse, disorient, or otherwise deceive people into thinking that there is a corresponding camp of Black Americans whose attitude and outlook on life is

dominated by aggressive race-thinking, the exact set of ideas that promotes racial supremacy, just as too many whites locked in their twisted minds. This logic contends that the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense is the counterpart or equivalent to the blood stained history the Ku Klux Klan (KKK). I do not recall, nor can anyone else, a time when the Ku Klux Klan allied itself with anyone from the Black Community. As we speak, there is a lively barbershop argument as to whether the Black Panthers attracted more white than Black fellow travelers. These two groups are to be contrasted, not compared. They represent different ends of the political spectrum. The Klan represents historical and contemporary forces of oppression, vigilante violence, lynching, castration of Black men and the bombings of churches, homes and businesses. The Klan did this in collusion with the sheriff and police forces. The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense belongs to an oppressed nationality whose human rights has been trampled upon by a lawful and unjust power (the U.S.) for several centuries. The Black Panther Party was on the right side of progressive forces

in the world against segregation and apartheid, colonialism, imperialism and the doctrine of white supremacy. The Ku Klux Klan was founded in 1868 and remains a terrorist organization. It is the oldest terrorist organization on record in the modern age. The Black Panther Party (1966) is a logical consequence of historical necessity of an oppressed nationality engaged in the struggle for Black people’s freedom. The Black Panther Party did not kill any “white” people. This legitimate political party defended its community against police brutality from the police and the National Guard. The KKK murdered thousands of innocent Black people for over a hundred years. Researcher Ralph Ginzburg documents this travesty in his book “100 Years of Lynchings.” In 1981, Michael Donald, 18, of Mobile, Ala., was the last public hanging (The old fashion way) of a Black person by the KKK, the white supremacist organization. It is critical to clarify such distinctions in trying to understand the myth of “race” and the reality of racism.

Part II next week.

RaceFrom 1

(Courtesy photo)“People are still dying horrible deaths in an outbreak that has

already killed thousands,” said Dr. Joanne Liu, president of Doc-tors without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières, the interna-

tional organization calling for a robust international response to the Ebola crisis.

By Barrington M. SalmonSpecial to the NNPA from The Washington Informer

VISIT THE SCHOOL CHOICE FAIRJanuary 10, 2015 at the SAINT PAUL RIVERCENTREFREE ADMISSION. FREE SHUTTLE. DETAILS at spps.org

MORE OPPORTUNITIES. MORE THINGS TO LOVE.

insightnews.com Insight News • January 5 - January 11, 2015January 5 - January 11, 2015 • Page 3

As we approach the height of fl u season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that the 2014-2015 season may be severe - as many strains of the infl uenza virus being seen are not covered by this year’s vaccine. Despite this imperfect match, the fl u vaccine can still provide some protection, since antibodies made to fi ght one strain of the fl u can sometimes help to fi ght off different but r elated strains of the virus. The CDC recommends immediate vaccination for anyone still unvaccinated this season and urges people who come down with the fl u to seek medical care, which may include a prescription for anti-viral medication. To help you distinguish a cold from the fl u, follow these basic guidelines and see a physician quickly if you suspect you have the fl u. The common cold is centered in the nose, while the fl u tends to affect your whole body. Fever and the severity of symptoms are key differences between infl uenza and the common cold. Typically, colds have a more gradual onset and are relatively mild, while the fl u comes on suddenly and includes a fever, aches, chills and tiredness. Seasonal fl u can begin as early as October and last into May, but typically

peaks in January and February. Both the common cold and the fl u are caused by viruses that do not respond to antibiotics - which only work on bacterial infections. Antiviral medications can be prescribed to help treat the fl u, but they are most effective if given within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. To be treated for fl u symptoms or get a fl u shot, visit a North Memorial Clinic or call 763-581-CARE. For fast, online diagnosis and treatment of the fl u without having to go to the doctor’s offi ce, visit North Memorial’s North eCare. To stop the spread of germs, keep your hands clean, cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, stay home when sick and get vaccinated against the fl u. Check these basic guidelines to understand the difference between cold and fl u symptoms:

Is it a cold or the fl u?

The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profi t

dedicated to protecting human health and the environment through research, education and advocacy, launched its “Dirty Dozen Guide to Food Additives” in November 2014 to educate consumers about which food additives are associated with health

concerns, which are restricted in other countries, and/or which just shouldn’t be in our foods to begin with. EWG hopes the new guide will help consumers avoid unhealthy foods and also infl uence policymakers to develop more stringent rules for food producers moving

forward. According to EWG, more than 10,000 food additives are approved for use in the U.S., despite potential health implications. Some are “direct additives” deliberately formulated into processed food; others are “indirect,” that is, fi nding their way into food during processing, storage or packaging. Either way, some

have been linked to endocrine disruption, heart disease, cancer and a wide range of other health issues. Topping EWG’s list are nitrates and nitrites, both typically added to cured meats (like bacon, salami, sausages and hot dogs) to prolong shelf-life and prevent discoloration. “Nitrites, which can form from nitrates, react with naturally

occurring components of protein called amines,” reports EWG. “This reaction can form nitrosamines, which are known cancer-causing compounds.” The group reports links between nitrite and nitrate consumption and cancers of the stomach, esophagus, brain and thyroid.

EarthTalk®E - The Environmental Magazine

Avoiding harmful food additives

Alpha, Flickr CCThat salami on your plate might look scrumptious but Environmental Working Group warns it may

contain nitrates linked to cancers of the stomach, esophagus, brain and thyroid.

FOOD TURN TO 7

Symptoms Cold Flu

Fever Sometimes, usually mild Usual, high (100°-102° F, occasionally higher, especially in young children), lasts 3 to 4 days

Headache Occasionally CommonGeneral Aches, Pains Slight Usual, often severeSymptom onset Gradual Within 3 to 6 hoursChills Uncommon CommonFatigue, Weakness Sometimes Usual, can last 2 to 3 weeksTiredness Mild Moderate to severe, especially at the beginning

of the illnessStuffy Nose Common UncommonSneezing Common UncommonSore Throat Common UncommonChest Discomfort, Cough

Mild to moderate, hacking cough

Common, can become severe

Complications Sinus infection, asthma, middle ear infection

Bronchitis, pneumonia, ear infection, can be life-threatening

Treatment Antihistamines, decongestants, non-steroidal anti-infl ammatory medicines

Prescription antiviral medications in some cases; call your doctor for treatment information.

By Mary Tschida, MD, North Memorial Health Care

Mary Tschida

HEALTH

IS IT A COLD OR THE FLU?Know the difference, so you’ll know what to do.

Symptoms of a cold include headache, runny nose, cough, head congestion and stuffiness. The best treatment is rest and plenty of fluids.

The flu affects your whole body. The symptoms include fever, aches, chills and fatigue. If you or your child has these symptoms, contact North Memorial quickly: antiviral medications can be prescribed within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.

North Memorial Clinics offer walk-in appointments at many locations. Our Urgent Care and Urgency Centers offer short wait times and same-day treatment. Go to northmemorial.com/locations to find a location near you.

Or just stay in bed, and visit northmemorial.com/northecare to get an online diagnosis and treatment plan within an hour.

Everyone deserves insurance they can afford. MNsure can help you get it. MNsure is a free service where you can compare health plans to find the best plan for you, often at a surprisingly affordable price. In fact, most people qualify for financial help. Free in-person or phone assistance is available.

Call 1-855-3MNSURE or visit mnsure.org

Text ENROLL to 30644 for information

We can’t afford to have health insurance.

notv

Page 4 • January 5 - January 11, 2015January 5 - January 11, 2015 • Insight News insightnews.com

Opening the genealogy fl ood-“Gates”

How music is fueling the #BlackLivesMatter Movement

Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., is the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and Director of the Hutchins Center for African and African-American Research at Harvard University. Emmy Award-winning fi lmmaker, literary scholar, journalist, cultural critic, and institution builder, Professor Gates has authored 17 books and created 14 documentary fi lms, including “Finding Your Roots,” season two, now airing on PBS. His 6-part PBS documentary series, “The African-Americans: Many Rivers to Cross” (2013), which he wrote, executive produced, and hosted, earned the Emmy Award for Outstanding Historical Program—Long Form, as well as the Peabody and NAACP Image Awards. Having written for such leading publications as The New Yorker, The New York Times, and Time, Dr. Gates now serves as editor-in-chief of TheRoot.com, while overseeing the Oxford African-American Studies Center, the fi rst comprehensive scholarly online resource in the fi eld. Professor Gates’s latest book is “Finding Your Roots: The Offi cial Companion to the PBS Series,” released by the University of North Carolina Press in 2014. Here, he talks about “Finding Your Roots: Season Two,” now available on DVD.

Kam Williams: Hi, Dr. Gates, how are you?Henry Louis Gates: Everything’s a little crazy around here, because I’m trying to get out of town. But otherwise, I’m doing very well, Kam. How are you?

KW: Great, thanks. So, where are you headed?HLG: We’re going to South Africa for a couple weeks where I’ll be getting an honorary degree from the University of Cape Town.

KW: Congratulations!HLG: Thank you!

KW: And congrats on another fascinating season of “Finding Your Roots.” How did you pick which luminaries to invite to participate in the project? Did you already have an idea that they might have an interesting genealogy? HLG: No, we picked them cold. I have a wonderful team of producers. To tell you the truth, fi rst, we just fantasize. Then, we

sit down in my house with a big peg board with the names of all the people who said “Yes.” So, we never know whom we are going to get in advance.

KW: How do you settle on the theme of each episode? For instance, you did the one on athletes with Derek Jeter, Billie Jean King and Rebecca Lobo, and the one on chefs with Tom

Colicchio, Aaron Sanchez and Ming Tsai. HLG: Usually, we fi rst do the research and fi lm everybody, and then organize the episodes internally. For instance, Episode One was called, “In Search of Our Fathers.” You might wonder, what does Stephen King have in common with Courtney B. Vance? Well, Stephen King’s father left when he was 2, and

Courtney never knew his father. He was put up for adoption. And frankly, that’s my favorite kind of story, when it’s counter-intuitive. That’s why we’ve organized the episodes around those two principles.

KW: Environmental activist Grace Sinden says: The subject of our roots is fascinating, as shown in your television

program on PBS. I’m wondering what you found to be the singularly, most-interesting discovery in your research for Finding Your Roots 2?HLG: That’s tough to say, because each story has something dramatic and interesting. Take when Ming Tsai’s grandfather fl ed China after the revolution, all he took besides the clothes on his back was one book, the book containing his family’s genealogy. Isn’t that amazing? He was willing to fl ee to a whole new world, learn a new language, and start over in a new culture only if he had his family tree with him. That’s heavy, man! It’s like he was saying, “I can do anything, as long as I have my ancestors with me.” I really admire that. And consequently, we were able to trace Ming’s ancestry back to his 116th great-grandfather.

KW: Whose roots were you able to trace back the farthest? HLG: Ming Tsai’s, without a doubt. We’ve traced several people back to Charlemagne, but Ming’s goes back to B.C., because of the Chinese penchant for keeping fantastic genealogical records.

KW: Sangeetha Subramanian says: It seems that your guests have a variety of reactions as each story and new fact is revealed. Whose reaction to an uncovered story surprised you the most? HLG: Anderson Cooper, without a doubt. I told him that his 3rd great-grandfather, Burwelll Boykin, was a slave owner. First of all, Anderson was very saddened and disappointed that he descended from a slave owner. But his ancestors were from Alabama, so I told him that was very common. I don’t think you inherit the guilt of your ancestors. We merely reveal whatever we fi nd, without making any sort of judgment. What your ancestors did is what they did. That’s not on you. Anyway, Burwell Boykin had a dozen slaves, according to the

LONG BEACH, Calif — I still remember the fi rst time I heard Lupe Fiasco’s “All Black Everything.” I was in my apartment in Davis, Calif., where I attended college. When I heard the words, I was reminded of the history of Black people in America. It made me want to learn even more about my history. Everyone has a sphere of infl uence, and the music made me ask myself: “How am I using mine?” Since August, when unarmed teenager Michael Brown was killed by police offi cer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Mo., young people have rallied in the streets of Ferguson, New York, Oakland, Los Angeles and other cities across the nation and the world. In Long Beach, young people recently began organizing around the slogan #BlackLivesMatter, a campaign born in 2012 after Trayvon Martin’s killer, George Zimmerman, was acquitted of murder charges. Throughout, music has been

an undeniable part of the protests, the latest reminder that when used the right way, music can inspire social change. “Music can be considered the heartbeat of social movements,” says Eric Tandoc, a DJ and a community organizer at the Filipino Migrant Center in Long Beach. Tandoc regularly uses art to inspire youth to take action on social and political issues. “Not everyone is going to listen to a speech or read a book, but people will listen to a 3-minute song,” he says. Nationally, respected musicians such as Questlove of the hip-hop group The Roots have urged musicians to create more protest songs, and artists are responding. The truth of the matter is, musicians have more infl uence than I do, and even more infl uence than they had in the 1980s or 1960s. In the age of social media, the possibility of communication between musicians and their

fans has been brought to an all time high. If young people see their favorite musician talking about social change, they might pay more attention to what is happening and be inclined to get involved in making a positive impact. In his song “Hands Up,” north Long Beach native Vince Staples raps, “Raidin’ homes without a warrant/Shoot him fi rst without a warning/And they expect respect and non-violence/I refuse the right to be silent.” Fellow Long Beach rapper Crooked I, recently going by Kxing Crooked, released “I Can’t Breathe” in which he raps, “So, no, I can’t buy that pellet gun/They might try to Tamir Rice you.” (Tamir Rice was a 12-year old Black boy who was killed by a police offi cer in Cleveland) But lyrics about the current events aren’t just happening in Long Beach. Let’s go down the list: Six days after Brown’s death,

hip-hop artist J. Cole recorded and released “Be Free.”Lauryn Hill belted out the lyrics, “Black rage is founded on two-thirds a person/Rapings and beatings and suffering that worsens,” on “Black Rage,” which she released a couple weeks after Brown’s death. The Game brought together over ten hip-hop and R&B artists including Rick Ross, 2 Chainz, Wale, Swizz Beatz, Curren$y, and TGT to produce “Don’t Shoot.”Tink sang and rapped on “Tell the Children” a few days after the grand jury decided not to indict Wilson for the murder. Rapper Dizzy Wright also released a song called “I Need Answers.” These songs are the 21st century protest songs. While each of these songs were created as a response to the killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, they speak to an issue Black communities around the country have been

dealing with for centuries. They are reminiscent of Nina Simone’s “Mississippi Goddam,” Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On?” and Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power.” The themes don’t seem to have changed much since the 1960s or 1980s. When famous musicians don’t speak out, some people are critical. A few years ago, singer, actor and civil rights activist Harry Belafonte called out two of today’s biggest musicians, Jay-Z and Beyoncé, saying that they “turned their back on social responsibility.” To Belafonte, those two megastars and other popular artists are at fault for not using their infl uence to have a positive impact on their fans. As a young person, I agree with Belafonte: it’s a waste of infl uence when famous musicians don’t speak up. While it doesn’t necessarily affect whether or not I will continue listening to their music, I personally wish that they

would speak at times when there needs to be some action. Hip-hop artist Yasiin Bey, formerly known as Mos Def, put it best in his monologue addressing the happenings in Ferguson: “I think many of us are becoming even more aware of where we are, and [there is] urgency to change this miserable condition on this Earth, [as] Malcolm X said.” If all artists spoke up, I truly believe that it could wake up many more young people to demand change and join causes. “I think music can play an important role in sparking the motivation in wanting to do something,” Tandoc said, while adding, “The long term organizing is where the true power is.”

Deonna N. Anderson writes for VoiceWaves, a youth-led community news website and trilingual print publication serving Long Beach, Calif., and founded by New America Media.

By Kam Williams

GATES TURN TO 7

Peabody Awards / Creative Commons

Henry Louis Gates

Senator Tim Scott made history by becoming the fi rst Black Republican elected to serve in both the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate. He won with just 10 percent of the Black vote and 82 percent of the White vote, according to exit polls. Representative-elect Will Hurd beat his Democratic challenger Pete Gallego in Texas by a narrow 2.1 percent margin in a predominately Hispanic congressional district (House District 23) to become the fi rst Black Republican from Texas elected to the United States Congress since Reconstruction. When the next congressional term begins, Mia Love, a Black Mormon and daughter of Haitian immigrants, will represent Utah’s 4th House district in a state where Blacks account for just 1.3 percent of the total population. Lorenzo Morris, a political science professor at Howard University in Washington, D.C., said that the Black community shouldn’t expect much from the Black Republicans during the next legislative session, because they

won largely without Black voters. In addition, he said, their rank as freshmen lawmakers will limit their infl uence within the party. “Their collective impact, if they are really outspoken, will just be on the plus side of zero, barely zero,” said Morris. “The obvious impact for Republicans is positive only to the extent that it shows visually, if not substantively, an outreach to minorities.” Scott earned an “F” on the NAACP’s legislative report card during the fi rst session of the 113th Congress from January 2013 – December 26, 2013. ThinkProgress.org reported that Scott proposed a bill in 2011 to block families from receiving food stamp benefi ts if one of the adults in the home joined a strike, and as a state legislature Scott supported cuts to South Carolina’s HIV/AIDS budget. In a 2012 speech, Love accused President Barack Obama of “pitting us against each other based on our income level, gender, and social status” and said that, “His policies have failed.” Love has also pledged to take the Congressional Black Caucus “apart from the inside out.” If they continue to express views counter to those held by the Black electorate that overwhelmingly supported

President Obama with more than 90 percent of their votes in back-to-back elections, Morris said, that their presence could actually hurt that visual image of minority outreach, because it will further distance the GOP from the politics that are overwhelmingly characteristic of Black voters. Raynard Jackson, a Republican strategist and the president and CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, called Love, “the embodiment of the American Dream” and said that her journey as a fi rst generation Haitian immigrant to become the fi rst Black Republican female ever elected to the U.S. House of Representatives is amazing. “It doesn’t matter what her politics are or what her party affi liation is, if Love’s story doesn’t inspire you, then there is something wrong with you as an American citizen,” said Jackson. Former congressman Allen West (R-Fla.) said that the Republican Party has to remind Black voters that the conservative principles and values of the GOP are quite consistent with the history of the Black community. “When you go back and read Booker T. Washington’s writings at the turn of the century, his remedy for the Black community under the stress and strain of

segregation and Jim Crow laws were three points: education, entrepreneurship and self-reliance,” said West. “When you look at each one of those individuals Senator Tim Scott, Representatives-elect Mia Love and Will Hurd, that’s what they represent, and those are the three things we must have conversations about in the Black community.” West compared the overwhelming loyalty that Black voters have for the Democratic Party to an investor that puts all of his eggs in one basket. Just like an investor shouldn’t put all of his money in one fund or one venture, West said, Black voters should also diversify their political capital. “The people in these majority-minority districts are going to have to look up and say, ‘Why are we still in this situation? Why do we continue to elect the same person and nothing is getting any better?’” said West. Morris said that if a Black Republican wanted to sway Black voters in any signifi cant way, the candidate would have to talk about social policies and programs in ways that are open and address issues such as income inequality similar to the way a moderate Democrat would. In short: the candidate would have to

be a liberal Republican. “It would take a miracle for a Black Republican to win a majority Black district,” said Morris. Still Raynard Jackson said that the additions of Scott, Hurd and Love will help the party, if they are properly utilized. Jackson used a basketball analogy to describe how the Republican Party can continue to win with candidates like Tim Scott, Mia Love and Will Hurd. “You have to understand the

strengths and the weaknesses of each player and you have to know when to put them in the game and when to sit them down,” said Jackson. “You have to understand when to bring a Tim Scott, a Mia Love, a Will Hurd in to speak. You can’t send them everywhere. You have to understand what their message is to best utilize them. That’s what has to be done.” Jackson added: “Just because they’re Black, doesn’t mean you throw them out there to a Black audience.”

RepublicansFrom 1

insightnews.com Insight News • January 5 - January 11, 2015January 5 - January 11, 2015 • Page 5

LIFESTYLE

New year, new goals

2015 happiness calendar

Happiness is an intentional creation. Every day things happen that work contrary to your joy and contentment. As you move forward into 2015, you must be deliberate in your pursuit of happiness. Again this year, with permission from the author, I would like to share with you the fi rst six months of the happiness calendar written by Henry S. Miller, author

of “The Serious Pursuit of Happiness.” January – a month of hope and plansThe beginning of the year is traditionally about New Year’s resolutions. This year, write down one positive goal you have for the coming year on your calendar each morning of each day of January. Also write your plan to make it a reality. Then, resolve that you will intentionally invest your time and energy to work on your resolutions during the year and to live a happier life by implementing these happiness strategies – one each month. February – a month of gratitudeGratitude is the antidote to greed, envy, and jealously. We feel much happier when we are being grateful for what we have, rather than envious of what we don’t. Remember, no one has everything. This month, each night before going to bed, take a daily gratitude inventory. Write down three things you

are grateful for about your life – your relationships, your work, your character, your family, your country, the world around you and your life. March – a month of kindnessPlato said, “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fi ghting a hard battle.” And, if you look around, it’s still true today. This month, fi nd one opportunity each and every day to perform

some kind act for someone else – even the simplest act of holding a door open for another will do. And, each day, after your act of kindness, enjoy the feeling that, for at least one shining moment, you are the personifi cation of all that is good about the human race. April – a month of optimismEach day this month, be more conscious of your negative

thoughts – if you have any. And every time you do, immediately “dispute” it by intentionally replacing the negative thought with a positive one. Do this each time you think a negative thought for a month, and notice how your thinking might change. May – a month of friendshipClose relationships are ones of the longest-lasting of happiness. But, sometimes, we take our friends for granted – or are “too busy” to see them. This month, at least one time per week, reach out to a friend and arrange to spend time with them. This can be as simple as a walk, a meal, coffee – whatever you choose. But fi nd the time to visit with your friends face-to-face this month. June – a month of loveTraditionally, June is a month of weddings; and love is all around us. Each day this month, call, write or email someone you love or care deeply about – one per day – and tell them how much they mean to you

and how happy you are that they are a part of your life, even if you haven’t been the best communicator up until now. Notice reactions – yours and theirs. The happiness calendar is a great tool that will help you focus on the things that are in your circle of infl uence and control. Later in the year, I will share the second half of the calendar. Save this article and cut out the activity for each month. Attach them to your 2015 calendar and build action items around each month’s theme. Remember, happiness is an intentional creation, and 2015 can be a great year if you stay focused on the things that bring you happiness.

Timothy Houston is an author, minister, and motivational speaker who is committed to guiding positive life changes in families and communities. For questions, comments or more information, go to www.tlhouston.com.

Roberto Fonts: CorajeHan pasado 34 años desde el éxodo masivo de los balseros cubanos llamados marielitos. La mayoría de los 125 mil balseros cubanos que arribaron a los Estados Unidos en improvisadas balsas eran afrodescendientes, cubanos de raza negra, entre ellos Roberto Fonts, quien tenía 22 años en ese entonces. Fonts sabía desde muy joven que algo le esperaba “allá”. Cuando iba al Malecón, el histórico lugar de cinco millas que es zona peatonal, carretera y muro de protección en la costa de la Habana, Cuba, pensaba y planeaba estrategias para lograr su sueño de vivir como un hombre de negocios. El creía que algún día podría irse y lograría hacer realidad sus sueños. El llamado a quienes querían abandonar Cuba fue súbito. Castro desocupó sus cárceles llenas de afrocubanos, quienes eran desproporcionadamente encarcelados por pequeñas faltas y acusados de toda serie de cargos, incluso de intentar abandonar la isla. Fonts corrió el riesgo. “No lo dudé” dice “era el milagro que estaba esperando”. Aunque fue una jornada terrible y traumática de más de 24 horas en las turbulentas aguas del océano Atlántico, Fonts se considera uno de los afortunados que sobrevivió y vive su vida honrando a quienes se sacrifi caron en busca de la libertad. Fonts comenta que aunque ha tenido momentos críticos en los que se deprime o se siente aislado, a pesar de las malas situaciones por las que ha pasado, incluso ha sufrido por el color de su piel, su acento, su estado migratorio, estos no le han impedido aprovechar las oportunidades que se le han presentado. Como los programas educativos y de acción

afi rmativa que fueron fundamentales para lograr sus metas. Font sabía que quería ser un hombre de negocios, un profesional de una corporación. Sus pensamientos lo motivaban durante los tiempos difíciles de esos primeros días en un nuevo mundo. A los cuatro años de haber llegado a las playas de la costa este de los Estados Unidos, Fonts ya era manager de National Computer Systems,

esa era su validación de la importancia de la paciencia, perseverancia y del ser consecuente con sus ideales. Gracias a su experiencia personal y a su deseo de ayudar, Fonts fundó un novedoso servicio de traducciones, interpretaciones, e intermediación cultural, para ayudar a quienes no hablan inglés y a sus proveedores de servicios legales, de salud,

fi nancieros, y otros. Dialog One fue registrada en 2006, cuenta con 20 negocios asociados quienes contratan más de 7.000 intérpretes, traductores y mediadores culturales certifi cados a nivel mundial. Cuenta con clientes que hablan más de 150 idiomas y presta sus servicios 24 al día, siete días a la semana. Fonts es reconocido estatal y federalmente por haber desarrollado los estándares de la industria y por sus servicios profesionales para desarrollar el modelo de mediaciones culturales específi cas. Ha creado el estado del arte currículo Empowered by Listening™, para entrenar intérpretes, traductores y mediadores culturales, siendo el primer programa de aprendizaje no tradicional certifi cado por

el Departamento de Trabajo e Industria de Minnesota. Hoy Roberto Fonts es un respetado hombre de negocios, emprendedor, visionario e innovador. Padre de cuatro hijos, con dos nietos, quien continúa viviendo de acuerdo con sus principios, estrategia y liderazgo. “Mi pasión, compromiso y amor por la humanidad viene de un profundo y saludable sentimiento de inclusión, Así es como vivo mi vida”, resume Fonts. El nombre Dialog One describe su compromiso de entender y su creencia que todos pertenecemos a la familia humana. Visite www.dialog-one.com para conocer m ás acerca de Dialog One y sus servicios.

Por Carmen RoblesAssociate EditorAfrodescendientes

Roberto Fonts, Emprendedor e innovador.

ManTalk

By Timothy Houston

Happy New Year! This New Year means new goals! But before you jump head fi rst into your new journey, take a look at all of the goals you set last year and take time to examine if

you completed those goals and if you are on the right track for your next phase of goal setting. When you look back do you see that there is that one goal that you just put aside because you thought it may not be the right time to make that move? Did you tell yourself that next year that goal will be your priority? Well it is next year! Now it’s time to make all of your dreams a reality! It’s time to write down the goals you didn’t fi nish last year and put them at the top of your list of goals to complete this year.

Don’t give up on something that you really want to achieve because you are afraid of the unknown. This is what stops so many people from moving forward. Make this year the year that you put all fear behind you. I often think of my own goals that I set last year. With cheerfulness I can honestly say that I completed what I set out to do last year! I can say that even though some things were tough I still stayed consistent and stuck to my goals. This is what happens with determination

and perseverance. When you set your mind to do something, the key is to not let anything stop you. I know that other responsibilities and commitments can take up some of the hours during the day. But remember that any goal you set this year or the next year, will take an effort from you to make it a happen. Again I say, nothing happens over night and nothing happens unless you work for it. Think about what you completed last year and the work it took to do so. Now think about your new goals that

you’ve set for this year. Now think about what it will feel like when you complete them! I am excited for this year and I am excited for you! And as always, stay focused, stay determined, and keep striving for greatness.

Penny Jones-Richardson is a published author and life coach. She can be reached via her website at www.thequeensproject.com or email at penny@thequeensproject.com.

MotivationalMoments

By Penny Jones-Richardson

The happiness calendar is a great tool that will help you focus

on the things that are in your circle of infl uence and control.

Insight News is publishedweekly, every Monday by McFarlane Media Interests.

Editor-In-ChiefAl McFarlane

Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane

Assistant to the PublisherShumira Cunningham

Associate Editor & Associate PublisherB.P. Ford

Culture and Education EditorIrma McClaurin

Director of Content & ProductionPatricia Weaver

Sr. Content & Production CoordinatorBen Williams

Production InternSunny Thongthi

Distribution/Facilities ManagerJamal Mohamed

Receptionist Lue B. Lampley

Contributing WritersHarry Colbert, Jr.Julie DesmondFred EasterTimothy HoustonPenny Jones-RichardsonAlaina L. LewisDarren MooreCarmen RoblesLydia SchwartzRyan T. ScottToki Wright

Photography David Bradley

Contact Us:Insight News, Inc.Marcus Garvey House1815 Bryant Ave. N.Minneapolis., MN 55411Ph.: (612) 588-1313Fax: (612) 588-2031Member: Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium (MMMC),Midwest Black Publishers Coalition, Inc. (MBPCI), National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA)

Postmaster: Send address changes to McFarlane Media Interests, Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55411.

INSIGHT NEWSwww.insightnews.com

Page 6 • January 5 - January 11, 2015January 5 - January 11, 2015 • Insight News insightnews.com

COMMENTARYOn Bernadeia Johnson’s resignation

‘Gap’ is a designed element of American education

Sony and the sociology of racism

Nobody asked me but Superintendent Bernadeia Johnson’s resignation was the latest in a string of bad days for Minneapolis’ Black community. Some would have you believe that her inability to narrow the “achievement gap” was the foundation of the pressure she was subjected to. I don’t believe that. You shouldn’t either. To begin with, the achievement gap is a problem

all over this country. More to the point, it is a problem in every district in the metro. Why is it that no other superintendent is publicly pressured to narrow the gap? Alone among metro area superintendents, Johnson included narrowing the gap in her work plan. No coincidence that she was the only area super who was Black – a factor that deepens my sadness. Former Minneapolis School Board member, Chris Stewart and law professor Nekima Levy-Pounds spoke out publicly against the sister. They have not, in my hearing, seen fi t to pressure other area supers to attack the “the gap.” And why is it that only the superintendent is held responsible for the gap? Everyone who’s run for any offi ce in this century has promised to narrow this gap. Every politician who covets

the Black vote professes a commitment to narrowing the gap. As soon as the election is over, they go back to business as usual and we go back to sleep. It’s like Republicans talking about

jobs. If they want it “it’ll create jobs.” If they’re against it “it’s a job killer.” Just say achievement gap to the Black community, and they’ll accept your plan. Another thing that compounds

my sadness is that Johnson devised promising gap narrowing programs and brought some fi ne professionals to the district. In fact, that may have more to do with her demise than anything. She was bringing pressure to bare where it was most needed. Sadly, the teacher’s union and its lackeys on the school board were able to use the cover that members of the community gave them to move on her before the board’s composition changed. That same board forced Johnson to approve a contract that she told them had no chance to perform, and hung her out to dry when it failed. We are pulling the wrong tooth here. Make no mistake. We will not improve on Bernadeia Johnson. We have hounded and chased capable and committed superintendents. We have a union centered board given to micro

management. We have a Black community that pays attention only in fi ts and starts. If you were a talented, experienced, committed educator, would you come here to swim upstream? The job is no picnic with help and support. We have lost Bernadeia Johnson because she demonstrated the capacity to succeed where our children are concerned and that threatened to saw a leg off of some folks’ apple carts. Consider the possibility that the “gap” is a designed in element of American education. The diversion that keeps whole communities focused elsewhere while the economic gap is etched in stone. We need to stop bickering among ourselves and do the lion’s share of our protesting at the polls.

As a result of the North Korean related hacking of Sony’s computer system, certain “racist” emails of Sony executive Amy Pascal were made public. This may appear as an isolated incident of racism among individuals, but it offers opportunity to uniquely examine certain aspects of the “sociology of racism” that not only fester in entertainment, but extensions of this same sociology have historically led to deadly consequences in the streets of America when Black men encounter law enforcement. By “sociology” I am simply referring to America’s sum total of ethnic and cultural distinctions and exchanges; shared and confl icting beliefs, ideals, and values; common sociopolitical infl uences; and the human actions, ethos, and

consciousness that publically and privately shape American society, institutions, and government. Among Pascal’s emails were “jokingly racist” comments that President Obama probably liked Kevin Hart, along with the movies “12 Years A Slave,” “Django Unchained,” “The Butler,” and “Think Like A Man.” She thereafter launched an apology campaign, topped with a meeting with Al Sharpton where he scolded her about the “lack of diversity” in movies (which is inarguably relevant yet arguably impertinent to the impetus behind her comments). White House spokesperson, Josh Earnest, said her apology was “appropriate.” But wait, Hollywood is no longer producing Sambo-like movies that cast Blacks as dimwits … are they? So what requires apology? Think about it, Kevin Hart can sellout just as many

or more arena seats to mixed audiences as any comedian, Black or white. And every movie Pascal mentioned was a relative box-offi ce success on its own cinematic merit. For the record and despite “lack of diversity,” “12 Years A Slave” earned $188 million worldwide and won numerous awards, including Oscars for “Best Picture of the Year” and “Best Supporting Actress” by Lupita Nyong’o, who People magazine subsequently dubbed the “Most Beautiful Woman in the World.” “Django” had blockbuster earnings of $425 million worldwide and starred former Oscar winner Jamie Foxx. “The Butler” earned $177 million worldwide and starred former Oscar winner Forest Whitaker and billionaire-extraordinaire Oprah Winfrey. “Think Like A Man” earned $96 million worldwide and was based on Steve Harvey’s book

that ranked No. 1 on The New York Times best seller list. So nothing should be wrong with any president or anybody liking any of these fi lms with decorated Black actors. After all, they grossed nearly $1 billion for both Black and white people in the industry. Both Black and white people walked the red carpet. Both Black and white people applauded these stars and movies at black-tie awards. And all of the Black actors are probably on Obama’s short-list of invitees to certain occasions anyway, and all have most-likely attended a White House event already. So beyond box-offi ce and star power, some other veiled criteria must lurk behind the scenes of these movies that render Pascal’s apology “appropriate.” To wit, the unidentifi ed elephant in the room that drips with racism, relates historically to America’s unarticulated but implicitly understood “sociology of racism” that places defi nitively higher values on ideals, interests, and institutions that are white, Anglo, protestant or Jewish. In this vein, had she said that Obama or any other president “liked Tina Fey, Adam Sandler, or Seth Rogen movies,” it would be a nonstory. Not because they – or even white actors from the past – are more talented per se than their Black contemporaries, but because there’s a qualitatively greater premium that is always assigned

increasingly to the sophistication of white movies, the signifi cance of white actors, and the affl uence of the white audiences they draw. So the goal of equal validation of Blacks (via diversity) is really a phantom pursuit because the goalposts are continually moved out of reach, in relative and incremental measure, to assure that white accomplishments signify the apex. But it neither begins nor ends there. Understand that this sociology is four centuries in the making. Its implications and evidence saturate society on multiple and widespread levels, whereby a diminished worth has been historically and intrinsically equated to the Black experience as a whole … Black ethos, Black history, Black culture, Black leaders, Black lives. Extreme frictions from this sociology help explain existing racial tensions of why Americans of all races are now protesting nationwide against such desensitivity, while displaying placards in 1960s-fashion, stating, “Black lives matter.” However, to enact concrete systemic change, people should be mindful of implementing a collective approach that recognizes the origin of this 400-year sociology, as opposed to protesting against its symptoms and outgrowths. But this becomes problematic because any effort to confront the source and substance

of this sociology head-on would be viewed as too subversive. This, in consequence, would interrupt the government access and corporate revenue streams that prop up certain Black leaders, who would then have to put a “For Sale” sign on their operations. Whether shooting movies or shooting Black men, there are ingrained sociological and systemic elements that underlie and desensitize government and society. So within this historical unfoldment, neither Amy Pascal nor Sony is the problem, and holding meetings about diversity and police body-cams is not the solution. Hopefully though, messages like this will garner proper consideration so that Black America will not have to rely on more hackings from communist North Korea as the next best hope to prod America to become an all-inclusive democracy in the truest sense of the concept.

Ezrah Aharone is an adjunct associate professor of political science at Delaware State University and the author of “Sovereign Evolution: Manifest Destiny from Civil Rights to Sovereign Rights” and “Pawned Sovereignty: Sharpened Black Perspectives on Americanization, Africa, War and Reparations.” His forthcoming book “The Sovereign Psyche” will be published in the spring of 2015. He can be reached at www.EzrahSpeaks.com.

Nobody Asked Me

By Fred Easter

By Ezrah Aharone

Make no mistake. We will not improve on Bernadeia Johnson. We have hounded and chased

capable and committed Superintendents.

population stats, people of color, including African-Americans, will gradually increase to become a clear majority of America’s population over the next four decades. “All in all, minorities, now 37 percent of the U.S. population, are projected to comprise 57 percent of the population in 2060,” according to a U. S. Census report. “The total minority population would more than double, from 116.2 million to 241.3 million over the period.” During that period, “the black population is expected to increase from 41.2 million to 61.8 million” as the White population will peak in 2024 - 10 years from now - and then gradually decrease by 20.6 million by 2060, the Census reports. Chavis sees this increase as a prospective boon for NNPA’s more than 200 Black-owned newspapers as it anticipates its 75th anniversary in 2015 - but only if certain strategies are put in place. First, he said, the Black press must focus on a stronger economic foundation by generating more revenue. African-Americans spend $1.2 trillion dollars a year, he said, noting that Black newspapers must partner with the Black Church, Black banks, Black colleges and Black organizations to network and support the Black press. This strategy would require much unity, Chavis says. “This is beyond connecting the dots. The dots have to converge...There’s too much disunity in our community. And I’m not just talking about organizational disunity. I’m talking about disunity even among the so-

called personalities...In my long career in civil rights I’ve seen what happens when leadership goes in divergent paths...To me, it’s a disservice to our community to allow personality confl icts to get in the way.” Secondly, White-owned businesses must be made to understand the value of supporting Black newspapers as businesses and as a sustainable institution, the same as the broadcast media, Chavis says. “To reach people in our community. They can’t just look at something on TV or hear it on the radio and act. They’ve got to look at it and read it more than once. That’s the value of the Black print press,” he said. “The pen has to have an economic undergirding so that what is written gets distributed; so that what is written gets circulated. Sometimes we overlook the necessity to the strong economic foundation in our quest for freedom, justice and equality.” Finally, Chavis said, Black newspapers must take full advantage of the digital universe. “Technology, particularly digital technology can be a great equalizer. Some people think the digital will supplant the print. I don’t. To me, the digital will make more valuable the print press because every day it’s about the content. We have the content, but we have not aggregated the content,” he said. Denise Rolark Barnes, who has been publisher of the Informer for 20 years, succeeded her now late father, Dr. Calvin Rolark, a prominent D.C. businessman and Black leader. Barnes recalls how the Black press has led America’s media when it comes to many of the issues that have now emerged as headline news for White-owned media, such as police brutality, economic justice and voting rights. “The more you do it, the more stories you realize need

to be told; the more you realize that our community, our Black history every day is being thrown away,” says Barnes, in an exhibit hall showing historic front pages and photos from the Informer. “I’ve learned that history does repeat itself and is repeating itself.” Hundreds of people packed into the Carnegie Library in Downtown Washington, DC to salute the Informer and its legacy during the event in late fall. Iconic radio talk show host Joe Madison recalled how the Black press has been so audience-specifi c that readers know that those who advertise in Black newspapers specifi cally want to reach Black people. “It means it’s for us,” Madison said. Madison also underscored Black newspapers as a chronicler of Black history. “Most of us would not have known about Emmett Till had it not been for the Black Press. Most of us wouldn’t have known, quite honestly about Martin Luther King Jr. if it wasn’t for the Black Press because White media certainly wasn’t publicizing it...The Black Press is, as Frederick Douglass would probably say, our North Star.” Ben Chavis is one who has benefi ted tremendously from the Black press. He is one of the historic Wilmington 10, who was pardoned by North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue two years ago in a 1971 fi rebombing amidst the civil rights struggle. The pardon fi nally came after the Wilmington Journal of North Carolina, published by Mary Alice Thatch, escalated the campaign for justice. Concludes Chavis, “It is in the business of not only reporting the news, but defending the news when it comes to the interest of Black people. That’s what gives the Black press its unique value, not only to Black America, but to the rest of America.”

MainstreamFrom 1

FROM MICHAEL MANN DIRECTOR OF HEAT, COLLATERAL AND THE INSIDER

LEGENDARY PICTURES AND UNIVERSAL PICTURES PRESENT A LEGENDARY PICTURES/FORWARD PASS PRODUCTION A MICHAEL MANN FILMCHRIS HEMSWORTH “BLACKHAT” TANG WEI VIOLA DAVIS RITCHIE COSTER HOLT MCCALLANY YORICK VAN WAGENINGEN AND WANG LEEHOM

ATTICUS ROSSHARRY GREGSON-WILLIAMSMUSICBY MICHAEL MANN p.g.a.

PRODUCEDBY THOMAS TULL p.g.a. JON JASHNI p.g.a.ALEX GARCIAERIC MCLEODEXECUTIVE

PRODUCERSWRITTEN

BY MORGAN DAVIS FOEHL DIRECTEDBY MICHAEL MANN A UNIVERSAL RELEASE

© 2014 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

STARTS FRIDAY, JANUARY 16 CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS FOR THEATERS AND SHOWTIMES

insightnews.com Insight News • January 5 - January 11, 2015January 5 - January 11, 2015 • Page 7

We often start the new year with enthusiasm and high expectations, and yet by year-end so many of our great plans are unfulfi lled. Will 2015 be another year of doing the same thing and expecting different results, or will this truly be a new year? Here’s a suggestion for

nonprofi ts who want to focus on different results: create a short-term assessment task force to review your planning processes and the people and resources available to implement your plans. Your task force should be a small, focused working group comprised of people who are committed to your organization but not currently involved in its operations. Task force members could include a major donor, past program participant, a new board member, or a local business person or faculty member. What you don’t want is a task force comprised of the executive director, development director, and board chair.

You want fresh eyes on the organization. Those who are at “arms length” can ask questions and make suggestions without the knowledge or “baggage” that comes from knowing “we tried that three years ago” or “the board would never approve that” or “we can’t afford that.” Members will look at your organization with the goal of helping you achieve your goals. Four steps for task force members. Step one. Review the organization’s strategic plan; fundraising plan; and marketing, communications and social media plan. Look at program descriptions, goals, objectives, outcomes and

impact; and fi nancial reports and fundraising reports. If the nonprofi t is an educational institution, review recruitment, enrollment, retention, and graduation reports. Look at demographics of communities served and their identifi ed and emerging needs. Step two. Create a list of questions that arise during the review. Add to the list as you contemplate the documents holistically. What’s missing? Where are the redundancies? Individual questions should be shared with fellow task force members. What are the common themes that arise? Step three. Meet individually with the executive

director or president, fundraising leadership, program directors, accountants or bookkeepers, board members, clients or students and others who you believe can provide insights and answer questions. Step four. Create a list of things for the nonprofi t to consider. These suggestions can include short and long term suggestions: all should focus on how to help the organization best deliver on its mission and vision. No more than one page. Two things for nonprofi ts to remember. First, this is a small, short-term task force so keep the group to no more than seven people, and don’t

let the process drag on: the work should be completed in a month if possible. Second, while you don’t have to adopt all or any of the suggestions you will have a new look at what you are doing and how you could be more successful. Happy New Year!

Copyright 2014 – Mel and Pearl Shaw

Mel and Pearl Shaw position nonprofi ts, colleges and universities for fundraising success. For help with your fundraising visit www.saadandshaw.com or call (901) 522-8727.

As you look back on 2014 (and more preceding years than you’d like to admit), it’s clear that you could have done a better job of managing your fi nances. Perhaps you’re thinking, “Not to worry … 2015 is the year when I’ll fi nally save more and spend less. In fact, I’ll make that one of my New Year’s resolutions.” However, if you want to rise above the 90 percent of Americans whose resolutions fail, you’ll need more than just good intentions. “As is the case with accomplishing most goals, getting on the path to fi nancial

security is easiest when you plan ahead and make a series of small, sustainable changes,” said Donna Skeels Cygan, author of “The Joy of Financial Security: The Art and Science of Becoming Happier, Managing Your Money Wisely, And Creating a Secure Financial Future.” So before the ball drops at midnight, it’s a good idea to spend a little time deciding how, exactly, you’re going to make your resolution a reality. It’s true that sitting down to tackle money issues isn’t most people’s idea of fun (especially during the holiday season), so

to help motivate you, Cygan points out that the reward for taking control of your fi nances in 2015 isn’t only monetary; you’ll also be happier when you become fi nancially responsible. Good, smart, sane money management feels great. Cygan shares some specifi c strategies to help you keep your resolution and make 2015 the year you build a more fi nancially secure future. First she suggest to focus on saving, not on budgeting. Calculate how much you are currently saving. Next, look for ways by which you can increase your saving percentage. Strive to

save 15 to 20 percent of your gross income. “Whenever you do fi nd an area in which you can cut back, redirect that money to savings. For some people, this may be as simple as not buying junk food or soda at the grocery store, or going out to eat once per week instead of four time,” said Cygan. I suggest making your savings automatic. Many people save through their 401(k) or 403(b) at work, and the money is swept into the account before it ever appears in a paycheck. This works great, and you can do the same thing with saving in a Roth IRA or a taxable

account. Set your savings up so it is automatic, occurring on the fi rst of each month or as soon as your paycheck is deposited into your checking account.” Cygan also suggest getting serious about paying down debt. “If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to eliminating debt, it’s generally a good idea to focus on debt that carries the highest interest rate, likely credit card debt,” said Cygan. “Pull out all of your credit card statements (with a balance) and make a plan. Commit to paying off a signifi cant amount each month

and mark it on your calendar. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Most families can cut expenses somewhere and put those funds toward paying down bad debt. And if your budget is already trimmed down to the essentials, consider getting a second part-time job, just a few hours a week, and putting that money toward paying down the debt quickly.” Another suggestion of Cygan is to hold a family meeting to set some long-term fi nancial goals. At the same

By Mel and Pearl Shaw

FUNdraisingGood Times

Your 2015 secret to success: An assessment taskforce

12 tips to help you take control of your fi nances

1860 Census. And one of them kept running away. To punish him, he locked him in a hot and humid cotton house. Can you imagine? When Burwell let Sandy “Sham” Boykin out the next morning, the slave grabbed a hoe out of his master’s hands before beating him to death. We found the story in a diary kept by one of Anderson’s ancestors, and then we verifi ed it in the court records which showed that, sure enough, a slave named Sandy Boykin had been hanged in 1860.

KW: Marcia Evans says please let Dr. Gates know that this show is awesome and well appreciated. I don’t want this series to ever end. There are soooooooo many stories that I want to learn about. This discovery is not just about DNA and history. It’s about family, family secrets, and the mindset of folks and their choices. For all of these reasons, I am a dedicated fan. I appreciate Professor Gates and his passion for teaching undocumented history, especially African and African-American studies. I’m a history buff which is why I’ve been following his work for years. Ask Professor Gates if he is aware of the research work of Professor/Researcher Roberta Estes and her research into accurate testing for Native American genetics?HLG: No, I’m not, Marcia. But thank you very much for the

kind words and the information. I would love to learn about what she’s doing. We’re always fascinated with Native American ancestry, and we’ve found two surprising things about our guests. First, that very few have any signifi cant amount of Native American ancestry, black or white, although Valerie Jarrett did have 5%, and we found her 6th great-grandmother, by name, and the Native American tribe that she was part of. But rarely do we fi nd an African-American with even 1% Native American ancestry.

KW: Has anybody ever tried to disagree with their DNA analysis? HLG: No, but some people were shocked, particularly African-Americans who believed they had Native American ancestry. They’re always disappointed. [Chuckles]

KW: When I was growing up, it seemed like every other kid at school used to say he was part Cherokee. HLG: The poor Cherokees. Everybody, white Americans and black Americans claimed to be part Cherokee. [LOL]

KW: Did any of your subjects ask you not to reveal something you found out about their family?HLG: No, although I’m sure a few people would like to do so, if they could. But we’re PBS. We’re independent.

KW: Editor Bobbie Dore Foster asks: Dr Gates, do you ever answer queries from everyday

people who need help with genealogical puzzles and other obstacles to fl eshing out their family trees? HLG: Yes I do, Bobbie, in two forms. At TheRoot.com, we answer a question a week for African-Americans who have a genealogical quandary. That’s co-written with the New England Genealogical Society. And at Ancestry.com, the genealogist there and I write a weekly column that’s on the Huffi ngton Post.

KW: Editor Lisa Loving says: We all just love your show. My family tree efforts have literally thrilled my entire family and made them look at themselves and each other differently – as if to appreciate all that our ancestors survived down through the ages. Did you and your family have the same experience when you started looking at your genealogy?HLG: Oh my God, yes! In fact, CeCe Moore, our genetic genealogist, noticed that I had a whole lot of matches with people named Mayle. We pursued it and, as it turns out, those people and I, on one side of my family, are descended from a white man named Wilmore Mayle who was born in England. He freed his slave Nancy in 1826, and they had children together. We convened all of his mixed-raced descendants for a family reunion in September, and we fi lmed that for the last episode of the series. And that was done purely through DNA. We don’t even know how Mayle fi ts in my family tree, but he’s defi nitely one of my ancestors.

KW: Chandra McQueen asks: What would you say carved out this path for you?HLG: The fact that when I was 9 years-old, on the day that we buried my grandfather, Edward St. Lawrence Gates, my father showed my brother and me a picture of Jane Gates, the oldest Gates we’ve ever traced, then or now. It blew my mind! She was born in 1819 and she died in 1888. I’m looking at her picture right now. She was a slave and a midwife. I was just so amazed. Between looking at my grandfather in the casket, which was very traumatic, and seeing my father cry for the fi rst time, which was also very traumatic, and trying to fi gure out how in the world someone who looked like me could have descended from someone who could have passed for white, and then fi nding out that my great-great grandmother was a slave, intrigued me. So, the next day I interviewed my parents about my family tree. And I’ve been hooked ever since. [Laughs] And that’s a true story.

KW: Chan is also curious about what surprised you the most about your own genealogy? HLG: The fact that I was 50.1% white and 48.6% black.

KW: Chan’s last question is: Do you go about gathering genealogical information about African-Americans very differently from the way you do for other ethnicities? How do you get past the obstacle of slavery?HLG: Yes, we do, because

African-Americans generally weren’t identifi ed by name in the census prior to the abolition of slavery. So, we start with the 1870 census, which is the fi rst in which blacks appear with two names. Then you go back to 1860, and see whether there were any slave owners with the same surname, since, more often than not, most emancipated slaves kept the surname of their former owners. Ironically, the key to fi nding one’s black ancestry during slavery often involves fi nding the identity of the white man or woman who owned your ancestors. That’s quite a fascinating paradox.

KW: Beatryce Nivens says: I have been tracing my genealogy for several years, and other members of my family have been doing it for a couple decades. My great-grandmother was a slave on the Thomas H. Watts farm in Chesterfi eld County, South Carolina. Her slave owner was her father. In 1977, the white side of my great-grandmother’s family gave a second-cousin of mine slave papers listing the slaves on their ancestors’ plantation, as well as their dates of birth and deaths. Unfortunately, that cousin is now deceased and his children can’t fi nd the papers. What is the best way to recreate that list? We have used the 1870 Census. Are there any other resources you would recommend for South Carolina? Chesterfi eld is a County whose courthouse and documents were burned to the ground by Sherman during his historic march across the South

towards the end of the Civil War.HLG: Beatrice, go to Ancestry.com, and type in the name of your ancestor, and it will automatically connect you to any record regarding that particular family member that’s been digitized.

KW: Why do you think tracing one’s ancestry is so emotional and transformational, even for celebrities? HLG: It’s funny, I fi lmed Donna Brazile yesterday, and Jimmy Kimmel a week ago, and both of them cried during the reveal. It is very, very emotional. I think people are deeply moved because, ultimately, it’s about ourselves. It’s about you. You are literally the sum total of your ancestors. You are a living testament to your family tree. On Thanksgiving, in the lobby of William Junius Wilson’s apartment building, I met a man who thought that people are so fascinated by the series because of the sense of rootlessness that comes with post-modernity. And one way people gain a sense of solidity is by laying a foundation. And that foundation for anyone is your family tree. Who am I? Where do I come from? You know what? I used to think only black people had what I call “genealogical amnesia.” But I found out that nobody knows more than past their great-grandparents.

KW: Thanks again for the time, brother, and have fun in South Africa. HLG: Any time, Kam. You know I love talking to you.

GatesFrom 4

The World Health Organization considers nitrites and nitrates to be probable human carcinogens; California’s Offi ce of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment is now considering a similar designation. Interestingly, some nutritious foods like spinach and other leafy vegetables contain nitrates naturally, but EWG says that “human studies on nitrate intake from vegetables have found either no association with

stomach cancer or a decreased risk.” Another troubling but nevertheless common food additive is potassium bromate, used to strengthen bread and cracker dough and help such items rise during baking. But potassium bromate is listed as a known human carcinogen by the state of California and a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Animal studies have shown that regular exposure to potassium bromate can cause a variety of tumors, is toxic to the kidneys and can even cause permanent DNA

damage. Most of the potassium bromate added to foods converts to non-carcinogenic potassium bromide during the process of baking, but small but still signifi cant unconverted amounts can remain, putting eaters everywhere at risk. EWG would like to see the U.S. government follow Canada’s and the European Union’s lead

in banning the use of potassium bromate in foods altogether. Other additives on the Dirty Dozen list include propyl parabens, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), propyl gallate, theobromine, diacetyl, phosphates and aluminum. Many artifi cial colors can also cause health issues, reports EWG, as

can thousands of “secret fl avor ingredients” that food makers add to foods without oversight in the name of protecting trade secrets. For more information on these foods and how to avoid them, check out EWG’s free “Dirty Dozen Guide” online.

CONTACT: EWG, www.ewg.org/research/ewg-s-dirty-dozen-guide-food-additives/food-

additives-linked-health-risks.

EarthTalk® is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of E - The Environmental Magazine (www.emagazine.com). Send questions to: earthtalk@emagazine.com.

FoodFrom 3

FINANCES TURN TO 8

BUSINESS

Page 8 • January 5 - January 11, 2015January 5 - January 11, 2015 • Insight News insightnews.com

time she said to consider what really, truly brings you joy and to rethink what you’re calling

“necessities.” “Often we think we need things just because everyone else seems to have them,” said Cygan. “But this is nothing more than peer pressure. There really are very few true needs. The rest are just wants. And

when we really think about what brings us joy, we usually realize we don’t want our ‘wants’ as much as we thought we did.” While “credit is king,” Cygan suggest to pay in cash whenever you can.

“Research has shown that we spend roughly 15 percent more when we pay with a credit card as opposed to using cash,” said Cygan. “If you have to reach into your wallet and count out bills in order to pay for a meal or an impulse buy

at a retail store, you might just decide that it isn’t worth the money after all. From eating at expensive restaurants to making sure our homes are decked out with fl at-screen TVs and sound systems, most of us don’t mind pulling out our wallets in the

name of enjoyment. Do some soul searching before you get out the credit cards. Cooking a meal together as a family might bring all of you more joy than piling into the car and ordering from yet another overpriced menu.”

FinancesFrom 7

(StatePoint) Unfortunately, one of the most expensive times in one’s life, is when he or she tend to be the least fi nancially savvy -- college. But good money management during those years is the best way to keep a college career on path. Parents and guardians can help their children become more fi nancially savvy. Here are a few ways college-age kids and their families can make sustainable fi nancial health resolutions in the New Year. • As tuition costs continue to rise, it’s more important than ever to understand your college funding options. Completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form is the fi rst step toward obtaining fi nancial aid. Completing and sending your FAFSA form as soon after January 1 of each year as possible can increase your chances of receiving the maximum amount of fi nancial aid you qualify for. Also, explore private loans through banks and private lenders with competitive rates that don’t require payments while you’re still in school. • Manage debt: Paying student loans on time is important. Avoid late fees and mounting interest by sticking to your repayment schedule. Even though some loan payments are deferred until college is over, the earlier you can proactively plan for this the better. Generally, if you aim to keep your loan payment to no more than 10-15 percent of your anticipated post-college income, you should be able to maintain a realistic repayment timeline, according to Wells Fargo, which provides discounts such as automatic payment enrollment and relationship discounts for students or cosigners who already

have a student loan or qualifying consumer checking account with Wells Fargo. • Establish a budget. Whether your child is working and making their own spending money, or living on an allowance you provide, help them take better control of that money so they

don’t create unplanned debt later on. Online tools, such as Wells Fargo’s Cash Flow Worksheet, can help students document what they are spending. If there are extra funds at the end of the month, parents can encourage students to boost savings to cover future college expenses, spring

break vacation with friends, and life after school. • Good credit is a must-have for most major life purchases. Students can start to build a credit foundation while still in school. Consider a card with a low-introductory rate that offers cash back on gas, grocery, and

drug store credit purchases to free up more money for other necessities like textbooks and emergency situations. Encourage your student to actively monitor the account by signing up for mobile banking alerts. More resources for smart money management for college

students and their families are available at blogs.WellsFargo.com/StudentLoanDown/. A higher education and a fi nancial education can go hand in hand. Help your child make smart fi nancial decisions amidst the newfound freedom of college life.

PERSONAL FINANCE

Help college-age children resolve to manage their fi nances

StatePoint

EDUCATION

insightnews.com Insight News • January 5 - January 11, 2015January 5 - January 11, 2015 • Page 9

COMMUNITY

Classifi eds Phone: 612.588.1313 Fax: 612.588.2031 Email: info@insightnews.com

About that Car: 2015 Scion FR-SDETROIT – Scion suffers from a malady that has affected a number of brands that are the smaller offshoots of major automotive powerhouses. As the designated youth brand of Toyota it is not clear whether Scion has established an independent presence in the market even though it has some top notch products. 2015 Scion FR-S side Scion’s halo car is the FR-S. On sale for a couple of years, the 2+2 coupe has not done what it was intended to do; generate aspirational intent for the brand. That was apparent during our week-long test drive. A lot of people asked what the car was; a tribute to its slick styling, but nobody knew that the FR-S was a Scion. That’s the quandary of the Scion FR-S. It is a great car but it is a low volume vehicle. So how big of a marketing budget does Scion allocate to boost its presence in the market? While Scion ponders that question, the driving public is not all that aware of a contemporary traditional sports car that is right under its collective noses. Scion has been on sale since the 2013 model year. Although it is a 2+2 coupe, the car is a really a two-seat sports car. There’s not enough space for small children in the back seats, although there are latches for child seats. The rear seats are buckets but the back of the seat is a bench. It will fold down creating a decent sized

cargo space. We don’t think anybody is going to pay much attention the back seats. The story of the 2015 Scion FR-S is under its long bonnet or hood. The car had a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder boxer (fl at) engine that made 200 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. It was mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. A six-speed manual gear box is available.

2015 Scion FR-S interior Our 2015 FR-S with its automatic gear box was rated at 25 mpg in the city, 34 mpg on the highway and 28 mpg combined. One quibble about the powertrain is that maximum torque could be reached at a lower RPM rather than the listed 6,400 RPMs. That would provide even more oomph. But don’t get it twisted; though lacking the brutishness of cars with far more horsepower and

torque, the 2015 Scion FR-S was quick and nimble. The car was a throwback to heralded sports cars; mostly British, it was lightweight and agile. Our FR-S weighed a little more than 2,800 lbs. and for this model year its handling had been enhanced. It had a more rigid front suspension, retuned rear shock absorbers and improved damping. Scion said that the changes resulted in less body

roll and they did. Taking curves, mostly expressway entrances and exits, aggressively, the FR-S stayed fl at with no tire squeal. There were no dips at the corners. On fl at surfaces the car rode smooth, and the driver felt only the most pronounced bumps in the road. We’re not a fan of paddle shifters or automatic manual transmissions. But with what Scion called dynamic rev management technology, the

setup on the FR-S was smooth fl owing, easy to initiate and it conveyed that the driver had more control of the car. The FR-S had a low center of gravity, a long hood and short rump. It had an aggressive front bumper and angular headlights. The rear dual baffl ed exhausts were larger and they were more fl ushed with the rear bumper. The rear fascia was low and wide while the tail lights were sharply angled. The car had a distinctive style that was menacing and it looked fast.2015 Scion FR-S rear With a no-nonsense interior, the FR-S was about driving. It had deep bucket seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a large gear shift knob and a large center mounted tachometer. We monitored our speed with a digital readout that supplemented the analogue gauge. Our interior was black, upholstered and it featured red accent stitching and aluminum pedals and scuff plates. There were creature comforts. The test vehicle had a touch screen, Bluetooth, audio streaming connectivity, an HD radio and auxiliary and USB jacks. There were voice controls as well as a navigation system. The premium audio system featured 300 watts and eight speakers. This is going to sound like one of those late night commercials but you get all this for less than $30,000. That’s right; the base price of our 2015 Scion FR-S was $25,800. Add options and a $755 freight charge and total came to $29,742. That’s not bad for a true sports car.

By Frank S. Washington

2015 Scion FR-S

RENTALSTapestry Management, LLC has various sized apartments/townhomes for rent in the following locations: St. Paul, Golden Valley, Mankato, Red Wing, N. St. Paul, Rochester, Plymouth, Jordan, Winona, Olivia, and Redwood Falls. Rental as-sistance is available to qualifi ed applicants in all locations. Please contact the appropriate location for availability and additional information.Birmingham Townhomes – St. Paul952-854-8800Calvary Center Apartments – Golden Valley 763-546-4988Colonial Square Apartments – Mankato507-345-1321Cooperidge Apartments – Red Wing651-388-1500Franklyn Park Apartments – N. St. Paul651-770-1504Innsbruck Townhomes – Rochester 507-289-1319Mission Oaks Townhomes – Plymouth763-559-5770Newbridge Apartments – Rochester507-282-8284Northgate Community Housing – Rochester507-289-1319Oakridge Apartments – Rochester507-281-1031Schule Haus – Jordan952-492-2084Wapasa Apartments – Winona507-429-9261Westcourt Apartments – Olivia 320-523-2101Westfalls Townhomes – Redwood Falls507-641-5933

West Falls EstatesInternational Falls, MN. 56649

Rent based on 30%

Of adjusted income Call Patricia Brown At 218-283-4967

TDD 800-627-3529

Vacancies Cokato Apts, Cokato, MN (a seniors complex 62 or over or handicapped) has vacancies on 2nd Floor for one BR apts. Waiting list open. Contact Don at 320-286-2758. E-Mail cokapts@embarqmail.com

XXXXX

XX

XXX

XXXXXXXX

XX

X

XX

X

Pro Se Law Clerk - PTThe U.S. District Court, District of MN is accepting applications for a part-time Pro Se Law Clerk (20hrs/week). This position will be located in St. Paul. Salary range is $30,718 - $67,255. For complete job description, visit the court’s website www.mnd.uscourts.gov, Employment.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Executive Assistant to the ChiefU.S. Probation and Pretrial Services, District of MN, is accepting applications for a full-time Executive Assistant to the Chief for the Minneapolis Offi ce. Salary range is $44,713 – $72,727. For a complete job description please visit our website, http://www.mnd.uscourts.gov , Career Opportunities. EOE

4-H Program CoordinatorUniversity of Minnesota Extension is recruiting for a 100% time 4-H Program Coordinator position in Hennepin County. Essential qualifi cations: Bachelor’s degree required. Must have four (4) years of experience in a direct youth development organization (as a member, volunteer, leader, paid staff member, or some combination). Access to reliable transportation for job-related travel. Ability to work evenings and weekends.

APPLY ONLINERequisition number: 195761To apply online and to access the complete job description, go to:e m p l o y m e n t . u m n . e d u / a p p l i c a n t s /Central?quickFind=126353

Initial application review January 7, 2015; position will remain open until fi lled.

The U of M is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

Diallo, Sean Bell, Rekia Boyd, James Byrd Jr., Aiyana Jones, Trayvon Martin, Renisha McBride, Yazmin Shancez, Tiffany Edwards, Jordan Davis, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, John Crawford, Akai Gurley… The list is excruciating. Every 28hours. 21 times more likely. We can’t breathe.Like so many others who have taken to the streets, shown up and spoken out in solidarity, we at ChangeLab are grateful for the fertile political space that Black Lives Matter has created. As Vijay Prashad reminds us, Black Lives Matter “is more than a hashtag. It is a fi rst principle. It contradicts the Crime Bills, the Welfare Reforms, the Wars on Drugs and Terror. It suggests that Life is more important than the confi dence of capital markets.” Black Lives Matter, as a tactic and a fi rst principle, is fueling a movement for all of us to get free. This summer we offered Model Minority Mutiny as a meme to inspire Asian Americans to stand up, speak out, and take action against the anti-Black logic of model minority politics. We hoped it would spark more conversations about anti-Black racism in Asian American communities. We hoped it would

help lead to concrete political commitments and strategies, to transform U.S. political, economic, and cultural systems to value humanity over capital accumulation and war. We hoped it inspire more Asian Americans to dig deep and ask, “What must we do now?” We are inspired by and indebted to the grassroots organizations and networks courageously organizing on the ground in Asian American communities, without which the work required by this moment would not be possible: in particular, Chinese Progressive Association/Seeding Change, Southeast Freedom Network, CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities, DRUM – Desis Rising Up and Moving, and many others. Just as Black Lives Matter is a call to center all Black lives, Model Minority Mutiny is a call not only to those of us with class, skin-color, or gender privilege to examine our complicity in the system. It is an opening to acknowledge the marginalization of those Asian Americans who are most vulnerable to state violence – refugees of war; those targeted by state surveillance and profi ling; those trapped in low-wage jobs and the informal economy; those who are incarcerated and formerly incarcerated; those who are undocumented; those who are trans, disabled, queer, cis-

women, dark-skinned, Sikh, or Muslim. It is an invitation for Asian Americans to unite across difference for the long-term work to dismantle the apparatuses of state violence. We live in a time when rightwing ideas of race and nation have gained such popularity that a majority of whites believe that they are the primary targets of racism. Many Americans think we’re “past race” or “post-racial”. The color line has divided how the nation views reality. And many of the racial justice radicals of past movements who could have helped us navigate the pitfalls of post-racialism have been locked in cages, assassinated, or forced into exile. Ethnic studies has been decimated, or largely de-politicized and distanced from its intent to serve the people. All of this, along with the model minority myth and demographic change, pulled the Asian American movement off its course. Too many of us became unfamiliar with the original principles of Asian American politics. We need new space to arm ourselves with the knowledge and tools to build authentic relationships as we also strategically shift power. Black Lives Matter has opened up that space. This is an exciting time. This is an insurgent time. A growing legion of Asian American voices are demanding change, not to

lift ourselves up at the expense of others, but to link arms with others to take up the long and unfi nished project of Black liberation. Our own freedom and humanity depend on this. More of us are screaming, “Black lives matter!” “This Stops Today!” and “Shut it down!” as we also regroup to plot the long, diffi cult and necessary work of growing this movement in our communities. What does Model Minority Mutiny mean in concrete terms? What political commitments does it require of us? Asian American organizers and young people in every region of the country are hungry to answer these questions, to organize their communities to stand on the insurgent side of the color line. Tomorrow there is a national call on Black & Asian solidarity, where hundreds of Asian Americans will start to answer these questions. The response has been overwhelming, to the point that the call is full, but you can listen to the recorded version afterward. And you can hold these conversations in your own organizations and communities. We are grateful to DRUM in New York for offering several questions to consider. Below is a revised version of them. We invite you to share your thoughts and insights, and what comes out of the conversations you’re having, in the comments section below.

What are we learning in this moment?As we struggle against our own oppression as Asian Americans, in what ways are we perpetuating white supremacy and anti-Black racism? How can we fi ght for our people, while also fi ghting anti-Black racism within our own communities? Many Asian Americans are engaged in the immigrant rights movement. But what does it mean to push for citizenship or legalization when it doesn’t guarantee any value to Black lives? How does work on immigration policy reinforce ideas of criminality, of deserving v. undeserving communities? How can we reframe that work to also support demands for Black liberation? How are our demands, messages, and efforts for justice excluding people in our own communities, by seeing some as deserving and others as undeserving? How can we hold those in our own communities who do harm accountable without supporting systems of mass incarceration? We know that Black communities as a whole bear the brunt of state violence. In our own communities, are there those whose struggles we marginalize because of patriarchy, classism, heterosexism, transphobia, Islamophobia, and colorism? How can we change that? Are there connections

between the legacy of chattel slavery in America and the super-exploitation of certain workers today? What goals do they both serve? What are the differences? How do we hold elected offi cials accountable when they promote the deeply racist policies of Broken Windows policing and gentrifi cation? How do we build real political power to transform the system? To what extent can abuses and injustices of policing and courts be reformed, and to what extent do we need to build towards deeper systemic changes? What would those deeper changes demand of us? Are our expressions of solidarity refl ected deep in our communities, or just at the grasstops leadership? How much time and effort are we spending building power with community members who are not yet organized, especially those who bear the brunt of state violence in our communities? The current momentum and energy is historic, but this kind of mobilizing is not sustainable long-term. How can we shift, recruit and train the people on the streets from mobilizing into sustained organizing? What specifi c contributions can Asian Americans make to the project of Black liberation? Why is Black-Asian solidarity a strategic necessity? What can we accomplish together?

MutinyFrom 1

Page 10 • January 5 - January 11, 2015January 5 - January 11, 2015 • Insight News insightnews.com

Ramsey Lewis and Philip Bailey on stage together at the Dakota

With confi dence I can stand behind the statement that Minnesota has some of the best hip-hop artists in the world. From our Grammy winning super producers such as Rahki (Kendrick Lamar, Eminem) to the scores of b-boys and girls crisscrossing the globe competing in breakdance battles, to world class DJs in both radio and the club (Mashwell Brothas, King Otto, Smoke-Dee, Willie Shu) and more we are full of talent. Th e list of talent goes on for

days and cannot be contained in this small amount of space. Despite having some of the best hip-hop on the planet, few voices are given the platform that accurately represents the entirety of the music scene. Th e “5 for” series will celebrate artists that have a lot promise in the upcoming year.

Kaleem the DreamWhile still a student in high school, Kaleem the Dream has a rapidly increasing buzz. His recent single, “Hunger

for Life,” which contains a heavy sample from Sade, has racked up a massive 8,000-plus listens on Soundcloud in the few months since its release. On 89.3 Th e Current’s “Critics’ Picks” edition Kaleem was selected as an “Artist to Watch” in 2015. Kaleem has MCing running through his blood. Th e son of Nick “Mastermind” Muhammad, Dream has grown up around music all of his life. Raised on healthy diet of Black culture, Kaleem weaves a wise perspective through his outstanding

wordplay. You can listen to Kaleem the Dream’s music online at www.soundcloud.com/kaleemthedream.

Sweetz PAmber “Sweetz P” Hill was born in Chicago but relocated to Minnesota. What would you expect when you combine the speed and grit of the Windy City with the cold and independent mindset of the Gopher State? You’d expect bars … lyrical bars. In 2013 Sweetz P emerged

out of nowhere with the smash hit “Impressive” featuring Gary, Indiana’s Freddie Gibbs. Th e video has racked up an impressive 105,000-plus views so far. Her recently released album, “Life Behind Barrrs,” which includes the lead single of the same title was selected for MTV rotation. Top secret tracks with the likes of 2 Chainz and Rick Ross has Sweetz on the road to putting the trademark Liferrrs out on a global scale. Download #LIfeBehind Barrrs with DJ Burn One at www.soundcloud.com/sweetzp/sets/lifebehindbarrrs.

That Guy SodaMinnesota has been passive-aggressively searching for an MC with hard rhymes and mainstream appeal. Unapologetically representing his Brooklyn Park roots, Th at Guy Soda represents the next generation of MCs hailing from all points on the map. Oft en downplayed because of its location, Brooklyn Park is home to many gentrifi ed (Minneapolis) Northsiders and a large African community. Th at environment bred a very

Th ree time Grammy Award winning jazz pianist, Ramsey Lewis, has teamed with legendary Earth, Wind and Fire singer, Philip Bailey for four shows at the Dakota Jazz Club. Th e two, along with Lewis’ band will perform two shows nightly (7 p.m. and 9 p.m.) on Wednesday, Jan. 7 and Th ursday, Jan. 8 at the Dakota, 1010 Nicollet Mall, downtown Minneapolis. Tickets are on sale at www.dakotacooks.com or by calling the box-offi ce at (612) 332-5299. Tickets range from $36 to $70. Lewis has recorded more than 80 albums, seven of which were certifi ed gold. His singles, “Th e In Crowd”, “Hang On Sloopy” and “Wade in the Water” all sold more than one million copies each. Bailey, who is a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for his work with Earth, Wind and Fire, is the voice

behind such timeless classics as “Reasons,” “September,” “Devotion” and “Fantasy.” As

an artist away from Earth, Wind & Fire, Bailey found success with the 1985 pop hit,

“Easy Lover,” a duet with Phil Collins. Lewis is no stranger to the

Dakota stage, with his most recent performance with singer Dee Dee Bridgewater

in June of 2013. Th at run of performances garnered audience and critical praise. With these upcoming shows, Bailey will be singing several Earth, Wind & Fire song, done with the “Lewis Touch” off ering a more jazzy tone. He will also take on songs from his work outside of the legendary band, as Bailey has also released both jazz and gospel projects. Th e Minneapolis shows are a string of dates the two have teamed up for throughout the country. Ramsey Lewis Electric Band w/ special guest Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind & Fire

Dakota Jazz Club1010 Nicollet Mall, downtown MinneapolisWednesday Jan. 7, Th ursday Jan. 87 p.m. and 9 p.m.$36.00 - $70.00www.dakotacooks.com(612) 332-5299

By Toki Wright Twitter - @mrwrighttc

Empire X

Kaleem

Nazeem

Sweetz P

ThatGuySoda

5 TURN TO 12

Minnesota hip-hop’s top 5 new prospects

5 for ’15

Courtesy of The Dakota Jazz Club

Ramsey Lewis

insightnews.com Insight News • January 5 - January 11, 2015January 5 - January 11, 2015 • Page 11

Monday, Jan. 5 FILM/CLASS

NDY: Film for Social Change Intermedia Arts 2822 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis 4 p.m.Free

Th e multidiscipline multicultural arts center, Intermedia Arts is having an intensive seven-month fi lmmaking program for youth in grades 7-12. Program attendees will learn about how to use cameras, storyboarding, lighting and more.

Contact info@IntermediaArts.org for more information or visit www.intermediaarts.org.

Tuesday, Jan. 6

ECLECTIC/PERFORMANCE

Coloring TimeIcehouse 2528 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis 21-plus10 p.m.No cover

With a cast that includes Joe Horton of No Bird Sing, Kristoff Krane and a who’s who of musicians, Coloring Time has become a staple event in the Twin Cities. Once a month the players get together to play fully improvised sets of music.

Wednesday, Jan. 7CONCERT/JAZZ/R&B

Ramsey Lewis Electric Band with special guest Philip Bailey of Earth Wind and Fire

Dakota Jazz Club1010 Nicollet Mall, downtown MinneapolisJan. 7 and Jan. 87 p.m. and 9 p.m.$35 - $70

Legendary jazz pianist, Ramsey Lewis, is joined by former Earth Wind and Fire lead singer, Philip Bailey for a unique and intimate experience at the Dakota Jazz Club. A three time Grammy Award winner and with seven gold albums, Ramsey Lewis is enough to see on his own, but add Philip Bailey with jazzed up versions of “Reasons” and “September” and it all adds up to something truly magical.

HIP-HOP/TALK SHOW

Storytelling with Big Zach – guest FreezHoney205 E. Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis

6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Known for his in-depth storytelling skills, author and MC, Big Zach has started a new interview series. Big Zach will be doing a live one-on-one interview with DeShawn “Freez” Richard of the Minneapolis rap trio, Illuminous 3. Freez has been an elite MC since he was a teenager, and is now preparing to release his new solo album, “Freez’s Frozen French Fries.” Music is provided by DJ Francisco.

CONCERT/ELECTRONIC

sloslylove, Sayth and Wealthy RelativeFirst Ave & 7th Street Entry701 First Ave. N., Minneapolis18-plus 7:30 p.m.$5

Feng Meng Vue, the electronic

artist who releases music as sloslylove, just put out “Tendencies,” a ten-track tape and digital album that carries a level of polish that is nearly unmatched among local, short-run releases.

Thursday, Jan. 8OPEN MIC

Th e Vibin’ Collective Open Mic Returns 7th Street Tavern2401 7th St. W., Saint Paul 9 p.m.

Aft er a long hiatus the Vibin Collective Open Mic returns to the Twin Cities. Aiming to bring back the vibe of Java Noire and the Midway Applebee’s, the collective will hold open mics every Th ursday

starting Jan. 8. Vibin’ is hosted by Mr. Hayes

Friday, Jan. 9AFRO-CUBAN/PERFORMANCE

MalamanyaCedar Cultural Center 416 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis $10 – $12

One of the best live acts in the Twin Cities returns to the Cedar Cultural Center for a special performance. Malamanya blends Cuban son, salsa, samba and more. Alma Andina also appears on the bill.

Saturday, Jan. 10HIP-HOP/PERFORMANCE

Sean Anonymous Birthday ShowHGA Gallery Rapson Hall – University of Minnesota 701 1st Ave. N., Minneapolis8 p.m.$8 advance, $12 door

Chicago’s Psalm One and Phillip Morris join DJ Name, Mike Mictlan and Commanders Handsome for Sean Anonymous’ annual birthday bash.

Sunday, Jan. 11 WORLD/PERFORMANCE

Dobet GnahoréOrdway Center for the Performing Arts 345 Washington St., St. Paul7:30 p.m.$20

Côte d’Ivoire born singer Dobet Gnahoré is widely considered one of contemporary African music’s most charismatic talents. Fast paced rhythms and traditional garments accent this live concert.

Retracing the road to justice!Ava DuVernay is a writer, producer, director and distributor of independent fi lm. Winner of the Best Director Award at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, Ava was honored with the 2013 John Cassavetes Independent Spirit Award and the Tribeca Film Institute 2013 Affi nity Award for her second feature fi lm, “Middle of Nowhere.” She made her directorial debut with the critically-acclaimed 2008 hip hop documentary, “Th is is Th e Life.” A couple years later, she wrote, produced and directed her fi rst narrative feature, “I Will Follow,” starring Salli Richardson-Whitfi eld. Prior to directing, Ava founded DVA Media + Marketing in 1999, and worked as a fi lm publicist for over a dozen years. Her award-winning fi rm provided strategy and execution for more than 120 fi lm and television campaigns for such industry icons as Steven Spielberg, Clint Eastwood and Michael Mann. Th e UCLA grad is the founder of AFFRM, the African-American Film Festival Releasing Movement. And she is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, as well as the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, as well as a board member of both Film Independent and the Sundance Institute. Here, she talks about her new fi lm, “Selma,” which has been nominated for four Golden Globes, including Best Director.

Kam Williams: Hey, Ava, long time-no speak.

Ava DuVernay: It sure has been awhile, Kam. How are you?

KW: I’m great. How about you? Congrats on the Golden Globe nominations, and with the Oscars just over the horizon! AD: I don’t know about that, but it’s been a nice ride so far.

KW: I was surprised to see you in “Life Itself,” the documentary about Roger Ebert, and to learn that an encouraging encounter with him as an adolescent had been such a big infl uence on your life. AD: He was such a champion of underrepresented fi lmmakers. He was a very big deal to me. It shows the power of critics. People who write about fi lm, like you, can really aff ect the confi dence of a young fi lmmaker. He did that for me, so it was such a pleasure to have an opportunity to talk about Roger in the movie.

KW: Editor/Legist Patricia Turnier asks: Why was it important for you to bring this story about ‘Selma” to the big screen?  AD: Because there’s never been a fi lm with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the center released in theaters. Ever! One does not exist. You’ve only seen tele-fi lms and stage plays about him. Yet, we have big screens biopics about all kinds of people. So, I think it’s only right that there be a full-length feature about Dr. King. I don’t think there could be enough of them, but there should be at least one. So, here it is!

KW: Patricia also says: Th e contributions of many black women to the movement, including Coretta Scott King,

haven’t been credited enough. Will the audience learn more about this aspect of history in your picture?  In other words, did you bring your perspective as a black female to directing “Selma?”AD: Yes, Patricia, it was vital to me to include woman characters, and Coretta Scott King [played by Carmen Ejogo] is a prominent one. Th ere’s a full arc where she’s painted, and you get to see

behind the veil of her quiet dignity. Another character is Amelia Boynton [played by Lorraine Toussaint], a freedom-fi ghter who’s still alive and 104 years-old. She’s the woman who invited Dr. King to Selma. Oprah Winfrey plays Annie Lee Cooper, a woman who tried to register to vote fi ve times, but was rejected and humiliated every time, and had a very infamous tussle with the local sheriff in

Selma that landed on President Johnson’s desk through the newspaper accounts. Richie Jean Jackson [played by Niecy Nash] and Diane Nash [played by Tessa Th ompson] are also in the fi lm. Th ere are a lot of sisters there who contributed to the fabric of the Civil Rights Movement.

KW: Lastly, Patricia says: Th e interview you did in the past with Kam Williams was

translated into Spanish on my trilingual webmag.  Will “Selma” be available in movie theaters in French and/or Spanish? I have a friend, a beautiful sister who is deaf and mute, who would like to see Selma. Will it be shown in theaters with special glasses so the deaf can watch it with subtitles?AD: Yes, the fi lm will be subtitled in some French and Spanish-speaking countries around the world, but I don’t know whether it will be subtitled for the deaf.

KW: Environmental activist Grace Sinden says: Congratulations on the Golden Globes nomination for directing “Selma.” I cannot wait to see it. We know that it is diffi cult for women to move up in many fi elds but this issue has recently received much focus, especially in terms of Hollywood directors. What advice do you have for women trying to break the glass ceiling?  Can you share your thoughts on this issue? Was it any more diffi cult for you personally?AD: Ignore the glass ceiling and do your work. If you’re focusing on the glass ceiling, focusing on what you don’t have, focusing on the limitations, then you will be limited. My way was to work, make my short… make my documentary… make my small fi lms… use my own money… raise money myself… and stay shooting and focused on each project.

KW: Editor Lisa Loving says there have been thousands of people marching in cities all across the country since the Missouri police offi cer who

Aesthetically It! is a list of picks from the editors of Aesthetically Speaking. Aesthetically It! features venues, events, outings and more that are worthy of “It” status. If you have a venue, event or outing that you feel is “It” worthy, email us at aestheticallyit@insightnews.com

Jan. 5 - 11Dobet Gnahore

Malamanya

Mr. Hayes

Creative Commons

Ava DuVernay

DUVERNAYTURN TO 12

By Kam WIlliams

Page 12 • January 5 - January 11, 2015January 5 - January 11, 2015 • Insight News insightnews.com

killed Michael Brown was not charged in his death. In our town, Portland, we see a whole new generation of community leaders stepping forward, right now. As you made this fi lm did you have any idea it would be released at a time in history when thousands and thousands of young black people would again be marching in the streets for civil rights?AD: I had no idea. It’s very poignant and it moves me beyond words that this fi lm that we’ve made, that this piece of art would be released in such a robust way during this cultural moment rife with energy for change, with people taking to the streets, the power of the people being heard, and their voices being amplifi ed. It’s an honor to have something that speaks to that right now. It certainly wasn’t anything that we knew was going to happen. But I fi nd it thrilling that people are standing up, and I’m hopeful that it will really move the needle this time around. And it’s a little eerie that some of the events in our fi lm are so similar to some of the things you’re actually seeing on cable news today.

KW: Lisa also says: I feel that many people – people of all kinds – really do not know what Dr. King did in leading street protests against racist laws even as the FBI, at the highest levels, was breaking privacy laws and even laws of basic human decency to stop him. Do you think learning that about the FBI might

surprise people?AD: If you don’t know your history, I think you’ll be surprised to learn it. But it’s very prominent in the public records that there had been this counterintelligence program called COINTELPRO, for short that during the Fift ies and Sixties placed leaders of progressive movements in the United States under surveillance. It was created by FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, and was signed off on by every president in offi ce during those decades. It’s disturbing… it certainly served to dismantle a lot of the progressive movements that existed back then. If you don’t know about it, it’s in the fi lm, and you can Google it and learn more about it.

KW: Sangeetha Subramanian says: Th ere are so many lessons to take away from this fi lm and story. Is there one lesson you would like to hear discussed more that may not be getting enough attention?AD: No, I think the fi lm is getting plenty of attention right now. I’m just excited about January 9th when the fi lm will be opening everywhere, and people in the real heart of the country will be able to see it. Th at’s the day I’m really hopeful about. Th at’s the day I’ll be on Twitter wanting to listen to what people have to say about the picture, good or bad, as they come out of the theater.

KW: Cinema Professor Mia Mask asks: Will you come to Vassar? We’d like you to be a guest of the fi lm department as a visiting artist. We’ve asked you in the past, but your shooting schedule prevented it. 

AD: Th anks for the invite, Mia. You’d have to put the request in to the offi ce. But I’m pretty booked up right now.

KW: David Roth asks: Did you have any hesitation about casting British actors in the iconic roles of Coretta Scott King and Dr. Martin Luther King? AD: Not at all, I just wanted to cast the best actor for the job and, without a doubt, David Oyelowo and Carmen Ejogo are transformative in these roles. And I knew that they would be. David was the fi rst black man to play a King of England on the stage of the Royal Shakespeare Th eater. His chops, his acting abilities are exceptional. He gave all of himself to the part, so I hope people will come check it out.

KW: Children’s book author Irene Smalls asks: How will you judge the success of “Selma,” and what movie would you like to make next, if you could do anything you wanted?AD: I will judge the success, not on any awards or on the box-offi ce, but on how people feel and what they say aft er seeing it. Th at’s what really matters to me. Th e fi lm has something to say, and in a very specifi c way, about freedom and dignity in this country, and about some of the great leaders who worked hard and lost their lives in the pursuit of justice.

KW: Well, I loved the fi lm, Ava, and all the best during awards season. AD: Th ank you, Kam. I’m so glad I got to talk to you, and I look forward to talking to you again.

DuVernayFrom 11

promising prospect for 2015. In the vein of fl y rap like Wiz Khalifa, Th at Guy Soda is the defi nition of cool. Th at Guy Soda is a strong manifestation of the independent hustle. No

stranger to social media, Soda has amassed respectable 21,900 Twitter followers (for those who don’t understand the scale of that number most Minnesota MCs selling out rooms in town have half that number). Soda has hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube. He’s released three mixtapes on DatPiff and his

most recent project, “Brooklyn Park LP” has pulled thousands of views on Soundcloud. Download “Brooklyn Park LP” at www.soundcloud.com/here4soda/sets/brooklyn-park-lp.

NazeemWitty, intelligent and raw are the fi rst three words that come

to mind when trying to describe the next pick. Releasing his fi rst EP, “Th e Coliseum” in 2012, Southside Minneapolis MC Nazeem has been making a name for himself in the Twin Cities and beyond. He has a standout verse on “Children of the Corn” from the new classic independent hip-hop release by Muja Messiah (also his father), the LP, “God Kissed It the Devil Missed It.” Nazeem also has a feature on Atmosphere’s “Southsider’s Remix.” Nazeem has been pushing forward with a promising future in music. He took the stage in Austin for the SXSW MN Hip-Hop Showcase in March. He was also featured on Sound Verite’s “New Space”

project this past July. Check out his track “If I Die Tonight” at www.soundcloud.com/blackjon66/nazeem-if-i-die-tonite.

Empire XTh e Northside of Minneapolis may have birthed one of the most promising groups in Minnesota for 2015. Uniquely diff erent members, Broderick “B-Rod” Williams, Koo Keem, Macky Dave, L.A. Slick and Shaq Daddy quietly released the “Empire X” mixtape in February on DatPiff .  Empire X’s sound is everything but quiet.  Th e music is blaring with synths and horns, against a backdrop of triplet hi-hats

and snares.   Th ere’s not a lot of information available online but the crew has been making a name for itself in the streets with high energy performances at venues such as Ras Lounge.  Th ough the new mixtape features some found industry beats, MC/producer Williams has been teaching production for years with Freedom School.  As far as emceeing goes, hearing Koo Keem rhyme will leave listeners with their jaws dropped. Defi nitely check them out this year. Download the Empire X mixtape at www.datpiff .com/Empire-X-Empire-X-mixtape.579792.

5From 10

MOTOWN the Musical: A time capsule through song

“Motown the Musical,” the story behind the hits of Motown was fl ashy and it sizzled. Th e exhilarating, glitzy, dazzling, gritty musical extravaganza recently completed its run at the classic Orpheum Th eatre. Th ough the cast and story centers on mostly all Black fi gures, there was no color line among the diverse theater goers, further showing the story and music of Motown is the story of America, not just Black America. Th e audience consisted of a mixture of cross generational baby boomers, millenniums, singles, couples and families with their younger children. Just like Motown, it felt like a family in the theater. Th e two and a half hour show consisting of two acts, 18 scenes and 60 musical numbers that had the audience dancing in their seats for most of the show. Th e 30-plus member cast, majority of them African-American, lit up the stage with their dynamic performances. Th ese amazing, gift ed singers – most of them accomplished Broadway performers – personifi ed the pop-chart immortals they played mesmerizing the audience with the near prefect portrayal of the iconic entertainers.

Among those they imitated were the Four Tops, Temptations, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Martha and the Vandellas and Mary Wells. A young Michael Jackson stole the show the minute he

came out spinning in his fringed jacket and signature hat. Th e Jackson Five, Diana Ross and the Supremes were also featured, with emphasis on the love story between Berry Gordy and Diana Ross and the creating of “Diva” Ross the movie star. Highlights of the show

included Ross’ character going into the audience, as she did in Las Vegas, drawing the audience into her act. Her gorgeous, elaborately designed costumes glittered, becoming prisms bouncing off the lights and illuminating the theater walls Th e performers strolled,

twisted, did the jerk baby and mashed potatoed their way through our psyche. Th e audience left the theater feeling good, humming familiar tunes. Aware of the irony of how the turbulent times of the 1960s and 1970s were, it was the music of Motown that helped

bridge a cultu ral divide. Maybe now was the perfect time for “Motown the Musical” to help bridge today’s cultural divide as music transcends color lines, cultural lines and generational lines, creating community and celebrating humanity.

By Carmen RoblesAssociate EditorAfrodescendientes

MOTOWN THE MUSICAL First National Tour (C) Joan Marcus, 2014

Reed L Shannon as Michael Jackson (center) with the Jackson 5.