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"Through My Eyes: The Minneapolis Story Continues" All Column Archives & Column Archives by Year: Blog Archives | Solution Papers | Order the Book Will Obama's mandate for change energize the '09 City elections? Or will the same old, tired White faces reappear once again? November 19, 2008 "Through My Eyes, the Minneapolis Story Continues..." A bi-monthly column by Ron Edwards featured in the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder Change: It was Barack Obama's national campaign theme. Change: President-elect Obama's theme needs to be applied to Minneapolis in 2009. We need to continue the theme of this new era: change. It is for this reason that, as the euphoria of a great political victory in the presidential campaign of 2008 begins to subside, we here in Minneapolis need to turn our attention to the city elections of 2009, in which all council offices and the office of the mayor, as well as other offices, will be contested. And what a grand contest it will be. We are not alone in recognizing the need for change in Minneapolis. Many Democratic officeholders in Minnesota and Minneapolis embraced President-elect Obama's theme of "a time for change." We all agree this is a healthy, visionary slogan. We all recognize and believe that change should also be applied at the local level. It's time for Minneapolis Democrats to walk the talk. Time to change. The battle lines are being drawn between Mayor R.T. Rybak and members of the council over the City budget. A week and a half ago, the Star Tribune reported that the City's pension fund investment portfolio is in trouble due to the effect of the economic downturn. Time for a change. The City's bond rating is also in trouble -- time for change. Council members such as Paul Ostrow, DFL, First Ward, are discussing the mayor's inability to address an anticipated $10 million shortfall in the City budget. It is clear that change in the form of fresh new blood and ideas is in order. Leadership under the Rybak/Johnson administration has grown stagnant, lacking imagination and a vision for how the City should be riding the political coattails generated by Barack Obama's landslide victory. Time for a change. The Obama juggernaut has hit the ground running. By contrast, the lethargic City government of Minneapolis has ground to a stop. If we were equating this to a basketball game, the City hasn't run a political fast break in years. Their lack of innovation to keep a great city moving shows they have outlived their time. Again: time for a change. Rumors are circulating that some incumbents have already decided to move on. This should open the door to change, for fresh new faces, and that presents a challenge to the Democratic Party. Are they prepared to embrace the strategy of President-elect Barack Obama and reach out to young and diverse new political office-seekers? That would be change. We sense they are not, as the Democratic Party has not shown the capacity to get in step with the national platform and agenda. The party resists raising up and running leaders of color. That needs to change; In February and March 2009, the caucuses and the convention will take place. Will they offer the same old, tired voices and present the same old, tired White faces that do not represent the political rainbow of diversity that was the cornerstone of the successful effort of President-elect Barack Obama? The city has problems -- public safety, race relations, crime, drugs, education, housing -- when it should be known for its quality of life. Too many politicians are trying to suppress the energetic, diverse, and newly emerging political force that turned out in record numbers to send Barack Obama over the top in Minnesota and Minneapolis. That is the change needed in Minneapolis. We know that these observations are not looked upon with a lot of affection. But, when people have turned their backs on the need for meaningful and productive change, time has passed to care about their dislike of seeing their continued failures pointed out. We in this column will watch with interest the pitched battle that will take place within the city council over the mayor's proposed budget and his lack of an innovative strategy. Will they change? As we move into '09, how will the City handle the lawsuits that raise the questions of public safety and crime? This council, with the exception of Ralph Remington, gave their unequivocal support to the current police chief. It is past time when they can continue to massage the numbers for political reasons and ignore the reality of terror and violence on the streets of Minneapolis. At some point, the citizens, who are the victims regardless of race, creed or color, will know someone is trying to sell them a bill of goods. The election of 2009 represents an opportunity to eliminate a tired political machine and to bring fresh and innovative ideas of government to city hall. That is the change that is needed in Minneapolis. President-elect Obama has proved this can be done. Minneapolis must now do the same. Stay tuned. Ron hosts "Black Focus" on Channel 17, MTN-TV, Sundays, 5-6 pm. Formerly head of key civil rights organizations, including the Minneapolis Civil Rights Commission and The Urban League, he continues his "watchdog" role for Minneapolis. Order his books at www.BeaconOnTheHill.com . Elsewhere on this site , you can also hear his readings and read his solution papers and web log.
OBAMA With the flame rekindled, let us renew the fight for inclusion November 12, 2008 "Through My Eyes, the Minneapolis Story Continues..." A bi-monthly column by Ron Edwards featured in the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder Change: It was Barack Obama's national campaign theme. Change: President-elect Obama's theme needs to be applied to Minneapolis in 2009. We need to continue the theme of this new era: change. It is for this reason that, as the euphoria of a great political victory in the presidential campaign of 2008 begins to subside, we here in Minneapolis need to turn our attention to the city elections of 2009, in which all council offices and the office of the mayor, as well as other offices, will be contested. And what a grand contest it will be. We are not alone in recognizing the need for change in Minneapolis. Many Democratic officeholders in Minnesota and Minneapolis embraced President-elect Obama's theme of "a time for change." We all agree this is a healthy, visionary slogan. We all recognize and believe that change should also be applied at the local level. It's time for Minneapolis Democrats to walk the talk. Time to change. The battle lines are being drawn between Mayor R.T. Rybak and members of the council over the City budget. A week and a half ago, the Star Tribune reported that the City's pension fund investment portfolio is in trouble due to the effect of the economic downturn. Time for a change. The City's bond rating is also in trouble -- time for change. Council members such as Paul Ostrow, DFL, First Ward, are discussing the mayor's inability to address an anticipated $10 million shortfall in the City budget. It is clear that change in the form of fresh new blood and ideas is in order. Leadership under the Rybak/Johnson administration has grown stagnant, lacking imagination and a vision for how the City should be riding the political coattails generated by Barack Obama's landslide victory. Time for a change. The Obama juggernaut has hit the ground running. By contrast, the lethargic City government of Minneapolis has ground to a stop. If we were equating this to a basketball game, the City hasn't run a political fast break in years. Their lack of innovation to keep a great city moving shows they have outlived their time. Again: time for a change. Rumors are circulating that some incumbents have already decided to move on. This should open the door to change, for fresh new faces, and that presents a challenge to the Democratic Party. Are they prepared to embrace the strategy of President-elect Barack Obama and reach out to young and diverse new political office-seekers? That would be change. We sense they are not, as the Democratic Party has not shown the capacity to get in step with the national platform and agenda. The party resists raising up and running leaders of color. That needs to change; In February and March 2009, the caucuses and the convention will take place. Will they offer the same old, tired voices and present the same old, tired White faces that do not represent the political rainbow of diversity that was the cornerstone of the successful effort of President-elect Barack Obama? The city has problems -- public safety, race relations, crime, drugs, education, housing -- when it should be known for its quality of life. Too many politicians are trying to suppress the energetic, diverse, and newly emerging political force that turned out in record numbers to send Barack Obama over the top in Minnesota and Minneapolis. That is the change needed in Minneapolis. We know that these observations are not looked upon with a lot of affection. But, when people have turned their backs on the need for meaningful and productive change, time has passed to care about their dislike of seeing their continued failures pointed out. We in this column will watch with interest the pitched battle that will take place within the city council over the mayor's proposed budget and his lack of an innovative strategy. Will they change? As we move into '09, how will the City handle the lawsuits that raise the questions of public safety and crime? This council, with the exception of Ralph Remington, gave their unequivocal support to the current police chief. It is past time when they can continue to massage the numbers for political reasons and ignore the reality of terror and violence on the streets of Minneapolis. At some point, the citizens, who are the victims regardless of race, creed or color, will know someone is trying to sell them a bill of goods. The election of 2009 represents an opportunity to eliminate a tired political machine and to bring fresh and innovative ideas of government to city hall. That is the change that is needed in Minneapolis. President-elect Obama has proved this can be done. Minneapolis must now do the same. Stay tuned. Ron hosts "Black Focus" on Channel 17, MTN-TV, Sundays, 5-6 pm. Formerly head of key civil rights organizations, including the Minneapolis Civil Rights Commission and The Urban League, he continues his "watchdog" role for Minneapolis. Order his books at www.BeaconOnTheHill.com . Elsewhere on this site , you can also hear his readings and read his solution papers and web log.
America and the world, and no doubt history, will recognize 9:00 pm on November 4, 2008, as the great, historic resetting of our nation's moral compass, the beginning of the great track to bring about the meaningful and sincere inclusion of all citizens in this great nation of ours. And on the 20th of January 2009, as he takes the oath of office as America's 44th president, that moral compass will begin to be put into play. In an election night conversation with my 88-year-old mother, I had to admit to her that I did not think that I would ever live to see this historic event in my lifetime. As millions of us in this nation and millions more around the globe watched his victory speech, we were overcome with emotion. I will never apologize for those emotions, for the felt pride and appreciation of the efforts of those who came before us and who fought the battle that opened doors for us, who knocked down the barricades, who prepared the way for this momentous occasion to take place. The tears I felt were tears of both happiness and remembrance in this city. I remember the publisher and the founder of this newspaper, Cecil Newman. I remember Nellie Stone Johnson, the embodiment of political history in Minnesota. And I also remember Dr. Frank Alsop, Dr. Thomas Johnson and Dolly Spencer. We all remember names too numerous to list, names that enshrine the honor roll of those who marched to battle and enabled our movement to prevail, as they before us, us now, and those after us form a link in the great chain of being that brought us to where we are this day. As I watched president-elect Obama deliver his victory speech in Grant Park in Chicago, I found names and events, joy and success, pain and anger flashing across my eyes and through my mind. I was reminded of the price paid by both Black and White America to enable this great event, this unprecedented election to occur. Now, Black Americans and others can and will move down the road of change to shape our nation in order to realize the dream that so many have held for so long of inclusion, of equal access and equal opportunity, of fairness and justice, of equality under color of law, consistent with the shaping and crafting of the Constitution and Bill of Rights of this republic. President-elect Barack Obama laid out once again his vision, his shared dream of an America in which all of the above can, shall and must be embraced. We know the challenge will not be easy. Old obstacles and barricades must be overcome just as must any new ones that might develop. President-elect Obama has rekindled a flame, has provided a spark, and has initiated a vision that Americans took to the polls November 4, 2008, in an unprecedented outpouring not seen since the emergence of Camelot and John F. Kennedy in 1960. So many, young and old, Black and White, of all persuasions and nationalities, expressed a renewed confidence that brings us back to the original vision that positive change can happen. To sustain this confidence, president-elect Obama must quickly develop and execute a plan. It is imperative that he and his administration hit the ground running. The mistakes of President Bill Clinton's start must serve as a historic example for president-elect Obama's team of the importance of having a plan ready to activate. He needs to position and reinforce the confidence not only of the 62 million who voted for his presidency, but also the 55 million who still have doubts and questions. It is clear that this young, dynamic junior senator from Illinois brings these qualities to Pennsylvania Avenue and to the White House. But more importantly, we feel that he brings these qualities to the legacy and to the history that will judge his presidency and his success and, by extension, the renewed success of this nation. It is kind of like the saying, "...so help us God," for these are critical times, demanding times, and we feel that the president-elect brings all of the qualities to continue to encourage our support and our enthusiasm for his presidency and for this administration and for this great nation. God bless America. Ron hosts "Black Focus" on Channel 17, MTN-TV, Sundays, 5-6 pm. Formerly head of key civil rights organizations, including the Minneapolis Civil Rights Commission and The Urban League, he continues his "watchdog" role for Minneapolis. Order his books at www.BeaconOnTheHill.com. Elsewhere on this site, you can also hear his readings and read his solution papers and web log. The shredding of 'Operation Payback' November 5, 2008 Efforts are underway to destroy all evidence of this plan targeting Black MPD officers "Through My Eyes, the Minneapolis Story Continues..." A bi-monthly column by Ron Edwards featured in the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder In the middle of 2007, rumors swirled around Minneapolis City Hall that an investigation was taking place in the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD), causing speculation about who was on a hit list. Despite strong suspicions that Black officers were targeted by their own administration, there was no "smoking gun," no actionable proof. Then came the Michael Keefe story last summer (see our columns of Aug and Sept 2007 and Jan 2008 ) and the recounting of signs of significant racial tensions in the MPD ( see Why Blacks are not allowed to command: The bleaching of the Minneapolis Police Department ) As 2007 came to a close, speculation heightened that something big was about to break. Then, when high-ranking Black officers were removed in early 2008, following two African American officers being suspended in April 2007, it became clear that Black officers were being targeted. But, as in the tradition of a good spy novel, no one was totally sure what this operation was called. In late summer 2008, the Star Tribune and other media heard about the operation and were promised information. Then, at the last minute, they were told that, for security reasons, all key information would be blacked out (see below, October 8, 2008 Is The Strib Only Interested In Black Corruption? Why Did It Drop Its MPD Investigation When White Officers Were Implicated?) Truth won't stay suppressed for long, however. The name of the operation surfaced around the third week in September 2008: Operation Payback. Ever since, unbeknownst to the general public, a battle royal rages over requests to access information on Operation Payback, with special emphasis on issues of overtime, comments written on overtime documents, verifying the name, the actual beginning date of Operation Payback, and what additional Black officers have been targeted and will be targeted. The attempts to cover the tracks of this operation have become a total disaster for both the executive and legislative sides of City Hall. Then two smoking canons appeared. The first was a memo sent October 27, 2008, from the City Attorney's Office to all departments of the MPD, directing that all documentation and records regarding Operation Payback, including emails, faxes, and any other transmissions, be delivered to one central handling point in the City Attorney's Office. This was the first step, as we have written before [COLUMN], in the redacting, purging, and actual destruction of information. This raises serious questions as to whether the appropriate evidence can be acquired and examined by Lt. Michael Keefe, Officer Mike Roberts, and the Mill City Five . [See related columns on the MPD here .] The second smoking canon was an October 28 email sent to select City department heads directing that all information, documentation, investigative reports on racial discrimination, allegations of discrimination, studies and actions taken or not taken be collected and delivered to one central clearinghouse. To observers, the intent of the emails of October 27th and 28 th , 2008, is clear: the immediate and absolute destruction of all information and evidence of Operation Payback (an operation that appears to have commenced in 2006). When the question is raised of who will stop this terrorizing activity, our response is that we don't think anyone in City government will do so. In other words, in plain sight, not hidden, hangs a great shadow of shame over the city, hung there by the mayor's office and by the city council, as well as by the MPD. Our observation is that it is so out of control, yet so effective in being out of control, that thousands of pages of evidence could be lost. Always remember that just because documents get shredded, destroyed and lost doesn't mean they didn't exist. If this opportunity is not to be lost, the attorneys for the Mill City 5, Officer Michael Roberts, Lt. Michael Keefe and Lt. Arthur Knight must act quickly to sue for the information for their individual cases. It is as simple as the "Crystal Night" of November 9-10, 1938, when no one moved to stop that night's destruction. For those who don't understand or remember, refresh yourself by reviewing Nazi Germany in the 1930s. Stayed tuned and stay safe. Obama shows his savvy The Obama TV special of October 29 was top of the line. Thirty minutes. Prime time. On four national networks. Obama looked presidential. Sounded presidential. His background set looked like the oval office. He showed America that he had such huge support that he had the $4 million to deliver his message on national TV. Powerful stuff. The young senator from Illinois knows how to play the game. He knows how to get his message across. The results will be interesting. And historic. Our next two columns will look back to examine Barack Obama's extraordinary 2008 race to the White House. Ron hosts "Black Focus" on Channel 17, MTN-TV, Sundays, 5-6 pm. Formerly head of key civil rights organizations, including the Minneapolis Civil Rights Commission and The Urban League, he continues his "watchdog" role for Minneapolis. Order his books at www.BeaconOnTheHill.com . You can also hear his readings and read his solution papers and " web log " at www.TheMinneapolisStory.com .
The victims change, but MPD's script remains the same This past summer, Lt. Arthur Knight, an African American in the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD), began to think about applying for some of the more sensitive MPD investigative positions. Lt. Knight is one of those officers the Police Community Relations Council (PCRC) has been tracking, watching his career develop as opportunities for advanced educational opportunities present themselves. He could be assigned to the FBI Academy in Washington, D.C., or to the Southern Police Leadership Academy in Louisville, KY, or to our good friend Chuck Wexler's Senior Management Institute for Police in Boston, MA. When Sgt. Art Knight was appointed lieutenant in late winter of 2008, it looked like such career opportunities would open up for him. Rumors that he was on a hit list suggest otherwise. We are told that there is no basis in reality for these negatives and to stop attempts to stir up problems and create hard feelings. Nonetheless, even if the City isn't interested in reality, we are. We will speak up. On October 23, 2008, Lt. Knight was summoned to be interrogated by Internal Affairs, reminding us that the beat goes on in the continuing purge of African American officers to eliminate as many Blacks from the department as possible. Why will no one else speak up? The allegations against Lt. Knight were almost identical, almost word for word, to those leveled at Lt. Michael Keefe in the summer of 2007 ( see our five MSR columns of August and September 2007 ). And, it was the Violent Offenders Task Force (VOTF) unit again, using their same old script. As with Lt. Keefe, Lt. Knight is accused of looking at police information about the VOTF unit, which scares the VOTF. Why? Same as with the false accusations of Lt. Keefe: They say they fear for their lives. This is code for saying Lt. Knight is going to provide this information to Black street gangs, endangering the VOTF unit (which has little history of diversity and is one of the sources of this whole purge mentality). How this investigation will play out only the devil knows. Note the recycling of the same claimed scenario: bad Black officers, and in one case a decorated white lieutenant who stood up against racism in VOTF, accused of giving sensitive information to some of the most dangerous street gangs in America. To retaliate, the latest information is a rumor being circulated that VOTF (which has become like a mini-CIA inside the MPD) is working on a very sensitive internal investigation that will expose significant corruption and criminal activity involving a significant number of Black police officers in the MPD. This scenario is coming from well-placed sources inside the MPD. How many more times will they work this scenario? Although it will be proven false, they have accomplished their character assassination. Who will speak up against them? This is coming on the heels of the Giovanni Veliz case (see the Strib , 10-23-08, " Jury rejects Minneapolis sergeant's claim of retaliation ") that concluded there was no discrimination or retaliation (not unexpected, as it was an all-White jury with an Hispanic defendant whose White lawyer didn't raise the race issue). It is obvious from the Strib piece that the police officials lied. The Strib won't stand up and say so. Who will? The new word on the street is that the City is emboldened to take a hard line against any challenge to their policy of MPD racial cleansing. Some say that was what the roll of the dice was about this past summer when the City reneged on a $2 million settlement of a suit by five Black officers. It appears their long shot won, renewing their commitment to purging African American officers. Who will speak up? We are reminded of a poem by a German pastor, Martin Niemoller: "In Germany, they came first for the Communists, Be sure to vote When we read things like Congresswoman Michelle Bachman ( Strib , 10-23-08, " GOP fundraising committee pulls plug on Bachmann ") suggesting that Obama and many members of Congress may be anti-American, we recognize the code for Blacks and the Congressional Black Caucus. Whether you agree or disagree, we all owe it to each other to vote. See you at the polls. Ron hosts "Black Focus" on Channel 17, MTN-TV, Sundays, 5-6 pm. Formerly head of key civil rights organizations, including the Minneapolis Civil Rights Commission and The Urban League, he continues his "watchdog" role for Minneapolis. Order his books at www.BeaconOnTheHill.com. You can also hear his readings and read his solution papers and "web log" at www.TheMinneapolisStory.com. In the matter of Sgt. Giovanni Veliz October 22, 2008, Column #37 On Friday, October 15, 2008, the Civil Rights trial involving Sgt. Giovanni Veliz began in the Federal Court. As the Star Tribune article, Police officer, department go to court over discrimination , on October 15, 2008, states, Sgt. Giovanni Veliz is truly a man of courage. He understood the dangers and the consequences of not remaining silent and protecting himself for advancement. Instead, he filed his suit in 2005 and has continued to stand his ground as a champion and advocate for the Hispanic community. This son of Equador choose integrity and honor, and joined his five African American colleagues known as the Mill City 5, in challenging the unfair Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) system that endorses "legal racism." We do not know how the jury will find, but we do know that facts in testimony will shed light, even as you read this column, on one of the darkest chapters in the history of Minneapolis and its MPD. At one time, Sgt. Veliz served in the office of Mediation Compliance under the respected and beloved Lt. Medaria Arrodondo . The city has found both of these men, one Hispanic and one African American, to represent too much integrity and too much commitment to their communities and to the proposition of justice. To city officials with a Plantation mentality, such men make them feel very uncomfortable and very uneasy. The only thing worse to them than toppling the status quo of racial discrimination is to establish a new status quo of merit and equality of opportunity. When minorities get uppity, Plantation minds think in terms of punishing and "sending a message" to any who would fight their status quo of discrimination. Thus, some City Council members thought Lt. Arrodondo needed to be taken to the bureaucratic woodshed and taught a lesson. So the city reneged on its $2 million settlement offer with the Mill City 5. Ironically enough, in the matter of Sgt. Valiz, of whom the court strongly suggested the city reach a settlement, the response, again, of some city council members, is that Sgt. Valiz also needed to be taken to the bureaucratic woodshed and punished for the error of his ways. What were those errors? Very simple: Sgt Valiz confronted and challenged the status quo existence of racism within the MPD and Minneapolis City government. Given the court's reaction, we are sure that testimony during the course of this trial will show that at least two high ranking Minneapolis Police officers perjured themselves in depositions. And to show the corruption of their thinking and intellectual dishonesty, the City council offers shameless disregard for the tax payer, their attitude being that if the City loses, as they have no personal money at risk, the liability burden "merely" passes on to the tax payers. Sound familiar? Think of recent headlines, of big banks, big lending institutions, the congress of the United states, etc., saying "so what?" and taking care of the sins of their buddies at the cost of hurting main street and tax payers. Because of the city's actions, we concur with those that hold that this trial is healthy for the pursuit of justice. It may not be healthy for the careers and reputations of some high ranking MPD white personnel, but hey: nothing personal. That's just the nature of the beast. Many agree that Sgt. Valiz at one time had a bright future in the MPD, as he worked to bridge the differences, the suspicions, and the mistrust between the Hispanic Latino community and the MPD. But for the plantation minded, doing the right thing is not on their agenda other than to exercise their "right" to punish, humiliate, and make life miserable for those that pull the covers off of their discrimination, even if it means sacrificing the good done by Sgt. Valiz to develop better understanding between the Hispanic community and the City. This "they need to be taught a lesson" response is similar to what is being said in the matter of the African American officers known as the Mill City Five:. The more they can make the African American Police officers miserable, the better these city officials will feel. This mentality and thinking are not only sick, they endanger public safety. But as we have said before, there comes a time in the life of a society when taking on toxic things is healthy, as how else but to expose the wrongs but also begin a righting of those wrongs, and calling for the MPD to get back to caring for all the citizens. Hence, in the matters of Sgt. Giovanni Veliz, Officer Mike Roberts, and at the trial in October of next year of the Mill City 5, these are healthy events. Hopefully it will have healthy consequences on the elections of 2009, when voters get the opportunity to show that there are consequences for those who feel that minorities don't have a right to a full franchise. Good luck Sgt Veliz. Good luck Officer Roberts. Good luck Mill City 5. Stay tuned. Ron hosts "Black Focus" on Channel 17, MTN-TV, Sundays, 5-6 pm. Formerly head of key civil rights organizations, including the Minneapolis Civil Rights Commission and The Urban League, he continues his "watchdog" role for Minneapolis. Order his books at www.BeaconOnTheHill.com. You can also hear his readings and read his solution papers and "web log" at www.TheMinneapolisStory.com. Race will be a factor in this election October 15, 2008, Column #37 Over the last 10 days, reporters from major newspapers from New York ( New York Times ), Pennsylvania ( Pittsburgh Post Dispatch ), Ohio ( Columbus Dispatch ) and Florida ( St. Petersburg Times ) have reported the role of race in the presidential election for 2008, reporting some "will not vote for a Black man." But it's not just not words -- it's also actions. American journalists covering the Sarah Palin campaign last week in Florida actually found themselves coming under verbal and some physical attacks, especially after a speech by the sheriff of Clearwater County, Florida. While in uniform, the sheriff referred to Senator Barach Obama as "Osama bid Laden Obama" and berated Black journalists and other citizens of color with racial epithets. The mainstream media spent most of Tuesday and Wednesday last week attempting to defuse this very unpleasant situation by indicating that both sides were involved in this kind of conduct. CNN anchor Rick Sanchez spent an inordinate amount of time dismissing the incident as nothing more than the frustration of a segment of voters. In this corner, we reject that. That is the same argument used by apologists for the mayhem carried out by the Ku Klux Klan and other White folks upset by the demands of the Negro population for full inclusion and full franchise after World War I. Now, 86 years later, CNN, Fox and others are using the same rationale, same logic, same excuses to justify misconduct and threats to the civil order and safety of the nation. It is these incidents that should be of greatest concern, as objectively, it is not the order of the day for deciding between the candidacy of a White man and a Black man. We like to think that in 2008 we have traveled so far and so fast, and with mutual respect one for the other, that such thoughts do not govern our actions and conduct. It is sobering to read what New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof reports from researchers of "racism without racists." They say most overt racists wouldn't vote for a Democrat anyway. And although the good news is that that conscious prejudice as measured in surveys has declined over time, unconscious discrimination -- aversive racism (racist acts by people who don't believe they are racist) -- has stayed fairly constant. They report that Obama's support "would be about six percentage points higher if he were White." We still hope and pray, as we have said before in this column, that on November 4, at the conclusion of the day, the American voter will be objective and honest in the casting of their vote in determining the future of this nation. But as an African American, you have to have an uneasy feeling that it's "business as usual" and wonder how much we as a nation have matured to embrace the real intent of the framers of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. One reporter noted, however, that some swing voters who have "concerns about voting for a Black man" say, "But you know what? We need a change, and so I'm leaning toward Obama." Will this be the time the racists don't win? An "investment" for the future? As we approach November 4, there is eerie silence about a $480 million commitment over eight years that the voters of the City of Minneapolis are being asked to embrace by the Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS). This referendum, also pushed by Special School District Number 1, only talks in press releases about $60 million, "forgetting" to note that it is $60 million per year for eight years. That's $480 million, not just $60 million. The rationale for why we voters should support this $480 million are outrageous and disingenuous. As test scores for African American students in the Minneapolis schools remain dismal despite the similar referendum rhetoric of 1996, 2000 and 2004, what has changed that would now improve test scores and guarantee greater success for African American students? When they say this money will enable them to "make every child college-ready by 2012," while offering "transparency, accountability, sustainability and responsibility," I wonder what collapsed bridge they are also offering for sale. The only consistency: more money, more failures. So who, really, is this money for? We continue to wait for a comprehensive and detailed explanation of how these promises will be met as opposed to more of the same, getting more money to achieve the same dismal results. We are also hearing interesting rumors suggesting that some are perilously close to being inconsistent with the laws of the State of Minnesota regarding how taxpayer dollars are used to promote campaigns to raise taxes. Hopefully what we are hearing is not correct. We await the kind of explanation and guarantees that the African American community is not being sold another bill of goods, and we will report our findings next week. The future of all children is too important to continue this business as usual, that being the failure of the school systems to educate children of color. Stay tuned. Ron hosts "Black Focus" on Channel 17, MTN-TV, Sundays, 5-6 pm. Formerly head of key civil rights organizations, including the Minneapolis Civil Rights Commission and The Urban League, he continues his "watchdog" role for Minneapolis. Order his books at www.BeaconOnTheHill.com. You can also hear his readings and read his solution papers and "web log" at www.TheMinneapolisStory.com. Is The Strib Only Interested In Black Corruption? October 8, 2008, Column #37 "Through My Eyes, the Minneapolis Story Continues..." A bi-monthly column by Ron Edwards featured in the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder About seven months ago, the Minneapolis Star Tribune let it be known that it was initiating an investigative report on corruption in the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD). Many believed the story would not be about the MPD as a whole, but only about Black police officers, using as a start the April 17, 2008, suspensions of Lt. Lee Edwards and Officer Michael Roberts. With the indictment of Officer Roberts on July 14, 2008, the Strib apparently felt comfortable with the information it has been fed by sources inside the MPD indicating that the entire iceberg of corruption of Black police officers was about to be exposed. The Strib waited over two months for the crucial information needed to expose the amount of overtime expended by the VOTF (Violent Offenders Task Force) unit at the heart of its investigation of so-called Black police corruption. Then, during the week of September 22, 2008, according to reliable sources, the Strib was told the information would be unavailable. (Why were they waiting to be told what they could or could not print instead of investigating on their own?) This plan to destroy the image of African American police officers, first crafted in late 2006, was fully engaged by February 2007. But then a peculiar thing happened during the week of September 22, 2008, when the identification of the operation against Black police officers was finally revealed: "Operation Payback." It turns out that the evidence instead identified the operation and the names of White police officers involved in putting a Black face on White corruption. During Tuesday and Wednesday of the week of September 22, an official of the police department and an assistant city attorney, according to reliable sources, went to great lengths to recover and purge overtime slips that went as far back as December 2006 and the apparent initiation date of Operation Payback. The names purged were those of the White police officers. Sources now indicate that on the morning of Thursday, September 25, a deputy chief of police and an assistant city attorney promised to provide all information pertaining to overtime records, as well as comments made within those records that confirmed the existence of Operation Payback. Unfortunately, they subsequently reneged on that commitment, indicating on October 1 that the information (overtime paperwork, names of officers, etc.) was determined to be sensitive. It was redacted (blackened out, censored). For whatever reason, the Strib refuses to contest this decision, reinforcing the suspicion that once it was determined that there was no Black police corruption, only White corruption, the investigation lost its probative value to the newspaper. Thus does the elaborate conspiracy against African American officers continue to advance, with the only significant opposition being the Black officers and this paper, the Minnesota Spokesman Recorder . The purging of the evidence raises serious questions with respect to the violation of the rules of the federal court with respect to discovery, and the position of the federal court that there can be no destruction or tampering of evidence to which both sides have a right to equal access. On October 1, 2008, they tried to destroy that doctrine of equal access. The opportunity for a fair trial for Officer Roberts and the five Black officers and their lawsuit of December 3, 2007, would be lost forever if not for the reporting of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder . Once again, the City tries to keep justice blinded, severely injuring the African American community. Stay tuned. Fuse lit for Robyn Robinson? Are the rumors true that Robyn Robinson is being forced out at Channel 9? This interesting rumor regarding the very popular and longtime anchor for Channel 9, KMSP, has swept across the Twin Cities market. Robyn Robertson has been a bright star and certainly an inspiration to African Americans in the Twin Cities community and beyond, particularly to African American females seeing someone break through the television industry glass ceiling for news and primetime anchors. Of the dynamic African American female anchors at Channels 5, 9, and 11, Robyn Robinson had been the most successful and respected. We are told that ad agency folks snicker on the cocktail circuit about Channel 9's fall and winter schedule promotions for the 6, 9 and 10 pm broadcasts. None feature Ms. Robinson, as she will not only be out of her anchor chair but out of Channel 9 altogether. Maybe we are being premature. We hope there is a strategy to keep this 10-year veteran newscaster. If not, it would truly be a sad and dark day for the African American community. We would not only lose a true legend and giant of the industry; we would also lose a professional who did not forget nor ignore her ties to the community. Let us hope that we are wrong. It is a bad time for this at this time in history. See " Silence by the Star Tribune about discrimination ," a list of columns appearing in this newspaper dealing with discrimination covered up or ignored by the Star Tribune, including blog entries, a list presented to the Grand Jury and posted in July as Solutions Paper #30. October 1, 2008, Column #36, $700 billion bailout -- or stickup? “Through My Eyes, the Minneapolis Story Continues...” Over the last 10 days, President George W. Bush, Treasury Secretary Paulson, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, and the host of politicians in Congress have commanded primetime media coverage. Fortunately, they do not have long-term command of the economic future of this nation. Main Street and the voters will be heard as well. As you listen to the politicians of both parties and their friends in big business and corporate America who contribute so significantly to their political campaigns, you'd think the president and others had just returned from Mars. In fact, they almost speak in tongues as if they did nothing and had no role, no hand, in this national disaster. They leave us with the impression that investment banks folding, commercial banks teetering, and the world economy shuddering all happened on their own. They say we heroes on Main Street America will do the patriotic thing: Suck it up, tighten our belts, and put our future and the future of our children on hold as we provide this $700 billion bailout as heroic taxpayers. Last Wednesday, in his address to the nation, the president spelled out to the American people how they could beat the financial doomsday device with a $700 billion bailout. They say the government may make money on it. If not, it will be seen as the equivalent of backing a Brinks armored car up to the back door of the Federal Reserve and just shoveling in $700 billion of America's hard-earned equity. The president, Congress, and economic "experts" feign innocence and surprise at the magnitude of this economic disaster, even those who identified it some years ago. $700 billion and rising, my friends, is a significant hit to Main Street's economy. But, we know that elected politicians on both sides of the aisle are the corrupt, indispensable enemies who invented this in the first place. Let's not forget the S&L bailout of the late 1980s, nor the Long Term Capital Management emergency bailout of 1998. Like Pavlov's dogs, Wall Street (and some Main Street bankers) came to believe that high risk would have no negative consequences and their poor management, poor choices, hidden agendas and stupidity would be rescued by government bailouts. The great investor Warren Buffet has said that first comes innovation (new financial instruments), then imitation (more financial instruments than the system can handle), and then idiocy (more risk leading to financial collapse). Just as justices and senior judges rely too much on young law clerks, so too do too many corporate executives rely on analysis by young MBAs with computer skills to manipulate "projections" of profit. We the people must now take a close look at the system and demand that computers be used to provide transparency (enabling us to look up what is going on as easily as looking up any other information). What we don't need is the idiocy of commentators like Rush Limbaugh, who, on September 24, blamed poor people for creating this problem, saying they had not earned the right to participate in the American dream of home ownership. Of course, in the process, he also suggested that Barack Obama had not earned the right to run for the presidency of the United States. We know Limbaugh is playing the race card. But this is beyond race. He is typical of the elites (whether liberal or conservative) who think they are of a higher and better class. Poor people didn't create these financial instruments. Poor people did not broker mortgages. Poor people didn't write down higher income numbers sent to the underwriters. Poor people were not the underwriters. This is where some on Main Street also dropped the ball, thinking all they had to do was follow the Wall Street casinos. None of Wall Street's casino operators are poor people. Yes, there must be accountability. Yes, there must be consequences for the fat cats no matter who they are, Republicans or Democrats, who have betrayed the trust of the American people and been loyal only to themselves. Fat cats cannot be allowed to walk away from this disaster they created to enhance and increase their personal wealth through outrageous compensation, bonuses, and other benefits. We in our local communities cannot allow this. It is not only unacceptable, it is immoral. Federal and state legislators must determine which parts were illegal and prosecute accordingly. The legacy of this nation requires and demands an accounting and consequences for one of the greatest stickups in the history of this republic. The rich who rewarded themselves cannot be allowed to say they were "not in the room" or close to those who made the decisions that will have a severe and devastating impact on those they would blame, the poor. They gambled with our joint future. It is time to be patriots about the economy and make it safe for everyone. Ron hosts "Black Focus" on Channel 17, MTN-TV, Sundays, 5-6 pm. Formerly head of key civil rights organizations, including the Minneapolis Civil Rights Commission and The Urban League, he continues his "watchdog" role for Minneapolis. Order his books at www.BeaconOnTheHill.com. You can also hear his readings and read his solution papers and "web log" at www.TheMinneapolisStory.com. September 24, 2008 Column #36: Is an exit plan for MPD chief in place? “Through My Eyes, the Minneapolis Story Continues...” 2009 will be an election year for municipal offices in Minneapolis. Normally, people are drained and nonchalant about elections the year after a presidential election. But, there is an undercurrent in Minneapolis that will make the '09 elections a career-changer. As with all undercurrents, much is negative. Incumbents wonder if they will be able to hold on or lose traction for their ambition for re-election or for higher elective office. All will have to deal with certain facts, one of which will be like the multi-headed monster in Greek mythology that grows back every head that gets cut off, and that will hang around some necks like an albatross or millstone. We are, of course, talking about an issue that will be central to Minneapolis: the fate of Police Chief Tim Dolan and how his fate will impact the fate of others. So, we were not surprised to learn that the rumor mill is already discussing various scenarios. Twelve council members, almost two years ago, voted to appoint Tim Dolan as MPD (Minneapolis Police Department) chief. Only Ralph Remington (DFL-10th Ward) resisted the tidal wave. Back then, there was a lot of criticism of the freshman council member for doing so. That was then. This is now. Councilman Remington now stands as the correct one. After numerous lawsuits, high-profile incidents, and what could be a disastrous performance report in connection with the Republican National Convention, people are not only saying its time for a change, but are wondering what shape that change will take. The 12 now seek to soften the blow about their judgment of what should have been something good that became so wrong. Chief Dolan still has support in city hall and in the Minneapolis Police Department, but there are not as many supporters as there were in 2006. The whispers continue as to how to save face, how to soften the landing — in other words, a golden parachute for the chief and a job well done for the 12, so that all sides look as if they are being the best they can be (just as the heads of failed financial institutions are awarded with bonuses when they leave). Over the past several months, rumors have ranged from the chief leading other departments to becoming the chief in Bloomington (although the latter rumor is complicated by the rumor that Assistant Chief Gerlicher may be offered the Bloomington chief position). Another rumor has the chief being offered a position at St. Thomas, with big corporate support as well as financial support from other St. Thomas supporters. The St. Thomas deal would have the chief completing his advanced degree and accepting an academic appointment, probably in the area of criminal justice, or the creation of a special chair in a related department. This move would elevate the chief as one with an outstanding intellectual approach to policing, requiring him to write and reflect on his perceived great achievements to burnish his own personal legacy as well as that of the 12. In their minds, that's a winner that would soften the landing and allow the 12 who voted for Dolan to save face, although as many as four or five of those votes will not be standing for re-election. The 12 and the chief want positive legacies, as does the mayor, who has high political ambitions, like becoming governor. Other scenarios call for the current assistant chief, herself unsuccessful in applying for the job of chief of the Brooklyn Park Police Department, to also be able to save face by becoming MPD chief and, of course, make history in the process as the first female chief. She would join the 2008 historic election with Sarah Palin on the Republican ticket, Barack Obama on the Democratic ticket, and the Minneapolis glass ceiling in the police department broken by its first female chief. What better liberal credentials for a city that failed in its attempt to appoint a female fire chief? What better way to continue and enhance the city's perceived legacy of being liberal and progressive? And yet, what about the albatross of the chief still hanging around their necks before a soft-landing change can be arranged? The September 18 Star Tribune (Question about pre-RNC raid raises hackles) illustrates this albatross idea as it reports the confrontation between Chief Dolan and Council Member Cam Gordon (Green Party, Second Ward). Gordon questioned Chief Dolan's attempts to stroke the city council by suggesting there were no concerns or complaints about the performance of the department during the Republican National convention and, specifically, the confrontation outside the Target Center on Wednesday, September 3. It will be interesting to see what the chief's report to the council will look like in mid-October about this well-known controversy. That multi-headed albatross intrudes: demotion of Black officers, manipulation of personnel files, and lawsuits by Black and Hispanic officers that will cost the city millions. Stay tuned. For greater detail on this subject, read the July 14, 2008, list of over 60 columns appearing in this newspaper that deal with the history of discrimination and its cover-up in the MPD presented to the Grand Jury and posted as Solutions Paper #31, Ending the City's and MPD's COVER-UP OF DISCRIMINATION will help to end the Discrimination in the Minneapolis Police Department). Posted September 24, 2008 3:15 a.m. September 17, 2008 Column #35: What did we get wrong? A response to some readers' concerns “Through My Eyes, the Minneapolis Story Continues...”
We welcome the two responses to two recent colums, one a commentary from the vice chair of the all-volunteer, unpaid members of the Civil Rights Commission ("Civil Rights Commission may not be perfect, but we try") and one a letter from the chair of the Minnesota DFL Party ("Edwards' critique of state DFL delegation wrong on several counts").
About my new book: A Seat for Everyone We are all part of a great country that still has what Lincoln called "unfinished business," about which Martin Luther King, Jr. said we can no longer wait to have it completed. Thanks to all who have offered congratulations and asked questions. You can order the book on my publisher's website, www.beacononthehill.com. It is subtitled "The Freedom Guide that Explores a Vision for America." The sad part is that this is a book that should have been written by the NAACP, the Urban League, the leadership forum, or the ministers association. They have remained silent. Worse: acquiescent silence. The Urban League tossed Nellie Stone Johnson and me out a while back, and five years ago the NAACP national expelled me for writing my first book. So much for the First Amendment. I will not be silent. I will not lie down. Sadly, our once young and energetic civil rights leaders have atrophied and become keepers of the status quo they once fought against. They have brought the Civil Rights Movement to a standstill in the inner city. My hope is that, win or lose, the candidacy of Barack Obama rejuvenates the Civil Rights Movement with its lost energy and enables it to again refocus its eye on the prize, a seat for everyone, not just for the self-appointed leaders who now serve the mastuh. They have their seats at the table. I say there must be a seat for everyone. You won't read about what is in my book in the Star Tribune and mainstream media. They don't want you to read all the news, only the news they want you to read. Only the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder provides you with the news they won't. A Seat for Everyone: The Freedom Guide that Explores a Vision for America discusses the major status quo areas that have shown little or no progress: inner-city education, jobs, housing and public safety. I also reference key past columns and where to find them on my Minneapolis Story website. Also discussed in detail are the two historic lawsuits against the Minneapolis Police Department brought by Black officers. The conditions resulting in this litigation have had a profound impact on public safety in our city and in the City/MPD's treatment of its Black officers. The outcome will also have significant impacts. Minneapolis is so delusional that it has defined "minorities" to include so many "diverse" groups that it proudly boasts it can now comply with minority hiring without having to hire Blacks. My book discusses this insult as well. Why is everyone else silent about this? A unique feature is that the book "marries" the online world with that of traditional book publishing. I present my argument in less than 100 pages. This slim volume (literally, as it is easy to put it in your pocket and carry around for easy reference) includes five columns and one blog essay and lists additional columns that can easily be found at: www.TheMinneapolisStory.com/tocarchives.htm. The book presents a beacon of hope for the current lows in inner-city education, jobs, housing, and public safety. We need to work together to stand up for Black youth and stop waiting for the city government and its teachers unions as they continue to lie down also, rather than stand up for our kids in our schools. It all starts with education. As Nellie always stated, "No education, no jobs, no housing." Senator Obama would add, "No hope." My book brings hope back to the discussion. A note from my publisher From Beacon on the Hill: "Thank you, Mr. Edwards, for allowing us space to announce more details about the publication last week of your new book, A Seat for Everyone: The Freedom Guide that Explores a Vision for America. We want your readers know that they can not only learn more about it on our website, www.BeaconOnTheHill.com, they can also order the book on that site. "Mr. Edwards presents his arguments and vision in just 55 pages. The rest of this slim volume (easy to put it in your pocket and carry around for easy reference) lists specific columns that can be found in the archive at: www.TheMinneapolisStory.com/tocarchives.htm. He combines the printed word with the new online world of the Internet in a small package that packs a giant wallop. "In addition to covering major Minneapolis civil rights events, Mr. Edwards shares with his readers the background to the historical lawsuit by the Black police officers of Dec. 3, 2007, against the city and the department."
Ron hosts “Black Focus” on Channel 17, MTN-TV, Sundays, 5-6 pm. Formerly head of the Minneapolis Civil Rights Commission and the Urban League, he continues his “watchdog” role for Minneapolis. Order his book, hear his voice, read his solution papers, and read his between columns “web log” at www.TheMinneapolisStory.com. Column Archives | Blog Archives | Solution Papers | Order the Book | Back to Top | "Tracking the Gaps” and "Connecting the Dots" of "The Big 7" of inner city Minneapolis: Education, Jobs, Housing, Public Safety (and the war on young Black men), Safe Environment, Governing and Moral/Ethical Stances (of access and opportunity, fairness and justice, liberty and freedom, rights and responsibility for all). Purpose and Goals of this Blog » August 29, 2008 Blog Entry #27: Brilliant decision that moves diversity forward in the GOP The Obama campaign has to be very careful how they play the brilliant game changing decision of John McCain to pick Alaska Governor Sarah Pallin as his Vice President. Say what you want about George Bush, he elevated Colin Powell and Condi Rice. And say what you want about John McCain, he has picked a woman after Barack refused to, and he picked a woman married to her high school sweetheart who is an Inuit (Alaskan native, 1st American, Native American, or whatever diversity label you want to use). We have yet to find out where she stands on conservative issues we might not agree with. But regardless of what liberals say, she has invited women of America to help her blast through the glass ceiling with the 18 million cracks put into it by Hilary Clinton which the Obama team chose to ignore. Again, the Obama team has to be careful how they attack her. She symbolizes the notion that the Rs act without gender bias and show they are not afraid of a strong woman. Sarah Pallin fought the good ol boys in Alaska, fought the corrupt Republican croynism, and hunts moose. Her oldest son, in the Army, heads for Iraq in November. Obama spent the primary trying to beat a woman and now he'll have to spend the general election trying to beat another woman, all the while asking women to help him do it. It is a whole new ball game. Posted August 29, 2008, 8:54 p.m. August 29, 2008 Blog Entry #27: Violence Update At approximately 3:02 am, in downtown Minneapolis (at the popular club Whispers, 418 3 rd Ave North, in the Warehouse District), police found an African American shot and killed, and a second shot but rushed to the hospital by friends at the same location. Double shooting, same location, one fatality, no suspects yet. Posted August 29, 2008, 8:42 am. August 29, 2008 Blog Entry #26: Gang - Police shootout. The domino effect from August 14. There was a shoot out last night. 39 th and Portland. As police got out of their cars, gang members opened fire on them. Lots of shell casings on the street. Details are scant under the strict pre-convention security. What we know is that a civilian related to members of the Blood gang was wounded: gang members stormed the hospital last night, resulting in every squad car in the area being called to the hospital to provide protection there. Needless to say, tensions are running high. Posted August 29, 2008, 5:22 a.m. August 14, 2008 Blog Entry #25: Three shootings in 30 minutes tonight In three precincts: 3rd (Officer involved one at 1800 block on 14th Avenue South. A somali citizen was shot, in what police say was an underover operation. A significant manhunt is underway. ), 4th (an African American woman), 5th (cab driver shot). We don't know much more in this information restricted enviroment prior to the convention. Lots of inexperienced police are on the street as veterans pull garrison duty prior to the National Republican Convention next week. This comes on the heals of an independent European film crew being arrested and their camera equipment confiscated early Tuesday morning in Northeast Minneapolis. Posted Tues, 8-26-08, 11:55 p.m. August 14, 2008 Blog Entry #24: Safety alert: violence out of control as gun battles continue 4 shot in 2 different areas, in 2 separate gun battles in a 40 minute period, as two were shot in Cedar Riverside in Southeast Minneapolis and two downtown, with, aledgedly, one suspect apprehended and one gun recovered in North Minneapolis. Posted 8-14-08, 3:08 am August 9, 2008 Blog Entry #23 Another gun battle, more deaths. Who will protect us?
The neighborhood went into voluntary shut down, cowering in fear, as gunmen ran back and forth across the streets shooting. It could just as easily been a picture of urban war fare or an action movie. The police have no suspects. And as this was probably done by retaliatory shooters from Chicago, they are probably now long gone. The Mayor's office was warned but refused to believe. They seem too concerned with spending time trying to figure out how to avoid punishment for years of discrimination against Black police officers than spending time figuring out how to support the security of our Minneapolis neighborhoods, leaving them vunerable. There are not enough police for three separate crime scenes. With the routine need for additional police at the Republican National convention in St. Paul, September 1-4, what kind of coverage will we have available to us in Minneapolis? Will Governor Palenty have to declare a state of emergency? Last week, The New York Times, in an article, Denver Police Brace for Convention, meaning the Democratic National Convention in Denver, August 25-28, reported that " Federal and local authorities are girding for huge protests, mammoth traffic tie-ups and civil disturbances," which will include "self-described anarchists who the police fear will infiltrate peaceful protest groups to disrupt the weeklong event." And even though both conventions will be enlisting thousands of additional officers to help with security," that is fine for the convention areas. What about the rest of our city? The same NYT story reports that St. Paul's 600-member police force will "grow nearly sixfold with about 3,000 additional officers arriving from around Minnesota, as well as from Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and the Dakotas." So you can see, this is not crying wolf, as the NYT report continues: there have been "concerns about whether local police in each city had enough officers to deal with a wide range of threats, including terrorist attacks or a lone gunman," where "The most pressing fears, particularly in Denver, are that as many as 30,000 demonstrators may sweep into the city to disrupt the convention." So again, what about St. Paul? What about Minneapolis? Posted August 10, 3:03 a.m. August 8, 2008 Blog Entry #22 Baby shot, gang shootouts, and death on Minneapolis' dangerous streets: not the kind of Progressive Evening we want to offer the Republican National Convention September 1-4, 2008.
The police chief and mayor are too caught up in their eagerness to avoid being sued for their discrimination against Black police officers that they are in fact also discriminating against the safety of the citizens of they city as they focus their gaze at their collective turf belly buttons instead of on the neighborhoods that are the beating heart of the city. Posted Aug 8, 2008, 2:58 a.m. July 31 2008 Blog Entry #21: Why Do The Star Tribune and Katherine Kersten Deny Discrimination, Disinform About the Black Community, Attempt to Disappear Ron Edwards, and Encourage Defamation and Hate Under their banner of self appointed virtue and self fantasies about diversity and tolerance? Let it be said clearly about Kathy Kersten, in her July 30, 2008 Star Tribune article, New Black Leaders Replacing Failed Old Guard, and about those who left online comments about her article who are her fellow travelers in the four pages of comments that accompany the article: they know not of which they speak. The "it would be funny if it wasn't so tragic" part is that the so-called Obama backing Mayor RT Rybak has had to recruit the state's top Republican Negro, Peter Bell, to defend his DFL administration and its discrimination of Blacks in his police department. The City is being sued and doesn't want to pay. It is not sorry for what it has done. It is sorry that it got caught. They are even more sorry that even though the Strib has gone to great lengths to help them cover it up, outlets like mine and the courts won't do so. The law suit exposes the institutional lying of this city's administration. On January 12, 2007, the city attorney's office submitted a letter stating that their expert had "determined that there was no such discrimination in the MPD hiring practlces. Further, l do not know of any studies that the City of Minneapolis has engaged in since that would demonstrate that the City has in the past or is currently engaging in discrimination in its hiring practices." We all know this is a lie and therefore the city can't win. See my column of January 31, 2007 on this letter (Minneapolis backpedaling on civil rights protections), and my first web log entry of 2007, that is not only about that letter but produces a copy for any to read. In that blog entry I ask the question, How can Minneapolis claim it has no history of discrimination? To see how far off the truth Kathy and the Strib are about the suit (not to mention the PCRC - Police Community Relations Committee), read my December 14, 2007 essay on the law suit, The Twin Towers of Minneapolis' Nullification and Reversal Begin to Finally Crumble as 5 Black Officers Sue the City for Discrimination. You can also read Solution #31, July 14, 2008, which lists the most pertinent columns and web log entries of the past several years about the city approved discrimination in the police department: Ending the City's and MPD's COVER UP of Discrimination will help to end the DISCRIMINATION in the Minneapolis Police Department . And to get a sense of how far off the truth Kathy and the Strib are in general, read any of my columns and web log entries on this, of which the key ones are listed in the Solution #30, June 6, 2008: Ending the SILENCE by the Star Tribune about DISCRIMINATION will help end discrimination . #30 also lists columns and web log entries on "The War Against Young Black Men", on "local journalism" , and on "suggested solutions". This is a listing of columns and web log entries that how the Strib twists the truth into word pretzels unrelated to the straight truth. In terms of the war on young black men, go to our 2003 Solution #13 piece, State of Emergency for Black Youth. Check out our columns of 2005, 2006, and 2007, when we raised the question: "When will Blacks be included in the billions worth of jobs in construction for stadiums, bridges, and other big money projects?" Here are six examples:
Posted July 31, 2008, 3:55 p.m. Read the complete blog entry » Ron hosts “Black Focus” on Channel 17, MTN-TV, Sundays, 5-6 pm. Formerly head of the Minneapolis Civil Rights Commission and the Urban League, he continues his “watchdog” role for Minneapolis. Order his book, hear his voice, read his solution papers, and read his between columns “web log” at www.TheMinneapolisStory.com. About This Blog | Blog Archives | Column Archives | Solution Papers | Order the Book | Back to Top |
