Author Archive
A Frank Reflection: “Trespassing” at Crystal Court and Dakota Land
By Frank Erickson The definition of trespassing is ”“ “an unlawful act causing injury to the person, property, or rights of another, committed with force or violence, actual or implied”¦a wrongful entry upon the lands of another..an encroachment or intrusion.” Now this more amply defines what whites did to the Dakota, than what Native Elder Clyde Bellecourt did to whites at the Crystal Court in the IDS Center on Christmas Eve. For whites to even have trespassing laws to lock up Clyde Bellecourt, they had to first have an encroachment, an intrusion, a wrongful entry upon Dakota lands, land that the Crystal Court now sits upon. Who”'s Crystal Court is it, who really has the right to be there? It was said that “none of the Christmas Eve shoppers were inconvenienced or prevented from doing anything they wanted to do”', by the Native protestors””and if they were inconvenienced, what creates a Crystal Court world where the rights of [...]
No Need to Whisper
By Peter Molenaar When the brown-eyed children were exclusively praised in class, the blue-eyed children receded. Thus, many years ago, the connection between self-esteem and learning capacity was demonstrated. Moreover one”'s self-image is a refection of an historically determined social context. So, when we talk about the racial achievement gap in math and reading, there is no need for hushed whispers. Research shows that children facing hardships in their first five years of life are prone to developmental delays and long-term deficits. Hardships might include: poor access to healthcare and proper nutrition, lack of stable nurturing relationships, and little or no exposure to age-appropriate learning activities. The ongoing economic crisis exacerbates all the negative factors. Does anyone doubt that child development is a foundation for a prosperous and sustainable society? Prioritizing in-need children should then be high on Minnesota”'s to-do list. Here [...]
