‘Raise Your Voice’ Archives
Raise Your Voice
The Elders Have Spoken Peter Molenaar By PETER MOLENAAR Little Earth, Phillips Community Center, Ebenezer Towers on Portland and Park Avenues, and Anderson Community School ”“ for the Phillips Neighborhood, these were the Primary Vote polling places. Thanks to the volunteers who made it happen, those who had navigated the information overload were privileged to exercise their right. It can now be said with certainty: the elders have spoken. To his credit, Joe Biden shook many hands in South Carolina. African Americans, especially the elders, bore witness to his having played second fiddle to President Obama, and trust him not to play a treasonous game with mass bigotry. Moreover, many believe Biden to be the likely candidate to defeat Donald Trump. (We are not in a revolutionary situation at this time!) From the standpoint of our ”˜Popular Front”™, looking back, many were initially drawn to the candidacy of Elizabeth Warren. Elizabeth was [...]
Raise Your Voice – Sisters in Spirit
By PETER MOLENAAR Last month, on delivery of the usual 40 Alley papers to the Minneapolis American Indian Center, the young woman at the desk gave access to the Two Rivers Gallery where a marvelous birch bark canoe is on display. With a twinkle, I inquired: “Who built the first canoe?” As it happened, thousands of years ago”¦. It was to be an unusually warm day for late autumn, it seemed. The Aunties exited the sweat lodge, intent upon harvesting the edge of the marsh. Straddling lengths of logs the men had hewn, they would maneuver the water without getting stuck. In tow were the water-tight baskets they themselves had made. A celebratory fire was stoked near shore for their return. In the shallow, a newborn was placed in a basket for introductions. The gentle rocking induced a contented smile, which erupted in a squeal of delight when a careful spin was applied. Naturally, the toddlers and somewhat older children converged to demand their turn. This [...]
Raise Your Voice – More War Won”™t Work
Peter Molenaar By PETER MOLENAAR Not long ago, I woke to the news of assassination”¦ head swimming with visions of missile launches to and fro, skyrocketing oil prices, etc., etc. A quick study of relevant history commenced, before and after a trip to 4200 Cedar Avenue, where a consultation with WAMM (Women Against Military Madness) took place. Minnesota”™s leadership was bound to speak as well. Our own brave light, Ilhan Omar, stated: “Sending teenagers to die, or to return with lifelong wounds is not what it means to carry out our oath of office to protect the American people.” From across the river, Congresswoman Betty McCollum stated: “President Trump”™s decision to assassinate Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani inside Iraq will have severely negative consequences on U.S. interests around the world”¦ Further, it strengthens the Iranian regime”™s domestic hold on power”¦ Americans now know that 17 [...]
