‘Raise Your Voice’ Archives
Raise Your Voice: A Fall From Grace
By PETER MOLENAAR Peter Molenaar Born to the Iron Range, once upon a time, Helvi Savola and Helen Kruth would, in their later years, take up residence in an apartment complex on the north edge of what is now Ventura Village. Peace and friendship with the Soviet Union was central to their vision of Peace on Earth. In Fact, they had been close associates of Elizabeth Gurley Flynn (the “Rebel Girl”) who, in 1916, had witnessed striking Mesabi Range miners being clubbed and shot. (Note: an historical marker which honored Elizabeth, was recently taken down by Republican Party operatives.)Believe it or not, the words above are intertwined with a somewhat violent event which took place recently at 4200 Cedar Ave., home to Women Against Military Madness. Medea Benjamin was in town! Medea has co-authored: War in Ukraine—Making Sense of a Senseless Conflict. Here is one review: “Careful, informal, judicious… an invaluable guide” —Noam Chomsky. Why then was Medea assaulted by [...]
Raise Your Voice: See the Eagle Dancing in the Sky
By PETER MOLENAAR Peter Molenaar The U.S. is one of only six countries in the world without paid family leave… not for a newborn baby, not for any reason. With Mother’s day in mind, this fact is especially heartbreaking.May 13th and 14th, 2023, Cedar Field Park…Keep in mind: Little Earth’s Mother’s Day Pow Wow is an annual event. Despite the threat of rain this year, it was especially the ‘fancy dancing’ of the younger women which lifted the spirit of one and all. Yes, the practice of this physical grace reflects the drum, yet is on a par with the ballerina… the tasseled regalia swirled like an eagle playing with the currents of the sky.Speaking of the eagle…If the Republican Party maintains it’s refusal to lift the debt ceiling, our country will default on it’s debt for the first time in history. This might mean the slashing of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, while imposing economic instability here and across the globe. Alternatively, might they [...]
Raise Your Voice: The Whirlwind
By PETER MOLENAAR Peter Molenaar It was a dustbowl tornado which elevated Dorothy. She would then reveal the wizard who pulls the strings behind the curtain. Indeed, democracy under the capitalist system is always circumscribed. Truthfully, Dorothy would not have prevailed had she not allied herself with the brains, the brawn, and the spirit of the laboring masses. April 13, 2023…I attended a revival of LSP’s annual Breakfast and Lobby Day at the state capital, as did several others who reside in District 62B. Note: offices are located across 35th Street from Powderhorn Park. LSP stands for: Land Stewardship Project.As it happened, Minnesota’s commissioner of agriculture sat down for breakfast right next to me. Naturally, our friend is aware that our top soil is washing away to Lake Winnipeg and the Gulf of Mexico, and he is also aware that our sources of fertilizer are finite (i.e., our present mode of agriculture is unsustainable.) Yes, he was open for proposals:1.) [...]
