‘Cover Stories’ Archives
2020 Vision
Plagued by uncertainty and stress? It’s our never-ending story. When will l gather with my community in joy instead of fear? I’m constantly anxious and questioning who will still be here. “Be palatable or the token to survive” seems like nothing about this lived-experience is fair. Though some are blinded by greed and hatred while others are naive; I, however, still see it clear. Even when they question the validity of my citizenship, I still see it clear. As I deal with the everlasting trauma that comes with being unequivocally Black… I still see it clear. Through all of their cruel and divisive tactics, I still see it clear. How could I not? How could I ever lose focus or get distracted when society generously reminds us of their hatred for our complexion? I’m tired of drowning in oppression and fear. For once, I’d love to float effortlessly and enjoy the stillness of life. But instead, I’m trapped in the current; while still trying to see [...]
Community Safety Alert Issued Regarding Out-of-State “Treatment” Transfers
By THE MINNESOTA INDIAN WOMEN’S RESOURCE CENTER The Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center (MIWRC) and local community leaders and advocates are issuing a public safety alert to ensure the safety of our relatives—both unsheltered and sheltered—amid growing concerns of outside entities targeting vulnerable individuals with false promises of out-of-state substance use treatment. “This is a public safety issue. It’s time the normalization of violence against one another comes to an end,” Over the past several months, we have been made aware of multiple reports indicating that our unsheltered relatives who are in active addiction have been targeted, approached, and recruited by outside sources claiming they can transport them to treatment-filled facilities outside of Minnesota. While the exact number of individuals taken out of state is currently unknown, the pattern is alarming and requires immediate public awareness. Native Americans make up a small [...]
Fire and Ice
By HARVEY WINJE December 20th -- Now in its second year, the Winter Solstice Lantern Parade brought light and delight to South Minneapolis on the longest night of the year. Community lantern making workshops and the parade event are organized by Phillips’ own Semilla Center for the Arts and Barebones Puppets, along with In the Heart of the Beast Theatre, and Artstart. PHOTO: Laura Hulscher This Wendell Phillips quote was a response to a friend, Brother May, who had asked, “Wendell, why are you so on fire?” after a fervent speech against the moral outrage of slavery. Phillips’s reply highlights the immense challenge he and other abolitionists faced in changing the deep-seated apathy, indifference, and resistance to their cause. The “fire” represented his passion and moral clarity, while the “mountains of ice” symbolized societal inertia and opposition to abolishing slavery.There is societal inertia and opposition to “Peace if possible, Justice at any [...]
