the alley Newspaper | News & Views of Phillips Since 1976

Raise Your Voice

Written by editor on 01 March 2022

Silica Dust & Molten Iron

By Peter Molenaar

Upon retiring from Smith Foundry, this writer undertook distribution of the Alley to the various agencies and businesses of the Phillips Community and surrounding neighborhoods. In the realm of said distribution, a sometimes annoying competition for space exists with our friends from Southside Pride.

However, of greater concern is Tony Bouza’s column in the February issue of that paper, How to get rich. “Capitalism is very cruel,” writes Bouza, “its only saving grace is that it accords with human nature… My reaction to such cruelty? Bravo!… Altruism doesn’t work … is this so complex?”

“Look around you, for God’s sake. I didn’t invent it and I much rather socialism worked.” He appears even to slight Jesus for manifesting communistic proclivities! And then, “Stop kidding yourself… if you are so smart, why aren’t you rich?”

Is the man being facetious? Golly, in my case I worked long arduous overtime hours for many years to barely cover a mortgage payment. Truthfully, most of us lack the funds and the necessary time needed to invest wisely in stock purchases. You will allow me then to push back philosophically on behalf of us “masses”.

Actually, the belief that only capitalism works in accordance with “human nature” is flawed in several ways: 1) It is an ahistorical assumption.… Read the rest “Raise Your Voice”

March Random alley News

Written by editor on 01 March 2022

By LINDSEY FENNER

Bring Her Home, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Documentary Airing on PBS:

The documentary, directed by Leya Hale (Dakota/Diné) and produced by Sergio Rapu (Rapanui), follows three indigenous women: artist and All My Relations Gallery Director Angela Two Stars, activist Mysti Babineau, and U.S. Rep. Ruth Buffalo, as they fight to vindicate and honor their missing and murdered relatives who have fallen victims to a growing epidemic across Indian country.

Airing on Twin Cities Public Television Channel TPT 2 Monday, Mar 21 at 8pm or streaming at https://www.tpt.org/bring-her-home/

Pillsbury House Launches Documenters, A New Civic Reporting Project:

The Documenters project was first developed in Chicago by City Bureau, a local media non-profit with a goal of making journalism more democratic and public meetings more accessible. Documenters trains and pays community members to attend public meetings, take and share notes, and gather related public documents. Minneapolis joins other Documenters networks in Cleveland, Detroit, and Chicago. Find Minneapolis Documenters information here: https://minneapolis.documenters.org/

Hennepin County Workers Cancel Strike, Approve New Contract:

Thirty-five hundred Hennepin County workers represented by AFSCME Locals 34 and 2822 voted to accept a new contract offer from Hennepin County in February. Workers, including human services workers and clerical workers, had been planning on going on strike at the beginning of February unless a last minute agreement could be made.… Read the rest “March Random alley News”