News & Views of Phillips Since 1976
Sunday December 21st 2025
Tales from Pioneer and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery
178th in a Series
By SUE HUNTER WEIR
Lafayette Mason””One Mpls.”™ First Black Firefighters
Musician, Artist, and Southside High Football Captain
Other than some graffiti on about a dozen fence pillars, the Cemetery was untouched during the protests on Lake Street. The graffiti was gone within a few days but the stories about the lives of those who are buried inside the gates continue. It”™s obvious to passersby that the Cemetery is old. What is less obvious is that the Cemetery is listed in the National Register of Historic Sites because of the people who are buried there. For the most part they were not famous but collectively their stories tell how the city and state were built. Some of them had ties to the early abolitionist and anti-slavery movements in Minnesota and others because it was a favored burial site for members of the early African-American community, many of whom led extraordinary lives.
Photo and caption from “The Appeal,” September 24, 1910, read “The Late Lafayette Mason, Musical Genius, Minneapolis.”
[Photo Credit] COURTESY MN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Lafayette Mason was an incredibly gifted man. He was an athlete, an artist, and one of the city”™s early African-American firefighters. Members of three earlier generations of his family are buried near him in a block of graves purchased in the 1860s.… Read the rest “Tales from Pioneer and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery”
Systemic Racism isn”™t the Problem
By MARTI MALTBY
In the aftermath of George Floyd”™s death, I”™ve heard a lot about systemic racism. As far as I can tell, though, no one is saying anything new. I first heard of systemic racism in university over 25 years ago, and I”™ve heard it discussed consistently since then, and now I”™m hearing it discussed more loudly. Unfortunately, and tragically, discussing “systemic racism” misses the point.
The system isn”™t an impersonal force. It is made and controlled by people, by us. But of course, some of us have more power and control over the system than others. Those (including me) who have power and privilege need to recognize their (our/my) power and privilege and then do something with it. Systemic racism (or whatever other impersonal term you want to use) shields them/us/me from personal responsibility for not doing what we can to change the system. So instead of discussing systemic racism, we/I need to start using “I” statements like:
- I will stop being scared of losing my privilege. I will accept that I don”™t need a new flat-screen TV, a cabin up north or any of the other things I say I need. I will accept that working for equality may cost me a couple of creature comforts, but that I will not miss these unless I am incredibly selfish and materialistic.
Unique Diploma Framed by Resilience
To the Augsburg Fairview Academy Class of 2020:
Your teachers, support staff, and I want to take a moment to say, “CONGRATULATIONS!” You each hold a very special place in our heart and in the fabric of our school community. You are the first AFA graduating class unable to finish classes face-to-face, attend Senior Prom, and participate in the 2020 Commencement ceremony as we had planned. COVID-19 took these milestone moments away from you. However, you are also the first AFA graduating class to accept the challenge of distance learning, you continued to push forward with determination, and you have proven you are resilient. You exemplify the Circle of Courage and the principles of belonging, independence, mastery, and generosity.
You will never forget about the way your high school career ended. It did not end with the pomp and circumstance you dreamed of, but you are finishing high school with a diploma you earned in a completely unique way. Remember this moment in time. Remember how determined and resilient you are on challenging days ahead. Remember you have the skills and grit needed to accomplish your goals.
At AFA, we will always remember you, the Class of 2020. You have forever made an imprint on our hearts and minds.… Read the rest “Unique Diploma Framed by Resilience”
Keep citizen journalism alive!
