the alley Newspaper | News & Views of Phillips Since 1976

Vietnam and Naked Truth

Written by editor on 06 December 2017

By Peter Molenaar

A good part of our neighborhood gave its attention to THE VIETNAM WAR on public television. For my generation, the series was an edifying reminder of that war”'s impact upon our inner-being.

Kent State Massacre, May 4, 1970”¦

Nixon”'s people informed the grief stricken parents: You should be happy your son was killed, he was “just another communist”. Who were these “communists”?

As far as I know, the Communists thought it was wrong to compel working-class youth to war on behalf of capitalists who wanted space for the deindustrialization of our country”¦ thereby smashing our jobs base, our unions, and our wages.

Then later, 1979. In the northeast corner of the Smith Foundry shower room at 1855 E. 28^th Street:

I was stark naked with my back to the corner, while an African-American Korean War veteran taunted me. Evidently, the Mai Leis of that war had resurfaced. I asked him: Would you kill a man who had faced down the Klan in Jim Crow Mississippi? My efforts, ten years prior, to register voters in that state wound up saving my butt.

2017, a road trip rendezvous via online dating”¦ exit the Cities on Hwy. 52 south, then exit at Hwy.… Read the rest “Vietnam and Naked Truth”

Approaching YEAR 10 of the Backyard Initiative!

Written by editor on 06 December 2017

Grounded in a simple premise””that active community and cultural connections are the foundation of good health””the Backyard Initiative (BYI) is a dynamic partnership between the residents of 7 neighborhoods of South Minneapolis, the Cultural Wellness Center, and Allina Health.

Despite having access to world-class medical care right in their “backyard,” many residents in the area experience poor health outcomes. The Backyard Initiative goes beyond medical care to improve health by improving the capacity of residents to strengthen their own health. As part of the BYI, residents draw upon their own knowledge, skills, and cultural values to take care of themselves and their families, friends and neighbors.

This remarkable partnership began in 2008 with a commitment between the partners to sustain this unique initiative for 10 years. The year 2018 will begin the final year of this partnership in its current form, largely funded by the financial contributions of Allina put alongside of the social capital of many residents. This will not hearken the end of the Backyard Initiative, however, as the end of this decade of work approaches! Look for the exciting changes and transformation to the Backyard Initiative that will occur throughout 2018!

Building COMMUNITY To Improve Health

Using the Philosophy of Community”¦

The group is valued and empowered”¦

Authority is given to the organic idea”¦

Power rests within people”'s
experience”¦

Citizens have
collective interests”¦

Everyone is a student & a teacher”¦

Knowledge derives from internal
experience”¦

Thinking is honored.… Read the rest “Approaching YEAR 10 of the Backyard Initiative!”