WASHINGTON (NNPA) -Decrying willful failure toacknowledge the crippledeconomy’s devastation to Blackcommunities, U.S. Rep. KeithEllison (D-MN) joinedCongressional Black Caucus (CBC)members demanding immediateaction to include Black businessesin financial rescue and recoveryinitiatives.

Ellison said he and CBCmembers are “receiving the callsand emails everyday” asking“when’s our turn?”

He said business and institutionleaders are demanding Congressand the Administration take note ofhyper-crisis ravishing BlackAmerica. “We need real jobsprograms. We need something tohelp small, minority businesses. Weneed to know that there is a vibrant,historic and very strong AfricanAmerican business community here

in the United States and in my stateof Minnesota. It really struck methat every single industry is beingseverely impacted,” Ellison said inan interview with the Black Press ofAmerica.

Ellison, one of 10 Blackmembers of the powerful HouseFinance Committee, was applaudedthis week by the Black Press andBlack leaders nationally for boldlyboycotting a committee meeting inorder to force a $4 billion allocationto benefit the Black community.CBC committee members aresaying they plan to escalate protestsif lawmakers continue to ignore thesuffering of their constituents,including advertisingdiscrimination against Blacknewspapers.

“We’re out of the box, we’refull speed ahead and we are notgoing to sit back and watch ourcommunities suffer in silence,” saidU.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA),the ranking Congressional BlackCaucus Member on the Committee,who led the December 2 boycott.

“The 10 African Americanmembers of the Financial ServicesCommittee have cooperated withthe leadership, we have cooperatedwith the administration, we havesupported the bail out and now

we’re saying, what do we get for allof this cooperation? What are wedelivering to our communities? Andthe answer is little or nothing,” saidWaters.

Describing horrid conditions in

their districts that clearly illustratedisparate suffering in the AfricanAmerican communities, each of the10 members - in separate interviews

DDeecceemmbbeerr 2211 - DDeecceemmbbeerr 2277,, 22000099 •• MMNN MMeettrroo VVooll.. 3355 NNoo.. 5511 •• TThhee JJoouurrnnaall FFoorr CCoommmmuunniittyy NNeewwss,, BBuussiinneessss && TThhee AArrttss •• wwwwww..iinnssiigghhttnneewwss..ccoomm

By Hazel Trice Edney NNPA Editor-in-Chief

7PAGE

“Do Good. Live Well.”campaignencourages socialresponsibility

Sponsored by African NewsJournal, Eritrean Forum inMinnesota, and organized byConfederation of the SomaliCommunity, Eritrean Forum andGambella Relief Organization,The Horn of Africa Peace Forumexamined pathways to peace inthe Horn of Africa region andexplored ways of empoweringthe grass root and civil society sothat a lasting peace can be basedon understanding and trust.

Somalia experience: What therest can learn Dr. Ahmed Samatar, Dean of theInstitute for Global Citizenship atMacalester College, gave a stern

warning to those in attendance: “Iam warning you, Horn of AfricaAfricans, please, listen to mecarefully, accept the principle ofnon-violence and you have achance to survive in the Horn.”

According to Samatar,Somali people “confront theseelements” which can make for avery catastrophic environment.He said some Somalis are awareof this while other’s aren’t. Theelements are, said Samatar, 1)Loss of Sense of Peoplehood(nothing else we have in commonexcept we look alike, talk alikeand meet in places like coffeeshops); 2) the death of nationalinstitutions (lack the rule of law)and the bad odor of leadership(the absence of a leader capableof facing the current challengesthrough legitimacy, with wisdomand skills). “With thosescenarios, I think we are

MN Vikingspreparing for thePlayoffs

11PAGE

Morgan Freemanstars as NelsonMandela ininspirationalhistorical saga

5PAGE

Mission: Peacein the Horn of Africa

The Minnesota Women’s PoliticalCaucus’ (MNWPC) 31st AnnualLuncheon, “Walking on BrokenGlass…Shattering the Stereotype,Why Women’s Equality is still aCause for Today,” was held onThursday, Dec, 10, at the CrownePlaza Hotel in St. Paul.

The MNWPC is a multi-partisan organization comprisedof members from across the statewho are dedicated to identifying,

recruiting, training, andsupporting pro-choice women forelected and appointed publicoffice. They seek to be an expertresource for the women ofMinnesota and women candidatessupporting women’s issues. TheMNWPC’s ultimate goal isequality and equal representationon all levels of government.

The luncheon was a festiveaffair that included a poetryreading by St. Paul’s first PoetLaureate Carol Connolly, honoredby St. Paul Mayor Chris Colemanin 2006, whose wife was in

attendance. The event evenincluded singing “HappyBirthday” to Ramsey CountyAttorney Susan Gaertner, led bythe MNWPC Executive DirectorTonia Johnson.

Johnson also pointed out thatthe MNWPC is heading a bill thatwill mandate paid sick days whichincludes if a parent needs to stayhome when a child is ill.

In attendance were men andwomen who have been championsof women’s issues in politics:

The women’s equality imperative

8AFRICA TURN TO

OSLO, NORWAY—Theovercast skies did little totemper the excitementaccompanying the arrival ofPresident Barack Obama inNorway. His helicopter landed

on the roof of Norway’s OperaHouse. Traffic stopped. Policecars filled the streets. Usuallystaid Norwegians rushed totheir windows to witness theObama’s descent intoScandinavia with its history ofVikings and sea travel. Over 92million Kroner was spent onsecurity alone for this latest

Obama receivesNobel Peace Prize

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAIDMINNEAPOLIS MNPERMIT NO. 32468

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

7LUNCHEON TURN TO

Chamber salutesComcast forcommunity outreach,investment

2PAGE

4PAGE

Valeria Silva takes leadership ofSt Paul PublicSchools

3OBAMA TURN TO

Suluki FardanFrom left, Lulu Flores, President of the National Women’s Political Caucus, Tare-Sheika Larkins,

Amirah Ellison, and Denia Larkins. Ellison announced the creation of Children for Change anonprofit she and her colleagues launched to expand civic engagement among young youths.

President Obama

Demanding our share: Ellison, CBC threaten boycott

State Representatives expectthe 2010 Minnesota LegislativeBonding Session, starting inFebruary, to be intense and livelyas the state faces a $1 billionshortfall and a gubernatorialelection in November.

Several State Senators andRepresentatives are planning onrunning for governor, includingthe Speaker of the House,Margaret Anderson Keliher.

Almost $1 billion had beenborrowed in the 2009 RegularSession. Now the Legislaturemust contend with a CapitalImprovement Budget and makemajor cuts to deal with the deficit.According to State Rep. BobbyJoe Champion (DFL-58B), “Thedeficit could have been as high as$4.4 billion if we didn’t have thecushion from federal stimulusfunding…We have to make sure itis used appropriately and adheres

to federal requirements.” He saidthat the biggest issue this year is“jobs; getting Minnesotans backto work.”

Even though this is a lame-duck year for Gov. Tim Pawlenty,he has promised to veto any newrevenue bill in what many say isan effort to preserve his image forhis conservative friends across thecountry. According to State Rep.

Jeff Hayden (DFL–61B), theproblem with a governor beingable to say, “‘I didn’t raise anytaxes,’ is that some else had to.”

When the State denies fundingfor certain projects, the financialburden is then placed on countiesand cities, which are forced to

Pawlenty burdens cities, counties

2BUDGET TURN TO

The Insight News familyis thankful for your continuedsupport. We wish you a wonderfuland safe holiday season, and aprosperous New Year.

9CBC TURN TO

By Basha SaedAfrican News Journal,PublisherPart 2 of 2

The 10 Congressional Black Caucus Members of Congress who sit on the House Financial ServicesCommittee are, from left, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II (Mo.), Rep. Gwen Moore (Wis.), Rep. Mel Watt

(N.C.), Rep. Al Green (Texas), Rep. Andre Carson (Ind.), Rep. Maxine Waters (Calif.), Rep. David Scott(Ga.), Rep. Gregory Meeks (N.Y.), Rep. Keith Ellison (Minn.), and Rep. William Lacy Clay, Jr. (Mo.).

By Gloria J. Browne-Marshall; Special to The Black Press

By Lydia SchwartzContributing Writer

By Lydia SchwartzContributing Writer

State Rep. Bobby JoeChampion (DFL-58B)

State Rep. Jeff Hayden(DFL–61B)

raise property taxes. Hayden saidthat this creates a situation wherea “select group of Minnesotans,property owners, has to pick upthe tab to cover basic[government] services.”

Champion said Minnesotansshould “return to the idea of fairtaxes where everyone makes their

contribution to the tax base. Weneed to make sure those high-income earners pay their fairshare, but not more, and thateveryone contributes what theycan.” He added that, “We’re all inthis together as Minnesotans andwe need to use these challengingtimes not to attack each other butto come together.”

General Assistance MedicalCare (GAMC) will be another bigissue this session since the

program will be eliminated March1, 2010 and everyone enrolledwill be transferred toMinnesotaCare. Champion said hehopes that “we can get this safetynet back in play and extend it foran additional 16 months. Theerosion to MinnesotaCare isunsustainable…We need toprotect what is already allotted forhealth care coverage.”

Local hospitals face millionsof dollars in funding cuts and

Hayden said he is “veryconcerned with getting health careto those who need it most withoutbankrupting hospitals.” TheHouse is hoping to provideMinnesotans with coverage forpreventative care, mental healthservices, disability services, andchemical dependency andintervention services.

Hayden said Minnesotans canalso expect a ‘Bill of Tenants’Rights’ in effort to revamp tenant

and landlord laws that tend tofavor landlords. Creating equalrights for both will address theissue of “tenants being evictedbecause they didn’t realize thelandlord couldn’t pay themortgage,” he said.

Child homelessness is anotherhot issue in which Hayden plansto be heavily involved. He hopesto build a coalition between theEarly Childhood Caucus, out-of-home placement programs, and

the public school system todiminish the number of childrenin foster care. Hayden pointed outthat “There is a direct impact thatnot having a safe place to live hason being able to learn inschool…Very young children aremost at risk and getting them intoa healthy environment early is aprecursor to having a greateroutcome in school.”

Holiday preparation checklist: wrapgifts, plan parties, eat sweets, oh, andfind a job.

If you are unemployed over theholidays, you might think this is aslow time for hiring. You might betempted to take a break from yournetworking, applying, andinterviewing routine. You might bemaking a mistake. At year end, a

few critical stars align that can makethe holidays an ideal time to look fornew work.

First, most companies create anannual budget, with a certain dollaramount designated for salaries perdepartment or branch.

This year every company hassaved money by laying off workers,holding back on raises and otherwisespending less on staffing. Somedepartment heads get to year-endand realize they have staffing moneyto burn or headcount allowance toaccount for. This is where you comein, ready to be hired. Head huntersknow that the last week in Decemberis typically fabulous for staffing.While this year is anything buttypical, it is possible that in somecompanies, some last minute hiringwill be in the works.

Secondly, the holiday season isfamous for getting people out of theirshells – and out of their offices. Jobseekers will have the opportunity tostand at the bar with people they donot ordinarily mingle with, includingrelatives, neighbors and those dear,old friends you only see once a year.

Of course, you will refrain frompassing out your resume along withthe eggnog, but you can use theseencounters to politely inquire abouteveryone else, asking, What do youdo? Showing genuine interest insomeone else’s work may lead to afollow-up conversation. Don’t ruin agood party by sharing the details ofyour lay-off on the spot, but if itmakes sense, ask permission to callthis person next week to find outmore about his or herjob/company/industry.

Finally, if everyone else thinkshiring takes a holiday break, yourchances of rising to the top of the pileof applicants improvesexponentially. While many peopledo take vacation at the end of theyear, those left behind often have amore relaxed attitude toward theirday and may be willing to take aphone call or even agree to aninformational interview that theywould ordinarily be too busy tobother with.

Keep looking, continuenetworking and don’t give up. Youjust might be able to give yourselfthe gift of a new job for the holidays.

Julie Desmond is Director of CareerPlanning Resources for HelpWanted! Workshop. Write tojulie@insightnews.com.

Page 2 • December 21 - December 27, 2009 • Insight News http://insightnews.com

BUSINESSKeep looking: No winter break for job seekers

By Julie Desmondjulie@insightnews.com

Planyour

career

BudgetFrom 1

On December 2, Comcastreceived the honored companyrecognition at the annualMinnesota Keystone ProgramLuncheon, hosted by theMinneapolis Chamber ofCommerce.

The Keystone Program honorscompanies that donate 2% or 5%of pre-tax earnings to help meetthe needs of our communities andcontribute to our area’soutstanding quality of life.

Each company alsoparticipated in a live interview onstage with emcee Angela Davis,news anchor on WCCO-TV. The

discussion included commentsabout our company’s founder,Ralph Roberts, and his vision tobuild a company with acommitment to serve thecommunities where it doesbusiness.

“We are so honored to receivethe award,” said Bill Wright,region senior vice president. “I’mso proud of our Twin Cities team.Your dedication to supportingthose in need is an inspiration notonly for me, but for thecommunity at large.”

Chamber salutes Comcast for community outreach, investment

Courtesy of ComcastMary Beth Schubert, Vice President of Corporate Affairs,

Comcast Twin Cities Region, discusses Comcast’s communityinvestment initiatives with Angela Davis, event emcee.

Mary Beth accepts the award on behalf of Comcast. With MaryBeth is Angela Davis, WCCO-TV news anchor and event emcee,

along with Todd Klingel, President & CEO, Minneapolis RegionalChamber of Commerce.

www.flickr.com/photos/sfgal/3951984042/sizes/l/

Nobel Laureate. Obama wouldremain in the city for onlytwenty-four short hours. Longenough to be awarded the NobelPeace Prize and deliver thespeech to explain why heshould receive it.

The evening before theceremony, African-Americanswho travelled from Baltimore,New York City, Texas,Oklahoma and Hawaii for theceremony mingled with AfricanAmerican residents of Oslo whowere joined by African-Scandinavians at a restaurant indowntown Oslo. It is agathering of the tribe.Invitations came by word ofmouth, email, and chance. Thebeat of traditional drumsblended with guitar as newfriendships were made.

Every conversation cameback to Barack Obama.Viewpoints were unanimousregarding pride in a BlackAmerican president but mixedconcerning his selection for thecoveted Peace award. “It was apolitical decision,” said CarlProctor, a dredlocked artistoriginally from New York City.He has lived in Norway for over20 years. “The [Nobel]committee wanted to bring himhere and that’s why they chosehim for the award.”

Pat Davis, a real estate agentfrom Maryland, disagreed.“This is the right time and he isthe right person for this award,”she said. Their debate was morelike a discussion amongrelatives around a Sundaydinner table.

Some view Obama’sselection as premature but amotivation to continue a pathtoward peace. Others criticizethe Nobel Committee forselecting the Commander-in-Chief of a country currentlyinvolved in two wars with apeace prize. Few examine

whether the criticism is raciallymotivated.

Some view Obama’sselection as premature but amotivation to continue a pathtoward peace. Others criticizethe Nobel Committee forselecting the Commander-in-Chief of a country currentlyinvolved in two wars with apeace prize. Few examinewhether the criticism is raciallymotivated. However, the factremains that America isinvolved in wars with Iraq andAfghanistan; these are nottraditional conflicts. Both

countries are working with theirAmerican “enemy” to defeat aninsurgent force within theirborders.

Alfred Nobel was one of thewealthiest men in the world; hegained his massive wealth fromwar. He created explosives. Yet,he created a prize for peace tobe bestowed on a person whoincreases fraternity betweennations. Given this, BarackObama is the first sittingAmerican President to travel tomeet with the leaders of theArab world while orchestratingthe closing of prisons at

Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Obamais the proponent of a promisinghealth care initiative —theprogress of which is beingwatched around the world.Under Barack Obama’sstewardship, America’sdomestic financial meltdown,which threatened to devastateeconomies globally has slowed.Obama has met with leaders inAfrica, Europe, and Asia.

The President received theNobel Prize at Oslo City Hall.The room has marble floorswith walls over 100 feet highcovered in murals depicting the

history of Norway in brightpastel colors. Trumpetersdressed in traditional velvetoutfits heralded the entry ofBarack Obama. With him wereKing Harald and Queen Sonjaof Norway and Prime MinisterJens Stoltenberg and his wife.Obama moved among royaltywith his traditional athletic gaitand calm composure. ThorbjornJagland, chair of the NobelPrize committee, explained inNorwegian and English theprocess for selecting a recipientand the reasoning behindBarack Obama’s selection.

President Obama sat listeningintently, legs crossed, wearing ablack suit, white shirt, andstormy grey tie. Finally, theintroductions ended. Musicalselections, both classical andcontemporary, came to a close.Michelle Obama sat on the frontrow, concern etched across herface.

With history in hand and inmind, Barack Obamaapproached the podium. Atfirst, his speech was stilted. Hishands shook slightly as he

5OBAMA TURN TO

http://insightnews.com Insight News • December 21 - December 27, 2009 • Page 3

INSIGHT NEWS

www.insightnews.com

Insight News is publishedweekly, every Monday byMcFarlane Media Interests.

Editor-In-ChiefAl McFarlane

CFOAdrianne Hamilton-Butler

PublisherBatala-Ra McFarlane

Associate Editor & AssociatePublisherB.P. Ford

Vice President of Sales & MarketingSelene White

Director of Content &ProductionPatricia Weaver

Sr. Content & ProductionCoordinatorElliot Stewart-Franzen

Web Design & ContentAssociateBen Williams

Distribution/FacilitiesManagerJamal Mohamed

ReceptionistLue B. Lampley

Contributing WritersBrenda ColstonJulie DesmondMarcia HumphreyAlaina L. LewisRashida McKenzieRyan T. ScottLydia SchwartzStacey Taylor

PhotographySuluki FardanTobechi Tobechukwu

Contact Us:Insight News, Inc.Marcus Garvey House1815 Bryant Ave. N.MinneAPOlis., MN 55411Ph.: (612) 588-1313Fax: (612) 588-2031Member: MinnesotaMulticultural MediaConsortium (MMMC) MidwestBlack Publishers Coalition,Inc. (MBPCI) NationalNewspaper PublishersAssociation (NNPA)

Postmaster: Send addresschanges to McFarlane MediaInterests, Marcus GarveyHouse 1815 Bryant AvenueNorth, Minneapolis,Minnesota, 55411.

ObamaFrom 1

(NNPA) - A week or so ago, Ihad the privilege ofparticipating in a conversationon NPR about collegeattendance. Sparked by a

conversation in the Chronicle ofHigher Education, a group of“experts” were opining that toomany people are going tocollege. Too many?Conservative and raciallybiased Charles Murray (authorof The Bell Curve) thinks thattoo few high school studentshave the cognition to

successfully navigate collegeattendance. Marty Nemko saysit is a cost-benefit thing.Sandy Baum says that everyoneshould have opportunity andaccess. Nobody mentions race,but I think it is the elephant inthe room. Too many whitefolks are opining that too manypeople go to college, but their

kids are in college. So do theyreally mean that too manyBlack folks go to college? Aretheir objections really aboutreinforcing a class system?

Here is what we know aboutthe benefits that come fromcollege attendance:• College graduates havelower unemployment rates than

those who did not graduatefrom college.• College graduates havehigher lifetime earning thanthose who did not graduatefrom college.• College graduates are morelikely to vote, and to becivically involved than thosewho did not graduate fromcollege.• College graduates are morelikely to contribute tophilanthropic causes and tovolunteer than those who didnot graduate from college.

All in all, it seems thatcollege attendance andgraduation are valuepropositions for our society.Of course, the data I cite areaverage data, which means thateveryone has a Diddy story ofthe high school grad or collegedropout who made good, gaveback, and all that. By and

large, though, collegeattendance and graduation areworthy goals for our society to

encourage.At the same time, we have

done poorly in fullyencouraging college attendanceand graduation. Forty percentof those 55-64 have either anAA or a BA degree, whichmeans that the United States hasthe highest rate of collegegraduation for that age group ofany country in the world. Fastforward 30 years and still 40percent of 25-34 year olds haveeither an AA or BA degree.This means that our ability toproduce college graduates hasnot improved in 30 years!While we are first for 55-64year olds, we are tenth for 25-34 year olds. Canada, NorthKorea, and Spain are among thecountries that top our collegeattendance for young people.They are investing in theireducational systems, while weare ignoring ours.

To be sure, there are someyoung people who are simplynot ready for college. Butthere have been too manybarriers to the collegeattendance of African Americanstudents, both historically andcontemporaneously.

Historically Black collegesmainly exist because white folkexcluded us from matriculation.Even today, there are studentswho could not attend collegebut for the nurturing andremediation that comes withHBCU attendance.

My NPR colleagues saidthat students who are at thebottom of their high school

classes are among those whoshould not go to college. Butmany in the bottom half of theirclasses are only there becauseof the poor quality of educationthat is delivered in inner cityhigh schools. Many studentscome damaged and witheducational deficiencies but areable to remedy theirdeficiencies with specialprograms that bring them up tospeed. I don’t think we shouldwrite off a single student, nomatter where she fell in herhigh school distribution. Mostyoung people who are willing tolearn can learn if they areenthusiastically encouraged.This is the HBCU story.

I bristle at conversationsthat speak of restricting accessto college, especially when theconversation is not viewedthrough a racial lens. The factis that college opens doors foryoung people, and many youngpeople of color need doorsopened for them. If there aretoo many people going tocollege, there are not too manyBlack people. I bristle at thenotion that we would restrictcollege access when allevidence suggests thateducation not only transformsindividual lives, but also cantransform our world.

Julianne Malveaux is Presidentof Bennett College for Womenin Greensboro, North Carolina.She can be reached atpresbennett@bennett.edu

Page 4 • December 21 - December 27, 2009 • Insight News http://insightnews.com

EDUCATION

By Julianne MalveauxNNPA Columnist

Too many are opining that too many people go to college

The Saint Paul Public SchoolsBoard of Education last weekapproved a contract to haveValeria Silva serve as theDistrict’s Superintendent effectiveWednesday, December 16.

“This has been a collaborativeand productive negotiationprocess and Ms. Silva’s leadershipand commitment to Saint PaulPublic Schools is clear,” saidBoard Chair Kazoua Kong-Thao.“This bodes well for a productiveand successful relationshipbetween the Board and

Superintendent Silva. We are fullyready to support her leadershipand are anxious for her to beginher term as superintendent, whichis why we asked that she begineffective December 16, 2009.”

Silva said that she is glad thenegotiation process is complete.“Now I can get down to the workof leading Saint Paul PublicSchools for at least the next threeyears while we all continue ourwork of providing a premiereducation for every student,”

Silva said. “I look forward to

showing that, as a leader, I holdmyself to the same expectationsthat I ask of the staff andorganization.”

Silva has served in a variety ofroles at SPPS, most recentlyserving as Chief Academic

Officer. Prior to that assignment,she was Director of EnglishLanguage Learner Programs,Assistant Principal at Dayton’s

Bluff Elementary, Principal atAdams Spanish ImmersionSchool and Coordinator of

Spanish Immersion Program /Curriculum. She has also spenttime as a Specialist for Standardsand Accommodations for theMinnesota Department ofEducation.

Silva holds B.A. degrees fromSt. Cloud State University andPontifica University of Chile andM.A. and ED.S. degrees from theUniversity of Minnesota. She alsois a recent graduate of theprestigious BroadSuperintendent’s Academy.

Valeria Silva takes leadership of Saint Paul Public Schools

Valeria Silva to serve as theDistrict’s Superintendent

www.flickr.com/photos/alphakappa/15199315/sizes/o/

All in all, it seems that collegeattendance and graduation are value

propositions for our society.

“Now I can get down to the work of leading Saint PaulPublic Schools for at least the next three years while

we all continue our work of providing a premiereducation for every student,”

spoke of a just war, moreattainable peace, and therecognized sense of self-defense. Then, he becamecentered and that recognizedcadence returned.

From his speech, it is clearthat Obama does not strive to beMartin Luther King, Jr. orMahatma Gandhi. Hispragmatic optimism mirrorsRalph Bunche, the first AfricanAmerican to receive the prize.His speech provides a furtherglimpse into the man behind thepresidency. He is a traditionalistwho refuses to follow a pre-determined path, unless hebelieves in it.

After the ceremony, anoticeably relieved PresidentObama and Michelle walked

side-by-side behind the royalentourage surrounded byapplause. That evening thecouple stood on the balcony ofthe Grand Hotel as have allNobel Laureates in past years.The crowd of thousands holdingfiery torches and shoutingblessings and praise is thelargest in Norway’s history.Beautifully dressed andsmiling, the Obamas waved tothe joyous crowd albeit behindbullet-proof glass.

Gloria J. Browne-Marshall is afreelance journalist, associateprofessor at John Jay Collegeof the City University of NewYork and founder/director ofThe Law and Policy Group, Inc.She is also the author of Race,Law, and American Society:1607 to Present.

When Nelson “Madiba” Mandela(Morgan Freeman) becamePresident of South Africa, animportant aspect of his mission wasto help his fellow citizens develop acollective consciousness in thewake of the dismantling ofApartheid. This was to be no meanfeat, for that de jure system ofsegregation had strictly enforcedcolor lines which had kept Blacksand whites apart and at odds fordecades.

Furthermore, the nation hadjust finished a bloody civil warwhich left both groups verysuspicious of each other’smotivations. Whites worried abouthow they would suddenly betreated as a minority, while Blackswere primarily concerned aboutimproving their lot in life after

having suffered second-class statusfor generations on end.

Although Mandela himself hadendured extreme hardships at thehands of the Apartheid regime,including 27 years of brutalincarceration as a political prisoner,he was determined to governimpartially, seeking to balanceBlack aspirations with white fears.Then, in 1995, with the country setto host the Rugby World CupChampionship, he seized on theidea of using the event to unite thepeople by encouraging everyone torally around the Springboks, theSouth Africa national team. So,ignoring the skepticism of hisclosest advisors, Mandelaannounced that, “Reconciliationstarts here!”

This is the point of departure ofInvictus, a combination sports sagaand historical drama directed by thelegendary Clint Eastwood.

The film co-stars MorganFreeman, who disappears

imperceptibly into his role as elderstatesman Mandela, opposite MattDamon who perfected an Afrikaneraccent in portraying FrancoisPienaar, the captain of theSpringboks. The movie is based onthe best seller Playing the Enemy:Nelson Mandela and the GameThat Made a Nation but takes itstitle from William Ernest Henley’sclassic poem containing theimmortal lines: “In the fell clutch ofcircumstance… I am the master ofmy fate; I am the captain of mysoul.”

A critical component ofMandela’s plan involved inspiringPienaar and his teammates toembrace the motto “One team, onecountry!” Still, a slogan alonewould not be enough, which meantMandela also needed theSpringboks to rise to the occasionand prevail in the tournament, if hisnovel notion were to take hold andsweep across the land. This is whyhe brought them on an outing to the

infamous Robben Island, sharingthose memorable lines from“Invictus” which had sustained himduring his incarceration in a dankprison cell there.

The movie works better whenrecounting such poignant, personalinterludes which reveal Mandela’scomplicated psyche than during thescenes recreating rugby matchesstaged in Ellis Park Stadium.Unfortunately, Invictus focuses farmore on the latter than the former,thereby subtly attributing SouthAfrica’s critical turn towards racialreconciliation more to a fairly-formulaic, sporting exploits than tothe wise insights of a sage leaderwho envisioned forgiveness as theonly path to a lasting peace.

“The rainbow nation startshere!”

Very Good (3 stars)Rated PG-13 for PG-13 for briefprofanity. Running time: 134 minutes

AESTHETICShttp://insightnews.com Insight News • December 21 - December 27, 2009 • Page 5

By Kam WilliamsFilm reviewkam@insightnews.com

Morgan Freeman stars as Nelson Mandela in inspirational historical saga

http://invictusmovie.warnerbros.com/#/Photos Morgan Freeman stars as Nelson Mandela in inspirational

historical saga

ObamaFrom 3

Ernest Marshall Ernest Marshall

HEALTHPage 6 • December 21 - December 27, 2009 • Insight News http://insightnews.com

Due to recent public discussionsabout mammograms and the timetable women should follow - andthe apparent confusion thesediscussions have created, theAmerican Cancer Society isissuing a reminder about theSociety’s screening guidelines forseveral cancers. This reminder isimportant due to the evidence thatcontinues to show the positiveimpact screenings have in severalareas.

In the U.S. death rates frombreast cancer in women have beendeclining since 1990, due in large

part to early detection bymammography screening andimprovements in treatment.Cervical cancer incidence andmortality rates have decreased67% over the past three decadeswith most of the reductionattributed to the Pap test, whichdetects cervical cancer andprecancerous lesions. Earlyscreening for colorectal cancercan identify and removeprecancerous abnormalitiespreventing cancer altogether. Ourgeneral guidelines are as follows:

Breast cancerFor women in their 20s and 30s, itis recommended that clinicalbreast examination (CBE) be partof a periodic health examination,preferably at least every threeyears. Women aged 40 and overshould continue to receive aclinical breast examination as partof a periodic health examination,preferably annually. Womenshould begin annualmammography at age 40.

Colon and rectal cancerBeginning at age 50, both menand women at average risk fordeveloping colorectal cancershould use one of severalscreening tests available. The teststhat are designed to find bothearly cancer and polyps arepreferred if these tests areavailable to you and you arewilling to have one of these moreinvasive tests. Talk to your doctorabout which test is best for you.

Prostate cancerHealth care providers shoulddiscuss the potential benefits andlimitations of prostate cancerearly detection testing with menand offer the PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) blood test andthe DRE (Digital RectalExamination) annually, beginningat age 50, to men who are ataverage risk of prostate cancer,and who have a life expectancy ofat least 10 years. The AmericanCancer Society does not supportroutine testing for prostate cancerat this time. The Society doesbelieve that health careprofessionals should discuss thepotential benefits and limitationsof prostate cancer early detectiontesting with men before anytesting begins.

Cervical cancerCervical cancer screening shouldbegin approximately three yearsafter a woman begins havingvaginal intercourse, but no later

than 21 years of age.Screening should be done

every year with conventional Paptests or every two years usingliquid-based Pap tests. Testingmay be done at a longer intervalafter a pattern of normal tests hasbeen established, and may in lateryears be stopped if certain criteriaare met.

These guidelines can beviewed in greater detail by goingto www.cancer.org/guidelines.

The American Cancer Societycombines an unyielding passionwith nearly a century ofexperience to save lives and endsuffering from cancer.

As a global grassroots force ofmore than three millionvolunteers, the American CancerSociety fights for every birthdaythreatened by every cancer inevery community. Theorganization save lives by helpingpeople stay well by preventingcancer or detecting it early;helping people get well by being

there for them during and after acancer diagnosis; by finding curesthrough investment ingroundbreaking discovery; and byfighting back by rallyinglawmakers to pass laws to defeatcancer and by rallyingcommunities worldwide to jointhe fight.

As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancerresearch, contributing nearly $3.4billion, the American CancerSociety turns what it know aboutcancer into action. As a result,more than 11 million people inAmerica who have had cancer andcountless more who have avoidedit will be celebrating birthdaysthis year.

To learn more about us or to gethelp, call us anytime, day or night,at1-800-227-2345 or visitwww.cancer.org.

Public urged to follow American Cancer Society’s guidelines

Minnesota-based Sun CountryAirlines partnered with UnitedWay and Big Brothers Big Sistersto give 90 children, ages 5-12, aunique holiday experience.

The airlines welcomed thechildren to the Humphrey Airportlast Tuesday, where they boardeda Sun Country Boeing 737, for a“Flight to the North Pole.”

Employees of Sun Countryincluding pilots, flight attendantsand agents greeted the childrenwith holiday cheer. On-boardactivities included singing holidaycarols and writing letters to Santa,as they kept watch for Santa andhis reindeer. A meal was provided

by Sky Food Catering.Following the “flight” thechildren were greeted by Santawho gave them gifts donated bySun Country employees. TheMetropolitan Airport Commissiondonated the funding to cover allairport fees.

Flight to the North Pole

http://insightnews.com Insight News • December 21 - December 27, 2009 • Page 7

City Council members, Park andRecreation Board members,Board of Estimate and Taxationmembers, Minnesota Senators andaides, Minnesota House Membersand aides, and many otherdistinguished members of theMNWPC.

The Mistress of Ceremonieswas Lulu Flores, President of theNational Women’s PoliticalCaucus, who celebrates 2009 asthe 89th anniversary of theaddition of the 19th Amendmentto the US Constitution, whichgave women the right to vote.Flores also noted, “We’re stillfighting for equal pay and accessto reproductive healthcare.”

Toni Carter, Ramsey CountyCommissioner (District 4) and theMNWPC Board Director, alsospoke at the luncheon. Carter wasfirst elected in 2005. Prior to herelection, she served as a memberand chair of the St. Paul Board ofEducation. Carter was a co-founder and the executive directorof the community-based nonprofitorganization ARTS-Us, which

provides urban youth withopportunities in the arts,environmental education, andpeer leadership for nonviolence.

The Guest Speaker, AssistantMajority Leader Sen. Tarryl Clark(DFL-15), who is running forCongress against Republican USRep. Michele Bachman (MN-6),joked about finally getting to wearpants on the MN Senate floor.Clark was first elected in 2005.She is an advocate for issues suchas education, health care, jobs andeconomic development, andstrengthening communities.

The keynote speaker of theluncheon was MN AttorneyGeneral Lori Swanson. She toldstories of the discrimination shefaced while running for office andpoints out that “The number ofwomen in legislative governmentstill does not match the percentageof women in the population…It isso important that we encouragewomen to run for public office.”

Swanson was elected in 2006.She is one of the only four femaleelected Attorney Generals in thenation and the first in the State ofMinnesota. Swanson has been astrong advocate in areas such aspredatory lending, health carereform, financial fraud against the

elderly, utility rate hikes,consumer protection, criminaljustice, public safety, andprotecting our natural resources.

Also in attendance were USRep. Keith Ellison’s (DFL-5) wifeKim and their daughter Amirah.Amirah and two of her friendsspoke about a nonprofit theystarted called Children forChange, which is meant to getyoung people involved in politicsand to help them to find theirvoices. “Our lives are beingdictated by politicians…Weshould have a say if our schoolsare closed,” she said.

Kathleen Murphy, theExecutive Director for theMinnesota ConstitutionalAmendment for Equality (CAFE)Coalition, spoke about one of themain political actions that theMNWPC is currently supporting.The coalition is attempting tosecure equal rights between menand women into the MinnesotaState Constitution. Theamendment reads, “Equality ofrights under the law shall not beabridged or denied by the State ofMinnesota or any of its politicalsubdivisions on account of gender.The legislature may enforce theprovisions of this section by

appropriate legislation.”The Minnesota CAFE

Coalition believes such anamendment is necessary becausewhile most gender issues inMinnesota statutes have beenequalized, including the HumanRights Act, legislation can berolled back. A statute can be moreeasily changed or limited by eitherthe Legislature or the courts.Saying ‘legislation is enough’ issaying that equal rights betweenmen and women are not importantenough to be protected and upheldin the State Constitution, theyargue. Other Constitutionalamendments include theauthorization of a state lottery,protecting hunting and fishingrights, dedicating money to theenvironment, and authorizingmoney to Vietnam and PersianGulf Veterans. The coalition asks,“Are these amendments moreimportant than equal rights forALL the citizens of our state?”

For more information on theMinnesota CAFE Coalition, visitwww.mnCAFEcoalition.org.

For more information on theMNWPC, visit www.mnwpc.org.

LuncheonFrom 1

Jonathan ChapmanUnitedHealthcare Volunteer Jeanne Gosselin gives Lijia Brown agift as part of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities Adopt-

A-Family program while Lijia’s brother, Keyshawn, plays withNordy, the Minnesota Wild mascot. The Adopt-A-Family event is

part of UnitedHealthcare’s “Do Good. Live Well.” socialresponsibility campaign which encourages employees to

volunteer in their communities.

facing catastrophe,” Samatarsaid.

Samatar continued, “the otherpoint I want to present in thisforum relates to what Imentioned before: Can Somalissurvive in their own politicaldeath? I am not sure, if they can.One can’t give up human beingswho are still alive.”

He said recent reports showthe Somali population in Somalianow are 45-50% malnutritioned.“Even the current president cameto Minnesota recently and nevereven spoke about it,” he said.

Somalia’s fate, he said, iscurrently in the hands of alegless, no capacity governmentand merciless militia that want toforce onto the Somali peoplewhat he called an “IslamistProject.”

So, what are the lessons forthe other people in the Horn ofAfrica can learn from this, thepeople in the region?

“The answer is the flip side ofthis,” said Samatar. “Despite theanimosity between theEthiopians and Eritreans, I thinkthese communities should thinkbigger.”

He called for triple identity,Eritrean should become Eritreanfirst, then Ethiopian and Pan-Africanist and Ethiopians viseversa. He warned that if youdon’t do that and retreat tonationalism or your own comfort,it will not solve anythingincluding the challenges we facein the Horn of Africa.

“Triple identity concept withaction not just talk can bringresults and can make you survivefrom political death.” Samatartold the audience.

Samatar concluded that thepeople of the Horn of Africaneed: Freedom – respecting ofindividual liberty, equality –Everyone equal under law,democracy – accepting thedifferences and adoptingprinciple of non-violence.

Putting Humanity BeforeEthnicity

Obang Metho, who travelledfrom Canada where he currentlyresides, told the audiencerepeatedly that no one is immunefrom abuse until we all embracethat all humanities are equal.Obang who came from theGambela region, South West ofEthiopia, said when he went backto his region after studying inCanada, he was shocked withwhat he saw there. One hospitalfor half million people, onedoctor for all, no access to cleanwater. He said Gambela is themost marginalized region inEthiopia.

Obang mentioned themassacre that took place inGambella on December 2003. Hesaid Ethiopian forces went fromhouse to house killing civilians.These people were “mostlyeducated, some of the people Iwas working with. The idea ofthe government was kill thesnake from the head and the restof the body is nonsense no matterhow big it is,” he said. In thatkilling, the head of the Enuakpeople eliminated.

“I think until we can cometogether and value the life ofeveryone, we will not be wherewe want. Governments abusetheir power on to one group while

others watch. Then whathappens next, the abuse moves toanother group, and anothergroup. Obang said: “Theeducators told us the academicsolution, but I will tell you thehumanity solution: put yourselfunder shoes of others and think.The only way we can stop anyform of violence or injustice is toput our humanity first andethnicity second or third. Let usrespect the universal law ofindividual right is a humanright.”

“There are those who mayquestion the very idea of aDiaspora community far awayfrom the daily suffering andchallenges of the people of theHorn of Africa trying to getinvolved in a civic effort that isintended to enhance thepossibility of peace in a regiondesperately starving for lastingpeace,” said Seyoum Tesfaye,Chairman of Eritrean GlobalSolidarity.

He said, “Do we have a rightor a duty to get involved in a veryvolatile region that we have leftbehind voluntarily or were forcedto abandon it due the crisis thatseems endemic to the region? Itis a legitimate doubt presented bya way of question.”

Tesfaye said that those of uswho feel that we have a duty anda responsibility to do our share tocontribute, to the extent that ispossible, be it from the comfortzone of an air-conditionedAmerican conference room, musttake the doubt raised with all theseriousness we could master. Theeffort to add our modest voices tothe expanding conversation onhow best to give back to ourformer homeland while at thesame time waging an all-outefforts to find our rightful placein the American quilt will not bean easy process.

Which comes first: the egg orthe chicken? Should the Diaspora first focus infinding a more accelerated wayof becoming an integral part ofthe ongoing American grandexperiment or stay confinedwithin the margin while beingconsumed by cascading events inthe country or region of origin?This is not counterpoising twopossibilities, but setting up theparameters of the challenge tostress the choice being faced bynewly arriving immigrants fromthe Horn Region like all otherprevious immigrants that hadfinally blended in into the

American society empoweredand integrated into the very fiberof the political and economicsystem.

Tesfaye posed the question:Could a Diaspora communityexperimenting with its newlyenshrined hyphenated existencebe formidable enough to leverageits limited integration into theAmerican civilization to helpenhance the possibility of peacein a besieged region?

Responding to his question hesaid, “the most optimisticallysimple and simplistic answer willbe yes it could.”

Tesfaye said he is a firmbeliever that our duty to America,once we have voluntarilyaccepted US citizenship, comesahead of our loyalty to ourformer country. Culturalambiguity and sense of loss thatmost immigrants feel whengiving up their originalcitizenship is understandable.But failing to grasp the full legalimplication of being an Americancitizen and not deploying thisnew privilege in its correct andlegitimate way has graveconsequences.

“When dealing with our

former homeland. We must standfor democracy, rule of law,justice, human rights andfairness,” Tesfaye said.

Tesfaye concluded by saying:“Like all other immigrants whowish to do their best to help theircountry of origin we will slowlybuild our skill level and, whetherwe like it or not, be absorbed intothe American system as EritreanAmerican, Ethiopian Americanand Somali American- with thehyphenation as a comfortingconcession to our African(ancestral) soul. We are citizensof the USA. We are Americans.We have to respect the AmericanConstitution and present ourconcerns under the protection ofthe Bill of Rights.”

This event was sponsored bythe African News Journal andThe Eritrean Global Solidarity,hosted by Al McFarlane ofInsight News, coordinated bySaeed Fahia of SomaliConfederation, Dr. Magn Nyangof Gambella Relief Organizationand Petros Haile, of EritreanGlobal Solidarity, MinnesotaChapter.

If you were to look in the furthestcorner of my closet, you woulddiscover where I store my festiveattire; my gold metallic jacket, mysequined tank top, my goldshimmery blouse and a couple ofother items. While I really like thesepieces, I only wear them duringNovember, December, and Januarybecause they are my official holi-wear (holiday celebration wear-allof which can be worn with myfavorite pair of black pants). Whenthis season comes around each year,I enjoy dressing myself as much as Ienjoy dressing my Christmas tree.

Of course, if I were a super star, Icould ‘rock’ this kind of clothingyear round (but my oldest daughterkeeps begging me not to; especiallynot the gold jacket!) The thingabout my holi-wear, is that afterattending a few holiday parties andindulging in a few too many bakedgoods, I’m finding that the fit of mygear has changed (I think it shrunkin the wash; that’s the story I’msticking to!)

If you have discovered yourfavorite holiday outfit hasinexplicably become snug, ill-fitting, or outdated, no worries! Ihave a few budget-mindedsuggestions that may help youachieve the glam-factor for theremainder of the holiday season.

Instant holiday slimmingundergarmentsIf you’ve found a few extra poundshiding on your body, don’t panic.Instead, head to your localdepartment or discount store for thenewest slimming undergarmentsand shapers; camis, slips, unitards,and briefs (they even have aslimming tank for men to containthe beer-belly).

Wear your new smoothingslimmer under your old holi-wearand enjoy fewer bulges and moreconfidence. I just picked up aFlexees brand camisole for around$22 at Kohl’s (on sale, with extra30%-off coupon-you know how Ido).

Hot holiday slimming stylesIf you are in the market for a newoutfit for the employee Christmasparty, dazzle your coworkers withthe slimming style of a wrap-aroundtop with a v-neckline. Whether youchoose a top or dress, the plungingneckline draws the eye up towardthe face. In addition, the wrap-around style helps create a waistlineand camouflage a thickermidsection. In fact, manymanufacturers are making clothingwith tummy control panels builtinside of the garment. They can befound at discounted stores like Wal-Mart, as well as the high-endretailers.

Touchable holiday texturesIf you want to achieve the glitz and

glam look for that special NewYear’s Eve party, then select ashimmery blouse, with metallicthreading. A top with sequins looksgreat peeking from underneath aslimming black jacket. You couldalso choose a velvety dress withdraping that hides the trouble spots.Let’s not forget about accessories-they always make the outfit pop;patent shoes, glittery pumps, orstrappy-buckle boots, danglyearring, chunky necklaces and shinybracelets.

Are you feeling the need to perkup your holiday look and cinch inyour holiday waistline? Head overto your favorite retailer and (first tryon, then) buy one of these magicalslimming garments. Whether youpick up wonder-undies, or go for the

outfit with the “built-ins,” you’lllook great, feel confident, and havemuch more fun getting your grooveon during the festivities. Finally,once you have gotten dressed forthat special evening and the mirrorconfirms that you are looking goodon the outside, don’t leave the housewithout the two most importantgarments that go with every style,every color, and every occasion;your SMILE and your LOVE.

Dear Friends, let us love oneanother, for love comes from God. 1John 4:7 Enjoy!Marcia Humphrey is an interiordecorator and home stager whospecializes in achieving high style atlow costs. A native of Michigan, sheand her husband, Lonnie, have threechildren.

Page 8 • December 21 - December 27, 2009 • Insight News http://insightnews.com

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http://insightnews.com Insight News • December 21 - December 27, 2009 • Page 9

- described what their constituentsare dealing with and told why theymust continue to act.

“Members of the CongressionalBlack Caucus are being bombardedwith requests for assistance byminority businesses that have nocapital,” continued Waters. “Thebanks won’t lend them any money.They’re either closing down orthreatening to be closed down. Thejoblessness is off the scale. Not onlydo we have long lines seekingunemployment, but onThanksgiving Day around thecountry - including the scenes thatcame out of Atlanta and LosAngeles - there were thousands ofpeople standing in line for turkeysand turkey dinners. In Los Angeles,I walked a four-block square place

where they were giving out baskets.In that line were the disabled. Onelady was 94-years-old.”

Joblessness, frustration,hopelessness - the sentiments aresynonymous from state to state.

“They’re going through atremendous, tremendousdesperation effort,” said U.S. Rep.David Scott (D-GA). “Even if youlook at all of your own newspapers,advertising dollars are not there. Wesit here as Congress people withtremendous leverage and power. Itwas so important for us to use thatleverage.”

U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA),Chairwoman of the CongressionalBlack Caucus, is supportive of theFinancial Services Committee’sstance and said in a statementfollowing remarks by PresidentBarack Obama on job creation andeconomic growth: “PresidentObama’s speech was another soberreminder of the important work wemust do to grow our economy andcreate jobs. While we agree with thepresident that support for smallbusinesses, infrastructureinvestment and green jobs isessential, we also believe that muchmore needs to be done, particularlyfor those Americans who are

hurting most.”What the 10 Black members did

was boycott the committee’s finalvote on a broad-sweeping financialoverhaul bill. Instead, they wereover at the White House trying toobtain greater funding for economicadvances in the Black community.The vote passed narrowly, but theCBC’s action effectively forced $4billion to the table to go directlytoward helping people keep theirhomes after they’ve lost their jobs.In addition to the needs of Blackbusinesses, home owners and thejobless, a news release describingthe boycott specifically cited theimportance of spending federaladvertising dollars with Blacknewspapers.

“Like other businesses, accessto capital has been a challenge forthis industry as well. With decliningad revenues, newspaperseverywhere are struggling tosurvive,” the statement said.

Danny Bakewell, chairman ofthe 200-member NationalNewspaper Publishers Association,was credited by several membersfor helping to spark the protest byhis firebrand lobbying aroundCapitol Hill.

Bakewell said he is delighted atthe stance taken by the CBC, butmuch more must be done torecognize the power of the BlackPress to the nation.

“We have been the backboneand the foundation on whichAmerica was built. And in this case,what we are realizing is that wecontinue to be the foundation onwhich many of these corporationsmake their profits and develop theirbrands throughout the country andwe’re not going to continue to sitidly by and let them do that whilethe very fabric of our community iscrumbling from within. We’reserving notice on General Motors,Ford, Toyota, and other automotivecompanies and the automotiveindustry that there will be no morebusiness as usual,” said Bakewell.

Bakewell and NNPAFoundation Chair Dorothy R.Leavell, as well as Mollie Belt, 2ndVice Chair of NNPA and MichaelHouse, NNPA Marketing

Chairperson, have begun a series ofmeetings with corporations andhave already made inroads.

“We’ve met with AT&T. Theyhave been very receptive. Theyrepresent what we believe at thispoint we can say is a good corporatecitizen,” Bakewell said. “We’re notasking for a bail out or a hand out,we’re asking for reciprocity andrespect.”

Bakewell explained that theBlack community, Blacknewspapers included, are beingshortchanged for the dollars theyspend with businesses andcorporations.

“We’re asking what percentageof the market share do we representa company’s business, their profitmargin? If we represent onepercent, we don’t expect to getanything more than one percent.But, if we represent 50 percent, weexpect to have 50 percent of theirresources and their effort going tostrengthen their brand and buildingtheir brand in our community,”Bakewell said.

In order to avoid legalramifications, the committee agreedto target the money towardcommunities with the highest socio-economic impact rather than byrace. That includes most of the CBCdistricts.

“Across the country, it isabsolutely shocking,” said U.S.Rep. Al Green (D-TX). “It is veryunfortunate that we have to makethis commentary, but the truth of thematter is that there are people whoare suffering and who have not beenidentified properly...We cannotleave these communities behind. Ifit goes to the areas where theunemployment is the highest, itcovers the people who are sufferingthe most.

Green said his office has foundthat the federal government spendsabout 5 percent of $4.3 billion forad-related expenditures on smallbusiness and minority businesses. “We can do better than that,” hesaid. “These newspapers, not onlydo they benefit from the ads, but thecommunity benefits from themessage that the ads bring to thecommunity because it goes to acorner of the community that is notpenetrated by other newspapers.”

Part of the money will comefrom the TARP (Troubled AssetRelief Program).

“There’s no more troubledassets than a job and your home,”said Scott. “So, now we are usingour muscle to address the highjobless rates in our communities

and the high foreclosure rate.”CBC members are hoping to get

even more as they continue to usecreative ways to call attention to theswelling problems in the Blackcommunity that have shaken up theoffices of the CBC members.

“The traditional role of amember of Congress before theeconomic downturn was tobasically intervene with the federalgovernment agencies on behalf ofconstituents, people didn’t get theirVA checks or social security checksor they were needing help gettingtheir travel documents or visas orpassport,” said U.S. Rep. Mel Watt(D-NC). “But, disproportionatelynow, people are calling forgrassroots down in the communityhelp. I need food, I need housing. Ineed to be protected from aforeclosure. I need assistance withmortgage modification, I need youto find me a job. Businesses arecalling saying I can’t find any loans,I can’t get credit.”

Congressman Gregory Meeks(D-NY) says his district has been hitespecially hard in homeownership.

“My district in the city of NewYork is number one in foreclosures.So, more people are losing theirhomes and thereby losing wealth.And so much so that I’ve had to getnot-for-profit organizations thathave expertise in helpingindividuals work through theseproblems,” he said. “We really can’tmake a decision in trying to savepeople’s homes. So they’re feelingthat the dream that they had, theAmerican dream of having homeownership, they had it, but they’relosing it and as a result losing theircredit, which might mean they maynot be able to gain it again.”

U.S. Rep. Lacy Clay (D-MO)said it’s like the lifeblood flowing

out of the communities. Missouri,like the rest of the country, ishemorrhaging, especially in theAfrican American community fromthe economic woes of thiscountry...There is no job creation,there is no rescue or bailout forthose African-Americans who havebeen caught in a cycle of homeforeclosures, job losses and healthcare benefits, all of that is

precarious to our community,unique to our community.

U.S. Rep. Eldridge Cleaver (D-MO) said his constituents are wiseto the fact that they’ve beenneglected while big businesses werebailed out. “It is not just impactingthe uneducated, it’s impacting theentire community. We gave GeneralMotors billions of dollars. Theydon’t advertise in Blacknewspapers. They don’t advertise

on Black radio. That’s not right.And there’s no reason for us toremain passive or silent as that’shappening,” said Cleaver.

CBC members have known allalong about the disparate treatmentof Blacks. But recently they wereenlightened to the point of takingtheir consciousness to a new levelof protest.

“As we worked through the

process of getting to the point wherewe were going to vote for the finalWall Street bill, it became more andmore difficult for the 10 membersof financial services to vote for itbecause it felt like we were navelgazing,” said Gwen Moore (D-WI)“We saw that we were presidingover the entire collapse of the Blackeconomy. We had to make adecision about how to get attentionon a whole sector of our economythat was about to go under. It wasn’tlike the Black community wasgetting a hair cut, we were beingbeheaded.”

With the Black unemploymentrate surpassing 15 percent while theoverall rate is at 10 percent, there isone cry above all others for whichthe CBC vows to continue to stand:“Jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs,”lamented Rep. Andre Carson (D-IN) “We’re dealing with so manycontentious issues in Congress, tosee people who are bold andunapologetic, you can’t do anythingbut respect it whether you agree ordisagree philosophically, theboldness that comes with that standcan’t be overlooked.”

CBCFrom 1

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN)

"So, now we are using our muscleto address the high jobless rates in

our communities and the highforeclosure rate."

“We gave General Motors billions ofdollars. They don't advertise in Blacknewspapers. They don't advertise on

Black radio. That's not right.”

Page 10 • December 21 - December 27, 2009 • Insight News http://insightnews.com

Send Community Calendarinformation to us by: email,ben@insightnews.com, by fax:612-588-2031, by phone: (612)588-1313 or by mail: 1815 BryantAve. N. Minneapolis, MN 55411,Attn: Ben Williams. Free or lowcost events preferred.

EventsFree film showing: “THE BIGSELL-OUT” – Dec. 21Mon., Dec. 21, 6:30 PM. Lowerlevel – St. Joan of Arc Church,4537 Third Ave. S., Mpls. The filmshows how international financialinstitutions such as the IMF and theWorld Bank demand huge cuts in

public spending, the privatizationof public services and marketliberalization as the path toeconomic development.

Protect The E.D.G.E and UrbanStars Christmas BasketballClinic – Dec. 21, 22, 23Dec. 21, 22, and 23. 8 - 4:30 pmeach day at Colin PowellBasketball Center. 2924 4th Ave S.,Mpls. For Boys and Girls, ages 8-17. Cost: Now $65.99 / participantincludes: Lunch, T-shirt,awards/participation certificates.Register online at: http://www.protecttheedgenow.com/xmasclinic.html

Jamaica MinnesotaOrganization Benefit RaffleAll Proceeds Benefit JMOScholarship Program. $5Contribution per ticket. Increaseyour chances with multiple tickets.Contact JMO members for ticketsor Mail contributions to JMO ataddress: JAMAICAMINNESOTA ORGANIZATION,P.O. Box 580726, Minneapolis,MN 55458. For contributions bymail, JMO will mail out tickets.More info: 651-639-7687

Free job search workshop - Dec.22Tues., 1 - 3:30pm at New HorizonsLearning Center, 4510 W 77th Stin Edina. Help Wanted Workshopwill offer a free job searchworkshop to test the curriculum forfuture seminars. We’re looking toinclude 8-12 people to participateand provide feedback. To register,call Julie at 763-656-3808, email: julie@helpwantedworkshop.com or website: www.helpwantedworkshop.com.

Winter Break Nature Campsfor Children 6 to 12

Powderhorn Park and RecreationCenter, 3400 15th Ave S, Mpls.Dec. 28 - 31, 1 to 4 p.m. 2101Franklin Ave W, Mpls. Dec. 21-23,1 to 4 p.m. 4400 Dupont Ave N,Mpls. Dec. 28 - 31 9a.m. to 4p.m.(9-12:00 on Thurs). Moreinformation and registration atwww.minneapolisparks.org

Snowshoeing at Wirth Park – Dec. 26 Sat., Dec. 26, 10:00am to 11:30am.Snowshoe through Wirth Park inan area that most people only see insummer. Watch for wildlife as youtromp through the snow.Snowshoes provided. Meet at theWirth Beach parking lot onGlenwood Ave just east ofTheodore Wirth Parkway. Registerat minneapolisparks.org or call313-7725.

Mighty Fortress InternationalChurch New Year’s EveCelebration - Dec. 316500 85th Ave N., Brooklyn Park,MN. Doors open at 9 pm.Celebration starts at 10 pm. Afterparty 1 am until. FFI: (763) 515-4800, ww.mfim.net

2009 IBEW HolidayLights in the Park – Nowthrough Dec. 31Daily Nov. 24 through Dec.31. Hours of Operation: 5:30pm to 10:00 pm each day.Phalen Park in Saint Paul at1615 Phalen Drive East.

“Yolka”: Masked Ball for Kidsand Adults - Jan. 9Sat., Jan. 9, 3 pm at Holy CrossLutheran Church, 1720Minnehaha Parkway, Mpls.Registration: 612-978-6209 or e-mail:elesha52@yahoo.com.www.rusculturemn.com

Winter Trails at Fort Snelling -Jan. 9Sat., Jan. 9, 1pm – 4pm; FortSnelling State Park Picnic ShelterA, Minneapolis, MN. Visitwww.wintertrails.org for moreinformation or call 651-635-0211.

Listening to the Past: BrownieGirl Scout Workshop – Jan 9Jan. 9, 10:30 a.m. to Noon at theMinnesota History Center, 345Kellogg Blvd W., St. Paul. For moreinfo and ticket information:www.minnesotahistorycenter.org,651-259-3000. Reservationsrequired.

Jawaahir Dance Company 17thAnnual Henna Party – Jan 10Sun., Jan. 10, 2–5 P.M. at JawaahirDance Company, 1940 HennepinAve., Mpls. $10 single, $8 each forgroups of five or more. 612-872-6050, www.jawaahir.org

New Year’s Tea Brunch & BibleFellowship – Jan 16Saturday, January 16, 9:00 AM –11:30 AM at Dennis Ministries(located in the Dymanyk ElectricBldg), 1919 Broadway NE, Mpls.R.S.V.P by: January 12. 763-951-2288, dennisministries@yahoo.com.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

ABAMinnesota Blizzards Basketball The Minnesota Blizzards ABA Basketball Teamis announcing a program for college Internshipsfor the fall and winter. The program will consistof five teams of 5 interns each in the followingareas: (1) Sales, (2) Basketball Operations. (3)Marketing (4) Public Relations (5) Businessadministration. Each team will have a leaderand be given challenging assignments.

We are looking for college students majoring inSports Management, Business, PublicRelations, Marketing Sales, Broadcasting andEvent Planning. We need 20 or 25 internsworking with us for a (minimum of 8 hours aweek) on a part-time basis. Interns will gainvaluable experience, and in most cases collegecredits. Interested Parties please send resume to:

The Minnesota ABA Team Attn: Internship Program10125 Crosstown Circle #200Eden Prairie, MN 55344

952-829-1250 Fax: 952-829-1040www.minnesotablizzards.com

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Grants and Appeals CoordinatorSummit Academy OIC is seeking a highly skilled and experienced grantand appeals writer to coordinate and develop long-term, expandedconstituency for grants, and gifts for support of vocational educationprograms of the Summit Academy OIC. The ideal candidates musthave a four-year college degree and at least four years proven grantwriting experience and development work in the non-profit sector.Candidates must also possess expert level skills in word processing,spreadsheets and database management programs. Salary iscommensurate with education and experience. Valid Driver's licenserequired. EEO/AA Employer. Position open until filled. Women andminorities encouraged to apply. Submit all resumes tocbennett@saoic.org. No phone inquiries, please.

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CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERINGINTERNSHIP

PCL Construction Services, Inc. is seeking anEngineering or Construction Managementstudent to fill a full-time internship opportunityduring the summer of 2010. Position details &application can be found online atwww.pcl.com. Job ID # 1530. No phone callsor walk-ins please. PCL is an EqualOpportunity Employer M/F/D/V

M & E COORDINATORPCL Construction Services, Inc. is seeking afull-time M & E Coordinator to work from ourBurnsville, MN office. Travel required. Degreein Engineering or Construction Managementrequired & 7-10 years experience preferred.Position details & application can be foundonline at www.pcl.com. Job ID # 1642. Nophone calls or walk-ins please. PCL is anEqual Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V

Job AnnouncementThe Minneapolis Urban League is looking for visionary directors who areable to see the "Big Picture". These positions are for individuals who arelooking for a great opportunity to be a part of launching the MUL "Gateway2 Opportunity" strategic plan, and shaping and enhancing the mission ofthe Urban League.

Health & Wellness Director - The Director is responsible for managing allMinneapolis Urban League (MUL) Health and Social Wellness Programsand expanding the current programs and services to other heath disparitiesto achieve results and meet annual goals. The Director will plan, develop,implement, and evaluate health education strategies, interventions andprograms to improve the quality of life and health outcomes of diversepopulations. This is a professional position working in the development andcoordination of health education, health promotion, and communityoutreach activities. They accomplish their objectives by buildingcollaborative relationships with staff, peers, leadership and the community.

WorkForce Solutions Director - The Director is responsible for managingall Minneapolis Urban League (MUL) WorkForce Solutions EmploymentPrograms and workforce development activities, including long-establishedprograms as well as start-up activities. The Director will ensure that allcontract requirements are met, and support WorkForce Solutionsmanagers, supervisors, and staff with expansion of their programs andservices. These positions require a Bachelor's degree in human services, businessworkforce development, health education, health promotion, or relatedfield. Five to ten years of leadership or management experience in thenon-profit sector. Three to Five years of leadership or managementexperience in employment and training services or in a social serviceagency, especially helping individuals with barriers to achieveindependence.

Social Engagement Manager - The Social Engagement Manager is amember of the Fund Development Team and creates, implements andmanages the MUL Brand in ways that build support and increase revenuefrom individuals, corporate, events and campaigns. The SocialEngagement Manager will research revenue sources, cultivate andmanage relationships and solicit donation by writing grants and other fundraising related activities. The Social Engagement Manager will develop,execute and manage MUL events such as: Family Day, the Annual Dinner,special receptions, membership campaigns, and individual donors. A savvysocial media expert who will be responsible for the development,implementation and management of MUL online networks such asFacebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, e-news services, and others to buildmembership.

This position requires Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, PublicRelations, Communication, Journalism or English, or related field. Eventdevelopment and management experience is required and securingsponsorships is preferred. Minimum of (2) years experience in grantresearch, grant writing, public relations/marketing, editing and writingpublications, and meeting/special events planning, and experience withonline marketing.

To apply email cover letter and resume to sploveless@mul.org; fax to 612-521-1444 or mail to 2100 Plymouth Ave. No., Mpls, Mn 55411, Attn: HR -Preferred method is email. The deadline is December 29, 2009.

In African American vernacularspeech you may find the word‘grill’ which is a synonym forface. ‘Grill’ can also be used as averb that is synonymous with‘stare’; for example, she was

grillin’ me from all the way acrossthe room. Wishful thinking. Iestablish these terms because theVikings’ crown prince ofrecession suppression (he’sbringing in money and makingrecession life easier for brokeMinnesotans), Brett Favre, has anew look on his face. Favreofficially has on his ‘Playoff Grill’and seems poised to lead theVikings to a place that only he onthis team is familiar with, theSuperbowl.

The surprising loss to theArizona Cardinals a couple weeksago served a good purpose for theVikings. That game served thepurpose of driving home the

reality that the Vikings were notgoing to be able to smile their wayto a championship. For the firstthree quarters of the season theVikings have been a regular funbunch. With game winning “Hail-Mary” touchdown victories, andthe other games, which seem toget settled by halftime, theVikings have had plenty of time toenjoy jolly sideline time in theblowouts, and jubilant locker-room celebrations for the lastminute movie script type wins.And so the Vikings have seemedto be on a sort of cruise control,that two victories over their nextclosest division rival Green Bayprovides them the comfort off.

In one of my Vikings articlesfrom December of last year, Icommented on the many demonsthat the Vikings needed to conquerin order to reach the level ofsuccess that their talent suggeststhey should achieve. TheirDecember schedule of games lastyear had contests versus theArizona Cardinals, AtlantaFalcons, and NY Giants. Theseare all teams that have caused theVikings very painful memoriesfrom recent history. The Vikingsdid pretty well during that stretch,winning two of the three games.Oddly enough, the Cardinals werethe first team they played in thosefinal three games, and theCardinals went on to play in theSuperbowl despite the fact that theVikings firmly put their foot in theCardinals backside with a 35-14victory. Go figure.

This year, the Cardinals camearound on the schedule and servedthe Vikings up a friendly reminderof what time in the football seasonit is. At this point in the NFLseason players begin lookingforward to the potential for a fewextra paychecks should they makethe playoffs and advance.Naturally everyone is a bit moreengaged when there is somemoney on the line, and Superbowlvictories reward players andcoaches with a Mt. Kilimanjaro-sized ring that is good for bookdeals and paid autograph sessionsfrom here until someone turns outthe lights on this small planet(that’s why I don’t get playersleaving championship teams for aslightly bigger paycheckelsewhere).

The Vikings were joyfullyenjoying their season up until thatloss, which the Cardinals playedlike a playoff game, and theVikings played like…well…theyplayed like a group of happy fellashaving fun. After getting smackedaround a few times, and throwinga few interceptions, Favre had alook on his face of uncertainty forthe first time this year. Favre fellapart last year for the Jets due to

injury, and now the samequestions of his durability werecreeping in. So what did Favredo? He dropped the “regularseason smile” and put on his“playoff grill.” In the immediategame after the Cardinals, againstthe Cincinnati Bengels, Favrelooked about as stoic and focusedas a man facing a real Bengaltiger. This “playoff grill” and theeffect that it and the return ofcornerback Antoine Winfieldshould have on the team, couldmean that the Vikings and theirfans get to open up the big boxwith the big bow for this NFLholiday season.

I’m writing a lot about theVikings because after theemotional roller coaster of this

year, I don’t think that Mr. Favrewill return for the encore nextseason; which may involve amuch better Green Bay Packerteam considering the feverish waythat they are finishing the seasonwith victories, and Favre wants noparts of the thought of losing tothem next year.

So enjoy the Vikings currentsuccess and consider it aChristmas gift during a coldrecessionary winter. There areplenty of sports options for adultsand youth, to either watch orparticipate in, during this familyfocused time of year. Takeadvantage, and Merry Christmas.

By Ryan T. Scottryan@insightnews.com

Mr T’sSportsReport

MN Vikings preparing for the Playoffs

http://insightnews.com Insight News • December 21 - December 27, 2009 • Page 11

SPORTS

prod.static.vikings.clubs.nfl.comFavre and company celebrate last second win against San Francisco 49ers

Page 12 • December 21 - December 27, 2009 • Insight News http://insightnews.com

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