Buying a house or a piece of property to call your own is part of the American Dream. But if you're African American, that dream is becoming further and further out of reach. Whether you're a renter trying to buy your first home or a homeowner looking for a modification to avoid foreclosure, it has become more difficult than ever to get approved for a loan and just as … [Read more...]
Author turns traumatic childhood experience into a book
Minnesota senior credits Alex Haley for encouraging her to write Dr. Thelma Battle-Buckner for most of her four-score-plus life has forged a “blessed path” from the South to Minnesota. “I just did what became natural for me to do,” she admits. Born in Mississippi to Nathan and Bessie Battle, Battle-Buckner is one of 13 children. She graduated from high school in 1949, got … [Read more...]
City prep star returns to play for Gophers
There are approximately 100 African American and other student-athletes of color this school year at the University of Minnesota. In an occasional series throughout the 2014-15 school and sports year, the MSR will highlight many of these players. This week: Gopher women’s basketball transfer Allina Starr. Allina Starr is Gophers Head Coach Marlene Stollings’ first city signee. … [Read more...]
Four City Conference teams could be playing come March
By March there could be three teams from the Minneapolis City Conference and one from the St. Paul City Conference representing at the state boys’ basketball tournament while being led by some of the state’s top players. St. Paul Johnson, ranked No. 2 in Class 3A, is led by point guard Jalen Mobley’s 17.5 points per game. Tyler Johnson leads Minneapolis North, ranked … [Read more...]
Jail population overlooked in reform efforts
In a system that is often overlooked by the public and misused by law enforcement, Blacks account for more than one-third (36 percent) of the jail population, according to a new report from the Vera Institute of Justice, a nonpartisan research and policy group. The report titled, “Incarceration’s Front Door: The Misuse of Jails in America,” details the practices and policies … [Read more...]