WCCO 4 (CBS) Television fails in journalistic integrity with “edited and spliced” tape of the Minneapolis Police Beating of Ira Stafford…rating F-
People that like honest and factual reporting can watch the full un-edited squad car video of the Minneapolis Police beating of Ira Stafford on Sunday, March 7, 2010 on the Black Focus Show hosted by Ron Edwards on channel 17 (Minneapolis Television Network) at 5 p.m. – this broadcast of the real tape will prove that WCCO 4 is nothing more than a self-masturbating, fluff station that obstructs viewers from factual data when it comes to the Black community. CBS needs to change the content manager at the station (and a few reporters).
Minneapolis (IBNN)…At 4: 22 a.m. on August 14, 2009 Ira Stafford, a resident of north Minneapolis was stopped by Minneapolis Police Officers on Lowry and Bryant north for his brake lights not working. (On 10/08/09 charges against Mr. Stafford were dismissed.)
Squad 425’s camera show’s a different account of what happened to Mr. Stafford then what WCCO channel 4 showed to its viewers at 10 p.m. on Wednesday, March 3, 2010.
WCCO has posted their version on the WCCO.com website titled, “Mpls. Police Officials Investigate Traffic Arrest,” as reported by Caroline Lowe. We want to remind readers that this is the same reporter who was given “leaked” information about the Minneapolis police overtime controversy who squashed any public reporting of the heinous administrative practices of the MPD.
The fact is, WCCO 4 downplayed what really happen on the night of August 14, 2010. The video that will be played Sunday on Black Focus from squad car 425 shows that Mr. Stafford’s taillights and brake lights clearly were in working order. The tape will also show a Black man who was beaten, tasered and yelled, “Why are all you White police man beating me,” – and answered, “There’s a Hmong officer here too!”
WCCO Channel 4, a CBS wholly owned station continues show only parts of the story. By “downplaying” and obstructing factual data to its viewers WCCO 4 again has been rated by African-Americans (and Friends) Against Mainstream Media F- on reporting in and about the Black community and its continued effort to address police brutality to include the murders of Quincy Smith and Fong Lee.
WCCO 4 Television makes it easy for news items in the Black community are stuffed under a rug without any fairness in reporting or journalistic integrity. I guess that’s why they make the big bucks… Read more
KFAI-FM: WAVE Project – “Is a Spoonful of Integration enough for the rest of us?” Sunday, February 14, 2010 at 6 p.m.
“By listening and watching local media, you would think that Valentines Day was the only event going on in the month of February. With CNN’s special, featuring Soledad O’Brien’s “Black in America 2,” – a watered down version of what it’s like to be Black America is skewed for a White audience, it misses the mark at every turn. The issues for those who are forward thinkers are jobs, economic development and education. Tune in KFAI on Sunday for the real State of the Union about Black America.”
Minneapolis, MN Feb. 12 / IBNN/ — Tune in Sunday, February 14, 2010 to KFAI-FM Radio at 90.3FM (Minneapolis) & 106.7 (St. Paul), 6 p.m.-7 p.m. to KFAI’s Wave Project. This program will feature Springboard Economic Development Corporation’s CEO Lennie Chism; Don Allen, the editor and chief of The Independent Business News Network and USA Radical Black with along with Kelechi Jaavaid, better known as KJ the comedian, will be live on KFAI to discuss the topic “ Is a Spoonful of Integration enough for the rest of us? That is the remaining 37 Million African Americans in the United States.”
You can also tune in nationally by going to www.kfai.org for the live streaming broadcast.
On Sunday February 14, 2010, from 6-7 p.m. KFAI Radio 90.3 FM (Minneapolis) and 106.7 (St. Paul) will air an exclusive segment on race relations and generational progress produced by Lennie Chism, Executive Director of Springboard Economic Development Corporation. Chism’s program, titled A Spoonful of Integration is Not Enough for the Rest of Us explores the Civil Rights Movement through music pinpointing cultural anthems such as “We Shall Overcome” to Tupac’s “Ghetto Gospel” as indications of change.
Chism says, “My motivation was to get people to critically look at the 1947 integration of baseball and begin to ask whether integration helped. I wanted to show how integration was not as successful as people thought. Thanks to integration, The Negro League was completely dismantled by 1963, blacks went from running leagues and teams to just being players. Jobs and industry were lost because of integration for blacks. Hence, A Spoonful of Integration is Not Enough for the Rest of Us,” Chism explains. Chism adds, “However when you look at the music industry, that has been dominated by African-Americans for years, with absolutely no desire to integrate, there are countless success stories, hip-hop culture did not bow down, sell out nor attempt to assimilate.”
Chism believes the struggle for Civil Rights continues in the current day hip-hop movement. “I chose to end the segment with Tupac because he is one of the greatest street lobbyists ever,” explains Chism. “He spoke of another culture that the establishment would want to see removed. But in reality that culture became an industry that is creating jobs and a new wealthy class of African-Americans.”
Chism hopes multiple generations tune in for the special program, special guests include Donald Allen editor in chief of two international read controversial blogs and Kelechi Jaavid, local comedian to lighten the air.
Donald Allen, a blogger, Republican and outspoken critic of Minneapolis’ political processes and non-profit watchdog as it relates to communities of color and the delivery of services states, “This is an opportunity to mention names, agencies and politicians who for the most part are more celebrity-based then actually making sure the community is healed. This is an opportunity to let America know that agencies like the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Minneapolis Urban League and the NAACP have lost their mojo.”
Tune in on Sunday, the revolution continues.
Part 4: Affirmative Action is no “Action Jackson” at MnDOT
By Donald W.R. Allen,II – Editor in Chief/IBNN and USA Radical Black
Last week at MnDOT and internal email was sent to select employees at MnDOT regarding the recent stories posted on IBNN.
The email read: (Unedited):
From: Prescott, Mary (DOT)
Sent: Wednesday, January 06, 2010 10:47 AM
Re: Part 3 – Who signs off on 0% goals and 0% goals achieved at MnDOT?
FYI for internal use only – this will be discussed at the DBE and Workforce Development Collaborative Group meeting on Friday. Specifically, hopefully, 1) Lennie Chism bringing Donny Allen a newsperson who seemed only there looking for a story and he did not state that this is why he was there; and 2) it was agreed to “no surprises” at the last meeting and this has been the fourth surprise from Mr. Chism; ground roles for media and the hard work going forth with all the project teams.
Note: The email above is just another example of bigotry at MnDOT for the acting civil rights director to single out two Black men, asking questions about a 17 year trend of failure in an attempt to address, solve and recommend a plan of action. This top-of-mind attention is not wanted at MnDOT, hence, 1% in federally funded contracts to minority contractors.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation employee base is a “protected class” of the government workforce. They have the “Cadillac” of benefits that aren’t affected by the current economic status of non-government working-class Minnesotans. Read more
Obama’s Broken Jobs Promise Women, Minorities, Middle-Aged Jobless Excluded
Fact: “President Obama has not addressed Black America other than having a beer with an irritated Ivy League professor.”
By © Jacqueline S. Homan – Originally posted at Suite 101 – reprinted with permission.
IBNN’s editor’s note: While residents in Minneapolis, with a focus on North Minneapolis were promised the dream of “Shovel Ready Jobs,” we quickly move into the fall and winter seasons with no word or updates on where these jobs will come from. So far, no new jobs have been created for residents of North Minneapolis. Congressman Ellison and Representative Bobby-Jo Champion continue to hold “circus like” forums in an effort to cover up – like the President, they have not delivered to the people of North Minneapolis.
So far, no new jobs have been created for residents of North Minneapolis. Can someone answer the question, “How many (shovel ready) jobs have been created. In case you need some help on locating shovel ready jobs – “How to Find Shovel Ready Jobs in Your State”
The following article written by © Jacqueline S. Homan…IBNN Contributing Writer
…Obama promised that his jobs program would not leave women, minorities and older workers out in the cold. These people suffer the worst in hard times. But Obama lied. Read more
Google News Alert for Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights: FBI looking into Minneapolis Police Department after beating
… Civil rights laws. In addition, Dolan has referred the case to the department’s internal affairs and training units for a review of arrest procedures…
Al Flowers, DFL Mayoral candidate, has been on the front line talking about police brutality and misconduct for years. This time is no exception. In a statement from the Al Flowers for Mayor campaign, Mr. Flowers makes the following statement:
“Whether it is the case of Fong Lee, or Minneapolis police officers accused of raping 17 year-old girl, or Daryl Jenkins, we need reform now in the Minneapolis Police Department and we need a new administration to show leadership in that reform.”
Flowers criticizes the current mayor to being “too busy running for Governor” to be addressing this issue. The current mayor is rumored to be a potential DFL Gubernatorial Candidate. Flowers states, “I am asking that all citizens to ask for healing and pray for Mr. Jenkins and his family.”
# # #
North Minneapolis Businessman and Ward 5 Candidate, Lennie Chism states, “The attacks on Black men in north Minneapolis have to be addressed with Chief Dolan. We must have intelligent dialog with the Minneapolis Police Department, the community and local agencies to stop the unnecessary killing and beatings of African-American men in our community.
Furthermore, the current Ward 5 City Councilman has not sealed cohesion between the groups, rather being in favor of stating statistics of crime being “lower.” If you live or work in north Minneapolis, you know that’s not the case.”
# # #
This brings into question another City of Minneapolis department.
Will the Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights get involved with these cases? The MDCR Investigative Unit has sat quiet – the current beating of a Black man is a violation of his civil rights, yet no official statement from the City’s guardians of civil rights…
Read more information about this topic: Read more
The Dream Deficit: Social Justice Incompetence
By Donald W.R. Allen,II – Editor in Chief, Independent Business News Network
With the recent changes at local non-profit, social service agencies in north Minneapolis, you would think they had a little more to offer the community…with more eyes on north Minneapolis than ever, is it too late to correct the fledgling strategic plans of non-profits like the “Minneapolis Urban League?”
Would Ella Baker* or Fannie Lou Hammer** worry about their paychecks during the movement? Do we even remember the work they did, for no pay, while risking their lives or did a grant drive Huey Newton to be a Black Panther?
The movement has been appropriated and pimped and many could argue that the “Souls of Black Folk” were better off before the movement than after the movement. Would Bob Moses not build a Freedom School if he did not get the funding?
Are non-profits an adequate replacement for social justice work? If we recognize that to keep the funding the status quo must continue there is not much an incentive for social change. Or do they serve as a hierarchy within the communities to discourage assimilation, widen disparities and maintain the status quo to keep the cash cow? We need to ask ourselves, are so called leaders doing this work for the money or the principles?
The cultural imperialism of many non-profits that they are the only ones that can liberate, how different is that than the paternalism of the slave owner? Not much. It just hurts those in the liberal community to see that they need an oppressed class to continue working.
Until we have equal education from teachers that look beyond an African American student as at risk to their own ignorance and prejudice – how can we have an African American President and Congressman and have the statistics and the quality of life for African Americans are below the poverty level? 
That is inherently evil, and must be addressed.
There is no paycheck in social justice and we must be weary of those who want to make a buck liberating their people.
*Ella Josephine Baker-December 13, 1903 – December 13, 1986 was a leading African American civil rights and human rights activist beginning in the 1930s. She was a behind-the-scenes activist whose career spanned over five decades. She worked alongside some of the most famous civil rights leaders of the twentieth century, including: W. E. B. Du Bois, Thurgood Marshall, A. Philip Randolph, and Martin Luther King Jr. She also mentored such then young civil rights stalwarts as Diane Nash, Stokely Carmichael, Rosa Parks and Bob Moses.
**Fannie Lou Townsend on October 6, 1917 – March 14, 1977) was an American voting rights activist and civil rights leader. She was instrumental in organizing Mississippi Freedom Summer for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and later became the Vice-Chair of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, attending the 1964 Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in that capacity. Her plain-spoken manner and fervent belief in the Biblical righteousness of her cause gained her a reputation as an electrifying speaker and constant champion of civil rights.
Banana Republic: Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights, Minneapolis Urban League block Information to the community with secret Pipeline meetings
“With the arrest of Terry Drakes on Friday, it’s clear that the Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights(MDCR) Investigative Unit and the Compliance Unit is using the Minneapolis Urban League’s (MUL) Pipeline meetings to present false propaganda to the community while neglecting to reporting on what is actually happening to people in the system. Mr. Terry Drakes has repeatedly become a casualty of the MDCR for their lack of concern for the “least of thee.”
“Make them do what they have written on paper…Dr. King”
Again, IBNN uncovers another layer to the deception of the Dream that the Minneapolis Urban League continues to exploit the sacred trust of social justice by cannibalizing the Minneapolis Urban League’s Pipeline, or Minnesota Pipeline. The Pipeline’s original intent was to be a collaboration of forums and discussions in a “community” setting, allowing input from members of the community to voice their views and opinions in a safe and respectful forum, to help bridge decades of distrust and misinformation to encourage transparency in governmental and civic affairs.
The Minnesota Pipeline has addressed issues like “Making Minnesota’s Children a Political Priority in the 2008 Election” to reverse these inequities and change the lives of children of color in Minnesota and other noteworthy causes in an election year that would flow with the “pipeline” of the current Democratic infrastructure in Minneapolis.
“If the Minneapolis Urban League’s Pipeline, would ask the real questions and work as advocates rather than social facilitators, incidents of injustice would be key and top-of-mind for the community, versus a social meet and greet.” Read more
“The Woman doth protest too much!” Hamlet Act 3, scene 2, 222–230 in this case “The man (Alfred Babington-Johnson) doth protest too much”
“If you throw a rock at a pack of dogs, the one you hit will yelp the most.”
Question #1: Have you (Babington-Johnson or Mr. McFarlane) ever been members of the Communist Party?
Question #2: Have you ever been or are you now leaders in the Black community?
I usually don’t pay much attention to the Insight News, today was different, well not really.
On the front page of the Insight News a commentary by the Stairstep Foundation’s Alfred Babington-Johnson appeared.
The funny thing is, they have my hero’s mixed up.
Mr. Johnson, your track record is less than pristine, what you say so loud cannot be heard. You and Mr. McFarlane are foul balls. In other words, a rim shot!
Again, north Minneapolis has suffered at the hand of poverty pimps that have lost the mission as it pertains to service to the underserved and if Malcolm X and Dr. King were alive, you two “crabs in a barrel” would have not be able to operate in the community without supplying answers to your actions. Read more
Andre Showell to Obama: What are you going to do to help Black America? A Report from the AFROCONSERVATIVE
"I didn't take the kinks out of my hair, I took them out of my brain...Afroconservative"
By the AFROCONSERVATIVE. Reprinted with permission by author.
Andre Showell from Black Entertainment Television (BET) wants to know what Obama will do to help Black America, specifically those in NYC where the Black unemployment rate is close to 50%. I’m not an expert. I am just another soul who freed myself from the Democrat’s shackles.
Maybe the unemployment rate is high in these areas because Blacks refuse to part ways from their unfounded allegiance to Liberal policies. We’ve been told for the past 40+ years that we don’t need faith, strong families (specifically Black FATHERS), and educational choice to fix the economic disparities in our communities. Read more
Minneapolis Urban League facing budget cuts, staff layoffs is in need of Reorganization
- “Rotten wood cannot be carved.”
- Proverb - “Growth is never by mere chance; it is the result of forces working together.”
-James Cash Penney
Staff at the Minneapolis Urban League has been a buzz about recent budget cuts. One MUL staffer who wishes to remain unidentified says, “I hope the $14,000 that my program is not getting doesn’t affect my job.
It has been alleged that the Minneapolis Urban League will not be getting 4th quarter dollars from the McKnight Foundation. In a ”leaked” letter to the MUL, the McKnight Foundation will not move forward on a grant request for the Minneapolis Urban League favoring an “operational review.”
Is it time for the Minneapolis Urban League to have a Sigma Six review?” (A Six Sigma is a philosophy that mandates operational excellence. This operational excellence is achieved through tools designed to reduce variations in processes. Six Sigma is also considered as a disciplinary methodology by many companies to meet client expectations. As per the philosophy, Six Sigma is not something else that is required to be done but it is what is required to be done.”)
A call made to the McKnight Foundation about the alleged letter regarding stopped funding for the Minneapolis Urban League, and the Foundation being in favor of an operational review, Tim Hanrahan, Communication Director for the McKnight Foundation says, “We don’t have a set amount we give to any programs but we did give the MUL a $50,000 dollar grant for operating support In 2007, (a one year grant).
In an email sent to the Independent Business News Network (IBNN) from the McKnight Foundation’s communications director, Tim Hanrahan – it reads, “After McKnight’s board of directors approves each new grant; we generally follow with a public announcement of the approval. I can tell you that McKnight’s most recent approved grant to the Minneapolis Urban League was for $50,000 in 2007, to support operating expenses. Beyond disclosing approved grants, however, McKnight simply doesn’t comment about confidential discussions with prospective grantees or community partners. Please let me know if you have any additional questions.”
What does this mean for the Minneapolis Urban League? The Minneapolis Urban League established the relationship with the McKnight Foundation in 1972’s when Russ Ewald was the Executive Director of the Foundation and Ms. Virginia McKnight, the matriarch of the McKnight Family made sure that the community in North Minneapolis and all underserved areas in the Twin Cities were being served by the Foundation. As they continue to do today.
There has been a good relationship throughout the years between the Minneapolis Urban League and the McKnight Foundation. Long time community leaders and activists don’t understand why–with the exit of Mr. Clarence Hightower and the upcoming layoffs in January the Minneapolis Urban League has not committed to a Capital Fundraising Campaign or a Membership Drive to assist in building capacity for the organization. The MUL may be facing difficult funding times ahead.
It has been observed that the Minneapolis Urban League, its programs and employees have worked in silo’s “within the building”, opting for the most part not to include other interoffice groups and programs in an effort to create an inept since of competition that cannibalizes the organizations programs, events and employees. For the most part the institution has become an institution unto it’s self – with consequences that don’t favor a productive community social-service organization delivering education, wealth and independence to their target demographic.
A fine example of this is Mr. Hightower’s going away celebration. While the event was going on downstairs, there was another meeting going on upstairs. In our views we think that Mr. Hightower’s celebration trumped anything else going on.
The second example was when the University of Minnesota–School of Medicine had their liaison for the Quit Smoking program interviewing people at the Minneapolis Urban League. The first group to participate was employees from the Social Wellness Cluster at the Minneapolis Urban League – the reward for taking part in the research was a $50 dollar Target Gift Card. We are not against Capitalism – but at the expense of the community turns into an issue. If it was about making a buck – in some cases the community wasn’t alerted including RFP’s (Request for Proposals) and other “soft-services” that could be completed by the community/business talent pool.
The Minneapolis Urban League, outside of its annual dinner is without a fundraiser this year. If questioned different people in the organization as to why the organization failed to mirror other successful social-service agencies in the Twin Cities and around the country by using marketing and communications to assist in creating an in-house source of new funding streams and build capacity through membership drives, the question went unanswered.
IBNNNEW- The Death of North Minneapolis… Donald Allen
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- WCCO 4 (CBS) Television fails in journalistic integrity with “edited and spliced” tape of the Minneapolis Police Beating of Ira Stafford…rating F- Donald Allen
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