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Minneapolis activists and leaders, including Minnesota's two black state legislators, spoke Friday at Minnesota State about the effects of politics and education on African-American communities.
The crowd of around 200 in Ostrander Auditorium was held in rapt attention by the six "highly educated black men who have parlayed their educational success into some of the best jobs in the country."
Panel moderator Obie Kipper, an assistant director of Minneapolis parks, used Barack Obama's presidential victory to discuss the state's political atmosphere.
"Many of us never thought we would witness [a black president]," he said. "Now the honeymoon is over, and we as a country must stop making excuses for our failures."
Much of the political discussion revolved around the state's projected budget shortfall.
State Rep. Jeffrey Hayden said legislators were told the deficit could reach $7 billion in the next session. However, the state's constitution doesn't allow it to borrow and spend. "If we don't have the budget balanced by May 18, the state stops operating," Hayden said.
He gave a warning that other panelists echoed: "If we don't watch it they will balance the budget on the backs of the black community."
He said the state shouldn't cut back on spending for social justice programs or civil rights departments during the budget crisis, and should ensure money the state receives from the federal stimulus package "goes to everybody."
For instance, said State Rep. Bobby Joe Champion, "if Gov. Pawlenty is allowed to change requirements for Minnesota Care, which provides health care for families who can't afford private health insurance, 85,000 to 100,000 people will be without health care."
Champion also said he wants to "change the paradigm around a judicial system…that pays $34,000 a year per inmate but won't spend $3,000 to send someone to college."
He said, "It's challenging because it isn't a conversation people up there are into."
"You're looking at Minnesota's black caucus," said Hayden, referring to himself and Champion, the state's only black members of the legislature.
"We represent not only our districts, but African Americans throughout the state… How can you get involved? You may have to do some things to expand our representation that you don't get paid for. Get your degree right now, at this time."
Others agreed that education and involvement are the keys to the African American community's political future.
"Although demographics are changing, power remains in the hands of a few people," said Michael Jordan, director of Minneapolis' civil rights department. "My mother told me, 'You have to be twice as good as the people you compete against.'…Racism is there, but it is what it is, and you can't even be a player without the excellence we've spoke about."
Spike Moss, an outspoken Minneapolis activist, told the mainly black audience, "There's work before you to remove the three-fifths laws making us chattel slaves. You have to work to secure our Bill of Rights, not just what's in the civil rights laws."
He said black people need to gear their educations toward better jobs. "Instead of physical education, get a degree in engineering or medicine," he implored.
He also said, "The white man got some new -ans: they're called Mexicans. "
Al Flowers, a Minneapolis business owner and activist, concurred.
"I don't mind people, especially minorities, getting jobs, but they don't have to use African Americans anymore. Now they can use women and Latinos and Asians," to fill minority quotas at workplaces.
The panel presentation, titled "Political Realities in the Pan African Community," was part of MSU's 33rd Annual Pan African Student Leadership Conference.
John Fritz is a Reporter staff writer
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