Our Blog

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Impossible to Remain Silent

June 3, 2021 - By Kevin Lindsey

Our nation, for far too long, has remained silent about open and notorious acts of racial violence experienced by African Americans. As a teenager reading, The Black Book edited by Middleton A. Harris and Toni Morrison, I became aware of the countless atrocities experienced by African Americans that were ignored…

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Rage and the Minnesota Poet Laureate

April 30, 2021 - By Athena Kildegaard

A few days ago a jury found Derek Chauvin guilty of killing George Floyd—a murder that feels simultaneously as if it happened yesterday and as if it happened years ago.

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The Work Ahead

April 23, 2021 - By Kevin Lindsey

In the span of less than seven years, Minnesota has been the site of several high–profile incidents involving the use of deadly force against African American men by law enforcement.

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Remembering the Women who Shaped my Life

April 14, 2021 - By Mary K. Boyd

I grew up in the Rondo community.  It was a village of community educators.  As I reflect, I am grateful to the women of that village who helped to guide and shape my life.  I remember being told by my mother, “There is nothing that you cannot do if you…

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On the Blazing of Trails

March 26, 2021 - By Dr. Theresa Battle

In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Minnesota Humanities Center has asked some of our friends to write essays to share with you their thoughts on diverse women’s achievements and challenges over time, in Minnesota and elsewhere. These thoughts and reflections display a variety of perspectives to encourage healthy dialogue,…

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Recovering Women’s Stories/Inventing Women’s History

March 24, 2021 - By Mary K. Boyd

In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Minnesota Humanities Center has asked some of our friends to write essays to share with you their thoughts on diverse women’s achievements and challenges over time, in Minnesota and elsewhere. These thoughts and reflections display a variety of perspectives to encourage healthy dialogue,…

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Black History Month

February 26, 2021 - By Mayor Melvin Carter

In celebration of Black History Month, the Minnesota Humanities Center has asked some of our friends to write essays to share with you their thoughts on black history and culture, as well as on broad issues of racial and social justice. Like a good conversation with friends after a good…

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When I mention the name Carter G. Woodson

February 24, 2021 - By Brian D. Lozenski

In celebration of Black History Month, the Minnesota Humanities Center has asked some of our friends to write essays to share with you their thoughts on black history and culture, as well as on broad issues of racial and social justice. Like a good conversation with friends after a good…

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I Was Not a Slave . . .

February 22, 2021 - By Amelious N. Whyte, Jr., Ph.D.

In celebration of Black History Month, the Minnesota Humanities Center has asked some of our friends to write essays to share with you their thoughts on black history and culture, as well as on broad issues of racial and social justice. Like a good conversation with friends after a good…

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Mancala Gameworlds and the Afrofuturist Orbit

February 19, 2021 - By John S. Wright, Professor Emeritus University of Minnesota

In celebration of Black History Month, the Minnesota Humanities Center has asked some of our friends to write essays to share with you their thoughts on black history and culture, as well as on broad issues of racial and social justice. Like a good conversation with friends after a good…

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