MPR Archive presents a selection of stories tied to various the aspects, history, and battles for civil rights of individuals and groups within the State of Minnesota.
April 25, 2001 - As part of Mainstreet Radio series Broken Trust: Civil Rights in Indian Country, MPR’s Mark Steil reports on funding and discrimination battles Native American farmers face with the U.S. government.
April 26, 2001 - The descendants of the Lakota leader Crazy Horse have settled a defamation lawsuit over the use of his name in the marketing of Crazy Horse Malt Liquor. Crazy Horse's descendants filed suit eight years ago trying to stop beer makers from using the chief's name on an alcohol product that was distributed to 32 states. The opposition to Crazy Horse malt liquor came in part, because Crazy Horse had denounced the introduction of alcohol to American Indians. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports:
April 27, 2001 - A Lutheran church in St. Paul is about to break the rules of its governing body. St. Paul-Reformation Lutheran Church will ordain Anita Hill tomorrow. Hill is a lesbian woman in a committed relationship-- and that puts the church out of line with the ELCA, the governing body of about ten thousand Lutheran churches across the country. The St. Paul Area Synod, which oversees lutheran churches in the St. Paul area, has not yet decided what action to take. Bruce Forbes is a professor of religious studies at Morningside Collge in Sioux City, Iowa... and an ordained United Methodist Minister. Bruce Forbes is a professor of religious studies at Morningside Collge in Sioux City, Iowa... and an ordained United Methodist Minister.
May 9, 2001 - (FOR WED. M.E.) Lawyers expect a full day of testimony in St. Cloud today , in a trial for a misdemeanor driving offense that has been complicated by allegations of racial profiling. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich has this Mainstreet report.
May 18, 2001 - A traveling exhibition of artifacts from the Harlem Renaissance are heading back to the Weisman Museum.
May 18, 2001 - The benefits of putting security cameras in local places and helping out with minor traffic crimes. Minorities are pressuring the government to take the cameras down.
May 21, 2001 -
June 7, 2001 - MPR presents a report entitled Postcard From A Lynching, which looks at the history of a 1920 murder of three Black men in Duluth by a local mob. It’s a history that many in Duluth tried to forget… but others fought to bring the horrific lynching to light in the community and bring dignity to the slain men. [Content Warning: some content, language, and statements used in this story may be triggering to listeners]
June 20, 2001 - Six Minnesota teens are the recent winners of a statewide competition entitled, "Youth Against Prejudice". The students competed with projects that explored themes against bigotry, racism and discrimination. Minnesota Public Radio's Kaomi Goetz has this report:
August 1, 2001 - MPR’s Art Hughes reports that new numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau show same-sex households account for nearly one percent of all Minnesota couples. The 2000’ Census figures provide the agency's most accurate count yet of same-sex couples. Advocates and officials alike say the numbers still don't accurately track the true number of gays and lesbians, but are an important marker nonetheless.