Who speaks for the African American community?

Programs | MPR News Feature | Types | Reports | Interviews | Special Collections | Minnesota Police | Grants | Legacy Amendment Digitization (2016-2017) | Topics | Social Issue | Community | Black life in Minnesota |
October 31, 2003
Brandt Williams - Reporter, Rev Randy Staten - Speaker, John Wright - Interviewee, Don Samuels - Interviewee, Wendell Westbrook - Interviewee
Listen: Who speaks for the African American community
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Content Warning: some content, language, and statements used in this story may be triggering to listeners.

MPR’s Brandt Williams reports on who speaks for Black community. Reports includes comments from church leaders, an academic, a city council member, and resident of the community.

A group of outspoken African American leaders will be at the front of an anti-police brutality rally in downtown Minneapolis. Activist's tactics have been criticized by African American and white city officials who questioned whether they actually speak for the city's black community. Some say the controversy is typical of how race and class complicate the African American struggle for political power.

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In 2008, Minnesota's voters passed the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment to the Minnesota Constitution: to protect drinking water sources; to protect, enhance, and restore wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife habitat; to preserve arts and cultural heritage; to support parks and trails; and to protect, enhance, and restore lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater.

Efforts to digitize this initial assortment of thousands of historical audio material was made possible through the Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. A wide range of Minnesota subject matter is represented within this collection.

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