High-rise ghettos or urban villages? Riverside Plaza and Seward Towers in Minneapolis

Source: Twin Cities Daily Planet

Are the Riverside Plaza and Seward high-rise apartment complexes, home to low-income residents for more than 35 years, “beyond merely shabby” and filled with crime? Or are they “a vital and fascinating mix of cultures … a series of villages in the city with the opportunity to begin life in the United States among one’s countrymen?”

As rehab plans for the Riverside Plaza buildings go forward, community debate has intensified. Many people object to the design of the buildings, or to the concept of high-rise apartment housing for low-income residents. For others, the discussion is tinged with racism and anti-immigrant prejudice.  One commenter observed: “One person’s ghetto is another person’s village.”

In this series, our in-depth reporting highlights concerns and facts, featuring the voices and stories of people who live and work in the communities.

South African Jazz Artist, Hugh Masekela, coming to The Dakota

How lucky are we Minnesotans! Legendary South African jazz trumpeter, freedom activist and Grammy award winner, Hugh Masekela, will grace us with his presence again. I know many of you missed his last concert at the Dakota because both shows were sold out so this time be sure to get your tickets early. The prices may be a bit steep, but take it from me; the experience will be well more than worth the cost. Even at 71, Hugh Masekela’s concerts are an energetic, emotional musical journey through history.

Check out his performance of ‘Grazing In The Grass’ at this year’s World Cup;

For more info click here.

Concert details:

When: Oct 20th – 21st

Where: Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant

Cost: $45 at 7:00pm and $30 at 9:30pm

K’naan concert in Minneapolis this Saturday

Hey happy people, I bring you good tidings!  K’naan will be in the twin cities this Saturday night at First Ave and Minnesota’s very own Deejay Xpect will be on the ones and twos. As you probably know K’naan has a HUGE fan base here so if you plan on seeing the show, you better get your tickets early.

For more details click here.

For those of you who don’t know him, here’s a video;

African Films at the Mpls – St. Paul International Film Festival

by Nelima

The 27th Annual Minneapolis – St. Paul International Film Festival is upon us peoples! The Festival which runs from April 16th – 30th features about 150 films from 63 countries of which the following are from Africa. I sifted through the calendar to pick out the African – themed films, but you can get more info on the festival here. Make sure you catch at least one film

What’s the future of the Minneapolis Civil Rights Department?

by Nelima

Here’s an issue that many of you should follow and participate in. Minneapolis Mayor RT Rybak is proposing to cut one of the three units of the Minneapolis Civil Rights Department. He says that the duties of that unit are also done, by the MN Department of Human Rights and should not be replicated. Gov. Pawlenty says that the state is capable of handling the workload even though he’s proposed budget cuts to the MN Department of Human Rights as well. 

Rybak has in the past said that the Civil Rights Department has been dysfunctional for a few years and new staff from the unit that could be chopped concurs, but argue that the gains made in the year that they have been hired should be noted. It has also been argued that the Civil Rights Department has never been well supported or funded and in essence set up to fail. You can read more in this article I wrote for the TC Daily Planet.

Minneapolis Mosque to Host Open House this Wednesday

On February 25, 2009, the Abubakar As-Saddique Islamic Center will welcome neighborhood residents and organizations for a community dinner intended to increase understanding about the local Somali Muslim community and mosque.

The Wednesday event is free and open to the public.

WHAT: Community Open House and Dinner at Abubakar As-Saddique Islamic Center.
WHEN: Wednesday, February 25, 5-8 p.m.
WHERE: Abubakar As-Saddique Islamic Center, 2824 13th Ave. S., Minneapolis, Minn.
SPEAKERS: Dr. Hamdi Sawaf, Abubakar As-Saddique Islamic Center representatives and CAIR-MN Communications Director Jessica Zikri.
CONTACT: CAIR-MN Communications Director Jessica Zikri, 612-226-3289, E-Mail: jzikri[at]cair[dot]com

Excitement in North Minneapolis as residents vote.

by Nelima

Voter anticipation must have been very high in North Minneapolis. By 7 am there was a line of over 100 people stretching out the door and down the ramp of North Point Health and Wellness Center. Everyone was happy and energetic; people cheered and clapped everyone who cast their ballot, one guy even broke out into a James Brown dance after voting. “This is like a family reunion, I’ve met people here that I hadn’t seen in a very long time” said Frank McCrary, a special ed. teacher at Transition Plus, who had been in line since 6:45am. He was accompanied by his mom, dad and two younger brothers and none of them were bothered to have stood in line for over two hours to cast their votes. “I’ve voted here ever since I graduated from high school and have never seen this kind of turn out, this is amazing!” he exclaimed. “My candidate is going to win, we in there,” he said “ An Obama presidency would mean a lot for the black people and for everyone being that he is about the grassroots, let’s bring this thing back to the people” he concluded. By 11:30am the line had somewhat shortened and an estimated 400 people had already voted.