This morning's news includes a story about the misdemeanor indictment of a Cincinnati police officer responsible for the shooting of an unarmed young African-American man. The article reminded me how far away my hometown remains from meaningful racial healing. The recent riots and today's news were hardly surprising to meas a native Cincinnatian. I remember well the riots of 1968, and growing up in a city with more than its share of racial tension. An article in last Sunday's New York Times "Week in Review Section" raised interesting questions regarding the state of race relations in urban areas. The "Could it Happen Here?" headline made me wonder about conditions in Minneapolis. Racial profiling continues to be a major problem as well as economic disinvestment from the urban core, and huge gaps in education, and support for affordable housing. Racial justice is more than simply about community relations--it is at its core an issue of politics and power. "Race Matters" as Cornell West wrote, and it especially matters in a municipal campaign. A question for discussion for list members, and those running for municipal office this year. Is Minneapolis a "Cincinnati waiting to happen?" Why or why not? I'm interested in the discussion. Frank Hornstein Linden Hills 13-3 _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
