On 3/23 Michael Hohmann, Mpls, wrote: "I don't appreciate all this blatent promotion of Edward's book, which I assume you wrote, on the mnforum."
On the same day I received an Email similar to other queries I have received requesting more information about it. Actually, I took the information about the local NAACP branch from Chapter 14 of Ron Edwards' book. As one person said to me, relative to this: "Getting whites in this city to understand anything but continuing segregationist policies is nearly impossible." People have been surprized at White involvement, and I've been asked who is doing the organizing, that the ideas scared them and did I have names? But before I address that, which I will below, I need to address Michael's legitimate concern. I appreciate Michael's concern. But I am more concerned about what others person have written. Michael can always hit the delete button when he sees my name (and I won't be offended) and the problem disappears. Others have no delete button to remove the segregation they are forced to live under. Therefore, I would rather err on the side of helping the discussion help those living segregated and scared about the power implications, even if it means Michael has to exercise his delete button each time. This will seem like splitting a hair, but in my mind what I am really promoting is the understanding of Minneapolis that Ron brings to the total understanding, which, from my experience living there and research conducted since, I believe is accurate. I also believe it is important to not cease in attempting to bring knowledge and understanding to bridge the differences so that common ground for just and fair solutions can be found to enable just and fair solutions. Ron has been brave and open enough to provide the history and understanding. He has also taken it to the next level by identifying the common ground Black and White can stand on together, and he has laid out ways to act on that common ground to enable just and fair solutions to providing equal access and equal opportunity for everyone (note I did not say equal results). I refer to the book because (1) it makes it easier to reduce the length of my posts (an art I am still trying to learn) and (2) to point out that Ron's book is like a mini-library of information, history, contemporary happenings, and positive suggestions that would benefit Minneapolis. Whether you buy it or get it at the library or read a friend's copy is not the issue. The important thing is to read it. It is the Minneapolis Story seen through Ron's eyes. It is a 40 year testimonial that helps to explain a great deal about Minneapolis. I am honored that he asked me to help him organize it for printing and find an editor to edit the manuscript. I have long held, and continue to hold, that society, in terms of both its people and its economics, will fare far better without segregation and racism. Ron's telling the story of Minneapolis is important to helping us understand this so we can consider the resolutions he suggests be considered. As to the "who" question raised, I would start first with the NAACP leadership, obviously, and then, as suggested by the City Pages article I referenced in my post, with the Hubert Humphrey Center. I didn't use the City Pages article URL last time. I do so now: http://www.citypages.com/databank/20/954/article7354.asp Click on the URL and read the article. The Article is in City Pages Volume 20, Issue #854 of 3/17/99. On their web site the hook question is: "What are a bunch of white politicians doing mixed up in the NAACP election squabble?" The subheading on the article is as follows: "Political machinations, intrigue, and good old-fashioned mudslinging: A look behind the scenes of the Minneapolis NAACP election scandal." But Whites couldn't do it unless the Blacks conspired with them to do so. The cover story then lists four pictures. On top of the pictures it says "Black Like Us." Below the "Black Like Us" line are four faces, and underneath the four faces are these names: Dee Long, Phyllis Kahn, Don Fraser, and Arvonne Fraser.
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