Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis teacher contract race language ignites firestorm
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — When Minneapolis academics settled a 14-day strike in March, they celebrated a groundbreaking provision of their new contract that was meant to defend academics of shade from seniority-based layoffs and assist make sure that college students from racial minorities have academics who appear to be them.
Months later, conservative media retailers have erupted with denunciations of the coverage as racist and unconstitutional discrimination towards white educators. One authorized group is trying to recruit academics and taxpayers keen to sue to throw out the language. The academics union paints the dispute as a ginned-up controversy when there is no imminent hazard of anybody shedding their job. In the meantime, the feud is unfolding simply months forward of arguments in a pair of U.S. Supreme Court docket instances that would reshape affirmative motion.
“The identical individuals who wish to take down academics unions and blame seniority at the moment are defending it for white folks,” mentioned Greta Callahan, president of the academics unit on the Minneapolis Federation of Academics. “That is all made up by the correct wing now. And we couldn’t be extra pleased with this language.”
Current protection in conservative platforms such because the native information web site Alpha Information, Fox Information nationally and the Every day Mail internationally sparked criticisms from outstanding figures, together with Donald Trump Jr. and former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who curbed the facility of public worker unions in his state. Walker on Twitter known as it “one other instance of why authorities unions ought to be eradicated.”
The contract language doesn’t particularly say that white academics can be laid off forward of academics of shade, although critics say that’s what the impact can be. The contract exempts “academics who’re members of populations underrepresented amongst licensed academics within the District,” in addition to alumni of traditionally Black and Hispanic faculties, and of tribal faculties. Round 60% of the district’s academics are white, whereas greater than 60% of the scholars are from racial minorities.
Advocates say college students from racial minorities carry out higher when their educators embrace academics and assist workers of shade, and that it’s particularly important in a district that suffers from cussed achievement gaps. Callahan mentioned her union fought for years to get the safety added to their contract, and that she is aware of of two different Minnesota districts with related provisions.
Minneapolis is one in every of many districts throughout the U.S. combating declining instructor headcounts and tight budgets. However Callahan disputed that the availability threatens anybody’s job, noting that Minneapolis has almost 300 unfilled positions as academics and college students put together to return to high school, and the language will not take impact till the 2023 tutorial yr.
Callahan known as it “only one teensy, tiny step in direction of fairness” that does not start to make up for a lot of academics of shade quitting the district lately as a result of they felt underpaid and disrespected.
To Lindsey West, a fifth grade instructor at Clara Barton Neighborhood Faculty who identifies as Black and Indigenous, the seniority language is one piece of an even bigger mission of enhancing schooling.
West mentioned she feels strongly that college students of shade profit from having academics that appear to be them, however mentioned she’s additionally seen that range will be empowering for white college students. She mentioned she’s generally been the primary educator of shade that Black or white college students have had.
“We wish to have youngsters from all demographics having experiences with folks of various backgrounds and totally different cultures, and turning into conscious that our shared humanity is what’s essential, and never the issues that divide us,” West mentioned.
Minneapolis Public Faculties interim Superintendent Rochelle Cox declined a request for an interview.
“The article of this provision is clearly to put off white academics first, no matter advantage, primarily based on the colour of their pores and skin, and that may be a large drawback underneath the Structure and the 14th Modification,” mentioned James Dickey, senior trial counsel on the Higher Midwest Regulation Middle, a conservative nonprofit that usually takes on public worker unions. It has introduced litigation over such points as COVID-19 masks mandates and shows of Black Lives Matter posters.
Dickey mentioned his group is contemplating suing and has had a flood of Minneapolis taxpayers — and a few academics — contact them to say they’re “offended that my tax {dollars} may go to fund this sort of racist agenda.”
He argued {that a} 1986 U.S. Supreme Court docket resolution often known as the Wygant case bars such provisions and would function a precedent in Minnesota.
The Wygant case concerned a academics contract in Jackson, Michigan, which took a special method from the Minneapolis settlement. It successfully mentioned Jackson couldn’t make cuts that led to an general discount within the proportion of minority personnel employed within the district. White academics sued after being laid off whereas some academics of shade with much less seniority stored their jobs. A divided Supreme Court docket held that the layoffs violated the equal safety clause of the U.S. Structure.
Andrew Criminal, spokesman for the American Federation of Academics, mentioned he did not know of something much like the Minneapolis wording in contracts in different states, although he mentioned some contracts present exceptions from straight seniority guidelines for academics in hard-to-fill specialties reminiscent of math and particular schooling.
Officers with different nationwide public worker unions {and professional} associations both mentioned they didn’t know of something related of their fields or didn’t reply to requests for remark.
Two affirmative motion instances set for oral arguments earlier than the Supreme Court docket in October, involving Harvard College and the College of North Carolina, may have a bearing on the Minneapolis dispute. The instances are challenges to the consideration of race in faculty admission choices.
Affirmative motion has been reviewed by the excessive courtroom a number of instances over the previous 40 years and has typically been upheld, however with limits. With three new conservative justices on the courtroom since its final evaluation, nonetheless, the apply could also be going through its biggest menace but.
Joseph Daly, a professor emeritus on the Mitchell Hamline Faculty of Regulation who arbitrates disputes throughout the nation, together with many instructor instances through the years, mentioned the Minneapolis language seems designed to outlive a courtroom problem.
“The U.S. Supreme Court docket previously has OK’d affirmative motion when there have been very legitimate targets to be achieved in finally in search of high quality for all human beings,” Daly mentioned. “Now the query of immediately is: Will this idea be upheld by the courts in mild of the extra conservative stance on the Supreme Court docket? I don’t have a solution on that.”
Copyright 2022 The Related Press. All rights reserved. This materials is probably not printed, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed with out permission.
Minneapolis, MN
Prince's 'Purple Rain' House in Minneapolis Coming to Airbnb
Prince fans have a chance to stay in his famous “Purple Rain” house in Minneapolis, because it’s heading to Airbnb … in celebration of the movie and soundtrack’s 40th anniversary.
The late singer bought the place back in 2015 and it’s been closed to the public ever since … but now it’s finally opening its doors, courtesy of a couple members of Prince’s Revolution bandmates.
Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman are hosting the overnight stay, and the lucky guests will be able to spend a night in the life of The Kid.
Airbnb tells us the “Purple Rain” house is newly restored and decked out with pieces and memorabilia from Prince’s personal collection … including a closet full of his most legendary outfits.
The home’s downstairs is adorned with purple velvet wallpaper, and there’s a vintage 1980s stereo loaded with songs inspired by Prince.
The spa looks straight out of the “When Doves Cry” music video … complete with a claw-foot tub and stained-glass windows … plus a plush, purple robe and some lavender bath bombs.
Inside the music lounge, guests can play the drums, shred the guitar, tickle the ivories and sing the “Purple Rain” chorus along with pre-recorded audio from Prince himself.
Prince’s bedroom looks just like it does in “Purple Rain” … and it’s decked out with his personal tape collection — remember those things?!? — plus one of Prince’s original demo recordings.
Folks can request to book the “Purple Rain” house on Airbnb starting October 2 at 6 AM PT through October 6 at 11:59 PM PT … and guests will be randomly selected.
Good luck!!!
Minneapolis, MN
MPD adds 23 new officers, including first Somali woman and non-citizen
Somali-American woman sworn in as MPD officer
City leaders say the years-long effort to rebuild the Minneapolis Police Department, while not over, is starting to be seen and felt—nearly two dozen more officers, including new firsts, are on the force following a graduation ceremony.
“Just as they’re about to take their oaths today, before all of you and before God, I know that I have a sacred obligation to do that all I can for them,” MPD Chief Brian O’Hara said at the ceremony. “I pledge to you tonight that I will do everything within my power to take care of them.”
Now part of the rank-and-file are 11 recruits and 12 lateral officers who are joining from other agencies, some with more than a decade of experience. Of the recruits is the first-ever Somali woman, Ikran Mohamed, and permanent resident, Lesly Vera, for the department.
A permanent resident who is a non-citizen can be part of the department now due to a recent law change, Chief O’Hara said. Officer Vera said she moved to Minneapolis from Mexico when she was 4 and has called it home since.
“I didn’t see anybody that really looked like me, Latina,” Vera said about her drive to become a police officer. “I want to have that face for my people.”
The chief is standing firm behind his new officer.
“There may be people who question it, but that’s completely ridiculous. There’s, like I mentioned, there is a history in this country of people immediately on arrival to the country, enlisting in the military and serving,” O’Hara said, adding, “Somebody like [Officer Vera], who has been here essentially her entire life, absolutely is entitled to protect her community in the same way that anyone else here has, and we’re honored to have her.”
Her colleague, Officer Mohamed, with a similar message about her next big chapter in life.
“This is what I wanted to do, and it was very challenging. That’s why I’m here. And I want to be that somebody, [to] be a role model for girls who look like me. So they can say, I can do it too,” Mohamed said.
Mayor Jacob Frey feels the work they’ve been putting in to build up the department – not just in numbers, but culture – is starting to be seen and felt.
“It’s moving. It’s emotional. I mean, I talked about the hope in the room, from a personal standpoint as mayor of the city, it gives me a lot of hope. Our police department is looking more and more like the communities that we are charged with protecting and serving,” Frey said.
Also part of the graduation was four new Minneapolis Park Police Officers.
Minneapolis, MN
First look at Minneapolis' proposed rules for cannabis businesses
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The Minneapolis City Council has released its proposed restrictions on cannabis businesses in the city, as the state moves into the next steps of recreational marijuana legalization.
What we know
The city is working to update its zoning for cannabis businesses, as licenses are issued in the coming months in Minnesota.
City staff have proposed a series of restrictions for businesses.
- Dispensaries must be a minimum of 500 feet from schools and 500 feet from other dispensaries.
- Cannabis businesses can’t grow plants outdoors.
- Cannabis will also face restrictions on odors.
- Cannabis manufacturing will only be allowed in commercial and mixed-use areas – similar to breweries.
Context
Earlier this month, the state met with cities to provide guidance on cannabis restrictions that cities can implement under the new state law.
Just last week, the City of St. Paul passed a similar set of restrictions on cannabis businesses.
What’s next?
The proposed zoning restrictions are still in the early stages of consideration and need further approval from the council.
Currently, the Office of Cannabis Management expects to finalize its draft rules for businesses in early 2025. The licensing process is expected to start in 2025 after the rules are in place. Currently, cannabis sales are only allowed on tribal lands.
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