Social Issues

To understand police reform, law professor volunteered to join the force
For four years, Rosa Brooks carried a badge and a gun and worked a minimum of 24 hours a month for the D.C. police — all on a voluntary basis. She writes about her experiences in “Tangled Up in Blue.”
St. Paul mayor, local alums share experiences of historically Black colleges, universities
Host Angela Davis is joined by four local graduates of historically Black colleges and universities to talk about their experiences attending schools created for Black students — and the importance of these institutions today.
Growing pains: How one southern Minnesota city is taking steps to address diversity, inclusion
As part of the city’s strategic plan, Marshall has formed a new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission. Its goal: To launch tough conversations, so that, eventually, the city becomes a more welcoming place for all of its residents.
'I'm not a cover girl': Halima Aden on why she decided to leave a modeling career
Halima Aden, the first supermodel to wear a hijab, thought a career in fashion might help her be a role model. But it left her feeling disconnected from her own image. So she's leaving it behind.
In Tuskegee, painful history shadows efforts to vaccinate African Americans
A lingering mistrust of the medical system among many Black people is rooted in the infamous 20th century U.S. study of syphilis that left Black men in Tuskegee, Ala., to suffer from the disease.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala makes history as WTO's first African and female leader
As she takes the helm of the World Trade Organization, the former Nigerian finance minister faces challenges from the COVID-19 response to navigating trade frictions between the U.S. and China.
First-generation college graduates navigate mountain of student loan debt
A growing legion of people in Minnesota and across the nation are hoping President Joe Biden will take steps to ease what’s become a massive student debt problem. Supporters say that debt, more than $1.6 trillion currently, is holding back the American economy, keeping people from buying homes, getting married and otherwise taking their next steps in life — and affecting Black and brown borrowers in unequal ways.
'I am a child!' Pepper spray reflects policing of Black kids
A police officer using pepper spray against a handcuffed 9-year-old Black girl in New York shows that Black children are not exempt from law enforcement mistreatment of Black people. One study found Black children and teenagers were six times as likely to die from police gunfire as white children.