Race: Conversations around race and racial justice

The May 25 killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody has ignited an urgent push for racial equality across Minnesota and the United States. Here are the latest on the fight against racism, voices calling for racial justice and in-depth stories on communities of color and other racial issues from MPR News.

Voices of Minnesota Calls for change across the state

Protests and pain The killing of George Floyd

Call To Mind Spotlight on black trauma and policing

Amplifying voices Share your experiences and hopes for the future

A makeshift memorial at the All Black Lives Matter Solidarity March on June 14, in Los Angeles.

Black activist burnout: 'You can't do this work if you're running on empty'

August 10, 2020 4:00 AM

By Christianna Silva

National attention on the fight for racial justice may wane, but many protesters are still staging rallies and marches. How do they fight the system while combating their own burnout?

Two men speak on the sidewalk.

Community rallies around Bloomington mosque after imam assaulted on the way to prayer

August 7, 2020 2:46 PM

By Riham Feshir and Christine T. Nguyen

Bloomington police are investigating an attack on the imam, Mohamed Mukhtar, who was walking to the nightly prayer service around 10 p.m. Thursday when two people approached and assaulted him outside of the Dar Al Farooq center.

A woman stands with an award.

Meet Minnesota's Teacher of the Year, first Somali American to win honor

August 7, 2020 6:48 AM

Qorsho Hassan was selected out of 134 nominees for her willingness to trust her students and let their own questions guide their learning. “They run the classroom with me,” she said. “I refuse for anyone to dim the light of my students.”

Demonstrators hold a sign.

Minneapolis leaders push ahead with efforts to change police

August 7, 2020 6:16 AM

By Amy Forliti, Associated Press

A city commission on Wednesday blocked a November vote on the issue. So now, although political will for change may be on their side, city leaders face a more incremental and challenging path to rebuilding the oft-criticized department. But they're not giving up.

A sign reads "Fond du Lac Reservation"

After taking tough measures, Fond du Lac band has first COVID-19 cases

August 6, 2020 4:00 AM

After months of trying to keep the coronavirus at bay, the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa has confirmed the first two positive COVID-19 cases on its reservation in northeastern Minnesota.

A new study has found that parks in low-income and majority-nonwhite communities are smaller and serve a larger number of people per park acre. People are seen here relaxing in May in Brooklyn's Domino Park.

Parks in nonwhite areas are half the size of ones in majority-white areas, study says

August 5, 2020 5:07 PM

By Laurel Wamsley

Amid high temperatures and a pandemic, green spaces are a lifeline. But new data shows parks in low-income and nonwhite areas are smaller and more crowded than those in high-income and white areas.

In her new book, Caste, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Isabel Wilkerson examines the laws and practices that created what she describes as a bipolar, Black and white caste system in the United States. Above, a sign in Jackson, Miss., in May 1961.

It's more than racism: Isabel Wilkerson explains America's 'caste' system

August 4, 2020 3:14 PM

In “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist examines the laws and practices that created a bipolar caste system in the U.S. — and how the Nazis borrowed from it.

Charisse Davis poses for a portrait

'If not now, when?': Black women seize political spotlight

August 3, 2020 4:15 PM

By The Associated Press

Black women have long been the Democratic Party’s most reliable and loyal voters, but for generations that allegiance didn’t translate to their own political rise. There have been zero Black woman governors, just two senators, several dozen congresswomen. But now Black women are mobilized and demanding an overdue return on their investment.

A screenshot of a video posted on Twitter by Billy Corben shows a K-9 demonstration with a man wearing a Colin Kaepernick jersey.

Navy investigating video of K-9 attack demonstration using Kaepernick jersey

August 3, 2020 12:51 PM

Viral videos show dogs attacking a man in a Colin Kaepernick jersey at an event reportedly hosted by a Florida museum dedicated to Navy SEALs.

A City Pages rack sat next to the Star Tribune.

Journalists of color at the Star Tribune call for newsroom changes

August 3, 2020 11:46 AM

By Cathy Wurzer

In an open letter to management, they are demanding their employer address inequities in recruitment and retention of non-white staff, improve community outreach, and broaden coverage of communities of color.