HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014.12.11 PacketTo: HRRC
From: MJ Lar -non Staff Liaison
Date: 12/11/2014
Subject: Adoption of Meeting Minutes
Agenda Item #: IV.
Action
Discussion ❑
Information ❑
Action Requested:
Approve the minutes for the regular meeting of the Human Rights and Relations
Commission.
Information / Background:
Attachment:
Draft meeting minutes from HRRC meeting; Attendance Roster
City of Edina • 4801 W. Nth St. • Edina, MN 55424
MINUTES
OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
HUMAN RIGHTS & RELATIONS COMMISSION
October 28, 2014 7:00 PM
City Hall — Community Room
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Seidman called the meeting to order at 7:02pm.
11. ROLL CALL
Answering roll call were Commissioners Arseneault, Bigbee, Gates, Kennedy, Chair
Seidman, Weinert, and Winnick. Staff present: Staff Liaison MJ Lamon.
III. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA
Motion was made by Commissioner Winnick to amend the Regular Meeting Agenda of
October 28, 2014 to add youth housing litigation to item VII. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Bigbee. Motion carried.
IV. APPROVAL OF September 23, 2014 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Amendment to item IV. to read Approval of August minutes
Amendment to item IX. to read Winnick stated he would forward information about Edina
Resource Center to commissioner Carter for consideration of a blog post
Commissioner Arseneault moved to approve the minutes as presented to the HRRC.
Commissioner Kennedy seconded. Motion carried.
V. COMMUNITY COMMENT
Edina resident Sandy Berman attended the HRRC meeting. Mr. Berman's comments were in
effect to his October 10, 2014 correspondence to the HRRC asking about Columbus Day
name replacement, affordable housing and the Edina Wikipedia entry changes being rejected
on several occasions. Mr. Berman encouraged HRRC to urge the City Council to mandate
affordable housing and policy change. He also requested the HRRC research who is
rejecting the entry changes. Commissioner Winnick shared information on the historic
timeline of Edina created by the HRRC located on our website.
VI. GUEST PRESENTER: Bill Neuendorf, Economic Development Director, Grandview
Redevelopment Citizen Engagement Plan
The City of Edina sought to work with a partner to bring new light to the old Public Works
City site. They are looking to create a project that has a public and private component.
Neuendorf stated the process will begin in December. Thursday, December 4th is the target
date for the public engagement process. This will be a six month process that includes
working with residents in Edina for feedback on the best use of the property.
VII. REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS
A. Bias Offense Response Plan Update (Winnick)
Commissioner Winnick shared approved changes that were made to the Plan. In addition to
the approval of the Plan, City Council approved the recommendation to implement a
process to City departments for reporting bias offenses.
B. Indigenous Peoples Day Resolution Update (Kennedy/Lamon)
Per direction of the City Council, the Indigenous Peoples Day resolution will be posted on
Speak Up, Edina! to solicit resident feedback. Commissioner Kennedy had communication
with Council member Sprague about resident comments opposed to changing the name of
the day. Commissioner Kennedy commented some people in the community believe it is to
dishonor Columbus, when in fact it is to honor indigenous people's day.
Staff Liaison Lamon explained the Speak Up, Edina! process. The HRRC expressed interest
in slowing down the process to reframe the message. Lamon and Kennedy will speak this
week to review Speak Up, Edina! proposal.
C. Televised Meeting: Finalize December Agenda (All)
Chair Seidman presented the draft agenda for the televised December I Ith meeting. HRRC
agreed to ask Christie Nicoson from World Without Genocide to present. Commissioner
Kennedy will present on Human Rights City Designation. HRRC would like to show the
Tom Oye PSA.
Lamon will ask the technology department if HRRC timeline can be shown on screen. The
HRRC asked if they could get a pop-up sign version of this.
Kennedy asked that a time breakdown be added to the agenda. Arseneault presented times
on the agenda. The Commissioners agreed that the times looked good.
D. Community Conversations Update (Bigbee/Davis)
Bigbee shared that two working group meetings took place on October 6 and October 27.
Minutes from each meeting were provided to Commissioners. The first meeting included a
review of the process and the role of the volunteers. The second meeting was a training by
the staff of The Advocates for Human Rights on how the group will conduct the listening
sessions. Commissioner Bidgbee noted that the listening sessions will ask participants to
answer two questions: (1) what are the qualities of a welcoming community; and (2) is Edina
a welcoming community? Bigbee hopes to have the first session before the end of
November. There has been one resignation from the working group.
E. Youth Housing Litigation
Commissioner Winnick discussed the Sun Current article about a private group suing the
City of Edina for the Beacon 66th homeless youth housing facility rezoning decision. Chief
Nelson reported to City Council that there is no increase in crime at the Beacon facility in
South Minneapolis. Winnick read opposed reasons stated in the Sun Current. Winnick
suggested we establish a monitoring committee to observe/watch/report events around
youth housing and this lawsuit. Winnick volunteers to serve on the committee. It was noted
a monitoring committee on housing status is consistent with our draft 2015 Work Plan
which calls for the monitoring of the status of Edina affordable housing as a new initiative.
Bigbee moved to establish a committee to monitor the status of Edina's youth housing
(including pending litigation). The motion was seconded by Kennedy. Motion carried.
Vill. CORRESPONDENCE AND PETITIONS
Chair Seidman noted that Sandy Berman, the author of the October 10 letter we received,
spoke about his correspondence during Community Comments; therefore we did not need
to consider the correspondence further.
IX. CHAIR, COMMISSION MEMBER, AND STUDENT COMMENTS
A. Next Meeting: December 11, 2014 (Televised in Council Chambers)
Commissioner Carter has resigned. A motion was made by Arseneault to have only one
person on Nomination Committee. The motion was seconded by Bigbee. Motion carried.
Commissioner Arseneault shared that she is volunteering for the Human Services Task
Force. The Task Force has already had their first meeting. The second meeting is on
October 29th to hear presentations from organizations.
Commissioner Kennedy is creating a working group for Human Rights City; she stated that
Commissioner Sanders is helping her. Commissioner Kennedy noted that much of the work
the working group will do is education. She believes information from the Community
Conversations listening sessions will be useful for the working group to choose what topics
they will tackle. Motion was made by Winnick to create Human Rights City working group.
The working group members shall include Colleen Feige and Leslie Lagerstrom. The motion
was seconded by Arseneault. Motion Carried.
Commissioner Winnick gave an update about the Edina Community Resource Center.
Commissioner Weinert shared that the model UN topic this year is sex trafficking. Wagner
shared that she attended a Gay Student Alliance; they are trying to do more outreach to
Edina students to ensure Edina is a safe place for gay students.
Commissioner Gates shared she is involved in Mock Trial. The case being examined is the
murder of a homeless mother.
X. STAFF COMMENTS
Staff Liaison Lamon shared that the Vision Edina workshop for the Board and Commission
members will be held on November 17th. A picture of the HRRC will be taken on
December I Ith at 6:45pm at City Hall.
Xl. ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Commissioner Kennedy to adjourn the October 28th meeting,
Arseneault seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:02pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Minutes approved by HRRC December 11, 2014
MJ Lamon, HRRC Staff Liaison
Jan Seidman, HRRC Chair
To: HRRC
From: MJ Lamon Staff Liaison
Date: 12/11/2014
Subject: Approval of Meeting Agenda
Agenda Item #: III.
Action
Discussion ❑
Information ❑
Action Requested:
Approve the meeting agenda for the regular meeting of the Human Rights and Relations
Commission.
Information / Background:
Attachment:
Meeting Agenda
City of Edina • 4801 W. 501h St. • Edina, MN 55424
AGENDA
CITY OF EDINA, MINNESOTA
HUMAN RIGHTS & RELATIONS COMMISSION
DECEMBER 11, 2014
L CALL TO ORDER
II. ROLL CALL
III. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA
IV. APPROVAL OF October 28, 2014 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
V. COMMUNITY COMMENT
During "Community Comment, " the Human Rights & Relations Commission will invite
residents to share relevant issues or concerns. Individuals must limit their comments to three
minutes. The Chair may limit the number of speakers on the same issue in the interest of time
and topic. Generally speaking, items that are elsewhere on tonight's agenda may not be
addressed during Community Comment. Individuals should not expect the Chair or
Commission Members to respond to their comments tonight. Instead, the Commission might
refer the matter to staff for consideration at a future meeting.
VI. Guest speaker: Christie Nicoson, World Without Genocide Program and Operations Director
VII. REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS
A. Human Rights City Designation Update (Kennedy/Sanders)
B. Days of Remembrance/Genocide Awareness (Seidman)
1. 2015 Event Announcement
C. Community Conversations Update (Bigbee/Davis)
D. Tom Oye Award Announcement (Winnick)
1. 2015 Nominations
2. PSA
VIII. CORRESPONDENCE AND PETITION
IX. CHAIR, COMMISSION MEMBER, AND STUDENT COMMENT
X. STAFF COMMENTS
XI. ADJOURNMENT
The City of Edina wants all residents to be comfortable being part of the public process. If you need
assistance in the way of hearing amplification, an interpreter, large print documents or something else,
please call 952-927-8861 at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting.
4
To: HRRC
From: MJ Lamon Staff Liaison
Date: 12/11/2014
Subject: Guest Presenter
Action Requested:
None.
Information / Background:
Christie Nicoson
World Without Genocide Program and Operations Director
Agenda Item M. A.
Action ❑
Discussion ❑
Information
UN's Adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1948
Attachment:
None.
City of Edina • 4801 W. Vth St. • Edina, MN 55424
Christie Nicoson is the Program and Operations Coordinator at World Without Genocide, a human
rights organization headquartered at William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota. The
organization provides education to raise awareness about past and current conflicts and advocacy at the
local, state, and national levels for policies and legislation to protect innocent people, prevent genocide,
prosecute perpetrators, and remember those whose lives have been affected by genocide.
Nicoson previously served as coordinator for World Without Genocide's exhibit, Tents of Witness:
Genocide and Conflict, which educates people about different genocides and presents advocacy steps to
prevent future atrocities; the exhibit has been shown throughout the upper Midwest. Nicoson
previously worked with an organization in Mombasa, Kenya to combat sex trafficking and to provide
support and rehabilitation programs for trafficked women.
She currently assists Minnesota Senator Sandy Pappas with the international program Forward Global
Women, a convening of women peace makers from Middle East and North African countries. At World
Without Genocide, Nicoson organizes educational events, supports advocacy initiatives, and engages
community members to build an anti -genocide constituency to stand up for human rights both locally
and globally.
As a volunteer, she directed a youth mentoring program with the YMCA, served on the University of
Minnesota Human Rights Student Advisory Board, and currently coordinates Rotary service projects
with community partners, including World Without Genocide and local chapters of Habitat for
Humanity.
Nicoson is a 2014 Carl Wilkens Fellow, a fellowship program named after the only American to remain in
Rwanda during the genocide, through which she advocates for anti -genocide policies. She was awarded
Citizen of the Year in 2014 by the Minneapolis University Rotary Club for her service to the community.
Nicoson received her Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies from the University of Minnesota.
Contact: nicoson@worldwithoutgenocide.org 651-695-7621
To: HRRC
From: MJ Lamon Staff Liaison
Date: 12/11/2014
Subject: Human Rights City Designation Update (Kennedy/Sanders)
Action Requested:
None.
Information / Background:
Commissioner Kennedy will provide update.
Attachment:
Slides.
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Agenda Item M. VII. A.
City of Edina • 4801 W. §Oth St. • Edina, MN 55424
Action ❑
Discussion ❑
Information
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Human Rights Cities
• Participatory governance. Builds ownership over
outcomes; insures representation, reducing
discriminatory policies.
N • Unique community solutions. Tailors policies and
procedures to city challenges and opportunities.
• `Smallest spaces.' Brings human rights to their most
fundamental expression.
www.EdinaMN.gov
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Human Rights Cities: Focus Areasa»Nw
• Washington, D.C.
Discrimination
• Eugene, OR
m e, Civil, political, social, economic, and cultural rights
• Columbus, IN
Housing
• Chapel Hill and Carrboro, NC
Discrimination
• Pittsburgh, PA
Racism
www.tajjw.gov
Edina Process and Timeline
Establish steering committee — Fall 2014
Determine critical issues from Edina Visioning and
Community Conversations — Spring 2015
Create awareness about the human rights framework for
local action — 2015
Design the strategic plan to address the critical issues —
Summer 2015
Implement the strategic plan — Fall 2015 ongoing
Evaluate, revise, and expand the program — Fall 2015
ongoing
www.EdinaMN.gov
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`Without concerted citizen action to
uphold human rights close to home,, we
shall look in vain to the larger world.'
-Eleanor Roosevelt
www.EdiRW.gov
To: HRRC
From: MJ Lamon Staff Liaison
Date: 12/11/2014
Subject: Days of Remembrance/Genocide Awareness (Seidman)
Action Requested:
None.
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Agenda Item #: VII. B.
Action ❑
Discussion ❑
Information
Information / Background:
Commissioner Seidman will provide plans for 2015 event scheduled to take place on April 19, 2015.
Attachment:
Slides.
City of Edina • 4801 W. {9th St. • Edina, MN 55424
N
O
Days of Remembrance:
From the Armenians to
the Holocaust
Date:
Time:
Location:
Sunday, April 19, 2015
1:00prn — 3:30pm
Edina City Hall
www.tdMjW.gov
N
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"Standing Up Against Genocide Denial"
1tt{iN
What is genocide denial? Film excerpt from "The Soap Myth"
Discuss U.S. freedom of speech vs. international laws
criminalizing denial
The Armenian Genocide
• Guest Speaker: Holocaust Survivor Dora Eiger
Zaidenweber
"A time of disregard for human rights and human life"
• "Upstanders -Armenians who saved Jewish residents
during the Holocaust"
A reader's theater play performed by World Without
Genocide staff and high school/college students
www.EdinaMN.gov
To: HRRC
From: MJ Lamon Staff Liaison
Date: 12/11/2014
Subject: Community Conversations (Bigbee/Davis)
Action Requested:
None.
Information / Background:
Commissioner Davis will provide update.
Attachment:
None.
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Agenda Item #. VII. C.
City of Edina • 4801 W._Oth St. • Edina, MN 55424
Action ❑
Discussion ❑
Information
•
To: HRRC
From: MJ Lamon Staff Liaison
Date: 12/11/2014
Subject: Tom Oye Award (Winnick)
Action Requested:
None.
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Agenda Item M VII. D.
Action ❑
Discussion ❑
Information
Information / Background:
HRRC is currently accepting applications for the Tom Oye award. Application closes on January 31, 2015.
Edina's CTS department created a Tom Oye PSA to run on channel 16.
Attachment:
Slides.
City of Edina • 4801 W. -Mw St. • Edina, MN 55424
N
A
2015
Tom C)ye
Award
En
o
INtIN
www.EdAW.gov
About Tom Oye
Mr. Oye was a longtime resident of Edina who received a number of
awards for his work in human rights and relations, including the Prize
for Humanity by the Immortal Chaplains Foundation. He was a
founder of the Edina HRRC, having served for over 30 years.As a
Japanese -American who was required to live in a segregated camp as
WWII broke out, Mr.Oye experienced mandated discrimination,
hardship and fear. His resolve was to enlist as an American soldier,
and he served during WWII as a member of the famed 442nd
Regimental Combat Team, one of the most decorated units in U.S.
military history.
www.EdinaMN.gov
7777
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Eligibility
Anyone who lives or works in Edina.
m Selection Criteria
Efforts to foster respect and dignity for others;
modeling courage and/or compassion in the
advancement of human rights; and demonstrating
leadership by example for improving human
relations and/or advancing human rights.
www.EdMW.gov
N
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OF EDINA
o
Application Information
• Applications are due by January 31, 2
• For questions contact the HRRC Staff Liaison,
Mj Lamon, at mlamon _edinamn gov or 952-
826-0360
www.EdinaMN.gov
To: HRRC
From: MJ Lamon Staff Liaison
Date: 12/11/2014
Subject: Correspondence and Petitions
Action Requested:
None.
Information / Background:
Correspondence received since the last HRRC meeting.
Attachment:
Correspondence.
Agenda Item #: VIII.
City of Edina • 4801 W._Mlh St. • Edina, MN 55424
Action ❑
Discussion ❑
Information
C
i
29
11-13-14
"Letters to the Editor"
Edina Sun Current ,w
10917 Valley View Road
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Dear Neighbors,
It's bewildering that the Edina City Council at its October
21st meeting refused to condemn the indisputably racist
"Redskins" team name, More baffling are the two reported reasons:
that the Washington NFL club "doesn't play or przctice in Edina"
and that "the city doesn't comment on commercial speech or names
of commercial products." Yes, they don't play here. But the
hateful (and harmful) teem name permeates our town through
TV and the press. And since when is "commercial speech"
sacrosanct and inviolable, immune from criticism?
Would our august City Council have been equally reluctant to
denounce a nationally pervasive teem name like "Washington
Niggers"? If the answer is NO!', then the anti -"Redskins"
resolution should be revived and approved at the next Council
session,
st wishes
ord Berman
4400 Morningside R
Edina, MN 55416
952 921-5738
cc: Edina Citv I
Edina Human
uncil
'ights and Relations Commission
30
LO -24-14
S,ieak Up Edina
City Nall
4801. West 50th street
Edina, MN 55424
Dear Neighbors,
I understand you'll shortly be asking
(online) what Edinans think about
replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous
Peoples' Day. T trust my hardcopy opinion
will be counted. And it is this:
Yes, Edina shculd no longe_- recognize Columbus Day
in its official pronouncements, activities,
and c---lendars. Why? Because this holiday
commemorates and celebrates the onset of a
period of unparalleled genocide, slavery,
and theft. No single act by a town -nr city
can pretend to compensate or adequately
apologize 'or the horrific fate that befell
many millions of native peoples following
the Columbian landfall. But it's a start.
Duluth, Red Wing, Minneapolis, and Mt. Flea --ant
(Michigan) have alrejdy done this. So should we.
iy'i th umn 1 gi
Sanford Bermun
L40U Morninq. dE
Edina, MN 55/416
952 925-57
9E
One little two little three little Indians ...
- It is 1968. Quang Ngai is "Indian Country."
In Vietnam, the only good is a dead _
In the second and third grades, children first
learn about Columbus. The same age little girls
become Brownies. Brownies learn to use green
wood sticks to roast marshmallows. When the
marshmallows are golden brown, the girls
place them between two graham crackers
lined with chocolate bars. The treat is called
"s'mores."
Columbus and company use green wood to
roast Tainos and Caribs. Neither Brownies nor
Cub Scouts know about the roasting of Indians.
They know the Nina, the Pinta, the Santa
Maria. They know 1492. They know less, not
more.
AGENDA
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF EDINA, MINNESOTA
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
TUESDAY OCTOBER 21, 2014
7:00 P.M.
I. CALL TO ORDER
11. ROLL CALL
III. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA
IV. ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA
All agenda items listed on the consent agenda are considered routine and will be
enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of such items unless
requested to be removed from the Consent Agenda by a Member of the City Council.
In such cases the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered
immediately following the adoption of the Consent Agenda. (Favorable rollrall vote of
majority of Council Members present to approve.)
O. Approve Resolution No. 2014-113 NFL Resolution
P. Approve Resolution No. 2014-114 Renaming Columbus Day Indigenous Peoples'
Day
At the request of two Council members, items 0 and P were removed from
the Consent Agenda and considered separately. The Council did not seem
eager to address either issue. "Uncomfortable" may best describe the
mood. First., they; wholly dumped the resolution suggested by the Edina
Human Rights and Relations Commission that would have condemned the
Washington Redskins team name in a letter to be sent by the Mayor to
the National Football League. As one member put it, such on act
was not within the "purview" of the Council, which should not interfere
with "commercial speech." Although admitting the team name to be
"reprehensible," she nonetheless claimed that, in effect, brand names
should be immune to criticism. The resolution unanimously failed,
33
10-22-14: 2
On renaming Columbus Day, one member noted there had been little
public input on the issue and so moved that the matter be forwarded j
to Speak Up Edina to gather opinion, after which it might be
reconsidered by the Council. This passed without di ssant, but not
before another member --perhaps concerned that a grave question was
being postponed too readily --made a somewhat incoherent statement
about how the holiday commemorated "exploration," which she found
to ba inappropriate. She made no mention of how inappropriate
it is to celebrate genocide, slavery., and plunder.
While proposed by the Edina HRRC, no Commission representatives
appeared to present or defend the two Native -related recommendations.
Reported by Sanford Berman
10-22-14
4400 Morningside Road
Edina, MN 55416
952-925-5738
34
11-13-14
"Letters to the Editor"
Edina Sun Current �s
10917 Valley View Road
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Dear Neighbors,
It's bewildering that the Edina City Council at its October
21st meeting refused to condemn the indisputably racist
"Redskins" team name. More baffling are the two reported reasons:
that the Washington NFL club "doesn't play or practice in Edina"
and that "the city doesn't comment on commercial speech or names
of commercial products," Yes, they don't play here. But the
hateful (and harmful) team name permeates our town through
TV and the press, And since when is "commercial speech"
sacrosanct and inviolable, immune from criticism?
Would our august City Council have been equally reluctant to
denounce a nationally pervasive team name like "Washington
Niggers"? If the answer is N0!°, then the anti -"Redskins"
resolution should be revived and approved at the next Council
session.
est wishes
brd Berman
4400 Morningside R
Edina, MN 55416
952 925-5738
35
Not in My Library!.-
"Berman's
ibrary!:"Berman's Bag"
Columns from The
Unabashed Librar-
ian, 200-2013
BY SANFORD BERMAN
Amazon.com, $33.25, pb. or independent
bookstores
Reviewed by Kelsey Irvina Beson
The many laudatory blurbs on the
back cover of Not in My Library!
variously describe Sanford Berman as
"a modern-day Diogenes," "an advo-
cate for the disadvantaged," "fire for
the mind," and "the biggest mensch
in librarianship."
Berman is a noted (some might say
notorious) Twin Cities librarian,
muckraker, activist, and all-around
loudmouth; he agitates stridently for
everything from rational cataloging
practices to homeless rights, and has
been a thorn in the side of the various
authorities with which he has been
clashing for over half a century.
Not in My Library! collects Berman's
columns from the magazine The Un-
abashed Librarian from 2000-2013.
These articles include excerpts from a
multitude of sources, such as corre-
spondence, editorials, newspaper ar-
ticles, zines, freethought publications,
and alternative and mainstream li-
brary magazines. The breadth of
Berman's interest is apparent here—
he has a librarian's curiosity, a trait
informed by decades of subject cata-
loging.
A highlight of Berman's career has
been to revolutionize Library of Con-
gress Subject Headings. A bad biblio-
graphic record can render a book im-
possible to find. For example, Berman
agitated for years until the heading
"Vietnamese Conflict" was updated to
"Vietnam War" (in 2oo6!). Headings
can become outdated, but some are so
ossified they seem deliberately obfus-
catory, such as "Canada. Treaties, etc.
1992 Oct. 7" to refer to what any
normal person would call "NAFTA."
Despite being now 80, Berman comes
off as really hip: he pushes for new
subject headings on everything from
cyberchondria to mountaintop re-
moval (he's the reason there's a Li-
brary of Congress authority record for
"strap -on sex"). These articles docu-
ment his effort to make bibliographic
records more humane in terms of
both equitability and usability. Ber-
man's open letters to the Library of
Congress push a breath of fresh air
into the world of librarianship, which
is often insular and slow to change.
The Library of Congress is not the
only organization with which Berman
has butted heads—Not in My Li-
brary! also documents disputes with
entities such as the Hennepin County
[Minnesota] Library and the Ameri-
can Library Association. Points of
contention include Banned Books
Week (which Berman insists is a
farce), rights for marginalized library
patrons such as the homeless, and hi-
erarchical library management, which
he likens to a "medieval fiefdom." The
thread that ties these articles together
is Berman's deep commitment to ac-
tivism. A hard line reformer who
doesn't want to hear that things are
better than they were, he only cares
about the gold standard of how things
should be.
The only negative thing one could say
about this book is that it can occa-
sionally feel monotonous—a lot of the
columns cover the same territory.
However, if they are repetitive, it's
because the same issues keep popping
up over and over. If anyone could
solve these problems it would be
Berman. His incredible, lifelong
commitment to people -oriented li-
brarianship shines through every
Happy Holidays
Grab a book, a jug of wine, and
thou fellow atheist ... and enjoy!
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The Moral Atheist • • • 17 • • • November -December 2014
36
southwestjournal.com / November 6-19,2014 A7
Civil Rights Commission,
Hodges call on Washington
football team to change name
The Minneapolis Civil Rights Commission and
Mayor Betsy Hodges have joined the Minneap-
olis City Council in calling for the Washington
Redskins to change its name.
The commission approved a resolution
opposing the use of the team's name and logo
within the city of Minneapolis before the team
played the Minnesota Vikings on Nov 2 at TCF
Bank Stadium on the University of Minnesota
campus.
Thousands took part in protests on campus
before the game.
Minneapolis is home to one of the largest
urban American Indian populations in the
country. Several organizations including the
National Congress of American Indians, the
American Psychological Association and the
United States Commission on Civil Rights have
condemned the team for keeping the name.
"The choice of the Washington NFL team is
making to use a racial epithet for its name is an
offense to the values of the people of Minne-
37
apolis," Hodges said. "It is baffling that in 2014
a company would retain the use of a racist logo
for its product. From a human standpoint it is
reprehensible and from a business standpoint
the brand becomes more tainted everyday."
Michael Harralson, chair of the city's Civil
Rights Commission, called the team's name and
logo `offensive, derogatory and disparaging to
indigenous people''
Earlier this month Susan Segal told a Council
committee that the city lacked legal standing
to file a lawsuit against the team over its name
because the game will be played at the U of M.
She said her office "would like nothing better
to file a lawsuit" against the team to prompt a
name change.
The Hennepin County Board also passed a
resolution Oct. 28 calling for the team to drop
its name.
"This name has no place in 21st Century
America. It's time to move on," said Commis-
sioner Peter McLaughlin.
0
j April 26, 2011
Dave St. Peter, President
Minnesota Twins, Inc.,
1 Twins Way
MIf•4NEAPOLIS, MN 55403
Dear Dave,,
No major league baseball team uses these demeaning, defamatory logos:
But one uses this:
On Easter Sunday, I attended the Minnesota -Cleveland game at Target Field..
(My granddaughter performed the national anthem with other fifth -graders
from Red Pine Elementary.) During the afternoon, Cleveland's "grinning
Indian's logo repeatedly appeared on giant screens, conveying a message of
bigotry and disrespect to 39,000 fans-.. I became increasingly embarrassed.
And enraged.
38
•
For many years, the Cleveland owners have defiantly and insensitively
resisted demands by Native Americans and others. tw dr -o_ -p. both the- "Indians'
name and- vicious caricature,.. Although those ownve pr` en themselves
to be plititfully racist and irresponsible.- Twins l le rship- should not
mimic: thegt,.. You can do bette Ne ime Cleveland ys here,, just don't
display their disgusting lo a: -.e it. Thatt the decent and responsible
thing to do.
Edi anks in va.nce f your swift and positive attentimn t this
t l
,Sanford man
4400 Morningside R ad.
Edina, PIN 55416
952 925-573&
s
39
May 2, 2011
Mr. Sanford Berman
4400 Morningside Road
Edina, MN 55416
Dear Mr. Sanford:
On behalf of the entire Minnesota Twins organization, I'd like to take a
moment to say THANK YOU for your recent correspondence. It's always
wonderful to hear from great baseball fans like you.
Regardingyour specific concerns, be advised that I have shared your letter
with both the Cleveland Indians and Major League Baseball. We appreciate
your comments and perspective and felt it was best for those organizations
to hear it directly:
Thanks again for your support of Twins baseball.
Win Twins! ! !
OW�
Dave St. Peter
President
world champions
Dave St. Pe
Presi.
Direct: 612.659.3
Cell: 612.366:[
Fax: 612.659.4
davestpeter@twinsbaseball
Minnesota Twins Baseball!
TAR13ETOFI
mailing a
1 Twins Way • Minneapolis, MN 55
street add
353 5th Street N • Minneapolis, MN 55
TARGETp FIELC
1 Twins Way • Minneapolis, MN 55403 -
Executive Office: 612.659.3400 • Ticket Office: 612.33.TWINS • www.tvAnsbaseball.com
65* 40 . ,.
American League Champions Division Champions
May 41: 2011
Dave St. Petery President
Minnesota Tains Baseball Club
Target Field
1 Twins Way
41
CountyBoard
condemns use of
`Redskins' name
Jumping into a national fray, the Hennepin
County Board on Tuesday passed a resolution
calling on the Washington, B.C., NFL team to
drop its "Redskins" name in favor of one "that is
not racist and derogatory," Commissioner Peter
McLaughlin said in a news release.
"This narne has no place in 21st -century Amer-
ica," McLaughlin said. "It's time to move on."
Commissioner JeffJohnson, iwho is theRepub•-
lican Party's endorsed candidate for governor,
cast the only "no" vote on the resolution, arguing
that the issue has nothing to do with Hennepin
County and that the board's addressing of it is
part of "what frustrates people so much about
government:'
The debate has intensified in Minnesota
because the Vikings will play the Washington
team at noon Sunday at TCF Bank Stadium at
the University ofMinnesota. The Uhas published
its own objections to the term, which many con-
sider a racial slur.
Opponents ofthe name, many ofthem Ameri-
can Indians and their supporters, have said they
will gather by the thousands outside the stadium
to protest.
Last week, the city of Minneapolis said it
lacked the legal standing to keep the team from
using the moniker when it comes to town. City
Council members had expressed interest in tak-
ing
aking some kind of action to oppose the name.
Minneapolis City Attorney Susan Segal said
that while she "would like nothing better" than
to act; the cityhas limited options. She said a ban
on the name could be seen as a violation of the
First Amendment, and she noted that the city's
Civil rights ordinance does not apply to the Uni-
versity of Minnesota.
Other local bodies that have weighed into con-
deinn ti to name include the Edina City Council.
STAFF REPORTS
NOTE: The Edina Human Riohts and
Relations Commission recomm.nded
to the City Council a resolution
condemning tha "P.edskins"
team name, but the City Council
at its 10-21-14 meeting REFUSED
TO 7O SCS,
; SDA1, uCTOPSER 29, 2014. STAB i��13UNE • IfiTRO • B3
Sanford Berman
4400 Morningside RoaO
Edina, HA 55416
552 915-5738
"5
1
k4w
FROM THE EDITORS DESK
Privilege isn't what you think
Alfred Wolking Bull
The Grcle Managing Edltor
he concept of privilege is one that's both
acknowledged and dismissed, depending
on which side of cultural .identity one
hangs one's hat.
For many in the Native American community,
both on- the reservation and in the urban setting,
privilege is something that we see as the cause of
our oppression. It's a catch-all for the discrimina-
tion we face individually and collectively. Growing
up in rural South Dakota, my parents and I were
followed around in retail stores in Rapid City,
Pierre and Sioux Falls. As tribal nations, we are
dren has always been a matter of law, the privilege
has generally been exercised by the state.
Those are the direct effects of the privilege of
class and economics. The indirect effects of privie.
lege can be seen in incidents like the Hennepin
Theatre Trust's production of "Bloody Bloody
Andrew Jackson," wherein Cherokee, Creek and
Choctaw historical figures were portrayed by non -
Native actors and written as two-dimensional car-
icatures of the complex reality upon which, they
were based. While early press information
described the production as a "South Park" -like
ironic musical that pokes fun at the -tragedy, not
one Native person in. the audience laughed, few
and far between as they were.
New Native Theatre's Rhiana Yazzie attempted to
articulate — in English, the lingua franca we Natives
adopted so as to explain to non -Natives why_ we have
a right to exist — that the privilege the authors, direc-
tors and audience members enjoy is not one that we
Native folk don't ever get to experience. That privi-
lege is not that we take the musical at face value, we are
not idiots, we too know that our Cherokee brothers
and sisters did not speak in pidgin English. The priv.
ilege enjoyed by everyone else in the theater was that
they didn't have the collective, generational trauma
weighing upon them when we saw those caricatures,
When we see a fashion model wearing a headdress, a
non -Native person playing Native, or even a sports
team with a mascot, we ask ourselves, "What do they
know about us?"
When the U.S. Patent Office canceled the
Washington football team's trademark, cheers arose
from all corners of Indian country. Consequently,
non=Natives around the country continued to
bemoan the march of progress for our cause by say,
ing political correctness had — yet again — gone too
far. Comments under the stories predictably began
with, "I'm not racist, but... " or "All the Native
Americans I know..." and ultimately, "I'm Native
American and I don't mind at all."
The gap in between reason and opinion is one
where most non,Native people fall deep. When a
group of people say something is offensive, repeat-
edly and with conviction -- so much so that national
advertising time is purchased to emphasize that
position -- it follows general reason that what is.
called offensive is actually offensive. When one
has to seek out history or one individual who agrees
with a prejudiced position, one is no longer rea-
sonable, one is. opinionated.
When one is opinionated and foregoes reason for
prejudice, it's a short trip to "othering" a group of
people. When a group of people is othered, they
have effectively lost their humanity in the eyes of
the prejudiced. We who are othered become less
than, we become inhuman, and when we become
inhuman, it becomes easy to discriminate.
Discrimination then leads to all roads of oppres-
sion where might is right and majority rules. And
when one is part of the majority, one enjoys a priv-
ilege that they never have to think about.
The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective
10 July 2014
ART
Hennepin Theatre Trust Celebrates Andrew Jackson in Musical
ing with someone when the time .has
come to speak and after when all deci-
sions have been made." To which,
Meerdink said, "As an artist, I don't
have a right to do what I want to do on
stage? That's my second amendment
right [sic]."
Yazzie expressed her disappointment
in the unedited musical's performance
because of what she and other Native
audience members believed to be the
continuedexclusion of perspective.
"The sad part, though, is that it's a.
parry of the genocide of my people and
when you actually live that and you actu-
ally survive that — I don't know, I hope
and what I was actually kind of thankful
for when I saw that version was that,
'Minneapolis gets Native people.
Because we work with Native people,
we have 11 reservations here, our friends
are Native people and we wouldn't put
up with saying those things about Native
people.' And so, I actually was really
happy to see that version," Yazzie said.
"All I really wanted to say was that
reaching out to the Native community
and Native artists would have enriched
this production.. Because ultimately if
the point is to talk about the history of
what happened to Native people, would-
n't
ouldn't it be lovely to get to know them in
the process?"
"Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson" ran
at the New Century Theatre from June
6-29. It was written by . Michael
Friedman and Alex Timbers, directed
by Steven Meerdink.
BY ALFRED WALKING BUIL
rt imitated life after a June 19
performance of "Bloody
Bloody Andrew Jackson," a
production of the Hennepin Theatre
Trust that portrays the exploits of the
U.S. president responsible for the Trail
of Tears.
In the run up to the performance, New
Native Theatre's Rhiana Yazzie organized
a protest of the musical after she wrote an
open letter about the play. In the letter, she
decried the organization's choice of sub.
ject matter, "I think it was an unfortunate
choice for Minneapolis Musical Theatre
to produce this play and I have no doubt
they played into the same disconnect the
authors did, not considering the effect it
could have on real people or that Native
Americans might actually be audience
members."
In the production, references to Native
American culture included the joke,
"Tell me what's the difference between
a little homosexual Indian boy and
George Washington? Besides the fact
you'd murder either of them without
thinking twice?" In addition, Yazzie
objected to the fact that Native charac-
ters were portrayedby non -Native actors
who were written as stoic and speaking
in a halting manner. Additional refer-
ences to Native culture included the
character of Andrew Jackson (played by
Philip C. Matthews), disparaging Native
art and music with a declarative, "Your
music suc
.. After ini protest attempts, Yazzie
New Native Theatre's Rhiana Yazzie (center) explains the position mat --tsioouy oloouy
Andrew Jackson" revels in its stereotypical portrayal of Native American history to Steven.
Meerdink (left) as University of Minnesota history professor David Chang (right) listens.
(Photo by Alfred Walking Bull.)
was then invited to watch what she
believed to be a heavily -edited version
of the musical that was to be performed
for the remainder of the production's
run. But in a talk -back session after the
June 19 performance, which included
Yazzie and University of Minnesota his-
tory professor David Chang,
Minneapolis Music Theatre artistic
director Steven Meerdink said the show
was shown in its entirety.
"That was an error with an actor
remembering lines, we were dealing with
an awful lot that opening weekend w'
an actor being hurt. I did not touch t
script," Meerdink said. When Yazzie
expressed her disappointment, he
defended the non -profit's position as
artistic freedom. "I respect your opin-
ion, however, when I think that when I
first got ahold of the script, I viewed this
not as a retelling of an exact history and
not a slam, degradation, of the Native
American population. I was looking at
the show more as a political statement of
politics in general."
Chang presented a counterpoint, say-
ing, "Respect is a process and not simply
a word said after the fact. Respect is
something that's shown through speak
12-3-14
Cataloging Policy & Support Office
Library of Congress
Washington, DC 20540-4305
Dear Colleagues,
In 2010, Arsenal Pulp Press in Vancouver issued Gord Hill's 500 VeErs of
resistance comic book. A third printing (2012) includes this
Canadian CIP data:
Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication
Hill, Gord, 1968 -
The 500 years of resistance comic book / Gord Hill.
1. Indians—Government relations--History—Comic books,
strips, etc. 2. Government, Resistance to-America-History—
Comic books, strips, etc. 3. America—Colonization—Comic books,
(strips, etc., I. Title. R. Title: Five hundred years of resistance
comic book
Assuming that LC's treatment is analogous, I submit that this significant
work has been woefully and negligently represented in the cataloging
record. No note indicates the wide-ranging conttent nor extensive introduction
by Ward Churchill. No access points are specified for either the introduction
writer or alternative press. And no genre heading permits searching by
form. Worse, the three specified subject tracings collectively fail to
denote what the book is pointedly about: the holocaust and subjugation
inflicted upon Native Americans --and their long-standing resistance
to such oppression.
This might be a more a curate and helpful treatment:
Hill, Gord, 1968 -
The 500 years of resistance comic book. Vancouver, 8C: Arsenal Pulp
Prems,, Copyr ght 2010.
Includes an introduction by Ward Churchill, 5 -page bibliography,
and material on the 1492 invasion, Inca insurgency, Mapuche uprisings,
1680 Pueblo revolt, Pontiac's 1763 rebellion; Seminole, Apache, and
Plains wars; the American Indian Movement; Wounded Knee and Oka crises;
Zapatistas; 1995 Ts'peten standoff; and 1995 Aazhoodene/Stoney Point
occupation.
2 July 2014
NATIONAL NEWS BRIEFS 0
PATENT OFFICE CANCELS WASHINGTON
TEAM'S TRADEMARK
WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office canceled six trademarks belonging to
the Washington football team on June 18, saying they are
offensive to Native Americans.
. The team, which has said it has spent millions defending
trademark over the years, will appeal the decision, a process
that could take years. The Patent Office will continue to
treat the trademark registrations as though they are valid
during the appeals process, according to a spokesperson.
In the meantime, the team can continue to use the logos
portraying a Native American profile with feathers. If the
decision is upheld, it will be hard for the team to clairx
ownership of its brand, a crucial step in going after the
makers of unlicensed merchandise. Instead, the team will
have to illustrate that it has always used the logos, rather
than relying official trademark registrations. The decision
came in response to a suit brought by five Native plain-
tiffs.
In May, 49 senators, including Majority Leader Harry
Reid, signed a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell
saying that the "team is on the wrong side of history," and
that he should endorse a name change. A week later, a
coalition of 77 tribal, civil rights and religious groups,
including the National Congress of American Indians
The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective
and the NAACP, signed a letter urging players to cam-
paign to change the team's mascot.
The team adopted its name and logo in 1933, when it
was based in Boston. It had been known as the Braves
but changed the name to honor William Henry "bone
Star" Dietz, their coach at the time, who was a Native
American, according to a legal brief filed by the team in
a previous matter.
The trademark, which was granted in 1967, has been
renewed several times, but the Patent Office previously
canceled the registration in 1999. A federal judge over-
turned that decision in 2003, saying there was no proof
that the name was disparaging at the time of registration.
The team's trademark attorney Bob Raskopf said he
believed this decision, like the previous one, would be
overturned.
NATIONAL MEWS BRIEFS 10
HISPANIC CIVIL RIGHTS GROUP JOINS IN
MASCOT FIGHT
WASHINGTON, DC - The National Council of
La Raza — the largest national Hispanic civil rights
and advocacy organization in the United States — called
on the NFL and Washington football team owner Dan
Snyder to change the team's name.
The council's board of directors unanimously voted
in support of the move Oct. 26. "Our brothers and
sisters in the Native American community have been
clear and consistent in their call to change both terms
and images that they consider demeaning. As an organ-
ization committed to fairness and equality for all,
NCLR fully supports these efforts," La Raza President
and chief executive Janet Murgula said in a statement.
"The Latino community well understands that words
matter and that they can denigrate, disparage and
dehumanize. We should treat all people with the
respect and dignity they deserve."
Snyder has promised to keep the name, which he
says honors Native people. The team cited polls show-
ing that a majority of Americans - and even a majority
of Native Americans in one 10 year-old survey — do
not find the team name offensive.
La Raza had previously joined with the Leadership
Conference on Civil and Human Rights — a coalition
of organizations including the NAACP and the
American Civil Liberties Union —, in its effort to
change the moniker.
Last year, the conference approveda' resolution that
called on the team to change its name and "refrain
from the use of any other images, mascots, or behaviors
that are or could be deemed harmful or demeaning
to Native American cultures or peoples."
"When groups like La Raza, NAACP, ADL and
NCAI are saying in a singular voice that it is time to
change this offensive name, it should, -,serve as a wake-
up call to the NFL and Dan Snyder that they are on
the wrong side of history," spokesman for the Oneida
Indian Nation, Joel Barkin said.
2 November 2014 The. Circle: News from a Native American Perspective
A,
�• ,1��f7tPpl;:aC1��
1HHN
To: HRRC Agenda Item #: IX.
From: MJ Lamon Staff Liaison Action ❑
Discussion ❑
Date: 12/11/2014 Information
Subject: Chair, Commission Member, and Student Comment
Action Requested:
None.
Information / Background:
Attachment:
Affordable Housing & the HRRC.
City of Edina • 4801 W.4W h St. • Edina, MN 55424
Affordable Housing in Edina & the HRRC
Edina City Code: Division 2. Human Rights and Relations Commission, Section 2-
116. Policy Statement
It is the public policy of the city to:
(1) Secure for all of the residents of the city freedom from discrimination because of race,
color, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, marital status,
disability, status with regard to public assistance, familial status or national origin in
connection with employment, housing and real property, public accommodations, public
services, credit and education.
Edina City Code: Division 2. Human Rights and Relations Commission, Section 2-
118. Duties
The commission shall:
(1) Advise the council on matters relating to discrimination and human relations referred to
herein.
(2) Implement such programs of education and community action which are designed to
effectuate the public policy stated in section 2-116 and which have been approved by the
council.
44
Affordable Housing in Edina & the HRRC
Total Rental Units in Developments -
509 Subsidized Dwelling Units located in 5 Developments
393 Designated for Seniors
116 For Families
Total Units outside of Subsidized Developments -
383 Subsidized Rentals and Owned (mortgage assistance) Units
366 in various condo & townhome areas (mortgage help)
8 Section 8 rental assistance thru Met Council & City
9 Assistance thru West Hennepin Affordable Housing Land Trust (WHAHLT)
Pending Rezoning & Construction -
91 Subsidized Rental Units
10 Designated for Seniors - 10% of 100 units (65th & France) Total 195 units
39 for Homeless Young Adults - 100% (66West Project)
10 Designated for Seniors - 10% of 100 units (Continental Gardens, 7121 York)
32 affordable (20%) of total 160 units — (72ndFrance Potential Prelim Approval
12/16/14)
New Developments Without Subsidized or Affordable Housing-
Southdale I -
Wickes Property-
Byerly's Devl't-
232 Rental Units
242 Rental Units
256 Rental Units
45
DRAFT
TO: Edina City Council
FROM: Edina HRRC
RE: Statement of Support for 7200 France Development
DATE: December 11, 2014
Low income and special needs housing is desirable for diverse, healthy communities; as is
business, quality schools, housing for the majority and medical and social services.
The Edina Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code have been amended in the past to encompass
needs reflective of the changes in our community and its priorities. The Metropolitan Council
and the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities (Minnesota) both strongly oppose any effort
to reduce or alter a city's authority to carry out the functions associated with providing
Affordable Housing under the recognized definitions. Funding is provided in the private sector,
through MHFA and other resources. Developers, land use consultants and planners have
stated that high land values within Edina make Affordable Housing additions in new and
rehabilitated construction difficult to achieve.
The Boisclair Corporation in its proposed rental apartment mixed use development at 72' and
France Ave. has included 20% of its proposed rental units as Affordable Housing in accord with
Metropolitan Council Guidelines. These units would be available to the general community with
income needs that qualify them for rental assistance or other programs that qualify for reduced
rents.
Accordingly, in its role as the advisor to the City Council on human relations and matters
within the scope of its mission; the following statement of support is directed the Edina City
Council:
The Application for a Planned Unit Development and necessary zoning changes for the
property located at 72"d and France Ave by Boisclair Corporation is supported by the Edina
HRRC without reservation. The Developer is commended for including 20% of the total
residential units as being available to persons in need of Affordable Housing. The proposed
mixed unit development will be located within an area offering employment opportunities,
public transportation, a nearby elementary school and a variety of public facilities, parks and
services. The HRRC recommends that the City Council enact any necessary changes and take
all other actions needed to support this initiative, which will build a stronger, more diverse
community and offer more opportunities to new residents to build this community, while at the
time signaling other real estate developers of the direction Edina chooses to lead .