Black History Smashfest Brings Together Black Gamers

A small but unprecedented event occurred on the last weekend of 2024's Black History Month when nearly 20 Black gamers converged together in Minneapolis for the state's first ever Black-only gaming session centered on Super Smash Bros.

Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Relatives Remembered

On any given month in the past decade, a range of 27 to 54 Indigenous women and girls are listed as missing in Minnesota. To raise awareness of this crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, two-spirit people and relatives (MMIW/R), activists in Minnesota use Valentine's Day, February 14, to hold events, along with May 5 being the official MMIW day.

Palestinian Paints Murals on Rubble Amid War on Gaza

Rafah, Gaza Strip, Palestine — Artist Amal Abu Al-Sabah, 26, paints on houses bombed by Israel during their war on Gaza. Her message to the world: “That the Israeli aggression must cease once and for all. And that no more aggression should ever afflict Gaza…

Ancient Roman Graves Discovered in Gaza

Gaza Strip — Over the past two years, Palestinian workers in the Gaza Strip have discovered 134 ancient Roman era-graves. The most recent discoveries came in September of this year as dozens more graves were found, with a number of them displaying very unique and…

#NoKidsInPrison Art Installation Highlights Youth Incarceration Driven By Target

Saint Paul, MN — The #NoKidsInPrison traveling art installation highlighted artwork from several cities across the U.S. along the theme of abolishing youth imprisonment; including art inspired by youth incarceration in Minneapolis driven by Target Corp. 

The Minneapolis based non-profit law firm Legal Rights Center…

Black Storytellers Festival Continues with Heavy Hearts as Matriarch Passes

Minneapolis, MN — The thirty third iteration of the Black Master Storytellers Festival continued this year with heavy hearts after losing two master storytellers, including the matriarch of the festival, in 2023. Six months ago in March, Mrs. Beverly Cottman passed while visiting Egypt and…

‘Makeba’ – A Viral TikTok Trend Pays Homage to Mama Africa

Whether you use TikTok or Instagram Reels, if you’ve been doom scrolling the last eight weeks, chances are you’ve heard the catchy “Can I get a ooh wee?” chorus of the song “Makeba,” a pop dance release by the French singer Jain. The meme, which…

Bombed Houses in Gaza Transformed by Palestinian Calligraphy Artist

Palestinian calligraphy artist, Ayman Al-Husari, transforms Gaza’s war-damaged buildings into magical artistic creations in a move aimed at boosting people’s morale and overcoming the remnants of Israeli bombing raids on the Gaza Strip. “We love life,” Al-Husari said, “we have destruction, but this is not…

Shipwrecked Synthesizers: How Electronic Music Came to Cabo Verde

The archipelago of Cabo Verde had already been colonized by the Portuguese for hundreds of years in 1968 when a ship was discovered marooned on the São Nicolau island. To the surprise of local villagers in Cachaço, the ship was stranded eight kilometers from any…

‘The Neighborhood’s Communication Department’ — Confluence Studio’s Print Shop

Minneapolis, MN — “We’re trying to be the neighborhood’s communication department” said Duaba, Confluence Studio’s co-founder, while standing inside a shipping container-turned print shop in South Minneapolis. “We worked with neighbors,” said Confluence’s other co-founder Sam, “to collaboratively construct this idea of what a newsroom…

The Tale of the City: Gentrification in London – Part 2

‘The Guns of Brixton’ sung by the Clash in 1979 made Brixton synonymous with resistance, anti-oppression, and anti-racism beyond the borders of the United Kingdom. The song presaged the riots of 1981 which rose Brixton into a symbol even as they spread all over England*…

MayDay Festivities Return to Minneapolis

Minneapolis, MN — After three years on hiatus, the MayDay parade and ceremony returned to South Minneapolis. On Sunday, May 7, 2023, thousands of people filled Bloomington Avenue to watch the Southside Battletrain lead the parade into Powderhorn Park where a ceremony occurred.

Unicorn Riot…

‘Colorful Neighborhood’ in Gaza Celebrates Ramadan with Vibrant Colors

Gaza City, Gaza, Palestine — Palestinians celebrating the holy month of Ramadan 2023 are greeted by colorful art-filled walls lining the streets and corridors down some of the oldest lanes of the ‘old city’ in the Gaza Strip.

Walls bear a bright, artistic, colorful painting…

This is a lithograph of the hanging of the 38 Dakota at Mankato which appeared in the February 17, 1863 issue of the Mankato Weekly Record. It was drawn by W. H. Childs and copies were offered for sale for 15 cents each. It was originally published by Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper on January 24, 1863.

Dakota 38+2 Run Commemorates Hanging of Dakota Ancestors

St. Paul, MN – On Dec. 25, 2022, organizers of the Dakota 38+2 run gathered around a “pétu wakȟaŋ, sacred fire” at Fort Snelling to start the 71-mile relay non-stop run to Mankato.

The Dakota 38+2 Run is a way for Indigenous Nations in Minnesota…