Social Issues

Survey: Americans split on whether schools should teach ongoing effects of slavery, racism
The McCourtney Institute for Democracy’s latest Mood of the Nation Poll, conducted with 1,000 American adults May 12 through 18, 2023 finds that nine in ten American adults think schools have a responsibility to teach children about slavery, but only half think those lessons should extend to “the ongoing effects of slavery and racism in the United States.”
Slave cases are still cited as good law across the U.S. This team aims to change that
Michigan State law professor Justin Simard says 18 percent of all published American cases are within two steps of a slave case. His team has spent years documenting them, hoping to force a legal reckoning.
Pulse nightclub victims remembered on 7th anniversary of massacre
Across central Florida, the 49 victims killed and dozens more survivors of the massacre at a gay-friendly nightclub were remembered with the unveiling of a 44-foot (13.4-meter)-wide mural, the ringing of church bells and an overnight vigil at the site of the Pulse club on Monday, the seventh anniversary of the tragedy.
Three years ago, the world watched Lake Street sustain significant damage after the murder of George Floyd. But business owners cleaned up, came back and insisted that this recovery be accessible to all. Were they successful? Listen to this live In Focus discussion hosted by MPR News host Angela Davis.
Supreme Court unexpectedly upholds provision prohibiting racial gerrymandering
The Supreme Court has ruled against Alabama's defense of an electoral map drawn by the state's Republican-dominated legislature. Black voters had challenged the law as racially discriminatory.
Minnesota U.S. Attorney’s office to direct more lawyers to cases of missing, murdered Indigenous people
Survivors, family of Missing and Murdered Indigenous persons (MMIP) and advocates gathered to give testimony to the Not Invisible Act Commission, an advisory group of experts created to address the high incidence of human trafficking and murder across Indian Country.
Choi: Ending low-level traffic stops hasn't led to more crime in Ramsey Co.
Ending traffic stops for broken tail lights and similar vehicle violations hasn’t led to more violent crime but has dramatically cut the racial disparities in police stops, John Choi, the county attorney, said Wednesday.
Minnesota groups echo warning for LGBTQ+ people traveling elsewhere
The comments come after a national LGBTQ+ civil rights group on Tuesday issued its first-ever state of emergency after states across the country enacted policies restricting health care, public restroom access and other services for transgender people.