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Social Issues

The weakest among us

Does it take a village to raise a child? Ray Suarez, senior correspondent at PBS's "The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer," thinks so. Suarez, who used to host the National Public Radio program "Talk of the Nation," believes that neighborhoods and communities have as much responsibility for the welfare of children as do parents and families. He spoke last week in Minneapolis at a forum sponsored by the Children's Law Center of Minnesota.

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Indian Country is in the midst of political awakening

Native Americans consider themselves the "first people." But they waited until 1924 to get the right to vote. Since then, they haven't voted in large numbers. And they've been largely ignored or taken for granted by politicians. Now, Native Americans across the country are registering to vote in droves. They're considered a key constituency in Minnesota and several other battleground states where Democrats and Republicans are fighting for control of the White House. In northern Minnesota, Indians could also hold pivotal swing votes in several state House races.

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Convincing Latinos their vote counts

With a tight presidential election expected this year and Minnesota being a swing state, many groups are trying to register new minority voters. Surveys by the U.S. Census Bureau show 30 percent of Hispanics living in Minnesota are registered voters. By comparison, nearly 80 percent of white residents are registered. Moorhead is one place where there's an effort to get Latino residents to the polls. Some are eager to participate, but others have very practical reasons for not registering to vote.

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Money and morality

We pursue wealth, but having a lot of money poses ethical and religious dilemmas as well.

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Minnesota's minority population growing rapidly

New numbers from the U.S. Census bureau show a growing racial divide in Minnesota's population. The new estimates show the population of younger Minnesotans from minority groups is booming. For example in Hennepin County, the number of Hispanic kids under five years old is growing 15 times faster than the rate for white kids. Meanwhile, the state's population of retired people remains overwhelmingly white. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with State Demographer Tom Gillaspy.
by Cathy Wurzer

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Racist sampler CDs headed for the 'schoolyard'

St. Paul-based Panzerfaust Records has alarmed civil rights groups with a massive campaign to put white power music in the hands of teenagers. It may now be the world's largest purveyor of racist music. Panzerfaust calls the new effort "Project Schoolyard USA," and the first CDs have just been shipped.

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Two ex-HUD secretaries, two strategies for reducing poverty

Two former secretaries for Housing and Urban Development--Jack Kemp and Henry Cisneros--passed through Minnesota recently, and both shared what they claimed were time-tested recipes for reducing poverty. The only catch: the plans they said had proved effective beyond a shadow of a doubt during their times in office were exactly opposite.

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Translating parenting skills into work skills

Parents who take time off to raise children frequently would like to re-enter the workforce at some point. A new book asserts child-rearing prepares you for the board room in more ways than you think.

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Drunk, homeless, and profane

Writer Nick Flynn only saw his father once while growing up. But at age 23, his father turned up at a homeless shelter where Nick was working. Flynn's new book tells the story of being drawn back into a relationship with the man who had deserted him, and how it forced him to confront some ugly realities about homelessness and his own life.

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Immigrants' costs and benefits

A recent MPR/ Pioneer Press poll suggests that Minnesotans think immigrants contribute to the community but cost more than they give back. That contrasts with a study from the Federal Reserve that shows long term gain from immigrants.

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