Social Issues

Everyone's talking about marriage these days. The debate rages from the congregations to the Congress. Most of the discussion centers on who should be allowed to marry whom, and if the definition of marriage should be expanded to include gays and lesbians. We wanted to back up a step and ask: What is marriage? MPR's Chris Julin presents a discussion with several gay and straight couples about the meaning of marriage.
Morris Dees, co-founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center, spoke recently about the nobility of the legal profession at West Publishing in Eagen. SPLC is a public interest law firm that tracks white supremecist activities in the United States.
Statistics show Minnesota's American Indian children typically perform below average on the state's basic skills tests. The most recent scores have people on the Red Lake reservation especially worried. Students there scored significantly lower than Indian students anywhere else in the state. Red Lake School District officials say there are lots of reasons for the poor scores, including geographic isolation, widespread poverty, and a lack of commitment to education by some parents. School officials are now trying to figure out how to move forward.
Last month, Tong Her stepped off a plane in the Twin Cities after an 8,000-mile trip from Thailand. He arrived with his wife and nine other relatives -- the first in a wave of Hmong refugees coming to Minnesota over the next few months. Her told a reporter his first priority is finding work, something almost always easier said than done.
This Fourth of July weekend, we ask for MPR listeners to call in with their stories about coming to America.
A new program partly funded by Minnesota marriage license surcharges would encourage parents of babies born in Minneapolis or St. Paul to pursue marriage, or at least a more permanent relationship.
Immigrants make up about 10 to 12 percent of the population around Albert Lea in Freeborn County. Many of the most recent arrivals are from Africa -- Ethiopians, Sudanese, Nigerians. For generations, Mexicans got jobs here as migrant farmhands. Gradually, some began to stay, as jobs in meatpacking plants expanded in Albert Lea and nearby towns. Mexicans are the region's largest immigrant group. But some area residents still object to the numbers of immigrants living in the area.
The Bush administration has imposed new sanctions against Cuba. The tightening of the 42-year-old embargo is intended to increase pressure on the Cuban government.
The thousands of Hmong refugees who are expected to arrive in Minnesota will face a major obstacle: learning English. But many English language learning classes are already full in the Twin Cities and have waiting lists. Educators say they're concerned an already stressed system could cause problems for the refugees.
Seven children were among the 11 Hmong refugees who arrived in the Twin Cities earlier this week. Some of those kids are now beginning the process of enrolling in St. Paul schools. School officials say they hope to make that process as routine as possible.