Race: Conversations around race and racial justice

The May 25 killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody has ignited an urgent push for racial equality across Minnesota and the United States. Here are the latest on the fight against racism, voices calling for racial justice and in-depth stories on communities of color and other racial issues from MPR News.

Voices of Minnesota Calls for change across the state

Protests and pain The killing of George Floyd

Call To Mind Spotlight on black trauma and policing

Amplifying voices Share your experiences and hopes for the future

Local food shelf provides culturally specific foods for immigrant communities

May 22, 2020 5:43 AM

By Tarkor Zehn and Tom Crann

A local nonprofit ensures immigrants and refugees have access to culturally specific foods at its Brooklyn Center food shelf.

A woman uses a small blowtorch to caramelize desserts.

Unemployment claims up — way up — among Asian Minnesotans

May 20, 2020 5:45 AM

By Riham Feshir

At a time when Asian Americans are reporting experiences with bigoted abuse because of COVID-19, they’re also reporting a surge in unemployment. The trend has created uncertainty about how Asian-owned businesses will survive.

A screenshot of video recording.

In a pandemic, technology helps tribe reconnect with Dakota language

May 19, 2020 4:00 AM

By Catharine Richert

Members of the Prairie Island Indian Community say there’s a silver lining for their heritage in this chaotic time. By moving Dakota language classes online, they are attracting more tribe members than ever.

Rubén Rosario.

Pioneer Press columnist Rubén Rosario retires after career of telling memorable stories

May 15, 2020 3:06 PM

By Angela Davis and Jim Bickal

Rubén Rosario is leaving his full-time job after 28 years with the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Since 1997 he has been writing a column for the newspaper, which tells the stories of remarkable, but otherwise unknown, people and the issues that confront folks who live on the margins of society. He talks about his career as a journalist.

Briefing room inside the Louisville Metro Police Department.

'Sleeping while black': Louisville police kill unarmed black woman

May 13, 2020 8:27 PM

Attorneys for Breonna Taylor's family say police executed her in her own apartment. Officers were serving a narcotics warrant. Taylor's boyfriend fired at officers, fearing they were intruders.

Two women comfort each other.

Georgia AG seeks probe of prosecutors in Arbery killing case

May 12, 2020 9:01 AM

By The Associated Press

The Feb. 23 killing of 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery has sparked a national outcry, in part because months passed before the arrests of Gregory and Travis McMichael. They were charged with murder after video of the shooting appeared online.

Rosemary Ugboajah (at front) with her company's leadership team, Alan Tse and Sheri Ellis.

Minority-owned small businesses were supposed to get priority. They may not have

May 12, 2020 6:07 AM

By Danielle Kurtzleben

The CARES Act required the Small Business Administration to tell banks to prioritize underserved communities for coronavirus relief loans. That didn't happen, a new inspector general's report found.

A family of four laughs as they stand outside in the snow.

Controversial redesign plan goes before Minneapolis schools this week

May 11, 2020 4:00 AM

By Riham Feshir

District officials say the plan would narrow the achievement gap between students of color and white students. But many families say the possible changes are adding to already high levels of anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A cross with flowers and a letter A sits at the entrance to the Satilla Shores neighborhood where Ahmaud Arbery was shot and killed.

Former Georgia police officer and his son arrested in the death of Ahmaud Arbery

May 7, 2020 10:17 PM

By Hannah Hagemann

Gregory McMichael, 64, and Travis McMichael, 34, have been charged with murder and aggravated assault and are being held at the Glynn County Jail.

Metro Transit investigating assault at Green Line station

May 6, 2020 3:43 PM

By Brandt Williams

The incident, captured on video and confirmed by security cameras, shows a young man kicking an elderly Asian American woman in the face.