Race: Conversations around race and racial justice

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

Latino voters weigh abortion rights — and the economy — in a key congressional race
Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., is running for reelection in a newly drawn district against Republican Yesli Vega as the national conversation on abortion plays out, especially with Latino voters.
When a regional theater got millions to remake itself, it focused on racial healing
The historically Black Penumbra Theatre has received millions in grants to remake itself into a center for racial healing. What will its choices reveal about regional theater's future?
Sviggum steps down as U regents vice chair after questioning Morris campus diversity
University of Minnesota regent Steve Sviggum had defended and later apologized for his comments suggesting diversity might be creating a marketing problem for the Morris campus. He said Tuesday he’ll finish his term as regent, but will no longer serve as the board’s vice chair.
A century after a Black church burned, a call to acknowledge history
More than 100 years ago, arsonists set fire to Brown's Chapel AME Church in Hastings. On Sunday, members of the community —  including a descendant of the congregation — came out to First Presbyterian Church in Hastings to remember the historic church and acknowledge the legacy of racism that stoked the fire which burned the building. 
'Should I sacrifice my life to live half American?'
Historian Matthew Delmont paints a vivid and painful picture of life for Black Americans during World War II in his new book, “Half American.” Even as Black service members fought to win the war overseas, they couldn’t win the war of equality at home.
Searching for Providers of Color
Call to Mind host Kimberly Adams shares “Searching for Providers of Color.” The special broadcast explores the shortage of mental health providers of color and the importance of finding a provider who can identify with a person’s race, culture and experiences.
U regent apologizes for suggesting Morris campus 'too diverse'
University of Minnesota regent Steve Sviggum had previously defended his comments suggesting diversity might be creating a marketing problem for the U’s western Minnesota campus. He apologized late Tuesday after pushback from students and some fellow regents.
Diversity a strength on U's Morris campus, student leader says
University of Minnesota Morris student body president Dylan Young spoke with MPR News host Cathy Wurzer Tuesday about regent Steve Sviggum’s recent comments suggesting that racial diversity was hurting Morris’ enrollment, and if he feels Sviggum should resign.
Who counts as Black in voting maps? Some GOP state officials want that narrowed
Republican officials in Louisiana are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to set a narrower definition of "Black" for redistricting that excludes some Black people and could minimize their voting power.