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

March 16, 2021 9:42 AM

Racial diversity in children's books grows, but slowly

Data suggests books about people of color stayed largely the same and there were only slight increases in books written by people of color. Experts say the true effect of 2020 on the children's book industry may be seen in the years to come.

by The Associated Press

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March 16, 2021 6:09 AM

Explainer: What is the impact of racially diverse juries?

Scholars, courts and legal groups have increasingly advocated for greater jury diversity, arguing, that by almost every metric, they make for better juries. Of the six men and three women selected through Monday for Derek Chauvin's jury, five are white, one is multiracial, two are Black and one is Hispanic. They range in age from their 20s to their 50s.

by The Associated Press

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March 16, 2021 5:15 AM

Chauvin trial: Judge weighs delay as Floyd family settlement roils case

Prosecutors pushed back Tuesday afternoon on defense arguments that news of a $27 million settlement between Minneapolis and the George Floyd family may taint the process to pick a jury in Derek Chauvin’s criminal trial.

by Brandt Williams, Jon Collins, Matt Sepic and Riham Feshir

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March 15, 2021 5:21 PM

Deb Haaland confirmed as first Native American Interior Secretary

Her historic role is also symbolic, as the agency was long a tool of oppression against Indigenous peoples. Haaland will be key to President Biden's ambitious efforts to combat climate change.

by Nathan Rott

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March 15, 2021 3:00 PM

‘You do not look like a U of M student’: Somali student denied laptop rental for exam

Students say the incident is indicative of a pattern of racism, discrimination, and microaggressions that Black Carlson students have endured.

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March 15, 2021 5:21 AM

Chauvin trial: Civil settlement roils criminal case; 9th juror chosen

Derek Chauvin’s attorney told the court Monday he wants his client’s criminal trial postponed following Friday's news of a $27 million civil settlement between Minneapolis and George Floyd’s family. The judge says he'll consider it.

by Riham Feshir, Brandt Williams and Jon Collins

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March 13, 2021 8:04 PM

In Louisville, Breonna Taylor’s family honors her legacy

On the one-year anniversary of the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor by police, the slain Black woman's family continued their call for justice as hundreds of demonstrators gathered in downtown Louisville on Saturday.

by The Associated Press

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March 13, 2021 5:21 PM

Critics call Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson's insurrection comments racist

Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson is being called racist for an interview in which the white Republican said he wasn't worried about the predominantly white supporters of President Donald Trump during the deadly insurrection at the Capitol, but that he might have been if they had been Black Lives Matter protesters.

by The Associated Press

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March 13, 2021 4:39 PM

Black farmers have long faced discrimination. New aid aims to right past wrongs

Generations of systemic discrimination have decimated the number of Black farmers in the U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack talked with NPR about provisions in the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill that are meant to help Black farmers.

by Michel Martin and James Doubek

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March 13, 2021 9:25 AM

A year after Breonna Taylor's killing, family says there's 'no accountability'

Breonna Taylor was shot and killed in her apartment by Louisville police last March. "I can't believe it's a year later and we're still just asking people to do the right thing," her mother said recently.

by Brakkton Booker and Rachel Treisman

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