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North Star Stories: Voices from Where We Live is a daily, five-minute newscast that shines a spotlight on the stories and perspectives of Minnesota’s diverse communities, including Black, Latine, Asian American, East African individuals, people living with disabilities, LGBTQIA2S+ residents, laborers, veterans, and those from Greater Minnesota.
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HOST: You're listening to North Star Stories: Voices from Where We Live, a daily newscast about what it means to live in Minnesota.
ANCHOR: Today, Minnesota has a new State Senator. Then, an incident in Rochester, Minnesota, brings questions about where we are as a society. And a St. Paul landmark will be getting a new name. I'm Chantel SinGs.
President Trump's former Campaign Manager for the state's eighth Congressional District is now Minnesota's newest state Senator. Kari Heintzeman, a Republican from Nisswa, officially took office last week. She earned about sixty percent of the vote in a special election. Heintzeman fills the seat vacated by disgraced Republican Senator Justin Eichorn. Police arrested Eichorn in April during a prostitution sting. The former State Senator has since pleaded not guilty to federal charges of soliciting a minor. The election doesn't change the makeup of the Senate because both Eichorn and Heintzeman are Republicans.
Coming up, a viral video of a woman spewing racial slurs in Rochester has raised millions of dollars--and raised questions about the state of race relations in our society. Producer Jose Ozoria has more.
Jose Ozoria: While at Roy Sutherland Park in Rochester, recently, Sharmake Omar noticed a woman screaming racial epithets at a five-year-old child with special needs. Omar decided to confront the woman and record the interaction.
Video Audio: "It is my business you call him—"
Jose Ozoria: In the now viral video, the woman who would later identify herself as Shiloh Hendrix, not only admits that she called the child the racist slur, but when Omar tries to reason with her, her response momentarily stuns him.
Video Audio: "That little kid. You call him a…little child." "What if he acts like one?"
Jose Ozoria: Dr Jean Beeman, an associate professor of sociology, believes the power dynamics and how the incident played out have roots in deeper societal issues.
Dr. Jean Beeman: You know, white women have historically impressively occupied a particular kind of protected status in society that we don't see them as racist, and they're relatedly, allowed to weaponize their status as mothers. That's something that white women have done for centuries, unfortunately, in our country.
Jose Ozoria: Towards the end of the video, Shiloh Hendrix attempts to justify the reason for calling the child the racial slur.
Video Audio: "He took my son's stuff so…" "So that gives you the right to call the child five year old…" "If that's what he's gonna act…" "That's what you're gonna call him?" "If that's what he's gonna act like." "You know, that's a hate speech."
Dr. Jean Beeman: That was one of the most jarring things watching that for me, they're never seen as racist, even when they're using racial slurs, especially towards a black child.
Jose Ozoria: Jaylani Hussein, Executive Director of CARE Minnesota, says the child and his family are still being victimized by online posts.
Jaylani Hussein: Just asking for law enforcement to also focus on the doxing that's been happening and making sure that this family is protected, and also making sure that individuals online who are sharing or potentially sharing information that is sensitive get a home visit from FBI and among others to let them know that that their behavior could potentially be criminal.
Jose Ozoria: The Rochester Police have finished their investigation in this matter, and the case is now in the hands of the Rochester City Attorney's Office. Jalani Hussein says the community is keeping a close eye on the outcome.
Jaylani Hussein: It's up to the prosecutor then to decide what to charge, and then, I think for us as a community. But we could look at policies or bills that would create some level of protection protecting children.
Jose Ozoria: In response to the viral video, Shiloh Hendrix has started a crowdfunding campaign stating she's in a very dire situation. Dr Beeman says the fact that the crowdfunding campaign has raised over $700,000 in just the first week with a goal of a million dollars, reflects disturbing echoes of the past.
Dr. Jean Beeman: Here’s someone who is literally yelling racial epithets at a child. Can somehow construct herself as innocent and as a victim and as someone deserving sympathy? More disturbing is that so many Americans will resonate with that perspective and donate money.
Jose Ozoria: Jaylani Hussein believes this is a reflection of the current climate in our country,
Jaylani Hussein: The N word now can warrant you potentially million-dollar support to say it freely. It's showing us that we are extremely, deeply polarized, and people are willing to support racism.
Jose Ozoria: For North Star Stories, I'm Jose Ozoria.
ANCHOR: You are listening to North Star Stories.
The Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul is no longer going to be known as the Xcel Energy or The X. The 25-year naming rights agreement for the arena ends this summer. The venue, which seats about 20-thousand people, is home to the Minnesota Wild and hosts state high school tournaments and concerts. Xcel Energy says it will still partner with the Wild, with a focus on financial assistance for young athletes who can't afford to play hockey. The Wild expect to announce a new naming rights partner before their next season starts.
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HOST: North Star Stories is produced by AMPERS, diverse radio for Minnesota's communities, with support from the McKnight Foundation and the State of Minnesota. Online at ampers dot org.