Recent content from Myron Medcalf
Medcalf: What Bob Dylan means to me
Reflecting on the impact of the Minnesota songwriter ahead of the release of "A Complete Unknown," starring Timothée Chalamet as Dylan.
Medcalf: Meet Carl Johnson, a St. Paul pastor helping to feed his neighborhood
He leads a church and community center that offers hot meals, a coffee shop, groceries and job training.
Medcalf: St. Paul boxing club aims to fill a void for neighborhood youth
Gym offers much needed safe haven for young people to congregate and build life skills.
Medcalf: Exonerated of murder, he's asking for nearly $2M. He deserves so much more.
Marvin Haynes has suffered enough and Minnesota should help him move forward, without financial worries.
Medcalf: Celebrity status should not excuse chef Justin Sutherland's behavior
Famous men often get a pass when accused of harming women.
Medcalf: Bloomington offers hopeful model for reducing police clashes with people in mental distress
Giving people access quickly to counselors and therapists could be a game changer.
Medcalf: What's the best way to give to Minnesotans asking for help?
St. Paul's anti-panhandling signs may inadvertently dehumanize those experiencing homelessness.
Medcalf: We owe our most high-risk youth more than we've given them
Our Minnesota community is facing a crisis, and it's our collective responsibility to address it.
Medcalf: Debate over banning smartphones in Minnesota classrooms needs measured approach
Cellphones can be both a distraction to learning and a powerful tool to enhance education.
Medcalf: Let's bask in this moment of pride for our Minnesota airport
Of all the brag-worthy things in this state, MSP's #1 ranking means the most to this frequent flyer.
Medcalf: Review of ex-Ramsey County medical examiner's decisions casts larger doubt on justice system oversight
Probe should go beyond individuals to restore credibility.
Medcalf: Lino Lakes community must stand up against anti-Muslim rhetoric
Amid calls to censure a city council member who praised an Islamophobic rant, the people of this town will be remembered for their response.
Medcalf: St. Paul Lowry Apartments residents who endured shoddy living conditions were easy to ignore
Too often, our society looks the other way when the underprivileged are suffering.
Medcalf: Walz's emergence a chance to tell a new story about Minnesota
The full truth of our state is complex, multicultural and hopeful.
Medcalf: Recent attacks against Minnesota mosques, Muslims are unsettling. Does anybody care?
We should not pick which humans to support when hatred looms.
Medcalf: What good allyship in Minnesota looks like
A Twin Cities program connecting business leaders and young Black adults is helping to address the persistent economic equity gap.
Medcalf: Minneapolis officer's death reflects a universal threat - guns are everywhere
No one is spared from the proliferation of gun violence.
Medcalf: Meet Amran Farah, accomplished lawyer, pioneer
She's one of a few Somali American lawyers in the Twin Cities and an important voice for change.
Medcalf: A letter to absentee fathers — it's not too late to get it right
All fathers make mistakes but don't let that stop you from making a fresh start with your children.
Medcalf: Pondering future of a college degree as employment landscape changes
What is in store for schools like St. Cloud State University, which is forced to make cuts to deal with a budget shortfall?
Medcalf: George Floyd's uncle speaks out 4 years after his nephew's murder
"Do something," he says, urging the fight for progress and justice to continue.
Medcalf: As Feeding Our Future trial continues, will hungry kids lose support?
Food shelf visits are up, and local charities worry about trial's potential chilling effect on donors.
Medcalf: Marvin Haynes, exonerated in 2005 Minneapolis murder, will speak at book club
Marvin Haynes spent 19 years in prison after a wrongful conviction: "Every time I talk about it, I just get emotional."
Medcalf: Sen. Mitchell case reveals grace gap for the powerless
Empathy for people's struggles should be extended to all.
Medcalf: Exonerated of murder, author will speak at our Minneapolis book club about 'life and freedom'
Anthony Ray Hinton spent nearly 30 years on death row for a murder he didn't commit: "The only way I knew that I could get my joy back is that I had to forgive them."
Medcalf: Will plans to restore St. Paul's Rondo replace what was stolen?
Ideas must include measures that will not only restore the area but also create an economic boost for the people most impacted by injustice.
Medcalf: Young adults' demand for work-life balance offers lessons for us all
Loving a job is one thing — allowing it to become your whole identity is hazardous.
Medcalf: Were up to 200 kids really actively fighting in Roseville?
Reports of recent incident deserve scrutiny — not a rush to judgment.
Medcalf: Deadly men with guns were once boys who did not know what to do with their anger
There is hope for the boys who haven't yet become those men, if we can reach them.
Medcalf: Why Black History month is needed
Meet the Minneapolis woman who leads a museum shining a spotlight on Black Minnesotans' contributions.
Medcalf: Here's what we're reading next for local antiracism book club
Anthony Ray Hinton, who was wrongly convicted and then freed from death row, shares his story
Medcalf: Taking name used by Indigenous mental health crisis center was wrong
Throughout history, attacks on Indigenous communities have involved efforts to take their land, erase their traditions and history and remove or ignore symbolism of their names.
Medcalf: Let's remember homeless Minnesotans are our neighbors, too
It's time to change the language used in conversations about people unhoused in the Twin Cities.
Medcalf: Even in tough times, we all need and deserve to seek moments of joy
The winter solstice is behind us and the days will get brighter, but it can be challenging to see the light in our own lives.
Medcalf: Years later, the memory of covering my first murder trial still haunts me
Marvin Haynes was a teenager when he was sentenced to life in prison. Questions raised recently about his case are troubling.
Medcalf: What does news avoidance mean for next generation?
I'm not convinced my children's generation will see the value of the news the same way I did.
Medcalf: Promotion of Minneapolis police officer after she forwarded a racist email deserves scrutiny
Police chief's response to critics highlights department's refusal to be held accountable.
Medcalf: Here's why we must confront book-banning efforts in Minnesota and elsewhere
America hasn't been a theme park for everybody. Children should know that.
Medcalf: Nominee for Minneapolis public safety commissioner shares his own encounters with police
No one person can fix a broken system, but Hennepin County Chief Judge Todd Barnette's personal experiences and professional credentials would serve him well in the role.
Medcalf: How this Minnesota night owl made the switch to become an early riser
Waking up earlier gives me a burst of energy, peace the rest of the day
Medcalf: Dialogue about school resource officers failed our kids
Our children deserve a more holistic approach to their well-being than the one presented in this conversation. Instead of chokeholds and policing, what about relationships and resources?
Medcalf: My quest to read more books led me to 'reading therapist' in St. Paul
Limit Netflix viewing, go on reading dates with friends and other advice to get back to reading more.
Medcalf: As a new school year begins, Minnesota's teachers and students need our support now more than ever
Aftershocks of pandemic have made a tough job even more challenging for teachers, and it will take all of us to fix it.
Medcalf: What Minnesota's wealth gap says about opportunity and power structure
If we are to see real progress in addressing gender and racial economic disparities, companies must do more to recognize and reward the impact of women and BIPOC individuals.
Medcalf: Minnesota's new policy banning school suspensions for our youngest students is progress
Law aims to curb discipline bias in schools, especially during the critical early years.
Medcalf: An apology was in order, Mayor Frey
Why did it take a federal investigation into Minneapolis police conduct to confirm for city leaders what Black Minneapolitans have been saying for years?
Medcalf: On embracing the wonderful, imperfect journey of fatherhood
Fatherhood is a responsibility and a chance to embrace growth.
Medcalf: Decision to remove hoops from park to fight crime is cruel
The decision follows two recent shootings in six weeks at River Bend Park in Savage. Officials do not shut down baseball diamonds and hockey rinks. But basketball rims are an easy target,
Medcalf: At George Floyd Square and beyond, the vow to never forget continues
The "Rise and Remember" event to mark the May 25 anniversary of Floyd's murder is a testament to a community's strength and perseverance.
Medcalf: How much should parents post about their children?
A Minnesota mom who rewarded her son for staying off social media weighs in.
Medcalf: Is gun violence really the legacy we want to leave for our children?
Those who live with the pain of that violence watch headlines about the tragedies disappear in 24 hours.
Medcalf: The legacy of Minnesota artist, thinker Beverly Cottman
The loss of BIPOC elders carries impact in their significance to the foundations of the community.
Medcalf: Javier Zamora's 'Solito' is spring reading selection for anti-racism book club
The memoir explores the complex story of the immigrant experience.
Medcalf: Nothing like a Minnesota snowstorm to unite us
Drama aside, tough winters here remind us that we're all in this together
Medcalf: Aldi's closing is a reminder of how north Minneapolis community is starved of key resources
For some, the store's decision to leave is not just an inconvenience — it's a death sentence.
Medcalf: No woman should have to live in fear for her life for rejecting a man
We should not allow ourselves to become desensitized to the ongoing partner violence by men that cost women their lives.
Medcalf: On rethinking the way we approach New Year goals
I no longer believe in resolutions, only growth.
Medcalf: Do social media posts of good deeds actually spur others to do good?
I worry these public displays have turned random acts of kindness into an exploitative ambition.
Medcalf: Therapy is a valuable tool in dealing with life's struggles
Many men could benefit from mental health treatment, but are reluctant to seek help
Medcalf: Minnesota woman who suffered in prison discovered writing was her therapy — and her talent
Barbara Currin put pencil to paper and found herself.
Medcalf: Minnesota designer seeks to uplift people with clothing line sporting positive messages
The 22-year-old started working on his streetwear brand during the pandemic to bring light to those around him.
Medcalf: The anti-racism book club meets Thursday in Minneapolis. Join us!
It will be the first in-person gathering since the Mary Ann Key Book Club began in the wake of George Floyd's murder.
Medcalf: What Steve Sviggum's question reveals about the University of Minnesota
The vice chair of the University of Minnesota's Board of Regents just made the system's institutions less safe for its BIPOC students.
Medcalf: Why I wanted to allow people to post comments on my column
The comments can lead to fruitful dialogue in real life.
Medcalf: Join us for our anti-racism book club talk about late author's prophetic lessons
Octavia E. Butler's writings — suggesting involving young people and connecting through our shared humanity — are key to curing societal ills.
Medcalf: Give Minneapolis teachers of color a chance to be there for students who need them most
The toxic dialogue around the Minneapolis teachers' contract ignores the impact teachers of color have on the school district and students who resemble them.
Medcalf: A survival guide for teen girls and their loving parents
Six wise Minnesota women offer advice to their younger selves about navigating high school.
Medcalf: Rethinking masculinity for the next generation
Altering the perception of masculinity among our young men is key to shepherding them to the future.
Medcalf: Fall selection for anti-racism book club offers a measure of promise
Octavia Butler's "The Parable of the Sower" is a dystopian novel that speaks to today's challenges, offers remedy for change
Medcalf: Minnesotans who are experiencing homelessness deserve to be seen, heard
A walk with two outreach workers offered an introduction to those living in tents and on the streets — and to their hopes and dreams
Medcalf: The lasting damage of Mpls. Council Member Rainville's rant
In ways he cannot understand, Michael Rainville has hurt the Somali American community in Minnesota and beyond.
Medcalf: Take a vacation this summer, Minnesotans — you deserve it
Unplugging from work occasionally is healthy, and a choice we don't make as often as we should.
Medcalf: Black outdoorsman wants BIPOC Minnesotans to see state's parks, trails as theirs, too
He has hiked around the world in places accessible to all, but not always viewed as inclusive.
Medcalf: It's OK to laugh, even in these tough times, Black comedians in Minnesota say
Black comedians in Minnesota talk about their art and the power of laughter
