state + local

If Martin Luther King were alive today, he would welcome such a conference and encourage all groups to do what they can to come together as a nation. As America has become more diverse ethnically, it is important for ALL groups to reach out and make sure all have part of the dream that is this nation. That won't change, and if America is to be this beacon of light on the hill for the world, the work of coming together has to continue. And yes, that means you have to make an effort to do so.

Dayton's doing everything a governor should do - in spite of all the naysayers in this metro.

Year after year after year...the same old story. Black unemployment rates much higher than whites blah blah blah, programs are created and money is spent to close the gap, and yet it's a never ending story. We hear the same story, year after year. What your doing isn't working. Time for the "black" community to look within themselves rather than place the blame elsewhere as to why this problem persists. New programs and handouts will not and have not worked! Get real people.

You cant force compaines to hire them. But that is want they want. It seems like they want more of a hand out than they already have. There is every program in the book bought and paid for by the Gov. to help out non whites. You always hear non whites complain, but really what are they doing for themselves to help the situation. Are there compaines that are racist? Sure there are both white and black though. Here is a thought. Stay out of trouble no drugs etc. Be involevd in your own education and your childrens education. Go to college. A Lot more programs for non whites to get it paid for. Then after you have done all of that and you still cant get a decent job then we can talk.

Governor Dayton, you are making strong moves. .. Keep it up. ... Making me have faith in you.

Let's face it. What has happened with the black community is a tragedy. They have been promised a better way of life for 50 years and it has only gotten worse. The community needs to start with itself and stop looking for the white government to pull them out of their predicament. It starts with a solid family structure that holds its members accountable and this has to be followed by holding education as a priority. Don't blame others for our problems. Go back to Bill Cosby's speech to Detroit several years ago - he nailed it. No society has pulled itself out of poverty on the false promises of another community. Take pride in ourselves and ownership in our destiny. No one is smarter or dumber than the other guy on the nice block it is just that someone took an education more seriously and had goals. Our community does not value family or education and and therefore people give up on their lives when they are 15 and have 60 years to live. It shames me and hurts to see so many young people with promise that end up wasting their lives and bringing others into a perpetual cycle of poverty. Don't blame others - look in the mirror and make a hard decision and buck up. It will do blacks, whites, browns, yellows, purples and whatever else you want to throw in there a lot of good.

Excellent token appearance Governor...show 'em you're really 'trying.' This is not simply a MN issue, it's a downright EPIDEMIC across the country. Frankly, it feels hopeless....because until the black community wants to truly rise up and do better, nothing will change.

Do these people really think now that they had a "long overdue" meeting with the Governor, that there troubles will magically disappear? I bet they thought that when Obama was elected. What they need to do is stop relying or waiting for someone else to do something for them. They need to get out and do it themselves. It's entirely up to each and every one of us how successful we want/can be.

I don't care what color your skin is, but if you have been reliant on the government for your well being (welfare), you grow to expect things to be handed to you. You have this way of thinking that you don't need to WORK for anything, it should be given to you (as it has been before). Typical liberal policy. Get them on welfare and keep them there. They will ever be dependent on you.

""There seems to be two Minnesotas, one black, one white, both separate and unequal," said Prof. Nekima Levy-Pounds of the University of St. Thomas in the opening presentation." ==== What a stupid statement. Us vs them, right professor? Who exactly is NOT colorblind? Are you aware of the asian, hispanic and other groups that make up a significant portion of our state? And yet, she wants a "targeted jobs bill" for black people only. She must be a very fair teacher. Sick.