What the World Needs to Know About Minnesota Right Now

I was asked a question recently on air that has stayed with me.What does the world need to know about Minnesota right now?It came during a conversation about the aggressive immigration enforcement operations unfolding across the state — a conversation rooted in what I’d seen firsthand as a journalist reporting on the ground. I answered as a Minnesotan. As someone who understands the state’s rhythms. It’s silences. Its pride of place.But the more I thought about the question afterward, the more certain I became: no one person should answer it alone.Minnesota is more than a slogan.It is not a stereotype, though when people hear the word Minnesota, they often think of popular culture or pain points—Prince or plentiful lakes or the flat-oh’d accent in films like Fargo or a city in flames after the murder of George Floyd or the way the killings of Rene Good and Alex Pretti have inflamed the debate over immigration enforcement.Minnesota is now under a global spotlight and in moments like this — when a place is being defined from the outside, often through images of conflict or fear — it matters who gets to speak.So I asked the people who live there, who love it, who chose it, who left and still carry it with them.What does the world need to know about Minnesota right now?What came back wasn’t a rebuttal.It was a values statement.Melissa Rach has lived in Minnesota for 30 years and wants the world to know this :We are stoic but unyielding: We aren’t loud for the sake of noise. We are loud for the sake of justice. We are the North Star State: We consistently lead the nation in voter turnout (nearly 80% in 2020) because we believe our voices are our power. Maybe ICE didn’t realize that civics is a way of life in Minnesota. It is what makes us Minnesota. We carry the Constitution in our pockets.We’re used to the cold, but our hearts don’t freeze. When 3,000 federal agents descend on our streets for “Operation Metro Surge,” we don’t hide. We put on our yellow vests, we grab our cameras, and we stand on the sidewalk to bear witness.They can bring the “largest operation ever” to our doorstep, but they cannot break a city that views civic duty as a sacred oath.SAY WHAT? SUBSTACK is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Steve Ladwig was born and raised in Minnesota, but left for a time when he was in the Navy onboard submarinesThe one thing you always hear in the sub service is to have the persons to your left and right. You sacrifice everything for those to the left and to the right. That is what makes submarine crews so effective and a brotherhood.Minnesota is the same; it doesn’t matter if your neighbors to the right and left are Asian, Latino, or Somali. You sacrifice everything for your neighbors. We are MinnesotaSo let’s talk about the word, “Neighbor.”It is a word that echoes through so many of the responses. And people are not talking about folks who live next door. It is a big, elastic, open-armed concept that embraces the idea of beloved community.Lona Dallesandro, who moved to Minnesota in 2008, wrote this:“We’re good neighbors even when we’re not good friends. There is a line we won’t cross as it relates to how we care for each other - generally, people don’t want to see other people do badly here.”Another writer explained it through the patterns of daily life:“Empathy is ingrained in us. You don’t survive a cold winter without a village. Bars are tastier when they are shared. A campfire beer only hits the spot when you can toss one to a neighbor.”Rob Kimm added this;“Born and raised in northern MN, but have been in a lot of other places. It’s the only place I’ve ever heard the word ‘neighbor’ used as a verb. It’s not an accident of proximity, but an obligation to do something. To me, that explains a lot of how MN has responded to our neighbors being attacked.”In Minnesota, community is built for the long haul. Not for applause. For survival.To neighbor someone is to take responsibility for them. That, Kimm suggested, explains a lot about how Minnesotans have responded to seeing their neighbors targeted.Another lifelong Twin Cities resident traced that ethos through generations — from great-grandparents to parents — who taught him to share, to learn from others, to hold out a hand.“We can be a little reserved,” he wrote. “But make no mistake, our convictions run deep.”Several people suggested that the spirit of mutual aid springs from the cold, long winters. The months when survival is collective, whether you like it or not. LaurenWarren explains that surviving the state’s brutal winters is not a solo endeavor.“Every time it snows, you’ll see someone’s car get stuck, and it is your duty to help push them out, no matter what you’re doing, because the same thing will happen to you and you’ll need a stranger to help when it’s your turn. Right now, they are coming for thousands of people, so we have to help however we can because someday we will need help too.”Monta Hayner is a fly fishing guide and says this:“The long history of mutual support begins with farming, then farm co-ops, then food co-ops, then fighting against war (Women leagues for International Peace and Freedom), then accepting and supporting immigrants, especially asylum seekers from war and abuse.”I was born and raised in Minnesota. I grew up on the South Side of Minneapolis. My mother was born in Duluth. My grandmother was raised in Alexandria, MN, where she lived with her grandparents, who came to Minnesota as a black family in the 1800’s and were welcomed by a Catholic Church in Douglas County, that helped them get settled and start a business. I know that is not everyone’s experience. Minnesotans can be insular, and outsiders sometimes struggle to fit in. But there is a strong civic pact in the state, and from experience I know this: Even with that whole Minnesota Nice thing, folks in teh state are not always overtly friendly but they are fiercely loyal. Minnesotans are not performative. They don’t announce their values. They live them quietly — until they are forced into a zone where silence is not longer an option.“For people in Minnesota to be getting this loud,” one person wrote, “there must be something really wrong.”That line really resonates because Minnesota is not a state that rushes to outrage. It prides itself on being temperate and even subdued. Civic attitudes are shaped by consensus and community infrastructure. They are molded by the belief that showing up matters more than being seen. In normal circumstances, the guiding principle is that outward expressions of anger undermine the civic pact. There aer not normal times.“We’re good neighbors even when we’re not good friends. We embrace the outdoors in all its seasons. And we live by ‘we all do better when we all do better.”Minnesota’s population is still overwhelmingly white. About 80 percent of the state’s 5.7 million residents are white. But it has been experiencing a faster rate of diversity than the national average for several reasons. Minnesota’s meatpacking plants and agribusiness rely on diverse workforces. The state is also home to 18 Fortune 500 companies and several more on the Fortune 1000 list and many of those corporations have attracted diverse workers who appreciate the low cost of living, highly-ranked education systems, and world-class theater and musical venues in the Twin Cities. The state’s long tradition of generous social welfare programs is also a factor. The large population of Hmong, Somali, Burmese, Ethiopian, Liberian, Ukrainian and other newcomers is tied to robust resettlement programs, often run by religious groups. There have been tensions around immigration and resettlement to be sure, but Minnesota as a state has decided to embrace resettlement through strong sponsorship programs and job pipelines. That view was reflected in the stream of comments that rolled in from locals.“MN is home to everyone. We believe in community and acceptance, no matter who they are or how they got here.”In the torrent of comments I received, it was clear that this reached beyond belief — into practice and protocols.“We share. We break bread together. We give the coat off our backs so the other person can survive.”That may help explain why Minnesotans recognize each other anywhere.“When we move away, we find each other out in the wild. There’s a magnetic pull.”There was also a lot of humor in the thread.“The best thing I’ve seen,” someone joked, “is that Minnesota is what Texas tells itself it is.”But beneath that wit is steel.“Our diversity is our strength. We’re tough as hell. Creative problem solvers. Generous. Fiercely protective.”And a deep reservoir of pride. There is something I heard over and over again.“I’ve never been more proud to be a Minnesotan than right now.”I hope you will take the time to read through some of these longer statements. It’s worth it, whether you live in Minnesota or not because the residents there are dealing with a form of aggressive policing that could become more commonplace anywhere or everywhere.Damon Dempsey:We live for each other, and we will stand up for our communities. Our way of life is the way of life for all Americans. If we fall, it won’t be because we didn’t fight for us, the people of Minnesota, will fight till the end to protect our part of this nation, our God-given rights, our constitution, our rights as Americans. Take notes for the rest of America.Your state might be next. Don’t be fooled. Prepare yourself because we Minnesotans are holding the line. Wake up, America. Wake up.Juli Kuhne Rasmussen:Life-long Minnesotan. We are an interesting dichotomy. Many friends who have moved here say it can be hard to foster friendships because people spend so much time with family. But I think that, in moments like this, fosters a sense of “I would not want anyone in my family to go through this,” and so people show up for a larger sense of family. We are both reserved but downright fiery when our values are breached.Jennifer Myrick Little:I am from the Chicago suburbs. I have lived in a Twin Cities suburb for over 20 years. We are 20 minutes from either downtown. Ice has been going door to door in our community and even showed up at the high school on Friday. My kids are Minnesotans. This is the first time I have felt like a Minnesotan. It is hard to break in here. For half the year or more, you don’t see your neighbors unless they are also not from here, and you get together, while Minnesotans get together with their families. They don’t need you, but they show up. I don’t know where it comes from, but people are packing food, donating goods, delivering boxes of trash food, and standing in the cold. It is fresh, brisk, and beautiful. But don’t let anyone fool you. There are people excited to see this happening.Karl Van Beckum:My wife and I have been living in Minnesota for 26 years. People outside of Minnesota need to know how bad it really is here. ICE agents p*ss on the Constitution every single day. The way folks in Minneapolis have organized to help their neighbors and push back against the infiltration of lawless ICE agents gives me hope.There are groups of folks across the country who saw the effectiveness of the general strike and are looking to organize one nationwide. People need to realize Minneapolis is a testing ground for fascist rule, and now we’re seeing it in Maine and Memphis. I hope what is happening in Minnesota inspires citizens across the country to push back and protect the Constitution.Nicky Lynn:I was raised in a small Minnesota town, but have lived in Minneapolis for almost 20 years. It is a BEAUTIFUL city. People who visit are often amazed by our parks, lakes, rivers and streams, restaurants, and art scene. We’ve been vilified by Trump and Fox News for the last decade to the point that some rural folks I know think that I am literally dodging bullets on my way to work. The lies and propaganda have been building for YEARS and allowed this nightmare to unfold. So when you see us on the streets, know that we are fighting for our neighbors, our children, our reputation, our livelihoods, our futures, EVERYTHING. We are fighting so hard because we have felt them coming for us, and it has built our resolve. If they want our neighbors, they will have to come through us.Jen Langlois:Born and raised in St. Paul, and have lived in MN my whole 53 years.Our cities are beautiful, wonderful, and diverse, but I do have to say that our rural areas have a long way to go. As much as I want to talk about all the positivity, love, and support we’ve seen poured out by Minnesotans over the last several weeks, I hope this is a wake-up call for rural communities to challenge their neighbors to embrace the spirit we’ve shown in our cities.Ann Tessler:If you know, in your heart, when something’s right and when something’s wrong, then you’ll feel at home in Minnesota. We don’t want to make a fuss, but if something’s wrong, then we’re going to put our foot down. We may not invite you over for dinner ‘cuz we haven’t known you since grade school, like most of our friends, but if you need some help, we’ll help you. We don’t think anyone is better than anyone else, but we’re very proud of our state, so I guess we kind of do think Minnesota is better. We’re a hearty bunch whose family came from the farm or The Range or the old country, whether that be Scandinavia, the Pale of Settlement, Laos, Liberia, or Somalia. We’re Floyd B. Olson, Nellie Stone Johnson, The Mayo Brothers, Hubert Humphrey, Harold Stassen, Rudy Perpich, Rosalie E. Wahl, Hy Berman, Clyde Bellecourt, Paul, Sheila, and Marcia Wellstone, and Melissa, Mark, and Gilbert Hortman. We’re not perfect, though, think about the Dakota 38+2 in Mankato, the Duluth Lynchings, Philando Castile, and George Floyd. But we’re learning.We’re neighbors helping neighbors. And if, like Renee Good and Alex Pretti, our last words are,“It’s okay, dude, I’m not mad,” and “Are you okay?” Then we did the right thing.Marika Staloch:The strong work ethic of Minnesotans extends beyond industry into education, community, and understanding our diverse neighbors’ cultures. There’s a curiosity and drive to understand each other that makes us unique.Eliz Lo:In Minneapolis, we are actively finding ways to each do our part to protect and support our neighbors.The community is showing up with food, coats, money for rent, care packages for the front-line heroes, and support for our immigrant friends who fear for their lives. Our text chains and socials are blowing up with opportunities to lend a hand, share resources for the common good/ safety, and to hold space for each other during this time. We are doing our best to ensure needs are met and strengthen our community. “Move your feet” and “be the light” became calls to action following the Annunciation shooting, and it is bringing hope and motivating people to lead with love over the past few weeks, as well.Lynne R:Lifelong Minnesotan here. People in rural Mn are also organizing. ICE has kidnapped people from here; the cases get much less attention.Someone drove to Texas in the snowstorm to retrieve a Hmong man who had been wrongly detained and sent to El Paso. We are all traumatized - but doing our best. There will be tons of psychological damage (in addition to the physical) when this terror ends.Michael Hall:We are under attack. We’re very frustrated, but we are strong, we are neighbors, and stubborn. We are fighting for everyone’s constitutional rights. We stand up, and we don’t scare.Andy Lindquist:We are deeply loving people. We are slow to anger. But when we are faced with abject racism and bigotry, we defend our people. We are Vikings. When we are cornered, we fight back, both with our intellect and our kind hearts.Trust me, we will not forget these abuses. We believe in our diverse population. We will fight to the death for freedom for all of us!Morgan Mae Schultz:The ICE surge has made so many aspects of my community clearer to me. Today I’ve been thinking about a tendency to follow rules.Don’t mistake it for meekness or deference to authority. It’s a commitment to a social contract, and we expect it from others.Shovel your walk, pick up after your dog. Have the right warrant.We may have been well-suited all along to observe and assert our rights without obstructing, and to protest in a peaceful way that shines a brighter spotlight on recklessness.Kathleen:We can be a little reserved; however, make no mistake, our convictions run deep, and when we need to, we can make noise. We know our neighbors and champion one another. I learned early on from my great-grandparents, to my grandparents, to my mom and dad that we share, we learn from one another, and we hold out our hand in kindness to someone in need.Maybe it’s the cold winters that steal our constitution, I’m not sure.I’m proud to have lived my whole life in the Twin Cities.Thank you for the posts from near and far; it helps to be seen. We’re in the spotlight right now, and we will do our best because this moment is bigger than MN. Do me a favor, look to the night sky for the north star.. that's us.. that's Minnesota.“Look to the night sky for the North Star. That’s us. That’s Minnesota.”That image feels quietly emblematic.It is not a claim of perfection.It is a statement of orientation. An appeal to one’s moral compass.So what does the world need to know about Minnesota right now?It needs you to know that what you’re seeing isn’t a sudden radicalization.It is a line being crossed.It is a community that prides itself on restraint, rising up en masse when its moral center is disturbed.Minnesotans don’t talk about doing the right thing.They just do it. We have all seen that.And when they start speaking this clearly, this urgently, this collectively — it isn’t just noise.It’s a message. A mighty flare from the plains.Take care of each other. Cherish your neighbors. Take care of them because one day you may need them to take care of you.Stay safe out there. ❤️-Michele Get full access to Say What? with Michele Norris at michelenorris.substack.com/subscribe