Robbie, you asked Why Minneapolis? Another reason is the large Somali American community there. You know how Trump has attacked the Somalis verbally, using the ugliest possible language. Despite the fact that most of the Somali population in the US (and my city, Columbus, Ohio, has the second largest Somali population in the US, after the Twin Cities) are US citizens, I believe Stephen Miller and the white nationalists want to engage in some ethnic cleansing. Trump has said they don't belong here and that he doesn't want them here. So that's another big reason why they picked the Twin Cities for their ICE occupation.
Thank you for your discussion of the civil rights activists trying to attend the Jackson churches. I only knew of the visits in Birmingham that same year in April, especially the one on Easter Sunday at the First Baptist Church, where the church staff actually welcomed the visitors and, after the service, the Rev. Earl Stallings shook the hand of one outside the church. (The goodwill didn’t last of course; segregationist members of the congregation made things difficult for him afterwards.)
You’re absolutely right about the somali population, a predominately Black and Muslim population, in Minneapolis as another factor. It’s another case of targeted racial and religious bigotry from the Trump adminstration. He’s called them “garbage.” thanks for flagging this.
I'm very concerned about the Somali Americans. For two full decades, I have taught composition and, since retiring, have worked as a writing tutor at Columbus State Community College. I worked with many Somali students. Some wrote essays about the years they spent in refugee camps, mostly in Kenya, and how they and family members were overjoyed when told they could come and live here. They are good neighbors and good citizens. Many of the students are studying to enter health care occupations.
I can imagine Trump's words and actions are causing many of the older ones to revisit the time they had to flee their homeland. They don't need any more trauma. They thought they were safe here. Now none of us can be sure about that. I know ICE has targeted them both here and in the Twin Cities, even though most are citizens. I just want to cry.
Fantastic episode. Thank you so much for the shared journey and camaraderie. Right there with you on the "sighs," too. All day long and into the night.
Feeling like we’ve lived a lifetime in the day or two between when this was recorded and now, with the murder not only of Renee Good but now also Alex Pretti. 😞
I don't know where to start. This was probably the most discouraging episode of the TCU, all truth, but sensing the disheartening feelings among the three of you. That said, it really made me stop and soak it all in like a sponge. I thank you all, the three of you and DBB of course for doing the hard work, in spite of your own pain to speak it aloud to the rest of us. Peace and thank you.
The historical parallel you drew between the 1960s Civil Rights church visits and today's ICE protest is powerful. What stands out is how physical disruption becomes necessary when institutional silence enables brutality. I remember reading about how those Jackson church rejections crystalized the moral failings of white Christianity. The autopsy revelations showing strangulation instead of suicide are particuarly haunting.
Robbie, you asked Why Minneapolis? Another reason is the large Somali American community there. You know how Trump has attacked the Somalis verbally, using the ugliest possible language. Despite the fact that most of the Somali population in the US (and my city, Columbus, Ohio, has the second largest Somali population in the US, after the Twin Cities) are US citizens, I believe Stephen Miller and the white nationalists want to engage in some ethnic cleansing. Trump has said they don't belong here and that he doesn't want them here. So that's another big reason why they picked the Twin Cities for their ICE occupation.
Thank you for your discussion of the civil rights activists trying to attend the Jackson churches. I only knew of the visits in Birmingham that same year in April, especially the one on Easter Sunday at the First Baptist Church, where the church staff actually welcomed the visitors and, after the service, the Rev. Earl Stallings shook the hand of one outside the church. (The goodwill didn’t last of course; segregationist members of the congregation made things difficult for him afterwards.)
You’re absolutely right about the somali population, a predominately Black and Muslim population, in Minneapolis as another factor. It’s another case of targeted racial and religious bigotry from the Trump adminstration. He’s called them “garbage.” thanks for flagging this.
Thanks.
I'm very concerned about the Somali Americans. For two full decades, I have taught composition and, since retiring, have worked as a writing tutor at Columbus State Community College. I worked with many Somali students. Some wrote essays about the years they spent in refugee camps, mostly in Kenya, and how they and family members were overjoyed when told they could come and live here. They are good neighbors and good citizens. Many of the students are studying to enter health care occupations.
I can imagine Trump's words and actions are causing many of the older ones to revisit the time they had to flee their homeland. They don't need any more trauma. They thought they were safe here. Now none of us can be sure about that. I know ICE has targeted them both here and in the Twin Cities, even though most are citizens. I just want to cry.
Fantastic episode. Thank you so much for the shared journey and camaraderie. Right there with you on the "sighs," too. All day long and into the night.
Feeling like we’ve lived a lifetime in the day or two between when this was recorded and now, with the murder not only of Renee Good but now also Alex Pretti. 😞
In Canada the current conspiracy theory about troops to Minnesota is that the border is in jeopardy. He’s gathering troops for an invasion.
@Robert P. Jones
*please Restack 💯
Community Evidence Request
https://ojaiohana.substack.com/p/important-community-evidence-reques
I don't know where to start. This was probably the most discouraging episode of the TCU, all truth, but sensing the disheartening feelings among the three of you. That said, it really made me stop and soak it all in like a sponge. I thank you all, the three of you and DBB of course for doing the hard work, in spite of your own pain to speak it aloud to the rest of us. Peace and thank you.
The historical parallel you drew between the 1960s Civil Rights church visits and today's ICE protest is powerful. What stands out is how physical disruption becomes necessary when institutional silence enables brutality. I remember reading about how those Jackson church rejections crystalized the moral failings of white Christianity. The autopsy revelations showing strangulation instead of suicide are particuarly haunting.
It’s so hard to listen to the truth you present.. any words of encouragement/wisdom to cope?. Thanks