Written by Marie Ceclia
I was born in Cincinnati and lived in Northern Kentucky for the first nine years of my life. The roots and branches of my family tree are planted firmly in the rolling hills and bluegrass of Kentucky.
Yet Kentucky is not where I call home, even though I returned the better part of a decade ago. No, my home is a place of lakes and stars, and while my parents and I moved when I was young, I remain the only member of my family to call Minnesota home.
Prior to the murder of George Floyd, most people knew Minnesota to be the home of the Mall of America, the Twins, Vikings, Wild, and Timberwolves (we’ll ignore that a certain Duke player that Kentucky fans love to hate played for the Wolves when we moved). A land of frigid temperatures, hotdish, and duck-duck-grey duck (never, goose).
In the last two weeks, the world has come to see the Minnesota I grew up in, the Minnesota that shows up for neighbors and will give outsiders directions to anywhere but their house until said outsider is welcomed as a neighbor.
Minnesota is under siege right now. Anyone with internet access can see the videos of Renee Good and Pretti being murdered, see Liam Ramos in his blue bunny hat, Spiderman backpack on, and pure, heartbreaking terror in his eyes.
Minnesota has drawn a line in the snow.
On Friday, January 23rd, over one thousand businesses across the state closed, over 100,000 gathered to make their voices heard in an actual temperature of -22* F. 100 religious leaders were arrested at Minneapolis International Airport, protesting the airlines bringing more ICE Agents into the state.
Across the state, Minnesotans who typically express dismay with a simple, “Well….that’s…interesting…”, directly and loudly showed our entire country how to make enough noise to create change.
The thing about snow in Minnesota is that even after snow season ends in May, on average, the last of the snow piles each parking lot has typically melts completely sometime in June.
Yes…I’m serious.
I hope the impact of Minnesota showing us all how to come together and protect our communities and our neighbors lasts long after the last snow pile melts in a parking lot in International Falls. I hope people will listen to the Minnesotans who are screaming louder than when the Lynx or Frost bring home a championship and hear the truth in their words rather than the propaganda being spun faster than cotton candy at the State Fair.
Historians around the world are united in the knowledge that we are watching an amalgamation of slave catchers and SS Officers rise to power and attempt to destroy the very fabric of the ideology of our country. If you’ve ever wondered what you would do if a runaway slave came to your door seeking shelter, or if a Jewish person sought refuge in your home…the answer lies in what you are doing right now.
So, the question is: Which side of history do you want to be on? Snow or ICE?
If you are looking for ways to support persons in Minnesota, please go to: www.standwithminnesota.com/