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What Happened When My “Progressive” Neighborhood Decided to Have a Meeting About Racism
Twenty-five of us had gathered in the school parking lot — the majority of us white. We congregated to discuss safety, anti-racism and problems with the police. Introductions were made, light banter was had and we were ready to do this. We didn’t quite know what “this” was, but we were going to figure it out.
And then a Black woman pulled up in her car and all hell broke loose.
Let me back up a second, though. I live in South Minneapolis. This is the neighborhood that holds the annual May Day Parade that is full of old hippies, punks riding tall bikes and families marveling at floats that call for the dismantling of capitalism.
The Indigenous dance group, Kalpulli Ketzal Coatlicue, are a highlight. The parade ends with a Tree of Life ceremony featuring an orchestra, elaborate puppets and a call for peace. Sixty thousand people attend this thing every year.
Lawns are filled with Bernie Sanders signs all year round. Every other house has a Black Lives Matter or an All Are Welcome sign in the front yard. We want you to know that we are certainly NOT racist. We welcome diversity and love our neighbors.
This is also the area of Minneapolis where George Floyd was murdered on May 25, 2020 by Derek…
