This is not a definitive take. Initials thoughts in the wake of violence and horror.
I live in the Twin Cities. I heard a woman was murdered by ICE today in south Minneapolis and all I could do when I learned was go and see what I could see. I'm familiar with this neighborhood. Driven down that specific street plenty of times. Folks from every walk of life live there. Neighbors and activists were there as I arrived, and the MPD (as far as I could tell from their vehicles) had just driven away. (Chased by some snow balls, ooooooh so scary I know) All that was left was police tape a community member was bundling up, a bunch of expensive and inexpensive cameras filming the vigil, lit sage, drums and chanting, and blood stains in the snow.
I sobbed because my city is under attack. Some stranger hugged me. Another gave me a bottle of water. Everyone was gentle and patient with each other. (I was a little less than patient with News Nation's propaganda spewer, actually.)
If you have seen the videos, you know what happened. If you haven't, please watch if you have capacity. If not, understand that what in that video has happened many times to the black and brown members of this city. It will take on additional significance because it's a white victim and the murderers are this admin's thugs. But, rest assured, my city is often under attack by jackbooted thugs from elsewhere.
For context, this is only 4 blocks north of where George Floyd was murdered.
But, my city shows up. When white assholes with guns show up, shit goes bad. If they leave us alone, we take care of each other. We always have. We still will.
I saw people with whistles on nearly every intersection. It was the end of school, and they were observing children going home.
Leave my city the fuck alone. We have always had each other. Treating our city like the enemy means you know nothing about us. Nothing.
s-u-f-j-a-n-s-t-e-v-e-n-s
titsay
amandla
