by Laura Too
I’m going to trust that everyone knows the story of what happened to Mr. George Floyd and has seen the disaster porn from my neighborhood. I don’t need to contribute to that. Instead, I would like this to be part travelogue and part historical reference. Plus a few personal notes. Warning, John Cole, it is long. I know you love long! But pretty pictures!
I live 2-1/2 blocks from the third precinct.
It has taken me a few days. I feel so bad about feeling so traumatized. 10 days of whiteness vs a lifetime of blackness? Saying I can’t breathe because of smoke and teargas and not a knee on my neck? Yeah, it really has brought my privilege into sharp relief.
I am still processing all that has happened. During Covid everything was so quiet, not a lot of sirens or noise. I had a routine being newly unemployed that I was just adjusting to, so the flash grenades, teargas, rubber bullets and real bullets were extra jarring. I had many sleepless nights and am lucky that there were lots of Jackals that kept me company. I won’t rehash that here.
It is quieter now, and I got sleep last night.
We went on a bike ride today so I got some pictures of the murals that are going up. I want to show things CNN won’t. The beauty that is happening.
MPR (Minnesota Public Radio) has been devoting hours of programming to black voices. Opening phone lines so people can call in and just talk. Community activists who’ve been on the streets for years. Mental health experts. I have been listening to amazing, resilient voices and learning. It is helping.
And I visited the shrine.
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This is some of my new neighborhood.
Post office on the corner of Minnehaha and 27th
On Thursday the volunteers moved in to clean, there were many.
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Gandhi Mahal & Migizi being cleaned
Ruhel Islam owns Gandhi; please read his statement about the fire. ‘Let My Building Burn’: Gandhi Mahal Restaurant Owner Calls For Justice For George Floyd.
I am fortunate to be a friend, so many good memories there. Lots of family dinners. Migizi held a drum circle for healing shortly after this was taken.
You can check out Dinners, Drive-Ins and Dives – Gandhi was featured and we were invited to the taping.
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Soldier’s Memorial Cemetery 28th and Lake St.
The smoke and teargas were so thick on my side of Lake Street, but on the north side the wind was blowing it away, so I went in search of Fern. She always makes me feel better, and I was worried that the noise would drive her away. I was delighted to see that not only is Fern still there, she has a daughter now. I spent about an hour with her.
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Mural of Phoenix
This was one of the first murals to go up.
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Mural Hook and Ladder
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Mural BLACKDAZEART
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Mural BLACKDAZEART
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Mural of Solidarity
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George Floyd Memorial Shrine
I spent the time of Mr. Floyd’s memorial, which was held downtown, at the shrine that is set up at 38th and Chicago. It is a truly sacred space. There are a couple food banks that also have every supply you could possibly need, all free. Prepared food from dozens of pop ups, also free. Someone was doing coffee shots and cold brew, free. Water, free.
Laura is here to talk with us and answer any questions we might have. Thank you, Laura! ~WG
On The Ground with Laura Too, in MinneapolisPost + Comments (104)