Cedar-Riverside, the most diverse neighborhood in Minneapolis, is a four minute walk from our home.
One hundred years ago, Cedar-Riverside was home to Scandinavians, Germans, and Bohemians (today’s Czech Republic). During the last 30 years a large number of Somalis, escaping civil war and refugee camps, have moved here to what has been called Little Mogadishu.
Somali refugees have made this neighborhood their own, at least for a few years. They become acclimated to American ways, take on entry level jobs, learn English, learn new skills, make a bit of money, get citizenship, move on to more skilled jobs and perhaps buy a home in another neighborhood.
As I walk through the neighborhood, I like to pause at a traditional Somali nomadic hut in the front yard of a house. Sometimes it’s covered in protective plastic, or just the frame is visible. With luck, I get to see the frame covered in traditional matting.
Stores started by optimistic Somali entrepreneurs fill a commercial area for several blocks.
The heart of Little Mogadishu is dominated by the towers of Riverside Plaza, home to many Somali families.
Riverside Plaza was designed by local star architect Ralph Rapson and opened in 1973. I’ve learned not to think about architecture and art in terms of like/not like; it can take some effort to appreciate and understand brutalism.
A major renovation in 2011 means these are well-maintained homes where families can grow. I, too, grew up in public housing and am grateful for the ladders that gave me so much opportunity.
I feel a connection with the neighborhood and its people. I enjoy walking and cycling through the area, spotting artwork, watching people at play in Currie Park, adjacent to Riverside Plaza.
Over the years, I’ve met quite a few members of the Somali community as an ESL/Citizenship/GED tutor at the Franklin Learning Center and the International Institute of Minnesota. One hundred years ago, these same institutions helped Scandinavians to become part of America.
I see people who are open to learning new things and taking on increasingly skilled jobs. Helped by immigration, the median age in Minneapolis is a young 32.1, which is great for the economy.
When I get my blood drawn for tests, it’s often from a kind woman wearing the hijab. When I had surgery four years ago, the most compassionate and attentive nurse was Somali-American. I feel a quiet pride when I’m greeted with “hello teacher” in the food co-op.