Walked over to Franklin Library, one of Minneapolis’s first Carnegie libraries, for my weekly tutoring session with an adult learner. Four years ago, the county library board cut funding for a walk-in center at that same library where I used to volunteer. This service had supported various waves of immigrants for over a century, and by working with my student, I tell myself I’m nodding to that 100-year tradition.
Category: In This Together
Protests work in Minneapolis
Pleased to learn this morning that the Minneapolis School Board had reversed its decision to lay off 50% of adult education ELL teachers. I’ve protested outside a board meeting and written to every member; hundreds of others did the same and more. Now I can continue assisting in the classroom, including a new course today, Introduction to Interpreting.
Fuelling up for the big hike
We’re now in Drymen, near Loch Lomond, joined by two UK friends, ready to hike the Rob Roy Way for the next eight days. Dinner tonight was at a pub originally owned by Rob Roy’s sister, a thematic start to our adventure.
Malala and a melt
After an ELL session on Malala Yousafzai with an adult learner, I went to the nearby Minneapolis American Indian Center for a bison melt. Lawn signs out front promoted candidates in the upcoming tribal elections.
Decolonizing the menu
Shared notes about our day over a dinner of indigenous ingredients at the bar at Owamni. While reservations for this James Beard Award-winning restaurant can be hard to snag, we’ve found that unreserved bar seats are usually available if we arrive early. Signs reminded us where we were, featuring tags like #landback, #86colonialism (86 is a nod to the restaurant lingo for removing an item from the menu), and the acknowledgment that we were dining on native land.
Waymo in the wild
Spotted this Waymo in the wild today. They’re currently being trained for our harsh climate. I’m looking forward to having vehicles on our streets that actually stop at pedestrian crossings, pause before right turns on red, and never run red lights.
No kings, no ICE, no war
Rode a crowded light rail train to what might be the largest protest in Minnesota history. Along the way, we sang the national anthem. At one point, the train passed a senior living building where residents lined the road, some in wheelchairs, holding up their own signs. No kings, no ICE, no war.
No time for silence
My walk included a tutoring session at the Franklin Library and a bison melt at the Minneapolis American Indian Center. Along the way, signs reminded us we are well past the time for silence.
Contemplating compromise and conscience
At the Minneapolis Institute of Art today, explored German art from 1910 to 1945. In the foreground ‘The Fallen Man’ was created in 1916 as a memorial against war. Like other pieces in this gallery, it was declared ‘degenerate’ in the 1930s. Moving through the exhibit, I saw the contrast between artists who resisted and those who compromised their work.
Mall walking: over 500 stores and nothing to buy
Two days in a row now, I’ve opted for a climate-controlled walk. With temperatures hovering around zero, I took the light rail to the Mall of America for a mall walk with friends. We walked past hundreds of stores, all of which, with one exception, did not interest me. After the walk, I did take a look around the LEGO store.