Spotted Bigfoot, a fraternity mascot, shuffling through the university. The barriers had been installed for crowd control for tonight’s Turning Point USA anti-anti-fascist rally at Northrop Auditorium.
Category: In This Together
Finding anti-fascism in a Minneapolis park
After giving up on finding a local or national Antifa office, I cycled in search of something tangible about the anti-fascist cause. Flags were at full staff at Sheridan Memorial Park when I paused at this sign commemorating American anti-fascist fighters of World War II. I appreciate how this park honors ordinary, working-class people, like Howard Weller (mask, complete with oxygen tubes) from Northeast Minneapolis, without glorifying war.
The future of work, over beer
At Day Block Brewery, glimpsed into the work world of 2025 while catching up with three lovely people I worked with 15 years ago, who are still working. We laughed heartily about times both past and present.
Conflicting honors
This morning, flags were still at half-staff outside the American Red Cross building near our home, a tribute to the children killed in a recent school shooting. Meanwhile, the president has ordered flags at half-staff at federal buildings for a man who believed that gun deaths are a price we must accept for the Second Amendment. (The light and dark blue flag is the Minnesota state flag.)
Signs of the times
Spent my morning in a safe place, a classroom, where I get to practice kindness, patience, and respect. On the notice boards, instructions are posted that attempt to empower us in the face of external threats.
The irony of a Carnegie library
Worked with an adult English language learner in this beautiful Carnegie library as I do most Friday mornings. The library, located in a disadvantaged neighborhood where 38% of residents live below the poverty line, was built with funds from a benefactor who accumulated immense wealth on the backs of working people and presided over the worst labor conflict in American history.
Seeing pink
Woke up to this view of low clouds, glowing hot pink over the Capella Tower downtown, announcing both a day of light rain and World Breast Cancer Research Day. The color served as a reminder of recent NIH cuts in breast cancer research funding.
Family gathering at Misono
We feasted on American-style sushi: it’s actually delicious. I ate too much.
DEI in action
Took a break from my bike ride at The Trailhead in Theodore Wirth Park. I love the soaring lines of this building. The non-profit Loppet Foundation built then donated the facility to the Minneapolis park system, and is involved in its daily operations, promoting DEI in this diverse part of the city. Inside, I sipped an Americano while watching kids getting ready to ride the mountain bike trails maintained by the Foundation.
Beware of the DOG(E)
While cycling to get a haircut, I did a double take when I saw this yard sign. Humor is a surprisingly effective antidote to autocracy.