Last autumn, I walked with my husband along the Mississippi River in downtown Minneapolis, savouring the last blaze of autumn colours. The air was crisp, and the sidewalks buzzed with weekend crowds soaking up the eclectic vibe.
I remember saying, “It’s great to see the city alive again.” The pandemic and George Floyd’s killing had devastated downtown; the area was almost deserted when we first arrived in February 2022. That’s why watching recent events unfold from afar has been so painful.
Minneapolis was my home for four years. There’s a popular term there – “Minnesota Nice” – which may suggest surface amiability, but that’s mistaken. People there were nice to the core – kind, considerate, and hospitable. Folks who avoid swearing in public…