The Cellar - View Single Post - Are Muslims being persecuted in your neighborhood?

warch · 07-02-2002, 11:21 AM

In Minneapolis we have a large Somali refugee population that is actively growing, families still being reunited. Most of them live around the University area, which has some public housing, lots of rentals. There has been a lot of tension. First with the picking up of Moussaoui, and then with the closing of several money wiring places in the neighborhoods. The tension is thick, more so after Black Hawk Down, and the Somalis are very conspicuous, veiled, black, broken or no English. But there is a strong tradition of refugee transition here, and the Univ area is fairly international so that does work in their favor.

There is a Somali mosque two blocks from my house, in a renovated storefront. There was a bit of vandalism right after 9/11, but has been calmer since. There is a palpable separation on the street.

From my view into the public schools here, there is a lot of tension, violence bubbling between the Somali immigrants (and Ethiopian) and established Black communities. Culture clash. A lot of fights in High School. The schools have done a lot to support or at least be sensitive to devout Muslims. One high school has an arrangement with a Lutheran Church across the street, close to 100 students go there for prayers throughout the day. Most of the Muslim students dont take coed gym, dance, sing, pledge, etc.

But the socialization is interesting. This year apparently the first Somali prom king and queen were crowned. I wonder how that was received by the elders? Worlds colliding with a lot of mixed messages. I overheard an unescorted group of five teen Somali girls, (I assumed pious in their traditional modest dress) talking like Long Shore men- actually cat calling at some young man sitting on a porch, lifting their skirts to the knee to reveal platform shoes. Interesting. The first wave of Somali kids are starting to enter college here. Like most immigrant kids, displaying obvious westernization in clothing and interests. I find it fascinating.

One more interesting image: I went to a Twins Game last week- (Beat the White Sox) - and I wish I had a camera. I went to get popcorn and was struck by the image of a young Somali woman, about 18, working at the concession stand. She was in full robe, big smile, Twins cap perched on top of her veil- this wasnt the issued vendor cap, it was her Twins cap. It would have been IOD worthy.

07-02-2002, 11:21 AM	#6
warch lurkin old school Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,796	In Minneapolis we have a large Somali refugee population that is actively growing, families still being reunited. Most of them live around the University area, which has some public housing, lots of rentals. There has been a lot of tension. First with the picking up of Moussaoui, and then with the closing of several money wiring places in the neighborhoods. The tension is thick, more so after Black Hawk Down, and the Somalis are very conspicuous, veiled, black, broken or no English. But there is a strong tradition of refugee transition here, and the Univ area is fairly international so that does work in their favor. There is a Somali mosque two blocks from my house, in a renovated storefront. There was a bit of vandalism right after 9/11, but has been calmer since. There is a palpable separation on the street. From my view into the public schools here, there is a lot of tension, violence bubbling between the Somali immigrants (and Ethiopian) and established Black communities. Culture clash. A lot of fights in High School. The schools have done a lot to support or at least be sensitive to devout Muslims. One high school has an arrangement with a Lutheran Church across the street, close to 100 students go there for prayers throughout the day. Most of the Muslim students dont take coed gym, dance, sing, pledge, etc. But the socialization is interesting. This year apparently the first Somali prom king and queen were crowned. I wonder how that was received by the elders? Worlds colliding with a lot of mixed messages. I overheard an unescorted group of five teen Somali girls, (I assumed pious in their traditional modest dress) talking like Long Shore men- actually cat calling at some young man sitting on a porch, lifting their skirts to the knee to reveal platform shoes. Interesting. The first wave of Somali kids are starting to enter college here. Like most immigrant kids, displaying obvious westernization in clothing and interests. I find it fascinating. One more interesting image: I went to a Twins Game last week- (Beat the White Sox) - and I wish I had a camera. I went to get popcorn and was struck by the image of a young Somali woman, about 18, working at the concession stand. She was in full robe, big smile, Twins cap perched on top of her veil- this wasnt the issued vendor cap, it was her Twins cap. It would have been IOD worthy.