Partnering with Danger Boat Productions, we conceived the idea of hosting a humanities comedy tour in response to news of people in Minnesota feeling disconnected and unwilling to talk to their neighbors. As the disciplines of the humanities help us better understand ourselves, our neighbors, and our communities, what better…
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Whenever I hear the song “We Are Family” by Sister Sledge, in my mind, I see my mom in front of a park bench singing “I’ve got all my sisters with me” with her sisters in matching red t-shirts with their nicknames on their back at the annual Wells Family…
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Our nation, for far too long, has remained silent about open and notorious acts of racial violence experienced by African Americans. As a teenager reading, The Black Book edited by Middleton A. Harris and Toni Morrison, I became aware of the countless atrocities experienced by African Americans that were ignored…
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In the span of less than seven years, Minnesota has been the site of several high–profile incidents involving the use of deadly force against African American men by law enforcement.
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In celebration of Black History Month, the Minnesota Humanities Center has asked some of our friends to write essays to share with you their thoughts on black history and culture, as well as on broad issues of racial and social justice. Like a good conversation with friends after a good…
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At the dawn of the formation of our country, and even begrudgingly to this day, the existing political and social hierarchy of our nation has sought to deny and frustrate the inalienable rights of African Americans to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Since the video of the murder…
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A new movement has begun to recognize Juneteenth as a national holiday. Proponents stress the need for America never to forget how racial slavery has been imprinted upon the soul of the nation and to always remember how the descendants of enslaved African Americans continue to shape its present and…
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As the leader of the Minnesota Humanities Center, envisioning a just society that is connected, curious, and compassionate, we send our condolences to the family of George Floyd and his many friends. The tragic history of our country is replete with instances of the suppression of the inalienable human rights…
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The new vision for the Minnesota Humanities Center calls upon the organization to utilize the disciplines of the humanities to increase understanding, innovation, and justice. The new vision for the Minnesota Humanities Center – A just society that is curious, connected, and compassionate. Justice is afforded to people when…
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“If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.” The words of President Thomas Jefferson still ring true today more than 200 years later.
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