There has been lately a flurry of coverage about North Minneapolis, and most of it bad. Fear spawned by the major media’s negative coverage inspires some to get out and do something about it, but most will just sit in their houses and cluck their tongues and say, “business as usual.” It does not have to be. There are many Northsiders who spend countless hours (and money too) to improve the image and make North Minneapolis a better place to live. There are more people helping promote peace than committing the crimes we hear about. There is not much said about them in the papers.
The major new outlets are concerned with ad revenue. Reporting just the bad news inspires people to avoid our area and spend their money in shiny malls who spend tons of money advertising with... guess who? In Camden neighborhoods, there are businesses that spend their dollars and time to improve our quality the life by supporting local events. Do they have to do it? Some don’t. They could as easily leave or just close shop. Taking pride in your community involves supporting your local businesses too.
There are also residents and nonprofit organizations spending their money and time to help improve our quality of life. There are many examples; Northside Arts Collective, Kids Cook, the Warren-An Artist Habitat, Workhouse Theatre Co., Camden Music School, <i>Camden News</i>, and many others. Some are run by a few people with little or no money, some are supported by your local businesses. Supporting these places with your time and money insures that there is education, inspiration, entertainment and community involvement that is conducive to quality of life.
How about time? If you think about it, what is one hour a week? There are nights with nothing good on TV. You can go to a neighborhood meeting, attend an event in your neighborhood, water the Kids Cook garden, take a walk along the parkway or in your neighborhood and pick up trash along the way, and meet a neighbor. All of these take little time and all help you do some good. Just think if just one-quarter of the people in our area did that. How clean our neighborhood would be, how many new friends we could make? What new things could we do, learn or experience?
Okay, some of you say you have no time and no extra money. What you do have is a voice. Help dispel the negative rap your neighborhoods are getting. Don’t be silent or embarrassed when people who don’t live here talk bad about our neighborhoods. Tell them the good things that are going on here. Write the papers, mayor, and whoever you can think of, that there is good here and we are not defined by a criminal minority.
There are many free and educational events in this area; go to them, get inspired, entertained and meet your neighbors. While the major media will still tell people what is bad about North Minneapolis, hopefully they will also see that the majority of us are community minded and making a difference, donating time, shopping local businesses, participating in block clubs and neighborhood events, etc.
We as a community have to lead the way to a better quality of life. Withdrawing in our homes and hoping it all gets better is not the answer. An hour of your time helping out or going to a neighborhood event, a few pennies to Kids Cook, walking to your local store or restaurant, going to an art exhibition, or seeing a show by the local theatre company, reading the neighborhood papers and newsletters, etc. goes a long way.
These small things have another benefit. Criminal activity is repelled away from places where the community is involved, and people are committed to a better neighborhood.
Duane Atter
Victory