Thought: The worst of them is bringing out the best of us. The worst in them is bringing out the best in us.
@manton If you could only see what is happening here at the community level to meet this moment… It is beautiful. A model of resiliency, co-operation, pride, and love.
It is the way things are here already: Snowblowing your neighbor’s sidewalk because you managed to get out first or, heck, just do the whole dang side of the block because your blower has a leak in the tank and you need to use up the gas anyway. Yes, that’s a thing here.
Also a thing, see a car stuck on the ice/snow and if a half dozen people aren’t already there helping you stop and do so. That’s a thing here too.
But this has amplified it into something deeper and more urgent. This is something on a region wide scale.
This is finding out a small restaurant is afraid for their kitchen staff even waking to their cars so people show up to escort them or even this — offer to come and get their car and gas it up so that they don’t have to stop for gas themselves because… Well, ICE is watching gas stations and nabbing people there.
I mean, I could go on-and-on-and-on with these sorts of stories. Anyone here can.
@patrickrhone So true. The goodness I’ve seen from so many Minnesotans is the only thing that gives me hope.
@patrickrhone Appreciate your words and trying to contextualize what’s happening here for others to see. It’s been (until just recently) difficult to see how much is being seen and recognized of the extraordinary resilience and support Minnesotans have been shepherding with our communities.
@paulw If I want anything positive to come out of this, it is maintaining those new found connections, continued strengthening of our communities, and the mutual aid of neighbors helping neighbors. This is a model for how other cities (and there will be other cities) can resist this. Minnesota is teaching others.
@patrickrhone Someone on Bluesky posted, “They hate us so much, but we love each other more,” and it really is amazing how true that’s being proven every day.
@bethanyh And, even more… We love our city and our state and realize the reson why is the people who make it what it is.
I decided this morning that I can dwell on the horror or I can see the beauty that is happeing because of it. I’m choosing beauty. If I (on anyone) chooses otherwise they win.