Today was Swedish Midsommar at the American Swedish Institute. And it gives me an occasion (solid Scando that I am) to point out something remarkable. The American Swedish Institute, The Norwegian Memorial Church (aka Mindekirken), and Igebretsen's are hoary Minneapolis institutions. With all the scampering out to the suburbs by so much, and even mergers of churches, these institutions have soldiered on. Won't be long till Ingebretsen's will be an island in a sea of Somalian and Latino business.
What gives them the will to carry on? Well, one thing is the fact that Scandinavians themselves didn't get what you call velvet glove treatment. About the time at which "Main Street" by Sinclair Lewis is set, my father arrived in this country. And set about learning NOT to be a new Scandinavian immigrant. Probably so he wouldn't get that treatment. So, perhaps the rooted Scandinavians see themselves in the Somalians and Latinos. And try NOT to be the Establishment that greeted them in living memory. Of course, an American Swedish Institute at any other location simply wouldn't BE the ASI. But I think these institutions, located as they are in their neighborhoods of South Minneaplis, are a stabilzing force. They might be a core that makes a lot of citizens fight to save those areas of town. I think maybe the people who see themselves reflected in these institutions just can't tolerate the neighborhoods becoming the Minneapolis equivalent of Watts. At least I like to think so. Jim Mork Cooper-Longfellow-Minneapolis Scandinavian-American Capital TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
