MJ' Story
I am from a small town in South Eastern MN. When I lived there the population was around 600 and I graduated with 23 classmates. My entire class was white, the community was very much white, and my family is all white. I identify as a white woman.
Growing up I had one Asian friend who was adopted and when I was in high school there was one Black kid in a foster program who classmates so endearingly (not) nicknamed “brownie”. It did not phase me at the time.
I enrolled for college at Hamline University in St. Paul which small town folk commonly referred to as “the cities”. I was paired up with a girl from Pittsburgh who clearly had a different experience growing up then myself. Her best friend was Black. I still did not know her best friend, so it still did not phase me.
My freshman year, there was one Black student on my dorm floor. My sophomore year, there were two Black students on my dorm floor. They friended me and I remember them kindly laughing when I asked questions related to race. It was clear I had no idea about race and the color of people’s skin. But alas I was still an innocent small-town girl unimpacted by other people’s experiences with race. It did not phase me.
From my first memories of encountering race to when it started to phase me is mostly a blur. That time was filled with me going through the motions without the acknowledgement of how life events could be different because of the color of your skin. I remember hearing about race and how things were not “equal”, but I am not sure I knew what that meant. I know I encountered folks who had different experiences than mine because of race, but I do not remember taking the time to learn. I think I tried, but I am not sure. Generally, I was an advocate for people, but race was not a discussion point. This topic was not at my dinner table. I was not impacted.
I want to believe that during that time I did my part advancing change, but I am not sure.
Fast forward to 2014 when I started working for the City of Edina. Leave it to a job to provide me with a life changing opportunity! I was able to liaison for the Human Rights and Relations Commission. Lots of exposure to all areas of human rights. This started my journey of learning more about policy, systems, programs and how humans were and still are affected. I attended trainings and learned about the history of racism (might I add history is my least favorite subject). I wished that I knew what I know now. I do not feel like the truth was shared with me. I was able to liaison to the Race and Equity Task Force. More opportunities to hear stories, learn and build a foundation for growth.
Now I get to be a part of an ALL volunteer group committed to advancing the work of Race and Equity. This is where I can continue to ground myself in helping with equity and get to work with some awesome people!
To be clear, it does not stop there. My growth and experiences do not only live in Edina. They are now a part of me. I cannot stop doing this work when the workday is over. This is part of my life. I want to continue to challenge myself and be challenged. I will find ways to share this important topic with my children so they can be part of the change and consider how actions have unintended consequences. I fear (because I probably know) racial equity will not be resolved in my time, but maybe the kids today can experience a different version when they are older. I owe my children the truth.