Commentary: I No Longer Recognize My Hometown of Minneapolis

Minneapolis is my home. My happiest memories are here. It’s where I learned to ride a bike, had my first date, received my high school diploma. 

But today, I’m too afraid to even walk in my neighborhood by myself. 

The ACE Hardware down the street? The one that I used to bike to in the summer? Robbed twice in the past five days. 

The Walgreens next to my elementary school? Molotov cocktail thrown into it. 

The Lake Harriet Bandshell, where we spent countless Mother’s Days? Homeless encampment popped up next door. 

These are the things you don’t read about in the news.

MORE