Don't Ignore the Normalcy of NoMi Neighbors

Usually, the Strib's Letter of the Day doesn't even hold my quick glance long enough to finish the headline.  But today's was different, because the words North Minneapolis jumped out at me, as they always do.

I don't know Leah Westberry, the letter's author. But I tip my hat to her and give a "Well Said, Leah".

Thank you for putting it so eloquently.

There are "regular" people on the North Side, too. In fact, there are thousands of us here. We live in the midst of the gangs and the violence and the extreme poverty that you hear so much about. We are hardworking, middle-class families and individuals. We are senior citizens who have lived on the North Side for decades. We are college students, nurses, teachers, landscapers and truck drivers. We are black, white, Hispanic, Asian and Native American. We hate the violence. We love our neighbors. And we are not leaving. So please don't talk about the North Side as if the rest of us don't exist. It is a very small percentage of people causing all of the misery and getting all of the attention. Stop dehumanizing the North Side.-Leah Westberry, Minneapolis

So in honor of the normalcy of NoMi neighbors, I'd be delighted to share some photos of the wonderful, normal NoMi neighbors and other NoMi happenings, that I have a chance to enjoy. 

Normal NoMi Youth Neighbors

NoMi Neighbors being Normally Goofy

We have cool biker clubs, that's normal, right?

OK, I realize this doesn't look exactly "normal"!

We have great parties

And great cook-outs

We leave doorstep treats for each other

We show off our beautiful families at neighborhood events

We teach the little ones the important things in life, knitting

We try to grow the prettiest gardens you've ever seen

We make really fun drinks. Really fun!

We have artists and art houses and art galleries

We love each others children as if they were our own

Does it get any more normal than kids + scooters + sunshine ?