Race

When friends assumed she was Caucasian, Sinthia thought hard about what it means to be Latina.

Recognizing racism in the jokes we tell and assumptions we make.

Mohamed Samatar, 19, travelled to Somalia for the first time in 2010. The Minneapolis teenager expected to be in the desert for a month without electricty. What he experienced in Somalia shocked him — because he realized his idea of Somali and the reality there were very different. And so began his mission.

When Amolak was 8-years-old, he did something nice: He opened the door for an older white woman walking out of Café Latte. In return, she told him to go back to his country, which confused him because his country was America. Years later, Amolak thinks her ignorance is more than just hateful, it’s dangerous.

By ThreeSixty and Minnesota Historical Society staff

“Hearing Ms. Ellison’s stories of growing up in a time when there was such a thing as white water and how she overcame the hatred and discrimination to become a life-changing woman was invaluable.” — South H.S. junior Maddie Colbert on why teens should interview others.

Teens are more than possible risk factors and test scores. In an effort to create a well-rounded picture of Minnesota teens today – what they think about, hope for, and how they communicate – ThreeSixty Journalism and the Minnesota Historical Society are calling teens to fill out an online survey.

By Maggie Clemensen of the University of St. Thomas

Tyanna Dickerson, a graduate of South High School in Minneapolis and the first in her family to attend college, wanted to attend St. Thomas but felt nervous about the demands of college. She’s grateful for the REAL program, a five-week orientation program targeted at minority and immigrant students that aims to help new freshmen succeed.

I love Central High School’s diversity, and that’s why I’m concerned about the Saint Paul Public School district’s new plan, “Strong Schools, Strong Communities.” Because of new busing restrictions, I’m worried this plan might allow schools to become racially segregated again.

By Dymanh Chhoun, University of Minnesota, Class of 2011

I can tell that this country has better opportunities for my son. Better resources for education and different things. So I think now I’m sacrificing for him. And I am happy with that.

My name is Shamso Ali Hashi. I grew up in a small city outside Mogadishu. I finished high school there. I got married young and had 11 children in total. Six passed away and five are alive.