I’ve been living in the Twin Cities, Minnesota for almost three years now and there is one major thing that bothers me. One of my favorite things to do when the weather permits is to enjoy all of the green space, water and state parks that Minnesota has to offer. My boyfriend and I frequently go on mini trips up the north shore, to state parks, waterfalls, walking trails etc. Being from Philly originally, I have a deeper appreciation for the nature that surrounds me because I did not grow up with nature in this close of a reach. Whenever we go to these places there is one thing that always stands out: there are hardly every any black people! It’s really bizzare to me because Minnesota has so much to offer. Usually when we go to these places the only black people that we see are usually with another white person (same situation as me I admit). I do not get it. I asked some black people at my last job if they’d been up the North Shore and they never have. It does not make sense to me because people will drive 6 hours from the cities to visit Chicago at the drop of a hat but will not drive 2 hours north to see views like these:
I am not sure if the issue is lack of interest in nature, lack of resources or simply lack of knowledge. Duluth for example, is extremely popular. It is the start of the North Shore and is extremely beautiful. Lots to see and eat. It is a 2 hour drive from the cities and I never see black people there. Even when I asked other black people in the cities why they have not gone up there they don’t really have an answer. The views are amazing!
There are other areas further north, like Grand Marais which is about 5 hours north of the cities that are even more beautiful (see above). I can understand not taking 10 hours out of your weekend for that, because that is a bit much, but it is worth it to take a longer trip. I am determined to convince more black people to go north (and south) to experience these amazing views. It is so worth it!
This was heavy on my mind this weekend because we took a mini trip down to Minneopia State Park in Mankato, MN about an hour and a half south of the cities. This state park was amazing because there was a waterfall and a bison enclosure! Do you know how hype I was to see real life bison? But again, I could not help but notice the lack of black people at this state park, and the park was very crowded this particular day because it was so nice out. I just do not understand, but I do want to. The bison were AMAZING to see so up close and I want my people to experience this stuff as well. See below for some pics and check my photography page for more:
Do you take advantage of the nature in your area? If not, you should!
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