The Somali story (Minneapolis, Rochester, St. Cloud: apartment, homes, unemployed)

[TheseGoTo11]

It seems many Somalis came to mpls because they were dissatisfied with Sweden, and followed the same path as Scandinavian immigrants 100 yrs ago?

Is this true?

[Camden Northsider]

Originally Posted by TheseGoTo11

It seems many Somalis came to mpls because they were dissatisfied with Sweden, and followed the same path as Scandinavian immigrants 100 yrs ago?

Is this true?

I don't think so, although I have known someone whose mother was Swedish and father was Somali and grew up in Sweden, I don't think that there were a large number of Somalis that settled there. However, a fair amount of Somalis have resettled in a number of countries throughout Europe.

Most Somalis in Minnesota, unless they came in the early 90s (when things hit the fan in Somalia - the early resettlers were likely those that had more wealth and education available to them), generally spent years, if not decades, in refugee camps in Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and a handful of other countries before coming to the US. A fair amount have migrated to MN after dissatisfaction with other cities/ states in the US (San Diego, Atlanta, and a number of areas on the East Coast - there was a famous incident/ 'uproar' in Maine that a documentary has been created about). There are still a lot of Somali persons living in refugee camps and other situations right now waiting to be reunited with family or escape the horrible situations of refugee camps; unfortunately a political move targeting east africans has put a hold on coming to the US (or other countries) for many Somalis.

[comominnapolis]

Am I the only person slightly offended by this discussion? The entire context stinks of underlying racism. Ignorance = fear. Participate in your community and be a positive influence and you will learn how to not live in fear.

[typical_guinea_pig]

"Am I the only person slightly offended by this discussion? The entire context stinks of underlying racism. Ignorance = fear."

comominnapolis, why would you be offended by a discussion? People learn new things by discussing, talking...wouldn't you much rather have people sharing thoughts and ideas, and quite likely educating many, many more who are lurking, than to not have such a discussion take place? If you truly want racism to be something humans can move beyond, I would think you would find it more rewarding to contribute something positive to the discussion rather than to proclaim offense. BTW, this forum IS a community, and if you take your own advice and try to be "be a positive influence" via your participation, I think you will see how unhelpful you are being by posting just to call the thread racist and cry offense.

If you need to see an example of a helpful post, reread the post #67 by TwistedLogic, a member of the Somali community who came with kindness to educate those of us of who are ignorant.

Joanna

[City_boy1]

Well ,First of all i would like to say hi to you all .
Secondly , Let me tell you about me , i am member of somali community in minneapolis... It`s been two years and 2 month snice i moved to minneapolis from refugee camps ... when i moved her i had had not even 1 dollar in my pocket ,i did not speak one word of english , forget about writing it...i went to school and worked so hard to learn English , alot of good minneapolis people helped me and corrected me , within two month of being in minneapolis i found job , i worked so hard ( day and night).NOW i got my own car , i got money on the bank
and in future i am thinking to start my own business and buy my own house ... i can speak and write in English now , i am not perfect but i am trying to learn new things every day.

Its funny that some one here said all somalis live on government hand outs ... I disagree, talking about myself i got help from state just first two month till i found a job , now i am paying tax for the state , To say thanks to city of minneapolis i am working and paying tax for the sate .. i been working for past 2 years , and that is the much time i been here in usa ..

I am not in gangs and i never been in gangs .... i never picked up a fight or even had argument or quarrel(a dispute) with any one here in minneapolis... its sad that some people try to put you down when they don`t know you.

I am sorry , i am not trying to target any one , i am just trying to educate and correct some people.

Thank you and you all have a good Time .

[nick is rulz]

good for you...keep on doing your thing.

[Jeanie Hoholik]

I wish I knew what my nationality was/is. I look at myself in the mirror and don't fit any category. It's kind of sad, actually.

[nick is rulz]

I consider myself a mix of 11 anglo saxon herbs and spices.

[Sarah Maske]

Originally Posted by brikag

We wanted to hear from the general MSP population about the Somali gangs. Is the situation that dire we should be concerned of moving to MSP? We don't look for trouble. We would stay out of troubled or questionable areas. Is the whole situation blown out of proportion due to fears and MEDIA ratings? Or is it a genuine concern that my family members should carry protection?

Any feedback of these questions is greatly appreciated.

I live and work in the city and have never even seen a Somali gang.

[Sarah Maske]

Originally Posted by City_boy1

Well ,First of all i would like to say hi to you all .
Secondly , Let me tell you about me , i am member of somali community in minneapolis... It`s been two years and 2 month snice i moved to minneapolis from refugee camps ... when i moved her i had had not even 1 dollar in my pocket ,i did not speak one word of english , forget about writing it...i went to school and worked so hard to learn English , alot of good minneapolis people helped me and corrected me , within two month of being in minneapolis i found job , i worked so hard ( day and night).NOW i got my own car , i got money on the bank
and in future i am thinking to start my own business and buy my own house ... i can speak and write in English now , i am not perfect but i am trying to learn new things every day.

Its funny that some one here said all somalis live on government hand outs ... I disagree, talking about myself i got help from state just first two month till i found a job , now i am paying tax for the state , To say thanks to city of minneapolis i am working and paying tax for the sate .. i been working for past 2 years , and that is the much time i been here in usa ..

I am not in gangs and i never been in gangs .... i never picked up a fight or even had argument or quarrel(a dispute) with any one here in minneapolis... its sad that some people try to put you down when they don`t know you.

I am sorry , i am not trying to target any one , i am just trying to educate and correct some people.

Thank you and you all have a good Time .

Thank you for your brave and thoughtful comments.