In response to the brutal immigration policies of the Trump administration, which reached a tragic peak with the death of Renee Nicole Macklin Good, Americans have demonstrated remarkable bravery in resisting ICE’s influence in their communities. This resistance now includes several art institutions in Minnesota, which are shutting their doors in protest of the harsh treatment experienced by their neighbors.
Today, readers can delve into a poignant personal essay by Ifrah Mansour, a Somali-American artist residing in Minnesota. She shares her experiences of confronting unprecedented levels of violence and racism in her homeland. Despite these challenges, she maintains a belief that kindness and generosity will ultimately prevail.
“Living in Minnesota as Somalis right now can feel like being skinned bit by bit,” Mansour writes, whose works are publicly displayed throughout Minneapolis. “The anguish of witnessing an entire community oppressed by the government is unfathomable, and sadly, not a new story. Many other communities have faced this before us.”
