All that niceness goes out the window when it comes to the treatment of pedestrians. Whether it's un-shoveled sidewalks, or failing to yield to pedestrians, Minnesotans should not be proud. Bicyclists don't fair much better. Some even regard bikers and walkers as freakish - as if we're reminding drivers of money ill-spent on a car and gas and all that goes with it - parking costs and insurance.
Perhaps being nice is because children are already taught in 1st grade about Peace. At least that's my observation while tutoring at Lyndale Community School in south Minneapolis. I took this cellphone photo of postings outside a classroom door. Down the hall in another classroom, I also heard a young man say "thank you" to his 1st grade teacher for something she helped him with. (So I in turn complimented him for saying "thank you" to her.)
I've added some of the "Peace is . . ." beliefs by children below this photo.
Peace is playing safe.
Peace is helping everyone.
Peace is meditating. (A 6 year-old is a meditator?)
Peace is saying sorry to someone.
Peace is clearing the table by myself.
Peace is using words instead of fighting.
Some Somali children seemed a little stressed on Friday Feb. 28th. I think they must hear someone in their family talking about recent violence in Mogadishu. Unprompted, 2 boys mentioned separately to me that "I'm never going to Africa because I could get shot," and another said, "I don't want to be a policeman because they beat people." No news like that in Minneapolis. Another observation from Friday is that many Somali moms and dads come in the building to pick up their children. They are usually all dressed up, so this seems to be an important day.
