I recently had an opportunity to explore my old neighborhood in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and I was devastated by what I saw. Buildings we’re dilapidated in desperate need of repair. The destruction stretched from Hennepin Avenue to the Mississippi River, and I realized at that moment that my old community was in ruins.
And it seemed not enough people were interested in repairing the damage the looters, and vandals left behind. And this left me to wonder, did someone order a strike to destroy small businesses in Minneapolis?
The neighborhood looked like a war zone. A constant reminder of what the community lost. It felt like cruel and unusual punishment.
The most unsettling part about all this, is that the businesses hardest hit were the small mom and pop shops. This left me to question once again, What’s really going on?
Is there a war on the middle class and working poor? A majority of workers lost their jobs, their unemployment benefits running out, and individuals and their families are barely getting by.
In addition, able bodied individuals who have an opportunity to work are afraid to accept gainful employment due to COVID-19.
Moreover, we can barely go outside our homes without the constant worry of catching the Coronavirus for just simply walking done the street. And unfortunately there seems to be no stimulus relief package in sight, Meanwhile, the rich keep lining their pockets, while the poor are expected to pull themselves up by their bootstraps.
So my question is, why is it that small businesses, and the working poor seem to get shut out, screwed over, and left to pick up the pieces? While big businesses continue to flourish?
Isn't it bad enough that people are already finding it difficult to put food on their tables, and some folks are still forced to sleep outside in tents?
Furthermore, Minnesota still has yet to clean up the new mess they created, and It is clear to me that their efforts to restore the destruction is way past due. So I say to you Minnesota, are the Inner-cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul not economically viable enough to invest in?
Are these communities not worthy of anyone's efforts to repair? When it is some of these individuals and their families that are the sole contributors to the wealthy.
Minnesota! When are you finally going to clean up the mess you created? It is clear to me that your efforts to restore and revitalize these neighborhoods is way past due.
