Minnesota Humanities hopes you’ll consider joining it for an important conversation hosted by the Minnesota Humanities Center and Sweet Potato Comfort Pie™.  

As no healthy democracy can exist when so many of its people are routinely and systematically oppressed, we have created the community engagement “How Can We Breathe” to help us make meaning of the Minnesota we’re living in right now – in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd, calls for justice and demands for equity – all in the shadow of a global pandemic. 

On November 5, Artists and Meaning-Makers will discuss their role in shaping public dialogue after crisis events, specifically the murder of George Floyd. Learn how artists respond to crises, influence landscapes, drive narratives, and inform the public. Together we will address whose work is privileged, who “owns” public artwork, and how is it preserved/memorialized. You can register for the conversation here. This is a free event.

Featured artists and meaning-makers include Seitu Jones, T. Mychael Rambo, Christopheraaron Deanes, Cara Deanes, Hawona Sullivan Janzen, Rekhet Si-Asar, Tina Burnside, and Lee Green. Participants are called to join this virtual space to learn, heal, understand, and share through this experience. This conversation centered on the African American experience will identify strategies and resources that advocates and allies for a racially just society can use to ensure that African Americans are fully empowered within our democracy.

Sweet Potato Comfort Pie™, a Minnesota grassroots organization advocating for racial justice, is facilitating the conversations. Sweet Potato Comfort Pie™ and the Minnesota Humanities Center are also coordinating with individuals and organizations in several Minnesota cities during the virtual series to provide comfort pies and build community.