Prompts winter weather advisories as cold air moves in Friday night

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

There are many East African artists living in the Twin Cities, but you don't often hear about them. Why? Quite frankly, mainstream media doesn't make enough of an effort to seek out these artists and share their stories.

Cultural differences have a role to play, too. It's considered rude for a Somali, for instance, to speak of his or her own accomplishments. So much for doing your own PR work.

Recently a group of Somali and Ethiopian artists and art lovers sat down for a conversation about art and culture, and to talk about what they wish they heard on MPR's airwaves. Among them was educator, poet, playwright and filmmaker 

.  Ahmed fled Somalia during the Somalian Civil War and immigrated to the Twin Cities in the early 1990s.

Ahmed spoke of the difficulties sharing one's art and ideas when language remains a barrier.

Related story: Somali Artifact and Cultural Museum fills void for those who left country

 was also at the table. He says when he first came to Minnesota, he traveled to Rochester, because he was told that Somalis were facing serious racism there.

Related story: Hollywood turns to Minneapolis for 'Captain Phillips' casting

 is part of a young, activist generation. She says social media has changed how people both report and consume the news.

Related story: Somali-American photographer presents a new view of his community

Minnesota is home to not just a large Somali population, but also an increasing number of Ethiopians. Dawit Asfaw is both a writer and a chemist. He says it's time for mainstream media organizations to reflect their growing presence.

Related story: African exhibit finds home at American Swedish Institute

Spoken word artist and community organizer

 says she would love to hear more stories of immigrants coming to the U.S. and the challenges they face starting over.

Related story: Young Minn. Somali collects stories of famine victims

 hosted his own radio show. He says it's challenging for Ethiopians to build a sense of community in Minnesota, when so many of them are working multiple jobs.

Many thanks to all the participants for sharing their insights.

Interested in hearing more? You can listen to the entire conversation below:

Arts and Culture

State of the Arts Blog

Marianne Combs

Author

There are many East African artists living in the Twin Cities, but you don’t often hear about them. 

East African artists seek to raise their voices while still respecting their heritage

Go Deeper.

Like this?