New Minnesotan's blog

by Hussein Yussuf, January 2008 • For nearly two decades now, due to the civil war and the displacement of many Somalis, emigration has been increasing. From 2002 to 2004, 10,000 Somalis came to Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights, by 2004, an estimated 25,000 Somalis lived in Minnesota.

More than half of all displaced Somalis have chosen to settle and live in Minnesota. “I came to Minnesota because I knew I will find some Somalis that will help me settle.” says Asha M., a Phillips resident.

by Nuha Ali •

Fears, tears

Cheers and mirrors Walking on every block, with fears

Hearing people call you names, and holding back your tears

Going back home and seeing yourself in all different mirrors


Asking yourself one thing, “How am I different?”

This blog features new Minnesotans. Many of them participate as part of an English Language Learning class. Nuha Ali is a high school student in the Twin Cities.

by Makia Jama • Tall buildings tower over school children who get off buses from 3-4:00 in the afternoon. Parents hurrying to the buses to get their children home so they can get on with the rest of their day. Meanwhile, lots of kids run around playing and not giving a care in the world about the beeping cars that are trying to get through.

This blog features new Minnesotans. Many of them participate as part of an English Language Learning class. Makia Jama is a high school student in the Twin Cities.

by Farrah Yusuf • How do you and your family celebrate Christmas? Do you and your family have the traditional family supper on Christmas Eve? Do you go to the Midnight Mass or do you and your family spend Christmas Eve visiting in the living room and go to church on Christmas Day? Do your children wake up in the morning and reach underneath the glossy, gleaming and glistening Christmas tree and start unwrapping gifts?