Colleen OConnor Toberman

Think back to 1986. Take a moment to remember the days of 93-cent gallons of gas, landlines with answering machines, and bold hairstyles. A lot has changed since then, hasn’t it? The internet, which few people used back then, can be accessed from the smartphone in our pocket. People could smoke on airplanes in 1986; now smoking is banned in nearly every public space.

Anna is a resident in the shelter at which I work. Despite having disabilities, Anna volunteers at a thrift store, takes care of her health, and hopes to attend college next fall. Anna’s grown son is educated and working, despite his own mental disabilities. Anna’s greatest wish is to have a home where her son can visit her, and see her as an example of success. She doesn’t need the expensive “crisis care” that a shelter provides—she just needs a modest apartment she can afford on her limited income.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a fitting time to observe the inauguration of Barack Obama, our nation’s first African-American president. While we can celebrate all of the progress our country has made since the civil rights era, we must also acknowledge the work left to be done. Minnesotans are used to ranking near the top on many measures of livability, health, and education. Unfortunately, our racial gaps show that Minnesota's success does not benefit everyone equally.

Following the Sandy Hook shooting, our country finally seems to be having some serious conversations about modern mental health treatment. One constant refrain has been that we don’t have nearly enough resources for everyone in need. It seems that in many recent violent incidents, someone knew that the perpetrator was unwell. Their friends and family tried to intervene only to be stonewalled by a lack of options, especially for adults who resist treatment.