Monday, May 19, 2014

Changing Demographics


Three-quarters of students in St. Paul are people of color (African Americans, Latinos,
Native Americans, and Asians) and speak more than 100 languages.

Minnesota’s Tomorrow: Equity Is The Superior Growth Model,
a report by Policylink and USC Program for Environmental and Regional Equity

In 1980, 96% of Minnesotans were white, many with Scandinavian roots. However, over the past decade, Minnesota experienced the seventh-fastest growth of people of color among all the states, a large proportion of which are refugees. When our family arrived in Minnesota just three years ago, we were pleasantly surprised to find such a rich mix of cultures in the neighborhoods of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Last month, I attended a symposium on Minnesota’s changing demographics at the University of Minnesota. Minnesota’s long history of active volunteerism in immigration and refugee resettlement, as well as active involvement from faith-based organizations, helped to establish Minnesota as a major refugee gateway in the Midwest.


Minnesota is currently home to the largest Somali community in the country (more than 30,000) and the second-largest Hmong community (more than 60,000), many of whom live within 5 miles of our home. And, although the largest refugee communities in Minnesota have historically been Hmong, Somalis, Vietnamese, Ethiopians, Liberians, Cambodians, and Bosnians, more recent refugees include Karen people from Burma, Nepali-speakers from Bhutan, and Iraqis.







 “We must face the sad fact that at the eleven o’clock hour on Sunday morning when we stand to sing, we stand in the most segregated hour in America.”
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr
.
Much of our daily life is shared with people from around the world, who look, think, act, and dress differently from us. Living and working alongside people from other cultures often creates cultural stress, which can magnify our differences.  Tolerance has become a buzzword of our day, but tolerance rarely leads to deeper relationships. However, when we learn to actually celebrate our diversity, it can open up wonderful opportunities.

Here in the Twin Cities, we have the privilege of working alongside pastors and leaders, who are embracing these cross-cultural opportunities.  Pastors like Touger, a second-generation Hmong, who is planting a multi-cultural church community in our neighborhood. Organizations like SALT (Somali Adult Literacy Training), who are bringing the Somali community and local churches together in language learning and friendship. And leaders like Jim, who pastors Bethel Christian Fellowship, where six different ethnic churches share one building and function as a family of churches.

As noted above, 75% of students in St. Paul are people of color, and by the year 2045, whites will no longer be the majority of Minnesota’s population. As we look to the future, I believe that the Church can learn much from the youth of today. Daleen and I are amazed at how easily our children connect with their friends, who come from a variety of cultural backgrounds.

If we’re not attentive and intentional, the changing demographics of our cities can be unsettling. As part of our work, we encourage and challenge local leaders to pioneer new church communities and initiatives that will transcend cultural barriers, and allow people to hear, experience, and be transformed by the Good News. I believe the changes in the cultural makeup of our cities is just another invitation to the missionary heart of God, and an opportunity to celebrate the beautiful diversity of the kingdom of God that will be our eternal reality.



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