By Myrle B. Cooper
Contributing Commentator
Despite frantically hiring the Lakota Group and Next Communications public relations agencies to divert attention from St. Cloud, Minnesota’s reputation for racial hate crimes and record-setting rapes, naturally the city was rejected by best livability ranking groups again. Money magazine recently selected Maple Grove number two, Eagan number 11, and Woodbury number 12, among this country’s 50 best medium-size cities. Northfield was best place to retire.
Evidently, researchers aren’t fooled by St. Cloud’s sudden “place-making” propaganda after “158” years of pride-filled racism and sexism. (“Money’s best places to live in America,” Money, September 22, 2014; “Best Places to retire,” Money, October 27, 2014).
During the last two years, Apple Valley, Burnsville, Chanhassen, Chaska, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Edina, Mankato, Maple Grove, Plymouth, Rochester and Woodbury were considered among the best places to live in the U.S. Mankato was ranked “15th best small city to raise a family in America” by Forbes and “25th best city for business careers and young people” by ING. Rochester was listed among the “10 best cities for the next decade” by Kiplinger.
Highest ranked cities benefit economically by attracting new businesses, visitors, home buyers, job seekers, retirees and students seeking culture and safety if higher educational opportunities exist. The latest indicator of St. Cloud’s uncontrolled racial hostility was another protest and march by Blacks, Somali women, children and St. Ben’s-St. John’s students. (“United by social justice, marchers seek stronger community,” St. Cloud Times, October 25, 2014)
When facts are examined, “place-making” and “right sizing” are as conniving, hypocritical and illusory as promising cigarette enjoyment while ignoring lung cancer.
Myrle Cooper is a retired faculty member at St. Cloud State University.
Support Black local news
Help amplify Black voices by donating to the MSR. Your contribution enables critical coverage of issues affecting the community and empowers authentic storytelling.