Challenging Northside narrative

We read with interest Barb Umberger’s recent article about the Visitation Sisters in the Catholic Spirit (“Despite uptick in N. Mpls violence, Visitation sisters’ outreach undeterred”). Here at Northside Ascension, our One Body social justice group has been educating ourselves about systemic racism and looking at ways to increase consciousness among all of us with hopes of creating a more just society. Dr. Eddie Glaude Jr., a recent guest at the Westminster Town Forum and professor of African American Studies at Princeton University, called upon all of us to “break the frame,” to work towards exposing the stereotypes that have governed our thoughts and psyches for centuries. How can we engage our imaginations to do things differently?

Thus, the title of your article caught the attention of those of us who have signed this letter and we wanted to not only share our thoughts, but offer some suggestions. The stereotype to be dismantled is how we talk about the Northside of Minneapolis. It is true that there has been increased violence here, but there´s been an uptick of it everywhere in our Twin Cities since the death of George Floyd. As journalists and reporters cover the Northside, might it be possible to include in every article, in some educative way, several of the reasons as to WHY the Northside is mired in poverty and violence and continues to be a center of poverty? On the flip side, could we also have headlines that reinforce the positive about the Northside as a neighborhood?

For instance, in the article that prompted this letter, we could image titles like “Creativity and love abound on the Northside” or simply “We love our Northside neighborhood,” to quote Sister Karen. The sisters are embracing Pope Francis’ call to encounter others: to welcome, accompany, advocate and integrate all people into our lives and communities. In that vein, another possible title could have been “Northside Visitation Sisters living out Pope Francis’ vision for Catholics throughout the world.” We are all a part of perpetuating systemic racism, and we believe we can all work together to reduce it as well.

Gloria Smit, Nancy Norling, Gene Scheffers, Kathleen Burke-Scheffle, MaryAnn de Ruiter, Bob Briscoe, Jim Radde, Anne Attea
Ascension One Body Initiative, Ascension, Minneapolis 

Church ‘sadly silent’

I was hopeful during the lead-up to the elections that the Catholic Church would strongly encourage all Catholics to understand the differences in platforms, agendas and intentions of the two major political parties. With the exceptions of a few courageous priests, the Catholic Church was sadly silent. Comments were made and repeated about the sanctity of life — but no hard stand on abortion. Where was the guidance on protecting our religious freedoms, supporting judges who will protect life, speaking frankly about self-reliance and the dignity of work, taking a stand on marriage between a man and a woman, describing the dangers of a state-run health care system, systemic erosion of our Catholic family values and school choice (funding, critical thinking and freedom of expression)? By not using our voice we will lose our voice forever!

Jim Anderson 
St. Joseph, Miesville 

Embrace opportunities

Let us rejoice and be glad in response to Nov. 19 article “Pro-lifers fear ‘hard-core, pro-abortion forces’ in Biden administration” by Tom Tracy. With Joe Biden in the White House, let us work with him to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, provide hospitality to strangers, clothe the naked, look after the ill and visit the imprisoned (Mt 25). Let us build cities on hills and not be hidden, and let light shine out before humanity (Mt 5). 

Jim Scheibel 
St. Frances Cabrini, Minneapolis 

Pro-life policies

The Nov. 19 article on pro-lifers’ fear of Biden administration (“Pro-lifers fear ‘hard-core, pro-abortion forces’ in Biden administration”) struck me as peculiar. According to the Star Tribune, the Trump Administration has put to death more people than during the past half-century, despite waning support from both Republicans and Democrats. He has closed doors to those seeking asylum, separating parents from their children. This is not how we value human life. There obviously is no perfect president, but we must look at how the president lives his/her life and the decisions that he/she makes. Biden has made it clear that he does not support the death penalty and that he will protect immigrant families. 

Joan Homstad 
St. Ambrose, Woodbury 

Supreme evaluation

I am writing you on Nov. 22, the Feast of Christ the King, to whom I’ve been praying for our beloved country. The following came to mind as a possible healing solution: Let the U.S. Supreme Court hear the lawyers’ arguments and arrive at a decision. Since I strongly believe that the majority of five conservative justices are constitutional conservatives rather than political conservatives, I trust that they will come to a non-political decision, and I pray that the whole country would so trust likewise, and thereby bring healing to our country. I say this even though my choice for president seems to be losing at this time, because I’m a firm believer in objective truth. Since I rejoiced in the confirmations of Thomas, Alito, Gorsich, Kavanaugh and Barrett because they were constitutional conservatives who would seek objective truth, I must rejoice in whatever decision which they arrive at. And, furthermore, constitutional conservatism would be so enhanced and appreciated by their decision, that it could very well help the Supreme Court arrive at objective truth in revisiting the Roe v. Wade and Obergefell political decisions, bringing even more healing to our country.

Roland J. Mayer 
Epiphany, Coon Rapids 

Questioning congratulation

So Pope Francis is congratulating Joe Biden on his victory (“Papal call,” Nov. 19). Does the pope know that Mr. Biden is a pro-abortion and pro late term abortion Catholic? I guess the climate and immigration are more important issues to the pope than abortion. Thank God we have the bishops’ group to keep an eye on President Biden. 

Tim Bauman 
St Pius X, White Bear Lake 

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