White privilege, Inequality, and Disparity

Making an uproar all over the country is Duluth's Un-Fair Campaign. On Friday, I visited my friend, Liz Olson, who works at Churches United in Ministry in Duluth, to talk work and collaborate. We got to talking about the great work happening in Duluth to raise awareness of how this affects people of color. White privilege is something our culture does not talk about, nor do many white people seem to understand that it is still occurring.


White Privilege is something I think about regularly. It is hard not to when working in the homelessness realm and seeing the reality of who is without a home both visually and statistically.

Black and American Indian people remain significantly overrepresented among the homeless. Together, African-American and African born people make up about 4 percent of the adult Minnesota population, while they account for 41 percent of Minnesota's homeless adult population. American Indian disparities are particularly large among homeless youth and in greater Minnesota. About one-fifth of both groups are American Indian compared to 1 percent of the overall Minnesota population.  
                                                                                   *Wilder Research, 2009 Statewide Homeless Survey

At CHUM's drop in center on Friday, this is exactly what I saw. I see this at shelters in Minneapolis. I recently was talking about the power in this county that money buys and how rich, old, white men are the ones that hold "power" in the ability to maintain the glass ceiling for women and minorities. So, how do we get past the white society and the white privilege?

I have much hope that with younger generations that experience much more diversity. I have hope that campaigns like this bring the issue to light, thorough conversation and relationships, and through consented efforts like NAZ, racism and the gaps (achievement, housing, health care, and more) will begin to close. I dream of a day that all young people, regardless of color will be able to have opportunity to thrive. 

Funny Little Stories

On our way to work this morning. John turns to me and says, "I think we need to adjust Bear's regularity. He is having bowel movements at 2am." Apparently, this has happened a few times in the last week that Bear has wined at about 2am to be let outside to take a poo. I had no idea until this morning that it happened multiple times. John is amazed that I sleep right through his wining. John might be a little worried that I won't wake up to our children screaming their heads off in the middle of the night. I told him, that is why I married you. You can wake me up in the morning.I am not sure he was excited about this role.

My other story of the week: my parents were on vacation to Washington, driving with my sister, Melissa, back to Holden Village. They dropped their car off with me before they left. And with their car, they left me the key to their house. Well, my sister Carrie had wanted to go hang out at my parents while two of her children went to a ski lesson near my parents house, only I had the key. While explaining this to her kids, my niece, Annica, piped up and said, "Do you think it was a good idea to leave the key with Heidi?" Apparently, a 10 year old knows that I lose everything AND has the humor to make a joke.

Sisters and New Babe

It has been a long time since there has been a baby in the Johnson family. Carrie's youngest, Tobie, is now almost eight years old! In about four weeks, a new babe is set to arrive! I can't wait for the little one to arrive- she or he...we don't know what Stacy is having. I am looking forward to being an aunt for the fifth time!

Having three older sisters has made me who I am. Growing up, I was the baby girl and loved every minute of it. I am continually fascinated by birth order because I am who I am by the fact that I have older sisters and a young brother. These beautiful women have had a large impact on my life. My faith, authenticity, spirit, strength, and depth come from these women here. I am proud of each of them. Thank you, sisters, for teaching me about life and who I want to be. 

Me, Stacy, Melissa, and Carrie

Can you tell we are sisters? We all have the same smile.