Hello Northrop community,
Northrop has been a part of the Twin Cities community for over 90 years. Today we stand in solidarity with our friends, family, and community in mourning George Floyd's death last week at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer, and condemning the racism that led to this senseless tragedy. We are reeling from the anguish, pain, fear, and anger that has made its way throughout our neighborhoods, feelings that, for too many, are part of daily life.
In January of 1963, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. stood on Northrop’s stage and spoke of the nation’s failures to achieve racial equality. I wish that this was a problem of the past and that today we could celebrate the eradication of systemic racism. But moments like the ones we are currently experiencing remind us of how much work we have yet to do.
On that day in 1963, King closed his address with a simple plea, acknowledging progress, and also the need to do more. It was copied down by Dick Cunningham of the Minneapolis Morning Review as such:
“God, we ain’t what we should be; We ain’t what we could be; We ain’t what we’re gonna be; But thank God we ain’t where we was.”
It’s easy to feel helpless and hopeless, but we at Northrop remain committed to moving us forward, toward what we could be and should be. As part of the University of Minnesota, we are proud of President Joan Gabel, who has taken action to uphold the University’s values and quickly called out the injustice of Floyd’s death, demanding accountability.
As a performing arts center, we are committed to using the power of the arts to shine light where there is darkness. We will uphold our organizational values and continue to present and nurture diverse artists that reflect our community, and we will work alongside our many community partners to determine what is needed from us, continuing to listen to all people and communities of color as we move forward. Many of the Northrop staff will be taking a community action day this week to disconnect from our work and serve in our neighborhoods.
I look forward with great anticipation to the day when we can gather again together. In the meantime, please stay safe, healthy, connected, and inspired.
Gratefully,
Kari Schloner
Director of Northrop