the streets and not seeing another person color. I remember apartment hunting and when I went to see the property, suddenly no apartments were available. This was not my the first time having an apartment suddenly go off the market after a manager discovered I was a person of color. While not my first time, I was still very frustrated and angry. I remember not being able to find an ethnic restaurant and not being able to find a barber properly trained in cutting a black man’s hair. I had to go to the Twin Cities for my favorite foods and to get haircuts and hair products. I was traveling to and from the Twin Cities every weekend. A black barber is truly a positive cultural experience! I remember shopping at Brett’s and not feeling welcomed. It was not welcoming having security follow you around the store. I confronted the guard and manger but was not satisfied after those interactions. I never again shopped at Brett’s. By the way, you may have noticed Brett’s is no longer open. I remember the only mall in town was the Madison East Center and there were just a couple of car dealerships out past it — the hilltop area at that time was not the current bustling retail area you see today. I was happy when the River Hills Mall and the Mall of America opened because I now had many east coast shops to visit. Down from the Mall and past the car dealerships was farmland. I saw my first live cows in Mankato. My new reality was a big difference from the reality in New York/New Jersey. My first couple of months, I remember asking myself, “What I have gotten myself into by coming to MSU?” Nearly 30 years later, I am still here and very happy because of the many people who welcomed me: Malcolm O’Sullivan, Althea De Graft Johnson, Mary Dowd, Kelly Meier, Scott Hagebak, Ron Peck, Frank Brandt, Elmo and Janel Dowd, Mike Fagin, and Andy Johnson, among others. I remember the Thanksgiving dinners at Frank’s and at Kelly’s. The YMCA helped connect me to many people in the Greater Mankato area. I met many friends on racquetball and tennis courts. Two replaced hips later, I am still meeting new people at the Y. I’m meeting old friends and making new ones in the fitness Center. In my poker group, some of the
members have changed but the friendships are still very real. I am still getting together with them 25 years later. I also made many friends when I was doing volunteer work in the area. I’ve been involved with the United Way, the YMCA, the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts. Yes, I had a Girl Scout Card! I have seen many changes in my 29 years at MSU and in the Mankato area — all for the better. The state and region are more diverse, and I believe both the state and region are trying to understand what it means to be more diverse. As we continue to diversify as a nation, a state and a city, it’s important to ask: “What can we all do to make our city a more welcoming and inclusive place?”
I was lucky to work in an educated environment and to forge relationships with people who went out of their way to befriend me and give me opportunities. If we can all work toward cultural competence and serve as a partner in creating an inclusive community, Mankato will set the standard as an inviting living and learning environment for all. P.S. I met my wife on BlackPeople.Com! MM
Dr. Henry Morris is dean of instutional diversity at Minnesota State University. MANKATO MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2019 • 19