Our Blog
Great American Think-Off
July 1, 2025 - By Jay Sieling
Since 1993, the small town of New York Mills has held “The Great American Think-off” (GATO). It is an annual philosophy essay contest and debate. I have been aware of it’s existence since thestart. I was amused that one of the early finalists thought they’d won a trip to New…
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Our House: The Capitol Project Podcast
February 26, 2024 - By Alan Berks
When thinking of the Minnesota State Capitol, it may be helpful to recall The Wizard of Oz. From a distance, we see a majestic and imposing facade, a place where it seems power is wielded as though by magic.
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Harnessing the Digital Humanities to Engage With Black History
February 13, 2023 - By Karen Sieber
As a historian of Black history, I have spent much of my career drawing attention to people, places, and events that get left out of the textbooks.
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A Vision Trust of Black Men
February 6, 2023 - By Dr. David Hamlar
In October of 2022, MHC partnered with Robin Hickman-Winfield of SoulTouch Productions and The Ordway Theater to form A Vision Trust of Black Men.
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A Vision Trust of Black Men
February 1, 2023 - By Alex Tittle
In October of 2022, MHC partnered with Robin Hickman-Winfield of SoulTouch Productions and The Ordway Theater to form A Vision Trust of Black Men. Robin’s vision is a group of Black men committed to uplifting the Black community and embracing the legacies of Black Veterans. In February 2023, The Ordway…
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Impossible to Remain Silent
June 3, 2021 - By Kevin Lindsey
Our nation, for far too long, has remained silent about open and notorious acts of racial violence experienced by African Americans. As a teenager reading, The Black Book edited by Middleton A. Harris and Toni Morrison, I became aware of the countless atrocities experienced by African Americans that were ignored…
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Remembering the Women who Shaped my Life
April 14, 2021 - By Mary K. Boyd
I grew up in the Rondo community. It was a village of community educators. As I reflect, I am grateful to the women of that village who helped to guide and shape my life. I remember being told by my mother, “There is nothing that you cannot do if you…
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Recovering Women’s Stories/Inventing Women’s History
March 24, 2021 - By Mary K. Boyd
March has been National Women’s History Month since 1987. It is amazing to realize that just two decades before that, the profession of history did not recognize women’s history as a valid field of inquiry.
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Black History Month
February 26, 2021 - By Mayor Melvin Carter
St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter shares a special video message with his thoughts on thoughts on Black History Month.
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When I mention the name Carter G. Woodson
February 24, 2021 - By Brian D. Lozenski
In celebration of Black History Month, the Minnesota Humanities Center has asked some of our friends to write essays to share with you their thoughts on black history and culture, as well as on broad issues of racial and social justice. Like a good conversation with friends after a good…
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