“Minnesota nice” is the concept and stereotype that has driven Midwestern culture for decades. However, violent and saddening headlines are now placing the state in a national line of fire. Minnesota is the topic of debates and news across the country, and students are left to grapple with a potential shift in their Minnesotan identities.

The “Minnesota nice” cliche originated with an influx of Scandinavian immigrants in the mid 19th century, where values like community and kindness were used to adapt to a more diverse community from their home countries. Commonly associated practices of “Minnesota nice” include being caring, kind and attentive to social cues. However, it is also associated with passive aggression and an overall standard of avoiding conflict.

Junior Richard Romans finds Minnesota Nice in his experience of Minnesotan culture. “[When I think of Minnesota], there’s definitely that sort of welcoming culture. It’s a very ‘Minnesota nice’ thing, [it’s] real,” he said.

Over time, junior Ella Barlow has seen her Minnesotan identity evolve to reflect more kindness. “When I was younger, to me, being a Minnesotan meant lots of snow… Being a Minnesotan to me now means looking out for one another, whether that’s your neighbor, your friend, a family member. I think over time, especially now, that has grown as a priority,” she said.

However, “Minnesota nice” is often an external perspective of culturally Minnesotan values and practices. Sophomore Fiona Lambert’s identity digs deeper into connection.

“I think being Minnesotan is mostly about community. I’ve lived here my entire life, and I’ve had a pretty accepting and friendly community around me,” she said.

Throughout difficult times, the strength and community of Minnesotans has held firm.

“With the pandemic and in recent times, it’s kind of been hard for people to stick together. I feel like it’s really easy to lose your values,” Lambert said. “I’ve actually been able to see our state come together more and fight against something that we all know is wrong.”

Romans sees a bright side in the adversity Minnesota has faced in recent months. “Now, if you are in Minnesota, it feels like you really have to be out there and defending your state. I think there’s been a lot of love for the state, and the community has grown because of that,” he said.

Between the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the killings of Renée Nicole Good and Alex Pretti and subsequent protests in response, Minnesota has been the topic of national debate and commentary; simultaneously criticized by politicians and commended in its response to ICE. Barlow feels some of the representation isn’t correct.

“Some of the news paints the people trying to protect others as the villains. But there are also a bunch of articles about people protesting and helping each other,” she said.

Minnesotans have remained adamant in shifting the negative narrative. Thousands of protesters took to the streets to advocate for their neighbors and to make a difference in their communities. Romans described his thought process on attending the Jan. 23 “ICE Out of Minnesota: Day of Truth and Freedom” protest.

“It was negative 30 or something when I was thinking about going [to the protest] with a few people,” he said. “[We thought] that maybe there weren’t going to be that many people, and it was kind of going to suck. But we went and it was huge. I think that shows the love that people have for their state and community here.”

The recent attention on Minnesota counters the conflict avoidant “Minnesota nice” stereotype. Recent violence and fighting has changed the perception of what it means to be Minnesotan as resistance has increased, inspiring similar efforts nationwide. Movements around the country have cited Minnesota as an influence. Protesters in Boston chanted: “We’re not cold, we’re not afraid, Minnesotans taught us to be brave.”

Lambert is proud of Minnesota’s response to ICE, challenging the “Minnesota nice” stereotype.
“I’m really proud that we’ve been able to come together in this hard time … We have shown that we aren’t just nice. We don’t want people to just think of us as nice and compliant to everything,” Lambert said.

The initiatives led by Minnesotans did not go unnoticed. In late January, the city of Minneapolis was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. Recently, Operation Metro Surge was ordered to come to an end.
In an increasingly political and global landscape, Minnesotans know how to set an example for their country and defend their set of values. While “Minnesota nice” might be an old stereotype, Romans, Barlow and Lambert believe the values of community and caring for one another are alive and well.