Class of ‘97.

Hastings High School alumni share what matters to them and how it relates to our community. Read the essays and feel free to share what matters to you below.

 
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There has always been a problem of racism in Hastings.  I didn't really begin to see or understand it until high school. 

One of our classmates (I'll call him Michael to protect his privacy), was in our class until maybe our sophomore or junior year.  As a casual friend, I would catch up with him after school during his swim season while I was in gymnastics, and then didn't see him much in the spring while he was in track and I was in softball.  

Anyway, after months I finally ran into him after a track meet, and he was wearing a different school's uniform.  When I hugged him and asked him where he had been, Michael explained he was getting bullied and death threats at school, because he was black.  He literally had to explain to me it was because of his skin color, because I wasn't connecting the dots.  

When I got mad and tried to get him to tell me who it was at school (who was doing the bullying), he was terrified for me.  The look in his eyes when he grabbed me by the hand and said, "No April, I can't tell you!  You can't say anything or they could kill you."  

That look he gave me silenced me, because of how much fear and knowing was in it.  It was the first time racism was ever real for me.  It was this terrible secret about Hastings that I was seeing for the first time.  And I was frightened about racism, some of the people living in our town, and going to our school.  Before that racism seemed like "a long time ago" or "down in the south".  Michael had to switch schools to get away from death threats from other students because of the color of his skin, and we weren't talking about it as a class or as a school (at least that I could tell).

“It was this terrible secret about Hastings that I was seeing for the first time...Before that racism seemed like ‘a long time ago’ or ‘down in the south’”

— April

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My husband and I currently live in the San Francisco Bay Area w/ our dog, Lucy, and 2 cats, Charlotte and Oliver.  We moved out here approximately 3 years ago for his job.  With both currently work at Gilead Sciences.  We are enjoying a life without winter:)

When I grew up in Hastings, it still had a very small town feel.  Our class wasn’t too large, and I think I knew most everyone in our class.

I used to identify with #AllLivesMatter because I didn’t understand #BlackLivesMatter previously and #BlueLivesMatter seemed like a reaction to #BlackLivesMatters.  Also, all lives should matter.  Now that I understand more, I identify more with #BlackLivesMatter.  This hashtag isn’t about saying that all lives matter, it’s about the immediate need and focus for Black lives given the past and current environment.

I am not sure there is a problem with racism in Hastings as I haven’t lived in Hastings in a very long time.  However, growing up in Hastings, there weren’t many Black kids at our high school.

The events is Minneapolis affect all communities.  Everyone needs to pay attention and stand up where they see instances of racism in their community.  We need to look out for each other in our community.

For those that were not opportunists, I think the looting and fires were about anger that this has been ongoing for so long without anyone listening and/or taking a stand to improve the situation.

“Everyone needs to pay attention and stand up where they see instances of racism in their community.  We need to look out for each other in our community.”

— Tera

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I’m Nicole Richardson—when I lived in Hastings I was Nicole Barker. I’m married to my high school sweetheart Jamey and we lived in Tuscaloosa, Alabama until very recently, when we returned to my hometown of Chicago.

Moving to Hastings in middle school was tough since it’s a very close-knit community with many established friendships. But right before I moved away after my freshman year, I had fallen in with some wonderful people I hated to leave. 

The #hashtag I most identify with is #BlackLivesMatter and this is because “all” lives can’t matter until Black lives do. 

As hard is it can be to understand given a mostly white cultured upbringing- historically and systemically, Black lives don’t matter. 

In addition, “blue” isn’t a race and that line of separation between humanity and occupation is so very problematic.

I can’t speak to the now, but given the demographics when I lived there and now, there’s always a problem with racism when denial of an issue is a first response. So given what I read about online, I’d say it’s as much a problem there as anywhere.

Without a large POC (People of Color) demographic, it’s tough to say if racism is an Issue beyond the overt acts. Is there redlining? Gerrymandered districts? Access to “gifted” educational programming? Those are common systemic issues. But Hastings may not face them if they’ve been successful in keeping people of color out.

I think the events in Minneapolis affect everywhere but certainly proximity is powerful so Hastings I’m sure is touched by the murder of George Floyd by police officers. 

And as far as the fires and looting go, desperate people do desperate things. When progress seems to be quashed at every turn, MLK’s quote proves apt: “Riot is the language of the unheard.”

In addition, we can’t discount the white nationalists and uncover police plants injected into the protests to agitate and literally start fires and break windows. We can’t ignore these methods used in order to keep white majority culture from digging deeper into the problematic operations of our legal systems.

Overt racism is easily identifiable. I can’t now speak to what “subtle” racism looks like in Hastings, but there are things to consider: Do white parents find young Black children cute until dating age? Is a Black boy seen as a boy even when wearing a hoodie? These are ideas we internalize and need to discern within ourselves.

Empathy is everything. Displacing our comfort and asking hard questions is vital. Speaking up when a family member tells a racist joke, or repeats a racist trope is usually far more difficult than posting a hashtag online.

There are things to consider in becoming an ally to black people and communities. I’ll start with the benefit and I won’t even be able to cover it all- It’s rewarding to nurture deeper friendships with people who have different cultures than me, not just co-worker/ acquaintance relationships. My soul is far more at peace. It’s ironic that division can be peaceful but when you stand in the margins, there is such internal peace to knowing you’re loving as best as you can instead of just maintaining your comfort. It’s a lot of reading, listening, and self-reflection- which is hard, but the only way to really grow as a human being. I’ll never “arrive” but it feels good to seek it out.

The last couple of years were very difficult to be an ally in our town and especially within our white evangelical community. Tuscaloosa played an enormous part within the Civil Rights Era and as soon as the Federal desegregation order was lifted several years ago, the (white) powers that be immediately restructured the schools and re-segregated. 

My husband and I were involved in fighting this as well as fighting to undo the gerrymandered school zoning. This brought hate mail in real life and online, for starters. We won a school zone battle but ultimately lost the re-segregation war. 

My husband’s job was subtlety threatened and the writing was on the wall over 6 months ago because ostracization by people you love can be so painful. So ally-ship for us meant looking for a new job, completely uprooting and moving to another state.

We are far better for it (those who know me know I’ve wanted to move back to Chicago for 25+ years) and I believe God has given us far more than we’d hoped for, so I’m so grateful. But it’s not easy. And as someone who moved several times as a kid, it was tough to do the same with my own kids as we left family and deep friendships behind. But I know we will plant far more intentional roots as our eyes have been opened to seeking to use our privilege for the common good instead of just chasing the American dream. 

Empathy is everything. Displacing our comfort and asking hard questions is vital…It’s ironic that division can be peaceful but when you stand in the margins, there is such internal peace knowing you’re loving as best you can instead of just maintaining your comfort.

— Nicole

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Hastings is where I mostly grew up. We lived south of town off of 316 from 3rd grade until graduating HHS.  I went to Saint Cloud State University and lived and worked in Minneapolis and then Rosemount, before moving to Chicago in 2006.  Jeff and I live in a walk-able urban neighborhood now, close to great shops and restaurants, Lake Michigan beaches and marinas, Wrigley Field, and the Lincoln Park Zoo, with our two girls ages 10 and 7.

One of my favorite memories of the class of 1997, besides our amazing choir, band and sports, was the afternoon we TP’d the school in broad daylight just before graduation day!  I'll never forget all the underclassmen faces glued to the window watching us.

Generally I feel like we were good kids, who grew into good, nice people. Of course I think all lives matter, and I would never say or do anything racist.  I would call someone out if I saw or heard it (racism), as not acceptable. That certainly includes police lives, which I respect for the sacrifice they make to keep us safe.

But what I learned these last several months is that the Black Lives Matter movement is calling attention to the fact that black people haven't been treated like their lives matter.  There are cultural perceptions...is that black teen a troublemaker? Is that black man an attacker? Is that black woman too loud?  

There are economic issues, as well. Black people are more likely to be born into poverty and without parents to support paying for their education, extra-curricular activities, healthcare, first cars, or even nice clothes and food. Black people have a harder time finding success in their careers, let alone passing support or wealth to the next generation.  

There are political issues...black people are underrepresented and don't have a seat at the table as important policy and funding decisions are made about which schools receive funds, where parks are placed, and whether commercial developments become fast food or grocery stores.

What I think people in Hastings, and everywhere, need to do, is to listen and try to understand how they even unknowingly allowed these things to happen.  We need to reach in to this group who is hurting and work together to make it better.  Whether we see the facts the same or not, the black community is hurting and when my friend is hurting I listen, I give them a hug, and I ask how I can help. How can we help the black community to feel valued, appreciated, and set them on a path to enduring health and success in life?  How do we help them to celebrate their unique culture and show them it is okay to be black?  That will we see and assume the best in them?

This requires more than being a nice person.  

That is what it means to be an ally. That means proactively seeking out opportunities to help and lift up our black friends, family, neighbors and colleagues.  It means leaning in to be sure black opinion is heard and considered in social, economic and political situations. 

It's one thing to not be racist. What we need to be is anti-racist!

“To be an ally means to proactively seek out opportunities to help and lift up our black friends, family, neighbors and colleagues.”

— Jeanette

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Open-ended rambling response...

I identify with the Black Lives Matter hashtag. While on the surface "All Lives" and "Blue Lives" sound good (and to be very clear those lives do matter), those hashtags and social media responses only exist as a response to the BLM movement to deflect being uncomfortable with talking about race or to defend a racist hierarchy. 

By not being able to say "BLM", silence reaffirms that there is still a racial hierarchy where Black Lives don't matter enough to say that they matter. And to feel less guilty about it, or to ignore any uncomfortable association with racism, it is easier to respond that; "I am color blind, All Lives matter", or "the police have a hard job, Blue Lives Matter''. While ignoring and minimizing that Black Lives Also Matter.

I view the AllLivesMatter and BlueLivesMatter movements similar to the Confederate statues and symbols that still are being idolized and defended by citizens of a country that fought an insurrection that used those symbols against the Constitution and the United States of America. Confederate icons are not historical because of the Civil War, they are historical in the context of them existing well after the Civil War as a reminder to Black Americans that their fight for inclusion will be met with racist resistance. 

ALM and BlueLM hashtags are not in support of bringing attention to "Lives Mattering", they are distractions away from the dialog that Black Lives Matter - and whether the intention is racist or not, in stating ALM the effect supports racism.

The idea that is "America" is captured in our founding documents and essays, and by saying Black Lives Matter we reassert that Black Lives are included in the narrative of "We the people" and "all men are created equal".  By not saying Black Lives Matter we are taking Black Lives out of the "All Lives Matter", "We the people", and "all men are created equal" narratives.

Smartphones have become an important tool for social justice, as it allows us to see and believe that there is injustice happening. And now that we can all see what we have ignored, we need to be part of the solution. Even if that means uncomfortable conversations and change.

Is there a problem with racism in Hastings, MN?
I think there are two challenges; old fashion racial bigotry and prejudice from some, and colorblind non-racism from others - both support a racist system.

What needs to be done in Hastings to confront racism?
Dialogue like this, continual action and presence of anti-racist messages. 

Do the events in Minneapolis affect the community of Hastings?
Yes, by thinking that is only a "Minneapolis" thing it supports a racist system that suppresses black people, poor people, and the labor force.

Why were people looting and setting fires in Minneapolis?
Marginalized communities are not being heard through historically polite channels, mixed in with anti-gov/capitalism/lockdown and white national organizations virtually and physically adding to the situation to capitalize on their causes

What does “subtle” racism look like in everyday life in our town?
Well meaning people being "colorblind", or repeating statements that use "they/them" to group an entire color into a single people 

What advice (regarding racism) do you have for residents of Hastings?
Be ok being uncomfortable talking about race, learn what race is (social construct and not biological grouping based on skin color)

How have you benefited from (white) privilege?
That I never needed to think about it or understand it or care about it or talk about, I could afford to blissfully be unaware of its existence

Do you feel people are blowing this whole thing out of proportion?
No, but I know the answer I would expect from this question from the general population

“And now that we can all see what we have ignored, we need to be part of the solution. Even if that means uncomfortable conversations and change.”

— Nick

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My name is Steve Eddy, I’m a 41 year old white man from Hastings and I am racist. (...don’t worry, so are you!)

I don’t write that opening line for effect, or simply to grab attention, I write it because it is true and it’s a truth that I have been working hard to realize, admit and then say/write. I’ll unpack that more in a moment here but first...

The past months have provoked and inspired me to spend some time concentrating on very difficult things. Things like white privilege, or privilege in general, and racism. I am incredibly fortunate to work at a company that dedicates time and resources to helping its employees do this work, and having only scratched the surface over the past 18 months, I can now admit, acknowledge and begin to understand what it means to be as privileged as I am, and the racism that exists (and existed) in my life.

When I was asked if I thought that Hastings was racist, my first thought wasn’t definitive. I didn’t believe without a doubt that it WAS, but I couldn’t honestly say that I believed that it WASN’T. I love where I grew up, and my childhood, and found myself defending my town and my upbringing. Hiding behind ideas like “unintentional racism” or even comparing Hastings to the “Drew Brees” style of racism: saying something uneducated and inherently racist, only to then apologize and say “that isn’t what is in my heart.”

I read some more, I thought some more, and listened to a lot of people that are a LOT smarter than I am on this topic. I allowed myself to dig back into my childhood, and look past the rosy memories to see the blemishes, the realities. After that work I can say unquestionably that Yes, I believe that Hastings is a racist place (or at least was when I grew up there 20 years ago.)

Now remember my opening line? I too consider myself racist, because I have now grown confident that Racism is not a Yes/No situation. It is not just the Hollywood promoted cross-burning, hate spewing, good-old-boy network, black and white images we all associate with Racism. It is a continuum, a Line that goes from Less Racist to More Racist, and the majority (if not all) of people are on that Line. Myself included. Racism is not just white hoods and swastikas, it’s not just terrible jokes or demeaning behavior, systemic racism exists in societal norms, and our acceptance or disregard of those norms is racist behavior. Period. The sooner we can accept that every moment that we do not try to change those norms, we are participating in racism and earning our spot on that Line, the sooner we can begin to make real change.

So back to Hastings. Growing up I was surrounded by people that looked like me. The kids on the playground, the people in the stores, the overwhelming majority of my classmates were all white. My family and extended family were white. We didn’t talk about race, and I was generally encouraged to avoid neighborhoods that were predominantly black. Neighborhoods like George Floyd's in Minneapolis. I am fairly certain that the first time I saw a black person was on television, and likely not in a positive light. Our schools didn’t address matters of race at the time. Sure, we learned about the Civil Rights movement and Slavery, but nothing beyond that. I never reached out to my classmates that were non-white, tried to understand what it was like to be an “only" in the room, or be an Ally to them. Sure, there was the overt things too, like bigoted jokes and comments heard and laughed at. We even had a mixed-race couple move across the street from us, only to leave a few years later due to the racism in our town. But on reflection, it wasn’t the obvious things that made me think Hastings was a racist place, it was the day to day, the ignorance-is-bliss mentality of a small white community that were sure they were “good people.” I grew up in a white town, surrounded by white people, learning about white things, moving along not knowing that wasn’t okay and ultimately holding up the systemic racism that existed. That was Hastings for me growing up. It was racist.

Right about now as I write this, my small town Minnesota nice is flaring up...I have a desire to offer concessions to what I’ve written. To pull back, defend my town and my upbringing, because saying and admitting things like this is hard. It’s uncomfortable and people don’t like to be uncomfortable. Before I started to do some of the work I am doing now, I hid behind the idea that - “...but I’m a good/nice/kind person,” trying to rationalize my comfort. Watch any person who commits an obvious and brazen racist act and they will tell you “they are not racist” and most will even tell you they are a “good person.” The longer we hold onto the Good Person argument as a shield, the longer we look for the easy path to be comfortable, the longer this centuries old problem will fester and grow.

Admit to yourself that you are on the racist line and wait until you believe it, sit and stew in that uncomfortable feeling. Then start to do the work, and know going in that it IS work. It’s uncomfortable and as someone who has only begun I can tell you it’s not easy. Don’t look for easy solutions, don’t ask and do not expect someone to tell you what to do. If you are looking for easy answers you’re not ready. We live in a world where information and resources are only a few clicks away and people worlds more qualified than me can start to guide you on the path. How would you train for a marathon - you’d get off the couch and start with that first mile. This is no different.

I will close with this - many of us were in Choir with Mr. P during Middle School, and I remember him having a saying, “if you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.” These past months have brought the realization that that saying isn’t entirely correct. The truth is “If you’re not part of the solution, you ARE the problem.” It’s time for us to be part of the solution to fix the towns and cities and society that we live in today for the future.

“The longer we hold onto the Good Person argument as a shield, the longer we look for the easy path to be comfortable, the longer this centuries old problem will fester and grow.”

— Steve

What matters to you?

 
 

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