"He posted the video and carried on with his day. By the next day, it had gone viral. Somalis in Minnesota remixed the joke in their own ways-filming themselves in the snow and building ornate skits around the concept. By parodying the idea-so often used to justify state violence against colonized communities, like Palestine-that land can be "promised" to a specific group, the joke resonated across many diasporas."
"Somali communities have relied on this vibrant network more than ever. It's a reflex that has guided them since their arrival. In Minneapolis's Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, often called " Little Mogadishu," many streets these days are marked by an unusual quiet punctuated by moments of chaos. The area is home to the largest Somali population in the United States. In recent weeks, the world has seen what residents describe as an overwhelming amount of immigration enforcement, along with a parallel flood of right-wing agitators."
After weeks of online anti-Somali vitriol, a 22-year-old Somali American, Hamza, recorded a parody claiming Minnesota was promised to Somalis, which rapidly went viral. Somalis in Minnesota and other diasporas remixed the joke, filming in snow and building skits to parody claims that land is guaranteed to particular groups. The viral response galvanized Somali community networks and solidarity groups. As ICE operations in Minnesota intensified over two months, communities relied on vibrant mutual-aid and organizing infrastructures. Cedar-Riverside, known as Little Mogadishu, has grown unusually quiet amid surges of immigration enforcement and right-wing agitators confronting residents.
Read at The Nation
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