Dear Neighbor,
This will be my final message to you until after the November election because we are reaching 60 days past the end of the 2024 session and entering a period where House members are prohibited from emailing newsletters such as this.
Typically, my updates focus on legislation being considered in the Minnesota House and the impact proposed policies will have on our lives. But, for this final word before the e-newsletter blackout takes effect, I want to get personal.
First, thank you. Thank you for engaging. Thank you for your feedback. And thank you for caring enough about the world in which you live to track what is happening at the Capitol. Apathy is our greatest enemy. But those of you who read these updates and make your voices heard defy that foe.
This past week, I have been in Milwaukee. I had amazing conversations with folks from all over the country. My favorite encounter was on the rooftop of a cigar bar, where friends and I met two young Hmong brothers. These guys were in their 20s. The eldest was a father of two young girls, and they were eager to share their perspective with us.
As you may know, the Hmong community consists largely of political refugees from the Vietnam War and their descendants – three or four generations removed from their country of origin. Anytime one culture is transplanted to another part of the world, there will be challenges. They have struggled to maintain their traditions, culture, and heritage. The brothers we spoke to in Milwaukee were particularly concerned about the detrimental impact that current “woke” culture has had on the integrity of their families. In a couple of generations, the Hmong community has seen a devastating rise in single-motherhood and, correspondingly, listlessness among their young men. The center of their culture cannot hold with the rapid degradation of cultural norms that have persisted for thousands of years.
Of course, that’s true across the board, isn’t it? We have all experienced the same degradation of cultural norms and are now presented with a world that would broadly shock the conscience of past generations. The Hmong feel it more acutely because the proverbial water has come to a boil faster for them since moving to America.
It was a fascinating, deep, and lengthy conversation that kept us out far too late. But it was inspiring because these young Hmong brothers see themselves as Americans first. That’s how we engaged – as fellow Americans. That shared national identity does not come at the expense of their Hmongness or my blackness. Rather, as we sat conversing on a rooftop, we were bound by what united us while retaining that which makes us unique. I call it “cultural curation.”
Think of cultural curation as a positive reframing of what the Left calls “cultural appropriation.” We used to view the “melting pot” of American culture as a positive. Our national motto is “E. Pluribus Unum,” which means, “out of many, one.” Walk or drive down any given street in just about any town in just about any state of our union, and you’ll see various cultures represented – in our cuisine, in our music, in our attire, in our entertainment. While nefarious political forces persist in telling us how intolerant and biased we all are, our day-to-day lives testify to a benevolent celebration of difference within the framework of shared values. It’s a thing of beauty that has endured despite active efforts to sow division and discord among us.
I see a new day rising. I see a rebirth of the American dream. I see an emergent generation refusing to abide by the low expectations set for them. I see a nation, and our state of Minnesota, ready to display a can-do attitude once more.
I cannot say with certainty whether I will continue to serve you in this role next year. But I can say with certainty that I will continue uplifting the voices of the unheard – men, women, and families who aspire to the promise of liberty well-earned by our forebearers.
Our district – Otsego, Albertville, St. Michael, Hanover, and Rockford Township – sets an example for the rest of our state and the rest of our nation to follow. It has been a privilege to represent and serve you. Again, thank you.
Sincerely,
Walter