The march of history, and importance of local facts and connections

As we near Inauguration Day, I predict last year will join a handful of other years when we can hear the tectonic plates of history moving.

Pandemic; economic disruption; protests and riots against police violence: the attack on the Capitol by our fellow citizens is only the most recent shock to imperil our democracy. There may be more aftershocks. 

What do these challenges mean for us as citizens of Eden Prairie?

In the coming days, I encourage you to reflect on what you can do to make daily life in Eden Prairie better. Join folks who will try to dig us out of the hole we’re in. 

Where could you support truth and beauty locally?

Timothy Snyder, a history professor at Yale University, recently wrote, “Without agreement about some basic facts, citizens cannot form the civil society that would allow them to defend themselves.”

Snyder’s The New York Times Magazine, Jan. 9, 2021 essay entitled “The American Abyss” calls for “re-pluralizing” media. I take this to mean that we should consume a broader spectrum of news to help us sort truth from errors or lies.  

Eden Prairie Local News (EPLN) aims to publish that broader spectrum locally. We will need your support.

EPLN will also connect us. We are a diverse, hard-working community, filled with immigrants and strivers.  Connection is built into EPLN‘s mission.

We  connect individuals, families, and organizations with each other and with the local powers that be, to hold each other accountable and move forward together. Let’s create opportunities to grow, unite, and strengthen Eden Prairie’s reputation as a great place to raise a family in a city that works. 

Finally, we can nurture strong leadership and spiritual renewal.

As we emerge from the pandemic, we can build greater resilience in ourselves, our children, and our community. In my spiritual tradition, Jeremiah 29:5-7 inspires me; the verses convey the “both/and” priorities of celebrating individual joys of life and seeking justice.

“Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and vie your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters – that you may be increased there, and not diminished. And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it: for in its peace you will have peace.”

Let the defense of our country, our democracy, and our faith traditions start with us in Eden Prairie.  

Editor’s Note: Steve Schewe is a member of the group working to build Eden Prairie Local News (EPLN).