Minn. moms target racism with social media

ST. CLOUD, Minn. — Natalie Ringsmuth and Kelly Meyer have an ambitious plan for St. Cloud: to create a united community, despite longstanding racial and religious tensions between black and white residents here.

The idea struck the pair following the Tech High School incident in March, when more than 100 students — many of them Somalis — walked out of their classes to protest alleged discrimination and mistreatment.

As tensions grew at Tech, the flood of messages on the St. Cloud Times comment section left Ringsmuth and Meyer bewildered.

“It wasn’t until I read the comments that I really understood that this was highlighting a larger problem in our community,” said Ringsmuth, a Waite Park mother of three.

“When you come to this country and you’re told to go back to where you came from,” she continued with tears clouding her eyes, “how would you feel?”

Like Ringsmuth, Meyer said she was astounded how people reacted to the Tech incident and the misconceptions many had about Somalis.

“I feel like if you’re not speaking up and doing something to better it, you’re part of the problem,” said Meyer, a St. Cloud mother of two. “I didn’t want to be part of the problem.”

The two joined forces in May to launch #UniteCloud, a social media and online campaign aimed at providing “education and actionable steps to resolve tension and restore dignity to all the people in the St. Cloud area,” according to the project’s mission statement.

On Mondays, Ringsmuth and Meyer encourage their 309 followers on #UniteCloud’s Facebook page to perform an act of kindness to foster understanding among communities in St. Cloud.

“Stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk,” reads one message posted on the page last month. “Not only is it the law, but it’s an easy way to make someone’s day and show you care.”

Another post recently challenged people to intentionally help someone they’re not familiar with.

“It doesn’t have to be grandiose,” reads the message in part. “Maybe it’s as simple as holding (a door open) for someone with their hands full.”

On Wednesdays, Ringsmuth and Meyer take turns writing articles promoting empathy and compassion in society. On Fridays, they post educational or inspirational articles or videos on the Facebook page.

Ringsmuth and Meyer said #UniteCloud also raises awareness of issues facing individuals with disabilities and mental illness as well as homeless people in the St. Cloud area.

Community reactions

Ringsmuth said she has heard from people with mixed views about the campaign. Some support the cause while others fear backlashes if they publicly join the effort to combat racism and hate, she said.

A third group questions the motive of the campaign: “I don’t understand how you can support someone who’s a Muslim when you’re a Christian,” she said someone once said to her.

The campaign isn’t about religion, Ringsmuth explains to those who ask about it. It’s about humanity, about looking beyond the physical differences.

Haji Yusuf, an established St. Cloud community advocate, praised Meyer and Ringsmuth for their service to “advance peace and unity” in the city.

“This is very important,” he said of the campaign. “It really reflects on what St. Cloud is all about. Not everybody in St. Cloud hates Somalis or immigrants.”

Ringsmuth said she learned about what social media could do when her husband Jeremiah posted a photo of himself on Facebook holding up a paper that read, “I (love) my Somali neighbors. I’m glad you’re here.”

Posted in March, Ringsmuth said the photo went viral on social media with hundreds of people applauding Jeremiah, a grandson of former Waite Park mayor Al Ringsmuth.

“We were getting messages (of praise) from people overseas,” she said. “You just don’t realize what one piece on social media can do for the whole world.”