On the one hand, Minnesotans generally have large, close-knit family groups and deep social ties to their communities & church. This is a ‘good thing’, in my opinion. Strong connections bind people to the together in social networks and contribute greatly to a sense of ‘belonging’, building a stable base from which to engage the world.

On the other hand, because Minnesotan’s social cup is already overflowing, they are pretty particular about establishing relationships with outsiders. This makes it very challenging for outsiders to integrate with the existing community beyond the fairly superficial ‘Minnesota Nice’. The further outside the metro you live, the more pronounced this becomes.

Fortunately, ‘community’ in 2009 is more aptly defined by ‘common interests’ than ‘geographic proximity’. With the Internet as the ubiquitous vehicle for interpersonal communication, you can belong to as many communities as you like. You can observe. You can participate. You can lead. The opportunities to directly connect with other people anywhere on the planet has never been greater.

As technology continues to push back the boundaries, what was pure science fiction a few short years ago are now cutting edge products and services. Just wait until holographic conferencing (think “Star Wars”) goes mainstream. Community – people connecting with people – will never be the same.

I am a “Minnesotan by choice” (I am a native Californian). I view myself, simultaneously, as a member of my neighborhood (Normandale Place), my city (Bloomington), my county (Hennepin), my region (The Twin Cities), my state (Minnesota) and my nation (the US). However, my lifelong and worldwide experiences have left me first and foremost a human being, a “Citoyen du Monde”.

(Intellectually, I am also a member of the “Smart Growth Community”, the “Complete Streets Community”, the “Livable Communities Community” and many others.)

Human beings are, by nature, “tribal”. Evolution has made us tribal by the need to, first, band together to protect ourselves from predators from other species (lions and tigers) and, later, from other, competing, tribes of human beings.

In the absence of actual “tribes”, we form ourselves into various artificial communities to satisfy our innate tribal instincts. We rally around our local pro sport teams or our college football teams (my fondest wish is to attend a Rose Bowl game as a University of California, Berkeley Alum) to satisfy our basic tribal instincts.

These basic tribal instincts can be channeled innocuously (as in the case of our allegiance to sports teams) , negatively (as in the case of religious/ideological wars) or positively (in the case of neighborhood communities banding together to improve their local communities) .

Minnesota, as a geographic/cultural community, is a community into which natives are born. The rest of us have to barge our way into it. Minnesotans are, by nv ure, politeg, but not outgoing. We integrate ourselves into it by connecting with our geographic neighbors and/or by joining other sorts of interest group “tribes”.

Steve Elkins

Thanks for reading the “Community – A Transplant’s Tale” and the response to the blog. How long have you lived in Minnesota and where are you a transplant from? Additionally, what have been some of your transplant experience?

Elizabeth