Ten Guiding Questions for Community Discussions
Minnesota Neighbors explores how a community responded to traumatic events when federal agents filled the streets during Operation Metro Surge. The story focuses on how people from all walks of life found the courage to stand up in a moment of crisis.
Reflecting on the film
1. Who did you identify with in the story, and why? What inspired you the most?
2. What did you learn about the experience of immigrant residents with different backgrounds than your own that you did not understand before? What are some of the obstacles you saw community members overcome?
3. What seemed to motivate people to step out of their everyday lives – and comfort zones – to find a way to participate? Can you think of how you could overcome your own or others’ reluctance to engage?
Thinking about your own community
4. What has your community done in response to similar threats? Did you see actions in the film that you might implement in your own community?
5. In a time of division, people in Minnesota were able to unite around a common threat. How can you think about uniting your community? What are the obstacles and how might you overcome them?
6. What ideas do you have for approaching your community members to build relationships before a crisis takes place?
7. For immigrant neighbors: What actions did you see in the film that you would like to see in your own community? What other actions do you think would be needed in your own community to support immigrants who may feel vulnerable?
8. For young people: What kind of support do you need from adults and educators to get involved and support each other?
9. Which of these examples in the film do you think are most needed in your community?
- Neighbor to neighbor communication and interaction
- Support from faith communities
- Engagement and leadership from communities most vulnerable
- Training on peaceful, lawful and effective engagement
- Support from local business and labor groups
- Involvement of educators
10. What are some important next steps you can take?
Facilitators can select the questions that are most pertinent to the community discussion they are looking to guide.