Two Worlds, One State: Minneapolis and Nisswa

In a cozy, old-fashioned bar called Ye Olde Pickle Factory in Nisswa, Minnesota, a group of locals gather every morning. The walls are lined with wood panels, and neon beer signs light up the dim room. A TV plays "The Price Is Right, " a game show where contestants spin a wheel to win cash. The regulars here have a tradition: if someone on the show spins exactly $1, everyone gets a free drink token. It's been a while since that happened, but they keep coming back, hoping for their lucky break. Nisswa is a small town of about 2, 000 people, known for its lakes and summer vacations. It's about 150 miles north of Minneapolis, a city that feels like a different world. The regulars at the Pickle don't visit Minneapolis much anymore. Not since the summer of 2020, when George Floyd was killed by a police officer, and the city erupted in protests.Minneapolis is in the news again. Last week, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shot and killed a woman, Renee Good, during an immigration operation. Protesters are back on the streets, demanding justice. But at the Pickle, the regulars have a different view. They call Ms. Good's death tragic but also say she brought trouble on herself. "You obey the law officer, " said one man wearing a veteran's cap, "and question it later. " This statement shows the deep divide in opinions. In Minneapolis, protesters see an innocent woman killed by a federal agent. At the Pickle, they see a woman who should have followed orders. The regulars at the Pickle have their own way of seeing things. They prefer the quiet life of their small town, far from the chaos of the city. But the events in Minneapolis remind them that the world is changing, and not everyone sees things the same way.