When Minnesota was a new state, thousands of settlers arrived, many of them from Europe. But in recent decades, the state has attracted large numbers of Hmong and Somali refugees. There are also thousands of people from India, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Mexico and the People’s Republic of China living in Minnesota.
The state has become more racially diverse in the last 10 years, and demographers said that's especially true among children. About 83 percent of Minnesotans were white, non-Hispanic for the 2010 census, compared to 88 percent in 2000.
July 10, 1990 - MPR’s Chris Roberts looks at the collaboration between U.S. West Communications and EAGLE (Employee Association of Gay and Lesbians). The company has started gay and lesbian awareness and resource programs in an effort to create a more open workplace. Roberts interviews members from both organizations.
July 19, 1990 - MPR’s Chris Roberts reports on the challenges Southeast Asians face in finding employment and social services in St. Paul. Roberts looks into a city plan that provides better access and avenues for those in the Hmong community to utilize.
July 28, 1990 - MPR’s Mark Heistad interviews Kou Vang about the passing of his father, Blia Xang Vang. Kou discusses his father’s life and describes cultural elements of the Hmong in regards to death and burial.
July 30, 1990 - MPR’s Dan Olson reports on the gathering of over 5,000 Hmong mourners from around the country to honor Major Vang after his death. Olson details the ceremony and the continuing struggle for some Hmong military veterans in adapting to new home in United States.
September 20, 1990 - MPR’s Donna Nicholson reports on the creation of a traditonal Hmong house structure. The house was commisoned by the Minnesota Science Museum and built by several Hmong men in the Wilder Forest. Nicholson describes a ceremony at house after completion.
March 23, 1991 - A sixteen member task force was charged with examining the quality of life of Minnesota gays and lesbians and, if necessary, recommend ways to improve it.
April 6, 1991 - MPR’s Maja Beckstrom profiles Next Step classes, where Hmong women learn basic living skills for living in the United States. Reading a map or a clock are new experiences, skills not needed in their pre-literate farming communities in Laos.
August 26, 1991 - A proposed ballot question for an election in St. Paul reads: Shall sections of the human rights law be repealed to permit discrimination in education, employment, housing and use of public places due to sexual and affectional orientation?
November 6, 1991 - It wasn’t until 10 pm that bedlam broke out at the Prom Expo Center in St. Paul, election headquarters for Campaign 90s, the group supporting the ordinance. Unofficial results show the effort to repeal was defeated by a rather narrow margin of more than 4,000 votes. Included are reactions from Campaign 90s chair B.J. Metzger, Deb Schlick, Mayor Jim Scheibel, St. Paul city councilmember Dave Thune, Citizens Alert spokesman Bob Fletcher, Campaign 90's manager Susan Kimberly.
December 13, 1991 - MPR’s Chris Roberts profiles Chris Thao, the first Hmong attorney in the United States. Thao recollects his path to Minnesota and shares his desire to utilize his practice in helping to build a future for Hmong in the country.