Somali-American Success Stories
July 18, 2013 9:21 AM   Subscribe

Minneapolis photographer highlights Somali-American success stories
For years, any time photographer Mohamud Mumin turned to local television channels or to newspapers for news about the Minneapolis Somali community, what he found left him disappointed.
Mumin said the media highlights the dark side of the community and abandons the many success stories and positive contributions Somali immigrants are making in their new home -- a remark many in the community agree.
“There are many great things the community is doing,” he said. “Why can’t I see those stories in the media? Why only the negative ones?”
Mumin, 36, recently took matters into his own hands. In 2010, he began capturing the images of 13 Twin Cities Somali-American men, documenting their stories in “The Youth/Dhallinyarada,” a multimedia project that focuses on the effort these men are making to improve the lives of those around them. (“Dhallinyarada” means “the youth” in Somalia.)
The Weisman Art Museum in Minneapolis launched last week an exhibition of Mumin’s project that will be on view through Feb. 9, 2014.
MNOriginal video of Mohamud Mumin and his photography, that also shows parts of his The Youth project.

MPR slideshow article about the exhibit at the Whittier Gallery last year.

Related: article author Ibrahim Hirsi is adding to the success stories of the Somali community in Minnesota with a recent article in the St. Cloud Times "Out of turmoil, Somalia native hopes to inspire in St. Cloud" and many recent articles for the Twin Cities Daily Planet. (click "Apply" for the search)

Somalis in Minnesota previously, previously
posted by jillithd (4 comments total) 16 users marked this as a favorite
 
Haven't heard of this, but I will definitely have to bike over to the Weisman and take a look at his exhibit. Great stuff.
posted by mlo at 9:39 AM on July 18, 2013


I particularly liked the MNOriginal video with him starting to document Somali-American women who are making a difference and his comments on what a mosque is/was in Somalia (large, elaborate buildings with minarets) versus the mosques you may find in Minnesota (whatever space they can find and gather in, sometimes next to bars).
posted by jillithd at 11:11 AM on July 18, 2013


Thank you for posting this! The Twin Cities immigrant communities have always struck me as awesomely artistic.
posted by spamandkimchi at 12:37 PM on July 18, 2013 [2 favorites]


This is fantastic.

Photo number 5 on this page is a wonderful, witty family portrait, taken in front of a spectacular portrait.
posted by elmer benson at 8:37 PM on July 18, 2013


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