Finding Humanity in Minneapolis-Reflections from the PLA 2026 Opening Session
My few short days in Minneapolis began when librarians attending the Public Library Association Conference were welcomed by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, followed by a keynote presentation from author Bryan Stevenson.
Though Minneapolis had been in the news frequently in the months leading up to the PLA Conference, I absorb news primarily through the written word, so I had never heard Mayor Frey speak before. I was struck by how young he was and by how in touch and down-to-earth he seemed. He clearly loves his city and the diverse people who make it such a vibrant place.
Following Mayor Frey’s welcoming remarks, Bryan Stevenson addressed attendees during the Opening Session keynote. Stevenson shared that the United States has the highest incarceration rate of any independent democracy on earth. Every state incarcerates more people per capita than most nations. He argued that, rather than investing in systems of health and support, society has instead invested heavily in prisons.
According to Stevenson, there are four paths forward:
- Recognize the power of proximity.
Librarians need to be present in communities where poor and neglected people live in order to better understand their struggles and advocate effectively. Libraries open doors to knowledge and understanding for people who have often been excluded. We learn about ourselves when we stand beside those who are underserved. We must affirm humanity and dignity. - Challenge false narratives that lead to hatred and violence.
Stevenson emphasized that our commitment to children is measured by how well we care for neglected children. He encouraged listeners to confront and discuss the injustices experienced by Indigenous peoples and enslaved people. “The North won the Civil War, but the South won the narrative war,” he said, noting that we are still contesting the stories we tell about our history. He urged attendees to challenge narratives rooted in fear and anger that contribute to over-incarceration and the criminalization of addiction and racial minorities. - Stay hopeful.
“Injustice prevails where hopelessness persists,” Stevenson said. He shared stories about his grandfather, who risked his life to learn to read because literacy represented freedom and hope. Stevenson reflected on how previous generations lifted him up through education and knowledge. - Be willing to do uncomfortable things.
Stevenson reminded attendees that people often default to what is comfortable and convenient. Real progress requires engaging in difficult and uncomfortable work rather than relying solely on easy solutions.
In closing, Stevenson stated, “The opposite of poverty is justice, not wealth.”
After Stevenson’s moving keynote and Mayor Frey’s warm welcome, my daughter and I decided to explore parts of Minneapolis we might not otherwise have visited. Coming from a tiny rural community in Alaska, using public transportation felt intimidating at first, but we found it inexpensive and easy to navigate.
Along the way, we encountered remarkable kindness from the people we met. A man from Morocco invited us to visit his home country and stay with members of his family. At a bus stop, another man noticed we were cold and turned on a heater we did not even realize existed. On a crowded bus, a woman who appeared to have weathered difficult circumstances made sure my daughter and I had seats together so we would feel safe.
The conference itself was wonderful, but some of the most impactful moments of my visit to Minneapolis came from meeting the kind and thoughtful people who live there.
Tags: pla2026scholarship
