Powerful Factors Affecting Northeast

Among the number of elements that shape the Northeast Minneapolis, the most powerful factors of composing the neighborhood are its geography, components of the population, and religion. These factors obviously have strong impacts to this neighborhood from the past to presents, and they will continuously add more influences in shaping Northeast Minneapolis’ distinguished culture and context physically and non-physically.

Since power has a close relationship with identity, these factors also could represent the how identity forms. Having its own identity and power is very critical matter for the neighborhoods to have its unique style of culture and contexts. For example, Geographer Gillian Rose describes as

“We develop a sense of place when we are in an area that we fit in, and that sense of place changes, just as our identities change, when we move to new areas.”

“Our ethnicity is centrally developed from our places, and things like ethnic neighborhoods and cultural restaurants develop when people migrate and settle in a new area so they can keep their identity and welcome others with similar ones.”

Once again, it is crucial to acknowledge the relationship between power and identity. If there is no identity, there will be no power as well.



The above picture is Northeast Minneapolis

Historically, the heart of St. Anthony was a separate city from Minneapolis. St. Anthony, with Mississippi river and the growing Mill industry, developed so quickly, and it was founded as a city prior to Minneapolis. However, due to its slow economy after the development, it was affiliated to Minneapolis only after 12 years of its foundation. Therefore, it was quite distinguished and isolated from other neighborhoods. However, as the freeway constructed such as I-94 North and I-35 West, the northeast Minneapolis neighborhood became very interactive with other neighborhoods quickly due to its convenient access. For example, the proportion of population became more diverse. Currently, there are more African American immigrants, more Asian international students, and more Hispanic immigrants.  For this reason, geography is one of the important powers.  Geographical changes cause changes of the neighborhood.



The picture above is Kramarczuk’s sausages

Demographic in Northeast Minneapolis has been changing for years. When this neighborhood was first established, there were mostly Eastern European immigrants and Native Americans. Due to the Mill industry, the residents were mostly a working-class. However, during recent years, there was a big revitalization to make the neighborhood better. Moreover, after the freeway was proposed, demographic of Northeast Minneapolis became more diverse and younger. In addition, there were many young artists moved near the Art district. After changes of the components of the population, the neighborhood became more dynamic. It doesn’t mean they lost their historical culture and identity, but it means that they added a dynamical and more diversified environment. I would say Northeast Minneapolis became more diverse, more energetic, and more artistic with its originality.

Side effect

It is not always good to have changes like this. Demographical and geographical changes brought some side effects. Mainly, the crime problem occurs more often than before. The northeast Minneapolis neighborhood used to be a very safe place. However, due to its changes, unfortunately, the crime rate has been growing up year by year. Many residents worry about the neighborhood becoming dangerous and unsafe.

Changes in Demographics could bring good and bad results as I described above. Therefore, this is another factor that has power which could change the living environment and culture.



The picture above is St John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church

Northeast Minneapolis is also known as a religious part of Minneapolis. There are many churches and several cathedrals in this neighborhood area, and many churches and cathedral were built with its own nationalities. For instance, there are Ukrainian church, French church, and Lebanese church etc.  It is very unique that each church has its own nationality.  The churches around this neighborhood are also very active with community.  For example, they open the bible schools, and they also have many gathering events for elders.  It seems like that religious influence their culture crucially by communicating with the neighborhood’s society with the provision of social services.


The power, include geographic, demographic, and religion, gets strong relationship with the northeast neighborhood Minneapolis’ culture. Although it seems like there wasn’t a very much relationships in the past. However, with recent changes, the Northeast Minneapolis became more interactive with other neighborhood. I think it has a potential risk of losing its own unique identity due to the changes of the factors of power I mentioned. But, if its changes can be used in a beneficial way, it could keep the originality with the new and fresh changes in an environment of living, which it is now. In conclusion, geographic, demographic, and religion are the important factors that construct the power of forming the neighborhood, and in its intercultural communication. Therefore, we need to keep our eyes on these changes, and see the influences to the Northeast Minneapolis.


Geographer Gill


picture of kramarczuk


St John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church




Northeast River district



Leave a comment

Filed under Analysis #2 -- Power

Leave a Reply


WordPress.com Logo


Twitter picture


Facebook photo


Google+ photo


Connecting to %s