I friend sent me this "letter to the editor" to the St. Paul paper and I'd like to share it here...
[Everything below is a direct quote except the first comma which I added for clarity.]
Rage, Rear-Ended by Hope
On Dec. 11, I was driving back to my home on the West Side of St Paul — a predominantly Latino neighborhood that I’ve lived in for over 20 years.
As I was approaching the main intersection of Caesar Chavez and George Street, my car was blocked by a St. Paul Police SUV. I saw a few SUVs ahead and a small group of people gathered and my heart began to sink. Not in my neighborhood. Not on a quiet Thursday night during Advent. With daily ICE raids infesting the city, I felt a burst of anger and wanted to get out of my car and scream.
Soon the SUV pulled back to let me through and I saw that what was ahead was a processional. A group of about 60 people, flanked by St Paul Police cars, making their way down Caesar Chavez with an illuminated image of the Virgin Mary leading the way.
The emotional whiplash was too much in that moment. Rage rear-ended by hope in the middle of a St. Paul intersection. The faithful were processing to church on the eve of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, with police escort.
I had to weep as I pulled into my driveway with the moment sinking in, trying to process the cruelty, beauty, violence and transcendence of these days we are living in. May hope find its way even on the darkest of nights.
Peace to all,
Jeffrey Zupfer, St. Paul
December 18, 2025
https://www.twincities.com/2025/12/18/letters-rage-rear-ended-by-hope-in-the-middle-of-a-st-paul-intersection/
#MerryChristmas #HappyHolidays #HappyNewYear #Hope #Transcendence