Shrine at Cup Foods

Minneapolis, Minnesota. Sunday, June 20, 2021

Today I visited one of the darkest chapters in American history, at a shrine on the street in front of Cup Foods in Minneapolis, the site of George Floyd‘s murder on May 25, 2020. I didn’t know what to expect. I’d heard that part of the commemoration had been removed, that traffic was flowing through once again, and that Cup Foods had re-opened. All true, although significant installation remained, and there were maybe 50-60 people slowly walking around and paying their respects. It is hard to put what I felt into words, I will just let the photographs tell the story.

I was there for an hour, reading every tribute, listening to the soft music, paying my respects. I went into the store and bought a snack, so simple, so unremarkable with my white skin. Such a tragedy, this father of five, this Father’s Day.

The day was brightened by sweet calls from all my children, and by the statue of Mary Tyler Moore, whose jubilant hat-toss has been preserved forever. No Scary Mary, thank heavens (although now that I look at it, the hat makes a chilling face from this angle).

Two great meals with the incandescent Swanson family, a bike tour around the city and its Chain of Lakes, two drenching thunderstorms (the rain much needed), and the stunning campus of the University of Minnesota rounded out a vivid day. Luckily, Matt talked me out of the Mall of America.

Distance 29 miles, 2,911 total. Time 5 hours with stops. Elevation gain 812 feet.

©️ 2021 Scott Luria