HEART OF STEELE

After living and working in more than a few cities during my adult life, I know that a house is not always a home.

You move in, you get yourself and your belongings settled. You scope out the area, learn where to shop, find the library and the movie theater and restaurants. Maybe you join a religious community. Of course, you subscribe to your community newspaper!

And as you meet people and learn more, you may join a group around your favorite hobby. Most cities have a community education program where you can learn a new skill or take lessons in languages, music, swimming.

But when you do start to feel like you’re really “home”? When do your neighbors start to see you as part of the community?

Those questions crossed my mind as I watched “Ways of Being Home,” shown last week at the Steele County History Center. It follows immigrants between Maltrata in Mexico and Northfield, Minn., where many from Maltrata have come to work.

One of the comments from filmmaker Cecilia Cornejo stuck with me. She said immigrants are often “invisible.” Those who are undocumented stay under the radar to avoid detention and/or deportation, but even those with legal residence can feel hidden or unwelcome in their community.

Her comment brought back a memory from last fall, when the city’s Human Rights Commission dedicated the new mural near Blast Soft Serve on Rose Street. During the ceremony, former HRC member John Worden talked about the discrimination he and his mother experienced because of their Mexican heritage.

He said the mural came out of a dream he had to prevent that from happening to anyone else and to increase diversity in the community. It’s a visible reminder that even with our differences, we are one city.

As of July 2022, people of color comprise an estimated 15% of Owatonna’s population. As in Northfield, a lot of people are working to make this a welcoming community, a place where everyone is included and valued.

But it will take many more open hearts to make Worden’s dream a reality–and to finally see the day when all Owatonnans feel they can call this city home.