In the days after federal agents killed ICU nurse Alex Pretti (only days after other federal agents killed Renee Good), I saw a video of a haggard Minneapolis restaurant owner saying that he was going to give food away until the federal government’s occupation of Minnesota ends. His restaurant, Modern Times Cafe, was going to be 100% free… for everyone. It wasn’t just going to be free for people who proved they needed free food or for folks who asked for free food. It was going to be FREE. FOR. EVERYONE. Dylan Alverson, owner of the now-renamed Post Modern Times Cafe, was mad as hell, and he was not going to charge for pancakes anymore!
Actor and singer Mandy Patinkin’s son Gideon had shared Dylan’s video with me. Gideon runs Mandy’s verified Instagram account. The Patinkins’ IG page is filled with hopeful political messages, righteous leftist anger, and—most importantly—ways to help. At some point our Internet paths crossed, and we have tagged each other in posts ever since. Seeing Dylan’s video was yet another battery in my back that gave me the juice to go to Minneapolis. I saw the video on Monday, January 26, and by that Thursday, January 29 I was on a Zoom with the McKnight Foundation to figure out how we could work together to get me to the Twin Cities. Once we decided that I would go, I quickly put a visit to Post Modern Times on the agenda. I didn’t go there for McKnight. I went there for me. I really wanted to meet Dylan. He reminded me of people I met in Berkeley, back in the day. True believers who are more than excited to go against the grain. Luckily, Dylan was down to talk. As we discuss in the episode, he is not one for attention. He just wants to help his neighbors. I also found out that since he shared that initial video, he has decided that having a free restaurant feels so good that he wants to keep Post Modern Times Cafe free, even after Trump’s government leaves (which they finally announced they are going to do).
Dylan plans to turn his restaurant into a nonprofit organization. This just shows, yet again, that the effect this occupation has had on Minnesota is permanent. It doesn’t matter if the feds leave today, they have:
killed two people,
shot at least one more,
made schoolchildren afraid to go to school,
made some people (especially Latino restaurant workers) afraid to go to work,
hurt local business across Minnesota, because consumers are afraid to shop (or are too broke shop because they aren’t working), and
generally traumatized the state.
None of that gets erased, fixed, or healed just because the goons get gone. I truly hope that more people are able to sue the federal government like the teachers union, Education Minnesota, did. The only thing that has stopped the people of the Twin Cities and beyond from folding completely is that there are many, many, MANY people like Dylan Alverson who are committed to community. Like Dylan, they are committed above and beyond their own self-interest… or even their own commonsense.
While Dylan’s free restaurant may seem like a gimmick or a naive idea, Dylan sees it as part of a larger way to fight back against our authoritarian government. Dylan put it best in our interview:
“The world is watching, and they should. This could be the start of a revolution. We don’t know. But to me, it feels like it. And I’m willing to go as far as I need to if I can make that happen.”
Post Modern Times will only be able to keep up its anti-capitalistic “gamble” (gamble is Dylan’s word for what they are doing) if they also have community support. If you can, donate or spread the word about Post Modern Times Cafe’s bold plan.
WHO’S WITH ME?
Watch me on Mandy Patinkin & Katherine Grody’s podcast Don’t Listen to Us
This was a joy. I talk a bit about parenting in these hectic times. Just press play.
DonorsChoose Can Help You Support Minnesota Students & Teachers
Of course my folks at DonorsChoose are figuring out ways to help teachers in Minnesota! TAKE IT AWAY, DONORSCHOOSE!
“The Twin Cities community is in a period of deep disruption. Teachers are stepping up to provide stability and strength. They need our support.”
How it works:
Make your donation to the Minnesota Students & Teachers Fund, and we’ll direct your gift to meet the most pressing teacher needs in the Twin Cities. These resources will be distributed quickly to support classrooms where support is needed most.
Mutual Aid with Stand With Minnesota!
While I was in the Twin Cities, I talked to many people about the power of mutual aid. Mutual aid is when you just give people money or goods or services without bringing American capitalism into it. Think of it as when you go out to dinner with a friend and you know that you can’t afford the meal, and your friend says, “I got you!” Right now, mutual aid is helping Minnesotans who can’t go to work for various reasons. It could be because their workplace is closed during the federal occupation OR because they were laid off due to business being down during the federal occupation OR because they are, understandably, afraid to leave their house during the federal occupation!
I met with organizer Ashley Fairbanks who built the website Stand with Minnesota. That interview will be out eventually, but don’t wait for that. You can help, today!
My WHO’S WITH ME TOUR
April 17 North Bethesda, MD at The Music Center at Strathmore
May 22-24 San Diego at The Mic Drop Comedy Club.
I basically wore nothing but Mahogany Mommies while I was in Minneapolis.
I’m even wearing one of my newest ones in the video with Georgia. It reads, “I will use my breath to speak up for those who can’t breathe.” Joi, the owner of Mahogany Mommies, has an all-new line of shirts that she is calling Conversation Starters. Get yours below, and don’t forget to use my code WKB to get 20% off! The perfect purchase for Black History Month.
W. Kamau Bell asks, “Who’s With Me?” is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
