Approved 6–0 by the Editorial Board
The atmosphere at the Edina Asian American Alliance (EAAA)’s annual Diwali celebration at 50th & France was lively, spirited, and beyond joyous.
Vivid orange and gold marigold garlands hung from railings and along store windows while colorful lanterns hung from illuminated boughs. Throes of people dressed in their finest saris, kurtas, and lehenga cholis crowded around craft tables, bought samosas from local restaurant Raag’s food stand, and watched talented performers dance on Nolan Mains Plaza.
It felt as if almost every Diwali-celebrating South Asian from around the metro had attended.
Yet despite EAAA’s olive-branch “All are welcome!” marketing, it would be a stretch to say there was a large diversity of faces. The same could be said for the other ethnic events that have taken place around Edina, for which mostly only observers of that holiday or tradition have shown up. While cultural celebrations tend to attract community members who identify with the culture, that shouldn’t be their purpose and result. Their real importance lies in how they provide a shining opportunity for people of all heritages to embrace multiculturalism and global scholarship.
Celebrations like these serve as excellent educational opportunities for people of other backgrounds to join in and learn. For instance, non-South Asian attendees of EAAA’s event could learn about the themes of Diwali from the varied speakers or practice holiday traditions, such as holding diyas and making intricate rangolis with sidewalk chalk. Understanding the traditions of our friends and neighbors is critical to broaden empathy in a time when a growing number of people even consider it a weakness.
The need for greater cultural understanding is especially emphasized within Edina, a city that is over 82% white. A disproportionate amount of racial discrimination targets Edina’s largest minority groups; specific examples include the 2022 video of EHS students mocking Asian accents and doing the Nazi salute and another racist video filmed outside an Edina temple of a man verbally abusing Hindu parishioners, claiming this country is “for white people” and that they “are tired of being invaded by other people’s cultures.” For Edina’s large non-Diwali-celebrating community, this provided an option to build bonds between cultures rather than borders: an opportunity taken by fewer than it should have been.
The reason for this lack of community engagement could be a feeling of not being represented. Why bother going to a celebration of Eid if you’re not Muslim, or Hanukkah if you’re not Jewish? It’s not what you practice, and you know nothing about it. But this lack of knowledge is why racial discrimination occurs and is exactly why we must move away from the perception of these events being exclusive and only serving their own demographic.
Holidays like Diwali can help everyone bond and recognize similarities instead of highlighting differences. The idea of other cultures as “exclusive” or “invasive” rather than as an opportunity to learn is one that Edina community members must cast aside. It is incredible that we are using community spaces to raise awareness about the traditional customs and practices of our very own neighbors; this fights fear, xenophobia, and ignorance, regrettably pervasive themes in our city. That said, if these events are assumed to be only meant for the observing identity groups, they can’t serve this purpose.
At EHS, facilitating opportunities for cultural inclusion is paramount. If you don’t see yourself represented, join a student union or create a club. We must all approach Edina’s broad multicultural representation with a show of support and a willingness to learn. Show up to the Twin Cities Pride Festival. Volunteer to table at the Edina Juneteenth celebration. Even if what’s being honored isn’t yours to practice, it’s everyone’s to learn from and celebrate.
This piece was originally published in Zephyrus’ print edition on Nov. 6, 2025
