The cruelty behind 'Minnesota nice'

NPR | By Henry Larson,

Pien Huang, Sarah Robbins

Published June 20, 2026 at 5:35 PM EDT

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George Floyd's murder put Minneapolis in the spotlight. Justin Ellis' new book, 'The Cruelty of Nice Folks: Why Minneapolis is the Story of America,' says the city embodies a contradiction - liberal ideals alongside deep racial disparities.

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Henry Larson

Pien Huang

Pien Huang is a reporter on the Science desk, covering public health and health disparities. She also guest hosts on NPR news programs, and narrates the Moments in History series on the NPR One app.

Sarah Robbins

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The cruelty behind 'Minnesota nice'

Support quality journalism, like the story above, with your gift right now.

Support quality journalism, like the story above,
with your gift right now.