"I sense that Minnesota is much more than a collection of red, blue and purple counties. Even though it often appears that the U.S. is divided and dangerously at odds, I suspect this place has much more depth than the sum of its extremes," Phil Morris writes. (Aaron Lavinsky/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

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Sheila E., a world-renowned percussionist, threw her drumsticks into the air after concluding her second set at the Dakota in downtown Minneapolis last weekend. One of the sticks landed at my table, which was next to the stage. I was instantly left with a bit of a moral dilemma.

Should I return it?

Sheila E., whom I have long admired from her days working with Prince, turned in my direction and humorously appeared to sense my conundrum. She smiled and made a heart symbol with her hands. At that point, I did the right thing and returned her property. That was the moment I sensed a serendipitous Minnesota moment. Yes, I know that Sheila Escovedo is from Oakland, Calif., but for a time she proudly called Minnesota home, worked hard and prospered. Minnesota has long offered that promise to the determined.

I left Cleveland two weeks ago at sunrise and drove 11 hours. I wanted to make it to the Twin Cities in time to witness a North Star sunset and maybe glimpse of a couple lakes on the drive in.

So, what brings me, a die-hard Ohio State Buckeye and long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan, to the land of Vikings, Timberwolves and Twins?

I accepted the role of opinion editor of the Star Tribune because I believe a remarkable transformation is underway with the state’s largest news organization. With a visionary leadership team and talented staff, the Star Tribune is seeking to diversify and amplify the way it elevates voices and engages in important conversations throughout all of Minnesota.

I sense that Minnesota is much more than a collection of red, blue and purple counties. Even though it often appears that the U.S. is divided and dangerously at odds, I suspect this place has much more depth than the sum of its extremes. The fact that Gov. Tim Walz has been highly visible in the vice president sweepstakes conversation for more than a week, even as former President Donald Trump and Sen. JD Vance made their case to Minnesota, demonstrates the relevancy, vibrancy and openness of the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Minnesota has been on my radar for a while. Like the rest of the world, I watched the 2020 reckoning after the murder of George Floyd. I wrote an essay at the time for National Geographic magazine describing how America was built on protests — peaceful and violent — and that the nation had reached a crisis point where certain conversations could no longer be avoided or steeped in willful ignorance.

Now, four years later, I’m a Minnesotan. And as I assume the role of Star Tribune opinion editor, here are a few things you may discover about me:

I appreciate unconventional thinking; I don’t lean into dogma; I don’t easily check boxes; what you see is not always what you get; I don’t shy away from the intersection of contentious and thoughtful intellectual exchange when it is kept civil; I believe iron sharpens iron, and I believe the best way to understand a community is to be fully vested in a community.

As a lifelong Ohioan until recently, I’ve always prided myself in being able to explore difficult conversations and being fluent in different geographic perspectives of the Buckeye State. Part of that interest and demeanor comes from having lived in the most urban areas of Ohio as well as its most deeply rural. I loved both equally. What I’ve discovered about the populations of both is that people care mostly about the same things once you reduce the noise and eliminate soapboxes.

Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards was Chamber of Commerce pitch-perfect when he succinctly offered Charles Barkley advice this past May on how to access the Minnesota experience.

You know what he famously said:

“Bring Ya Ass!”

It wasn’t a suggestion. It’s more a clarion call useful in the search for community and understanding.

On my fifth night in town, I walked near the staging areas of a parade that was slated to start just before dusk. The Aquatennial Torchlight Parade is said to be the largest nighttime parade in Minnesota and is definitely a high-energy spectacle. This year’s edition featured two members of the PWHL Minnesota hockey team as grand marshals.

To a newcomer, it was an engaging spectacle and a friendly public gathering that felt neighborly. The Torchlight Parade seemed designed to help stoke the energy of downtown Minneapolis and to serve as a reminder that Minnesota is a truly special place, with special traditions.

I look forward to discovering many more such diverse traditions throughout all of Minnesota. Indeed, I’ve already registered for the Dick Beardsley 10K (I’m not ready for the Twin Cities Marathon) on Sept. 7 in Detroit Lakes. I’m not in it to win it — but I can’t wait to run it. While there, I hope to broach a conversation with Beardsley, who helped inspire me to take up cross-country running as a teenager.

Most of all, I eagerly look forward to playing a role in the advancement of important conversations and helping highlight connective tissue that strengthens and grows communities. See you around.

Phil Morris joined the Star Tribune as opinion editor and vice president in July 2024 after working as an editorial writer and columnist for newspapers in Cleveland and Dayton, Ohio. He is a two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist for columns he wrote while working at the Cleveland Plain Dealer.