Writer David Mura grew up in a Chicago suburb in the middle of the last century, learning, as he says, “how to be white.”   

It wasn’t until he was in his twenties that he began to explore his identity as a third-generation Japanese American. Over the years and in a dozen books, Mura has reflected on race, cultural identity, popular culture and how his family’s experience and the experiences of other non-white Americans were left out of the broad American story.  

Mura’s daughter, Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura, Minneapolis-DFL, had a very different experience growing up in multiracial Minneapolis in the 1990s with her activist writer father. And she’s found her own way to make sure everyone’s history is included. As a newly elected state legislator, she sponsored the legislation this spring that will require Minnesota high schools to offer classes in ethnic studies. 

Listen back to a conversation MPR News host Angela Davis had with David and Samantha about race, culture and storytelling. 

The discussion is part of the “Power Pairs” series featuring prominent Minnesotans who are in relationship with each other.  

Guests:   

• David Mura is a writer and has taught creative writing and literature at the University of Minnesota, St. Olaf College and elsewhere. He’s published two memoirs, a novel, several books of poetry and several books of essays including, “The Stories Whiteness Tells Itself: Racial Myths and Our American Narratives.” 




• Samantha Sencer-Mura lives in south Minneapolis and last year became the first Japanese American elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives. She was previously executive director at 826 MSP, a nonprofit writing and tutoring center in the Twin Cities focused on students of color. 

Do you know a ‘Power Pair?’

Know two Minnesotans who have a close relationship and lean on each other for support in the work they do? Maybe they’re married or siblings or best friends. They could be business partners or a parent/adult child dynamic duo. We want to hear their stories on MPR News with Angela Davis at 9 a.m. weekdays.

Read more about our Power Pair series and submit your ideas here. Or email who you think we should talk to and why to [email protected].

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