Yo, Basim,
I think you're pretty far out on the limb here, but I'm not
offering a saw or inaccurate directions on its uses, yet.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
What upsets me is that many of
> this very same community who were previously discrimated against are the ones
> who are blindly supporting other gay candidates.
I'm not gay, but I'm quite festive, and, of course, queer as
a set of purple teeth.
When I get to that lovely place where all the candidates are
equally qualified, though maybe in different areas one to
another, I virtually always choose someone from a "protected
class." As I read the Minnesota statute to that effect, it
includes Somalis easily and gay Somalies as well.
> If people start supporting their own race, religion and/or sexuality without
> any other consideration for other qualified candidates, then I believe this
> is the beginning of reverse discrimination in politics in the city.
Bro, I do not believe you said that. I'm under the
impression that the Israelis virtually always choose one of
their own over a Palestinian.
The Irish the same way, though it's a Catholic over an Irish
Protestant.
The Serbs and the Croates--and on and on. That's the common
behavior. In so far as we are trying, some of us, to rise
above that parochial notion and look to the candidates
individually, then we choose outside our comfort zone.
Hence I often vote for straight people, unless there is an
equally qualified African American, Latino, female, GLBT,
poor person (and the poor rarely get in office, if ever),
immigrant, whoever would make a good addition to the mix and
present another point of view on the issues. Sad to say, it
has never, as yet, included a Republican so far as I know.
[During the sixties I did a lot of write-in voting.]
>
> Obviously the city of Minneapolis political arena has progressed to the point
> where today we have an African-American mayor, an African-American
> councilmember and a gay councilmember. We now also have 4 gay candidates
> running for city council, not to mention those present in other city/county
> offices.
>
Speaking as queer, female, and poor, life has not always
been a walk in the park as a consequence of those
categories. And don't even start in on being fat; I could
grouse all day and all night to no particular good end.
Even when I was thin, I was fat. That has probably cost me
as much, if not more, than the other three categories.
In the end, it's all dixie cups. The question I have to
answer on any candidate is, 'Can this one do the job and
will this one bring another perspective to the office?'
Now, about that saw. It's always best to sit closer to the
trunk of the tree, facing away from the trunk, and saw in
front of you. I kid you nt.
WizardMarks, Central
_______________________________________
Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy
Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more:
http://e-democracy.org/mpls
