I, too, am grateful for the leadership R.T. has shown and for his comments on the List. I am glad to hear that Mr. Jamal appeared on Almanac with the mayor. Of course Mr. Jamal's controversial remarks were not representative--that's why they surprised me so. I know from experience that the Somali community is diverse.
If I may comment on the whole idea of one or two people "representing" a community: I'm very glad that R.T. questions the all-too-mainstream practice of calling this person or that person for the "view" from this or that vaguely-defined, conveniently-labeled demographic. (I've also had the experience of being told that, as a journalist, I "do not represent anyone" because I was writing for a small and/or independent press, or because I was freelancing for a neighborhood newspaper, etc.) Things are changing for the small and independent press, but not so much for this idea you go to "a spokesperson" to find out what is going on. <R.T. wrote: Sometime during the week one federal government official said to me: "It would really be easier if the Somalis would appoint a leader so we know who we can talk to." That would be easy but not practical, or even, in my book, good.> No, that would NOT be good, not at all (and I don't even think it's possible) and I'm flabbergasted that a federal official made that remark. It shows how far we still have to go to change some minds. Mahadsanid, R.T.!(Somali for "thank you") Kristine Harley Sheridan _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
