After rereading posts on the Hakeem threads, especially Hakeem's letter to the Minnesota Women's Press editor, I agree with Pam Taylor, and disagree in part with what I wrote about racism being an issue. The MWP reporter certainly wouldn't have asked most people who look like white, northern Europeans about their ethnic background, etc. Clearly, racial biases and stereotyping influenced how the story was researched and written. I can see how that might inspire me to allege racial bias and stereotyping in an open letter to the MWP editor, if I were in Hakeem's shoes.
The MWP editor stated "Had it been a piece on the mayor's race, it would have included comments from all candidates and a serious look at the issues." http://www.mail-archive.com/mpls%40mnforum.org/msg36587.html The MWP has covered elections for public office, devoting some space to issues, with the focus being on a female candidate or candidates, usually DFL candidates regardless of race or ethnicity. Hakeem is a Green Party candidate. The decision to not do a piece about Hakeem's campaign, therefore, was evidently more a reflection of the MWP's political, not racial biases. The Star-Tribune also did a story about Farheen Hakeem comparable to what was run in the MWP. No space was devoted to issues. I had no idea what Farheen Hakeem stood for after reading the MWP and Strib articles. The Strib had Hakeem pegged as the young, Muslim, woman of color, antiwar activist, standup comic who is seeking endorsement from the Green Party. Not a serious candidate like Rybak or McLaughlin. I would like to get further clarification from Farheen Hakeem about her views on racism and how to fight it. I believe that the interests of a majority of Minneapolis residents, including many whites, are not served by ignoring the failure of the city to take steps to more aggressively enforce laws against racial discrimination in employment and housing. And it is also time to stop ignoring the illegal racial discrimination practiced by the Minneapolis Public Schools. The MPS administration is not in compliance with the state's desegregation rule, which requires that "racially identifiable" schools (predominantly students of color) provide instruction of comparable quality to what is provided to other schools in the district. Overall, the "racially identifiable schools" have far less experience teachers and much higher teacher turnover rates. The appointment of an African American to the post of district superintendent didn't change that basic structural problem or eliminate its effects. -Doug Mann, King Field candidate for city council, 8th ward http://educationright.com - REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
