I think we're missing the big picture in the whole debate of who's a minority who's not, who's of color...
Minneapolis is a city that is more Latino, African American, Asian, Somali, and of color than ever before. In the Hispanic and Somali community we've experienced incredible growth in the past 15 years. We have more people of color than in St Paul. We have two excellent African American Minneapolis Council members, running against each other. We have one Native person in the city council. We have no Hispanic, Asian or Somali members in the city council, State House, State Senate, Hennepin County board representing Minneapolis. In past primaries the DFL party, the party that dominates the city council and other elected seats representing Minneapolis, refused to endorse an excellent African American candidate like Don Samuels and endorsed an Anglo. The other African American candidate elected to the city council recently was a Green Party candidate. St Paul has Hmong representation in the state house and senate. It has a Latino in the State House. It has a Latino in the Ramsey County board. It has an African American in the city council. St Paul has an African American chief of police, and by the way has had to pay out a lot less in police brutality lawsuits than Minneapolis in the past years. The point is St Paul once more beats Minneapolis in quality of life and diversity. In Minneapolis we talk more about it. Our paper will always endorse the best candidates regardless of race. We've done that in the past and will continue to do so. But actions speak louder than words. I hear a lot of complaints from DFL activists about lack of participation from people of color in the party. Please understand our skepticism. The DFL has to prove to us that they believe in diverse representation in public office instead of talking about it if it wants to remain the dominant party in Minneapolis. Learn from your friends of labor. The only thing saving a very weakened labor movement is it's increased diversity in its ranks and leadership. Its time to change... Alberto Monserrate President CEO Latino Communications Network (LCN Media) Publishers of Weekly Spanish Newspaper Gente de Minnesota Bi-weekly Latino Entertainment Publication Vida y Sabor Yearly Minnesota-Iowa Hispanic Yellow Pages Directory Plaza Verde 1516 E Lake Street Suite 200 Minneapolis MN 55407 Office: 612-729-5900 Office: 612-243-1283 Fax: 612-729-5999 E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: www.lcnmedia.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
