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First Muslim Elected to Congress

By TChris, Section Elections 2006
Posted on Wed Nov 08, 2006 at 03:38:25 PM EST
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There isn't much religious diversity in Congress, but after yesterday's election, there's a bit more.

[Keith] Ellison, a state lawmaker and lawyer, has become the first Muslim elected to Congress, and the first nonwhite elected to Congress from Minnesota.

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    First Muslim Elected to Congress | 12 comments (12 topical)

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    Yeah, it's great (1.00 / 1) (#5)
    by jarober on Wed Nov 08, 2006 at 05:20:17 PM EST
    I'm so pleased to have a former NOI, anti-semite in the Congress.  I suppose that counts as "diversity".
    Pleased? (none / 0) (#9)
    by Repack Rider on Wed Nov 08, 2006 at 08:24:10 PM EST
    Wasn't this the result of the democratic process?  Didn't anyone who didn't agree with him have the opportunity to run against him and present a better alternative?

    How do those grapes taste, anyway?

    Parent

    oh my (none / 0) (#12)
    by eric on Thu Nov 09, 2006 at 10:18:02 AM EST
    Yep, he's so anti-semitic that the Jewish press in Minneapolis endorsed him.

    Election's over.  You can lay off the kool-aid.

    Parent

    i've been to MN (none / 0) (#1)
    by cpinva on Wed Nov 08, 2006 at 04:33:29 PM EST
    i didn't think there were any non-white people in the state, seriously. i never got the impression they didn't want them, just that none particularly cared for the weather. not that i'd blame them!

    You have not (none / 0) (#2)
    by Peaches on Wed Nov 08, 2006 at 04:54:34 PM EST
    WEe had Kriby Puckett and we still have Kevin Garnett and Torii Hunter.

    Come on Cp, you can't be serious. Even in greater Minnesota there are significant non-white communities. You certainly weren't in the Twins cities. We are diverse, here in Minnesota. One of the largest communities of new immigrant communities of Hmongs and Somalies. WE also have a large native American community, a significant African American community as well as a growing latin American community. It's not unlike any AMerican city (sheez, I can't believe I had to explain that)

    Parent

    crackers (none / 0) (#3)
    by eric on Wed Nov 08, 2006 at 04:54:48 PM EST
    Minneapolis is 65% white...
    But we're damn liberal.  Go Keith!

    cool I guess (none / 0) (#4)
    by kdog on Wed Nov 08, 2006 at 05:15:35 PM EST
    But I'm more concerned with how he votes and how he governs.

    Gimme an atheist or a humanist however...then I'd be really psyched.

    More than just a slogan (none / 0) (#6)
    by Edger on Wed Nov 08, 2006 at 05:31:25 PM EST
    I'm pretty cynical about most politicians, but the sentiment and idea displayed on Ellison's website sounds like about the most rational basis for a foreign policy and a way of dealing with terrorism, condensed down almost into a slogan, that I've seen:

    We showed that we are stronger when we build bridges between communities rather than trying to divide and conquer.

    I hope it's much more than just a slogan or meaningless rhetoric, and I would hope people will take it as more.

    Doesn't matter if he's purple with glowing yellow polkadots and believes all powerful aliens live in the sky who rule the universe and someday will save him from himself.

    He's got a good idea.

    yes i have peaches! (none / 0) (#7)
    by cpinva on Wed Nov 08, 2006 at 07:00:01 PM EST
    i was in minneapolis, went to the mall of america, saw not one non-caucasion face in the entire place.

    football players don't count, most don't actually live where they play. lol

    i'm sure there are some minorities in MN, but not too damn many.

    Mall of America? (none / 0) (#10)
    by Peaches on Thu Nov 09, 2006 at 09:54:46 AM EST
    Where you from? If you are from Florida, I was at Disney World. Should I judge the ethnic makeup of Florida by what I witnessed at Disney World. Many Minnesotans haven't even visited the Mall of America. It attracts as many people from out of state as it does Minnesotans. And the ones it attracts from out of state are predominantly white with money to spend.

    But, back to the point. Ellison did not win because he is Muslim or Black. Ellison won because he is from a progressive district, probably one of the most progressive and diverse in the nation. He is genuine and has a liberal and progressive agenda that reminds Minnesotans of Paul Wellstone. Thus, he is also a constant victim of negative attacks from the right in Minnesota.

    Parent

    mpls (none / 0) (#11)
    by eric on Thu Nov 09, 2006 at 09:57:20 AM EST
    The mall of america isn't in Minneapolis.  It is in a suburb to the south (Bloomington) and, for the most part, the only people that really shop there are from rural areas and Iowa.

    Minneapolis, as I indicated yesterday, is about 65% white.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minneapolis

    I can assure you that if you actually go into the city, you will see plenty of diversity.  What's more, Minneapolis is a very progressive city.  So progressive, in fact, that we managed to elect Mr. Ellison.

    Parent

    Proud Minnesotan (none / 0) (#8)
    by bicfor20 on Wed Nov 08, 2006 at 08:02:26 PM EST
    A more important candidate for us is Tim Walz. Check him out.

    First Muslim Elected to Congress | 12 comments (12 topical)

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