Alright – so, they say when it rains it pours. It seems that I am going to be politically homeless. The state of Minnesota isn’t really red or blue. Maybe it is blue-ish but barely. Currently in 2025, the house is tied technically after the Roseville election which I am fairly certain a dfler will win. This means each House committee has two chairs but one speaker. I guess Hortman took one for the team by ensuring to keep the Shakopee seat which won less than 14 seats. That is one Somali home in Shakopee working in Amazon. What is my point, I am tired of our community telling and encouraging us to vote for xzy party then when we do, going to sleep for a long nap – until the next election. Ufta.
Rep. Bakeberg who represents Jordan, Minnesota, a small, tiny town of few thousand and near Shakopee has decided to repeal what we (families, advocates, educators including previous Mpls school superintendent – Dr. Johnson) worked for years and years. Just because the dflers were in charge did not mean it was easy peasy. The dflers often support the teachers’ unions and the GOP supports the principals and administrators. Who supports the students and families? No one.
Rep. Bakeberg wants to give the principals the ability to kick students out of school including those with autism. He wants to have zero alternative options and just kick kids out. Most GOP are supporting him.
So, what now? We have to fight. God, I really want to retire. Ugh. How do we fight? We start suing school districts for suspending our children. I know this is hard, but without it there is no meet off their bone to care. We start campaigning against anyone who supports this bill even if a manikin is the alternative. These are elections that are won by a dozen or so. We can do it. Will we do it? not the Somali community.
I am sooooo disappointed in our community. We have no idea how policy and politics are connected. We vote and take a nap. You hardly see anyone at the capitol pushing an issue to the finish line. There are few here and there for their own agency and funding, but no one really for the greater good of the people and community. Soooooooo sad and frustrating.
To me this issue is personal because GOP protected principal Jaysen Anderson and DFL protected teacher Kelly Morris suspended my son on Thursday at 5:18pm, May of 2018. From that day on, I have been advocating and joined such amazing groups such as Solutions not Suspensions, Education Allies and so many others which is how we passed these bills few years ago.
Now, Rep. Bakeberg wants to take all away. My suggestion to you is don’t get too comfortable in your seat. We will find someone who can run and defeat you at the polls.
The above words do not represent any candidate, agency, or committee.
Idil Abdull – Somali Autism Mom & Retired Advocate