Alright – so, oh boy and oh boy let me count the ways the Minnesota Department of HUMAN Services discriminates and dismisses the autism community, particularly the black and brown families and EIDBI providers.
I asked a highly educated and articulate Somali person who also owns an EIDBI agency why he does not speak up about how DHS’ EIDBI team – Ms. Berning and Rep. Hicks constantly screw with our community. His response was a spon on which I never even thought about.
He said – how can you possibly fight a shark if you are inside his mouth. DHS is a shark, all of us are inside their mouth and if we fight, they will eat and swallow us. Wow.
EIDBI was advocated solely by us – Somali autism parents and Somali community. There was not one single white person from any community who wanted MA to pay for autism therapy. Creating a position within DHS and hiring someone for autism was also our idea that we asked Dr. Sulik, Glenace Edwall and Alex B. This is how DHS EIDBI came about. It started with Anne H, now there are several people for autism at DHS.
To have those white people discriminate against the very community that fought hard for this is something you cannot even make up. It highlights the deep mentality and behaviors of most white people in Minnesota, especially the liberal ones. Under the Walz administration, DHS seems to have impunity to do whatever it wants without any consequences or remorse.
Ms. Berning is racist subconsciously. She does not even know that she is. She does not try to be one. Have you heard of the fish that asked “what the hell is water”. That is Ms. Berning. She has alwasy been in warm, calm, wonderful water that protects and nourishes her that she has no idea there are plenty of people with no water.
Rep. Hicks on the other hand is in your face, I don’t give a flying hoot and purposeful racist. Here is why and how. She is more charming, charismatic, wicked smart, underhanded, manipulative and has black children. No one will ever think racism and her are even close until you pay close attention to how she helps Dr. Larrson and the all white exclusive club ATAmn. This group of white ABA therapy providers fought us feverishly for MA to not cover autism therapy. Yet, they milk EIDBI now with the help of Hicks. She manipulates and coarces the few Somali state legislators to not write about any autism bills. She even told one of them that autism was NOT high in the Somali community. Now what now? She will cry a river faster than Justin Timberlake. She will befrind you while burrying you. These two are now in charge of the benefit that I and others have stayed up late at night, woke up early in the morning, chased legislators into the Capitol bathrooms and cried over it. How do you like them apples?
So yes, I agree with the Somali person who told me DHS is a shark and they know people are inside their mouth. I also believe in ending discrimination one racist at a time. I beleive in never giving up. I believe in being a permanant hemmorroids for all racist and racism tactics. Imagine if the many black Americans people who fought the rights we have said, forget it, I cannot fight this bullshit. Our rights would be even less.
I think we should never give up. We should fight with our voices and votes. Voting out Hicks is one step. Rochester has lots of Somalis, some of whom have children with autism. I believe holding Rep. Noor accountable for all things DHS is another way. I believe holding Walz needs to be done. We cannot keep voting for the same people who hire the same type of agency leaders then expect better outcomes. We must do better and keep fighting for our children with autism and our community.
The above words do not reflect any candidate, agency, or committee.
Idil – Somali Autism Mom & Retired Advocate