Alright – so, Governor Dayton hired a new commissioner for Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Emily Johnson Piper. Ms. Johnson Piper has zip, zero, zilch, zippity human services experience. Oh – and she is closer to a toddler in age.
Why you ask would Dayton hire someone with no experience in this agency that oversees the state’s most vulnerable population? Well – one name, Tina Smith. Or as I like to call her “heartless hammer Smith”. You see Smith is Dayton’s Lt. Governor. She was his chief of staff before and Mayor RT’s chief of staff in Minneapolis before that. Smith is very smart and a calculating politician that rewards her friends very well. Ms. Johnson Piper was her general counsel before DHS. She was not there for a long time and was hired after Micah Hines’ departure. Micah was an African American and I can’t even imagine Dayton hiring Micah to lead DHS. That would be insane for a person of color to be given such opportunity.
On the other hand, for an Anglo Minnesotan with zero experience – well then it is ok. And they tell us there is no racism in this state. Please, stop living under a rock.
In my minute and half of advocating autism issues, I have seen so many Anglo Minnesotans hired in positions they did not qualify for. Dan Pollock is another example who is number two at the state health department. Mr. Pollock has been given so many opportunities that might make your head spin. I have even seen DHS and MDH create positions for Anglo folks they like. Meanwhile, employees of color are told “you don’t qualify, you are not the right person, the right fit, we don’t have the budget, yada and more BS yada”.
Ms. Johnson Piper’s claim to experience is that her mother is a city council member in Minneapolis. That is basically it. When asked about her new position, Ms. Johnson Piper replied “I am going to tour the state and talk to stake-holders”. Great, because that is what we need more talking from someone who has no clue about human services. In other words, while she is on a learning tour, folks with disabilities including autism, the poor and the elderly will just have to suffer and wait for her to gain some useful experience.
If anyone understands Minnesota politics – then they will understand Dayton asked Smith her thoughts and she is the one that recommended Johnson Piper. Heck, Dayton wasn’t even there during the announcement.
Sight of good news – MN House Minority Rep Thissen suggested to break up DHS as it is too big for one person to handle which is probably his Minnesota nice way of saying “this new commissioner can’t possibly handle all of DHS’ issues”. On the other hand, even the U.S has one HHS department and within that there are agencies such as CMS, HRSA, etc. Majority of other states also have one HHS and agencies under that control each area. In other words, one area within HHS as Thissen suggested does not necessarily have to be similar to another area.
My friendly advice for anyone of color who voted for Dayton/Smith is when will you learn that all our votes are good for is pandering words and nothing more. Take a look at Dayton’s advisers and staff. The few folks of color they have including the one Somali are ……wait for it…..constituent coordinators. This is called Anglo Privilege which no one is fighting against, but everyone wants to eliminate affirmative action. Nice!
When will we learn to use our votes as a bargaining chip.
Above words do not represent any candidate, committee or agency.
Idil – Somali Autism Mom & Minority Advocate