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All right – so, unless you live under a rock – you heard about the tone deaf and really not inclusive article by Alessandra Stanley of New York Times about Shonda Rhimes. Ms. Stanley who is an overrated and arrogant critic for the Times tried to critique Ms. Rhimes’ television shows including her new one. And, well she decided to just label her…. wait for it…drum roll please…it is original… not really, “angry black woman”.

Gee, I wonder where I heard that before. Oh yeah, that was the article written about me regarding the autism task force where Mr. Browning, the twin brother from another mother of Ms. Stanley cleverly tried to label me as the…. you guessed it  “angry black woman”. Sometimes, I wonder if they even read their work out-loud before it is published. Or better yet, if the Tribune and NY Times could hire more diverse editors to catch such hurtful and demeaning articles.

The sad and irony similarities here is that both articles were read and approved by White men editors. And, how can a White man possibly understand things from the lenses of African American women. For instance, after Ms. Stanley wrote her really hurtful and shameful article about Ms. Rhimes – several NY Times editors read it and did not catch the insulting and racist remarks. Thus, it was released for publication. This tells us that editors who are suppose to provide balanced and objective views on stories are often out of touch themselves. Here is the Times’ response to this. What is interesting in almost comical way is the same language used by almost everyone in a position of power who has no intention of changing or actually hiring diverse workforce. For example, when MPR’s new top guy started couple of years ago, I asked him if he was going to make MPR newsroom more diverse to reflect the diversity of Minnesotans. And, he told me almost word for word of what the NY Times editor said. (we are committed to diversity, we care, blah and more blah). Move forward to 2014 and no African American reporter has been hired by MPR. Therefore, don’t hold your breath NY Times actually hiring more diverse editors or reporters. This is a statement that they all use and we buy it like it is holy water, when in fact it is useless and worthless words that never become reality. This is also why many good African American journalists are leaving mainstream news outlets to go to minority owned ones.

Another example of how White men editors are out of touch and tone deaf to realty is when Mr. Browning decided to just insult me and label me an angry black woman – it went to his editor who ironically knows me very well, yet failed to stop Mr. Browning’s bias and wrong information about me being printed. Plus, according to Minnesota Department of Health, they did not comment or spoke with Mr. Browning which makes his facts false. In fact, I was told by one of the Tribune editors that they had a hard time covering this story. Now what now? are you kidding me. I am often the lone African American autism mom advocating for minority autism families against all odds at MN State Capitol. And, I am constantly begging the Tribune to do autism stories, and they often tell me they are full with no space to write or autism at this time is not all that important. Yet, when this overrated and arrogant reporter wants to insult me, they have a hard time with the content. WTF?

If I were a non-minority autism parent that did even half of the autism advocacy I did for the past few years, Mpls Tribune would have written much different stories and views. But the fact is I am a minority autism mom and the way they praise us is by calling us angry black women. When will this get old and outdated. I remember I once went to MPR newsroom to be interviewed by BBC Radio – London because I had to go to a local radio to do the taping. While I was waiting for the studio room to be available, I noticed a reporter talk about a Caucasian man with a disability. I watched this reporter’s body language as she described this person and I remember she did many takes to get her words right. She made this person sound so good and kind that the listener would fell in love with. I remember thinking to myself and imagining if stories of minority communities were given such careful and thoughtful process. I think it will be interesting to see what Minnesota mainstream news outlets do when Black Journalism convention comes to Mpls in 2015.

This is exactly what this reporter from the Times did as well. Ms. Rhimes is one of the most talented and amazing writers in Hollywood in any color and to label her such derogatory and demeaning way is wrong, racist and cruel. The Times tried to apologize and even used the usual statement of we are committed to diversity, we care – blah blah. For the Tribune and what they wrote about me, the best I got from their editor in chief and the health editor was to write my view and send it to their editorial person who in my opinion sucks, not a typo. So, I did not waste my time writing to them because I knew they would not publish it.

Some good news might be that with the purchase of Mr. Taylor – things might get more fair and less bias. If you can believe it, I contacted Mr. Glen Taylor and he actually called me back, (I know why would a billionaire call me, but he did to my shocking pleasant surprise) He said it is his goal for the Star Tribune to do stories that are fair, objective and tell both sides of the story. The publisher of Mpls Tribune is sadly from the Times as well, but maybe with Mr. Taylor’s guidance, he can be more diverse, equal and fair. Now, in the interest of fairness, I personally have had a really good experience with New York Times especially their health reporters and editors. In fact, one of their health reporter is one of my good friends that I have lunch or coffee with when in NYC. For Somali autism, NY Times has been really good and supportive. They have come to Mpls to do autism stories ever since back in 2009 to recently. I admire, trust and support their health news section. It is their Hollywood/entertainment section and reporters that I find it out of touch with reality and minorities.

If you are thinking what do news outlets have to do with autism, think about it more. Everything autism is about policy and politicians write policies. And, politician’s legislations are often covered by news. For example, Rep Norton who is the queen of autism disparity has written more racist and bias autism policies than any other legislator in MN. Luckily, we have defeated her bad autism bills since 2010 with the help of Sen. Berglin, Sen. Lourey, Sen. Benson, Dan Severson, Rep Clark, Rep, Loeffler, Commissioner Jesson and so many others, but the ultimate goal is to replace and defeat Rep Norton by voting her out of office.

Addition; It looks like People Magazine who is being sued by an African American editor – their only one in history, imagine that – also decided to weigh in this drama by tweeting last Thursday night after Ms Rhimes show that had Viola Davis offensive and rude tweets. Really, are they kidding me. You see this is exactly why diversity in every corner is a MUST in this country of nation of immigrants. Today’s immigrants are very different than centuries ago and if USA wants to maintain its super power ability and moral authority, then it must treat its citizens fairly and equally – period. Viola Davis is a beautiful and stunning woman and comments like the Times insulting dark skinned women is why so many African American women including Somalis bleach their skin with mercury containing creams. We all know mercury causes many developmental disorders including AUTISM. My advice to any young woman of color is look at yourself in the mirror and know that you are BEATIFUL just the way GOD made you. Don’t let some useless and clueless writer make you doubt that.

Above words do not represent any agency, candidate or committee.

Idil – Somali Autism Mom & Minority Advocate

Alright so, I think we all heard by now that there is a CDC senior researcher that is stating CDC hid or omitted some numbers indicating African American male children have a higher risk of autism when given the MMR vaccine on schedule. Dr. Thompson was among those scientists along with Dr. Allsopp and Dr. Boyle among others in 2004 study which stated there was no link between MMR and Autism. It seems that now 10 years later, Dr. Thompson is having regrets because there were some data or numbers that were left out of the study.

Then Dr. Wakefield released this video making the connection of Tuskegee medical experiment on Blacks and CDC deliberately leaving data out for Black boys. Wakefield is a lot of things, but stupid is not one of them. My guess is he used that analogy because he knew it would provoke raw emotions in particular against Dr. Allsopp who is an African American Researcher at CDC and was part of this 2004 autism and MMR study. For the record, personally I like Dr. Wakefield. I think he is charming, charismatic and in his own way cares about autism families. I know he gets beat down because of his own study and how he got paid by this or that. On the other hand one can make the same analogy with previous CDC director who now works for Merck which manufactures vaccines. In other words, I think we all do what is best at the time with what data and information we have.

So where does this leave us and what happens now in moving forward. As I have said many times, I am not a researcher nor pretend to play one anywhere, but I know Dr. Allsopp and she is an amazing researcher and one of the most sincere people I have ever met during my autism advocacy. Dr. Allsopp knows what it is like to be a minority especially an African American woman in the south, she went through hell and back to reach where she is today. I remember I once asked her how she deals with racism and she said “the best payback is success in your own life”. I have sought and received Dr. Allsopp’s advice and wisdom many occasions about racism and autism. She has always told me to do my best and help those behind me by example. If you can believe it – I once contacted the White House and asked them to assure more diverse members in IACC and they said to send my suggestions. (I know the White House would actually care about my suggestions). I called Dr. Allsopp and asked her who I should recommend and the first thing she said was let’s make sure we get those that don’t just look like us, but will speak and advocate for minority autism families and children.

Dr. Allsopp is thoughtful, kind, shoots from the hip and she has put me in my place many times and rightfully so. Dr. Allsopp is one of the main reasons we had diverse folks in the Somali Autism Study done by the University of Minnesota. I remember when the guidelines were being written for the grant – I called Dr. Allsopp and asked to please make sure there is a community portion. And, if you follow my blog here then you know when UMN finally got that grant – the first three people they hired were non Somali and non-minority. They hired three Whites and sent them to CDC about a Somali autism study that was advocated and made possible by Somali autism parents for Somali autism children. Well – you can imagine how livid I was. I called Dr. Allsopp screaming and cursing probably in Somali and English and Dr. Allsopp calmed me down and said – CDC will fix this. As a result, UMN added Somalis to those doing the research. So, I know Dr. Allsopp & there is no way in hell – she would harm any minority child.

Therefore, I stand-by and defend Dr. Allsopp 100%.

I do however hope that CDC comes out with a stronger statement than this or comments and explains their 2004 study, how and why some data was taken out and what it now means for the millions of autism families in this country. For the record, I did ask CDC director’s office to send me answers regarding this because we can’t just pretend it did not happen. I also contacted the law firm representing Dr. Thompson and asked if Dr. Thompson is standing by his claims and they said yes he is. The only thing he did not like was that Dr Hooker taped their conversations and Dr. Wakefield put his name online without his permission. In other words, his lawyers are saying Dr. Thompson is now saying CDC took some data out which stated Black boys were at a higher risk for autism if given the MMR vaccine on time. Therefore, given the many problems our Somali autism community has with Minn dept of health and their inability to help families and the community’s fear of autism and rightfully so. It is best if CDC came out with much stronger statement and really explained what happened, why it happened and what do we do now. Given this study and this study, I think ignoring will only make more parents not trust CDC which will have much worse public health consequences.

As usual, above words do not represent any agency, committee or candidate.

Idil – Somali Autism Mom & Minority Advocate

Alright, so – as we all heard the Koch brothers were kind enough to donate over $25 millions to the struggling UNCF (United College Negro Fund) because the current U.S Dept of Education Sec Duncan sort of ignored their needs. These universities teach and nurture African American college students in a friendly, welcoming and amazing environment.

I think it is critical that these universities exist and those with the big bucks donate when they can which is what Koch brothers did. I also think it is sad to bring silly politics into educating our young to prepare them for tomorrow. Nevertheless, the silly and over-rated (my little humble opinion) decided to end their small and not all that productive relationship because God forbid UNCF decides to survive and accept Koch’s donation.

A letter sent by the Union’s President stated the following;

Lee Saunders, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, penned a letter this week to UNCF President and CEO Michael Lomax informing him that he is ending the collaboration between the two groups on a joint scholarship program.

“Like many supporters of the UNCF, I was deeply troubled by your decision to accept $25 million from David and Charles Koch. But I assumed that in accepting those funds you were in no way supporting or lending the name of the UNCF to the political or social causes or substantive views of the Koch brothers,” writes Saunders. “So I was truly stunned to learn that less than two weeks later, you attended and spoke at the Koch brothers summit in California. This was a betrayal of everything the UNCF stands for.” With friends like that African Americans don’t need enemies.

“The response has been what we expected,” Lomax said in an interview last month of backlash aimed at UNCF. “The criticism has come but there’s also been strong affirmation, particularly within the African American community, that we should accept this gift.”

Following AFSCME’s decision, Lomax said that the union’s decision was disheartening but that it would not deter UNCF from its mission.

“UNCF has over 100,000 donors with a wide range of views, but they all have one thing in common: they believe in helping young students of color realize their dreams of a college education. For over 70 years we have never had a litmus test and we have asked all Americans to support our cause,” Lomax said in a statement.

Let’s think about this statement for a hot minute here – because UNCF accepts money from two American brothers who happen to believe a different political view called Republican makes the Union leader disappointed. Are you freaking kidding me. Where exactly is it written that only Democrats care about the education of African American students? excuse but – aren’t majority of the public schools they control in this country failing African American students? Oh yeah – they are. Yet, Blacks should just take marching orders and stay on the DFL plantation regardless of their failed education policies. Are you kidding me again, really. I mean the audacity and nerve of Mr. Saunders to not only think of such racist remarks but to actually say it publicly, loudly and proudly should speak volumes of the disconnect between DFLers and their failed education policies.

Imagine for a minute if UNCF took the same amount of donation from George Sorow and a conservative organization cut ties with UNCF. What do you think they would have been called. They would have been called racist, bias, bigots, and every other name in the book. I just can’t believe this is 2014 in America.

Here is my two cents to every DFLer who assumes all minorities will vote for them and believe they are the only fair minded Americans – come down of your high horse, don’t you dare think you have our votes guaranteed irrespective of your policies and ain’t nothing fair about your policies, because if they were then why are minority children failing in every district you control in this country from South Mpls to South Side Chicago to South Central LA?

Personally, I am glad UNCF accepted the donation and even more glad the Koch brothers were willing to help their fellow Americans get a better education.

Some light end of this education disparity for minority children nationwide: Nine students from California sued their state and won. They argued that because the state system of hiring and firing teachers was unfair since teachers kept their jobs not because they were good, but because selfish & arrogant unions fought for them that kept students from learning and getting a good free public education, thereby violating their constitution.

The other light in this tunnel is even Sec Duncan is coming around on education disparity gap which seems to be pissing off education unions, but really who cares if they are mad. Furthermore, previous Obama right hand man Robert Gibbs is joining the fight for children against ineffective teachers.

So, the tide is turning slowly but surely at least nationally.

Nevertheless, Gov Dayton is still in la la land in this area. Remember he vetoed a bill by the state legislature that would have fixed last hired/first fired teachers because Gov Dayton would rather protect and help his union friends instead of protecting and helping Minnesota students. Dayton is up for re-election this year and if you have a child in a public school and they are not learning at grade level. This is your chance to vote him out and elect someone who will truly put your children first and unions last. It should be our children first, not politicians wanting to keep their seats.

Related note: Askar is for school choice including charter schools and Noor is for protecting unions over children. Please make the right choice and vote for Askar. In addition, Johnson is for school choice as well whereby Dayton is not. Think about it as you vote this election year.

Thanks!

Above words do not reflect any candidate, committee or agency.

Idil – Somali Autism Mom & Minority Advocate