Ka Joog – Ka Jooga Dhaqan Xumada – Really

Alright, so – today was the celebration of the independence of Somalia (Soomaaliya). To give a brief history of Somalia – we were divided into five sections during the colonization of Africa, hence the blue flag with the five stars. South Somalia became independent from Italy on July 1st 1960, North Somalia from England on June 26th 1960, DJibouti got its independence from France in 1977, but decided to not merge with South & North Somalia.

As a result and as its custom & tradition, Somalis in Mpls celebrate Somali independence day usually between the two dates – but since Ramadan is coming – the Confederation Somali Community of Minnesota decided to hold it this year today, June 21, 2014. CSCM also decided to give the preparation of the event to a new youth Somali organization named Ka Joog. Now, Ka Joog does a fairly good job in addressing youth issues and ensuring our young kids stay on the right path to life.

Staying on the right path also involves learning our culture, our dhaqan, is ixtiraanka, in la xushmeeyo dadka kaa wayn iyo in howlaha Soomaaliyeed mar walba laga hormariyo arrimaha kale. Today Ka Joog failed this miserably. They decided that autism was not an important topic to be discussed on Somali day. Their reason – autism was not on the schedule even though Noor invited me to come and talk about autism. How can I put this diplomatically, let me see – I looked at my schedule and what do you know – my son having autism was not on my “schedule”. We all make lemonade in whatever life ball or curve we are thrown at. Autism was not any parent’s “schedule”, but we are dealing with it and the ignorance of this group to ignore such a devastating medical disorder in our community is both sad and unfortunate. My guess is at the rate this medical condition is hitting us, they too will have a child with autism who would not be on their “schedule”. My advice to Ka Joog is ka jooga kibirka, dhaqan xummada iyo isla waynaanta. Aduunka waa la’idinka soo horeeyay – ixtiraama your elders. You might learn something!

Noor – loses my vote of confidence:

Mohamud Noor who is challenging Rep Kahn for District 60B is also the director of Confederation Somali Community of Minnesota (CSCM). He hired Ka Joog (village idiots-not a typo) on behalf of Somali community of Minnesota to organize the Somali independence day of 2014. Yet, he could not be decisive today and tell these clueless young Somalis that 1 in every 32 Somali children in Minnesota has autism. Autism is hitting harder in our children and it is critically important to talk about Autism on Somali day.

You see Mr. Noor – Minnesota State Capitol will have bigger and sharper sharks and one must be decisive and always choose the needs of his/her constituents. You have failed this today. You should have told Ka Joog in ay ka joogaan dismissing autism which Somalis have the highest in Minnesota. In other words, if you can’t make the right decision in something so simple and so necessary with Ka Joog – how will you make real decisions at the MN State Capitol. I am sorry, but we need an elected official with a backbone and a spine who will make hard decisions even if they are not popular or nice. Now, you can say a lot of things about Rep Kahn – but she does not lack a backbone. In fact, before she was a state representative – she stood up for women’s rights at UMN. Don’t get me wrong – Rep Kahn has voted against everything autism and I can’t support her, but at least I know where she stands. With you – it is hard because you want to be BFF with everyone even with useless Ka Joog kids who clearly aan ka joogin dhaqan xumada, fahansanayna in Somali day ay ku saabsan tahay Somalis.

Furthermore, Sen Cohen is still a board member of CSCM while Cismaan Sheikh was kicked out. How can that possibly be. First, whatever Mr Cismaan does in his private time is his business and while I don’t agree with his decision to support Rep Kahn – that is his prerogative. By the same token, Sen Cohen is the chair of the full Finance committee in Minnesota Senate – yet CSCM is broke and on thin ice. Every legislation with a funding attached to it in the state goes through Sen Cohen’s committee. In other words, if he is not helping Somali community – why is he on the board. Why not kick him out if Cismaan Sheikh can be kicked out. Isn’t that double standard.

Therefore, as a Somali mom and advocate, I have lost any confidence I had in your ability to fight for our cause when it might not be popular or nice.

Here is the state supplemental bill – notice how there is nothing for CSCM. Yet, Sen Cohen who is in charge of the state finance committee is still on our board. Are you folks kidding me? Oh, and Sen Cohen voted against the amendment by Sen Benson to save the MN Autism task force, how nice. Here is my post on saving the MN Autism task force despite Sen Cohen voting against us on the Senate floor – we prevailed in conference committee.

Also, notice autism appropriations from line 156 which included MN state autism website, training autism providers in Somali culture as well as other minority cultures and autism respite grants for families that are tired and overwhelmed in which we were able to advocate without the usual support we would get from previous Somali community director Dr. Fahia whom you have replaced.

Mr. Noor – if you want to lead our community then you must lead from the front and make tough decisions without blinking or being afraid you might offend some village idiot.