Alright – so, if you are an autism parent or in the autism field, then you have heard that a white liberal, privileged and entitled woman has been elected in Rochester to the state legislature. She is also the policy lead for autism in the state human services agency. And she is in every human services committee in the house. Now, this is what they call really privileged. How does this even work. Is Melissa Hortman blind or just playing favoritism. Is DHS stupid or tricking people. This would be Saturday night live funny sketch if it were not sadly true.
How does even work. From Jan to May, Rep. Hicks creates laws, rules, and policies for DHS then from June to Dec works at DHS to implement those rules, laws, and policies.
She has gone further, she has been advising Rep. Noor, Rep. Hassan and Rep. Hussein about autism and DHS. Now what now? Will the real slim shady stand up. This is how Democracy works in Minnesota for white liberal women.
And her job is kept for her and secure for six months while she writes and creates laws for the same agency she works for. Um, excuse me but does autism take a break from Jan to May. This is what it means to be biased in your core. This is what it means when people mention institutional racism. This is how being white female and liberal works in Minnesota. Yep. Welcome to the land of 10,000 racial disparities.
We ask Rep. Hicks to stop giving wrong and biased advice to the few Somali elected officials we have in the state legislator. Yes, autism is disproportionately higher in our community. How dare you convince them otherwise. If DHS and Hortman were fair, they would not give you this dual role that you seem to be exploiting for your own benefit while screwing with other communities. We also ask that you stop giving advice to the all white autism group about EIDBI policies. This is wrong on every level. Have you no shame.
The above words do not reflect any committee, agency, or candidate.
Idil – Somali Autism Mom & Retired Advocate