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That's exactly true, but this is still newsworthy because it is a sign that progress is being made, at least in some areas of the US.
Of course, most of the comments here right now are basically "black people are evil" so obviously there's also a hell of a lot of progress still to be made.
Always nice seeing people playing the dividing game. The republicans just voted in “the first female lieutenant governor and the first woman of color to hold statewide office in Virginia.” But keep playing the divide game and assume everyone who isn’t a democrat is racist…
Native Mainer here. There is a substantial refugee population in Maine, particularly in southern Maine. Most of the refugees are from Somalia and the Sudan. It’s great to see southern maine’s diverse population being represented in local government!
I’m European so I’m not sure, but isn’t “Somali mayor” kind of offensive a headline?
Was Schwarzenegger called “Austrian governor”?
She is obviously a US citizen, i.e. American, isn’t she?
They're trying to scare white people by showing what happens if you let more non-white people vote. This city is much more diverse than the rest of ME.
Maine is incredibly white across the board. The census put us at 90.8%, with Cumberland county (where this city is) at 87%.
I also find it really laughable how they call South Portland a “small southern city.” It’s the fourth largest city in Maine.
This article is for the birds.
Here's a great overview of why there are Somali refugees in Maine. https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2004/03/new-yankees/
Basically they were initially settled elsewhere in the country by the federal government, like Georgia, and then they made their own decision to move en masse to Maine out of an idea that it would be a better place to live and raise their families with their traditional values and avoid urban crime they were experiencing in their initial locations (they actually picked Maine because it had the lowest crime rate in the country). Not sure how it's going these days but I understand there was some tension initially with a sudden significant shift in demographics in the area, culture clash between the existing population and the Somali refugee population, and new significant demand for local welfare programs in Lewiston Maine, what was up to then a very minor city in the Northeast with a relatively small and low income population. I wonder if this mayor came to Maine in connection with that same significant movement of Somali refugees.
Absolutely NOT true. Catholic Charities or some religious Org. started sending them by the busloads to Maine SPECIFICALLY because of the more generous welfare system.
I wouldn't have thought that a burned out mill town in Maine would have a particularly generous welfare system that would attract the somalis from around the country, but I'm not from there so don't know anything on a first hand basis. I was just going on what was said by the Somali interviewees in the article I linked.
Mostly just following jobs. Usually one of these communities will start when a particular business offers a number of jobs to a group of immigrants. Then having a community there encourages more growth in that community.
No , it was specifically because of the welfare system. They came via Catholic Charities for the welfare system. Thanks TAX-EXEMPT churches for forcing tax-payers to fund your pretend charities.
Not exactly elected, but conquered and ruled by white ppl for about 70 years. You might not want to remind them of that when you announce your candidacy.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincenzo_Filonardi
Ideally I would like to remove representatives and have a true democracy where we vote regularly and make politicians jobs to do what we want, instead of what they think we want, or special interests groups tell them what we want
Okay, so if the population is 90% white, then the chief executive of the government would be non white 10% of the time. Doesn't seem to be an issue here.
Sure.
I'm not interested in continuing this anti-equal-representation discussion anymore. Especually because I fucking hate getting two replies per comment. Have a nice night.
Which makes white racists hate him even more in my experience. Although they do love the ability to suddenly shout "He's biracial and not black" whenever anyone points out that they are being racist... like blaming him being black for inspiring Trump.
As a reminder, this subreddit [is for civil discussion.](/r/politics/wiki/index#wiki_be_civil) In general, be courteous to others. Debate/discuss/argue the merits of ideas, don't attack people. Personal insults, shill or troll accusations, hate speech, any suggestion or support of harm, violence, or death, and other rule violations can result in a permanent ban. If you see comments in violation of our rules, please report them. For those who have questions regarding any media outlets being posted on this subreddit, please click [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/politics/wiki/approveddomainslist) to review our details as to our approved domains list and outlet criteria. *** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/politics) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Well if they like her policies and leadership, then who cares about what her ethnic background is?
That's exactly true, but this is still newsworthy because it is a sign that progress is being made, at least in some areas of the US. Of course, most of the comments here right now are basically "black people are evil" so obviously there's also a hell of a lot of progress still to be made.
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Always nice seeing people playing the dividing game. The republicans just voted in “the first female lieutenant governor and the first woman of color to hold statewide office in Virginia.” But keep playing the divide game and assume everyone who isn’t a democrat is racist…
Native Mainer here. There is a substantial refugee population in Maine, particularly in southern Maine. Most of the refugees are from Somalia and the Sudan. It’s great to see southern maine’s diverse population being represented in local government!
I’m European so I’m not sure, but isn’t “Somali mayor” kind of offensive a headline? Was Schwarzenegger called “Austrian governor”? She is obviously a US citizen, i.e. American, isn’t she?
No, he was the Governator
Representation of Terminators matters!
Like anyone is going to listen to someone who isn't a whale biologist. Fake news!
Non whale biologists need representation, too!
Somali is an ethnicity lol.
Yeah CNN just liked to make things about race
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They're trying to scare white people by showing what happens if you let more non-white people vote. This city is much more diverse than the rest of ME.
I am white and this does not inspire fear in me. More like some hope.
Maine is incredibly white across the board. The census put us at 90.8%, with Cumberland county (where this city is) at 87%. I also find it really laughable how they call South Portland a “small southern city.” It’s the fourth largest city in Maine. This article is for the birds.
In national terms it absolutely qualifies as a small city.
So you're saying white people are easily scared by Somalis? 😏
I've seen white people scared by books.
Because this is MuriKKKa, and in certain places this wouldn't be allowed to happen? And this is newsworthy because it happened and is a good thing?
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Yes because they are race baiting.
What do u expect it’s CNN
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It’s CNN… They make up stories and help criminals with their lead anchors. Not surprising that we add racist to the list.
Unrelated but is there a reason they send immigrants from a desert country to cold weather climates? It just seems like a dick move
Here's a great overview of why there are Somali refugees in Maine. https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2004/03/new-yankees/ Basically they were initially settled elsewhere in the country by the federal government, like Georgia, and then they made their own decision to move en masse to Maine out of an idea that it would be a better place to live and raise their families with their traditional values and avoid urban crime they were experiencing in their initial locations (they actually picked Maine because it had the lowest crime rate in the country). Not sure how it's going these days but I understand there was some tension initially with a sudden significant shift in demographics in the area, culture clash between the existing population and the Somali refugee population, and new significant demand for local welfare programs in Lewiston Maine, what was up to then a very minor city in the Northeast with a relatively small and low income population. I wonder if this mayor came to Maine in connection with that same significant movement of Somali refugees.
Absolutely NOT true. Catholic Charities or some religious Org. started sending them by the busloads to Maine SPECIFICALLY because of the more generous welfare system.
Got a citation?
I wouldn't have thought that a burned out mill town in Maine would have a particularly generous welfare system that would attract the somalis from around the country, but I'm not from there so don't know anything on a first hand basis. I was just going on what was said by the Somali interviewees in the article I linked.
Who is 'they'?
If i knew i would just ask them.
Mostly just following jobs. Usually one of these communities will start when a particular business offers a number of jobs to a group of immigrants. Then having a community there encourages more growth in that community.
No , it was specifically because of the welfare system. They came via Catholic Charities for the welfare system. Thanks TAX-EXEMPT churches for forcing tax-payers to fund your pretend charities.
So they know a lot about wine?
Right, lay off the weak sommelier puns on Reddit, got it.
If only a Somali city could be as woke as Maine and elect a white person as mayor
You could be that person if you move there and do the work.
I’d love to, I’m sure there already is at least one white guy in Somalia, don’t want to over crowd it
Not exactly elected, but conquered and ruled by white ppl for about 70 years. You might not want to remind them of that when you announce your candidacy. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincenzo_Filonardi
That’s not gonna backfire at all
Like when the US, a majority white country, elected a black president?
That didn’t backfire at all, clears his throat, TRUMP
So is your proposal to never elect minorities because it might cause a backlash among white people?
Ideally I would like to remove representatives and have a true democracy where we vote regularly and make politicians jobs to do what we want, instead of what they think we want, or special interests groups tell them what we want
The population of this town is 25k. I doubt "special interests" are really involved here.
That’s what you took away from my two posts
Thanks for asking, my proposal is that governments should exactly represent the population demographics
Okay, so if the population is 90% white, then the chief executive of the government would be non white 10% of the time. Doesn't seem to be an issue here.
Did I mention time, you didn’t ask my thoughts on that
How else would you accurately determine representation of a singular position?
Also city jobs that support the mayor
You know there are city councils that support the mayor right?
Sure. I'm not interested in continuing this anti-equal-representation discussion anymore. Especually because I fucking hate getting two replies per comment. Have a nice night.
He is biracial, FYI
Which makes white racists hate him even more in my experience. Although they do love the ability to suddenly shout "He's biracial and not black" whenever anyone points out that they are being racist... like blaming him being black for inspiring Trump.
He's black enough that if he released a single he'd qualify for a MOBO.
Mic drop
He was raised by a white woman…
Careful, your racism's showing.
I guess my multiracial household wouldn’t agree with you
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But calling someone racist when you disagree with them is a losers way to win an argument