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Minnesota Elects First Female Somali American Lawmaker
美国明尼苏达州，选出第一位索马里裔女议员
History was made this week when a 34-year-old former refugee was elected to
the Minnesota state legislature.
The woman, Ilhan Omar, will become the country’s first Somali-American
lawmaker.
Omar was the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party candidate for the
legislature in Minnesota’s 60th district. She easily defeated her Republican
opponent on Tuesday.
Omar told supporters Tuesday night that her victory means a lot. "My
success is not only for me but for every Somali, Muslim and minority,
particularly the young girls in the Dadaab refugee camp where I lived before
coming to the U.S.," she said.
From Refugee to Representative
As a girl, Omar fled her home in Somalia because of the country’s civil
war. She spent four years at the Dadaab Camp in Kenya, before moving to the
United States with her family. She was 12 years old at the time.
Her family first began their new life in Arlington, Virginia, and then
settled in their current home in Minneapolis.
Omar began her career as a community activist. She is currently director of
policy at the Women Organizing Women Network. The group works with immigrant
women, helping them become engaged citizens and community leaders.
Concerns about Trump
Minnesota is home to the largest population of Somali refugees and
immigrants in the United States. Many Somalis who spoke to VOA before the
election said they were supporting Hillary Clinton for president because they
felt that Donald Trump was anti-Somali.
Earlier, Trump has said there are problems in Minnesota caused by poor
vetting of refugees. He said there were large numbers of Somali refugees
entering the state, and that this was unknown to state officials. He also said
that some of the refugees had joined the Islamic State group. He accused them of
spreading their extremist ideas “all over our country and all over the
world.”
Asha Ahmed, a Somali American, said "We are shocked that Trump is
president, but we got relief that Ilhan will be representing us at our state
House of Representatives. For me, America is my country, it is where my future
and dreams always depended on and the only home for my children... [Omar's]
success means a lot to me and my family, three children and a husband."
Jibril Mohamed, a lecturer at Ohio State University, expressed satisfaction
at Omar’s election to the Minnesota state legislature.
"It is like an anti-pain relief for the Somalis, who voted against Trump
because of Trump's anti-Somali rhetoric that continued even to the last days of
the election campaign," he said.
Ahmed Hirsi, Omar's husband, told VOA that the campaign was a long struggle
for his family to witness this day.
"It is a big historic day for us and Ilhan, a symbol and role model for
many Somali refugee girls. It is a success that came through hard work and the
support of our Minnesota people," he said.
I’m Phil Dierking.
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Words in This Story
concentration – n. a large amount of something in one place
engage – v. to get and keep someone's attention or interest
relief – n. a pleasant and relaxed feeling that someone has when something
unpleasant stops or does not happen
rhetoric – n. the art or skill of speaking or writing formally and
effectively especially as a way to persuade or influence people
vet – v. to check something carefully to make sure it is acceptable |
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发表于 2016-12-4 13:31:53