I have lived in Fresno for about eight years, and I cannot remember any City Council seat ever being occupied by an Asian American. Weird? I don't know. It seems weird to me. I'm aware of the demographics, voter perceptions, and cultural issues facing potential candidates, but I think it's long overdue. I am friends with an attorney in town whom several people have tried to convince to make a run, but I don't think she's interested. I can think of some others who are friendly and good with people but lack the steel to handle the pressures involved.
Fresno is California's sixth largest city (in population) but there is a long way to go regarding political representation and progessive ideas in general (our mayor, after all, if a former television actor). Asianweek recently had two good articles about San Jose and Sacramento, where the face of local government reflects its constituents a bit more accurately. Fresno has great poets, but there's work to be done at City Hall.
Read about San Jose and the Vietnamese American women running...and about the recruitment in Sacramento.
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1 comment:
Lee,
I agree with you. I just took a distinguished guest from Laos to greet the city councils this morning and I was wondering the same thing.
It was nice meeting with all the councils, but there were no Asians to represent us.
Anyway, whatever it is out there it motivates me to try even harder on the things which I am now doing.
Keep up with the good work!
Mor
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