[Mpls] (MPLS)KARAMEL & WHITTIER ALLIANCE

[gemgram]

Hopefully, Asha Ahmad Ahmad is not acting as a pawn for Sabri, but is simply
ignorant of the facts, and writing on the basis of false information
supplied by another.  I find it difficult to believe that Ahmad even
attended that meeting after reading the post.  To start with I did not help
organize anything. I was called by Omar Jamal and asked to please come to a
meeting to discuss the opportunities for Somali business, and how to get the
City of Minneapolis to assist Somali business people who are interested in
developing and owning their own buildings.  I was excited by the young
Somali real estate partners who are pursuing that on Fourth and Lake.
Their's is the promise of the future!

I attended on that basis and listened to some business people, some Sabri
supporters, and some community leaders.  I also offered some suggestions to
the community people on how to start a dialogue with the City to create such
an understanding. I was disappointed that more dialogue did not go on about
the Somali Community creating a "Self Sufficient" model of development for
that community.  Even some who support Sabri admit that what is needed are
alternatives to Sabri.  Minneapolis is missing the boat by not creating
opportunities for the eager Somali business people. The old Sears building
and other places will hopefully provide for such choice until Somali
business people are able to construct such Somali Malls that are owned by
the shop keepers themselves.  With choices available to the Somali people
the Sabri problem will go away.  Somali people will simply move out if they
are mistreated.  Such an option does not exist for them presently.

The falseness of Ahmad's accusations is demonstrated by the fact that Barb
Lickness was not even at the meeting last night.  If parts of what Ahmad
says are untrue how can anything be believed?  I think if Barb and I had
bothered to organize a meeting that was anti Sabri we would have packed the
room without difficulty.  Omar Jamal did not even mention Barb Lickness when
he called me, so she clearly did not "organize" anything.  I personally did
nothing more than take a couple of hours out of my evening to do someone a
favor by attending the meeting and give advice about development
opportunities for Somali people.  Even a couple of Sabri supporters
applauded those suggestions and thanked me after the meeting.

As for my being the "Savior of the Somalis" I have never gone out of my way
to do anything other than give assistance to Somali people who asked me for
that assistance because they were in trouble.  I must admit that this has
happened, and  has come from many, many Somali people.  I have in the past
often asked people on "List" to discuss this with County Attorney Amy
Klobachar, as she has also met with a room full of those women that Ahmad
claims do not exist.  Amy attended to hear their stories of exploitation.  I
assure everyone that I would not make that claim idly, as Amy would make me
look foolish if it were not true.  Amy Klobachar will support those claims,
and I am sure if any Star Tribune or Pioneer Press reporter would do a story
she would talk to them.  I know of a lawyer that many Somali people were
talking to that would also give information for such a reporter.  All a
reporter would have to do is ask.  (Hint, hint) Please, if you do such an
investigative story do it with a guarantee of anonymity.  Those women were
scared until they talked to Amy. Some are scared again.

I did not go seeking those Somali people, they and many others came seeking
me for my help.  I have attempted to assist Benadiri people and other Somali
people to own their own buildings and to do their own development because
they were my friends or because they were part of my community.  That record
of assistance goes back several years and has nothing to do with any
animosity with Sabri.  Even Sabri's brothers came to me for that same help
for a couple of years. (Hopefully, I will not be labeled as "Savior of the
Sabris"!)  This is not idle speculation and is easily checked upon.  Many
people (not just Somali people) have, and still do, come to me for advice
and assistance on a regular basis.  That also is a matter of record.  One of
the curses (or blessings) of helping people is that other people needing
help find out about it and also come for help when they are in need.

I honestly wish I had the power that "Savior of the Somalis" implies, I
would magically make several large buildings appear and sell them at cost to
the Somali people who would live there and run their businesses.
Unfortunately, all I have the power to do is give advice, and a small amount
of help to find legal assistance, or to lobby City Council Members to give
Somali people the same consideration as other people in Minneapolis.  Lobby
for just a little justice and opportunity.  All I can do is offer a little
assistance so that Somali people can be their own "Saviors".  I have NOT
gone seeking Somali people, they have come seeking me.  One has to wonder
why people who do not even exist would need so much help.

One also has to wonder what was the motivation for Asha Ahmad Ahmad to
spread such untruths and misinformation.  Ignorance of the situation just
does not seem to provide such motivation.  Ahmad asks what I have done for
the Somali people.  My answer is only to help friends and to help people who
come and ask for it. To Ahmad I ask the same thing, "What have you done for
your people?", by spreading misinformation that may be easily checked upon.

Jim Graham,
Ventura Village, Phillips Community, Sixth Ward of Minneapolis

>"Reality is that which when you stop believing in it doesn't go away."
- Philip K. Dick