Loading ...Hamtramck election results are a very American occurrence
There has been much discussion about recent election results in Hamtramck, where American Muslims won the majority of seats for the city council. This marks the first time in our history in which Americans of the Islamic faith will constitute a majority of an elected body. Although this is historic, it is also very American.
Muslims constitute approximately 55 percent of the population of Hamtramck. Their national origins and ethnic backgrounds are diverse including Yemeni Americans, Bengali Americans, Bosnian Americans and African Americans. As all of these subgroups have a common faith on the macro level, how they understand their faith as well as their political priorities varies. Nonetheless, Muslims in Hamtramck, the most Muslim town in America per capita not Dearborn, do constitute a type of voting bloc.
When Polish Americans who were Catholics faced discrimination in Detroit in the first half of the 20th century, Hamtramck became a hamlet for them. Once they became the majority, Catholic Polish Americans also became the majority political representation through the Democratic process.
Likewise Muslims have steadily moved into Hamtramck and found a level of security and community as Polish Americans did in the last century. And with them settling in the area and now constituting a majority, it is only natural that there would eventually be a Muslim majority city council. This is why the recent election results is a very American occurrence.
New political alliances are being formed in Hamtramck, not simply based upon identity politics, but also upon issues that its residents face such as attracting businesses to the city, improving public education and environmental pollution concerns, among other things.
At the end of the day, identity politics will only get Muslim elected officials so far. They will have to produce qualitative positive results. If not, they risk being voted out of office including opposition by fellow Muslims. This too is a very American occurrence.
Source: blogs.detroitnews.com