I was asked to moderate a gubernatorial forum organized by the Wisconsin Muslim Civics Association (WMCA) in Milwaukee on July 1.
It’s not something I thought I would ever be asked to do. Many people have become acquainted with me in my time in Madison. I’m a silly person. I’m deeply unserious. I am a borderline jester, and I love my little jester’s privilege.
But this felt like one of those things you can’t say no to, an opportunity to represent Muslims and Arabs in this state, a state my family moved away from nearly 25 years ago because my parents — my Black and white mother and Pakistani father — thought “I don’t think I want to raise my children of color in Wisconsin.”
A gubernatorial forum specifically for Muslims and Arabs to hear candidates’ stances on issues in the community is a huge milestone. This wouldn’t have happened anywhere in the country outside of a handful of cities even a few years ago. So, of course, I said yes.
The night before, questions were leaked to candidate teams. Certain questions in the lightning round, where candidates are only asked to answer yes or no, caused some contention and some candidates’ teams threatened not to show up.
The contested questions asked whether candidates agree with the popular consensus of experts that what is happening in Gaza constitutes a genocide; whether they would support Boycott, Divest and Sanction bans; and whether they would repeal Act 143, which adopted the IHRA’s definition of antisemitism into Wisconsin law.
Everyone involved in the forum was worried and confused. Regardless, the forum would still go on with the understanding that those who don’t show up have expressed their disregard for Wisconsin’s Muslim and Arab community through their actions.
We were not entirely sure who wouldn’t show up. While the space was being set up, organizers asked me what I thought should happen if candidates decided not to come.
“It’s not 2001,” I said. “If a candidate does not come, then they are relics of the past and we do not need them in office. They don’t deserve our vote, and they don’t deserve to be in office. Any office.”
I continued on to say that it is not fair that in nearly every single instance, Muslim and Arab communities around the country are forced to make concessions for representation. Compromise is fine. Everyone has to compromise. If we keep conceding every little thing then we will always continue to be treated as “separate but equal.” Our voices will never be heard or respected.
My co-moderator Munjed Ahmad, a lawyer in Milwaukee, agreed, but did put some responsibility on the Muslim and Arab community to demand change.
“We need to be adults,” Ahmad said.
We continued to wait to see who would show and laid out our guesses.
We knew that Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley would not come. He, or his team, called the organizers to confirm this. I guessed Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez wouldn’t, and was asked why I thought this.
I explained that I have always found Rodriguez’s stance as a “champion” of the marginalized to be disingenuous.
I was unsure about Mandela Barnes. However, after I spoke with others there, I learned that Barnes has been a long-time advocate and supporter of the Muslim and Arab community across Wisconsin. He often points to the parallels in treatment that Muslims and Arabs have experienced that the Black community have for much longer. He knows this community better than I do. I was pleasantly surprised to learn this. He showed up and he removed any doubts I had about him.
I was a little on the fence as to whether Senator Kelda Roys would come. But I have said and pointed out on our weekly podcast, 365 Amplified, many times that Roys always shows up for the people anywhere in Wisconsin. I hoped that she would stay true to that — and she did.
I knew that Rep. Francesca Hong would absolutely come if no one else would. There was no doubt in my mind that she would be there regardless of the questions.
Adam Manske, who I frankly learned about that day, is a 27-year-old long-shot Republican candidate. He showed up, but he does also live relatively close by and takes every opportunity he can.
I was heartbroken that Crowley did not show up. In those same conversations about Barnes, I learned that Crowley has rarely, if ever, shown up for the Muslim and Arab community. I was shocked to learn this.
When I see Crowley, there is always nothing but love. He’s always surprised and happy to see me pop up in Milwaukee and I am always surprised and happy to see him in Madison. I believe that people like Crowley would have been an ample reason for my parents to keep us in Milwaukee and think that the city can change for the better. He inspires hope for a better Wisconsin.
I lost some faith in him when he didn’t show. I do still believe that on the whole, he has made a great impact in Milwaukee. I just cannot find it in me to believe that someone who would outright abandon his current and potential constituents is someone who should lead this state.
Ahmad and I thought it was important to highlight the candidates that didn’t show and provide attendees and viewers of the live stream the reason as to why.
Ahamd paused the forum to place Rodriguez’s and Crowley’s name placards on the chairs they would have sat in. He wanted attendees and viewers to see clearly with their eyes who was not here and make note of it.
At the start of the lightning round, I stopped the forum to say something. I felt it necessary to point out and very clearly say their names along with their titles that the reason they are not here tonight is over contention over a few questions that we are going to ask tonight.
I gave a short comment before we kicked off the lighting round:
“It is a shame that the aknowledgement of a genocide would inspire cowardice among those who chose not to attend today. Those candidates have expressed with their actions moral apathy towards Wisconsin’s Muslim and Arab communities that continue to persist in this country.”
We can no longer ignore the Muslim and Arab voice. Generations of families have been born and raised in the United States after their parents immigrated here.
Those generations are not subscribing to the “keep your head down and be happy with what we can get” model minority mindset that ruled the previous one. This is their home. It will be their children’s home, and their children’s children home.
If candidates are unwilling to show up for a group of people, then those candidates do not deserve their support. They are indeed relics of the past that need to stay there.
To Rodriguez, Crowley and your teams: if you want to rebut my remarks, I highly encourage them to come to Madison365’s office to speak on 365 Amplified next week. In fact you don’t even have to come to the office — we can record remotely.
We would be more than happy to have you. Please reach out to me or Robert Chappell to set that up. You already have our contact information.
