Rep. Keith Ellison: Choose Generosity, Not Exclusion

[Sapphire Blue]

Choose Generosity, Not Exclusion
Posted by Keith Ellison on January 4, 2007 4:29 AM

Somewhere in Minneapolis or Jackson or Baltimore, somewhere in America today, there is a young couple that is feeling vulnerable. Maybe one has been laid off due to outsourcing, and maybe, the other is working for something close to a minimum wage. They probably have no medical benefits. Today real income is lower for the typical family than in 2000, while the incomes of the wealthiest families have grown significantly. Things are tough for working people, but in America, we often turn to our faith in tough times.

When our couple shows up for worship service, probably on a Sunday, there is no doubt that the preacher will tell them of God’s unyielding love. “God loves you.” But the next thing the preacher tells them is crucial - not only to the young couple, but to us all. The next message from the preacher may help to shape, not only the next election results, but the political landscape of the nation.

Will the preacher tell our young couple, “God loves you – but only you and people like you?” Or will the preacher say “God loves you and you must love your neighbors of all colors, cultures, or faiths as yourselves”? One message will lead to be a stinginess of spirit, an exclusion of the “undeserving”, and the other will lead to a generosity of spirit and inclusion of all.

(snip)

I do not blame my critics for subscribing to a politics of scarcity and intolerance. However, I believe we all must project a new politics of generosity and inclusion This is the vision of the diverse coalition in my Congressional district. My constituents in Minnesota elected me to fight for a new politics in which a loving nation guarantees health care for all of its people; a new politics in which executive pay may not skyrocket while workers do not have enough to care for their families. I was elected to articulate a new politics in which no one is cut out of the American dream, not immigrants, not gays, not poor people, not even a Muslim committed to serve his nation.


The author was elected to the House of Representatives from Minnesota's 5th District in November. He is the first Muslim elected to serve in the U.S. Congress.

http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/guestvoices/2007/01/choose_generosity_not_exclusio.html

[Virginia Dare]

1. Class Act. Congrats to MN 5th District....n/t

[DFLer4edu]

5. We're very proud

[ellisonz]

2. Excellent.

I love this trope of "scarcity," damn effective in turning the "faith table" right around, the way it should be. Barney Frank was hitting it to in his speech to the National Press Club the other day.

Down with the Pharisees.

:dem:

[Nitrogenica]

3. I am so proud to live in his District.

My vote was a vote very very well spent.

[Pierre.Suave]

4. I am so glad

I live in his district.

[wellst0nev0ter]

6. Still Have To Live In John Kline's District

ho well :(