 She's OK
Goli Ameri is not ideal but she is breaking
barriers
Moji Momeni
October 8, 2004
iranian.com
This year, Goli Ameri (Republican) is running against David
Wu (Democrat) for the opportunity to represent the people of District
One of the State of Oregon. There has been discussions for and
against Ms. Ameri's candidacy in the Iranian-American community.
Many have celebrated her candidacy and some are against it since
she is running as a Republican candidate and may influence the
politics of the next administration with regard to Iran.
There's
an English proverb that says: "Let's not put the cart before
the horse." In other words let's keep things in perspective.
The candidacy and election of Ameri, for those outside
her district, should not be viewed with an eye toward world
politics. It should be viewed with an eye toward breaking
barriers and opening doors for Iranian-Americans throughout United
States.
First let me state that neither Ameri nor Wu is going to
represent the Iranian community, the American community, or the
Chinese community.
The
person who gets elected will represent the people of District
One of the State of Oregon. That district includes Washington
County, Clatsop County, Columbia County, Yamhill County and
parts of Multnomah County. Only the registered voters of District
One can vote to elect either Ameri or Wu to represent
them in the House of Representatives in Washington D.C.
Having said
that, it is far fetched to believe that either
Wu or Ameri are running so that they can affect, influence,
or change regimes in their motherlands. It is also far fetched
to think that the people of District One should have more interest
in changing/affecting world politics than improving their own quality
of life.
The two candidates are running to get an opportunity to
represent the people of District One and help represent our views
and wishes (those living in District One) to the Federal
Government so that we can improve our job growth, our economy and our
way of life in District One. That is their mission and if
they do not do that well, they will not get reelected.
That's
the beauty of democracy and America. The elected candidate does
not go to D.C. to push his or her own agenda. They go
there to push OUR agenda for District One. That's how they get
our votes and remain our representative in District One.
But why
should all Iranian Americans celebrate Goli's success? Because
she is opening the door for others to follow. She
has already motivated other Iranian-Americans to think seriously
about getting involved with politics. That by itself
is a cause to celebrate.
 Is she the ideal person for every Iranian-American?
Of course not. Our community is diverse and perhaps more diverse
than other ethnic communities. But that's OK. The diversity will
propel us forward. The system/communites that depend on uniformity
and "all for one and one for all" attitudes have either
become a page in history or are on their way to become one.
Goli
Ameri is the first Iranian-American to have come this far
in the democratic political process of the United States. She is
the Republican candidate for District One of the State of Oregon
and she has a very good chance of winning the election. When
she goes to Washington, she will have a few Iranian-American
aides and advisors amongst her staff and she will become
a role model to some Iranian-American youth.
Her success will
motivate other Iranian-Americans to get involved, especially, the
young Iranian-American woman. Those "side effects" should
be a source of pride for all. However, if her candidacy and its "side
effects" do not do anything for some, that's OK. We
cannot win them all. :-)
In the coming weeks, if you live in District
One of the State of Oregon and are registered to vote, I hope you
join me and other voters in
sending someone to Washington that will listen to us and understands
the challenges that face our community and our economy. That person
is Goli. If you have issues with her representing you, then you
may vote for her opponent.
 If you do not live in District one, spread the word to your young
ones that we are here, we have strong representation in the medical,
engineering and high-tech arenas. We are now going to get involved
in politics and someday we will become a powerful political voice
in Washington. Goli is paving the way for the rest of us.
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She's OK
