"Mamdani has a nuanced appreciation of entrepreneurship that is centred equally on the social and economic aspects of business......... Mamdani’s socialism stems ‘not from ideology’ but from an appreciation of lived experience ‘within our communities’. " Brilliant, insightful, inspiring piece that should be essential reading for Labour Councillors, not to mention Rachel Reeves. Heartbreaking to see what is happening to hospitality in London.
As IMMIGRANT Australians ((Dutch and my husband is Belgian, but I have lived all over the world since being a small child, mostly in developing countries) , I have watched with dismay as various western countries have gradually eroded the ability of people to emigrate for a better life. The EU is struggling under the weight of refugees, but the rest of the western world won’t pull their weight. Refugees are exactly that - people struggling to leave living conditions most of us could not fathom.
Australia is particularly difficult to get into. We don’t have much of an issue with illegal immigrants or refugees, because we are such a large island and border control is easier. But don’t worry, the politicians and the media make an unholy deal about it.
The Australian government has become more and more tyrannical in terms of being able to enter the country - unless you have a boat load of money of course - and this is from both sides of the political fence, Liberal/National Coalition, or Labour, it does not make a lick of difference.
I find it absolutely appalling that countries such as the US and Aus continue to treat immigrants as second class citizens, limit their ability to enter the country, and limit genuine refugees by capping numbers.
The US and Aus are both countries that would be NOTHING without immigrants. Nothing. If you think otherwise, take a long, good, hard look at the history of your country.
What is worse, in my eyes, is that Australians and Americans (funnily enough, often the most racist, anti-immigration ones) are the ones that refuse to do the jobs that backpackers, working holiday makers and poorer immigrants will do. Things like cleaning jobs, working in abattoirs, the gig economy, etc. the self -same shit that actually makes everyone else’s lives cleaner, happier and healthier. That people that were born in the US or Aus will not for the life of them do - they would rather go on the dole than degrade themselves like that.
Those that can escape those menial jobs, open cafes and restaurants to celebrate their culture, retain a bit of ‘home’ and genuinely try to introduce us spoilt westerners to their way of life. That should be celebrated - if we can embrace different cultures and ways of life (you don’t have To agree with it, just accept that many, many people live differently to you) that only breeds success for every single one of us - each of us will be a better person for the more experiences that we have.
Westerners live in a system where democracy is run by crusty old white men, who are either wealthy or can raise money.
We need more politicians like Mamdani - genuine people, that represent the diaspora, celebrate what makes us different (but historically, have actually built this country, whichever country that may be), and dare to stand for the people- I’m a 44 year old, white (blond haired, blue eyed - imagine the ruckus I caused in some of the places I lived, there were genuinely people who had never seen a whitey like me - I was the odd one out, the freak) fucking lawyer (also, would you believe my name is Karen😳) who in Australia should be your typical Liberal voter, and in the US should be your typical Republican voter, right?
The article was very well written and highlights what is hopefully a massive groundswell of change. That’s what is very badly needed in so many different places.
Because those who are upper class (my parents, but at least they worked for it and made their own money) or middle class (me) need to preserve our wealth at all costs, so they keep preserving the institutions within the political system.
I am so fucking sick of lying bullshit politicians who are only interested in padding their own nest and making sure they get re-elected next term.
I see that a few people have commented about the greatness of the US - I’m sorry, but if that’s your view, you either need to travel more or understand that you can claim it as the greatest country in the world, but it’s alien to most western countries that:
1,. You have a political system that requires such a ridiculous amount of money to field candidates at any level of the political spectrum - sorry, but it’s always going to favour wealthy middle aged educated white guys ( just because they have a degree does not mean they are intelligent, just ask me, I have 2 degrees, I am certainly not clever);
2. You still do not have a universal health care system - and you call yourselves the leaders of the western world? People can become bankrupt accessing healthcare because of an accident if they don’t have insurance? W the Flying F?
3. You have millions upon millions of people that rely on food aid. That’s just not OK. There’s a problem with your entire system right there. And your government has stopped that aid. I cannot conceive of being a public employee, and being told that I will not be paid to do my job for an indefinite period of time. How do you pay the mortgage? How do you buy food? How do you buy clothing for your kids?
There is something, really, really, really wrong here. And your political class is dictating to the rest of us? People like Mamdani may not be the answer but at least it’s a start in a different direction.
Fuck that shit, we need more people like Mamdani - people who embrace the different, people who recognise that the way society is going needs a shake up, most of all - needs real people that want to make a difference - NO MORE POLITICIANS, ONLY REAL PEOPLE FROM NOW ON.
Rant over (never done this public before), I am just so fucking sick and tired of the gross inequity that is around.
Reading this very focused piece on Mamdani through the 'eateries' serving Halal to the Muslim community inevitably reflects a fan base.
Having also read in the last 24 hours that Mamdani has engaged in having Jeremy Corbyn alongside his campaign on Sunday November 2, reflects a side of Team Mamdani that should be truly worrying to the New York electorate.
The USA is the bastion of the free world, where democracy and capitalism have a loud voice, ie the free market. Jeremy Corbyn is an avowed marxist, socialist and staunch supporter of organisations like the IRA, Hamas and the dreadful mullahs and IRGC of Iran.
That should be a loud enough caution that Mamdani's election campaign should come with a health warning.
I'm all for 'good food, slow cooking and breaking bread' with likeminded people, but not those whose political intentions are divisive and dangerous.
That’s my mayor!!! (I’m from the UK)
"Mamdani has a nuanced appreciation of entrepreneurship that is centred equally on the social and economic aspects of business......... Mamdani’s socialism stems ‘not from ideology’ but from an appreciation of lived experience ‘within our communities’. " Brilliant, insightful, inspiring piece that should be essential reading for Labour Councillors, not to mention Rachel Reeves. Heartbreaking to see what is happening to hospitality in London.
Great piece - so interesting- thank you for the insights.
As IMMIGRANT Australians ((Dutch and my husband is Belgian, but I have lived all over the world since being a small child, mostly in developing countries) , I have watched with dismay as various western countries have gradually eroded the ability of people to emigrate for a better life. The EU is struggling under the weight of refugees, but the rest of the western world won’t pull their weight. Refugees are exactly that - people struggling to leave living conditions most of us could not fathom.
Australia is particularly difficult to get into. We don’t have much of an issue with illegal immigrants or refugees, because we are such a large island and border control is easier. But don’t worry, the politicians and the media make an unholy deal about it.
The Australian government has become more and more tyrannical in terms of being able to enter the country - unless you have a boat load of money of course - and this is from both sides of the political fence, Liberal/National Coalition, or Labour, it does not make a lick of difference.
I find it absolutely appalling that countries such as the US and Aus continue to treat immigrants as second class citizens, limit their ability to enter the country, and limit genuine refugees by capping numbers.
The US and Aus are both countries that would be NOTHING without immigrants. Nothing. If you think otherwise, take a long, good, hard look at the history of your country.
What is worse, in my eyes, is that Australians and Americans (funnily enough, often the most racist, anti-immigration ones) are the ones that refuse to do the jobs that backpackers, working holiday makers and poorer immigrants will do. Things like cleaning jobs, working in abattoirs, the gig economy, etc. the self -same shit that actually makes everyone else’s lives cleaner, happier and healthier. That people that were born in the US or Aus will not for the life of them do - they would rather go on the dole than degrade themselves like that.
Those that can escape those menial jobs, open cafes and restaurants to celebrate their culture, retain a bit of ‘home’ and genuinely try to introduce us spoilt westerners to their way of life. That should be celebrated - if we can embrace different cultures and ways of life (you don’t have To agree with it, just accept that many, many people live differently to you) that only breeds success for every single one of us - each of us will be a better person for the more experiences that we have.
Westerners live in a system where democracy is run by crusty old white men, who are either wealthy or can raise money.
We need more politicians like Mamdani - genuine people, that represent the diaspora, celebrate what makes us different (but historically, have actually built this country, whichever country that may be), and dare to stand for the people- I’m a 44 year old, white (blond haired, blue eyed - imagine the ruckus I caused in some of the places I lived, there were genuinely people who had never seen a whitey like me - I was the odd one out, the freak) fucking lawyer (also, would you believe my name is Karen😳) who in Australia should be your typical Liberal voter, and in the US should be your typical Republican voter, right?
The article was very well written and highlights what is hopefully a massive groundswell of change. That’s what is very badly needed in so many different places.
Because those who are upper class (my parents, but at least they worked for it and made their own money) or middle class (me) need to preserve our wealth at all costs, so they keep preserving the institutions within the political system.
I am so fucking sick of lying bullshit politicians who are only interested in padding their own nest and making sure they get re-elected next term.
I see that a few people have commented about the greatness of the US - I’m sorry, but if that’s your view, you either need to travel more or understand that you can claim it as the greatest country in the world, but it’s alien to most western countries that:
1,. You have a political system that requires such a ridiculous amount of money to field candidates at any level of the political spectrum - sorry, but it’s always going to favour wealthy middle aged educated white guys ( just because they have a degree does not mean they are intelligent, just ask me, I have 2 degrees, I am certainly not clever);
2. You still do not have a universal health care system - and you call yourselves the leaders of the western world? People can become bankrupt accessing healthcare because of an accident if they don’t have insurance? W the Flying F?
3. You have millions upon millions of people that rely on food aid. That’s just not OK. There’s a problem with your entire system right there. And your government has stopped that aid. I cannot conceive of being a public employee, and being told that I will not be paid to do my job for an indefinite period of time. How do you pay the mortgage? How do you buy food? How do you buy clothing for your kids?
There is something, really, really, really wrong here. And your political class is dictating to the rest of us? People like Mamdani may not be the answer but at least it’s a start in a different direction.
Fuck that shit, we need more people like Mamdani - people who embrace the different, people who recognise that the way society is going needs a shake up, most of all - needs real people that want to make a difference - NO MORE POLITICIANS, ONLY REAL PEOPLE FROM NOW ON.
Rant over (never done this public before), I am just so fucking sick and tired of the gross inequity that is around.
Reading this very focused piece on Mamdani through the 'eateries' serving Halal to the Muslim community inevitably reflects a fan base.
Having also read in the last 24 hours that Mamdani has engaged in having Jeremy Corbyn alongside his campaign on Sunday November 2, reflects a side of Team Mamdani that should be truly worrying to the New York electorate.
The USA is the bastion of the free world, where democracy and capitalism have a loud voice, ie the free market. Jeremy Corbyn is an avowed marxist, socialist and staunch supporter of organisations like the IRA, Hamas and the dreadful mullahs and IRGC of Iran.
That should be a loud enough caution that Mamdani's election campaign should come with a health warning.
I'm all for 'good food, slow cooking and breaking bread' with likeminded people, but not those whose political intentions are divisive and dangerous.