Somali's in the U.S.

Here is an interesting editorial on Somali's in America.
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Somalis Call for Bilingual Programs to Help There Community Move Forward
May, 16,2007
For more than a decade the East African nation of Somalia has been plagued by clan fighting, the lack of an effective central government, and most recently by clashes between Islamic insurgents and the provisional central government. It is not surprising that there has been an outflow of refugees, and Somalis are now scattered around the world. In the USA a fast-growing Somali community is trying to integrate itself with the mainstream population, and has called for new bilingual educational programs that can meet the needs of Somali children enrolled in US Schools.

Minnesota currently has the largest Somali population, and that state has responded with a vigorous bilingual educational initiative. Through this initiative the Minnesota Humanities Commission publishes Somali folktales in Somali-English bilingual children's books. The Somali Bilingual Initiative also coordinates with existing bilingual Somali literacy resources, develops audio/visual resources that support the use of the Somali-English children's books in the home, and holds workshops on teaching Somali parents about the importance of books and reading.

Another fast-growing Somali community is located in Seattle, Washington in the Pacific Northwest. Here, Somali community members are calling for the expansion of special bilingual programs that will help their children.

Somali parents in Seattle want increase bilingual support instruction in the class and out of the class. In particular they also would like programs that would make teachers more aware of the cultural nuances that are particular to the Somali community. For example, Somalis are Muslim and many of them do not want their children to learn music and dance in school.

Similarly, some of the Somali families want public school teachers to be knowledgeable and respectful about the particular dress code that is adhered to by Somali immigrants in the US.

According to Somali community leaders it is not just a question of developing in-school programs for school children. They believe that the integration of Somalis into the larger society also depends on making the social bureaucracy of the USA more comprehensible to Somali immigrants.

Currently all of the resource information that immigrant families receive is written in English, and most families just can’t understand what the various documents are all about. Often they throw the important documents way. The Somalis would like to see Somali-language documents offered so that immigrant families would be in a position to take advantage of the information and services that they are entitled to receive.

They also believe that the goal of integration could be better achieved if there were more “community involvement program” such as summer-school and after-school programs.

Despite the obvious differences that exist between the Somalis and the existing US population, the Somalis have some cultural traits that make them well suited for success in America. For example, the Somalis come from a friendly society; they are by and large tolerant, and can easily get along with other cultures.

In addition they have a strong work ethic. They are happy to be in the USA and are working very hard at their jobs. And like other immigrant groups that have come before them, Somali parents want their children to be the best in their class, and are keen to support and follow the educational progress of their boys and girls.

This innate sociability, strong work ethic and interest in education combine to create a sure formula for success in America. Somali community leaders believe that bi-lingual educational programs, improved awareness on the part of educators, a more helpful bureaucracy, and more community programs will help their people to become valuable and respected members of the American society.

Indeed, they already proudly point to Somali children in the Seattle school system who have moved to the heads of their classes, as examples of what this community can offer.

Mohamoud Abdilahi Rooble
Saylacnews Editorial
Seattle Washington
http://www.saylac.com/news/Article4may16,07.htm