by Karim Bardeesy and Anna-Katarina Gravgaard
Many American politicians tout their Judeo-Christian heritage. Many tell stories of the immigrant experience of their parents. But a precious few are immigrants themselves. And even a smaller number belong to minority faiths, such as Islam, Hinduism and Sikhism.
News21 has identified more than 40 such politicians who are, in effect, minorities representing majorities. Below, you will find an interactive map with detailed snapshots of each. Plus, for a closer look at seven of them, click to view the video profiles at right.
User's Note for Legislator's Map
To get more information about elected officials who are immigrants or from historically underrepresented religious backgrounds, click the pins on the map above. The large pins are those officials for whom we also provide video profiles. Also, you can click and drag on the map to move around the country, or use the scroll bar at the top left of the map to zoom in and out.
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Comments
The authors, 2007-07-23 10:48:02 -- Flag for review
Please post comments about the map and videos here.
We are especially interested in adding more elected officials from immigrant or minority religious backgrounds to our map. Please suggest further names and add biographical data to the comments page, and we will vet and add this information to the map.
Karla Bruning, 2007-07-27 15:13:47 -- Flag for review
Fantastic project! Very enlightening. I love the profiles and the map. A great resource.
Paul Benjamin, 2007-08-04 11:14:09 -- Flag for review
I thought you should know that the Postal Code for Kansas is KS, the Postal Code for Kentucky is KY. Wichita is in Kansas and Rep. Raj Goyle is also in Kansas not Kentucky.
I hope that you will fix your error and tell your editor learn some geography.
Brian, 2007-08-04 19:06:50 -- Flag for review
This is a great feature. Paul Benjamin, we didn't need the snide remark, and tell your editor learn some grammar.
Karim Bardeesy, 2007-08-04 22:53:46 -- Flag for review
Thank you. We have fixed the typo to make it clear that Raj Goyle represents a district in Wichita, Kansas. -- Karim Bardeesy, News21
Krish, 2007-08-06 00:07:04 -- Flag for review
Mike Honda, House of Reps from San Jose, CA
Anna-Katarina Gravgaard, 2007-08-20 04:35:19 -- Flag for review
Hi Krish, thank you for adding Mike Honda. I looked him up and found that he is protestant and born in Walnut Creek, CA. The map is aiming at showing first generation immigrants in politics or politicians practicing minority religions and I'm afraid Honda doesn't fit into any of the categories. But please keep adding others. We know there are more dots to be made.
lawrence lerner, 2008-03-04 08:49:37 -- Flag for review
karim and anna.
i'm a columbia j-school alum (class of 2006) who thinks this project is very, very important. the kind if project i wish i'd thought to do myself. it's obviously hugely important to highlight non-caucasians in positions of power in this country...crucial to do so in the long run, and even more relevant in the face of barack obama's current run for the presidency. if you haven't already, i would urge you to shop this around and get it out there. now's a prime time.
cheers,
larry