Voice for the People

Voice for the People Our district has lots of improvement to do, especially with student and parent communication. Administration and teachThose who want to enter politics must look into the ing staff had gotten away with neglecting or ignoring concerns for decades. Students role they want and parents started approaching me with concerns and becoming more vocal about

Here is my story. role until I was sworn in! I’m a voice for the the weak curricula, prayer in schools, the BY JIHAN AIYASH limited afterschool programs, the language barriers and so much more! I didn’t realize how just being in a position of power empowers constituents. Don’t underestimate what you’re doing. God tells us, “O you who have believed, fear God and speak words of appropriate justice” (33:70). I serve on a seven-member board, with colleagues of diverse interests. Even though a Board of Ed is non-partisan, everyone has their own purpose for running for a seat. For example, business owners see the district as an essential part of their business strategy. Some have kids in the area charter and private schools and thus have conflicting interests. Some just want to “maintain tradition.” As a Muslim, I’m obliged to be responsible for my society. It is irresponsible to stay in a bubble as part of the model minority and pretend that oppression of those around you does not exist because you are not

Jihan Aiyash is sworn into office as her brother, Abraham Aiyash, holds a copy of the Quran. impacted. In my weekend Quran school,

Jihan Aiyash, the first Yemeni people. The Board of Ed had been entirely toward justice for my family, neighbors, woman elected official in Michigan White [and mostly male] for a very long time. friends and colleagues. So I started doing and the nation’s second, serves as sec- There is no issue with whiteness, but there is grassroots work through community and retary of the Board of Education for an issue with a majority Brown/Black district social organizations. Hamtramck Public Schools (HPS) and on being represented by the White minority. Even in doing grassroots work, I avoided the Michigan Association of School Boards At one point there was one Black member, politics as often as I could. During graduate (MASB) Resolutions and Bylaws Committee but he had passed away. The board acquired school, I realized that I wouldn’t be as effec(2020-21). She is the first HPS Board of some Brown representation within the last tive as an organizer if I didn’t get involved in Education member to be appointed to an six years, but it was still majority male. the mess of politics. It’s impossible to be apoMASB committee. My being elected empowered the girls litical! You just can’t let people write policy

Her campaign was unique in that she and women in my district. For the first time about you, without you, and think you don’t ran and won a write-in campaign. Those in the district’s history, girls who looked like need to know it. Policies at all levels affect usually do not go well for candidates, and me — visibly Muslim and ethnic — saw that everyone. If I had gotten involved politically she had no time to raise funds. She spent we are not bystanders in our own story. earlier on, I would have been more effective nothing on her campaign and still won with Positions of power are not reserved for White as a vessel for justice. But it’s okay that I’m more than double the votes for her opponent: saviors. We can be our own representatives learning in my mid-20s! 542 to 290. and our own spokespersons. I also learned perception matters! I am

My strategy was to relational organize. DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THE POSITION YOU’RE The district was unique in that it was small and tight knit. I did a lot of personal outreach, LOOKING INTO. MANY POSITIONS ARE NOT texted and called every person I could think CONTESTED, SO THE SAME CANDIDATE ENDS UP of and posted all of my campaign efforts on WINNING AGAIN AND AGAIN. IN FACT, PEOPLE social media. It was overwhelming to see the support I received! Alhamdulilallah! ARE OFTEN UNAWARE OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF

I did not realize the magnitude of my POSITIONS THAT ARE AVAILABLE. I learned that I’m responsible for working