People Like Us: The New Wave of Candidates Knocking at Democracy's Door
The system is rigged: America's political leadership remains overwhelmingly white, male, moneyed, and Christian. Even at the local and state levels, elected office is inaccessible to the people it aims to represent. But in People Like Us, political scientist Sayu Bhojwani shares the stories of a diverse and persevering range of local and state politicians from across the country who are challenging the status quo, winning against all odds, and leaving a path for others to follow in their wake.
In Anaheim, California, a previously undocumented Mexican American challenges the high-powered interests of the Disney Corporation to win a city council seat. In the Midwest, a thirty-something Muslim Somali American unseats a forty-four-year incumbent in the Minnesota house of representatives. These are some of the foreign-born, lower-income, and of-color Americans who have successfully taken on leadership roles in elected office despite xenophobia, political gatekeeping, and personal financial concerns. In accessible prose, Bhojwani shines a light on the political, systemic, and cultural roadblocks that prevent government from effectively representing a rapidly changing America, and offers forward-thinking solutions on how to get rid of them.
People Like Us serves as a road map for the burgeoning democracy that has been a long time in the making: inclusive, multiracial, and unstoppable.
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"An astute appraisal of how the state of American democracy is being preserved by unexpected political newcomers. . . . An enthusiastic, optimistic update on how immigrant Americans are changing the political landscape, promoting reform, and providing an all-encompassing voice for our multiracial country."
--Kirkus Reviews "People Like Us, through compelling candidate stories, exposes the ways our political process marginalizes and excludes underrepresented communities. But Bhojwani also highlights the hope these candidates bring to our increasingly diverse country, with solutions on how to reimagine electoral processes and achieve a truly representative democracy. A timely and compelling read relevant for our current political environment."
--Anthony Romero, executive director, ACLU "At a time when immigrants are being called 'animals' and being portrayed as a threat to this country, Sayu Bhojwani brings us the stories of real people who are facing the moment and turning rage into action by jumping into the political process. This is the most hopeful of American stories. It's what immigrants and people of color have been doing for centuries. It's our past but Bhojwani shows us this is also our collective future."
--Maria Hinojosa, NPR's Latino USA "People Like Us is an inspiring read for people of color and immigrants, who are going to lead the charge for a democracy that works for all."
--Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, 7th District of Washington "As an immigrants' rights advocate, I often urge people to become civically engaged . . . especially as our government is being led by politicians who would deny our standing as Americans. People Like Us pushes us further, to reject the perception of new Americans as outsiders by running for office and being seated at policy tables where our futures are decided. . . . Author Sayu Bhojwani brilliantly offers solid guidance on how to course correct our democracy."
--Diane Guerrero, actor, activist, and author of In the Country We Love: My Family Divided "Sayu Bhojwani's analysis of what works and what needs urgent change serves as a road map for the future of our democracy. People Like Us is a must-read for this political moment."
--Howard Dean, former DNC chair and Vermont governor
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