Test of Today - The Mamdani Effect

November 5th, 2025

Salam.

I should have always started my introductions like that, but I’ve officially been inspired. I’m Muslim first after all and I should be proud of that.

For those unaware, salam translates literally to peace. That’s how we say hello and goodbye. Due to the broad expansion and influence of Islam, the word has even descended into the Tagalog as well - selamat meaning thank you.

Zohran inspired millions (maybe even billions?) over the last year with his candor and his ability to relate to the masses. For the first time in a very long time, there was a politician that was unapologetically concerned with people over property. It seems insane to say but that is the truth, most governments and their representatives have become far more concerned with the exploitation and extraction of resources, the protection of corporate property, and burying the general public in major debt to distract from it all.

All I can do is pray that Zohran Mamdani and his family are protected by the Grace of Allah SWT and that he is not influenced or coerced to become a sell-out like his predecessors.

For all the people of colour that were compared to their peers by their parents and their friends, you are not alone. What Mamdani has accomplished is incredible, but he has made it all the more difficult for the rest of us to please our parents. So, thank you, Zohran.

In all seriousness, I feel as I felt when I was in the sixth grade seeing the first Black American President and believing that we were truly in a time of change. Obviously, my hopes were shattered in my first year of university when Mr. Grab Em’ by the P***y was elected… let alone re-elected. Not to say that I would have supported Kamala either, she is also a war criminal and a traitor to women and people of colour. Good thing I’m not an American so my opinions on American politics don’t have any concrete difference.

A coworker of mine was shocked and offended that I would have even considered not voting for Kamala Harris. Despite my explaining that if either of us were able to vote in the USA (which we could not), the only reasonable candidate that I would vote for based on policy alone was (and is) Dr. Jill Stein and Butch Ware. I still follow Butch Ware and hope that he is chosen as governor or senator or even President if able. Despite what the public views as selfish in “splitting the vote”, it is our duty to vote for people we can actually have faith in, to do the job we elect them to do.

I find great issue with the electoral college as with most of the sane world. It does not make sense to call America a true democracy because the electoral college is antithetical to the ideology of democracy.

I feel the philosophical debate of authority bubbling within me, but I will not give in to the spiral today.

Instead, I will allow myself to feel some shrapnel of hope for the future of American politics and quell my youthful cynicism.

I’m only 6 years younger than Mr. Mamdani but I can’t help but wonder how much one can accomplish in six years.

Salam, friends – Ta-ta for now!

Disclaimer: I don’t use AI to write, research, or edit my content. I like to use dashes so please don’t fault me for that!