Page 2 March 7, 2019
By Morgan Rojas
for www.cinemacy.com
On Friday, March 8, we celebrate
International Women’s Day with more
optimism and determination than ever before.
The rise of women taking control of their
power and potential has been evident in the
growing number of females in leadership roles,
including in our government. In this arena,
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez may be a more
recognizable household name, but let us not
forget another woman of color who recently
made history. The documentary Time for
Ilhan shows Somali immigrant Ilhan Omar’s
election into Congress and her determination
to diversify and redefine the status quo of
politics in America.
Ilhan Omar is a living definition of the
American dream. After her mother died when
she was a child, the Somali government
collapsed and a civil war broke out. Ilhan found
safety in a refugee camp until she was presented
with an opportunity to start a new life in
America, which she embraced wholeheartedly.
Fast forward years later, Ilhan is 33 years old,
a wife and mother to three children, and ready
to give back to the country that has offered
her so much. Time for Ilhan covers the 2016
election season as she seeks to overthrow
the current 43-year incumbent to become the
new state representative in Minnesota’s Senate
District 60B. Ilhan’s story as an underdog
immigrant who, against all odds, becomes the
first person of Somali descent to be elected
to legislative office in the United States is
nothing short of inspiring.
The odds were against her from the very
start. Being a woman, an immigrant and a
Muslim were qualities that scared off many
potential voters at first, but Ilhan is nothing
if not resilient. This documentary, directed
by Norah Shapiro, herself an award-winning
female filmmaker, is a testament to the
power we as individuals have to change the
world. Regardless of gender, color, race or
religion, nothing is impossible when one sets
their mind on a goal. To this point, I highly
suggest sticking around after the film ends
to watch the credits. This short montage is
just as inspiring as the film itself.
Ilhan came to America as a refugee and now
stands alongside other political heavyweights
in Congress. Personal beliefs and party
politics aside, her journey is one that should
be admired, respected and continuously
told. Ilhan serves as an inspiration for all
of those who have ever felt like an “other,”
making it the perfect film to watch this
International Women’s Day.
Time For Ilhan is not rated. 89 minutes.
Available on VOD and on DVD this Friday. •
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Check It Out
Book Review: The Bad Seed
Reviewed by:
Jasmine Rahman, Library Assistant
Author Jory John does an exceptional job
writing a humorous children’s book that also
get the adults laughing. The Bad Seed is a
story that reminds young and old readers of
the power of our actions and how we can
establish a positive change in our lives with
the choices we make. In addition to great
writing, there are also beautiful illustrations
throughout the book. Illustrator Oswald does
a beautiful job creating the characters with
his watercolors. The characters such as the
popcorn kernel, pistachio and coconuts are
drawn in a very creative way, which guarantees
a smile on anyone’s face.
This children’s book focuses on one bad
seed. He’s one bad seed, all right. Everyone
The Bad Seed by Jory John.
in town agrees too. Do you want to know
how bad? Bad enough not to wash his hands!
He even cuts every seed in line. And he most
definitely doesn’t put things back where they
belong. The other seeds are just fed up with
his bad manners. They learn that he wasn’t
always a bad seed. He once had a great childhood
with his big family where they used to
live on a beautiful sunflower until something
horrible happened. But what happens when
the bad seed decides to change for the better?
He doesn’t want to be bad anymore, he just
wants to be happy. Will the bad seed ever
be a good seed again? Will the other seeds
ever like him?
If you’re interested in this title or any other
children’s picture books, please visit the El
Segundo Public Library and check out the
Young People’s library located downstairs. •
Jasmine Rahman
Film Review
Time For Ilhan: How a Somali
Immigrant Redefined American Politics
Morgan Rojas
Entertainment
Time For Ilhan, Courtesy of Time For Ilhan, LLC.
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