Abdul El-Sayed, a 32-year old physician and former executive director of Detroit's health department is trying to make history, becoming the first Muslim-American elected as governor of Michigan, or any statewide office for that matter.
He speaks of his Egyptian background, his "stepmom Jackie" and Michigan upbringing. He doesn't verbally mention his religion in the video (though he does tell audiences, "I’m relatively young, I’m relatively brown, and I’m relatively Muslim.") but when he speaks of his family we see him at a table with women wearing headscarves. Lest you might be concerned he wasn't a real American, the video also makes sure to slip in boyhood photos of El-Sayed playing hockey and posing with a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.
El-Sayed, a young, political novice, is widely perceived as a long shot candidate who will have a hard time overcoming former state Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer. But there's no doubt he starts with a polished video and clear message.
Abdul El-Sayed Looks To Make History
His launch video is a classic example of biography and inspirational rhetoric, toggling between his announcement speech and a sit-down interview. There is a heavy emphasis on diversity, with ample shots of people of color in his audience. "We cannot wait until some Americans are told that they are less American than the rest of us, and made to leave," he exhorts to the crowd.He speaks of his Egyptian background, his "stepmom Jackie" and Michigan upbringing. He doesn't verbally mention his religion in the video (though he does tell audiences, "I’m relatively young, I’m relatively brown, and I’m relatively Muslim.") but when he speaks of his family we see him at a table with women wearing headscarves. Lest you might be concerned he wasn't a real American, the video also makes sure to slip in boyhood photos of El-Sayed playing hockey and posing with a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.
Headscarves, Hockey and a Ninja Turtle
He also emphasizes his track record as health department director, noting he "provid[ed] glasses to every child who needed a pair, at school for free. We tested every single school for lead in the water. We stood up to corporate polluters who put their profits ahead of our lungs." And he offers an economic populist message he hopes will transcend race: "the challenges that are faced by poor and working black people in places like Detroit, and poor and working white people in places like Ishpeming and Big Rapids, those are the same challenges and we have to solve them."El-Sayed, a young, political novice, is widely perceived as a long shot candidate who will have a hard time overcoming former state Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer. But there's no doubt he starts with a polished video and clear message.