Local Democratic leaders condemned a social media post that attacked District 9 County Council Democratic candidate Arkia Wade.
“DO NOT VOTE FOR Arkia Wade. She is Muslim. We don’t need Muslims taking over our district. VOTE RED! SHARE WITH EVERYONE. Don’t let her fool you, “ said a post from a local resident.
8th District state Sen. Carl Jackson responded to the post.
“I strongly condemn this disgusting attempt to use Arkia Wade for Baltimore County Council, District 9 religious beliefs as a weapon against her. In our community, people of every faith and those who practice no faith, deserve dignity, respect, and the freedom to worship without fear of discrimination,” Jackson said in a social media statement.
“We can disagree on policies, politics, and ideas without attacking someone for their religious identity. Faith should never be used to divide our communities or question someone’s worth.”
Wade sent a statement about the controversial post on Tuesday.
“My focus is on the issues that matter to the residents of District 9, and I won’t allow hateful social media posts to distract from the conversations we should be having about our community and its future,” she told Eastcountytimes.com
Wade also addressed her last name and family background.
“Jamaludeen is the name I was born with and the name many people have known me by throughout my life. My father’s birth name was William C. Wade Jr. He became Muslim in his twenties and changed his last name to Jamaludeen. In 2020, I chose to return to Wade to honor my grandparents, who moved to Dundalk in the 1940s. Both names are part of my family’s story,” she said.
“There is a long and complex history of Black Americans changing their names as an expression of identity, faith, and heritage. That history deserves to be understood rather than met with assumptions based on a surname.
“As an American, I believe in the constitutional principles of religious freedom, individual liberty, and equal treatment. The beauty of our country is that people of different faiths and backgrounds can participate fully in civic life.
“My commitment is to serve all District 9 residents, regardless of their religion, background, or political affiliation. This campaign should be about our community’s future, not divisive rhetoric.”