Immigrant MP in Iceland breaks down crying at Parliament

Nichole Leigh Mosty says that it's hard being an immigrant …

Nichole Leigh Mosty says that it's hard being an immigrant at Parliament. mbl.is/Ófeigur Lýðsson

"It hasn't been easy for me being an immigrant at Althingi as I'm sure of most of you have noticed. I'm not always clear about everything and sometimes I say the wrong thing," said MP Nichole Leigh Mosty of political party Bright Future as she began her speech at Parliament yesterday and broke down in tears. When she regained her composure she added that she found it important to make a speech for the first time at the parliamentary discussions named Eldhúsdagsumræður in Iceland.

"I am a representative of a party in Parliament in times where its not a popular choice to be in power. I have often thought to myself that it could be simpler to be a part of the opposition, because of who I am. Different."

She continued to describe her move to Iceland sixteen years ago when she started as a cleaner, like most immigrants, she says. "There were no other jobs for a person like me who almost spoke no Icelandic. I became isolated and met with prejudice in many places.  But many things have changed, so here I stand, thanks to the Icelandic educational system."

Bragi Þór Jósefsson/Alþingi

She added that she quickly became enamoured by the Icelandic educational system, and still is. "The educational system is the key to the whole of society. Education is the best way to empower people of all ages, wherever we come from. But we have to also make sure that we don't forget those who need particular encouragement."

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