Ilhan Omar -- This is my story
This is my story.
- Thu, Oct 15 at 6:33 PM
Mark, with my family and my name being dragged through the mud by Trump and the right-wing media right now, I want to take a moment to tell you my story.
I was born in Somalia at the start of a brutal civil war. My mother died when I was just two. My family fled the country and spent four long years living in a refugee camp in Kenya.
Everything changed when we were granted asylum in America — an opportunity for a fresh start. But once we got here, we barely had a penny to our name. It wasn’t easy to get by.
I started cleaning office buildings, and throughout high school and college, worked as a cashier, security guard, educator, and policy analyst to make ends meet.
Throughout my upbringing in America, I faced harassment for my religion, my hijab, my race, my accent — you name it. But I found a wonderful home and community here in Minneapolis. I got involved locally and started organizing with my neighbors. In 2018, I ran for Congress and, along with Rashida Tlaib, became the first Muslim woman to serve in this historic body.
I know my story — and none of the lies and conspiracy theories that Trump and MAGA come up with will change that.
I’ve survived civil war, refugee camps, and the long process to become a proud American. Trump can lie about me. He can send DHS to raid my home. He can subpoena my family. He can try to take away my citizenship.
But if Trump thinks I will be intimidated or silenced by these fascist tactics, he doesn’t know who the hell he’s messing with.
I’m proud of my story. I’m proud of who I am. I know that people like me belong in Minnesota, in America, and in Congress. Donald Trump will never change that.
In solidarity,
Ilhan Omar
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