Friend,
I was born in Somalia at the start of a brutal civil war. My mother died when I was just two. My family was forced to flee the country, and we spent four long years living in a refugee camp in Kenya.
We were eventually granted asylum and came to America as refugees without a penny to our name. It wasn’t easy to get by.
After my father landed his first job, it became clear that one minimum wage paycheck wasn’t going to be enough. 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 life, I faced harassment for my religion, my hijab, my race, my accent – you name it. But eventually, I found my home and my community in Minneapolis. I began getting involved and organizing, and in 2016, I ran for state office for the first time and won. In 2018, I ran for Congress, and along with Rashida Tlaib, became the first Muslim woman to serve in this historic body.
Donald Trump wouldn’t have lasted a minute in my shoes.
Trump is the definition of privileged. Born with a silver spoon and daddy’s money, Trump was handed the best education and experience in his industry that money could buy. He was still a massive failure who bankrupted businesses and made a laughingstock of his family name.
My story taught me the value of hard work. It taught me the promise of the American dream. It taught me to have compassion for those in tough situations. It taught me the importance of loving your neighbor, not hating them. These are things Trump couldn’t possibly understand.
Dr. King famously said: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
Yes, Trump is a vile, hate-filled individual who is driving our nation to the brink of chaos and letting billionaires pick our pockets. He lies about me and inspires crazy people to attack me like we saw the other night.
But I will not stop fighting, joyfully, for my fellow neighbors. I will not stop loving America and dreaming of a future where everyone has the healthcare, housing, education, safety, and affordable life that they deserve.
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In solidarity,
— Ilhan
PAID FOR BY ILHAN FOR CONGRESS
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Ilhan for Congress
PO Box 33079
Washington D.C., 20033
