Ilhan Omar slammed for 'dismantling system of oppression' remark, asked to go back to where she came from
US Representative Ilhan Omar's latest comments have launched the right-wing internet at her, again. In a speech given during an open press conference on Tuesday, July 7, the Minnesota Congresswoman's comments were mangled by right-wing publications that wrote Omar "called for the 'dismantling' of the entire American economic and political system, calling it is a 'system of oppression,'" according to TheBlaze.
However, Omar's comments have been taken entirely out of context and modified. What she actually said -- in reference to certain communities being affected more severely than others in the United States --, was, "As long as our economic and political systems prioritize profit, without considering who is profiting and who is being shut out, we will perpetuate this inequality. So we cannot stop at [the] criminal justice system [reform]. We must begin the work of dismantling the whole system of oppression wherever we find it."
In the same speech, Omar said it was time to “guarantee homes for all” due to racial disparities in homeownership. She said that homeownership rates are nearly twice as high for White families as they are for Black families. She also promoted the Green New Deal “because we know that environmental racism is real.”
Omar was immediately slammed for her statements, including by President Donald Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr. who tweeted, "Does @joebiden agree with his supporter @ilhanmn that we need to dismantle the United States economy and political system?" while retweeting another user who wrote, "Ilhan Omar calls for 'dismantling' of the United States 'economy and political system.'"
However, Omar responded in kind taking aim at Trump Jr's misinterpretation of her statements, tweeting, "Does our education system know it has failed you? Your level of comprehension is such an embarrassment to our country, maybe someone can offer you free English classes."
Many took to social media to slam Omar, who is the first Somali-American, the first naturalized citizen of African birth and the first woman of color to hold elective office from Minnesota. The right-wing Internet took to employing the racist rhetoric of "go back to where you came from," while responding to Omar's statements. One user tweeted, "Have you ever thought about going back to Somalia and build a country of your dreams? You really should, you have a tremendous political talent. Somalia could really do with someone like you. Please go." Another wrote, "Ilhan Omar is openly calling for "dismantling the whole system," our entire "economy and political systems," which she ludicrously attacks as systems of "oppression." Why is she still permitted in Congress? Why is she still permitted in this country?"
US Senator Marsha Blackburn tweeted, "Ilhan Omar took an oath to defend and protect the Constitution, not shred it. Omar and her Marxist comrades are a threat to our Democracy. Omar should resign." In response, a user tweeted, "Ilhan Omar actually said, "We must begin the work of dismantling the whole system of oppression wherever we find it." Marsha Blackburn is a bigoted liar who opposed Violence v Women Act & refuses to condemn the White Supremacist Confederacy. Blackburn should resign. #TrumpInAWig."
A user wrote, "Anyone like Ilhan Omar who calls for the literal DISMANTLING of our whole US system should be immediately removed from office At the very least she should be kicked off the House Foreign Affairs Committee!" Another tweeted, "Why didn't Omar stay in Somalia so that she could 'Dismantle Whole System of Oppression' over there. Oh wait. She emigrated here to avoid living under a 'Whole System of Oppression'."
Many rose to defend Omar over the criticism of her comments. One user tweeted, "Ilhan Omar is not only right, but she is also the bravest person in Congress for saying what millions of us know to be true: We need to dismantle our oppressive economic and political systems and replace them with better systems. THE PATH WE ARE ON RIGHT NOW IS NOT SUSTAINABLE." Another wrote, "democratic* rep. Ilhan Omar calls for dismantling the aspects of the economic and political systems that contribute to institutional poverty, systemic economic racism, and leave tens of millions of Americans behind. not surprising that the GOP thinks this is worth criticizing!"