Rep. Omar wrote that "American hate is not new — and it is not scarce," and that "our nation was founded by the genocide of indigenous people and on the backs of slaves, [and] that we maintain global power with the tenor of neocolonialism."
She promoted her article on Twitter as shown here:
Omar argued in the op-ed that there has been a "regression in our democracy [and] we are fighting for the lost promises of liberty, justice and pursuit of happiness." She suggested education and interaction "with those we fear and hate" can help "bridge the divide."
Addressing the white nationalism and violence of Charlottesville, Omar wrote that "we have not focused on laws to protect us from domestic terrorism. We are at a bigger risk of destroying ourselves than falling at the hands of external extremists." (Rep. Omar has recently come under criticism for an offhand reference to 9/11 as "something" that "some people did.")
Rep. Omar concluded her op-ed asserting that there is still hope to restore America:
It is possible, but it will take a long time — we are trying to undo centuries of institutional and personal hatred and exclusion. This is a generational project; do not underestimate the power of human connection.Rep. Omar's office did not respond to emailed questions from The Script regarding her comment that this country was "founded by genocide" and whether or not her statement that the United States "maintain[s] global power with the tenor of neocolonialism" applied during the Barack Obama administration as well.
