Ilhan Omar Says African-Immigrant Cab Driver Called Her 'Filthy,' 'ISIS'

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Representative-elect Ilhan Omar, who will become the nation's first Somali-American lawmaker when she begins her term in the Minnesota Legislature next year, released a statement Monday detailing an incident in which she says she was subjected to racist taunts from a cabdriver in Washington D.C. Omar first described the incident on her Facebook page last week.

Omar said she and her sister were traveling for a conference when the incident occurred.

"Our cab driver, who was an African-immigrant himself, called us, 'filthy,' 'ISIS,' and threatened to remove my headscarf," she said Monday. "I was shocked by how boldly he expressed bigotry."

Omar said she filed complaints with the Department of For-Hire Vehicles and the Human Rights Commission in D.C.

"I did not, however, file a police report, because I believe criminalizing hate is not a solution and will only strengthen individual malice," Omar said. "Bigotry is a product of ignorance; by educating people, we will move toward respect and understanding."

Unless, what happened to me—and its subsequent publicity—can spur conversation to action, my experience will be just another on a long list “incidental” prejudice in America. Ensuring others do not experience, or continue to experience, incidents like these, will not be easy. And as much as we would like, it will not happen overnight, or even over a few years—we must work through the difficult times so our children, or their children, can live in a world without hate.

My initial reaction of shock showed me that I too must reflect on the reality of our situation; there is no teacher like experience. There is no magical policy initiative that will end sexism or islamophobia. This change has to come from the hearts and minds of us, the American people. If we are intentional about seeking out and understanding those with whom we do not agree, or get along, we will understand that none of us is truly different from the other.

Unity makes us strong, divided we will never succeed. I pray for my aggressor and the systems that incite such ideology; I pray for all our humanity. I hope this message reaches my cab driver, that he recognizes I am not his enemy.

The Pioneer Press reported that Omar will represent a district in Minneapolis that’s home to the largest Somali population outside of the east African country.

The Star Tribune reported that originally born in Somalia, Omar and her family escaped civil war and lived in a Kenyan refugee camp before moving to Minneapolis. Omar has lived in the Somali-American neighborhood of Cedar-Riverside for nearly 20 years.

Image via Lorie Shaull, Flickr, used under Creative Commons