Opinion | Among those listening to Trump’s attacks: 50,000 Somali American youth in Minnesota

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Fear thrives on distortion, and in recent weeks, Minnesota’s Somali community has been targeted by narratives that do not reflect their reality. Viral posts and political rhetoric isolate individual incidents, mix them with stereotypes and present them as if they define tens of thousands of Minnesotans. This follows the familiar pattern of Islamophobia and racism that resurfaces every election cycle.

President Donald Trump’s contemptible remarks, which targeted Somali Americans, have been headline news for the past few days. I don’t want to dignify those comments with a response. Instead, I want to focus on the Minnesota we are building together.

It is beyond doubt that America is a nation of immigrants. It is a sum of all parts, and each part matters for our collective success. Every new immigrant group goes through the travails of adjusting to a new environment while becoming part of the broader American mosaic. Every community has added tremendous value to what makes our nation what it is.

Somali American Muslims are very much a part of the mosaic of our society in Minnesota. Within three decades, the community has shown remarkable resilience and a clear drive for success. The large number of elected members from the Somali community underscores their embrace of the democratic ideal, which augurs well for the strength of our democracy.

There are about 50,000 Somali American youth in our state. They are our future health care professionals, engineers, first responders, lawyers, scientists, public servants and social workers. Incendiary and hateful remarks aimed at their entire community are deeply damaging to them. Children hear them and carry that weight into their classrooms, their social spaces and their homes. When a child hears leaders question the worth of their community, it creates doubt where there should be possibility. No community’s children should ever be placed in that position.

As Minnesotans, we stand united with our Somali community. We will not allow reckless rhetoric to undermine the confidence of our children or distort the reality of their achievements. Their dignity, their place in this community, and their future cannot be shaped by those who choose to divide. We will stand with them, speak for them when needed and ensure they grow in an environment where psychological safety allows their fullest development as citizens of this country. They deserve nothing less.

Their success is not separate from ours. When we protect their confidence, we are protecting the Minnesota we promised to be and the one our children will inherit.