I have racked my brains to see why I could not come upon the same state most in the mainstream media, and political establishments have concluded with regards to statements Ilhan Omar made a few weeks ago. Recently I read an article by my friend and Daily Kos contributing editor colleague Ian Reifowitz about Ilhan Omar. It was likely the best-written essay on the issue. Soon after, I invited him to my program Politics Done Right.
Ian Reifowitz talks Ilhan Omar on Politics Done Right
Ian was not malicious or attacking but was seeking common ground while giving everyone their due, the space for the benefit of the doubt. I learned a lot from Ian. I understood where he was coming from as he tried to separate tropes from legitimate criticism.
I reread Ilhan Omar statements. Even as I am not completely convinced that she met even the anti-semitic specs Ian clearly articulated, I am sufficiently empathetic that I will temper my words to ensure that few could misrepresent them or that I do not inadvertently offend.
Ian Reifowitz is a Professor of Historical Studies at S.U.N.Y. Empire State College and the A\author of The Tribalization of Politics: How Rush Limbaugh’s Race-Baiting Rhetoric on the Obama Presidency Paved the Way for Trump (forthcoming in May 2019); and Obama’s America: A Transformative Vision of Our National Identity.