This Is What America Looks Like
By Ihan Omar
My Journey from Refugee to Congresswoman. Dey Street Books, 2020.
Summary of This Is What America Looks Like book by Ihan Omar
The inspirational story of how a refugee fleeing brutal conflict in Somalia came to the United States and became the first Somali-American Muslim congresswoman, providing motivation and representation for immigrants across the nation.
Chapters in This Is What America Looks Like book summary
What do you get from this book? The hard-won success story of one of the US Congress’ rising stars
Although her mother passed away too soon for Omar to remember her, her childhood was idyllic until Somalia’s Civil War
Living in a refugee camp taught Omar to fight for herself, before her father’s successful application took them to America
Family pressures contributed to Omar’s decision to marry her first love—Ahmed Hirsi—at the age of eighteen
Islam developed new meaning for Omar before her divorce, then education and volunteering propelled her towards political thinking
Degree in hand, Omar volunteered in Kenya with Somali refugees before returning to the US to finally enter politics
After getting Andrew Johnson into City Hall, Omar advocated for marginalized voters while being subjected to terrifying political violence
Since entering politics in 2015, Omar has endured abuse from both Democratic rivals and Republicans—right up to the US president
Omar’s legislative wins and election to the House of Representatives show the power of human connection and resistance to hostility
Summary of the key insights
Selected critiques in brief
Final word
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This Is What America Looks Like — Book Summary Snapshot
Who should read This Is What America Looks Like book
- history and political science students
- those who feel underrepresented in politics
- lovers of an inspirational story
About the author of This Is What America Looks Like
Ihan Omar
Ilhan Omar is a member of the U.S. Congress for Minnesota, representing the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. She is the first naturalized American citizen born in Africa to serve in Congress, and is a former Policy Fellow at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs.
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