This Is What America Looks Like

My Journey from Refugee to Congresswoman

De: Ilhan Omar

Narrado por: Ilhan Omar

""Ilhan has been an inspiring figure well before her time in Congress. This book will give you insight into the person and sister that I see—passionate, caring, witty, and above all committed to positive change. It's an honor to serve alongside her in the fight for a more just world."" —Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

An intimate and rousing memoir by progressive trailblazer Ilhan Omar—the first African refugee, the first Somali-American, and one of the first Muslim women, elected to Congress.

Ilhan Omar was only eight years old when war broke out in Somalia. The youngest of seven children, her mother had died while Ilhan was still a little girl. She was being raised by her father and grandfather when armed gunmen attacked their compound and the family decided to flee Mogadishu. They ended up in a refugee camp in Kenya, where Ilhan says she came to understand the deep meaning of hunger and death. Four years later, after a painstaking vetting process, her family achieved refugee status and arrived in Arlington, Virginia.

Aged twelve, penniless, speaking only Somali and having missed out on years of schooling, Ilhan rolled up her sleeves, determined to find her American dream. Faced with the many challenges of being an immigrant and a refugee, she questioned stereotypes and built bridges with her classmates and in her community. In under two decades she became a grassroots organizer, graduated from college and was elected to congress with a record-breaking turnout by the people of Minnesota—ready to keep pushing boundaries and restore moral clarity in Washington D.C.

A beacon of positivity in dark times, Congresswoman Omar has weathered many political storms and yet maintained her signature grace, wit and love of country—all the while speaking up for her beliefs. Similarly, in chronicling her remarkable personal journey, Ilhan is both lyrical and unsentimental, and her irrepressible spirit, patriotism, friendship and faith are visible on every page. As a result, This is What America Looks Like is both the inspiring coming of age story of a refugee and a multidimensional tale of the hopes and aspirations, disappointments and failures, successes, sacrifices and surprises, of a devoted public servant with unshakable faith in the promise of America.

Excellent way to learn about refugees...

I’ve worked with the refugee program and I am going to highly recommend this book to all people to learn more on refugees. Ilhan tells her personal story and then returns years later and hears other refugees stories. The whole book shows different ways that leaving her country affected her. This would be a good book for people to learn from. Ilhan is a strong woman who has shown the world the true immigrant story.

Awesome Story of Life!!!

I love listening to the story of Congress Woman Omar!!! The story was touching and showed how our life journey helps us to become the person we are and how we can overcome any circumstance. Thank you for sharing your story!!!

simple even blunt story of a human.

loved hearing ilhan read her own book. inspired me to want and perhaps even do more as US citizen.
I would love it if ilhan was even more vulnerable and open. enjoy how much she opens up about process ans challenges, and the existence of periods of darkness. though sharing more about those moments could help many of us.

Loved This!

This is such a powerful story: I am in such admiration of Ilan Omar. May she continue to walk in power,

Inspiring and Humbling

One of the best biographies I’ve ever read. I wish everyone would read this incredibly well written book. The insights, accountability and awareness this memoir brings is truly an extraordinary read.