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Wajahat
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10 Sep, 5 tweets, 6 min read
My wife's at Gtown School of Medicine. Her colleague wanted @hasanminhaj to come talk to her class about storytelling. She said, "Well, I can't get Hasan. You want my husband instead?"

I am here for you, America, after @kumailn, Mindy Kaling, Hasan, Riz, @AliVelshi say No.
Pardon me, I've been informed that I'm on the list after @PadmaLakshmi, @mehdirhasan, @kalpenn, @Lilly, @harikondabolu and @FareedZakaria.

I am here for you, America, as your 12th brown person of choice as a keynote speaker.
A thousand apologies, I have been informed I'm on the list after @rabiasquared, who has just premiered @TheHiddenDjinn podcast. Also, @RoKhanna @CongressmanRaja @RepJayapal @KamalaHarris @meenaharris.

I am here for you, America, as your 18th brown person of choice as a speaker.
People, I regret to inform you I have been kicked out of the top 20. I've been told @PreetBharara and @drsanjaygupta are ahead of me.

I'm here for you, America, as your 21st and apparently desperate, last pick as brown speaker.
.@rabiasquared has come in like a cold blooded Desi Aunty and said that Apu is ahead of me. Also, people prefer @DoctorYasmin, @SirajAHashmi and @SopanDeb.

I am here for you, America, as your 25th last, desperate pick as brown speaker. I'm still in the top 25...for now.

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More from @WajahatAli

Wajahat
11 Sep
After the 9-11 terror attacks, Muslims have spent 20 years condemning violent acts done by extremists they've never met. It's never enough. Our loyalty and patriotism is still held as suspect and our acceptance is always conditional based on our alleged moderation. 1/
It's not just Muslims who became the "enemy" after 9-11 as we still pursue our endless War on Terror, it was anyone who looked Muslim, including Sikhs, Christian Arabs & Indian Hindus. Hate crimes spiked, an entire Islamophobia Industry blossomed (read Fear Inc, our report)

2/
After 9-11, "Islam" became the enemy & it was now a civilizational war. The West vs Islam, whatever that means, US vs the Axis of Evil, and those who were born and raised here like me became both "us" & "them." My only utility & worth is how I help US national security. 3/
Read 10 tweets
Wajahat
30 Aug
On Trump and radicalization: Violent extremists share the same DNA. ISIS & White Supremacists are two sides of the same coin: aggrieved men & women dislocated from society who find purpose, meaning & community in a simplistic, violent ideology that promises them greatness. 1/
There is no room for complexity. They are the heroes of a cosmic narrative. They are trying to warn & save their tribe from annihilation. They romanticize a past that never existed where everything was great, where their people had glory & the natural order was maintained. 2/
They rationalize violence against the enemy/kaafir/invaders/Libs who they fear have replaced them. They fetishize guns & war. They are like fanboys doing hardcore cosplay, posting photos with guns and ammo. They rationalize violence, which must be used for self-preservation. 3/
Read 12 tweets
Wajahat
26 Aug
I'm excited to announce the #WeWillEmerge Project. We’ve been working on this since April with @PENamerica. Over 100 hundred writers, poets, academics, and activists came together to imagine how we will emerge as a country from this current crisis.

pen.org/wewillemerge

1/
The ask was simple: Begin a line with “We Will Emerge…” & write a few sentences or a paragraph. The submissions were then grouped under 5 categories that captured the recurring themes & ideas:
- Action
- Awareness
- Community and Unity
- Gratitude and Empathy
- Liberation

2/
Some of the 111 writers include:
@jelani9, @rgay, Dave Eggers, @SophiaBush
@juliaioffe, @julito77, Ben Okri, @hasanminhaj ,@nprscottsimon, @mollycrabapple, Julia Alvarez, @JuddApatow, Sally Wen Mao, @waltshaub, @sabaatahir, @mayawiley:

pen.org/we-will-emerge/

3/
Read 6 tweets
Wajahat
26 Aug
This will piss off some/many of my White colleagues in media, but it's worth saying again. Yes, they normalize Trump because it's how DC works, also it's good for ratings, access, TV spots, book deals, etc. But a major reason is that they just don't care about his racism. 1/
They think they do. They believe they are appalled by his racism. They convince themselves. But then look at their behavior and coverage the past 4 years. They can't even say racism. It's "racial trip up" or "flare-up" or "economic anxiety." Anything to deflect from it. 2/
Finally, they don't care because it doesn't affect them, their spouses, their children, their communities. It's just business. So they can intellectualize it from the bleachers, observe as spectators, delude themselves into thinking they are calling balls and strikes. 3/
Read 4 tweets
Wajahat
15 Aug
Trump has radicalized my mother in law, everyone. A Pakistani American immigrant who hasn't voted in forever. She's rallying other aunties to vote for Biden in Florida. Many of them used to be Republicans back in the day. Congrats, Republicans.
The Immigrant Aunty Network of America, if activated and mobilized and registered to vote, can help bring down Trump. You think I'm kidding...
My mom confronts all her Desi Aunty friends who are still for Trump or apathetic. She is relentless. Trying to convince them to go vote Biden/Harris. She's in CA which is blue but she takes no BS & is relentless. We have to mobilize our family & communities first. Start at home.
Read 5 tweets
Wajahat
12 Aug
Republicans have called every Democratic candidate a radical leftist or socialist going back to Dukakis. Now they'll do it to Biden-Harris. The country has allowed them to define the "center" & "moderation" which is nonsensical because they're an extremist minority. 1/
My unsolicited advice is that Democrats should play aggressive offense. Hit them, right in the chin. Don't get defensive, don't take the bait, don't apologize, don't prove your moderation. Hit Trump/Pence and Republicans on THEIR extremism and bring receipts. For example: 2/
#BidenHarris2020 - at least we believe in Climate Change and don't think it's a Chinese Hoax. Also, we aren't afraid of windmills (or ramps).

#BidenHarris2020 - We are confident and not weak. We can win on our own. We don't ask foreign countries to interfere in our elections. 3/
Read 9 tweets

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