THREAD: What American history doesn’t include:

“Muslims thus arrived in America more than a century before the Virginia Company founded the Jamestown colony in 1607. Muslims came to America more than a century before the Puritans founded the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630. 1/ Muslims were living in America not only before Protestants, but before Protestantism existed. After Catholicism, Islam was the second monotheistic religion in the Americas. 2/

FIVE questions on Islam answered:

Does Islam allow use of force to convert non-Muslims to Islam?

Answer: No.

Here‘s direct from Holy Quran:

“There is no compulsion (force) in religion.” 2:257

“For you your religion, and for me my religion. 109:7

Force is NEVER permitted. 1/ Are men and women equal in Islam?

Absolutely. In fact Islam gave women right to vote, own property, get education, choose who to marry, divorce, etc. 1400+ years ago. The west caught up less than 100 years ago.

PS: Photo of women Head of states in Muslim majority nations. 2/

THREAD: I’m a US Marine Veteran and I’m in pain.

It’s somewhat rare for Marines to let out there emotions, let alone share them openly. But as I went for my morning run my mind kept replaying the images of the service members who recently lost there lives in Afghanistan. 1/ I literally had tears flowing from my eyes. I could almost envision myself in those dead Marine LCPL’s and the Cpl because I too once wore those very same ranks proudly on my uniform. On top of it that unique energy and desire as a young Marine to sacrifice my life if need be. 2/

THREAD on AR-15: I’m a US Marine which means I do have some professional experience with guns. Feel free to criticize my position or disagree but please don’t question my military service or knowledge of guns. I served this Nation with my life and I only want the best for it. 1/ I understand people have strong views when it comes to guns. And that’s alright. But at some point we need to have real conversations without all the crazy emotion. Americans are dying and just because it wasn’t you or me this time doesn’t mean it can’t be one of us next time. 2/

Rarely do this but I’ve transcribed this clip word for word because it’s too powerful not to. It’s a heart to heart. Watch or read if easier. @esglaude

“America is not unique in its sins as a country. We’re not unique in our evils to be honest with you. I think where we may be singular is our refusal to acknowledge them and the legends and myths we tell about our inherent goodness to hide, cover and conceal so we can maintain a willful ignorance that protects our innocence.

Very grateful to Jon Stewart and his advocacy for Veterans. The many illness’s Veterans suffer from due to wars in general and the ingestion of toxins is a reality. Here’s a story of my US Marine brother Daniel Medina (front left). We served together and were close friends. 1/ But one main difference between Sergeant Medina and I was, he served in Afghanistan. And he continued to serve after I left but we always remained in touch. He’s next to me on the left. Sergeant Medina continued serving honorably but some years later was diagnosed with cancer. 2/

THREAD: For the first time ever I retweeted Trump’s disgusting comments on Veterans over and over again. It’s possible some followers may have left because of redundancy of my tweets and feeling annoyed (oh well). But calling my fellow Vets “losers” and “suckers” was too much. 1/

https://twitter.com/helenkennedy/status/1301713816577863680

Over the course of this Presidency, I’ve taken a lot of hits including made to feel as if I don’t belong because I’ve chosen Islam as faith. In fact, I’ll never forget when he went on national TV and stated, “Islam hates us.” And then moved forward with a Muslim Ban. Painful. 2/

THREAD - Ten things my kids want you to know about Muslims (verbatim):

1.) Muslims are NOT terrorists. We have nothing to do with terrorists, ISIS or any person that does something bad.

1/ Please don’t say F*** Allah. Because the English translation for Allah is God. And I feel offended when you say that.

2/

THREAD: I’m a US Marine which means I do have a little professional experience with guns. Feel free to criticize my position or disagree but please don’t question my military service or knowledge of guns. I served this Nation with my life and I only want the best for it. 1/ I understand people have strong views when it comes to guns. And that’s ok. But at some point we need to have real conversations without all the emotion. Americans are dying and just because it wasn’t you or me this time doesn’t mean it can’t be one of us next time around. 2/

POWERFUL THREAD: My sister a Police Officer opens up on George Floyd. She’s not on Twitter so took her words from FB & posted here.

“Several friends & family have reached out to me the past few days about the George Floyd killing/death by the officers in Minneapolis, Minnesota. People expressing their concerns with heavy hearts, anger, sadness and frustration about racial injustice, police brutality, distrust for police, our broken systems etc. I don’t like to comment on cases without having all the research/facts.