Leftist School Board Member Warns Graduates: You're Entering World of Extreme Racism
Fairfax County, Virginia official warns of 'extreme versions of individualism'
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A leftist school board member has issued a warning to Virginia graduates that they are entering a world overwhelmed by racism, white supremacy, and "extreme versions of individualism."
Abrar Omeish, the Fairfax County School Board's only Muslim member, warned high schoolers capitalism has ravaged the world around them.
Omeish delivered the keynote address on June 7 before a graduation ceremony for Justice High School in Falls Church.
The president of the student government introduced her, noting that she campaigned for socialist presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.
Her father, Esam Omeish, was notably a "leader and board member of the Dar al-Hijrah Islamic Center" – the namesake of a mosque attended by two 9/11 hijackers in 2001.
The mosque was also attended by the radical imam Anwar Al-Awlaki, and Nidal Hasan, the 2009 Fort Hood shooter.
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The beginning of Omeish’s speech, reported first by The Daily Wire, was relatively uncontroversial as she commended the graduates – switching between Arabic, English, and Spanish – for overcoming obstacles, both personal and academic.
"Today we checked off a box in your academic journey," she said.
"As a human being, you have developed and you have grown."
But her speech quickly took on racial and class-based overtones – while at one point acknowledging that the school is sitting on land stolen from the Manahoac people, a Native American tribe.
"You understand that social justice is only political for those that can afford to ignore it," she told the graduating class.
"You understand that ‘neutral’ is another word for complicit.
"And you have made a choice to take a stand."
She warned the graduates that they are stepping into a divisive world that will try to keep them down but implored them not to be discouraged.
"That’s exactly why I’m here to tell you to remain steadfast," she said, "to keep your eyes on the prize."
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She told the graduates that their leadership will be desperately needed.
"Our world is overwhelmed with need.
"We struggle with human greed, racism, extreme versions of individualism and capitalism, white supremacy, growing wealth gaps, disease, climate crisis, extreme poverty amidst luxury, and waste right next door," she said.
"And the list goes on."
But though the world is unfair and unjust, she said, "your truth, your courage and your path to uplift those who are not heard, will leave you on the right side of history."
