Abdul El-Sayed spoke in Flint, Michigan on October 18th. This video from his Flint townhall illuminates something deeply important which powerfully counters the dehumanizing narratives regarding Muslims which are tragically so pervasive in our culture.
These questions of Dr. El-Sayed by the young man in the audience were invaluable. Clearly spoken by Tommy Teepell were the demonizing ideologies embedded in Islamophobia.
This is a definition of Islamaphobia: "Islamophobia, also referred to as anti-Muslim or anti-Islamic sentiment, is the irrational fear of, hostility towards, or hatred of the religion of Islam or Muslims in general. Islamophobia is characterized as a form of religious or cultural bigotry in which Muslims are stereotyped as a geopolitical threat or a source of terrorism." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamophobia)
The dehumanization of anyone is rooted in delusion, hatred, and fear. Demonizing human beings as Other is an extremely dangerous form of violence which only serves to fuel more violence. And certainly those who are Muslim, including my Muslim friends, have been targeted due to their religion by this poisonous propaganda and painful, dangerous, and angry scapegoating.
In this video, Dr. El-Sayed masterfully exposes the false and dehumanizing assumptions this young man asserted. Over and over again Tommy Teepell was brought back to answer and account for his beliefs — beliefs which so obviously run totally counter to the Constitution, to the law, to the freedom to practice ones religion, to treating one another with dignity and respect.
This is such a vitally important dialog to watch and share because 'Tommy" is but a symptom and a symbol of something so much larger than this one young man. Donald Trump himself has even gone so far as to call Abdul El-Sayed a jihadist who hates our country. These poisonous and terrifying narratives must be countered with the truth.
Tragically, we humans are so often distracted by poisonous propaganda and end up voting against the best interests of us all, democrat and republican alike. We are all human and share much more in common than otherwise. Each and every one of us would benefit from getting money out of politics which would then make possible: Medicare for All, protecting our environment and natural resources, humane immigration policies, ensuring civil rights and liberties are protected, making voting easier, taxing billionaire wealth, ending the US funding of the genocide of Palestinians, and on and on and on. These are the priorities of Abdul El-Sayed.
And it is exactly these priorities which the powerful in both major political parties fight against. Instead of the truth and intelligent conversations about the issues, we Americans are inundated with poisonous propaganda that turns us against one another. This must end.
Abdul El-Sayed is among those who I am donating to regularly. I am rooting for those of his integrity, courage, wisdom, and consciousness of a highest good for our country, other nations, and our planet. The difference between those like Dr. El-Sayed who are running for office who receive no corporate funding and those who serve the donor class is astounding. This is one human being who is not bought and who I pray will prevail in my childhood home state of Michigan.
Man who heckled Abdul El-Sayed is former Josh Hawley aide, records show: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/oct/19/abdul-el-sayed-heckler-tommy
- 'Tommy' from viral El-Sayed video is former Sen. Hawley staffer with Christian nationalist ties: https://www.thehandbasket.co/p/tommy-teepell-abdul-el-sayed-viral-video-town-hall-josh-hawley
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