By Adruus Abdi
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Have you ever read the book the boy who cried Wolf in the book? It talks about a boy who sat on top of the hill and he thought it would be funny to call all the villagers to him and say wolf when the villagers came to help him they realize there was no wolf and the boy was sitting there laughing. The telltale sign of this is that when they actually was a wolf no one believed him. Nick Shirley is like the boy who cried wolf. He’s the boy who cried fraud. There was no real fraud and he just ran around trying to get people to believe him. Recently, a 23-year-old former YouTuber, known for his prank videos aimed at garnering likes and shares, has shifted his focus to becoming a right-wing social media influencer, seeking greater engagement through controversial content. His attention has turned to Minnesota, where he has identified significant racial tensions within the Somali community. In a bid to capitalize on this situation, he has engaged in what can be described as a feeding frenzy of collective blame.
Like many opportunistic figures, he has targeted Minnesota, following in the footsteps of various journalists who have relocated from other parts of the country to report on the Somali community, often with the intention of demonizing them. These journalists seem to perpetuate a narrative that positions the community as blameworthy, fostering suspicion and reinforcing harmful stereotypes about Black individuals. This aligns with the agenda of far-right groups, which frequently attempt to portray minorities in a negative light.
This phenomenon is reminiscent of the concept often referred to as the “white man’s burden,” where individuals of a certain racial background believe they are tasked with civilizing and overseeing marginalized communities. This ideology of white supremacy appears to drive journalists who come to Minnesota, focusing on negative news that is frequently inaccurate and steeped in racial bias.
Shirley’s recent activities included visits to multiple daycares and autism centers during holiday periods, such as Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, when attendance was understandably low due to the holidays. His claims of missing children on these days disregard the common understanding of holiday schedules. One notable location he targeted was Future Leaders Daycare, situated just blocks from the site of George Floyd’s death. This connection draws an ironic parallel to the ongoing struggles faced by marginalized communities.
By attempting to portray the staff at Future Leaders as involved in fraudulent activities, Shirley has made baseless allegations that threaten to harm their reputation. In a particularly telling incident, one location he visited called the police on him, resulting in a trespassing citation. This action underscores the community’s resolve to push back against his disruptive tactics and protect their spaces from unwarranted scrutiny.
Another incident involved a location where he pointed out a misspelled sign, implying that typos were indicative of fraud. While it is true that the sign should be corrected, such mistakes are simply that—mistakes. No one is perfect, and it is unreasonable to equate a typographical error with wrongdoing. After all, last time I checked, journalists aren’t known for running around in hoodies fabricating imaginary children named Johnny. This behavior appears to be nothing more than an effort to incite outrage.
Community members have expressed their intention to consider a defamation lawsuit against Shirley for his negative and misleading statements. He seems intent on equating Somali identity with criminality, echoing the same racist rhetoric that has been associated with figures like Donald Trump. Videos exist of Shirley alongside Trump, suggesting he has been encouraged to adopt this controversial stance.
In a civilized society, one does not see a YouTuber provoking investigations solely targeting minority communities. The principle of “innocent until proven guilty” is foundational in America, yet Shirley seems to advocate for a presumption of guilt. Imagine if someone were to accuse a local business of fraud merely for clickbait—this is not representative of American values.
The individuals in these communities are hardworking Americans, striving to support their families and businesses. Shirley’s actions reflect a disregard for their lives and livelihoods, as he appears more interested in sensationalism and catering to wealthy donors with a specific agenda against the Somali community.
If you want to uncover the main financiers behind Nick Shirley and the right-wing media assault on the Somali community, consider the wealthy donors pulling the strings in the background. Who owns the social media platforms? Who funds Alpha News? Why does Alpha News consistently promote the release of Derek Chauvin? Why do they attempt to portray George Floyd’s death as resulting from an overdose rather than murder?
Let’s also examine where the majority of taxpayer dollars go. Why are these funds allocated to foreign nations, and how do these nations exert such influence over U.S. policy? Who in Congress is collaborating with these groups to promote an agenda that oppresses marginalized communities simply for speaking truth to power?
Why is Trump backing the owner of My Pillow for a gubernatorial position? Why is the federal government seemingly at war with the state of Minnesota? Is this all theater, or is America truly the land of the free? Does freedom of religion and freedom of speech still exist? In what democracy do we see federal agents abducting individuals without due process? In what democracy do boats get fired upon from the sky?
We witness businesses being assaulted, individuals kidnapped in broad daylight, and pregnant women dragged through the snow by ICE agents—all while YouTubers incite xenophobia and hatred against people merely for their different religious beliefs. This is the grim reality we face: a blatant case of discrimination. Ironically, those who perpetuate hate often resist being labeled as racist.
Consider the recent attempts by the KKK to rebrand themselves as the “Knights Party,” with their leader attempting to change his title from “Grand Wizard” to “Pastor,” even going so far as to deny that Black people go to heaven. This is the nonsensical landscape we navigate today.
We have a 23-year-old running around with cameras on Christmas Day, knowing full well that business operations are closed, trying to make it seem as if he has uncovered some grand conspiracy. In reality, it’s a holiday, and no one is operating their business as usual—something anyone with common sense can see.
Furthermore, if you truly want to understand why certain communities are being targeted, remember that we are key swing voters. Our votes can tip the balance for both Democrats and Republicans. They are trying to instill fear in us, but our resilience will endure. This YouTuber may eventually face legal consequences for its role in this narrative, but we will not succumb to despair. He might face several defamation lawsuits.
God provides enough for all of humanity to thrive, and every individual deserves dignity and respect. No one should be treated as less than human, nor should anyone be dragged from their cars and abducted by armed agents claiming to represent the government. No one should have their businesses harassed by racist YouTubers, and no one should have their state invaded by federal authorities. Such actions violate the very essence of freedom and liberty.
Growing up in the in Minnesota, I was led to believe that America was the land of the free. Increasingly, I wonder if we live in an oligarchy. What about you? Do you believe we are still free?
