It’s a wild world out there, and there’s no shortage of bizarre conversations happening—especially when it comes to politics. The recent chatter surrounding immigrants from Somalia has taken a twist that could make anyone do a double-take. There’s a team of commentators out there who seem to think that Somali folks are living the high life while everyone else is clinging to their bus passes. Yes, folks, the rumors are swirling that the white racists are plotting their jealousy from behind their picket fences. It’s a tangled web, but let’s sort through it with a blend of humor and some good old-fashioned common sense.

So, picture this: you’re sitting around with some friends, and one of them pipes up about how Somali immigrants have nice cars and successful lives. And the rest of the group is like, “Wait a minute! My family has been here for generations, and I’m still struggling to find change for the bus!” It’s the classic case of comparisons gone awry. It’s as if some folks think that just because you’re an immigrant and you’ve got a shiny vehicle, it automatically places you on a pedestal. But does anyone stop to think that maybe, just maybe, hard work and perseverance have something to do with it? Nah, that would be too obvious.

And here’s where it gets particularly interesting—the commentary heads down the rabbit hole of “constructive criticism.” You’d think they were talking about a school report instead of discussing social dynamics! Apparently, being openly critical of how a community contributes (or doesn’t) to the American taxpayer is the same as being racist. If that’s the case, then a whole lot of people are about to get called out for their “constructive criticism” on reality shows, because let’s be honest: they dish it out like candy!

Now, when it comes to dealing with immigrant success, we can’t overlook the infamous race card. The argument gets tossed around that white folks don’t bat an eye when other European immigrants succeed because, surprise, surprise, they’re white too! But here’s a fun fact: people don’t really care about your skin color when you bring something valuable to the table. It’s not rocket science people—if you get off your high horse and actually put in the effort, you might just share the joyride too. Let’s put down the racial lens for a second and pick up some plain old hard work.

And just when you think it can’t spiral any further, there’s the invocation of “a superpower nation” having slipped through Somalia’s fingers. Talk about setting high expectations! With all the talk about potential, one can’t help but ask: did they miss the section in history about how to build a successful nation? Because if that’s the case, they might want to take a community college course or two. It’s unsettling to think that some believe success is just handed out like party favors without acknowledging the years of effort that comes with building a stable society.

In other words, folks, it might be time to hit pause on the jealousy narrative and take a look in the mirror. Encouraging joy on someone else’s success doesn’t mean you can’t strive for your own. Perhaps instead of squabbling about shiny cars and the apparent differences between immigrant communities, it would make more sense to focus on what everyone can learn from each other. After all, success is not a zero-sum game. When one does well, it opens doors and inspires others to step up, too. Let’s laugh, share, and maybe take a productive step forward together instead of flinging accusations like they’re confetti at a birthday party.