"Separate pain acknowledgment from political weaponization Abdul El-Sayed, running for U.S. Senate in Michigan, observed that political actors selectively acknowledge some groups' pain while ignoring others', then use that pain for electoral ends rather than to solve problems. He argued that "anyone who wants to tell you that some pain is more important than other pain" is "not serious about actually addressing pain" and is "usually trying to weaponize it for their own political ends." Recognizing this pattern helps anyone — voter, advocate, or leader — distinguish genuine problem-solving from manipulation disguised as compassion. Source: Abdul El-Sayed, Breaking Points, Michigan Senate Race Interview"