Racism, Hatred and Violence: The Antithesis of Freedom

The mass shootings of the last weeks cannot be separated from the sowing of hatred and demonization of peoples we hear from President Trump.  The manifesto for the mass murderer in El Paso, Texas includes lines taken from Trump’s speeches and Trump for President websites.  As I’ve said before:  What you reap, you shall sow!

We who love freedom and believe in the dignity of all people (“…endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” [Declaration of Independence]) abhor the talk of demonization of peoples (especially immigrants and the undocumented).  

I say:

•          “No to Demonization of Peoples”
•          “No to Hatred of Immigrants and the Undocumented” and
•          “No to the Violence that rises from Hatred.”

The hatred we saw in El Paso blurred the lines of American Citizenship, legal status in the US, and undocumented status in the US, as the evil murderer in El Paso killed any and all, illustrating a root hatred of Hispanic people and not just those who are undocumented.  This blurring of the lines has led to many incidents where anyone appearing to be Hispanic or speaking Spanish is assumed to be “illegal” and therefore subject to discrimination and hate.

A free people recognize the dignity of all people. 

A free people do not hate any group.

A free people can work to improve the situation on the southern border while respecting the dignity of all.

•          While respecting all people, we don’t have to have “open borders” but rather improve conditions for a more orderly passage of peoples across the southern border.
  
  
•          While respecting all people, we can work together to ensure humane conditions in detention facilities and not separate underage minors from parents or guardians.
  
  
•          While respecting all people, we can work to improve the conditions in Central America that drive the desire to migrate to the US.
•          While respecting all people, we can find a permanent solution for the millions of undocumented peoples living within the US.  We should expel the criminals, but we should also have a process whereby productive workers and the “dreamers” can have a path to a documented status, including a path to citizenship.

We must say no to this hatred and violence now!

Humane Conditions for Human Beings!

Almost everyone will agree on the beauty of a flower.  There is a natural appeal to the eye that generally comes across as both pleasant and even calming.  This may be true for other things in daily life, from cute animals to artwork or a beautiful table setting.

Oddly enough, this universal appeal doesn't apply to our own species.  In particular, I point to the current issues related to immigration to the United States, particularly along the southern border with Mexico.  

The Evil of the Demonization of Immigrants

Before his election, Donald Trump was characterizing those crossing the border as generally criminals: "They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”  (Presidential announcement speech, June 16, 2015).  Trump and many of his supporters have been demonizing these human beings.  Trump has a continuous pattern of demonizing or down-playing those from poor countries, or who are people of color, or just not from northern Europe.  This plays to hatred of immigrants and people of color, hatred that can be found in some of Trump's followers but more especially in the fringe extreme right and hate groups.

This demonization of peoples if evil!  This is not the American way.  This does not support the works of our Declaration of Independence that all men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with the rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  In this matter of demonizing human beings, Trump is un-American!

The Evil of Inhumane Treatment of Detainees

Migrant camp at the border by Tijuana. 
Nov. 2018 photo by AP.

Current reports indicate that the number of peoples crossing the southern border and detained by the United States is overwhelming facilities resulting in overcrowding and unsanitary conditions, including for children.   This poor treatment of human beings in not the American way.  

More funding is needed immediately to improve conditions so that they are humane and sanitary.  If there are more people than can be held in safe and humane conditions, then people need to be released on one side of the border or the other.

The persistence of inhumane and unsanitary conditions in another sign of the un-American actions of the Trump Administration!

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Contact your elected representatives in Congress and demand immediate action to ensure humane and sanitary conditions for detainees!!