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 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!
