Judy, look closer. My dad came with a skill to offer, he was a surgeon. He went to a town that accepted and welcomed him. That’s why he loves this country.

Without inclusion and acceptance, your language only drives a wedge between them and us.

I remember the Iran hostage crisis and I remember the economic embargo. I also remember getting our phone number changed to private because of the death threats random ignorant white people claiming to be pro-America were calling into our house.

My dad clearly and accurately identified them as racists. He then pointed out that they were likely uneducated and fearful that more foreigners were coming to “take over”. He explained that to an 8 year old, me.

It’s still so shocking to me that adults can’t grasp the concept that inclusion begets allies, exclusion begets enemies… and yet its basic playground rules that a child understands.