The Rise of Fascism’s emotional toll.
Trump courts peoples most base fears, amplifies them for political gain, and leaves behind a trail of misogyny, anti-antisemitism, racism, and hate, as a byproduct of his need for attention. He flirts with fascism and ultra-nationalism because he knows it gets the most attention from it. He is at best, a narcissistic moron, and at worse, a fascist dictator-in-waiting.
His advisers, including Stephen Miller, are the true terror. We have an ineffective legislative branch, led by the GOP, that won’t stop our slide into fascism and that’s why I’m truly terrified. Without a check on Executive power, Trump is free to listen do as he pleases. He is executing on the fascist doctrines of people like Stephen Miller. Miller works behind the scenes, targeting the US refugee system, without leaving a paper trail to tie him to his actions.[i] I urge you to read the Vanity Fair article regarding his anti-immigrant agenda.
That said, we must defend the integrity of our elections, we must vote, we must speak out, and we must have uncomfortable conversations. There are people on the other side that have demonized anyone that votes democrat because they assume we want to destroy democracy, because FOX news and right wing news sources tell them we do.
I love democracy. I will defend it to my last breath. I want a better life for all Americans, white, black, Latino, Asian, Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, agnostic, etc.
As the son of immigrants, I was deeply triggered by Trump’s move to end birthright citizenship. My dad was a refugee, my mom was a resident. They both eventually became citizens, way after I was born.
Trump’s allies and advisors talk about the need to remove birthright citizenship because no other country does it. “It’s a move favored by Sessions, as well as White House adviser Stephen Miller and Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach”. [ii] The actual truth is about 30 nations around the world recognize “right of soil” citizenship.[iii]
My response to critics of birthright citizenship is simply this. Who cares, other nations do provide it, there would be a humanitarian crisis worldwide if we suddenly disenfranchised millions of people that owe their citizenship due to birthright. No other nation is as dependent on immigrants to ensure the greatness of their nation. Immigrants and refugees help drive innovation and growth in America.[iv] We are a heterogeneous group of people, and this diversity adds to the richness and greatness of our nation.
The concept of legal immigration is relatively new to us, and it was only enacted out of racist policies undertaken by ignorant and mediocre politicians that led us into the guilded age of America, a period of corruption and mediocrity. [v]
The immigrants and refugees coming to America today will only add to our amazing nation. Their foods, culture, and spirit will make us a better nation. They will become the leaders in STEM fields, that we are desperately short on. Their children will become proud American citizens that help drive our democracy into the future.
I will not let the ignorant rhetoric of ignorant politicians define who should be here, and neither should you.
Every wave of immigration has seen an uptick in anti-immigrant rhetoric, painful social unrest, and eventual acceptance of most immigrant groups.
We must reject this wave of ignorant hatred. We must not repeat the mistakes made to the Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Irish, Italian, etc., immigrants.
Welcome our new neighbors, realize that there is no burden that we are taking on, but giving opportunities to others. Let’s not keep fighting for scraps, while 1% of America enjoys the feast. Without immigration to drive our nation’s economic engines, we will surely fail. Reject hate and ignorance!
Stop letting the mediocre and power-hungry control how we treat each other. Read the links and sources provided, and grow out of ignorance and fear.
Also…
VOTE
[i]https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2018/08/stephen-miller-refugees-state-department
[ii] https://www.politico.com/story/2018/10/30/trump-birthright-citizenship-949660
[iii] https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2263.html
[iv] https://www.forbes.com/sites/hbsworkingknowledge/2018/08/01/in-america-immigrants-really-do-get-the-job-done/#7c52fa341935
[v] http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/disp_textbook.cfm?smtID=2&psid=3291
