Skepticism and fear of immigrants are nothing new in American society. Our nation has a long history of this “original sin.” Discrimination and racism are well-worn patterns of cruelty in human history.
There exists a disturbing pattern in today’s society where blatant lies and racist tropes against people groups are publicly and unashamedly spoken, repeated, and amplified. Hate speech takes on a new level of cruelty and danger when those with significant influence share and repeat racist sentiments. For example, false and exaggerated accusations of immigrants eating cats and dogs in midwestern cities[1], “poisoning the blood” of our nation[2], and fear-mongering claims of serial “stone-cold killers”[3] taking over the streets of America, are old ideas being given a new audience. These beliefs and prejudices are fueling a wave of irrational anxiety.
Hope, freedom, equality, and progress are the motivating beliefs that have always sustained our nation and promoted the possibilities of a thriving world.
Change is rarely easy or embraced, especially when families, community, work, and familiarity are at stake. Humans are community-based and thrive in situations where secure patterns and routines can be established. People rarely uproot their lives in significant ways with long-term implications unless they are compelled to take a leap of faith to secure a better future for themselves and their loved ones. Some are motivated to secure new opportunities, pursue their dreams, or escape systemic hardship, persecution, or violent conflicts.
Except for those with Native American ancestry or whose ancestors were brought to the country through forced slavery, the stories of nearly every American began with an ancestor who first immigrated to the States. Escaping the tyranny of a King or dictatorship, economic hardship, poverty, war, or religious persecution are the common stories our ancestors share with today’s immigrants seeking change and a better life. Their stories and core values are nearly identical to those of today’s immigrants who face unfair discrimination.
Today, there is a growing movement of nihilism, self-preservation, and isolationism that threatens to undermine our collective spirit, regardless of citizenship, ethnicity, or race. Hope, freedom, equality, and progress are the motivating beliefs that have always sustained our nation and promoted the possibilities of a thriving world. Societies benefit from a counter-movement of hope that believes in and upholds a more equitable and compassionate society—because every person belongs.
[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/10/us/politics/trump-debate-immigrants-pets.html?smid=url-share
[3] https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/09/trump-hate-speech-migrants-campaign-rallies-incitement/
Matt Till 