The elections are nearing, and the campaigns are still ongoing, and politicians are using hateful speeches and remarks to further their political ambitions. Individuals who use hate speech cite the first amendment; the freedom of speech. However, hateful statements have adverse effects on the peaceful co-existence of individuals from different communities and may also cause emotional damage as well as fear.
When Mr. Trump announced his presidential bid they he got more attention than he had bargained for, but not for the right reasons. He got the media attention and most importantly the public attention when he made negative remarks about the Mexico, Mexicans and the whole Latino community. Mr. Trump indicated that he had the Mexican had problems, and they were dumping the same problems to America. By problems, he meant that the Latino community was smuggling drugs and were the masterminds of crime in America. To deal with the so-called problems he stated that he would build a wall on the Mexican-American border and make the Mexicans pay for it. By bashing the Mexican community, he also bashed the basic values that the American society is founded. I believe the comments are not only offensive to the Latino community but also the other immigrants as well as all other Americans whose ancestors once came into the country as immigrants (Vasquez). Immigration, as well as integration, are part of the rich American story.
When Trump continues in engaging in the hateful and inciting comments, then one of the immediate effects on the society would be xenophobia. He is not only preying on the xenophobic fears of the conservative white Americans but also feeding these fears. Racial bias and xenophobia are part of the ugliest chapter of the history of the American people. Xenophobia not only affects the immigrant communities but also the Native Americans. For example, the effects of xenophobia may also plague the economy especially the tourism sector since foreigners will no longer feel safe in the country. Trump’s remarks were undiplomatic and can be termed as a major shot in the foot primarily because Mexico is the second largest trading partner of the United States. The U.S. exports more than 240 billion dollars’ worth of goods a clear indication of that Mexico is a huge customer. I do not think it is good business practice to attack immigrants from the second largest trading partner. In Florida alone the Mexican employees help generate over 70 billion dollars annually.
Many Mexicans are already reacting to Trump’s remarks. The two co-host of the Miss USA show pulled out from the project indicating that the remarks did not settle well with them. Another Colombian artist, J. Balvin, who was to perform on the show, also opted out. They all cited that they were showing social responsibility for their culture, roots, and values. Balvin indicated that the Mexican people are hard working individuals, and most of the citizens do not want to do the kind of job they are doing. I would also add that the community constitutes about 10% of the American population, and they pay their taxes and are law abiding members of the society we all expect that our future president has such basic knowledge.
I believe that playing with the fears of the different communities is a counterproductive approach and not right to label an entire community as criminals. Immigrants do not leave their country of origin just because they want to but because they have no other option and Mr. Trump as a businessman he should know better and understand the effect of harsh economic realities. Above all, I think that his comments are not based on any facts and that they only reflect his personal opinion (Sakuma). We should not let the opinion of one individual change the fundamental values of the American people.
The media term Trump's remarks as ‘rants'. When the media fails to correctly label Mr. Trump's ‘rants' as hate speech, then there is the consequence of normalizing xenophobia and racism which consequently emboldens the other members of the society to behave in a similar manner. And this may not only come out as mere words but as actions. As long as Mr. Trump is provided with the platform and is handed the microphone, then the people of the black community will always find themselves in harm's ways (Younge). These can take the form of racist treatment or even as violence. Minority communities are the flashpoint of a number of uncertainties that mar their lives as well as the global backdrop. The uncertainties coupled with the inability of states to secure their own economic hegemony could easily translate to lack of tolerance of immigrants. Once discrimination infiltrates the American political scene this leaves everyone divided as well as debase the currency of a healthy democracy. It will not be long before politicians who engage in hate speech see the transition of their words from ‘rants’ to dangerous.
Works Cited
Sakuma, Amanda. Why Donald Trump’s Racist Remarks Matter. 7 Jan. 2015. Web. 3 June. 2016.
Vasquez, Tina. I've Experienced a New Level of Racism since Donald Trump Went after Latinos. 9 Sept. 2015. Web. 3 June. 2016.
Younge, Gary. Donald Trump Shows Hate Speech Is Now Out And Proud In The Mainstream. 8 Dec. 2015. Web. 3 June. 2016.
