I am joining the millions who were devastated by President Trump’s decision to deploy “the Dreamers Act.” Former President Obama, by executive order, allowed children who had crossed the Mexican border illegally to remain in America. (All who entered were thoroughly vetted and screened against any family criminality.) Today those 800,000-plus youngsters have become working, taxpaying, integrated, valuable members of our society. As a result of Trump’s cruel presidential decision, they could be deported to their birthplaces, areas most have never known.
This un-American bigoted act is the final proof for me that our president is a racist, white supremacist who is determined to lead our nation in the wrong direction. The Mexican border wall he desires is certainly a bigoted act. He has not proposed such a border control on our Canadian border, but the immigrants traveling from Canada are, for the most part, white — not muslim, brown, black, or Hispanic people.
I have been unrealistic in my judgment of President Trump being influenced by racist Steve Bannon, bigoted Jeff Sessions, and the alt-right white supremacists. His other advisors, his cabinet choices and super-wealthy, shallow friends were like-minded Trump supporters. He is the ultimate racist. More evidence of their conclusion is demonstrated in his statements following the tragic events of Charlottesville and his outrageous pardoning of the racist felon Joe Arpaio.
England’s King George said the rebellious colonies could never succeed in becoming a unified country because only farmers and fools would lead them. We can proudly pronounce him wrong. We have had many brilliant leaders and statesmen who established our democratic vision. The immigrants of each generation brought diversity and more knowledge to our nation. The universality of races, creeds, faiths, and cultures all added dimensions of strength to our “United States.”
President Trump seems to have a different vision of our nation and does not appreciate our Constitution and particularly the Bill of Rights established for all of us. Our past leaders had flaws and made mistakes, but each leader added enrichment to our nation by respecting and expanding on the accomplishments of their predecessors.
By contrast, it is sad to observe that President Trump has rescinded progressive resolutions set forth by former administrations. Mr. Trump has distanced our nation from foreign alliances and has a preference for isolationist policies. He has reversed necessary regulations to preserve our environment and natural resources and seems determined to be a nationalist leader with no restraint. He desires a kingdom instead of a democracy!
This is not America, whether you were a part of his 35% followers or the 65% challengers. The America we all respect was demonstrated by the volunteers who risked their lives to save others during Hurricane Harvey. No one concerned themselves as to someone’s creed or faith when they rescued a family.
We are a nation of people who appreciate our diversity. We desire progress, not retreat. We want to be a nation that is a part of the world community. And certainly, we have far more love among us than hate.
Mr. President, please acknowledge what a great nation we are and build bridges, not walls.
Only then can we continue to prove King George wrong!
Harriet Hausman is a longtime River Forest resident.