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Creator: Susan Walsh, Credit: AP, Copyright: Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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Going back to the first "illegal" immigrant and his entire crew that came to the shore of America(s), I would like to quote Columbus from the log he wrote:
“They ... brought us parrots and balls of cotton and spears and many other things, which they exchanged for the glass beads and hawks' bells. They willingly traded everything they owned... . They were well-built, with good bodies and handsome features.... They do not bear arms, and do not know them, for I showed them a sword, they took it by the edge and cut themselves out of ignorance. They have no iron. Their spears are made of cane... . They would make fine servants.... With fifty men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want.”
Christopher Columbus was referring to the Arawak men and women he and his sailors came across when he landed on the Bahamas Islands. Of course, we all know the outcome of what occurred afterward. His intentions were not to work with the natives, but to take what is not theirs and claim it for themselves.
“As soon as I arrived in the Indies, on the first Island which I found, I took some of the natives by force in order that they might learn and might give me information of whatever there is in these parts.”
I find it troubling and yet confused why we continue to have this same conversation about Immigration in the United States. Trump’s rhetoric of immigration is nothing more but racist and bigot remarks on Blacks and people of color from other countries which is causing a major division in the country.
Nothing has really changed when it comes to Immigration rhetoric from politicians and communities nationwide. It seems We have forgotten the history on how this country was built. The United States of America flourished because Immigrants from all over the world came (illegal or legal) with good intentions came to share ideas and lived among other ethnic and religious groups for a better life. Immigrants came to escape from political and religious persecution from their native lands. Immigrants came to the United States from famine and WARS oversea caused by those in POWER. Immigration has been an ongoing thing for a long time. I will even argue since the beginning of human civilization.
So yeah, this is definitely nothing new between Trump's rhetoric and others before him.
Reference:
Zinn, Howard. A People’s History of the United States. Harper Collins Publishers, 2015.
