Donald Trump. One of the most searched names on social media and Google. Donald John Trump is not only a businessman but a reality television star as well. Moreover, he is the Republican Party nominee for this year’s upcoming Presidential Elections in the United States. However, there are one too many controversies linked with his name.

Donald Trump’s choice of words and rallies seem to be creating a spur in America and all over the world. It seems the ethnic minorities are no doubt feeling more vulnerable than ever in the history of America’s Presidential Elections. According to Woodbury, Trump’s rhetoric and policy proposals seem to be targeting a specific, ethnic group – Mexicans.^[1]

There are various articles and news outlets that have spoken of the biasness of Trump’s speeches and policies. He has repeatedly emphasised on building a wall on the border with Mexico and wants to get them to pay for it.^[2] Moreover, his policies of mass deportation and declining birthright citizenship are another policy for the Mexican immigrants and those of whose children are American-born.^[3]

It would not come off as a surprise to say that Donald Trump is preying on the vulnerabilities of Mexican immigrants and refusing them their rights in America. In order for Trump to refuse citizenship rights to American-born children, he has to revise the 14th amendment in the United States Constitution. The 14th amendment was adopted on July 9, 1868 which is to grant citizenship to any individual born or naturalised in the United States.^[4]

David Duke, former leader of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) has expressed his support and endorsed Donald Trump for his strident rhetoric on immigrants.^[5] The KKK promotes the unity and getting White Christian Patriots together in order to build a better future for the Nation.^[6]

The KKK’s are known for its White Supremacist actions since the 80’s for its violence against African Americans and those who supported them. However, Donald Trump has not spoken much of David Duke’s support but instead denied any knowledge on him and further disavowed him.^[7] Also, a leader of the Virginia KKK mentioned to a local TV reporter earlier this year saying, the main reason as to why a number of Klan members support Donald Trump is because their believes are the same as his.^[8]

Donald Trump continuous characterising of Mexican “illegal” immigrants as murders and rapists proves how racist his policies are to be.^[9] Tina Vasquez a Latina Woman living in the United Stated wrote on The Guardian that she has experienced an entire new level of racism from the time Donald Trump targeted the Latinos.^[10]

“A couple of weeks ago, while I was running errands in my neighbourhood, a stranger asked me if I was ‘illegal’” Tina Vasquez said.

“Around 10 minutes earlier another stranger asked me if I spoke English.

“I have never been asked the type of questions I’m now fielding from white people.”

It is not only upsetting but very much disappointing to hear a Latina woman staying in America say, she never had to face ignorant questions back in the past but now is after Trump’s hate speech. Perhaps, ignorance does indeed spur racism.

In August 2016 two white brothers, Scott and Steve Leader had brutally beaten and urinated on a 58 years old homeless Mexican man citing Trump for their actions for his policy on deporting the illegal immigrants.^[11] However, Trump responded by stating he has never condoned violence.^[12]

As Woodbury term his policies as Ethnic Cleansing, it gives one a better perspective on the underlying meaning of his policies.^[13] She further describes ethnic cleansing the move to pressurise and daunt a minority ethnic or religious group away from an area.^[14] In May, Donald Trump had insinuated that Gonzalo Curiel a federal judge, belonging to Mexican heritage was bias and did not hear the case fairly due to his ethnicity.^[15]

Donald Trump’s deportation of illegal immigrants, denying birthright citizenship and putting a blanket ban on Muslims entering the United States had given a rise to bullying in schools. A middle school teacher claimed to have African American students fearing of being deported to Africa if Trump wins.^[16]Another teacher has heard Muslim students being called terrorists.^[17]

Donald Trump has and may continue denying claims stating he is a White Supremacist, racist and someone who encourages violence. However, when will he realise the hate he has breed in the core of America? Will he ever take responsibility for the course of actions his words have brought about?

It is a terrifying thought that the ethnic minorities in the United States are at their most vulnerable point of their lives, due to one man’s hate speech. There ought to be a voice for these people. It will be a shame if we as humans, decide to stay put and quiet.

Maria Khan Safi

References

“14Th Amendment To The U.S. Constitution: Primary Documents Of American History (Virtual Programs & Services, Library Of Congress)”. 2016. Loc.Gov. Accessed October 24. https://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/14thamendment.html.

O’Connor, Lydia and Daniel Marans. 2016. “Here Are 13 Examples Of Donald Trump Being Racist”.The Huffington Post. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/donald-trump-racist-examples_us_56d47177e4b03260bf777e83.

Osnos, Evan. 2016. “Donald Trump And The Ku Klux Klan: A History – The New Yorker”. The New Yorker. http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/donald-trump-and-the-ku-klux-klan-a-history.

Stefansky, Emma. 2016. “Former K.K.K. Leader David Duke Qualifies For Louisiana Senate Debate”.The Hive. http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/10/david-duke-louisiana-senate-debate.

“Traditionalist American Knights Of The Ku Klux Klan KKK”. 2016.Traditionalistamericanknights.Com. https://traditionalistamericanknights.com/.

Vasquez, Tina. 2015. “I’ve Experienced A New Level Of Racism Since Donald Trump Went After Latinos | Tina Vasquez”. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/sep/09/donald-trump-racism-increase-latinos.

Wilkie, Christina. 2016. “‘The Trump Effect’: Hatred, Fear And Bullying On The Rise In Schools”. The Huffington Post. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-effect-southern-poverty-law-center_us_570e8619e4b03d8b7b9f2836.

Woodbury, Adalia. 2015. “Donald Trump Hopes To Ethnically Cleanse America To Make It “Great Again””. Politicus USA. http://www.politicususa.com/2015/08/26/donald-trumps-immigration-policy-hopes-ethnically-cleanse-america-great-again.html.