“America is an idea, not a race,” said our own South Carolina representative Lindsey Graham in response to President Trump’s referral to “shithole countries.” The President’s words are not only unprofessional, but were possibly prompted by deeper rooted prejudices, as he reportedly said more desirable immigrants would come from Norway.
President Trump's comments amassed criticism from both sides, but people should try to seek out any semblance of right action in President Trump’s thoughts. Perhaps these harsh words can allow the U.S. to improve itself. I implore people to consider the fact that some countries are indeed afflicted by terrible living conditions.
To deny that some countries have horrible living conditions is simply ignorant. As an example, according to Finances Online, Haiti is one of the world’s poorest countries, with a per capita GDP of just $1,235. There are massive amounts of corruption within their government, minimal access to education, and rampant poverty. More than 80 percent of their population live under the poverty line.
It's just a basic fact that some countries would be miserable to live in. Afghanistan has been plagued by war and terrorism and for a time harbored Osama bin Laden. In addition, 42 percent of people in Afghanistan live on less than $1 per day; their unemployment rate is 35%. It's also worth mentioning that their per capita GDP is even lower than Haiti's, rounding out at $956. While I tire greatly of conservatives accusing liberals of being “snowflakes,” I will admit that people should be willing to admit the truth, even if the truth can cause pain.
CNN analyst Joan Walsh was asked the question, "Would you rather live in Haiti or Norway?" She said that she could not answer because she had not been to either place. The influx of immigrants from poorer countries and the lack of immigrants from privileged countries like Norway is demonstrative of where people truly want to live. To deny that some places do not have ideal living conditions is not only dishonest, but detrimental to the potential of the U.S. assisting those countries.
As leader of the Free World, Trump should be encouraging lawmakers to support other countries. We need to not only send aid, but also the means for these countries to support themselves. We do not want them economically dependent on us like we did in the imperialist past. What we want is to promote sovereignty and democratic values around the world because it is the right thing to do.
These comments should not come as a shock to anyone, considering that his inaugural address stated that his goal was to always put “America First.” I also think this shows some deeper rooted scars in America's past. Ultimately, Trump is not a cause of prejudice, but an effect. These sentiments have been part of America’s racist past for many years. People are quick to accuse President Trump of racism but neglect that during World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the great champion of welfare and supporting the less privileged, had Japanese people placed in internment camps simply because their race was the same country we were in war with.
Ultimately, America should take two things from Trump’s comments: first, that we should acknowledge issues in other countries and try to solve them. Second, that we have a lot of soul searching to do. To quote Founding Father and immigrant from the West Indies, Alexander Hamilton, “A nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master, and deserves one.”