(November 11, 2016 at 1:09 pm)Aroura Wrote: Well, let's start with Freedom of religion. He's repeatedly stated that Muslims should be barred from entering America and from becoming citizens.
You forgot the 'how' part, it's critical to the discussion. Right now there is a lot of emotion in reaction to campaign rhetoric. Whether one supports declarations such as the ban on all Muslim immigrants, a wall at our southern border or mass deportations is immaterial. They won't come to fruition. Trump, and any other politician for that matter, can say anything they want, but getting the requisite legislation passed to fulfill is an entirely different matter.
I take solace in this, but am not so naive as to dismiss the real fear felt by individuals of groups being denigrated by the rhetoric. I have the utmost sympathy for my fellow citizens (which includes undocumented residents in my definition) affected, but admit that true empathy is extremely difficult if not impossible. As a white middle aged male, I can imagine what it would be like to be vilified simply on the basis of my skin color or country of origin. The thought elicits powerful emotions of disgust and anger, but I am smart enough to know that I can't really experience the same feeling as others do simply because I have never been exposed to that type of hatred.
The closest I have ever come was in Alabama over 25 years ago. My first wife was Puerto Rican. The ubiquitous and obvious looks of disapproval and disdain from the older generations was disturbing and shocking. This does not allow me a true sense of empathy though because the disapproval and disdain aimed at me was because of the content of my mind; i.e., the decision to marry someone of color. My wife however was vilified simply because of her appearance which immediately classified her as 'the other'. This is the distinction I make between sympathy and empathy, appropriately I think, and admit that I can never truly empathize.
I wanted to share this to more fully express my thoughts on the matter. I am hopeful that as we move farther from the rhetoric of the campaign that the fear loses its current palpable nature. Much of what was given as campaign promises is already being rolled back, but the emotional damage is done which will require significant effort to ameliorate. I know Trump voters who are not racist or bigoted and will gladly join protests should there be actual attempts to infringe on liberties.
