Vitriol and bigotry has come to define Trump's campaign. And he brings out the worst in people who harbor that kind of hate, giving them permission to come out of the darkness. Unless your ancestry is Native American, you or the people who came before you are/were immigrants. We are a nation of immigrants. Anyone who can't recognize and embrace that doesn't deserve to be president.
Ethnic Native Hawaiians are indigenous, too. And like the Native Americans, their land and autonomy were stolen by the European/Americans. Hawaii was a sovereign nation, whose monarchy was illegally overthrown by a capitalist American cabal.
So well said! My great grands immigrated from Germany in 1891 along with my then 12 yr old grandma. He was a productive tin & copper-smith, employed by the Chi & Alton shops helping keep the C&A trains moving. I am proud to be descended from these immigrants. Thank you, Steven, for reminding all that immigrants are not as detrimental to society as he-who-shall-not-be-named claims
I Love this piece. Thankfully there are some people that write with thoughtful integrity and their publications stir our hearts and emotions to have courage and believe in ourselves and in humanity.
I remember when media was portrayed as delivering the true facts that always had to have proof from a number of sources, before it could be published in fear of being sued or losing their job .
Now media, for fear of losing their job, just make up the news, make up the photos, and the reporters and anchors report whatever sensationalism will drive the masses in the direction their corporation demands for the purpose of greed and political power.
My maternal grandparents were immigrants as well, coming from Naples and Sicily. As anyone who knows about Italian culture, family is everything. I’m glad I have been able to pass along this heritage to my daughter and granddaughter.
Also, North Carolina has been subjected to those awful anti-immigration commercials too, with presidential AND gubernatorial commercials. The really aggravating thing is that all the footage and quotes are from years ago in addition to the hate.
Yes! JD Vance using a movie from 2002; a fictionalized version of the 1800s Draft Riots. Not only is it bad politics, but according to every source I saw, the most dangerous violent character in the movie was a “nativist”.
They called themselves “Natives of America” because they were born in the US. They belonged to the “Know Nothing” anti-immigrant movement - the gang provided (Irish American) political muscle. Perhaps he is drawn to it because their views are similar to a certain wing of the current GOP. Or maybe he’s advocating for violence. Either way it’s not landed well outside those already likeminded.
Three of my four grandparents were immigrants. I did not know them, but have come to appreciate their effect on my parents whose lives were enhanced by their culture. Theirs were large, loving families whom I’ve come to know only through genealogy. I would have preferred to be included in their love and affection but sadly it was not to be. But I am appreciative of how immigrants have contributed to our country and will defend their taking the opportunity of participating in and contributing to its betterment.
Imagine, if you can, the courage and determination that it took Kamala's mother, Shyamala Gopalan, to travel half way around the world as a 19 year-old to study at Berkeley. Imagine the sacrifices that her parents had to make in supporting her financially on her father's meager salary as a civil servant in India. But it is because of their sacrifices that Kamala stands on the verge of becoming the next President of the United States of America. Just imagine!
But then they knew the value of education, as did the family of Kamala's father, Donald Harris (yes, the irony of that first name). He obtained his Bachelor's Degree at the University of London before relocating to Berkeley for his Doctorate.
Kamala did not fall out of a coconut tree: her character has been shaped by the culture of her parents and by the education that she has received. In paying her frequent tributes to her first-grade teacher, Mrs. Frances Wilson, who attended her law school graduation, Kamala is acknowledging the power of education herself.
It is hardly a coincidence that her choice for her running mate, Tim Walz, and his wife, Gwen, have both been teachers. Just watch them on the campaign trail as they inspire hope and joy in their audiences. Watch them as they inspire the nation during their speeches at the convention this week. As I would often tell my beloved wife Kitty, a loved and respected teacher with a 35-year career at Roosevelt Elementary School in Santa Monica, there is no higher calling than being a teacher. Kitty, as I would also tell her, exemplified the highest aspirations of the profession. But so do Tim and Gwen who understand that education is everything. We are in the best of hands.
It is especially appropriate that I would pay tribute to Kitty and, by extension, to Gwen, Tim and all teachers today: my world ended when Kitty succumbed to an aggressive cancer last September. But this day, August 19, would have been, or rather is, our 15th anniversary.
Hate and fear may suck us into a downward spiral. But hope and joy are contagious. They will set us free.
It is so easy to get lost in our own problems and lose sight of what is going on that the Republicans are causing. They are actually between women’s healthcare issues and migrant issues getting people killed. Thank you Steven for getting me out of thinking about myself.
I commend Shyamala Harris for her outstanding job of raising her daughters as a single mother. Having raised 3 kind, productive children myself, it is not always easy, esp. monetarily, but it was a privilege. Since single motherhood is often looked upon as producing undesirable adults, I am waiting for cat lady, post menstrual grandmother J D Vance to pounce on that subject.
Google immigrants to the US ,- Einstein, Irving Berlin, Bob Hope, M. Albright, Pulitzer, Levi Strauss, why, even trump's pal, Elon Musk. I guess maybe trump's grandfather might fit the word "vermin," he kicked out of Germany for being a draft dodger, then, in America, owner of a hotel noted for alcohol & prostitutes.
With all the hullabaloo over immigration now, & yes, a solution must be found, a good book to read is Solito , a memoir by
Javier Zamora,who as a 9 year old boy from El Salvador, made a 2 month very hard trek to the US to reunite with his parents. He became a poet, author, with affiliations with Harvard & Stanford.
Animals, crooks, rapists - sounds like trump to me !
As I read this I was reminded of a long-time friend who was born in East Prussia and spent his years from age 9 to 22, first fleeing from combat zones during WWII, helping his grandfather keep his mother, grandmother and 2 younger brothers alive while their dad fought in the German army. They ended up in the British zone in Berlin where they risked being shot while scavenging for food in the train yards. At age 22 his family were sponsored as Displaced Persons to immigrate to the USA. He worked on farms and anywhere he could. Learned to speak flawless American English, married a woman from Appalachia. They both worked hard to learn American social norms, became a very civic-minded citizens. Sadly, the family became successful enough that the two children scorned their humble heritage. Both parents died in the twenty-teens. The daughter was a postal worker, listening to talk radio every day on her rural route and became so steeped in the MAGA cult that I finally blocked all contact.
Well said, Steven. Another "only in America" story, similar to President Obama's. Those of us descended from immigrants, meaning nearly all Americans today, must recognize the common threads that bind us together. Our forebears came here searching for a better life, the same motivation that drives immigration today. The right wing politics of resentment, racism and xenophobia tries to obscure that inconvenient fact and exploit the race based idea that country of origin and when they came are the determining factor over who is a "real" American. Conservatives use divisive boilerplate for their own good. Always. E pluribus unum, dumbasses. "Out of many, one."
JD (or JV as some say) Vance appropriated a 22 y/o movie based on a fictionalized version of the 1800s - a version that has been called out for “whitewashing” the facts. Is he trying to have another “Birth of a Nation” moment?
Regardless, it is a failure. Perhaps Yale will at some point realize the bad advertisement Vance and others of his ilk are for Ivy League education as they attempt to destroy our democracy.
Thank you for the basic facts that formed our next President’s and and experienced for all her life that has lead her to this wonderful moment to confront the evil forces. I understand her and America better now.
I have to wonder, What is patriotism to the MAGA Republican? When Trump utters it - endlessly - it means “allegiance to me.” When Speaker Johnson says it, it means allegiance to the Church of White’s Only. Most other influential Republicans seem to be hiding behind a curtain like Polonius … or the Wizard of Oz. Russell Vought, Stephen Miller, Kevin Roberts - so very, very brave! - where are they? Whispering of racism, sexism, antisemitism.
Vitriol and bigotry has come to define Trump's campaign. And he brings out the worst in people who harbor that kind of hate, giving them permission to come out of the darkness. Unless your ancestry is Native American, you or the people who came before you are/were immigrants. We are a nation of immigrants. Anyone who can't recognize and embrace that doesn't deserve to be president.
Ethnic Native Hawaiians are indigenous, too. And like the Native Americans, their land and autonomy were stolen by the European/Americans. Hawaii was a sovereign nation, whose monarchy was illegally overthrown by a capitalist American cabal.
Thanks for adding that point!
So well said! My great grands immigrated from Germany in 1891 along with my then 12 yr old grandma. He was a productive tin & copper-smith, employed by the Chi & Alton shops helping keep the C&A trains moving. I am proud to be descended from these immigrants. Thank you, Steven, for reminding all that immigrants are not as detrimental to society as he-who-shall-not-be-named claims
I Love this piece. Thankfully there are some people that write with thoughtful integrity and their publications stir our hearts and emotions to have courage and believe in ourselves and in humanity.
I remember when media was portrayed as delivering the true facts that always had to have proof from a number of sources, before it could be published in fear of being sued or losing their job .
Now media, for fear of losing their job, just make up the news, make up the photos, and the reporters and anchors report whatever sensationalism will drive the masses in the direction their corporation demands for the purpose of greed and political power.
Thank you.
My maternal grandparents were immigrants as well, coming from Naples and Sicily. As anyone who knows about Italian culture, family is everything. I’m glad I have been able to pass along this heritage to my daughter and granddaughter.
Also, North Carolina has been subjected to those awful anti-immigration commercials too, with presidential AND gubernatorial commercials. The really aggravating thing is that all the footage and quotes are from years ago in addition to the hate.
Yes! JD Vance using a movie from 2002; a fictionalized version of the 1800s Draft Riots. Not only is it bad politics, but according to every source I saw, the most dangerous violent character in the movie was a “nativist”.
They called themselves “Natives of America” because they were born in the US. They belonged to the “Know Nothing” anti-immigrant movement - the gang provided (Irish American) political muscle. Perhaps he is drawn to it because their views are similar to a certain wing of the current GOP. Or maybe he’s advocating for violence. Either way it’s not landed well outside those already likeminded.
https://www.newsweek.com/jd-vance-ethnic-enclaves-gangs-new-york-1940662
Three of my four grandparents were immigrants. I did not know them, but have come to appreciate their effect on my parents whose lives were enhanced by their culture. Theirs were large, loving families whom I’ve come to know only through genealogy. I would have preferred to be included in their love and affection but sadly it was not to be. But I am appreciative of how immigrants have contributed to our country and will defend their taking the opportunity of participating in and contributing to its betterment.
Imagine, if you can, the courage and determination that it took Kamala's mother, Shyamala Gopalan, to travel half way around the world as a 19 year-old to study at Berkeley. Imagine the sacrifices that her parents had to make in supporting her financially on her father's meager salary as a civil servant in India. But it is because of their sacrifices that Kamala stands on the verge of becoming the next President of the United States of America. Just imagine!
But then they knew the value of education, as did the family of Kamala's father, Donald Harris (yes, the irony of that first name). He obtained his Bachelor's Degree at the University of London before relocating to Berkeley for his Doctorate.
Kamala did not fall out of a coconut tree: her character has been shaped by the culture of her parents and by the education that she has received. In paying her frequent tributes to her first-grade teacher, Mrs. Frances Wilson, who attended her law school graduation, Kamala is acknowledging the power of education herself.
It is hardly a coincidence that her choice for her running mate, Tim Walz, and his wife, Gwen, have both been teachers. Just watch them on the campaign trail as they inspire hope and joy in their audiences. Watch them as they inspire the nation during their speeches at the convention this week. As I would often tell my beloved wife Kitty, a loved and respected teacher with a 35-year career at Roosevelt Elementary School in Santa Monica, there is no higher calling than being a teacher. Kitty, as I would also tell her, exemplified the highest aspirations of the profession. But so do Tim and Gwen who understand that education is everything. We are in the best of hands.
It is especially appropriate that I would pay tribute to Kitty and, by extension, to Gwen, Tim and all teachers today: my world ended when Kitty succumbed to an aggressive cancer last September. But this day, August 19, would have been, or rather is, our 15th anniversary.
Hate and fear may suck us into a downward spiral. But hope and joy are contagious. They will set us free.
It is so easy to get lost in our own problems and lose sight of what is going on that the Republicans are causing. They are actually between women’s healthcare issues and migrant issues getting people killed. Thank you Steven for getting me out of thinking about myself.
I commend Shyamala Harris for her outstanding job of raising her daughters as a single mother. Having raised 3 kind, productive children myself, it is not always easy, esp. monetarily, but it was a privilege. Since single motherhood is often looked upon as producing undesirable adults, I am waiting for cat lady, post menstrual grandmother J D Vance to pounce on that subject.
Google immigrants to the US ,- Einstein, Irving Berlin, Bob Hope, M. Albright, Pulitzer, Levi Strauss, why, even trump's pal, Elon Musk. I guess maybe trump's grandfather might fit the word "vermin," he kicked out of Germany for being a draft dodger, then, in America, owner of a hotel noted for alcohol & prostitutes.
With all the hullabaloo over immigration now, & yes, a solution must be found, a good book to read is Solito , a memoir by
Javier Zamora,who as a 9 year old boy from El Salvador, made a 2 month very hard trek to the US to reunite with his parents. He became a poet, author, with affiliations with Harvard & Stanford.
Animals, crooks, rapists - sounds like trump to me !
As I read this I was reminded of a long-time friend who was born in East Prussia and spent his years from age 9 to 22, first fleeing from combat zones during WWII, helping his grandfather keep his mother, grandmother and 2 younger brothers alive while their dad fought in the German army. They ended up in the British zone in Berlin where they risked being shot while scavenging for food in the train yards. At age 22 his family were sponsored as Displaced Persons to immigrate to the USA. He worked on farms and anywhere he could. Learned to speak flawless American English, married a woman from Appalachia. They both worked hard to learn American social norms, became a very civic-minded citizens. Sadly, the family became successful enough that the two children scorned their humble heritage. Both parents died in the twenty-teens. The daughter was a postal worker, listening to talk radio every day on her rural route and became so steeped in the MAGA cult that I finally blocked all contact.
I like how you inspire us Steven! Thank You
Thank you.
Well said, Steven. Another "only in America" story, similar to President Obama's. Those of us descended from immigrants, meaning nearly all Americans today, must recognize the common threads that bind us together. Our forebears came here searching for a better life, the same motivation that drives immigration today. The right wing politics of resentment, racism and xenophobia tries to obscure that inconvenient fact and exploit the race based idea that country of origin and when they came are the determining factor over who is a "real" American. Conservatives use divisive boilerplate for their own good. Always. E pluribus unum, dumbasses. "Out of many, one."
JD (or JV as some say) Vance appropriated a 22 y/o movie based on a fictionalized version of the 1800s - a version that has been called out for “whitewashing” the facts. Is he trying to have another “Birth of a Nation” moment?
Regardless, it is a failure. Perhaps Yale will at some point realize the bad advertisement Vance and others of his ilk are for Ivy League education as they attempt to destroy our democracy.
Vance misrepresenting something? Surely you jest! (sarcasm)
Thank you!...
Thank you for the basic facts that formed our next President’s and and experienced for all her life that has lead her to this wonderful moment to confront the evil forces. I understand her and America better now.
I have to wonder, What is patriotism to the MAGA Republican? When Trump utters it - endlessly - it means “allegiance to me.” When Speaker Johnson says it, it means allegiance to the Church of White’s Only. Most other influential Republicans seem to be hiding behind a curtain like Polonius … or the Wizard of Oz. Russell Vought, Stephen Miller, Kevin Roberts - so very, very brave! - where are they? Whispering of racism, sexism, antisemitism.
We are all immigrants unless we are of the First Nation. Deal with it, Republicans.