In Upper New York Bay the Statue of Liberty looms large and imposing, a universal symbol of freedom. It was also meant to celebrate the abolition of slavery following the US civil war, but, interestingly, over these many hundreds of years its presence has served as a welcoming fixture to millions of immigrants, embodying hope and opportunity for those seeking a better life in America.
Yes, in the very final analysis, the USA is primarily a nation of immigrants and as the plaque at the base of the statue states, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore.”
However, America’s rich multicultural history, made possible by people from around the world, has now taken a severe beating from those who have come to think that its very existence, based on white supremacy, is being threatened by an overwhelming infusion of Caribbean nationals (including Jamaicans), Latinos, Asians, and other ethnic groups from around the world wanting to be a part of the enviable American Dream.
Donald J Trump and his Make America Great Again (MAGA) group have signalled that they want to recreate a new USA in which to be white is right, if you are brown, stick around, but if you are black, stay back! That is one of the harsh realities facing that country at this time and which, in a very significant way, helped to ensure that Vice-President Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party were soundly defeated by Trump and what is left of the Republican Party. That and the economy.
But it is ironic that so many Americans blamed their decision on voting for Trump on the economy when the macroeconomic indicators suggest very strongly that the American economy is doing very well.
Truth be told, Trump effectively emphasised the issues of immigration and the economy while Harris spent a great deal of time talking about the threat to democracy and abortion rights. In this vein, the Democrats failed to convince sufficient numbers of voting Americans that putting a convicted felon, adulterer, misogynist, pathological liar, and iconoclast with fascist inclinations in the White House would ultimately lead to chaos and destruction of the American values revered all over the world.
Despite the majority of the polls pointing to a tight race, many well-thinking Americans felt that good sense would have prevailed. But on Wednesday morning, November 6, they woke up to the stark reality that Trump had not only won, but he did so handsomely, scoring a most decisive victory over his hapless opponent. Indeed, something funny happened on the way to the White House.
In my previous article entitled ‘Is America ready for Kamala?’ I pointed to a number of factors that would make it difficult for her to “cross it”, chief among which were systemic racism, a male-dominated political system which militates against any woman becoming president in the foreseeable future, and the fact that bread-and-butter issues would take precedence with the average American voter.
Let’s face it, many Americans see Trump first and foremost as an astute businessman, hence the feeling that he will be more responsive in terms of dealing with ‘kitchen table’ issues. That is not so say that an upbeat Harris did not present a suite of palatable solutions, but it would appear that something funny happened on the way to the White House for her, because, with all the razzmatazz, bringing out top endorsers, including the likes of Barack and Michelle Obama, disgruntled Republicans, Oprah Winfrey, and Beyonce, among others, not to mention a humongous war chest, most voters decided to vote with their bellies rather than their brains.
So now many are wringing their hands in great trepidation, expecting mass deportations, chaos in the White House as occurred in Trump’s first bout as president as well as a path of revenge and purging akin to the reign of Adolf Hitler (so his harshest critics say).
In the meantime, what is most intriguing is that there were many Jamaicans, Puerto Ricans, and black Americans, among others, who were deemed to be the most anti-Trump (what with the outbursts about them being rapists and murderers, eating the dogs and pets, a floating island of garbage, etc). Not so! When they reached the voting booth it would appear they had a change of heart and went for the man who they feel will benefit their pocketbooks and wallets the most. Poor Kamala was hoodwinked!
Many Jamaicans and other legal immigrants who voted for Trump were very upset with the way President Joe Biden’s Administration dealt with the thousands of illegal immigrants flooding the country, especially in New York where they were treated like tourists: put up in hotels, fed, and given pocket money. This did not go down well with them, as they have had to work hard to survive in the country legally and now others were entering and being treated with kid gloves.
Additionally, it is my opinion that many of those illegal immigrants were indeed people with criminal intent. During my last visit to the US I was amazed at the number of homeless people begging, stealing, and invading residential spaces, especially in the suburbs, such as the Bronx and Brooklyn.
Of course, the irony of this situation unfolding in the shadows of the Statue of Liberty — the iconic emblem of freedom and the pursuit of happiness — is not lost. In this vein, the challenge America will continue to face is whether, when all is said and done, it can live up to the ideals of that fearless lady with her torch of hope.
In the long run America will have to come to terms with the true meaning of freedom and democracy.
Lloyd B Smith has been involved in Jamaican media for the past 49 years. He has also served as a Member of Parliament and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. He hails from western Jamaica where he is popularly known as the Governor. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or [email protected].
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Publish date : 2024-11-07 11:00:00
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