Do you understand Donald Trump’s stance on immigration? Neither do I. Neither does Trump. By the time you get to the end of this sentence, he’ll likely shift his position—whatever it is—three more times. Regardless, you can always count on bigotry to underpin it.
That the art of the deal for Trump revolves around hatred is hardly new anymore. That the Presidential candidate plays into racist fears is also hardly new. However, I’ve always been less concerned about Trump’s personal prejudices than the broader effect of his rhetoric. Sure, he serves as a conduit for people’s intolerance, but more significantly, I worry that all the bias negative remarks coming out of his mouth, coming out of his whatever, are giving too much permission to bigoted people to voice similar opinions.
I especially thought of this recently when I went in for jury duty. I was almost put on a case that involved pizza deliverymen suing for unpaid wages. One potential juror told the judge that he could not serve on this trial because he felt he could not be fair and impartial. He explained that if the plaintiffs were “illegal immigrants”, he’d find it hard to find in their favor, adding that their assumed status should not allow them to sue. Then he reminded the entire court that “these people” are taking jobs that belong to Americans.
“These people” are quite likely undocumented immigrants, simply given the nature of the job in New York City. It’s not his assumption that’s messed up. It’s that, as the judge made clear, “When a business hires people, it must pay them regardless of their immigration status.” In other words, one thing has nothing to do with the other. Yet this man’s myopia clouded his ability to be fair-minded.
I’m not assuming he’s a Trump supporter. (OK, yes I am.) I am, however, annoyed not just by his illogical perspective but by his willingness, more like eagerness, to proclaim it in open court. As possible jurors, we all had the option to take sidebars with the judge and attorneys. Many people exercised that option. This guy evidently wanted to be sure we all knew how he thought we can make the legal system great again.
The judge excused him from jury service. No surprise there. But is it good for society when people feel they can express irrational views steeped in bigotry? Is there a difference between holding such viewpoints and announcing them publicly?
I don’t think anyone should be denied the right to free speech, but to have a right to do something does not inherently make it right to do. What do you think? Share your opinion below!
