To Trump, AOC and the others Aren't Citizens -- and he wants to make that law.
Let’s understand why Trump tweeting some racist crap matters, beyond the moment.
Because it’s not just that Trump doesn’t see a lot of Americans, especially People of Color, as actual Americans. It’s that he hides his racist bullshit behind (among many shitty ideas) the concept of Birthright Citizenship, which he’s pushed to end:
“We’re the only country in the world where a person comes in and has a baby, and the baby is essentially a citizen of the United States for 85 years, with all of those benefits,” Trump said in the Axios interview. “It’s ridiculous. It’s ridiculous. And it has to end.” In fact, Canada, Mexico and many other countries also grant birthright citizenship.
Karni, Annie, et al. “How Trump's 'Birthright' Idea Went from the Fringe to the Oval Office.” POLITICO, 30 Oct. 2018, www.politico.com/story/2018/10/30/trump-birthright-citizenship-949660.
So, in this horrific concept, your citizenship can be taken away because, in their world, it was never valid. And although they might say, today, they’d never, ever take away an adult’s Citizenship — no, we cannot and do not trust them!
And that, in a nutshell, is why Trump thinks he’s correct in what he tweeted about those 4 Congresswomen. And in promoting this idea, he’s pushing, again, this racist idea that we can just steal away Citizenship, we mark another epic piece of damage to the Land of the Free.
And it’s important to understand that this is rooted, deeply, in the history of racism against Africans and African-Americans. That the reason we have this legal concept is due to the tireless push of people at risk for slavery, direct and otherwise, to be seen as Citizens of America.
I need to get back to the wonderful book BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENS, yet a key part of Dr. Jones’ book lies in Baltimore, and the debates within and without the African/American community around migration to places like Liberia over staying and fighting for their rights, here in America. That they chose the latter was not merely a decision of comfort and family, but also of ideals.
That others, then and now, have no respect for that fight should not surprise. These bits of rhetoric are key to keeping Racism hot and alive in American discourse — esp. when you can flip any attempt to address your racism as “reverse racism”.
It’s why I went, with key guidance, and read the actual debates on the key Amendments that address this topic. It’s why I can say this debate is bullshit of the highest order.
The disrespect is just part of the strategy. We must push back against it, and discuss what’s behind it, in order to build a better Democracy fro everyone.