I have a question to ask: Why must we all be white? The core of white supremacy seems to me to be a belief that white people should dominate and control. A belief that only people of European dissent with pale skin tones should be valued and respected. I am certain that this belief is wrong. There is a feeling in my core that white supremacy is evil and dangerous. In addition, white supremacy in the USA is incredibly hypocritical. Native Americans were the original founders of the country, and the Puritans from England were the immigrants. So, why is it that white people in America have turned on immigrants?! Is our collective memory so short-sited? Have we all forgotten what we learned in history class in school?
The Trump administration which has taken over the country again has rolled out decisive action against immigrants, which I find sickening. President Trump himself is a white supremacist. He does not seem to be able to tolerate anyone different from himself. The way that America is currently treating immigrants is a crime against humanity. We are all beloved children of God. We all matter and should be valued, regardless of our skin tone or ethnic background. Separating families and tearing children away from their caregivers, simply because they are trying to find a better life on our soil, is inhumane. We have a short memory, and seem to have forgotten all about the statue of liberty welcoming immigrants to our nation for decades past. Why is there so much hate?
Immigrants in the USA also play an important role economically. It is foolish to deport them. Immigrants work long hours at jobs that white people hold up their noses at. They pick watermelons in fields and work in factories. They are tax paying contributors. Besides the financial implications and work place roles that should be considered, immigrants also bring a richness to the diversity in our culture. When I was in third grade, I learned about America being described as a melting pot. The community was made stronger by having many different cultural traditions present. Let us not forget the beauty of inclusion.
The Bible also has many things to say about accepting our neighbors. Since the conservative Republicans in Congress like to quote Leviticus for justifying their laws, I will quote Leviticus as well. “When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 19: 33-34. The Lord is instructing His people as to how to care for foreigners, because they themselves had at one time suffered as outcasts in Egypt. How quickly we forget. This passage always reminds me that God’s law is one of acceptance and love.
But, why stop with the Biblical quotes there? I would also like to include Jesus’ famous quote on loving our neighbors. The story is from the Gospel of Matthew, when Jesus is asked which commandment is the most important. Jesus replies, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22: 37-40. Clearly, the criminal treatment of immigrants is not an act of loving them as ourselves. Separating families, and endangering children, and violently rounding up people, and destroying lives is not loving. What would Jesus think of these actions, according to His instructions in the Bible?
America should be finding ways to streamline paths to legal immigration, and developing better avenues to welcome refugees into our countries. We should not be building walls to keep anyone non-white and different out of our borders. It is not only inhumane, as I stated earlier, but it goes against the Christian principles set out in the Bible. White supremacy is inherently evil, and I am afraid of what it will ultimately lead to in this country. I am determined to work to stop this spread of injustice. Welcome the foreigner and love your neighbor, even if, and perhaps especially when, they are different from yourself. Deporting honest immigrants and terrorizing refugees are terribly wrong actions, and they go against the history of our nation. Take time today to consider your own principles in your heart, and decide which side of history you will be on. I hope you choose love, compassion, justice, and inclusive action.
In Resistance, G.
The Ladybug 
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