On Sunday, Sept. 15, the Republican candidate for President of the United States posted on Truth Social: “I Hate Taylor Swift.”
This was an impulsive statement coming from a 78-year-old man who evidently was never taught that hate is not a good thing. The reality is that he was angry at not being endorsed by an immensely popular singer and songwriter. Scratching under the surface, this statement likely gave those individuals who follow him and plan on voting for him license to also hate that same individual, likely resulting in threats to her and her followers.
Prior to this verbal attack, during his debate with Kamala Harris on Sept. 10, he stated emphatically that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio were eating cats and dogs, even though that statement was debunked during the debate and was subsequently verified as false by numerous local and state officials. Yet, this falsehood continued to be amplified by the candidate and his running mate.
In fact, in a follow up interview, his running mate admitted that this story was a fabrication and was created in order to raise the issue of immigration. Tragically, this rhetoric resulted in bomb threats and death threats in Springfield, forcing the evacuation and closing of public schools.
Nonetheless, the Republican candidate has continued to spread these hate fueled lies. He continues to use them as racial tropes and extend his hatred of immigrants and all people of color. As Gregg Gonsalves of The Nation recently wrote: “What all these sorry tales have in common is that they are about determining who belongs here in the U.S., who is a ‘real American,’ and who is an interloper.” He continued, “In this construction, immigrants are a pathogen that must be purged, cleansed from the body of the nation.”
Hatred of immigrants and his xenophobia fueled his campaign in 2016, it fueled his administration, it fueled his campaign in 2020, and it is fueling his campaign in 2024.
There should be no question that this rhetoric is an ongoing effort to stoke fear and hate for immigrants, especially people of color. In the case of the Haitian immigrants in the Springfield community it is a fact they are there legally, through protected status granted by the US Government.
It seems xenophobia has even seeped into our 2024 General Election ballot, where the Effingham County Board included the following ballot question:
“With the POTENTIAL EXCEPTION of emergences which might be declared by appropriate authorities, should tax-based funding be allocated and spent in support of ILLEGAL MIGRANTS in Effingham County, Illinois? Yes or No.”
On what Christian or moral basis was it ever determined that we should turn our backs on our fellow man for the sake of a little coin? Where is the compassion Jesus often spoke of? Are we so quick to forget Jesus and his family were refuges from King Herod?
What I find ironic, a contradiction, and tragic is the fact anyone traveling I-57/I-70 on the southside of Effingham will encounter The Cross of the Crossroads, the 198-foot-tall object representing an iconic and widely recognized symbol of Christianity. While I am no biblical scholar, for me, the cross not only symbolizes the brutality and tragedy of the crucifixion, it also represents compassion, redemption, forgiveness, a call to faith, unconditional love, sacrifice, and giving of self to others.
As there appears to be ongoing support for the Republican candidate for President in our community, it begs the question as to how long people in our community will knowingly or unknowingly jump on the hate train, making excuses for his hateful rhetoric and falling into the trap of vilifying and hating our fellow man because he does not look like us.
This is antithetical to the very meaning and symbolism of the Cross. One must ask themselves what the Cross represents? Is it a mere jewelry trinket to be worn around the neck or a mere monument for tourism purposes? Is my morality based on my political opinions and beliefs or on the Cross?
The symbolism of The Cross at the Crossroads could not be clearer. We are at a crossroad: Are we going to love or are we going to hate? For what part of the maddening crowd are you, and what are you yelling?
Are you for compassion or are you for persecution?