The Republican Party has a problem. Within the GOP itself exists a white nationalist strain that too often takes center stage, disrupting shared goals, and becoming the face of the whole. While the word “racism” is used too often to describe even mild disputes in this age of the easily offended, it still can be an appropriate response when personal attacks go after someone’s racial background.
On Sunday, President Trump tweeted his dislike for four congresswomen who stand opposite of him in every way imaginable. It’s easy to see that “the squad” made up of Democratic Reps. Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, and Rashida Tlaib all meet the definition of a progressive politician. Each promotes far-left policies that stand against everything conservatism holds dear. But instead of dissecting their proposals, the president decided to attack them personally and incorrectly by saying, “Why don’t they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came.” Of the four women, everyone but Omar (herself a naturalized citizen) was born in the United States. Neither ethnicity nor country of origin should determine whether one has the freedom of speech to criticize the country they love.
Now, because of the president’s instigation, the news cycle is stuck on the superficial yet again, and we’re all fatigued by it. Thankfully, Sen. Tim Scott, R-South Carolina, was a voice of reason in the midst of tribalist chaos.
No matter our political disagreements, aiming for the lowest common denominator will only divide our nation further. My full statement below: pic.twitter.com/QXuV8arXso
— Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) July 15, 2019
President Trump was mistaken in what seemed to be his belief that the ethnicity of each congresswoman means they are immigrants to our great land. But his error brings up an area of concern that the Republican Party must work on.
This may seem like an unpopular attitude for someone on the right given the GOP’s desire for a border wall, but legal immigration is not a negative thing. Our country is made up of many people whose lives began in other countries but whose journeys led them to the United States with the promise of a better future. That our nation is a diverse mix of colors and creeds says much about the ideals upon which it ultimately rests. Citizens are neither required to look a certain way nor hold fast to specific religious beliefs.
We are united in our love for freedom and a land that is bursting with opportunity. To be sure, the liberty we enjoy means that we will disagree with our neighbors. However, disunity of opinion is more an exercise of our American values than it is a display against our nation.
It is one thing to advocate for uniformity within the Republican Party. It is another thing entirely to demand that Americans, members of Congress or not, keep from criticizing our government because dissension is unpleasant. But this is exactly what President Trump did. His racially motivated tirade is entirely unbecoming of our commander-in-chief, a role that is meant to represent us all.
The Democratic Party careens toward progressivism on a daily basis. Their collective plans for our nation should be readily and loudly criticized. But their policies, not their personnel, are the problem. By dismissing Omar, Ocasio-Cortez, Pressley, and Tlaib based on appearance and assumption, the president has insulted actual, legal immigrants and the liberty that draws them to our land in the first place. This type of anti-immigrant, nationalistic language is seen too often from the GOP and its supporters. No matter who does the spouting, it should be wholly rejected by the Republican Party.
Our country is a distinct human experiment because our homogeneity is based on internal values and not external qualities. It’s time that the current GOP not only embrace this truth but denounce any of their own who refuse to do the same.
Kimberly Ross (@SouthernKeeks) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog and a columnist at Arc Digital.
