Xenophobia is ugly, no matter where it comes from. Fueled by hate, it puts certain groups of people outside of the circle of care. Following a rebuttal speech to Trump’s address to Congress by Congressman Adriano Espaillat, the National Republican Congressional Committee called him an “illegal immigrant” on its X account. Was it because his rebuttal was in Spanish?
This applies to the left as well as the right as we hear calls to send Elon Musk back to where he came from. It doesn’t matter whether it’s Trump telling Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-Minn) and three other women of color, all born in the United States, to go back where they came from or others applying the same language to Musk.
Xenophobia has infected Congress so much that Texas Representative Brandon Gill is circulating a petition to deport Omar to Somalia. What is wrong with such people? We ALL came from somewhere else, whether this year or in 1620. Calling oneself a “proud American” doesn’t wipe out our roots, without which a tree would not stand.
Prayer for the Day
God of righteousness and justice, who created us all,
Giving eyes to see and ears to hear, we still search for you;
Your Spirit calls us beyond our foundations as a Nation,
As we strive to find our way in the world around us.
Move us from our failure of ourselves and of you,
And enable to speak your truth to the world around us.
In the name of the One who opens our hearts to your truth,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
[Espaillat] and I disagree on many issues, and agree on many others. He’s been a good friend and a colleague — and more importantly a strong voice for his community and the Latino community, especially his beloved Dominican American community. This tweet is inappropriate.
Mike Lawler, NY Republican Congressman
It is unfortunate that they’ve taken it this low. I think it further explains that anybody that doesn’t look like them they consider to be an illegal. It’s tragic.
Representative Adriano Espaillat (D-NY)
Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in integrity,
And I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.
Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and mind.
For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in faithfulness to you.
Psalm 26: 1-3