Don’t let Donald Trump fool you. The United States is still great. It is unlike any other place in the world. It is unique and unparalleled. The land of the free and home of the brave is, in essence, one big melting pot. People come from all over the globe to add to it.
The USA is similar to fondue. Comprised of a mixture of different cheeses (Gouda, Cheddar and Swiss to name a few), fondue is elegant. The gooey mixture, which sits in a communal pot over a chafing stand, is quite unusual. In fact, it even puzzles those who have never seen or tasted it. However, fondue is so unique and symmetrical that it is nothing short of perfection.
Like fondue, the United States is a unique concoction. There are individuals of unique ancestry, churches of distinct religion and businesses of different origin. Unlike every other country in the world the USA is comprised mostly of immigrants. Destinations like Ellis Island, for example, processed millions of future Americans. In a span of 62 years, nearly 12 million immigrants were processed through the island with only 2% of immigrants being denied admission. Each individual at Ellis Island that passed the “six second medical exam” and was granted citizenship in America had dreams, ambitions and hope for a life of freedom. A life where just about anyone (even an immigrant) can make a name for oneself.
To say that there is a lot riding on the election in 2016 is an understatement. The United States, one of the most primitive powers in the world, will have to decide very soon who will lead our country. Most importantly, we will decide how we want our country to look in the future. Amidst the chaos that has been the 2016 presidential primaries, one man has surged in the polls and has taken the media by storm.
You know who this man is. His name is Donald Trump. Trump, America’s most beloved businessman, has bullied, bashed and belittled opposing politicians with his “Make America Great Again” campaign. Amidst his perplexing political platform and misguided march on Washington he has been very vocal about many of the “problems” with America.
One of the most hotly debated topics is his policy on immigrants. Specifically, Trump has intentionally targeted Mexican American immigrants. He has advocated for cutting off the flow of immigrants and insists that these immigrants are both a threat and a burden to the United States. He has racially profiled these immigrants and labeled them as “drug dealers and rapists”. Above all else he has referred to our beautiful country, our melting pot, as “a dumping ground”.
The immigrant issue the United States faces today is unlike ever before. It is complex. And there may not be a single solution. There are millions of immigrants who wish to come into an overcrowded country that has nearly 320 million people. It would be misguided to say that every individual that wishes to be a part of the United States should be allowed to do so. However, to profile through stereotype hard working people that wish to make names and lives for themselves in the United States is misguided and downright hypocritical. The United States is a country comprised of immigrants and, for the sake of future immigrants, it cannot be forgotten.
It is disheartening how aspiring politicians like Trump continue to belittle our great country through misguided “patriotism” and that we choose to listen. In reality, Trump fails to see how unpatriotic his words, actions and polices truly are. His lack of political correctness, which many find to be Trump’s redeeming quality, is matched by his hopelessness for creating a more inclusive future. His generalized hatred for people who are contributing to our beautiful and unique melting pot is saddening.
Trump’s “Make America Great Again” campaign is misguided. It is misguided because America is and will continue to be great. Our diversity and differences unite us. Without our distinct ancestries and nationalities we would not be unique.
The United States is much greater than a single piece of cheese.
