The
country has sworn in a new president; President Trump is barely two
weeks into his office, yet it seems a different United States of
America is growing before the eyes of the world. Is this the start of
a new era in American history, where long-cherished American cultural
values, such as freedom, equality, democracy, solidarity and
diversity, are endangered? Or will these values continue to
thrive in a Trump presidency?
Questions
such as these are raised as a result of a string of executive orders
that the new president has signed, which have been causing much alarm
and concern – here and overseas - about the eroding of these basic
American values. Where is America heading into the future with
President Donald J. Trump at the helm?
Executive
Orders
On
his very first day of office, a few hours after his inauguration,
President Trump lost no time in fulfilling one his strong campaign
promises: the repeal of the Obamacare.
Many
believe this will negatively impact poor Americans and other
marginalized sectors – a
repeal could lead to increases in the number of newly uninsured
Americans, the number of people facing difficulties from pre-existing
conditions, the size of the federal deficit, and how much money
people will have to pay for their health care.
With
the Obamacare, senior
citizens pay less for Medicare coverage and for their prescription
drugs.
Other executive orders of the
president, which so far are causing fear, confusion and uproar,
include among others:
*
Authorizing the construction of a wall along the U.S-Mexico border;
*
Reinstatement of the American policy called the “Mexico City
Policy” which blocks US federal funding for non-governmental
organisations that provide abortion counselling or referrals,
advocate to decriminalise abortion or expand abortion services.
(Wikipedia)
*
Banning refugees and travelers from seven pre-dominantly Muslim
countries: Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
The
immigration ban was ordered suspended by a NY federal
court. The court’s decision, which will affect people who
have been detained in airports, came after the ACLU and other
activist groups filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of two Iraqis
who were held at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York as
a result of the order.
But
confusion had taken over
other airports in the country. Protesters,
lawyers and lawmakers rushed to major U.S. airports on Saturday as
word spread that refugees, legal permanent residents and other
travelers were being blocked from entering the United States due to a
new executive order from President Donald
Trump.
The
tech industry – among other sectors - strikes back, too.
Caught by surprise by the immigration ban, [...]tech industry
executives began publishing notices criticizing the new regulation
and warning employees of its potential broad and dramatic impacts.
From
Apple, Google and Facebook to Microsoft, Airbnb and Box, the message
was pretty much the same: Limiting immigration hurts employees and
innovation.
Tech
company leaders say that the president's travel ban will impact their employees, and that it violates personal and company
principles, the WSJ reported.
Indeed,
lack of diversity still characterizes many tech workplaces, yet many
strive to overcome discrimination on the basis of race, nationality,
and religion; many tech companies strive to become more inclusive.
In
the wake of these executive orders, a move to have California secede
from the USA has been set into motion. Backers of the movement have
submitted their proposal to the Secretary of State and can already begin collecting signatures.
This
was announced
by Secretary of State Alex Padilla,
as the group pushing the proposal, Yes California Independence
Campaign, has been cleared to start collecting about 600,000 voter
signatures, the number needed to
place the plan on the ballot.
According to the group's website,
"In our view, the United States of America represents so many
things that conflict with Californian values, and our continued
statehood means California will continue subsidizing the other states
to our own detriment, and to the detriment of our children."
Although
there have been previous attempts to push for the secession of
California from the rest of the nation, but which have failed, the
current “Calexit” proposal is reported to be supported by 1 in 3 Californians, according to a recent poll.
American
core values
Among
the basic core American values that define who Americans are as a
people is equality of
opportunity for
all, including
Americans of foreign descent, as well as foreigners who come to
America to seek greener pasture.
Several
laws have been enacted to promote this and to protect anyone from
discrimination, such as the Title
VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII)
and the other laws enforced by the EEOC.
It
is ironic that a nation that arose from the union of the different
colonies of early settlers from Europe – most of whom were just
simple folks in search of better opportunities in a new frontier,
where they hoped to live with faith and in freedom – stands today
on the brink of disunity and isolation.
America
was, and until today, a land of immigrants. To the world, America
symbolizes great opportunities; a welcoming nation. Therefore,
immigrants from different parts of the world continue to come here
and seek a better life – not only for themselves, but for their
families as well.
The
U.S.
immigrant
population stood at more than 42.4 million, or 13.3 percent, of the
total U.S.
population of 318.9 million in 2014, according to ACS [American
Community Survey] data. Between 2013 and 2014, the foreign-born
population increased by 1 million, or 2.5 percent, according to statistics.
Thus,
the immigration ban and the order to build a wall along the borders,
strike a painful chord in the hearts of many, as well as go against
another deeply ingrained American core value, that of championing
the rights of the oppressed.
Among
the voices of dissent
is that of Chuck Schumer, Democratic leader in the Senate, who was
quoted as saying: “Tears are running down the cheeks of
the Statue of Liberty tonight as a grand tradition of America,
welcoming immigrants, that has existed since America was founded, has
been stomped upon. “Taking in immigrants and refugees is not only
humanitarian but has also boosted our economy and created jobs decade
after decade. This is one of the most backward and nasty executive
orders that the president has issued.”
In
other words, the diversity
that makes up the American nation drives it toward progress.
But diversity, as it is, still faces a lot of challenges – especially in relation to its twin value of inclusion.
Hence,
the building of walls, or the repeal of an affordable healthcare that
the poor and marginalized sectors can have access to, and most of
all, refusing entry to immigrants and refugees – will most likely
pose greater challenges.
Other
sectors, aside from the tech industry, are going to be adversely
impacted, too, by the travel restrictions: healthcare, education,
professional services, tourism, and the science & research
community – just to name a few. And families.
Many
employees of diversity companies, job seekers, students, non-US citizens and green holders
alike, will be affected by this ban.
With
that said, it would help to look at the controversial orders of
President Trump, as well as all the protest actions and criticism,
through the prism of hope, and to focus on the positive aspects.
For
example, here's an excerpt
from President Trump's immigration ban. It might be good to take
these words at face value:
"In
order to protect Americans, the United States must ensure that those
admitted to this country do not bear hostile attitudes toward it and
its founding principles," Trump states in the opening section of
the executive order.
"The
United States cannot, and should not, admit those who do not support
the Constitution, or those who would place violent ideologies over
American law. In addition, the United States should not admit those
who engage in acts of bigotry or hatred...or those who would oppress
Americans of any race, gender, or sexual orientation."
It
will be good to give room for the newly-installed president to grow
into his new role with dignity, respect and statesmanship, as
suggested by DiversityWorking.com in a previous article,
Trump Win: Victory or Defeat for Diversity, and
Americans can help him achieve that by giving him the benefit of the
doubt.
Our
social lives are abundant with these kind of self-fulfilling beliefs
– both positive and negative. This is why giving people the benefit
of the doubt is an effective way to reverse the self-perpetuating
cycle of cynicism. - See more here:
Considering
the president's political inexperience and privileged background, he
may still be bungling his way around. So it is upon the citizenry to
show him the way, and to appeal to his good side.
There
are, of course, valid reasons for all the concerns regarding the
President's orders. It is also the moral responsibility of the people
to stand up against any injustice. People need to be vigilant.
But the times call for rising above partisanship, disagreements over his policies, and negative perception, difficult though it may be. And the best way could be giving the new president some leeway, giving him the benefit of the doubt.
But the times call for rising above partisanship, disagreements over his policies, and negative perception, difficult though it may be. And the best way could be giving the new president some leeway, giving him the benefit of the doubt.
This
approach might work, or not at all. But at the very least, the
American people can help ensure that their basic, cherished values
remain intact. The people can signal that message to the president, by their openness, understanding and positive persuasion.
The
ongoing protests actions, marches in support of refugees, chorus of condemnation
are signs that Americans will never ever allow their core values and
principles be tramped.
Solidarity.
Support. These are American values that shine through amid all these
crises.
Just
look at how the immigration lawyers
rushed to airports to offer their legal help pro bono to affected
travelers.
Yes,
in these troubled times, compassion is most needed. Love
trumps hate. Diversity will live on.
Something
to ponder: “Never underestimate the amazing power of love to change
hearts and mindsets. Love can even give fresh inspiration to tackle
what seems to be impossible.” - Maria Fontaine
