How a troubling amount of Americans are grappling with cognitive dissonance.
By LaBode Obanor
When former President Donald Trump stated that "Immigrants are poisoning the blood of our country," he was drawing upon language from one of the most reviled figures of the 20th century - Adolf Hitler. The infamous Nazi dictator employed similar rhetoric to denounce Jewish blood as impure and contaminating German blood. This ideology was steeped in pseudo-scientific notions of racial purity and eugenics, which the Nazi regime embraced to rationalize their persecution of migrant Jews and other marginalized groups deemed racially inferior or detrimental to the so-called Aryan race. This ideological framework played a pivotal role in the dehumanization of Jews and provided a twisted justification for the systematic extermination of millions during the Holocaust.
It is evident that Trump is cognizant of the historical connotations and implications associated with his choice of words. Apart from the undeniable racial undertones inherent in such rhetoric, which are at best abhorrent and incompatible with the values of the 21st century, especially when emanating from a presidential candidate in a nation as ethnically diverse as the United States, the utilization of such language reflects a profound ignorance. This stance is fundamentally at odds with the essence of America - a nation whose very foundation was laid by migrants from all corners of the globe.
First, let us delve into a historical overview for Donald Trump. The presence of America as a nation of migrants can be traced back to the 15th century. This journey can be segmented into various pivotal phases, each influenced by distinct groups, circumstances, and motivations.
During the pre-Colombian migration period, Indigenous peoples migrated from Asia through the Bering Strait land bridge, most likely during the last Ice Age (approximately 15,000 to 20,000 years ago). These early settlers dispersed across North and South America, establishing the intricate societies that would later be encountered by Europeans.
Subsequently, in 1492 and beyond, the Europeans, particularly the Spaniards, commenced their arrival, establishing colonies in the Caribbean, Central and South America, as well as regions of North America, such as Florida and the southwestern U.S. (for example, St. Augustine, Florida, founded in 1565).
During the early 17th century, the English initiated their migration to America. The establishment of the first permanent English settlement in Jamestown, Virginia in 1607 marked the beginning of this significant movement. Subsequently, the Pilgrims arrived in 1620 and the Puritans in the 1630s, both groups settling in New England with the primary goal of securing religious freedom.
Following suit, the French and Dutch also participated in this migration, creating colonies in Canada and along the Mississippi River, including the establishment of New Orleans. The Dutch further founded New Amsterdam in 1624, later known as New York.
Between 1619 and 1808, the transatlantic slave trade emerged as one of the earliest and most impactful forms of migration to America. The arrival of the first recorded enslaved Africans in Virginia in 1619 marked the beginning of this dark chapter. Over the subsequent two centuries, an estimated 12 million Africans were forcibly transported to the Americas, with a significant number brought to the future United States.
During the pre-revolutionary era, there was a continuous influx of European migrants, particularly from England, Scotland, Ireland, and Germany. A significant portion of these migrants were indentured servants, who entered into labor contracts in exchange for passage to the American colonies. Others sought refuge from religious intolerance or economic hardship.
The demographic landscape of America at this time was notably diverse. Individuals of mixed heritage rose up against British authority, engaging in armed conflict and ultimately achieving victory in the war for independence.
In the 19th century, the United States experienced another wave of European immigration, driven by a variety of factors such as political upheaval, economic instability, and famine. People arrived from a multitude of regions, with the Irish and Germans arriving between 1830 and 1860, followed by the Chinese in the mid-1800s. Immigrants from Scandinavia, Italy, Eastern Europe, as well as Jewish refugees escaping persecution in Russia and Eastern Europe, arrived in significant numbers.
This is how the United States evolved into a melange, a diverse society. Throughout its history, this nation has never been predominantly composed of a single race, ethnicity, language, or creed. It has always been a blending of different backgrounds.
So, why did Donald Trump adopt Hitler's rhetoric and distort history? The answer is quite straightforward - it is a deliberate tactic to stoke hatred and create division within the country. Regrettably, a significant portion of the population has embraced his rhetoric without question.
According to a CBS poll conducted shortly after his remarks, this segment of the population, many of whom are immigrants themselves or descendants of immigrants, not only hold strong anti-immigrant views but also espouse harmful and baseless xenophobic and racist ideologies. This dangerous rhetoric has the potential to incite violence, necessitating a thorough and objective analysis.
The behavior exhibited by Trump and his abettors can be classified as cognitive dissonance according to psychologists. This psychological phenomenon arises when an individual's actions and beliefs are in conflict or are not in harmony. To illustrate this concept more clearly;
Consider a first-generation or third-generation immigrant who has successfully established themselves in the United States after overcoming various obstacles. This person received support from a hospitable nation, perhaps immigrant communities, and the opportunities that immigration provided. However, upon assimilating into American society, they start to harbor concerns regarding the impact of new immigrants.
In such instances, cognitive dissonance becomes evident.
Here is how to identify this condition:
Belief 1: "I believe in the value of diversity and the contributions that immigrants make to society."
Belief 2: "New immigrants threaten my job security and the resources available to my community."
These two beliefs create dissonance. The individual values the diversity that immigrants bring but simultaneously feels threatened by the increasing number of newcomers.
Alternatively, an individual who previously held a favorable opinion of immigration due to personal connections, such as being married to an immigrant or being born to immigrant parents, may now actively support stricter immigration regulations or express negative sentiments towards new immigrants, despite having benefited from similar opportunities themselves. This behavior contradicts their initial belief in the value of immigration.
The conduct of an immigrant who opposes the entry of other immigrants serves as a notable example of cognitive dissonance. They face a dilemma between their own immigrant background and their current resistance to immigration. In order to ease this internal conflict, they may justify their position, adopt negative stereotypes, or align themselves with nationalist ideologies.
Despite maintaining the unfounded belief that immigrants pose a threat to American values, economy, or security, it is a fact that immigrants are statistically less likely to engage in criminal activities compared to native-born citizens, and they make positive contributions to the economy through filling labor gaps and paying taxes.
Rather than "poisoning" the nation, immigrants bring vitality, energy, and innovation. Their contribution to a dynamic and diverse workforce helps America compete globally. Nations that welcome diversity often exhibit higher levels of innovation, adaptability, and economic prosperity. America serves as a prime illustration of this phenomenon and remains a source of admiration worldwide.
Donald Trump and those propagating his "poisoning the blood" rhetoric should be aware that they are promoting a hazardous myth and instilling an unjustified fear. Throughout history, similar fears have been employed to rationalize prejudice and segregation, yet they have consistently been debunked by the beneficial impacts of immigrants on American society.
The notion that immigrants are “poisoning the blood of America” is deeply rooted in xenophobic and antiquated ideologies that have no place in a modern, inclusive society. Throughout its history, the United States has been enriched, not weakened, by the contributions of immigrants from all corners of the world. Far from degrading the nation’s values, immigrants have fueled its economic growth, fostered cultural diversity, and driven innovation. Scientific consensus refutes the fallacy of racial or ethnic homogeneity, affirming that diversity fortifies rather than jeopardizes a society. By embracing the contributions of immigrants, America continues to embody its foundational ideals of opportunity, freedom, and unity. Immigrants are not a cause of regression, but an essential catalyst in the continual prosperity and progression of the nation.
LaBode Obanor is a Social Justice Advocate
The opinions expressed in this essay are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the League for Social Justice.
Email: Jlabode74@gmail.com
X: @Obanor
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