The Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns (ACREC) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) rejects the racist and hateful remarks made by the Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump, which were offensive to all people, including new immigrants to the U.S. and especially people of Mexico and South America/Latin America, and those of Middle Eastern descent.
On June 16th, 2015, Mr. Trump announced his candidacy with an insulting and derogatory speech against people for their ethnic identity and discriminating against citizens, residents, and workers in the U.S. based on their racial background, condemning them as criminals and unwelcomed. He said, “Mexico is not our friend… When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best . . . They’re sending people that have a lot of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us [sic]. They’re bringing drugs… they’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.” He also affirmed, “It’s coming from more than Mexico; it’s coming from all over South and Latin America, and it’s coming probably… probably from the Middle East.” (1)
The vicious attack through the insulting words of Mr. Trump against immigrants from Mexico, Latin America, and the Middle East are not only unacceptable but are rooted in hateful and racist stereotypes that are unacceptable and illegal in our society. His words are not only pejorative, promoting xenophobia against non-white racial and ethnic groups in our country, but also extortionist for funding of political campaign and incendiary in exploiting this racialized nation. Criminal acts can be perpetrated by all people of any particular ethnic, cultural, and national origin. We also know that The United States of America is home to the original native peoples and nations and has become home also to non-native immigrant populations since the fifteenth century, including Mr. Trump and his ancestors.
As Christians who proclaim a gospel of justice, equality, and love and believe in the Imago Dei in every human being, we continue to call on all people to confess the sins of racism, hate, and discrimination. We urge in particular citizens of the United States to reject racism, including white supremacy and false notions of entitlement and privilege.
We also call on the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to confess the same sins and live out the reconciling love and communion of all saints in the unity of the Church, and as faithful disciples to continue to seek a just peace with equal rights and dignity for all.
(1) https://youtu.be/3t2MV9IQClU
https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/acrec/