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Springfield isn't just the imaginary town from The Simpsons—it is also the setting for Donald Trump's latest moment of vitriol against the immigrant population, specifically the Haitian community. The hurtful and quite frankly ridiculous accusations the former president repeated on Tuesday's debate stage must stop.
I, like many others, sat in awe during Tuesday's presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Trump. Even without a bucket of popcorn, I already knew it was entertainment, but cruel remarks about innocent people are not something I have ever found humorous.
Immigrant communities often are victims of backlash, and unfortunately the Haitian community are no strangers to such hate. When large numbers of Haitian immigrants, as many as 10,000, moved to the town of Springfield, Ohio, some residents termed it an "invasion." Now that a former national leader has mocked them on live television, it brings some old feelings to the surface once again.
Trump disparaged the Haitian immigrants supposedly "taking over" Springfield —words that affected real people who are already experiencing hard times. These are minorities whom he has publicly insulted before, referring to their homes as "s***holes," and now as eaters of household pets.
"They're eating the dogs," Trump said. "They're eating the cats. They're eating the pets of the people that live there." Minutes later this claim became a meme, but the ripple effect is not pure humor.
As a teacher of immigrants, I was unamused. This horrible rumor is just that—a rumor—but its words resonate to Haitians regardless. One immigrant, currently living in Miami, said that when they grew up there, they were called "cat-eaters." This epithet has been proven false but once lies have been spread, it is difficult to debunk them.
In Miami, Atlanta, and all over the country Haitians are insisting that these comments are false. What makes them so much more cruel and insensitive is that they are aimed at people who have already been through unbelievable trauma. People who have lost homes and family members due to earthquakes, conflicts, and other atrocities come to America to make a new home for themselves, only to be disparaged by their own former president.
Fortunately, the moderators addressed the issue and said Trump's claims, which began online with JD Vance and other Republicans, were false. That being said, a large number of people who follow Trump will still believe this nonsense. The damage has already been done. Innocent, hard-working immigrants must once again endure shame and stereotypes. This is unconscionable.
Debates are tricky by nature. They are based on the battle of words. We expect two opponents to duel, but playing dirty, hitting below the belt, should be an automatic disqualification in the minds of viewers.
It's true that we have an immigrant crisis in our country. But it's not where Donald Trump says it is. It's in our schools. Families are living on the streets. Children are being yanked out of schools and fights are happening. But none of this was addressed at last night's debate. No one offered real solutions to the challenges immigrant families actually face. As an ESL teacher for over 20 years I see first-hand how difficult it is for these families.
Time and again, I and the people I work with hear the same comments.
"They shouldn't be here."
"They are taking away jobs."
"They are getting cell phones."
And the list goes on. When someone new comes in, they are immediately prey.
So yes, I watched the debate. And I listened as two prominent world leaders tried to debate life-threatening issues and all most people will remember is a man who once led this great nation saying that people were eating cats and dogs. This needs to stop. These are our fellow human beings we are talking about.
As we move closer to election day, I hope we can focus on facts and issues. I hope we can begin to figure out solutions for the crisis we are in. And I hope that we can finally commit to concrete ways to help the immigrants that have arrived here.
So, for the next few days, when you see all the posts regarding animals, don't forget that even if it is meant to poke fun at Donald Trump, innocent people are the basis of these jokes, and they are the ones we should be working towards helping.
But seriously, can we just leave the cats out of this election and focus on the real lives in front of us? They are the ones who need our help the most.
Elana Rabinowitz is a freelance writer and ESL teacher. Her writing appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post and USA Today. Her Twitter is @ElanaRabinowitz.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
