Disappointed, but not surprised. That’s all we can say right now. Our President, Donald J. Trump, has struck once again and it’s an all-time low. During a bipartisan DACA meeting at the White House, Trump reportedly said, “why are we having all these people from ‘shithole’ countries come here?” Trump’s use of the adjective and slur was used in reference to African nations, Haiti, and El Salvador. He then went on to say, “Haiti sent 15,000 people over here. They all have AIDS,” and “forty thousand immigrants came from Nigeria, and once they had seen the United States, they would never go back to their huts,” using stereotypes to degrade these majority people of color nations. Trump later said, “we should accept more people from places like Norway,” praising the majority white nation.

These comments are racist and classless, and that’s clear cut. But these comments don’t come as a surprise. They are expected at this point. These remarks just add to the long list of racist and classless comments President Trump has made throughout his time in office and during his presidential campaign. We can no longer make any exceptions or excuses for a 71-year-old man who acts the opposite of his age, especially since this is certainly not the first time Trump has been under fire for using explicit, offensive and demeaning remarks towards non-white immigrants.

Last year, while running for office, Trump publicly stated, “when Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not sending you. They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems to us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.” Trump then said in a follow-up statement, “what can be simpler or more accurately stated? The Mexican Government is forcing their most unwanted people into the United States. They are, in many cases, criminals, drug dealers, rapists, etc.”

And he didn’t stop there. Trump moved on to make discouraging comments towards Syrian refugees, stating, “they’re going to be gone. They will go back, I’ve said it before. Everyone hears what I say, including them, believe it or not.” Trump is insinuating that Syrian refugees must go back to their dangerous, war stricken country because they are ruining our country. Trump later said, “but if they’re already here, they have to go back, because we cannot take a chance. You look at the migration, it’s young, strong men. We cannot take a chance that the people coming over here are going to be ISIS-affiliated.”

Some of you are probably reading this article right now thinking, “he sort of has a point.” If you are, then you are completely overlooking, and dismissing, the clear issue in not only the president’s choice of words, but also the racial context of them. Trump’s infamous slogan is “Make America Great Again.” It sounds like rainbows and daisies on the outside, but what does Trump really mean? Does he mean to make America great again by going back to the inhumane history of America or is he actually trying to make a positive change?

These are questions that we must ask ourselves because, by the looks of it, it seems like he’s trying to make change for the worst. Trump trying to decrease the number of immigrants coming from countries populated by mostly people of color explicitly exhibits this narrative. When large groups of people want better opportunities and are under duress or in extreme danger, they shouldn’t be closed out. America should allow immigrants from any country despite the majority race, religion or economic class of the country. The United States has always been a melting pot full of people from all different backgrounds. Why should it stop now?

Opinion articles written by staff members represent their personal views. The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent WSPN as a publication.