It's been shown time and again that people who live in diverse communities are more tolerant in general and particularly, are less racist and have a more inclusive mindset. I've noticed this myself--when you're surrounded by and constantly interact with people who look/act/dress/speak/eat/think differently than the dominant culture, you tend to accept and embrace those differences rather than be threatened by them.
In contrast, Clem Cornpone in Iowa is surrounded by almost 100% white people. They all go to the same church. They all think alike, talk alike, even dress alike. They drive pickup trucks, drink Bud, and listen to country music. Introduce Clem to a Black or Hispanic person and he'll react like he's seen an alien being. And if you tell him that this is a human being, with human rights and worthy of dignity and respect, he'll often resist that idea, because one of the strongest, most primitive ideas hardwired into the human brain is fear of the OTHER.
Really kind of stupid, though, isn't it? Clem and his drinking buddies are the ones in the US displaying the most hatred for immigrants (and, consequently, voting for Trump and Republicans). Yet, they know less about them (and about other races and cultures in general) than anyone else! Is it possible that Clem can be educated by showing him that immigrants (legal or illegal!) are just PEOPLE and should be treated with respect?
The howls of outrage in response from our Trumper wingnuts, which are as inevitable as a dead fish sitting in the sun starting to stink, will be emblematic of the problem. Our resident Trumpers don't even have any sane way to justify their twisted views.
I for one believe in universal human rights. You know, as in the preamble to the Constitution. That includes them filthy Messkins and those terrible MOOOZLEEEMS and anyone else that Republicans feel isn't worthy to walk the earth and breathe the air.
