The African Diaspora Foundation’s Call to Action Against Hate Targeting Black people of African descent
Magazine, The Immigrant Experience, Stop The Hate
The recent presidential debate delivered a painful blow to Black immigrants, particularly when former President Donald Trump falsely claimed that Haitian immigrants were “eating cats and dogs” in Springfield, Ohio. This type of dangerous rhetoric not only perpetuates harmful stereotypes but also encourages hate crimes against vulnerable immigrant communities in the United States.
Black immigrants in the U.S. are already a minority compared to Latino, Asian, Caucasian, and Arab immigrants. Furthermore, Black Americans—whether native or immigrant—continue to bear the legacy of slavery, segregation, and ongoing systemic prejudice, including police violence. Despite the strides made in civil rights, Black immigrants face significant challenges in both navigating life in America and combating these ingrained societal issues.
Contrary to Trump’s baseless claims, Black immigrants are not typically associated with crime. In fact, they are among the most educated and entrepreneurial populations in the country. Haitian immigrants in particular, have endured extraordinary hardships due to foreign policies and interventions from countries like France and the U.S., compounded by devastating natural disasters such as massive earthquakes. They deserve dignity and a break from these unfounded attacks.
It’s important to highlight the stark difference in treatment between Black immigrants and other groups, such as Ukrainian immigrants, who were welcomed with open arms largely due to their Caucasian roots. The prejudice faced by Black immigrants, compounded by Trump’s remarks, is unacceptable.
We witnessed the dangerous consequences of similar rhetoric when Trump labeled the COVID-19 pandemic the “China virus,” leading to a sharp increase in hate crimes against Asian immigrants. The Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community responded by organizing and successfully lobbying for the passage of the Stop AAPI Hate bill in Congress, which led to a $200 million appropriation from the state of California to combat hate crimes against their community.
Now, more than ever, we need a similar movement to protect Black immigrants. Trump’s latest false claim about Black immigrants eating cats and dogs will undoubtedly take a mental and emotional toll on an already marginalized group. We must also prepare for the potential rise in hate crimes targeting Black immigrants as a result of this reckless statement.
The African Diaspora Foundation is calling on all Black elected officials and allies to urgently introduce a bill in Congress to Stop the Hate against Black people, including Black immigrants. Furthermore, we call for an appropriation of funds specifically dedicated to empowering Black community-based organizations. These resources will help Black immigrant communities organize, protect themselves, and report hate crimes more effectively.
This movement is not just a response to Trump’s harmful rhetoric—it is a long-overdue effort to ensure that Black people, whether African Americans or immigrants, are afforded the protections and reparations they deserve for the centuries of oppression, exploitation, and violence they have endured.
We urge all Black community organizations and our allies to unite in lobbying for this crucial bill and push for a federal appropriation to support these efforts. Other communities who have faced historical injustices have received reparations, and it is time for Black people—both in the U.S. and in Africa—to demand the same. Let us work together to ensure that America finally lives up to its promise of equality and justice for all.
ADF Communication Department.
Learn more about the ADF
#AfricanDiaspora #StopTheHate #BlackImmigrants #EndRacism #EqualityForAll #FightHate #StandWithBlackImmigrants #JusticeForBlackCommunities #ProtectBlackLives #ImmigrantRights
