The Dehumanization of the Hispanic Community and its Consequences

[Guest post by Yuri Mantilla, Ph.D., Board Member NHCLC, Associate Professor of Law, Liberty University School of Law]

A fundamental problem with the nativist narrative that it is becoming prevalent in the public discourse of some political candidates is the dehumanization of the Hispanic community and its consequences. In this case, I am thinking about the consequences for American citizens of Hispanic origin, either born in the USA or naturalized citizens, and permanent legal residents. When candidates speak about illegal immigration, Mexican crime, and the importance to speak “American,” they often express their discourse in a way which creates stereotypes of what does it mean to be a Hispanic in the USA. This type of discourse will have a negative impact on US citizens and legal permanent residents. History proves that ideas which dehumanize a group of people lead to a distorted view of its status and contributions to society, and often to violence.  The narrative which promotes a stereotypical view of Hispanics can create the cultural and psychological conditions which will enable people, who do not understand the value of the diversity of America and the universality of the principles of the Declaration of Independence, to express their distorted views of human nature in words and in action. This will create unnecessary barriers for the success of US citizens, and legal residents of Hispanic decent and will increase the fragmentation of American society. Some people will become suspicions about Hispanics in general. U.S. citizens and permanent legal residents will have to prove that there are not illegal immigrants and that there are loyal to America.

The point is that the increasing extremist nativist narrative, which is used for political gain, is contrary to the principles of respect for human dignity and freedom which are the foundation of our great nation. It is also contrary to fundamental Christian values and principles of American exceptionalism. America is exceptional, among other reasons, because of our civic model of nations which recognizes the contributions of all people who live in this country and who embrace the values of the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence recognizes the existence of objective truths including the fact that all human beings have been created equal and that all human beings have the right to life and liberty.  In this context, it is essential to recognize the contributions of all Americans, including the ones of Hispanic decent, to the well-being of our nation. The focus of the political discourse should be in the unity of America, the restoration of Christian principles of respect for human dignity, and free market economic policies as the foundation for social and economic development.