Local Haitian American official decries Trump’s dangerous rhetoric [column]

For the last three years, I've had the honor of serving on Lancaster City Council. I came to Lancaster 13 years ago from Mexico City, where I had moved from my native Haiti. I have found nothing but welcome in Lancaster and was surprised to find claims about Haitians like me becoming national news.

As a Haitian American, I feel deeply disturbed by the baseless and appalling claims made by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, his running mate Ohio U.S. Sen. JD Vance and right-wing media accusing Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, of stealing and eating pets such as dogs and cats. This anti-Haitian rhetoric is not only false and outrageous but dangerous. Bomb threats specifically aimed at Haitians have closed schools and government buildings, and canceled community meetings and even worship services. Wittenberg University had to switch to remote instruction and cancel campus events after a shooting threat and bomb threat. Even hospitals have had to implement lockdowns after being targeted by threats of violence.

Haitian families are keeping their kids out of school and are afraid to leave their houses. Neo-Nazi groups are inflaming anti-Haitian racism and it seems as if every day there are new threats to Haitians all over the country.

We should not be surprised by these attacks, but we should continue to be outraged. The American people cannot forget how much harm such hateful rhetoric has caused to marginalized and minority communities over the years. Trump has a history of making xenophobic and racist comments — he described Mexicans as "drug dealers" and "rapists" and called immigrants "animals" who are "poisoning the blood" of our country.

Anti-immigrant sentiment is, perhaps, the central plank in Trump's entire political philosophy.

The Haitians in Springfield, like so many others, came legally to the United States in search of safety, better lives and opportunity, escaping natural disaster, economic turmoil and political instability — caused in part by problematic U.S. foreign policy.

Before the absurd claims of pet-eating emerged, the story of Haitian immigrants in Springfield was one of promise. Springfield, like much of Pennsylvania, was losing population and with it a stable tax base, industry and quality of life.

It's a Rust Belt town that has been reinvigorated because of Haitian immigrants willing to work hard in companies such as the McGregor Metal plant, where the CEO recently told PBS News: "I wish I had 30 more. Our Haitian associates come to work every day. They don't have a drug problem. They'll stay at their machine. They'll achieve their numbers. They are here to work."

It is painful to see resilient and hardworking people who have contributed so much to their communities, to this country, targeted by such damaging lies.

Political leaders have the moral obligation to lead with facts, not fear, nor lies, nor division. As an elected official of Haitian heritage, I find Trump's and Vance's unfounded claims to be morally abhorrent and disturbing, and it is my duty to stand up for my community and defend the truth. Such divisive rhetoric must not be allowed to take center stage, especially when it comes from prominent political figures such as Trump, whose inflammatory language is designed to stoke fear among American communities.

Public officials cannot allow rhetoric that dehumanizes any group to shape our policies or define our communities. Leaders, especially at the local level, must push back against these harmful narratives and ensure that facts, compassion and unity prevail. We must protect and ensure that our immigrant communities are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.

Lochard Calixte, a Democrat, was elected to Lancaster City Council in November 2021. He is employed as a banker.