Letter to My Sister

One of my sisters told me she doesn’t want to hear any more about the election. She says it’s too hard to figure out who is telling the truth. She thinks this year’s election and these politicians are no different than in any other year. 

A lot of people feel that way. They are wrong. This election really is different. 

Please listen. This is important. Our cousins include people who are Black, people who are immigrants, people who are Asian. I have friends who are gay and trans. My husband and children are Jewish. All of them are targets of the right-wing haters led by Donald Trump. If he wins, all of them are in danger. If he wins, our entire country is in danger.

Yes—real danger. Naomi Shulman wrote a while ago: 

“Nice people made the best Nazis.

“My mother was born in Munich in 1934, and spent her childhood in Nazi Germany surrounded by nice people who refused to make waves. When things got ugly, the people my mother lived alongside chose not to focus on “politics,” instead busying themselves with happier things. They were lovely, kind people who turned their heads as their neighbors were dragged away.”

Make no mistake. That is exactly where we are today. 

In the past two weeks, Trump’s lies about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio triggered bomb threats that shut down first city hall, then schools, then hospitals. Those threats did not turn into real bombs, but real violence has followed the immigrants themselves. They have been threatened on the streets, on the job, and at their homes. Some have kept their children home from school out of fear for their physical safety. 

Trump and Vance and their followers said the Haitian immigrants were eating people’s pets. That is totally false. The Springfield police chief, Springfield’s Republican Mayor Rob Rue, and Ohio Republican Governor Mike DeWine all said it was a lie. They asked Trump and Vance to stop spreading the lies because those lies were endangering people in Springfield. Trump and Vance refused to stop repeating the lies. 

In a September 15 CNN interview, Vance acknowledged that he was “creating” stories about Springfield. The big lie about immigrants in Springfield is just one of the most recent and most prominent of the many, many lies from Trump and his followers. They lie not just to stir up hatred, but also to make good people throw up their hands and say: “They’re all the same, they all tell lies, there’s no way to tell what’s true, and I’m not even going to try.” 

Especially in this election, the two sides are not even remotely the same. Responsible Republicans know that and one after another is urging people to vote against Trump. Republicans who have endorsed Kamala Harris and Tim Walz include former Vice President Dick Cheney, former Republican Congressional Representatives Adam Kinzer and Liz Cheney, former Minnesota Governor Arne Carlson and literally dozens of former members of the Trump, Bush, and Reagan administrations. 

That does not happen in other elections. This massive rejection of the Republican candidate by fellow Republicans has not happened in more than half a century that I have personally followed political news. I suspect that it has never happened. 

These Republicans see a deadly serious threat to our country from Trump and Vance. They know that this is NOT “politics as usual.” 

The “nice Germans” who ignored politics in the 1930s were responsible for Hitler’s rise to power. They could have gotten involved. They could have voted against him. They could have resisted. But they didn’t want to be involved in politics. 

It’s easier to look away. But do you really want to be one of the people who lets the haters win? 

Please do not ignore what is happening this year in our country. Please vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz and against the lies and hatred that are the hallmarks of Trump’s campaign. 

x x x x x

Note: because it is important, and because I am a compulsive fact-checker, here’s some truth about Haitian immigrants in Springfield: 

[Springfield News Sun] “Springfield Mayor Rob Rue said at a press conference Tuesday that rumors of pets or wildlife being eaten by Haitian immigrants were absolutely false, with zero verified reports of specific claims. He said Haitian immigrants had also not been reported to police to be squatting or littering in front of people’s homes. …

“The vast majority of Haitian immigrants in Springfield and Clark County are in the U.S. legally, having entered the country on a parole status, with many then receiving Temporary Protected Status, a legal status that has long been used for countries in turmoil. …

“Rue and Flax Wilt said neither the city nor county is receiving any financial incentive for Haitians coming to the community. Flax Wilt said that idea seems to stem from a common sentiment in politics that there are conspiracies everywhere and people take rumors at face value.

“The county commissioner was frustrated at the hate she has seen community members expressing toward the Haitian community.” 

[City of Springfield] “The City of Springfield has experienced a surge in our population over the last several years, primarily due to an influx of legal immigrants choosing Springfield, Ohio as their new home. Here are some most frequently asked questions about immigration in Springfield.

“Q: Why Springfield?
“A: Springfield is an appealing place for many reasons including lower cost of living and available work. These conditions are thought to be the primary reasons for immigrants to choose Springfield. Now that there are numerous immigrant families residing in our community, word of mouth is adding to our population, as this communal culture is sharing their positive experiences about living in our community with family and friends who are also seeking to leave the impoverished and dangerous living conditions of their home country.
“But it’s not just Clark County. Other Ohio counties that are experiencing similar population increases due to immigration include, Allen County, Hancock County and the Columbus and Cleveland metro areas.

“Q: How many Immigrants live here in Springfield?
“A: Although it is impossible to provide an exact number, based on data provided from numerous sources, such as Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Springfield City Schools, area healthcare providers and social services agencies, the total immigrant population is estimated to be approximately 12,000 – 15,000 in Clark County. 

“Q: Are the immigrants here legally and how did they qualify?
“A: YES, Haitian immigrants are here legally, under the Immigration Parole Program. Once here, immigrants are then eligible to apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Haiti is designated by the Secretary of Homeland Security for TPS. Current TPS is granted through February 3, 2026. …

“Q: Why don’t the immigrants work?
“A: Immigrants are working in Springfield—in various industries that are in great need of workers. Jobs include work in warehouses, manufacturing and the service industry. Some immigrants are working in professional jobs as well.
“Springfield is also now home to ten newer businesses, opened by Haitian immigrants, including, 2 Haitian restaurants, 7 Haitian grocery stores and 1 Haitian food truck.”

[New York Times] “Springfield’s mayor, Mr. Rue, said that he had received a spate of menacing phone calls.

“Last month, Nazi sympathizers — masked men in matching red shirts, black pants and boots — waved swastika flags as they marched in downtown Springfield near a jazz festival. At least two of the men, who the authorities said were outsiders, carried rifles.

“Among the targets of Thursday’s bomb threat was an elementary school that has a large Haitian student body. Apprehension has enveloped the Haitian community in Springfield this week, said Vilés Dorsainvil, executive director of the Haitian Community Health and Support Center. …

“’I am feeling uncomfortable in this situation. I am asking myself what I should do,’ said Jean Frantz, 35, the father of two children.

“’They are spreading lies that I can’t believe,’ he said. ‘We work, pay taxes, buy cars and respect the law.’”

[Washington Post] “The claim centers on Springfield, Ohio, a small city a bit southwest of the state capital of Columbus. A screenshot of a Facebook post purportedly from a local resident warns that the author’s neighbor’s daughter’s friend had discovered that her neighbors — supposedly Haitian immigrants — were trying to eat her cat. She also claimed (this time crediting “Rangers & police”) that similar fates were befalling ducks and geese at a local park.

“This message was clipped and shared by a putative breaking-news account on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. It was paired with a photo of a Black man carrying a goose and walking down a street. In short order, the post was picked up by a number of prominent voices on the right, including Trump adviser Stephen Miller. From there it metastasized, with people plucking pieces of information off the internet and attaching it to the original claim as though it was supporting evidence. A guy at a community meeting mentioned the ducks! An Ohio woman was recently arrested for eating a cat! Just proves the point.

“Except that the guy carrying the goose was photographed in Columbus a month ago and is not obviously an immigrant from Haiti, much less one in Springfield.

“And except that the woman arrested for eating the cat was also not obviously an immigrant — and was arrested in a different Ohio town about 100 miles northeast of Springfield.

“And except that the local police say they have no reports of pets being stolen in a manner consistent with the posts. That guy who mentioned the ducks? A local podcaster wearing a sweatshirt promoting his mayoral bid in next year’s election.”  

[Washington Post] “In Springfield, where the Haitian population has soared since 2020, some from the Caribbean nation have been keeping their children home from school, community organizers say, fearing bullying or worse. Others have reported harassment on the street, in their cars and at stores.

“In Aurora, a large and proudly diverse city where thousands of Venezuelans began arriving in 2022, numerous migrants said they have been told their nationality makes them ineligible for jobs or housing. Residents of buildings that some officials have alleged are under gang control said the false rumors have led to threats and even drawn armed groups to the properties — claiming to offer protection, vigilante-style. …

“The Haitians in Springfield are here legally, the city manager has explained at public meetings. According to police, there is no evidence any had stolen any cat, dog or other pet or contributed disproportionately to crime.

“Rather, business leaders explain, they are filling jobs that would otherwise sit open, propelling growth after a painful chapter of economic decline.”

[New York Times] “By most accounts, the Haitians have helped revitalize Springfield.

“They are assembling car engines at Honda, running vegetable-packing machines at Dole and loading boxes at distribution centers. They are paying taxes on their wages and spending money at Walmart. On Sundays they gather at churches for boisterous, joyful services in Haitian Creole.

“But the speed and volume of arrivals have put pressure on housing, schools and hospitals. The community health clinic saw a 13-fold increase in Haitian patients between 2021 and 2023, from 115 to 1,500, overwhelming its staff and budget. …

“By 2020, Springfield had lured food-service firms, logistics companies and a microchip maker, among others, creating an estimated 8,000 new jobs and optimism for the future.

“’It was incredible to witness the transformation of our community,’ said Horton Hobbs, vice president of economic development for the Greater Springfield Partnership, which executed the plan.

“But soon there were not enough workers. Many young, working-age people had descended into addiction. Others shunned entry-level, rote work altogether, employers said.

“Haitians who heard that the Springfield area boasted well-paying, blue-collar jobs and a low cost of living poured in, and employers were eager to hire and train the new work force. …

“McGregor Metal, a family-owned business in Springfield …  needed machine operators, forklift drivers and quality inspectors, said Jamie McGregor, the chief executive.

“’The Haitians were there to fill those positions,’ he said. The immigrants now comprise about 10 percent of his work force.

“’They come to work every day. They don’t cause drama. They’re on time,’ he said.” 

Parents of an 11-year-old whose death in a motor vehicle accident has been used by Republicans in anti-immigrant propaganda spoke out against that propaganda and demanded an end to it. Republicans refused.

[NBC] “[Nathan] Clark, with his wife, Danielle, by his side at Tuesday’s meeting, said it was not true that his son was ‘murdered,’ as Vance said. 

“’My son Aiden Clark was not murdered. He was accidentally killed by an immigrant from Haiti. This tragedy is felt all over this community, the state and even the nation, but don’t spend this towards hate. In order to live like Aiden, you need to accept everyone,’ he said. 

“Clark named four politicians who he said were “morally bankrupt” for referring to his son: Trump, Vance, Ohio’s Republican nominee for the Senate, Bernie Moreno, and Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas. 

“’They have spoken my son’s name and used his death for political gain,’ he said. 

“’They can vomit all the hate they want about illegal immigrants, the border crisis and even untrue claims about fluffy pets being ravaged and eaten by community members. However, they are not allowed, nor have they ever been allowed, to mention Aiden Clark from Springfield, Ohio,’ he said.”