Bring Back the Melting Pot

In the United States, there are many mixed opinions on allowing immigrants into the country. However, it is clear where the Trump Administration stands on letting individuals from Rwanda, Haiti, and other African countries into the United States. As a country who prides itself on individuality and diversity, once coined as “the melting pot”, it is saddening to know that immigration is taking on a negative connotation to a large majority of citizens in the US.

Map of Africa, Google

Specifically, the Trump Administration is adding fuel to the already flourishing fire of discrimination against refugees in this country. Donald Trump has recently been outspoken at a White House meeting discussing an immigration deal that would protect people from Haiti and some nations of Africa; his stance on letting immigrants from “shithole countries”, as he put it, such as Haiti and Rwanda is deplorable. This isn’t the first time Mr. Donald Trump has made comments such as this; for instance, at an Oval Office meeting last year, he complained that all Nigerians have AIDS, and was ridiculing their “huts” in which they live in. Although the White House has denied that the president has made these comments, it is still unsettling because it is so believable given his current attitudes towards Mexican immigrants. Our President has coined these countries as deplorable, but given recent circumstances our nation may be able to learn from these “shithole” countries.

Recent Supreme Court Justice Pick, Brett Kavanaugh, 2018

I am going to focus on Rwanda, where major strives have been initiated to end gender violence. An issue that is prominent in the United States, especially with our recent Supreme Court Justice pick, is sexual assault and violence against women. Generations of women have been begging for equal representation in government and social institutions within the United States. Rwanda leads the world in efforts to create societal gender equality, and yet, gender violence continues to directly contribute to the life and health of both men and women which result in immigration. In spite of these drawbacks, the United States may be able to learn a thing or two about putting systematic effort into obtaining gender equality.

Rwanda is known to set the pace against the fight to eliminate gender violence and promote gender equality at all levels of government, economic, and societal stages. For instance, Rwanda has the highest percentage of females represented in parliament. In comparison, in the United States, women represent 19% of parliament, where as in Rwanda, women represent more than half-- 64%. Across the board, Rwanda was the first country where their parliament included more women represented than men. This is refreshing, as the common narrative of government officials in the United States is dominated by the white, upper class, middle aged male. As seen through recent political events, it is clear that this narrative is favored among American politics. However, when only one perspective is represented in policy, only one demographic will flourish.

"Handmaid's Tale" Protesters, 2018

Although both the United State and Rwanda stem from a systematic, patriarchal society, Rwanda has made considerable efforts to promote gender equality in hopes to end gender violence. In addition to representation in government, Rwanda currently ranks fifth out of 144 countries in efforts to reduce the gender gap, while the United States only ranks 49th. As shown in these reports, it is clear that Rwanda values political, economic, and social gender equality more than the United States does. However, it is definitely something Americans are currently fighting for, and an issue that needs to be severely addressed within our society.

Nevertheless, Rwanda’s improvements have not completely fixed all the gender violence issues within the country, nor has it improved every individual’s living circumstances. For this reason, many Rwandans have immigrated to the United States.

Although President Trump does not want this demographic in the United States, I do.

The first wave of immigration from Rwanda started during and following the 1994 genocide, where radical Hutu groups acted to eliminate Tutsi and Hutu modernists. Between 800,000 and 1 million people were killed during the 100 days of active genocide. In addition, 3 million people were uprooted from their homes and forced to flee into neighboring countries. Rwanda is dedicated to improving gender equality because during the genocide, thousands of women and girls were targeted. Gender-based violence was running rampant in Rwanda, it is estimated that somewhere between 250,000-500,000 women and girls survived rape during the genocide. These striking statistics stem from their initial oppression of women; women were confined to domestic work, and they were often discriminated against within the workplace and personal marriages. As a result, issues such as domestic abuse, sexual violence, and prostitution has increased in their communities.

Years following the genocide, Rwandan communities remained dangerous and tense. Many families and individuals fled the country to seek refuge elsewhere, and can you blame them? These immigrants are survivors and should be welcomed as such into the United States, not persecuted for coming from a “shithole” country, and then automatically labeled as a byproduct of such. This leaves refugees more vulnerable in their host country, especially when the President is condoning poor behavior towards this particular demographic. On the other hand, Rwanda is making progress towards becoming more accepting of refugees, adopting an open boarder strategy. Recently, Rwanda has started issuing machine readable travel documents to refugees. These documents ensure that refugees in the country will have access to public and private services, be able to move freely around the country, and be able to get a job. In fact, immigrant workers are contributing positively to the Rwanda’s economy-- their labor markets and public finance sectors have grown tremendously.

Yes, Rwanda has their own set of issues, just as the United States does. However, labeling them as Donald Trump has, perpetuates animosity towards refugee individuals and further incites racism. He is labeling not just the country itself, but all individuals from that country. Donald Trump sees them as deplorable, however refugees’ character and work ethic is remarkable. Many women come from these countries seeking security and safety, not because they hate their country or see it as any less impressive than the United States.

Overall, the United States could learn how to embrace gender equality by looking to Rwanda, a country whose immigrants Donald Trump has written off as undesirable. The Trump Administration is cracking down on immigration from countries whose people are predominately black such as Rwanda and Haiti because he thinks immigrants will have a poor impact on the United States. However, these individuals bring new ideas to the table, specifically on gender equality, and it is about time the United States listened. This country flourished because of the diversity of the melting pot, and there is always a need to learn from others in order to improve-- and trust me there is more than enough room for improvement in the United States in terms of women and immigration.

Article used from class: 

Torres, "FMO Thematic Guide: Gender and Forced Migration"

Additional sources: 

“A Partnership to End Gender-Based Violence | ONE UN Rwanda.” United Nations, United Nations, 19 June 2014, www.rw.one.un.org/press-center/success-story/partnership-end-gender-based-violence. 

Clerici, Caterina, and Eléonore Hamelin. “In Rwanda, Men and Women Switch Roles to Curb Domestic Abuse.” Time, Time, 9 Feb. 2018, time.com/5123681/rwanda-gender-equality/. 

Davis, Julie Hirschfeld, et al. “Trump Alarms Lawmakers With Disparaging Words for Haiti and Africa.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 11 Jan. 2018, www.nytimes.com/2018/01/11/us/politics/trump-shithole-countries.html. 

“Immigrant Workers Contribute Positively to Rwanda's Economy, Says New ILO-OECD Development Centre Report.” Immigrant Workers Contribute Positively to Rwanda's Economy, Says New ILO-OECD Development Centre Report - OECD, 28 Mar. 2018, www.oecd.org/countries/rwanda/immigrant-workers-contribute-positively-to-rwanda-economy.htm. 

Ohm, Rachel. “Rwandan Refugee in Knoxville Hurt but 'Not Surprised' by Trump Comments.” Knoxville News Sentinel, Knoxville, 13 Jan. 2018, www.knoxnews.com/story/news/local/2018/01/12/rwandan-refugee-knoxville-hurt-but-not-surprised-trump-comments/1029659001/. 

“Proportion of Seats Held by Women in National Parliaments (%).” Proportion of Seats Held by Women in National Parliaments (%) | Data, World Bank, 2018, data.worldbank.org/indicator/SG.GEN.PARL.ZS?name_desc=false. 

“Rwanda Starts Issuing Machine Readable Travel Documents to Refugees.” Rwanda Starts Issuing Machine Readable Travel Documents to Refugees - Xinhua | English.news.cn, 10 Oct. 2018, www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-10/10/c_137523802.htm. 

Therese, Rudasingwa Messi. “Gender-Based Violence in Rwanda: Getting Everyone on Board.” Nasikiliza, 25 Apr. 2018, blogs.worldbank.org/nasikiliza/gender-based-violence-in-rwanda-getting-everyone-on-board.

“A Partnership to End Gender-Based Violence | ONE UN Rwanda.” United Nations, United Nations, 19 June 2014, www.rw.one.un.org/press-center/success-story/partnership-end-gender-based-violence.

Clerici, Caterina, and Eléonore Hamelin. “In Rwanda, Men and Women Switch Roles to Curb Domestic Abuse.” Time, Time, 9 Feb. 2018, time.com/5123681/rwanda-gender-equality/.

Davis, Julie Hirschfeld, et al. “Trump Alarms Lawmakers With Disparaging Words for Haiti and Africa.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 11 Jan. 2018, www.nytimes.com/2018/01/11/us/politics/trump-shithole-countries.html.

“Immigrant Workers Contribute Positively to Rwanda's Economy, Says New ILO-OECD Development Centre Report.” Immigrant Workers Contribute Positively to Rwanda's Economy, Says New ILO-OECD Development Centre Report - OECD, 28 Mar. 2018, www.oecd.org/countries/rwanda/immigrant-workers-contribute-positively-to-rwanda-economy.htm.

Ohm, Rachel. “Rwandan Refugee in Knoxville Hurt but 'Not Surprised' by Trump Comments.” Knoxville News Sentinel, Knoxville, 13 Jan. 2018, www.knoxnews.com/story/news/local/2018/01/12/rwandan-refugee-knoxville-hurt-but-not-surprised-trump-comments/1029659001/.

“Proportion of Seats Held by Women in National Parliaments (%).” Proportion of Seats Held by Women in National Parliaments (%) | Data, World Bank, 2018, data.worldbank.org/indicator/SG.GEN.PARL.ZS?name_desc=false.

“Rwanda Starts Issuing Machine Readable Travel Documents to Refugees.” Rwanda Starts Issuing Machine Readable Travel Documents to Refugees - Xinhua | English.news.cn, 10 Oct. 2018, www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-10/10/c_137523802.htm.

Therese, Rudasingwa Messi. “Gender-Based Violence in Rwanda: Getting Everyone on Board.” Nasikiliza, 25 Apr. 2018, blogs.worldbank.org/nasikiliza/gender-based-violence-in-rwanda-getting-everyone-on-board.