Sally E. Bahner Photo
Fatma and daughter Noor
It’s no secret that Branford is a diverse community, economically and socially.
How the new Trump administration’s policies will play out among the town’s immigrants – some here legally, some not – remains to be seen. Most are going about their lives, working, shepherding their kids through school, and taking care of their homes.
In one neighborhood, there are people from Vietnam, Belarus, Algeria, and Turkey, all living within doors of each other.
A Muslim, Fatma came to the United States from Algeria in 1999. She has become a citizen, works as an IT programmer, and lives with her husband and two daughters (one in Branford High School and the other at Walsh) in a typical Branford neighborhood.
The Eagle spoke with her and her daughter right after the election, as concerned citizens were wondering what changes could be expected under a Trump administration.
“I love this place. It’s a supportive community,” she said.
Typically, Fatma’s views represent those of many Americans in the aftermath, although hers are tinged with the experience of having lived in Algeria, which was described by the New York Times as a “controlled democracy.” A civil war in the ‘90s pitted the government against various Islamic rebel groups.
“You learn a lot about democracy,” Fatma said. “I watched it – at a high price.”
She said she’s watched many US races, and while she is disappointed at the election’s outcome, she’s not surprised. The other candidates were “knocked out like flies,” she said. “I thought he was a joke.
“The message was wrong… it was a mixed message,” she said. “The words that Trump used are not the way to go.”
She said that Trump owes Clinton an apology publicly. “Half the population voted for her.” Clinton won the popular vote by more than 1.75 million votes as of yesterday. But she lost the electoral college vote.
Fatma added, “Democrats have a lot of work to do. Hillary was ‘hammered’… that was not fair.” She believes Obama did a great job. “It was challenging to work across party lines.” She said Democrats have to work on “what we need to do better…. It’s not good for Republicans or Democrats.”
Fatma said she really liked Secretary of State John Kerry, describing him as “a great man.” When he endorsed Obama, “I said, OK.”
In terms of immigration policies, she said, “We want security but don’t single out people. We all want the law and everything to be legal. I want to be safe. Check everyone.
“We need to celebrate diversity,” Fatma said. “It’s hard to believe that half of America doesn’t want diversity.”
She is worried about what Trump is saying versus what he will do. “You have to understand the problem,” she said. “Look at the problems, find a solution.” Her message to him: “Show us you are a leader. Be different, but in a good way.
“The only change I would want is to be respectful. Try to say something you won’t be ashamed of,” she said. “If you demonstrate, be peaceful. Respect everyone. Don’t ignore anyone’s view.”
Muslim Registry Sparks Group Discussion
Amid all the prognostications swirling around a Trump presidency was the concept of Muslim registry. Although such a registry was debunked by Trump’s anticipated chief of staff Reince Priebus, it was fuel for a small group of people who met for the second time Friday night at Trinity Episcopal Church on the Green.
File Photo
“If there’s a Muslim registry, I’m registering,” said the Rev. Sharon Gracen (pictured), Trinity’s rector. She was referring to World War II when Hitler required Denmark’s Jewish citizens to wear stars on their sleeves. The king followed suit and so did the whole population.
They were a microcosm of many who are grappling with what took place during the election and how to move forward.
Nine people, including Rev. Gracen and several church members discussed the impact of the election of Donald Trump on their lives, their fears and concerns going forward, and how to respond to those around them. Several are longtime members who affirmed their love for the church.
Music and prayer began the discussion, followed by a give and take among the participants.
Why?
Rev. Gracen noted that there’s confusion, sadness, and alarm. “We’re trying to understand why people voted the way they did on both sides,” she said. “What I’ve learned – it’s becoming impossible to talk with someone with whom we don’t agree. People have to listen to each other. Thanksgiving will be a time bomb in many families.”
Reading seemed to be a key toward understanding. One title mentioned was “Our Kids: Great America Dream in Crisis” by Robert Putnam, which explores how the American dream is no longer a reality for many people; it’s a perspective that may explain the appeal of Trump. The book follows five communities over five decades.
Also mentioned were “Hillbilly Elegy” by J.D. Vance, which focuses on the struggles of Vance’s family and his own feelings about upward mobility, and “Politics of Resentment” by Katherine J. Cramer, which discusses the controversy of Wisconsin’s Governor Scott Walker. In terms of coping and taking action, several people mentioned Nicholas Kristof’s article in the New York Times, “A 12-step Program for Responding to President-Elect Trump.”
“People feel invisible, that they have no voice,” said Rev. Gracen. She added that there’s been “a disappearance of options with people feeling left behind and stuck in a place that wasn’t good to begin with… for generations.”
A member told of a Muslim Facebook friend who received a call stating, “you’re next.” Later, she said, “I’m acknowledging what I’m feeling. We’re surprised because we’re disconnected. How can I balance my needs with your needs?”
Kathy said she was working on being kinder. She also said politics is like a pendulum, swinging back and forth.
They grappled with why people voted for Trump.
“When you’re in need, you hear what you want to hear,” said one member.
Added another, “We’re sitting in a place of unknown. He talks about running the country like a business. He will do what he wants to do.”
Rev. Gracen said, “It was a vote of change from the morass of Washington and not getting things done.” She said that the center of the country was left behind. “The US has become unwieldy and ungovernable. We’re seven nations with vastly different cultures. We have to be careful of our language and thoughts.”
She said, “What I saw as progress [through the Civil Rights Act and the laws banning discrimination since then] has become a virus. They see expanding opportunities is not a good thing. The hate started eight years ago, now it’s been given free reign. It was below the surface for so many years, political correctness is gone.”
The role of their church and prayer was important to the group.
Steve said, “I prayed that night and will pray every night. I have to do civic duty as well … prayer and action.”
“Those in fear are heartbreaking to me,” said Rev. Gracen. “It’s greatest blockage to our connection to God.”
Rev. Gracen said that at the previous meeting people wrote down what they were afraid of. “I took them home and burned them in my fireplace. The old girl would be a fire hazard,” she said, gesturing at the front of the church. “The community may be more divisive than we know. There are resources.”
“Hate is mindboggling,” said Dave, who spoke freely of his relationship with Jesus Christ.
“It’s a shock to the system,” said Rev. Gracen. “We are a kind people, brave and courageous. This should kick-start our awakening as people of kindness and justice.”
Bullying Response
Incidents of bullying and hate crimes have occurred across the country, but, as Rev. Gracen said, “Little miracles occur.” She cited the story of a black girl at Baylor University, who was bullied after the election, but was then surrounded with love by people at all levels within the university.
Closer to home, a swastika was spray-painted on a bridge over I‑95 at Hosley Avenue; it was quickly painted over. Nearby on Hosley, “Heil Trump” was spray-painted on the road and “Trump” was painted on a tree, according to the New Haven Register.
At the Board of Education meeting Nov. 16, Superintendent Hamlet Hernandez said teachers had been using reactions to the election as a “teachable moment.” He said there had been no overt incidents. Student representative Hyunjin Lim said, “It’s been normal.” He said some kids were wearing hat that said “Make America Great Again,” but there had been no violence or bullying.
At Walsh Intermediate School, Fatma’s daughter, Noor, who is an eighth grader, said, “Kids tease, but you know they don’t mean it.” However, she added, “Trump has made it worse.” She said that there are three Muslims in the school.
Back at the meeting Friday evening, Kathy said the response to bullying is to engage the person being bullied, bring them into conversation and ignore the person doing the bullying.
So, Thanksgiving dinner is tomorrow. For many families dinner may be that unavoidable time bomb. In a dialogue with a Trump supporter, when they talk of “making America great again,” Rev. Gracen suggested asking them: “What does that mean to you?”
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