The Incorruptible Beauty of Humanity

Rev. Dr. DeWayne L. Davis

This Week at Plymouth, September 27, 2024

“The words we use mean something—they can spell out life or death for those among us who are most vulnerable to abuse and exploitation . . . I’d urge the public and the media to retire the use of sensationalizing, stigmatizing, and misleading imagery and rhetoric surrounding immigration.”

—Daniella Prieshoff

As soon as I heard the insidious, dehumanizing lie about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, at the last U.S. Presidential debate, I worried that, in this political moment, there would be no galvanizing force of decency, truthfulness, and compassion to quail it. I even warned on a post-debate virtual panel discussion that we should be careful not to allow the resulting comedic social media memes to distract us from the dangerous narrative those lies would create for Haitians, endangering their lives and livelihood. It appears that many have forgotten the spike in violence against Asian-Americans after references to COVID-19 as the “China virus” quickly spread on social media. Such lies are familiar, an intentional defamation of immigrants and a doubling down on a politics so chaotic and dysfunctional that it stokes a toxic, nihilistic “us vs. them” political environment, leading many people to believe that they can only survive if they destroy others.

One can disagree with current immigration policy or oppose any immigration into the nation without using rhetoric that ignores the humanity of others. A political party can work to close the nation’s borders to migrants, refugees, and immigrants and still see their humanity and avoid any characterization that could compound their suffering. As Daniella Prieshoff, an attorney who works with immigrant survivors fleeing gender-based violence, said, “The words we use mean something—they can spell out life or death.” As of this writing, there has been no physical violence perpetrated against Haitian immigrants in the aftermath of the lies told about them. Still, the town of Springfield has been coping with more than 30 bomb threats against schools and government buildings. I fear that if we don’t push back on these lies, if we don’t insist on affirming the dignity and humanity of our Haitian neighbors, someone is going to get hurt.

Our political discourse has gotten so ugly one may need to remember that our biblical and religious tradition consistently encourages the faithful to welcome the stranger, the sojourner, and the immigrant. The biblical witness begins with the idea that all of humanity is made in the image of God. The ancient church elder, Gregory of Nyssa, said it so beautifully, “You alone are made in the likeness of that nature which surpasses all understanding, the image of incorruptible beauty, the impression of true divinity, receptacle of blessed life, seal of true light.” I pray that we lean into the best of our biblical witness and religious tradition to counter the malicious defamation of our immigrant neighbors. May we see the incorruptible beauty of all humanity. Amen.