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| Conversations on Race With White Trump Voters | Conversations on Race With White Trump Voters |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| (Race/Related is a weekly newsletter exploring race and ethnicity. This week, we combine art and voter comment from Brooklyn with extended conversations about race, identity, and politics with a handful of white Trump voters. Sign up. Tell us what you think racerelated@nytimes.com.) | (Race/Related is a weekly newsletter exploring race and ethnicity. This week, we combine art and voter comment from Brooklyn with extended conversations about race, identity, and politics with a handful of white Trump voters. Sign up. Tell us what you think racerelated@nytimes.com.) |
| Will people of color be welcomed and respected in Donald Trump’s America? | Will people of color be welcomed and respected in Donald Trump’s America? |
| After last week’s presidential election, many African-Americans, Asians and Hispanics are fearful that the answer to that question is an unequivocal, “No.” | After last week’s presidential election, many African-Americans, Asians and Hispanics are fearful that the answer to that question is an unequivocal, “No.” |
| Exit polls conducted by Edison Research showed that nearly nine out of 10 black voters said they would be concerned or scared if Mr. Trump moved into the Oval Office, as did about two-thirds of Asians and Hispanics. | Exit polls conducted by Edison Research showed that nearly nine out of 10 black voters said they would be concerned or scared if Mr. Trump moved into the Oval Office, as did about two-thirds of Asians and Hispanics. |
| That fear is bubbling up around kitchen tables, on college campuses, and on social media, where Samira Ahmed, a 45-year-old writer who is Muslim, echoed the fears of many when she described “the terror of being black, brown, an immigrant, Muslim, Jewish, LGBQT, disabled... and knowing that half the country hates you.” | That fear is bubbling up around kitchen tables, on college campuses, and on social media, where Samira Ahmed, a 45-year-old writer who is Muslim, echoed the fears of many when she described “the terror of being black, brown, an immigrant, Muslim, Jewish, LGBQT, disabled... and knowing that half the country hates you.” |
| How do white Trump supporters respond to those concerns? | |
| The Times wrote many stories over the course of the campaign that tried to get at the anxiety of white Americans, beyond race. | The Times wrote many stories over the course of the campaign that tried to get at the anxiety of white Americans, beyond race. |
| In the days since Mr. Trump emerged victorious at the polls, our colleagues have also spoken to white women who voted for him, and spent time with some of his staunchest supporters in the Rust Belt. | In the days since Mr. Trump emerged victorious at the polls, our colleagues have also spoken to white women who voted for him, and spent time with some of his staunchest supporters in the Rust Belt. |
| Here at Race/Related, though, we decided to narrow the focus – to reach out to white Trump supporters around the country to ask them to respond to the worries voiced by people of color as they look toward Inauguration Day.v | Here at Race/Related, though, we decided to narrow the focus – to reach out to white Trump supporters around the country to ask them to respond to the worries voiced by people of color as they look toward Inauguration Day.v |
| I spoke to an engineer who described the camaraderie of his multiracial workplace, a retired forklift driver who would like to see illegal immigrants deported, and others. | I spoke to an engineer who described the camaraderie of his multiracial workplace, a retired forklift driver who would like to see illegal immigrants deported, and others. |
| All of them reflected on what they would like to say to anxious black and brown Americans. | All of them reflected on what they would like to say to anxious black and brown Americans. |
| We also discussed policy proposals that have raised concerns in minority communities, including Mr. Trump’s promise to sharply curb Muslim immigration and to require Syrian refugees, and perhaps other Muslims, to register in a national database; his pledge to build a wall along our southern border and to deport undocumented immigrants; his call for a national deployment of the stop-and-frisk policing strategy, which was ruled unconstitutional in New York City, and his suggestion that his attorney general might initiate an investigation of the Black Lives Matter movement. | We also discussed policy proposals that have raised concerns in minority communities, including Mr. Trump’s promise to sharply curb Muslim immigration and to require Syrian refugees, and perhaps other Muslims, to register in a national database; his pledge to build a wall along our southern border and to deport undocumented immigrants; his call for a national deployment of the stop-and-frisk policing strategy, which was ruled unconstitutional in New York City, and his suggestion that his attorney general might initiate an investigation of the Black Lives Matter movement. |
| These conversations, which have been condensed and edited for clarity, reflect only a sampling of the opinions held by the millions of voters who support our president-elect. But they offer some insight at a time when many readers are hungry for dialogue and understanding across racial and political lines. | These conversations, which have been condensed and edited for clarity, reflect only a sampling of the opinions held by the millions of voters who support our president-elect. But they offer some insight at a time when many readers are hungry for dialogue and understanding across racial and political lines. |
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| Charles Walker, who is 35 and disabled, said he voted for Mr. Trump because he wants a president who will reduce the national debt, repeal the Affordable Care Act and create more jobs. He lives in Eldon, Missouri, a small town that he says has more “country boys flying Confederate flags” than racial or ethnic minorities. He opposes a registry for Muslims living here, but supports curbing migration of Muslims from overseas. | Charles Walker, who is 35 and disabled, said he voted for Mr. Trump because he wants a president who will reduce the national debt, repeal the Affordable Care Act and create more jobs. He lives in Eldon, Missouri, a small town that he says has more “country boys flying Confederate flags” than racial or ethnic minorities. He opposes a registry for Muslims living here, but supports curbing migration of Muslims from overseas. |
| No, it doesn’t surprise me (that people of color are worried). It’s been that way for so long with minorities over the years, with how people have treated other races. Some people still do look at (minorities) like that. I know some of them personally. | No, it doesn’t surprise me (that people of color are worried). It’s been that way for so long with minorities over the years, with how people have treated other races. Some people still do look at (minorities) like that. I know some of them personally. |
| But that’s not me. I actually voted for Obama, just the first time. I saw something in him that I liked. I didn’t see anything in the Republican side then. | But that’s not me. I actually voted for Obama, just the first time. I saw something in him that I liked. I didn’t see anything in the Republican side then. |
| We don’t live in the 1960s or the 1800s anymore. There’s people out there that do things wrong and should be looked at differently. There are people who start fires and burn buildings, people who go out to start a riot. That’s not called for. | We don’t live in the 1960s or the 1800s anymore. There’s people out there that do things wrong and should be looked at differently. There are people who start fires and burn buildings, people who go out to start a riot. That’s not called for. |
| I believe some of it needs to be investigated. It may be that some people are infiltrating the Black Lives Matter group. Not all of them are bad people. There are people who calmly and peacefully have their protests, people who do good for people and do good for America. As long as you’re not the kind doing the wrong thing, I think everything will be ok. | I believe some of it needs to be investigated. It may be that some people are infiltrating the Black Lives Matter group. Not all of them are bad people. There are people who calmly and peacefully have their protests, people who do good for people and do good for America. As long as you’re not the kind doing the wrong thing, I think everything will be ok. |
| I’ve heard about stop and frisk and if it helps lower crime and stops people shooting in the streets, what’s a few hurt feelings? That’s my opinion. It’s better than seeing people die. | I’ve heard about stop and frisk and if it helps lower crime and stops people shooting in the streets, what’s a few hurt feelings? That’s my opinion. It’s better than seeing people die. |
| I personally think they’re overthinking the things he was saying. I think, you know, things will work out for the best. Everybody will eventually come together and make things work. | I personally think they’re overthinking the things he was saying. I think, you know, things will work out for the best. Everybody will eventually come together and make things work. |
| It’s America. We’re all here for each other. | It’s America. We’re all here for each other. |
| At least we’re supposed to be, right? | At least we’re supposed to be, right? |
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| Michael Tepedino, a 47-year-old structural engineer and a registered Republican, said he works with a diverse group of colleagues in Charlotte, N.C. | Michael Tepedino, a 47-year-old structural engineer and a registered Republican, said he works with a diverse group of colleagues in Charlotte, N.C. |
| I work with people of all races and all colors. I would just say that there’s no need to fear the presidency of Donald Trump. | I work with people of all races and all colors. I would just say that there’s no need to fear the presidency of Donald Trump. |
| He’s not out to get you. He’s out, not only to unite the country, but to make it a better place for everybody. | He’s not out to get you. He’s out, not only to unite the country, but to make it a better place for everybody. |
| Black people who say they’re afraid of a Trump presidency, I think their fears are unfounded. I don’t have any reason to think Donald Trump is going to treat anyone differently because they’re black. | Black people who say they’re afraid of a Trump presidency, I think their fears are unfounded. I don’t have any reason to think Donald Trump is going to treat anyone differently because they’re black. |
| Now, if you came into the country illegally, you’ve broken the law, and it doesn’t matter if you’re Hispanic or German or Canadian, they have something to worry about. They’re probably going to get deported. But I know plenty of Hispanics who are totally legal. They have nothing to fear. | Now, if you came into the country illegally, you’ve broken the law, and it doesn’t matter if you’re Hispanic or German or Canadian, they have something to worry about. They’re probably going to get deported. But I know plenty of Hispanics who are totally legal. They have nothing to fear. |
| Muslims, if they have ties to any radical temples, that’s something they need to worry about. I know there are Muslims in the United States who are totally fine. They are great people. | Muslims, if they have ties to any radical temples, that’s something they need to worry about. I know there are Muslims in the United States who are totally fine. They are great people. |
| But people who are Muslim who believe in Sharia law and support ISIS, those are the people that everyone would have a problem with. | But people who are Muslim who believe in Sharia law and support ISIS, those are the people that everyone would have a problem with. |
| It’s the campaign people, the fearmongers who are trying to instill fear in those people, saying if you vote for the Republicans, he’s going to give tax breaks to the white rich man. | It’s the campaign people, the fearmongers who are trying to instill fear in those people, saying if you vote for the Republicans, he’s going to give tax breaks to the white rich man. |
| But I think Trump is smarter than that. If he’s alienating half of the country, that is going to make life hard for him. He doesn’t want that. It will be advantageous to him to have a United States of America, not a divided states of America. | But I think Trump is smarter than that. If he’s alienating half of the country, that is going to make life hard for him. He doesn’t want that. It will be advantageous to him to have a United States of America, not a divided states of America. |
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| Julia McGath, a 66-year-old retired forklift driver, lives in Zanesville, Ohio and works part-time at a retail store. One plant she worked for relocated its operations overseas. She believes Mr. Trump will bring jobs back to the United States, cut the national debt and reduce spending on entitlements. | Julia McGath, a 66-year-old retired forklift driver, lives in Zanesville, Ohio and works part-time at a retail store. One plant she worked for relocated its operations overseas. She believes Mr. Trump will bring jobs back to the United States, cut the national debt and reduce spending on entitlements. |
| I drove a forklift for 24.5 years at a warehouse. I’ve worked union all my life and I always voted Democrat. Obama, he talked about change, change, change. I did vote for him, both times. But nothing changed. I didn’t vote for Hillary because it would be four more years of nothing getting done. | I drove a forklift for 24.5 years at a warehouse. I’ve worked union all my life and I always voted Democrat. Obama, he talked about change, change, change. I did vote for him, both times. But nothing changed. I didn’t vote for Hillary because it would be four more years of nothing getting done. |
| I’m concerned about all the entitlements. That’s the big deal for me. I’ve worked all my life, and with God’s help I’ve not taken any handouts. But there are so many people who live off that their whole life. | I’m concerned about all the entitlements. That’s the big deal for me. I’ve worked all my life, and with God’s help I’ve not taken any handouts. But there are so many people who live off that their whole life. |
| I would say (people of color are fearful now) because they’re not going to get their entitlements. They’re probably afraid they’re going to lose their green card, or whatever they have going to get a free load with. | I would say (people of color are fearful now) because they’re not going to get their entitlements. They’re probably afraid they’re going to lose their green card, or whatever they have going to get a free load with. |
| I’m not saying I don’t feel bad for people who are poor, but I’m voicing fear for my kids, too. My daughter was working for nine years at the post office, working six days a week for nine years, and it was temporary, no benefits or anything. My kids work their tails off. They see people living off our paychecks. | I’m not saying I don’t feel bad for people who are poor, but I’m voicing fear for my kids, too. My daughter was working for nine years at the post office, working six days a week for nine years, and it was temporary, no benefits or anything. My kids work their tails off. They see people living off our paychecks. |
| If people are living right and not breaking the law and doing what they should be doing, there shouldn’t be any reason to worry. Honestly, if they just prayed more, they wouldn’t have to be worried. | If people are living right and not breaking the law and doing what they should be doing, there shouldn’t be any reason to worry. Honestly, if they just prayed more, they wouldn’t have to be worried. |
| I never heard about stop and frisk. I can’t imagine them stopping and frisking people for no reason at all. The cops have plenty to do without doing that. That sounds like harassment to me. | I never heard about stop and frisk. I can’t imagine them stopping and frisking people for no reason at all. The cops have plenty to do without doing that. That sounds like harassment to me. |
| But if they’re illegal here, they need to be worried. He’s going to find some way to fix the system and move them out. | But if they’re illegal here, they need to be worried. He’s going to find some way to fix the system and move them out. |
| I’m not sure about a registry for Muslims living here. But I was really concerned that we were going to let a whole mess of refugees in. I certainly don’t want them to bring in Syrians or ISIS. We need to take care of us for a change. | I’m not sure about a registry for Muslims living here. But I was really concerned that we were going to let a whole mess of refugees in. I certainly don’t want them to bring in Syrians or ISIS. We need to take care of us for a change. |
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| Andrew Jones, a 55-year-old contractor in Southlake, Tex., said that Mr. Trump’s comments about Mexicans had been misconstrued. He pointed out that Mr. Trump’s remarks describing some Mexicans as “rapists” were directed at illegal immigrants, not Hispanics living here legally. | Andrew Jones, a 55-year-old contractor in Southlake, Tex., said that Mr. Trump’s comments about Mexicans had been misconstrued. He pointed out that Mr. Trump’s remarks describing some Mexicans as “rapists” were directed at illegal immigrants, not Hispanics living here legally. |
| He wants to be the president for everybody. We’re all Americans. We need to stop isolating ourselves and voting in blocks based on ethnicity. We need to become Americans and live the American dream. We all have the opportunity; we just need to take it. | He wants to be the president for everybody. We’re all Americans. We need to stop isolating ourselves and voting in blocks based on ethnicity. We need to become Americans and live the American dream. We all have the opportunity; we just need to take it. |
| But if they’re Muslim and they’re coming from Syria, we don’t want them here. If they’re Muslim and coming from Paris and they don’t have a clean record, we don’t want them here. | But if they’re Muslim and they’re coming from Syria, we don’t want them here. If they’re Muslim and coming from Paris and they don’t have a clean record, we don’t want them here. |
| We don’t want to bring in any hostile Muslims. Our C.I.A. and F.B.I. said we can’t vet these people. | We don’t want to bring in any hostile Muslims. Our C.I.A. and F.B.I. said we can’t vet these people. |
| I think it’s completely appropriate to have a registry for people who are here on visas. I don’t think he was talking about a registry for Muslim citizens. That would be against the Constitution. | I think it’s completely appropriate to have a registry for people who are here on visas. I don’t think he was talking about a registry for Muslim citizens. That would be against the Constitution. |
| He’s talking about protecting us and building a wall and getting rid of people who are hurting us. That will be beneficial for all us of us, Latinos, blacks, whites, Muslims, all of us. | He’s talking about protecting us and building a wall and getting rid of people who are hurting us. That will be beneficial for all us of us, Latinos, blacks, whites, Muslims, all of us. |
| He says outrageous things sometimes. But if you take out the bombast and look at the substance of what he’s saying, he’s never wrong. He’s always right. | He says outrageous things sometimes. But if you take out the bombast and look at the substance of what he’s saying, he’s never wrong. He’s always right. |
| It would be totally appropriate for the attorney general to look into Black Lives Matter. It’s against the law to incite riot and if you listen to their rhetoric, that’s what they’re doing. And if it is deemed constitutional, I would support stop and frisk. The police need that tool. | It would be totally appropriate for the attorney general to look into Black Lives Matter. It’s against the law to incite riot and if you listen to their rhetoric, that’s what they’re doing. And if it is deemed constitutional, I would support stop and frisk. The police need that tool. |
| If opportunities are made, if the economy is made better, if he’s successful in making America great again, once all the people are working and there are opportunities for everyone, a lot of the distrust and the animus will fade. | If opportunities are made, if the economy is made better, if he’s successful in making America great again, once all the people are working and there are opportunities for everyone, a lot of the distrust and the animus will fade. |