Hsa Win Reflects on Racism and Immigration Amid Political Rhetoric.
During the height of the coronavirus pandemic, Hsa Win and his mother faced verbal abuse outside a store in North Hill. Win recalls an incident where an older white man aggressively pushed them, shouting “Chinese virus” and telling them to “go back where we come from.”
“During the pandemic, I felt like I had to wear double masks,” said Win, 25, a refugee from Myanmar. “The first mask protected me from the virus. The second layer was to shield myself from racist people.”
Win was shocked to hear former President Donald Trump repeat false claims about Haitian immigrants during a recent presidential debate in Springfield, Ohio. Despite Springfield officials stating there is no evidence for allegations that Haitian immigrants were stealing and eating pets, Trump and Ohio Senator JD Vance continued to spread these unfounded claims. This rhetoric resulted in temporary shutdowns of businesses, schools, and government buildings in Springfield due to threats of violence.
The impact of such incidents lingers. Years after the attack in North Hill, Win’s mother still avoids shopping at the store where they were harassed. “This type of language is very dangerous. It traumatizes us,” he explained. Win connects his past experiences with the current political climate, stating, “Trump and Vance’s statements have caused concern among immigrants, regardless of their political views.”
He added, “This has to stop. Politicians should cease making racist remarks about the immigrant community. His words are harmful.”
Immigrants Strengthen the Local Economy
Win, a Ka’Ren who was born in a refugee camp in Thailand, spent his early life in the camp after his family fled Myanmar. He moved to the United States with his mother and sister, living in New York and Indiana before settling in Akron in 2015. Win is currently studying political science at the University of Akron and works as a community health worker at Asian Services in Action.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 13,756 residents in Akron, or 7.2%, are foreign-born. In Ohio, 621,863 residents, or 5.3%, fall into this category.
A 2021 report from the bipartisan New American Economy Research Fund highlighted the economic contributions of immigrants in Portage and Summit counties, revealing that immigrant households earned $1.1 billion in 2018, contributing $2.1 billion to the region’s gross domestic product.
Adhik Badal, 42, an immigrant from Nepal and coordinator of the Immigrant Network of Akron, emphasized the value immigrants bring. “These people contribute significantly to the United States,” he stated. “They add diverse cultural resources that help make the country vibrant and inspiring.”
The Immigrant Network of Akron includes representatives from five organizations serving immigrants and refugees in Summit County. They collaborate to enhance support for these communities.
Badal, who came to the U.S. in 2012 for graduate school, condemned Trump’s allegations against Haitian immigrants as “nonsense.” He noted the valuable contributions immigrants make and how hurtful anti-immigrant remarks can be. “I’ve heard people say, ‘What’s wrong? We’ve been working since we arrived. We haven’t violated any laws,’” Badal said. “Such statements are particularly harmful when coming from leaders.”
The Need for Responsible Leadership
Samantha Byake Mutebi, 27, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, echoed these sentiments. She moved to Akron in 2019 after spending nine years in a refugee camp in Uganda. As a translator for Akron Public Schools, Mutebi stated, “Given Trump’s history of hate speech, I’m not surprised by his remarks. Leaders should avoid such rhetoric because many people follow their example.”
Mutebi has already voted in the upcoming election, taking advantage of Ohio’s early voting. It was her first time voting as an American citizen. She expressed dissatisfaction with both Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, ultimately opting for a third-party candidate.
Her voting decision focused on local issues, such as the Akron Public Schools levy and the Congressional race in Ohio’s District 13 between Rep. Emilia Sykes and Kevin Coughlin. “If Trump becomes president, how can he help Akron? He won’t come here to lead us,” Mutebi said. “We need to influence our local leaders to improve Akron.”
Empowerment Through Voting
For Ajino Wah, voting has always been a way to express his voice. Since becoming a citizen in 2011, he has participated in every election. Born in Burma and raised in a refugee camp for ten years, Wah moved to Akron in 2006. Now 38, he serves as a community liaison and service leadership coordinator with Urban Vision.
“Voting is like a silent voice,” Wah said. “You express your concerns without shouting. It’s powerful.”
After hearing Trump’s comments about Springfield’s Haitian community, Wah, a Democratic voter, reassessed his view of the former president.
“I used to think differently about him. I thought he was better than that.”
Win also reflects on the importance of voting. He cast his ballot for the first time in 2020, feeling visible and heard. The remarks from Trump and Vance have motivated him to encourage friends and family to vote.
Feeling hopeful about the upcoming election, Win stated, “We need a decent leader who treats people with dignity and serves everyone, not just their political interests.”
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