Activist and beloved actor George Takei films an important message for our Mexican-American citizens encouraging them to take a hard look at Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and the danger he brings to everyone in this country. Takei also encourages the Mexican-American community to register and then vote in November — with all of those with good conscience. He begins his YouTube video with an introduction.
Turn up the volume! Many don't know that I speak and understand Spanish. In fact, I grew up with many Mexican-American neighbors in LA. This message, regarding my own personal experience with racial demonization, is addressed in Spanish to my Latino fans and their families and friends. I hope I did the language justice.
Here are excerpts translated in English:
I’m addressing this to my Spanish speaking fans and their friends. I want give some personal, historical prospective on how Donald Trump’s words and plans can have very real and terrible consequences. When I was a little boy, politicians used fear and racism against people of Japanese descent in this country. We were targets simply because we happened to look like the people who bombed Pearl Harbor. The said we were all spied and saboteurs, that none of us could be trusted.
When Trump today says Mexicans are rapists and drug dealers, it is his way of similarly dehumanizing whole groups, so that he can set his plans in motion.
George Takei goes on to tell his audience how this kind of madness swept the country starting in 1942 and continued.
Back then, they simply said, “A Jap is a Jap,” and we lost our homes and freedom, even though two thirds of us were U.S. citizens.
Today, Trump tells his supporters that a “Mexican is a Mexican.”
He is playing upon the same fears and ignorance that once led this country to intern my family. Latinos have the power to stop Trump, especially by voting in large numbers in “swing” states like Nevada, Colorado and New Mexico. Your numbers can even put states like Arizona and Texas into contention.
Donald Trump is a dangerous man, but your voices can ensure he never comes to power, and history does not repeat.
It’s important most all of you register to vote if you have not already, and that along with all people of good conscience, you vote resoundingly against Donald Trump in November.
Together, we can and we will defeat him.
Thank you, George Takei.