Last week, minority
President Donald Trump implemented a ban on people traveling into the United
States from seven predominantly Muslim countries. This means that immigrants
from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Yemen and Somalia will be unable to enter
the country for the next 120 days as will immigrants from any other country.
Many have raised questions about the fact that although Trump has mentioned
9/11 as part of the justification for keeping people from certain countries
out, none of the countries where the 9/11 hijackers came from, (Saudi Arabia,
Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Lebanon) made the list. UK PM Theresa May,
PM Justin Trudeau and even Angela Merkel have slammed the ban. It’s carrying
out has been implemented in what seems like an extremely chaotic fashion
despite Mr. Trump suggesting that it is coming along nicely…
The
backlash from world leaders, celebrities and academics has been significant. In
addition, both American and Canadian tech leaders have come forward suggesting
their disapproval of the ban. Apple's CEO Tim Cook noted that "Apple would not
exist without immigration, let alone thrive and innovate the way [they]
do" (Tech Executives Fiercely Criticize Trump Immigration Order 2017). After all, Steve Jobs’ ancestors were Syrian immigrants. In a message
released to staff, Cook ensured employees that he had heard their concerns
and that he shared them and that the order was not something that he supported
(Tech Executives Fiercely Criticize Trump Immigration Order 2017). In a memo to his staff, Google's CEO, Sundar Pichai critiqued
Trump’s order, noting that it would “prevent 185 foreign-born Google employees
from entering the United States and [ordered] staff members who are traveling
abroad to return to the United States immediately" (Tech Executives Fiercely Criticize Trump Immigration Order 2017).
Canadian tech industry
leaders are also weighing in on the travel ban. CEOs from companies like
Shopify and Wattpad are asking the Canadian federal government to provide visas
to people displaced by the executive order (Misener, 2017). They suggest that visas
would allow those who are not permanent US residents to begin the process of
applying for full citizenship while continuing to work in the tech sector
(Misener, 2017). The repercussions of Trump’s actions are far worse than the threat of an attack
or act of violence on US soil, especially considering the fact that the average number of people in the United States killed by Americans annually averages at just about 12,000 while those killed Islamic jihadist immigrants is approximately 2.
Attached are several
links discussing the reactions of both American and Canadian tech leaders. What
role do members of the tech sector have in the current political context? Are
the reactions to the ban justified? How can leaders ensure that the racism,
sexism and hatred Donald Trump 'spews' does not trickle down into their
industries? Do tech leaders have an in that say politicians or academics might
not? What role can we as Communications Studies students play in terms of
voicing our opinions (whatever they may be) in a meaningful way?
http://www.npr.org/2017/01/29/512307479/tech-executives-fiercely-criticize-trump-immigration-order?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20170129
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/canadian-tech-leaders-ask-ottawa-for-temporary-visas-after-trump-order/article33818691/
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/trump-travel-ban-technology-sector-reacts-1.3958864
Works Cited:
"Tech Executives Fiercely Criticize Trump Immigration Order." NPR. NPR, 29 Jan. 2017. Web. 01 Feb. 2017.
Misener, Dan. "U.S. tech sector critical of President Trump's travel ban." CBCnews. CBC/Radio Canada, 01 Feb. 2017. Web. 01 Feb. 2017.
Interesting. The technology firms come at this from two perspectives and seem to be able influence not only public opinion but also have a material impact on the direction that country is taking. By noting many successful and contributing members of the tech industry are immigrants it makes a political statement. However as well technology itself can fight back by making specific options available. For example Airbnb providing housing etc. Certainly interesting to see how this will play out.
ReplyDeleteHey Bethany, I thought it was cool that you were able to link such a global, current, issue to our class. It certainly is a topic that should not be ignored and I do believe that we, as Communications students, possess many resources to fight back against such a hateful ban. For instance, it is our duty to call attention to the uneven power relations that such an act strengthens within a community. This is not an example of democracy and it is not acceptable that, in the land of the "free", one man and his team can enact such a disgraceful ban. And I think it is truly heartening to see that many within, and outside, of the State are fighting back - as you touched upon.
ReplyDeleteAside from what you already mentioned, I think it's important to recognize that this ban can not only affect companies operating within the USA, but also meetings and events that are scheduled (or were scheduled) to take place in the country. A friend of mine recently wrote an article that exemplifies what I am trying to get at, which I will link at the end of this post. Essentially, though, she outlines that the ban has impeded the work of "international tech organizations by blocking some of their members from attending meetings as they aren't able to travel." The example she provides is that of ICANN, the Internet's governing body. Members were unable to attend workshops and meetings because they were unable to enter the country. This has stopped people from doing their jobs properly, and they are publicly protesting through social media - a tool that can spread opposing messages to such a dictatorial rule.
Trump should consider counting his blessings because this did not affect the functioning of the Internet, without which he wouldn't be able to send his precious, ridiculous tweets.
You can read the article here: https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/icann-trump-travel-ban-internet