“To all the beautiful countries filled with culture, diversity and thousands of years of history. You are not a shithole. You are beautiful. And lastly, on behalf of those who fight for equality in a world that is not equal, not just and not ready for the change we are here to bring. I say unto you bring us your tired, your poor, and any immigrant who seeks refuge. For together we can build not just a better country, but a world that is destined to be united.”
During the final performance of Sunday night’s Grammy Awards, Logic paused to tell El Salvador, Haiti, and others that, “You are not a shithole.”
The speech was a reaction to a moment in America that contains echoes of the past.
Today on Things That Go Boom, we dive deeper into white nationalism, the Haitian revolution, and the impacts of nuclear weapons production on the Navajo Nation – and we go all the way back to America’s founding to ask, “What is this thing we call national security? And who does it protect?”
Turns out, there’s no easy answer.
Download episode two, “Home Security,” on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts today.
+ Read more about Haiti and the impacts of Trump’s comments from our editorial board member Johanna Mendelson Forman.
++ For more on the impact of nuclear weapons production on indigenous communities, head over to my piece on PRI’s site.
