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Shantha Smith's avatar

Sorry I couldn't stay on your live yesterday. When your second guest started comparing himself to Italians and saying new immigrants were violent I knew that he has bought the American delusion of race-based hierarchy. People have a right to their opinion, but when they speak falsehoods that are dangerous we have to check them harder. Have you read James Baldwin on whiteness and what it demands in loss of cultural history and compassion? If there are a few gang members here who need to be arrested and deported, the best way to do that is through good investigative work that develops relationships with the community. I live in San Jose. Here is an article from today's Mercury News. Your friend cannot justify the action described here with talk of violent Venezuelans or give Trump any more time. Not saying you shouldn't have him on. Saying however uncomfortable, you must correct any falsehoods in the moment. The wave of Venezuelans refugees were fleeing an authoritarian regime and coming here for a better life. They are the same as every wave before and Joel and his family are no better or worse, nor I and my family.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/08/26/husband-of-woman-with-chronic-health-condition-who-fainted-while-being-arrested-by-ice-agents-says-we-havent-committed-any-crimes/?share=p8ttgewcchvyrh2aaceh

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Shantha Smith's avatar

Sorry I couldn't stay on your live yesterday. When your second guest started comparing himself to Italians and saying new immigrants were violent I knew that he has bought the American delusion of race-based hierarchy. People have a right to their opinion, but when they speak falsehoods that are dangerous we have to check them harder. Have you read James Baldwin on whiteness and what it demands in loss of cultural history and compassion? If there are a few gang members here who need to be arrested and deported, the best way to do that is through good investigative work that develops relationships with the community. I live in San Jose. Here is an article from today's Mercury News. Your friend cannot justify the action described here with talk of violent Venezuelans or give Trump any more time. Not saying you shouldn't have him on. Saying however uncomfortable, you must correct any falsehoods in the moment. The vast majority of Venezuelan refugees came here for a better life just like every other wave in history. They and the people below are no better or worse than Joel and his family.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/08/26/husband-of-woman-with-chronic-health-condition-who-fainted-while-being-arrested-by-ice-agents-says-we-havent-committed-any-crimes/?share=p8ttgewcchvyrh2aaceh

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