Donald Trump Jr. Compares Syrian Refugees to Skittles

posted on: Sep 21, 2016

BY: Marissa Ovassapian/Contributing Writer

On Monday, Donald Trump Jr. tweeted a graphic of a bowl of skittles with the words: “If I had a bowl of skittles and I told you just three would kill you, would you take a handful? That’s our Syrian refugee problem.”

Along with the image, the presidential candidate’s son tweeted: “This image says it all. Let’s end the politically correct agenda that doesn’t put America first. #Trump2016”.

This image says it all. Let’s end the politically correct agenda that doesn’t put America first. #trump2016 pic.twitter.com/9fHwog7ssN

— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) September 19, 2016

Donald Trump Jr.’s analogy comparing Syrian refugees to a bowl of skittles was wildly inaccurate representation of the immigration issue that the U.S. has been divided on during this election cycle. Syrian refugees are fleeing their homes, jobs, and possessions in order to have a better and safer life in places like Europe and North America.

Rather than using his father’s campaign platform to advocate for those who have been run out of their country by extremists, Trump Jr. is creating an Islamophobic environment with his alarmist and cruel accusation that Syrians are a far greater threat to society than what is statistically true.

The number of refugees in America that have been linked to terrorist activities is unimpressive, and a bowl full of Skittles makes for an extremely exaggerated analogy for all refugees, not just Syrians.

Of the almost 785,000 refugees living in the United States, only 5 of them have been arrested on charges related to terrorism. None were accurate claims and no refugee has ever committed an act of terrorism. Most accusations of terrorism by refugees are the result of fear and ignorance from people around the newcomers.

In response to Trump Jr.’s reproachful tweet, the creators of Skittles stated, “Skittles are candy. Refugees are people. We don’t feel it’s an appropriate analogy.”

Comparing refugees to skittles is another way to dehumanize refugees and minimize the severity of the immigration crisis facing the entire world. Trump Jr.’s comments have been heavily criticized for many reasons, among them the fact that the photo of Skittles used in the tweet was shot by a refugee. Additionally, the text of the tweet was plagiarized from Joe Walsh, a far-wing radio host who was fired for using racial slurs on air.

Despite these many problems, the Trump campaign stood by Trump Jr.’s tweet, arguing that safety is more important than being politically correct. But if it’s safety the Trump campaign wants, they should make it a point to understand the real numbers and facts behind any possible threat refugees pose to the U.S.