Rebellion and the Absurd: How Immigrants Must Resist Trumpism Without Becoming Oppressors

“Rebellion and the Absurd: How Immigrants Must Resist Trumpism Without Becoming Oppressors”

By Mary Mba (Ph.D.)
Published on MayokMedia.com

The Immigrant’s Struggle in an Absurd America

America is a land of contradictions. It was built by immigrants, yet it fears them. It calls itself a land of freedom, yet it erects walls, bans, and detention centers.

For immigrants, especially Black and African immigrants, Trump’s America was a lesson in absurdity. How do you navigate a system that claims to stand for justice but criminalizes your very existence?

Albert Camus, the philosopher of the absurd and rebellion, teaches that in a world where oppression is normalized, we have only two choices:

• Give in—accept oppression, live in fear, and become invisible.
• Rebel—not with hate, but with defiance, truth, and dignity.

This piece explores how immigrants can apply Camus’ philosophy of rebellion to resist oppression without losing their humanity.

The Absurdity of Trump’s Immigration Policies

Camus defines the absurd as the conflict between human hope and a world that refuses to meet those hopes.

• Immigrants come to America seeking opportunity, only to find themselves vilified.
• African and Muslim immigrants were singled out, despite the country benefiting from their labor, talents, and culture.

Key Examples of Absurd Immigration Policies Under Trump:

1. The Muslim Ban (2017): Aimed at barring entry from African and Middle Eastern nations.
2. Family Separations at the Border: Ripping children away from parents as a deterrent.
3. Cutting Refugee Admissions to Record Lows: Shutting doors on those fleeing war and persecution.

Camus would argue that these policies do not serve justice but exist to manufacture an enemy—scapegoating immigrants to consolidate political power.

The Camusian Response: Rebellion Without Hate

In The Rebel, Camus warns that many revolutions start with justice but end in tyranny because they become obsessed with power.

If immigrants and their allies want to resist xenophobia, racism, and nationalism, we must do so without falling into the same traps of exclusion, fear, and retribution.

• Rebelling with Truth – Dismantling false narratives (e.g., immigrants as criminals, job stealers).
• Rebelling with Action – Advocating, voting, and mobilizing to create lasting policy changes.
• Rebelling with Solidarity – Uniting across racial, religious, and national lines to fight for justice.

Historical and Modern Examples of Ethical Rebellion:

• Frederick Douglass (19th Century): Exposed the hypocrisy of American democracy while advocating for abolition.
• Civil Rights Movement (1960s): Used nonviolent resistance to dismantle segregation.
• Black Lives Matter (2020): Mobilized globally against police brutality and systemic racism.
• DACA & Dreamers (Ongoing): A generation of undocumented youth refusing to be erased.

Each of these movements embodies Camus’ idea that rebellion is not about vengeance—it is about affirming human dignity.

Thriving as the Ultimate Rebellion

For immigrants, the greatest act of defiance is existing and thriving despite efforts to erase them.
– Staying in America despite racist policies is rebellion.
– Raising children who will succeed is rebellion.
– Telling our stories and shaping the national conversation is rebellion.

Trump’s America wanted immigrants to live in fear, to disappear, to feel unwanted.
The response? We stay. We fight. We thrive.

As Camus wrote:
“Mankind’s greatness lies in his decision to be stronger than his condition.”

Conclusion: The Immigrant’s Rebellion

Camus teaches that rebellion does not promise immediate victory—but it is the only path to dignity.

• Even after Trump is gone, xenophobia will remain.
• Oppression will continue, but so will resistance.

 How will you resist? How will you rebel?
Drop a comment below and share your thoughts.

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