My more than five minute interview with young Mr. Joseph Asali – a student at Temple University whose family members from Syria weeks ago were denied access to our country due to the travel ban signed by U.S. President Mr. Donald Trump but have since been allowed to relocate from their war-torn country to America – had a consistent accompaniment: the chants from a hundred or so people who had organized themselves on Thomas Paine Plaza in Center City Philadelphia on President’s Day to protest and speak against, among many things, the anti-immigration policies generating from the White House.
Monday was the second time Mr. Asali had skipped class to talk about immigration; the first time, at City Hall, was days after his relatives were turned away from the Philadelphia International Airport.
“Apparently, I’m an activist,” he declared with glee.
Mr. Asali, a rather unassuming young man with a shy face but a bright smile, has never been the public speaking type. Yet, it’s this moment – with a President determined to keep certain people out of the country in the interest of national security – that calls him to action. For now, the priority is advocating for immigration, though Mr. Asali predicts normalcy – attending school on-time and regularly – will return soon enough.
“This election has awakened the consciousness of the average American,” Philadelphia City Councilwoman Helen Gym told me on Monday, prior to her addressing the assembled audience.
Mr. Asali, like many members of the media whom I’ve spoken with in recent weeks, has noticed that the public has transitioned from hopelessness and fearfulness – the declarations from those Americans who say they’re moving to Canada due to the election of Mr. Trump have minimized – to a sense of determination, self-assertiveness and resistance.
When people finally accepted the results of the contentious presidential election, the tone in the public square, said Mr. Asali, “shifted to anger.”
“It’ great that people are channeling this anger… It’s constructive… Trump has united us under a common goal.”
Councilwoman Gym, who attended the press conference weeks ago with the Asali family and others, is hesitant to attribute the apparent unification of the political Left to Mr. Trump, a novice politician who seems interested only in appeasing his base rather than unifying the country.
Nonetheless, opposition to Mr. Trump and his cabinet is visible and has been consistent since his election. At the #NotMyPresident rally, Mr. Asali – who neither he nor his family voted for either candidate due to them both being perceived as war-mongers who would continue bombings in Syria – said Mr. Trump is, technically, our president because he was elected, but he remains unwilling to act like it.
It’s clear that Mr. Asali, a seemingly friendly person, is no fan of the president. But, it’s also evident that had it not been for the ascension of Mr. Trump, the young student wouldn’t have gotten the push he needed.
“I never had a platform before, but I’m glad to have the chance to speak out now,” Mr. Asali said.
Thanks for reading. Until next time, I’m Flood the Drummer® & I’m Drumming for JUSTICE!™
The role of men is changing in the 21st century. Want to keep up? Get the best stories from The Good Men Project delivered straight to your inbox, here.
Photos courtesy of the author.