Dear Editor,
President Elect Donald Trump (Republican) made huge gains with black, Hispanic, Asian, Indian (including Indian Guyanese and other Indo-Caribbeans) and other minority voters that enabled him to win a landslide victory on November 5. Trump made gains almost everywhere as exit poll data revealed. He made significant gains in all minority neighborhoods including in blue walled states like New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, California, and elsewhere. His gains were matched by equivalent declines for the Democrats. Why did Trump make large gains among Indians and other minorities? Why did large chunks of Indian Americans, Indian Guyanese Americans abandon the Democrats with whom they were aligned for decades?
Several factors account for Indians (from South Asia and other parts of the diaspora, including Indian Guyanese and other Indo-Caribbeans) leaving the Democrats and voted Donald Trump. Indians were convinced that Trump’s rule would usher in real change as opposed to policy positions of The Democrats. They also feel Trump would protect them from rising crimes and that Trump would support immigration reform to benefit the educated and businesses. There are many educated Indians with advanced degrees awaiting residence cards. Ditto Indian business folks.
Also, Indians seem to be moving away from the cultural values of the Democrats; they are becoming increasingly conservative, and they seek to protect the progress they have made in America working hard for over sixty years, saving and investing and sending kinfolks to pursue higher education. Their wealth has increasingly become threatened with rising crime. The Democrats did not connect with Indo-Caribbean and Indian migrant population who worked very hard and build a secure life that has become threatened by the recent wave of migrants.
The recent migrants have invaded safe areas where the well to do population dwell, making them insecure. Indians have felt insecure. Indo-Caribbeans said Trump is (was) better equipped to handle the migrant crisis plaguing New York City. Bandits roam free in their neighborhoods and freely steal from their businesses. Also, Indians feel the values that the Democrats support threaten their own cultural values of strong traditional family lifestyle.
Another factor that troubled Indian Guyanese Americans in particular is the criticism leveled by some Members of Congress and individuals from Brooklyn on Guyana’s politics that can be interpreted as being anti-democratic and anti-incumbent. Many Indian Guyanese fear a return of rigged elections in Guyana, a threat to other aspects of democracy, marginalization and racism. They point to certain Democratic Members of Congress who are very close to individuals who were known to be affiliated with figures who were involved in attempted election rigging in Guyana in 2020 and in earlier riggings. The Members of Congress are not very friendly or favorable towards the incumbent administration in Guyana. Indian Guyanese feel Trump would be better for protection of democracy in Guyana and their party.
In order for Indians and other minorities to return to the Democratic Party, it has to show that it is willing to support democracy in Guyana and other developing countries and that it will not push a radical cultural agenda that pose a threat to traditional family values.
Yours truly,
Vishnu Bisram