The Most Horrifying Image From U.S. Politics in Recent Years

History repeats as photos of people supporting mass deportations reflect their cruelty and indifference to the suffering of others

Image: Screencap from PBS coverage of the Republican National Convention — Fair Use

This may be the most horrifying image I’ve seen taken within the United States political landscape in recent years. It shows attendees at the Republican National Convention in July, lead by the GOP candidate Donald Trump. The supporters hold signs aloft, which advocate for Trump’s immigration policy. As we saw in photos and video from the event, scores of people were holding these signs reading “Mass Deportation Now” at the Convention.

Cropped version of the above image

Let’s take a closer look at the image, though: It’s the fact that people are smiling in the image that proves most disturbing. And this isn’t the only image of people smiling while holding these signs you can find via quick online search.

It reminds me of photos like the following one, taken during Jim Crow, of white people forming crowds — even bringing their children — to act as spectators before lynchings. Note the smiles on people in this image, too. The young boy’s smile…