During a recent town hall in Springfield, Ohio, local resident Vivek Ramaswamy listened as a man shared a troubling experience. This Springfield local, who identifies as “half-Black,” reported being called racial slurs multiple times in just one week, spurred by a controversial narrative surrounding Haitian immigrants in the community.
This small Midwestern city has been at the center of a heated discussion following claims that Haitian migrants have been harming pets and birds for food—a story that has stirred significant backlash among residents. Ramaswamy, a conservative author and political figure, visited Springfield to engage with locals and hear their thoughts on the situation.
At the town hall, the man described how he has felt increasingly targeted since the incident gained attention, emphasizing the rise in hateful language he’s witnessed in the community. He recounted moments of racial hostility, stating, “In 20 years, I’ve rarely encountered such slurs, but this week alone, I was called the n-word twice.”
When I was a kid, it felt like the last embers of racism were dying out in this country. Then DEI came along & poured kerosene on them. Phenomenal town hall tonight in Springfield, OH. pic.twitter.com/tFYhzMDEHm
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) September 20, 2024
He asked Ramaswamy what should be done about the rising intolerance in the community. Ramaswamy responded by asserting that he does not view America as a fundamentally racist country, attributing recent tensions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, which he believes have contributed to a surge in racial discord.
“I’ve always believed America is among the least racist nations,” he stated. However, he acknowledged a noticeable increase in racial tension over the last year, contrasting it with his own upbringing in the area.
Ramaswamy pointed to immigration issues, noting that Springfield has seen an influx of 15,000 to 20,000 Haitian migrants, which has intensified the strain on local resources and caused feelings of reactionary resentment within the community. He remarked, “You can’t just drop unprepared people into a small city without eliciting a reaction.”
City officials, including Mayor Rob Rue, have discussed the challenges posed by this sudden population increase and proposed solutions to bridge cultural divides. Ramaswamy went on to criticize DEI initiatives, arguing that such policies risk creating division rather than unity, stating, “Taking opportunities away from one group to favor another only fuels more animosity.”
The remarks come amid broader discussions from the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) regarding workplace DEI strategies, as many corporations face backlash from conservative groups. CBC Chair Steven Horsford has spoken out against attempts to undermine these policies, asserting the importance of diversity as a business imperative.