Both of these powerful concepts – nationalism and ethnic identity – contribute to our sense of belonging. But the alien does not "belong". The alien does not fit any of our people's sense of nationalism or of ethnic identity. The alien would not "fit in" to any existing professional, social, cultural, racial, or legal class. In fact, it may well be that they do not share anything with us with which we are familiar. They would be distrusted. Many of us would find it difficult to cultivate a sense of kinship with them. How would you act towards a "stateless" person who does not have a past, an identity or any "ways of being" with which you can relate?

 

Nationalism and ethnic identity can lead to a "healthy pride". But left unchecked, it can also lead to a negative view of other cultures. It can promote an "Us versus Them" attitude which would not welcome the visiting alien. One could easily envision the uprising of a movement against the visiting alien.

 

In ancient times in primitive tribal states, the "foreigner" was viewed as an outlaw, enemy or criminal. Even today there is that same subtle sense that is instilled in many of us. We humans seem forever compelled to draw division. We need to box and label "them" in order to deal with "them". We often blame them. Over the centuries the Irish, Jews, the Indigenous, Italians, Asians, Blacks, Latinos, and LGBTQ+ have all taken their turns on the bigotry hot seat. The visiting alien would surely be next in line. We can conceptualize the visiting alien, but very few would actually welcome them at the dinner table.

 

As humans, we seek comfort. And the visiting alien takes us far out of our comfort zone. The fear of moving toward something that is not known is inherent in most all of us. If someone does not know the other person's culture, religion or race – prejudice emerges. And this prejudice stems from the fear of how such exposure might change ourselves. We would be frightened of the huge change that the visiting alien would represent.

 

The Alien recognizes that the Human is historically unable to get along with other humans of varying races, creeds, colors and countries. They see that we even find it difficult to deal with those of a different appearance, age group, ethnicity, gender, or sexual identity. They see how we avoid those with physical or mental challenges. We build up inaccurate or even hateful mental images of those things to which we are not exposed, about those who are not like us. Sometimes we even demonize them. Trump exemplifies man’s compulsion to label, belittle and vilify those who are not the same.

 

Until we are proven able to coexist as a human race, non-human races will not make open contact with us. They see that humans still cannot even understand each other – and for that reason we would be entirely unable to understand the visiting alien. We are still dealing with the tremendous challenge of being human. We are not ready for non-humans. Until we change our inner selves, our outer world will forever be in conflict. Until this personal transformation, Man will remain apart from the diversity and full splendor that is the Universe.

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The alien knows that Trump divides those on this planet and that he would not welcome those from another.

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