Filipino American Republican touts Trump's "compassion"

SCREEN CAPTURE / YOUTUBE

Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes

OPINION

I thought that AAPI presence at the Democratic National Convention could have been greater but my expectations were even lower for the Republican National Convention which ended Thursday. I was right. 

On the Democrat's final convention night, AAPI presence was noteworthy, Sen. Tammy Duckworth and presidential candidate Andrew Yang spoke. The evening was topped off with Vice President nominee Kamala Harris joining Joe Biden on stage to watch the fireworks over Wilmington, Delaware.

The lack of diverse voices at the Republican National Convention was even worse. The Republicans of color stood out like a sore thumb, among the sea of white speakers lavishing praise on Donald Trump.

Flying the AAPI colors at the RNC was former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, an Indian American and Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes. Reyes, a Filipino American, spoke on the RNC's last night preceding Trump's acceptance speech.

Whereas I was glued to to the TV for the DNC, I confess, I didn't watch the entire RNC show because yelling at the TV was not good for my blood pressure. Thus I missed Reyes speech. I suspect most of my regular readers missed Reyes, too, so as a public service, I'm presenting it here (below) in its entirety.

“I’m a proud American and proud descendant of warrior ancestors — women and men alike — from my Hawaiian, Filipino, Japanese and Spanish heritage,” he said. “My father demonstrated his warrior spirit over 50 years fighting a dictator (Ferdinand Marcos) in his homeland — the Philippines. Barely escaping with his life, he started anew in America. He arrived with nothing but faith, determination and a willingness to work hard.”

Reyes said his father lived the “American dream,” building businesses, raising a family and seeing his son become the first minority to win a statewide election in Utah.

“Today, I channel my warrior roots by battling human trafficking,” Reyes said. 

Reyes said Trump became an ally in his efforts to combat human trafficking allocating millions of dollars to the cause. He touted Trump's compassion and deep concern for human trafficking victims.

At one point, Reyes became emotional talking about his father's fight with cancer. His father died a few months ago. He said among the possessions at his bedside was a pen Trump had given Reyes to give to him.

“Dad loved that pen,” he said. “It represented freedom to him, the freedom that only exists when someone is willing to fight for it. To my father, President Trump is that ultimate warrior fighting for our freedom.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: A word of caution, this is news sprinkled with opinion. Readers are encouraged to seek multiple news sources to formulate their own positions.