A number of people at President Trump’s recent campaign rally in Greenville, N.C. were sporting T-shirts emblazoned with the message (Expletive) Off — We’re Full. The words were “creatively” etched to resemble an outline of the United States of America. I assume the message was directed to immigrants and refugees seeking asylum from economic injustice, political persecution and gang violence.

As I was about to be outraged by the T-shirts’ blatant racism and xenophobia, I suddenly realized that my moral indignation was sadly misplaced. After all, the sentiment has very powerful Biblical roots. When Mary and Joseph sought safe shelter in Bethlehem to deliver the Christ child, the innkeeper told them to “(Expletive) Off — We’re Full!”

Keith Kondrich

Swisshelm Park

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