It's almost unjustified to just score the current state of our nation as "turbulent". Our Nation is in dire distress. The political climate has never been so obviously despondent from their constituents and it's undermining the whole concept of democracy to its breaking point.
Today, February 16th, in response to Trump's call to build a wall on the US/Mexico Border and ban refugees from predominantly Muslim countries as well as calls that limit and deter immigration from Asian countries, thousands across the nation in major cities are boycotting and marching in #DayWithoutAnImmigrant.
If this seems familiar, you've probably heard of "Day Without a Mexican" which occurs in May, having roots of starting in 2006 known as The Great American Boycott, in which immigrant communities and groups people boycotted businesses and work and marched in the streets. It was a continuance of a push for fair Immigration Reform under the Bush Administration.
This year is similar if not exactly the same with more inclusion and support of Middle Eastern immigrants. Our nation's backbone is built of immigrants. Though not equally represented in Congress, immigrants make everything you touch and access on a day to day possible.
I'm a proud granddaughter of immigrants.
My paternal grandmother, her brother, and her parents, emigrated here to the United States in the 40's from Mexico. They worked in the fields from Texas all the way up to Illinois where the settled in the Chicago suburbs and built a wonderful and amazing life. My Grandmother went on to become a pillar in the community who is continually contributing and has made so many historical leaps and strides. She has never stopped advocating for Immigrants and Latinos. To this day, my nana is one of the most politically active people I know.
Also on my paternal side, my grand-uncle, who was also an immigrant and worked the fields, worked hard and became a lawyer and then was appointed as a Federal Judge. His career in advocating for protection and advancement of human rights has continued even into his retirement. My Tío Manuel continues to travel the world giving lectures and speaking out on injustices while offering insight and ideas on reform.
It'd be a dishonor to not mention my five other paternal grand-aunts and uncles, who are continuously working hard in their communities.
In each and every way my Tios and Tias on the Barbosa side have stayed active in political education and advocacy. They find ways to contribute to their communities through volunteer work and support. They've taken the opportunity to build their best foundation with the constitutional liberties of accessible education, religious freedom, and so much more.
My maternal grandparents, whom I'm so blessed to still have in my life, came here from the Dominican Republic seeking a better life. My grandfather came here as a political refugee seeking to escape the treacherous rule of Trujillo. My grandmother sought the same. They both met in New York. My grandmother was attending college and my grandfather was finishing his Medical Doctorate. They moved to Chicago where they both continued to reverberate the seizing of the same constitutional liberties that were granted and guaranteed to all those who come here seeking a better life and future.
I cannot even begin to describe or list the amazing people in my life because of the people above. I have aunts and uncles and cousins who are Doctors, Lawyers, Teachers, Business Owners, Nurses, Politicians, Military Members....and so much more. Nearly everyone I know has pursued or is pursuing higher education and following their dreams. And it wouldn't be possible if it weren't for their immigrant family.
And this isn't just the story of my family. This is thousands of immigrant families who come here seeking a better life for future generations.
So Trump is wrong.
When Mexico and Syria and Iran and Dominican Republic and Colombia and China and the Philippines are sending their people, they are sending their best. The people coming here are compassionate and driven and have desires to succeed that will echo for generations.
Without immigrants this country is nothing and I hope and pray to God that those who believe that immigrants who come here and are "taking jobs" are getting these jobs because they educate themselves and they have the integrity to work menial jobs and know they won't be there forever. If you believe the farm worker or fruit picker or maid, among other stereotyped but common employment positions among immigrants, are taking your jobs, well then you have to look at your work ethic. If you believe immigrant lawyers and teachers and doctors and nurses and business owners are taking your jobs, then maybe look at your education pursuits....you can't blame immigrants for your own incompetencies and pride. That's lazy.
Immigrants don't blame others. If they just wanted to sit still and blame others for their misfortunes they'd be in their native country doing nothing, instead they decided they needed to take matters into their own hands and seize the opportunity to make a better life for themselves by moving to a country that has built itself on the backs of immigrants seeking a better life.
Embedded racism does nothing but make blazers look nasty and lazy. If you want something done, do it yourself and do it without blaming others or seeking pity or hurting other people, that's the coward's way out. No self-respecting American would call them-self a coward, so don't be one. Be a true American and honor your neighbor, not their papers, and respect the opportunities given to you. Seize them until you achieve greatness. That's the American Way.
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