After reading this article, titled Illegal Immigrants: Asset or Liability? , I found it to be stereotyped. The author, Laurin Motsay from Baltimore, whose name was unlinked, assumed that all 'illegal immigrants' became thugs or gang members after entering the US.
To start the article, Laurin linked a name, Mr. Rodricks, and wrote about how he thought that undocumented immigrants were a "wonderful asset" to the United States. Rodricks had explained that an undocumented immigrant came to the United States, became a doctor, and saved a woman's life. Ms. Motsay continued, after telling Rodrick's story, turning her comments gradually more and more sour and impolite.
"In the interest of fair and balanced commentary, I wish he would have compared the number of illegal immigrants who save someone's life to the number who commit violent crimes — like the "thrill-kill" murder of three New Jersey college students who were shot in the head in a school yard by an illegal immigrant."
This is only one of Laurin Motsay's accusations against undocumented immigrants. It's true that this was an actual crime, but this is only one instance of a crime committed by an immigrant. Ms. Motsay then proceeded, in my opinion, to accuse illegal immigrants many unfair and stereotyped crimes. "There are many more victims of rape, murder, assault, etc., that Mr. Rodricks could ask about their [the victim's] gratitude to illegal immigrants. He [Rodricks] could also ask law enforcement officials how grateful they are to illegal immigrants such as gang members."
Ms. Laurin then finished with her typed name, apparently having nothing more to say on the subject.
The last few words of her accusation are inaccurate. Not all undocumented immigrants will become rapists, gang members, or murderers. In fact, very few statistically will. Many more US citizens that undocumented immigrants will commit these crimes in the United States.
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Artifact 4: Dreamers (the book)
For my fourth artifact, I chose to review the book 'Dreamers.' The premise of the book is that Dreamers are living among us, some of them are even the kids next to us in our classrooms. Immigration is much more local than we think this is, these students and kids are here in plain sight, and we need to recognize that.
Many of the stories in this book are anonymous, like one boy's input:
"You see me, but you don't see me.
I could be your best friend, or neighbor.
I could be a student, or your classmate.
I could be the person who walked by you today.
People have this idea of who I am, but do you know who I am?
You see me, but you don't see ME as I fall away in the shadow of uncertainty."
Who are these people anyway? Immigrants are human beings, just like you and I. They probably came from countries where they had no hope, an unequal education, violence and poverty. They came to find better lives. Their parents could have brought them to the United states at a young age so their children had a better place to grow up. Wouldn't anyone do that? I know that I would, and so would my parents. Think about someone you love. Where would you stop when it comes to providing them with healthcare and education. Think about it. If we lived in a place where basic needs were denied to us, wouldn't we actively seek a place where we could get them? Wouldn't all of us want our loved ones to be safe, fed and educated? This does not come at a cost to citizens, contrary to what most believe. They don't degrade our schools. There is enough food for us all, and Obama Care allows them basic healthcare. I wonder how many of the students in my class receive the benefits of Obama Care. Probably few.
This relates to The Distance Between Us because many of these students, like Reyna, were left behind in Mexico by their parents. Unlike Reyna's situation, some of their parents never went back for them. On the other side of the coin, some of these students' parents were deported to Mexico and unable to get back, leaving the kids alone.
In the back of the book, there is a section titled Common Myths about Immigration and Immigrants. I took a picture of it so it's accessible to this blog.
I apologize for the large size of this image not fitting the blog format, but it's easiest to read this way.
Many of the stories in this book are anonymous, like one boy's input:
"You see me, but you don't see me.
I could be your best friend, or neighbor.
I could be a student, or your classmate.
I could be the person who walked by you today.
People have this idea of who I am, but do you know who I am?
You see me, but you don't see ME as I fall away in the shadow of uncertainty."
Who are these people anyway? Immigrants are human beings, just like you and I. They probably came from countries where they had no hope, an unequal education, violence and poverty. They came to find better lives. Their parents could have brought them to the United states at a young age so their children had a better place to grow up. Wouldn't anyone do that? I know that I would, and so would my parents. Think about someone you love. Where would you stop when it comes to providing them with healthcare and education. Think about it. If we lived in a place where basic needs were denied to us, wouldn't we actively seek a place where we could get them? Wouldn't all of us want our loved ones to be safe, fed and educated? This does not come at a cost to citizens, contrary to what most believe. They don't degrade our schools. There is enough food for us all, and Obama Care allows them basic healthcare. I wonder how many of the students in my class receive the benefits of Obama Care. Probably few.
This relates to The Distance Between Us because many of these students, like Reyna, were left behind in Mexico by their parents. Unlike Reyna's situation, some of their parents never went back for them. On the other side of the coin, some of these students' parents were deported to Mexico and unable to get back, leaving the kids alone.
In the back of the book, there is a section titled Common Myths about Immigration and Immigrants. I took a picture of it so it's accessible to this blog.
Artifact 3: Political Cartoon
"I don't know any illegal aliens but I hear they're spoiling America!"
The irony of this cartoon is that the 'illegal immigrants' who come to America are willing to do any work, even the least desirable jobs. However, that's not where the irony ends. Unfortunately, it's much deeper than that.
The woman in the cartoon represents what America is becoming: 'overfed, expecting everything to be handed to her, rich,' whereas the small people in the fore and background represent the immigrants the women was talking about, doing their very best to keep on the woman's good side. By staying on her good side, they are sacrificing many things they themselves could have, such as significant food, shelter, and money.
The woman doesn't seem to realize that the 'illegal immigrants' are the ones providing for several of her needs.
I found that this political cartoon relates to Reyna's situation because she was often teased or underestimated because she migrated illegally from Mexico.
Artifact 2: Ted Talk
Actions are illegal, never people: the title of the Ted Talk that I watched. It's a very profound speech, lead by Mr. Jose Antonio Vargas in the Mid-Atlantic. Mr. Vargas explained how other people in American and Mexican society saw him and how he felt about it.
Mr. Vargas pondered the meaning of 'illegal' and the differences wording can make. The difference between the words 'illegal alien' and 'undocumented immigrant,' although they're used in the same situation, have a very different effect on the people they're said to.
This Ted Talk relates to Reyna in many ways. Reyna did not see immigration as a bad thing; she saw it as an opportunity. However, unlike Mr. Vargas, Reyna was afraid to 'come out' as an 'undocumented immigrant.'
I really liked this Ted Talk. I liked how he spoke emotionally, yet candidly, as he responded to the questions that his colleagues posed. The idea that people would deny anyone a driver's license or ask someone to "stand in line," is demeaning. It suggests that very basic human or inalienable rights are only available to those with a valid social security number. Look at Mr. Vargas: He is a highly-educated man who has only known the United States has his home country. What really differentiates him from most of us? Nothing. As a matter of fact, he surpasses us in most human qualities.
Mr. Vargas pondered the meaning of 'illegal' and the differences wording can make. The difference between the words 'illegal alien' and 'undocumented immigrant,' although they're used in the same situation, have a very different effect on the people they're said to.
This Ted Talk relates to Reyna in many ways. Reyna did not see immigration as a bad thing; she saw it as an opportunity. However, unlike Mr. Vargas, Reyna was afraid to 'come out' as an 'undocumented immigrant.'
I really liked this Ted Talk. I liked how he spoke emotionally, yet candidly, as he responded to the questions that his colleagues posed. The idea that people would deny anyone a driver's license or ask someone to "stand in line," is demeaning. It suggests that very basic human or inalienable rights are only available to those with a valid social security number. Look at Mr. Vargas: He is a highly-educated man who has only known the United States has his home country. What really differentiates him from most of us? Nothing. As a matter of fact, he surpasses us in most human qualities.
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Artifact 1: The Other Dreamers
The first artifact I found was an article in the New York Times opinion section online. It's an article regarding the "Other Dreamers." These individuals are children who, at a young age, were brought the United States by family members or their parent(s). However, the "Other Dreamers" 'dream' about visiting where they were born: their home land, Mexico.
SUMMARY
(If you would rather skip my explanation/summary of the article and watch the video (which is about 10 minutes long), it's located below.)
The specific individual showcased by the New York Times article about was Mr. Rufino Santiz Díaz. Mr. Díaz was born in a small town in Mexico called, Chiapas. He immigrated to the United States as a young boy and grew up in a quaint Georgia town. After graduating from high school, Díaz decided he would have better odds of making it into college back in Mexico.
According to the author of the article, Verity Oswin, "At least 17 states have laws permitting some undocumented immigrants to attend public universities for in-state tuition rates, yet they are generally not eligible for federal financial aid." The article goes on to say, " But with a college application system in the United States that can expose undocumented students, and a Mexican system filled with bureaucratic hurdles for students educated abroad, Mr. Santiz finds himself trapped in a limbo that leaves him with few viable options to move his life forward. He is still struggling to gain admission to college and find suitable employment in Mexico."
I find that this article relates to 'The Distance Between Us' because Mr. Díaz longs to return to his home country. Reyna, too, longed to return to Mexico after a while in the United States. Her longing was partially due to those she had left behind and partially due to simple homesickness and a feeling of disconnectedness. Reyna missed her culture and her country and this caused her to feel the distance of which she speaks.
SUMMARY
(If you would rather skip my explanation/summary of the article and watch the video (which is about 10 minutes long), it's located below.)
The specific individual showcased by the New York Times article about was Mr. Rufino Santiz Díaz. Mr. Díaz was born in a small town in Mexico called, Chiapas. He immigrated to the United States as a young boy and grew up in a quaint Georgia town. After graduating from high school, Díaz decided he would have better odds of making it into college back in Mexico.
According to the author of the article, Verity Oswin, "At least 17 states have laws permitting some undocumented immigrants to attend public universities for in-state tuition rates, yet they are generally not eligible for federal financial aid." The article goes on to say, " But with a college application system in the United States that can expose undocumented students, and a Mexican system filled with bureaucratic hurdles for students educated abroad, Mr. Santiz finds himself trapped in a limbo that leaves him with few viable options to move his life forward. He is still struggling to gain admission to college and find suitable employment in Mexico."
I find that this article relates to 'The Distance Between Us' because Mr. Díaz longs to return to his home country. Reyna, too, longed to return to Mexico after a while in the United States. Her longing was partially due to those she had left behind and partially due to simple homesickness and a feeling of disconnectedness. Reyna missed her culture and her country and this caused her to feel the distance of which she speaks.
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