The average American does not understand life as an immigrant in America, and I feel that their stories are overshadowed by crypto-fascists within institutions. As an immigrant or child of one, it’s imperative to preserve family and culture to achieve the “American dream”, while traversing systematic racism. In the year of our lord, we need to study the racist institutions behind America and be able to tear those systems down - or else will repeat grave tragedies from the past. The notion that we should view immigrants and their children on their societal “value” and “contributions” would mean that it is a conditional relationship of their right to live in this country. That notion is heavily racist because it does not humanize immigrants like “we” would view citizens in this country. In both essays, we can see eyewitness accounts of stereotypes, self-identity in contrast with family, racial profiling, poverty, language barriers, and the immigration process.
Americans should learn about the lives of immigrants, as xenophobia is long tied into our country and we need to uplift humanizing teachings to all. We see the snapshot of a child of immigrant parents and an immigrant, who both are seeking better lives within the country. As we read the essays, we see the struggle to preserve family and culture, the lifelong journey to achieve the “American dream” that starts as soon as you are born, and fighting against systematic racism. How would we make the country a better place, if we do not study the racist institutions behind America and be able to tear those systems down? If we don’t collectively rise against these institutions, we are doomed to repeat humanity’s biggest tragedies. We do not humanize immigrants as “we” would view citizens in this country. We should congratulate all who find their dreams within America and recognize that not everyone can achieve the same. Immigrants like American-born citizens can make great contributions to our daily lives in the environment, social justice, economy, business, community, and so on within our lives. In both essays, we can see eyewitness accounts of the immigration process from the beginning and current times.
Read More
Baxter, J., and Andy Cerda. “Where Republicans, Democrats differ on immigration policy priorities.” Pew Research Center, 8 September 2022, https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2022/09/08/republicans-and-democrats-have-different-top-priorities-for-u-s-immigration-policy. Accessed 22 September 2024.
Johnson, Adam. “The Democrats' Hard-Right Turn on Immigration Is a Disaster in Every Way.” The Nation, 8 February 2024, https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/democrats-border-bill-wrong. Accessed 22 September 2024.
Ross, Alex. “How American Racism Influenced Hitler.” The New Yorker, 23 April 2018, https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/04/30/how-american-racism-influenced-hitler. Accessed 22 September 2024.