False
and distorted notions about immigrants in the United States, and about
American identity itself, have set the stage for the current tumult
surrounding immigration and the young undocumented immigrants known as
Dreamers.
I
am a third-generation Mexican American. I believe in law and order.
Only through the just application of law can we thrive as a free nation
of justice and opportunity. And only through clear and honest analysis
of our problems can we forge lasting and sustainable solutions.
But our conversation about immigration in America is anything but clear and honest.
Undocumented
immigrants are just one part of a broadly accepted system that has long
benefited the American economy, provided consumers with affordable
products and services and offered immigrants a chance at economic
advancement. If work were not available, people would not risk their
lives to come here. Those jobs are everywhere, offered by big, medium
and small business as well as individuals.
To
punish only the most vulnerable in this economic arrangement is an
unjust application of law. If we were to punish wrongdoers equally, we
would condemn as “illegal” the businesses that hire “illegal” workers
to grow, pick, butcher, cook and serve our food. We would punish these
businesses as harshly as the workers they hire. And we would drastically
disrupt the lives of “illegal” homeowners who hire “illegal” workers
who care for their homes and children, and the sick and elderly.
But we don’t. We brand only the workers as illegal.
It’s
one thing to hold people accountable for their legal transgressions.
It’s quite another to dehumanize people with terms like “illegal” that
invite division, bigotry and persecution. Clearly there is something
going on here besides law and order.
I
have directed a non-profit Mexican American cultural center in the East
Bay area of San Francisco for nearly 30 years. During this time our
community, like many others, has been fundamentally transformed by
immigration from Mexico. The change was so dramatic that our programming
became largely focused on the challenges and opportunities created by
this demographic shift. As traumatic as culture clash and acculturation
can be, they also create enormous social energy and possibility. But in
order to focus and cultivate that energy, we must make social
investments in the people most directly impacted - the workers, both
native and immigrant, and their children. Of course, as a nation, we
have neglected to do so.
Our
organization, Los Cenzontles (The Mockingbirds), provides rigorous
cultural arts education to young people. We connect them to the heritage
that has provided resilience to Mexicans and Mexican Americans for
generations. Our performing group is dedicated to exploring, expressing
and sharing these cultural roots and connections. And our media
productions tell stories of people in our community who built and fought
for our country, but have long lived in history’s shadows.
While certain media outlets focus exclusively on negative stories about immigrants, dwelling on crimes and
violence, all of the undocumented immigrants I know are just trying to
live their lives. Many embody what it is to be a model American – hard-working people who take enormous risks to care for their families.
While
some insist that the targeting of “illegals” is not about bigotry, many
U.S.-born Mexican Americans and legal immigrants will tell you that we
are also often treated as the unwelcomed “other,” even though we are as
American as anyone. Many of our families have been here longer than
those who demean us.
Three
of my grandparents arrived from Mexico almost one hundred years ago.
The fourth was born in Arizona before it was even granted statehood. I
grew up in a Mexican American family with a strong work ethic,
commitment to community and faith in the American dream.
Yet,
recently, a drunken neighbor assaulted me in front of my own home when I
came to the aid of a woman he was abusing on the sidewalk. Before he
hit me, he called me an “illegal,” almost as if that gave him permission
to attack. Raised to take responsibility for my community, I made sure
that the man was arrested and charged. Too many Americans quietly accept
the false myth that this is a white country and those who are not white
are secondary. That has never been true. The best of America's legacy
and promise is built not on race or ethnicity, but on the unifying
values of hard work, sacrifice, vision and faith in one another.
The
Dreamers that I know are regular young people doing their best to study
and work. And they are all around us. Most people would not even be
able to distinguish them from other Americans. This is the predicament
that the demise of DACA — the Obama administration’s program to protect Dreamers from deportation — forces America to confront: Who are we?
For
nearly 30 years, Los Cenzontles Academy has demonstrated that our
children are as capable as any others given training, support,
opportunities and raised expectations. And I know of no other youth more
committed to their futures, and appreciative of their opportunities,
than the children of immigrants and the Dreamers.
Because
of its economic benefits, politicians on both sides of the aisle have
long protected our malfunctioning system of underground immigrant labor
and broken laws. Reasonable people have long called on Congress and the
President to overhaul the laws to conform to reality and decency. But
they have failed to do so, prolonging a situation
that provides political opportunity, invites scapegoating, exacerbates
social tension and prolongs uncertainty for millions of hard working
people, while jeopardizing social order and public safety.
This
stalemate has also unearthed historic undercurrents of bigotry,
distorted notions of who contribute legitimately to American society.
These notions represent the worst of America’s legacy and provide no
path forward.
We
have delayed honest conversations about economics, immigration and
identity for much too long. Dealing justly with the Dreamers and the
issue around undocumented labor provides us an opportunity to address
many of our big and pressing issues. These include fair wages, class
disparity, bigotry, and the unique value that an inclusive American
identity provides.
The Dreamer - Jackson Browne feat. Los Cenzontles
