One of the many perks of social media is the exposure to information you probably weren’t aware of prior. As we can see today, social media plays a big role in our lives as it keeps rapid track of our current events and indicates what the masses are currently talking about. For example, if you were someone who claimed to be unaware of the injustices against black people in America then you sure as hell know now, therefore you have no excuse to perpetuate the problem by not speaking up against it. With that being said, through the powerful tool of Instagram I became aware that June is recognized as Immigrant Heritage Month! I had to speak on this ASAP, as I directly identify with Immigration.
Both my parents are immigrants, they came here from the Dominican Republic in search of a better life, similar to many others who come to America. My mother is college educated in her country while my father was forced to work at a young age to provide for his family of eleven. They both had a vision of living a life where they would be liberated from the lack of opportunities their country offered. After arriving here they both worked various odd jobs such as factories and mechanics just to make ends meet. One thing I learned from having immigrant parents is that ANYTHING is possible. Both my parents came to America without knowing a lick of English, managed to survive New York City (NYC had its highest crime rates in the 1980’s), find work, a place to live and build a life they could feel proud of. They went from having backyards and fresh air to paying 3x as much to live in small apartments surrounded by polluted air, but they understood the pro’s outweighed the con’s.
The truth is that many immigrants aren’t afforded much opportunity in their own countries and so they seek that opportunity here on the “Land of the Free.” Upon their arrival they quickly realize that the so called “American Dream” is far from a dream. Immigrants are often treated as less than and stereotyped as uneducated because they arrive here not speaking English. This right here grinds my f*ckin’ gears and I need to get this off my chest: just because someone does not speak English does not mean they are uneducated and/or stupid. That persons intelligence could even surpass yours, but they simply can not articulate it in the language YOU speak. If you ask me education is far greater than just having a diploma on this American soil. Immigrants like my father often have many skills/trades you couldn’t even dream of mastering which makes them an asset in this country. They do all the jobs you don’t want to do but are the jobs that are essential in keeping your life moving. From the food you eat, the cab rides you take and the clothes on your backs, it is all from the hands of the very immigrants you criticize and marginalize. In my opinion education can be observed in how you treat others, your awareness of society, you ability to be empathic, your knowledge of diversity, respect for all—I mean the list goes on! To be honest, the education in America isn’t the best anyways so don’t pride yourself on being educated through a system that teaches you paradox information, BUT I DIGRESS. . .
Realize and accept that America houses people of so many colors, nationalities and beliefs. If this bothers you then I suggest you go inward and address the root of your emotions. Hate towards others for no real reason other than the fact you do not like their race/nationality, gender, religion and/or sexual preference is taught. Do yourself a favor and let go of the fallacies that have been engrained in you. Having a hard time figuring out where to start? Then start off by imagining if the shoe was on the other foot and you had to leave America in search of a better life and wherever you went they treated you like crap simply because you are foreigner that doesn’t speak their native language. How would you feel? How would you cope? How would you continue forward with your life? Wouldn’t you wish for those people to just help you rather than hate you? Treat others how you would like to be treated if you were in their shoes because no one is exempt from reaping what they sow.
Practice empathy and respect for all because those are the traits that make America a dream worth living.
FELIZ IMMIGRANT HERTIAGE MONTH!