Judging by Appearance: Accepted or Denied
Many people tend to live in fear. Of what you ask? The simple answer is of people. As humans we experience the emotions of fear and insecurity that leads us to judge people who we feel are too different from us. We tend to express disgust and discomfort of having certain people around us.
I have an issue with this as people continue to be torn apart and judged for who they are and how they want to live in this world. All types of people experience oppression and must deal with it everyday. I think the one type of oppression that hits home the most is Immigration. Immigration sounds like such an ugly word now because of the way it is used and perceived. Immigration means the “act or instance of immigrating; specifically : travel into a country for the purpose of permanent residence there” (Merriam-Webster). This term could be used to easily explain how hunters and gatherers moved around when needing to migrate to a new land. This is essentially what people must do in order to survive. There must be a reason as to why people need to leave their country. The country could be unsafe or about to collapse? The opportunities may be better somewhere else? Maybe people need a change of scenery? Whatever the reason, we hold the power to give the chance to travel to some and not others. People who own a passport are able to move freely and come back home if they want to. What makes “immigrants” different?
There is this common stereotype that Immigrants are dangerous, but where are the facts? Many people justify their accusations with immigrants “stealing” their jobs. No one can steal what isn’t yours. I think that the reason people are not hired is because they obviously do not have skills that an immigrant does have. Also, the world is known for limiting jobs as technology has improved and has gotten people fired. My issue is that immigrants are seen as criminals when the criminals are already hidden in our country. The amount of school shootings recently has been disgusting as cis white CITIZEN teenage males have used a gun to injury and kill countless of people. I did not once hear that a person of color was ready to shoot up a school. People do have issues and its important to discuss that. Why do people feel the need to hurt others? Maybe because we as people shut them away. That is essentially happening with immigrants as we shun them from society for being hardworking and looking for their “American Dream”.
In most recent news, an article by Sarah N. Lynch and Kristina Cooke decided to talk about the recent decision of United States President Donald Trump wanting to send 1,600 immigrant detainees to federal prisons. Specifically, “five federal prisons will temporarily take in detainees awaiting civil immigration court hearings, including potential asylum seekers, with one prison in Victorville, California, preparing to house 1,000 people” (Lynch, Cooke). This article made me realize how far we are from understanding what is the real problem. Immigrants are continued to be seen as dangerous and are now being sent straight to prison without getting the chance to explain their story or allow them to go back home. ICE was used to detain immigrants as they await trail and some immigrants were let go until then, but now they are being denied the right as they are literally going to prison. This act is forcefully new and it saddens me to hear that nothing will be done in their favor. My very own president is moving his political agenda along to go through with his hateful acts in order to assure his presidency with those who value his views and see the world as a hierarchy where they only get to be on top. People are starting to speak about the controversy as they believe that “‘Federal prisons are for hardened criminals. They are not physically set up for immigrant landscapers looking for a job or fleeing violence’” (Lynch, Cooke). All I have to say about this quote is THANK YOU! It speaks truth and I could not ask for anything more. Let us be truthful about what is being done and how it is not okay.
I am also saddened to hear about the effects of this news as Canada has started to speak about how they feel about immigration. In the article titled “CANADA TELLS IMMIGRANTS LOOKING TO FLEE TRUMP’S CLAMPDOWN IN UNITED STATES NOT TO HEAD NORTH” by Brendan Cole I am able to get an inside look at how people “support” the idea of immigration. The article explains exactly the way people tend to fight against immigration. They find it wrong, but do not want to take part in helping immigrants. Canada says that they support people wanting to escape their horrible reality, but they will not help in giving aid. Canada has taken in refugees like Haitian immigrants, but now refuse to take part in the fight for justice. Some Canadians ‘“are broadly supportive of immigration but Canadians truly believe in order and well-managed immigration’”(Cole). I get that immigration can be very sensitive and wanting to use laws to have a structured system is best. The problem is that this system and law enforcement has not changed anything. Everything continues to be the same and maybe defying laws will show people that we need to start opening up our hearts and stop enclosing the chance for someone to enter our community. It makes me feel angry because things are clearly not changing overnight or even moving slowly for that matter, they are moving backwards. Many people do want change and accept immigrants as people because that is what they are. Why must the small percentage get to decide? Mainly because those who are small minded are also the ones in power.
People in power continue to take over what they think is right and this has continued to happen since the beginning of time. In a short story I read in class, The Adivasi Will Not Dance it discusses two people, the Adivasi and the Diku. The Diku held great power as they would ask the Adivasi to dance for them as India’s President arrived for a celebration. The problem is that the Adivasi or also known as Santhals would be taken advantage as their land was destroyed, used for technology and they were left to starve and find sanctuary elsewhere. A man in the story finally decided that enough was enough by saying that he will not dance for the President anymore especially until he sees change. The President has taken everything from this man, his people and he finally couldn’t take it anymore. This man made the right decision! It is important to talk about issues and not pretend that everything is a celebration. People, specifically immigrants are used for their labor and then sent off if caught for being illegal. No one is protecting them. I feel such sadness in seeing that people are denied everyday for how they look. Immigrants are torn from their families and are determined if they look the part of deserving citizenship. Immigrants are given one look to determine if they should be accepted or denied into society. So far, they keep getting that big Red X saying that they are not part of a list that everyone else belongs to. I am worried because if we are moving backwards, how long until I am no longer seen fit to live in America anymore? I think we should all be aware of the fact that nothing is certain. People are filled with rage and insecurity everyday and we will never know who will take power next and how it can change things.
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