The Gaps of Communication and Structural Racism
My structural issue I am researching is the stereotype that immigrants steal all of America’s good jobs. While there isn’t a whole lot of intersection between this root issue and the reading from this week, there are certainly many other themes that cross over between the lives of the people at Canal and the indigenous people of Mexico. I think that the biggest crossover between what I’m studying is simply structural racism. An article that really helped me understand the deep racism embedded in employment concerning immigrants was a Harvard Business School article by Michael Blanding called, “In America, Immigrants Really Do Get the Job Done” (https://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/in-america-immigrants-really-do-get-the-job-done). In this article Blanding hits a few points about immigrants and work force labor. Blanding sites William Kerr who has studied the economics involved with immigrants. Kerr recognizes that immigrants are essential to economic growth and stability, and that immigrants do the jobs that most native-born people do not want to do because it is very physically demanding.
He also talks about how these immigrants are “highly skilled”, which I find to be an incredibly important phrase because whenever immigrants — especially illegal immigrants — are talked about in the media there are never any positive words used to describe them. Just this phrase right here reminds me of the blatant racism involved in immigrants and jobs. These people are so incredibly hard working and never complain about it. Their jobs, especially those in the fields farming, are grueling and laborious and yet they do them so well and contribute so much to these companies! Kerr recognizes that most immigrants are stuck in these jobs because of discrimination, meaning that when they came to America most simply went into business so that they could be guaranteed a job. Even then, the job security is not that promising. It is clear that structural racism drives the cut opportunities for immigrants who are simply trying to make a better life for themselves. The racism towards these people limit both sides — the oppressors and the oppressed — from realizing immigrants true potential.
The structural issue that I’m researching was a bit hard to turn into a reason why these immigrants are hard-to-count. I know why these people are hard-to-count, but I’m unsure how to relate that to my structural issue, that being racism and the jobs and labor immigrants are dealing with. Perhaps part of it is the language barrier. Most of these immigrants come from Mexico or Latin America and while the majority speak Spanish, most only speak an indigenous language. It is very easy to keep these immigrants in jobs where the main language used is Spanish because most of these people do not know English which traps from them finding better jobs. This language barrier alone makes them very hard-to-count. Quite often these immigrants live and work in communities where Spanish is the dominant language, and they do not go very far from these communities. Not only that, but most do not know how to write in their indigenous language nor do they know how to write in Spanish. Their opportunities become limited in a lot of areas, but the census as well.
If these people were to be counted I think it would be huge. The biggest benefit that I can think of off the top of my head is that there will be much more government funding going towards this community which means that their resources will grow immensely. While the Canal already has Canal Alliance which helps teach immigrants English, I think that if everyone is counted then more resources will go to the Canal to help them in resources in Spanish so that things like education or jobs are more accessible to them. Not only all of this, but then these people will become visible in the eyes of government funding. Quite honestly, it makes me nervous to think that the government will know of all of the immigrants living in a populated area, even though I know this information is protected. However, I do think if everyone is counted then there will be more funding, more money, and more groups and resources that are there for these immigrants who are living in extreme poverty.
I think that the relationship between having an accurate count and my structural issue is that there might be more job opportunities for immigrants? I feel that if everyone is counted, and more funding goes towards these communities, then better jobs will become available to everyone and they won’t have to live off of 400$ a month. Or perhaps, with more funding, their wages will go up and they will receive more money for the jobs that they already do, as I know many immigrants feel comfortable will jobs that they currently have. It’s a little unclear and hard for me to see the direct benefits for immigrants right now in relation to my structural issue but I can see slivers of how being counted in the census would greatly impact them.
I have learned so much from working with my community thus far. Some things I had already known, such as the fact that immigrants are incredibly hard working and will never complain when something is difficult, however it is very different to see it in person. These people work all day and then still come afterwards to a two hour class to learn an incredibly difficult language on top of the two they already know. They show incredible perseverance and work ethic week after week. I’ve also learned (and this is important for my issue I am researching) that these people do not make very much money doing their jobs. When asked by the teacher if they made a lot of money, there was a resounding negative response because they simply make most likely less than minimum wage.
The people living in these communities voices are so crucial to understand these issues because they are the ones living it! Plenty of people can do studies and write about the things they observe these people going through, however, there is no better person to talk about the experience than someone who has lived it themselves. Their story is the most raw and honest retelling of their experiences within these systems that have oppressed them. Not only can they give a clear picture of the structures that are keeping them in place, but they can also showcase the effect that these structures have had on them. This is the part that is easy for people outside of the systems to see. They can see how these racist and oppressive structures have shaped these immigrants into their impoverished communities, but those on the outside cannot recall a personal and honest story because they have not lived it. The only ones that can do so are the immigrants themselves who deserve a voice and a platform to speak their truths.
I think that the biggest strength I’ve seen from these communities is perseverance. Regardless of how long their day was, what they went through to come to America, or whether something is difficult or not, they always go 100% into their work and commit until they have figured something out. They are strong, resilient, and as I mentioned earlier, their work ethic is incredible. Not only that, but they are kind and humorous people who are interested in making connections. Many people of color, but especially Latina cultures really emphasizes and values family. Whatever is going on in their life, even if something is incredibly hard or difficult, the members of the community always know that they have family that will support and care for them. This is the bond that holds them together even when they do not speak the dominant language. Even if they do not come from the same country or region. Their cultures lives on no matter where they are in the world and I see whenever they come into class. They are kind to one another and are always interested in making new friends. Everyone knows everyone at Canal and their humanity and kindness is palpable whenever I am there. It is hard for me to imagine how anyone could think badly of these people. I see nothing but truth, hard work, generosity, and compassion when I am with them.
