By David Leija BearReaching the end of the world for me has been one of the most empowering and defining moments of my life. Traveling through Latin America and being able to see my people in places where they don't have the perceived stigma of being 'necessitated' or 'burdensome' immigrants in the US, but rather as thriving, excelling and celebrated members of society makes me feel like I really can accomplish ANYTHING and everything is a possibility. I remember when I studied in Mexico for a semester. The first time I went to my professor's office and saw someone that looked like me speaking my birth language, listening to music that I grew up with but had only ever associated with struggle, work and contempt, in such a place of #power, shook my world and uplifted me like nothing else. Now, seeing my people flourish on a larger scale, and not looked down upon by the society they live in inspires me unequivocally.
I know that if my #undocumented brothers and sisters were given these same opportunities they would take it to another level. Living in a country where ideology increasingly trumps humanity, where the media continually proliferates messages of xenophobia infecting even the minds of our future leaders and contaminating our college campuses all the while fighting to get a diploma they might never be able to put to work yet still putting everything on the line for it is beyond exemplary... My undocumented students, friends and family members are some of the most resilient and inspiring people I've ever had the privilege of meeting, overcoming the obstacles that their status entails. We're crossing these borders in solidarity so that hopefully one day soon, they too can cross them. Whether given the chance to excel with opportunities, or held down by obstacles put forth by a broken immigration system, a lack of government action and a seemingly growing ultranationalistic society, this is the next generation of talented #Americans and the future workforce for the US -like it or not. #INVEST in us. Give us the #Opportunity to get an #Education, and to #Succeed because we are going to be there regardless as either #uplifted, #empowered and #productive citizens of society or impeded by the weight of contempt and reproach. Our success, is the nation's success. All we ask, is for #Access. |
DavidMuchacho simpatico EdgarEdgar is Christian. He loves soccer, traveling, and meeting new people. Archives
July 2016
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