By the way, vote on that site now! It's one step to getting closer to justice! Ok, here's my response:
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To conservatives, liberals, moderates, Democrats, Republicans, and everything in between. To Suzie Bailey especially. Suzie Bailey, if you have an open mind, and believe in justice for all read everything I have to say before you judge me and all of us undocumented immigrants:
We've argued the DREAM Act inside and out seeing that this site already has 1007 comments. Obviously, strong believers on both sides will not change their minds, but I want to have my say in as to the reason why I think the DREAM Act should be passed.
While I have always been sympathetic and welcome all immigrants because everyone of us, unless we are Native Americans, come from immigrant ancestors, I try to see the other side. I can understand and see why people have such dislike for immigrants. I know how mad you are that people enter illegally, but before anyone judges, listen as to why they people come here. If you were starving in your home country, and you see that America will give your family a better life, wouldn't you do anything to get to America and provide for your family? Wouldn't you accept being exploited, being paid less than a minimum wage, just so your children will have something to eat than nothing? I know how mad you are, that we are here. I know you are mad because you think we are free loaders and getting the government's money through welfare. But the truth is, this isn't true. In fact, as I have learned from a diversity class I took once, only about 3% of us actually use these government services because most of us are too scared to use them.
Don't let the politics of fear get to you, and I think, Suzie, you are letting the politics of fear get to you. You think all undocumented immigrants, think, feel, live, and are all criminals. But just like any other group, we are all different. I would never say that all Americans are rich, close-minded, privileged, happy people. Because, like any other group, we are all different. Yes, there are some Americans who are rich. But there are Americans who are poor too. Likewise, yes, there are immigrants who are lazy. But there are immigrants who are diligent too. See? Stop classifying us as a group, and see that we are individuals too.
Suzie, I did not read every single thing you wrote about "illegals" because it is so derogatory, but I ask you why you capitalized such a word? Is there a reason to that? What point are you trying to make? What is that word anyway? To classify us as "illegals" hurt. It hurts me so much that people hate other people. I know you classified the word "illegal" to try to instill in people's head that we are all of these negative aspects. I say to you again, don't let the politics of fear get to you. Whenever someone has to steep as low as to name-calling and making degrading remarks, I know that means you are desperate to make an argument, and letting fear politics corrupt your mind.
Just to tell you, I've lived around both immigrant communities and privileged communities. I currently live in an extremely conservative town. I've encountered so many different people from all walks of life. I only found out that I was undocumented recently, when all my life I thought I was American. I know American culture. And just like my American peers, I have dreams too. Dreams that are currently unknown because close-minded people don't want to give us a chance.
Knowing that I live in a conservative town, most of my friends don't know of my status. My friends think I'm one of them. I've had friends make derogatory comments about people like me, and I just don't know what to say. One of my closest friends once got her car messed up, and she blamed it on immigrants. Assuming that a low-income immigrant messed up her car, She said all immigrants should just go back to their home country. I've known her for years, and I wonder if she realizes that I have black hair, brown skin, and am proud of being Filipino and American. I couldn't believe what she just said. If she knew my status, would she still like me? We've shared so many memories, so much laughter, we've cradled each other when we're both down, and although she is a conservative, and I am a liberal in so many issues, we like and love each other. If she realized that I'm undocumented, would she still like me? Will she like me based on my status that I could not control? I want to be judged on the basis of my character, not my status. I'm hoping, one day, I will be solely judged on my character not my status.
Suzie, how would you classify this person:
--speaks fluent English, and parents speak fluent English too.
--lives in a conservative part of America
--embraces American culture
--has privileged friends
--got a 4.2 GPA in hs
--graduated with honors
--got accepted to UCSD
--has dreams
--cares about justice
--cares about all people
--has spent over a hundred hours of community service giving back to the community
--wanting to relieve people of any unneccessary suffering
--faithfully God-fearing, and believes that God loves all people
--Catholic. But I'm open to other religions and respect others' beliefs.
--hates free loading
--will never purposefully rely on welfare
--enjoys playing the flute
--has friends of all different naitonalities, and enjoys learning and respecting others' cultures
This is who I am. But I'm also undocumented. I try to never intentionally hurt anyone, and when I do, I sincerely apologize, and am really sorry. Then, I learn from that experience, and try to not make the same mistake again. And the way you have classified me in your close-minded view of immigrants hurts. In fact, I don't belong in any category.
Because just like you, I am an individual. We all have something that makes us different. No one belongs in a category, no one belongs in a stereotype. Not even you. Because no one deserves to be dehumanized. Not even you. Not even me. Not even anyone.
In short: the DREAM Act is about JUSTICE so wherever you stand in the issue of immigration, don't allow injustice ruin humanity and spread hate. Don't judge immigrants as a group of people with the same characteristics! Because we are all different.
I stopped reading the comments at change.org because it infuriates me so much when i see such hate and ignorance. It got to the point that i felt it was futile to even respond to these people.
ReplyDeletePosts like yours may not change the minds of these people, but they do serve as motivation and strength for all of us.
Yeah, that's what I thought. We probably can't change their minds, because even if they do realize they are wrong,they would not want to admit it because of pride. Everyone wants to be correct, right? It's human nature to want to win an argument.
ReplyDeleteBut yes, we must remain strong, keep believing what we think is right, ignore their comments, and try not to go bitter (I know, this part is hard, but we can fight the bitterness and stay positive :D) Not going bitter will eventually lead to peace. I still need to work on not going bitter too.