“They say you’re too young to lead, too naive to understand—but what they really fear is that you’ll see the world clearly, and choose to change it anyway.”
Lawrence Nault
I was not brought up to be prejudiced. Living in so many places, I was exposed to a kaleidoscope of people from a multitude of races, cultures, and backgrounds, and I was taught by my mother that each of those people were worthy of being treated fairly and with dignity. She was driven to do so out of a profound sense of shame because it is said that her grandfather, my great-grandfather, was a Grand Wizard for the Ku Klux Klan back in the 1930's. She would be proud to know that I learned my lessons well.
Had my mother survived to see what is happening today she would have been appalled at the rampant racism disguised as immigration justice that has spread like a cancer across the country. She would have been very vocal in her opposition and she would have pressed all who shared her sense of horror to do all they could to fight back. To protect the most vulnerable among us. She was not a revolutionary. She was just a woman with a big heart and a strong sense of right and wrong, and as such she would have made her opinions known to one and all, whether they wanted to hear them or not.
I am a lot like my mother, only whereas she was vocal, I am a writer. I cannot speak as eloquently as she did, but I can speak loudly through the written word. And I will continue to do so.
Recently I was privileged to sit in on a zoom conference with leaders of the area United Women of Faith of the United Methodist Church on the subject of ICE and so-called immigration justice. I thought I had a good handle on the situation. While I knew that ICE was active in the area I assumed it wasn't as prevalent as it is in places such as Minneapolis. That it wasn't as insidious.
I was very, very wrong.
I was horrified to learn that nearly 80,000 people are being held in detention centers at any given time. I was appalled to learn more fully the conditions within those centers, and that often times the prisoners will self-deport just to escape those conditions. I was outraged to learn that on those occasions when authorities deemed a prisoner “legal” they were often released into the cold with no coat, no food, and no way of contacting their loved ones. I was gratified to learn that there are groups who have tasked themselves with making sure those people receive the care they require and be given safe passage back to their families. I was proud that there are so many who are fighting back legally with, as the church puts it, bold love.
I am physically unable to protest in person. I am not a known personality with access to news media. I have little to offer. At least on the surface. But I can add my voice to the many who are speaking out in protest. I can call attention to the harsh and frightening realities that many are having to endure. I can harass my legislators with post cards and letters. I can be the voice of those who aren't being allowed to speak for themselves. The important thing is that I am speaking up and I am supporting those who are able to protest. Who are able to do the “grunt work” on the ground. There are many opportunities to fight back against the hate and injustices that are being visited upon law abiding people. I am pledging to do all I can within the scope of my world to drive ICE out of the neighborhoods, as well as drive their supporters and instigators from public office. I do this because it is no less than my duty as an American citizen and humanitarian to be there in support of all those who want only to live the American dream.
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