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Most people are afraid of heights, maybe shaken by a cluster of spiders. But believe it or not, there are people terrified of the phrase you just saw above. Why are they afraid you ask? We are called Dreamers. Clever if you think about it, the people classified as “dreamers” are the children brought into the U.S. who overstayed their welcome. You truly become a dreamer, a dream to maybe obtain a college education. But for most, it is to be able to stay in the place you call home. Growing up in the U.S. is truly a blessing that many take for granted.
Now this brings me to what I know. Dreamers are not only Mexican. They are people from all over the world that came to escape the hardships of their country, whether that is Japan, Europe, China, or Mexico. Lately on the news you can see people talking about immigration, due to the presidential election coming up in 2016. We all know of one candidate in particular claiming to put a wall across the Mexico-America border to keep “illegals” [immigrants] out. Well sorry to break it to you, but unless you put a wall along ALL of America’s borders, you can’t keep all immigrants out. One thing I truly don’t understand is what the point of that is? If an immigrant, of any background, can come to America without any connections whatsoever and get a job, I don’t feel like they are taking away jobs from the “natives”. Nothing was given to them in this country. Immigrants come here, go out and look for jobs, any job. Whether that be cleaning houses, mowing lawns, bussing tables or a job in agriculture; they don’t mind, as long as they are putting food on their tables at the end of the day.
While they come here for better opportunities, they instill those values in the children they bring to America. They tell them stories of how they worked since they were young children, yes CHILDREN, to help maintain their family back home. Or how at times all they ate for a straight month were beans and rice because that’s all their parents could provide. Even the stories of how they had to work two or even three jobs to have the money to maintain a roof above their heads. It gives their children a sense of humble beginnings, and especially determination. Determination that regardless of the constant hate, the constant negativity towards their accomplishments they will persevere.
Despite all the hardships of their parents, these dreamers use that as fuel, fuel to move forward. Fuel to study hard to one day put food in their parents' mouths instead of the other way around, maybe give them that mansion they deserve. The only world these kids know is America and although at times they didn’t personally live through the hardships of their parents, they grew up listening to the stories, wanting to better themselves. And honestly unless you have a native American background, your family is a family of immigrants.
So here’s to all my dreamers. I hope you keep pushing the limits. I hope that one-third of all you keep getting college degrees. I hope that each one of you keeps bettering yourself. And I hope that each and every one of you takes the hate from people to prove that we are all more than criminals, rapists, and gang-bangers. As Pope Francis said, "By contributing your gifts, you will not only find your place here, you will help to renew society from within." So "don't be discouraged," I hope you keep dreaming, because one day we will make a difference in this country, a country of immigrants.
