The last time that there was a protest of “A Day without Immigrants” was, I believe, back in 2006. I remember specifically being 12 years old, sitting at home on the couch, watching the news of hundreds of Latinx immigrants marching, and chanting powerful words and phrases. I remember watching it and chanting those words out loud myself from my couch just wishing I was there marching with them. At that time, I did not fully comprehend exactly what was going on but I got the gist of why the protest was happening, and I knew that because I was Latinx/Hispanic too, I was supposed to be out there marching with everyone else.
Fast forward to February 16th, 2017, another “A Day without Immigrants” protest occurred. The moment that I heard that this was going to happen, I flashbacked to my 12-year-old-self chanting at the TV from my couch. Now that I was older, I was finally able to march in the protest along the side of my Latinx community.
I knew that I wanted to go participate incredibly badly, but I also had to attend my classes that were during the same time as the protest. So, I ended up going to my first class of the day, sat down at my seat, and got prepared for class to start. Throughout the whole lecture time, I just observed everyone in class, and everyone seemed at ease and unbothered while I sat there thinking I should be out there marching. The majority of the students in my class are White, and it just irritated me to see how unbothered they appeared to be when there is a big amount of Latinx students who have become affected.
My White peers in that class probably were not even aware of a protest happening. They do not have to worry about being undocumented. They do not have to worry about being documented but having undocumented family and friends (And if they do then they should be standing up for them). They do not hide in fear when there is a knock at the door because they think it is I.C.E or fear that someone in their family could get deported. They do not have to worry about being targeted by the police/ I.C.E, or have someone question their legal status. They do not have to worry about a lot that is happening because of their White privilege, and it makes sense that they seem unbothered.
After thinking and observing, I grabbed my book bag and left class to go march in solidarity with my Latinx community because I have some sort of privilege too.
My parents immigrated from Mexico, and came to the United States illegally (fortunately, they were able to get documented during Reagan’s immigration reform). Both my mom and dad came to seek that American Dream, and granted me the privilege of being born and raised in the United States. Since I have this privilege, I believe it is my duty as not only a Latina, but also a human being to use my voice to fight for my family, my friends, and my Latinx community who are undocumented. It is because of my parents struggle and efforts that I am able to do what I do so I marched for them.
Today, I marched because it took years and patience for my mother to gain citizenship. I marched for my mom’s friend who asked if my mom would take in her children in case she became I.C.E’s next target. I marched for Guadalupe Garcia de Rayos, and the rest of the parents who have been targeted already and getting separated from their families. I marched because my best friend told me how scared she was for her parents. I marched for the undocumented students.
I marched for my undocumented friends and sorority sisters. I marched because I will soon be a teacher but one of my friend’s dream of being a teacher got shut down because she is undocumented. I marched for the DREAMERS. I marched because I had to, because I am angry, because there are people who believe that this was nonsense, and believe legal/illegal immigrants do not deserve to be in the U.S. but do not understand the struggle it is to become “legal”.
And to those who believe this I say, if you had to immigrate from another country to better the life of your family, and had to do it illegally, I guarantee you would do it too.
Today was a day of empowerment, and I felt proud to be along the side of my Latinx community who, across the nation, came together to empower one another and have their voice be heard. Many of who skipped work to march ended up getting fired, many schools were left almost empty, and many Latinx/Hispanic owned businesses closed for the day but all because we had to shut down the streets of Charlotte and everywhere else to show that this is what it is like to have a day without Latinx/Hispanic immigrants, and to voice that we deserve to be here, too.
As a daughter of Mexican immigrants who came to this country to provide a better life and opportunities for my siblings and me, I will keep on using my privilege to fight for and defend my community.
Respect existence, or expect resistance.
