Immigration has become one of the most controversial topics in this country. In order to persuade my fellow Americans to accept immigration a little more gracefully, I'm writing this in order to stir up a few thoughts. These words do not reflect the beliefs of one party or another but simply the beliefs of a human being who respects the life and well-being of others.
Everyone has heard about "white privilege", but most Americans don't talk about something that the majority use on a daily basis known as "American privilege". Even I am guilty of it at times, so I am not here to point a finger and criticize.
Natural born U.S. citizens, I love you. I am one of you. I was blessed with the opportunity to be born in the greatest country in the world. However, not everybody has this privilege. There are some great countries in the world. However, there are some countries that are consumed in war, communism and disease.
What do people in these countries dream of? Freedom. I know this was the dream that my grandparents had over 50 years ago. The bravery of my family members who fled Cuba in a time of political distress has always astounded me. They risked their lives so that generations after them would have a better life. I wouldn't be here if they hadn't taken such a great leap of faith. They trusted in God and in the American system and hoped that they would find better opportunities in life. Both of my grandparents worked so hard every single day of their lives. My mother, uncle, and grandmother will say it wasn't easy, but that the reward was worth it. Growing up, my mother and uncle may not have had the nicest cars or the most beautiful home, but their home was always filled with love and they were always thankful for the opportunity that America gave them.
It breaks my heart to hear some people talk so harshly about immigration. It's challenging because most people don't realize the adversity my family has experienced. It's fun and exciting to be different sometimes, but being a minority in this country can be truly challenging at some times. Some people make horrible assumptions and judge and criticize before they even get to know you. The second they see an even remotely "foreign" last name or see the color of your skin, they question whether you can speak English, whether you're legal, and whether you can put in the same effort as your white counterpart.
My grandparents faced so many challenges in this country. Neither of them spoke English, and they had to start completely fresh. Many of my family members left everything behind and all they had was each other. My family was in a horrible political situation in Cuba but think about the citizens of war-stricken countries for a second.
Children wake up to bombs in the middle of the night, thousands are violently killed every single day, and Americans don't want to offer them a life of safety and freedom because of a stereotype? I agree that there should be extensive background checks on anyone that enters the country. Yes, we have a lot of work to do within our own country, but how can we stand by while people are begging and dreaming of a better life in America? How can we deny refugees who simply want to know a life without gunshots and murder? How can we be so hostile and against immigration, when it can change the lives of so many?
To truly be American is to believe in what America was founded on... the values of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. These values are so important. To me, being American is offering a helping hand in difficult times. I know there is honestly so little that I can do as a citizen to make immigration more widely accepted. I can vote. I can give back to those less fortunate than I and I can live more simply. I can think about and pray for those in countries where children see war and violence every day or where drinking water is unsafe.
Even when my grandparents had so little, they gave so much. The most important gift they gave was their time, their love, and their acceptance. If people who have so little can give so much, why can't those who have so much give even a little?
Please. Stop using your "American privilege" to deny human beings the right to liberty. Nobody should fear living in war and disaster.
Yes, we can't save everyone... but if we can help at least one other person, shouldn't we?
The inspiration behind this article, along with the 2016 political race and the adversity my family and I have experienced.
