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I rarely talk to my mom, but I called her yesterday.
I haven't talked to many people about this, but a few weeks ago my mom & my brother tested positive for COVID. I called to check-in.
We talked longer than usual (~15 min) about her health & the DACA ruling & the "Dreamers."
I haven't talked to many people about this, but a few weeks ago my mom & my brother tested positive for COVID. I called to check-in.
We talked longer than usual (~15 min) about her health & the DACA ruling & the "Dreamers."
At one point during our conversation she talked about how I came here when I was a baby & Trump "shouldn't punish" people like me.
"Dreamers," she said.
We rarely talk about anything substantive, so I knew I needed to unpack what she was saying & how deeply problematic it was.
"Dreamers," she said.
We rarely talk about anything substantive, so I knew I needed to unpack what she was saying & how deeply problematic it was.
My mom came to the U.S. when she was 10 years old. The only time she left since then was when she was 16 years old, after she found out she was pregnant. Her family was't supportive and she was scared. It was easier for her to go with my dad to Mexico while things cooled off.
We moved back to the U.S. when I was 3 months old. As a teenager, she was making life altering decisions for her survival.
I told her that her words reinforced punishing people for just trying to survive. White people rarely get punished for that.
I told her that her words reinforced punishing people for just trying to survive. White people rarely get punished for that.
For as long as I can remember, I've been painted as an immigrant ideal. I have literally no memories of Mexico. I'm this "sympathetic" undocumented person.
My very existence is used to criminalize people like my mom, & anyone else who doesn't fit this narrow "Dreamer" mold.
My very existence is used to criminalize people like my mom, & anyone else who doesn't fit this narrow "Dreamer" mold.
This is all a trap.
We punish any Black or brown person in this country for trying to survive. Meanwhile, white people get to profit off of our labor. White teenage boys are let off easy so as "not to ruin their lives." It's a farce & we need to call it out.
We punish any Black or brown person in this country for trying to survive. Meanwhile, white people get to profit off of our labor. White teenage boys are let off easy so as "not to ruin their lives." It's a farce & we need to call it out.
I see it as my role to bring as many people as possible along in the stories I tell. It's my responsibility.
For a long time I blamed my parents for being undocumented. In college I educated myself. I let those feelings go because I learned about larger systems at play.
For a long time I blamed my parents for being undocumented. In college I educated myself. I let those feelings go because I learned about larger systems at play.
All of this is part of this "Dreamer narrative."
This thinking says there is a right way to be an immigrant & a wrong way. It separates people into who deserves humanity & who doesn't. Who deserves dignity & who doesn't. It dehumanizes people.
Stop giving it life. Call it out.
This thinking says there is a right way to be an immigrant & a wrong way. It separates people into who deserves humanity & who doesn't. Who deserves dignity & who doesn't. It dehumanizes people.
Stop giving it life. Call it out.
