When I came to America in the early 70s, America still felt like a place of possibility. No matter where you were from, people still took the time to welcome you into their neighborhoods. We shared a sense of camaraderie, understanding that each of us was striving to perform at our best. This instilled in many immigrants the belief that hard work could pave the way to success in America. The American dream felt attainable and present for immigrants and others who planted roots in foreign lands. We built our homes alongside each other and created a nation based on dreams and opportunity for all who came.
Home feels like a haven.
Today, home has become a feeling of uncertainty for far too many.
Fear and worry are spreading among non-white immigrants and their communities because of political unrest and demands for deportation.
What used to be divided has now become extreme. Hate towards “those people” on the other side of the political barrier has created an America that I don’t know anymore. Anxiety isn’t reading the headlines of the daily news. It’s the silent fear that lives within our neighbors, friends, and family members.
Immigration is about humanity, not politics. Immigrants aren’t all criminals. Dreams exist within us. We have goals. We want to feel like we belong, just like you.
I hope one day we can welcome immigrants back to America who have built their lives here, so we can help create a better history for us all.
Above all else, that was the reasoning and inspiration for writing “ Crossing Paths: The Immigrant’s Emotional Journey Home. ” I wanted to dig deeper into what living with that cloud of uncertainty and toxic politics really does to us emotionally.
