It was The American Dream that led my family to the U.S. They knew that opportunity for themselves and their posterity would be available here. The American Government cared for its people, they were considered a world superpower and they were right across the border. It made perfect sense. So they emigrated legally with high hopes and great ambition.
With them came a piece of the Mexican culture, much like I imagine it has a million times before and after them. Each immigrant bringing a little piece of their country. It's a genuine desire for betterment that led them to risk their lives to come here. Just to be a part of the dream. When they arrived, they weren't prepared for some of the racism they faced but they did their best to assimilate.
Over time though, at least in most of these border-towns, we begun to chip away at the racist block by sharing the beauty of who we were and how we worked. I imagine that we shared tacos with our neighbors and over-zealously fed them to ensure they never went hungry. Our neighbors became a part of our culture. They wanted to add their own American twist and locally sourced ingredients. They wanted to learn our language and some even defended us as their own.
Jo Jo @Hanness
As the years went by, the ambitions and influence of the Mexican people, and that of other immigrants, spread across the country and became who we were as American people. We almost believed racism, intolerance and bigotry were now a part of our old history. Something we only touched on occasionally over Coronas, venting with our familia.
When Trump came into office, however, we felt that fear again. It was a fear that we knew lingered but had laid dormant beneath the surface for decades. It's the fear that minority groups experience that makes them feel like they will never genuinely be a part of this country. This fear confused some. Trump's words, and the skewing on both sides of the media, reverberated across our community.
Trump had radical ideas and behaved in a way that no president had before. He planted a seed of doubt for the American people and made some of their long-hidden thoughts and fears rise from the woodwork but it wasn't just about what Trump said. It was what he represented.
Nitish Meena @nitishm
Yes, the media has often skewed his words to make them worse but so did the people. Like a game of telephone, those words spread like wildfire and changed from person to person. This was always bigger than Trump. It's something that has been here and will continue to affect us in the future if we do not recognize it for what it is. It's raw, genuine fear from all sides.
Fear divided us as a country, not just racism. It was ignorance that made some of the American people afraid. Others rallied behind Trump to hide their discomfort. They worried we would take their jobs or their opportunity for growth. They worried that their friendly neighbor, Juan, might not be the upstanding citizen he always presented himself as. They were worried that we were going to take their American Dream. Juan worried that all his hard work would never be recognized. Maybe, we hadn't served enough burritos.
Elias Castillo @eli_j
Yes, some people who have crossed the border were criminals with ill-intent. I won't defend their actions or align myself with a fear of them either.
However, the great majority of people who immigrate to this country, legally or illegally, are good people who are looking to better themselves. They are people who want to contribute and who want to raise children to become impactful members of our society. They may even raise your children and teach them a second language or how to make some delicious food. Trump will not always be in office but I'm glad he brought these feelings to light. We have to face our fears to overcome them.
Meanwhile, we will continue to work your fields, construct your homes, cook in your restaurants, go to college, vote in the elections and utilize the resources that our tax-payer money has promised. Don't be salty about it. Just grab a plate and sit down, we're going to watch our American Dreams unfold.
