2 weeks Ago
With the ascension of the new administration into the White House, many of us want to wrap ourselves in a protective cocoon to fend off attacks on people and issues we value: the environment, education, women, LGBTQ+ rights, immigrants and democracy itself. How do we nurture and sustain ourselves during these times and keep our spirits up? Now is the time for those of us who are feeling depressed and upset to be our best selves: to keep open hearts and commit to the people, issues and projects we value. We can counteract the meanness, selfishness and erosion of the common good by continuing to make positive changes in our communities.
For me, one of the most important issues now is how to support those of us who are vulnerable immigrants. I heard an uplifting and inspiring piece from National Public Radio recently about pig farmers in Nebraska who need workers on their farms. The lovely man being interviewed said that, instead of scapegoating or demonizing immigrants, he wants to welcome them and hire them.
He cannot see the logic in policies limiting immigration. His attitude was not that of a cold, calculating or exploitive businessperson talking about immigrants as bodies to plug into his business. Rather, his approach was humane and respectful.
With compassion, he spoke of immigrants as multi-dimensional people to be integrated into our businesses and communities. He asserted how, ideally, they would be given a livelihood, offered safe housing and health care. He described how he not only could use motivated workers in his business, but he also would like to offer pathways to citizenship and professional mobility.
His decency and fair-mindedness certainly inspired me. We are lucky that so many industrious immigrants live in Marin. Regardless of legal status, we all rely on each other; and we all contribute to the greater good of our communities.
Highly skilled carpenters, masons and electricians are building homes and businesses. Physicians and health-care specialists are keeping all of us safe and vigorous. Educators are working in schools to support and educate our young people.
Scientists are researching and contributing knowledge in a variety of fields. Most immigrants have come here with hope and a willingness to invest in their families and the places where they live. I find there are only benefits to be accrued when we welcome new people and create multiple pathways for legal migration, especially those fleeing violence and intolerable hardships.
In my experience, immigrants enhance our collective quality of life. It isn’t about giving anything up, but more about figuring out how to share equitably. With more open-handed immigrant policies and practices, we gain a more stable, well-cared-for populace and a sense of communal well-being.
In that spirit, those of us living in Marin who have legal status can use our skills and talents to affirmatively support immigrants who are already contributing to our shared lives. We can help create steppingstones to citizenship, upward mobility and success. Educators can encourage young students to build their skills, pursue opportunities and actualize their potential.
Civic leaders can push the levers of power in areas such as public education, health care and housing to enable migrants to set down roots. Professionals can continue to find opportunities to make incremental and systemic changes in the domains in which we work. Those of us with financial resources can contribute to organizations that have great impact.
We can lend our names and voices to pro-justice causes. We can all do whatever small (and big) thing we can, every day, on the side of hope and justice. Let’s follow the lead of organizations such as the Marin County Health and Human Services Department, San Rafael City Schools, the Canal Alliance and others featured recently in the IJ.
They are all working hard to protect and support immigrants. They inspire all of us to strive to be our best selves by opening our hearts and hands to build a strong, equitable, diverse community – one of which we can all be proud. Shirl Buss, of San Rafael, is a teaching architect with Youth in Arts and Y-PLAN.
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