USA-The Treasure Within.

Related Reading:
A Shared Destiny
What If?  

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As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect. 

     The truth is in my previous thoughts with regards to the seemingly, or un-seemingly preservation of the Spanish language and heritage in America were not conclusive. After writing, more questions arose. I wanted to understand why there was a continued tension towards DACA recipients, otherwise known as the DREAMERS and also illegal immigration. While we can think that of course there will be tension with regards to illegal immigrants entering a nation, we have to think, question, and ask why illegal immigrants are crossing the Southern borders to enter the USA? What are the circumstances, or situations they are trying to escape? Or is it simply a question of hoping to put the self on a path towards a better livelihood? What ever this reason, we have to also understand that immigrants, particularly from Mexico or Latin America have been living in America for a very long time. Often adults have children, these children suffer because of their parents status. Parents don't register their child's birth, denying the children the same rights as America citizens. I'm guessing this is not new news, but the situation should also be a case of concern. Where I am in agreement is that there must be a pathway open to citizenship for children born in the USA, and also to their families. It doesn't make sense to deport individuals who have been living in America , built their lives, and then sent away. It doesn't make sense. Here we can think about how the law intersects between moral duty. How can or does this intersection inform a response at the national level?

     So whilst I am in agreement with a much needed immigration reform package that does not deny these individuals their rights to stay in a nation, I am questioning the constant rhetorics at the national level, that does create the sense of you don't belong here. But does a President even have the right to say this when he, or he should be aware of the historical ties between Mexico, Latin America, and the USA? This question also informed me to understand the socio / historical contexts of the US relationship with Latin America. In In 1848 the Guadalupe – Hidalgo Treaty was signed;   

Mexicans became Mexican American’s at the stroke of a pen. The treaty gave this country nearly half of Mexico’s territory, what are now states (or parts thereof) of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California. 
(Moll & Ruiz, 2002, p. 364). 

Anyone who was living in these areas was named Mexican American. However, it was during these times, the children who were attending the schools, faced brutal circumstances, where language and culture was despised. Children were forced to become Americanized, or follow the ways of the Anglo Americans. Lets move forward to the present rhetorics. There is a cause of concern because we have to think, what has changed if we are creating an atmosphere of "you don't belong here?" When we are fully aware that these lands were Mexican owned territory. How is this treaty being upheld today? What are the rights of Mexican Americans on these lands today? Are historical contexts considered when delivering a national speech that has been designed to put specific groups down on purpose? Latino, Hispanic, Latina, Latinx, Mexican and Spanish speakers have as much right and entitlement to be in America as any other minority or Anglo Americans. Instead of thinking of these populations as liabilities, we have to, and must start to think, implement, and find effective solutions.

     This is actually a great opportunity to show the world that the USA is one nation under God. Whilst, we do hear that it is being achieved, but the divisions are becoming more visible through groupings of Anglo Americans vs. Latino, Hispanic, African Americans, and all other minority populations. Constant rhetorics at the Presidential level were initially very hurtful, but I think that it is also a learning opportunity for the Trump family and the Trump Administration to think about their presence in the White House. Who are they serving? A President looks out for the entire nation, which include the poor, vulnerable, and those who seek the hope of the American Dream. This thought also questions the very core essence of the Nation. The chance to dream. Hope, achieve, and build a life. Doesn't the American dream deserve to be protected? To protect this chance to dream is also at question - who has the right to dream? How can their be a pathway to citizenship and immigration without breaking families, so that everyone is given an equitable, and inclusive chance to Dream?

     As I conclude these thoughts, I would like to reiterate that America First should not mean America alone. But is does and should mean that America looks within, and also heal the wounds of the past, stop the invisible colonization that is taking place within. National rhetoric even hurts those who are serving diverse communities. Future projections reveal that there will be a growth of the Latino / Hispanic populations, so it is again much wiser to plan for a shared future, a shared destiny, which should not only think about a plan for immigration, but also a national apology. Our predecessors did what they knew best at that time, not to say that treatments were right. If we know better today, then it is our duty to correct past mistakes. And truly become ONE NATION UNDER GOD.

My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :) 

Reference:
Moll, L. C., Ruiz, R. (2002). The Schooling of Latino Children. In Suárez-Orozco, M. M, & Páez, M. M. (Eds.), Latinos Remaking America. (p. 362-374). LA, California: University of California Press. 

Notes: These thoughts were originally hand-written on February 11th, 2018.
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