Ongoing Prejudice
Some things seem never to change. Each generation refights the same battles about new arrivals on our shores. The only thing which changes is the particular group involved and the details about how they arrived.
It is unfortunate that we never learn. Call it ethnocentrism or racism, it always has the same character to it. There is them and there is us and we deserve to be here while they are underserving intruders.
Our Forgotten Heritage
It is a sad commentary on us that we forget our particular heritage and the elements which have made our country so vibrant, strong and adaptable. It would be helpful if we were to attend to what has made us who we are.
My mother’s family came from southwestern Germany in the late 1600s and early 1700s. I wondered why they set out to cross Europe and the the Atlantic Ocean. They had no internet, no phones, no television to show them what they were coming to. But they set out with their children to build new lives.
I was puzzled and looked into the history of the area and it was perfectly clear what had motivated them. They had endured the savage Thirty Years War from 1618-1648 which was fought primarily in their home area. Then came a little ice age.
Of course they were motivated to leave. But there was another factor. Their character of guts and determination was part of the story as they faced the unknowable while taking the risk to find a more promising future. It has been the same story over and over in our history as successive waves of immigrants have arrived from places like England, the Netherlands, Ireland, China and on and on. These are the determined people and each generation sustained our characteristics of strength, resolve and adaptability.
Facing Immigration and a Failing Party
Currently we are failing to face the necessity for immigration reform and much of the problem is with obstructionist Republicans. I come from a Republican family and feel a deep sadness that a formerly functional party has descended to the depths of obstruction and dysfunction.
Surely there are many Republicans of conscience who remain silent and distressed by what has happened and who is “leading” their party. It is truly time to speak up. And Colin Powell did, eloquently, recently. We need many more Republicans of conscience to do the same.
Currently we on the Shore are being represented in Congress by a “Republican” who is often referred to as Dr. No. Rather than his negativity and obstruction we need constructive, enlightened Congressional representation.
Solving Problems
Our present problem with a broken immigration system is a core issue. Simply put, it is right and fair to put this part of our house in order. Our latest immigrants have come to be a part of our dynamic country and we can easily witness their hard labor and willingness to join in. We need them and should be responding. The Dreamers know no other country and want to contribute. How can we be so short sighted and forgetful of our common history so that we work to turn them away?
We have been through a difficult period after the Great Recession and it is time to tackle the necessary tasks at hand which very much includes immigration reform. To do that we must adjust our viewpoints and must remove obstructionistic, dysfunctional “representatives”. And if Republicans want their party back it will require removal of the obstructionists.
Roger Burt
St. Michaels
Carol Voyles says
Well said, Roger. Solving our immigration problems would also be one of the best things we could do for our economy.