[lit-ideas] Re: speaking of libraries in the United States of Earth
- From: JimKandJulieB@xxxxxxx
- To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 9 Aug 2005 07:01:47 EDT
And one more thought......
Until recently, America has been felt to be a refuge for those who wish
freedom to better their lives. My Aunt lives in Ellensburg, WA, about an
hour's
drive from Tacoma. They have hundreds of migrant workers come through during
apple-picking season. The workers come because they cannot feed their
families at home (most are Latin American). It takes adults more time to pick
up
a new language than children. They learn what they are able. My cousin, who
also lives there, has spent hours in the hospital translating between Doctor
and patient. She married a fellow from Mexico who is here legally and is
working on a law degree. He is fluent in both Spanish and English. They have
good friends who are a couple who left Mexico because they could not
adequately support themselves and their aging parents there. They are here
illegally
and send money back to their family from what they make here. They will
likely not be able to see them in the foreseeable future. If they go visit,
they can't get back here to continue to help the family financially.
These issues tear lives and families apart. It's not just about whose
pocket is being lined or what society benefits from what.
Julie Krueger
sad at our gradual loss of compassion for people
========Original Message========
Subj: [lit-ideas] Re: speaking of libraries in the United States of
Earth Date: 8/9/05 5:51:59 A.M. Central Daylight Time From:
_JimKandJulieB@xxxxxxxx (mailto:JimKandJulieB@xxxxxxx) To:
_lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
(mailto:lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx) Sent on:
I'm afraid I'm losing focus on what the primary issue is here. Are you
upset that "they" are here illegally? Or here at all? Or that they don't
speak
your language? Would you be happy if they were legal immigrants who didn't
speak your language? Or illegally here but spoke flawlessly fluent English?
My husband's parents came over as children/teenagers from Norway. His
Mother struggled in school and spoke Norwegian at home. His Dad was a farmer.
And they contributed to our society economically and socially. Their command
of the English language was not pristine. They raised a son who speaks more
than adequate English and contributes to American society.
We are a nation made up of immigrants. At what point did we say, "Okay;
that's all; we're not taking any more of you (us) in"? I must have missed
that
year. We're nothing BUT immigrants and children and grandchildren of
immigrants.
Frankly I LOVE it when I run into someone from another country who is
struggling with English. I can help them and it gives me an opportunity to
learn
something about their language which is w/out exception enlightening about
their culture.
My sis-in-law's folks, whom I mentioned in an earlier post, are contributors
to society. To my knowledge they are legal immigrants but came here as
adults and struggle with English. Her Mom has raised two bright and beautiful
daughters here, one of whom is studying with a director from the Met. Her Dad
has worked 2 jobs, one as a janitor taking care of the apt. building they
live in in NY for years. I'd say that was contributing to society. Is he
paid
adequately? It's adequate for him -- he considers it adequate. He likes the
way he lives. My brother spends a lot of time w/ them in their home and
they are a joyous family. Would a pristinely-English speaking pale white
person
get paid more for the same janitorial job? Probably. So?
So is it the papers? The dialect? I'm having trouble identifying the core
problem here.
Julie Krueger
========Original Message======== Subj: [lit-ideas] Re: speaking of
libraries in the United States of Earth Date: 8/9/05 12:53:41 A.M. Central
Daylight Time From: _eyost1132@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx (mailto:eyost1132@xxxxxxxxxxxxx)
To: _lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx (mailto:lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx) Sent on:
Some of us are illegal, and others not wanted
Our work contracts up and we have to move on
600 miles to that Mexican border
They chase us like outlaws, like rustlers, like thieves
_____
Well, duhhh, they ARE outlaws. That's what illegal means.
Unfortunately they don't chase them as much as the song implies.
Judy made a good point when she spoke of the need for international
unions. Global unionism may be the only way to moderate the rush to
the bottom. Was it Trotsky who claimed the "revolution of the
proletariat" would only occur after capitalism had become global? Or
maybe Lenin?
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