my mother walks into my doorless room her eyes watery cheeks red he dangled my
her eyes watery cheeks red he dangled my
her eyes watery cheeks red he dangled my last Matisse yes I had bad news for
last Matisse yes I had bad news for
last Matisse yes I had bad news for Deimos todo everything we owned our
Deimos todo everything we owned our
Deimos todo everything we owned our memories photos of me is the baby
memories photos of me is the baby
memories photos of me is the baby passports birth certificates the
passports birth certificates the
passports birth certificates the engagement ring she had pawned to pay
engagement ring she had pawned to pay
engagement ring she had pawned to pay for rent all gone
for rent all gone
for rent all gone she couldn’t hide it anymore that facade
she couldn’t hide it anymore that facade
she couldn’t hide it anymore that facade she put on for years that everything is
she put on for years that everything is
she put on for years that everything is going to be okay story just didn’t seem
going to be okay story just didn’t seem
going to be okay story just didn’t seem to hold up she broke down tears
to hold up she broke down tears
to hold up she broke down tears streaming down her face and I responded
streaming down her face and I responded
streaming down her face and I responded with rather emotional indifference I was
with rather emotional indifference I was
with rather emotional indifference I was numb
numb
numb I was tired tired of packing up my
I was tired tired of packing up my
I was tired tired of packing up my belongings in black trash bags and
belongings in black trash bags and
belongings in black trash bags and moving from place to place every other
moving from place to place every other
moving from place to place every other week sometimes went nowhere to go tired
week sometimes went nowhere to go tired
week sometimes went nowhere to go tired of what I once considered excuses from
of what I once considered excuses from
of what I once considered excuses from my parents we don’t have work papers
my parents we don’t have work papers
my parents we don’t have work papers they’d say I couldn’t comprehend how is
they’d say I couldn’t comprehend how is
they’d say I couldn’t comprehend how is it that my family you can have access to
it that my family you can have access to
it that my family you can have access to something as basic as stable employment
something as basic as stable employment
something as basic as stable employment income and ability to hold a place to
income and ability to hold a place to
income and ability to hold a place to live at the time I hadn’t internalized
live at the time I hadn’t internalized
live at the time I hadn’t internalized our circumstances I knew that we showed
our circumstances I knew that we showed
our circumstances I knew that we showed a bit financially but so that everyone
a bit financially but so that everyone
a bit financially but so that everyone else in our part my neighbourhood to me
else in our part my neighbourhood to me
else in our part my neighbourhood to me they weren’t about being immigrants they
they weren’t about being immigrants they
they weren’t about being immigrants they just were I rarely ever felt different
just were I rarely ever felt different
just were I rarely ever felt different my upbringing were similar to those of
my upbringing were similar to those of
my upbringing were similar to those of peers around me I’ve gone to school in
peers around me I’ve gone to school in
peers around me I’ve gone to school in Maryland since the third grade during
Maryland since the third grade during
Maryland since the third grade during recess me and my friends would run
recess me and my friends would run
recess me and my friends would run around play tag for square and took
around play tag for square and took
around play tag for square and took advantage of when teachers were not
advantage of when teachers were not
advantage of when teachers were not looking to explore the was behind our
looking to explore the was behind our
looking to explore the was behind our schools I got in trouble a couple of
schools I got in trouble a couple of
schools I got in trouble a couple of times after school I probably wore my
times after school I probably wore my
times after school I probably wore my AAA neon green school patrol belt and
AAA neon green school patrol belt and
AAA neon green school patrol belt and assisted students at the crosswalk then
assisted students at the crosswalk then
assisted students at the crosswalk then I walked home with my little sister to
I walked home with my little sister to
I walked home with my little sister to an afternoon snack tenderly prepared by
an afternoon snack tenderly prepared by
an afternoon snack tenderly prepared by my mom I joined my friends at the
my mom I joined my friends at the
my mom I joined my friends at the playground
playground
playground I told dad came home from work my family
I told dad came home from work my family
I told dad came home from work my family fit the nuclear structure difference
fit the nuclear structure difference
fit the nuclear structure difference being that mother worked night shifts so
being that mother worked night shifts so
being that mother worked night shifts so I never felt different from my friends i
I never felt different from my friends i
I never felt different from my friends i watch Saturday morning cartoons pledged
watch Saturday morning cartoons pledged
watch Saturday morning cartoons pledged allegiance to the flag with my right
allegiance to the flag with my right
allegiance to the flag with my right hand over my heart
hand over my heart
hand over my heart and watched more TV my favorite show at
and watched more TV my favorite show at
and watched more TV my favorite show at the time was the sea-level Zack and Cody
the time was the sea-level Zack and Cody
the time was the sea-level Zack and Cody the original one not the one with her on
the original one not the one with her on
the original one not the one with her on the boat but the hotel one yeah with one
the boat but the hotel one yeah with one
the boat but the hotel one yeah with one of my favorite immigrants of all time
of my favorite immigrants of all time
of my favorite immigrants of all time estimable yo Riccardo Muti dela Rosa
estimable yo Riccardo Muti dela Rosa
estimable yo Riccardo Muti dela Rosa Ramirez it’s a classic it’s a classic
Ramirez it’s a classic it’s a classic
Ramirez it’s a classic it’s a classic the only difference between me and my
the only difference between me and my
the only difference between me and my peers is that I was born in a different
peers is that I was born in a different
peers is that I was born in a different part of the world besides that not much
part of the world besides that not much
part of the world besides that not much else yeah there are two distinct times
else yeah there are two distinct times
else yeah there are two distinct times when I have actually felt out of place
when I have actually felt out of place
when I have actually felt out of place when I first moved to the United States
when I first moved to the United States
when I first moved to the United States and had to learn a new culture and watch
and had to learn a new culture and watch
and had to learn a new culture and watch TV in a totally different language and
TV in a totally different language and
TV in a totally different language and now I am an undocumented immigrant and
now I am an undocumented immigrant and
now I am an undocumented immigrant and the current political climate and
the current political climate and
the current political climate and discussion around the issue has made me
discussion around the issue has made me
discussion around the issue has made me question and reflect upon this
question and reflect upon this
question and reflect upon this conflicting aspect of my identity
conflicting aspect of my identity
conflicting aspect of my identity I feel American but I’m being told
I feel American but I’m being told
I feel American but I’m being told otherwise it’s gonna be questioned a few
otherwise it’s gonna be questioned a few
otherwise it’s gonna be questioned a few things about myself about society about
things about myself about society about
things about myself about society about the world and in this reflection I’ve
the world and in this reflection I’ve
the world and in this reflection I’ve come to realize that my feeling unwanted
come to realize that my feeling unwanted
come to realize that my feeling unwanted my feeling different it’s not due to
my feeling different it’s not due to
my feeling different it’s not due to some inherent difference within me it is
some inherent difference within me it is
some inherent difference within me it is because collectively we as a society
because collectively we as a society
because collectively we as a society discuss issues like immigration without
discuss issues like immigration without
discuss issues like immigration without acknowledging the in between life is one
acknowledging the in between life is one
acknowledging the in between life is one big gray area but we decide to treat it
big gray area but we decide to treat it
big gray area but we decide to treat it like it’s black or white you’re either
like it’s black or white you’re either
like it’s black or white you’re either this or that an action it’s either right
this or that an action it’s either right
this or that an action it’s either right or wrong you’re from here or from there
or wrong you’re from here or from there
or wrong you’re from here or from there you’re this or that race us or them
you’re this or that race us or them
you’re this or that race us or them these ultimatums are ever so present in
these ultimatums are ever so present in
these ultimatums are ever so present in the institutions that govern our
the institutions that govern our
the institutions that govern our behaviors in my opinion this way of
behaviors in my opinion this way of
behaviors in my opinion this way of thinking is problematic
thinking is problematic
thinking is problematic it’s what leads to conflicts between
it’s what leads to conflicts between
it’s what leads to conflicts between groups and fuel some of the most
groups and fuel some of the most
groups and fuel some of the most pressing contemporary issues over time
pressing contemporary issues over time
pressing contemporary issues over time there’s a piece we’re missing here when
there’s a piece we’re missing here when
there’s a piece we’re missing here when we talk about issues like this and look
we talk about issues like this and look
we talk about issues like this and look at the world this way context and our
at the world this way context and our
at the world this way context and our humanity let me tell a little secret
humanity let me tell a little secret
humanity let me tell a little secret about the immigrant community they
about the immigrant community they
about the immigrant community they didn’t want this to leave their friends
didn’t want this to leave their friends
didn’t want this to leave their friends families loved ones their entire lives
families loved ones their entire lives
families loved ones their entire lives behind to move to a completely foreign
behind to move to a completely foreign
behind to move to a completely foreign and where they can’t even communicate in
and where they can’t even communicate in
and where they can’t even communicate in their own language it’s ludicrous
their own language it’s ludicrous
their own language it’s ludicrous immigration exists in a couple of
immigration exists in a couple of
immigration exists in a couple of different forms but the kind of
different forms but the kind of
different forms but the kind of immigration that I’m talking about here
immigration that I’m talking about here
immigration that I’m talking about here is forced immigration people who have
is forced immigration people who have
is forced immigration people who have experienced oppression and hardships
experienced oppression and hardships
experienced oppression and hardships that caused them to leave their home
that caused them to leave their home
that caused them to leave their home countries oftentimes we talk about the
countries oftentimes we talk about the
countries oftentimes we talk about the issue of forced immigration click
issue of forced immigration click
issue of forced immigration click there’s some kind of agency involved the
there’s some kind of agency involved the
there’s some kind of agency involved the truth is displaced individuals did not
truth is displaced individuals did not
truth is displaced individuals did not have a choice
have a choice
have a choice I was born in San Miguel El Salvador and
I was born in San Miguel El Salvador and
I was born in San Miguel El Salvador and for over a decade the smallest country
for over a decade the smallest country
for over a decade the smallest country in civil in Central America experienced
in civil in Central America experienced
in civil in Central America experienced an extensive civil war over seventy five
an extensive civil war over seventy five
an extensive civil war over seventy five thousand people were murdered many of
thousand people were murdered many of
thousand people were murdered many of them innocent delivered civilians
them innocent delivered civilians
them innocent delivered civilians children as soon as seven years old were
children as soon as seven years old were
children as soon as seven years old were recruited to fight women were raped and
recruited to fight women were raped and
recruited to fight women were raped and killed the country was torn and it has
killed the country was torn and it has
killed the country was torn and it has remained torn since my parents moved to
remained torn since my parents moved to
remained torn since my parents moved to this country seeking to escape the
this country seeking to escape the
this country seeking to escape the economic turmoil and gang violence that
economic turmoil and gang violence that
economic turmoil and gang violence that place this nation to this very day they
place this nation to this very day they
place this nation to this very day they like most other civilians didn’t have a
like most other civilians didn’t have a
like most other civilians didn’t have a choice in the war they didn’t have a say
choice in the war they didn’t have a say
choice in the war they didn’t have a say they didn’t ask for revolution they
they didn’t ask for revolution they
they didn’t ask for revolution they don’t want to fight yet their lives were
don’t want to fight yet their lives were
don’t want to fight yet their lives were endangered and disrupted nonetheless
Oh salvadore since the end of the Civil
Oh salvadore since the end of the Civil War has remained one of the most violent
War has remained one of the most violent
War has remained one of the most violent societies in this part of the hemisphere
societies in this part of the hemisphere
societies in this part of the hemisphere poverty violence political turmoil these
poverty violence political turmoil these
poverty violence political turmoil these are all factors that disrupt people’s
are all factors that disrupt people’s
are all factors that disrupt people’s lives into chaos forcing them to leave
lives into chaos forcing them to leave
lives into chaos forcing them to leave their home countries its president all
their home countries its president all
their home countries its president all over the world in countries that for
over the world in countries that for
over the world in countries that for centuries have been less fortunate that
centuries have been less fortunate that
centuries have been less fortunate that for centuries have been stepped on
for centuries have been stepped on
for centuries have been stepped on countries like Libya Togo Afghanistan
countries like Libya Togo Afghanistan
countries like Libya Togo Afghanistan Honduras Pakistan just to name a few
Honduras Pakistan just to name a few
Honduras Pakistan just to name a few it’s even present in the very conception
it’s even present in the very conception
it’s even present in the very conception of America the United States government
of America the United States government
of America the United States government the same government which gracefully
the same government which gracefully
the same government which gracefully labels me an illegal alien aligned
labels me an illegal alien aligned
labels me an illegal alien aligned itself with the Salvatore’s right-wing
itself with the Salvatore’s right-wing
itself with the Salvatore’s right-wing government during the Civil War for over
government during the Civil War for over
government during the Civil War for over eleven years they provided them with
eleven years they provided them with
eleven years they provided them with funds weapons political support all in
funds weapons political support all in
funds weapons political support all in the name of fighting communism US
the name of fighting communism US
the name of fighting communism US military troops slaughtered and raped
military troops slaughtered and raped
military troops slaughtered and raped women nuns children the civil war
women nuns children the civil war
women nuns children the civil war displaced the majority of the Salvadoran
displaced the majority of the Salvadoran
displaced the majority of the Salvadoran population and remains the most unstable
population and remains the most unstable
population and remains the most unstable country since then poverty violence
country since then poverty violence
country since then poverty violence these are my context this is why I’m
these are my context this is why I’m
these are my context this is why I’m here but I wasn’t supposed to be here
here but I wasn’t supposed to be here
here but I wasn’t supposed to be here though I didn’t plan on taking the SATs
though I didn’t plan on taking the SATs
though I didn’t plan on taking the SATs or applying for colleges I was going to
or applying for colleges I was going to
or applying for colleges I was going to join my dad bending my back every day
join my dad bending my back every day
join my dad bending my back every day carrying wooden planes up flights of
carrying wooden planes up flights of
carrying wooden planes up flights of stairs performing balancing acts of
stairs performing balancing acts of
stairs performing balancing acts of steel beams to place on roofs all while
steel beams to place on roofs all while
steel beams to place on roofs all while he either burns his skin in the steaming
he either burns his skin in the steaming
he either burns his skin in the steaming Sun or in temperatures so cold he has to
Sun or in temperatures so cold he has to
Sun or in temperatures so cold he has to place his limbs in warm water before he
place his limbs in warm water before he
place his limbs in warm water before he can feel them again each day that comes
can feel them again each day that comes
can feel them again each day that comes from from his job
from from his job
from from his job covered in dirt that stuck to his skin
covered in dirt that stuck to his skin
covered in dirt that stuck to his skin from the melting snow of hard work that
from the melting snow of hard work that
from the melting snow of hard work that was going to be my future but that
was going to be my future but that
was going to be my future but that changed in 2012 that summer my family
changed in 2012 that summer my family
changed in 2012 that summer my family that had taken residence in an attic up
that had taken residence in an attic up
that had taken residence in an attic up in Riverdale Maryland in June I watched
in Riverdale Maryland in June I watched
in Riverdale Maryland in June I watched President Obama announces the
President Obama announces the
President Obama announces the action for childhood arrivals plan this
action for childhood arrivals plan this
action for childhood arrivals plan this program provides work authorizations in
program provides work authorizations in
program provides work authorizations in a Social Security number to individuals
a Social Security number to individuals
a Social Security number to individuals who were brought to this country as
who were brought to this country as
who were brought to this country as children individuals like me
children individuals like me
children individuals like me I left some you get when I was nine
I left some you get when I was nine
I left some you get when I was nine years old and before daca I had zero
years old and before daca I had zero
years old and before daca I had zero plans in attending school after quickly
plans in attending school after quickly
plans in attending school after quickly collecting deferring the dollar
collecting deferring the dollar
collecting deferring the dollar application fee I jumped over to college
application fee I jumped over to college
application fee I jumped over to college applications without any idea of what
applications without any idea of what
applications without any idea of what they even consisted of where to find
they even consisted of where to find
they even consisted of where to find them or what schools I even wanted to
them or what schools I even wanted to
them or what schools I even wanted to apply to after getting accepted to a few
apply to after getting accepted to a few
apply to after getting accepted to a few universities I was still unable to
universities I was still unable to
universities I was still unable to afford them fortunately I was accepted
afford them fortunately I was accepted
afford them fortunately I was accepted my community colleges on his business
my community colleges on his business
my community colleges on his business program which gave me a full scholarship
program which gave me a full scholarship
program which gave me a full scholarship and that turned out to be life-changing
and that turned out to be life-changing
and that turned out to be life-changing I went to montgomery college knowing it
I went to montgomery college knowing it
I went to montgomery college knowing it was the only option I had and that I
was the only option I had and that I
was the only option I had and that I almost had none so I quickly got
almost had none so I quickly got
almost had none so I quickly got involved at the time I didn’t even plan
involved at the time I didn’t even plan
involved at the time I didn’t even plan on transferring I was just happy to go
on transferring I was just happy to go
on transferring I was just happy to go to school I established a political
to school I established a political
to school I established a political advocacy group how to manage social
advocacy group how to manage social
advocacy group how to manage social entrepreneurship projects was a student
entrepreneurship projects was a student
entrepreneurship projects was a student senator for the student government and
senator for the student government and
senator for the student government and then was even appointed to serve on the
then was even appointed to serve on the
then was even appointed to serve on the school’s board of trustees by Governor
school’s board of trustees by Governor
school’s board of trustees by Governor Hogan the early Fabian morning’s tour
Hogan the early Fabian morning’s tour
Hogan the early Fabian morning’s tour bus rides to school and back coming back
bus rides to school and back coming back
bus rides to school and back coming back home at 10 p.m.
home at 10 p.m.
home at 10 p.m. were all worth it when it came time to
were all worth it when it came time to
were all worth it when it came time to transfer I got into Georgetown and I
transfer I got into Georgetown and I
transfer I got into Georgetown and I received a prestigious transfer
received a prestigious transfer
received a prestigious transfer scholarship enabling me to be here on
scholarship enabling me to be here on
scholarship enabling me to be here on this very stage today all of my
this very stage today all of my
this very stage today all of my sacrifices all of my parents sacrifices
sacrifices all of my parents sacrifices
sacrifices all of my parents sacrifices were validated I’ll never forget
were validated I’ll never forget
were validated I’ll never forget delivering the news to my parents this
delivering the news to my parents this
delivering the news to my parents this time around mother’s tears were no
time around mother’s tears were no
time around mother’s tears were no longer of sorrow but of pride so I’m
longer of sorrow but of pride so I’m
longer of sorrow but of pride so I’m here here because my family saw a better
here here because my family saw a better
here here because my family saw a better life but that life is now in jeopardy
life but that life is now in jeopardy
life but that life is now in jeopardy daca was rescinded in September and it’s
daca was rescinded in September and it’s
daca was rescinded in September and it’s future the future of all dreamers my
future the future of all dreamers my
future the future of all dreamers my future hangs in the balance
the same country which caused so many
the same country which caused so many structural issues that destabilize my
structural issues that destabilize my
structural issues that destabilize my country the same government which cost
country the same government which cost
country the same government which cost this disruption costing me to be here
this disruption costing me to be here
this disruption costing me to be here rejects me as I work to disrupt my
rejects me as I work to disrupt my
rejects me as I work to disrupt my family cycle of poverty it did the
family cycle of poverty it did the
family cycle of poverty it did the little reminds us my struggles my
little reminds us my struggles my
little reminds us my struggles my pursuit of happiness my attempt at being
pursuit of happiness my attempt at being
pursuit of happiness my attempt at being a contributing member of American
a contributing member of American
a contributing member of American society failing to acknowledge how the
society failing to acknowledge how the
society failing to acknowledge how the maturity of the immigrant population is
maturity of the immigrant population is
maturity of the immigrant population is here not because they chose to be but
here not because they chose to be but
here not because they chose to be but because they were forced poverty
because they were forced poverty
because they were forced poverty violence political turmoil these are all
violence political turmoil these are all
violence political turmoil these are all factors that caused him to be here they
factors that caused him to be here they
factors that caused him to be here they come here having nowhere else to go
come here having nowhere else to go
come here having nowhere else to go only to be labeled rapists murderers
only to be labeled rapists murderers
only to be labeled rapists murderers criminals and be rejected illegal alien
criminals and be rejected illegal alien
criminals and be rejected illegal alien these words they pay me black and white
these words they pay me black and white
these words they pay me black and white like all I am is a foreigner but there
like all I am is a foreigner but there
like all I am is a foreigner but there is context to my story
is context to my story
is context to my story like there’s context behind every other
like there’s context behind every other
like there’s context behind every other story a reason for my being here that
story a reason for my being here that
story a reason for my being here that these words do not capture they do
these words do not capture they do
these words do not capture they do humanize me and those with similar
humanize me and those with similar
humanize me and those with similar struggles by the way can somebody
struggles by the way can somebody
struggles by the way can somebody explain the word alien to me because
explain the word alien to me because
explain the word alien to me because I’ve never been able to understand that
I’ve never been able to understand that
I’ve never been able to understand that one I can maybe understand illegal but
one I can maybe understand illegal but
one I can maybe understand illegal but who in the right mind decided that alien
who in the right mind decided that alien
who in the right mind decided that alien was an appropriate term to call another
was an appropriate term to call another
was an appropriate term to call another human being like do I look like et or
human being like do I look like et or
human being like do I look like et or something I don’t get it the law on the
something I don’t get it the law on the
something I don’t get it the law on the other hand the law is important the law
other hand the law is important the law
other hand the law is important the law creating and enforcing them about
creating and enforcing them about
creating and enforcing them about society to keep order and those advanced
society to keep order and those advanced
society to keep order and those advanced as a civilization the problem with the
as a civilization the problem with the
as a civilization the problem with the law is though that it creates these
law is though that it creates these
law is though that it creates these ultimatums black or white legal or
ultimatums black or white legal or
ultimatums black or white legal or illegal right or wrong but the two don’t
illegal right or wrong but the two don’t
illegal right or wrong but the two don’t always go together people oftentimes use
always go together people oftentimes use
always go together people oftentimes use legality as a benchmark for morality the
legality as a benchmark for morality the
legality as a benchmark for morality the problem is the laws aren’t fixed they’ve
problem is the laws aren’t fixed they’ve
problem is the laws aren’t fixed they’ve changed and created all the time new
changed and created all the time new
changed and created all the time new ones are amended others created they are
ones are amended others created they are
ones are amended others created they are man made let’s some heavenly ordained
man made let’s some heavenly ordained
man made let’s some heavenly ordained order for morality they are created by
order for morality they are created by
order for morality they are created by those who elected government and in
those who elected government and in
those who elected government and in theory this practice makes sense right
theory this practice makes sense right
theory this practice makes sense right those who we elect should be
those who we elect should be
those who we elect should be representative of our communities and
representative of our communities and
representative of our communities and thus enact laws that take everyone’s
thus enact laws that take everyone’s
thus enact laws that take everyone’s concerns into account right but when the
concerns into account right but when the
concerns into account right but when the majority of Congress is white and male
majority of Congress is white and male
majority of Congress is white and male representation kind of goes out the
representation kind of goes out the
representation kind of goes out the window
window
window laws can does become disconnected from
laws can does become disconnected from
laws can does become disconnected from the concerns of the many and voice those
the concerns of the many and voice those
the concerns of the many and voice those of the few but it’s not all bad this can
of the few but it’s not all bad this can
of the few but it’s not all bad this can actually sometimes lead to some pretty
actually sometimes lead to some pretty
actually sometimes lead to some pretty entertaining laws seriously if you just
entertaining laws seriously if you just
entertaining laws seriously if you just google like crazy loss you’ll find a
google like crazy loss you’ll find a
google like crazy loss you’ll find a bunch of them so here’s a few examples
bunch of them so here’s a few examples
bunch of them so here’s a few examples in Gainesville Georgia it’s illegal to
in Gainesville Georgia it’s illegal to
in Gainesville Georgia it’s illegal to eat fried chicken if you’re not using
eat fried chicken if you’re not using
eat fried chicken if you’re not using your hands it makes sense of course in
your hands it makes sense of course in
your hands it makes sense of course in Connecticut a pickle can’t legally be
Connecticut a pickle can’t legally be
Connecticut a pickle can’t legally be considered a pickle unless it bounces
considered a pickle unless it bounces
considered a pickle unless it bounces when you drop it
when you drop it
when you drop it if only was that easy to be considered
if only was that easy to be considered
if only was that easy to be considered legal seriously somebody introduced that
legal seriously somebody introduced that
legal seriously somebody introduced that up to Congress please for some time now
up to Congress please for some time now
up to Congress please for some time now I have been hearing some pretty hateful
I have been hearing some pretty hateful
I have been hearing some pretty hateful comments about dreamers like myself and
comments about dreamers like myself and
comments about dreamers like myself and the immigrant community as a whole and
the immigrant community as a whole and
the immigrant community as a whole and as much as they bother me as much as
as much as they bother me as much as
as much as they bother me as much as they hurt I look for the gray areas to
they hurt I look for the gray areas to
they hurt I look for the gray areas to those who perpetrate and think those
those who perpetrate and think those
those who perpetrate and think those comments I acknowledged there’s also
comments I acknowledged there’s also
comments I acknowledged there’s also context to you I don’t believe you
context to you I don’t believe you
context to you I don’t believe you inherently hate me those words they are
inherently hate me those words they are
inherently hate me those words they are a byproduct of your own struggles of
a byproduct of your own struggles of
a byproduct of your own struggles of your own frustrations you to have these
your own frustrations you to have these
your own frustrations you to have these structural issues that leave you
structural issues that leave you
structural issues that leave you disenfranchised my fellow Americans I
disenfranchised my fellow Americans I
disenfranchised my fellow Americans I feel you we both have been failed by a
feel you we both have been failed by a
feel you we both have been failed by a broken system so when you label me
broken system so when you label me
broken system so when you label me illegal when you claim that I need to go
illegal when you claim that I need to go
illegal when you claim that I need to go back I remember that you to face your
back I remember that you to face your
back I remember that you to face your own struggles poverty violence
own struggles poverty violence
own struggles poverty violence unemployment these two are
unemployment these two are
unemployment these two are your great areas your context that much
your great areas your context that much
your great areas your context that much we have in common and we have more in
we have in common and we have more in
we have in common and we have more in common than you might think
common than you might think
common than you might think whether you like it or not my sense of
whether you like it or not my sense of
whether you like it or not my sense of nationality is the same as yours I love
nationality is the same as yours I love
nationality is the same as yours I love this country it may sound like I’m
this country it may sound like I’m
this country it may sound like I’m criticizing it and I am because I care
criticizing it and I am because I care
criticizing it and I am because I care about it and its future I was raised
about it and its future I was raised
about it and its future I was raised here I’ve been here since I was 9 I’ve
here I’ve been here since I was 9 I’ve
here I’ve been here since I was 9 I’ve been educated here I dress American I
been educated here I dress American I
been educated here I dress American I speak English better than I speak
speak English better than I speak
speak English better than I speak Spanish I pledge allegiance to the red
Spanish I pledge allegiance to the red
Spanish I pledge allegiance to the red white and blue this is my home
white and blue this is my home
white and blue this is my home America was founded on values that I
America was founded on values that I
America was founded on values that I hold dear values that my parents have
hold dear values that my parents have
hold dear values that my parents have embodied since coming here values that
embodied since coming here values that
embodied since coming here values that the immigrant community embodies every
the immigrant community embodies every
the immigrant community embodies every day in searching for a better life hard
day in searching for a better life hard
day in searching for a better life hard work perseverance the pursuit of
work perseverance the pursuit of
work perseverance the pursuit of happiness the American dream but the
happiness the American dream but the
happiness the American dream but the attachment that we feel to a particular
attachment that we feel to a particular
attachment that we feel to a particular national identity can be polarizing it’s
national identity can be polarizing it’s
national identity can be polarizing it’s at the center of creating other isms and
at the center of creating other isms and
at the center of creating other isms and this divide between us or them this
this divide between us or them this
this divide between us or them this might sound a bit meta but stay with me
might sound a bit meta but stay with me
might sound a bit meta but stay with me for a second the only reason why the
for a second the only reason why the
for a second the only reason why the concept of an immigrant or immigration
concept of an immigrant or immigration
concept of an immigrant or immigration exists in the first place is because we
exists in the first place is because we
exists in the first place is because we place emphasis on this concept of a
place emphasis on this concept of a
place emphasis on this concept of a country but what is a country what is a
country but what is a country what is a
country but what is a country what is a state what is a nation I told you we’re
state what is a nation I told you we’re
state what is a nation I told you we’re getting meta but just stay with me for a
getting meta but just stay with me for a
getting meta but just stay with me for a second one day humans decided to place
second one day humans decided to place
second one day humans decided to place imaginary lines on land that is somehow
imaginary lines on land that is somehow
imaginary lines on land that is somehow entitled to some entity anyone who’s not
entitled to some entity anyone who’s not
entitled to some entity anyone who’s not born within these imaginary lines well
born within these imaginary lines well
born within these imaginary lines well they don’t belong here
they don’t belong here
they don’t belong here they are not one of us they are
they are not one of us they are
they are not one of us they are different those who happen to be born
different those who happen to be born
different those who happen to be born within these imaginary lines well they
within these imaginary lines well they
within these imaginary lines well they are considered a member of this nation
are considered a member of this nation
are considered a member of this nation u.s. citizenship is based on the
u.s. citizenship is based on the
u.s. citizenship is based on the arbitrary factor of birth something no
arbitrary factor of birth something no
arbitrary factor of birth something no one can control yet the imaginary lines
one can control yet the imaginary lines
one can control yet the imaginary lines who are born within determines your
who are born within determines your
who are born within determines your identity nationality socioeconomic
identity nationality socioeconomic
identity nationality socioeconomic status your language lines like laws are
status your language lines like laws are
status your language lines like laws are not fixed they have shifted
not fixed they have shifted
not fixed they have shifted to change through our time nations to
to change through our time nations to
to change through our time nations to are a social construct but our humanity
are a social construct but our humanity
are a social construct but our humanity is not and my comparative political
is not and my comparative political
is not and my comparative political systems course we read Benedict Anderson
systems course we read Benedict Anderson
systems course we read Benedict Anderson professor Carnes I know you’re in the
professor Carnes I know you’re in the
professor Carnes I know you’re in the audience somewhere so I hope to get some
audience somewhere so I hope to get some
audience somewhere so I hope to get some extra credit for this seriously I need
extra credit for this seriously I need
extra credit for this seriously I need it in his work Anderson defines nations
it in his work Anderson defines nations
it in his work Anderson defines nations as imagined communities they arise from
as imagined communities they arise from
as imagined communities they arise from this feeling of belonging to a
this feeling of belonging to a
this feeling of belonging to a particular group but we don’t actually
particular group but we don’t actually
particular group but we don’t actually ever meet everyone inside that group we
ever meet everyone inside that group we
ever meet everyone inside that group we just imagine ourselves as a part of it
just imagine ourselves as a part of it
just imagine ourselves as a part of it due in large part to the spread of ideas
due in large part to the spread of ideas
due in large part to the spread of ideas from the media so group identities are
from the media so group identities are
from the media so group identities are thus in our heads so if nations are
thus in our heads so if nations are
thus in our heads so if nations are imagined we need to put aside our sense
imagined we need to put aside our sense
imagined we need to put aside our sense of nationalism when human lives are at
of nationalism when human lives are at
of nationalism when human lives are at stake we are all part of the same race
stake we are all part of the same race
stake we are all part of the same race living on the same rock yes this system
living on the same rock yes this system
living on the same rock yes this system we have created of Nations existing
we have created of Nations existing
we have created of Nations existing independently has enabled a functioning
independently has enabled a functioning
independently has enabled a functioning world of progress in civilization but
world of progress in civilization but
world of progress in civilization but progress unevenly distributed progress
progress unevenly distributed progress
progress unevenly distributed progress at the expense of the majority yeah
at the expense of the majority yeah
at the expense of the majority yeah despite this divide despite the rhetoric
despite this divide despite the rhetoric
despite this divide despite the rhetoric despite the hey despite the fear that I
despite the hey despite the fear that I
despite the hey despite the fear that I experience every day I’m still American
experience every day I’m still American
experience every day I’m still American if the United States government decided
if the United States government decided
if the United States government decided that the porting dr. students is in its
that the porting dr. students is in its
that the porting dr. students is in its best benefit I could be back in no
best benefit I could be back in no
best benefit I could be back in no Salvador and I’ll still be American
Salvador and I’ll still be American
Salvador and I’ll still be American my parents like myself are also dreamers
my parents like myself are also dreamers
my parents like myself are also dreamers and much like how they seek for
and much like how they seek for
and much like how they seek for opportunities in the face of none I look
opportunities in the face of none I look
opportunities in the face of none I look for the good in the face of negativity
for the good in the face of negativity
for the good in the face of negativity for the gray areas amidst the black and
for the gray areas amidst the black and
for the gray areas amidst the black and the white that’s the lesson I take away
the white that’s the lesson I take away
the white that’s the lesson I take away from the immigrant community I remain
from the immigrant community I remain
from the immigrant community I remain optimistic they and their fighting
optimistic they and their fighting
optimistic they and their fighting spirit and bodies the very best in
spirit and bodies the very best in
spirit and bodies the very best in mankind the ability to look adversity in
mankind the ability to look adversity in
mankind the ability to look adversity in the eye and when nothing is going right
the eye and when nothing is going right
the eye and when nothing is going right continue to forge ahead
continue to forge ahead
continue to forge ahead in the face of oppression they fight
in the face of oppression they fight
in the face of oppression they fight they hope they keep moving forward being
they hope they keep moving forward being
they hope they keep moving forward being undocumented is supposed to
undocumented is supposed to
undocumented is supposed to disenfranchise me and in many ways it
disenfranchise me and in many ways it
disenfranchise me and in many ways it does yeah I don’t feel disenfranchised I
does yeah I don’t feel disenfranchised I
does yeah I don’t feel disenfranchised I feel empowered these very same
feel empowered these very same
feel empowered these very same adversities have made me who I am today
adversities have made me who I am today
adversities have made me who I am today they’ve opened up my eyes to take little
they’ve opened up my eyes to take little
they’ve opened up my eyes to take little for granite and to see all the colors
for granite and to see all the colors
for granite and to see all the colors that the world has to offer in my
that the world has to offer in my
that the world has to offer in my personal journey I have been fortunate
personal journey I have been fortunate
personal journey I have been fortunate enough to be rewarded for my actions for
enough to be rewarded for my actions for
enough to be rewarded for my actions for my work but none of that would have been
my work but none of that would have been
my work but none of that would have been possible without the players in the
possible without the players in the
possible without the players in the background without my parents they
background without my parents they
background without my parents they honestly would have likely been better
honestly would have likely been better
honestly would have likely been better off staying in El Salvador and there’s
off staying in El Salvador and there’s
off staying in El Salvador and there’s times when they express regret of
times when they express regret of
times when they express regret of leaving it all behind times when they
leaving it all behind times when they
leaving it all behind times when they can’t be there for the funeral of their
can’t be there for the funeral of their
can’t be there for the funeral of their own parents brothers sisters but they
own parents brothers sisters but they
own parents brothers sisters but they know that I wouldn’t be able to do what
know that I wouldn’t be able to do what
know that I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing if it wasn’t for them so they
I’m doing if it wasn’t for them so they
I’m doing if it wasn’t for them so they continue to sacrifice breaking their
continue to sacrifice breaking their
continue to sacrifice breaking their backs every day for me so I have to let
backs every day for me so I have to let
backs every day for me so I have to let them know mama Papa steady soon every
them know mama Papa steady soon every
them know mama Papa steady soon every simple like while you stay a key I see
simple like while you stay a key I see
simple like while you stay a key I see no further pursue sacrificios deport all
no further pursue sacrificios deport all
no further pursue sacrificios deport all history her nature for me she knows to
history her nature for me she knows to
history her nature for me she knows to be a rocky Michael out as far as the
be a rocky Michael out as far as the
be a rocky Michael out as far as the silicon historia de seed oh those are mo
silicon historia de seed oh those are mo
silicon historia de seed oh those are mo con todo me Corazon
con todo me Corazon
con todo me Corazon gracias
some may judge their actions and label
some may judge their actions and label them criminals forgetting their reason
them criminals forgetting their reason
them criminals forgetting their reason for being here
for being here
for being here their context their gray area me hi
their context their gray area me hi
their context their gray area me hi I call them my heroes I stand on the
I call them my heroes I stand on the
I call them my heroes I stand on the shoulders of my parents I stand tall and
shoulders of my parents I stand tall and
shoulders of my parents I stand tall and I stand proud proud to be an immigrant
I stand proud proud to be an immigrant
I stand proud proud to be an immigrant proud to be the son of immigrants now
proud to be the son of immigrants now
proud to be the son of immigrants now more than ever before I still have faith
more than ever before I still have faith
more than ever before I still have faith that we as a society can see all the
that we as a society can see all the
that we as a society can see all the similarities that we have in common
similarities that we have in common
similarities that we have in common looking past these imagined differences
looking past these imagined differences
looking past these imagined differences and acknowledging the humanity that we
and acknowledging the humanity that we
and acknowledging the humanity that we all share I urge you disrupt this black
all share I urge you disrupt this black
all share I urge you disrupt this black and white thinking and instead look for
and white thinking and instead look for
and white thinking and instead look for the gray areas and when we do we can
the gray areas and when we do we can
the gray areas and when we do we can create a world full of colors thank you
create a world full of colors thank you
create a world full of colors thank you [Applause]
”
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