Last year two phenomenal young women visited our class. Two Dreamers, DACA recipients.
Who are the Dreamers? Children of immigrants brought to America as children, “While their parents either came to the U.S. unlawfully or overstayed their visas, these kids usually had no choice but to come with their parents.” – Worldrelief.org
DACA – is the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals – enacted in 2012 that provides these children, now adults, from fear of being deported. And “DACA has provided a pathway for children and young adults who came to the United States with their parents to legally obtain a Social Security Number and driver’s license, to work lawfully, and to be protected from the threat of deportation.” – Worldrelief.org
Three stipulations:
- Were born on or after June 16, 1981,
- Arrived to the United States before age 16 and
- Have lived in the U.S. since June 15, 2007
More info in the links below.
The two women spoke eloquently and told their stories from their heart, and stated the facts. They actually did not like being called Dreamers. They said that their parents had a dream to come to America, but they often felt trapped or sandwiched between two positions:
They do not want to go back to a country they never knew, all the while, the U.S. as yet created a pathway to citizenship. They live with fear and anxiety daily, always.
They whole-heartedly understand what their parents wanted for them, what they wanted to do for them, and they appreciate beyond words. It’s just hard.
And because there is no pathway to citizenship – their opportunities are so limited.
The two young women who spoke said they are paying for college out of their own pocket as they cannot receive any federal money. Yet they have taxes taken out of their paychecks, contribute to social security, and possibly never benefit from their contributions.
Let me tell you – these women have been working for years, putting themselves through school, delaying their education while doing so. Listening to their experience, I was like, “Holy shit.”
There is a reason, many reasons that in Hamilton when they say “Immigrants (we get the job done)! There is a sudden eruption.
And thank goodness that Umass has a fund, as I am sure many of not most schools, to contribute to students to help pay for their education, in real dollars.
And sometimes is forgotten or sidelined that there are many, multitudes of reasons why immigration is essential for the U.S. One reason is for population sustainability and growth. This link says more:
Couple links below with give a quick FAQ on DACA and Dreamers.
The young women spoke with a determined resolute, clear and concise, and uplifting presentation of ability and mind. One of the young women I thought could be the next Oprah.
I am thinking of this because I keep hearing DACA updates and while positive momentum is brewing as the extension of the DACA program as of recent, June 18, 2020. I sincerely hope that a pathway to citizenship is finally created.
Yesterday, 45 said suggested a pathway to citizenship for “merit-based immigration.” This is after many times the administration has tried to destroy the program.
I was ignorant and I thought there was a pathway. No. I was wrong.
And then as of recent I heard Macklemore’s song Excavate and I remembered I wrote this poem in the spirit of these two young women as an assignment in class – the melody stayed with me long after the song. I am not sure if it worked or not for the poem, but I still hear it.
Whatever your thought of Macklemore – the melody settles in and brings you up.
Here is the video: it’s not an “official” video, but take a listen:
The lyrics are quite touching:
Grab my window, shed my shadows, excavate my pain
If I could read the world my notebook and these thoughts in it
Would they judge me or love me for what I’ve written?
Tryna get closer to spirt that enters the body
It’s the vessel like I’m not in it
In fifty-something years, I won’t be here
There’ll be a kid with some headphones covering his ears
Walking ’round a hallway, dreaming of ideas
Find himself in the sound ’cause music is a mirror
What you looking for? What you headed towards?
What’s your name worth when they mention yours?
When you leave here, are you stepping forward?
Can you remember your intention when they question yours?
They’re gonna question yours, they’re gonna question yours
I’ve been at rock bottom and I’m headed North
If you don’t love yourself, what’s the respect for?
If you don’t love life, the check won’t correct yours
Excavate
Fill my lungs up, pour my heart out, peel my bones away
Grab my window, shed my shadow, excavate my pain
And I found peace, and I found peace
And I found peace
I had this vision of my death
Surrounded by people I love and respect
And a baby blue Cadillac hearse
Pulling me ’round the block that I rep
The greatest fear that I’ve ever kept is dying with regrets
Like was I just alive for success
Or did I leave a better life for the rest?
My greatest achievement isn’t the dollars
My greatest achievement isn’t the followers
My greatest achievement isn’t the accolades
My greatest achievement is my daughter
Waking up in the morning, being a father
Watching the light kiss her eyelids
Hearing her sing along to Chance
And being like, yeah, that’s my kid
The light started to glow
And the saxophone up on Coltrane train started to blow
Tender laying in the snow, turn on my headphones
Couple miles to go before I run out of road
Excavate
Fill my lungs up, pour my heart out, peel my bones away
Grab my window, shed my shadow, excavate my pain
And I found peace, and I found peace
And I found peace, and I found peace
(And I found peace)
Hold me up into the light and study every part of me
I’m an open book, no, I don’t mind, but sometimes I’m hard to read
Just flesh and bone, I’m headed home
But this life is so hard to leave
But who am I when they cut the lights and nobody’s watching me?
Hold me up into the light and study every part of me
I’m an open book, no, I don’t mind, but sometimes I’m hard to read
Just flesh and bone, I’m headed home
But this life is so hard to leave
But who am I when they cut the lights and nobody’s watching me?
Gemini
My poem I wrote inspiration of these two young women and this melody –
Hold My Hand
Pull me up, cast
the sundown.
Let me feel my tears.
Hold my hand,
squeeze it tight –
I don’t think I
can take much more.
I shake my head, bow
it down; I can’t make
sense of this.
Why build a bridge, that
crumbles as soon as my
feet press down?
If you were me, you
would have done the same;
don’t look at me and scowl.
Don’t point at me,
Don’t paint me to
be less than. Your ancestors
were me; you are just too
scared and proud.
I can’t go back;
I won’t go back;
I want to do my part;
Give me a chance –
Before I go, if that comes,
give me my moment, let me hold
my hands and pray.
– T.W.
Much love. Please be well and be kind.
These young kids are our neighbors and friends and have been for 20 years. This is their home – the only home they have ever known. Create that pathway of hope and sustainability. Hear your grandparents or great-grandparents stories – we are them; they are us.
Links:
https://www.fwd.us/daca-101/
https://www.fwd.us/news/daca-expirations-projected-timeline/
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/mcenany-trump-legislative-fix-daca