I love your nation. I choose to use the term "your," because as much as I want it to be mine, it's not. You don't want me here. No, I guess you want me here. You just don't want my family. By a simple choice of location, I was born at a county hospital and gained access to all your privaledge. You accepted me as a stepchild and told me that if I can work hard enough I will be part of your family. I love it here, but sometimes I think you don't love me.
But what about the ones who made it happen for me? You call them criminals. What about the man who spends hours at work so that we can have food? You make jokes about him. What about the woman who saves every paycheck in hopes that my older brother will be able to pay for college? You tell her to learn better English.
A man on the radio blamed my family (and others like us) for the bad economy. Callers from all over Phoenix took time out of their day to tell stories of immigrants who used up the health care system. Apparently, our family is the root of all that is wrong in this state. "Ship them out," a man says. Are we cargo?
My mom never lied to you about your retirement. She never traded make-believe products to men in suits. Instead, she cleaned the hotels where the suits would have conferences. My dad doesn't own stock in any insurance companies. He doesn't jack up the price on your medication. He has never lied to anyone and said that the aspirin they are using costs ten dollars. He's been to the emergency room once, but only because he was cut real badly helping to grow the food that makes you healthy.
My parents never went on t.v. and said, "the fundamentals of this economy are sound." They never stood up and yelled at the president, telling him that he lies. They never called in a few big shot bankers and planned a bailout for billions.
My family came here, because they believe in hope and if you look back at American history, you'll see it's the immigrants who believed in hope that helped pull us out of recessions. My dad does not expect comfort. My mom does not take security for granted. My family knows what it means to work hard. So, America, it just might be possible that we are not the problem. We are the solution.
Sincerely,
a thirteen year old girl who chooses to stay anonymous
photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/branditressler/989489697/
7 comments:
wow is all I have to say. this post says the entire truth about how Americans treat us. i as part of immigrant family suffer the same. my dad works super hard and for what to get made fun of. my dad is a immigrant in a company full of (not to be racist or anything) but white people and he is working his way up. now he's the one almost everybody goes to for help even his boss asks for his help.also my mom gives most of our money to stores for our food. so this article is just the whole truth about life for immigrants in America. Dayanara Sesmas
Wow!!!! Hopefully someone will be touched by your writing like I have been, and realize that we all have a right to be here in this country.
i think that this is some thing that could help us in the future and that people might like doing this.and they could love to read this page!!!!!
dear America is the best pleac to be in . Nating should change at all
i think that this is some thing that some people will like to do and they will <3 to read more about this. i like this b cuz it is some thins that i like to do b cuz i like it
First and foremost I want you to know that I believe that there is a front door to this country and a back window and the civil, honest choice is the front door (following our laws and instructions).
Now having said that I need you to know I am EXTREMELY pleased with this paper. It moved me. Thank you for sharing something so personal with the rest of the world. I believe this "letter" is very powerful. Excellent Job!
Post a Comment