Family unity: Why I march for our undocumented community

There are so many beautiful qualities in the people who come to this country from different areas of the world. We are all foreigners to billions of people, but in the words of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, “Diversity is our strength.” We are responsible for respecting that diversity in those we interact with daily.

My compassion for immigrant families stems from my deepest core value of family unity. My parents instilled that value in me with their life work of serving the community, especially those families that are undocumented. If it were not for their example of leadership, I would not know what it takes to be one.

Last April, I marched in Washington, D.C. for immigrant families and their rights for DACA and DAPA. Many of the marchers lost or were in the process of losing family members to deportation. It was eye opening to see the devastation of deportation up close and personal. I decided in that moment that, no matter what, I will always find a way do my part to stand up for those who have to lose and grieve silently. I will be their voice whenever I can.

I joined the March for Respect and Dignity of all Immigrants this past Tuesday, February 28th, standing firm in my decision. I marched for those already deported and those currently experiencing deportation within their families. We heard stories of deportation that fueled our efforts. It was cathartic in many ways to relieve our frustrations with chants. We blocked the intersection at Michigan and Ottawa where many passersby honked in support. While our march did not solve the issue, we were still able to send a message to all immigrants in this community that we stand together and will continue to show them love and allyship.

When our president was elected it affected my children and their peers so much that my youngest asked me, “Mommy, why is my brown skin wrong?” He is 5. Realizing that he was already experiencing racism in school cut deep. I knew then that I needed to expose my children to more situations that challenge those questions. I want to expose them to situations that empower them, like marching for immigrant respect and dignity. They know that standing up for family unity, no matter where you come from or look like, is necessary.

I am a proud Puerto Rican woman. I have deep rooted memories and experiences from when I used to live on the island as a young girl.

My great grandmother was my greatest resource for understanding our family history. Her great grandfather was a slave from Africa, ripped from his land to work in the brutal Caribbean. He was valiant and rebellious, however, and escaped his Spanish captors when they sailed into Puerto Rico. In many ways, I inherited those same characteristics of fighting for what’s right.

Why do I march for our fellow immigrants but still get offended when someone calls me Mexican?

To have that vital piece of who I am mistaken as something else because of ignorance is offensive. The struggle of immigrants in this country is one that I have never lived. I have a great respect for their pain and will not pretend to know what it feels like to live in daily fear of possibly being separated from my loved ones at any moment.

Our children are our future.

Understanding my history allows me to see what I want for my children’s future, the history I want them to grow up in. The seeds I want them to carry and spread throughout the world when I’m long gone. I have the responsibility to raise good people with my own example. All parents do, no matter where you come from. It costs nothing to be a decent human being.