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In this week’s discussion of illegality, it became incredibly important for me to understand why and how the term “illegal alien” became a part of everyday language in media. Although I still have trouble wrapping my head around why people use this term so nonchalantly, I do know that it has been structured through the legal frameworks of this country since 1924, the birth of the Immigration Act known for its quota system.
We discussed to a great extent how immigrants have contributed to this country, most especially economically. They are the ones that take on the blue collar jobs- hospitality services, custodial services, cooks, farmers, etc. A common argument used for strict immigration policies is that immigrants take jobs away from Americans. Yet, after the fears that the Trump administration created through harsh, dehumanized acts against immigration, these immigrants (many of whom struggle to receive citizenship or permanent resident status), fled their jobs either because of deportation or the fear of it. Now, those blue collar jobs have less employees. But, the people that fear immigrants are taking “our” jobs away, as suggested by the man in the photo, are also the same people that would not want to do the jobs that immigrants must settle for to provide for their families. So, as claimed by the man in the image, more jobs are available for Americans if immigrants are deported. That may be true to an extent because immigrants are the ones doing the back-breaking, manual labor. But in reality, manual labor is not the type of employment that most anti-immigration Americans would settle for.
Source: https://www.cnn.com/2012/07/05/opinion/garcia-illegal-immigrants/index.html (Charles Garcia)
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This picture shows the kind of relationship James Baldwin and Lorraine Hansberry had. The two were close friends and colleagues, who first met at the Actors’ Studio, where a workshop for the stage version of Baldwin’s <span class=”s1″><i>Giovanni’s Room</i></span> was being held. Hansberry, a playwright and writer, and Baldwin, knew of each other’s works. So, Hansberry was quick to defend Baldwin’s ideas of bringing out black and queer themes for theater productions. That eventually led to a growth in their friendship as she developed in having her own political beliefs. Baldwin even writes a letter as a tribute to Hansberry, titled, “Sweet Lorraine.” This relates to Baldwin’s impact in advocating for what he believes in, and how others can come to understand him and support his fight.
Sweet Lorraine — James Baldwin’s Tribute to Lorraine Hansberry
Source:
Pinterest (Saved from Precious Williams) https://www.pinterest.com/pin/273875221062402294/?lp=true
Photographer: Unknown
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This picture, taken by L.G. Patterson, features NFL players of the St. Louis Rams protesting police brutality in response to the shooting of Michael Brown. After the event involving Brown, a widespread gesture that was used including raising your arms in the “don’t shoot” position. This image showcases the idea that black men are unjustifiably targeted and criminalized by law enforcement, taking away their humanity. In addition, the power structure between whites and people of color cemented in our everyday lives, and the lack of accountability on law enforcement, reveals the severe issues that people of color, especially the black community, faces daily, giving activists a motive and the empowerment to advocate for black humanity, as seen in this image by professional athletes.
Source: L.G Patterson (photographer), taken in 2014
