Sergio Cisneros (George Fox University) on American Values
March 29, 2012
One common value held by people in America is the desire to succeed. Alexis de Tocqueville noted more than 150 years ago, “Americans are taught from birth that they must overcome life’s woes and impediments on their own.” Success takes on diverse definitions, and is pursued by people in America regardless of age, race, and documentation.
Researchers estimate that there are approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. Some pick your strawberries or take care of your children. Others attend college or serve in the military. Undocumented students work alongside documented students and faculty at my university.
They break bread with us in the cafeteria, attend forums and debates, and live in the dorms. Recently, some students have started “coming out,” making known their undocumented status.
The term “coming out” implies a narrow approach to the situation. Implicitly, it defines individuals as illegal, shameful, reprehensible aliens — people who deserve to be hidden. This mentality is dividing society and communities.
Recently, I asked some peers why they have “come out” with their undocumented status. One responded, “We aren’t coming out of anything. This is our struggle and who we are.” This response helped me realize that “coming out” to some is “coming in” to others. These students are embracing who they are and challenging society, the academic community, and myself to look them in the eyes and see them as no different from many of us.
They speak English, pay taxes, have dreams, and aspire to greatness. Shoot, they are just as American as doing the twist, lick and dunk with Oreos and milk. Most of these students came to America at a young age. They have lived in the United States most of their lives and are undocumented through no fault of their own.
They played on the elementary school playground. They received a pair of shorts and a T-shirt for their middle school gym class. These students coexist amongst other Oregon students. They serve as advocates of the DREAM Act, hoping Congress will pass the legislation soon. These students demonstrate to many other undocumented students that there is no single model of a DREAMer. We are all dreamers here in America; it’s just a matter of realizing it. These undocumented students are not “coming out;" they are asking unapologetically, what is more American than the shared desire to learn and succeed?
They break bread with us in the cafeteria, attend forums and debates, and live in the dorms. Recently, some students have started “coming out,” making known their undocumented status.
The term “coming out” implies a narrow approach to the situation. Implicitly, it defines individuals as illegal, shameful, reprehensible aliens — people who deserve to be hidden. This mentality is dividing society and communities.
Recently, I asked some peers why they have “come out” with their undocumented status. One responded, “We aren’t coming out of anything. This is our struggle and who we are.” This response helped me realize that “coming out” to some is “coming in” to others. These students are embracing who they are and challenging society, the academic community, and myself to look them in the eyes and see them as no different from many of us.
They speak English, pay taxes, have dreams, and aspire to greatness. Shoot, they are just as American as doing the twist, lick and dunk with Oreos and milk. Most of these students came to America at a young age. They have lived in the United States most of their lives and are undocumented through no fault of their own.
They played on the elementary school playground. They received a pair of shorts and a T-shirt for their middle school gym class. These students coexist amongst other Oregon students. They serve as advocates of the DREAM Act, hoping Congress will pass the legislation soon. These students demonstrate to many other undocumented students that there is no single model of a DREAMer. We are all dreamers here in America; it’s just a matter of realizing it. These undocumented students are not “coming out;" they are asking unapologetically, what is more American than the shared desire to learn and succeed?
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