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Browsing anti-immigrant Web sites: some reflections by Joseph Roberson
Joseph Roberson at his computer.
Photo: Carol Fouke-Mpoyo
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Every week, I browse a few anti-immigrant websites in an attempt to understand the motivation of those who are troubled by today's newcomers to this country. One common claim is that the newcomers are not assimilating but rather trying to force us to accept their cultures, their ways, and their languages.
I must admit, I find it hard to understand how "our" culture is being threatened and what part of my culture I am being asked to give up.
Some speak as if the earlier periods of immigration were times when people instantly assimilated, learned English very quickly and forgot the traditions of the "old country." In reality, those traditions were brought over and added to this rich society of the United States.
Hymns, prayers, and potlucks
We see it in our food, music, stories, drama, vocabulary, and even our churches.
For example, many of America's mainline denominations still reflect their early European and African immigrant roots in their liturgies and hymns (Stille Nacht – Silent Night – was written neither in English nor in America, yet many American congregations still sing it in German at Christmas) not to mention in what's served at the potluck after worship. And hymns and prayers penned by Asian, Latin American, Caribbean, and Middle Eastern Christians are enriching worship in more and more congregations every week.
Immigration a recurring issue
A review of America's history reminds us that immigration has been a recurring source of tension, even tragic irony, within our country. The Pilgrims who landed at Plymouth Rock in 1620 lost many of their number to hunger and bitter cold before Squanto, a Patuxet Indian, came to their aid. Without him, they would not have survived.
At the same time, the United States' founding story is stained with the colonizers' ultimate conquest of the people who had settled the continent thousands of years before – truly an incidence of immigrants' attempt to obliterate the native people's cultures, ways, and languages. If only the European settlers had found a way to add their cultures to America's already rich cultural mix instead!
Also shameful: the new nation's enslavement of African peoples, whose descendants continue to struggle to understand and overcome that terrible legacy even as they enrich America with their talents, cultures, and ideas.
Throughout the past 200-plus years, many new groups of immigrants – whether Irish, Italian, German, or Asian, to name a few – have been met with prejudice and discrimination by people who had preceded them.
When movements to "close the door" have risen up and temporarily succeeded, they have later been seen as wrong and shortsighted – such as the exclusion of Chinese immigrants in the 1800s and the limits on admission of Jews fleeing Nazi Germany.
The internment of U.S. citizens of Japanese, German, and Italian origin during World War II was later recognized for what it was: deserving of a formal apology and reparations.
I, too, was indifferent, until ...
I didn't grow up knowing this history or appreciating the contributions of immigrants. Until I became pastor in a local congregation, I had never cared or even thought about working with people from another country.
In fact, when I first received a call from my denomination's headquarters concerning refugee resettlement, my answer was that I did not think anyone in the church would be interested.
Yet, God kept knocking at my door and made possible my first experience being closely connected with newcomers to this country – three young men who entered the United States as refugees. I began to see through this resettlement ministry the renewing power of God's love.
In assisting with the resettlement, our group of volunteers learned of the struggles of those who deal with oppression and violence due to their political beliefs. It became very real that the freedoms we each took for granted were not a part of the society from which these men came.
They viewed America as almost an idyllic place – even as they struggled with learning the language, securing employment, and working long hours so they could have their families join them in this country.
A life-changing experience
It was very rewarding to witness the sheer determination each employed as they began their lives anew and built for a better future in which they shared the gifts and talents they had brought from their country, which helped in our understanding of the richness of God's blessings.
Also impressive was the way members of our church reached out and welcomed them to the community – a community with few experiences with refugees or immigrants. One church offered a house they owned to be the refugees' first home. Another provided an abundance of furniture, and volunteers abounded for transportation.
Funds were provided to help purchase vehicles and pay for driving lessons. Whatever the need, it was met with relative ease. Truly, I was astonished with the generosity of the participating congregations. All was freely given without undue concern over the costs involved, because each felt they were a part of a life-changing experience.
Resettlement "a two-way street"
Resettlement was a two-way street with adjustments on the part of the volunteers and adjustments for the newly arrived refugees. It was never an endeavor where we sought to assist them magically to become "Americans" but to simply provide an opportunity for a new start, a new life, and a place to build for the future.
All of these experiences would not have been possible unless I had said yes to an appeal for help. None of these experiences would have touched me personally unless I had agreed to become involved in the resettlement of these newcomers to America.
Throughout our history, one of the things Americans can be proud of is a heritage of accepting people who are fleeing oppression and seeking freedom – beginning with the example set by America's first peoples who welcomed persecuted Europeans to these shores.
I know from my experiences through the years that providing hospitality to newcomers is worth my time and definitely worth the costs as we strengthen the mosaic that is the United States – a place where newcomers, with the help of others, are welcomed in the struggle to start anew and add to the building blocks of this great country.
Joseph Roberson, Director of the Church World Service Immigration and Refugee Program, is an ordained minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He marked his 10th anniversary with CWS/IRP in February.
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