My interests in this project stem from a passion for the Spanish language and my past contact with members of migrant groups within my own communities. I grew up spending entire days at my Mexican neighbor’s house, four years of high school with students from various Latin American and Asian countries, and have volunteered as a Spanish interpreter at a medical clinic. I have heard the personal and family stories of members of various migrant groups. These stories have impacted the way I see the world and the policies that exists in my own country. I believe if more people are able to read the stories of those who have chosen to make the difficult decision to immigrate to a new country, there will be a change in attitude towards immigrants and comprehensive legislation regarding immigration within the United States. As an American citizen, I wish to give a louder voice to those who are not being heard, whether because they are afraid of the repercussions of exposing themselves, or the comfortable ignorance some Americans choose to live in.
Mis intereses en este proyecto provienen de una pasión por el idioma español y mi contacto con miembros de grupos migratorios dentro de mis propias comunidades. Crecí pasando días enteros en la casa de mi vecino mexicano, cuatro años de escuela secundaria con estudiantes de varios países latinoamericanos y asiáticos, y estaba una intérprete voluntaria para español en una clínica médica. He escuchado las historias personales y familiares de miembros de varios grupos migratorios. Estas historias han impactado en la forma en que veo el mundo y las políticas que existen en mi propio país. Creo que si más personas son capaces de leer las historias de aquellos que han elegido tomar la difícil decisión de inmigrar a un nuevo país, habrá un cambio en la actitud hacia los inmigrantes y la legislación general sobre la inmigración dentro de los Estados Unidos. Como ciudadana de los EEUU, deseo dar una voz más fuerte a aquellos que no están siendo escuchados, ya sea porque tienen miedo de las repercusiones de exponerse a sí mismos, o de la cómoda ignorancia que algunos en los EEUU eligen vivir.
Providing a platform for immigrant voices that often go unheard is also one reason I enrolled in this class. I completely agree that if personal and true stories of migrants are heard, they could have a great impact on the opinions and mindsets people approach migrants with. Lastly, I believe that many people are naive to the struggles that migrants face not only in their destination countries but also in the journeys they take to arrive in those countries.
I think your experience and passion speaking Spanish unlocks so much potential with this project, as I am sure you have already discovered. Prior to this class, your past discussions with migrants has changed your opinions and attitudes about immigration policy, something I am looking forward to experiencing during my own work on the oral history project. In addition, your impressive resume makes you a knowledgeable student resource. I am looking forward to continue to work with you in class.