This opinion piece talks about how much immigrants have added to the community, and are struggling so much in this economy. DP
Athens Banner-Herald
Recently, the Athens Banner-Herald published a fabulous and comprehensive article by reporter Joe Johnson on the effects of immigrants in this area (Story, "Coming to America: Blessings and challenges," Oct. 26).
Immigrants have made a great contribution to the community, and they face challenges. Jobs have been declining. The Economic Justice Coalition has been meeting weekly with the day laborers at the shelter in front of The Home Depot for more than two years, and we find them to be inspiring, collegial and jovial, as well as troubled by the difficulties in getting good jobs. It also is true that workers have come to this area from other areas where there are no jobs, while they can get a small job here maybe once a week. The EJC's Unity: Cooperative Labor Partners, a nonprofit business, is helping with that.
One of the workers referred to the drug dealers who work across the border. Some are violent. Others simply are good people who share their profits in their Mexican communities by paying for church buildings, schools or parks. They are family- and community-minded people.
Why do they have to deal in drugs? That is a question that has baffled our country and theirs for decades. Are we paying enough attention to the options in Mexico? To the overpopulation, with many new good jobs, but not enough for the burgeoning population?
The Latino immigrants we have come to know are bright people, excellent and hard workers, and cooperative with each other as well as with their employers. They sacrifice a great deal in order to help their families, who often are left behind in Mexico. We have a great deal to learn from them.
Ray MacNair
No comments:
Post a Comment