Imagine you live in a country with little or no economic possibilities. You have no job, no way to sustain yourself or your family, and no one coming to your rescue. What would you do to feed yourself and your children? Thousands of people in Snohomish County have arrived here under those circumstances. They moved here to support themselves, and, in turn, have supported the local economy.
They didn’t move here to take our jobs, they move here to survive, and the options offered to them are not the glamorous options that American citizens are fighting over. They are amazingly strong beings who will do anything to survive, and they put up with acts by others that take advantage of their lack of rights and their vulnerability.
Currently, we are preparing for the annual event hosted by Snohomish County recognizing human rights, such as the murders 9-year old Brisenia Flores and her father, Raul. They were murdered by anti-immigrant extremists from Snohomish County. The militants believed that the Flores family was undocumented. Whether or not the Flores family was or not is irrelevant (they were legal citizens). The fact is that violence was perpetrated upon them because militants had the mindset that they were more entitled, that the lives of the Flores family were so insignificant that their violent murders were justified.
With the lack of fair, federal, comprehensive immigration reform, the undocumented communities in Snohomish County will live with some harsh realities. They will live below the poverty line because the jobs they take pay very little. They will live in constant fear that they will be deported and that their children will be left homeless and parentless. All of this, in addition to the fact that many already suffer from post-traumatic stress due to the horrific experiences that brought them here.
It is a victimization that tracks them incessantly. It starts with the corrupt “coyotes” operating along the border crossing. Next are the employers here that take advantage because their victims are too fearful to report crimes to authorities (i.e., wage theft or sexual assault) and are unaware that they have human rights. While here, this community generally lives in deplorable housing with only the basic utilities. It is not uncommon to find families surviving in isolation, scarcely heated dwellings, and rat- and mold-infested conditions. Because of their isolation, they become depressed, suicidal, and live emotionally trapped and in desperation. The majority don’t have access to medical treatment, whether mental or physical. Do we want this in our society? Is this the American land of the free that we are so proud of?
I think we should admire the tenacity of these people who work so hard and take nothing for granted. In fact, every single time I have extended myself to them — even when they live in these conditions — I’ve found that I am greeted by gracious, smiling people who greatly appreciate any gesture that humanizes them. I invite you to challenge my statement.
In a humanitarian society, we believe that the use of violence or intimidation by people with extreme ideals will end. The truth is that extremist hatred is a mental and emotional pollution that suffocates our rational mind and hearts. It can never be acceptable to allow anyone in our community to feel isolated, discriminated, abused and/or harmed because of our lack of empathy. Americans are known for their empathy and generosity.
Americans send aid all over the world on a continual basis. Why are we not living this ideology here? Snohomish County is a beautiful place to raise our families, and we have vibrant resources to share with all. Let’s build on this principle.
We should not look away or allow ourselves to be in denial when violence is used to make personal and political stances. We should not allow fear to paralyze and prevent us from doing what is best for humanity. Compassion and solidarity create strength and the American dream.
Nina Martinez resides in Everett and is Vice Chair of the Latino Civic Alliance, a statewide, nonpartisan advocacy and legislative organization. For more information, contact her at nina@latinocivicalliance.org.
Event Wednesday
The Snohomish County Human Rights Commission hosts a community event, “Humanity, not Hatred,” at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the county campus, 3000 Rockefeller Ave. in Everett.
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