This is not a column reporting on activities for the job I currently hold. Nor does its content reflect on any other community organizations or activities I am involved in. It is a very personal response to the letter submitted by Ms. Rohloff, whom I commend for signing her name, as I too am irritated by published anonymous commentary.
This letter is to state publicly that I realize I am here, and am doing what I can to serve this community, as a direct result of those immigrants who came to "our" country many years ago. I know the values of these ancestors have been the mold for my life. Guess they should have been screened better.
My maternal great-grandfather, as well as my paternal grandfather, immigrated to this country. I am here and am an American by birth only by fate - not by right. The life I try to lead, and the lives of many others in this community, I would guess, is based on a foundation of the values men and women brought with them on the respective boats that had room for the trip. I think they were all very brave in leaving their countries, homes and families - each in a quest to seek a better life - a new, exciting and, undoubtedly, very frightening experience.
I happened to be surrounded by a strong mixture of German and Swiss language spoken in my early years - mostly when I wasn't supposed to know what was being said and sometimes when cuss words were spoken, I suspect - but I always enjoyed the German Church services in the small community I had the privilege to grow up in because this memory is so peaceful. I never questioned at the time that it might be wrong for family members or neighbors to speak in Northern European languages at home, social or religious gatherings. This seemed a normal part of the community I lived and thrived in.
My point is that we all came from somewhere. It's the laws and regulations that have changed, not the opportunity. I challenge that immigrants of any nationality who bring skills, hope and value to our country should not be welcome to find their way. I also urge you, Ms. Rohloff, and anyone else who feels that Latino immigrants must "toe the line," to investigate the current route available to entering this country legally to work in, or to establish residency in, and see if you, yourself, might qualify to fulfill the criteria necessary today and would be willing to do so if the circumstances were reversed.
I appreciate that my ancestors had the ability to carve out a life without the current requirements, and know from my personal family history that they worked for rock-bottom pay. I'm glad it worked out this way because, frankly, I think I'd never have made it as a Swiss watchmaker or Gobbler factory chocolate dripper, and I'm certain this area would not have the strong agri-base economy that was built, and remains solid, without the influx long ago of perhaps "questionable" immigrants from many countries. Somehow, they survived and indeed prospered in building new lives here, becoming part of the mix that cements our American foundation.
This letter is to state publicly that I realize I am here, and am doing what I can to serve this community, as a direct result of those immigrants who came to "our" country many years ago. I know the values of these ancestors have been the mold for my life. Guess they should have been screened better.
My maternal great-grandfather, as well as my paternal grandfather, immigrated to this country. I am here and am an American by birth only by fate - not by right. The life I try to lead, and the lives of many others in this community, I would guess, is based on a foundation of the values men and women brought with them on the respective boats that had room for the trip. I think they were all very brave in leaving their countries, homes and families - each in a quest to seek a better life - a new, exciting and, undoubtedly, very frightening experience.
I happened to be surrounded by a strong mixture of German and Swiss language spoken in my early years - mostly when I wasn't supposed to know what was being said and sometimes when cuss words were spoken, I suspect - but I always enjoyed the German Church services in the small community I had the privilege to grow up in because this memory is so peaceful. I never questioned at the time that it might be wrong for family members or neighbors to speak in Northern European languages at home, social or religious gatherings. This seemed a normal part of the community I lived and thrived in.
My point is that we all came from somewhere. It's the laws and regulations that have changed, not the opportunity. I challenge that immigrants of any nationality who bring skills, hope and value to our country should not be welcome to find their way. I also urge you, Ms. Rohloff, and anyone else who feels that Latino immigrants must "toe the line," to investigate the current route available to entering this country legally to work in, or to establish residency in, and see if you, yourself, might qualify to fulfill the criteria necessary today and would be willing to do so if the circumstances were reversed.
I appreciate that my ancestors had the ability to carve out a life without the current requirements, and know from my personal family history that they worked for rock-bottom pay. I'm glad it worked out this way because, frankly, I think I'd never have made it as a Swiss watchmaker or Gobbler factory chocolate dripper, and I'm certain this area would not have the strong agri-base economy that was built, and remains solid, without the influx long ago of perhaps "questionable" immigrants from many countries. Somehow, they survived and indeed prospered in building new lives here, becoming part of the mix that cements our American foundation.
