Writ Large Editor's Introduction(?)

Note: This text was pulled from the defunct wordpress website for Writ Large. I am unsure of if it is an Editor's Introduction, a blog post, or an unrelated essay, but I do believe based on tone and context that it is an Editor's Introduction which was published outside of the hardcopy issue it appeared in. 

February 16 was a prime example of a divided nation. For many honest and hardworking, immigrants who have come to this country in hopes of a better life, they have come to find that in recent months, their presence has been questioned and hostilities have taken place.

In an attempt to address the nation on their importance to this country, Thursday February 16 called for direct action. Labeled “A Day Without Immigrants,” many naturalized and undocumented immigrants took a leave of absence from their work, school, and shopping life to shed light on how significant a role they play within the American economy. As a direct message to the new Trump administration, immigrants all over the U.S have risen to boycott any plans that can possibly affect their communities. From mass deportations to building a wall, the new political climate has put a major strain on this large population. Having started off on social media, the nationwide event has raised awareness to the feelings of many during this difficult time.

Already angered by the travel ban President Trump has placed on seven Muslim based countries, many foreign born workers and their families hope to continue acts of solidarity and speak up. In an article entitled “A day without immigrant workers would look something like this,” Boston Globe writers Adam Vaccaro and Katheleen Conti note that Boston has risen up to join and support the nationwide demonstration. “Throughout Greater Boston, pockets of commercial establishments big and small joined the protest. The demonstration was most noticeable in the restaurant industry, which saw notable eateries such as the chain Anna’s Taqueria, and several Sweetgreen locations.” Many of these major businesses were fighting to help raise awareness that new immigration policies affects everyone, immigrant and U.S born.

As Boston and many other cities rise up to stand for their immigrant communities, I can’t help but feel the need to stand with them. As a daughter of immigrant family, I’ve had the opportunity to see firsthand the difference America has made on us as well as the difference we have made. My family is made up of Ecuadorian and Puerto Rican immigrants. One prime example of inspiration being my Ecuadorian grandmother.

Having entered this country from Ecuador with two children, my grandmother at the age of 20 fought hard to achieve the American Dream. As a foreign woman who didn’t speak English at the time, life was pretty hard. Not only did she have to adapt to a new lifestyle without the comforts of her family, but she was forced to learn the ways of a new culture.

Knowing that she had to set the foundation for her children and future family here in America, my grandmother strove to learn everything she could. It was by taking on countless jobs and studying a new language that she achieved the strength that America promised. And after years and years of trying to fight for a better lifestyle for them, she ended up becoming a manager in one of the departments at a top financial company in Boston.

So as I sit here myself reading and watching countless immigrants and supporters stand up in solidarity, I can’t help but feel overjoyed. I too stand for the importance of immigrant workers in this country. I support the hard work the migrant population has put into help making America thrive. America is known as the land of opportunity and was built off the collective work of our immigrants. “A Day Without Immigrants” serving as that reminder. Looking optimistically toward the future, I hope our new presidential administration does well to remember that.

-Jessica Perez

(February 20th 2017)