UPDATE: This Saturday, August 19, 2023, a critical conversation unfolds in Logan Heights as historian Kelly Lytle Hernandez and filmmaker Alex Rivera delve into the origins and implications of deportation on modern immigration policy. This urgent discussion comes amid intensified immigration enforcement and violent raids that have dramatically affected communities across the United States.
The dialogue, prompted by a surge in aggressive immigration tactics, aims to shed light on the historical context of deportation and its ongoing impact on marginalized groups. With the backdrop of current political rhetoric, including inflammatory remarks from officials, this event seeks to challenge the normalization of deportation and advocate for human rights.
Hernandez, a MacArthur Genius Fellow, emphasizes that we are currently experiencing a “crisis moment,” where many community members face detention and removal. She notes that understanding the roots of these policies is vital for effective advocacy and organizing. “One of the things I’m trying to do in this moment is give us perspective about how we have grappled with these moments in the past,” Hernandez stated.
Rivera, who has spent over 30 years exploring migration issues, echoes this sentiment, highlighting the dangerous shift in public sentiment towards immigration. “We are in a moment of extraordinary violence,” he warned, linking it to a broader narrative of racial injustice that has persisted throughout U.S. history. He urges a reevaluation of the current immigration discourse, calling it a critical time to challenge prevailing attitudes toward deportation and its implications for human dignity.
The event will not only explore the historical aspects of deportation, tracing back to the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, but it will also discuss contemporary resistance strategies. Both experts aim to inspire attendees to envision a more just immigration system. “We need to imagine alternatives,” Rivera suggested, adding that this discussion is essential for creating a safer world for all.
As the conversation progresses, attendees will learn about past resistance movements, including significant legal battles that have shaped the current immigration landscape. The stories of early deportees, such as Fong Ting, who challenged deportation laws in the 19th century, will be highlighted as powerful examples of resilience and activism.
This event is particularly timely in light of the ongoing political climate, which has seen increased deportation measures under various administrations. Hernandez warns that the current narrative threatens to present deportation as a “natural” facet of U.S. governance, a view she argues must be contested.
Join the urgent conversation this Saturday at Bread and Salt in Logan Heights to engage with these pressing issues and learn how history shapes contemporary immigration policy. The event promises to be a pivotal moment for community dialogue and advocacy, aiming to foster understanding and inspire action against the backdrop of an increasingly complex immigration landscape.
Stay informed and be part of the movement for change.
