My grandparents were WWII refugees from Estonia. The difference I think, though, is that our families were/are white, and while the advantages were small, they are still advantages over the circumstances of today’s predominantly non-white immigrants. I think that plays a big part in why today’s situation is so fraught and unfair.
A wonderful piece that resonated with me deeply—I often find myself reflecting on similar sentiments over the July 4th holiday. Thank you for articulating it so beautifully.
I love your sense of history. Something I feel is terribly important and often lost with younger generations. I’m struggling with something to celebrate…something to rekindle. It may be my Kindle that saves the day!
With paternal grandparents from England via Canada and maternal grandparents from Germany I still marvel at the courage it took to leave your native country and make the Atlantic crossing. Bless them all.
I'm calling it Alligator Auschwitz because that what it is to me. A place of terror built by an evil man and his cruel administratidon. I don't think I'll ever find it in my heart to forgive my fellow citizens who support this regime. I am unable to celebrate the holiday this year. I am too sad and depressed. I actually woke up crying today because I feel so down. Thank you for bringing beauty to this ugly time we're in.
Thank you for this. Except for the Native Americans, we are all immigrants or descendants of immigrants, aren’t we? At some point every one of our ancestors came here seeking a better life. How dare we turn away those who continue to do it today. How dare we deport or imprison those who are already here, working toward citizenship, simply because the color of their skin is darker? Lady Liberty still stands, but she is weeping.
My dad was born in the states before my Nova Scotia born grandmother was naturalized, my mother's ancestors fought in the revolutionary war. I'm still waiting for ICE to show up on my porch to arrest me for being an anchor grandbaby.
I also have an ancestor wall. It has pictures of my parents, my husband's parents, & all of our grandparents. I study those pictures daily to remind me of my roots. In my case it was my great grandparents who made that voyage across the Atlantic--from Wales, England & Germany. In my husband's case, his maternal grandfather was born on the ship coming from England. What courage it must have taken to board those ships & travel into the unknown. They dreamt of a better life for their children & all those that would follow. Now, that better life is in peril. I'm not celebrating much this year. I hope that soon we can once again celebrate this marvelous country!
Our leaders are so out of touch with our history. It saddens me that they do not see humanity in the faces of those seeking a better life in our country. I pray every day for their ephiphany.
No, they're not. Trump's mother was from the Czech Republic. Trump has no problem with your & my ancestors, immigrants from northern, eastern & western Europe - who look like him. He has problems with the brown faces of Humanity, of countries known for their poverty & drug culture, not "successful" Capitalsim & Western ingenuity & inventions.
Immigration is an enormous and complicated issue. Why are laws and the expectation they be followed considered “unkind?” Were you addressing the unkindness of the last administration in allowing children to be trafficked, drug cartels to send in fentanyl, and hardened criminals to infiltrate American cities and neighborhoods? Are you outraged at the unkindness to the American taxpayer who foots the bill of housing, feeding, educating and medically treating millions and millions of illegals? My grandpa and his parents immigrated from Sweden in the late 19th century. As with most immigrants of that time they followed the immigration laws, procedures, costs, and vetting such that it was. I hope your future articles aren’t politically motivated. If you can’t help it at least warn those of us so we don’t subscribe for $60.
You are right, immigration is an enormous and complicated issue, but I still believe there is a better way to treat people, and that ALL leaders should lead with compassion. We are dealing with human lives and hopes. As for tax dollars, billionaires and corporations getting write offs hurt us more than what we give to the poor. I rarely write about politics, but I do write about the human heart, and my heart broke every time I read about people calling this horrible detention facility "Alligator Alcatraz." I try - and often fail -- to live by those words Jesus said: "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." These are the least of our brothers and sisters. I wrote this out of a sense of mission, not to annoy or offend anyone. I pray over everything I write, and this one was covered by the Saint Francis Prayer. Blessings to you.
Isn't Alcatraz in the Bay off of the California coast? What I can't understand is how our elected officials voted for Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' which will make 3 Trillion by making cuts to Medicaid & Social Services. We are living in Evil Times, for sure. I could go on about why people voted for Trump in the 1st place, but that's another day.
My grandparents were WWII refugees from Estonia. The difference I think, though, is that our families were/are white, and while the advantages were small, they are still advantages over the circumstances of today’s predominantly non-white immigrants. I think that plays a big part in why today’s situation is so fraught and unfair.
A wonderful piece that resonated with me deeply—I often find myself reflecting on similar sentiments over the July 4th holiday. Thank you for articulating it so beautifully.
Race is playing a huge part in who gets rounded up.
I love your sense of history. Something I feel is terribly important and often lost with younger generations. I’m struggling with something to celebrate…something to rekindle. It may be my Kindle that saves the day!
There’s so much to love about America, even now. Hope you discover a few new things this weekend
With paternal grandparents from England via Canada and maternal grandparents from Germany I still marvel at the courage it took to leave your native country and make the Atlantic crossing. Bless them all.
I marvel, too.
I'm calling it Alligator Auschwitz because that what it is to me. A place of terror built by an evil man and his cruel administratidon. I don't think I'll ever find it in my heart to forgive my fellow citizens who support this regime. I am unable to celebrate the holiday this year. I am too sad and depressed. I actually woke up crying today because I feel so down. Thank you for bringing beauty to this ugly time we're in.
Scary name but it fits.
Thank you for this. Except for the Native Americans, we are all immigrants or descendants of immigrants, aren’t we? At some point every one of our ancestors came here seeking a better life. How dare we turn away those who continue to do it today. How dare we deport or imprison those who are already here, working toward citizenship, simply because the color of their skin is darker? Lady Liberty still stands, but she is weeping.
So true.
My dad was born in the states before my Nova Scotia born grandmother was naturalized, my mother's ancestors fought in the revolutionary war. I'm still waiting for ICE to show up on my porch to arrest me for being an anchor grandbaby.
Glad we got you all.
I also have an ancestor wall. It has pictures of my parents, my husband's parents, & all of our grandparents. I study those pictures daily to remind me of my roots. In my case it was my great grandparents who made that voyage across the Atlantic--from Wales, England & Germany. In my husband's case, his maternal grandfather was born on the ship coming from England. What courage it must have taken to board those ships & travel into the unknown. They dreamt of a better life for their children & all those that would follow. Now, that better life is in peril. I'm not celebrating much this year. I hope that soon we can once again celebrate this marvelous country!
Savor every photo.
Our leaders are so out of touch with our history. It saddens me that they do not see humanity in the faces of those seeking a better life in our country. I pray every day for their ephiphany.
I’m with you.
No, they're not. Trump's mother was from the Czech Republic. Trump has no problem with your & my ancestors, immigrants from northern, eastern & western Europe - who look like him. He has problems with the brown faces of Humanity, of countries known for their poverty & drug culture, not "successful" Capitalsim & Western ingenuity & inventions.
There have been people of color coming to this country for centuries. BTW, how do you know what my ancestry is?
Right. I don't know your ancestry. Most of the commenter's talk about their European ancestors. That's what I thought were. Sorry.
Immigration is an enormous and complicated issue. Why are laws and the expectation they be followed considered “unkind?” Were you addressing the unkindness of the last administration in allowing children to be trafficked, drug cartels to send in fentanyl, and hardened criminals to infiltrate American cities and neighborhoods? Are you outraged at the unkindness to the American taxpayer who foots the bill of housing, feeding, educating and medically treating millions and millions of illegals? My grandpa and his parents immigrated from Sweden in the late 19th century. As with most immigrants of that time they followed the immigration laws, procedures, costs, and vetting such that it was. I hope your future articles aren’t politically motivated. If you can’t help it at least warn those of us so we don’t subscribe for $60.
You are right, immigration is an enormous and complicated issue, but I still believe there is a better way to treat people, and that ALL leaders should lead with compassion. We are dealing with human lives and hopes. As for tax dollars, billionaires and corporations getting write offs hurt us more than what we give to the poor. I rarely write about politics, but I do write about the human heart, and my heart broke every time I read about people calling this horrible detention facility "Alligator Alcatraz." I try - and often fail -- to live by those words Jesus said: "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." These are the least of our brothers and sisters. I wrote this out of a sense of mission, not to annoy or offend anyone. I pray over everything I write, and this one was covered by the Saint Francis Prayer. Blessings to you.
Thank you.
Isn't Alcatraz in the Bay off of the California coast? What I can't understand is how our elected officials voted for Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' which will make 3 Trillion by making cuts to Medicaid & Social Services. We are living in Evil Times, for sure. I could go on about why people voted for Trump in the 1st place, but that's another day.