By: Roy Naim
Yes, I am jumping on the bandwagon. It seems like the popular thing to do now that we all have a case of LINSANITY.
Pretty cool eh? Forget the fact that he is an Asian American, a Harvar
d kid and all that good stuff.
I have a different take on this. It is the “what if” take. Just think about it. What if Jeremy never had a chance to play. What if the Knicks decided forget it, we won’t put him up.
Would we have a case of Linsanity? Of course not.
Two things took place here: Knicks gave him a chance and Lin stepped up to the court big time.
Scary thought really. Gives us a huge responsibility in life. It tells us we must give people a chance, we must allow them to step up, to give it a go and if we don’t, would we ever know how great it could have been?
I mean, if Scooter Braun did not find Justin Beiber (yes, I went there), would we have a case of Beiber Fever? Would millions of girls be screaming on top of their lungs? And hey, say what you want about the kid, but he makes people happy. He got a chance and he stepped up to it and now, he makes people happy.
See where I am going with this? What if the US gave us undocumented immigrants a chance? How many of us would help make this country even greater?
The one who graduated from college as an engineer.
What about the one who wants to create a housing development for the poor.
And those who can be the next face of journalism?
I am not making up these stories. Go on YouTube. Watch their stories. These immigrants have real lives. They have much to give…but what if the US doesn’t give us a chance?
What if we just went extinct?
Can we truly live with that thought? That because The Dream Act was not passed and sadly won’t be passed this year (election year, that is for another topic), we are holding back from many who can do so much for this country…
WOW. Just think about that? So much for this country! If you ask any immigrant today why they want to be legal, so many of them will say so that they can give back. They want to do more. To give more.
Many of these undocumented immigrants are selfless. Heck, it stems from their parents who wanted a better life for them. Selfless.
You know what, I tell America be selfish, keep these immigrants, make them legal so that they can be selfless.
Don’t let us become a nation of what if…but a nation who gives us a chance to shine and to give.
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It’s really what the American dream is all about, isn’t it? Give those that come to these shores a chance to prove themselves and along the way, they’ll not only improve their lot but also the the general well being of the nation.
Yes, Aldo, that is what American means to me.
It is a country where all things are equal and people have the opportunity to shine.
They say the internet is the great equalizer, and this is true…it just stems though from the country we are in.
And in these United States, where the dream is so heavily talked about, it is time for The Dream Act to be passed.
Thank you for commenting.
Well said Aldo!
Thanks. There’re lots un-true and un-friendly characterization about Asian. I believe there’s a bamboo ceiling for Asian Americans. What if we give them a chance?
Hey Nicolas.
Yes, characterization is something many of us do quite quickly.
On the latest Facebook’s meme, the 6 Black Boxes, saying what my friends think I do, what my parents think I do, what I actually think I do, what I really do… there’s one of Jeremy Lin and they characterized him as a studious student, studying away and the final box playing basketball.
That also got me thinking, are we being fair to others when we decide for them what their chance are? Let them decide for themselves.
Here’s another mistake. Many think that only Latinos are undocumented. True, the majority of those who aren’t probably are Latinos, but I am an Israeli and I know many like me who are undocumented as well.
Until we start looking at the situation as human beings, much won’t be done.
Thanks for commenting.
Spot on! This is really just about giving people a shot. By giving people a shot to succeed, we put ourselves in a position to benefit from their success as a society. We can create a permanent underclass of people (who are going nowhere by the way) or we can give people a shot. It is really a no-brainer.
Hey Nathan. Thanks for stopping by.
If it really a no brainer then why aren’t we given a shot to prove ourselves? Why is that many of our Congress, specifically the Senate, are against it?
Why aren’t they thinking the way we are, to give us a chance?
In essence that is what the Dream Act about, let them go to college or serve us, and see how they will thrive for this country.
What are we missing?
Either way, the responsibility is HUGE, whatever situation we are in as teachers, parents, politicians…we must remember what if.
Great point. It obviously is not a no-brainer to a lot of people. I cannot answer why. I think the traditional thinking is that people are just prejudice.
That may be true, but there simply does not seem to be much willpower on the part of our elected representatives to get things done. Furthermore, the American public has taken little interest in this issue. I think more than prejudice is at issue here. Indifference? I don’t know. I would like to think we are better than that as a whole, but maybe we are not.
Maybe it just comes down to politics. The politicians know many of their voting constituents are either (1) against the DREAM Act, or (2) could care less about it.
Either way, it is a shame. As you point out, the responsibility is huge. That is why we are having this conversation. Get the information out there and keep up the pressure. Hopefully we can get things changed with time. As you point out in your article, I think that this will take time.
Is it right? Absolutely not. It is wrong. It is sickenning the way we are treating people who came here as children, who had no real choice in the matter. Children who followed their parents here as they came searching for a better life. Children who were raised here and are as American as anyone else who walks ourt streets. That should be something any parent emphathizes with. Apparently not.
Amen brother!
Let’s rock the world, and perhaps the change will come quicker.
Just came across your blog and thank you! for trying to inform American about this very misunderstood issue.
my story: http://citizenshiptoheaven.wordpress.com/passport-to-heaven/
Hey.
It is not my blog, but rather credit goes to Cache Walker. Great guy. And he allowed me to share my thoughts on this platform.
That said, I read your story and look at how far you have come and how many things worked out for you until this very moment when the time for The Dream Act to be passed is crucial.
I am amazed how many of us are leaders and have done so many great things and yet, the chance is not given…yet.
Ang,
I just read your story on your blog and was very impressed not only by your struggle and dreams but your ability to communicate that through writing. Keep sharing your story to show the human experience of those having to fight through life without the Dream Act. You are American and I hope some day soon our country will recognize that. Please let us know how we can support your writing efforts.
You have hit the nail right on the head. Giving the undocumented aliens a chance will definitely benefit the country and will in no way being adverse effects.
Hey Jessica.
Thank you, giving us or anyone a chance is often benefited from.
Though I am not sure, but I think they say it cost more to deport than to actually keep us and make us legal, so there’s one benefit. Another is, we will make this country even greater when given the chance.
And also, though the topic is immigration, let it be known the HUGE responsibility we have as leaders, teachers, parents, anyone who has some “level up” on people, to remember to give others a chance. You may be surprised.
I don’t have the report right in front of me, but it does cost more to deport than legalize. There are all sorts of indicators, but I have read that just to arrest the estimated number of of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. would cost upwards of $60 billion. That of course does not include the cost of detention, plane flights back to their countries of origins, court operation costs, etc.
Of course, this does not even take into account the lost income from the taxes and other economic benefits our country receives from undocumented families and entreprenuers every year…
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