We ARE Americans

We ARE Americans

Adult nonfiction
"Where I live, most of the kids give up. They give up on their
education. I don't think that it is something that is possible for
me. I want to think positive. I really want to continue with what I
am doing in school."
Frequent moves including one to the United States and parental
temporary separation made Penelope's (quoted above) life challenging.
She was able to go from English-language development to AP and get
very good grades. She's received many awards for extracurricular
involvement and academic excellence, balancing her involvements with
housework and child care responsibilities at home. Going to college
would involve surmounting immense obstacles. Like 15 other young
people William Perez interviewed for We Are Americans she was an
illegal alien.
Perez profiled four high school students, four community college
students, four university students, and four college graduates--all
undocumented. They crossed the border as children with their
families. Few have memories of former countries. In almost every way
possible they are indistinguishable from their native born peers...
...but at every step they were tripped up in their quest for
higher education despite the fact that they were stellar students with
outstanding grades and serious extracurricular and volunteer
participation. Even with English being a second language and
prejudice being a serious barrier to getting out of basic classes,
they were overrepresented in AP and honors classes. Some also worked
or had home responsibilities. If they had been born in the USA
universities would have offered them sweetheart deals.
Because this was not the case some universities flat out turned
them down. Most financial aid was out of their reach. Lack of social
security numbers kept them from getting decent jobs, limiting them to
low pay gigs, often under the table. Inability to obtain drivers'
licenses doomed them to outrageously lengthy bus commutes. Even after
university graduation (and in some cases grad school) professions they
were qualified for remained out of reach. And deportation remained a
constant threat.
The four last profiles serve as a contrast. They are of peers
who were able to become citizens and live up to their potentials.
We ARE Americans was published in 2009. Sadly, as the fate of
dreamers has become a political hot potato, it remains only too
relevant today. We need to give immigrants and refugees the papers
they require to fulfill their potentials, not only because it's the
right thing to do, but because we need their abilities and
determination in order for our nation to fulfill its potential.
By happy coincidence, I read a piece in the Bangor Daily News
that was quite relevant. Some of the students profiled in the book
had had to fight to get into AP and honors classes because of low
expectations on the part of high school faculty and administration.
The story was about a Portland school getting more minority students
into AP classes by preventing enrollment solely by tracking, making
the classes more interesting and relevant, and adding support for
students. It also helps that they have a strongly engaged Somali
refugee vice principal.
He's a prime example of how much we need refugee/immigrant
drive and talent.
On a personal note, Tuesday I was able to stuff a lovely green eyed
moose and dress it in a UMaine shirt, enjoy an ice cream sundae, and
pat some adorable goats at UMaine. The goats rated a story in the
Bangor Daily News. I also attended a presentation on opiode
overdoses: dealing with and preventing.
Today I'm going to Lavender Graduation. (A couple of years ago at
Lavender Graduation I learned about the program I'm going into. In
two years I've become so much more confident, capable, and poised. If
all goes well in three to six years I'll be participating in my own
Lavender Graduation.)
Tuesday and Wednesday nights I learned that blueberry hard cider makes
an excellent base for an ice cream soda. Don't try that at home
unless you're 21 or older.
I'm very much enjoying my dafodills.
jules hathaway



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