Unbreakable

The Strength Immigrants Carry Every Day

I wish I had an ounce of the strength that immigrants have. They have instilled a fierce resolve and tenacity in their children, a strength we often can't fully grasp. Here we sit, sheltered in our air-conditioned living rooms, lounging on our comfortable sofas, mesmerized by our oversized televisions, too fearful to step outside our towns or our country because there are those labeled as 'frighteningly different' beyond our walls.

Yet, it is precisely these immigrants who we should strive to emulate. The staggering bravery required to abandon everything familiar and venture into the unknown—where one must learn a new language and continuously validate their existence—is among the most daunting yet commendable feats one could undertake. To instill this relentless drive in their children while nurturing them to be compassionate souls, yet resilient enough to pursue self-improvement in order to honor their heritage, is a balancing act worthy of admiration.

They pursue education not merely because it is a societal expectation, but because, for them and their neighbors, the absence of education was never a choice. They advocate passionately and fight fiercely in ways that we—comfortably shielded in our offices, diplomas hanging proudly on the wall—cannot begin to comprehend. We have not embarked on a journey of epic proportions merely to secure a place where we can feed our families and flee from unimaginable violence and oppression.

We may never fully understand the depth of their struggles, but they undoubtedly deserve our unwavering support. Despite their immense strength, their voices often remain silent and unheard. It is essential that we amplify their cries for justice and stand alongside them in solidarity, ensuring that their struggles receive the recognition and support they rightfully deserve.

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” -Theodore Roosevelt