People from all walks of life, whether they live in mansions or modest homes, face similar challenges—making a living and raising their families. While the specifics may differ, the shared human experience remains constant.
However, some individuals struggle with this shared humanity. They focus on external differences—such as skin color, language, customs, and clothing—and attempt to diminish those who make them uncomfortable. This often leads to the creation of false narratives about these groups, with crimes being fabricated or exaggerated to fit a preconceived notion.
In my column on Monday, I invited readers to share their personal experiences with immigrants, both positive and negative. I anticipated receiving some distressing accounts but was met with mostly benign or unsubstantiated criticisms. For instance, one reader mentioned a burglary but had no concrete evidence linking it to immigrants. Others echoed news reports rather than sharing personal stories.
Today, I want to highlight the positive contributions of immigrants, as shared by our readers.
George Heartwell, former Mayor of Grand Rapids, MI, wrote about his experience: “During my 12 years as mayor, we welcomed many immigrants, mainly from Central America. A study by the Dyer-Ives Foundation found that immigrants in Grand Rapids were more likely than native-born residents to start businesses, purchase homes, and engage in civic activities. I fully support welcoming more immigrants.”
Howard Grimberg, a truck driver, shared his observations: “I regularly work with recent immigrants at warehouses. They consistently demonstrate a strong work ethic and contribute positively to our community.”
Contrast these real-life accounts with extreme claims such as, “They’re eating the dogs.”
Immigrants also play a crucial role in the American healthcare system. Many healthcare professionals, including my parents’ caregivers from Ghana, are immigrants. Martin Stewart described his gratitude: “When I was diagnosed with cancer, I received exceptional care from immigrant doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers. Their support has been instrumental in my recovery.”
Some people, like Tony Loret de Mola, recognize their own immigrant heritage and understand the value of newcomers: “My parents were immigrants from Cuba before Castro. I grew up surrounded by immigrants who built successful lives in the U.S. I am grateful for their bravery and the opportunities it provided for my family.”
Finally, a touching anecdote from George Hettinger highlights the genuine kindness of immigrants: “While fishing near North Aurora, I accidentally left my tackle bag behind. The next day, an immigrant named Carlos returned it to me after finding my address on the fishing license inside. I may not know for certain if he was a first-generation immigrant, but I believe his parents likely were.”
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