Last August, a close friend approached me with a story Time magazine had recently published. It was an article conveniently titled, "Can A Mother Lose Her Child Because She Doesn't Speak English?". I was skeptical, especially since Time magazine and I do not have a good relationship. But I read the article (which you can find under featured links). And I couldn't believe it. In Mississippi, a newborn named Rubi is taken away (in either foster care or adoption) from her legal migrant-working mother because the mother's inability to speak English was considered an endangerment to the baby. I was caught off guard. I felt that there was a loophole that even Time magazine missed. But I did my research and this story was one of many hidden injustices in America. My friend was extremely passionate about this story and while both of us share the cultural pride of being Mexican, we also make an effort to stay tuned in on social issues in America such as this. While she expressed her frustrations, I encouraged her to take a step. To become a "do"er. Not just an identifier. Then I realized I wasn't really doing enough either. Hence the blog's title. This was an opportunity to honor people like Oaxacan-native Cirila Baltazar Cruz and her daughter Rubi; to focus this blog on not just immigration and racial issues, but social issues all together; to maintain awareness and self-education and perhaps to evoke a little action. My friend's e-mail signature is a quote she kind of lives by- Immortal Technique's, "My revolution is born out of the love for my people, not hatred for others." So, out of the love for Rubi, her Oaxacan roots, and the justice they deserve, I present to you: Oaxaca Rubies.
Being from the South, and proud of my Southern roots, it's stories like the one you read in Time magazine, that makes me not just cringe, but almost break down in tears. How can people be so ignorant, so self-righteous, as to judge a parent's love for their child or their parenting skills based on something like this? And how in the world is our country's extremely flawed foster care system going to do right for this child? Admittedly, I haven't read the article in question, and my hope is that the child is being removed from the home for a legitimate reason, not because the parent doesn't speak the popular language of the country. Thanks for getting me riled up and making me think. I look forward to future posts.
ReplyDeleteIt's rare I'm optimistic about any of the new blogs I come across, but this one seems promising. I like how you establish your intention to be more than a personal narrative but without the typical cynical snark.
ReplyDeleteSocial debates in this country are so vigorous, so multifaceted, and so personal, I feel like it's so easy to forget how they all interrelate. You dedicate your blog to Rubi and her heritage, which I find touching, but please don't forget all of the other parents who don't speak this language. Immortal Technique writes of his revolution for his people. But don't we as a community deserve this revolution?
I hope that through mediums such as yours, people can really begin to grasp that social issues are so much more than the soundbites they are known for. They run deep. They correlate to our heritage, our skin color, our faith, our class, and our values. They get at who we really are as individuals and as a community.
Thanks for the Blog. Viva la revolucion.
I think many times people get caught up in the tanglible "doing" something about it (protests, petitions, rallys, ect.). But we must also recognize the power and value of words and education. Talking about the issues and educating others on them is "doing" something. I believe it makes you a "do"er to engage in dialogue surrounding social issues. Because only when the conversation is started can then true action take place. You never know how your words might influence others.
ReplyDeleteMany times our society is to scared/reluctant/ignorant to talk and learn from each other which is sad considering the state we tend to put ourselves in due to ignorance. Rubi is a victim of a lack of conversation...not becuase she doesnt speak the language...but becuase we dont take the time to speak hers...the language of struggle.
Good looks on the post...looking foward to more