I’ll spare you what my brother said about the Afghans seeking to emigrate here after the withdrawal of the U.S.
.
If you’ve followed along here from sometime, you know that my brother lives in NJ. He’s an addict, has landed on the wrong side of law many times, and is on the far right. Basically the opposite of me. I can just imagine where he’s getting his news. If any of you that have tried to talk logic with people like him know there’s really no point in arguing. People who have made up their mind, and it would be easier to convince them the North was South.
.
The “evil immigrant” is a tired old trope commonly used by politicians and other low-lives to conjure up votes through fear. A fear a few years ago was Syrians and now will be Afghans. On the eve of 9/11 it seems like we never learned anything of the tremendous lesson that could have been learned from our grief. We still are peddled xenophobic lies.
.
Here’s a few immgration facts to combat those lies:
MYTH: IMMIGRANTS ARE TAKING OVER
FACT: Immigrants actually only account for 13.5% of the total U.S. population, which is in line with historical norms
MYTH IMMIGRANTS DON'T HELP THE ECONOMY
FACT: Immigrant-owned businesses with employees have an average of 11 employees
MYTH IMMIGRANTS DON'T WORK
FACT: 72.5% of immigrants believe hard work is how you succeed in America and are responsible for half of the total U.S. labor force growth over the last decade
MYTH: IMMIGRANTS ARE ALL MEXICAN
FACT: 30% of immigrants come from Asia, and currently more are coming from China than Mexico
.
The best way to combat immigration ignorance is for the ignorant to get to know an immigrant. Those who live in a homogenized community are at a disadvantage, it’s true. However, my brother and I grew up around immigrants from so many different backgrounds, so what’s with our divergent views? It’s who we surround ourselves with currently and the media we consume. While he is consuming fear of the unknown, my consumption is compassion.