#IamANIMMIGRANT
Over the past several weeks, we’ve all watched Hamilton over and over again, singing the songs ad nauseam. We’re collectively “not throwing away our shot…” And we all want to be “in the room where it happens.” We rejoice in the energy and spirit of a young nation built on the beliefs and ideals of immigrants. At the Battle of Yorktown, we sing along with Hamilton and Lafayette… “we’re finally on the field, we’ve had quite a run. Immigrants, we get the job done!”
Today, the word immigrant is not celebrated. We’ve changed our outlook and “immigrant” now brings to mind an outsider, someone who does not add value to a community, who could create problems, who we should want to keep out. This view, which has such a negative impact on our culture, continues to be promoted in political discussions today, despite the fact that at one time or another, most of us or someone from our past, came to this country from somewhere else.
Those of you who know me personally, know that I am originally from the beautiful Caribbean island of Jamaica. I am an immigrant and a citizen of the United States.
My sister Yvette and I grew up in Montego Bay, but since the late 1980s, this country has been our home. In the beginning, we both had many struggles, becoming acclimated to a new environment, finding ways to support ourselves, and to advance our educational goals. As I look back on those years, it took real determination, some kindness and help from family and friends, and a lot of hard work for us both to get to where we are today. Yvette is a software engineer and senior program manager at Microsoft, and I am lawyer and I’ve spent my career at the highest levels of national and international college and university sport. We know without a doubt, that we contribute to the growth of this nation, as do countless other immigrants.
According to data gathered by the Center for American Entrepreneurship 43 percent of the companies listed on the 2017 edition of the Fortune 500 were founded by first- or second-generation immigrants. I’ll do the math for you, that’s 215 of the 500 largest American companies by revenue! Curious about which companies? Amazon, Apple, Google, McDonalds, Disney, and AT&T to name a few. If you narrowed down to the top 25 largest firms, more than half of those (52%) were founded by first or second generation immigrants. “Immigrant-founded Fortune 500 firms are headquartered in 33 of the 50 states, they employ 12.8 million people worldwide, and accounted for $5.3 trillion in global revenue in 2016.” (Center for American Entrepreneurship) – https://startupsusa.org/fortune500/
This narrative must change. We need to speak out, and put a name and face on this immigrant conversation! Those of us who are first or second generation immigrants, or even grandchildren of immigrants, know that the influx of diversity, talent, exposure, different experience, creates the foundation of who we are as a nation. The strength of a nation is in its people, and our people come from everywhere. We are, and we have always been a nation of immigrants.
Now back to Hamilton…Da da da dat da dat da da da da aye ya da; da da dat dat da ya da!
27 Responses
Hi there, this weekend is fastidious designed for me, as this point in time i am reading this impressive informative post here at my residence. Beatriz Patric Glanville
I really liked your blog post. Really thank you! Much obliged. Cristina Hubey Hyacinthe
I love it when individuals come together and share ideas. Natalie Monro Cuttler
Hi, after reading this amazing piece of writing i am as well glad
to share my know-how here with mates.
Am always in love with rema songs, rema thank you very much for dis Arlena Baily Hetty
Great article! We are linking to this great article on our website. Keep up the great writing. Dorelia Perceval Fulvi
Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources back to your site?
My blog site is in the exact same area of interest as yours and my visitors would genuinely benefit from some of the
information you present here. Please let me know if this ok with you.
Appreciate it!
Are you still planning on having the second historic home tours this year? Randie Bartlett Tristas
The center of the problem is that Metis from the Ouest claim to be the only real Metis in the whole country, even if mixed lineage has historically begun in the East. When you see yourself as the supreme, the best and the only one, it becomes easy to deny and spit on all others. Especially when you make your own laws. Hyacinthie Myles Farley
This paragraph is actually a nice one it assists new internet users, who are wishing for blogging.
Amazing! This blog looks just like my old one!
It’s on a completely different topic but it has pretty much the
same layout and design. Great choice of colors!
That is very attention-grabbing, You are an overly skilled blogger.
I have joined your feed and sit up for looking for more of your magnificent post.
Also, I have shared your website in my social networks
Hello, its fastidious piece of writing regarding media print, we all know media is a enormous source of data.
Great Share! Can I just say what a relief to find someone who actually knows what theyre talking about on the internet. You definitely know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people need to read this and understand this side of the story. I cant believe youre not more popular because you definitely have the gift.
When I initially commented I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now whenever a comment is added I receive 4 emails with the exact same comment. There has to be a means you can remove me from that service? Appreciate it! Conny Ariel Nor
Your home in addition to garden are commonly the particular two most crucial spots you deal with about a every day schedule. Concettina Jonathan Harelda
As a Newbie, I am always searching online for articles that can be of assistance to me. Thank you Brinna Errick Simmons
Wonderful website. A lot of helpful information here. I am sending it to several friends ans additionally sharing in delicious. And naturally, thank you on your sweat! Gale Kendricks Bathulda
As a Newbie, I am always searching online for articles that can aid me. Thank you Norean Lennie Neumark
Very good point which I had quickly initiate efficient initiatives without wireless web services. Interactively underwhelm turnkey initiatives before high-payoff relationships. Holisticly restore superior interfaces before flexible technology. Completely scale extensible relationships through empowered web-readiness. Valencia Mick Lugar
Thank you, great post! Just the thing I needed to know.
Sukces nigdy nie jest ostateczny. Porazka nigdy nie jest totalna. Liczy sie tylko odwaga i waleczne serce. Sir. W. Churchill Adaptation by ITI Systems
Check out to your nearest Aadhar enrollment center to sign up for your Aadhar card. Brynne Heinrick Houlberg
Always love to comment , I can’t help it ! Thanks Sarah
Howdy! I realize this is sort of off-topic however
I had to ask. Does building a well-established website like yours take
a large amount of work? I’m brand new to running a blog but I do write in my journal everyday.
I’d like to start a blog so I can easily share my experience and views online.
Please let me know if you have any kind of ideas or tips for new
aspiring blog owners. Thankyou!
You must know, your post goes to the center in the issue. Your clearness leaves me wanting to know a lot more. merely so you know, i will instantly grab your feed to keep up to date with your website. Sounding Out thanks is purely my little way of saying bravo for a wonderful resource. Accept my nicest wishes for your inflowing article.
A big thank you for your article. Thanks Again. Fantastic. Laurice Shurlock Iey