Resist Separation

Throughout the fire relief process, I’ve had so many people say to me variations of, “I have no way of being connected to the migrant/undocumented community.”

This is so interesting and simply reflects the way we’ve all accepted the separation of caste, classism, racism.

I am white passing and I sound ‘American.’ My spanish (that I had to reclaim after losing in foster care) is choppy and I’m really shy about it. So I share similar barriers that many feel. In fact when I first meet Latinx, they often hesitate to engage for these reasons.

So I understand.

The thing is when the fires hit, I had only lived here in Southern Oregon for a year and I had cultivated friendships with Mexican comunidad. Not necessarily because I was seen as part of the community, but because I knew our mutuality.

Embracing conversation, curiosity, time. Knowing that we are the same. With reverence and respect for each person’s wisdom beyond what empire recognizes.

Many of the familias I’ve connected with don’t even think I’m Mexican the whole time we are talking. They will say with surprise when I mention it, “Eres Hispana?!”

As a cultural orphan, I often have to come home and cry about that. And I embrace this as part of the process, my healing, my growth.

Yes, we all may have to overcome some barriers, discomfort, on both sides, but noooooooo, it is not impossible.

All it takes is the intention to learn and be connected with all of humanity. The intention to build authentic relationship.

Open hearts.

And time.

Let’s reclaim our collective selves from the lie of separation.

Let’s resist lies that perpetuate oppressive constructs and systems.