The single hardest thing about this year so far is an appreciation of the gravity of the problems that face our world.
When one works for social justice, I believe the fight must be two-fold. First, there must be acts of charity. When there is hunger, we must provide food; when there is homelessness, we must provide housing; when there is despair, we must provide hope. Social justice needs a reactionary role because there is are many needs in the world. This is the area that's most commonly thought of when one images non-profit work.
The problem with being reactionary is it's often difficult to know what is needed. My older sister Laura illustrated it well by describing charities that would build wells in fertile land. They intentions were good but ultimately it was a waste of money because they provided a service that wasn't needed. It's often difficult to know what the need is because there is normally a lack of familiarity but even if you know the situation there are always countless different opinions on what is needed?
The second aspect of social justice involves a proactive approach: it is essential to examine the inequalities in society that lead to these injustices. It is a simple fact that opportunities are not equally distributed in this world. It is not to say that those in the "first world" don't work hard, but it is fair to say that employment opportunities simply don't exist in much of the world. In these areas, it is not a question of how hard one works but a question of whether success is even possible.
In my line of work you begin to realize that torture happens because the system permits it. It is not easy to get away with torture; it requires powerful, desperate groups of people that can stifle any opposition through intimidation and violence. It goes without saying that powerful governments use torture to stifle opposition but even large corporations use it. Shell gasoline has been accused of human rights abuses in Nigeria and the United Fruit Company has been closely tied to countless human rights abuses throughout Latin America.
It is this second aspect that paralyzes me and leaves me feeling so helpless. I merely need to open any clients chart and learn their history by reading a few pages. One page asks the client to explain why they were persecuted. The clients simply need to check the box next to one of the following options: political minority, religious minority, cultural minority, labor disputes, etc. One of the charts I saw had each and every option checked. My sadness and paralysis emerges because ideally I don't believe we should just help those who are tortured; we need to fight to prevent torture from ever happening again. Ultimately, my job should never need to exist. However, when someone was tortured because of politics, religion, culture AND labor issues, is it possible to correct even one of those in our lifetime? Just watch the stories of political oppression in Iran and Burma. Even if you do abolish torture in one country there are over 100 nations that use torture. Even our own country after 9-11 established "black sites" to intimidate and humiliate terror suspects beyond the eyes of organizations such as Amnesty International and the Red Cross.
My hope persists due to the positive aspects of my job. It is clear to see that the Marjorie Kovler does great things for people every day. I had the honor of receiving a call for an incredibly positive and warm client from the IRS stating that he no longer owed back taxes (his identity was stolen by an illegal immigrant and owed the IRS thousands). To be able to receive that news and know that his financial future was much stronger was an honor and a blessing to the soul.
I also take comfort in the fact that, again, 97% of our clients obtain asylum. It isn't fair that it often takes years. It isn't fair that a client of ours was denied asylum this week but not deported and therefore will forever be undocumented and stuck in political limbo. You just have the remember the positive because paralysis helps no one.
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Mike-
ReplyDeleteI love commenting on your posts (just FYI). Also I really enjoy your thoughts and writings on all of this. This is very well written. Now for my questions:
1) I agree with you that this should not be a problem and that it can be taken care of at the source but how does one do that? Who is it up to to make these changes/enforce them?
2) This next one comes from my lack of knowledge (it's not really ignorance) of the situations. I firmly believe that change starts with one person and it only takes one person who firmly believes in what they are doing to create change. This being said, for those who don't get asylum what can you do for them? Is there something you can do to help them? I mean it may not be apparent at first but is there some loop in which you can get them a job or help them create a semblance of a life? And if so what can I do to help?
3) Why does it take them so long to be granted asylum?
4) What do you personally think is the hardest thing for these people to deal with? Is it that they were discriminated against in their country or something else...or are they discriminated here too? Again this comes from my lack of knowledge on this issue/government standings.
5) Is there a way they can register as a legal alien every year. while yes that isn't ideal, my great grandfather did this and he made a good life for my grandfather who in turn made a better life for my father...etc.
These are the questions that I just had going through my head while reading your insights. Again, I really enjoy reading your blog and am very interested in this and in what I can do to help. Whether it is just getting the word out to let others know or more. Change starts with one person who is brave enough to start it. Can't wait to see you next weekend!
glo
Mike, I just read a statment by Pope Benedict that says that as society becomes more globalized "it makes us neighbors but it does not make us brothers" (or sisters:)Your acts of charity help to fulfill the goal of brotherly love. It's much more difficult to change system-wide injustices. Maybe it's easier to just focus on the daily acts of kindness.
ReplyDeleteLove , Mom
Greg in response to your comment:
ReplyDelete1. I have no idea. You have to empower the people and dis-empower the ruling classes. It's difficult though. The torture is many of these places are due to oppression by the state. The question is how does one do that? Violently? Nonviolently? It's tough to know that answer.
2. It's tough when someone doesn't get asylum. Basically, the gov't has decided that the individual hasn't been able to prove that he/she is in danger if he/she returns. Once the gov't rules and you exhausted your appeals, there's not much to be done. If you stay, you do so illegally. You are in the same situation as those who cross the border illegally for work. You look for all the loopholes you can.
3. It takes so long for several reasons. Basically, you meet an Immigration officer and if you can't prove you're in danger, you go to an immigration court. Court proceedings just take years to file all the necessary paperwork. If you lose and need to appeal, it goes to the Federal courts. All in all, just a lot of legal holdups.
4. I think the hardest thing varies greatly. Normally, they do not experience the same discrimination but can face other forms here. Most of the struggles come from a lack of language skills leading to a lack of employement. Without employement, they have no money, food or housing. In addition, the legal proceedings are stressful and they are also suffering from Post-traumatic stress disorder which some never can fully recover.
5. That I do not know. That is an interesting question. I believe not because they did not legally immigrate.