When asked about why the new policy of allowing only South African Whites to immigrate to the United States, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a Cuban of color, stated that it is because they “can quickly assimilate into society and be successful.” I am left to assume that Rubio sees his family and himself as also assimilated and therefore an exception to his criteria.
Immigrants come to America from around the world and, in time, generally find a way to add to the greatness of the country. They bring with them their color of skin, their language, their culture and most of all, a desperate desire to work hard and realize the American Dream.
Cuban immigrants that gave life to Marco Rubio and his family are no different. However, whatever fantasies they may have about color, there is no getting away from the fact that Cubans come in shades of white, brown and black shared by all Latinos.
Immigrants have been the standard for the energy required to move the country to new eras of development both in building the infrastructure of the economy and democratic aspirations. Since Jamestown, Virginia in 1607, immigrants have provided the structural model for building a nation.
The concept is based on the opportunity to own land and the individual and collective freedom to fashion its content and worth. Successive waves of immigrants, mostly from Europe, found their way to a continent full of opportunities offered by its landscape and its beauty.
Their industrious commitment grew the country by leaps and bounds. Particularly important were the groups that came between 1830 and 1920 that pushed across the vast countryside and carried its identity from one ocean to the other.
Specifically, it is immigrants and their wagon trains that travel across the mountains and the prairies to occupy and build the homes and communities that characterized the beginning of the American Dream. They brought with them the notions of democracy and the need for schools and universities that would guarantee the preservation of that knowledge for generations to come.
By the 20th Century America had much to lose and much to defend. The United States became a superpower by leading the world in multiple wars to assure the security of our way of life.
The immigrant community was there when the country needed labor to replace the citizen soldiers that went to war. Immigrants and their families also found their way into the arm forces in heroic defense of the country and the flag.
Recently, immigrants, especially from Mexico, Cuba and India, have framed the contributions to the country from the farms and cities to the professions. Examples of that include the fact that the communities are number one in start-ups of every kind, and per capita, have the highest rate of attendance at colleges and universities.
Just as important is the influence immigrants have historically had on the world of work. Every generation since the founding of America has had immigrants remind everyone of the importance of the work-ethic as their purpose in coming to the country is to work hard and prosper.
That active reminder among other things, is what has kept the country on the road to greatness. Without the energy provided by immigrants, America may very well go in a direction in which it seems to have already embarked.
The notion that America is an immigrant country are not just empty words or to be taken for granted. It is the foundation of who we are.
The views expressed by David Conde are not necessarily the views of LaVozColorado. Comments and responses may be directed to News@lavozcolorado.com.
