A few weeks ago Adrian from Texas posted, on Facebook, a link to a page in Virginia. This page was from someone who was selling their furniture; the interesting part is that in the info of the page it clearly stated that they refused to sell things to, “illegal immigrants, LGBTQ people and Muslims.” Now, I don’t understand the reasoning behind this, apparently it’s a moral issue? There’s something unethical about selling to these groups. I still haven’t discovered the reason, maybe because it doesn’t exist!
on facebook
I’m the kind of person that tries reallllly hard to know what the opposing argument is. But for this situation, I just do not get it. Is my money less green because I am undocumented? Does the USA have separate money for Muslims? Are you going to magically become LGBTQ for touching money that came from an LGBTQ person? I would think that someone would want to get rid of their furniture ASAP. How can you do that when you ban half of the population? It makes no sense.
Carlos, from New Jersey, and I left comments on the page’s main profile picture. His comment got deleted but mine was left untouched. I am not muslim or lesbian but I am undocumented and this injustice hit home.
I commented
As you can see there were quite a few likes and others started commenting as well. Right here is a perfect example of organizing online. It kind of reminded me of the shady bus revolution and how a small group of people ignited a fire. What I don’t understand is why didn’t anyone comment before? Maybe they did but the comments were deleted, I don’t know. All I know is that there should have been comments way before I got there. Maybe it’s a New York thing but I believe that if you see something, say something.
Outside of this page, I am tired of seeing immigration articles filled with pages of crazy comments calling human beings leeches, roaches, thieves and much more. Why are we so open to reading an article, sharing it because of how good or ridiculously horrible it is, but not comment on it?
I hear things like: I don’t want to get into those fights, I’m not going to stoop down to their level, I just ignore them. That’s the thing, why are we ignoring them? Uneducated anti’s comment on everything that is pro-migrant, and if no one leaves positive comments it seems like there is no pro-migrant support. Not commenting is staying quiet in the cyber face of injustice. Not commenting brings us back to square one, letting the oppressors take the lead, have control, try to take our voice. Not commenting is seeing something wrong and not doing anything about it.
Recently I read this CNN piece by Ruben Navarrette and left a few comments. Again, the comments received a few likes but I barely saw any positive comments on the post. What are we afraid of?
Ruben Navarrette's Opinion Piece
Ruben Navarrette's Opinion Piece
It’s not so much of getting into a fight with others or cursing them out but just passing along a fact, a story, a link and after just close the tab. If someone who is not knowledgeable about immigration and undocumented people reads the hate comments, and finds nothing else, they’ll have an idea planted in their head. Some aren’t with us but aren’t against us because they just don’t know the arguments. Leaving a comment will create that doubt not just on the person who initially commented but the readers as well.
Imagine someone who is undocumented and is not connected to any organization; they will read that comment and realize they are not alone that there is support out there. Justice, educating, empowering and providing support to others- isn’t that what we are all about?
I invite everyone to comment on articles you read and share. Yes, go through the hassle of registering on the site if you have to. Don’t pay unless it’s 2 cents, I heard that is what opinions are worth now-a-days. If one of your pieces is being attacked, say it! I’ll comment, I promise. Don’t let the organizing stop just because it’s online.
xoxo,
Angy
