The fate immigrants is a significant issue right now, with plenty of heated rhetoric and arguments. Fear is at the heart of much of the discussion and the actual risks from these undocumented immigrants is much, much less than the doomsayers proclaim. Too much of the anti-immigrant rhetoric is based on lies and fabrications, and if we examine history, we see those same lies and fabrication have been made against many different immigrant groups over the last couple centuries.
For example, during the 19th century, Chinese immigrants were accused of eating dogs and cats, although there wasn't a shred of evidence to back up that accusation. And we see those same lies being lodged against other immigrant groups, once again without any evidence to support the accusations. In addition, during that same century, many Irish and Italian immigrants were accused of being criminals, although once again, the evidence didn't support such an accusation. Today, why are these racist accusations, without any supporting evidence, still being made against immigrant groups? This fear mongering needs to stop!
The basic humanity of immigrants needs to factor far greater into our discussions, and compassion needs to be a prominent value.
America owes a huge debt to the immigrants which have come to our country over the centuries. They bring a diversity to our country which only benefits us all. Our country would not be as great as it is without the diversity that such people bring. And the important benefits they bring outweigh the small risk that is entailed. We cannot become insular, shutting our borders to these people.
Yes, there may be some bad apples in the bunch but there are bad apples everywhere, including people who have lived in this country their entire lives. We have to understand that these bad apples are a tiny exception and far from the rule. Those bad apples do not reflect the general mentality and behavior of the greatest majority of immigrants. We already have vetting procedures to help minimize those risks.
Let's consider but one area where America owes a huge debt to immigrants: our culinary scene. There are plenty of other significant areas that can be discussed but I just want to concentrate on this one area for now.
First, most restaurant kitchens, all across the country, couldn't operate without the immigrants who perform some of the most basic, and still very important, duties, from dish washing to prep work. They commonly work behind the scenes, unseen by the restaurant diners who might only may know the main chef. As they work unseen, too many people fail to understand their vital role and their importance to what ends up on your plate.
I've talked to a number of chefs who have been immensely grateful for these workers. Few others have been willing to do such jobs, from dish washing to basic prep work. Without these immigrants, it would be difficult to find others willing to do these duties. In addition, the chefs uniformly state that they are some of the hardest working people they know. For a significant number of these immigrants, they work multiple jobs, maybe in a couple different kitchens. These people contribute significantly to their community.
Second, these immigrants bring to the U.S. their home cuisines, including different ingredients, recipes and techniques. They have created a greater diversity in our culinary scene, opening diners up to so many new and different foods. Consider Boston and its neighboring communities and try to count the numerous cuisines from different countries which are represented, which wouldn't exist except for the influx of refugees and immigrants to our country. Where would be without the many thousands of Chinese restaurants in the U.S.? Consider that 10% of all restaurants in the U.S. serve Mexican food.
Yes, there may be some bad apples in the bunch but there are bad apples everywhere, including people who have lived in this country their entire lives. We have to understand that these bad apples are a tiny exception and far from the rule. Those bad apples do not reflect the general mentality and behavior of the greatest majority of immigrants. We already have vetting procedures to help minimize those risks.
Let's consider but one area where America owes a huge debt to immigrants: our culinary scene. There are plenty of other significant areas that can be discussed but I just want to concentrate on this one area for now.
First, most restaurant kitchens, all across the country, couldn't operate without the immigrants who perform some of the most basic, and still very important, duties, from dish washing to prep work. They commonly work behind the scenes, unseen by the restaurant diners who might only may know the main chef. As they work unseen, too many people fail to understand their vital role and their importance to what ends up on your plate.
I've talked to a number of chefs who have been immensely grateful for these workers. Few others have been willing to do such jobs, from dish washing to basic prep work. Without these immigrants, it would be difficult to find others willing to do these duties. In addition, the chefs uniformly state that they are some of the hardest working people they know. For a significant number of these immigrants, they work multiple jobs, maybe in a couple different kitchens. These people contribute significantly to their community.
Second, these immigrants bring to the U.S. their home cuisines, including different ingredients, recipes and techniques. They have created a greater diversity in our culinary scene, opening diners up to so many new and different foods. Consider Boston and its neighboring communities and try to count the numerous cuisines from different countries which are represented, which wouldn't exist except for the influx of refugees and immigrants to our country. Where would be without the many thousands of Chinese restaurants in the U.S.? Consider that 10% of all restaurants in the U.S. serve Mexican food.
In addition, other chefs have adopted the ingredients, recipes and techniques of these refugees and immigrants. Their culinary heritage has spread across the country, becoming firmly ingrained in our society. Without their contributions, our culinary world would be boring and plain. We revel in culinary diversity but need to understand and appreciate the myriad contributions of those refugees and immigrants.
Third, the presence of immigrants in restaurant kitchens, plus the spread of their cuisines, helps to make our communities more diverse, and more tolerant of differences. When people are exposed to more diversity, they become more worldly, and can better understand that despite our differences, we share many similarities too. We don't need a 50th burger joint in the area, but we certainly could use more restaurants from places like Guatemala, Armenia, Uruguay, Georgia, Nepal, and more.
Third, the presence of immigrants in restaurant kitchens, plus the spread of their cuisines, helps to make our communities more diverse, and more tolerant of differences. When people are exposed to more diversity, they become more worldly, and can better understand that despite our differences, we share many similarities too. We don't need a 50th burger joint in the area, but we certainly could use more restaurants from places like Guatemala, Armenia, Uruguay, Georgia, Nepal, and more.
Fourth, we need to understand that 60-70% of agricultural workers in the U.S. are immigrants, including 40% who are undocumented. This is essential work, helping to put food on all of our tables. Without all of these immigrants, food prices would rise and rise. Food prices are already currently high, and deporting millions of immigrants will only make food prices even higher.
Rather than worrying so much about the greatly exaggerated risks of immigrants, let us devote much more consideration to all of their positive contributions they can make to our country. Let us embrace our humanity and compassion, and stand up for these immigrants.
Rather than worrying so much about the greatly exaggerated risks of immigrants, let us devote much more consideration to all of their positive contributions they can make to our country. Let us embrace our humanity and compassion, and stand up for these immigrants.
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