A few days ago, I stumbled upon the [“Deport the Statue” video](http://deportthestatue.us/) created by Legals for the Preservation of American Culture, an organization created to raise awareness about immigration reform by mocking those who oppose it and argue that immigrants are a threat to the “American way of life.” The video depicts a helpless Statue of Liberty who is denied residency in the United States because she entered the country illegally 120 years ago.
Needless to say, the video purposely leads viewers to a very interesting realization: deporting immigrants based solely on the premise that they arrived in the United States unlawfully is equivalent to deporting an important component of the same American culture we so fiercely try to preserve. Just as the Statue of Liberty, immigrants are an essential aspect of American identity, and many features of the American lifestyle have been shaped by the influx of newcomers.
Now, there’s nothing new to these affirmations, as it would be safe to assume we are all aware of this country’s diverse background and traditions. But what, really, do we mean when we say diversity? Do we mean real multiculturalism or do we understand diversity as mere racial balancing?
In our effort to understand and appreciate diversity, being mindful of small details is essential. It is common, for example, to see pictures supposedly representing diversity depicting an African American standing next to a white European American. Such images are in no way “wrong,” but they do reveal a common tendency of seeing multiculturalism as a black/white binary. With this view, we risk excluding other minority groups from our concept of multiculturalism, as well as failing to realize diversity is not just about skin color or country of origin but is also about the diversity of thought present within both the majority and the minority.
Seventy-eight percent of MU students are white. While white students make up the majority of the student population, they do not represent a single, homogenous outlook on life; they all have different backgrounds, personal tastes, sexual orientations, religious affiliations and so on. Sound obvious? It should be. But it is a notion hardly kept in mind when making generalized statements about the “typical” white student. Accepting that diversity of thought exists even within the majority, and acknowledging that it is just as important as ethnic and racial heterogeneity, frees us from the burdens created by stereotypes and helps us create a truly inclusive society.
Now, what does this diversity talk have to do with immigration? The same diversity of thought concept used to describe the majority can be applied to our immigrants, whether “legal” or not. People who come into this country have varied backgrounds, personal stories and tastes. A close look at immigration reform reveals that those applying for residency must show proof of work and education, as well as provide criminal records and other certificates. These measures help dismiss the notion that all immigrants are harmful to American culture and thus should be deported because it allows for a case-by-case revision of individual skills and work experiences that could positively contribute to the progress of the nation.
The aim of immigration reform is not to destroy American values but rather to preserve the very essence of American culture: a culture of inclusion and tolerance, mindful of how external influences have helped shape national identity. It is a culture that has transformed itself many times, such as with the incorporation of African Americans into civil society and now with the approval of same-sex marriage. Today, it is a culture that should again rethink its concept of diversity in order to recognize personal contributions of illegal immigrants and help them transition from “unlawful aliens” into fully-included residents of the United States.