I’ve been honored and humbled to be able to work this summer with a group of artists spearheaded by the amazingly talented Jane Davila. This compassionate group of activist artists wanted to speak out about the human rights violations being committed agains immigrants in the United States. Jane was inspired by an 1846 Abolitionist book; a children’s primer called The Anti-Slavery Alphabet. The works included in the Migrant’s Alphabet are powerful. They don’t soft-pedal the evils that are being perpetrated by US immigration authorities.
Y is for Yearning
Y is for yearning
Longing to be free
To live in peace and safety
Just like you and me
12″w x 12″h
digitally printed cloth, paint, batting, thread
Artist Statement
My ancestors came here for many reasons. Some immigrated in the very early colonial days of this country, including a couple who arrived on the Mayflower. I can only guess that they were seeking economic opportunity, adventure, and greater freedom. Some made months-long perilous journeys from Europe and India, sailing around the southern continents, seeking religious freedom. Recent family members immigrated from Cuba. One to fight in World War II and one for schooling then simply stayed to avoid the Castro regime.
None of them were incarcerated in detention centers, waited in “line,” or faced harsh immigration restrictions. They simply came here and added their colorful threads to the tapestry that is the United States of America. There were no educational or income standards to meet. They were truly those invited by our Statue of Liberty. “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”
Are any of my ancestors (or yours) more deserving than today’s asylum seekers and economic migrants? I do not believe so. I believe we as a society are capable of opening our land and our hearts to those who wish for the same opportunities that made our lives possible.
You can view all of the artwork,
find education about immigration issues,
find links for ways you can HELP,
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Exhibit History
City Lights Gallery, Bridgeport CT Oct 4-18, 2018
The Migrants Alphabet, curated by Jane Davila.
The Migrants Alphabet, curated by Jane Davila.
2 Comments
Lyric Kinard
May 25, 2023 at 5:31 pmI do and always will advocate for open immigration. We are extremely privileged to live in a country with decent education, some level of security, and opportunity. We did not do anything to deserve it more than those who were born into places without those things. Many of my ancestors, from before we were a country up through my parents generation, were pretty freely allowed into this country. It can be done. We can ALSO care more for each other here. There is abundance if we are willing to share and to care about each other instead of always seeing “us and them.”
AmyInNH
April 2, 2023 at 10:32 amTwo issues we need to get a grip on
– what are the goals and tune policy accordingly, along with
– addressing realistically that no, not everyone who wants to move to the US can, which is not new.
The statue of liberty is in NY harbor because it was rejected by first nation it was offered to. Its script is by a poet romanticizing it. And many a migrant was turned back at that very location, due to disease, no fiscal means of support or job offer.
In my tiny state alone, 20K homeless. Cars w/license plates from far and wide, unusual this time of year, I presume looking for work. I question priorities of this nation.