Martha’s Vineyard is a beautiful place, especially at this time of year. It’s also a pretty small island with not a whole lot of full-time residents. It’s a vacation destination for those who want to rest and to experience the beauty of the northeast coastline. It’s not a cheap place to live. In general not a whole lot goes on on Martha’s Vineyard except business connected to tourism. .
But as we have seen in the news, two planes carrying a total of about 50 people were dropped off there with little but what they were wearing and maybe a small suitcase. A video camera person came along to record the event.
Those that were dropped off came from South American countries, via Texas and then Florida. The ‘guests’ were gathered up, and Gov. Abbott and Gov. DeSantis approved spending the money to charter planes and fly them to Martha’s Vineyard. (They also paid and sent some to Washington DC and other northern cities.)
But it backfired. At least it did in terms of being a political statement. The two governors wanted to get the immigrants out of their states and to let someone else worry about them. Up in Martha’s Vineyard though they took it to heart. The residents came out to help. Some provided the travelers with food, and some put them up in vacant hotel rooms. Some even invited them into their own homes. After a day of ‘hospitality’ the immigrants were moved over to a local military base that had available housing.
It didn’t solve the immigration issue going on in the United States, but it showed what compassion people can have, even when not given any time to prepare, and make plans. The Martha’s Vineyard residents are now an example of the good of the American people.
I was in my early 20s when many had to flee from Vietnam as Saigon was taken over and the country was under communist control. Those who were anyway connected to the old regime literally ran for their lives. Some grabbed the last free planes out. Some got on small boats to get away. Small, crowded boats in the Pacific Ocean. Once seen and then saved from the waters they were brought to the United States – with nothing. Nothing. No clothing, goods, no jobs waiting, no place to live, and not even knowing the language. The church I attended ‘adopted’ a Vietnamese family, which included if I remember right, 4 or 5 adults and one little adorable four year boy. Our church members secured an apartment for them, gathered furniture, clothing, etc. then set them up in ESL (English as a second language) classes and found jobs for a couple of them as kitchen help in restaurants. They helped with legal paperwork for them, assisting them on trips to make them official and safe in our country.
Back then it was refugees from Vietnam. Now the refugees come mostly from Central American countries that are impoverished unless you are a rich, powerful drug lord. They live in fear – for their women and their children. The men are often forced into illegal activities under duress. They are so scared they take off – sometimes on foot – and cross countries, looking for a place to become official and feel safe.
When these refugees (I like that word better than illegal immigrants) get to our border we treat them with little compassion (or none), want to send them back, make them stay for months in tents on the Mexican side of the border, and offer little help to better their lives.
A certain media outlet will say they are murderers, and sneaking in drugs (and that’s why we have a drug problem in the US – ha), and they are trafficking children. Well, I’m not saying that none of that is happening BUT I truly believe the rhetoric used is factually wrong, and is purposely used to scare Americans.
I believe these refugees just want some help, they want some Martha’s Vineyard compassion, and they want to come and live in the US to be a part of the American dream.
The Department of Immigration has become a political hotbed. So much has been out there about building walls (which literally and figuratively is anti-American if you ask me), about Border Rangers raiding trucks and vehicles, and just ‘how bad’ these people are trying to come here. Well, many die trying!! Bodies are found in the desert, and bodies are washed away in the rivers because they can’t swim.
The people working the southern border see some pretty sad things. I know they must be overcome, perhaps bitter, and wished the refugees wouldn’t try to sneak in. They have to catch them, put them in basic holding buildings, send them back – and catch them again. I think it must be a pretty lousy job.
So, who is to blame? Is it the refugees? Is it those governors who don’t want them in their states? Is it the Dept. Of Immigration, maybe overworked and under employed? Is it changing laws? Is it the networks scaring you?
The United States was founded by immigrants. All of us our from immigrants except the Native American Indians. It was the land of opportunity, and the place to come to live safely. We used to encourage to ‘send us your tired and poor.’ We used to love to hear the stories if grandparents and great-grandparents coming here, finding a piece of land, a place to live, raising a family, working and being proud of the journey. We used to be a travel destination.
What happened? Why do some now look at those same people, those who are running and looking for a better life – and say ‘don’t come here!’
I have seen memes on Facebook about we need to be more like Martha’s Vineyard. And, yes, we do. We need to think about how to welcome the stranger, and to provide temporary support, and we need to show our humanity. And just have little compassion.
Marla’s Musings 