All the pieces in this unit excelled in their duties, and left me in realization that amidst this city of hopes and dreams, lies the hardships and desperations of immigrants. New York City is a melting pot of different cultures and ethnicities. Unfortunately, along with the appreciations of diversity comes the fear of the unknown. The inability to truly know what another culture entails, gives birth to stereotypes and hurtful misconceived notions that work to only widen the crack that exists between different people. Although each and every American was once an immigrant, the title gets passed on to the newer border-crossing races and allows others to belittle those who fall under it. Falling victim to this painful title, only with the word Illegal stamped ahead of it, was Carlo Albán. His performance Intringulis, was the most affective in this unit on immigrant views of New York.
Perhaps it was the direct transmission of emotions, Intringulis hit me like no other play or novel. My world and views were left questioned and shifted, as this one-man show played ahead of me. Of course I had read books on illegals immigrants, and even heard stories of their hardships. A part of me sympathized with the poor individuals, but the rest of me only ridiculed their choice to live here. Carlo’s family came to America for the same reasons that every illegal immigrant came. It was the dreams of a better life and opportunities, that I was accustomed to hearing about. Then what was it really, that woke me up from my un-empathizing character? I think it was Carlo’s personal and emotional story. His story knocked on my brains and forced me to realize that the dreams of a better life really were hard to reach in other countries. After all, Carlo’s family did chose between coming to American and leaving their older son behind. Carlo’s story unfolded a journey that didn’t lose its pain once it did make its way to America. His family struggled financial issues and made endless efforts to stay invisible. Growing up was excruciating for Carlo because he dealt with the emotional stress of sitting in with his fellow classmates, but never fitting in. Unlike other teenagers, Carlo had to measure his steps and guard his decisions because he could not be caught. He was forced to grow up at a faster pace because he was on guard all the time. Despite coming to America, the hope and dream of a better life was still too far. It was perhaps much more painful now since the American Dream was so close, yet too far away. Its kind of like the idea of staying hungry with no food is less excruciating than having to stay hungry even with food on the table. You can see the food, but don’t you dare feel it or taste it. Carlo’s family could see a better life in America everyday, but they were never able to feel or taste its joy.
The impact of living such a shattered life affected me as well. Sibling rivalry is a common trend in the US. We live in the same house under the same circumstances, but we can’t stand each other because we’re jealous of the other or because we’re different people with different personalities. What self-created conflicts we drown in, don’t we? Carlo’s brother was left behind in Ecuador, while his family moved to America for a better life. Jealously-justified. Carlo and his brother grew up in different worlds, and failed to even connect as siblings once they did meet. True differences among siblings-justified. Carlo’s brother felt belittled and paranoid living with his own family. He held the grudge of being left alone and bloated with anger over the years. His anger-justified. I was left thinking to myself and trying to justify my fights with my brother.
Despite being legal Americans, people face issues with fitting in and mixing with crowds everyday. It’s an annoying discomfort, but luckily, its temporary. Illegal immigrants face this discomfort all their lives. Low self esteem and disparagement pierce the veins of these people everyday. How can we possibly compare our petty issues of feeling awkward at a store, with the awkwardness of feeling like an alien in a nation all the time? Aren’t the non-citizens of this considered “resident aliens”, anyway? Granted that these immigrants are here on their own choice, and agreed that breaking the law raises eyebrows on their morality, I simply beg for humanity in all this. If only your child was dying of hunger would you consider swimming oceans and crossing borders to help your baby survive. If only the thought of a difficult life of your children haunted your mind every day would you eagerly stamp yourself with illegal immigrant just to help your child’s future. Morality and righteousness might still stand against illegal immigration today, but humanity sympathizes with it. After watching Intringulis, my eyes see this humanity standing victor among all.
If only I had been exposed to more stories of illegal immigrants, I wouldn’t have seen things so differently.
I’m not going to wish that more illegal immigrants flood the nation and live in difficult conditions here. I’m just going to wish that every country flourishes as well as the US, so life is legal and easier everywhere.
