Salma Ali
Post 3 of 5
(Un)documented Immigrant Media Makers and the Search for Connection Online
In this piece, Sarah Bishop discusses how undocumented immigrants have been able to share their story through the use of digital media in our technologically advanced generation. These immigrants speak about their experiences, hardships, and confront stigmas and stereotypes placed on undocumented folks. The risk of sharing out can come with threat of deportation if not for the individual speaking out, then possibly for their family members who are not protected by DACA (deferred action for childhood arrivals, or by the DREAM act.
Bishop was able to interview a variety of different people from multiple different nationalities; all listed in her piece. It was very interesting to be able to see how although their stories varied in specific details, most of the hardships and fears were quite similar to each other disregarding their cultural background. One fear shared among them included their decision to share out their story and the fear of the aftermath of it. An example of this came from Ricardo, who Bishop explained is a student at Baruch. He shared out his story through his Youtube video titled Meet the Undocumented Immigrant who Works at a Trump Hotel. The video was a hit and has reached over 400,000 views. Although his mother is proud of him for speaking up, she was also slightly afraid of the effects of such popularity. Students like Ricardo have been able to share out through their connection to social media and the internet and for him specifically, his love for photography.
All these examples of undocumented immigrants are incredible to read and even more importantly to be heard. Social media has become such a powerful tool in today’s age because information can spread like wildfire, and sometimes when the news decides not to cover certain stories, those with voices will continue to spread and share what the news refuses to cover. It is important for this tool to be utilized for the greater good and for justice to those who suffered. I do understand the fear behind sharing your story and being exposed to deportation, but I applaud those who decided to take the risk to be able to share their firsthand experience, that only they can tell.
To tie back into the people of New York City, undocumented immigrants are not a foreign discussion for the city. There is such a diversity of people from a variety of countries who come with visas and eventually become undocumented. The stereotypes of these immigrants can cause people to not realize that some of these immigrants come to the U.S.A. early in their life and consider themselves American just as we do and we cannot tell them apart from regular citizens. Immigrants live through their fear of exposure and therefore try to assimillate and fit in with the “norm”, however some are finally standing up and identifying as their original nationality, as well as being American.
Questions:
- What are some of the negative effects of sharing your story through the power of media?
- Has sharing stories for undocumented immigrants become more difficult or easier since Trump has been elected?
