Category: Immigration

Who Are We?

Hello Everyone,

The 4th of July is upon us at this writing, and I’ve been reflecting on who I am as a citizen of this nation. Who are we?

  • Migrant Mother by Dorothea Lange
    Minneapolis Museum of Art

The above photograph is one that dominated my childhood and the study of the Great Depression. This was a picture taken in the California labor camps of the 1930’s as a result of the great dust bowl migration. We are now in a global great migration and I have wondered if we as a nation would have more compassion if the people coming looked like her? How do we go from these pictures over 80 years ago to the same pictures today? And how can we not have compassion and act with courage?

I am better than this. We are better than this. It’s time for the moral people in this country to stand up and demand better of those held in terrible conditions on our watch, and on our land. We are the people and because we are a democracy, our government is us. The time to act is now. #neveragain

Thanks,

Molly Hermes

The Border

Hello Everyone,

During this time of the year that we are in holiday season and the year is wrapping to a close, it is time to look back, express gratitude, and look forward to new beginnings.  This past year, we worked hard to elect candidates that would treat immigrants humanely as well as enact a fair foreign policy abroad among many other issues.

From a church in Nicaragua, 1987 (collection of Molly Hermes)

When I was in college, I majored in religious studies and spent time in Central America. Last year, I watched the documentary Living on One and started to sponsor a student through Mayan Families receive her education.  That is my way of practicing my values beyond my own world.  And, I am thinking of my long ago travels right now, as the crisis of the border rages on.

If you’d like to make a meaningful difference, please support the work of the American Friends Service Committee and find out what you can do to affect change at the border.

We are all connected — the Global North is connected to the Global South. Let’s create a just world and encourage our elected officials to do the same.

Blessed Be,

Molly Hermes

Families Belong Together March 6/30/18

Hi Everyone,

I have gotten behind on the blog. Sometimes life just happens.  So, I’ll make this entry short and sweet. Everyone has been watching the news, and perhaps feeling angry. I know I am. But what I am not feeling is powerless. We can stand up and act. So, this next weekend, I am going to march to stop detentions and to keep families together.

You can sign up here with Move-On’s  Families Belong Together day of action on June 30th. There are events all over the country. I am heading to the closest one near me.

adventure baby beautiful blue eyes
Photo by Josh Willink on Pexels.com

Personal Reflection:  I get stressed out when I lose my keys (ask my husband) and can’t imagine the pain of being separated from my children. I have always thought of this country as a safe haven. Immigrants make our country great. People who come here and want to be here have added significantly to who we are as a nation.  Let’s all stand up for truly American Values and for the great, generous melting pot that is our nation.

Blessed be,

Molly Hermes