I second guessed the timing of this piece. Coming off the heels of my first piece, I am a bit leary of being labeled an American basher. But, if I am to continue writing (and I certainly hope to), I might as well put this to bed. “Early.” Sidebar, do most people on this site get urban references? Anyway…
The response to my last piece included a fair amount of suggestions that I, an immigrant had overstepped my bounds by critiquing America. Some even wondered why I didn't go back to my own country (they were kind enough to veil this racist trope by couching it slightly differently).
Here's the thing. I, and immigrants like me, have every right to criticize America. “We didn’t land on Plymouth Rock, Plymouth Rock landed on us.” In fact, as an American citizen, it is my civic duty to criticize America. Honestly, if you feel immigrants should kowtow and remain silent in the face of injustice, simply because we weren’t born on this soil, f@&$ yo feelings. Unless you’re Native American, you too are an immigrant.
Before moving to America, I lived in a tropical climate, surrounded by beautiful beaches, and zero racism. Now, I endure frigid temperatures; beaches full of seaweed and God knows what else; and, neighbors who unabashedly adorn their cars with Trump paraphernalia. Superficial sure, but if you are unaware of the real struggles that immigrants face in this country, “it's above me now."
Moving here as a child was earth shattering. In one four hour flight, I lost almost everything and everyone I loved. The world was not as small as it is today. Al Gore's internet was still in its infancy, and, international telephone calls were cost prohibitive. I lost contact with all but a few friends, whom I communicated with via snail mail. I still have those letters. They were my life line to what was, at least in my eyes, an idyllic life.
My story is not unique. Most immigrants don't want to leave all that they have known, for a life of uncertainty, foreign tongues, strange customs, and unwelcoming faces.
Go to Google right now. Type in "how America destabilized”. You don’t even have to put in a country's name. Google will self populate numerous countries and regions.
To look at immigration without viewing it through the lens of U.S led destabilization, is to ignore the full picture.
U.S destabilization of foreign governments and economies is the prime driver of “third world” immigration in the U.S. U.S interference in foreign governments has long been excused under the guise of protecting U.S interests, or worse, that the U.S knows what’s best for every other country/region in the whole world.
One of the U.S’ primary interests in interfering in non oil-producing countries however, is its interest in extracting cheap labor. It extracts cheap labor from the inhabitants of destabilized countries (after setting up shop on that country's soil). It also extracts cheap labor from immigrants who move to the U.S from destabilized countries. Capitalism at its finest.
Turning specifically to Jamaica. The U.S’ most intense destabilization tactics began in the 70s when then Prime Minister, democratic socialist, Rt. Hon. Michael Manley, dared to forcefully assert the country’s sovereignty, in the face of American pressure. The U.S did not take kindly to Prime Minister Manley’s refusal to renounce Jamaica’s budding relationship with Cuba.
What followed was a series of textbook destabilization tactics - election interference, American guns flooded the country, violence erupted, food and basic necessities became artificially scarce, all while the CIA presence on the island increased. In fact, many believe that reggae icon, Bob Marley, was assassinated by the CIA, as part of said destabilization tactics.
In attempt to stabilize the country, Jamaica was forced to take out expensive loans from the IMF and the World Bank. These loans came with certain predatory conditions. Notable amongst them, was the condition that allowed the US to set up exploitative Free Trade Zones (where locals work for US companies in substandard conditions, for low wages). Jamaica's once flourishing agricultural sector is now almost non-existent because of foreign imports, forced upon the country, as part of the condition to acquire loans.
Reliance on IMF/World Bank funds also means that the U.S all but sets policy and laws in Jamaica. This helps to ensure that Jamaica remains in crippling debt. For example, many Jamaicans view marijuana trade as a means of pulling the country out of debt. However, because of the U.S’ war on drugs, Jamaica does not mass produce recreational marijuana for trade with other countries. In fact, personal use of marijuana only recently became legal in Jamaica, after numerous states in the U.S decriminalized its use in the U.S.
Jamaica has never recovered from the U.S’ destabilization of our country. Countries across the globe share this fate.
These aren’t stories from the distant past, America is currently engaged in destabilization tactics all over the world. Once prosperous Venezuela is its latest, most visible casualty.
With the effects of destabilization brought to the forefront, it is easy to understand why many feel forced to come to America. We aren't your original immigrants, searching for new land to practice religion. We are searching for new land, to recapture what was taken from us. Searching for new land to escape tyranny - paradoxically, in the tyrant's land.
Today, upon arrival in the U.S, newer waves of immigrants are learning that opportunities to exchange their cheap labor, for a chance at a better life, are not what they once were, even a decade ago. The tyranny of umrestrained Capitalism has been unleashed on the American born, in their own land. Even the American born is now being crushed by Capitalism. It is why, among immigrants, self deportation and repartriation are at all time highs. For immigrants who do not face physical danger, returning to their home country is sometimes a far better option than staying in the U.S.
This seems as appropriate a place as any to note how unjust the process is, for those who try to come here “the right way.” Those hopeful to secure a visa to enter the U.S, pay exorbitant fees, with no assurance of actually being issued a visa. Those fees aren't returned to the applicants who are denied. On any given day, the number of rejected applicants, trump (get it?) the accepted ones. Imagine being poor, saving enough money to buy a plane ticket, only to be arbitrarily rejected at the plane’s door. And, then, not even getting your money back! I looked, but could not find any figures related to how much America profits from this scheme. I wouldn't be surprised if it entered the billions of dollars per year.
I know immigrants who were professors in their home country, who work as taxi drivers in America. Heads of military forces, who work as janitors. Teachers who work behind deli counters. Doctors who work as security guards. My own mother ran her own businesses, only to work as a nurse's aide in America. This is not to disparage any profession. Every job function is without a doubt, vital. Immigrant labor is so vital, the U.S economy depends on it.
Americans must own the role their government plays in driving immigration. Immigrants generally don't want to be here, any more than you want us here. But since your government ruined our slice of paradise, yeah, we get to criticize it. And, no, you don't get to dictate when we go home.
Food for Thought:
Portion of Prime Minister Michael Manley’s interview regarding Jamaica's sovereignty and Cuba's legitimacy:
Also, Google, “Life and Debt” directed by Stephanie Black
About the Author: Alexi Laine* is a Jamaican immigrant who is stranded on a very different island, Long Island, New York. She makes the best of it by raising three future revolutionaries, working as an attorney, and, some times, finding time to write.
Please share, and follow me on Twitter @TheAlexiLaine