Everyone has heard and used the saying, “it’s a small
world,” (or some variation of the saying) at some point in their lives. Whether
it be running into and old friend, meeting a mutual friend through another, or
sharing a common experience with a total stranger, making these acquaintances
usually seems to put a smile on one’s face. The saying has a strange ability of
unveiling certain nostalgia for the simplest things in the past, but at the
same time it can relate to the present day, establishing connections you could
not have imagined.
Last week I met a young lady, of
course now writing this I do not remember her name, who is in her third year of
law school at UM and works in the immigration clinic. In the midst of our
conversation it came out that I also work in immigration at AI Justice, and the
light went off. It turns she actually did and internship about a year ago at AI
Justice (or known as FIAC at that point). We ensued to play the name drop game,
etc. etc., as go those conversations. As we reflected upon the utter
coincidence of our meeting and third party connections (she knew my boss my
name), I proceed to say, “Wow! What a small word!” In an instant I was
corrected. “It is not that it’s a small world,” she said, “but more so that our
world is big!” While I cannot remember this young lady’s name for the life of
me, from now on I will always remember these words.
Of course
not everyone is given the opportunity to have as big of a world that many of us
have. Considering these words really makes me pause and reflect upon how
grateful I am for the opportunities presented to me and all the who have played
a part in making them happen, whether it be my own parents or the HM
community. Realizing this inflicts the
utmost sense of, dare I say, humility as to just how fortunate we in this
community really are. However, as long as this consideration is granted, I do
not think having a “big world” is something to apologize about; it is more so
something to cherish, something to act upon for the benefit of all.
Just two
days after this meeting, my “big world” was revealed even further. While
meeting with detainees at the Broward Transition Center, I was editing a client’s
declaration when it was discovered he lived (prior to detention) in Immokalee. He
knew of the coalition, as he worked in the field alongside many other migrant
workers (either tomatoes or strawberries – Immokalee folks, are there strawberry
fields?), even though he never participated in it directly. We tried to play
the name game, but it didn’t really work. However, as I described our own HM
Volunteers in Immokalee, he said he may have seen them around town earlier this
year. This conversation certainly illuminated his spirits, as it did mine, and
further shed light on just how big our world really is.
Check out this video on the problems of Immigration Detention - especially as it relates to private institutions and the money/market behind immigration- that highlights Broward Transitional Center, a detention center I go to about twice a week. Our executive director, Cheryl Little, also speaks on behalf of AI Justice. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAKL3Rl_Ihc&feature=sh_e_se&list=SL
Cheers,
Anthony
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