It Shouldn’t Have to Happen to You for You to Care
My family was incarcerated in the 1940s. Today, some of them live in fear of ICE.
In the 1940s my family was unjustly imprisoned because of their race. It forever changed the trajectory of our family.
My grandmother lost two babies in the camps. My grandfather lost his job and home.
Their experience caused wounds that we are still dealing with today as a family. Many of the people incarcerated have said, “never again” and yet, it is happening again before our very eyes! I don’t understand how people don’t see the parallels and am deeply concerned that we are repeating history.
I have often wondered how my family’s life could have been different if enough people had been bold enough to speak up on their behalf back in the 1940s.
I currently have multiple family members who are living in fear of ICE and am doing my best to speak up, but I feel so disgusted and discouraged that this is happening again! What is it going to take to move people beyond their comfort zone and get them to use their voices to advocate for others?!
It shouldn’t have to happen to you for you to care.
—Jessie Santala
We want to hear from you!
Thank you for sharing your story. I'm so sorry that this happened to your family and hate that they are once again living in fear. I worry for my own family members as well. I do hope our voices will have an impact and this horror will end.