Well said, and so true! Over the last 25 years, I taught adult ESOL classes in several locations, in both cities and suburban places. My students came from all over the world, and many had immigrated due to political changes, war, or terrible violence in their countries. I had many students with college degrees, and some who had professions in law, medicine, and business. Some did not but were skilled in other fields. What they all had in common was that they were looking for a better, and hopefully safer and more stable, life for themselves and their families. Isn't that what we all want? Certainly my ancestors did when they escaped oppression in the Russian Empire in the 1880s and 1890s.
We have enough resources here in America, but do we have enough kindness?
Thank you for this. I agree completely. Those who are "othered" will need our compassion and advocacy in the coming years. Thank goodness for your wife's competence and compassion. My personal crusade is advocating for pregnant teens, whom I used to teach. Never mind that girls don't get pregnant via immaculate conception. Never mind they sometimes are forced to succumb to sexual activity after threats by Daddy, or Uncle, or Momma's boyfriend that they'll tell. The girls are deemed impure or immoral and denied agency. The boy/man who fathered her child? He's rarely called to account. He was just following his natural instincts.
Thank you for championing your wife's passion. Her students are fortunate.
I agree with your sentiments entirely. I used to counsel at a clinic on Saturdays while in grad school. If I can assist in any way you have a supporter in me.
Appreciate the opportunity, Walter. I have done many different things in my life, but there are lots of experts in most of the areas I have dealt with. I do know a lot about Russia, WWII , literature, local politics and women’s rights. But as I say, experts abound.
THANK YOU 🙏🏿 THANK YOU 🙏 THANK YOU 🙏🏽 !!! I’m a recently retired hospital ( pediatric and adolescent) special education school teacher. 🧑🏼🏫 I applaud 👏🏾👏👏🏼 you in sharing and acknowledging the truth, that so many of us overlook/ignore !!! I’ll be forwarding your message to as many friends, family members, and former colleagues that I can.
There are a number of simple techniques ( Tapping as one)
that can be taught to parents and children with PTSD . Art, Music,and Movement/Dance therapies are hugely beneficial for children who may not be able to express the pain that they feel .
Thank you Gayle! If you want to do some articles for Medium, please let me know. I'm a boost nominator and I can get some attention for quality work. My wife just did her Master's Degree, and her thesis was on the trauma of refugee ELL students.
One of the problems (of many) is that it's a red herring. There are few people in this country who aren't touched in a positive way by immigrants. Immigration is used as a bizarre form of scapegoating. If you take out all the ethical considerations, which is impossible of course in a country founded and grown through immigration, it still makes no sense because the U.S. is not a homogenous culture. We're not all Germans or English or Italians. The president and vice president-elect both have immigrant wives, FFS.
We shouldn't be having these discussions (that's not a criticism of you calling out the absurdity of it).
Democrats don't help matters when they beat their chest about all the work they've done to "secure the border." To hell with that. This country has room for millions more immigrants. Dems who bow down to Republican immigration BS should be primaried out post-haste. Stop giving in to Republican talking points.
Years ago I worked with a woman from Czechoslovakia that was belittled as a lowly "clerk". I spoke to those who talked down to her and asked how they could be so cruel. I liked her, got to know her better and we became friends. I was in awe of her too. She spoke 6 languages and was a joy to be with , always a positive and kind person. Even to those whom she knew made fun of her. I will always remember Esther.
Thank you! This is so true, not only of ELL students but so many children today suffering PTSD in silence. We are an exceptional society. An exceptionally entitled, whiny and violent one. No wonder so many kids are shut down intellectually.
This is that big white supremacy anger fire being fanned by bigots in this country , They are teaching this core hatred as a positive.
If ever there was a more offensive thing than bigotry, show me.
The fact that this is a country made up of people who emigrated here, this or previous generations of our ancestors and theirs, would indicate the absolute acquired ignorance of the people who
condemn immigrants. .
The US had always acted as if they were superior to other countries .
We only teach in English in our schools. Kids in other countries learn other languages routinely .
The fact is with all the rearranging of priorities of American attitudes we are in most ways that count, not superior.
Our Maternal Child survival rate is very low at this time in this country.
Not surprising with the negative attitudes about women being resuscitated by Maga and Project 2025,
The Supreme Courts blatant overstepping with their bigoted ruling on abortion . Women are not considered qualified to make decisions about their own bodies and their lives.
Who decided this ? Men who think they are superior , men who believe they have been endowed with the right to make decisions , because women aren’t smart enough? Looking out for us ? No . Experiencing a sense of power pushing people around , because they can ? Yes, exactly right.
Hatred is a vile , insidious disease, created by people who can only experience power by putting someone else down . It’s a totally false elevation.
Just look at how Donald Trump relies on hateful put downs , it’s his bread and butter , that and lying , grifting . And lying some more . He relishes this role, pedaling lies about immigrants eating peoples pets .
Excellent. This piece ought to be published widely. It is precisely the sort of competent, objective appraisal of a significant issue that our media *ought* to be publishing but rarely does so.
Societies of today and the World community ought to be beyond the sensationalist and puerile reporting and features that are replete across mainstream or state controlled or sanctioned media.
It ought not to be so hard for human beings to recognise that we are all human beings - that we are of one race - that regardless of our background or conditioning or the governments, ideology, religions or other laws and codes to which we must comply, we have universal needs, feelings, experiences, emotions and understandings.
We ought to be past the influence of legacy colonialist and elite only literacy or privilege.
Isn't it time that we not only talk and write about equality and equity but actually ensured that we behave and voice in a way that ensures it come about? It is far easier to love someone than to hate them. It takes far less effort and brings far more reward. The benefits of giving far outweigh those of taking, in any real sense of experiencing the wonder of 'life' as opposed to living.
Perhaps these concepts, to me - realities, ought to have a much more prominent place in parenting and in our school and social curriculums and institutions. Hierarchy may be useful or even necessary for some processes but it need not mean or involve *superiority*. Yet this concept still dominates our societies. If you doubt that, consider how many talk of their 'superior' as opposed to their 'superordinate' or vice versa.
Equity is far more important than equality. Equality is probably a pipe-dream because of the immense differences there are among individuals, even leaving aside legal, social, financial, institutional and other factors influencing our place in relation to others. So, although a desirable concept, we need to consider its pragmatic reality, not simply its nobility as an aspiration.
Equity, however, has none of those barriers. Equity can be realised. To be so, it simply requires that we recognise that *difference* is *not deficit*. Indeed, difference is to be valued for it brings fresh perspectives, broadens horizens, increases understanding and trust and decreases suspicion and fear of those different to ourselves. Equity is inclusive and expansionary of acceptance, collaboration, sharing and caring. It provides for synergy that can build a more harmonious society and, if we must go there, i.e. closer to materialsm or living rather than life experiences and product, it can improve our productivity and probably in more beneficial and integral ways towards facilitating 'life' enjoyment for all
So, thank you for this article. It stands out for me and I only regret that I hadn't read it in mainstream publications. I encourage all readers to share it as widely as possible, assuming of course, that the author agrees.
With 30 years in the diplomatic service and about half of that spent abroad plus the effort trying to learn multiple languages, I had the pleasure of working with people from a range of countries and backgrounds and yet I still catch myself almost acting out these same old assumptions and stereotypes which must have been deeply ingrained in American culture (even as I’m writing this I am thinking of a multitude of Hollywood stereotypes).
I met an immigrant first in 1962 , he was from Cuba as was his family by way of Spain . In 1968 I met many others - China , the Philippines , India and so on at university . I met an attendee at Woodstock and a card manipulator who paid his way at school by gambling at gin rummy ! Another acquaintance became world one pocket pool champ . Then I met Mohammed Ali in the flesh .and Chris everts mom and sister .. a couple years later I met a young man from Afghanistan and another from Senegal who was incredulous I did not speak 4 languages in France . The world is full of interesting people and the only way to know is to accept them as friends - each and every one by a smile and acceptance .
Every single human is descendent of an immigrant from a far , we are all the same .
Well said, and so true! Over the last 25 years, I taught adult ESOL classes in several locations, in both cities and suburban places. My students came from all over the world, and many had immigrated due to political changes, war, or terrible violence in their countries. I had many students with college degrees, and some who had professions in law, medicine, and business. Some did not but were skilled in other fields. What they all had in common was that they were looking for a better, and hopefully safer and more stable, life for themselves and their families. Isn't that what we all want? Certainly my ancestors did when they escaped oppression in the Russian Empire in the 1880s and 1890s.
We have enough resources here in America, but do we have enough kindness?
Thank you for this. I agree completely. Those who are "othered" will need our compassion and advocacy in the coming years. Thank goodness for your wife's competence and compassion. My personal crusade is advocating for pregnant teens, whom I used to teach. Never mind that girls don't get pregnant via immaculate conception. Never mind they sometimes are forced to succumb to sexual activity after threats by Daddy, or Uncle, or Momma's boyfriend that they'll tell. The girls are deemed impure or immoral and denied agency. The boy/man who fathered her child? He's rarely called to account. He was just following his natural instincts.
Thank you for championing your wife's passion. Her students are fortunate.
I agree with your sentiments entirely. I used to counsel at a clinic on Saturdays while in grad school. If I can assist in any way you have a supporter in me.
Thank you Alexandra! I appreciate that! If you have stories you wish to share on Medium, please let me know. I’m a Boost nominator there.
Appreciate the opportunity, Walter. I have done many different things in my life, but there are lots of experts in most of the areas I have dealt with. I do know a lot about Russia, WWII , literature, local politics and women’s rights. But as I say, experts abound.
Thank you. I'm no longer teaching but support a local high school here in Texas that has a good sized population of teen moms.
THANK YOU 🙏🏿 THANK YOU 🙏 THANK YOU 🙏🏽 !!! I’m a recently retired hospital ( pediatric and adolescent) special education school teacher. 🧑🏼🏫 I applaud 👏🏾👏👏🏼 you in sharing and acknowledging the truth, that so many of us overlook/ignore !!! I’ll be forwarding your message to as many friends, family members, and former colleagues that I can.
There are a number of simple techniques ( Tapping as one)
that can be taught to parents and children with PTSD . Art, Music,and Movement/Dance therapies are hugely beneficial for children who may not be able to express the pain that they feel .
Thank you Gayle! If you want to do some articles for Medium, please let me know. I'm a boost nominator and I can get some attention for quality work. My wife just did her Master's Degree, and her thesis was on the trauma of refugee ELL students.
Good for your wife!
One of the problems (of many) is that it's a red herring. There are few people in this country who aren't touched in a positive way by immigrants. Immigration is used as a bizarre form of scapegoating. If you take out all the ethical considerations, which is impossible of course in a country founded and grown through immigration, it still makes no sense because the U.S. is not a homogenous culture. We're not all Germans or English or Italians. The president and vice president-elect both have immigrant wives, FFS.
We shouldn't be having these discussions (that's not a criticism of you calling out the absurdity of it).
Democrats don't help matters when they beat their chest about all the work they've done to "secure the border." To hell with that. This country has room for millions more immigrants. Dems who bow down to Republican immigration BS should be primaried out post-haste. Stop giving in to Republican talking points.
Thanks Charles!
Years ago I worked with a woman from Czechoslovakia that was belittled as a lowly "clerk". I spoke to those who talked down to her and asked how they could be so cruel. I liked her, got to know her better and we became friends. I was in awe of her too. She spoke 6 languages and was a joy to be with , always a positive and kind person. Even to those whom she knew made fun of her. I will always remember Esther.
Thank you! This is so true, not only of ELL students but so many children today suffering PTSD in silence. We are an exceptional society. An exceptionally entitled, whiny and violent one. No wonder so many kids are shut down intellectually.
Well said …
This is that big white supremacy anger fire being fanned by bigots in this country , They are teaching this core hatred as a positive.
If ever there was a more offensive thing than bigotry, show me.
The fact that this is a country made up of people who emigrated here, this or previous generations of our ancestors and theirs, would indicate the absolute acquired ignorance of the people who
condemn immigrants. .
The US had always acted as if they were superior to other countries .
We only teach in English in our schools. Kids in other countries learn other languages routinely .
The fact is with all the rearranging of priorities of American attitudes we are in most ways that count, not superior.
Our Maternal Child survival rate is very low at this time in this country.
Not surprising with the negative attitudes about women being resuscitated by Maga and Project 2025,
The Supreme Courts blatant overstepping with their bigoted ruling on abortion . Women are not considered qualified to make decisions about their own bodies and their lives.
Who decided this ? Men who think they are superior , men who believe they have been endowed with the right to make decisions , because women aren’t smart enough? Looking out for us ? No . Experiencing a sense of power pushing people around , because they can ? Yes, exactly right.
Hatred is a vile , insidious disease, created by people who can only experience power by putting someone else down . It’s a totally false elevation.
Just look at how Donald Trump relies on hateful put downs , it’s his bread and butter , that and lying , grifting . And lying some more . He relishes this role, pedaling lies about immigrants eating peoples pets .
Excellent. This piece ought to be published widely. It is precisely the sort of competent, objective appraisal of a significant issue that our media *ought* to be publishing but rarely does so.
Societies of today and the World community ought to be beyond the sensationalist and puerile reporting and features that are replete across mainstream or state controlled or sanctioned media.
It ought not to be so hard for human beings to recognise that we are all human beings - that we are of one race - that regardless of our background or conditioning or the governments, ideology, religions or other laws and codes to which we must comply, we have universal needs, feelings, experiences, emotions and understandings.
We ought to be past the influence of legacy colonialist and elite only literacy or privilege.
Isn't it time that we not only talk and write about equality and equity but actually ensured that we behave and voice in a way that ensures it come about? It is far easier to love someone than to hate them. It takes far less effort and brings far more reward. The benefits of giving far outweigh those of taking, in any real sense of experiencing the wonder of 'life' as opposed to living.
Perhaps these concepts, to me - realities, ought to have a much more prominent place in parenting and in our school and social curriculums and institutions. Hierarchy may be useful or even necessary for some processes but it need not mean or involve *superiority*. Yet this concept still dominates our societies. If you doubt that, consider how many talk of their 'superior' as opposed to their 'superordinate' or vice versa.
Equity is far more important than equality. Equality is probably a pipe-dream because of the immense differences there are among individuals, even leaving aside legal, social, financial, institutional and other factors influencing our place in relation to others. So, although a desirable concept, we need to consider its pragmatic reality, not simply its nobility as an aspiration.
Equity, however, has none of those barriers. Equity can be realised. To be so, it simply requires that we recognise that *difference* is *not deficit*. Indeed, difference is to be valued for it brings fresh perspectives, broadens horizens, increases understanding and trust and decreases suspicion and fear of those different to ourselves. Equity is inclusive and expansionary of acceptance, collaboration, sharing and caring. It provides for synergy that can build a more harmonious society and, if we must go there, i.e. closer to materialsm or living rather than life experiences and product, it can improve our productivity and probably in more beneficial and integral ways towards facilitating 'life' enjoyment for all
So, thank you for this article. It stands out for me and I only regret that I hadn't read it in mainstream publications. I encourage all readers to share it as widely as possible, assuming of course, that the author agrees.
https://walterrhein.substack.com/p/hate-rhetoric-directed-at-immigrants/comments
With 30 years in the diplomatic service and about half of that spent abroad plus the effort trying to learn multiple languages, I had the pleasure of working with people from a range of countries and backgrounds and yet I still catch myself almost acting out these same old assumptions and stereotypes which must have been deeply ingrained in American culture (even as I’m writing this I am thinking of a multitude of Hollywood stereotypes).
I met an immigrant first in 1962 , he was from Cuba as was his family by way of Spain . In 1968 I met many others - China , the Philippines , India and so on at university . I met an attendee at Woodstock and a card manipulator who paid his way at school by gambling at gin rummy ! Another acquaintance became world one pocket pool champ . Then I met Mohammed Ali in the flesh .and Chris everts mom and sister .. a couple years later I met a young man from Afghanistan and another from Senegal who was incredulous I did not speak 4 languages in France . The world is full of interesting people and the only way to know is to accept them as friends - each and every one by a smile and acceptance .
Every single human is descendent of an immigrant from a far , we are all the same .