The following is a starting point for anyone willing to understand the plight of immigrants in this country better. For anyone that is interested in our humanity. I believe that if everyone read these books, signed up for the authors'/websites' newsletters, friend-requested artists/writers, followed them on Instagram/tumbler/twitter; we would not have such a strong anti-immigrant sentiment in this country. I truly believe that when we begin to listen to each other, we understand each other. We understand why we do things, how we might help each other through them, and we begin to care about each other’s happiness.
The following is a list of first-hand accounts from immigrants, or accounts written by children of immigrants. It's important that we tell our own stories and that we read the stories from the mouths of immigrants.
Memoir/Non-Fiction
Sacrificing Families, Leisy J. Abrego
The Beast, Oscar Martinez and also, the newspaper Oscar helped found, El Faro.net , the only truly impartial/liberal newspaper in El Salvador
Enrique’s Journey, Sonia Nazario
The Devil’s Highway, Luis Alberto Urrea
And anything by Reyna Grande
Poetry
Slow Lightning, Eduardo C. Corral
The Verging Cities, Natalie Scenters-Zapico
The Art of Exile, William Archila
The Cha-Cha Files, Maya Chinchilla
Toys Made of Rock, Jose B. Gonzalez
Anthologies
Poetry of Resistance: Poets Responding to SB-1070 and Xenophobia, Francisco X. Alarcón, Odilia Galván Rodriguez
And a forthcoming undocumented anthology edited by Sonia Guiñansaca, look for it. Look for anything she does over at: http://soniaguinansaca.com/
Artists concerned with the Undocumented Struggle
Melanie Cervantes and Jesus Barraza's Dignidad Rebelde Collective
And these helpful organizations:
Colibrí Center for Human Rights
Again, these are only the beginning in understanding the 12 million undocumented individuals in this country. Spread the word. Let's talk to each other via our art, writings, posts. Let's understand each other and treat each other with respect. Also feel free to add any other suggestions in the comment section. Thank you for reading.