From Oblivious to Ally

 

Growing up in a sheltered home and having a problem free high school experience made me oblivious to issues surrounding the undocumented community. High school included soccer, friends, and school work.  I believed my statuses went no further than being a good student, athlete, and friend. There was simply nothing more to it in my mind. There were no worries and life was simple. If there were issues far greater than us they simply were not discussed for a large amount of time or not discussed at all.  Perhaps a quick discussion in class or activity if we were lucky. Either that, or I just never took the time to look at the greater picture called life. I cannot help and wonder if viewing life so selfishly affected my stages of moral development. It is not until now that I feel I am entering or at least understanding stage five (gaining identity) by attaining an achieved status that will help me make a difference in the world and I believe reflects me.

Before becoming a student at Northern Illinois University, I lived with my parents as most students do. Fortunately, my parents took the time to teach my siblings and me of their legalization process and the struggles the Latino community faces if they are undocumented as I am sure other ethnic groups must face as well. For so long I believed I had a good sense of it, that is until I met individuals as well as organizations here on campus who enlightened me far more than I ever expected to be. One of those organizations was and continues to be Dream Action NIU (http://dreamactionniu.webs.com/).They have helped me acquire information about the undocumented community and instilled in me the desire to make a much needed change. As a result, I attained the achieved status of becoming an undocumented ally. Through my actions, work, and choice I can proudly say I earned membership of  Dream Action NIU. I support the undocumented community and this membership reflects identity. That being said, I personally agree with what was discussed in lecture that not everyone confronts the challenges in the same order and that Erickson’s definition of a successful life may not be universal. While I believe I may be far behind compared to my peers because I am working on finding my identity, I do not believe I have failed in life. The topic of achieving the status of an undocumented ally also brings up anti-Mexican girl (forgot her name) we mentioned in class. I can clearly see why family and peer groups are agents of socialization. We learn through the people we surround ourselves and our families, which explains why anti-Mexican girl has her beliefs and I have mine. Hers most likely stem from her dad’s beliefs. He probably acquired his through his occupation of working for I.C.E.,  while mine stem from my family and DANIU. Another example in where agents of socialization play its role can be witnessed is in Nestor Gomez's story. Gomez crossed the border at the age of nine and felt that he had no future as a student simply because of his ascribed status of being undocumented. He did not choose to be undocumented and he certainly did not choose to have the fear of being deported at any given time instilled in him. As a result, he started hanging out with the wrong crowd (peer group), but realized he had options through a group that helps undocumented people. He continues to pursue his educational career for his family and continues to advocate for others (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matthew-ogbeifun/the-trials-and-tribulatio_3_b_6058804.html).

All in all, growing up I did not really worry about the world surrounding me. I just worried about what directly affected me. I never thought about being more than a student and athlete. I was selfish. By involving myself with Dream Action NIU and finally listening rather than hearing my parents’ story I was able to learn about the issues the undocumented community faces, especially students. I hear about stories like Nestor Gomez’s and the hurtful words people exemplify such as those exhibited by anti-Mexican girl very often.  These stories and comments are what makes me glad that I have achieved the status of being and ally for the undocumented community. I am grateful that I no longer just have ascribed statuses and the belief that I only had the achieved statuses of athlete, friend, and good student. I am glad I have seen the bigger picture in life and have decided to form part of a wonderful organization that one day will make a change.