I have always been struck by how natural human movement is, and always has been, and I was excited to see this topic make such a strong appearance in Week 1's videos. I am a huge fan of Favianna Rodriguez's work (https://www.favianna.com/artworks/migration-is-beautiful-2018) and how as an artist, educator, and activist she has always tried to highlight the vital necessity, and glory, of human migration. While migration is obviously more than just "beautfiul" -- indeed it can be hot, deadly, violent, soul-crushing, many times painfully difficult -- I love her work and her voice. Migration allows individuals the opportunity to follow a hope that life can be better somewhere else. That they can work to ensure safety and secruity for themselves, their loved ones, and future generations.

When Dr. Kalantzis talked about the Us/Them mentality, obviously a dangerous one that has pervasive impacts on classroom dynamics, I could not help but be reminded of the contemporary landscape of USA immigration. There is so much hatred and vitriol surrounding "illegal" immigration, when in reality, the legal path to citizenship is mind-numbingly complex and difficult and in many cases, almost impossible. If not impossible, will come to fruition long after you are dead and gone. (See here for a rather leftist/NSFW John Oliver video that does a good job of outlining paths for legal immigration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXqnRMU1fTs). 

We currently live under a USA administration that has made it clear that refugees/asylees are not wanted (Ongoing coverage of those affected by the Zero Tolerance Policy of 2018: https://www.propublica.org/series/zero-tolerance). That individuals who might ever be in economic need are "less than". That those who are not educated to high enough standards and do not have a certain caliber of job should not ever hope to call the USA their home.

Can you imagine what it must feel like to try and be a learner/student knowing that you are not wanted by the country you reside in? When you are worried if your parents will be home when you get back? When every time a cop car passes you/r family's heart drops because of DACA/undocumented status?

I am very saddened about the current state of immigration/policies/difficulties in attaining citizenship. An Us/Them mentality that has developed and blossomed into a fullblown destructive "new" xenophobia that can have potentially devastating effects in the classroom. In ethics/compliance, there is much talk about "the tone at the top" setting the example. When we have a federal government that continously invokes policies that are harmful to individuals fleeing violence and/or seeking education opportunities and/or socioeconomic mobility and/or whatever is making them want to migrate!, it is even harder for educators to set up classrooms as safe/inclusive spaces for all students, regardless of their immigration status.