Tag Archives: Immigration

Reaching Out to the Poor and Oppressed

By Robin Bates | Published: September 17, 2022

Martha Serpas calls out America on how it treats the poor and unfortunate.

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Only What Is Human Can Be Foreign

By Robin Bates | Published: September 27, 2021

Szymborska’s beautiful poem “Psalm” provides the perspective we all need on immigrants at the border.

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Pratchett Responds to Racist Politics

By Robin Bates | Published: August 4, 2020

Terry Pratchett’s “Feet of Clay” argues humorously for diversity, immigration, and responsible governance.

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Our National Health Requires Immigrants

By Robin Bates | Published: June 23, 2019

Monday As we watch the Trump administration trample all over American values with its treatment of asylum seekers at our southern border, it’s worth reminding ourselves how much we rely on immigrants. I’ve been reading Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese, an Ethiopian immigrant of Indian parentage, who at one point has a character expound […]

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When Is a Wall Not a Wall?

By Robin Bates | Published: February 5, 2019

Wednesday A few weeks ago I wrote about how Donald Trump’s wall slides between the literal and the symbolic depending on which day it is. On some days the president goes into great detail about its physical features and claims that it will stop armored cars filled with drugs and duct-taped women that otherwise will […]

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Whitman Would Embrace Trump’s Victims

By Robin Bates | Published: January 10, 2019

Thursday I wrote yesterday’s Walt Whitman post before hearing Donald Trump’s Oval Office address, which is why I find myself returning to the poet again so soon. Like the Statue of Liberty mentioned by Sen. Chuck Schumer in his response to Trump, Whitman’s Song of Myself serves as an antidote to the president’s racism and xenophobia. Trump, as […]

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Adrienne Rich Keeps Immigrants Human

By Robin Bates | Published: November 5, 2018

Adrienne Rich uses poetry to keep immigrants human, which is essential under Trump.

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America as a Mixed Nut Bowl

By Robin Bates | Published: July 4, 2018

In “Immigrant Picnic,” Djanikian captures the rich mixing that America’s welcoming of immigrants has given us.

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Strangers Are Guides from Beyond

By Robin Bates | Published: July 1, 2018

Rather than fear strangers, Rumi says we should welcome them in.

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