Been There, Done That: Nine Decades And Counting By Alice Herb: Immigration And America

By Alice Herb

America, from its inception, has always been seen as the land of opportunity. Whether as a land to escape to from their native lands, or as a place to defeat poverty, oppression, and discrimination, America has always been the destination. The incoming refugees and immigrants from all over the world have helped create one of the most innovative, diverse, and powerful nations in the world. Were it not for these refugees, or just plain immigrants, where would the United States of America be? True, there have been serious and tragic missteps. The land was stolen for the most part from native inhabitants who were systematically killed. Slavery left an equally terrible mark on this young country. But despite these failures of humanity, a country of infinite beauty and innovation emerged.

What am I getting at? Let’s take a closer look at the toxic issue of immigration. In recent months, as I have made my way through my Manhattan neighborhood, I began noticing women standing on corners with large coolers. At first, this odd new street feature made no sense.  They did not approach anyone. Why were they there? But quickly I realized that they were almost always near construction sites. Cash, not credit cards, was changing hands. When I was out at lunchtime, I realized that a brisk business was going on. No menu was offered but a variety of food and soft drinks were available. These women vendors had become the latest hot open-air “take out’ places. Were they illegally in this country or just not settled enough to get legal jobs? Or other concerns? No matter. Clearly, these immigrants have to live, eat, and take care of themselves and/or their families. And they found a way to make money and supply construction workers with the food they could afford and enjoy. Innovative, creative, and useful. And that is no doubt why one can find any cuisine in New York. The variety that emerged in the past 100 years is awesome. Think pasta, pizza, guacamole, tacos, schnitzel, hot dogs, pastrami, sushi, sashimi….that’s just a smattering of foods. But it isn’t just food. Such enterprises permeate our entire country.

I am mindful of these happenings because I, too, was a refugee escaping almost certain death in Vienna when Hitler annexed Austria. We were lucky. Most of my mother’s and father’s families died in the Holocaust. Among the people my father asked for help was a customer of his who was very rich and had traveled to Europe and observed firsthand what was happening. That allowed us to immigrate legally but did not assure us a livelihood. About three months after we arrived in the United States, my mother found work in a factory where military uniforms were made. She quickly learned to work a “double needle” machine and, not long after, joined her co-workers in a sit-down strike that enabled her to make much more money, which we used to bring more family to this country. My father went to work for our benefactor and we were on our way. I was sent to school while my parents worked hard, long hours and I was able to go to college and become an attorney, a TV news producer, and a bioethicist, and I have worked to make life a bit more equal for all.

I never forgot my origins and ache when I read of the hardships that immigrants/refugees endure, but we “outsiders” do find a way. Think of almost any successful business and it was undoubtedly begun by an immigrant: the garment/rag trade, film, theater, dance, finance, education, science, medicine, art/design, farming. You name it, it was started by immigrants or their children or their children’s children. Everyone in this country other than Native Americans and our Black brethren was/is an immigrant or the descendant of an immigrant.  

In short, immigrants may cost American taxpayers (who were once immigrants themselves) money and services at the outset. Yet as they make their way with creativity and hard work, they become an important part of our economy. They/we become taxpayers and consumers as well as providing much-needed labor in multiple industries. This great country of ours still offers opportunity, much more than anywhere else in the world, and masses of people have found a better life without taking away from those who are already here.  

I, personally, will always embrace my adopted home for what I was able to accomplish. In my 10th decade, I continue to fight for the inalienable rights that we were originally guaranteed. No question we have our ups and downs but our democracy, though only 248 years old, has shown a much better way for humankind. I am absolutely positive that whatever crisis this country encounters, we will pull out of it as a stronger, even more wonderful nation.   

Alice Herb is a retired attorney, journalist, and bioethics consultant. Having reached the age of 90+, she’s more than ready to share her experiences and opinions with agebuzz readers. Want to comment on something she’s said? She welcomes your feedback at [email protected].

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