Thank you for taking this challenge! If this is your first day of joining us for the 14-Day Equity Challenge, welcome. If you are returning after previous engagement with the challenge, nice work! We are glad you are here.
This challenge is designed to push you out of your comfort zone, think critically about difficult topics, and grow in your understanding of the ways people and systems perpetuate (and have the power to eliminate) racism. We’re excited to invite you to this opportunity to dive deeper into racial equity and social justice.
View other challenges: Day 1 • Day 2 • Day 3 • Day 4 • Day 5 • Day 6 • Day 7 • Day 8 • Day 9 • Day 10 • Day 11 • Day 12 • Day 13 • Day 14
Day 7: Immigration
Common U.S. rhetoric tells us that immigration is bad. Many are convinced that the arrival of new Americans will compromise our jobs, tank the economy, and overturn traditional “American values.” But is this really true? Studies show that, despite popular belief, this is not the case. In fact, immigrants far more often make positive contributions to society than negative ones.
Local statistics show that Fargo immigrants make large contributions to the economy, are highly educated, and play important roles in multiple key industries. They bring with them new ideas, rich cultures, and often great determination to be productive members of society.
So why the negativity? Much of it has to do with xenophobia, the fear of or prejudice against people or things from other countries. Unsurprisingly, this most affects immigrants who are non-white, non-Christian, and non-English speaking. Rather than viewing this diversity and difference as a valuable asset, we too often perceive it as a threat to what we know, value, and believe. To many immigrants, the nation that prides itself on freedom and liberty may not be as welcoming as they imagined.
For today’s challenge, we will dive into what it means to be an immigrant in North Dakota and look at an organization empowering New Americans in the Fargo-Moorhead community.
If you have…
Check out this report
on the demographic make-up and contributions of immigrants to the Fargo-Moorhead community
Read the stories
of five New American students in Fargo-Moorhead
Explore the services
offered to New Americans by one organization in the FMWF community
Curious to learn more about immigrants and refugees? Schedule a visit to the RACE Exhibit at YWCA Cass Clay Administrative Offices and see regional statistics on Hmong resettlement in Minnesota.
Reflect
Once you have completed today’s challenge, we encourage you to take a moment to reflect.
- How did the challenge make you feel?
- What is something you learned?
- Did you notice anything about yourself after taking the challenge?
- Consider sharing this new awareness with a friend or group to help deepen your understanding of the information.
Share your thoughts on the challenge online using #YWCAEquityChallenge