Immigrant Workers are People First

The viral videos coming out of Florida show us once again the profound human and economic impact of anti-immigrant legislation. The popular refrain from these pro-immigrant supporters is that immigrants are beneficial to this country through their labor and economic contributions.  

And while this is true, it plays into a problematic narrative. 

In our latest blog, Britney Vongdara details how these messages set us back in the long run. Instead, our messages must lead with a vision of human rights where workplace safety and just compensation are guaranteed in the workplace, not conditioned on immigration status. Read her Insights here!

AAPI & PRIDE Stories for Your Lists 

This month, we’ve compiled a quick list of novels, podcasts, and a unique song film experience to help you closeout Asian American & Pacific Islander Month and kickoff PRIDE. Let’s jump in:

“Omoiyari:” in April, our colleague Kate Starks enjoyed an opportunity to experience a live performance of this song film. Both an album and feature documentary, Omoiyari follows composer and director Kishi Bashi’s musical journey to understand WWII-era Japanese incarceration and “create a portrait of America from the perspective of someone caught between two worlds.” Watch and listen here. 

We See Each Other: in May, award-winning journalist Tre’vell Anderson sat down with WBEZ podcast Nerdette to discuss trans visibility and their latest book. Offering both a history of trans representation in TV and film and Tre’vell’s own formative experiences as a Black, trans journalist, We See Each Other “is a groundbreaking look at the history of transgender representation.” Listen here for more from Tre’vell. 

Bad Girls: our final recommendation comes from Sughey Ramirez. Originally published in Spanish under the title “Las Malas,” this novel from Camila Sosa Villada follows a community of trans women who find chosen family and protection in one another. While the novel draws from Villada’s own experience as a trans woman coming of age in Córdoba, Argentina, this is not an autobiography. Villada’s artful journey into magic realism will leave you awestruck. Get your copy here.