The Town Hall meeting regarding ICE was overflowing with people and propaganda, with one key element missing – the voices of marginalized individuals, like myself, who were directly impacted by the meeting.
During the long evening, I silently absorbed all the terrible things said, only to be further disrespected by the board members. When [they were] considering ending public comment with only five people remaining, including myself and another Hispanic woman, I stepped forward and said, “Respectfully, you have not heard from the people of color in this room yet.”
I was quickly dismissed with the resounding banging of a gavel. Yes, it was a long evening. For everyone. However, that doesn’t excuse the fact that when it came time for the people of color to have their voices heard council chose otherwise – not accidentally. Intentionally. Public comment would have only continued for a maximum of 15 more minutes. An inconsequential amount of time to ensure all residents were heard.
A woman from Yarmouth was allowed to weigh in on the topic before we were. The conscious decision to dismiss my concerns that the town has not heard from people of color yet made their statement loud and clear: our voices were not worthy of being a part of the conversation, our words and perspectives did not hold the same weight as everyone else’s. In some ways, their actions made the point on the issue abundantly clear: when matters concerning people of color arise, our voices need not be heard as there are plenty of people who will decide for us based on their influence.
Less than 24 hours after this meeting, ICE murdered an American woman in Minnesota – a heartbreaking moment that is an honest reflection of the harm ICE is causing communities. Yet at our meeting, a woman falsely stated that no one there was talking about immigrant families or fear caused by ICE because it’s not happening. Steeped in her own cognitive dissonance, she failed to understand that the people impacted the most by the meeting are not afforded the same safety and privilege to be in the room without further fear and retribution. The people who are affected by such inhumane policies must make themselves invisible to procure their own safety.
Public comment at Town Hall wasn’t just about speaking to the board members, it was also about speaking directly to my community members. Having them hear my voice and lived experience, while speaking for all those who didn’t feel safe enough to be there. But I guess they know our lived experience since we all listened to same subtle and blatant racist remarks, and fear mongering propaganda, with zero pushback.
I know the town can’t stop ICE, but we don’t have to assist them or give a louder voice to hate. ICE coming here and wildly terrorizing and dehumanizing residents has only emboldened the hate in people’s hearts. It allows them to say the quiet parts out loud while feeling supported. For instance, the woman in her red MAGA hat that yelled “f*** you” to my sister and I on multiple occasions. We have idea who she is or why the hate is in her heart is so loud.
If a safer community is what we are seeking, that comes from taking care of each other, making space in our hearts and holding people accountable for their words and their actions. Safety will not come from hate, military, ICE, borders or cages. It comes from leading with compassion and protecting each other. And knowing when to update policies to reflect current times not to stay frozen in comfort.
I don’t want pity. I want more. I want introspection and empathy rather than the callous apathy that is proudly paraded around this town and masked as a Place for All. We are more than the gardens we tend, the kitchens we cook in, and the hotels we clean. We are not the dehumanizing propaganda displayed on your screens. We are human beings with love, hope, and dreams. If your heart does not allow you to see that, it is you who I feel sorry for.
– Josy Irizarry