Fall/Winter 2003-04
Finding the road to justice
Photo by Kathy Easthagen
Global Studies senior Kate Suchomel is no stranger to working for a cause. She has served as co-chair of the Minnesota Public Interest Research Group (MPIRG), a student-run, non-profit group that works on social and environmental issues, tutored elementary students through the YMCA's Y-Tutors program, and taught English as a Second Language to Latino adults at the Resource Center of the Americas. Her most recent endeavor, an internship with Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride, allows her again to work towards creating social change by fighting for immigrants' rights.
To get the inside story, we talked to her about her experiences.
You are interning with the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride. Describe this organization and what they do.
The Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride is a nation-wide campaign that addresses immigrant and labor issues. Our mission is to encourage policies that "work for immigrants and for all Americans." This year, nearly 1,000 immigrant workers and their supporters boarded buses in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Chicago, Houston, Miami, and Boston and headed off on journeys across the country to raise awareness about these issues.
What does your internship entail?
I promoted the ride and our events by contacting media, sending out press releases, and talking to community members. Prior to the ride, I helped to plan the logistics of a 9-day bus journey. Now that the ride is over, my job is to keep the riders and community groups connected and informed about what our organization is doing. Currently, I am researching information for a photography exhibit about the ride. The photos will appear in community centers and public spaces along our route.
Why did you choose this internship?
I wanted to explore immigration and labor issues more intensely. I also liked the fact that such a variety of people were involved: unions, religious groups, students, community organizations, lawyers, government officials and cultural groups.
How has this internship affected you personally, and what have you gained from your experience?
I have seen firsthand the struggles of the immigrant community and learned what needs to be done to make this country a place where everyone will be treated equally, have safe jobs that pay fair wages, and participate as active citizens.
All I bargained for when I started this internship was a better understanding of the challenges that immigrants face. I have learned so much more than that and now have a better understanding not only of these challenges, but also the positive forces working to overcome them.
How has this internship changed the way you see the world?
My internship has opened my eyes to many of the issues that immigrants deal with every day. I have learned to identify inequalities that are often ignored and take action to change them. I now recognize my own privileges and am learning how to use what I have to create social change.
Describe your impressions of the immigrant communities you work with and the primary goals of these groups.
My impression is one of rich culture and community togetherness, caring individuals and loving families with inspiring stories, and an open-minded hope for the future. They strive to achieve safe, well-paying employment, a fair path to citizenship, and equal civil liberties.
What do you want to change in these communities?
I want immigrants to enjoy the same rights as native-born citizens. I want them to have access to the same education and career opportunities and to be together with their families.
What big-picture lessons did you take away from your experience?
The most remarkable aspect of it all is that our differences don't separate us—they make us stronger. On the two buses from Minnesota we took on the Freedom Ride, we had first- and second-generation immigrants from Mexico, Venezuela, Columbia, Cuba, Somalia, Liberia, Sudan, and the Philippines, as well as U.S.-born citizens. The riders were young and old, male and female, straight and gay, outgoing and reserved. I learned that current immigration law affects all of us, including native-born citizens. In the end, our differences were what gave us power.