Why I Fast

Dream Deferred

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up

Like a raisin in the sun?

Or fester like a sore--

And then run?

Does it stink like rotten meat?

Or crust and sugar over--

like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags

like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

Langston Hughes

Why I Fast

For eight years I have seen the dreams of my undocumented students dry up, fester, and be heavy loads to bear. The dream for college shouldn’t be a burden. It should be a joy. It should be a source of pride, not of shame.

I have exemplary students who are everything a teacher could ever want in a student. They work hard to get good grades and take AP exams. They know that their chances are slim to be able to afford college. Some of them piece together private scholarships and full time jobs to pay for classes. Some have to leave university before finishing because they no longer can afford tuition. They work even harder in spite of that, because that is the type of person they are. That is the type of person their parents raised them to be.

I have not-so exemplary students who lose their way because they have no hope for their own future. How sad it is to hear an 11 year old tell you “It doesn’t matter. I can’t go to college anyway.” Or a young lady with great potential deciding to drop out of school at 15 say “I’m going to clean toilets now or clean toilets when I graduate. At least this way I can help my mom more.”

I truly believe that we need comprehensive immigration reform. The system is broken and we need practical solutions to keep families together and strengthen our country. I also believe that states need to allow access to their community colleges and four-year colleges. But those issues will take time to figure out. Right now, high schools across the country are holding graduation ceremonies. Right now, 65,000 undocumented students are putting on their caps and gowns and wondering what comes next. Right now, the DREAM Act sits in the House of Representatives waiting. Right now, the DREAM Act sits in the Senate waiting. Right now, something can be done in Congress to end this stalemate.

Why do I fast? I fast for my students: V, R, J, L, J, R, N, A, R. These nine undocumented students have beaten the odds. They didn’t become another Latino drop out. They worked hard, took college level classes, played varsity sports, were presidents of clubs, were inducted into honor societies, went to prom, volunteered at the elementary school and showered their teacher with love and laughter. On June 11, they will walk across the stage at graduation proud in their accomplishments. But it will be bittersweet. Together they were accepted into 11 colleges. Only 2 are attending four-year colleges next year; and though they pulled together several scholarships, they aren’t sure how long they will be able to afford classes. Another was lucky enough to have had her community college application reviewed on a day where the box for citizenship wasn’t looked at so closely, but she is afraid that any day now, they will realize their mistake and kick her out.

So why do I fast, and not just call my congressperson? Well, for one thing, I’ve already done that. I’ve voted. I’ve trained. I’ve called. I’ve marched. I’ve waited. My students have waited. That 11 year old boy is now a sophomore in high school who struggles every day with the internal debate between his heart which longs for higher education and his brain which constantly reminds him that he is not welcome in North Carolina Community Coleges. That 15 year old young lady is now 20. She still cleans toilets. She still sees no other options for her life.

Fasting seems extreme to some, and silly to others. Why would a 31 year old white professional educator, refrain from food for 65 hours? What is it going to do? Fasting has long been a part of human custom for religious, spiritual and political reasons. Time away from the physical trappings of the world gives us a deeper understanding of our selves and of our personal higher being. I fast in thanksgiving for these 9 students who graduate next week. I fast in solidarity with those who daily fight for the Dream Act and immigration reform- brave people doing courageous and important work; people who have walked miles (literally and figuratively) to take this message across the country. I fast to challenge myself in a new and profound way. I fast in preparedness for the long struggle we have ahead. I fast in mourning for the many dreams that have been set aside. I fast in celebration for the many more dreams that propel students forward everyday in search of higher education.

It’s time for these dreams of these students to explode. It’s time for action.

Call your Congresspeople. Tell them that your friend and two of her students are fasting for the Dream Act. Ask them for their support on this important piece of legislation. If they have already committed their support-thank them.

Educate yourself and others on the DREAM Act. It is not an easy amnesty. It is earned and deserved and good for our country.

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