Kali Hernandez Fraire & Abhishek Basnet
Renowned writer Javier Zamora visited Centre for the second time on October 2nd for a discussion, dinner, and convocation with students. Zamora put the focus onto his memoir, Solito, released in 2023, where he shared the account of his 11-week journey, migrating unaccompanied from El Salvador to the United States as a 9-year-old after both of his parents migrated due to the U.S.-funded Salvadoran Civil War. Through Solito, Zamora sought to humanize the experience of countless immigrants and bring awareness to the systemic barriers imposed on immigrants emphasizing the emotional and psychological toll these impose on immigrants. He shared personal reflections on the trauma of migration and the struggle to maintain one’s identity in a society that often demands assimilation.
Amid a political climate that continuously criminalizes and dehumanizes undocumented immigrants, Zamora brought attention to the misconceptions surrounding older European immigrants. He recalled the historical narrative of the Irish and Italian immigrants who arrived in the U.S. by means similar to those of present-day immigrants. Particularly, when asked about the reasoning behind his decision to write a memoir, he contemplated his younger self’s intentions. He shared how much of his life was spent trying to prove to a conservative, white, Republican audience that he was deserving of U.S. citizenship, and by extension, that other undocumented immigrants were also equally deserving. However, during his research, he discovered that the U.S. government shipped unaccompanied European migrant children to other states (including Kentucky). This led him to the realization that, “if a white kid was unable to change their minds, how could I?” This influenced how and why he wrote his memoir.
During his one-on-one dinner conversation with students, Zamora put forth the beautiful analogy of human beings as plants: “We need our roots to grow. If we cut off these roots, we simply cannot grow.” His core message, “never forget your roots,” serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of cultural identity and history, especially for those navigating the pressures of assimilation. He emphasized that this disconnect stunts personal and collective growth as it simultaneously creates a hierarchical system where people are judged by their ability to conform rather than by their cultural and historical richness and personal identity. This tied into his larger critique of borders. “Our borders decide who we are and what we get to do,” he noted as he reminded students to think beyond the idea of nations. He emphasized that this human-made concept thrives on racial and cultural separation.
Furthermore, throughout the student convocation, Zamora highlighted the dehumanizing forces shaping the lives of migrants in the U.S. He critiqued capitalism for incentivizing a general dehumanization of immigrants, which in his eyes also destroyed indigenous cultures around the world. He gave an example of the Mayan spirituality, culture, and history, and with pride, he noted how the Mayans had one of the most precise calendars before Spanish colonization. Remembrance of one’s roots is thus a protest against the capitalistic system.
On the topic of the student population within Centre, Javier made it clear that most of us share a common ground with the immigrant experience. He stressed the simple fact that a significant number of students are unable to return to their homes for holidays while pursuing higher education far away from their homes on the promise of a better future. While differing in severity, he hoped that this perspective would bring everybody together in collective empathy.
Overall, Zamora’s message highlighted the urgency of immigration reform but also served as a reminder of the resilience and humanity of those navigating these challenges.