Loving the Aliens
Perhaps the lyrics of the song, “Loving the Alien,” written by the British composer and artist David Bowie — personally one of my favorites — do not have much to do with the title of this column or its content. However, for a teacher from our border, the song’s title reflects a statement of purpose in recent years.
It was in November 2017. after the arrival of a large number of migrants — mostly of Salvadoran origin — Calexico teacher Carmina Ramírez decided to cross the border to give a helping hand to newcomers to our region.
This aid began by delivering items such as clothing, shoes, socks and hygienic items. Ramírez, requested donations through social media to later deliver them among the migrant community in Mexicali in then-overcrowded shelters.
On the brown paper bags in which items and some gifts were delivered, the teacher added encouraging messages, such as, “Cheer up!” and “You are not alone!”
On these trips, the Bernie Sanders supporter realized that migrant children did not go to school and therefore did not receive instruction of any kind. Thus, Ramírez decided to undertake an effort and carry out various educational activities among minors.
“I realized that they would eventually become our children in local schools,” the teacher and member of the State Council of the California Teachers Association commented through a video.
“Where have you been?” was the question once asked by one of the migrant girls Ramírez taught in Mexicali shelters.
Innocently, the teacher responded by arguing that she was physically in that place. However, her interlocutor asked her where she had been for the rest of her life, expressing her gratitude for the educational and humanitarian effort.
“We can be advocates for families,” added Ramírez in the video posted by CTA on social media.
The efforts of Ramírez, who has participated in the protests held by the Associated Calexico Teachers during the unsuccessful negotiations with the Unified School District, have paid off at the state level.
On Feb, 29, Ramírez was awarded the “Sí Se Puede” César Chávez Human Rights Award, delivered by the CTA.
Ramírez, communications chair for the Calexico Teachers Association, was recognized during the CTA Equity and Human Rights Conference held in Irvine along with six colleagues from all over California.
CTA said these dedicated and inspiring educators received the award for their outstanding dedication to social justice and for promoting and protecting human and civil rights.
“These awards honor our tireless social justice warriors who do community work beyond their classrooms,” CTA President E. Toby Boyd said through a prepared statement. “Their activism is an inspiration to all educators.”
The association added, “Carmina advocates for and regularly visits migrant shelters in Mexicali to work with children and adults, conducting lessons to enhance their literacy and bilingual abilities. She also provides materials for children waiting to be processed into the US, so that they will have a head start, and she provides life-saving resources to migrants crossing the border during the harsh summer heat in our desert border community.”
As you can see, Ramírez’s work to love others — especially aliens — has not only transformed the lives of those seeking a better future, but has also led others to recognize and highlight her work.