The Martin Luther King Days of Dialogue book discussion focused on the book “Just Like Us” by Helen Thrope. The discussion was led by Dr. Aurora Chang, an assistant professor at UW.
The book is about four girls living in Colorado, two without legal documentation. The book follows the girls as they attempt to build a future.
“I think the message of the book is that we all have dreams and there are different paths to achieve those dreams,” Dr. Chang said. “In terms of the immigration issue, the idea is that no matter whether someone is deemed legal or illegal, is that we’re all human beings with the same aspirations.”
The discussion was slightly non-traditional where the participants, in groups of three to four, stopped at stations to discuss the meanings of quotes and how they pertained to certain issues. They stayed at each station for roughly five minutes and had a place to write their response to the quotes and issues.
A few videos played during the discussion to helped explain the book and its message.
Participants were encouraged to raise questions or present their comments to add to the discussion.
Participants then discussed the question what they thought made someone an American.
When faced with the same question, Dr. Chang responded by saying, “an American is someone who values democracy and who is willing to make an investment in democratic principles.”
Chang said she thinks the committee for the Days of Dialogue chose to discuss this book because it touches on the pressing social issue of illegal immigration.
“In the context of talking about social justice, this is one of the more important areas,” Chang said. “I think this book is really appropriate in that way.”
Chang said that it seemed like the participants were very excited to talk about the issue.
“It made me think that there are not very many spaces here to discuss this issue in a way that feels safe or available,” she said.
Many attendees came in with little previous information on the subject of immigration issues in general, especially in Wyoming.
“What I saw was a real interest for that information,” Chang said.
Chang said that she can see this as a beginning for other discussions like this one.
“I think the term “American” has such different meanings to different people, even though we pretend that it’s all the same”, she said. “Some people feel entitled to that term whether they have earned it or not. While others are denied that term even though they have worked very hard for it.”
Dr. Chang is currently working with immigrant students in Wyoming. She said that some of their life stories are inspiring.
