Perspectives gives esteemed leaders in the philanthropic and nonprofit community the opportunity to share their viewpoints, analyses, and reflections on a range of immigration and immigrant issues. The goal of Perspectives is to share ideas, promote deeper understanding, and generate dialogue among our members and other grantmakers.
In this issue, Kalpana Krishnamurthy, director of the Research and Action for Change and Equity (RACE) Program, illuminates effective strategies for building the leadership skills of first-generation immigrants and refugees. She shares insights from the Western Institute for Organizing and Leadership Development for Immigrants and Refugees (WILDIR) and offers lessons learned and recommendations for foundations.
In Growing Attacks on Immigrants Have Real Implications for Black America, Eric Ward, national field director for the Center for New Community, writes about his ordeal as an undocumented, native-born U.S. citizen. An estimated 11 million native-born citizens share his dilemma in this country. He explains how anti-immigrant legislation further complicates this situation. His essay culminates the three-part series on race and immigration.
Karen K. Narasaki, president and Executive Director of Asian American Justice Center, makes the case that only by addressing race directly can we ensure America's ability to live up to the promise of fairness and opportunity for all. She warns against viewing immigration as solely a Latino issue and debunks several myths about the racially diverse immigrant community. In her conclusion, she recommends strategies that foundations can follow to nurture the building of a broad and powerful social movement that benefits all members of society.
In The Black and Brown Divide, Emmett D. Carson, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Minneapolis Foundation, explores how an increased number of immigrants from Latin America fuels tensions between Mexican- and African-Americans as these two groups compete for jobs and resources. He examines the relationship between the two populations, demonstrates why they have much in common, and recommends ways that foundations can encourage and support a shared dialogue between the two groups.
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The inaugural issue of this series of commentaries features the remarks of Gara LaMarche, then vice president and director of U.S. Programs, Open Society Institute (he is now President and CEO of The Atlantic Philanthropies). LaMarche discusses the challenges and opportunities of promoting immigrants rights in today's political environment and warns that negative impacts will await the nation if we choose to disregard or ignore our history.
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