immigrants

May 2021 8

Tales From the Border: Unicorns and Rainbows

2021 Articles, Helping Hands, Tales of Diversity

by Mark Redwine

Back in March, when I wrote my last article, I was much younger and excitedly expecting our new administration to snap its fingers or wave a magic wand, and instantly materialize a new immigration system that would be fair and compassionate for all. At first, the immigration changes (especially those concerning asylum seekers) appeared to be all unicorns and rainbows. But reality raised its ugly head, and my illusions and hopes were flung to the ground. It is funny how disappointment can age you.

Mar 2021 13

Tales From the Border: Bagamoyo, Texas

2021 Articles, Helping Hands, Tales of Diversity

by Mark Redwine

The refugee camp for asylum-seekers is no more. Two weeks ago, the first busload of refugees legally crossed the bridge that spans the Rio Grande River between Matamoros, Mexico and Brownsville, Texas. When they arrived at the Brownsville bus station, a crowd greeted them with applause, cheers, tears, hugs, handshakes, and exuberant joy expressing the start of the end of two long years of suffering in the camp. I was not able to greet that bus, but have been able to greet several since then. Yesterday, the last bus from the camp crossed into Brownsville. Today, the few people left in the camp were taken to a shelter in Mexico and the camp is now empty.

Feb 2020 8

Tales From the Border: The Wedge

2020 Articles, Tales of Diversity

by Mark Redwine

In the summer of my youth, my kid brother, Allen, and I would hitchhike to Newport Beach from our home in Orange, California. We hung out with our friends at the south side of the pier long before the lifeguard station was built, 15th Street before the showers were there; and 17th Street near the lifeguard tower.

Nov 2019 23

Tales From the Border: The Last Greatest Hope

2019 Articles, Tales of Diversity

by Mark Redwine

Almost everything has changed for asylum seekers since I last posted to KRL… and not for the better. The largest change has been the implementation of MPP (Migrant Protection Protocols), AKA the “Return to Mexico” policy, which made its way to Brownsville in July of this year.

Jul 2019 20

Tales From the Border: The Camp

2019 Articles, Helping Hands, Tales of Diversity

by Mark Redwine

I took today off. This part of the border has drawn international attention since the picture of the young father and his toddler daughter with her arm wrapped around his neck, who drowned together while attempting to cross the Rio Grande river, hit the news feed. Frankly, I don't want to see any more pictures of dead children.

Dec 2017 23

People Coming Together After Hurricane Harvey

2017 Articles, Tales of Diversity, Wasan Abu-Baker

by Wasan Abu-Baker

Whether it be wildfires, floods, or hurricanes, the road to recovery is long, and there are many ways people can help the thousands whose lives have been devastated. It’s been three months since Hurricane Harvey wreaked havoc on the coast of Texas, leaving many evacuees displaced due to flooding. This disaster has been the source of a lot of pain, but it has also been the source of many heartwarming stories.

Sep 2017 23

The Story of A Little Girl From Syria Named Malak & Her American Girl Doll

2017 Articles, Tales of Diversity, Wasan Abu-Baker

by Wasan Abu-Baker

Malak is a five-year-old girl who was born in Aleppo in Syria in 2010. A few months before the war in Syria started, her mom Iman and dad Saeed had a big celebration when she was born. Malak means ‘Angel’ in Arabic. Iman named her Malak after her aunt Malak because she wanted her to carry her name and be as her aunt.

Jul 2017 15

Mental Health of the Syrian Children: Hope for healing the invisible wounds after six years of Syrian war

2017 Articles, Mental Health, Tales of Diversity, Wasan Abu-Baker

by Wasan Abu-Baker

Every child has the right to a healthy and peaceful future. Wars damage the dreams for those children who suffer hunger, poverty, pain, and trauma. They have seen their friends and families die, and their schools, houses, and hospitals destroyed. This pain will last a lifetime and will have an impact on the children that is hard to predict.

Apr 2017 1

International Women’s Day

2017 Articles, Community, Tales of Diversity, Wasan Abu-Baker

by Wasan Abu-Baker

Fresno women have many stories of success and accomplishments in 2016. The women of Fresno as teachers, doctors, dentists, engineers, students, professors, mothers, sisters, community organizers, politicians, artists, cooks, writers, journalists, principles, and pharmacists came out to celebrate those accomplishments on March 8, International Women's Day.