News
“This isn't Mayberry anymore!” exclaims one resident of Shelbyville, a small town in the heart of the Bible belt, 83 miles from Knoxville, Tenn.
Since the 1990s, Knoxville experienced the fourth highest growth in immigrant population of any metropolitan area in the U.S. after having had little or no history of immigration. As a result of this influx, Shelbyville experienced a 63% increase in its foreign-born population since 2000 and was confronted with demographic and cultural challenges.
Prior to 2000, Shelbyville was a town of mostly U.S. born white and black citizens. By the 2008 Presidential election, times are tough. The economy is in crisis, factories are closing and jobs are hard to find. The local Tyson chicken plant is hiring hundreds of new Somali refugees. Tensions run high. Residents feel threatened by immigrants and want things to remain “as they were” before the influx of the foreign-born, mostly of the Muslim faith. In the midst of this unease, newcomers struggle to make new lives for themselves and their children.
Realizing that change, leaders of the First Christian Church, First Presbyterian Church and St. William Catholic Church begin a dialog. Pastor Bryan Elliott of the First Christian Church convenes a group of parishioners to discuss the immigrant situation and quotes, “Jesus says, when you took them in, when you welcomed them, when you received them, it's as if you did it to me.” So, the churches take a step toward assimilation.
Miss Luci, who teaches an immigration ESL (English Second Language) class, and Miguel, an Hispanic immigrant who has lived for years in Shelbyville, become part of the Welcoming Tennessee initiative by serving as local ambassadors to Shelbyville's refugee and immigrant communities.
When a local newspaper reporter, Brian Mosley, writes a negative article about immigrants, Luci and Miguel organize a meeting with concerned citizens at the home of a Somali family. Mosley is invited. In the ensuing discussion, it becomes apparent that neither side understands the cultural differences of the other.
For example, a Somali is not accustomed to purchase something without negotiating. Mosley acknowledges that the problem in writing a balanced article was finding one Somali who could speak English. Participants in this coming-together session realize that to develop successful relationships, they must learn about each other. “We will work together or fall divided.”
With the churches and community reaching out to the newcomers and the Somali's learning English, tensions lessened. Mosley wrote a series of articles highlighting the plight and problems of refugees entering the U.S. and examined the differences between cultures. Luci and Miguel continued as ambassadors with The Tennessee Welcome initiative which has been replicated by 19 states.
Since the 1990s, Knoxville experienced the fourth highest growth in immigrant population of any metropolitan area in the U.S. after having had little or no history of immigration. As a result of this influx, Shelbyville experienced a 63% increase in its foreign-born population since 2000 and was confronted with demographic and cultural challenges.
Prior to 2000, Shelbyville was a town of mostly U.S. born white and black citizens. By the 2008 Presidential election, times are tough. The economy is in crisis, factories are closing and jobs are hard to find. The local Tyson chicken plant is hiring hundreds of new Somali refugees. Tensions run high. Residents feel threatened by immigrants and want things to remain “as they were” before the influx of the foreign-born, mostly of the Muslim faith. In the midst of this unease, newcomers struggle to make new lives for themselves and their children.
Realizing that change, leaders of the First Christian Church, First Presbyterian Church and St. William Catholic Church begin a dialog. Pastor Bryan Elliott of the First Christian Church convenes a group of parishioners to discuss the immigrant situation and quotes, “Jesus says, when you took them in, when you welcomed them, when you received them, it's as if you did it to me.” So, the churches take a step toward assimilation.
Miss Luci, who teaches an immigration ESL (English Second Language) class, and Miguel, an Hispanic immigrant who has lived for years in Shelbyville, become part of the Welcoming Tennessee initiative by serving as local ambassadors to Shelbyville's refugee and immigrant communities.
When a local newspaper reporter, Brian Mosley, writes a negative article about immigrants, Luci and Miguel organize a meeting with concerned citizens at the home of a Somali family. Mosley is invited. In the ensuing discussion, it becomes apparent that neither side understands the cultural differences of the other.
For example, a Somali is not accustomed to purchase something without negotiating. Mosley acknowledges that the problem in writing a balanced article was finding one Somali who could speak English. Participants in this coming-together session realize that to develop successful relationships, they must learn about each other. “We will work together or fall divided.”
With the churches and community reaching out to the newcomers and the Somali's learning English, tensions lessened. Mosley wrote a series of articles highlighting the plight and problems of refugees entering the U.S. and examined the differences between cultures. Luci and Miguel continued as ambassadors with The Tennessee Welcome initiative which has been replicated by 19 states.
May Community Cinema in the Grand Valley
Grand Junction
7 p.m., Tuesday, May 10 6:30 p.m. wine and cheese reception Recital Hall, Moss Performing Arts Center Mesa State College Free campus parking for this event • A community discussion will follow the Grand Junction screening discussing immigrant integration issues in a community. --------------------------------------------- Palisade 10 a.m., Saturday, May 14 Palisade Library --------------------------------------------- Fruita 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 25 Dinosaur Journey Museum |
