by Libby James
The sanctuary at Plymouth Congregational Church in Fort Collins was at capacity on Sunday afternoon, March 31. On the docket was a talk by Dr. Miguel De La Torre, professor at Iliff School of Theology and author of 35 books, the most recent being Burying White Privilege: Resurrecting a Badass Christianity, December 2018. An immigrant himself, DeLaTorre was invited to speak by the Interfaith Solidarity and Sanctuary Coalition, a local non-profit dedicated to working for human dignity and immigration justice.
ISAAC was formed two years ago based on the mandate that to welcome the stranger is a justice issue common to all faiths that transcend all differences in doctrines. They provide support to people living in sanctuary, advocate in detention proceedings, refer families to resources and help to initiate vigils in response to national current events. They maintain an emergency fund to assist families struggling because of head-of-household deportation, homelessness, need for legal assistance, renewals for “Dreamers,” and the need for funds to bond out of detention. Educational efforts include supporting trips to the border with Mexico, raising awareness of local support organizations, and presenting forums on immigration.
De La Torre, an ordained Southern Baptist minister, was the fourth in a series of speakers presented by ISAAC. His talk, addressing the reasons why immigrants come to the U.S., offered a review of American history that likely took the audience by surprise. A Cuban by birth, he said that his choice would have been to stay in his home country but circumstances forced him to relocate. He asserted that immigrants come because the actions and policies of the U.S. government have caused conditions in their home countries making it impossible for them to live safely and earn a living in their native lands. “It’s not for freedom or to take advantage of American social services,” he said. He cited NAFTA as a recent policy resulting in the loss of jobs and the raising of prices in Mexico.
“A century of gun diplomacy created the poverty that exists,” he said. He also pointed to U.S. policies such as manifest destiny and frequent efforts at regime change in Central America as factors making life tremendously difficult in Central America.
The author of 35 books and a screenplay, “Trails of Hope and Terror,” De La Torre details his outlook in his book, Embracing Hopelessness. While he admits to being hopeless regarding change in the near future in the U.S. because of the existing social structure, he asserts that his sense of hopelessness allows him to continue the battle. “When I have nothing to lose, that’s when I’m dangerous,” he said. “I fight because it defines my humanity. I am free to break the rules in an ethical fashion.”
He suggests something he calls “radical solidarity.” “Do things you never thought of doing,” he said. “Hope is a middle-class privilege. There is liberation in embracing hopelessness.”
De La Torre ended his talk by saying, “I bet you didn’t think you were going to get a history lesson today.” Then he graciously took the time to answer questions.
Support Northern Colorado Journalism
Show your support for North Forty News by helping us produce more content. It's a kind and simple gesture that will help us continue to bring more content to you.
BONUS - Donors get a link in their receipt to sign up for our once-per-week instant text messaging alert. Get your e-copy of North Forty News the moment it is released!
Click to Donate
Mr. De La Torre wrongly lays the blame for the ongoing failure of Socialist governments in Central and South America as the fault of the U. S. How completely irrational his thinking is. Rather than to acknowledge the reality of Capitalism bringing progressive life styles around the world, to recognize that the reason he and others come illegally as well as wait in line legally for year to come here, is precisely because of the government THERE vs our capitalist economy and democratic system.
Most sad, he is imbuing the minds of our children with the recent racist phenomena that if you are born with a light skin pigment, you are automatically entitled and will have a much easier life. Doesn’t get more racist, or silly, than that notion.
It’s too bad that Pastor De La Torre seems to push a sugary insight relating to immigration. Let me guess, does he believe in universal salvation? I am the daughter of immigrants. They had to apply and they went along the immigration process. My father eventually became an American citizen—and with pride, it turned out to be a great accomplishment for him. It amazes me that Mr. De La Torre is a Southern Baptist minister, not too many years ago you would not hear someone like him. I suggest that he reads the book of Exodus and Deuteronomy where God warns the children of Israel not to become like their neighboring countries. Mr. De La Torre should concentrate on sponsoring missionaries to Spanish-speaking countries so these populations in their native lands can change for the better. It all starts with the heart———–not at the border.