By Zachary Otte, Communications Intern

On April 29 the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the current level of influenza pandemic alert for the H1N1 flu virus from phase 4 to phase 5.  The alert is meant to warn the international community of the dangers of the disease and allow for preventative measures.  Unfortunately much of the media here in the U.S. (particularly those on the right side of the spectrum) has latched onto the flu.  Exploiting the fear disease can induce, they are promoting anti-immigrant sentiment across the airwaves.

The H1N1 flu virus (or swine flu as it is commonly referred to) reveals another virus that is unfortunately still rampant within in the U.S. – xenophobia, racism and a fear of the “other”.  Civil rights groups and immigrant advocates across the country and around the globe (organizations like IISTL) are working hard to combat the fictitious and malicious anti-immigrant rhetoric.

This anti-immigrant sentiment is not only unfounded, but it is also counterproductive.  According to Liany Arroyo, director of the Institute for Hispanic Health at the National Council of La Raza (an advocacy group based in Washington D.C.), “The risk of demonizing and stigmatizing a group of people is you risk alienating them and making them afraid to seek health services and that can continue the outbreak.” The few who manage to avoid the massive cracks of our healthcare system are only made reluctant to seek medical attention for fear of being deported, quarantined, stigmatized or harmed by the swine flu hysteria.

The sensational media coverage is designed to create a manufactured sense of fear—as xenophobia and racism operate under the guise of “national security”.  Someone seems to have taken cue from the Bush administrations plan for Iraq; if you scare people enough their open minds begin to close and one can get away with war mongering (be it the invasion and occupation of Iraq or a domestic ideological “war” on immigrants).

I am by no means attempting to diminish the severity of this flu, it is indeed a dangerous disease. It is important, however, to see through the political maneuvering and recognize the H1N1 flu as a public health issue—not an immigration issue.  After all, the virus knows no borders and has no nationality.

Our two most recent Communications Interns reflect on their past semester at the IISTL:

Reflections on an Internship

By Jessica Fox, Communications Intern

When I started here at the International Institute of St. Louis I was very surprised at the diversity and how open everybody was.  It was very inspiring to me because this was the first time in my life that I had ever been around such an exciting, creative, and caring environment.  Even to this day every time I walk into the institute I am overwhelmed by how many people are willing to help each other out.  It is a great thing to watch and experience.

            I am glad that I got to work here as an intern even if it was only for 4 months.  I feel like as I person I have grown.  I feel as though I am more accepting of different people and different cultures than I was before I worked here.  When I move on to my next job whatever that may be, I want to work in an environment that is open to all and accepting of all.  This is one thing that the International Institute has shown me is possible in a work environment. 

            My mind has opened to a whole new different world that I would like to be involved with.  Even though I will miss this place I am happy that I learned so much about people and on thing this place has taught me is patience and acceptance.

            I thought working on the monthly podcast were very informative.  Both Laura and I researched things that we had never known about.  For example, Obama’s immigration policies, and the history of St. Louis immigration.  I was astounded by all the facts and little that I knew.  I learned a lot from people watching here at the institute.  I appreciated how open communication was with everybody I never felt like I couldn’t ask a questions or clarify something I didn’t understand, that means a lot to me.  I am happy I got the opportunity to work here and I know the experience I had here with benefit my future in a positive way.

My Internship & My New Hometown
By Laura Eschbacher, Communications Intern

My time at the International Institute has gone by fast, but I’ve grown a lot this semester because of this internship. There are three lessons that I think I will remember most from my time here.

1. Be safe, but don’t live in fear.
2. Don’t assume anything from appearances.
3. Get involved in your community, or at least be aware of it.

As far as being safe goes, my trips to the Institute twice a week got me over my fear of city driving. I come from a town where it was big news when we got our first stoplight a few years ago. With my newfound driving confidence, I took my little Buick Skylark and started exploring St. Louis. Jessica and I went to an I-Squared dinner together, and picked up an order of food for an IISTL conference in a part of town I’d never been before. I had to drive further South on Grand once to drop off some pants for the Institute’s sewing class. (By the way, the students did an excellent job in lengthening my khakis! My mom is a seamstress, and she was impressed!)
Of course I took the necessary precautions, like leaving nothing in my car so people aren’t tempted to break in. I made sure I locked my doors every day. But I stopped living in paranoia that this area was “terribly dangerous.” As long as you’re respectful and smart, you shouldn’t run into problems.

That leads me to the next point–assuming nothing. I know many people who, post 9-11, are afraid of anyone who doesn’t look exactly like them. Fear breeds hate. But understanding breeds love! It might take some courage to put yourself out there, but when you do, you see that we’re all similar.
I remember how terrified and nervous I was when I came in for my interview here, back in December. I sat in the lobby for fifteen minutes before meeting my supervisor. My heart was pounding. But then a woman walked in with her little baby. The baby was dressed head to toe in pink and just couldn’t stop smiling at me and giggling. I waved and smiled back. Her mom then leaned over, put the baby on her back, and wrapped a cloth around her body so she could carry the baby like a backpack. She said goodbye and left. As they walked off, I kept smiling at that baby and thought, “This is a good place to be.”

Finally, this place has gotten me in touch with the community of St. Louis. I always considered Sullivan, MO to be my home, but St. Louis is a great place. There are agencies, non-profits, musicians, artists, and people who just like to have a good time, who come together for festivals in STL. If we could abandon our SUVs and chores just for a weekend, we could see many aspects of St. Louis that we didn’t know existed!
Support local businesses. Eat food of a completely different culture; maybe even buy clothing from a different culture! Attend a music festival in a neighborhood you’ve never been to. Hang out in Forest Park. Come to the Festival of Nations. St. Louis is small enough that we have the potential to be a strong community. The International Institute seems to acknowledge that, and I’m so proud that my eyes have been opened to it. All it takes is the events section of the newspaper and a little guts! (Events calendar: www.riverfronttimes.com)

I can’t stress enough how much this internship has helped me to become a citizen of St. Louis, and how much I have learned about myself. I promise you that if you do something out of the ordinary and shake up life a little bit, you’ll be interested in what you find.

I wish everyone at the Institute good luck in their future endeavors. Thank you for letting me spend time with you!

By: Jessica Fox

In 2004 I took a class called “Contemporary Issues.” At first I didn’t know what to think about this course because I hadn’t brushed up on any current events, basically I didn’t know what was going on in the world at that time. Throughout the year we talked about current issues affecting the world’s population. We talked about the 2004 Iraqi elections, AIDS/HIV in Africa, and other current events. While we were on the topic of AIDS in Africa we were given a book to read called “Mountains beyond Mountains, the quest of Dr. Paul Farmer.” By: Tracy Kidder. From the start, I was glued to this book.

In the beginning we are introduced to a young doctor named Paul Farmer. Farmer is an American medical anthropologist and physician who received his degree from Duke University. Coming from a very frugal life, growing up on a bus and a boat, Farmer always knew he wanted to diagnose and cure infectious diseases. Not only that, he wanted to bring the tools of medicine to people who couldn’t afford them, had no means of getting them.

Known as the “world-class Robin Hood” Dr. Paul Farmer showed us how change can happen in the worst of insurmountable situations. He and his team built hospitals out of war torn buildings. Farmer’s mission was to basically transform health care on a global scale, focusing on the world’s poorest nations. In 1987 he helped found a non-profit called “Partners in Health.” Today over 1000 patients come through its doors for free healthcare in the Haitian countryside. He believes that you have to pay attention to humanity. Everyone has basic rights, and the right to health is an important part of that. We also need to change the way the world health experts treat communicable diseases. Focusing on bringing down the cost of medical supplies and medicine is always a must. Farmer and his ideas have traveled mountains beyond mountains including places like Siberia, Lima Peru, and Cuba.

The reason I wanted to write about Dr. Paul Farmer on this month’s blog is because his work reminds me a lot of the work that is done here at the International Institute of St. Louis. This organization provides open arms for incoming refugees. Everyone who walks through the doors here has basic rights which need to be met. Here, we are trying to make a world a difference by teaching English classes, providing adjustment services, helping new refugees find jobs in St. Louis and empower new immigrants and refugees. It takes the work of everyone around us to make it happen. The services that are offered here are not offered at just any immigration and refugee organization, we are all grateful for that.

By Jessica Fox, Communications Intern
As a new part of the staff at the International Institute of St. Louis I must say that I feel very fortunate to work here. Four times a week I step into this building and a wave of diversity takes a hold of me. It is a great feeling to know that I am a part of a place that celebrates diversity and recognizes the humanity in every individual. I can’t think of a better place to promote diversity and show how important it is that we all become more aware and accepting of everybody and everything.

Right now this is my third week at the International Institute and I have already become more aware of issues surrounding immigrants and immigrant services offered in the city of St. Louis. There is a great website called www.dosomething.org that has a broad range of topics such as: violence, poverty, war, peace, discrimination, human rights and immigration that educate people about that particular issue.

On the website there are options such as “Act Now” or “Learn More” that you can click on to expand your knowledge. Under the topic of Immigration you can click on “terms you should know about immigration, facts about immigration, and background on discrimination against immigration.” All of these topics are very informative if you are looking to learn or spruce up on your immigration information. This website also offers some good ideas on how to stop discrimination or steps you can take to make a difference.

The website, www.dosomething.org caught my attention because it is a place where everybody can go to learn about how to stop stereotypes and anti-immigration bias. We each have a role in our communities and it’s up to us to take action.

by Laura Eschbacher, Communications Intern

President Barack Obama believes that recognizing the humanity of all immigrants will jumpstart reform of the United States’ damaged immigration system. In his Inauguration speech, he elaborated on the theme of humanity.

“A nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous… As the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.” -Barack Obama

Last semester, I watched a video about the history of photography and stumbled upon something interesting: The Family of Man. It was a photography exhibit that began in New York in 1955, curated by Edward Steichen. The collection of five hundred photos included peoples and nationalities from around the world, engaged in everyday activities, celebrating, and going through emotional hardships (just to name a few). It was a visual attempt at proving that a common thread runs through us all—the human experience.

This exhibit caught my attention because the photographs (which have also been compiled into a book) had messages and meanings that didn’t need a verbal or written explanation. A photograph is universal language. Through a photograph, people can see love, childhood, joy, death, and war, and everyone will understand. Everyone can relate because humans everywhere experience these things.

“America has nothing to fear from today’s immigrants. They have come here for the same reason that families have always come here, for the same reason my father came here – for the hope that in America, they could build a better life for themselves and their families.” –Barack Obama

I’m proud to have a president who acknowledges commonalities. I hope that he can represent that to the world by following through with his promises of reform—through immigration policies, but also through international relations and sending aide to our fellow citizens of the world who need it.

As a temporary staff member of the International Institute, I hope to also set an example of understanding and acceptance in my own little corner of this country. I can’t think of a better place to start than the IISTL.

More information on the Family of Man Exhibit: http://www.remus.museum/html/en/museum.php?id=1010
Sample of the Photographs: http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0870703412/ref=sib_dp_bod_ex?ie=UTF8&p=S002#reader-link
Obama’s plan for Immigration: http://www.barackobama.com/issues/immigration/