Albert Murphy
Growing up in Chicago, there are several neighborhoods that act as portals or gateways into the city. Neighborhoods and communities with immigrants are bursting with culture, small businesses, art, and multicultural places that help people flourish in a rather unique way. Immigrants transform communities by adding flavor and substance to places, making them even more dynamic than they were before they arrived. One thing I appreciated growing up was learning about the struggles of immigrant people because it gave me a sense of compassion for people who continue to fight for a better life, which is something I think we as people should all strive for in general. It’s exciting to exchange customs and norms and learn words from different languages. Learning about other people’s cultures has always fascinated me and I appreciate people that migrate around the world because they bring their own traditions and create new atmospheres.
I recognize the struggles that affect people in underdeveloped countries. I look at Haiti and see how the devastation of the earthquake has impacted them, and I feel like they deserve the right to migrate elsewhere if they want to. Everyone is looking for opportunities and people are driven by their individual motives to gain access and resources for themselves and their families. I encourage everyone to remain dream chasers. Best of luck and solidarity to all people who are trying to make a better way for themselves.
The Butterfly postcard campaign was developed by the UIC Latino Cultural Center in collaboration with student organizations Fearless Undocumented Alliance and Heritage Garden Student Group that highlights the parallels between the migration of people and Monarch butterflies across national borders.