Commentary: The stories not shared

The theme of the evening’s stories was “borders,” and the proceeds were designated to support the Somos Inmigrantes campaign. Since March, the campaign has distributed more than 3,000 lawn and window signs that proclaim, “We are Immigrants, Somos Inmigrantes.” Riverside Church and its community partners began the campaign as a symbol of support and solidarity with current immigrants, and a reminder to most of us that we, too, are descendants of immigrants.

The stories shared that night elicited tears and laughter: A German American son taught by his parents to fit in and learn English. A mother whose son and family recently felt compelled, out of fear, to immigrate to New Zealand. My own story of working in El Salvador, where I realized that those with the fewest possessions often have the biggest hearts.

But most striking of all were the stories that were not told. Some who were scheduled to speak canceled. With a growing number of masked, armed United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in the Gorge, these neighbors felt it was unsafe to speak out in public. 

These same fears were on display at the Hood River City Council meeting just five days later, as residents gathered to urge the city to take action in response to the targeting, by ICE, of brown-skinned community members at local stores, on public streets, and in parking lots. Tears flowed, as residents spoke of their fears — even those with legal status — of venturing out to buy groceries or go to work. The voice of Council President Gladys Rivera shook as she spoke of the experience of parenting a teenage boy, knowing that he and his peers are targets of suspicion. 

On this Christmas Eve, many of us will celebrate the story of a brown-skinned baby born in a manger. While the story offers joy and hope, it also chronicles fear. Not far from the sweet child asleep in the hay, King Herod and the occupying forces of empire are strategizing to rid the world of Jesus. They do not want God’s love and justice to take root in the world. They are determined to protect their wealth and power by keeping others impoverished and subservient.

These stories offer us a choice: Will we give our hearts and lives to forces of fear, or to those of love? Will we add our words to proclamations of violence, or to those of welcome?

Let us choose wisely.

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Rev. Vicky Stifter is the pastor of Riverside Community Church, Hood River.