Photography: Tender Nest Portraits | Latina Power Shirt: Jen Zeano Designs |
Distressed Mom Jeans: XXI | Bracelets: Avenue 261 |
This shoot was made possible in collaboration with my talented friend, Anel, from Tender Nest Portraits. She is a Houston-based lifestyle + commercial photographer. One of my favorite things about blogging is working with other women and supporting women that own small businesses. I love working together with brands to create powerful stories and share that message with others. These pictures speak words that have been so heavy on my heart this week. I am Latina Power. Here’s why:
At 10 months old, I came to America with my mom. She was only 21 years young, but carried the strength of a lioness. We flew from Central America to flee El Salvador’s brutal civil war in 88′. My mom was a single mom. All she carried was her baby and a small luggage. She had her whole world in her arms. She came with big dreams of raising her baby in a safer country, where going outside without fear, was promised.
I am a daughter of an immigrant. I am an immigrant. We are immigrants.
My whole family is made up of immigrants. My dad had to cross the border by land, and swim desperately to get to this country, just like thousands do daily. He suffered, was famished, but hopeful. Was it promised? No. Wast it worth taking a chance? Yes.
Separating families from their children is not a right, it’s not christian, it’s not humane, it’s not American. These children are left, scared, alone, confused, and with no one to comfort and hold them. When I kiss my babies to sleep, I pray for them while they sleep. I pray for a good night’s rest, and for them to wake up to the world so we can learn, have fun, snuggle, and laugh together. Every day, I get to hold my baby. Every day I get to laugh with my son.
As a mother, as a human being, I can’t imagine feeling the unbearable pain a mother has to go through with the separation of her babies. We need to put an end to this inhumane practice of separating babies from their mothers and fathers. End the unknown and endless trauma that these children are facing at the hands of our government. Families belong together and this is heartbreaking.
What can we do? What can I do?
1. Pray and find non-profit organizations like these to help.
Find one that you support. One that speaks to you like these have spoken to me. I believe in the power of humans working together to make things happen. Let’s be the voice for the voiceless.
2. . Donate baby supplies through Baby2Baby
Baby2Baby , an L.A. based-organization dedicated to “providing low-income children ages 1-12 years with diapers, clothing and all the basic necessities” is partnering with Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) to create needed items that are being donated. Donations can be made through Baby2Baby’s Registry at Target.
3. Make donations to RAICES
The Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES) reunites family by paying immigration bonds of parents detained that are separated from their children. These are bonds are set a a minimum of $1500, so most parents do not have the resources to pay for getting them released from ICE custody. RAICES donations can help do that and help reunite these babies back to their parents’s arms.
As I am rapidly editing this blog post, I received a notification stating that Trump has signed executive action halting family separations. Pushing politics aside, anyone with a heart will fight for this to stop. Anyone who does anything to help a child in these circumstances is human. You can’t separate us from our culture. Immigrants are strong! Let’s continue to fight together and uplift each other.
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