What immigrants give up in order to fit in, the importance of names, and anti-racism with Alex Quezada | S3E2

In this month's episode, you will meet Alex Quezada. Alex serves as Hispanic Ministry Coordinator at St. John Paul II Catholic Parish in Kankakee Illinois. Alex has also been working as Relief & Development Coordinator at the office for Human Dignity in the Diocese of Joliet since 20019. As an immigrant from Mexico, Alex works to promote social justice for all following the principles of Catholic Social Teaching. Given our shared cultural identities, we talked a lot about the immigrant experience but also touch on racial justice in the black community as well. We talked about the importance of names and the different ways immigrants like him have to put aside core parts of their identity just to be able to fit in to this country. We also talk about a really tough question his daughter once asked him while in High School and how she’s developed into an anti-racist advocate.  Key Points Immigrants often have to renounce parts of their core identity just to fit in. Examples range from changing the pronunciation of your name or using a different name entirely to attire. If immigrants showed up in every space, but in particular professional settings, as their authentic selves they would be countercultural. This raises the question that Alex's own daughter once asked: why are immigrants always the ones who have to make such accommodations?   The Hispanic immigrant community espouses many positive values that could contribute to the broader society. These values link to the catholic social teaching principles of family, community, and participation.  Building a common language: Anti-Racism Source:  https://www.penguin.co.uk/articles/2020/06/ibram-x-kendi-definition-of-antiracist https://thejesuitpost.org/2020/07/catholic-101-should-a-catholic-be-an-antiracist/ Related Episodes:  Looking at the immigrant issue through two different lens (S2E10) How immigrants can identify with the crucified and resurrected Jesus (S2E8) How Latino families are getting through COVID-19 (S1E2) Want to connect with me? [email protected] Have feedback? Send your thoughts and recommendations here: https://bit.ly/reclaimingsjfeedback