A local community group aiming to assist migrants in Rowan and surrounding counties is inviting members of the community to a screening of the documentary “Changing the Subject” on September 11. Concerned Citizens for Migrants works with migrant workers and their families to ensure their needs are met.
Ann Colbert, founder of the organization, said immigrants contribute tremendous amounts to our local economy without receiving many of the same benefits. She said workers, primarily from Mexico and Central America, participate in many sectors of the workforce.
“I think most people have gone to the Mexican restaurants. Some people work there. There’s some in the lumber industry, in agriculture, there’s contracted workers,” said Colbert.
Colbert added that many of these members of the community face challenges in areas of life that many US citizens take for granted. For example, simply obtaining a driver’s license proves to be impossible for many migrant workers. Additionally, many members of the immigrant community have reported facing grave amounts of prejudice.
Colbert said it is important people are equipped with the tools they need to combat prejudice and difficulty faced by the many immigrants in the community. She said it will take a cultural effort to ensure migrants feel welcome in the community.
“Well, I think attitude changes is the biggest thing,” she said. “We do hear a lot of national rhetoric from the Department of Homeland Security that every immigrant is a criminal, and that obviously is not true. That’s part of the reason we’re showing this documentary film at the library.”
The documentary “Changing the Subject” will be screened at the Rowan County Public Library at 5 p.m. on September 11. Afterward, a panel of experts will be hosting a discussion and fielding questions about the film and immigration in the community.