Earlier this semester, interim president Hunter Rawlings claimed Cornell as a “sancutary campus.” Due to the current climate with immigration rights and undocumented students, many students on campus felt at ease when this message came out because it seemed to ensure the safety of their friends. I too was very happy with this declaration. However, after this table talk, I learned that “sancutary” means different things across different campuses. Prior to attending this table talk, I thought sancutary meant that the campus would protect the identity of all undocumented students and not allow any immigration officers on campus to question students. To my surprise, Esmeralda told us that Cornell would comply with any petition submitted by an official and release the name of the student in question. Upon learning this, I felt as if I had been led to believe that Cornell would protect the identities of undocumented students. This just shows that as students, we have to read between the lines and do our own research to uncover the truth of these matters. One statement that resonated with me at this table talk was when Esmeralda urged us all to “stay vigilant.” This is very important because actual lives are at stake. It is important that we are involved in conversations among students and faculty. Cornell students must stand in solidarity with our fellow students and let them know that we support them wholeheartedly. It is easy to get comfortable with issues which do not pertain to us however, the poet Martin Niemoeller said it best:
“First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”
I was really hoping I could make it to this Table Talk but I couldn’t, so I’ve enjoyed reading the blog posts from it! I also think it is really important to understand as a community what exactly encompasses being a “sanctuary campus” and what does not, especially because as you mentioned the safety of students is at stake. I also really appreciated Niemoeller quote at the end. It’s something I’ve been trying to keep in mind recently.
I think it is so important that we all understand that Cornell has not explicitly stated that it will protect undocumented students in the face of danger. So often with Cornell’s administration, as with any administration, there is an attempt to misrepresent the truth with flowery language. It is critical to be aware of this fact at all times, because we must support our fellow students and think critically about what we are being told.
I find the last couple lines really powerful and relatable. It is easy to just dismiss events as things that don’t apply to you. It happens all around us, not only just to undocumented immigrants.
We don’t think about how climate effects those in developing nations. Because it’s not us. We don’t think about how China is oppressing neighboring nations. Because it’s not us. We don’t think about the refugee crisis. Because it’s not us. We may not think about human rights for females, gays, transgender, children, elderly, races, because it may or may not be us.
But does it really take it to be us for it to matter?