What about us? — Yosimar Reyes

Summary

The video script reflects on the experiences of an 85-year-old abuela navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. While socially distancing, she stays connected to the world through news updates and conversations about the crisis. The narrator, who assists her in understanding issues like stimulus checks, eviction moratoriums, and essential workers, highlights the struggles faced by undocumented people. Through faith, community support, and mutual care, the script showcases the resilience of the undocumented community, including abuela’s non-traditional workers and her prayerful devotion, as they face the invisible enemy: the pandemic and political turmoil.

Takeaways

• 😀 Abuela, 85 years old, spends her time watching telenovelas and news during the pandemic while the speaker works remotely, explaining technology like Zoom to her.
• 😀 Abuela is very concerned about staying informed and sharing COVID-19 updates, even though the speaker is already aware of the news through social media.
• 😀 Abuela offers advice on disinfecting the house and staying safe while running essential errands, as she knows she is at high risk due to her age.
• 😀 The speaker explains to Abuela that undocumented people, even those who file taxes with an ITIN number, do not qualify for the COVID-19 stimulus checks.
• 😀 Abuela is concerned about the challenges faced by undocumented people and their ability to access resources, despite their essential role in keeping the country running.
• 😀 The speaker reflects on the systemic issues affecting undocumented workers, such as low wages, lack of support, and limited access to education.
• 😀 Abuela's friends, who are also non-traditional workers, rely on the speaker to navigate local resources during the pandemic, including for street vendors and domestic workers.
• 😀 Abuela and her community find strength in prayer and faith during this difficult time, with Abuela vowing to read the Bible cover to cover during quarantine.
• 😀 The speaker acknowledges the resilience of undocumented people, comparing them to the 'invisible enemy' rhetoric used by the Trump administration.
• 😀 Abuela and her friends have built strong support networks through regular communication, such as phone calls, texts, and WhatsApp, to stay connected and help each other during the pandemic.

Q & A

What role does Abuela play in the narrator's life during the pandemic?

Abuela serves as a source of both emotional support and concern for the narrator. While the narrator is busy with work and deadlines, Abuela offers updates about COVID-19 and provides practical advice about safety precautions. She also expresses care for others, particularly undocumented workers, demonstrating a sense of community and compassion.

How does the narrator describe their attempt to explain remote work to Abuela?

The narrator tries to explain the concept of remote work and Zoom calls to Abuela, but it goes over her head. Despite this, Abuela respects the narrator's need for space and leaves them alone for a few hours, demonstrating the generational gap in understanding technology.

What is Abuela's reaction to the stimulus check announcement, and why does she feel concerned?

Abuela is excited to hear about the stimulus check but becomes concerned when she learns that undocumented individuals who file taxes with an ITIN number do not qualify for the assistance. She shows empathy for the undocumented workers who are struggling more than she is.

How does Abuela perceive the situation for undocumented workers during the pandemic?

Abuela recognizes that undocumented workers are the backbone of the country, keeping essential industries running. She understands that these workers are often mistreated, underpaid, and criticized despite their vital contributions. She feels a sense of solidarity with them.

What does the narrator reveal about the complexity of the eviction moratorium in California?

The narrator explains that while the eviction moratorium in California prevents landlords from evicting tenants for not paying rent, it does not forgive the accumulated rent. This leaves many undocumented individuals, who live paycheck to paycheck, in a difficult position of owing large sums once the moratorium ends.

How does Abuela's faith play a role during the pandemic?

Abuela turns to her faith as a means of coping with the uncertainty of the pandemic. She has committed to reading the Bible from cover to cover and believes her faith is the reason she has survived the hardships of living as an undocumented person in America.

What does the narrator suggest about the challenges of being undocumented in America?

The narrator emphasizes that being undocumented in America requires divine strength and resilience. The societal rhetoric often vilifies undocumented people, but Abuela and her friends have built strong networks of mutual support to navigate these challenges.

How does the narrator describe the community's response to the challenges of the pandemic?

The community responds with solidarity and mutual support. Abuela and her friends check in on one another regularly through phone calls, texts, and WhatsApp messages. They provide emotional and practical assistance to each other, demonstrating a strong sense of unity.

What is the significance of Abuela's friends, or 'comadres,' in the narrative?

Abuela's comadres represent the non-traditional workers who are often overlooked in society, such as street vendors, house cleaners, and caregivers. They are portrayed as a vital part of the community, relying on each other for support and guidance, especially in the face of systemic challenges.

What is the narrator's overall message about the experiences of undocumented people in America?

The narrator conveys that undocumented people, though often marginalized and vilified, are essential to the functioning of American society. Their resilience, faith, and community networks are crucial in navigating the struggles they face, especially during the pandemic.