"Light for Liberty" event sparks conversation about immigration
All photos courtesy of Skylar Earls.
On Thursday, Oct. 24, several campus organizations came together to stand in solidarity during a “Light for Liberty” vigil.
The Sociology Club — in collaboration with Coalition Against Sex Trafficking, Leetinos, Peacemakers and Evangelistic Singers — organized a candle-light vigil to start a conversation about immigration, its challenges and larger associated issues.
The event featured student testimonies as well as prayer and a time of worship.
Elijah Cox, a senior sociology major and co-president of the Sociology Club, said he was inspired to form this event after researching occurrences around the U.S.-Mexico border. In addition to his research, Cox was compelled to take action after hearing a panel discussion about immigration in September.
Cox also said a vigil he attended on campus two years ago promoting racial solidarity stirred up ample motivation to turn this idea into a reality.
“I remember going to that candlelight vigil and feeling so moved,” he said.
Cox said the Sociology Club wanted this vigil to be an opportunity to promote unity among students and faculty on campus. Everyone at the vigil was encouraged to sit in the center together as a representation of community and unity.
“The ability to bring everyone together despite what their views are is a really good benefit,” said Cox.
Skylar Earls, a senior sociology major with a criminal justice emphasis, serves as the other co-president of the Sociology Club. Earls believes it is important to recognize different types of struggling people in the world, and says the goal of the vigil was to help people understand “you can help people no matter where they are in the world.”
“Immigration is not a popular topic and does not want to be talked about,” said Earls, “because [people see] political standings versus talking about what we actually can do about it.”
Alejandra de Jesus Guajardo, a Lee alumna and international graduate student, spoke at the event and gave insight on the topic through her firsthand experience with migration.
Guajardo shared the parable of the prodigal son to describe a different view of migration.
“The structure of this parable is resourced by welcoming those who we would not expect to be welcome,” Guajardo said.
The Sociology Club believes this will continue to be a relevant issue and has plans to make this an annual event to continue honoring and remembering migrants.
For more information about the Sociology Club and its ongoing efforts to discuss tough topics within the student body, contact Co-President Skylar Earls at searls02@leeu.edu.
