Immigrant parents’ sacrifices inspire East Kentwood senior’s pursuit of civic leadership

This Voice of Youth essay was originally presented on May 13 during the Composite Community presentation at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. Students from East Kentwood High School explored how Frederick Douglass’ vision of a “composite nation” has taken shape in West Michigan.

As financial conditions worsened in Mexico during the hot summer of 1995, my parents, Fabian Garcia and Maria Lopez, left their home in search of better job opportunities for my newborn sisters and our family. They arrived in Grand Rapids not only with the intention of improving their own lives, but with the hope of creating a better future for my siblings and me.

My parents came to West Michigan with little money but a great deal of determination. They always taught my siblings and me to give our all in everything we did, from school to sports. Even the simplest tasks required full commitment in order to be the best we could possibly be. Over time, they met new people through local Mexican markets on 54th Street and restaurants along Kalamazoo Avenue. They preserved their culture and history by sharing their stories with others who had similar experiences, allowing those experiences to be grounded in truth, acceptance, and community.

For years, my father worked construction to provide for both our family and the community. He helped pave and build the roads we use every day, regardless of how hot or exhausting the work became. Even when he was tired, he continued to show up and put in the effort because he believed in the opportunities that the United States, and specifically West Michigan, could provide for me and my siblings through education and hard work.

My mother stayed at home to care for and guide us as we grew up. She knew that the first years in West Michigan would be difficult, especially since both of my parents spoke very little English, but they held their heads high and continued striving for something better regardless of the cost.

Common good

West Michigan contributed greatly to my family’s identity, just as my family contributed to West Michigan. Both became intertwined through a sense of enlightened self-interest, where my family shed blood, sweat, and tears to achieve the common good of our family and community, while West Michigan preserved the stories and histories of the many people who live here.

My parents’ sacrifices allowed me to pursue opportunities in education by enrolling in multiple AP classes at East Kentwood High School. I later joined Student Council, Model United Nations, varsity debate, and our “We the People” team, which eventually ranked in the top 10 in the nation. These experiences helped shape my passion for history, civics, and philosophy, and inspired me to think about how I can use those subjects to serve my community and contribute to the common good.

However, the idea of the common good has been debated throughout history. Aristotle argued in Politics that diversity could create disarray in a republic, and Montesquieu, the French philosopher whose ideas influenced the checks and balances of the United States Constitution, argued that a republic as large and diverse as the United States could become too divided for its own good.

I stand before you today to say that this conclusion is untrue.

Classical republican thinking fails to account for the people who pursue the common good precisely because of their diverse backgrounds. Immigrants from countless countries came to West Michigan in pursuit of a better future, and through their work alongside their communities, they helped create a prosperous society. We share our stories not only to preserve the rich histories these communities brought with them, but also to help others understand their importance and the importance of education, especially in history and civics.

By learning from these histories and experiences, we can expand our understanding of one another for the betterment of all. Through acceptance, acknowledgment, and a commitment to preserving and expanding our shared history, our actions can uphold the greatness and strength of a republic.

Edwin Lopez-Garcia, a first-generation Mexican American, is graduating from East Kentwood High School and plans to attend Michigan State University this fall. He will major in political theory and constitutional democracy with a minor in philosophy.

To learn more about Rapid Growth’s Voices of Youth project and read other installments in the series, click here. This series is made possible via underwriting sponsorships from the Steelcase Foundation, Frey Foundation, PNC Foundation, and Kent ISD.

Photos taken by Shandra Martinez or courtesy of Edwin Lopez-Garcia