Kate Meadows, Times staff writer
Truths and myths surround the struggle over immigration and its laws. For many in the community, it seems Frankfort is in the eye of the tornado. But in the long run, it's not the challenges but how the community works through those challenges that will matter.
Hundreds flocked to Frankfort Middle School Thursday night for a public forum that grappled with that idea, "Immigration: National Challenges, Local Solutions."
Professor Allert Brown Gort, associate director of the Institute for Latino Studies at Notre Dame University, spoke to community members, both Anglo and Hispanic, answered their questions and facilitated civil dialogue even in what were at times tense moments.
To everyone who came, Brown Gort suggested they had at least one thing in common: They all care about this community.
Brown Gort, accompanied by three colleagues from Notre Dame, told the crowd he did not come to Frankfort to tell residents what to think or what to do. They came because they wanted to understand and learn. And they came with ideas and knowledge to share for local residents to consider.
"The most important element is leadership and members of this town committed to having a community," said Brown Gort, a scholar recognized nationally for his research on immigration and cultural issues.
A brief video showed posed some dichotomies. With immigration comes a question of national security against human security, a question of citizenship against discipleship, and a matter of criminal law versus civil law.
Illegal immigration falls under civil law.
"I happen to employ 14 people who are Latino," said one man who addressed the crowd. "They work hard. They pay taxes. They marry others in the community. And they become citizens, eventually."
Questions primarily centered around taxes, language, education and the term "illegal."
Long-time community member Fred Fladd asked Brown Gort to help residents figure out how handle the legal versus illegal status issue in Frankfort.
"Treat others as you would like to be treated is a popular saying," Fladd said. "But the problem is deep-rooted in this legal versus illegal situation ... I hope you can identify that question and break it apart."
Brown Gort suggested the word "illegal" creates a barrier and denies humanity.
"I think we have to get rid of that attitude," suggested audience member Tom Stout, speaking of the concept of illegality.
Rosa Martinez, who works at Frankfort's Open Door Clinic, asked through tears, "Who has the power to ask me if I have a green card? How can we know?"
Gabby, a bilingual high school student, said through a cracking voice, "Most of you will never know what we're feeling. Does it look like I have a green card? Nobody can tell if I do or don't."
Adriela Fernandez, Purdue's associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts, described Purdue as a prime example of a melting pot phenomenon that is happening everywhere. She noted that because of an influx of ethnically diverse students, Purdue is in the process of redefining its mission statement.
She mentioned Purdue's new president, France Cordova, and Cordova's passionate interest in Frankfort and the situation it's facing.
"She's thinking about Frankfort intensively tonight," Fernandez said.
One mom told of her family's move from Arizona to Indiana, in quest to find a reputable school system that still valued English as its primary language.
One of Brown Gort's colleagues, Maria Thompson, told audience members that, being raised in the United States as a member of a Hispanic family, she grew up with the mentality that you learned English or you failed.
"What do you expect of us?" one woman, who moved to Frankfort 13 years ago, asked in Spanish.
Someone asked why after 13 years she could still not speak English.
"What they expect we won't be able to do if they don't help us," she replied.
Invitations to English-speaking classes and calls for volunteers to help teach English followed.
"I'll fill you in with a little reality," Brown Gort told the crowd. "Most of the people who are here are going to stay here. Their children are going to play with your children."
As the evening dwindled, one woman stood up and asked Gabby to come over to her.
She cried as she put her arm around the high school girl.
"We're Frankfort," she said. "I love this young woman."
Now is the time to show the state what kind of community Frankfort is, said Susan Tharp, the extension office director who organized Brown Gort's visit.
"It is your community. And ultimately, it is your choice," Brown Gort said. "You're either growing, or you're dying."
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