LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Events to explore ‘The Undocumented Americans’

Published 3:07 pm Friday, February 12, 2021

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As a supporter of the arts in Stanly County, the Arts Council would like to inform you of a project that was recently funded by our annual Grassroots Grants for the Arts.

In conjunction with Pfeiffer University, the Stanly County Arts Council is proud to support the virtual appearance of the Latina author Karla Cornejo Villavicencio to discuss her book, “The Undocumented Americans.”

Villavicencio’s book is made up of various profiles of undocumented American workers, particularly those who are ineligible for DACA (Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals). Although Villavicencio is a recipient of DACA (or “Dreamer”) herself, her book chooses to focus intentionally on the stories of those that are left behind or forgotten in debates about immigration, such as day laborers and food delivery people.

While recent Supreme Court rulings have upheld DACA and the national debate over immigration reform continues, Villavicencio’s work forces to consider the most marginalized of the immigrant community.

A part of Karla Villavicencio’s virtual appearance at Pfeiffer University will include a “community read” of “The Undocumented Americans.” Both the Arts Council and the Department of English at Pfeiffer University invite you to participate in this event, in the hopes of bringing greater community awareness to the national discourse on immigration and reforms surrounding it.

A discussion of the book will be facilitated by Drs. Ashley Schoppe and Danielle Donelson, faculty in the English Department at Pfeiffer
University. This virtual event is scheduled for 2 p.m. March 2.

The community read of “The Undocumented Americans” will culminate in a virtual session with Karla Cornejo Villavicencio at 5 p.m. March 11.

The author joins us to answer questions from the audience and to direct thought-provoking discussion surrounding the issue of immigration in the United States.

If you would like to participate in these events, please contact either Dr. Ashley Schoppe or Dr. Danielle Donelson at the email addresses provided: Ashley.schoppe@pfeiffer.edu or Danielle.donelson@pfeiffer.edu

Again, the Stanly County Arts Council greatly appreciates your continuing support of the arts in our region, and we encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity that Karla Cornejo Villavicencio’s virtual visit will provide.

Renee VanHorn
Executive Director
Stanly County Arts Council