The power of music to capture the essence of a moment in time is truly remarkable. It has the ability to transcend language, culture, and even time itself. One such example of this is the folk singer Woody Guthrie’s iconic song “Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos)”, which was written about a tragic plane crash that occurred in 1948. Today, as we remember and honor the lives lost in that fateful event, it is disheartening to see that the same dehumanization of immigrants that Guthrie sang against is still prevalent in our society, particularly in the actions of ICE.
The song “Deportee” tells the story of a plane crash in Los Gatos, California, where 32 people, including 28 Mexican farm workers, were killed. These workers, who were being deported back to Mexico, were not even given the dignity of having their names mentioned in the news reports of the crash. They were simply referred to as “deportees”, further dehumanizing them and erasing their identities.
Woody Guthrie, a champion of the working class and a staunch advocate for social justice, was deeply affected by this tragedy. He saw the injustice and inhumanity in the way these immigrants were treated, and he used his music to speak out against it. In his song, he gives a voice to the voiceless, honoring the lives of those who were lost and reminding us of their humanity.
But sadly, almost 70 years later, we are still witnessing similar acts of dehumanization towards immigrants. The recent actions of ICE, particularly the separation of families and the detention of children, are a stark reminder of the deplorable treatment of immigrants in our country. It is a painful reality that we are still struggling to overcome.
As we remember the victims of the 1948 plane crash, we must also reflect on the current state of our society and the treatment of immigrants. We must ask ourselves, have we truly learned from the past? Have we made progress towards a more just and compassionate society? The answer, unfortunately, is no.
The fact that ICE is now memorializing the same plane crash that Woody Guthrie sang about is a cruel irony. It is a reminder that the fight for justice and equality is far from over. But it is also a call to action. We must continue to use our voices, just as Guthrie did, to speak out against the dehumanization of immigrants and demand change.
We must also remember the power of music in bringing people together and inspiring change. Guthrie’s song continues to resonate with people today, and it serves as a reminder that we must never forget the lives lost and the injustices that have been committed. It is a reminder that we must continue to fight for a better future for all.
In the words of Woody Guthrie, “We are all immigrants in this world, and we all deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.” Let us honor the memory of those who were lost in the 1948 plane crash by standing up against the dehumanization of immigrants and working towards a more compassionate and just society. Let us use the power of music to unite us and inspire us to create a better world for all.
