Code Switch What does it mean to be good?
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Oct 11, 2023 Alejandra Oliva, author and translator, discusses her experiences as an advocate for asylum seekers, exploring connection, power imbalances, navigating the immigration system, and the emotional toll at the border.
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A Winding Career Path
- Alejandra Oliva's career path has been winding, from publishing to divinity school to translating.
- She was inspired to attend divinity school after seeing a tweet about writers who went and had spiritual crises.
Inspiration for Border Work
- Oliva started working with asylum seekers before divinity school, volunteering at a pro-bono clinic.
- The migrant caravan and the writings of St. Oscar Romero inspired her to go to the border.
The Pitfalls of Altruism
- Oliva discusses the emotional pitfalls of altruism, particularly the fear of wanting to appear good.
- She worries about her work being perceived as performative rather than genuinely helpful.