Brazilians on Martha's Vineyard

Brazilians have been a part of the Martha's Vineyard community for decades and the conversation around whether or not companies should hire un-documented, and even documented, Brazillians has ensued since.

Recent events like the speedy approval of Elio Silva's new grocery store and apartment complex in the current Island Furniture location and the formation of the Associação Brasileira em Martha's Vineyard, or ABRAMAVIN, have brought this decades-old conversation to the forefront again.

The conversation here is really no different than it is in other parts of the country where there are large immigrant populations. What makes us different from the rest of the country is that history is even more close at hand here than in other places. We live on an island where decendents of the first people of this land still live, something that very few other places can claim. And every Islander who cannot trace their ancestry to Moshup can trace it to people who immigrated to this country in search of a better life—many of whom faced opposition and strife for their part in taking jobs and opportunities away from those who immigrated before them.

That said, historically, immigrants have always been willing to work for a lower wage than non-immigrants.Those who feel that the immigrant population here disturbs the competitive wage of labor, or those who have lost jobs or have to work mulitple jobs so they can afford to feed their family, may not find history does anything to allieviate their current struggles.

That we are living in a tough economy where jobs are harder to come by and the prices of gas and food are higher than ever exacerbates the issue across the country. The Island is no exception—especially with the Island Plan projecting a cost of living here that is 60 percent higher than the rest of the country.

We bring this very controversial topic to the table for what we trust will be a civil conversation between members of this Island community. What is fair? Where should lines be drawn? What steps can we take as an Island community—one made up of Native Americans, American citizens and immigrants alike—to find answers that work for all of us? We welcome your thoughtful thoughts, your relevant concerns and your hopeful solutions.