By Kevin Gosztola, Editor-In-Chief
On September 20, the Elmwood Park Advocate held its fourth “Community Conversation” at the Elmwood Park Public Library. Twenty-six residents joined us in the Ferrentino Meeting Room to share personal experiences with migration and belonging.
The format for the event was different. We used a peace circle or sharing circle to ensure that our conversation was inclusive and would offer a community benefit to everyone in the room. Incredibly, as residents filtered into the room when we were ready to start, the circle had to be broadened with more chairs.
Silvia Rogel, an Elmwood Park resident, a not-for-profit professional educator, and a SEED facilitator, led the discussion.
“We come together as neighbors, friends, and community members with diverse perspectives on migration in our county. This conversation is not a debate, but a dialogue,” Silvia informed the room. She asked us to focus on our lived experiences, speak with “I” from our own perspectives, and allow all voices in the room to be heard so that we could collectively grapple with the “complex realities of immigration.”
After defining belonging and migration, Silvia presented the following question: “What does the word ‘belonging’ mean to you when you think about our community?”
Various thoughts and ideas were put forward as we went around the circle. It means taking ownership of the community. It means knowing your neighbors. It means feeling that you are represented and not alone. It means taking an interest in the people who live on your block or getting to know families as you put your kids through school. It means feeling a connection to the place where you live.
“If you don’t have safety, then you don’t feel safe in belonging,” one person said.
Belonging is when you recognize people who live among you, and you share head nods with each other when you see them in the village. It’s participation in the community or being part of a network of moms at the local elementary school. It’s inclusivity. Or that moment when something clicks, and finally, you believe everyone here is welcome.
Another person declared, “Being able to share in this right here [the ‘Community Conversation], that’s developing this sense of belonging.”
It took us all 35-40 minutes to go around the circle, which was much longer than expected. Silvia moved on to the next question: “How is your personal or family story connected to migration?”
Some of the experiences shared were deeply personal, with several neighbors opening up and sharing profound moments that they endured.
The person who started this half of the discussion spoke about moving multiple times in their life. Then they said it only takes one person, who introduces you to someone else. Before long, that someone else introduces you to yet another person. Then you feel like you belong.
One migration story involved how challenging it is to speak in public. “Being understood is one of the hardest parts.” This individual showed real courage in sharing with everyone in the room.
A resident recalled the moment when their parents went from undocumented to citizens of the United States. As a kid, they did not always feel welcome. They spoke further about their interactions with other children of immigrants who struggle to make this community their own.
Elmwood Park has always had a significant immigrant population, but “sometimes that second or third generation forgets” what life was like for their parents or grandparents.
Migration may be forced, something you are compelled to do to find safety. One couple spoke about moving to Elmwood Park from another state so that their children would not have to be ashamed of who they are and could live without fear.
Another resident echoed this point. English was not their first language, but they spoke a European language. That was not offensive to anyone when they were growing up. It was intriguing. People would ask them to share more about their background, which isn’t always the case for some immigrants from south of the equator.
At the height of the Salvadoran War, Silvia fled El Salvador. She now recognizes it was a privilege in October 1988 to fly from the country where she was born to Midway airport.
Multiple residents shared how important it was for them to honor their parents’ sacrifices and do everything that they could to succeed in this country.
There was a shared expression of empathy for immigrants who walk from far off places just to have a shot at a better life, even if those around them may never treat them like equals and resent their presence. Plus, the privilege “to not have had to leave” anywhere was acknowledged.
With time running out for the meeting, a resident praised the “kaleidoscope of thought and philosophy” in the room.
Silvia had prepared more questions, but everyone’s willingness to share meant that we only were able to explore the two questions involving migration and belonging. However, that was perfectly alright. We can always invite attendees to a second “Community Conversation” in the future to continue the discussion.
Because they are public figures, I’ll mention that Library Board Trustee Jesus “Chuy” Segura and Elmwood Park Police Sergeant Carlos Rodriguez were both in attendance. We were grateful for their participation, and the personal experiences that they shared. Jesus even talked about the peace circle and specifically shared his appreciation for the job that Silvia did as a facilitator.
The Elmwood Park Advocate has had some friction with Library Director Michael Consiglio, Library Board President Chris Pesko, and a still-unknown group of seven or eight people, who have questioned the rationale for holding “Community Conversations” at the library.
We previously reported on proposed meeting room policy changes that would force the newsletter to pay more than $100 each time that we us the main meeting room at the library. As a result, the newsletter has had to fight for our First Amendment right as a news media publication to engage in newsgathering activities at the library and gather with residents.
There is even language in the initial draft of the 2025 Meeting Rom Policy that should trouble anyone who values freedom of speech in the village. However, on Saturday, we set all of that to the side and simply enjoyed the company of everyone who joined us for a heartwarming discussion.
In fact, our right as taxpaying residents to access the main meeting room without paying any fees was respected. Library staff setup microphones. Instead of throwing out leftover coffee from the “Taste The Roast! Coffee Tasting” at 10 a.m., staff left the coffee for us to finish if we wanted.
It is my hope that we can continue to demonstrate to the library director and library board president that the Elmwood Park Advocate is a legitimate community-serving entity. We are transparent in our purpose, and the community is benefiting not only from our reporting and writing but also our monthly events that promote a sense of belonging.
If you have not already, please write to Library Director Michael Consiglio — mconsiglio@elmwoodparklibrary.org and Library Board President Chris Pesko — cpesko@elmwoodparklibrary.org
Let these village leaders know that they should hit pause on the planned meeting room policy changes, which would directly and unfairly restrict the Elmwood Park Advocate and impact our ability to hold “Community Conversations.”
And then, maybe we should have our own peace circle to reconcile our differences.
I love Silvia's speak from "I" perspective. That was a fantastic idea and the sitting in a circle was also a great idea.