Carlos — San Antonio, TX
As an immigrant who became a citizen, I've experienced both the Heaven Ethos and Power Ethos in America. Some welcomed my family with genuine compassion; others saw us as threats to be controlled or excluded. The HELM's analysis of how fear is weaponized to justify cruelty perfectly describes the rhetoric I hear about immigration. But the framework also gives me hope—I've seen people's minds change when they actually meet immigrants, when fear is replaced with relationship. Now I volunteer helping new immigrants navigate the system, embodying the welcome I wish everyone received. Small acts of dignity matter more than grand political victories.