There is a growing fear in America that immigrants are somehow taking over the country, that people arriving from different nations, cultures and religions are changing America beyond recognition. Perhaps we should ask a simpler question: What would America be without immigrants?

America’s story is one of people coming from somewhere else. Generation after generation arrived on these shores seeking freedom, security, opportunity and a better future for their children. Their languages, appearances and places of worship may have differed, but their goals were similar. So the presence of immigrants is not a crisis. It is an old American story.

Of course, every sovereign nation has the right and responsibility to secure its borders and enforce its immigration laws. But there is an important difference between debating immigration policy and creating fear of immigrants themselves. America does not have to choose between secure borders and a welcoming heart. It can uphold its laws while preserving its humanity.

Immigrants have built America’s communities, roads, factories, businesses and hospitals. They have served in its military, advanced its science and technology, cared for its sick and taught its children.

The danger is not that immigrants will change America. The greater danger is that, out of fear, America may forget what has always made it remarkable: the ability to turn strangers into neighbors, immigrants into citizens and many different peoples into one nation.

— Zeeshan Virk, Franklin, Wisconsin

Reasonable and welcoming

I was struck by two op-eds on Aug. 31: “Roosevelt, Eisenhower were models of statesmanship” by John T. Shaw and “Thank you, Dolly Parton, for your music, good humor and public service” by the venerable Clarence Page. Effective political communicators often have a theatrical flair, and some revered entertainers display an unbiased political awareness.

Shaw describes Dwight D. Eisenhower’s leadership using the president’s own words: “a fair, decent and reasonable dealing with men, a reasonable recognition that views may diverge, a constant seeking for a high and strong ground on which to work together.” Page describes Parton as “more than merely tolerant of different people, her fans will say. She was welcoming.”

I suggest politicians who act more like Ike and Dolly — fair, decent, reasonable and welcoming to various points of view — will appeal to a broader spectrum of the electorate.

— Jerry Levy, Deerfield

Vitriol undermines op-ed

Wow. That was a sucker punch! I read with interest Adam Patric Miller’s thoughts on artificial intelligence Tuesday morning (“How do I have ‘the AI talk’ in my classroom?”). Nicely written. Thoughtful. Until the last two paragraphs, which were aggressive and one-sided.

If Miller is going to malign Israel, why not also mention that Hamas uses Palestinian schools, hospitals and children as shields, deliberately putting the most vulnerable in harm’s way?

There are truly heinous strategies on both sides, irrespective of the use of AI.

Miller’s ambivalence toward AI and his thoughtful op-ed are undermined completely by the one-sided vitriol.

— Sharon Joseph, Chicago

Block parties are a gift

This letter is an enthusiastic response to Leah Pouw’s op-ed on block parties (“Why Chicago’s block parties matter in a time of anger and disconnection,” Sept. 2). Yes, yes, yes! I live in a small unincorporated community in Naperville. We had our annual block party in August, and I can’t tell you how invaluable this event is for my husband and me.

We are now in our 70s. Most of the new folks in our ‘hood are young families, and it’s just harder to make new friends as you age, although we are typically very social. The block party is the one time a year we can all get together and catch up with more than just the folks next door.

This year, I have started a small newsletter for our neighbors. It is to be published quarterly and hand-distributed to their doors. Just a two-pager featuring old or new neighbors. For one edition, I put which voting districts we are in for various elected offices, such as forest preserve commissioner and township. Several in our group have their own cottage or small business, so I put in a blurb about that. Just little tidbits like that to keep us connected, albeit loosely, between annual picnics.

Thank you to Pouw for highlighting these small communal events, which are so important in this day and age and which she makes a great case for.

Best wishes to her on her campaign. I wish I could have been dancing in front of the fire station with all her neighbors. I bet the music was grand.

— Robin Schmidt, Naperville

Cubs organist was a champ

Thank you for the recent column (“True (Cubbie) blue crew,” Aug. 26) focusing on the Chicago Cubs’ 150th anniversary, which acknowledged those who have made outstanding contributions to the Cubs’ organization.

One person I had hoped to see recognized was Gary Pressy, the Cubs organist, who in my mind was the Cal Ripken (the “Iron Man” who played in 2,632 consecutive games) of organists.

— Corky DeBoer, Orland Park 

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