The power of music is undeniable. It has the ability to transcend language, culture, and time, and to bring people together in a way that nothing else can. One of the greatest examples of this is the folk singer Woody Guthrie and his timeless song, “Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos)”. Written in 1948, this song tells the tragic story of a plane crash that claimed the lives of 32 people, including 28 migrant farm workers who were being deported from California to Mexico. Today, as we remember this event, it is important to reflect on the message of Guthrie’s song and how it is still relevant in our society.
The lyrics of “Deportee” are haunting and powerful, painting a vivid picture of the dehumanization and mistreatment of immigrants. The song begins with the lines, “The crops are all in and the peaches are rotting / The oranges are piled in their creosote dumps”. These words immediately transport us to the fields of California, where migrant workers toil under the hot sun, picking fruits and vegetables that will end up on our tables. These workers, who are often invisible and forgotten, are the backbone of our agricultural industry, yet they are treated as disposable and replaceable.
The song goes on to tell the story of the plane crash, where the workers were not even given the dignity of having their names mentioned in the news. Instead, they were referred to as “deportees”, reducing them to nothing more than a label. This dehumanization of immigrants is a theme that runs throughout the song, as Guthrie sings, “You won’t have your names when you ride the big airplane / All they will call you will be ‘deportees'”. This is a powerful commentary on how immigrants are often stripped of their identities and reduced to a single label, denying them their humanity.
But perhaps the most poignant and heartbreaking part of the song is the final verse, where Guthrie sings, “Some of us are illegal, and some are not wanted / Our work contract’s out and we have to move on”. These words speak to the harsh reality faced by many immigrants, who are forced to leave their homes and families behind in search of a better life. They are constantly living in fear of being deported, of being separated from their loved ones, and of being treated as second-class citizens.
As we remember the tragic events of the 1948 plane crash, it is important to reflect on the message of “Deportee” and how it is still relevant today. The mistreatment and dehumanization of immigrants is not a thing of the past, but a harsh reality that continues to this day. And unfortunately, the very agency that is supposed to protect and serve immigrants, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), is perpetuating this mistreatment.
In a cruel twist of fate, ICE is now using the same name, “deportee”, to refer to the immigrants who have died in their custody. This is a blatant disregard for the lives and dignity of these individuals, reducing them to nothing more than a label. It is a clear example of how history is repeating itself, and how we have not learned from the mistakes of the past.
But just as Woody Guthrie used his music to speak out against the mistreatment of immigrants, we too can use our voices to stand up against these injustices. We can demand better treatment for immigrants, and we can work towards creating a society that values and respects the contributions of all individuals, regardless of their immigration status.
In the words of Guthrie, “We died in your hills, we died in your deserts / We died in your valleys and died on your plains”. These words serve as a reminder that the struggles and sacrifices of immigrants should not be forgotten or ignored. We must continue to honor their memory and fight for a more just and compassionate society.
As we remember the tragic events of the 1948 plane crash, let us also remember the message of “Deportee” and use it as a call to action. Let us stand in solidarity with immigrants and work towards a future where they are treated with the dignity and respect that they deserve. Let us not allow history to repeat itself, but instead, let us create a better world for all.
