Living alongside immigrants is a gift.

Have you ever heard of the overview effect? It’s a term astronauts use to describe the awe they feel when they see Earth from space. It’s characterized by profound emotion and a deep sense of connectedness. In 1971, Apollo 14’s Edgar Mitchell called it “an explosion of awareness… an overwhelming sense of oneness and connectedness.”

Decades later, Nicole Mann, the first Native American woman in space, shared, “It is an incredible scene of color, of clouds and land, and it’s difficult not to stay in the cupola all day and just see our planet Earth and how beautiful she is, and how delicate and fragile she is.” During her time on the ISS, she also experienced Americans, Russians, and Japanese astronauts working together and said, “What that does is just highlight our diversity and how incredible it is when we come together as a human species, the wonderful things that we can do and that we can accomplish.”

Taken by William Anders on December 24, 1968, during the Apollo 8 mission

I’ve lived in Los Angeles for almost fourteen years, far from the small town in Indiana where I grew up, where most of the population looked the same, spoke the same language, and had similar beliefs. I’m grateful my parents raised us to be open-minded and accepting of others; that foundation ties deeply to what I value most in life.

Living here has opened me up and expanded my world in ways I never could have imagined. I’ve been so privileged to experience the richness of different cultures and life experiences. Living alongside immigrants is a gift. I wish those who don’t understand could see what I see… the humanity, the value, the worth of all Angelenos. This also spans so much further than LA. I feel this way about human beings all around the world, most of whom I will never have the chance to meet.

But even with this expanded perspective, I have to admit: I am not without biases. They exist in all of us. Our brains automatically (and unconsciously) sort people into categories based on visible traits: race, gender, age, etc., as a way to reduce cognitive load. Psychologists call this implicit bias, the unconscious stereotyping and formation of attitudes towards groups or ideas that can influence our actions. They lead us to "other" people who are different, to assume instead of understand. The truth is that this wiring isn’t fixed. Studies show we can disrupt these habits by slowing down, getting curious, and actively seeking to understand perspectives outside our own. Bias shrinks in the face of connection and understanding.

Right now, it’s important to remember our common humanity, which teaches us that we are part of a larger reality, a shared human experience. Thinking back on the overview effect, we are all on this planet together. We are born here and we will die here. We all wish to be safe, happy, and loved. When we suffer, we aren’t alone. Every human being in the history of humanity has experienced suffering, too.

I challenge you to bring to mind someone you consider very different from you. Maybe it’s someone you disagree with, someone with a different cultural background, someone who belongs to a different age group, a different gender identity, or someone who has different religious beliefs. These are just a few examples.

Next, think of all of the things you share in common with this person. Do you live in the same town or city? Do you have children? Do you drink coffee in the mornings? I can almost guarantee you have both had your heart broken at some point, lost a loved one, or have had a hard day. You’ve both felt the sun on your face, seen the moon in the sky, and been born into this world we share. You both belong to the human species, which means you share 99.99% of your DNA.

By Brittany Bravo: "IMMIGRATION IS SACRED. Monarch butterflies have migrated across North America long before these man-made borders scarred the earth. Migration is part of nature. Your walls are not."

The current ICE raids run counter to everything the overview effect reveals: that we are all fragile, all precious, and all in this together. Dehumanization starts with forgetting this simple truth. We need to remember our shared humanity actively and collectively if we want a chance at a better future. You didn’t choose where you were born, just like every other human being on this planet. If you were born in a safe environment, you are lucky. Try to remember that it isn’t the case for everyone. They are not less than because of this.

No matter what the people in positions of power say or do, I hope you remember this:

• Your life matters.

• You are worthy of love, safety, respect, and joy.

• You deserve to take up space.

• Your life is meaningful.

• You’re not alone in what you’re feeling right now.

What can you do?

• If you are able to, join a protest and use your voice.

• Share information and amplify the voices of those who are on the ground.

• Report ICE activity if you see it happening. LA’s rapid response network number is 1-888-624-4752. If you’re in LA, add it to your contacts.

• Look into mutual aid in your community and volunteer.

• Donate directly to those affected or to mutual aid funds (make sure to check your sources). One great option is to donate directly to CHIRLA (the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights), whose mission is to advance the human and civil rights of immigrants and refugees. They are California’s largest immigrant rights organization.

• Have conversations and educate those around you on what is happening.

• Vote in the midterm elections.

• Take care of yourself so that you don’t become shut down and burnt out.

• Remember that you can choose to take actions that are different than others. We all have our own strengths!

• If you have more suggestions for me, send them over, and I’ll add to this list!

Ending with a favorite from Carl Sagan, “Every one of us is, in the cosmic perspective, precious. If a human disagrees with you, let him live. In a hundred billion galaxies, you will not find another.”