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Title: The Letter: An American Town and the 'Somali Invasion' (2003)
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In the wake of the 9/11 tragedy a firestorm erupts when Mayor Larry Raymond of Lewiston, Maine sends a letter to 1,100 newly arrived Somali refugees advising that the city's resources are strained to the limit and asking that other Somalis not to move to the city. Interpreted as racism by some and a rallying cry by white supremacist groups across the United States, THE LETTER documents the crossfire of emotions and events, culminating in a "hate" rally convened by The World Church of the Creator and a counter "peace" rally involving 4,000 Lewiston residents supporting ethnic and cultural diversity. Written by Marc Sandler
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In this time of anger, distrust, and divisiveness, The Letter brings people together as neighbors, as community members, as Americans despite ethnicity, religion, skin color, or country of origin. Although most of us are the children of immigrants, never have immigrant groups had an easy entrance into our society. Despite Lady Liberty's promises newcomers have endured a challenging transition into American culture. The Letter highlights the pros and cons of a Somali group's arrival to Lewiston, Maine, but this story could have happened anywhere in our country. Some members of the city were thrilled about the influx of immigrants; some were furious. Is this not what has happened in every community across our nation when newcomers have arrived? Isn't there always concern for jobs? Don't people always worry about housing, about sharing limited resources, about understanding cultural differences? Why are we always afraid of what we don't understand? The Letter gives hope that we can live together, that we can learn to understand and appreciate each other, that the contributions of another culture do in fact enrich the community as a whole. This film must be seen by everyone who cares about really being an American. We are a melting pot, and we're a better people, and a better country, because of it. Thank you, Ziad H. Hamzeh, for so powerfully representing this very American experience.