Douglas Turner Ward's 'Days of Absence' and the Immigrant Crisis of Today.
The immigrant crisis: A comparison between immigration and mass deportationsIn 1947, Douglas Turner Ward’s play *Days of Absence* delivered a powerful message about the enduring impact of mass deportations on communities. Set during World War II in the bustling town of Daylight City, the play delved into the lives of three vulnerable women—Liliana, Maria, and Clara—who were forced to flee their communities after the country was divided by the racial Delta line. Through a series of scenes, Ward captured the raw pain of losing loved ones, the resilience of families, and the enduring weight of loss in America’s post-war society.
Today, we face a similar question: what would happen if millions of immigrants were to disappear under mass deportations? While the exact context may differ—today, the Delmarva Mass Detention facility, for instance—each case is unique. However, the underlying themes and lessons from *Days of Absence* remain applicable. The play explores not just the immediate loss of loved ones but also the broader systemic issues that shape the lives of those who leave.
### Historical Context: Mass deportations in 1947
In *Days of Absence*, the film is set during a pivotal period in U.S. history, a time of fear and uncertainty before the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Delta Line was a symbol of division, separating North and South America from Europe and Africa. After the war, many immigrants faced mass deportations to escape the chaos and violence of their communities.
Liliana was forced to flee her small town in the south after moving westward with Maria, who had come from a more stable background. Clara joined them, starting a new life as a woman working for the U.S. Department of Labor. Each woman lost not just her loved one but also their sense of belonging and community. The film portrays their daily struggles—tripping on railroad tracks, enduring physical challenges, and trying to find a place in society that often felt foreign.
These characters were more than just victims; they were survivors of systemic oppression. Their lives reflected the harsh realities of racism, sexism, and cultural divides in the U.S. at the time. The film ends with Liliana’s mother saying, “If you’re not going to be in Daylight City again, it doesn’t matter where the walls are now.” This statement serves as a cautionary note about what happens when communities are gone.
### The Immigrant Crisis: Challenges and Solutions Today
Today, immigrants face a similar set of challenges. Many are forced to leave their homes under the pressure of new immigration policies. These policies often result in mass deportations—massive batches of people being relocated to facilities like Daylight City or other detention centers. While some families succeed in repatriating home, others struggle to find a sense of belonging, especially in cities where their communities may have moved on.
### Comparative Analysis
Just as Ward’s play explores the loss of loved ones and the enduring weight of that loss, we face the loss of communities today. The walls of our cities may shift, but those who are removed from their homes lose not only their loved ones but also a sense of belonging. What comes to mind for many immigrants is not the loss of a loved one but the loss of a community.
In *Days of Absence*, the film delves into this question: what happens when you leave behind a family and your life? It’s a deeper question than just losing love—loss of all that we hold dear. Immigrants must face the challenge of finding their way back home, but they also have to deal with the uncertainty of where they are going.
### Potential Outcomes
The potential for outcomes is vast. In some cases, families might find hope in the efforts of others or through community programs. For example, some immigrants may return through legal means like court proceedings or by building support systems within their communities. Others may face discrimination at home but still have a path back to their loved ones.
However, in many cases, the outcomes are different. The walls of the city can grow strong, and families might struggle to find closure. The film *Days of Absence* offers hope for those who come together after loss—regardless of where they came from. It is a call not just to honor loved ones but to rebuild communities that still need it most.
### Conclusion
Douglas Turner Ward’s play *Days of Absence* tells a timeless story about the enduring impact of mass deportations on communities, and today it serves as a guiding light for the immigrants facing deportation. While the contexts and names may differ, the lessons are clear: when loved ones leave behind their lives, we must find hope through community, support systems, and hope.
As we consider this question—what happens if millions of immigrants disappeared under new policies?—we must remember that true healing is not just about love but about rebuilding the communities that once brought us together. In *Days of Absence*, Ward’s message reminds us that life continues in many ways beyond what was lost, and that even after a wall falls, we can find strength in community and hope.
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