Undocu Week: Open Mic Night

By Audrey Sears 

Members of the Stonehill community were invited to the Martin Institute on April 3 to share spoken words and creatively express their feelings on migration, justice, and immigration. 

The open mic night was jointly hosted by Political Science Professor Caballero, better known as “Dr. G,” and Ori Cappella ’26, who both shared original poetry to inspire conversations about immigration and hope.  

The event took place on the fourth night of a week-long series of programming hosted by numerous institutions on campus.  

Student participation ranged from song, recitations of borrowed works, and original pieces.  

Alex Trantos ’25 read a letter from Palestinian activist and political prisoner, Mahmoud Khalil, highlighting the ongoing struggle of free speech and political censorship.  

“I decided to read Mahmoud Khalil’s letter, a graduate student from Columbia who was detained for speaking about the genocide in Gaza, because I wanted to bring attention to one of the many voices that are currently being silenced and attacked—an increasingly prevalent issue within our immigrant communities and in higher education,” said Trantos.  

Jeseth Ezra S. Cabiles ’26 shared her personal experience of holding dual citizenship of the Philippines and the United States. Cabiles’ longing for home battles with her mixed fear and concern for the future, which was reflected in her a cappella rendition of “Pagbabalik,” a Tagalog song, translating to ‘homecoming.’  

Spectators clapped and stomped a beat as a beautiful moment of vulnerability connected Cabiles with the audience. 

“I haven’t been back [to the Philippines] in six years and my mom and we feel like it’s the right time to visit, but with everything going on, I’m scared of what could happen to us,” said Cabiles.  

Despite the heavy topics discussed and feelings shared, hope emerged from John Devereaux ’27, who shared the poem, “First They Came,” by Pastor Martin Niemöller.  

“Even though the circumstances are sad and concerning, the mere existence of the art made shows that we haven’t seen the end,” said Devereaux. “It shows that they made it through and survived. We haven’t seen the end yet.”  

Open Mic Night’s special speaker, Ilse Ruizvisfocri, shared an original piece, “He who denies his history is condemned to repeat it.”  Using the handle @ilse.rzv on social media, the Boston-based poet and photographer shares her personal experiences and reflections on LGBTQ+ rights and migration. 

Undocu Week, celebrated from March 31 to April 4, “offers us an opportunity to engage with the topics of migration, immigration law, spoken word, art, and the lives of undocumented communities,” according to the Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity, and Social Justice (CSRESJ).  

Along with the CSRESJ and Martin Institute, the LIGHT and HOPE programs, the SGA Diversity Committee, and the Office of Intercultural Affairs collaborated to bring Undocu Week to campus.