...about some things I think about.
I generally don't like to broadcast my views when it comes to political "hot-topics." I generally feel that my opinions are my opinions and that I don't need to foist them off on other people. Even if asked, I'll usually hedge my way around answering, give non-answers, that sort of thing.
However, with the recent law enacted in Arizona, I feel like I need to get some thoughts off of my chest. Or head. Whatever.
When it comes to the Hispanic community, I'm in a rather unique position. After they get to know me, I usually get accepted as an honorary member of the Hispanic community. I speak Spanish fluently, which gives me an in, and my mindset is more affiliated with the Hispanic mindset than most gringos.
I'm against illegal immigration. Not so much because I don't want them in the country, but because I believe in obeying the law. When I go to another country, I make sure I jump through all the hoops to be there legally. And I believe in the Golden Rule, so I feel that people coming to my country should do the same.
This new law in Arizona feels like it's a way for the state to help Sheriff Arpaio avoid lawsuits for doing what he always does: go out and round up anybody who looks like an illegal immigrant. This usually translates to anybody who looks Mexican. Arizona keeps saying that they won't fall back on racial profiling, but that feels like this is exactly where they are heading.
It makes me very uncomfortable.
I wonder if those that had a hand in drafting this new law have ever spent any amount of time living in another country. I lived in Peru for two years, and it sucks to get singled out for looking different than the majority of those around you. I can relate to how the Hispanic community in Arizona is feeling now. This new law just feels wrong.
And those are my thoughts.
Rouge and the Myth of the Southern Belle
3 years ago
5 comments:
The new Arizona "immigration" law makes me feel like all those Civil Rights marches in which I participated in towns like Birmingham, Mobile, Americus and the nights I spent in small jails with other marchers there were for naught.
What's next in Arizona, folks who "look Jewish," like me are going to stopped for their papers on the off chance they've illegally emigrated from Israel.
Of course, Arizona lawmakers, who all seem to be products of their second cousins, have seen fit to make the job easier for citizens as there's no longer a requirement in that state for a permit to carry concealed weapons.
I wonder what's next in that state. Given the Hegelian cycle of history, who knows, Arizona may reinstate "Separate But Equal" restrooms, assuming the economy allows it to build new ones.
I'm really starting to get nervous when I think about it too much.
Your idea about the separate restrooms seems likely. And frightening.
Oh Adam, I don't know how "likely" it is, but I do believe that racism remains a very major prevailing issue in this nation and it disturbs me deeply.
As I wrote earlier, I marched in those marches many times. It's genetic: Years ago, in the late 20s my Dad won a Pulitzer for stories he wrote resulting in sending a governor to jail for his association with the KKK.
Perhaps with age (67) I am becoming far too cynical. On the other hand, I see very little change: The rich continue to get richer; the poor, poorer; and we're still at war.
Hi Adam. You are entitled to your very own opinion and that's what you are supposed to do. I feel like people who are immigrants should be allowed in our country but sometimes they abuse it. I'm speaking from personal experience. I have some neighbors that are Mexicans and they have been giving us some problems since we've been living in this community. Please blog to my posts sometimes.
There are many citizens who abuse living here.
I don't have answer to the issue, but Thomas Jefferson did coin the phrase (to be a bit vernacular), "All men are created equal."
We've had problems with neighbors, serious ones...and none are immigrants.
When protesting the war in Vietnam, my father, a very liberal Democrat and Pulitzer winner, asked me the solution. As in the issue of immigration, I've none either...but at the beginning of the day, we're a nation of immigrants.
It is a remarkably challenging issue, but in my mind not nearly so challenging as poverty these days, as well as war and racism.
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