You’ve heard it since day one. Arizona boycotts immigration. You have heard remarks of racism, complaints about job availability to legal and natural born citizens. The fight is high and the fists are low. So to speak. With the new Arizona Law giving police officers the right to ask you for your proof of citizenship, one has to ask, what could this mean for the average person in America? Legal or not?
Obama, not more than a week ago, said that this policy opens doors to harassment and wants to file a lawsuit. If you look like you may not belong, perhaps based on skin color, you could get carded on a whole different level. It’s the same issue when 9/11 happened. Many of those who moved here to America to make their lives better were interrogated about their intentions in this country. I had a neighbor that had this happen. He was very terrified by the whole thing. My views, well, I’d like to keep them out of this. What, matters here is the aspect of a new chapter not only in racism but in what America initially stood for and all matters attached.
I find the whole thing interesting historically speaking. If you know your history then you know how back during the early days of America, advertisements were posted internationally to persuade immigrants to come to our country with the promise of good pay and a better life. The Irish, I’ve noticed were hit very hard next to the Chinese. Once the government got what they wanted out of the Irish, it became hard for them to find jobs after they were booted out of the workforce. No body would hire them. Then with the Chinese, it was especially hurtful, they were made to work on railroads and were treated very poorly.
What does this have to do with the Mexicans? A lot. It’s not only that they come across the boarder without papers or trying to get a visa of some sort, it’s more extreme than that. In stead of hiring them and firing them and having companies bluffing their way around the legal aspects without penalties (which does happen when certain companies go to Mexico to pick them up and bring them back to the states), the opposite of history is happening but with the old fashioned incentive that they are still being paid less then the common citizen. And with the economy as it is, well you can put those pieces together yourself.
Now, lets talk about being asked for your papers. While, yes, do believe you come into his country, as with any other country, legally. I somewhat do not mind being asked for your papers but at the same time I do see what Obama is talking about. Take for instance that I have been asked if I am part Mexican all my life an only a few times if I am half black. I’m in neither category. I guess this would have me at high suspicion that I am not an American citizen and therefor puts me in the same boat as those who are at the receiving end of racism. It’s just like those commercials that were out for the longest time. People being based on the sound of their voices over the phone when applying for a home loan and such. You see the man making the same call various times with a different “accent”. You notice how the person whom he was talking to responded to what they heard and not what they saw. I think this may happen with those who are legal citizens who “look” a certain way. This is something I have also experienced. While working as a janitor, I had food in my mouth and was trying to swallow and answer a customers question without being disgusting. I figure he felt I took too long to answer and asked, “Do you speak English?” I quickly swallowed and asked back, “Do you speak German?”. All because I look of another race and that I had food in my mouth and was trying to be polite. I’ve been treated very rudely based on my skin.
At the same time, there are a good many people who are not one bit against the thought of asking someone if they are legal. It is a viable question, true. There isn’t much time between comments I’ve heard about how “they” are taking our jobs and getting medical benefits when the rest of us have a hard enough time getting them. I understand both sides. I’ve seen many things in my still young life and I can’t argue with either side. Though I can bring out the facts that stop either one being the more predominate choice. Including the fact that language is and always will be a barrier. English, as you know is the universal language. If it is that then, as many put it, it should be learned by all. In many countries, you get by better knowing how to at least read English. In fact, it is one of the best ways to get an international drivers license and drive on the major highways in Europe.
In America language is such an issue. There not one place you can’t go to now and hear a customer trying to talk to a clerk or food service provider and have difficulty communicating. The only arena I see language either divided or solely English is in the movies.
There has to be a common ground. I am not against learning another language. Though I am not for compromising my rights to accommodate when the other party isn’t willing. I’ve worked with Mexicans who very much tried to learn from me as I did with them. It worked great. They were happy to learn and to get that passing grade to become a citizen. I was happy to try and learn and therefor mixed English and Spanish. Though, I am not good with my Spanish.
As you see, it’s a very mixed ordeal. Asking for papers and making those who wish to be in our country go through the proper procedures, or allowing some racism to occur where it isn’t needed. After all, America did fight for racial rights starting with such historical figures as Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks. I personally would like to add Selena and Ricky Valentine to that list.
