Arizona

by cconyersjr | April 27, 2010 at 01:37 pm

205 views | 4 Recommendations | 6 comments

I never thought I'd EVER see anything like this in America. But here we are.

Anyone who has read other articles I've written here, especially in the last few weeks, I have been focusing quite a bit on racial issues; a lot more, in fact, than I would really like to. I am a person that does not deal with race issues or racism in my daily life. AT ALL. In fact, the only time I see or hear anything racist is in the news, or in YouTube clips of rallies and such. Basically, I have to go looking for it. Why do I look for it? Because there WAS a time in my life when I did have to deal with, and almost on a daily basis. I went to a predominately White high school in a suburb in New Jersey, and yes...while I was there, I heard some White kid utter the word "nigger" every other week-- no exaggeration. At the end of the day, however, I knew that this was just some asshole running his mouth. At the end of the day, his opinion would have no bearing on my daily life, other than my personal frustration of having to hear some moron say this. That was over 20 years ago. Since then, sure-- some of those issues have popped up...but times have changed so much, and I have changed so much...I just don't have to deal with it anymore. I surround myself with good people, and we all get on with our lives. End of story.

What's happening in Arizona, however, makes me sick. The most un-American of laws has been passed, which will allow police-- at their discretion-- to request proof of citizenship from those whom they feel may be in this country illegally. Would you know an "illegal" if you saw one? What image pops into your head when you think of an "illegal alien"? I know when I was a young man in Manhattan, I knew quite a few people that were in this country illegally. They were blondes, brunettes, red heads, with white skin, who would stay in the country after their visa's have expired. Not a good thing, right? But no one seems to be talking about THOSE people. This is not a law targeting French, or British, or German folks who's visa's have expired. This law is SPECIFICALLY targeting Mexicans.

I would like to speak frankly about race here. I usually do, but this is such a clear case of xenophobia and racism that no other rational explanation can really adequately address what is wrong with this legislation. I will say some things that many people will find objectionable. But it can't be any worse than a passive-aggressive law that purposefully targets a specific group of people, in a country built on equality and justice for all.

This is a law, created by White folks, to save their country from the Black and the Brown. Period. Now, why do I say that? Well, it's quite simple. I was always taught in school that America is a "melting pot". We are told this, but see and hear and deal with behavior from others that is antithetical to that point. Watching "Eyes on the Prize" in grade school. Learning of the Japanese interment camps. Listening to stories about the slaughter of the Native Americans. Signs that read "No Dogs, or Irish." I've heard friends tell stories about their grandparents being called "Dagos" and "Wops". I didn't know at the time, but "Wop" is an acronym for "without papers". So I guess now, in 2010, we have a whole new generation of "Wops", specifically in Arizona.

I have watched a quarter of the White population lose their minds after Barack Obama was elected President of the United States. Yes, some people out there will deny this, but they are fools. This is the reality of the nation we live in; RACISM IS THIS NATION'S CANCER. And it effects more that just Black folks. Since the abolition of slavery, there has been a void when it comes to cheap (or in the case of slaver, FREE) labor costs. This country went to war for free labor (in spite of what the revisionists say). This country had to fight not only free African labor, but child labor and women's rights for fairness in the work place. In the last few decades, that labor void has been filled by the Mexicans. I see them every day, standing outside of gas stations, Home Depots, on the highways, lined up on New York City streets, waiting for jobs. Jobs that are being offered to them by American home and business owners. Why? Because they're cheap. Especially if they are undocumented-- not only can pay them the most MINIMAL of salaries, but you don't have to pay for things like Healthcare. What a bargain!

But there are some who see this as one of the main reasons why so many Americans-- REAL American citizens are out of work. The Mexicans come over here, and "THEY'RE TAKIN' OUR JOBS!!!" Which is bullshit. They're not taking anything. They are being GIVEN those jobs...by American business owners!!!! I mean sure, we could get rid of all of the Mexicans. We could deport all of the illegal ones, for sure-- get them ALL out. And in a bad economy, desperate Americans will take those low paying, uninsured jobs. But what will happen a year, two years, three years from then? Will those Americans STILL be satisfied with those jobs? They will start to ask for more money. They will ask for health care. And better working conditions. Things that "illegal" Mexicans won't ask for, out of fear that if they rock the boat, they'll be shipped out of the country. Then you'll have Unions popping up, and all of the business owners will be pissed-- there would be a revolt...and then what? What do you think the politicians would do then? The same politicians that are in the pockets of the same businesses that WANTED the undocumented workers in the first place...? But none of that will ever happen.

One-third of the population in Arizona is Latino. How do you think they are handling this? What do you think Latino, or Black cops are going to do about this? Who is going to be the first White cop to do it? Can you imagine being a Latin-AMERICAN citizen, out walking your dog or going to the store...maybe you're not dressed well-- just threw on some sweats or something else comfortable...and some cop sees you, and sizes you up...and makes a judgement call...then asks you to present papers to verify your citizenship. How would you feel? It's bad enough being Black and accused of stupid things. And it must be bad enough to be White and accused of being a racist. WHY would anyone want to do this to other people-- and make it a LAW?!

It's clear that immigration has been a political football for many years in this country. Every time it has come up, you see and hear politicians doing and saying some amazingly stupid things. For Republicans, who THIRST for the Latino vote, this was a really dumb move. For Democrats, they have let this issue go unattended for far too long. And now, we've got this mess. This awful, despicable mess. Arizona Republicans have finally created a situation that is TRULY comparable to the Nazi euphemisms they (and their teabagger ilk) like to throw around.

This country is spinning out of control with issues like this. We are watching groups like the 'baggers and the GOP create these racial problems, and they are all too stupid to realize that there are some unstable people out there that won't be able to handle any of this. Sooner or later, all of this is going to blow up in our faces. And unfortunately, very few people will be mature enough to deal with it.

Then we'll really be in trouble.

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antarctica246

at 17:12 on April 28th, 2010

Right on to the State of Arizona, for finally taking some action where our Federal government is to interested in being peceived as "correct". Hopefully this will help lessen a growing problem which has become a drain on the economy. It is to bad all of the surrounding States are not supporting Arizona. I think it is the perfect time to plan a vacation in Sedona!!

cconyersjr

at 03:14 on April 29th, 2010

Oh please! You're going to Sedona because you're a crystal-loving hippie!

quarkcsj

at 03:22 on April 29th, 2010

I grew up in south Texas and most of my friends were of Mexican descent, but here legally. I never realized how bad the border issue was until I live for 3 years in San Diego County. I would spend my weekends at a spot in the southeast corner of the county 1/2 mile from the border. All night long I could watch Border Patrol with spot lights chasing illegals, and helicopters buzzing overhead with their spotlights. In the morning, I could see all the debris that was left behind by the illegals. Mexican blankets, swaddling that were tied to their shoes to disguise their shoe prints, water bottles, and piles of trash. I had no idea that it was that bad, and it's that way every night. The border fence is a joke. When I would drive from San Diego to Texas I would have to stop several times for Border Patrol check points that were well inside the the U.S. It would piss me off that I was 16 miles inside the U.S. traveling East-West roads and have to stop for Border Patrol check points. There was one at every county-line, and some just in the middle of nowhere. It is crazy bad down there. So something needs to be done. It is against the law to enter this country illegally. It's not like we're shooting people who are illegally crossing our border like we're being invaded every night. With the numbers of people illegally crossing the border each night, you could almost call it an invasion, only they're not coming with tanks and machine guns, just bails of marijuana and cocaine, or the intent to live here illegally and reap the benefits that American citizens have paid for with their tax dollars. If you want to live in America, Bienvenida, but do it legally.

Clotee Allochuku

at 17:41 on May 8th, 2010

Whenever I drive down the street a policeman may stop me and ask for my ID and proof of insurance. This is not an insult to me because I know that some people drive on city streets without license or insurance. Of course when an accident occurs they run from the scene like a bat out of hell. Some are illegal aliens and fear being prosecuted and sent home. Racial profiling has been in existence for many years so what else is new? We need to secure the American borders now! Americans are tired of illegals "living off the fat of the land" at the expense of American families.

QuitYourCrying (not verified)

at 09:25 on May 24th, 2010

'In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language.. And we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.' Theodore Roosevelt 1907 this has nothing to do with race and everything to do with people being in this country illegaly and using the benefits of an American citizen! I am so sick and tired of people using race as an excuse for EVERYTHING! Most people are having a hard time right now regardless if they are black brown white because of the way the economy is...hello illegal immigrants are making the problem worse! open your eye people and stop playing the race card for every thing you don't agree with. If you are a true American you should agree with the fact that someone has finally stood up against what should have been stopped a long time ago. Why is it so insulting to ask someone to come into this country the right way instead of taking the easy way out and making things harder for those of us who follow the law? People are so very ignorant to this issue and that is so frustrating and sad.

jerry04330

at 08:47 on July 5th, 2010

People create a scap goat out of necessity, they want to be able to accuse someone of something, that the reason for their problems is because so and so did it to them,

A lot of Americans have been spoiled and refuse to take employment that they consider beneath them, farm work, factory work, landscaping and so on, these people did not take your job, you refused to do your job, but as we look back in history, the wave of xenophobia has reared its ugly head before, the Native Americans, the African Ameicans, the Asians, the Irish and other Europeans, the Mexicans, the Japanese during WW II, it is the same old thing create a bad guy and then you will not realize that is us that is the problem,

when will the culture war start and who will win, will complacency and contempt dictate the outcome, how many innocent familys will be destroyed,

However, the law needs to be followed on both sides, justice and eqaulity must prevail