Today I read this article on USA Today’s website.
I still remember the first political campaign that I worked on. I was in junior high and assigned to call a massive list of people and remind them to vote, hopefully for the person I was calling on behalf of, but to vote nonetheless. At the time I didn’t think anything of it but looing back now I realize that I have always been very outspoken and active in the area of politics. My paternal grandmother is the past presidet of the NAACP chapter in Tulsa. My maternal great uncle assumed the position when her term was over. He is now on the city council. I helped with both of his campaigns. I have 2 friends in the state house of representatives and several associates that I can call on at any time. At one point the local newspaper referred to my family as “The Cartel.” The funny part is that they said I was the link between the families. I’ve dated a congressman and am always a VIP guest at a very influential charity brunch every spring.
I say all that to say that one day I will most likely run for an office. If one day was soon I have already identified the office and the incumbent opponent. I have also began organizing my mind to develop a strategy if that day was to come soon. When that day comes I will be called upon to represent, defend, and/or explain what I stand for.
One of the issues that I feel very strongly about is the current argument over the mass amount of illegal immigrants in our country…whether to grant them citizenship or deport them. I am not too lenient on this situation. This country has a very defined plan for becoming a citizen and hundreds of thousands have not followed it. It is unfair to make concessions for them just for the sake of being nice.
Let me point out a couple of reasons why I feel this way.
- Focusing on the current legalization system in place. People coming to this country from India, Britian, Africa, etc…all have to follow these rules. Why would we not hold people from Mexico equally accountable?
- Cuban immigrants are allowed to stay if they make it to land in Florida because of the hostile and political tension in their country. Haitians are put back on a boat and sent back even though they are experiencing those same conditions in their country. BUT….we want to make allowances for Mexicans. Do you see the imbalance here?
- The constitution does not allow Blacks the right to vote. What we have is an ACT in place that congress has not deeemed important enough to change up to this point. They have argued more about changing the constitution to include a ban on same sex marriage than they have the right for Blacks to vote. So answer me this, when we grant citizenship to all 100,000 Mexicans, where will they fall in the pecking order of voting? Will they be sweeped up into the white man category and be given significantly more constitutional rights than we as Blacks have? It’s something to think about. Something that no one has addressed yet.
So as you can see, my issue….my stand on illegal immigrants is not one of peace and goodwill to man but one of looking out for my own people. I’ve read articles claiming that Blacks should support Mexicans in their efforts because it’s a matter of civil rights. I won’t argue your civil rights with you….I will dispute the comparison of the two situations though. Africans were forced into this country against their own will. Their descendents were born here with this being the only land that they have ever known. We didn’t cross the border in search of a better opportunity. Immigrants HAVE a home and choose to leave. There is a difference between the plight of Blacks and Mexicans. But guess what….anyone wanting to see out that better life is more than welcomed to….according to the rules that are in place and govern our citizenship process. It’s not hard.
I am open to hearing other people weigh in on the issue. Whether you agree or disagree with me. Read the article and let me know what you think.
6 Comments
Interesting post. I do not see how you can stop illegal immigration. When all those illegals went on strike in NYC they nearly paralyzed the city. As an outsider looking in it seems that they do a lot of the work “regular” Americans do not want to do. Cleaning, picking vegetables, looking after children etc. I think you may need to cut that off to curb illegal immigration because as long as their demand there will be a supply.
Black people do have a lot of societal things going against them (poor schools, overpolicing, rise in AIDS), but they need to work on what they can control. They can control having unprotected sex and getting AIDS. They can lobby their schools for a better education for their children and stress the importance of education. Those are things they can do to make their lives better. If they plan on waiting for the government to help them they are going to be waiting a long time. Why would a white government care if they kill themselves through crime, drugs or AIDS. They do not and they will not. Black people need to try to help themselves and work together in my opinion.
Interesting comment. It sounds as if you’re saying that we have become dependent upon immigrants in our society. Did I read that correctly?
And do you think that automatic legalization will have any effect at all on Blacks and the issues we are currently fighting (specifically those issues you mentioned)? That like the article said…that no matter what we do we believe the government will still value immigrant issues more than Black issues?
You could pay more and have “legal” Americans take those jobs, but everyone wants to pay the least amount possible, which is why you have cheap day labourers, nannies, cooks etc. I am not an economist, but perhaps part of your economy is dependent on cheap labor. Maybe people had to pay a living wage for those jobs they would not have additional money to spend elsewhere on consumer goods.
I do not think legalization of illegals will help or hinder black people. Black people are on their own is my opinion. The only people who can cares about our problems is us so we need to try and find solutions to them. Like Kanye said George Bush doesn’t care about black people. Black people need to do what they can to help themselves. It would be fabulous if the government stepped up, but waiting on that helping black people now.
Point one: We are not holding people from Mexico equally accountable because it’s all about the money. This is the United States. In God we trust, all others pay cash. Mexicans provide CHEAP labor. The end.
Point two: The United States has always had a pretty much hateful relationship with Haiti since they realized their worst nightmare and took the place over from the white slave owners. It’s sad, but oh well.
Point three: Young black people need to take advantage of their opportunities. People from all over the world see the things that are offered in America and are quick at the bit. A lot of these young people have no interest in learning how the system works, just bemoaning the unfairness brought on by the “man”. Yes, there is racism, but there is also education and a democratic system in place that can help things if folk cracked open a book or newspaper from time to time.
I don’t know what all the fuss is about since the poor Natives have been slaughtered basically into non existance and folks fighting about who should be here and who should not. Frankly I don’t think any of us belong here, rightfully.
I say give the land that was sold for some beads and a shot gun back to the dayum Native Americans and let them decide who should stay and who should go. But since that ain’t NEVER gonna happen I hope as many “illegals” from WHEREVER (especially the dark ones from so called 3rd world countries) just over run this god forsaken evil system that was built on human blood and destruction.
My primary concern with illegal Mexican aliens is that as fellow human beings they are treated humanely.
Bottom line, the border should either be better patrolled or we just invade Mexico and make it a couple of states.
We might as well invade now, because big businesses like Swift, Tyson and other companies are going to lobby to make sure illegals can still come in the country to further exploit them.
Capitalism, you gotta love it. Just call me Tovarisch.