Miss Jasmine said:
This is a highly racist piece and yet no one seems to care.
Most are just nodding their heads in agreement.
Finally...someone with a nod for the "other" side. You were brave to come out with this post on the first page, especially after most every other post was in support of the OP's! (and no...I'm not some "bleeding heart liberal either, but an American Citizen by birth). Racism and racist comments are repulsive, and should be to everyone irregardless of your political party affiliation. The only people in this country who are NOT immigrants, or descendents of immigrants, are residing on reservations (in this century...yes). I have Lakota in my blood, but I'm not any more indemnified as a result.
I also have many Hispanic friends living here in Southern California. Monday was an incredible day, with a huge show of force throughout our streets and City. It was moving and powerful. It's always simple to generalize and point the finger at a race for all the "wrongs" with our society. People have been blasting the African American community and race for years, blaming them as a whole for the ills of our nation, criminal justice system/prisons, healthcare, schools and de-segregation, etc. Most seemingly presume everyone of color carries a weapon and is "out to get you" (quickly locking car doors if someone of color merely crosses the sidewalk in front of you).
Stereotypes are so incredibly tough to shake, once they are ingrained in the human Psyche. I saw a lot of "ugly" things on Monday as well. I watched the Hispanics in charge of the park demonstration physically chase some of their own people (men pushing simple popsicle carts) off the grounds of a public place. They were free to do so, and did it without violence or use of force. They simply criticized and chastised them all the way to the street using megaphones (for selling popsicles to the crowd, etc). They spoke in English and Spanish...telling them to "be ashamed" of their actions, for not understanding the boycott to mean NO SELLING/BUYING of anything! These men were actually crying, and spoke only Spanish. Later someone interpreted for them. Yes, they were illegal aliens. Yes, they admittedly did not understand anything about the boycott or issues, or even care. They simply wanted to make some money to support their family. They have to work, rain or shine, political hotbed in the park or not. Isn't this what everyone wants? Isn't this mere basic human nature, to want bare necessities to survive? Yet, they organizers felt the actions necessary to further the seriousness of the demonstration principle to the legions involved and watching.
I also witnessed people with Rebel flags screaming and taunting the crowds with a barrage of ethnic slurs and colloquialisms from pick-up trucks as they repeatedly passed. I watched this in complete and utter disgust and dismay. What is the mindset of such people, (apparently brains the size of peas)? What is the compelling force behind such an action? Why would the resulting violence change anything with regards to this issue? The Police stopped the action before it began, thankfully. Children held American flags and also flags from Mexico. Demonstrations are freely permitted in our society and should never scare anyone, or make them so defensive. It's part of what makes this country so great. We were founded on such principle and freedoms.
Our nation has a lot more faults which can not easily be tossed onto the backs of the illegals or any one race in particular. Gas prices are not soaring because of illegal immigration. The air is not filthy and soiled because of illegal immigration. Health care is not soaring due to their influx either. Today, the front page of the times noted how Brits have better overall health & healthcare, and incur a third of the cost we do (nationwide). The UK incorporates a NHC system, where even immigrants (legal & illegal) and homeless are entitled/covered. These issues are infinite, and none are the result of illegal immigration.
It's plain and simple racism and persecution to point the finger at one race, and blame them for such problems as the OP's article reflects. It's not all about cheaper tomatoes, etc. Okies picked grapes in this country for YEARS in the fields of Arvin (Grapes of Wrath), and most were undoubtedly white. They were persecuted and treated like trash, as were Irish, Italian, Chinese and many other ethnic groups in the early years of our country's expansion. Now, it's the Hispanic's turn. Instead of running and hiding, they are simply using the system devised and available to everyone. They are "voicing their opinion" to which they are entitled (under Democratic law).
Most all of my Hispanic friends went to work on Monday. They purchased gasoline and groceries, and supported and greased the economic wheel churning in our little corner of the world. They do not support the ideals of those supporting the boycott, or the protests they proclaim against the new laws. They are here legally, and worked very hard to be here in that capacity. Yet, they do not condemn those for their actions either. They are entitled to protest, and boycott, and do whatever they please for whatever purpose they intend. They are free to hold such convictions. This is America.
If I lived in Mexico...I would RUN for the border the first chance I had. I would come to this country any way I could searching for a better life. Sure, I would want to be here legally, and would be scared beyond belief being here any other way (as I would in any country). Therefore, I have tolerance for these folks. I can relate, without having to wear their shoes. I do not have to have cancer, to know it sucks. And I do not have to be an illegal immigrant, to know it sucks too.
Very few of us will ever face such a dilemma or hardship, as we were fortunate enough to be born in this country. It's easy to condemn such people, sitting on the high horse of freedom and righteousness. It takes much more to be understanding. Try for a moment, to see the other side of the issue.
**BTW...what do cell phones have to do with the FREE breakfast/lunch program issue? Who so closely monitors these kids to watch their every move, note their weight, cell phone use, wastefulness and ethnicity?? Ever seen the movie "American GRAFITTI?" LOL. Kids of ALL races vandalize public property, not just Hispanics. Verbal abuse as described towards the female teachers in the article is consistent with the demographics of the region (where the school is actually located, as in a ghetto...where the use of such terms is common vernacular in the home/hood). It's not merely inherent "speak" in the Hispanic community. These teachers should not be teaching in such a school (replace them with Michelle Pfeiffer prototypes--she did a great job in that film). They already DO leave and return voluntarily, and have been doing so for years. When the crops are in, they "migrate" north and work the labor camps. When the season/work ends, many of these migrants return to Mexico. So, yes...this actually happens. My gardener, pool~man (as he dubs himself), etc.---are all white with names such as John and Jim. Not every person in such a position is a Hispanic or African American!
