Dear Alexander,
I appreciate you responding. Your comments open up more possibilities for dialogue.
from your posting on Nov. 6 -
1. The article makes the case that anyone who wants a controlled and orderly immigration policy will alienate and frighten potential Mexican-American voters.
It depends on what will be defined as a controlled and orderly immigration policy. How would you define that? If its deportation for all, with a marked driver's license so ICE will know where they are (easier for ICE to detain them) - that doesn't sound controlled and orderly. People only get frightened if they think they will be harmed. You can't tell me that getting detained and/or deported - separated from your family, incarceration for months without charges, or detainment without the chance to let your family know where you are - is a "controlled and orderly immigration policy."
2. It implies that anything short of open borders for poor Mexicans will cause this growing "minority" to react and punish any politician who gets in the way.
Like I mentioned in my previous response. While people say they want open borders, what I think they really mean is being able to (in most cases) immigrate legally. Plus, enforcement and rules for entering the country are only a small slice of the whole picture. Other things affect the flow of migration - they would have to be dealt with first. These would be - issues of free trade - taking a closer look at NAFTA and how it has forced many poor farmers to mortgage their land so they can some to the U.S. - Some straight talk about what the country really wants and needs. Right now there is such demand and necessity for labor - it sounds insane to need people so much - while at the same time detaining, deporting, and mistreating them.
3. Massive numbers of illegals have produced a growing Spanish only population that refuse to assimilate! The result, as it already is in several large American cities, is the eventual dominance of Spanish as the common language.
I think the growth of Spanish has really bothered those who are against immigration. There is something about having to press that button so you can keep speaking English when you call the phone company - or seeing signs in English and Spanish at the airport. It could be related to what some people say is "going over the tipping point" - for example.. if the numbers people who are poorer, different or darker, or speak another language are limited, most Americans feel fine, and appreciate having someone to mow their lawn or keep their children. They see a few "different" individuals at work and school and think diversity is good for the country.
But we are a voracious country. We (meaning every U.S. resident) want everything. We want things to stay inexpensive. We want someone else to cut up our chicken and pick our strawberries. We only want a few people of color (especially those who have Spanish accents) working next to us or playing with our children. When we start seeing "too many" we get scared, feel invaded. We think this wave of people will change everything and ruin life for us. This is not just for those that scream like Lou Dobbs. This is for those who stay silent who really aren't hateful people, but have enough ambivalence about having too many gardeners in town - so they keep quiet during the debate.
4. The sad reality is that Mexican-Americans prefer Spanish and will not defend English.
You know, I'm having a direct experience with Mexican Americans and Spanish these days. Currently I teach cultural studies in a Spanish department. All the classes have to be in Spanish. However, there is this huge population of Mexican American students that cannot take these classes because they can't speak Spanish - or only speak and read very little, not enough for a university classroom. So next semester I will be teaching classes in English so these other kids can study the same subjects.
You have a point about not defending English however. For those who still speak fluent Spanish, its a very important thing for them. Actually I think its even more than about language... something about losing their identity too. But yes, I know you are thinking now... they have to change their identity to American. Sure, in many ways they do, but deep inside it takes a little while, usually at least a generation. Even so, who says the American way of whitewashing our past is good for us?
5. Sarcasm and humor aside, Spanish will overtake English because that is what Mexicans want. Even on the web. We do not want the web to be racist. And of course, who would deny them what they want.
I think there will continue to be lots Spanish used in this country - many more people will need to learn the language. But almost all immigrants really want to learn English. With such a large Spanish speaking population, it has become difficult, because, as you would agree, there are many pockets of Spanish-only society now. Even so, mothers tell me they need to learn English so they can speak to their children's teachers. People are very aware that if they don't learn English they will never be able to advance in their work.
This is problematic because even if they want to take classes - its almost impossible. On immigrants wages, most people have to work 2 jobs to support their families (yes and send a little money back home) - where would they have time to attend classes? How would they pay for them?
yes, sarcasm aside... the web as you know is full of everything - good and bad. There is plenty in Spanish on the web that people can read. This blog is in English and will remain in this language (except for an occasional foray into Spanish).
As for the web being racist or not -- it would be interesting to see what you think is racism.
Again as I mentioned before. The people who really "get what they want" are the multi-national corporations and a few people at the top of our presidential administration (most of time). Sounds like your statement is about entitlement. Who is entitled to "get their way?" Who is perceived to "get their way." As far as immigrants getting what they want. Even if they weren't being detained and deported, life is harsh. Leaving home is excruciatingly painful, especially if you leave children behind. There may be a neighborhood where just about everything is in Spanish, but the world here is still about English. Talking about a disorienting experience. Its almost like a person who cannot speak or hear getting lost in a big city.
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