immigration reform

Communicating Post Colonialism within Immigration Reform

Daniel Hodge — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:29:08 -0700

This week, Congress is taking legal action against the now infamous Arizona law passed a few months ago. At the same time, a Washington Post poll reveals that most Americans actually support the new law in Arizona. Proponets ot the law assert that Arizona is doing nothing but enforcing what has already been on the books; moreover, they are protecting a border that has gone unchecked. While still others call the new law racist and part of an ongoing trail of racial profiling. What do we make of all this? How can this “debate” even be a debate? Are we not just protecting our borders and keeping Americans safe? Isn’t it in our best interest to keep those “bad people” out of the country? Well, these are all important issues—no doubt. However, there is a mask which covers the ugly countenance that most are unaware is happening. For example, in the 1980’s Danilo Blandon—known for his drug trading and arms dealing—was given full citizenship in the U.S. by the C.I.A. in return for trading guns for crack cocaine in our inner cities.[1] That is just one of many examples where this perceived “protection” has failed us as Americans. In addition there are thousands of websites and documents supporting the Bin Ladin family being given shelter and a “safe exit” after the 9/11 attacks.

Thus, there are some gaps in the veil of immigration and “law” which we must contend with before we are gassed into believing one side over the other. I first blogged about this on my website and wanted to continue the discussion here.

Immigration is a topic that arouses much anger and hostility for many. For still others, there is a sense of this “loss of a country” that takes place and some even feel this xenophobic emotion toward anyone who is not “legal.” Moreover, when the term immigration is raised, it comes with certain connotations and rhetorical history, which also denotes a racialized implication which results in “Brown” people being implicated as the only type of immigrant. To make things even worse, propaganda, hate mongering through media discourses, and a history of both xenophobia (an unreasonable fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers or of that which is foreign or strange) and racism complicate the issue even further. Additionally, post 9/11 America presents new found challenges for any ethnic minority, but especially those who are of Middle Eastern decent. Adalberto Aguirre and Jonathan Turner record that:

“The tragic events of September 11, 2001 transformed America’s awareness of persons noticeably different from the Anglo-Saxon core. ‘Suspicious’ became a term for describing anyone who dressed differently, spoke a language other than English, or professed different religious beliefs. ‘Terrorist’ became the label for restricting the freedom of anyone who sounded or looked un-American. Unsurprisingly, after September 11, racial, ethnic, and religious minorities became perceived as suspected terrorists in American society” (In American Ethnicity: The Dynamic & Consequences of Discrimination [2009] p.xv).

Thus, the issue of immigration plays on the long culture of fear, which has helped to pass laws such as the one in Arizona. Fear makes people do strange things. In fact, fear is a powerful tool to get people groups—particularly nations—to pass legislation which tends to favor the majority and or those in elite status. This issue of immigration is nothing new for the United States.

For example, in the years pre-Civil War (about 1815-1855), there was great turmoil and upheaval in the country:[2]

Late 1820s was a time of great change

Transportation and market revolution

Industrialization and immigration of Chinese, Irish, and Scottish to the new found Colonies

Huge rise in Chinese, Irish, & Polish immigrants

Big Oil and Gold; the “rush for the West”

Fears

People felt threatened by a “Changing” America

People felt the “country was changing” for the worse and that “God was leaving”

“The British are Coming” still a fear in people’s minds and with the rise of freed Blacks in the North gaining political power, it made for an even greater fear. (Remember, many British generals offered freedom, money, and strips of land for Blacks in exchange for their loyalty to the British army)

Paranoia of:

Freed Blacks

Black uprising in the South

Canadian take over (with the help of slaves); slaves who had escaped went to Canada

Fears lead to the development of laws, which held back ethnic minorities from having a vote, holding land, being established in this society, and having a much needed voice—just ask any Native American Indian.

By 1860, the tipping point came when South Carolina succeeds and causes an uproar which begins more states succeeded which ultimately leads to war.

Fear is caused by many things:

Rumor
Media (Television, film, print)
Politicians
Hate

But one of the most destructive causes of fear, which tends to lead people to do horrendous things, is lying, or, as we call it today-Spin. Spin—the act of drawing out and playing down major issues or volatile events for favorable outcomes—has dominated particularly political spheres and speeches for the last 45 years. What has made this even more dangerous is that horrific results come of this—The Iraq war for oil, the torturing of detainees—and, when done in the “right way” spin can have lasting effects: the Patriot Act. Hence, the issue of immigration we have today.

Most of the issues surrounding immigration have nothing to do with those who are already “here.” Moreover, if we were to deport all those “illegal’s” most of us would hate to pay $25 for a head of lettuce, $1000 for a prom dress on sale, $2500 for landscape jobs, and $30 for a meal at McDonalds. The fact is, “illegal’s” play a very important role in American society; they subsidize the rich and upper middle class lifestyles. Moreover, “illegals” create a buffer zone for “cheaper prices” and “bargains” in the fashion industry, automobile industry, food industry, and even the medical industry. The very notion that American wants “Them” out is both hypocritical and duplicitous; it is a slap in the face to those who work to have a better life here in a country that was founded on hostile immigrant take over. Moreover, those who really want to do this country harm either are already here or have the corporate financing to avoid the trivial laws set in place.

Let us take a closer look at this through satire. Satire helps to bring issues into focus while poking fun at simplistic areas. This video clip below is a perfect example of what I mean:

We should open our minds and read our history. As Cornel West states all the time, “This is the United States of Amnesia” and the amnesic coma is deepening. “A lie told long enough becomes truth” Vladimir Lenin.

[1] As documented in "Letter To The President” (DVD 2003) & “Dark Alliance” by Gary Webb.

[2] Adapted from Franklin, John Hope, and Alfred A Moss Jr. 2000. From Slavery to Freedom: A History of African Americans. 8 ed. Boston, New York, San Francisco, St Louis: Mc Graw Hill.

March for America

Crissy Brooks — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:45:00 -0700

As I was leaving our Hope Center celebration, the moon was full behind a high palm tree and someone was blasting a Spanish version of "I Just Called to Say I Love You". It had been one of those perfect moments you can't plan: smiling community leaders, weeping volunteers, chocolate faced kids, a full moon, and pretend Stevie Wonder. These are the moments I live for. If I believed in the stars aligning it would be the alignment of stars. But I don't. I believe in grace. I believe in power.

I believe in the power of the grace of Christ to align the hearts of a Newport Beach debutante, an Oregon country girl, an ex-Mexican political campaigner, a handful of housewives, and college students and cocky teenage Mexican Americans. Only Jesus could bring this group together. And He did.

There we were crammed into an apartment, glowing in the joy of having achieved a dream, of having opened this community center. As I walked toward home to the oompah of the Mexican Stevie Wonder, I reflected on the evening. There was Eric, the professional tutor who shows up twice a week to tutor Freddy, Juliet, the MissionYear graduate, who shared her cake with me. Then Andy, the faithful volunteer read a note from his student and looked up with tears in his eyes saying, "That's the best thing anyone could have given me." Juana bragged about her healthy salad and Claudia fretted if there would be enough food.

Then there was America. America, the beautiful, the woman of grace who links us between languages and cultures. America, who confidently introduces herself and graciously thanks all who participate. She represents our hope. All our hope--the moms want a daughter like her, the tutors want a student like her, the leaders want a disciple like her. She is who we want other kids to grow up to be- one who loves Jesus, who loves the community, who graduated from college and works hard. She is our hope. She is also undocumented.

So this Sunday when 100,000 people March for America in Washington DC, it carries multiple meanings for me and my community. We need Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America, for the health of our country. And we need Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America, my neighbor, because she is exactly the kind of person I want leading our city. So take action for America. Send a petition to our lawmakers. Stand with immigrants by posting the picture here to your Facebook profile. Now is the time. America should not have to wait any longer.

Que Dramatico!

Crissy Brooks — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 03:34:00 -0800

“Why do you have to be so dramatic!” I thought as I rolled my eyes. The speaker was telling stories of immigration officers pounding down doors and ripping mothers away from their children, of fathers leaving for work and being deported, never to say good bye. It all seemed so extreme. Maybe there were a few cases like that but, come on! This is the United States of America. We have order and compassion. Let's not be dramatic in our case studies. Maybe you have thought the same things. This is what I thought until it started happening in my neighborhood.

Lately our ministry gets more calls asking for help to find relatives that have been detained or deported. Last week a mother called crying. She was hiding in her closet with her four children, afraid to open the door to the immigration officers outside. “We have never had any problems with the law before,” she cried, as my mind raced to know how to advise her. “I don’t know why they have come.” Clearly the immigration agents have a reason and right to ask her for her documents. She has been in the US for seventeen years. Her four children were born here. Her husband was at work. She stayed in the closet until they left. What would you do?

What will we do? Maybe you are rolling your eyes, thinking, "how dramatic!" but the fact of the matter is that the same scene could have played out this morning for your children's schoolmates or one of your acquaintances. Chances are that at some point throughout your day, you encountered a neighbor who does not have legal documents to be in this country. There are around 12 million people in that situation in our country and knocking on their doors while they hide in the closet is not an effective nor American way to deal with the situation we find ourselves in. There are many reasons that people do not have legal documents. The system for obtaining documents is completely broken and we must come up with a way for people to literally come out of their closets and participate in legal ways in our society. It is not safe for us to have neighbors driving around with no licenses or insurance. It is not fair to workers for undocumented laborers to be working without paying taxes. And it does not represent our best values to have neighbors who do work hard and contribute to our community be terrified to walk out the front door every morning. This is the land of the free.

So what will we do to solve the situation? Yesterday Representative Gutierrez introduced the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for American's Safety and Prosperity Act (CIR ASAP). It is a step toward looking at workable solutions that support our values of freedom and hard work. Not everyone supports it. Some say it is too dramatic. As of right now there are no Republicans co sponsoring the bill. But it is a conversation starter. It is a solution oriented bill to move us forward as a nation. Anne Lamott says to write "shitty first drafts". Write something; get started. This bill is a start- a first draft that we can examine and pour over and edit until we design a piece of legislation that will give some clear steps for undocumented immigrants to take so that they can earn a rightful place in our neighborhoods, workplaces and country. The next time a neighbor calls I want to be able to say, "This is what you need to do- step 1, step 2, step 3...". No more hiding for any of us. Let's solve this thing together.