Posted on 04/03/2006 1:07:55 PM PDT by hispanarepublicana
Our view: Reacting to student protests, community is more sensitive about foreign symbols, in part because of 9/11 attacks
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 04.03.2006
When you want to relay an important message, clarity is vital. You don't want to send mixed signals or express your views in a way that can be misinterpreted or, even worse, seen as a threat.
We bring this up because protesters who have rallied against possible immigration reforms in the Legislature and Congress are apparently confusing a lot of people in our community.
In demonstrations and school walkouts in Tucson and other cities, the participants said they want to be contributing members of the United States. Then they shouted, "Viva Mexico."
They said they wanted to remain part of the American fabric. Then they waved Mexican flags.
They said they are willing to be assimilated into our culture and learn our language. But many of their placards were written in Spanish.
There were also American flags, English chants and English placards at these demonstrations. But if the goal of the protests was to sway people toward supporting immigrant rights, why risk alienating others with symbols and words that are not American?
When you are seeking allies, it helps not to create foes.
Concerning the student protests in Tucson, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne said Friday that flying the Mexican flag "tactically was a big mistake."
John A. Garcia, a political science professor at the University of Arizona, said the behavior of the protesters is understandable. Many Mexican immigrants and their supporters feel their culture is being attacked, he said, so they defend themselves by displaying that culture.
"Part of who they are is being attacked and denigrated. They're being portrayed as a horde coming across the border," Garcia said. "They are proud of who they are, but their Mexican side is being run through the coals." Immigrants in general are very proud of where they come from. In the recent World Baseball Classic, Americans of Mexican, Japanese, Korean and Dominican descent, among others, heartily cheered for their teams.
But when it comes to immigration, it seems that displaying a little national pride is counterproductive.
Flying the Mexican flag only gives more ammunition to critics of illegal border crossers who call them invaders. Shouting "Viva Mexico" and holding up Spanish placards sends the wrong message about assimilating into American society.
The use of Mexican symbols in U.S. protests isn't new. Chicano protesters in the '60s also waved the Mexican flag. When the late César Chávez was forming the United Farm Workers union, the Virgin of Guadalupe, a popular Mexican symbol, was prominent in marches.
The recent protests are different. Our community is more sensitive about foreign symbols.
Garcia said one factor could be the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
"The attacks increased feelings of nativism, nationalism, patriotism," Garcia said. "A lot of people feel we have to close ranks as Americans. It's us versus them."
Or it could be this issue is eroding our tolerance for each other. After years of inaction, lawmakers are finally attempting to forge a solution for illegal immigration and no one — whether they've lived here 50 years or five — quite knows what to expect. As the issue drags on in legislatures and Congress, there are sure to be more protests.
We remind members of our community, no matter which side of the issue they're on, to remain civil.
No matter what symbols you see or display, don't be quick to offend or to be offended.
"In demonstrations and school walkouts in Tucson and other cities, the participants said they want to be contributing members of the United States. Then they shouted, "Viva Mexico.""
Yep. Thankfully they were not smart enough to wave American flags and praise the virtues of the United States - that would have made them look a lot more sympathetic... but would have undoubtedly made some of thier financial backers unhappy.
Stupid people - stupid move.
As Forrest Gump said it -- "Stupid Is As Stupid Does"...
I could just imagine what would have happened had my Great-Grandfather run around waving the Italian flag when he came here in 1904. He came here to be an American, not a damn Italian. If he wanted his family to remain Italian, he would have gotten on the next ship back to Naples.
If these Mexican idiots want to remain Mexican and not become Americans, they can get on the next bus south.
There. Fixed.
Our tolerance for the intolerable has really weakened our country's resolve, and will, I believe, lead to its demise. Unless we act to turn things around again!
Thanks. I kind of thought the same thing when I read the editorial.
WHITE RACISTS.
Just becasue I do not believe in illegal immigration does not make me racist. I know of hispanics , blacks , and orientals that do not condone illegal entry. Are they
WHITE RACISTS
Si.
How about stuck on stupid.
I missed the very last sentence in the article. The nerve. I'll decide when I'm offended, and don't tell me not to be offended when I see a Mexican flag flown above the American flag.
ping
Written as if being outraged at the displaying of several thousand foreign flags being waved while you are telling me how you should be allowed into my country is irrational.
And, BTW, if the protestors have so much 'national pride', why the mass exodus from the country they are so proud of?
A picture of the Virgin is a symbol of Mexico; that flag is the symbol of the Mexican government. That government is in the hands of an oligarchy that refuses to provide for the people. Their policy is to export poverty to the USA.
I'm not confused at all, in fact I'm dead vertain of my views now.
Any, and I mean ANY inclination I had about offering relief to those already here and working is gone. A person who truly wants to be an American, not a free loader or welfare leach, will assimilate, period.
Waving foriegn flags and refusing to learn the language, respect the borders and our laws is not assimilation. In fact it borders on invasion.
The whole thing with the Mexican flags is it makes the illegal immigration situation look more like an invasion.
When one country invades another with intent of taking it over, flags are displayed or raised to indicate victory in battle. What the Mexicans are doing with the flag thing is insane, completely.
Then to top it off you had some Mexicans claiming Texas, California etc etc was theirs, they were holding up signs saying "Read your history..This land is ours".
What kind of crack are these guys smoking? Are they kidding me? Are they seriously thinking of declaring war on a country they want to be a part of?
Yes, some of that land use to be part of Mexico, but we are not talking about land here. We are talking about an economic system they want to join, and "declaring war" on the country that supports it is a completely insane way to go about it.
I`ve worked with Mexicans, I`ve done landscaping with Mexicans out in Long Island for 3 years back in the early 1990`s (so much for the "job nobody else will do") and in my opinion there isn`t a group of people on this earth who bust their humps more than the Mexicans, but to start pulling this "revolution" shiet is insane.
The whole problem is based on the money is costs to go the legal route not to mention the work needed to learn English which is one of the hardest languages to learn in the world..To me the whole problem would be solved if a deal could be worked out to annex Mexico, make it part of the US much like Puerto Rico is, make it a commonwealth. Either that or make a deal with France to send Mexicans to France and send all those protesting French bitches who don`t want to work to Mexico. The government of France wants workers, the Mexican government doesn`t judging by how they don`t care about immigration. So make the switch and everybody is happy.
To late now!The message has been sent.
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