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.
So I wonder if the people with those signs consider Chileans, Uruguayans, Argentineans and Euro-Brazilians to be racists?
Well, it may be the "wrong" message but it was the truthful message and now the mask is off.
Seeing the foreign a**hole invaders with their flags from other countries certainly changed my opinion.
I never liked the idea of them coming here but I always thought "they are just poor people" Now I know that they are a disaster in every way for the USA.
Seeing them the other day made me sick! They are stupid, arrogant and disgusting all rolled into one.
Thy just don't get it. After illegally violating our border, they still think the question of assimilation or language is up to them. They are as stupid as they are arrogant. Nothing but low lives trying to get over on those who obey the laws of this country.
I would venture that most people who feel like you used to (especially in Congress) have never been to Walmart or KMart on a Saturday in Texas. (And I live in a part of Texas with significantly fewer illegals than other parts of Texas or certainly California).
It's the protesters who were the racists. Somehow it's okay for them to hold signs saying, "Brown power," "Viva La Raza," etc., then call others "white racists."
Is the truth really the "wrong message"?
Hell, my wife is hispanic, and she is ready to kick some MAJOR booty. She got really mad about these "illegals" waving Mexican Flags :)
Apparently confusing a lot of people in our community.
I,for one,am not confused.
I understand the message very clearly.
You just didn't want it out there for all to see.
We are not confused.
Every hispanic I have come in contact with since then is also ready to throw down over it--even the little old ladies who are especially mad.
And?
How about the sign, 'Time for La Revolucion' -- something like that. That REALLY fried me. If I wasn't quite ready to elect Tancredo as President before those marches, believe me I am now!! Rush was right -- the backlash this causes will go way beyond their intentions.
When you are seeking allies, it helps not to create foes.
The ones waving the Aztlan banners weren't seeking allies. This author needs to brush up on the Politics Of Confrontation 101.
I think that I told you of an experience that I had in a grovery store some years ago. There was this couple who were speaking Spanish while in the aisles. I proceeded to ask them questions about the potato chips on the aisle - in German. Since the couple refused to speak English in public, I refused to do so as well. I do not care what language people speak at home, but English should be used in public.
"No matter what symbols you see or display, don't be quick to offend or to be offended."
I'm sure the writer will remember that the next time the Klan or Neo Nazis do their thing...
It's bad enuff out there with the dopes waving Viva Mexico flags and then we see you two( TexCajun and you) in the big middle of it playing your game of "Who's the Bigger Fool?".
Would you two please go back to the insane asylum you both escaped from? Dang! Can't take you two nowhere!
grovery = grocery (I should wear my glasses when I type).
Notice how they carefully omit mentioning the THREATENING signs and chants that pervaded these "demonstrations".
I am just glad that my father is not here to see this, he believed that the American Flag is sacred.
It is heartbreaking for me to see that our so-called leaders have sold us out and left us wide open for an invasion like this.
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