Some in Cicero take issue with flying of Mexican flag in park

Chicago Tribune ^ | October 2, 2008 | Joseph Ruzich

[Mr. Mojo]

The pictures you posted and the examples you cited were of immigrants flying their flags of national origin in commemorative ceremonies on certain dates. That's quite different from flying those flags year-round, as the Mexicans in this story are doing.

Ethnic heritage and being "American" are not mutually exclusive.

Obviously, and no one disputes that. But being knowledgeable and proud of one's heritage and national origin is a far cry from having primary loyalties to one's former/ancestral nation(s).

[AuntB]

What I want to know is, if these ‘immigrants’ are so proud of Mexico’s Independence, why aren’t they THERE?????

[mrsmel]

I wonder if we haven’t already lost it-I see a few even here who say they won’t put signs in their yards or on their cars for fear of vandalism-if people refrain from exercising their right to speech, especially in supporting candidates opposed to a socialist ticket, in fear of vandalism, they will never fight to protect their freedom at the point of their lives. I wouldn’t want my home or car vandalised either, but I’ll be darned if I’ll be intimidated from utilising my freedom of speech by the fear of it. What then will I do when the stakes are even higher?

[mrsmel]

It’s not the celebration of ethnic ancestry with which I dissent, it’s that in many cases these newer immigrants aren’t citizens, have no intention of becoming citizens, have no intention of assimilating into America while celebrating that heritage, don’t want to be American-instead, want America to change to what serves them, or in some cases assimilate America into a foreign culture or even separate regions, etc. That’s the difference.

[mrsmel]

Because they are trying to make “there”, “here”. They want all the good things they get from being here, but they want also the political power that comes from maintaining their own “identity group”. They don’t seem to understand that when they change America into what they claim to be so proud of in spite of leaving it, it will be everything they left, the poverty, the weakness, the political confusion and all.

[BBell]

When I think of Cicero I remember one of their more infamous past residents. I wonder if they flew Italian flags back then.

[Clemenza]

And did those Eastern European immigrants ever fly the flags of their former countries while in Cicero?

Actually, they would fly the Polish flag on Pulaski Day. My, what short memories certain Cicero residents have...

[Mr. Mojo]

See post 21.

[Clemenza]

OK. But what about all those folks in Bensohurst flying the Italian tri-color over their porches? What about all of the folks I see driving around in the Trenton area with Polish or Puerto Rican flags on their bumpers or over their rear view windows? Where is the line drawn?

I would draw the line here: If the park is meant to commemorate a national hero (a la Pulaski or Juarez Park), then I can see the respective national flag flying UNDER old glory. If the Mexican flag were flying year round in a park with ZERO connection to said commemorations, then I think it is going too far.

[Mr. Mojo]

That’s reasonable; no argument here.