N.L. chooses sides, stands with Bako Carpetbagger - By N.L. Belardes
It's a complex multi-ethnic debate with more than one side. But I wouldn't be writing this entertaining blog if it weren't for illegal immigration. I even told one guy "Shut up, asshole," as he marched to his city job in front of the Centennial High protesters and yelled, "Go back to class where you belong!"
I probably shouldn't have done that. And after I was so nice to that Parking Lot Road Rager.
And you don't have to agree with me. I had a polite talk with a legal immigrant today. I appreciate her take.
But peaceful protest=awareness. Just ask the folks representing the 'public good' in early America.
In the meantime, here's an excerpt from Bako Carpetbagger's pro-protest stance:
So the ideas behind the old axiom “There’s power in numbers,” or Thoreau’s “civil disobdience”? If they ain’t getting it in the classroom, then why the hell not on the streets? Because for damn sure those young people got heard today, didn’t they? Stodgy ol’ Bako hosted a SRO premiere recently of HBO’s film about the Chicano student movement of the late 1960’s in East LA, titled, appropriately, “Walkout.” Maybe that gave some people some ideas. Maybe that reminded some folks, young and old, that no matter what they’re told to the contrary, they do have power, in their feet and in their voices. Maybe it pissed some people off by reminding them that, no matter how much progress has been made in civil, educational, and economic rights since that time, all you have to do is look around your own schools, your own neighborhoods, to see that this doesn’t just affect one group and that despite loud public crowing over little successes, we ain’t done yet.
Not by a long shot.
So, yeah, like César said, “Sî, se puede.”.
And like Bob said, “Get up, stand up....”
You know the rest. Now do it.
I probably shouldn't have done that. And after I was so nice to that Parking Lot Road Rager.
And you don't have to agree with me. I had a polite talk with a legal immigrant today. I appreciate her take.
But peaceful protest=awareness. Just ask the folks representing the 'public good' in early America.
In the meantime, here's an excerpt from Bako Carpetbagger's pro-protest stance:
So the ideas behind the old axiom “There’s power in numbers,” or Thoreau’s “civil disobdience”? If they ain’t getting it in the classroom, then why the hell not on the streets? Because for damn sure those young people got heard today, didn’t they? Stodgy ol’ Bako hosted a SRO premiere recently of HBO’s film about the Chicano student movement of the late 1960’s in East LA, titled, appropriately, “Walkout.” Maybe that gave some people some ideas. Maybe that reminded some folks, young and old, that no matter what they’re told to the contrary, they do have power, in their feet and in their voices. Maybe it pissed some people off by reminding them that, no matter how much progress has been made in civil, educational, and economic rights since that time, all you have to do is look around your own schools, your own neighborhoods, to see that this doesn’t just affect one group and that despite loud public crowing over little successes, we ain’t done yet.
Not by a long shot.
So, yeah, like César said, “Sî, se puede.”.
And like Bob said, “Get up, stand up....”
You know the rest. Now do it.
This entry was posted by N.L. Belardes, on
Thursday, March 30, 2006.
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I am with ya brotha..good post and BC can use the link, he is very eloquent..as you are. We have some very excellent writers in this town..for which I am very thankful.
For kids in this age of self-absorption, to walk the walk, its fantastic..small minded inviduals that only see kids out of class are missing the whole point of this exercise.
hmmm... it all does raise awareness and all will be heard, but would it really affect the decision makers? i've always wondered that...
Protests have the ability to create awareness, and people form opinions based on awareness of issues, and each opinion is a potential vote on a bill, measure, act, etc...
EVEN THE MEXICAN PRESIDENT, VICENTE FOX, AGREES WITH BUSH AND SUPPORTS THE BILL FOR GOODNESS SAKES!!!! (((http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3936803/)))
Most of the students, along with adults, who participated in the so-called "protest"....
1. Do not know what exactly he or she is protesting about or for.
He or she does not know what HR 4437 is. He or she probably does not even know what "HR" stands for. He or she most likely thinks that HR 4437 is directed only to immigrants and specifically Mexican immigrants when, in fact, HR 4437 is directed to all illegal immigrants.
2. Do not know what exactly he or she is saying.
He or she says "We're not criminals. We're illegals." An illegal broke the law. People who break the law are criminals. Therefore, illegals are criminals.
3. Do not speak correctly.
Andrea Gonzalez, a student at Delano High School, stated on a KGET TV 17 aired March 28, 2006: "We're the ones who break our back. We're the ones who make this place be who it is." Linda Miramontes, a parent of a student who participated in the walkout stated on KGET TV 17 on the same broadcast: "We're not here to commit no crimes." (http://www.kget.com/mediacenter/?videoId=9341)
4. Look like absolute fools.
Nothing says you are serious about an issue quite like: "WHOOOOO!!" On second thought, perhaps the creative slogan "YEAAAHHHH!" has the same or greater effect. (http://www.kget.com/mediacenter/?videoId=9341)
5. Are not aware of the consequences of missing class due to this "protest".
Any student who participated in the walkout will be treated as a truant, meaning that he or she will be punished by the school district and can possibly be trialed at a juvenile court.
6. Say he or she is against racism but he or she is the one pointing out races.
He or she is the one saying Mexicans pick vegetables and cross the border illegally, which are known racist stereotypes. Linda Miramontes stated in the same broadcast previously mentioned: "We're picking your vegetables." In other words: "We, the Mexicans, are picking your vegetables."
7. Believes that HR 4437 is targeted to Mexicans.
No where in the bill does it say "Mexicans should be kicked out." In fact, the bill does not even address a specific race. How self-centered is he or she to believe that the United States of America has nothing better to do but discuss ways they can screw over his or her race, as if the United States of America has nothing better to do but do the extensive research and put in the many hours of work to think of a bill that only deals with his or her race, as if the United States of America was not in a war at this very second.
8. Does not know that President Vicente Fox, the president of Mexico himself, supports HR 4437.
President Fox told NBC News HR 4437 is "a very important step forward." (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3936803/)
9. Accuse President George Bush of many things, such as being a racist when he or she does not know what President Bush has done.
More than any other president in U.S. history, George W. Bush has bent over backwards to please the government of Mexico. George W. Bush has defended, justified and facilitated illegal immigration.
10. Has never read the actual bill.
When a student was asked by a teacher of Delano High School whether or not he read the bill, the student replied: "Hell no, foo."
11. Believes that the United States of America needs illegal immigrants because no one else will do their jobs.
The United States of America does need immigrants; this nation's foundation was set by immigrants when they arrived on Ellis Island. However, the United States of America does not need illegal immigrants. As reported on March 9, 2006: 4.7eople in the United States of America are unemployed. (http://www.bls.gov/news.release/laus.nr0.htm) Many complain that illegal immigrants are taking the jobs away from the citizens; there are other people, legal people, who will perform those jobs that illegal immigrants currently have.
12. Is not aware that HR 4437 considers the safety of illegals.
While crossing the border, several of the people who participate in "alien smuggling" rape the illegals or take advantage of them in another way. Several employers of illegals take advantage because they know they can get away with it because the illegals do not have papers. Rosa Ramirez and Jorge Ibarra, for example, are two undocumented workers who live and work in northwest suburban Chicago. Rosa Ramirez stated in an interview on November 3: "In all of our jobs...employers take advantage of us because they know we don't have papers. Because we are afraid of asserting our rights and asking for decent salaries and benefits, they know they can pay us terrible wages." (http://www.icirr.org/oberweis.htm)
13. Is not aware that HR 4437 considers the safety of people.
Currently, there is what is called a "green card lottery visa". 50, 000 random illegals are chosen and given a green card, which means that a non-U.S. citizen who has been given permission to make his or her permanent home in the United States. When the "lottery visa" is given to random people, it really is given to random people; the person(s) could be a terrorist, a murderer, a sex offender, a convicted felon, etc. and will be allowed to live in the United States. HR 4437 wants to get rid of the green card lottery visa.
14. Is not aware that he or she is in The United States of America.
He or she waves the Mexican flag and/or says: "Viva la Mexico!" By doing so, he or she is basically saying: "Screw you, America. I know that you give me so many rights and I have a better life here than I would in Mexico but screw you anyway!" He or she might as well give America the finger.
15. Participating in the walkout just to miss class.
He or she does not know what is going on but knows that he or she has the opportunity to miss class(es).
Mario,
1. The students represent a cross section of people who have a range of understanding. Awareness was created, I'm guessing, even for the opportunistic kids. That's good. Families like mine then have the opportunity to help educate kids further in the home, as well as teachers in the school. BHS has had unprecedented historical studies because of the walkout. Don't you read the news? It's been a great 'learning' opportunity. And besides, you're assuming that every kid who marched was dumb. I take great offense to that. By your logic, that means if you were in high school and walked out on Wednesday then you're admitting you wouldn't know the issues either. So, really, you're calling yourself and thousands of kids, dumb.
2. If you take sides with Vincente Fox on every issue then you have problems. He can't even distribute income between the wealthy and poor in his own country. Oh, he's not as corrupt as past leaders... do I have to go on?
3. I wish 'breaking the law' were as black and white as you claim the law is. Laws are filled with loopholes. Quit living in your idealistic universe.
4. Oops, I forgot #4. Many leaders aren't even well spoken. You can't expect all high school kids to be well spoken on TV. Being on TV is nerve wracking. And did you ever stop the think that the media isn't as non-biased as you think? Perhaps the media went through the trouble of selecting kids who they felt would make protesters look dumb...
Of course the MSM picks out interviews that are negative, that show the worst..thats a given. Its not in their best interest in this red county to support the walkout, they would have hell to pay if they did. Their commentary is more centrist.
Raising awareness is always the basic tenant of a march or walkout. As long as you have that, you did it right.
If anything I think the protesters hurt their own case. When you belong to the group that has the lowest passing rate of the HS exit exam, and you cut class... doesn't look good.
Then turning what is meant to be a protest about a law, into Mexi-Pride Fest 06 by waving a Mexican (foreign) flag and writing things in the Spanish (foreign) language, doesn't rub most non-chicano Americans the right way.
The footage of protesters ripping up the opposing groups sign didn't help either.
But the nail in the coffin was the flying of the American flag upside down. I know they explained it as what America would be w/out them (upside down), but that's like burning the Flag because the country would go to hell.
Kids are in school from what, 7-3?. Then they have from 3-10pm curfew and the weekends to protest. If thousands of students assembled downtown to make a statement, it would have made the news. They didn't need to waste money by walking out.
As a rule, I don't talk about politics with friends, you being a very good one. But I human nature is always worth a good laugh.
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