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(AP Photo) Marcelo Lucero's funeral.
In this day and age, the anti-immigration movement continues to gain momentum in the United States and xenophobia continues to rise with it. As our beloved economy continues to collapse into a big mess, more people are joining the ranks of Lou Dobbs and Mark Krikorian in blaming immigrants (not just illegal immigrants) for all our problems.
Some folks passionately share horror stories about the demise of a community because of the sudden influx of immigrants while others outline detailed arguments against immigration that can be very persuasive (but deceiving) given the current situation. The consequence of such a narrow minded approach is beginning to reveal its ugly head in towns and cities across America.
Take for example the case of Marcelo Lucero, an Ecuadorian immigrant, stabbed to death by a high school star athlete. The New York Times reported that "after drinking in a park in the Long Island hamlet of Medford, Mr. Conroy, 17, and six other teenagers declared that they were going to attack 'a Mexican'." The incident gained national attention because it was labeled a hate crime and because many in the community insisted it was part of a larger nationwide trend.
Unfortunately, the allegations made by Latinos in Long Island have solid data behind them. The Intelligence Report from The Souther Poverty Law Center stated that: "according to hate crime statistics published annually by the FBI, anti-Latino hate crimes rose by almost 35% between 2003 and 2006, the latest year for which statistics are available,". Hispanics are not the only group suffering from this growing intolerance. Asian Pacific, Middle Eastern and African communities have seen a huge increase in property damage and intimidation within the past ten years.
Hostility against immigrants is by no means a new phenomenon. Historians are quick to remind us of the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act that barred Chinese laborers from entering the country. They claimed the group did not assimilate well into our culture and were taking jobs away from Americans. Sounds familiar? Their main points echo those of today's anti-immigration movement, including proposed legislation similar to that of the late nineteenth century.
That said, people against immigration aren't always racists or xenophobes and they do have legitimate claims. However, those positions are used by extremists to mask hate and bigotry. Disregarding and excluding the anti-immigration groups from the debate would give credence to those undesirable factions and further fuel the racial tensions. The key is to be respectful and mindful of the real dangers associated with extreme positions.
CBS report from Marcelo Lucero case.
CBS report from second incident.
The Rise of Hate by AlJazeeraEnglish
(Perhaps one of the best video reports about this issue)
Comments
Our nation is neither xenophobic nor anti immigrant. We are a nation of laws and are expected to follow them. Who in the h@ll do you or anyone else think they are to think illegal immigrants should not have to follow those laws. Oh yeah, we are not against legal immigrants, only illegal immigrants. You know, the ones who break our immigration laws. Stop blurring the issue. These people are in this country illegally. And that is precisely why we want them gone. Understand?
Illegal aliens are criminals and parasites, one and all. Their very presence here and practically everything they do on U. S. soil is illegal. They need to be ferreted out, rounded up like cattle, punished for their numerous crimes, then booted back to whence they snuck in from with such extreme prejudice that they will never, ever think of violating our sovereignty again. Enough is enough.
I think people like Aztlan should be "ferreted out, rounded up like cattle, punished for their numerous crimes, then booted back to whence they snuck in from with such extreme prejudice that they will never, ever think of violating our sovereignty again. Enough is enough."
You're an immigrant too.
I heard you on the Lou Dobbs show and I know what you were trying to say but man did you get owned. You put up a fight I give you that but it was like hearing a little rabbit fight a wolf.
I think everyone that goes on the Lou Dobbs Show gets OWNED. Wilfredo, you had the balls to talk to that narrow minded bitter raisin of an old man and for that I give you kudos.
Hopefully he'll let you talk next time.
If you are not Native America
and you ahve a problem with Mexican people
please get the F out of my country
and if you skin is white you are not Native I don't care what your grandmother told you. Brown Skin and Brown Eyes are dominant- there is no Cherokee
So sorry this man is dead, but I am also sorry for the thousands of Americans that have died, as a direct result of illegal aliens. Race, color, creed, or sex has nothing to do with wanting our borders secure. Come through the front door, and wait your turn.
Hooray for the power of words! I think the issues facing this country run much deeper than people are even willing to think.
The very fact that such disgusting comments have been written on this post show how Americans have a deep hatred towards outsiders. Yes, illegal immigration is illegal. Duh. No one is endorsing illegal immigration.
The point is, we need to stop projecting hatred for people breaking our laws on to a larger group of people who have done nothing wrong.
It's wise to put yourself in someone else's shoes before you kick them down again.
“xenophobia continues to rise”
Really? Or do you just want it to?
In reading your article and listening to your interview with Lou Dobbs, it seems to me you would be more successful in marketing rather than journalism. As in, you really push for acceptance of facts that is not totally true to the EXTENT in which you present them to be. I know you want to keep your role as an “Immigrant Community Examiner” but please don’t go about spinning your facts. While you may obtain a few passionate followers, the majority of people will dismiss you as a radical.
I chose to comment, because I do feel strongly that Hate Crimes are an issue. If one is to be a champion of reporting about them, he or she must stick with the facts and confront the opponents with something they cannot dismiss (as they easily can with sensationalism and emotion). Saying that the current generation is intolerant is sensationalistic, considering in the past where it was not only acceptable, but required to be intolerant of others, to now should give you obvious proof.
You could have been as poignant pointing out how a SINGLE hate crime is damaging to human society and dig deeper to its roots of the problem and what it will amount to than trying to capitalize on it.
Can someone please explain why only dumb white hicks leave comments here? I'm looking for commentators with more than two brain cells to rub together....
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