Those Annoying Brown People

It's been a while since you've heard from me. I apologize. My life has been time-consuming lately. I had to take two college algebra classes and a statistics class. Needless to say I had to focus on them in order to keep my GPA high. I'm going to try to get back into the fray.
I've sat by and watched as Arizona passed an Anti-Immigration Law. Here's an interesting fact about Republicans. They have introduced and passed more bills in this country (70%) with the word "anti" in the title. This is very telling to me. When they don't like something they just create laws against it instead of figuring out a way of working with the change that is happening. This doesn't surprise me.
I understand the frustration of anyone who works and lives in this country illegally. They avoid taxes, they live under the radar, and they don't tend to do much mingling. In short, they keep to themselves and we have no idea how they think or feel. To that I say big deal. They do what we all want to do and we hate them for it?
Still, this blog isn't going to be about why it's OK to be illegal in this country. Instead, I'm going to show another alternative to deal with this "problem." It's pretty simple. It shows compassion, and it allows this country to grow.

1. The thing that bothers me the most in this discussion is the law was originally created to go after "illegal" immigrants. It never once said anything about the people who bring the illegals into the country or the people who employ them. In fact, when the rumors of racism were flying, many Arizonians pointed this out and they went back and added the law to punish those who employ or bring in illegals. That was a very telling sign of who they are targeting. It wasn't about illegal or legal. It was about the people with brown skin. They don't like them, so they are going after them. When faced with the logic that white people are hiring them, they go back and change it so critics can't play the racism card. It's ridiculous and very see-through.

2. What is it about immigrants in Arizona Americas hates anyway? Is it their hard work ethic? Is it the fact they are very family-oriented? Is it the fact they will work their ass off to do anything possible to provide for their loved ones? Is it because they don't speak English? I thought Republicans were all about hard work and providing for your family? Don't they trumpet both causes on a regular basis? And please don't get me started on Americans who can't speak English properly. If that truly was a pre-requisite for living here, our population would be cut in half overnight.

3. America was built through immigration--even illegal immigration! I love it when people tell me they are tired of hearing this argument. Are you tired of hearing the truth? That's like saying you are tired of breathing air. My relatives came over on a boat and, let me spare you the research, chances are your relatives came over on a boat or some other form of migration. Many ideas shaped this country. Many different cultures shaped this country. I refuse to run from it now.

4. If this is about the legality of these people and not about race or culture, then I ask why are they currently trying to target their children who were born here and are legal? That is the next step in Arizona. They want to make the children of illegal immigrants illegal as well, despite the fact they were born on American soil. I believe this is in blatant disregard of the United States Constitution, but why let that stop a bunch of people trying to flush out "the element?" Trust me, this is not about legality. It is about race and culture.

So what is the answer? What would I do if I were in charge of solving this problem? Instead of shipping illegal immigrants back to wherever, why not work harder to make them all legal? Think about it. When we opened Ellis Island to immigrants we gave them a time period to become an American citizen. They were given a card and an opportunity to find work. In essence, they were given a chance. Look what they did with it!
I have zero problem with hard-working people entering this country. I have zero problem with people trying to escape horrible conditions in order to make a better life for their family. If the issue truly is the illegal part of the equation, then the solution is simple--allow them to become legal. The problem is, many of us suspect it has nothing to do with the illegal part, but the immigrant part. More importantly the color or culture of the immigrants. Instead of being against a group of people, why not stand up and allow them a chance to continue building this country? It worked for our families, let it work for others.