I am proud.

I don’t take political stances often. I tend to do what I always do in the face of debate; I keep my head down and pretend I don’t exist. I’m not much for conflict, but the law recently passed in Arizona caught my attention. I don’t know if it’s because I used to live there or if it’s my recurring sense of moral obligation to change the world, but I feel like I have something to say.
There was a law passed recently which basically takes Arizona’s clenched fist on immigration, and squeezes ad nauseum.
I am an immigrant. I am a legal immigrant, but an immigrant nonetheless. My family moved to this country when I was a baby, so I was raised here and I love it as much as I love the country to which I’m native. I have a friend whose family has lived in New Mexico for generations. She was born and raised in the United States. So was her mother. So was her grandmother. Her great grandparents were from Mexico, and immigrated legally into this ethnically hostile country in hopes of prosperity. They found it, but is it good enough if their offspring aren’t looked upon with respect and equality?
If both she and I took a trip to Arizona right now, I would have absolutely no problems whatsoever. She has a very high chance of being stopped by authorities and asked for identification. She may have her license in her purse, sure, but who do you know that carries their Passport and Birth Certificate with them at all times? Her citizenship may be questioned. She may be fined. She may be detained. Why? Because she’s dark, because she looks Mexican. Her blood may be Mexican, her genetics may give her brown skin and dark hair, but she was born in the United States of America to native born American citizens.
This law that was passed basically declares that police have the authority and the obligation to determine the identity of any individuals who “look illegal.” That is, if they see a person who looks or acts in such a way that calls into question the validity of their presence on US soil, the officer must stop them and check their papers to ensure that they haven’t entered the country illegally. Tell me, how exactly does one “look illegal?” Simply but looking Mexican, that’s how. It’s absolutely outrageous if you think about it. It’s racist and unethical- and completely legal. That needs to change NOW.
I’m tired of being ashamed of myself. And I do feel ashamed sometimes: ashamed of being white and middle class, with parents who are still married and in love, with a decent upbringing in (mostly) safe neighborhoods. I got white picket fences and a dog (well, the fences were grey) and all around me are people who got the short end of the stick their whole lives. Who deals the sticks in this country? The white middle class and upper class. Picture an American Bureaucrat. It’s a balding, sweaty, fat white man with manicured nails and a trophy wife and 2.5 kids. They probably have a Golden Retriever named Sandy and a tuxedo kitten named Mittens. I know people like that. They’re friends of the family. It sickens me, sometimes, to think that someone may think of my family that way. I am not the colour of my skin. My family never owned slaves. We never turned in our Japanese neighbors in WWII to be sent to camps. We never gossiped about the new family in town because they were colored. I was raised to be tolerant and accepting, but sometimes I’m ashamed because I had to be raised to be tolerant in the midst of non-tolerance. I want to make a stand, for once in my life, for something I believe in, something that matters. THIS matters. So I signed petitions today that were sent to the white house and various government officials in Arizona. I signed my name and made my voice heard. It was only one signature, but every voice matters. I’m proud of myself today. I’m not the white girl from the suburban, middle class family. Today I’m the activist who made a stand. I’m bringing it up to people, because people can’t form opinions about issues if they don’t know the issues exist. I’m posting on facebook and talking to my coworkers- just casually in passing, but the responses have been rewarding. I’m proud of myself today.
www.change.org