But, just as a few blacks risked undermining the political influence and moral authority of those non-violent marches by rioting and spewing bellicose rhetoric, so too will a few Hispanics risk undermining these marches by donning gang paraphernalia and waving foreign flags in the faces of U.S. citizens.
Therefore, I say let’s march! But please, leave the gangsta attitudes and all flags – except old glory (the U.S. flag) – at home….
Images from yesterday’s warm-up march in Texas:
The issues involved in this fight for immigrant rights are complex. And, unlike the fight for black civil rights, the solution to the problem of illegal immigration is not black and white. Nonetheless, please click here to read my commentary on the issues surrounding today’s march and about the bill that I think offers the best solution. And take note that I wrote the following:
Unfortunately, given the political grandstanding on both sides of this issue, it’s unlikely that any legislation will be enacted before the November 2006 elections.
Because, on Friday, the compromise bill, which included the comprehensive measures I argued are necessary to deal with this problem effectively, was defeated in the U.S. Senate; not on its merits but, primarily, because opportunistic Democrats used technical tricks to defeat it so that they would have immigration as a political issue to run on in the November elections – since Republicans are perceived (wrongly) as the party more opposed to comprehensive immigration reform.
Of course, notwithstanding the Senate’s failure to act, political debate and agitation on immigration matters will rage on. Therefore, I also invite you to click here to read why I think talk of building fences and making felons of people who help illegal immigrants (as some boneheaded Republicans want to do) only promise comfort to fools.
NOTE: Marches are being staged all over the country, but I’ll be joining the one here in Washington, DC. So, if you’re watching TV today, see if you can pick me out of the crowd: Chances are I’ll be the only black guy wearing a red, white and blue cap amongst my Hispanic brothers and sisters….
ENDNOTE to my black American friends: I hope as many of you march in support of Hispanics as the number of whites who marched in support of blacks during the civil rights movement….
Si Se Puede!
illegal immigration, immigration protest march
Anonymous says
are “immigrants” being denied rights? i think you meant to write that “illegal” immigrants aren’t receiving their rights. then again, what “rights” are those? they aren’t upset that they are being denied rights. they are marching because they are being told they need to abide by the laws of this country and come here legally. but if they can’t adhere to that, then they reject the premise and law behind the very rights (i.e., citizenship) they say the deserve. ironic, isn’t it?
Jennifer says
Hi Anthony
Looks like you blog is back to normal. Sorry about the problems. This is a great article and I wish I could take time from work to march too.
Phil says
Hey anonymous
Ironic is how you can make a comment on an article you clearly have not read. If you read the article before making your smart ass comment, you would know what rights these Hispanic immigrants are marching for which is “comprehensive” immigration reform.
ALH
I think the marchers got your memo “leave all flags, except old glory” at home!
Anonymous says
phil…read it…”comprehensive immigration reform” just means give us our “rights” on our terms. doesn’t matter how you package it, still means the same thing. oh and you ironically left out Hispanic illegal immigrants. if they were legal, they’d already have their rights and hence wouldn’t need to march for them.