They may not command the moral authority or the support blacks had for their pivotal Montgomery Bus Boycott during the Civil Rights Movement. Nevertheless, the moral imperative which compels Latinos to show America what a “day without [illegal] immigrants” would be like is no less valid. Therefore, I shall join today’s boycott in solidarity with them, and I’ve encouraged all of my non-Latino friends and colleagues to do the same. (After all, I fully expect black immigrants from the Caribbean to benefit from this civil action as well.)
But it does not help our cause when the organizers of this boycott convey such mixed messages about our objectives: Are we demanding blanket amnesty for all undocumented immigrants currently residing in the United States? Or are we supporting the Bush-McCain-Kennedy proposal, which calls for a guest-worker program, imposes symbolic penalties for entering the country illegally and provides a clear path to U.S. citizenship – after a period of 10-15 years of good-faith permanent residency? Clearly the latter is the more prudent objective to pursue; whereas, the former is unnecessarily antagonistic, arrogant and unfair (especially to the millions of other immigrants – from Europe and Asia – who “played by the rules” and are waiting for as long as 20 years to get their citizenship).
Speaking of antagonistic and arrogant, I am dumbfounded that anyone thought recording the U.S. national anthem in Spanish would help the cause of assimilating over 11 million undocumented Latinos into mainstream American society. In fact, given my admonition in this previous article about flying the Mexican flag during our marches last month, I think this is an incredibly-impudent move. But, frankly, some of these folks just seem hell-bent on marching the streets of America more like conquering German soldiers than as pleading Latino refugees – seeking grace from and acceptance by the American people. (This “I’m Mexican and I’m proud!” mantra is so ignorant and misguided in this context, it’s embarrassing.)
Today’s boycott is intended to demonstrate why it’s in America’s national interest to assimilate these hard-working, law-abiding undocumented immigrants. But flying the Mexican flag and usurping the language of the U.S. national anthem only further their alienation.
NOTE: It should have been a clue to producers that their Spanish version of the national anthem would sound a discordant note when – instead of Latinos superstars like Gloria Estefan, Ricky Martin and Enrique Iglesias – they had to settle for (“who?”) singers like Gloria Trevi, Carlos Ponce, Armando Perez.
ENDNOTE: As disappointed as I am about some of the missteps the organizers of this boycott have made, I am even more disappointed that so many prominent Latino-Americans have not taken any significant steps in support of this noble cause. Indeed, as we’re marching in Washington and other big cities around the country, the most prominent Latino in America, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, “will skip huge pro-immigration rallies planned for Monday to meet with pro football officials in Dallas”….
¡Vamos a marcha!
PREVIEW: I attended yesterday’s rally to Save Darfur Now (from genocide) and shall comment on this ongoing nightmare for the people of Darfur and its corrosive effect on our collective conscience tomorrow.
illegal immigration march, Latinos boycott America
Bill says
How can you support this boycott ALH?
These people got some nerve. They got no respect for our laws. The government should send police vans to their parades, lock them all up and dump their asses across the border in Mexico. Trust me, other immigrants would take their place in a heart-beat!!!
Jill says
Hi Anthony
One of my friends pointed out this morning why reading your blog is so much better than reading newspapers or listening to the news. Do you realize that you are the only one supporting this boycott who has the honesty to write its a day without [illegal] immigrants. Everyone else pretends like all immigrants are in the same boat as those who are here illegally.
Thanks you.
BTW: I’m so anxious to get your book I ordered it to be shipped next day air.
Anonymous says
What kind of a lawyer are you if you want to these ingrates for their criminal behavior. I agree with Bill they should be put in vans and dumped across the border. And you should have you law license revoked. You’re a disgrace to your profession.
Anonymous says
ALH
Why are you supporting these idiots if you think “some of these folks just seem hell-bent of marching the streets of America more like conquering German soldiers than as pleading Latino refugees – seeking grace from and acceptance by the American people.”
BTW, that’s a really great line. But I’m watching the boycotts on TV and I’ll be damned if those bastards are waving huge Mexican flags all over the place. I have no sympathy for them. They’re making you look like a liberal sap buddy.
Lisa says
Great article ALH.
As always balanced, informative and very provocative! I agree with your position 110%!
Congrats on the book!
Anonymous says
the thing is, they didn’t just “translate” the national anthem. they re-wrote it and then played it on 500 spanish speaking radio stations. included at the outset of the song is “somos latinos, somos latinas”. we are not latinos, germans, italians, white, black, or orange. we are americans. that is what has made america great.
JESSICA COTRERAS says
I AM REALLY UPSET OVER THE NEGATIVE COMMENTS THAT ALL OF YOU HAVE TO SAY. I AM AN AMERECAN CITIZEN AND I WAS OFFICIALLY BORN HERE BUT I STILL HELP OUT MY RACE BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND THE FEAR THAT PEOPLE FACE TO WAKE UP EVERY MORNING AND BEING SCARED TO WALK OUT THE DOOR. WHEN THE POINT IS THAT IMMIGRANTS COME TO THE UNITED STATES TO HELP THIER KIDS GET A BETTER EDUCATION AND LIFE THAT THEYR PARENTS NEVER HAD. CALL US IDIOTS AND BASTARDS ITS NOT LIKE YOUR WORDS CAN DO US ANY HARM . WHILE WE ARE DOING THE HARD WORK AND WAKING UP TO GO WORK IN THE HOT SUN YOU STAY IN AN OFFICE AND COMPLAIN THAT YOU GOT SCRATCHED BY A SHRUB YOU WALKED BY … THAT IS NOTHING COMPARED WITH WHAT WE GO THROUGH I HAVE SEEN MY MOTHER AND FATHER WORK ALL THEIR LIFE TO HELP ME AND MY SISTER OUT AND IM PROUD TO SAY THAT IM GOING TO ACCOMPLISH MY DREAM AND GO TO COLLEDGE AND MAKE SOMETHING OUT OF MY LIFE … IM GOING TO BECOME A LAWYER AND IMA MAKE SURE THAT MARTIN LUTHERS DREAM COMES TRUE … ONE DAY WE ARE GOING TO WAKE UP AND WE’LL SEE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME RIGHTS AS THE WHITE PEOPLE HAVE …. I LOVE MY RACE AND I WILL NEVER BE ASHAMED OF IT !!!! IM A CHICANA PROUD OF EVERYTHING THAT OUR RACE HAS ACCOMPLISHED
? JESSICA CONTRERAS ….