Burning Bridges, Building Fences

There is really no argument to be had over immigration. Anyone willing to do a bit of unbiased research could see this. Yet sure enough, it is another issue that drags on with continued squabbling and lack of proper political attention.

Currently, somewhere around 15% (give or take who knows how much) of the population is of Latino descent. Latinos are the largest minority group in the United States. Now, of the 11.5-12 million undocumented residents of this country, an estimated 57% are from Mexico, with approximately another 10% being from the rest of Latin America (Central and South America). In my mind, these statistics alone are enough to end the discussion on building fences across the border. The Mexicans are already here, but still the argument goes on.

How quickly we have forgotten, that only a little over 150 years ago California and Texas along with pretty much all of what is today considered the Southwest U.S. was part of Mexico (for those wondering why those states have funny Spanish names). Doesn't anyone remember the Alamo? Today, unfair trade and entry laws that have existed for sometime now, continue to encourage illegal immigration along with the loss of "American" jobs and American tourist dollars. It appears to me that the average American or Mexican is fighting against the same problem, but somehow we have been pitted against each other in a bitterness that has probably not been matched since the very same Mexican-American War. So lets close the border or open the border. It doesn't really matter which. But tell me, why is that no one seems worried about the ridiculously expansive Canadian border, which goes mostly unmonitored? Last I heard, that is where all the good weed comes from, anyways.

Seriously though, the last body of facts, that really settles the whole immigration issue for me and to my knowledge has not been discussed publicly on any large scale, is this: Somewhere between 60 and 75% or the Mexican population is Mestizo (of mixed American Indian and European blood). Another 12 to 30% is, or almost is, pure Indigenous, the original people of this land. This land is not your land (unless you are a Native American which I unfortunately doubt). This land is not my land (I am white and also a renter). It is these peoples' land along with other Native Americans, who to this date still are waiting for some form of justice for the robbery and genocide that occurred all throughout the colonization, founding and early history of the United States, and the Americas as a whole. I would venture a guess that somewhere quite close to the upper 90 percentile of Mexican immigrants, along with most Latino immigrants, fit these Mestizo and maybe a few American Indian demographics. Why guess this, and whats my point? Historically (and presently) Indigenous people usually get the short end of the stick, if anything, in any political situation. So, these people are probably the ones living in drastic situations that call for such drastic responses such as crossing a hostile U.S. border where on average 2 people die each day attempting to cross illegally (a statistic I picked up at a local meeting on immigration, the other day). As for my point, well, the United States Government's limitations on Mexican immigration, while politically is in the interest of Americans, in reality is a continuation of the oppression of America's Indigenous population. But I suppose, since essentially nothing has been done to correct the crimes of the past against Native Americans, it shouldn't surprise me that these racially discriminant crimes against humanity are still occurring today legally.

The greatest irony about the immigration issue is that the majority of immigrants do not even want to live in America. They have left behind family, friends and home. Judging from the many Mexicans that I have met, I would consider them to be some of the most proud and nationalist people in the world. Though in general, this seems to be typical of Latin Americans. But unfortunately, people have to follow opportunity to take care of not only themselves but the family that are left behind.

If you have read all of this (first of congratulations because most people probably won't), and you are still pro-fences, pro-minuteman, anti-Mexican or whatever, I have a question for you. Don't you think it is ironic to blame immigrants who come to the U.S. to work, for the loss of American jobs, all while American companies are opening factories in Mexico and all over the world? If you are so interested in these jobs, perhaps you should go to Mexico or Honduras (even better) and see how much you are missing out in one of these jobs, for real. If you have read all of this and want to learn more about these issues and others, I would suggest some of the following. Read A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn. Research the Zapatistas. Listen to the lyrics of Immortal Technique (not for the faint of heart). Learn some Spanish and or at least try to communicate with some Latinos about the issue before you make up your mind.