I would like to take some space to introduce myself to the amazing IDEAS community at UCLA and on the web.
A few things about me:
- I am 23 going on 24.
- I came here legally and then became ‘illegal’ when my parents decided to 'get-in-line'
- I am Indo-Fijian; I am not originally from Mexico or any Latin American country (but I would love to visit)!
- I have a Master’s degree going onto law school.
Ok, now that is done. What? You want more? Don’t worry, I love talking about myself so hit me up.
Today, I came across a vile and hateful article titled ‘Dream Over: Illegal Alien Amnesty Awakens to Fiscal Reality’ by Ira Mehlman, the media-director of the hate-group (un)FAIR.
Ira is probably suffering from the large nativist losses in the general elections and feels the need to lash-out at undocumented students and allies who have taken Change.org by storm. The overwhelming sadness over nativist losses probably led Ira to bypass fact-checking (or maybe that is just a natural tendency of nativist hate-groups). Fact check: Reed is the Chancellor of the CSU system not the University of California.
Factual errors aside, according to the ‘logic’ of this reporter, America should continue to punish immigrant students that have committed no crimes so American-born students can be guaranteed seats in college. Wow, I never knew education was a zero-sum game, that to bring up some students, we must knock other students down. Instead of fighting to make higher education accessible to all, expand the pie, bring another chair into the room, according to Ira and un(FAIR), we should play divisive politics and shut out qualified students because they don’t have a piece of paper called a ‘green-card.’ And shutting the doors of opportunity is somehow supposed to help our economy out of a crisis? Someone probably forgot part of an important lesson in a political economy course. Note to Ira: look up Keynesian economics and its recommendations on how to generate demand back into the economy. Also, next time, do try to put forth an economically beneficial argument for deporting undocumented American students that America has spent millions of dollars educating.
We are often accused of asking for ‘handouts’ but from the point of view of a citizen of the world, what is a bigger entitlement program than de-facto American citizenship? One can kill the DREAM as a bill year after year, but how does one kill the spirit of young students? It is alive and thriving, more than ever before, which is probably what scares the two-dozen-strong nativists. We will not be shamed back into the shadows and we will certainly not stop till we win our DREAM. It will pass all hurdles, we will get immigration relief, and I dare say this in the Gavin-Newsom way, whether you like it or not; our DREAMs will prevail.
Make no mistake. This is a civil rights movement, which is not about to die. It is about the right of children—regardless of immigration status—to higher education. It is about preventing cruel and unfair punishment conferred on students that have committed no crimes and yet detained in the waiting rooms of history. It is about realizing that hard-work, integrity and commitment to serve a country should be rewarded not punished. It is about restoring America as a land of opportunity where rewards are given to those who dare to DREAM and ACT.
NOW.
Seriously, get used to it.
6 comments:
thats was a great comeback!!! I wish i could write like that.
Awesome!! - Very empowering indeed. I must confess something, I started reading your post with the most calmed spirit there could be, but as I read more and more, my heart was filled with that energy that your writing style projects. I love it. Thanks for all the work you do, and welcome to Underground Undergrads!
- CSUN DREAMer!
Great response!
I, too, wish I could write like that.
Eloquently put, especially the part about Keynesian economics. Ha!
I look forward to reading more of your writing.
M
That is a very well written and heartfelt response to the said article. The dreamers frustration level has to be at an all time high right now, sadly though, things will not get better.
I am not a member of any organization that is for or against the dreamers. I tend to lean towards your views and have met quite a few of you. The reality of todays economic collapse has all but doomed your dreams. There are many reasons for it and there is not a single one that is your fault, you have done your job and have done it well, but you bare the albatross of that one word, illegal.
The American public is waking up to the massive problem of illegal immigration. The marches in 2006-2007 did far more damage to your cause than anything before had done. You had illegal aliens marching in the streets of our cities waving Mexican flags and demanding rights they say they deserve. You can not abuse the American system in such a way and expect to gain sympathy from the masses, it will not happen. This is not your fault.
More and more of the population are seeing the illegal immigration advocate organizations in a different light these days. The NCLRA is becoming a burden for your cause. People are seeing that La Raza actually does mean 'The Race' and in todays hypersensitive race issues that is not a good thing to call yourselves. It denotes superiority and elitism, which is nothing more than racism and bigotry. Look for more issues rising up because of the name La Raza, again, not your fault.
Ultimately you are paying for the sins of your parents. You did not ask to be here but if they did not come here this would be a moot problem, a classic catch 22. The way the public views this is that you do not have the rights to the American system, not your fault. They believe, and in a way they are right, that no American citizen should be denied a seat in an American University to someone that does not have legal status in this country.
Another thing that is working against your dream is the main stream media. For the last decade they have been doing nothing but favoring illegal immigration and writing stories on the hardships of the immigrants and how the raids tear families apart. They always paint such a bleak and disturbing picture and they use the children of the illegals to drive home the point. Now the main stream media is starting to print stories going the other way. They are starting to tell America that there is a problem, a really big one, with illegal immigrants in this country. This has to do with the economic situation going on now and writing stories on how illegals actually do take jobs that Americans will do will sell newspapers and get people to watch their shows. You are losing the main stream media and that will hurt you all.
Right now the immigrants rights march planned for the day after Obama gets put into office is not on the main stream media's radar. For your sake I hope that march does not go as planned. That would be the last thing you need, a massive group of people waving flags from around the world demanding reform and rights. I believe that a march, such as the one they are planning, would push the American public over the edge and push this country into protectionism. The way the economy is going, it will not take much.
I think the best thing the dreamers can do is sell themselves. You are a very bright and articulate group of people and you need to get that across. Demonstrations and letters and emails will not convey that message. You need to show congress what you are about. Show them you are Americans first. Show your grasp on American history. Show your resolve in becoming a responsible citizen. Show them that you belong and are not here for a free ride. There are always exceptions to the rule and for illegal immigration, you guys are the exception. Write your own proposal, get the best and brightest together and bring it to the halls of congress. This is America, you can do that. Don't put your destiny in the hands of someone else, you are too smart for that.
Bravo!!!
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