Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Really Arizona?

It's been a long while since I've written, but I just have one question on my mind right now...

Really Arizona?

Gov. Jan Brewer signed a law condemning illegal immigrants as criminals last Friday. The law has since stirred up a cacophony of debate. Under the law police officers can detain anyone who cannot present proof of legal residency or citizenship. To be fair the law does say "where reasonable suspicion exists that the person is an alien who is unlawfully present in the United States, a reasonable attempt shall be made, when practicable, to determine the immigration status of the person". In practice, however, this really means next to nothing. The wording of this important statement is so vague I don't know if I'd be questioned if I were standing on a day-laborer corner looking for work, if I were wearing my Mexico soccer jersey during the World Cup coming up in June, or if I had a "suspicious-looking" tan.

Don't get me wrong, I definitely don't think we should open the floodgates and let anyone into our country without going through proper procedure, but this is not "A Step In the Right Direction" like Tyler Moree expresses in his U of Conn. Daily Campus opinion article. This is a step toward racism, stereotypes, South African Apartheid and Nazi Germany-like catastrophe.

Now Rev Al Sharpton and San Fransisco along with others have called for a boycott of the state. I think it's a great idea. Do it. Vacationers and businessmen have already cancelled hotel reservations and business trips. I laughed when I read that one man was afraid to take his family to Arizona because his son is a construction worker and is very suntanned. I'm sure he's harmless, but this comment makes it obvious that when people think of immigrants one picture comes to mind.

Will blond-haired, blue-eyed Polish immigrants be questioned as well?

One politician makes a good point when he said moving illegal immigrants out of jobs will free up positions so legal residents and citizens will be able to find work more easily. That's wonderful! I hope everything works out when prices skyrocket when company CEO's find they cannot hire citizens for $9.50 an hour doing manual labor.

Even though I wish all jobs could be filled by legal, taxpaying, self-sufficient American citizens and residents (or at least an undocumented worker with a Tax ID Number), I'd hate to pay 3x's more than I am paying now for my groceries, etc. Yes, I know that makes me part of the problem but it's hard to eliminate yourself from the problem if you live in Middle-class America.

Okay, getting off the point now. Arizona must find another outlet.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Changing Paths



We've all heard the metaphor of being on a "path" in life. I was on a solitary path for almost 20 years of my life. Thinking the only thing I would ever hold dear to me was my mother, my career and my two cats. In other words, I thought I was going to forever be the career oriented single woman much like the Carrie Bradshaw-s of this day.

I was happy and couldn't understand anyone who said "All I've ever wanted is a family". UGH! Crazy talk, I told myself.

Then I met "The One". Suddenly I was seriously thinking about having a kid with this man...maybe I'm interested in coordinating colors in "our new place".

I was sitting on my sofa after a day of a cross-town commute to the office, doing laundry, dishes, dinner and bathing Ethan. While watching my Hubby play with Ethan the thought of staying home full-time with my baby creeped up to the forefront of my mind once again. It would be so nice to wake up to the sound of Ethan cooing "Mama", keeping up with the house, making dinner and going on outings with him.

My path has changed. It's neither better nor worse than what I thought I wanted before my 20th birthday. God has moved me. That's what I contribute it to anyway.

Hopefully it will happen and I will be trying something new. A new life.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Afro-Latinos

So it's late this time around, but hopefully in ten years (and in this census as well) Afro-Latinos will help voice the fact that not all Latinos have caramel skin. We are a people made up of many different races, cultures and skin tones!