Eugene Robinson: Outlawing Latinos’ Heritage

[marmar]

from truthdig:



Outlawing Latinos’ Heritage

Posted on May 14, 2010
By Eugene Robinson


At least we don’t have to pretend anymore. Arizona’s passing of that mean-spirited new immigration law wasn’t about high-minded principle or the need to maintain public order. Apparently, it was all about putting Latinos in their place.

It’s hard to reach any other conclusion following the state’s latest swipe at Latinos. On Tuesday, Gov. Jan Brewer signed a measure making it illegal for any course in the public schools to “advocate ethnic solidarity.” Arizona’s top education official, Tom Horne, fought for the new law as a weapon against a program in Tucson that teaches Mexican-American students about their history and culture.

Horne claims the Tucson classes teach “ethnic chauvinism.” He has complained that young Mexican-Americans are falsely being led to believe that they belong to an oppressed minority. The way to dispel that notion, it seems, is to pass oppressive new legislation aimed squarely at Mexican-Americans. That’ll teach the kids a lesson, all right: We have power. You don’t.

Arizona is already facing criticism and boycotts over its “breathing while Latino” law, which in essence requires police to identify and jail undocumented immigrants. Now the state adds insult to that injury. ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/outlawing_latinos_heritage_20100513/?ln

[KharmaTrain]

1. "Ethnic Solidarity"...On The Way To Cleaning...

I think Arizona should pass a law that requires all state legislators to be Hispanic for a day before they vote. Let them find out about "ethnic chauvenism" when they try to go to their country club and are handed a lawn mower or scrub brush...or get pulled over and have to prove they are who they are...not an "illegal". Then they'll get just a taste of what "chauvenism" is.

Next let's look at the "curiculum" they'd like to teach...hatred, intolerance and arogance.

[The Backlash Cometh]

2. What other ethnic group tolerates raids from the feds?

I'm tired of the right-wingers claiming that the feds aren't doing anything. Latino immigrants are subjected to raids. Are any other ethnic groups targeted in the same way?

If you want to stop illegal immigration, you can only do it by going after the employers.

[DevonRex]

3. Thanks marmar. This is a really good article. K&R. nt

[TwilightGardener]

4. It never occurred to me that a state can pass laws to eliminate ethnic pride and solidarity.

Now I know. :crazy: