So, I Guess I'm a Racist
Today's protests over a new proposal to manage illegal immigration caused me to reflect on my own racist tendencies and those of my family.
As I write this, my wife and son are spending their Easter holiday in Mexico working with impoverished children, but I'm for much tighter border control so I must be a racist.
Our family is looking forward to the attending the quincinera (kind of a Mexican sweet 16 party for 15-year-olds) of our neighbors' daughter, but I am a racist because I think businesses who hire illegal aliens should be fined.
One of the coolest things I have done at my church is worship in the Spanish service--it's awesome to see the passion in their singing and praying--but I'm a racist because I think babies born to illegals should not be U.S. citizens.
The same next-door neighbors have had a series of undocumented brothers live in a trailer in a side yard right next to our house. We have had nothing but pleasant dealings with these hard-working young men who often help me when they see me working outside, but I am a racist because I think illegals shouldn't be allowed in our public schools.
My wife reached out to my Mexican neighbors on the other side of us and has met with the wife on a regular basis to help her learn English, but I am a racist because I don't think illegals should be granted drivers licenses.
My son has a "band" which practices in our house, meaning we often feed dinner to his friends Fernando and Panda (a nickname), but I am a racist because I think proof of citizenship should be required at polling places.
I could go on, but I think by now it is abundantly clear that I harbor deep hatred toward an entire people group. You probably shouldn't be caught reading anything I have written if you have a shred a decency in your soul.
8 comments:
Yes you are and the point is...?
You just made my point for me by showing that there is nothing a person can do in their personal life to prove that they are not a racist if some people want to slap that label on them. I am glad you stopped by but am sorry that you felt you had to do it anonymously. (Wait, I am anonymous, oh well.)
Yeah you should be ashamed of yourself! ;-)
They are illegally entering this country right? Why should they have access to the same things that do. I don't get it.
I was just thinking last week how people conveniently toss the word racist around. It's often used inappropriately. You say something against a minority and some will automatically label as racist.
Hey Opal, thanks for stopping by! It really is amazing how people who don't agree with you can't just be friendly and agree to disagree; instead they try to stain you with a name.
I just looked up racist in the dictionary and it said a racist is "someone who thinks that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities." Obviously a belief that a country has a right to define its own borders has nothing to do with whether someone is a racist.
I don't think you're a racist, but I disagree - American citizenship should continue to be granted children born in the United States. I don't see why it would change because illegal immigration is in the news all the time.
Mal:
I can see how that is something of a radical idea considering that a person born in this country has always had those rights of citizenship. I can see why you wouldn't want to change that.
The problem is that we have people who know if they can give birth on our side of the line, not only do they get free medical care, but they now have an anchor down in this country in the form of a new citizen who can be used as a reason to let them stay here. It is a huge abuse of the system.
One of the best things we can do as compassionate people is help make things better in their country so that they won't feel it necessary to leave. I know that is easier said than done. If we could take away the incentives for coming here illegally, the pressure could be on their own government to act. Right now they just encourage them to come here.
Oh, Mal, I pushed send before telling you how I appreciate you adding to the discussion. I do.
Loved this post!! Not much more I can say -- it was perfect.
Laura
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