Racist immigration rhetoric

Racism is alive and kicking in this country.

With all the rhetoric being thrown around it’s no wonder that white-minority relations are at a crippling low.

It is the year 2010. By now discrimination should be a dying breed.

Blacks, whites, Hispanics, Asians and Inuits should be sitting around campfires singing kumbaya — or some equally modern equivalent of good will.

Instead there’s anger and dissonance in regards to cultural integration.

Many Americans sneer at the idea of providing a path to citizenship for migrant workers, but that won’t stop them from eating the local cuisine they brought here.    

A diverse nation fosters a more dynamic community, but there seems to be little confidence that America is going to move past race-based prejudice.

A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 50 percent of all voters believe that relations between whites and Hispanics are getting worse.

This year alone saw 314 new immigration laws and resolutions passed.

In Nebraska, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Minnesota, Missouri and, of course, Arizona, harsher regulation of undocumented workers has taken place.     The problem is not the effort of these states to protect our borders.

Obviously something needs to be done about the migration status of workers in this country. Whether reform needs to be take place on a state or federal level is up for debate — but the framework in which this discussion takes place needs to change.

Latinos are not only our neighbors — they are the largest racial minority in the United States.

Such a strong cultural presence should be celebrated and developed, not considered a threat to national security or our very way of life.

To change the discussion, the Hispanic community needs to start by getting the representation they deserve.

Latinos are vibrant, contributing members of society who, unfortunately, are often treated like second-class citizens.

The most effective way to change this disparity is to get the voice of the Hispanic community out there.

Unfortunately, a recent Pew Hispanic Center poll found that Latino voter turnout is likely to be low this year.

Only 51 percent of Latinos said they are likely vote in the midterm elections compared with 70 percent of all registered voters.

It’s not just about immigration. From those polled, the topic of immigration wasn’t even their main concern. Like most Americans, the Hispanic community is most troubled by education, jobs and health care.

But immigration continues to color the perception of the Hispanic community.

The best way to fight back against racist rhetoric is to vote for representatives who will push for the interests of Latinos in Washington, D.C.

Even though voter turnout amongst Hispanics is projected to be low, there is still hope.

A coalition of Latino civil rights groups has just launched a campaign called Vote for Respect which will coordinate public service announcements, a national voter hotline and progressive get-out-the-vote efforts to encourage Latino participation.

Hispanics are the fastest growing segment of the electorate. It’s about time this country recognizes the importance of that.


E-mail: danfleis@indiana.edu