I have enjoyed reading the other posts, but as time limits my post will be short … I have a few thoughts to add, or reiterate as the case may be.
At first look it seems like we are comparing two injustices, one based on race and the other based on nationality. But I want to be sure it is acknowledged that the immigration debate is deeply rooted in racial prejudice. Washington loves to frame the issue as a clear citizen vs. non-citizen issue, but when “illegal immigration” is mentioned, the racial other, the Mexican, is pictured. The border wall makes this all the more apparent. Just as southern state laws sought to keep African Americans as an economic underclass with no political power, immigration laws today seek to keep Mexicans as an economic underclass with no political power. Immigration laws may look like they are meant to keep Mexicans out, but they don’t really—-rather they keep Mexicans illegal, cheap, and quiet. It’s no secret that much of the economy is highly dependent on cheap labor, and I’ve done enough restaurant worker organizing to be confident in saying many employers will knowingly accept a fake SS card as readily as they will accept a 19 year old’s fake i.d. when selling alcohol. Immigration laws are unjust and deceptive. They do not serve the purpose that many Americans are convinced they are meant to do.
So although the problem of non-citizenship is sticky, I think a large part of the problem that must be overcome is the racial and economic side. As long as Mexicans and Mexican Americans are seen as a racial other, people will continue to support racist legislation such as the border wall. As long as Mexican workers provide labor for less than minimum wage, immigration laws will continue to restrict legal immigration to those who can afford it.
Illegal immigrant workers are increasingly vocal but their limitations are obvious (losing their job, deportation). The status quo would have them “adjust themselves to oppression” as Dr. King might say, by doing their job and receiving their pay quietly and without complaint. But their potential is overwhelming, their numbers more than enough to make major change. Just as Dr. King brought dignity and confidence to a group of people who were intimidated and “adjusted” to their position, the same can be done with illegal immigrants in the U.S.
I can’t wrap up my comments neatly and conclusively with a positive plan for action. The words aren’t coming. Maybe next week.
Nonviolent Migration 
September 19, 2007 at 10:45 am
Hi Claire, Thanks for adding to the conversation. You make an excellent point about the problem of acquiescence. I showed this project to a friend, like someone you describe, and he pointed out the clear and present risk that s/he would face to participate openly in such a conversation. Just another piece of the oppressive system of oppression and racism. The more I think of all of this, the more I see a connection from slavery, Chinese labor that built railroads and mined silver, and recent imported labore for farms and other. The result of the law has always been to demoralize and intimidate.
You make some excellent points.
September 20, 2007 at 10:02 am
Glen,
Let your friend know that s/he could always post anonymously, but also that one of the great benefits of nonviolent civil disobedience is the natural effect of no longer living in fear of the police. There is a great quote from some of our later reading where King says, “There were no more powerful moments in the Birmingham episode than during the closing days of the campaign, when Negro youngsters ran after white policemen asking to be locked up…. Going to jail was no longer a disgrace, but a badge of honor. The Revolution of the Negro not only attacked the external cause of his misery, but revealed him to himself. He was somebody. He had a sense of somebodiness. He was impatient to be free.”
September 27, 2007 at 2:57 pm
Right. Keeping the negative peace within the US borders while violent warfare across the globe. Slavery, racism, and death…the US gov. has really presented itself as a clear unjust system. This is tough…but for sure talking it out helps so much in reaching an understanding and action.
“Just as southern state laws sought to keep African Americans as an economic underclass with no political power, immigration laws today seek to keep Mexicans as an economic underclass with no political power. Immigration laws may look like they are meant to keep Mexicans out, but they don’t really—-rather they keep Mexicans illegal, cheap, and quiet.”
“Just as Dr. King brought dignity and confidence to a group of people who were intimidated and “adjusted” to their position, the same can be done with illegal immigrants in the U.S.”
Great insights! Please keep them coming.
September 28, 2007 at 4:53 am
Constitutional democracy, as theorized in the United States, is not an unjust system. The problem is that in practice, it has been (and continues to be) an unjust system. While I see that the levels of consumption demanded by the U.S. economy require that other nations become impoverished, U.S. law does not require it.
It is my belief and hope that nonviolence has the power to be a catalyst for a “radical revolution of values” against what King called “the triple evils of racism, militarism, and materialism.”
September 28, 2007 at 6:01 am
Well maybe a clarification of what the US gov. defines as its “Constitutional Democracy” because I sure ain’t voting for “my” president and I sure ain’t being heard when it comes to impeaching this president.
I don’t think a democracy exists in this country and as a matter of fact I don’t think it ever really has. What we’ve been given (hmmm “token” democracy?) is a republic and most likely than not these representatives are not fully representing the general public currently. Again the impeachment issue, Iraq war to be ended, and even the general population wants a immigration system that is just.
Okay the US economy is created by laws and here I’m refering to the highlights provided by the documentary “The Corporation”. We’ve actually even have anti-trust laws which prevent un-competitive monopolies to be active in the US but these laws do not exclude what is termed, in neo-liberal economics, as “Competitive Monopolies”. These CM’s are the root cause of International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and the Free Trade Agreements. I mean the US gov. is actually business, what with our taxes being used not only for war, which in turn goes into the pockets of big business, but for funding bankrupt business that need a bail out.
So you see the “consumption demanded by the US economy” does indeed require unjust laws and impoverishment of other countries, not to mention of its population.
I think I’ll be coming across more evidence from Dr. King to support my arguments. Since he knew what militarism and materialism were in context of racism as you have quoted. Plus I recall a scant mention of him taking up the challenge on much heavier injustice across the globe (Poor People’s Campaign)…and the 2nd speech is already reflecting this sad reality that I speak of…
“America has been something of a schizophrenic personality, tragically divided against herself. On the one hand we have proudly professed the great principles of democracy, but on the other hand we have sadly practiced the very opposite of those principles.”
September 29, 2007 at 6:26 am
I’ll have to watch the film. How did you come across it?
Lots and lots about U.S. law is unjust. And even without seeing the film, I will agree with you that the way we treat corporations is one of those injustices.
September 29, 2007 at 8:19 am
I listen to KPFK los angeles one of the radio-pacifica pearls *check my blog for links on KPFK and check Jerry Quickly*
–> to watch the doc for free .. but please everyone buy the DVD (http://www.thecorporation.com/index.cfm) its so worth it!
trailer:
http://www.thecorporation.com/index.cfm?page_id=46
The Synopsis:
“A LEGAL “PERSON”
In the mid-1800s the corporation emerged as a legal “person.” Imbued with a “personality” of pure self-interest, the next 100 years saw the corporation’s rise to dominance. The corporation created unprecedented wealth but at what cost? The remorseless rationale of “externalities” (as Milton Friedman explains, the unintended consequences of a transaction between two parties on a third) is responsible for countless cases of illness, death, poverty, pollution, exploitation and lies.”