Jim Crow Laws: 2010 Latino Edition

Recently, the country has seen a number of laws introduced to state and federal government which attempt to aggressively address the controversial subject of illegal immigration. We've seen lawmakers call for enforcing existing immigration laws and pass state laws that give state officers the same federal jurisdiction federal officers possess so for example, since immigration to the United States is a federal issue, state officers have no jurisdiction in enforcing immigration law. With the recent downturn in the economy, we've seen Americans and government once again scapegoat immigrants as being the culprit for high unemployment, crime and ballooning budget deficit. History shows time after time after time again immigrants will forever be demonized in times of economic hardships and embraced in times of economic expansion. Don't believe me? Read an American history book, pal.

- Take citizenship rights away from U.S. Born children of undocumented immigrants.
- Repeal the 14th amendment.
- Deny educational rights to the children of undocumented immigrants.
- Make "immigrant status" a probable cause for profiling (aka Racial profiling)
- Deny undocumented immigrants the ability to purchase insurance.

There are certain inalienable rights in our world; some would argue though, that education, health-care and social equality are not some of them. We've seen society scapegoat the most exploited groups for centuries. The fact is that our country hasn't seen this much emphasis on a person or group of people's legal status since the days of slavery. Once slavery was abolished, the super elite convinced Americans to hate runaway slaves. Now that formal segregation has been done away with, mainstream America is now being taught to despise "illegals" who illegally left their lands in search of better life (sound familiar?)

Of course, Slavery and immigration have their distinct differences, yet the principles of leaving one place to find better life in another is fundamental. When we talk about the logistics and resources to maintain current immigration policy, opponents of comprehensive immigration reform say that we must enforce current law. Funny thing though, is when they rant and rave about how government isn't handling the immigration issue effectively, aren't the immigration laws in place now the problem to begin with? We need immigration policy that is both comprehensive and enforceable. Can we make all undocumented immigrants legal citizens? No. Can we deport all undocumented immigrants back to their countries of origin? No. Can we be realistic and find middle ground; deport all convicted violent criminals who are in the country illegally and legalize the millions of families who peacefully live under the shadows American society; that sounds far more realistic.

Some spew hatred and mask it with their concern for their country... but as we all know..

When all else fails, "Patriotism is a bigot's last resort"

Whose country are you protecting, I ask. Yours or ours?

Stop the Hate,
David J. Solis

P.S. I expect this post to get a lot of heated feedback. I encourage it. Thanks.

My 2010 New Years Resolutions

I'm never the type to pledge a brand new me at the beginning of every year. Instead, I think it's more appropriate to reflect on what's taken place over the year and draw from it to learn what worked and what didn't work. This year, like any year, teaches us a number of things about the world we live in, our peers and ourselves. Here's what I think I need to pay more attention to come 2010:

More Networking - I've learned more about networking than I've ever realized this year. I never knew how important networking is in this world; both in the social world and in the professional world. This upcoming year, I hope to meet more and more influential people that shape who I will become over the years. It's not what you know... It's who you know..

Career Plans - Everyone knows what they ultimately WANT to become; it's the road in getting there that should be more and more emphasized by us all. I want to become an expert in constitutional law; now I've got to focus on getting to graduate school to get a doctorate in constitutional law. I want to eventually run for office; now I've got to figure out how to get experience in campaigning and understanding the dynamics of what currently works for our political system and criticizing and doing away with what doesn't. I want to run a business; now I've got to make my business plans for 2010-2011.

Nicaragua - I've missed Nicaragua and it's been years since I've gone to visit my family there. The beaches, the people, the culture, the food, the weather; everything. Last time I went, I was in 11th grade. I turn 21 in May and it'd be great if I could visit Nicaragua to soak in everything I missed when I went in the past. I've always wanted to look into doing non-profit work there and like anywhere in the world, there's plenty of work to be done.

Time away with the Family - it's one thing to be at home with the family but it's much different to be away and have little to worry about. Like so many people out there, our family hasn't been able to afford a REAL vacation for quite some time... Some time spent with the family away from our troubles would serve us all well.

See; I'm a man of simple taste. I don't ask for or need much. I don't make a long extensive list of new years resolutions with cut off dates 52 weeks later. Lists of things to get done in just one year might not work well. At our age, we shouldn't talk about who we're going to become over the next year; we should already be who we want ourselves to be right now. If you tell yourself you're going to go under a renewal over the next year because it's your new years resolution to; chances are you won't. A new year of course brings forth new things in life, new people and new ideas. Best of luck over the next year to us all and Happy New Years.

- David Javier Solis