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Post by regalia on Apr 26, 2006 23:45:23 GMT -5
latest here, please...  |
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Post by ucfeminist on May 20, 2006 0:43:51 GMT -5
After all of the immigrant rights protests around the country, Dubya gave a speech about where he stands on immigration policies. He also discussed his plan for further militarizing the border.
Funny how after he laid out the plan--increased border patrols, use of the National Guard and money for more "resources" and "technology" (which will come from the military-prison industry)--he read the line: "We are not going to militarize the border...Mexico is our friend." Since the administration doesn't want us to think that, that means that's exactly what they're going to do, and they know exactly what they're doing.
I think that his speech was designed not only to convince Americans that they have considered all aspects of the issue (he even addressed those people who believe in "mass deportation"-what a joke), but was also spun in such a way to improve his "approval" ratings. I could just see millions of Americans nodding in agreement at one point or another...they made sure there was something for everyone in that speech.
What I found most disturbing in regard to his statements about the need for immigrants to "assimilate" was the one that matter-of-factly declared that speaking English should become a condition of obtaining American citizenship. It struck me that this lack of respect for another people's cultural right to speak their own language speaks to how intolerant our society really is. Of course, nothing defines insider/outsider status like language does.
Many Americans (who do not know how to speak any other language besides English) really are stupid when it comes to understanding the value of many other languages. Aside from the ability of immigrants to learn some English by osmosis, it occured to me that this condition will be the loophole to deny most of the poor immigrants coming to this country citizenship after their "temporary" work permit expires.
This is a literacy issue! There are so many questions like, What level of "proficiency" will be required? How will they get instruction? I can hardly believe this is serious it is so absurd to me!
I'm reminded of how the issue of nationality cuts to the chase of intersecting systems of oppression. One last thing...Dubya ended the speech by letting us all know that immigrants are more than welcome to come on over if they sign up for our military when they get here.
Anyway, I'm curious about others' reactions to his carefully crafted rhetoric?
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Post by ucfeminist on May 20, 2006 13:27:59 GMT -5
P.S.-I just heard last night that this week the Senate approved a measure to make English the "official language" of the USA, meaning that no one is entitled to any social services etc. in any language but English. This is for real! They are taking the steps to officially exclude Others in the law...so we won't even have to try to have Spanish-speaking federal employees for example...this sucks!
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Post by caramel6582 on May 20, 2006 16:45:39 GMT -5
I pray that it doesn't pass, it's rude and is a slap in the face of all the latin people in the US. Not to mention, that violates the agreement of the treaty of Guadalupe Hiladgo (might have spelled it wrong), where the US promised when they got the spanish terrorities that the people didn't have to learn english if they didn't want to.
Then again, when has the US lived up to it's own supposed liberties.
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