I was listening to the radio this afternoon, and learned that to celebrate Mexican independence, more than twenty buildings in Chicago will be lighted with red, white and green lights.
I think I'm missing something. Did I miss a celebration for all the Germans to settled here? I know that we have nearly as many Polish people as the city of Warsaw, Poland, but I can't remember ever seeing the City light the buildings for them.
We have a large population of Chinese in Chicago, and they have interesting celebrations in Chinatown, but I've never seen the entire City decorated for the Chinese.
So, why are we celebrating Mexican Independence in Chicago? We don't celebrate for any other ethnic group. Yes, we dye the Chicago River green for St. Patrick's Day, but that's a bit different. Chicago's St. Paddy's celebration is really a Chicago political activity. If we were celebrating Irish Independence, I'd be asking the same question.
We used to talk about "diversity" in a way that indicated we were proud to be a melting pot. Most of us who live here are not Native Americans. Most of us are here because an ancestor thought there was a better life to be had here. They left their native country behind and emigrated to America, and most of them became American citizens.
Now there seems to be a trend toward diversity, with no intent to melt into one nationality. We're seeing people come to the United States who want the freedom and benefits, and opportunity to change their economic status, but they have no allegiance to the country, and frequently choose to ignore our laws.
In the nineteenth century, and the first half of the twentieth century, people who emigrated to the US most often settled at first in a neighborhood where people spoke their native language. They followed relatives who would help them settle in and find a job. Wisconsin is famous for its German population, and the western side of the state was the home to Cornish miners. New York City is famous for it's ethnic neighborhoods. Families encouraged their children to get an education, and to learn to speak English. Frequently, it was the children who drew the adults into life in America.
I don't have the sense that our Mexican immigrants wish to blend themselves into the culture of the United States.
I've re-written this section of my entry half a dozen times, trying to find a less incendiary way to phrase my concerns, and it still sounds harsh. The truth is, I feel the same about anyone who emigrates to my country. I'm concerned that the "melting pot" aspect of our country is part of what makes it strong. I'm worried that if we become a group of people who more strongly identify with previous nationalities, that we will ultimately fragment, and loose the strength for which we are known.
If you come to the United States for the good life, then you have some obligations. First, learn to speak English! Secondly, learn our laws. Third, be prepared to vote when you don't like those laws. Don't assume that you can come to us illegally and then demand a driver's license, or health care. Don't be surprised when we ask you to leave, if you've come to us illegally.
Okay....I'm going to step down now. Am I a bigot? I don't think so. Am I prejudiced? I hope not. I hope that I'm just a concerned American citizen who knows how much we have to offer those who want to be a part of our nation.
Comments (17)
I with ya and I think you wrote it very well.
Posted by janet | September 2, 2006 8:59 PM
Posted on September 2, 2006 20:59
Buffy--It is rather like Hanukkah/Christmas/ Diwali/Thanksgiving/Beltane/Easter/... or any other of a myriad of celebrations that folks hold--in which I don't happen to believe or feel the need to celebrate. As long as I don't have to pay for the celebrations, and as long as they don't infringe on my "rights", I don't mind what others do. Heck! I even enjoyed observing the Gay Rights Parade in San Francisco.
Have you any idea the source of the funding for this project? Unless the buildings are owned by a taxpayer-supported entity or taxpayer money will be footing some of the bill for the lighting, I really have no problem with folks doing what they wish to do to decorate their own buildings. I might not wish to join the celebration, but I don't color rivers green, either! What I'm saying, I guess, is that no one needs my approval to hold a celebration. (Darn! Now if only I ran the Universe!)
Posted by Cop Car | September 3, 2006 2:10 PM
Posted on September 3, 2006 14:10
Janet, I visited your blog, and the pictures are gorgeous! I'll have to visit regularly.
Cop Car....I don't think I would mind this celebration if we celebrated for everyone else. It's the fact that the City of Chicago has organized a celebration for just one portion of their population that bothers me. I assume there is a political reason behind their decision to do this, but I'm not sure what it is.
Generally, I tend to follow that policy of "live and let live." I think there's a lot of room for all our diversity. I don't expect everyone to worship exactly as I do, or eat exactly as I do, or vote exactly as I do. And, in return, I expect them not to force their beliefs, food, votes on me.
This light celebration is probably pretty inexpensive, and I doubt any of it comes from my pocket. As a celebration, it's a nice tip of the hat, but it's too bad that they don't do it for others, who are just as deserving.
Posted by Buffy | September 3, 2006 3:29 PM
Posted on September 3, 2006 15:29
Thanks for visiting my site. Those are clouds below the mountains. But can't the camera lens trick you. I love your guilt design in the back round of your site. I have a very similar guilt done many many years ago by my husbands grandmother, same colors in the star but done on an off white back round.
Posted by janet | September 3, 2006 4:33 PM
Posted on September 3, 2006 16:33
Thanks for the information, Janet. Yes, it's common for older Lone Star quilts to be on white or cream colored backgrounds. I love the contrast of the black. I think it makes all the other colors more vibrant.
Posted by buffy | September 3, 2006 4:53 PM
Posted on September 3, 2006 16:53
When it comes to Buffy's quilts, there is no such thing as an ugly design. The background to this blog is no exception. However, I'm surprised that this particular design has lasted as long as it has, knowing how Buffy loves to play around with designs. This one is gorgeous!
Posted by Cop Car | September 3, 2006 7:06 PM
Posted on September 3, 2006 19:06
Hey girl, you're just saying what many are thinking! There is a growing problem all over with our Mexican friends.(Friends as long as they need us.)Any way we have problems here too! It has got to be adressed!
Posted by Joe | September 3, 2006 8:04 PM
Posted on September 3, 2006 20:04
Bless you, Cop Car, for the very kind comments! The background for this blog has been here for a while because I'm busy playing with real fabric! But, now that you've put the bug in my ear, I'll have to go back to Electric Quilt 5 and design something for the holidays!
Posted by buffy | September 4, 2006 12:37 PM
Posted on September 4, 2006 12:37
HI, Joe! I hope things are going well in your corner of the world. You made a good point. It's not just Chicago that needs to find a way to bring our immigrants into the fold, but the entire nation. And, it's not just Mexicans, but everyone who comes to us. We need their diversity, but we need their allegiance, too.
Posted by buffy | September 4, 2006 12:40 PM
Posted on September 4, 2006 12:40
Not being a Nobel Laureat, I'll not expect everyone to agree with me; but, I would be happier to see us severely restrict the number of immigrants to a trickle. It has gotten well out of hand. I agree that we need some people coming in to prod us with new ideas; but, our US population has grown only due to immigration for some years, now. Yelling: The world does not need more people--it needs fewer!!
Whew! Got that off of my chest. *snickering*
Posted by Cop Car | September 4, 2006 1:53 PM
Posted on September 4, 2006 13:53
I know that we frequently disagree on subjects like this, but I like your suggestion of limiting immigration, at least for a while. I don't think that I've heard anyone suggest it, but it seems like a simple solution to some of our problems.
I imagine that our politicians would refuse to consider it because their some of their constituents are waiting to bring their families here!
Posted by buffy | September 4, 2006 2:14 PM
Posted on September 4, 2006 14:14
I totally agree with you.
But - if it's bad there, you should try living in the UK - we actually give more rights (and state handouts) to immigrants than to people who've lived here and paid in all their lives!
The US surely does limit immigration though. Much more so than the UK. And, my perception is that you are much better at deporting illegal immigrants than we are.
A (government) figure recently said we had 200,000 failed asylum seekers living here, who should have been deported, but had been lost in the system. How?
Posted by Blue Witch | September 8, 2006 5:31 AM
Posted on September 8, 2006 05:31
BW...I wish I was better at surfing. I don't think my country does very well at deportation of illegal aliens at all, but I don't have the facts at hand. I know that we have limitations on the number of people we allow to immigrate, but I think it might be time to tighten those restrictions again.
How in the world to 200,000 illegal aliens live in the UK without being deported?? You'd think you'd be tripping over them!
Posted by buffy | September 8, 2006 8:25 AM
Posted on September 8, 2006 08:25
Blue Witch--I assure you that I've no idea how bad the problem of illegals is in the UK, and I accept your figures and deplore the condition. However, I think that you might not appreciate the magnitude of the problem in the USA. I excerpt a rather large amount of information from Wikipedia, below.
Buffy--Please for give my usurping so much space!
Illegal immigration to the United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Illegal immigration to the United States refers to the migration of people across the national borders of the United States that is in violation of U.S. immigration and nationality law. The terms illegal alien, illegal immigrant, undocumented alien, undocumented immigrant, and undocumented worker, are common terms used to refer to persons residing in the United States without either U.S. citizenship or a valid immigration status. [1]. In the United States the term ‘’undocumented alien’’ typically refers to a foreign national who entered the country without valid travel documents or who overstayed the limited period of time granted upon entry. For example, a tourist who enters with a valid [B1 visa] and is granted a stay of 15 days and remains in-country for 30 days is an ‘’undocumented alien’’. The holder of a valid B1 (tourist) visa is barred from accepting employment. By accepting employment this hypothetical tourist becomes an ‘’undocumented worker’’ (whether he is an ‘’undocumented alien’’ or not). Technically, those who do not work are not "undocumented workers"; however, the term is often used to encompass all unauthorized individuals, including children, the elderly, and those who cannot or do not work.
Illegal Immigrants Info
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Education Profile Number Percent
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Less then 12 yr. 6,700,000 67.0%
High School 3,000,000 30.0%
College Graduate 300,000 3.0%
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Total Illegal Pop. 12,000,000 Jan 2006
Total Working 7,500,000
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Criminals Caught 202,842 2004
Criminals Deported 88,895 2004
Caught and Released 1,010,000+ 2005
Illegal Immigrants/year 1,500,000+ Total
Voluntary returns/year - 200,000+ 2005
Change of Status/year - 600,000+ 2005
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Increase/year 700,000+ Illegal Immigrants
Posted by Cop Car | September 8, 2006 8:32 AM
Posted on September 8, 2006 08:32
Twelve MILLION! And of those, Seven million five hundred thousand are working, so that means we SHOULD be able to find them! The Social Security Administration knows where they are, but doesn't do anything about it, because they are contributing to the SSA coffers, and are unlikely to ever make a claim. Wouldn't you think that the SSA should be REQUIRED to inform the legal branch of "undocumented workers"???
Posted by Buffy | September 8, 2006 11:00 AM
Posted on September 8, 2006 11:00
Cop Car.....do I look upset about the space?? I'm delighted that you provided the statistics! Thanks!
Posted by Buffy | September 8, 2006 11:01 AM
Posted on September 8, 2006 11:01
Buffy--The last I "knew" (and take my "known facts" with a grain of salt as I may be wrong), SSA was not ALLOWED to inform the Immigration and Naturalization Services--confidentiality. As to drawing SS as an illegal--what's to stop them? If they had papers that allowed them to get a SSN, they can probably also produce papers that allow them to file for SS benefits. It is only if an illegal is actually using another person's SSN that they, presumably, will not be able to draw on it--because the legitimant claimant will probably file on it.
Posted by Cop Car | September 8, 2006 6:41 PM
Posted on September 8, 2006 18:41