I will be referencing the article, "Immigrants Protest 'Illegal' Label", found at Newsday.com
Let me speak generally about political correctness (or "being PC") first. It is stupid. It drives me mad when I see or hear someone corrected for using a term that is not PC. This is a free country, with something called the 1st amendment, we can say whatever we want. Now, there is a definite distinguishing characteristic between being just plain rude and condescending and using a simple word. Why should someone else's choice of having their feelings hurt over an innocent WORD, keep us from using it? Well, I refuse to step around egg shells in this society. I will say "black" instead of "African American", because it's what I'm use to, and honestly, I feel silly saying things like, "Caucasian", when "white" is just so much easier! And guess what? It isn't offensive! I mean, we can't even say "retarded" anymore, we can't say, "special" we have to say, "mentally handicapped"... or wait, did that change too? I had a friend on Facebook that used the term "mullatto" to refer to our president, being used to argue that he isn't even totally black. She is the sweetest girl and would never say anything offensive or mean, yet someone felt the need to inform her that the term "mullatto" is racist and offensive. Oh boy, it seems like someone went out of their way to say something to someone to make them feel bad for something they didn't even do wrong. It is just so stupid.
I just want to highlight some of my thoughts while reading the above referenced article.
"By saying illegal, they're assuming that we broke a criminal law," said Jackeline Saavedra, 27, of Bay Shore, a Touro Law Center student who identified herself as undocumented. "Not everybody enters illegally."
Uh, I must inform you Ms. Saavedra; you HAVE broken a criminal law, you are a criminal. If someone steals a piece of candy from a drug store, they are a criminal. You are not here legally, therefore you are illegal, and people who do things that are illegal are criminals. Just work at not being one, then we all don't have to be confused, m'kay?
Osman Canales, 23, an immigrant rights advocate in Huntington who organized the protest, said using the word "illegal" criminalizes a whole community. "It's a racist word against our community, so we're just here to raise awareness," he said.
HA HA HA HA HA, I can't contain my laughter at this one. "It's a racist word"? What? How is it racist to look at any person regardless of color or ethnic background, recognize that they are law-breakers, and call them "illegal"? And furthermore, what is this about "raising awareness"? Are you trying to educate someone about a disease and how to prevent it? Because if this really is a preventable disease then more people DEFINITELY need to know about it.
"Using a phrase like 'illegal aliens' or 'illegals' . . . reinforces the notion that you could treat another individual as less than a human being," said Alina Das, assistant professor of clinical law at New York University. "One action -- whether it's a crime -- shouldn't be used to define a whole group of people or one individual."
So let me get this straight, because I recognize that someone is breaking the law, I think they must be, somehow, less human, and that they deserve to be treated like they are monkeys or dogs. Okay, well I'm sorry, I didn't know that me using the term "illegal" defined my religious testimony as a Christian.
"We also have feelings too," said Llivicura, of Bellport, who came to Long Island from Ecuador at age 8. "It makes me feel like I'm different from everybody else," he said. "It makes me feel like really bad inside."
Well I guess if it hurts your feelings, then I should just stop using it.
And that last sarcastic sentiment is exactly my point. No matter what anyone says and does in life it will offend SOMEONE. There is no way to ensure that everyone's feelings are protected. The only way to do that is by "raising awareness" about self awareness and how to control your feelings. You can let something bother you, or you can see it for what it is and let it go. It only hurts a society to stifle free expression. For crying out loud people. I am so done with cry babies!
Thanks for sharing this video. Your commentary is excellent.
ReplyDeleteI have to say I am impressed that these people have become so "americanized" for being what they call "undocumented". In many ways they have this quality (being undocumented) in common with our President. (I am not just talking about his birth certificate, I am mostly interested in his school transcripts, which are not documented -er "sealed".)
Having the gall to protest against a culture that encourages free speech. They complain that people use lawful terms - how ironic is that? This is consistent with the trend of the 99 percenters protesting against those who give them luxuries (Wall Street executives) because it isn't given in the way they want (in the form of an entitlement.)
Last but not least, the protesters are like many other americans who act like they are victims. One of the "illegals" said, "I'm undocumented but there isn't anything I can do about it." - ok, so are they totally stupid or what? There is something that can be done - get in line and apply for documents!
So, as an American (properly capitalized), I have to say there is one thing "illegals" cannot do - that is VOTE. Well, until Obama and his thug Holder change that, too.
People may come into the country legally, but when their authorized stay expires, it is time to go home and meet all of the requirements needed to establish residence legally.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine Americans going to other countries with the expectation a foreign government would pay for their schooling, healthcare, food and home.