Friday, May 05, 2006

Immigration redux

I've stated my opinions on the immigration debate both in this forum and on babalu. I am pro immigration. I don't see illegal aliens as law-breakers in the sense that some others do. Did they break the law? Yes. But as I have stated previously I probably would too in their predicament.

I think the immigration debate is being demagogued by both extremes of the political spectrum. The fact is this country has always needed and will continue to need immigrants.

I have made no secret of the fact that I make my living in Spanish language advertising and therefore benefit from the same Spanish speaking immigrants that we are talking about. But for me it's not a business proposition. I can make my living in what we call "general market" or English advertising just the same.

But my specialty in Hispanic marketing has exposed me to many ordinary people. I've sat in dark observation rooms behind one-way glass during focus groups where Hispanic men and women tell us about their daily lives, their concerns and their dreams. These are honest and hard working people trying to get ahead and leave something for their children.

There can be no doubt that the protests of recent weeks have been organized by leftist/communist organizations that are trying to use the immigration issue as a pretext to get their messages out there.

I just don't think it's fair to label 44 million Hispanics and 11 million illegal aliens as marxist or communist because of some duplicitous individuals that have co-opted a legitimate movement to their own ends.

7 comments:

Val Prieto said...

You point is well taken, but I think it's much more than just a few duplicitous individuals.

Most of the protest "leaders" were very anti-American and pro-socialism in their vociferous diatribes.

Henry Louis Gomez said...

Val,

Ask yourself this. If the protests had been billed as a mayday celbration of communism/socialism/ and antgi-americanism how many people would have showed up?

Not too many. These people are "sacando ventaja". They are taking advantage of a rare opportunity to try to evangelize among Mexican Americans. Most Mexicans don't have time for this left-wing bullshit. They are ordinary people who want to have better job and educational opportunities for their kids.

Believe me most Mexican Americans are not leftists. I believe Bush had the highest % of Mexican American support of any Republican candidate. That doesn't mean that you're a communist if you voted for Kerry but you are definitely NOT a communist if you voted for Bush.

Did you know that Hispanics have a much higher tendency to desire self-employment or staring a small business? That's certainly not a leftist idea.

Robert said...

I don't have a problem with immigration either. I do have a problem with our current system, but also with those in the protest crowd who demand everything without having to go through the established process.

I hear you when you say that most immigrants are sincere in asking for an easier way to gain legal status. But the bad taste left in my mouth by all those bozos who organized the marches and protests does nothing but hurt the cause of the average immigrant. Also, what does the LEGAL immigrant feel about all this?

Again, I realize that the organizers don't represent the average immigrant. But they would be better-served if they worked through legal and established means to get this done.

La Ventanita said...

Henry, like you I worked serving the Hispanic market. Not only did I sit across one way mirrors in Focus Groups, but also attended various events in places such as Pico Rivera, Whittier Narrows and La Placita Olvera, as well as events in Miami and Chicago areas. Grassroots events full of illegals - we know because we had raffles, and we saw their apprehension to fill out paperwork, or ask about what if they won, etc.

I will not say the majority, but about 50% of the Mexs I came in contact with at these events, were lefties, and anti American. They were here for a purpose to make money to send home and nothing else. No emotional attachment to here, to want to be part of here. None, nada, zip.

Bush had support from Mexs - citizen Mexs - that's a different story.

Again, I'm not saying the majority, I do believe there are people out there who do want to stay permanently, and be American and embrace our values. But I think they are about equally divided. And the main problem is that the activists for this population - La Raza, and some of their politicians - are from the bad side, not the good.

Now if you excuse me this assimilated Cuban has to get his/her ass over to Dunkin Donuts for coffee and a donut - gotta write a paper and up here "America runs on Dunkin"!

Henry Louis Gomez said...

Ventanita,

We're just going to have to agree to disagree. I haven't met one Mexican in any of my job related activities that I would qualify as a leftist. And let's not confuse La Raza which is certainly a liberal advocacy group with ANSWER and their ilk that are communist.

As far as Dunkin' Donuts goes I don't know if it's a coincidence that you mention them but they are my second biggest client.

La Ventanita said...

Pure coincidence Henry, up here Dunkin Donuts is a cult....plus we have one on campus. Though not much Hispanic advertising up here at all.

And yes we will have to agree to disagree. I think you are very lucky you have not come across any of the ones that I have through my two year stint in TX and the events in CA. Trust me, they are a scary group!

Anonymous said...

A thought about immigration-
Since the early days of the brutal and tyranical Fidel Castro regime Cubans who reach our shores have been considered political refugees and granted asylum in the United States. Ignoring the absurdity of "wet-foot" dry foot, the special treatment afforded to Cubans is consistent with the belief that if they were to remain on the island-the politically and socially repressive Castro dictatorship would persecute them and their families for their opposing political beliefs. Unfortunately, the continous desire of many Cuban "exiles" to return to the island of their birth sends contradictory signals to key policy and decision makers. If Cubans are truly fleeing one of the most brutal and oppresive regimes in the world-as I believe it is and they are-it boggles my mind that they would return to the land of persecution? Not to mention-at the end of the day-betraying our Cuban compatriots who languish on the island-by providing the illegitimate regime with the necessary funds to continue its official policy of political, civil,and human rights denial. Cuban-American travel to Cuba is both self defeating and irreconcilable with the real reason our people are here. If we want to continue for our loved ones to receive prefferential status when they reach the land of liberty-then we must behave accordingly.