Thread: Latinos can't ignore violent crime in immigration debate

http://www.mcall.com/news/opinion/anoth ... erview-hed

From The Morning Call
August 28, 2006
Latinos can't ignore violent crime in immigration debate
''Why would

Lehigh Valley Latinos attempt to address Hazleton's issues, but pay no

attention to violent crime

closer to home?''

Not that I agree with Hazleton Mayor Louis J. Barletta's anti-immigration policies, but I am equally in opposition with the Latinos' response that refuses to consider the reality of Latino violence. The dilemma Latino leaders face in addressing violent crimes within the Latino community is choosing between racial consciousness and moral consciousness or self-interest and principle.

After Mayor Barletta remarked on the violent crime attributed to illegal immigrants in the coal region, state, regional and national Latino leaders traveled to Hazleton to support the locals against the mayor's statements. The meeting dubbed ''Hazleton, Pennsylvania: The Mirror of a National Movement'' reflects the ''racial consciousness and moral consciousness'' that race relations scholar Shelby Steele, research fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University in California, mentions in his book ''The Content of Our Character.''

What led Latinos to Hazleton was not the gun violence Mayor Barletta attempted to keep at bay, but racial consciousness, which accused the mayor of targeting Latino immigrants. Yet, the Latino leadership agenda said little to nothing regarding Mayor Barletta's concern: The shooting and killing of a 29-year-old man by an undocumented Latino immigrant, and the arrest of a 14-year-old Latino for firing a gun at a playground.

In 2005, Allentown set a record for homicides with 21 record murders. Close to half of the homicide victims had Latino surnames. In addition, several of those arrested had Latinos surnames. Recently, the Lehigh County Homicide Task Force arrested three suspects alleged to have been involved in a homicide last year. Two were identified with Latino surnames.

José Rosado, assistant principal of East Hills Middle School in Bethlehem, has publicly discussed his disappointment with the lack of Latino participation at a drug and crime forum held in Bethlehem. During that forum, a desecrated Puerto Rican flag was shown with gang graffiti symbols. Meanwhile in Bethlehem, homicide charges were filed against Latino parents of a 10-month-old infant who died from ingested heroin at home. In Reading, a Latino suspect was charged with first-degree murder in the killing of a police officer.

Is there a national movement to overlook violent crimes in exchange for ethnic solidarity? To disregard principle for self-interest? I don't think this is what is meant by the popular phrase, ''En la unión esta la fuerza,'' (there is strength in working together). Why would Lehigh Valley Latinos attempt to address Hazleton's issues, but pay no attention to violent crime closer to home?

If the concern is ethnically motivated towards solidarity, then why not help local police solve violent crime? Point out the problem clubs or focus on the troublesome barrios. Latinos need to move the community away from victimization. Some would have us believe the criminal activity is a misperception in the Latino community. Others say we should stick together. Sí. Yes, of course for the moral principle, but not for the self-interest.

To ignore violent crimes committed by a few Latinos based on ethnic solidarity is to deny moral consciousness. There is a problem. Denial is not the solution. The first step is to acknowledge the violent crimes in the neighborhoods. We must base our position on a moral criteria, not on ethnic solidarity of victimization.

When Latinos meet to plan their next move they should consider the animosity their actions attract. It is important to understand the merits and the morals of their argument. Are their actions in Hazleton moral? How do they justify support for those who violate our laws? Why are immigrants given carte blanche to break our laws? Perhaps the Latinos are on the wrong side of this argument.

The Latino entourage offers no approach to deal with violent crime. Did Hazleton City Council approve its illegal immigration ordinance in an attempt to wrestle with violent crime, or was it for racist reasons? I don't know. However, by neglecting crime we make Latinos appear to condone violence that give anti-Latino groups justification for attacks.

As such, Hazleton had a valid point. Mayor Barletta's approach harbors resentment of newcomers, particularly to legal immigrants, who are on the right path towards citizenship. In addition, the Hazleton's Illegal Immigration Relief Act appears to fall under federal jurisdiction.

If Latino leaders want to approach community issues based on a racial consciousness, let's say to the barrios of Reading, Hazleton, and the Lehigh Valley — stop the violence. Then we will find the moral consciousness to deal properly with illegal immigration.

The Rev. Nelson Quiñones is assistant pastor at St. John's Lutheran Church in Allentown and served as a counselor at the Lehigh County Prison.

In 2005, Allentown set a record for homicides with 21 record murders. Close to half of the homicide victims had Latino surnames.

Well this shouldn't surprise anyone. I'm sure this happens in many towns across the US. Here in UT if you look up the 10 most wanted in UT are either latinos, or have fake latino surnames.

I've wondered the same thing. How can they sit and watch the rallys, read the vile signs, and see what is happening in so many communities and not wake up and see there is a definate problem with their people? Not all......but certainly plenty enough to realize they have some serious issues.

I don't know if it was a thread or a post here or if I read it somewhere else.....but some Latino woman made a statement that she has lived here her whole life and never experienced racism until now. What was so insightful was the fact that she understood why and was ashamed of how her people were acting. She didn't like it either.

These people aren't "victims". I'm sick of hearing that. They came here illegally. They took jobs to do. They "underbid" or offered to do jobs for less in order to get into other fields. They aren't shoved in the back of the bus. They aren't denied an education. They get perks none of us get and it's still not enough. They act like the crap that goes on in low paying jobs is against them and woo-hoo it's the same deal for me too! You ain't that "special". There's alot poor people out here that put up with the same crap. They use us to. They aren't marching the streets or demanding anything for anyone else except themselves.

Originally Posted by crazybird

I've wondered the same thing. How can they sit and watch the rallys, read the vile signs, and see what is happening in so many communities and not wake up and see there is a definate problem with their people? Not all......but certainly plenty enough to realize they have some serious issues.

I guess it's for the same reasons that the majority of people in this country see the same thing and do and say --- nothing.

We live in an Orwellian world now, where 24/7 propaganda coming from business, the media and politicians has convinced most people that up is down and right is left.

The few people that still speak out in public in opposition to what's happening to our country are shunned, with many who hear them acting like they just got caught sneaking out of a dirty book store.