Source: Times Dispatch

Congressman Virgil Goode's go-back-to-Mexico remark -- directed at the Latinos who have waved Mexican flags during demonstrations against tougher immigration laws -- was inartful. Diplomacy is not the Congressman's strong suit. Nevertheless, Goode raises a good question.

Immigrant-rights rallies frequently include marchers carrying foreign, rather than American, flags. This might be worth no more notice or con- cern than the kilts and bagpipes in St. Patrick's Day parades, were it not for the qualitative difference involved. Modern American St. Patrick's Day celebrations have as much to do with Irish nationalism as the Easter Bunny has to do with the resurrection. What's more, the participants are not -- unlike recent immigrant rallies hotly demanding special dispensation to break U.S. laws.

Nor, for that matter, are they hostile to the country to which they came. The same cannot be said of some Latino immigrants, if a recent internal e-mail by a staffer at the National Council of La Raza -- the "largest national Latino civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States," as it describes itself -- gives any guidance.

The e-mail refers to congressional legislation that would, among other things, (a) provide grants to immigrants taking English classes, (b) permit those who gain English proficiency to apply for citizenship one year early, and (c) provide grants to groups offering instruction in U.S. civics and American history. These ideas hardly seem provocative; learning English and American civics used to be something immigrants did enthusiastically.

The e-mail about the bill, however, warns that "while it doesn't overtly mention assimilation, it is very strong on the patriotism and traditional American values language in a way which is potentially dangerous to our communities."

La Raza should explain why patriotism and American values might be dangerous to people coming to America presumably to partake of America's blessings. And protesters bearing the flags of other nations in demonstrations demanding their right to stay here should explain why -- if their former country is so wonderful -- they ever left.

Link to Memo