Thread: NC: Hispanics are 'not the bad guys'

Hispanics are 'not the bad guys'

Advocacy group leader wants to create more positive image

McClatchy News Service
2008-03-07 09:19:00

RALEIGH - The new leader of the state's largest Hispanic advocacy group says it's time to send North Carolinians a message.

``We're not the bad guys,'' said Tony Asion, who this week became the director of Raleigh-based El Pueblo. ``We're not here to harm anybody. We're not here to take anybody's job.''

Asion said Thursday that he hopes to start a statewide marketing campaign that will combat growing stereotypes, including perceptions that Hispanics are uneducated and don't speak English, that they don't pay taxes and that they drink heavily.

Asion, 52, is a former Delaware state trooper who has been public safety director of El Pueblo since 2004, running several programs, including one to discourage drunk driving. He takes over the reins of El Pueblo at a critical time for Hispanics in North Carolina.

Law enforcement agencies are cracking down on illegal immigrants, anti-immigrant sentiment is mounting, and some of the group's key initiatives -- including federal immigration reform and in-state university tuition for illegal immigrants -- have failed.

There were about 600,000 Hispanics in North Carolina in 2006, accounting for nearly 7 percent of the population, according to the U.S. Census. Advocates estimate that about half of them are in the country illegally.

El Pueblo, founded in 1995, has traditionally taken the lead on Hispanic issues, most notably a controversial proposal to allow illegal immigrants to attend college at in-state rates. But the group has been quiet while its top position sat vacant for six months.

Peter Morris, president of El Pueblo's board of directors, said it was difficult to find people willing to apply for a job that is seen as a lightning rod.

In 2005, when the group was pushing for in-state tuition, then-director Andrea Bazan-Manson received reams of hate mail.

``It's very clear that some people are wondering, 'Why should I set myself up for this kind of grief?' '' said Morris, who is medical director for Wake County Human Services.

But in the end, Morris said, the board found a strong leader for El Pueblo. Morris said he agrees with Asi-n that it's time to confront those who demonize immigrants. Morris said Asi-n is ready for the challenge. In his previous role as a police officer, Morris said, Asi-n risked his job by pointing out instances of ethnic profiling.

MORE POLITCAL
Martha Olaya-Crowley, chairwoman of the Governor's Advisory Council on Hispanic Latino Affairs, said El Pueblo is correct to rethink its mission.

In the past, Latino advocacy groups could serve largely as resource centers, she said. Now, they must take on political issues.

Olaya-Crowley said Asion faces a tough fight for a community that hasn't developed a pool of strong leaders and advocates yet. ``I think he has the kind of courage that it will take,'' she said.

Asion said the most pressing problem for Hispanics in North Carolina is the growing number of law enforcement agencies that have teamed up with federal immigration agents to help deport immigrants who are in the country illegally. He said that many illegal immigrants are now afraid to report crimes or to serve as witnesses.

He said driving the undocumented population underground could have consequences.

``When people cannot trust the police, they kind of get their own police force, and that's in the form of gangs,'' Asion said. ``We're creating a subculture that we don't really want.''

http://www.thetimesnews.com/news/pue...ts_morris.html

Hispanics are 'not the bad guys'

No one said they were, however, ILLEGAL ALIENS and those who hire them are!

But are they illegal, Mr. Asion?!?

Illegal actions (such as breaking federal law by entering a country surreptitiously) are not the behavior of "good guys". Illegal aliens are criminals, and I begin to sincerely doubt Asion's dedication to the law by his statements here.

"When people cannot trust the police, they kind of get their own police force, and that's in the form of gangs,'' Asion said. ``We're creating a subculture that we don't really want.''

I couldn't have made a better argument for deportation myself.

Where is all the money for these Hispanic advocacy groups coming from? Are American taxpayer's paying for the lawsuits these groups file against US immigration laws?
How can so many groups who openly advocate for HISPANICS ONLY, say immigration laws unfairly target Hispanics, without being called RACIST.

ILLEGAL Foreign Nationals of all races violate our laws when they come without permission. They continue ILLEGAL activity by using counterfeit documents to work ILLEGALLY. They use resources intended for American children at our schools, hospitals, and they continue to demand rights.

American taxpayers have had enough. The Hispanics have only themselves to blame if they feel targeted since 90% of the violaters are Hispanic Foreign Nationals.

He said driving the undocumented population underground could have consequences.

The consequences are that they WILL BE DEPORTED!!!!

No one is targeting latinos. Latinos themselves are obliterating the line between legal immigrants and illegal aliens to serve their purpose. No other ethnic group has this comprehension problem.

Latino groups know the difference. They just think Americans are too stupid and suckers to boot, and will continue to let them get away with it. When anyone disagrees with them, they whip out the race card.

Well, we've all been there, seen that and are now saying HELLLLLL NO! No more of this crap, enforce the laws!