Thread: Will it be stars or bars?

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/opinion/15425690.htm

Posted on Sun, Sep. 03, 2006


Will it be stars or bars?

By Richard Gonzales
Special to the Star-Telegram

Both sides on the immigration issue at Farmers Branch City Hall protested and waved the Stars and Stripes on Aug. 26. One side saw the stars representing liberty and justice for all; the other saw the stripes as bars to keep the undocumented out.

A clash of visions of America had erupted in North Texas.

Some angry Anglo residents decided to confront those who would sully their vision. While Congress dragged its collective feet on comprehensive immigration reforms, City Councilman Tim O'Hare felt compelled to take legislative matters into his own hands.

O'Hare and his followers sought to protect Farmers Branch from the wrong kind of people with a proposed Jose Crow law. He argued that the undocumented are bad for Farmers Branch's economy and schools.The O'Hare ordinance would make it illegal to hire the undocumented, to lease to them and to allow their young to play ball in city-sponsored events.

Hector Flores, immediate past national president of the League of United Latin American Citizens, offered a vision of America that welcomed hard-working, entrepreneurial, taxpaying immigrants. He said U.S. history is replete with contributions that immigrants from all parts of the world have made to this country's greatness. He pointed out that O'Hare's Irish immigrant ancestors were oppressed when they immigrated to the land of the free. But, he said, "the oppressed become the oppressors."

O'Hare's extremist position allows no room for compromise and negotiation. Pulling the Latino tiger by the tail only incites the heated reaction of protests and possible lawsuits. It certainly rallies like-minded patriots from the area who welcome the opportunity to vent their frustration with the Mexican immigrant presence.

Mental health professionals who use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV, a book of mental disorders, should consider a new entry: Mexicanaphobia. Symptoms include a generalized fear, as demonstrated through ranting and angry outbursts toward people who look Mexican. The closer the Mexicanite comes into view, the more alarmed and hysterical the reaction from the Mexicanaphobic.

As the anti-ordinance protesters marched along the street leading to and from City Hall, one of three Anglo men standing nearby asked where they were going. An older man answered that "they're going to get tacos."

Another said that their marching was illegal and hoped they would go home to Mexico. When pressed as to why it was illegal to march, he said because they were all illegals. He obviously didn't know that Flores and other marchers were born in this country -- but would it have really made a difference to him?

A woman alternately holding her child and a U.S. flag shouted at the Spanish-speaking protesters that she, too, could speak Spanish as a sign of linguistic parity. She said that as a missionary in Spain, she learned to speak fluent Espanol. Her new work called for passing laws that would make English the official language and relegate Spanish to homes. Her husband said that they hoped to pass an ordinance in Granbury similar to O'Hare's edict.

As Anglo and Latino placard-carriers marched in front of City Hall, a counterprotester couldn't resist the urge to disrupt their walk. After an hour of speeches on a 100-plus-degree day, Flores was in no mood for an intrusion into their assembly.

He motioned for the police to intervene or else. The police pounced on the intruder and escorted the man away from the crowd.

The presence of Anglo teens from Highland Park carrying signs in support of the immigrants may have triggered the Mexicanaphobic reaction.

Rachael Miller said that her generation is unlike past generations: "We speak freely. ... We have so much going on politically, we have to make decisions. We must view everyone equally and understand that you can't treat a human being like this. We came here because we thought it was right to take a stand against Farmers Branch's choices."

Time for all to take a stand and choose between stars and stripes, between America the beautiful and America the mad.


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Richard J. Gonzales of Arlington is a freelance writer. Rgonz37034@aol.com

Listen, Richard J. Gonzales, the bottom line is that these people, whatever you want to call them are in our country ILLEGALLY. Get it ? Against the law. They have to go.

No amount of sweet talk, double talk is going to change that fact. No matter how many pretty little names you come up with to call them.....they're breaking the laws created by and for the legal citizens of this country....and that's the bottom line.

They are I-L-L-E-G-A-L-L-Y in our country. Got it ? Get it ?

Good. The American people have EVERY RIGHT to expect to have their laws enforced and obeyed.
Now get used it.