Thread: Fontana school official's remark outrages Latino activists

Fontana school official's remark outrages Latino activists
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/06/2010 05:25:43 PM PDT



FONTANA - Latino activists plan to speak out at the school board meeting tonight against what they say are racially insensitive remarks made by a trustee during a recent joint session with the City Council.

Kathy Binks, who has served the Fontana Unified School District for more than 22 years, referred to American-born children of immigrants as "anchor babies," a phrase some use to denigrate the children of illegal immigrants, at the March 29 meeting to discuss cooperative efforts between the district and the council.

"I was appalled and aghast that comments like this are still being used," said Joe Olague, president of the Inland Empire council of the League of United Latin American Citizens. "If you look back at history, we're all sort of anchor babies no matter what country we came from."

Olague said the comment dehumanizes people and his group will denounce it at tonight's meeting.

"When she says "anchor baby," the babies cannot speak up for themselves. Somebody has to speak for them, and LULAC is taking that position."

Binks said Tuesday she had heard the phrase but never used it before the meeting.

"When I read in the dictionary and saw on the Internet what it means, I just about died," Binks said.

Binks interjected the phrase while Trustee BarBara Chavez - in a broader discussion of DUI checkpoints some say target illegal immigrants - raised concerns over American-born children of immigrants being treated as
immigrants themselves.

"Oh I know that," Binks said. "They're anchor babies."

Binks, who has operated a boys home for 42 years, said a mother of a Latino boy once used the phrase when she dropped him off at the home.

"I had a mother refer to one of the boys, `He's our little anchor baby and he's the glue that holds our family together,"' she said.

Binks said those who have expressed concern over the remark and those who will be at the meeting in protest are correct and that she owes them a public apology.

"My family and husband and I have been the biggest advocates for children anywhere," Binks said. "I just had no idea that it was connected to (that) meaning. It's been a learning experience."

Some don't believe that Binks was unaware of the phrase's connotation.

"She's a grown woman, she's had a lot of time as an elected official, she serves a predominately Latino community," said Leticia Garcia, a candidate this year for the board. "I wouldn't expect that she didn't know that that's a derogatory term."

Garcia posted a clip of Binks' comment on YouTube and has called for her to resign.

"She's completely out of touch with the students' needs and it's time for her to move on," Garcia said.

Demands for Binks' resignation are uncalled for, said Gus Hawthorn, president of the board."I think an apology is in order on Kathy's part," Hawthorn said. "I think it's unreasonable to make her resign based on the one remark she made."

Hawthorn said the impact of the remark should not be minimized, but Binks is nationally recognized for her work and the controversy has become a distraction for the district.

Binks said some members of the community have contacted her to say they will be at the meeting to support her, but she has told them it is unnecessary.

She hopes her critics believe her apology.

"I can't imagine 42 years raising other people's kids and to have my legacy end up like this. Good grief."


http://www.sbsun.com/news/ci_14832225

well, they are.....so whats the issue ?

Anchor babies Anchor babies Anchor babies Anchor babies Anchor babies !!!!

"I had a mother refer to one of the boys, `He's our little anchor baby and he's the glue that holds our family together,"' she said.

I really don't like people that use their children as "get in free" cards.

Someone had better inform Binks that apologizing to these illegal alien supporters is the WRONG THING TO DO.

Any sign of weakness and they will just take take take!

Give em an inch and they will take a yard.

W

Guilty parties scream the loudest.

Dixie

Since I live really close to Fontana I must say she had guts. There are many,many, many many many Mexicans that live there. They are from Mexico, not American born and raised Mexicans. It's kind of funny to see this because back in the day the KKK was strong and alive and well in Fontana. We live two cities away from Fontana and the school my grandkids go to are 85% Mexican and that is indicative of this area. Quite often I feel like I am in Mexico and not the US. Most of the stores in my area do their announcements in Spanish. It is very offensive.

Political correctness alert, oh my!

They are anchor babies and that's exactly what the mother meant when she used the term about her own family. Any politician who apologizes to any illegal aliens isn't fit to serve the public in any capacity.

Quote:
"Oh I know that," Binks said. "They're anchor babies."

Binks, who has operated a boys home for 42 years, said a mother of a Latino boy once used the phrase when she dropped him off at the home.

"I had a mother refer to one of the boys, `He's our little anchor baby and he's the glue that holds our family together,"' she said."

Naturally no mention of thanks to Brinks for taking care of this "Latino boy" whose mother "dropped him off at the home", or why or for how long he was left there by this family which he "held together" like "glue".