Thread: Blurring line between patriotism and racism/difference?

Blurring the line between patriotism and racism makes it hard for some to see the difference

The battle over immigration reform that Congress has forced onto Main Street USA has spun off a variety of unforeseen consequences — a negative perception of Hispanics, a hunt by private citizens for undocumented immigrants and a sincere confusion between patriotism and racism.

Patriotism used to be something that most Americans didn't wear on their sleeves, not even military personnel. It was just a silent pride understood that everyone who lived in this country was patriotic by virtue of them either choosing to live here or having been born here.

Yet, as the immigration battle wears on in towns across America, people, who think they are preserving the "American Way," are damaging the essence of what this country has historically stood for with their constant attacks on Latino immigrants.

And when they're called out for these racist views, because discrimination against another group of people who are ethnically diverse is a form of racism, these so-called defenders of the American Way can't stomach such a strong label, but they have no problem villifying a whole group of people.

The latest incident is happening in a place where it's safe to say it's unsafe to be Hispanic — Patchogue , New York.

Patchogue is the site where the Ecuadorian immigrant, Marcelo Lucero, was murdered by seven students who attended Patchogue-Medford High School. The latest "racial war" is happening in the halls of the high school.

It seems in one particular hallway of the school four classes of ESL are being held next door to each other. Not for any particular reason other than it's convenient for the students. It seems there are some people who don't like that there are so many non-English-speakers grouped together. They want the classes to be broken up and scattered throughout the school.

These same people are complaining that the hallway is unsafe for white students. School personnel checked out the complaints and couldn't find any truth to the allegation.

To top it off, a critic of school board had an even further demand:

At Monday's meeting, North Patchogue resident and frequent school board critic Bill Pearson suggested the district get rid of ESL. The suggestions escalated into a shouting match, pitting Pearson against Superintendent Michael Mostow and board member Miguel Perez.

When Mostow called Pearson "a racist," Pearson threatened a lawsuit if Mostow did not apologize. "Not to you, racist," Mostow shouted back.

Pearson said he plans to contact a lawyer.

To suggest ridding these particular classes is a racist statement. The classes are not against the law so it can't be argued that Pearson is upholding the "rule of law" because he isn't.

He's targeting one group of kids based on their ethnicity.

It's not unusual that Pearson should be insulted at being called a racist. Most people who are advocating harsh measures against undocumented Latino immigrants don't see themselves as racists but defenders of the American Way.

They just can't see that the American Way has always been idealized as being an inclusive society that judged people's immigrant status in the courts — and not in the streets or hallways of high schools.

http://www.latinalista.net/palabrafinal ... acism.html

Is breaking the law part of the American Way? Is aiding and abetting those who break the law part of the American Way? There are a lot of people in the U S today who benefit from those who break the law. Many of them are in the government or unions or business. But is that the American Way?

Originally Posted by Justthatguy

Is breaking the law part of the American Way? Is aiding and abetting those who break the law part of the American Way? There are a lot of people in the U S today who benefit from those who break the law. Many of them are in the government or unions or business. But is that the American Way?

It looks like it is quickly becoming the American way.

The Bull Crap in this piece jumps out early on.

There is no "sincere confusion between patriotism and racism". There are illegal alien Amnesty supporters that are willing to lie and smear honest and principled Americans as racist for wanting the existing laws enforced.

Those are the facts, and including the word "sincere" in their representation shows just how low down and deceptive these people are.

W

Originally Posted by Justthatguy

Is breaking the law part of the American Way? Is aiding and abetting those who break the law part of the American Way? There are a lot of people in the U S today who benefit from those who break the law. Many of them are in the government or unions or business. But is that the American Way?

Sadly, there is to be NO American Way anymore so it just doesn't matter if anything is or isn't.

<sighs> Sometimes it would just be better for all of this crap to just hit the fan once and for all and be done with it.

At Monday's meeting, North Patchogue resident and frequent school board critic Bill Pearson suggested the district get rid of ESL. The suggestions escalated into a shouting match, pitting Pearson against Superintendent Michael Mostow and board member Miguel Perez.

When Mostow called Pearson "a racist," Pearson threatened a lawsuit if Mostow did not apologize. "Not to you, racist," Mostow shouted back.

Actually suggesting the elimination of ESL classes is not racist at all.
Mostow and Perez are the racists here.

Schools have cut out drivers ed, which benefits ALL students. ESL classes benefit only a few. They should look at how many of these kids really belong in ESL classes, is there a limit on how many years they can be in it? Are American-born kids in these classes? There shouldn't be any!
Is ESL offered for every language or only one?

The only one that is confused is the author, simply stated, Alipac members are patriotic, they love and care for this country.

Racism is a word used to manipulate people ( Americans in this case) to support things that run contrary to our constituion as well as our personal values.


I repeat, if a person of any race, religion or creed is in our country illegally, they must go back to their home country, they are unwelcome here.....that's another example of a patriot!

Originally Posted by azwreath

Originally Posted by Justthatguy

Is breaking the law part of the American Way? Is aiding and abetting those who break the law part of the American Way? There are a lot of people in the U S today who benefit from those who break the law. Many of them are in the government or unions or business. But is that the American Way?

Sadly, there is to be NO American Way anymore so it just doesn't matter if anything is or isn't.

<sighs> Sometimes it would just be better for all of this crap to just hit the fan once and for all and be done with it.[/quote]

If we take just a moment to see what obama is really doing, we would know the fan is on just waiting for his hand to drop. My prediction is this May. I truly believe he will do whatever it takes to get his way on this, and will tell us all to "deal with it". He will say that the house and senate voted and that's the way of America. Mark my words.

There's good comments on this story that rebut the author's ramblings.

What crap...geee I wonder what side this writer is on, what a first class jerk!