Thread: No hyphen for me, I'm an American

No hyphen for me, I'm an American

by Mauricio Julian Cuellar Jr.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011 2:30 PM CDT

I don't really believe in being a hyphenated American.

Frequent readers of this column will remember occasions when I've referred to myself in ethnically derogatory terms for humorous effect, such as calling myself a "big fat Mexican." But I was wrong.

I read a number of Facebook posts this month concerning the view of Hispanics when it comes to the past policies of Texas Gov. Rick Perry and his general neglect of the Hispanic community.

I am tired of being a part of a community that choses to look in from the outside. I have pride in my name, and pride in my heritage. That pride also will not allow me to use my ethnicity as a crutch. Because I am Hispanic does not mean I need help, or a leg up, or preferential treatment. I do not need a place at the front of the line, unless of course I've earned it by the same criteria every other American must abide by.

This is why I don't understand Hispanics' love of illegal immigration.

In its simplest terms, illegal immigration is motivated by opportunity. Illegal immigrants want the opportunity to have what we have and they are willing to break the law to do it. I am a proud Texan and a proud American. If there was something wrong with my country or my state, I would stay and try to change it.

Where is the pride among illegal immigrants? The pride that causes a person to stay and change an oppressive system. The pride that pushes a person to make their world into a better place.

The problem I have with illegal immigrants is that they run away. But, looking at the situation in Mexico, I do acknowledge that they have a lot to want to run away from.

As a reporter, I have covered a number of bailouts involving illegal immigrants. I have also spoken to officers who have worked on the border and those connected in border law enforcement, and they have told me time and again about the disintegration of law and order on the border. Not only with respect to rival gang killings, but also police shootings, and the murders of politicians and journalists in Mexico.

These killers have gone so far as to murder teachers, shoot up children's birthday parties and kidnap innocent civilians as part of extortion rackets. There are also the beheadings, but I won't go there.

What I don't understand is why the Mexican people don't fight back against these gangs, against the corrpution and poverty. Instead, they choose to run away and put the burden on our country.

We pay for their medical care, when we can't even afford care for our own people. We pay for their education, to the point where illegal immigrants are giving a leg up while other legal resdients pay the price.

Well, aren't legal immigrants running away, too, Mauricio? Yes, they are. But the distinction is that they respect our way of life. They respect our laws. They want to someday be “Americans.â€

Great op-ed piece, thanks for posting Jean.

A true fellow American.