La gran marcha
Over 500,000 marched in Downtown LA today in support of immigrants’ rights and in opposition to HR 4437 (pdf). It is the biggest march in LA history and the biggest of a series of marches around the country against the Sensenbrenner bill.
I didn’t go because I wasn’t feeling well and because I hadn’t made plans to go with anyone. I’m not the kind of person who just shows up at a huge march without planning beforehand.
People are saying that the Sleeping Giant has awoken, but I’m not convinced. There are tons of Latinos who are eligible to become citizens, but do not. There are many more who don’t vote for whatever reason. Going back to that post and the article by Sam Quiñones, I find it astounding that there are half a million Latinos in Los Angeles who are eligible to become citizens but do not.
Are our voices part of the dominant debate about immigration? I’m not sure. I know mine is absent, except for when it comes to access for undocumented students to higher education. Primary and secondary public education is protected under Plyler v. Doe (1982), but my colleagues in education are concerned that with the current anti-immigrant fervor, the decision could be overturned.
I stay away from discussions about undocumented immigration, especially online. My face gets flushed, I’m overcome with emotion and I can’t think straight even though I’ve been seriously studying all sorts of things related to immigration since I started college. The racism, hate and misunderstanding is just too much for me. I don’t think about undocumented immigration in soundbites, but that’s how it is argued in the comments section of blogs.
I don’t know if the Sleeping Giant will awaken until we improve in our educational attainment. It’s a shame that of 100 Chicanas and Chicanos who start elementary school, so many fall through the cracks in the educational pipeline (pdf). There needs to be more than 46 graduating from high school, 26 enrolling in college (17 at a community college and 9 at a 4-year college), 8 earning a BA, and only 2 earning a graduate or professional degree. Perhaps, when these figures improve, we’ll really flex our power.
(Photo credit: Ollinkoatl. For links to more photos from the march, check here.)
We are doing our part, though.
The next civil rights movement will find its foundation among Latinos. I hope it is sooner than later (but there is no guarantee). If HR 4437 (doesn’t it seem a bit Orwellian that it is being discussed as a code/number? It just goes to show how its content goes against many of the mythical philosophical cornerstones that the country is founded on – a land of immigrants, opportunity, etc. But I am digressing…)
If HR 4437 becomes a law, I can envision acts of civil disobedience: mass distribution of water and food to illegal immigrants – which would be a, GASP, FELONY!
Keep doing your part, Cindilu. Your research, your example, your kindness, your awareness, your voice (even if you don’t specifically speak to the issue of undocumented migration) all help the cause.
Si se puede!
a lot of times voting is the bottom line. its the easiest way to flex our muscle. too many figure it doesn’t matter but just turning up–regardless of who you vote for–makes a huge impact. figures for low turn-out rates in latino voters could be used against us just like high latino voter turn out can work to our advantage.
as far as the marches go, its facinating to see the news and hear about the collective movement.
Cindy,
I can relate to your story. There was a moment in my life about 5 years ago when I became so jaded with politics that I was detoured from participating in any social discourse. And to be honest, I was at the forefront of it my whole life. Then Rage broke up, I became a pacifist, and my “Raza” friends didn’t understand why I wanted to live in Spain: the “conquerers land.” It was quite a traumatic experience.
Anyhow, I get frustrated with people who walk the fine line. Honestly, my parents are in that position. They’ve managed to make a great life for themselves and their children; have been permanent residents for over 30 years, but are still just immigrants and not citizens. I’ve wondered why and I believe the financial gains and prosperity haven’t managed to define their acceptance in this country. There’s no need for trophies or a welcome party, but the Hispanic community hasn’t been entirely appreciated. With the likes of Lou Dobbs nightly thrashing and bashing of illegals, I don’t blame people for simply not knowing what to do. When you want to show devotion but aren’t accepted, what is left to do?
Education is always the key. Send more people to college; arouse the minds of children when they are young; abolish inferiority. The hardest part is making people realize that they may be “victims” of an unjust system, but they should not pity themselves. Republics were never created because people felt pity: they are created because people feel rage, passion, and a relentless desire to exist. Yesterday’s numbers epitomized that relentless desire, and I really believe that.
ciao senorita.
© Citoyen du Monde Inc. 2006™
I’m ashamed. I haven’t turned into a citizen although I’ve lived here 27 years of my life. [I'm 28 years old] What am I waiting for? Nothing really. Just laziness, I guess.
That’s actually one of my goals this year to work on becoming a U.S. citizen. My Mother and Stepfather already did.
They beat me. Sad. LOL
Thanks for this post CindyLu!!
I think HR 4437 is just so scary. There’s a hunger strike going on this week in San Francisco to raise awareness about this. Check out the hungerstrikers blog
ImmigrantRights
I can see both sides of the ‘becoming a citizen’ argument… Unless you do it, your voice won’t really ever be heard- but at the same time I can understand why you wouldn’t want to declare your allegiance to a country that so blatantly tries to deny your basic human rights.
I can totally relate to your posting. Today is Detroit’s day of protest. A number of protesters will close their businesses and walk from “Mexicantown” to the downtown Federal Building. And I also do not think that the “sleeping giant” has been awaken. You are doing your part and that is speaking out… we just need more people to listen. I was just watching “walkout” an HBO movie by Edward James Olmos. It’s almost fitting that they released the movie during this time.
hey Cindylu, sorry you couldn’t go. i didn’t participate either. i had to take my car to the mecanic and wait at home for pg&e. impressive march.
regarding your concern about latinos voting or not, i know at least we don’ have to wait for people to be able to vote or even to get an education. we find that the middle class very often forgetts about the working class. what i’m saying is that maybe we have to rethink this “national inclusion” and “i am also amerikan” project for one that is even beyond civil right. like the zapatistas suggest, we need to envision projects that do not rely on government recogniton and approval. we need to be aware that we are already sovereign and dignified human beings, we need to start asserting our sovereignty and create spaces that circumbent the u.s. of a. gov.
not to dismiss the need for education, we need to educate and agitate, but maybe we need to rely on institutions outside of the state. (i say this knowing that its easier said than done, but it is possible).
peace.
The port truckers will be demonstrating and marching in Wilmington near the L.A. Harbor on May Day – 2006.
I suggest that we join efforts with the port trucker L.A. Harbor demonstration since that will involve actually shutting down the Los Angeles Harbor.
The “marches and speeches and then go home” model of demonstrating is good but actually shutting down the Los Angles Harbor is a whole other dimension – it is a dimension that many cannot even conceptualize since it has been so long ago in American history that those tactics have been used.
The port truckers are virtually 100% Chicano and/or Latino and are a high percentage immigrants as well. Of course, they are also all workers. Will the middle class and “liberal” groups support the port truckers as they attempt to hold a General Strike and close the Los Angeles Harbor.
Hello my name is Blanca i am going to give a speech in my class speech and i would love to have more information about 4437 and how would i vote no on it please e-mail me a copy of the bailed and tell me a reason not to vote yes on. I can realy use your help. so that way i can tell the people how to vote no
thank you Blanca Salinas
my email is bsalinas@hotmail.com