As much as I believe differing viewpoints represents what makes us great, I believe multiculturalism fosters this a great deal of the intellectual contrast that exists in our country. Our country was founded on values, values that were born from the mixture of many groups and ethnicities from all regions of the world. Although some groups may have contributed a greater amount to our identity it is fair to say that in our "Melting Pot" society we have all left a footprint.
While xenophobia still conquers so many of us and is inevitably always going to exist in America, it is my opinion that Arizona Immigration law SB1070 is an upsetting attempt of a great state of our nation to embrace xenophobia. The law, which has created uprising and discontent among Arizona citizens has created a dust storm clouding the air that Arizona breathes. As the dirty air fills the lungs of Arizonans it also blows through every state in the union, taking the air out of our lungs and settling on top of the great progress we have made. It may only legally take root in Arizona, it poisons all Americans.
In brief summary the law makes it legal for law enforcement to detain people they may suspect of being illegal immigrants, and also makes it a misdemeanor to not carry proof of citizenship. It doesn't take a 4.0 to realize that it targets Hispanics. Although it finds its legitimacy in assumption that it is targeting illegal immigrants, it makes those who are legal Spanish Americans, even those who may have a family tree with generations of legal American citizens, unfair targets. President Obama thinks that the law "Undermines the basic notions of fairness we cherish as Americans, as well as the trust between police and our communities that is so crucial in keeping us safe." Obama is absolutely right, and he's right because he is familiar with the plight of his own people, he represents the progress that can be made by anyone in America, no matter what race. In a country based on the freedom to be who you are the law threatens this freedom. Even at the most minimal level it is racial profiling.
SB1070 supporters claim that it is part of a solution to illegal immigration from Mexico, a solution that has been nonexistent and its lack of presence has threatened all aspects of our society. Don't get me wrong, illegal immigration is serious concern to the well-being of our country and national security. I am in no way condoning illegal immigration and I do recognize the harm it has caused so many people. It needs to be recognized, however, that this law represents the wrong approach, an approach which will collect illegal immigrants and punish them, but at the greater cost of freedom and identity of so many others.
The broadest and strictest immigration law perhaps ever implemented in our country has an even greater impact because it will become the broadest and strictest failure in immigration policy; mark my words. This law is a violation of freedom of law abiding Americans and is an embarrassment. I have no fair words for SB1070, if there are a couple positive things that may come from this law they are 1) State governments show they are willing to step up and brainstorm a solution to the immigration problem and 2) A law such as this reminds us that when we lose our way as a country, the voice of what is right will speak out. The white house announced today it will file suit against the bill and the government of Arizona, and if you truly do value freedom, the one value all of us can agree on, you know Arizona has made a grave mistake.
Enforce the borders, build fences, or increase international cooperation between the United States and Mexico. What should not happen is robbery of freedom and equality from Americans, and that is what SB1070 does. Although its goal may be noble, it hurts the American public it seeks to protect. It is not the solution to our immigration perils and it will hurt many more Americans than it will protect. A recent poll shows that the majority of Americans support the law. We are all entitled to our opinions, but we are also entitled to equality and to live a life free of discrimination, at least discrimination by the government. As long as this dust storm known as SB1070 continues to cloud the air we breathe, the air that our freedom floats upon, it will poison us and our freedom will only seek to exist under layers of dust which will continue to burry it. I can only hope that we can sweep off this dust, but more likely we will all choke on the dust before we realize how we have damned ourselves.
