The Name is OOREEHBAY
July 27, 2010
- Image via Wikipedia
The other night on Sports Center, the guy whose profession it is to follow baseball pronounced it “Youruhbay.” Where Juan Uribe was born, the accent is not on the first syllable, and most certainly not pronounced the way it was on television. I take issue with this because sometimes it sticks, as is the case with Mets pitcher? reliever? reluctant minor leaguer?- Oliver Perez. Normally his last name is obvious- like Smith, or Johnson, or even efffing Mozart. However, because the announcers anglicize it to stress the second syllable, an otherwise simple name is now tantamount to Van Gogh.
We are a nation of immigrants, people. Hardly anyone can say their ancestors were born in the United States. Even the first pioneers were once immigrants. That said, our country is full of heroic moments as well as savage ones. If you’re family was part of the founding of the U.S. proper, you got a lot of Thanksgiving to do. 
And this, coming from a Waspy European Mutt.
When I was in Elementary school, I lied to my friends about being a foreigner. I literally created this elaborate ruse that I was French because my mother gave birth on a plane from France (impossible, considering FAA regulations, not to mention my mother’s travel schedule). I was so envious of my exotic Indian- American friend Carishma and my closest friend Michelle, whose parents left China, that I had to compete on the Interesting Factor. Ambiguously White was not going to cut it.
By the time we hit Junior High School, I remember wanting to be unique so badly that I was confused when Chinese-American Michelle thwarted a bully by insisting she was “American.” After gym class she was asked- ironically by a black girl- “What exactly are you?” Michelle responded defiantly, “I’m American.” If it had been me, I would have emphasized the fact that my parents came here from a distant country, but Michelle hadn’t taken the bait. In retrospect, she had a arrived to that scene with different emotional baggage.
And she was right. She was essentially an American- born here, perfectly bilingual (she understood her parents Mandarin but spoke back in impeccable English, and always had a better vocabulary than I did). On the other hand, I was envious of the traditions her parents had (and the savory rice dishes made fresh every night that have spoiled any restaurant for me since).
That’s why I’m certifiably flumoxed when I read about these immigration laws in Arizona, or when I hear about a debate over multilingual ATMs. I sometimes don’t know what country I live in. Are we really that culturally isolated? Thank goodness, in reality, we aren’t.
Forget the excuse of drug wars just over the Mexican border. A few months ago, a border patrol officer shot a Mexican teenager. There has to be a more effective way to target specific crimes, not chalk everything up to immigration. Or worse, conveniently overlook illegal immigration when that is profitable. Drugs are bad, Mkay. But so is the exploitation of undocumented workers. The market fluctuations that make North Americans fear a loss of jobs most wouldn’t take in the first place are the same reasons drugs are car jumped profitably across those-soon-to-be-walled borders.
I hate that I sound like a pundit, but the debate around immigration reform reeks of thinly veiled racism. I was lucky to grow up in a city that is particularly special because it is a melting pot- or a salad bowl- which was oddly the subject of a history exam I took in high school. Thank you, New York, for welcoming the tired, the poor (though not really in Manhattan), the huddled masses yearning to breathe free, and letting them work and even build great businesses that continue to enrich our City.
Hi Julia, Isn’t it strange…half the world seem to be in a place they don’t wanna be and the other half are where they want to be but not who they want to be! Everywhere you look there seems to be a vocal group of people who seem to be jealously guarding their perceived rights as a justification for some arcane policy position to exclude “outsiders” and maintain their privileged positions. It is refreshing that you’ve come out of that “salad bowl” where you want to be and as importantly who you want to be. Andrew
I’m proud to be an American, but I am also proudER to be a New Yorker. Just like my family who came here from Ireland in 1896 and Italy in 1912, I came to NY via good ol’ Florida (home of the newlywed and nearly dead) but I have spent more than a few years here, now working for the NYPD, and I now consider myself a proud New Yorker. maybe the sentimentality is bubbling since Sept 11 is around the corner… dunno.
So… yea.
When I first started reading this post I was like “oh it’s a baseball post” but I continued reading anyway. I’m from Arkansas and my family is a good bit racist so I end up having quite a few arguments with them because there ideas are just plain silly. The biggest one being “Americans” (aka white people – in their minds).
Now for the Arizona thing or illegal immigration in general, I still don’t know how I feel about that one. It is such a try subject because I get that they want to come here because we advertise it as “The Land of Opportunity” but on the other hand I think that anyone that does this by illegal means makes a mockery out of the ones that hold their head up high and follow the legal process. People that share our border can easily break the law and cross over but what about the other countries such as India that also have good hardworking people that would like jobs in the USA, do we suddenly have a biased against them because we let Mexicans just walk over?
I have to think that we need some form of major immigration reform but I with that I think that we need to come down hard on people that are breaking the law. If for no other reason than to be able to old others to a higher standard which should go with being an American (legalized citizen that has pledge allegiance).
Then again I don’t really know what to do. I’m just a telecom engineer and that’s why I vote. Let the politicians/government handle the politics/governing and I’ll just treat everyone I run into like a fellow human/buddy and assume that the rest is working itself out
Dont fret it Ms Stiles, if most Americans could actually guess my country correctly when speaking to me, instead of asuming what country I from, maybe “My dear, I would give a damm”.
I am not worried they cant pronounce my name correctly, I am just worried that for all that my country has done for yours, most Americans couldn’t find it on a map.
Post edit, (It should read what country I am from)
Plus I am not an American, but from a personal position of not being born in a country of which I am a fourth generation descendant, I mut say that you lucked out.
It sucks trying to explain why you don’t have the same attitude as the locals, while still considering yourself part of the country.
Seriously, I am not cross ethnic, but being cross cultural can be just as hard. I confuse everyone as I dont follow any culture as they think I should.
“You are unique. Just like everyone else.”
That saying immediately came to mind while reading your blog post.
But even with the uniqueness, try a look from a place up high (NY with the tall buildings that shouldn’t be much of a problem) at the people below. Do you still perceive them as unique individuals?
The next step: look a a photo from space. See any difference between countries apart from natural features? Now imagine billions of stars in only our galaxy.
Does it really matter?
Ignorance still runs wild in the U.S. and many do not care to learn how some words and names are properly pronounced.
Thank God for melting pots like New York, Toronto and other mega North American cities, because they
help brew the intoxicating flavour of variety in accents, skin color, customs and traditions.
Where we are all the same…we find our human social bridges…and where we differ….well, personally I find that aspect of humanity, the most alluring and the most attractive.
Viva La Variedad!!!
Julia, Julia, Julia…oh boy…arrrrrh…
When my mother’s side came over from Italy and
my old man came over from Spain, they had to do
it legally and learn English….and yes, their sir names
got mangled and they were stuck in low end jobs
and no one wanted them but they managed.
Learning English is tough (I know, I flunked it enough in
school, and I was born here) which is all the more reason
people need to be pushed hard to do it… i.e.: enough with
the multi-lingual signs.
Why don’t we ever here the term illegal employers?
Let’s deport some greedy business owners along with
their illegal employees perhaps.
The folks in Arizona have a right to protect their state
from the tax burdens and lawlessness they experience
because the federal government won’t do its job so that
a few employers can profit.
Americans would take those jobs at a fair wage.
An open border also invites terrorists.
Try walking into Mexico illegally and see what happens
to you. That country needs to get it’s act together anyway.
You mean well but I’m not quite getting you this time.
Let’s no forget that your Country it’s a mayor dealer in the Weapon Industry, their best clients: Drug Cartels, If today things have gone out of control in México it’s because of this. There’s the other face of the coin, in despite of the atrocities commited during this war, the mexican people are prisioners in their own houses,no more social activities, not in the day and of course never in the night. I know, our Goverment and laws are useless, Mexico it’s today a Gost Town, i agree with the fact that many of the inmigrants are delincuents, and I’m convinced that are the same that control all of this mess, from your Country to my Country. Impunity it’s the most heard word in the news of Mexico, Drugs are a profitable business for the world of today, a world full o crisis, in economical and moral speaking, junkies, white collar businessmen, people trafficking, are all in the same level, it’s ORGANIZE CRIME. This new inmigration law it’s just the cherry over all the problems we mexicans are defeating, one of them it’s the incapacity of some people to walk in the shoes of others.
Let me preface this with, I agree with your fundamental idea that America should welcome immigrants with open arms, whilst I am the farthest thing from racist, having grown up in so. fla. it’s more welcome the, and I shudder to use the word illegal, with “open check books” there are more and more anchor babies being born, just so madre and padre can hang in the USA and mooch off the stupidity of the government.
I know I have lumped everyone into a very large – and after this post angry – mob and I apologize for the fopaux, the majority of people coming to our country are ready and willing to work, and I do not begrudge them this opportunity, but as for your comment on your friend speaking impeccable english, such is not the case where I live.
Our ancestors, as you put it, came to this country bringing their traditions and cultural practices yes, but they learned to live by the laws of the government that ruled it, they did not try to impose their beliefs on the country that was kind enough to give them a bed to sleep in, “So what are your thoughts on a mosque at ground zero” ok I’m done ranting.
I just want to say thank you, Ms. Stiles for starting this fourm, I have read a few and yours, by far is the most interesting (is it a forum or are we just lucky enough to hear inside your head) thanks again…………………. Mike
Anyone who starts an argument with “I am the farthest thing from racist. . .” automatically loses because it’s pretty clear that you are.
We all began in Africa…
It is amusing as an Englishman when American’s get overly excited about having European roots. I think it gives some a sense of being more worldly and wise even if they’ve never even left their own state.
Yum salad…I’m from NY too, nothing else like it in the world. But the things that go on there, and the “what things work” there, well they don’t really work that way any place else. Its almost comical, like another world. Growing up in Long Island then bouncing into the city to enjoy the NYHC music scene as well as hanging out in Union Square being a spectator into the who birth of hip hop, I don’t think I ever even had the time or inclination to think about race. Now the rest of the country, well as im sure you know already is a different story. I digress, I like your blog, glad you still have your feet in the east coast, and didn’t get sucked into the LA vacuum! Cant wait to see what you bring to the Dexter table. That show is the only reason I keep Showtime. Sure Weeds is interesting too, as well as Calforacation, even though am forced to witness David duchovny bare butt at least once per show, but Dexter makes it all work. HBO lost me after the ended The Sopranos and didn’t renew Deadwood. Ok I’m done rambling….I should start my own blog, but I think only my dog would read it and he is basis you know. Its me who keeps him fed and his belly rubbed.
Hi. Well said. Our trips overseas over the past few years have made us very aware of just how rediculous all the anti-immigrant ranting is. How can a bilingual sign at Lowes be the coming of the end?
I often think it would be fun to travel with a sound recorder instead of a camera just to gets the symphony of languages and accents heard on the streets of large cities.
Hats off to this entry. Immigration has proven to enrichen the countries. I know it is not the only factor, but it has an important weight. Compare a country with low immigrant population such as mine (Colombia) against Brazil and Argentina with literally received boatloads of people. It’s not that I don’t like my country. It is culturally diverse because of its geography, but not because a wide influx of people from many places. I hope things don’t get very messy in your country with the Arizona law and all that will happen after Thursday.
PS. As you know, Uribe is better pronounced oo-ree-beh as Don Juan should probably know. Anyway, we have those problems in other countries. Here your last name would be pronounced “Es-tiles”. But I’m sure you already know that from high “escool”.
True Dat.
I agree with everything you said! I finally got to stay in New York (soho) for about 2 weeks last summer and I was so upset I had to leave. Ive never felt so “in place” in my life………
I believe the people making the most noise against immigration are inspired by fear, and unfortunately with those that are scared you can’t argue intellectual debate to the contrary. Another thing I see a lot of and don’t hear people speak much about is the seniority factor, and by this I mean people feel a first come first serve, or that the longer their ancestry chain in the US, the more ownership or right they have to it.
That reminds me of the “homeland security” tshirt. It also reminded me how uncool I felt being a painfully unremarkable white boy, growing up in such an interesting city.
What would America be without immigrants? Not much to tell the truth. Some of our greatest accomplishments have come at the hands of immigrants. But that question is faulty, it should read, what would America be without legal immigrants? After all, we are a country of laws, not men. For without laws, we are nothing. Now at some point in each of our ancestry, someone made the painstaking trip from some distant land to these American shores, went through the naturalization process, was declared an American citizen, and was likely exceedingly proud of that accomplishment. For illegal immigrants to boldly enter our borders with no regard to becoming a legal citizen is disrespectful to us as citizens and particularly to our ancestors. Now there is the argument that those coming to our country illegally are doing so to improve their life and make a new start. Therefore, not adhering to the law is somewhat excusable. Great, but they are still breaking the law. What if they felt that murdering someone was the path to their improved life? Would that still be excusable under the gauss of improving their life? I say no. Follow the laws set forth and I will be glad to have you as my neighbor, co-worker or even leader. Break the laws and you become a criminal.
Scott, some of the first immigrants were murderers and thieves. They sure did a number on the original inhabitants. And I dare say our neighbors to the south were here in the neighborhood a wee bit before their European friends. Just a little perspective. But hey, what do I know? I’m just a human living on earth.
http://www.nemasys.com/ghostwolf/Native/genocide.shtml
Regarding “anchor babies”, the U.S. is the only nation with such a law.
The law was enacted after the civil war (1866 I think)to protect the
rights of newly freed slaves.
We don’t need it now.
I think that when the country is in a collective mess the best that many can do is latch on to whatever is put up on the stake. I am originally from Arizona, straight off a reservation originally. It’s so funny that regardless of what race we are, there is a certain amount of self-awareness about it that makes us want to recreate ourselves. My school had tanning days in gym and they gave me a pass to the library. Doh. So I insisted that I need to work on my stomach area (since it was the lightest part of me). I love high school.
It seems that being made to be so self aware of how different we are has been a guaranteed controlling mechanism that has pushed us through out history to return to square zero. Survival. I’m just glad that many of us are catching on.
I totally agree. It is sad people cannot at least try to understand why some immigrants are over here in the first place. I would have done the same thing if I were in their shoes. most immigrants want it better for their children and future, which is a critical decision to me. where I’m from (SC), people are so reluctant to understand diversity because they are so hollow. If you ever talk to an immigrant, it is obvious that they see the world in totally different eyes than most of us do.
You gotta love The Onion (of course, it’s form NY)
http://onion.com/bpiYjn
Hello there!
Most of the people that live in America (The continent, not the country), including me, are direct descendant of immigrants. I can tell you that there is some native tribes that live in tne U. S.-Mexico border (and have lived there before any “pioneer”) that are forced apart for a mismanaged-idiotic immigration politics from the U. S. government, and there in nobody speaking for them. The government use the “illegal-drug traffic” pretext to do that. The first thing the U. s. have to do, is to propose an immigration reform that allows temporal workers to work there and return to their country of origin (like Canada), and the second is to have a more qualified drug enforcement politic. It is ilogic that in Mexico the federal government captures tons of marihuana and cocaine per week, and in the U. S. not a single cargo is stopped outside the border. I can assure you that there are tons and tons of drug stashed somewhere in the U.S., and “no one knows about it”. Helping Mexico and Latin America by Giving the jobs that americans do not want to the persons that want them, and really “looking” for the drugs in the right places, instead of complainting of the problems of Mexico and L. A., is the right way of solvig those two problems.
Greetings: Pablo Juarez B.
Thanks for not keeping this to yourself.
As unsatisfying as coming up unremakably white can be (complete with a search for uniqueness and comparative interest), I am certain this would pale in contrast to the pain of bias and predudice. Each of us has a gift to give, that will be recognized eventually if the enthusiasm within us is not extinguished first.
Your broader point about our country being founded on immigration is very important to repeat . . . over and over. We would not be the nation that we are without the constant chnage in our collective views. Immigrants bring the creativity that comes with a desire for change. Without this source of change and renewed spirit we are plausibly limited to an existence of complacency.
In times of fear, for instance when employment is scarce, we collectively become more inward. In so doing, we identify others as unwelcome and create the us-vs-them dynamic. I would point out that this too has a long history (my Irish ancestors fought incessantly with their Italian neigbors), because life is a very real struggle for many people. But that is not very thinly veiled racism at all. It is racism, plain and simple.
WE NEED IMMIGRATION. IT IS THE ENGINE OF THIS COUNTRY.
It worries me when the middle ground starts looking desolate. All four of my grandparents (separately) uprooted and emigrated to the U.S., something that defies imagination when I consider the risks they took and how well it worked out for them and their grandchildren.
On the other hand, four lifetimes ago, my first post-graduate job ended after six weeks when the company shuttered the division. A coworker, in the U.S. on a work visa, faced deportation. If she returned home, she would be arrested and sent to prison. She wasn’t one of twelve million.
Everyone who weighed in on one side needs to listen to what the other side is saying. Agreement is impossible, but maybe we’ll figure it out anyway.
I was corrected in my pronunciation of chorizo by the deli-woman at the local Wegmans. This led to the two of us shouting ‘cho-REETZ-oh’ at each other. That’s my second stoopid aside for tonight. Now I can sleep.
Congrats on tying in baseball to the immigration/cultural challenges in America. That said, I think that you slight what is a very profound debate with the baseless insinuation of racism. Hailing from Canada (Toronto is as culturally diverse as almost any city), I fully appreciate growing up amongst different cultures. However, there is a difference between my fanciful youth and the policy decisions being made on U.S. immigration. To equate the two is to needlessly pluck on sentimental strings instead of looking at the argument objectively.
While there may well be an impassioned way of dealing with today’s illegal immigrants (i.e. those already living in the U.S.), there must be policies in place that effectively deal with ILLEGAL anything. In other words, either make it legal for anyone to enter the U.S. on their own terms whenever they feel like it, or make it illegal and adopt effectively policies to curtail illegal entry. I favor the latter, and resent the word ‘racist’ being tossed around.
It’s easy to mistake the problems of Arizona on racism, because it’s hard for us to imagine any fathomable reason why in the current century we find a large population of people who are seemingly blaming all of their economic and social problems on illegal immigrants. California tried it once, and the consequences were realized soon after. Arizona will soon see the error in its ways and life will return to normal. However, we still have a problem with immigration, regardless of any racial connotations. We definitely have a problem with border trafficking of drugs and indentured servants. The latter of which feels weird just mentioning. But there is really one solution to the drugs, harsher laws for drug users, not drug dealers. The more you limit the supply of drugs the more drug dealers will pop up to fill the demand. But if you eliminate the demand… well you know the rest. I guess I have deviated from the original topic a bit; for now, cheers.
Our beloved New York City is where a Hasidic jew rides in a cab driven by a Pakistani immigrant who buys his cigarettes from a Korean grocer whose store is in an African-American neighborhood which is patrolled by catholic cops who are half Irish and half Italian Americans who eat lunch at a Japanese restaurant with Mexican cooks. While they are all at it everyone is earning a living and making money. As a traveler I’ve never this seen exemplified in any other city on earth. The world should remember to bless New Yorkers and New Yorkers where everyone is welcome. Peace.
I have been an avid fan of yours since 1999 and with that said; I truly don’t think you have thought everything out entirely.
The language of the United States is English, we’re all taught English in school so we know our language. Say one of us wanted to move to France, we would have to; 1. Have a home, 2. Speak the Language, 3. Be approved for immigration and naturalization, 4. Have a means of income (unless wealthy). These guidelines are the same for any country outside the USA. Mexico, Germany, China, Japan, Russia, Croatia, Romania, Iraq, India, Pakistan, …etc. Why should the USA bow down to any other country and lower the standards for entry in to this country.
–I’m not racist (farthest from it — to the person thinking that someone saying that “farthest from racist” =racist you’re quite wrong).–
This has nothing to do with Race, this has everything to do with legality. I have no problem having someone from any country, file the paperwork, get a job, raise a family, have a home. What I do have a problem with is an illegal immigrant, using a fake SSN, not speaking English, flying their country’s flag in their yard. If you come to the USA, you come here to be a US Citizen, not to mooch off the government and get free food, clothes for your children and housing. All this “free” stuff is paid by every single tax payer. Why is it our job to support not only ourselves, but those who refuse to do thing in a legal manner?
I’m in Oregon, there are quite a few legal immigrants here, but there are so many more who are illegal. I can flash my badge in a bar and yell immigration and 50 Hispanics will run out the door. Why would they run? If they were here legally they would have no reason to run.
Thank you for bringing up this topic though, it’s on everyone’s’ mind, and it’s good to see all perspectives on this topic.
I read you carefully and i see and i understand and so i’m proud of been part of the difference.
I’m Cuban half Chilean Indian from my father side. When i was in high school no ones realy knows where i was from. American Girls in my school used to treat me very bad because guys at school likes me a lot just because i was something exotic. And not just that i was able to speak Spanish, russian and english. It was difficult but i learn so much. I think is not all about racism i think is a lack of culture, when you open your mine a little bit more things can be see it more diferent. More Right!
Julia,
People are not against immigrants, we are againt ILLEGAL immigrants. We need to know who we are letting into the country (we know that we are currently allowing terrorists, drug cartels, kidnappers and murderers in). When the ancestors of some of us immigrated through Ellis Island they had to prove that they had no disease, they had a way to make a living, and that they would not be a burden on society. This is the way it SHOULD be. Arizona is not taking a stand against immigrants, but against ILLEGAL ALIENS. Why should they get a place ahead of those that follow the rules? Do you leave your door unlocked and believe that those that want your stuff should be allowed to come in and take it? Of course not. But we are allowing criminals to infiltrate our borders (something that NO other country allows), take jobs from legal immigrants and citizens thus lowering the wage scale, kill us, rape us, rob us, and then we reward this behavior by giving them welfare and all the benefits that come of it. Why should illegal immigrants get in-state tuition when American CITIZENS can’t get the same thing?
In this zero sum world in which we live, we need to re-think
the idea of immigration being good for the US.
100 years ago, when the US was emerging as a world empire,
manpower was needed for labor and the army.
My parents and grand parents were immigrants and worked
the low-end jobs that made other people rich without taking
social services. Far from the case with immigrants today.
In today’s world, given our poor education system, we grow
enough unskilled labor, we don’t need to import it.
Obviously we should welcome immigrant scientists and the like
but as far as picking fruit, the Europeans manage with machines.
The time when mass immigration was good for the US has passed.
Hi… Miss Stiles,,,, I emigrate from México in 1993,,, I couldn’t get any form of documents,,,, I understand that this is not my country no matter that I have lived for so long and blending with the culture ,laws and economy,,,even that I am a Mexican and most of the times I have discussions with my own people, just because they don’t want to do or even try to adapt to the society ,,,, (music too loud,gang affiliations ,no English at all,Taking advantage of housing, and Some. Others benefits,,) and my comment is that we as a Mexican or Hispanic ,,,most of us,,,, does not want to participate,,,, if is not for another Mexican we will not,,,,I tell my people it’s time to change that picture ,,,,,
The one that the americans have about us,,,,,is not easy but at least let’s give it a try,,,,let’s show them that not only we can ,,,let’s show them that we want,,,,if not we going to be even worst than what it is right now,,,,let get educated,,,let’s show. To ours kids that they can be better than us,,,,but,,,most of them just ignore me or some times call me a minuteman …..I ask to every body to listen to your inner you,,, ask to your self
It is right what I am doing or is for my own convenience,,,, borders separate humanity,,,, and we don need borders ,,,,we need education for better quality of life,,,, no matter from which country your ancestors came or go,,,,,,,,,
Muchas Gracias por defendernos Srta. Hulia Estiles.
Why do people say “I’m an American?” or “I’m a New Yorker?”. What do they want to say with that?
Last month I have been to Belgium, Netherlands and Germany. The time I needed to cross the border (without any border controls… I only discovered that I crossed the border because of other street signs) into another country was approximately 15 minutes. Two months ago I have been to a similar spot on the European map: the borders of the Czech Republic with former East and West Germany.
Each country has its own language and even the dialect between Saxony and Bavaria (federal states of former East- and West-Germany) is very different. Each part of those near-border towns is so different from the towns across the border which are only minutes away. They all feel very different but if you look close enough they are very similar and the people are/behave the same. The only discrepancy is the country they belong to (and with that the formal language).
So what should those people say? “I’m a German?” or “I’m a Czech?”… maybe “I’m a european?”…
When I was in China the people though I was an American. They sometimes felt not comfortable with “an American” around. When I told them that I wasn’t American they started smiling and talking much more frankly to me. So I wondered: what’s the difference? I’m me whatever country/region I come from.
We are just people. And in the moment of separating ourselves from others we start to dig a trench even if we don’t want to. Try it out yourself… change you current “location” or even citizenship and watch people react.
The most simple answer would be: I’m the son/daughter of my parents. Cause that’s what everyone is… guess we are all the same
.
PS: Sometimes history happened too long ago and people forgot about that. Building a wall between the States and Mexico is so wrong.
Now you’ve got me really curious. Not to intrude on anyone’s privacy, but what happened to Michelle? Are you still friends? What’s she doing now? Obvously, I don’t want to know anything specific. I’d just like to know what direction her life took. And, OK yes, my parents were born in China and I was born in Hackensack.
Woah.
I was born and raised in Elizabeth, NJ. (look. it. up.) 20 mins from NYC. I have family ties in: Europe, South America, Asia and Africa. (I really hoped for Australia, but we didn’t travel that far.)
I speak 5 languages.
My parents speak 2.5.
I can name four, immediate (in my world immediate) family members that came here without a visa. Smuggled, sneaked, walked, ran – whatever their way in. They now all speak and read English. They now are all citizens. They vote. They own their homes in an affluent area in town. Some are business owners. Their children, American, are going to college, although they themselves did not. They regularly visit the country where they came from.
How did they do it? Simple: They worked hard, adhered to the law, played by the rules and applied for citizenship the second they could. I know people who’s family are life long citizens of the United States… and barely know how to use a bank account, are drug dealers, or are simply too lazy to produce in the workforce.
I pronounce Lopez, Law-pes just like Mr. Lopez does, not Low-Pez. I make the effort to pronounce people’s names, the correct way – cause if Mr. Smith were your boss, you wouldn’t be calling Mr. Smith, Mr. Smeeth.
I believe any immigrant should learn the language. I have met plenty of immigrants who were a lot smarter than people I know, but were underpaid/appreciated because they didn’t know the language. It’s to their advantage that they speak English in the USA. Doesn’t mean there should be a law. I believe its also to one’s benefit to educate oneself, but that’s not a law either.
I work in Marketing. I Speak, Yo Hablo, 私は話す, Eu Falo, Je Parle, Mówię, وأنا أتكلم…. if you buy my gizmo. This, however, does not mean I’d give you a PR job in Kansas if you can’t speak English.
Illegal immigration control can be easily solved with, off the top of my head, giving them working papers that:
1) Counts toward showing self-sustainability.
– If you can sustain yourself, without government assistance, you therefor can be deemed a positive addition to the population.
2) Allows for income taxation
– Providing a worker tax ID, income would be taxable and add to the social security pot. Benefits would only be provided after obtaining a social security number, which after you are deemed a positive addition to the population.
3) Builds a case towards naturalization
– Simple, government issued reference point for how long you have been in “good standing”, which further deems you a positive addition to the population.
4) Places a ‘check’ for legal probation
– Allows for monitoring and if necessary immediate deportation if you commit felonies. No crimes, means you’re deemed a positive addition to the population.
5) Gives them the right to minimum wage.
– Now, Joe what’s his face will go wash dishes at the local pub instead of Immigrant X, since now it is at least minimum wage… as per those people crying about jobs being stolen. Not to mention, employers will not seek the best fitting, not the cheapest employee. Meaning, now meaning greedy business owners are positive additions to the population.
Look – I believe, as Americans, we have the ability to be the most worldly citizens. We have the most resources. We have the most talent. We even have the most sports. But unfortunately, with all of that, we are also fat, stupid and arrogant at times. I deal with immigrants and wasps, ghettofied and rich, educated and ignorant all day long. I’ve visited 3/4 of the US, including exotic places like Cleveland. I feel that because of this I have pretty good grasp at what America is like, outside of NYC (which is a special place). But I think forcing people to do learn a language or prohibit businesses from practices such as translated signs is ignorant and wrong.
As Americans, we have the resources to speak the languages and learn about the cultures of the rest of the world, and in turn, use that to our advantage. There’s no excuse to each this knowledge as we have access to the best internet, the best schools, the best tv, the best books, the best social network… yet… we don’t want to make the effort.
My most intimidating interview when I was seeking employment was conducted in several languages. I was hired partly because of my in depth knowledge of other cultures.
The United States is the greatest country on Earth. But we get bent on blaming other people for the internal problems we have. “I have no job because of the illegals” – “I’m not washing plates for a living”. Those two sentences should not be uttered by the same person, but they are. That’s not an illegal immigration problem, that’s a motivation problem.
Why can’t I have my ATM/Website in Swahili? It will increase sales, giving me more income, potentially allowing me to pay Joe the dishwasher the minimum wage he is entitles to at my spouse’s restaurant.
Bad business? Just ask yourself – if you go on vacation to another country and eat at a restaurant is the first question you ask the waiter “Do you speak English”. If yes – would you be relieved if they answered “Sure, I do”?
Never left the USA? It’s one thing if you couldn’t, financial or family responsibility – it’s another if you don’t want to. The rest of the world makes a serious effort to learn multiple languages/cultures to, well, deal with the rest of the world.
Why can’t we?
To repeat how I started this rant – I was born and raised in Elizabeth, NJ. With that I add, I prefer Football (NFL), I root for the USA in the World Cup (even against my family’s “home” country), prefer Cajun cuisine, know how to work the farm and am college educated. I don’t speak with an accent (even though I’m from Jersey). They don’t twitch when they see me in Kansas.
I want every other country’s Einstein’s to move here by any means necessary, work, get naturalized, have kids and invent something spectacular in name of the USA.
Right now, that Einstein is potentially washing dishes… waiting for his chance to be a citizen. A doctor, that may have the breakthrough in his mind to cure cancer? To Invent the next I-something? To repair diplomacy between the USA and their country.
So what’s our problem?
Motivation? Racism? Laziness? All three?
BTW – Can you guess what country my family from?
Look, I am not going to deny that we are a nation of Immigrants, and that Immigration has made and continues to make this nation great. What I will say is that there is a right way and a wrong way to enter this country. While immigration was, is, and always will be a vital asset to the well being of America, we all must recognize that we as a nation have laws that we should rightfully enforce, and we should be concerned with secure borders (both northern and southern) as well as secure sea and airports.
As for Arizona’s immigration law, if it is followed to the letter, there is nothing wrong with it. The way I understand it, if a Latino provides a valid drivers license during a routine traffic stop, or a valid State ID card in other circumstances, the question of legal status should end right there. If it does not end, then it constitutes racial profiling.
Furthermore, I wonder why legal immigrants are not outraged by illegal immigration. Shouldn’t those who have endured the years of bureaucratic red tape and hardship to enter our nation legally be rightfully outraged at those who feel entitled to cut to the front of the line and enter illegally?
Concerning the War on Drugs, well, it should just cease to exist. It is phony bullshit on the part of the U.S. Government. It is no secret that governments at all levels and a variety of police agencies in this nation profit off of this so called drug war. We make a big show of “taking illegal drugs off of our streets” only to turn around and put them right back out there later so we can set up yet another stooge for a “monumental” bust. Meanwhile pharmacuetical companies make billions pushing needless drugs off on the ignorant American consumer for either overstated, or altogether imaginary diseases. This so called Drug war we are engaged in with Mexico and other Latin American Nations is just another part of the charade. “Enough Government Profiterring under the guise of morality! Enough with this phony war on drugs”
When all of the complications come in and make a topic like this difficult to resolve, I think the best way to find the answer is to get back to the basics.
The United States of America is not like every other country in the world, and we should not compare ourselves to other coutries. It is logical to require all immigrants to conform to our ways of life, but the US was not created on the foundations of logic. The US was created on the foundation of freedom… and freedom for ALL at that.
That said, many Americans that are BORN citizens aren’t very American at all. When did we become so selfish?
Julia, I’m so glad you choose not to spend all your time in your own shoes.
Arizona’s argument is not that there should be no immigration. That would be ridiculous. They are trying to enforce the existing immigration laws. After multiple humanitarian aid trips to Mexico, I know the conditions just the other side of the border are devastating. However, even during the first and second World War people had to wait to enter the USA legally or risk being deported.
The infrastructure of border states cannot support the increased pressure on social security and health care (Re: California’s money problems). We should be insisting US companies be held responsible for the treatment of their employees. If our companies weren’t making profits by exploiting people in border towns, maybe Mexican people wouldn’t need to find jobs in the US.
This is a country of immigrants, true. Legal immigrants who came here for a better future, worked hard, overcame obstacles and to better their lives. The Irish, Italian, Jewish etc.had it rough but prevailed. Recent immigrants from Africa, Easter Europe and other war torn places are doing quite nicely.
To get a better picture and see the other of the argument, rent out an apartment in a working class inner city neighborhood and see what we who don’t have the money to live in nice neighborhoods have to deal with.
Interesting article. Thought the comments would be more visceral. Just wish our elected officials could present arguments like these (on both sides of the issue).