Racism & Illegal Immigration

I have come to believe that racism and illegal immigration in this country share a bond, and not the one that most would think. While this is just one man's opinion, it appears to me that the any current meaningful discussion of either race or illegal immigration in this country quickly devolves into one of power and concession. Special interest groups from both causes, mindful of the opportunity to cash in a winning ticket in the entitlement lottery, shout out their claims for special treatment while attempting to further the Balkanization of this country into areas of segregated victimization and prviliege.

Race is, and should remain an important ongoing discussion in this country, but not in its current degraded form. Today as each minority group grows in numbers and opportunities, this discussion has inevitably turned to one of power and entitlement, even over each other. This sad display becomes more tragic to watch, as one realizes that each group is trying to assert a greater degree of victimization in life as a way to get a better seat at the table, instead taking advantage of the many open seats available. Anyone who point out this as false perception are shouted down as traitors to their own kind however, while being denounced in the media as misguided at best, bigoted at worst. In the end, the realization begins to sink home that all each minority group appears to require from us is acquiescence to the demand that as a society, we kowtow to its individual needs and recognize a need to repay them for some past offense or misdeed.

Likewise, the discussion of immigration has become one of obfuscation, separation, and recrimination. First the issue of the legality of entry becomes confused with the race or place of origin of the illegal immigrant. Next, we are assaulted with concepts foreign to our very founding, by being given a choice of either turning this country into a walled enclave or ignoring the law of the land to suit the special needs of a special interest group. Finally the discussion turns to what entitlements that people who are not supposed to be here in the first place deserve in the name of compassion. Attempts to cut through this morass of rhetorical nonsense are often met with claims of bigotry and racism in order to divert attention from the actual problem at hand.


(Ah, the connection now becomes apparent.)

The solution to both however seems simple in concept to me, if difficult in execution. It is a return to the principles on which this country was founded on and which have inspired so many people to seek residence in this country from foreign lands. These are simply that personal responsibility and respect for the rule of law are paramount in our country. Everyone is welcome to enjoy all of the freedoms that this country has to offer as long as they follow the rules. Take these as givens, and both situations could then be resolved using the following principles:

1. First and foremost, you are not a victim and therefore are not entitled to any kind of special treatment. If you need help, you will get it. If you need a kick in the butt, you will get that too. If you feel that you are entitled to never-ending taxpayer support or legal set aside for some grievance real or imagined, you will be disappointed.

2. If you need an education, get one. That includes not only primary and secondary education, but even college, technical, or language learning where required. (We could probably pay for some part of this with the money not used to build the wall.) Learning is, and always was one of the keys to success in this country and in many cases, it is the standard by which you will be judged. You must however take advantage of this opportunity without demanding special privilege, as you have no more right to learning than anyone else.

3. If you need a job, get one. Now some will say that some jobs don't pay enough, or that there are jobs which Americans simply won't do. I say that Americans do every kind of nasty job on the planet, from hauling trash to cleaning septic tanks. I further say that there is no job that someone won't do for the right amount of money. The wages that illegal immigrants are willing to accept are far less than they should be, but far greater than they can earn in their own countries or they wouldn't be here in the first place. Stop the influx of illegal immigration, punish employers for hiring anyone here illegally at these substandard wages, and employers will be forced to pay more for "those" jobs. Raise the wages paid for these labors and more people will be willing to do them.

4. Do not (repeat), do not build a wall around this country. I do not care to live behind the next "Iron Curtain" if it's all the same to you, and I do not believe that it will make anyone any safer. All it will do is provide another massive opportunity for government waste, graft, and misuse of taxpayer money; and make those who wish to break the law operate more creatively in subverting it. ("Fixed fortifications are monuments to man's stupidity." George S. Patton)

5. If you are in this country illegally, you will be asked to change that status or you will be asked to leave. This is a country where "the rule of law" holds sway. No one is above it, regardless of their personal circumstances. Save us the story of how long you have been here and the sacrifices you made to get here. Just as "ignorance of the law" is not an excuse, neither is a touching story. It might make a good book or movie some day, but has no bearing on your situation.

6. Do not expect future reparations for some past act of history. The evils of the past were not done to you personally and clinging to them will only prevent you from succeeding. I don't care if your land was taken from you or you were taken from your land, you are not a victim of history. You are here now and have the same chance as everyone else (If you choose to take it).

Oh sure, it's a bit more complicated than what I've laid out here, but surprisingly I believe, not much more. Of course the first thing that has to happen is an open discussion of these subjects without either the assumption of guilt by the majority or the assumption of victimization and entitlement by the minorities. Once we have crossed over that mountain, the rest is simply about how to truly level the playing field. Just remember that the United States is a land of opportunity, not a guarantee of success. You will get out of life what you put in it, no more.