STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

To clarify again: I definitely think there is racism against Mexican-Americans and have seen it every day, but I don't think that racism is the root, per se, of the backlash against them among white Americans. I think it is the case for a small ignorant faction, but not most people.

I was moved by the marches, too. I am actually moved by the entire issue. I have personally known many legal and illegal immigrants and their children, and I have never known anyone who took advantage of the system (though I am sure it happens). Most of them would happily pay taxes if they were allowed to do so. A lot of people forget about the kids, too. Some of them came here when they were very, very young -- they don't even remember a life in Mexico, and now we want to ship them back?

Despite my feelings, though, I think this country has a policy problem. On one hand, we say illegal immigration is just that -- illegal -- and we deport border crossers who are caught immediately. In states like this one (bleh) we authorize citizens to carry guns to "protect their property" from immigrants as if they were wild animals.

On the other hand, though, many industries in this country run on the labor of illegal immigrants, and couldn't do without them (did you ever see that movie, A Day Without a Mexican?). So we look the other way.  Many people, especially women and children, are victimized by smugglers who take advantage of the US's semi-detached philosophy.  We are legally required to educate illegal immigrants through grade 12, but if they actually want to go to college and rise above the menial jobs the country needs from them, we don't allow them because they don't have a social security number (IIRC there are only a few states who allow illegal immigrants to attend college). There's a bill that's trying to change this, but then again, that bill has been around in various forms for years.

I guess my point is that something's gotta give. I think that we have to find an easier way for Mexicans to immigrate here, because it is going to happen anyway. This passive-aggressiveness doesn't help anyone IMO.