I am a Latino,
Most branches of my family have lived in New Mexico since the mid 1500s and on my mother's side, my great grandfather migrated to the United States from Mexico. He had 5 sons in the United States (making them American citizens) all who fought for our freedoms and one who died during World War II. As the matter of fact, my uncles on my mothers side looked very dark where their parents used to tell them their ancestors were "Aztecos" Aztec Indians who integrated with the Spaniards. They were very tall and very dark complected.
My late father retired from the Federal Government as an Drug Enforcement Officer also having served his country in Vietnam and fighting his whole life to keep our children safe from drugs...
On my fathers side we are very fair skinned, with his father having green eyes and dark hair. My great Grandmother had blondish hair and blue eyes Northern Spanish decent. Without knowing my father's last name, he has been mistaken for Angelo, Italian, German, etc. He's very hard to label.
I too ended up with very fair skin and light features and have been asked if I were every European Nationality or "white".
I married a beautiful woman who's family is German on her father's side and English and Russian on her mother's side.
My Children look very light skinned with green/hazel eyes. One has very light brown hair with blond streaks. They both have Spanish sir names as does my wife.
I explain this facet of my family's history because it's part of the American story. It's part of who I am and how my family has contributed to shaping our freedom and our love for this country.
I tell this story to give everyone an insight as to how my family's story is probably no different than many of yours except that many of your ancestors may have came from Europe through the east coast. I will also tell you that I don't speak a word of Spanish (as my parents regretted never teaching me the language).
I will tell you that I'm very offended with the new law and totally agree with Obama in regards to the bill being misguided.
I do believe that illegal immigration is a problem and should be addressed through strong enforcement and crackdown on those who hire illegal immigrants and exploit these humans versus targeting the people and vilifying them for political gain. If you go after these opportunists and throw the modern day slave owners in jail, then you decrease the influx of illegal immigrants into the United States and save the tax payers millions of dollars.
So lets talk about the "elephant" in the room, no pun intended.
When the Republican movement uses the word "illegal Immigrant" they aren't fooling anyone about who they are targeting. They are targeting poor Mexicans coming across our southern border, plain and simple. They are declaring a human hunting campaign on these folks who just want to survive. Any Latino who has grown up in the Southwest part of the country will tell you stories of their family and encounters with the same mentality. My Grandmother used to have to drink from separate water fountains in southern Texas when she was young because she was "different". The same condescending nature of discrimination and blatant racism of throwing all Latinos under one canopy and calling them names had revealed its ugly head once again!!
The fact of the matter, it is a small group of people who want to control the many. I have news for them, this is a different time and a different country we are growing up in. My generation of Americans are not going to take this sitting down!!!
This is the fire the Arizona Republicans are stroking, this is the dangerous path they are playing. This is why they cannot gain traction and increase their tent. They think they are better than everyone else and feel an entitlement to this great country versus anyone who feels contrary to their belief system, has a different culture, or looks different. It is the same old stereotype that the Republican try to isolate themselves from (in regards to being racists) but their actions always reinforce the opposite of their wishes!!!
I challenge every person who wants to end racism, to call these guys out and tell them enough!!! I call on every American who is sick of this crap and wants a better future for our children who don't see people in regards to color to stand up to these bigots!!
Behind closed doors these guys call us every derogatory name in the book if you don't meet their demographic. They are the evil the permeates our country, the poison that infects our society. I don't believe this mentality is "majority" or populous any longer. I believe they are the dinosaurs who are kicking and thrashing to keep their demented and twisted way of thinking alive. They want division, they need division and their time has come to go away.
The GOP just stirred up a hornets nest and we need to register everyone who feels contrary to their beliefs once and for all.
The Arizona GOP just gave the Democrats political gold. They are trying to play the race card and it's about to blow up in their face!! They are stirring the pot against a huge voting block!!
If the Democrats want to make anything a referendum, make it on the GOP's isolationism and their ignorance in 2012!!!
Update!! Thanks for helping this make the recommended list, I guess when you write from the heart it matters. The Hispanic community is huge in every part of the country. We need to educate, register and embolden them with the power to vote. Furthermore, this diary extends to everyone in this country who family has faced bigotry or racism because they are different or have different beliefs. Now the Democratic leadership needs to make every GOP Congress person take a position on Arizona's law. They will back peddle and we will overcome! I Love our country!!!
Update II I just called my aunt (who doesn't really care about politics) and she's infuriated over the Arizona law. I really think she will finally register to vote!!! We've already gained 1 vote I know of for sure!!! Also there are a lot of comments regarding multiculturalism and how many of us are of mixed races and cultures. That's just awesome. That's what the Republicans just don't get. Our country is and has changed!!!