CNN reported that Arizona Governor Jan Brewer will be meeting with President Obama in the near future regarding the state's recent attempts at immigration reform. Governor Brewer has been in the spot light recently for two controversial laws.
The first law amounted to the fact that people would be required to carry "proof of citizenship" and any "suspected" of being illegal, can be stopped and held if proof is not available. Law enforcement officers as well as the state government are also held immune from lawsuits with regards to false imprisonment and detention. This amounts to be able to detain any Mexican-American appearing person who is not walking around with a birth certificate or visa. Most of us do not carry our birth certificate around with us.
The second law abolished "ethnic studies" as the government has determined that they "demonstrate ethnic superiority by stating the Mexican-American have been oppressed by Whites". This is done while admitting that the curriculum used by many Arizona students does not address racial tensions between Whites and Mexican, native American, and African-American populations.
This type of profiling and censorship resurrects some of the worst types of racism and racialization. Cases all over the country show a spreading web of divisive and racializing events (see http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/25/deportation-nightmare-edu_n_588788.htm)
What is the role of African-Americans in this debate. As those who have struggled to overcome some of the foundational racialization of American culture, do we have something to offer in this debate?
While the immigration issue is complex and multi-faceted, I believe that we must advocate for those who are steotyped and profiled. I believe that African-Americans have often held a prophetic witness, calling America to justice. I believe that we dare not be silent.
Let me know what you think,
God bless,
Pastor M Traylor
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
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