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| Immigration as a policy issue begs for resolution |
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This year the 16th of September is a landmark day for Mexicanas/os and Chicanas/os. It is the 200 year anniversary of Mexican Independence. In November, the 100 anniversary of the 1910 Mexican Revolution will also be celebrated. Mexicanas/os and Chicanas/os should celebrate both days with fervor.
La Raza should take advantage of this phenomenon. Even though, we live in both the best and worst of times the conditions for bi-national conversations on immigration policy may not be present again for some time. Once La Raza reaches its apex demographically without building its commensurate political power the point of diminishing returns gains in strength.
Revolutions are both triumphs and tragedies. They are triumphant when populaces living under tyranny are freed. They are tragedies because war is destruction to humankind. Revolutions may free people but the healing processes are incessant. The rebuilding of a society remains in turmoil as groups vie for power. It can lead to chaos and further destruction. At some point following a revolution, victors should take their rightful place in history. México has not necessarily followed this path. In constant struggle, both internally and externally, the society is embroiled in the Drug War with its own land and culture clash on the borderlands with violence escalating on both fronts.
Psychologists might argue that not only are Brown wounded spirits on both sides of the border still dithering in pain caused by 300 years of colonization, revolutions in México, and a second conquest in the Southwes,t but also because of the struggle for human rights and social justice in American society. Historically, Chicanas/os have watched American political bigwigs haggle over foreign policy in Mexico making decisions without La Raza’s interests in mind since the middle of the 18th Century. I would argue that Porfirio Diaz didn’t have any community voices in his policy roundtables. As outsiders following the Mexican-American War, la gente observed their communities’ destinies bend to the political will of the majority population. Perceived political powerlessness had become an unspoken custom. Participation in policy debates seemed unreachable, let alone hobnobbing with elite political leaders.
Chicanas/os were seen as political neophytes unsophisticated enough to participate in political debates at any level. Entrance into sacrosanct policy circles was never officially prohibited, just plain and simply squashed. Systematic exclusion and inferior educations were the tools used by the power brokers to maintain control. After those who make the rules, control the machine. La Raza lacked the experience in the shibboleths of political wrangling; it didn’t lack the intelligence or analyses. It would become victorious over this.
The Chicano Movement, created out of resistance against injustice, built the foundation for the group’s continued struggle towards liberation. The blinders, once preventing the development of critical consciousness, had been removed. It would take another two decades to move to the next phase of its political development. There were smatterings of political power bases being constructed in communities throughout the Southwest for short periods of time; but there has been no institutionalization process.
La Raza waited for a new savior to appear, another apparition; no one showed up. Communities didn’t realize that collectively the latent power was festering like an underground thundering volcano. As immigrants continued migrating into American society, the majority population viewed its growth as a malignant tumor and began to develop imigraphobic legislation. This paradoxically unified the communities.
La Raza finally realized that our savior was at the front door en masse. The Latino/a population had been growing slowly but surely; social demographers, cartoonists and chistones had labeled this group as the Sleeping Giant. The stereotype of the siesta took center stage.
It has taken new leadership to build inroads into immigrant communities. New leaders remain cognizant of this as they develop leadership in both communities. Provisions in 2006 immigration policies were nefarious and temporarily halted the movement. With the continued quibbling over immigration; perhaps, the time has come to further penetrate those policy spheres and demonstrate La Raza’s power.
Comprehensive immigration policy is the linchpin for Latinas/os to venture into and participate in foreign policy in general. The model to follow can be developed with the policy debates between US legislators, Chicano politicians and the Mexican government. Prominent legislators at all levels of the political governance structure have been infiltrating policy circles that are shaping immigration policy. La Raza reached unprecedented voter numbers as political parties catered to the group in hopes of getting the vote. Latino legislators and their sympathizers should remain at the forefront of immigration policy debates and conversations. Immigration as a policy issue begs for resolution.
With the many activist and advocacy organizations now primed with state-of-the-art information, technology and awesome political analyses we are in a position to have our voices heard. Nonprofit Advocacy Organizations such as the Latina Initiative, Mi Familia Vota, Padres/Jovenes Unidos, Rights for all People (RAP), Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC), Progressive Coalition, En Defensa del Pueblo and the Latino Forum are learning how to build even stronger coalitions. They are also realizing that collaboration with policy makers is one of the keys to developing political strength. The marriage is perfect. ¿Que falta? Nada, just plain ganas.
¡Que Viva El Dies y Seis de Septiembre!
Dr. Ramón Del Castillo is an Independent Journalist.
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