More Signs Of Xenophobia
Published in Siglo XXI
(Guatemala) on 13 June 2010
by Editorial (link to original)
(Guatemala) on 13 June 2010
by Editorial (link to original)
Translated from
by CV Tábora.
Edited by Harley Jackson.
Hispanics are increasingly the victims of harassment by groups which are reviving hatred toward foreigners.
It is clear that the contributions of Hispanics in the U.S. are very valuable and that foreigners are part of the motor that moves the United States’ economy.
Since the state of Arizona passed the law that criminalizes immigrants there has been an increase in acts of violence against alien residents in different parts of the United States, including regions near its border with Mexico.
Anastasio Hernandez, a 42 year-old Mexican, was the victim of a brutal beating by U.S. officials. He died hours later in California. In addition to the beating, he was also subjected to electrical shocks by the same officials.
Sergio Hernandez, 14, didn’t have better luck. Last week he was shot in the face. The perpetrator: a United States border agent who discharged his weapon somewhere between Ciudad Juarez, Mexico and El Paso, Texas, USA.
Furthermore, the state of Tennessee just approved an English-only measure during work hours.
Now, what is there to say about the instances in which Guatemalans have died in defense of other victims of violence? In the aforementioned cases, even if there was no intention of a bias attack, it should be noted that the victims could have been helped and saved, but that didn’t happen, perhaps due to the prejudice against immigrants that is becoming prominent in the United States.
We have to insist, like we have done before, that it is not fair for a person to suffer discrimination and mistreatment simply because they are not the color or race of the majority.
Hispanics are increasingly the victims of harassment, and even torture, by groups that are reviving xenophobic sentiments — beliefs which are not conducive to anything constructive.
It is clear that the contributions of Hispanics to the United States are incalculable. Foreigners who have left their countries in search of a better life constitute, for the most part, the motor that drives the American economy.
In the same way that immigrants need the dollars earned through hard work in the United States, the citizens of the U.S. need the labor provided by the workers exported from our lands.
Acts of intolerance will cause more violence and unnecessary confrontations, which could be avoided if people acted to eradicate those sentiments of xenophobia that have been increasing in different parts of the U.S.
It is clear that the contributions of Hispanics in the U.S. are very valuable and that foreigners are part of the motor that moves the United States’ economy.
Since the state of Arizona passed the law that criminalizes immigrants there has been an increase in acts of violence against alien residents in different parts of the United States, including regions near its border with Mexico.
Anastasio Hernandez, a 42 year-old Mexican, was the victim of a brutal beating by U.S. officials. He died hours later in California. In addition to the beating, he was also subjected to electrical shocks by the same officials.
Sergio Hernandez, 14, didn’t have better luck. Last week he was shot in the face. The perpetrator: a United States border agent who discharged his weapon somewhere between Ciudad Juarez, Mexico and El Paso, Texas, USA.
Furthermore, the state of Tennessee just approved an English-only measure during work hours.
Now, what is there to say about the instances in which Guatemalans have died in defense of other victims of violence? In the aforementioned cases, even if there was no intention of a bias attack, it should be noted that the victims could have been helped and saved, but that didn’t happen, perhaps due to the prejudice against immigrants that is becoming prominent in the United States.
We have to insist, like we have done before, that it is not fair for a person to suffer discrimination and mistreatment simply because they are not the color or race of the majority.
Hispanics are increasingly the victims of harassment, and even torture, by groups that are reviving xenophobic sentiments — beliefs which are not conducive to anything constructive.
It is clear that the contributions of Hispanics to the United States are incalculable. Foreigners who have left their countries in search of a better life constitute, for the most part, the motor that drives the American economy.
In the same way that immigrants need the dollars earned through hard work in the United States, the citizens of the U.S. need the labor provided by the workers exported from our lands.
Acts of intolerance will cause more violence and unnecessary confrontations, which could be avoided if people acted to eradicate those sentiments of xenophobia that have been increasing in different parts of the U.S.
If anyone is reading this south of the border with the United States, don’t imagine for a moment that this despicable behavior on the part of certain elements within the US is representative of us all. And I would hope that your governments make forceful statements condemning this sort of behavior and thereby strengthen our President’s hand in dealing with it.