Agueda's Thoughts on the Dream Act

When listening to the DREAM Act debate on C-SPAN I could not help but feel that those opposed to the bill were simply voicing their fear; fear of the unknown; fear of those they do not know, cannot identify with or do not understand.

Opponents of the bill victimize American citizens, claiming American Citizens will suffer negative effects from the passage of the DREAM Act. Also, opponents claim that such a bill will lead to chain migration and will increase “illegal” immigration. Finally, one representative called the bill an “affirmative action amnesty nightmare.”

In an effort to not fall into the role of the “oppressor”, those of us who are passionate about or are effected by the DREAM Act must try to understand where the opinions and ideas of the opponents come from. The media and government have done such a great job of instilling fear among the masses. How can we not expect people to oppose the DREAM Act when we constantly hear talks about how immigrants are taking American jobs, exploiting social services, overcrowding schools, etc.? With all those things being said, is it really a surprise that so many people suffer from xenophobia (the fear or hatred of strangers or foreigners)? The reality is that it is NOT our responsibility to change those opinions because:

a. People are entitled to their own beliefs

b. Individual realities shape perception

c. They give us more reasons to push for change

So, when a representative from Texas says that we must only be compassionate towards American citizens we must remind them that citizens or not, every person in this country deserves compassion. On top of that, we must remind ourselves that, oppressing the oppressor will not get us anywhere and we must remain committed to the struggle of equity and social justice.

Let’s hope the Senate makes the right choice and passes the DREAM Act today! Let’s keep making those calls!!!

“It is absolutely essential that the oppressed participate in the revolutionary process with an increasingly critical awareness of their role as subjects of the transformation.” – Paulo Freire

Agueda

Vote tomorrow because ignorance is not a virtue!!!

Politics lately has answered the debate about whether racism, homophobia and sexism are still alive in America. So many of the things that we work so hard to overcome in the inner-city are being promoted by the people who want to “take back our country”. As our country becomes more polarized and hate language spreads, conflict and violence seem to be a more acceptable answer for our youth as well. As ignorance becomes portrayed as a virtue in our political discourse it becomes harder to inspire youth to value education. As fear becomes the tactic of those in power to manipulate people to vote against their own interests, youth feeling powerless in their lives, see the power in causing others to fear. Youth reflect their culture.
In all honesty I don’t know how much your vote means anymore in the political process, especially in California where we have tied our politicians hands with the initiative phenomena…and where so many of them are in the pockets of big business. It is however a statement, and maybe if you follow it up with discussion, action and involvement in your community we can move back toward a more civil culture. I am in the business of hope and dreams. So, I vote.
Finally, in glaring contradiction to my belief in nuanced discourse, here are several more reasons to vote tomorrow as reflected in signs seen at the Jon Stewart “Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear” :

respectfully submitted

Tony

Tony LoRe, CEO & Founder

Youth Mentoring Connection