How can you and I improve the treatment of Hispanics? As a student, as a resident, and even as a U.S.
Citizen, every time I crossed the U.S. border, it was an unpleasant ordeal. It
was hard being humiliated, but I had to learn not to speak back. I know firsthand
how it feels to be treated like you are less than human. The word “alien” used in official documents
suggests that we are treated as if we are from another planet. Thank goodness
for global entry!
I am asking you to be proactive. The
propaganda against Hispanics has increased tremendously, distorting public
opinion. Rumors have been spread by individuals who are uncultured and have no
knowledge of the truth or who are simply flat out prejudiced! They voice their
racist, erroneous opinions based on pure myths. An article in the Salt Lake Tribune reported on a toy drive
for Latino children. Because it had the word latino in the story,15 it
evoked an avalanche of mean comments about why toys were being given to those “Latinos.” I was horrified as I read the
most idiotic, rude remarks made public just because the event involved Latinos.
The article wouldn’t have raised an eyebrow if it had omitted the word Latino. I know that most people don’t
share such harsh feelings but I wish that they wouldn’t look the other way and
fail to express themselves. The reaction I read in the paper was a shame!
I was a volunteer at the toy drive and can
attest that those comments were unfounded. The truth is that the majority of
the children participating were born U.S. citizens. Take Jose Torreon (not his
real name), for example, who was born in Ecuador but is now a U.S. citizen. He
waited two hours to get a few toys for his children. He is an LDS church member
who had lived in New York for many years and recently moved his family to Utah.
He had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had lost his job and his home
too. That Christmas he was practically destitute with a Downs syndrome child
who was expecting to receive gifts. There were many others like him who needed
help; that was the purpose of the toy drive.
Once I gave a
lesson at school on how people are different only on the outside. I had children
look at two sets of eggs. Some eggs were white, and some eggs were brown. But
when we cracked them open, every egg was the same.
The U.S. has been receiving less of a percentage
of immigrants today than it received 90 years ago; the only difference today is
the lack of a legal process to follow.16 My
aunt and uncle, who are U.S. citizens, raised Kevin, their grandson. He lived
most of his life abroad with his grandparents. When the young man and his
single mother asked to remain in the United States as a family unit, their
petition was denied. The judge felt that Kevin could become involved in gangs.
Kevin and his mother were sent back to El Salvador, a place Kevin only knew as
a baby. A judicial system that is supposed to administer justice is splitting
families and destroying people’s dreams. Kevin is an exemplary young man who
served a mission to Costa Rica, where he resides today.
To be continues...
Con amor,
Vero
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