Well if Mrs. Kobe Bryant (Vanessa) is talking (indirectly) about it, then dammit everyone should!
Arizona's immigration bill S.B. 1070 aims to allow police forces the ability to detain anyone they feel could be in the country illegally. Furthermore, carrying papers to prove legality will be mandated, and in the event one does not have them - the police can hold the individuals to ascertain their legal status. Governor Jan Brewer signed the bill in late April and followed up with another absurd bill signing regarding ethnic studies. Public schools would no longer be able to offer courses that focus on a particular ethnic group (largely this affects Mexican-American/Chicano/a studies).
Following these obviously racist bills, Latinos have had a lot to say and many ways to show their displeasure with such laws. Everyone from local residents to mega-superstars, such as Shakira, have spoken out against the measures. Pitbull, Cypress Hill and Shakira have publicly refused to do shows/concerts in Arizona. The Phoenix Suns also publicly made a statement by wearing a special jersey a few days following the signing of the bill (Cinco de Mayo)- "Los Suns". Point guard Steve Nash said outright that this law would racially profile people and that as a proud resident of Arizona he did not want it to have a reputation as unfair and unwelcoming.
Incredible as it may seem, these laws were the natural progression of laws and practices aimed at turning Arizona into a haven for white supremacists and a death trap for Latinos and immigrants, an obvious abomination of Arizona's natural birthright. Maricopa County and celebrity racist sheriff Joe Arpaio - who lives in infamy over his leadership on juvenile chain gangs, tent cities, and toughness on jail inmates, is under investigation by the FBI for misuse of funds for lawsuits.
So again it's not surprising that Arizona lawmakers have the confidence and arrogance to put forth these laws when the state's leadership believes in "true American values" (ahem...John McCain). What these laws have done is awaken the resting giant - the Latino voting block! And once you get the beast going - it will be hard to control!
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I hope that every American, regardless of where he lives, will stop and examine his conscience about this and other related incidents. This Nation was founded by men of many nations and backgrounds. It was founded on the principle that all men are created equal, and that the rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened. All of us ought to have the right to be treated as he would wish to be treated, as one would wish his children to be treated, but this is not the case.
I know the proponents of this law say that the majority approves of this law, but the majority is not always right. Would women or non-whites have the vote if we listen to the majority of the day, would the non-whites have equal rights (and equal access to churches, housing, restaurants, hotels, retail stores, schools, colleges and yes water fountains) if we listen to the majority of the day? We all know the answer, a resounding, NO!
Today we are committed to a worldwide struggle to promote and protect the rights of all who wish to be free. In a time of domestic crisis men of good will and generosity should be able to unite regardless of party or politics and do what is right, not what is just popular with the majority. Some men comprehend discrimination by never have experiencing it in their lives, but the majority will only understand after it happens to them.
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