LatinaLista — Today’s defeat of the Republican-authored amendment that would have forced federal officials to discount the presence of non-citizens in the 2010 US Census seems like a small tribute to the memory of Marcelo Lucero.
Defeating that amendment recognizes that people like Marcelo Lucero are a part of this country and their presence should not be overlooked, or in Marcelo’s case forgotten.
Marcelo was an Ecuadorian immigrant whose American Dream ended in a nightmare.
It was a year ago that the country discovered the awful truth of what some boys in Suffolk County, New York do for fun. By their own admission, they looked for Latinos, or beaners, as they called them and assaulted them for laughs.
It was Marcelo’s misfortune that he was this group’s next target. Yet, this time something went terribly wrong and Marcelo didn’t get to hobble away with a few bruises and broken bones, probably like the other men targeted, he was murdered in cold-blood.
Only today, one of the teens involved pled guilty.
Hausch, 18, pleaded guilty to four counts to settle a nine-count indictment, including conspiracy, gang assault, assault as a hate crime and attempted assault as a hate crime in the Nov. 8, 2008, killing of Marcelo Lucero.
It’s a small start on a long road for justice for Marcelo. While his murder horrifies decent human beings, the atmosphere that enabled those boys to think killing Latinos was OK, still exists.
We see it with cable news shows like Lou Dobbs, O’Reilly and Glen Beck and, hand-in-hand with those outlets, are the conservative radio talk shows.
These commentators don’t just voice their opinions on illegal immigration but they deliver them in such a way that it makes some listeners feel empowered and justified in shouting a racial slur or derogatory comment towards any person they perceive to be an undocumented immigrant walking down the street.
As an immigration reform bill takes shape, the rhetoric against non-citizen immigrants will only increase, as will, the animosity towards them. Chaos is bound to follow because people who feel empowered and justified will implement their own definition of justice as those boys did with Marcelo.
The thinking among the boys was that they could get away with assaulting Latinos but a few had the sense to know that murder crosses the line — but it only took one who didn’t have that same insight.
And that’s all it ever takes.
Comment(5)
cookie
It makes no sense whatsover to count anyone in our census who cannot vote. Only citizens can vote!
Where is your proof that Dobbs, etc. incite loony bins to commit crimes against Latinos? Where??? Was there a poll taken about this? Offering opinion as fact is basically dishonest!
Dobbs only speaks negatively about illegals not Latinos in general. Just because Latinos make up the majority of illegals should negative talk about illegal immigration be stifled because of some loony bins who probably don’t even watch Dobbs and even if they did we are all responsible for our own actions!!
Truth
Stop the IGNORANT HATE>
What would you see yourself as if you were looking thru the Eyes of Almighty GOD ?
BECAUSE,
How you Treat others is how God TREATS You.
How you Forgive others is how God FORGIVES You.
How you See others is how God SEEs You.
When you show Empathy for the plight of another HUMAN BEING, God takes empathy in YOUR PLIGHT.
When others slight you and you ignore the call to Vengeance that burns inside, God erases all memory of your failures towards him.
When you SEE THE IMAGE OF GOD in ANOTHER HUMAN BEING, Then the IMAGE of GOD Becomes REVEALED WITHIN YOU.
The way You Judge other HUMANS is HOW GOD Judges You.
All Humans are EQUAL, ALL Humans are created and are the same in Almighty GODS VISION.
What You wish for the other is what GOD Gives YOU.
Happiness keeps You Sweet,
Trials keep You Strong,
Sorrows keep You Human,
Life keeps You Humble,
Success keeps You Glowing ,
But Only God keeps You Going.
Karen
The constitution says that ALL people should be counted in the census. Plus it makes no sense to omit 20 million people from the count, as they use schools, roads, etc and governmetns can’t plan ahead if they don’t know how many people are actually here.
Also, states that have large illegal immigrants poulations should get their fair share of money from the federal government. The whole country profits from illegal immigrant labor, but only the border states have to subsidize their healthcare, education, use of infrastructure, etc. It’s not fair!
As for Dobbs, he is allowed to hold any opinion of immigration he wants, but he takes it a step further and scapegoats illegal immigrants for the economic crisis that was caused by greedy NYC crooks on Wall St. The owners of CNN are pushing that agenda.
Dobbs is a liar, saying that immigrants are plotting to takeover the country and that they have leprosy. Those lies are broadcast all over the world.
I think that anybody who appears on Lou Dobbs should be boycotted too.
Juan
Any free speech on a controversial issue is likely to incite someone in this country of more than 300 million to do violence. There are hate groups that need little provocation do so, even Hispanic. Should we silence those who have honorable motives but disagree with us because it might make someone upset enough to do harm? The right to free speech comes with the inherent risk of inciting violence, no matter how much effort is done to avoid it. Free speech is just one of our liberties that give evil the opportunity to do bad as well as the angelic to do good. That is the sacrifice of being an open society with the freedoms we have.
cookie
Quote:
“Stop the IGNORANT HATE”
There is no way to stop hate from racists. It will always be with us but fortunately most of us are not haters. So why harp about what you can never change?
“What would you see yourself as if you were looking thru the Eyes of Almighty GOD ?
BECAUSE,
How you Treat others is how God TREATS You.
How you Forgive others is how God FORGIVES You.
How you See others is how God SEEs You.”
God also set up the 10 commandments for us to follow including honoring the laws of the government. He expects us to pay the price for not honoring them. That doesn’t equate to “mistreatment”.
“When you show Empathy for the plight of another HUMAN BEING, God takes empathy in YOUR PLIGHT.”
When a human being rips off another because of his own personal “plight” God does not look favorable on that.
“When others slight you and you ignore the call to Vengeance that burns inside, God erases all memory of your failures towards him.”
Eh?
“When you SEE THE IMAGE OF GOD in ANOTHER HUMAN BEING, Then the IMAGE of GOD Becomes REVEALED WITHIN YOU.”
I don’t think law breakers reflect the true image of God.
“The way You Judge other HUMANS is HOW GOD Judges You.”
I expect to be judged by the same criteria as other humans. I expect no special treatment.
“All Humans are EQUAL, ALL Humans are created and are the same in Almighty GODS VISION.”
Depends on what you mean by equal. A citizen and someone in our country illegally are not equal in the eyes of our laws. It has nothing to do with being human.
“What You wish for the other is what GOD Gives YOU.”
Yes, as I said above I expect the same justice for myself as I do for other.
“Happiness keeps You Sweet,
Trials keep You Strong,
Sorrows keep You Human,
Life keeps You Humble,
Success keeps You Glowing ,
But Only God keeps You Going.”
If only lawbreakers would adhere to the above philosphy.
Comments are closed.