My Prejudice
I’ve been noticing a trend with myself lately and I am not sure I like it. I’m driving through Burger King this morning on my way to the doctor and I take notice of the accent of the attendant through the speaker is that of a Spanish origin. The first thought that came to my mind was, “are you legal?” Closely followed by, “let me see your papers.”As I began to think about the response my mind formulated I became a little ashamed of myself. Thinking back to two days prior while going into a Chinese restaurant where I saw and heard a woman go up to a man of Latino ethnicity and ask him if he spoke English. It infuriated me that in America she would have to ask someone if they speak English.
What I’ve noticed is that this isn’t the first time I have had those thoughts. I feel strongly about the issue of illegal immigration. I feel strongly about speaking English as the primary language in America and in public. What I am wondering is how much influence the public debate on illegal immigration has had on my awareness of my now self-evidenced prejudice?
Maybe prejudice is a bit strong. Maybe it’s not and I would just like to candy-coat it for easy swallowing. Were my emotions on the subject as great prior to the national debate? Or is it simply a matter of a societal theory or trend shaping, redefining, and/or enhancing an underlying opinion?
I have nothing against Mexico or Mexicans. I have nothing against legal immigrants. I do have a problem with aliens violating our borders and our laws and then our president and other dignitaries suggesting that we reward them by affording them a means to the citizenship they seek. I think I have always had the opinions I have now, but they weren’t as important to me until our nations leaders brought them to the limelight.
I’d like to know if you’ve been catching yourself with similar thoughts. Maybe they’ve seemed insignificant to you or maybe they’ve seemed contrite. Either way, I am interested in the sociological implications of whether or not the public debate is fueling the thought process or if you’ve always thought along these lines.
posted by Troy at 10:04 AM
3 Comments:
I have found myself thinking very similar things. It's impossible to tell who is here legally and who isn't, so I suppose I have to give everyone the benefit of the doubt.
My real anger is with the people who hire illegal aliens to work here in the US. It’s been my impression that they pay them lower wages and take work away from legal citizens. I have however heard from others that they don’t pay them lower wages, they just can’t find anyone else to do the work. I do not believe this – but – even if that is the case I’m still against it.
If you can’t find a legal citizen to do the job at the rate you are willing to pay then you will have to pay more and raise your prices or live with lower margins. If you can’t compete because of this, then how is your competition surviving? If they are doing better because they are using illegal aliens it still doesn’t make it right for you to do it. If they cheated on there taxes would you do it too?
As far as expecting people to speak english I'm with you 100%. However I did go to Mexico on my honeymoon and they didn't expect me to speak Spanish - hmm.... maybe that's a double standard I have....
so what do you think of legal immigrants who do not speak english?
why does it annoy you when people in america cannot speak english? is it because we have to spend tax dollars on alternative schools, signs, and services for non-english speakers? or just annoyed that you can't understand them (specially if they're talking about you *lol*)? or is it just a superiority complex that the universe ought to know english because it is the white man's tongue?
i am bilingual, an american of foreign origin, the only accent i have is a jersey girl accent, and i've been paying taxes to uncle sam since i was 13 y/o. even so, i find myself thinking the same thoughts. when i see an asian girl who speaks with a strong accent in the arms of a white man, my first thought is usually, "is she using him for a greencard?" or "he can do so much better in a white girl!" (said the asian girl married to a white man herself :)
prejudice is sin. period.
Please see the post I published most recently. It sums it all up.
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