Dignity and Justice

[zyzyly]

I came across your border just to work for you
I give you all I got to give
What more can I do?

Comments

[carocrow.livejournal.com]

*sigh*

Most of our ancestors were immigrants. I believe that there are reasons for work visas and the naturalization process. I think a lot of what is going on right now is just a way for the very rich to justify having a slave class in this country who are not treated in the same way that even the most poor Americans are treated.

How convenient, to justify illegal immigrants in an election year, when many upper level politicians have housekeepers, nannies and gardeners who are illegal and might be a "problem" during their runs. It's happened before.

What more can they do? Naturalize, naturally. Our borders shouldn't be so transparent that we have no security or control whatsoever.

[myasma.livejournal.com]

I think we already have a slave class in this country. I am sure it varies from reigion to reigion, but many of the undocumented workers im my part of the country are migrant farmworkers, living in desperate situations and doing work no one else wants to do, and without this cheap labor pool, our economy would collapse.

[carocrow.livejournal.com]

The point is that they are here illegally. It is not the fault of people who came here legally, got work visas and applied for citizenship.

It could also be argued that the "US Drop" pregnancies are undermining the economy, illegal aliens who come here to have their children because they will be US Citizens by default. Economically that can be disastrous.

Maybe it is the system that relies on slave labor that should be looked at, not the concept of legalizing something that needs to be restricted. These people would never have been able to enter most other countries the way they did and stay there without work visas. They need work visas so that the employers are responsible for them and their welfare, not just to restrict them.

Since when were they ever told they couldn't be citizens? They just don't go about it the legal way.

[sistermeg.livejournal.com]

yikes - calling them scumbags seems a bit harsh. I wouldn't say they are getting a free ride - they pay sales taxes on items just like anyone else and are prohibited from any of the benefits. They also do work that most americans wouldn't do and keep prices low on items we don't want to pay more for. I shouldn't sanctify anyone anymore than someone should demonize them. But it's a bit more complicated than your rhetoric would imply.

[myasma.livejournal.com]

You are fortunate to have been given the opportunities you have. My wife was an immigrant, and she taught me much about how fortunate I am to have been born in a country of wealth.

As I said in a previous comment, many of the undocumented workers in my area (and yours) are migrant farmworkers. Their lives are anything but a free ride. They work hard under very miserable conditions. Our economy depends on this. You can buy affordable produce because they are here working.

Sometimes my ministry puts me in places where I get to witness their lives firsthand. It saddnes me to know that a people who have so much could so completely exploit people who have so little.

[myasma.livejournal.com]

Wouldn't this be an argument for making them legal so they have the same legal protections the rest of us do?

It would indeed. But I think the big business interests don't want that--that would mean minimum wages and benefits. That's why this issue is so complex.

[gracegiver]

I really need to read the news more often.

[myasma.livejournal.com]

yup!

[owlsdragon.livejournal.com]

I had a Brazilian friend who did what he could do, legally. Visa, green card, work permit, whatever. He obeyed the laws, followed the rules and played the game to become an American, legally. After 9/11, his wife no longer felt safe in this country, took his daughter, got a divorce, and went back to Brazil. He stayed the requisite time in order to take the pledge to become an American before returning to Brazil. Is it really so much to ask others to obey those same laws? Why is it that we feel the need to make things easier for those do not wish to abide by the legal process? In an abusive relationship we would be called "enablers". No thanks. I do not support abuse in my personal life, nor will I accept it in our judicial process.

[myasma.livejournal.com]

As I mentioned above, many of the undocumented workers im my area are migrant farmworkers and those who do the menial jobs no one else wants to do. Agriculture is a big part of California's economy, and that economy is dependent on the illegal labor pool.

[owlsdragon.livejournal.com]

It seems to me that there is something wrong with a "system" that is depedant upon ILLEGAL workers. Why can't they became part of the legal status quo? WHAT is it in our system that equates cheap, unskilled labor with illegality? I'm sorry, but the two don't come clean together in the wash. There should be a simple system whereby those wanting to perform the cheap, unskilled labor tasks necessary, can register at the border for a temporary work permit of whatever time frame is required to perform the job, and the return from whence they came. What's so difficult about that to comprehend?

[detroitfather.livejournal.com]

This is a great photograph -- great composition! Yours, I assume?

[myasma.livejournal.com]

It is mine.

[detroitfather.livejournal.com]

It is great. It should be on the cover of Time or some such. Bravo!

[rejectomorph]

Bienvenidos!

[myasma.livejournal.com]

hola!

[sistermeg.livejournal.com]

beautiful - you have so many gifts!

[myasma.livejournal.com]

thank you.

[worldcomrade.livejournal.com]

Well said.

[myasma.livejournal.com]

thanks!

[(Anonymous)]

The migrant farmworkers may be necessary, but what about those who come into this country illegally and commit crimes, destroy property with grafitti? While I've never applied for a farming job, I have been denied jobs for which I am qualified, simply because I don't speak spanish.

[berkeleyfarm.livejournal.com]

These photos are truly wonderful, Mike. Thank you for capturing this event.

[purple7luv.livejournal.com]

I read/see this with cold chicken skin chills and warm heart.
Reality. Compassion. Truth. Reality. Truth.
~
When I lived in So Cal, I had the blessing of meeting and knowing some of the most human sweetest of heart human beings, by way of Mexico, that I have ever known in my life. FRIENDS in my home and forever in my heart and life. Co-worker/angel/friend Samantha, and her familia. Familia of the children in the agency I worked for. I loved and felt so loved with my Hispanic friends and Gardeners in my garden, that knew ME and respected and KNEW my preferences and general ANGLO ticks with nuances with lemonande and conversation about growth and green. All in all, I have not met a sweeter, more humble engraciating portion of humanity, than the Hispanic culture I grew to know and love and appreciate there. I always thought that Appalachian folk were the sweetest souls in the universe, but, life has a way of changing perspectives. &hearts

[annabellissima.livejournal.com]

Wow.... extremely striking photo to me.

Beautiful and yet sad. And yet... proud. Goodness your photography is something else.

It's good to see posts from you. i've missed your presence on LJ.

No need to miss me!

[myasma.livejournal.com]

I have a daily picture journal at lowflyingsquab!

Re: No need to miss me!

[saintgeorge.livejournal.com]

Oh man, I have been missing your photos! I just added you to my default view Friends list so I can get my daily quota. You don't have to add me back (unless you choose to, of course.)

Re: No need to miss me!

[(Anonymous)]

Oh, I hope not only to see your pictures, but more importantly to read about YOU. How life is going, all that jazz. I know I don't comment often (I'm haven't been active on LJ nearly as much in this last year as I used to be) but I am interested, and your updates have been missed - and not just for the photos.

- Anne