the Glocal Trekker Blog

There is a lot of emotion that's being stirred up over all the questions of immigration. Some people think it's about "Mexican" immigrants--it's much more than that--it's about us. Change is happening. It will not stop. The only question is how will we handle the change. This debate, discussion, is as much about "us" as it is about "them." When you have an unpopular Republican President at odds with his own party on an issue like this in the middle of a war--and battles are picked carefully--what is this about? Keep in mind, he is a Texan, he is conservative, and he sees the change coming and I believe is trying to respond appropriately.

Texas has always felt that change. It is a conglomeration of many peoples. First, there were the Tejas Indians, then came the Tejano's--Texans of Spanish descent, of whom we joined forces with Anglo settlers to win Texas Independence. We called ourselves Texians after the Republic of Texas was formed in 1836, and to Anglicize it we began to call ourselves Texans after the Civil War. Now things are changing again--and have been--we're just talking about it now.

A few months ago, Texas changed. For the first time, there is no single majority of one race. Thus, we should call ourselves Texicans! It respects the Indian heritage, the Spanish and Anglos, as well as the newer Mexicans who are of many lines of Hispanic descent. In a few years, the majority of Texas population will be Hispanic. Who can't admire the Mexican immigrants that come here to work? They have much to teach us. They aren't too good to do anything. They work hard. Most are kind and good-hearted people. If you speak to them and smile "Buenos Dios" they are always quick to smile back. Don't kid yourself, if they were to all pack up and leave today, our work force and economy would be a wreck. Most people don't realize how deep they are within our economy--its much more than just farm hands, but construction workers, factory workers, cooks--they're deep everywhere.

I like a lot of what they've brought to the table culturally. I love to listen to Tejano music. My favorite food is Mexican food, and it shows! Some bring color to the neighborhood in how they paint their houses.

It's time to address this issue. It's broke and needs to be fixed and it is in our own self-interest to do so. Why?

Security. There's never been a time in history where we needed tighter borders than today with all the terrorist threats, etc. Trying to rely only on hiring more border guards is simply not going to work. To stem the tide you are going to have to go beyond guards and allow some to come easier so that it will be less desirable for people to come illegally. If communities are given a "quota" of how many can come and it's legal--if then it's violated and their quota is suspended--it will serve as incentive for locals in Mexico to control their own.

Economics. I just don't know who we're kidding. I saw a news special on a dairy farmer in Wisconsin who has a relationship with a village in Mexico and who, when interviewed, said if it weren't for them, he would have to close down his diary that's been open for generations.

Cultural influence. The Irish, Germans, Italians, Africans, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Mexicans all have left good marks on our nation. For fitting into a world that is less white and very anti-American, Hispanics make good U.S. citizens in representing more than an Anglo culture.

Social responsibility. They need jobs. They're asking for work, not a handout--this is our next door neighbor. If we provide work permits and special provisions for people who are screened and then easier ways of becoming U.S. citizens for those that contribute, it will be to our advantage for our future in this global world. Not all Mexicans want to live here--they just want to work here. Most U.S. citizens have a wrong view of Mexico as well. There is a huge middle class there, what we see are the poor who can't break into the middle class. If these jobs can help them, and we can help Mexico by development, it's better for Mexico and better for the U.S.

Neighbor relations. They live next door. It's like a mansion next door to an old dilapidated RV that someone lives in and neither can move. You can flaunt your stuff if you want or you can share it and treat your neighbor with respect. Your decision is going to go a long way in how they respond to you and whether they rob you or respect you.

I supposedly have ancestors that died in the Alamo, they fought side by side with Tejano's, Tejas Indians, and yes even a few thousand Mexicans! Many who came to Texas came for a second chance because they blew it somewhere else. These were the Anglos. As a Christian, why in God's name am I going to go half-way around the world, or to Mexico and try to be a blessing to people there, but stiff arm them when I see them here. Something is wrong with my faith if that's my response.