Guest Column
To: Editor of the Orange County Register
- From: Francisco Juarez
- Subject: Your Invitation to Be Heard
Editor Foley,
You write, "Talk to us -- How has immigration affected your life and your community? Register editors want to hear your thoughts and concerns."
Thank you so much for asking. Further, thank you for not asking about the affects of "illegal" immigration.
As someone who is a native Californian, Santa Monica born and raised, I will tell you that growing up in Southern California had widened my borders to the point that I felt like the state was mine to enjoy and to relish, as should the nation, continent and world. Certainly, the cities of San Francisco, San Jose, Cayucos, where my brother lives, Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, Costa Mesa, Laguna Niguel, National City and points above and between are among the best places in the world to live and recreate.
That was, until a "nativism" attitude began to rear its ugly head. A "nativism" attitude that is no different than the attitude of gang members who claim territory that they will never own or belong to.
In short, the affects that I have suffered from the reaction of too many Californians, mainly White Anglo Saxon Protestants, who feel threatened by the influx of undocumented workers, mainly from Mexico, urged by our society's desire for cheap unskilled labor, mainly agriculture and food service, are painful.
My pride of country (and I am a combat Marine veteran of Vietnam) is hurt. My pride of ancestry, 7Th generation Californian, is hurt and my pride of belonging to the League of United Latin American Citizens, an organization that has worked hard to muster the strength and respect to help the truth be known, is hurt.
However, as when I rotated out of combat, I just won't go away and continue to nurture my pain. I will continue to be a proud U.S. citizen, a proud Californian and a proud LULAC'er, and, I will use the pain to fuel whatever is left in me to fight the bigotry behind the Minuteman Patrol and advocates thereof.
- Sincerely,
- Francisco Juarez
- President
- Council 3062
- California City
- feinsm@juno.com
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