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I do not understand. How could a person do something like this? How can those who use their rhetoric to dehumanize minorities continue to claim no part in these atrocities?
Words construct our realities! German Arians did not go from accepting their Jewish neighbors to systematically killing them over night. It took months upon months of dehumanization, via rhetoric, before they could justify such an appalling crime against humans. The same was true in Rwanda. It took day, after day of radio broadcasts disrespecting the humanity of the Tutsis before the Hutu mobs could justify chopping them down with machete’s. Hate crimes begin with words.
The FBI has reported a 40% rise in hate crimes against Latina/os since 2003. The FBI also reports that 62% of all hate crimes are targeted at Latina/os. This should be no surprise. As our economy is steadily declining it is becoming more and more acceptable to proclaim hate against Latina/os under the guise of critiquing immigration policy.
Just like in Germany a failing economy is what is being used to justify the verbal dehumanization of Latina/o migrants. In both these images you see these groups depicted unjustly taking the money of the nation for themselves in a time of economic crises. It is also important to note that much Nazi propaganda also depicted Jews as dirty, disease-infected rats.
Posters declaring the United States under “invasion” of Latina/os in effect declare all those who act against these “invaders” patriots. Why then are we surprised when we see that all over the country individuals are committing hate crimes targeting those who share the physical characteristics of the “invaders?”
Dehumanization of Latina/os in not just occurring on the Internet, on T.V., and at protests but also in one on one conversation. Every time a person laughs at a “beaner” joke they are encouraging that the person that made the joke, as well as everyone that heard it, continue to dehumanize Latina/os in their rhetoric. And though some may think that the act of staying silent when such jokes are said shoes disagreement with the joke, they are grossly mistaken. Silence, i.e., neutrality, ensures that the status quo of dehumanization continues. Only speaking out against such words works to end their power to oppress.
We must not just speak out against racial slurs; we must also become more vocal of our beliefs surrounding the topic of immigration and U.S. policy. This is where the deepest held racist beliefs are often allowed to fester unchallenged and so it is hear that we must be the most willing to speak up. Immigration policy is not about numbers and charts, it is about families and human lives. In re-humanizing the conversation, we act directly against those that have used the topic to justify them spewing their hate through bullhorns since the founding of this nation.
Para la liberación,
Mateo
8 comments:
When I read “62% of all hate crimes are targeted at Latina/os. This should be no surprise” I was not only surprised, I was shocked. Was there seriously no one else that was surprised by this statistic? But then I read the FBI statistics, and I saw that anti-Latina/os hate crimes were about 62% of hate-crimes based on ethnicity/nationality (but not even close to 62% of all hate crimes). That’s because “ethnicity/nationality” is not how most hate crimes are classified. Most hate crimes are under the category of “race,” or “religion,” or “sexual orientation.” For example, if you look at the number of incidents, there was more hate crimes against whites than there was against Latina/os.
I’m in total agreement as far as words being destructive, and leading to hate crimes, and I find the racist images disgusting. My only problem is that you portray this fight as similar to fighting the racism of Nazism. Although blaming the Jews for economic struggles was a part of their propaganda, one of the most significant aspects was that they believed the Arian race to be superior. There is very little if any of these sentiments by public figures in America. There are cases in modern times that are more comparable to the fight against Nazism. Why do you put all your efforts towards fighting against would-be Nazi’s (that never will be) when there are so many Nazi like figures already plaguing the earth?
In my opinion one of the most significant events regarding Latin America in my life has happened recently. I would like to hear your thoughts about Zelaya being removed from power in Honduras?
Paul, thank you for bringing to my attention that you commented on this post. I have been so caught up on re-vamping the blog that I missed your comment notification.
First and foremost I would like to begin by apologizing for the inaccurate statistics. I took the numbers from what I believed to be a trustworthy source, thank you for reminding me how important it is to be critical of all numbers. Luckily these numbers had nothing to do with the crux of my post, the role of words in constructing our perceptions of reality.
In regards to comparing Nazi rhetoric to the anti-immigrant rhetoric we see today, I think that our clash is based on a misunderstanding. You stated,
“Although blaming the Jews for economic struggles was a part of their propaganda, one of the most significant aspects was that they believed the Arian race to be superior. There is very little if any of these sentiments [of White-Euro-American superiority] by public figures in America.”
The Nazi movement existed long before the Nazi government was established. Nazism was a culture; not a culture based on a geographical location but on ideology. Like you mentioned, the heart of Nazism was founded in Arian superiority (therefore Nazi government was only one part of a greater whole). This same mentality of superiority is being seen today in the rhetoric of individuals across the nation. That is the connection I was making, e.g., see the images I posted.
Overall, looking at my post and your response I am pleased to see that we are in agreement. Like you said, “I’m in total agreement as far as words being destructive, and leading to hate crimes, and I find the racist images disgusting.“ This is the heart of my post. It is good to see we have found common ground.
Para la liberación,
Mateo
In regards to the situation in Honduras, my thoughts are that there are some shady things going on.
What are your thoughts on the matter?
Mateo,
I don’t want to make it sound like I’m just causing trouble. I know we both agree on your main point. I think that until racism is supported by mainstream public figures we shouldn’t liken it to fighting Nazism. I don’t think fighting all racism is like fighting Nazism. There is a pretty big difference between people that want to stop illegal immigration and people who want to put everyone of a certain race in gas chambers. There will unfortunately be instances of isolated crimes but do you know of any movement or organization that resembles Nazis? I’m not just nitpicking either. This is a pretty big difference. We all have to prioritize our moral battles. What to you is a bigger moral imperative: combating racial slurs made by individuals, or fighting for the millions of people that live in slave states.
My thoughts about Honduras are that Zelaya was trying to become a life long president (dictator), possibly similar to Chavez. The Honduras government correctly removed him from power. Honduras doesn’t deserve the condemnation of practically the whole world. It would be tragic if Obama cut of aid to Honduras seeing as it is one of the poorest countries in this hemisphere. We should stand with Honduras’ decision to remove Zelaya. It was significant because in Latin America it is common for left wing dictators to be elected to power and then change the constitution to create a dictatorship. Honduras made a stand most countries wouldn’t or couldn’t do, and it is a great injustice that they face the condemnation and possibly punishment from the world. You can read more about my thoughts on the issue here: http://theconservative-voice.blogspot.com/2009/07/blog-response-honduran-coup.html
Hey Paul, good to hear from you again.
You concluded your first thought with,
“We all have to prioritize our moral battles. What to you is a bigger moral imperative: combating racial slurs made by individuals, or fighting for the millions of people that live in slave states.”
Why? Why create a false dichotomy? These two injustices are both founded in racism. In fact we will never near the day that racism fades away if we do not act in ways to counter both manifestations of this false ideology.
In regards to your second thought, you wrote,
“We should stand with Honduras’ decision to remove Zelaya”
If this were the case I would agree with you completely, but I am not convinced it is. Zelaya was not voted out of office or forced to flee the country by an uprising of the people. He was kidnapped by an Italian and a student of the School of the Americas (from which the worst Latin American dictators have been trained) in the middle of the night then a dramatic military coup was staged to bring fear and chaos to the people of Honduras.
I like you am no supporter of dictators. Looking to the history of Latin America and the situation in Honduras it seems that we are witnessing the rise of a dictator, not the fall or one.
In the past the United States has used its military strength to topple legitimately elected officials (though not perfect) and replacing them with bloodthirsty dictators. I hope that this time around the US is on the right side of history.
Also in regards to the Honduras situation, Zelaya had not (at least not yet) declared that he would be running for more (indefinite terms), it was something, from what I understand, that he had brought up to Congress. Although I would not agree with that, I am not sure that posing that question is worthy of being toppled out of power. Like Matt said, this was not the doing of the people, this was the doing of one man with some powerful allies.
Mateo,
I didn’t create a false dichotomy. I’m agreeing with you that we should speak out against racism no matter how mild it is. What I asked you was what was more important: combating racial slurs or fighting for enslaved nations. We shouldn’t act like we are fighting Nazi-like racism any time why speak out against any kind of racism especially when we have Nazi-like racists enslaving people today.
Zelaya was captured by the Honduran military, which was under orders of the Honduran Supreme court, and approved by their Congress and attorney general. The removal of Zelaya was supported by a majority of Hondurans and even a majority of his own party. Zelaya’s replacement was a member of his own party. Zelaya was rightly and legally removed for planning a referendum to add another term to his presidency, which is strictly forbidden under the Honduran constitution which clearly states that the offender be subject to immediate removal. They removed him from the country during the impeachment process to prevent chaos because Zelaya had already used a mob to take the ballots he printed in Venezuela which were to be seized by the Honduran military. I have no doubt that Honduras prevented a dictator from rising to power and that Honduran elections will take place on schedule and a new president will be elected.
Oh, and as a rule of thumb, the more anti-American the dictator is, the worse he is.
Rod,
Zelaya had printed the ballots in Venezuela, threatened the police with a mob to release the ballots after they were confiscated, and it has now been reveled that the results of the referendum were already on Zeleya’s government computers (indicating the entire referendum was a sham of course.) Printing the ballots and attempting to pass them out was strictly against the constitution, which clearly proclaims any attempt at additional terms means the immediate removal of those who call for it. Even if he as the President simply asked congress about additional terms (he didn’t) that would still be illegal.
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