SB1070 Update: “An astonishing willingness to sacrifice the rights of others”

by David Safier

The Arizona Republic, like most Arizona dailies, has taken an editorial stance against SB1070. Today, the Republic wrote an especially strong editorial, going to the heart of the inherent racism in the law and the assumptions of many of its supporters.

For me, this is the money quote.

The NBC/Wall Street Journal poll indicated 64 percent of those in the general population support the law despite the indication that 66 percent of the general population agree with Latinos that it will lead to discrimination against Latinos, including those who live in this country legally.

That's an astonishing willingness to sacrifice the rights of others. No wonder this law creates fear and anger in the Latino community.

To restate the point: People who would scream and shout — and some who would hold massive Tea Party rallies — if they felt the government was being overly intrusive or oppressive when it comes to their rights are OK with oppressive government so long as it's the other guy/gal whose life is being intruded on.

It's the "I'm white, so I'm all right" exception to the "Don't tread on me!" rule.

Is that racism? Not necessarily. People with this kind of us/them mindset don't care whose rights are being trampled on, so long as it's not them and people like them. Let it be Hispanics, African Americans, gays, Muslims, Jews, you name it. They're equal opportunity "Tread on the other guy/gal" folks.

The editorial continues with some genuine insight about the toll of being suspect, even if you have nothing to hide.

Most Latinos in Arizona have nothing to hide from police officers who will be newly empowered to ask for proof of immigration status.

There is something else going on here.

There is a resentment that comes from knowing that people who look like you have been denigrated and systematically dehumanized as the problem of illegal immigration became more about scoring political points than finding solutions.

I would take the thought one step further. This is not simply about resentment. It's about a growing sense of being powerless and dehumanized. It's about the subtle self loathing that comes when the majority society tells you there is something inherently wrong with you because of your skin color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation or any other quality which is supposed to make you inferior or dangerous or immoral.