 Political Activism and Illegal Immigration: Left of Center View In a Democratic society, the only tool that oppressed people have to improve their situation is political activism. For African Americans to be treated equally they had to take to the streets and show by force of their will that they would not be denied. It was a long hard fight against many who said that they were not worthy of equal rights. Arguments abounded that they would somehow damage the society if they were integrated into it. Despite having African American relatives of his own, George Wallace during his 1963 inaugural address made the following statement. “It is very appropriate then that from this Cradle of the Confederacy, this very Heart of the Great Anglo-Saxon Southland, that today we sound the drum for freedom as have our generations of forebears before us done, time and time again through history. Let us rise to the call of freedom loving blood that is in us and send our answer to the tyranny that clanks its chains upon the South. In the name of the greatest people that have ever trod this earth, I draw the line in the dust and toss the gauntlet before the feet of tyranny . . . and I say . . . segregation today . . .segregation tomorrow . . . segregation forever.” His great fight for freedom was for the freedom to deny equality to other human beings. The tyranny he spoke of was the passing of laws to give people basic human dignity. The truth of the matter is that the real fighters for freedom were the very people he opposed. Today the fight for freedom and equality is the fight of the immigrant. For whatever reason, many who come to America come here by unconventional means and despite their contributions are viewed as lesser than legal residents and even as a threat to America. So what recourse do they have? They are here to find the American dream. They want to have a better life for their families and to be treated as equals in our society. How can they obtain this if not by political action? If the oppressed do not take to the streets and stand up for their rights, they will always be oppressed. Just as in the time of George Wallace, those who speak of threats to our way of life while they justify their bigotry and hatred are the real opposition to equality. Just as it was with the Civil Rights movement in the sixties, this movement for equality will be a long fight but just as people celebrate the Civil Rights movement now history will deem this cause also to be just. One day the leaders of this movement will be seen as great champions of freedom and equality. LJ Finstermore - World Citizen | E-mail Comments on this column. Got a liberal viewpoint? We want to know what you think. Next week's subject: Reader's Choice: What's Important To You? Send in your view from the Left to be our featured Left of Center View for the week. Click here to submit your article. Last Week's View from the Left: Integrating Other Cultures Into the American Dream Previous Weeks Views from the Left: Employing Undocumented Workers Bilingual Education The Minutemen Driver's Licenses For Undocumented Immigrants Open Borders Sanctuary Cities Common Sense Laws Rise & Fall Outsourcing & Insourcing English Amnesty vs. Reality Defining Immigration |
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