Arizona
[col. writ. 05/02/10] (c) '10 Mumia Abu-Jamal
Out of the fear, anxiety and trepidations of modern American life has sprung the latest immigration law from Arizona legislators, a declaration of war against the state's large (and growing) Hispanic population.
With language reminiscent of old black and white movies featuring Nazi officers stopping people in the street demanding, "Vere are your papers?", the statute as first passed provided for a fine of $2,500 and/or a sentence of six months imprisonment for those unfortunate enough to be caught without identification.
Mexicans feel particularly aggrieved by such laws for the state of Arizona was, for several decades, part of Mexico, until the U.S. - Mexican War of 1848, when the land was lost. Over a thousand years ago, this land was home to the Anasazis and Hohokam people.
Arizona didn't formally enter the U.S. as a state until 1912.
The state's Hispanic population is nearly a third of the state's total.
And there's the rub.
A growing brown population is freaking out white Arizonians.
Especially older folks, who see a change they did not foresee; the browning of Arizona, and the browning of America.
Now, the law demands, 'Your papers - or jail!'
This movement around immigration will surely grow by leaps and bounds, and will not be solved soon.
Meanwhile, fear, anxiety and trepidation - on both sides.
--(c) '10 maj
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