Jack & Jill Politics

Yeah, you heard me right. Cuz maybe if AZ Gov. Jan Brewer did, she might change her mind about signing that racist immigration law on Friday. Sadly I’m guessing this skit from Mind of Mencia was written prior to Arizona’s new Juan Crow law that allows police to demand papers from anyone that they think looks like an illegal immigrant, regardless of whether any kind of crime has been committed. (It’s brilliant breathtaking political satire and sendup of stereotypes, though. Made my head spin. Carlos Mencia is crazy.)

“Looks like” — I think we all know what that means. During slavery times, there was a similar system actually. Free colored people had to carry their “free papers” everywhere and present them anytime they were questioned. Yet it was sadly not uncommon for papers to be destroyed and for freed blacks to be kidnapped and sold back into slavery. Things intensifed after the Fugitive Slave Act:

…the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 made anyFederal marshal or other official who did not arrest an alleged runaway slave liable to a fine of $1,000. Law-enforcement officials everywhere now had a duty to arrest anyone suspected of being a runaway slave on no more evidence than a claimant‘s sworn testimony of ownership. The suspected slave could not ask for a jury trial or testify on his or her own behalf. In addition, any person aiding a runaway slave by providing food or shelter was subject to six months’ imprisonment and a $1,000 fine.

That was circa 1850. Cut to 2010 from CBS News:

Arizona’s new law, signed by the governor on Friday, would require immigrants to carry documents verifying their immigration status. It would also require police officers to question a person about his or her immigration status if there is “reasonable suspicion” that person may be illegally in the country.

Who “looks like” an illegal immigrant? This is just straight-up, prima facie, “hold on, let me pull on my white hood” racist. I’ve known a couple of Canadians whose visas were in various states of “uncertainty”. They squeaked under the radar here in the U.S. because usually they were white, had nice office jobs or looked like they’d recently had a nice job. A recent hit movie just last year with Sandra Bullock, The Proposal, is entirely based on this premise in fact! Her character, Margaret Tate’s visa application is denied, Facing deportation, she bullies her male American assistant into marrying her so she can stay in the U.S. and keep her high-powered publishing job. Or something. Which is VERY illegal btw. Here’s the trailer:

SO…just so we’re all clear — it’s cute and funny when it’s Canadians but apparently requires draconian racial profiling if you’re from south of the border. Margaret Tate, yes — Margarita Tato, no? I was glad to see Al Sharpton and President Obama step to it strong on this issue.

Sharpton:

“The Arizona immigration bill is an affront to the civil rights of all Americans and an attempt to legalize racial profiling.”

Obama:

“Our failure to act responsibly at the federal level will only open the door to irresponsibility by others,” he said, pointing to the Arizona bill. “In fact, I’ve instructed members of my administration to closely monitor the situation and examine the civil rights and other implications of this legislation. But if we continue to fail to act at a federal level, we will continue to see misguided efforts opening up around the country.”

This really is a civil rights issue impacting all Americans and must be addressed immediately. This law has to change. This is a nation of immigrants. “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breath free.” Etc.  This law is unconstitutional. Even hard-boiled conservatives like Lindsay Graham (R-SC) think so. This cannot stand. There are some marches planned on May 1 around the nation. I’m guessing, btw, they gonna be big…