Discourse about immigration in the United States has heated up a lot lately. Between having a presidential candidate talk about an electric border fence and having Alabama out-do Arizona for the "most stringent immigration policy" award, I often find myself embarrassed to identify as American.
After recently watching an extremely short video about ending the use of the "i" word (go to http://www.colorlines.com/droptheiword/blog/drop-the-i-word-friday-friend-9-year-old-sam.html), I realized that one of the parts of the debate about immigration reform that bothers me so deeply is the way we instantly "other" groups of people by labeling them. Of course, I am referring to the way people who are in the United States without the proper papers are called "illegals," especially in the popular media.
This isn't the first time in history that a majority group has given a demeaning name to a minority group, and unfortunately I doubt it will be the last time, either. Just like most derogatory language, "illegal" is used to create an artificial barrier of fear, hatred, and ignorance between groups of people. It neglects the humanity that all people share; it doesn't acknowledge individuals as mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, lovers, and friends. It also doesn't take into account that all people have hopes, dreams, fears, disappointments, and triumphs.
Word choice matters. And so does seeing individuals as more than stereotypes.
In closing, I leave you with a Mayan saying called En Lak Ech (You are my other me):
Spanish: Tú eres mi otro yo. Si te daño a ti, me daño a mi mismo. Si te respeto a ti, me respeto a mi mismo.
English: You are my other me. If I harm you, I harm myself. If I respect you, I respect myself.
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