Silence and outrage on Schwarzenegger's "Mexicans"

The two major dailies in Los Angeles had follow-up takes as different as night and day on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's latest off-the-cuff remarks. The L.A. Times goes with this breezy report on shrugs from the Democrats Arnold talked smack about, while La Opinion headlines its story: Governor attacks Mexicans. "Attacks" seems a bit strong, as these were off-the-record musings, but the subtext of outrage seems entirely appropriate.

Like a lot of people, I tend to dismiss whatever Schwarzenegger says as the words of a misguided if charming simpleton. But imagine, for the sake of discussion, how the English-language press would respond if the governor's disparaging comments on Mexicans would have been directed in some form at Jews or African Americans. I can't find any voices in English countering the patently prejudicial idea that Mexican immigrants resist assimilating, much less any discussion on what these antiquated ideas of "assimilation" even mean anymore. The unequal distribution of L.A. media anger on this story is especially stinging in Latino Los Angeles.

"It's proven that within two generations, Mexicans assimilate, and there's not a single one that doesn't want to learn and be successful in this country," state Sen. Gil Cedillo told La Opinion. Thanks for that, but where's Fabian, Gloria, Antonio, Hilda ...?

I'm told this morning that the governor's words on Mexicans were being fumed about on all the Spanish-language radio stations. And people wonder why Mexicans and other Latinos feel under attack in this country and lash back in emotional ways. Thankfully, we can count on bilingual, bicultural Californians, the young people who will inherit this state, to think progressively and pragmatically on issues of cultural unity and national identity. * Photo above, the face of the future in California, by Ted Soqui.

Comments

[Frank D. Russo]

Thanks for pointing out these comments, little noticed by many, but important to all of us. Let's focus on what we need to do politically and in public policy to create a more just state for all who are within our borders.

[Alex Walker]

I agree with everything you said except this:

"...But imagine, for the sake of discussion, how the English-language press would respond if the governor's disparaging comments on Mexicans would have been directed in some form at Jews or African Americans..."

Excuse me?

We African-Americans get this a lot.

In point of fact, people say "disparaging comments" about Blacks and Jews all the time. They say them in "off the cuff" remarks. They say them in prepared speeches. They say them in print in newspapers and magazines.

Let's keep our eyes on the ball.

What you REALLY never hear in this country is anything seriously disparaging about those who could properly be described as the GREAT USA RULING CLASS.

[Daniel H.]

Thanks for your comment, Alex. But just to clarify I didn't say that African Americans and Jews are never subjected to the same type of prejudice. In fact history shows the two groups have been thrown so much of it that the media is well-trained at responding. I am simply pointing out that Mexicans and Mexican Americans have been given a lot of the same crap and for whatever reasons people who lead the dialogue in this country still think that's okay.

It's not okay. Especially not coming from someone as the governor of a state as rich and diverse as California, and especially not when Mexicans are dying in Iraq, serving at the highest levels of government (including the White House and Congress), leading major companies, starring on the most popular primetime television programs, playing in major professional sports, serving as judges, and so on.

Schwarzenegger should set and surpass the standard. And right now, he should be ashamed.

[Juan Gonzalez]

"It's proven that within two generations, Mexicans assimilate, and there's not a single one that doesn't want to learn and be successful in this country,"

Ofcourse they want to assimilate! Anyone with a logically thinking brain knows that. But why should American society have to wait two, or more generations for this to happen? In really concentrated Latino welfare areas it takes even longer. Ofcourse they want to assimilate, but they just aren't! Where there is a will, there is a way, and right now in Los Angeles and other concentrated Latino areas there is little will to do so. The proximity of Latin America coupled with spanish advertiser greed, discourages a faster assimilation into the US.

I am glad the Governer made his remarks. He has shown light on an issue that has long been overdue to debate.

My mother immigrated into the US when she was a teenager and by the time she reached middle age she became a VP at a major American Bank. No small feat! (Nor feet either.)