Jorge Ramos, Anchorman, reporter,
best selling writer and radio commentator.
One of the things that amazes is the economic illiteracy that I see in even the most luminous journalists of the mainstream media. Very few approach immigration from the perspective of the 3rd Güey (clear, honest economic analysis based on empirical reality). Most based their limited analysis on race, racism and empty platitudes. Nowhere is this more clearly seen than with the 7-time Emmy winner Jorge Ramos, a charismatic, intelligent journalist from Univision. We cannot overestimate the influence that Mr Ramos holds, because an an anchor for Univision, a columnist for several Spanish newspapers, a radio commentator and a best selling author, he is the window into the political world of the United States for millions of Spanish speakers. And this is all the more true with the near absence of alternative media outlets that Spanish speakers in the United States face. This is particularly troubling because Univision is overwhelmingly liberal and pro-Obama.
After skimming through Mr. Ramos's book "The Other Face of America: Chronicles of the Immigrants Shaping Our Future, I conducted some research and came across an article in the Washington Post in which Mr. Ramos answered the questions that various readers presented him. I was very pleasantly surprised by the thoughtfulness and balance of most of the questions. But, I was quite disappointed by Mr. Ramos one-dimensional responses. Nowhere does he analyze and weigh the (social & economic) costs and benefits of immigration and nowhere does he address the legitimate concerns of the participants. And in a one instance he even falls back on unsophisticated fear mongering, which I have highlighted in red. Here are some excerpts; to view the full article scroll to the bottom of the post and click on the link:
Arlington, Va.: Don't you think there is a difference between anti-immigrant and anti-immigration? I am all for welcoming immigrants, treating them warmly and fairly, and helping them become part of our community. But I also want to lower immigration levels, because I'm concerned about the fact that the U.S. is already overcrowded--housing shortages, environmental harm, pollution, and school crowding are all the results of that crowding. But I'm certainly not anti-immigrant, and I'd like to see you make the distinction.
Jorge Ramos: The United Stated do not have too many immigrants. The immigrant population is, right now, 11 percent. In 1870 was 14 % and in 1910 was 14.7% So it is not accurate to say that there are too many immigrants in the US. Especially when they contribute so much to this economy and to the multiracial, multi-ethnic and multicultural nature of this country.
Washington, D.C.: Do you think the United States is overpopulated (as evidence by urban sprawl, the energy crunch, water shortages, traffic congestion etc.)? Middle Census Bureau projections puts the U.S. at around 400 million by 2050. Immigrants and their first-generation descendants are the primary cause of population growth (over 70%). Doesn't this have drastic ramifications on our environment?
Jorge Ramos: Overpopulated? I do not think so. What happens, in reality, is that many people are afraid that this country is going through a process of diversification. On July 1, 2059 every single ethnid group in this country (including non-hispanic whites) will become a minority.
Easton, Md.: Don't we as a people need to ask what the optimum number of people in the U.S. should be. Optimum as opposed to maximum. And then should we not work towards that number?
Jorge Ramos: We have not reached yeat the optimum number of immigrants in this country. Are people willing to pay five dollars for a tomato, 20 dollars for a hamburger, 50 dollars for a steak or pay doble or triple for rent?
Arlington, Va.: To me, amnesty to illegal immigrants is a slap in the face to legal immigrants who went about everything the right way, like my husband. We spent many years apart because neither of us believed in him working here illegally, and so we waited until we were ready to get married. Illegal immigrants are just that, illegal.
Jorge Ramos: I have a problem with the terms "illegals", "illegal immigrants" or "illegal aliens" because many people want to equate this with criminals. Immigrants are not criminals. They are in this country because they are needed in this country. Every one in this country is an accomplice of immigrants. Every one. It is unfair to criticize their presence and at the same time benefit from their work. Who harvested the food that we ate today? Who built hte house where you live? Who is taking care of our children when we go out?
Bethesda, Md.: With few exceptions, the United States is an nation of immigrants, drawn here by economic, political and/or religous opportunities. You have raised the call for adequate political and cultural representation for the Latino population in the country. How can those who are illeagal (i.e. they have broken the law by immigrating illegaly and are criminals) demand political representation? The United States was founded on the rule of law, and stands on it in total, not merely selecting the pieces that are convienent to one's particular situation.
Jorge Ramos: Immigrants work hard in this country, they pay takes, they contribute a lot to the culture and the economy of this country. Their presence highlights the true nature of the United States as a multicultural, multiethinic society. What I found difficult to understand is how an immigrant or a descendant of immigrants want to close the door behind them. To be anti-immigrant is, in fact, to be anti-American
Washington, D.C.: Sir, Are you in favor of allowing immigrants from ALL nations unrestricted access to the United States, people from Asia, Africa, etc. If we did so, we would probably have to lower the number of Latin American immigrants in order to be fair to people of other nations, for example, instead of 10 million from Mexico, we could have 2 million from Nigeria, 2 million from Cambodia, 2 million from Mexico, and so on. Mexican and American culture are not that similar that we should encourage a "merging" of Mexico and the United States, for English speakers, Spanish is not a easy language to learn, and I am sure it is true vice versa.
Jorge Ramos: The georpgraphic and political realities makes if impossible to apply the formula that you are suggesting. The priority should be to legalize, first, those who are already here. And then negotiate with Latin America a workable solution to the immigration dilemma. This is a problem that the United States can not resolve alone.
http://discuss.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/zforum/02/author_ramos0207.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment