June 9th, 2011, Durbin speaks on the floor about the need to pass the DREAM Act.. - Page 3

Nope

lol no manches lol!!!!!!!!!

I don't care what the odds are against us. We can theorize all we want about the executive and congressional makeup in 2013 all we want. We can base our arguments on polls and write the most persuasive arguments. The truth is that no one knows what will happen. So, seeking to pass any type of immigration reform is better than waiting and setting our hopes on an uncertain 2013.

You nailed it.

As a student of history, the only thing that gives me a glimmer of hope these days is that history repeats itself. Every major wave of immigration to America has been criticized, demonized, kicked to the curve, and made invisible. No matter what others may assert (till their faces turn blue), our collective narrative is no different from those who came through the Ellis (or Angel) Island a century ago. And as their stories show, acceptance and enfranchisement come slowly and gradually, but they will reach us someday. For some of us, we simply don't have that kind of time, but for those who can wait, I think it's important to stay strong and to not lose hope in the very nation that you are struggling to become a part of.

Sorry if it sounds like some lofty prattle. Giving myself pep talks such as these is the only thing that keeps me going these days.

Interesting. Lets take this a step further. Many on here have compared this situation to that of African Americans who were once known as slaves to wealthy white farm owners. Many have called this another civil rights issue. I am in complete agreement with this. We are certainly being taken advantage of politically and economically. Politically because our issue is being used to win elections. Economically its clear the amount of contribution "illegals" make is incredible..these guys are just in denial. What's your take on this as a history major?

I agree with this. I think you have made more sense then anybody on here lately... This is so true.. We have to stop setting our hopes on an uncertain 2013 and start mobilizing things now..

I agree that there are many similarities between our situation and that of the civil rights movement, and a number of other movements (gay, women's, etc) that have taken place in the last century. Essentially, we, like the ones who came before us, are being penalized for being born into our status (but you didn't need me to tell you that). Additionally, I think it would be naive to deny that America's unwillingness to pass DA/CIR is somewhat fueled by racist feelings. I sincerely believe that if the latest wave of immigration had come from - let's say - Scandinavia instead of South America, Africa and Asia, it would be a different story.

With that being said, however, I personally think that it's a bad idea - even detrimental - to publicly compare our circumstance to that of the civil rights movement, the subtext being that we, like African Americans just a few decades ago, deserve justice and morality. Even though we're right, I don't think the American public wants to hear that we "deserve" these things when their own citizens are suffering in this economy. So when the DA campaign picks up steam again, instead of all those sympathetic stories of deserving DREAMers, I think it's more important to really publicize those numbers and figures that show how much the DREAMers will benefit the economy in the long run, how it will take more resources to deport us than to enfranchise us, etc. Bottom line: It's not enough to engage them emotionally with some high-minded rhetoric on justice and morality. We have to show them the hard numbers.