"By the Time I Get to Arizona" -- This Discrimination Must Stop

The Arizona immigration bill -- which Governor Jan Brewer has decided to sign into law -- is racist, deceitful, and reflects some of the most mean-spirited politics against immigrants that the country has ever seen. The power that this law gives to police to detain people that they suspect to be undocumented brings racial profiling to a new low. Brewer's actions and those of Joe Arpaio, Russell Pearce, the Arizona State Senate are despicable, inexcusable, and endorse the all-out hate campaign that Joe Arpaio, Russell Pearce, and others have perpetrated upon immigrants for years. The people of Arizona who voted for this bill, as well as those who crafted it, demonstrate no regard for the humanity or contributions of Latino people. And for all of those who have chosen not to speak up, shame on you for silently endorsing this legislated hate.

In 1991 Public Enemy wrote a song criticizing Arizona officials (including John McCain and Fife Symington) for rejecting the federal holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The same politics written about in "By the Time I Get to Arizona" are alive and well in Arizona today, but this time the target is Brown people.

These actions must stop. We are issuing a call to action, urging fellow musicians, artists, athletes, performers, academics and production companies to refuse to work in Arizona until officials not only overturn this bill, but recognize the human rights of immigrants. This should include the NBA playoffs, revisiting the actions of the NFL in 1993, when they moved the Superbowl to Pasadena in protest against Arizona's refusal to recognize Dr. King. We all need to speak up in defense of our brothers and sisters being victimized in Arizona, because things are only getting worse. What they're doing to immigrants is appalling, but it will be even more damning if we remain silent.

 

Comments

[Phil Hanson]

06:19 PM on 05/12/2010

This is another Anti SB 1070 song out there. You can listen and download it from this link:

http://www.pharmspit.com/sb1070/

Youtube link is here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giaxsoR_Dhg

[Jetwash]

09:04 PM on 05/02/2010

The question is not unauthorized immigration, but rather is Arizona SB 1070 good law or not, and does it infringe upon or make vulnerable U.S. citizens of Hispanic decent open to discrimination and abuse. And the answer is: yes. Even in its modified form the law is bad law because it ultimately puts the law enforcement official on the spot to judge whether some is in the country legally or not without the proper training that a federal officer goes through. Some officers will do well with this discretion and others will not and those who do not will ultimately infringe on the innocent, the U.S. citizen who must now prove he is one in his own country. Many men and women died defending this fundamental right to be free from unwarranted searches and seizures no matter how mundane by the government and we should stand with them. Our freedoms are not for sale and not to be traded because the federal government does not stop unauthorized migration. The law will be struck down, if only because it infringes on federal jurisdiction and that makes this all one giant political ploy.

[edgarcaycedoc]

08:56 PM on 05/02/2010

Let's look at the next possible profiling law. If I am driving with my wife and kids in Arizona, should I have to take my marriage license along to prove I am not gay?? This question is bogus on several fronts. First, many gays are, in fact, married with children borne out of that marriage. It lends an aura of societal "respectability" that some gays find necessary in order to maintain a "marketable image." And if I am single, can I be stopped and made to prove I am not gay? And if I am with a woman (not my wife) can I be stopped and made to prove I am not cheating? These make about as much sense.

[jsanti7]

08:03 PM on 05/02/2010

“What About American rights ?!! What would one say about, in the last 80 years.The deportation of approx 1,2 million US citizens for no other reason but economic and political and fear. Then again when the most unprotected, US born minor children were deported(,this deportation ended people jump and drowned causing mutiny of the deportation ships crew.) California Posted a public apology for deporting 400000 US citizens Illegally,( INS ops both) American History of The Southwest States.Many of these people are still alive.

Time has changed cant happen to Legal US citizens.Yes.Time, the more change the more stays the same. 1070 flirts with the hint of previous institutional injustice. The only guarantee the rights of US citizen are not abused .....words then a change in the words Ask the Native Americans how that worked for them?. Huge illegal deportation of Americans may not happen again but how many are acceptable? The attitude that leads to injustice has not changed, SEN.Poe, Duncan Hunter,Scott McInnis, Arizona needs Federal help with the border and deserves to live safe. Arizona has not gotten help. 1070 pits many against it, Others wondering, watching not doing business on just the face value ... So Like Arizona should we trust Fed to do its job to protect US citizens and laws? Should we trust Arizonas law even if says it mirrors the Federal law ?

[BlackJAC]

06:35 PM on 05/02/2010

And here's the song in question: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijeXGv9QLRc

[ChuckRogers]

05:43 PM on 05/02/2010

these poor people have enough problems... we should just let them in..... and we should stop forcing over 1.2 million yearly immigrants (no other nation on earth admits as many) to go through the bureacratic nightmare that is "legal" immigration... think of all the wasted time studying our constitution and laws and learning at least the basics of our language, our monetary system, and our history.......and how despicable is it to force people to memorize our oath of allegiance ?.......

[bignugly]

07:38 PM on 05/02/2010

Is your name Chavez? Anyone that abuses the rights of American citizens should be treated as criminals. If you were to rob a bank, you as an American? would go to jail. Illegal immigrants are breaking the law. If you don't like the law-change it.

[edgarcaycedoc]

08:59 PM on 05/02/2010

It's satire, dude. Get over it.

[jeb50]

04:57 PM on 05/02/2010

Since this law is basically the same as the Federal law why weren't you whining when the Federal law was passed.

[eirlymeyer]

05:41 PM on 05/02/2010

In actuality.......IT"S NOT!

Possibly, if you took the time to read the legislation, you will find that it is not even close to the Federal law.

[ChuckRogers]

05:50 PM on 05/02/2010

what's the purpose of having a legal immigration system ? we already admit more than any nation in the world (1.2 million in 2006 for instance)

[jeb50]

07:53 PM on 05/02/2010

Bull!

[realitytrumpsbull]

01:39 PM on 05/02/2010

I don't know, is 'thuppa thuppa, wiki wiki, yo bay-bee yo' really a good substitute for sound government?
I'm sorry, but the entertainment industry is somewhat different from the business of government,
and Chucky Cheese or whatever isn't going to be inviting 5 million people to come live on his 'spread'.
Further, talking directly about the entertainment industry, wasn't there some rap star that became notorious for blatant drug use, the kind of drugs being smuggled into the US from Mexico, and points south, cornerstone for the lucrative, and violent industry that seems to be taking over the northern Mexican states? Finally, who pays 15 bucks a pop for that garbage? Shouldn't the computer be receiving the royalties?

[eirlymeyer]

05:45 PM on 05/02/2010

The entertainment industry is exactly what is needed to get people to stand up to the discriminatory law.

When celebrities speak, people listen & many do follow.

But it's also ignorance like yours who would make statements like "yo bay-bee yo" in your comment, trying to make some relevance to the specific situation vs. your statements is a clear indication why celebrities & the entertainment industry is exactly what's needed. Your statement was directed at the writers of the article -- one who which happens to be an African American & a rapper, thereby you instantly stereotyped them.

If the writers were the Jonas Brothers stating the same thing, or Cameron Diaz, or even Justin Timberlake, you would be "singing a different tune" yourself.

[Didi Lashley]

06:03 AM on 06/10/2010

I think your talking about your fellow whiteys with the blatant drug use...just check out TMZ...

[abuelad]

01:35 PM on 05/02/2010

Are we blaming working immigrants because we are unable to stop the drug dealers at our borders, or because our economy has tanked thanks to wall streets greed? "OR BOTH"

[independent joe]

12:55 PM on 05/02/2010

Maybe the law should be repealed, seeing it's about reducing crime more than about deportation
Most of the crime is Hispanic on Hispanic crime so who cares. So another Hispanic is kidnapped
and probably murdered who cares? Being Phoenix is number two in the world in kidnappings that
should help lower the population some. Who cares about the next innocent victim?Evidently some
people have more compassion for law breakers than innocent victims. So who cares?

[Milrepa]

12:35 PM on 05/02/2010

Speaking as Republican in favor of blanket Amnesty, I would urge the author to reconsider his anger and name calling. Once the infighting begins, solutions become impossible. It was time to bring the illegal immigration issue to a head, our elected leaders failed. Consider the reverse....what if Arizona, instead had passed a law declaring Amnesty? 20 million illegals would have moved to Arizona, number one, and number two it would have been challenged in Federal court, and number three all hell would have broken out. This law challenges a broken system, and it's high time.

[voyager48]

01:00 PM on 05/02/2010

well said. The hispanic community are making themselves martyrs and it is not pretty to watch. Nobody - least of all the Governer is saying the system is not broken.

Amnesty in some form has to be part of the solution and again the Governer accepts this as does any sane person. What I think the Hispanic community has considered in their self absorbed rantings is the fact that there are many millions of people elsewhere in the world that woudl love an opportunity to be a guest worker. Why should they have the monopoly on that opportunity.

This is not about racism or hispanic rights. It is about the rule of law and human rights

[HealthSolutions]

10:45 AM on 05/02/2010

In the name of self-interest and politics human beings can display the most despicable behavior. The governor signed the most controversial bill in the history of her state because she fought it might give her political gain. Suddently John McCain is no longer a Maverick, Mitt Romney is refuting the best thing he has ever done in his political career, Sarah Palin, in the name of money and ignorance embarrassed herself everyday. Wow low will we go in the name of self interest?

[voyager48]

01:05 PM on 05/02/2010

I agree about the self interest and political rantings but I believe this to be the case primarily in the Hispanic community!

Illegal immigrants took a conscious decision to break the law by coming here as trespassers. They knew the risks and now suddenly this is a problem? This bill is primarliy contentious in the sense that it now requires officials to do start doing their job and enforce laws that have been on federal books for teh last 40 years or be sued.

[edgarcaycedoc]

09:05 PM on 05/02/2010

And I make a conscious decision to drive 70mph on the highway listing 65 as speed limit. I am not stopped--or have at least not been stopped in over 15 years. So what's your point. If the government is not enforcing, why not come. I would suggest that the "Shrub" was wrong. They are not here because they take "jobs Americans won't take." They are here because they take PAY Americans won't take. Make employers the target of enforcement--they get the benefit, they should take the risk. I suggest first offense--$2,500 dollars and a week in jail. Second offense $25,000 and a year in jail. Third offense $1,000,000, ten years in prison, and loss of all assets (just like drug dealers). Want to bet it wouldn't plummet dramatically??

[dgav4]

08:25 PM on 04/28/2010

I have one question: is everyone so self absorbed that they think that poverty only sees Latino's and African Americans to target? Poverty, racisim, hatred is not a racial thing! These things can happen to anyone of any race. When is it ok to stero-type people because of their race or ethical background. The people to blame for alot of this countries problems come WEALTHY people who are in political power, white, latino, african american alike! But with that said, we are all adults we know when we do something we shouldn't and is illegal there are consequence and we should and will be disciplined. I do understand that Mexico is economically challenged but why don't you drive by some of the freeways or parks and look at how economically challegned the U.S.A has become. I read a blog by a very wise Civil right leader, he was right on point! Mexico should also be blamed for the illegal immigrant problems. They teach people how to come here illegally!! Instead of Mexico fixing their corupt country it is easier for them to send their criminals and poor to the U.S.A. for us to support and deal with!!!

[brent3d]

01:01 AM on 05/02/2010

Please read about the history of the US and Mexico before writing such garbage. Also, last I looked minorities do not make up the wealthiest class in America...you are really stretching it.

[Christoph1969]

08:14 PM on 04/28/2010

Please check your facts before denigrating Arizona, its politics and people. I've lived here 31 years... the people did not vote this measure in; the state legislature did. Just like the recent bill passed to allow any eligible citizen--with no training at all---to carry a concealed weapon. You mention Arpaio, but neglect to note our progressive politicians---notably our mayor and Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano--who vigorously oppose this bill and Arpaio both. What's your claim to solidarity, as an African American, with Mexico? No offense, but you share no more commonality with illegal immigrants than Anglo-Americans do. You can't avoid race as a factor, but this is more a matter of nationality than race. Many Mexican nationals come here, work hard and do better for their families; regrettably, that fact alone doesn't mean a legal right to live here. I'd love to pack and move to a real democracy, but I'd have to wait my turn just like anybody else. This bill is harsh, but you advocate no solution to our shrinking tax base and services for people already here. Schools are closing, our hospitals are strapped and 8% of our entire population is here illegally. Where's your solution? This matter is complex and requires a well-thought out plan; for you to endorse a boycott of our state is a slap in the face to us Arizonans who advocate more compassionate strategies--like real assistance from the Federal government instead of lip service.

[TimWest]

03:55 AM on 05/02/2010

I think they know that already. Members of Arizona State Legislature=People who voted for this bill.

[bubbainca]

07:15 PM on 04/28/2010

Can I ask a question of those who don't think this will lead to racial profiling....

How exactly DOES an officer begin to suspect that a certain individual is illegal?

[goosegoose]

12:04 AM on 04/29/2010

oh I agree!

[scholasticus]

10:16 AM on 05/02/2010

When the policeman asks for ID and the Mexican says (in Spanish), "I don't have one". Then the officer asks for the Mexican's name. His answer "No se". He claims not to know his own name, or gives a false one. Just a few red flags for the officer.