Is Immigrant Justice American?

Wed23Apr2008

Is Immigrant Justice American?

While the facts about immigrant detention are important to note, I take issue with the idea that justice and human rights is an "American" value.
First, as I have noted before, it bothers me how the word "American" has been appropriated to mean the United States and exclude Latin America, including Central and South America. This to me is a framing of America that seeks to silence a large portion of the "American" population (the "voiceless" in the MLK quote).

Getting beyond the use of language, is the historical inaccuracy of the idea of "getting back American ideals of justice".

I'm sure quite a few Native tribes would take issue of how the United States was founded based on justice. Throw in slavery as well, and the myth of the United States gets taken down a notch further.

I understand that this framing is unpopular because it goes against what is taught in our schools and repeated over and over in the media about how we should view the U.S., but I think if any measure of justice is going to attained for anyone, we need to be real, and not just appeal to the mainstream by allowing them to keep their false idea of "America".

Video Via / Pro Inmigrant

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Maegan la Mala

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1. Julia ~ Friday, Apr 25 2008 | 11:12H:

I completely agree about the (mis-) use of the term "American", never mind the denial about the ugly parts US history....completely.
But a thought: I think when terms like "American justice" are used it's an attempt to call out the bluff of those who defend hateful/unjust policies by saying they believe in "American ideals" etc. etc. (Eg, if you really believe these good things are "American", why aren't you putting them into practice?)
I've found myself using those terms when debates get very emotional/simplistic, yet I don't buy into a jingoistic idea of "wonderful America" (America is 3 continents to me, not one country).
Maybe I'm way off, often am, but that's my 2 cents. I think it's a strategy, flawed yes but sometimes effective.

2. Maegan la Mala Ortiz ~ Friday, Apr 25 2008 | 12:21H:

I think the flawed terminology can be used to point out the inherent problems with the idea of so-called "American ideals" sure, I just think that those doing that are in the minority and the mainstream use of the term is dangerous, especially in "liberal" circles that use it as part of their organizing rhetoric, as if going back to the way things were will make everything better when, well it was never better for a huge chunk of the population.

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