Isn't anyone sick of negative connotations involved with decribing immigrants?

Personally, I believe this question deals with the negative connotations involved with describing illegal immigrants, as well as the underlying motives for such discrimination.

First of all, let's agree on what an illegal immigrant is:

The description of criminal in the legal system is someone who has broken a law. Therefore if anyone crosses US borders without authorization, then yes, they are illegal immigrants/aliens, according to the law. However, every person has their own idea of what is acceptable and what is not, and therefore my definition of criminal may differ from yours.

However, the land of the US is solely under the control of the US, and the government has the sole right to decide who may immigrate here and who cannot. Therefore these immigrants who illegally cross the border are actually tresspassers, and that may add to the growing list of possible offenses that they have committed.

Now to protest against stererotyping Hispanic immigrants (they are often branded as illegal):

With the stereotypes involved with describing immigrants, it becomes apparent that since there are many illegal immigrants (I'm sorry, but they really are) from Mexico, it becomes easy to make a generalization that most (if not all) illegal immigrants are Mexican. This is incorrect, because stereotypes are always biased and result from misunderstanding. There are many legal immigrants from Mexico, but the news tends to play this down, because they want the more shocking news about illegal immigrants.

To those of you who believe that illegal immigrants are immoral:

As for whether they should cross the border or not, I cannot say without lying to myself. If I were in their position, I would probably cross the border in order to save my starving family. After all, I would have little to lose. However, seeing the issue from this side, it becomes easy to discriminate against them.

Analysis of motives for discrimination:

Why do we discriminate against others? Simple: it makes us feel superior. We feel the need to justify our own worth, and some of use decide to degrade others in order to make ourselves feel better. Is it right? Of course not. Do we do it? Everyday.

A few examples: homeless people, "mentally challenged" people, etc.

I often think, "at least I'm not like them." This is a cruel thought, but it often enters my head :(

Some things to consider:

We are all immigrants, with the exception of those few true Native Americans. We began illegally too. But now that we're in control, we tend to view ourselves as legal "explorers and revolutionaries."

msfyrebyr, you said that we are not illegal immigrants. Hmmm... The early settlers "invaded" the land and took it from the Native Americans. Although the Native Americans may have not believed in land ownership, early settlers still pushed the Native Americans out of their previous homes. Now, I understand there were no laws back then, but ho ho ho (Yay, Christmas!), that cannot hide the truth: the early "settlers" of America were invaders, and the true original settlers were the Native Americans who came here thousands of years ago.

(note: I'm not saying this is bad, because history has been always like this)

Hugo V, you mentioned that racist people do not belong in Yahoo answers. I must protest this statement, because it interferes with my right to free speech. America is beautiful because of democracy, and if you would have it any other way, even to prevent racism, I must protest!

In short, I also dislike close-minded people who only think about one side of a problem (usually themselves). When I say think, I mean to deeply consider what it really means to be on the one side of a fence. People should consider the other side too, to avoid looking like fools in the end. All humans are logical; there must be a good reason for what they do.

Also, I believe that people should always question themselves. We find it easy to judge others, but we are always shying away from judging ourselves.

This issue is fueled by some intense nationalism... I must say that it is good to be proud of one's own country, but I personally believe that all humans are fundamentally similar in desires, ideas, etc., and we would probably do the same things if we were in each other's shoes. (does that make sense?)

Therefore if I were a desperate foreigner, I would probably also illegally immigrate to the US for a chance of survival.

To the comments below:

msfyrebyr, I think you're a little confused, no offense; slavery no longer exists, only racism, which is much more difficult to eradicate.

mikea_va, your comment seems to be very nationalist, which is good! That shows that you're a true American. However, I don't think we should force others to become like ourselves. People can speak their own languages if they choose to do so, and I have no right to prevent this. Also, they can live the way they want to, and I have no right to object to their life. Finally, why do all immigrants have to become US citizens? What happened to free will, man? Until the US makes laws forcing people to do these things (God forbid), people have the freedom of choice to do as they choose. I support your zeal for America and what it represents to you, but I dislike your methods (somewhat Stalin-like) to force people to become clones of yourself.

Finally, the true question is not about the connotations, but rather our reactions to immigrants and people different than us. Should we embrace them, or should we isolate/reject them? By accepting them, would we lose our beloved America, or should we make them into America? By isolating them, would we hurt them but protect ourselves in the process?

(You're supposed to think about this. There is, once again, no correct answer. I only hope to open your mind.)

There has to be a balance between these two sides, a compromise, so that the greatest number of people win in the end ....

The only losers will be those who believe there is only one side to this issue.

If I've offended anyone, my apologies (lol) .... use your right to free speech and give the world your opinion.

Okay, we have two topics here. One is the invasion by the illegals of our country during a time of war. Second is the topic of slavery. The two do not mix, they are NOT the same issue. I am going to mention first the slaves. Slaves were property, they had no rights or very little. However, women and children were in the same boat, they were the property of the husband. Back to the slaves, it was not easy being a slave, but the owner paid for that slave, he would not want his "investment" to get maimed, sick, or die because he would lose money. Therefore, it behooved him to give some kind of halfway decent treatment to his slaves. The Civil War was not about slavery but states rights and Lincoln just threw in the freedom for slaves as an after thought, but only for those slaves in the southern states. It did not free those slaves in the states that supported the North. Many of the slaves when free continued to work for their former owners simply because they knew no other life. And so things progressed until the Civil Rights Era and Martin Luther King. I agree we should not judge according to race, religion, or gender. Nevertheless, today, I think that more black or "African" Americans are racist than white people. I like your idea that we are all "Americans", Then why are some African-Americans, Mexican-Americans, Japanese-Americans, etc? Don't those terms perpetuate racism simply because they set people apart. If you are a US citizen, then that is what you are. It is okay to remember your roots, but also remember that you a member of the United States of America. Notice our country's name does not mention race, religion, or gender.

For instance, it is ok to have a Black culture week or African-American club, Hispanic club, Japanese club, but a white club? Ohhh NO that is.... RACIST!!! The recent killing of the black man in NYC by the police, if it would have been a white groom, it never would have made the news. Wouldn't you say that is racist and perhaps the racism is being perpetuated by the press, the Jesse Jackson's, and the Al Sharpten's of the world? It works to their advantage.

Now to the illegals. Yes, the the illegals come from many countries. For a while, it was the Cubans and the Vietnamese boat people. Now a large majority of the the illegals are Mexican or Spanish speaking. I understand why they are coming here. The simple fact is it doesn't matter if they are purple, brown, black, yellow, or from outer space, if they are entering this country illegally they are criminals. They are breaking the laws of this country. That is easy to understand. The citizens of this country, if they are caught breaking the law, they go to jail. How long they are in jail is for the judge and jury to decide. If you are an illegal breaking the law, you get deported with a stiff fine or imprisonment for returning.

The argument that we were all illegals is not valid. When the early settlers came, there were no immigration laws. Once those laws were put into place, then not obeying them becomes a criminal act. Trying going into Mexico either legally or illegally and see how easy it is and what your rights are. You can't vote, you can't own property on the coast or for several miles back from it, they do not provide you with interpreters, free healthcare, free schooling or any of the other benefits that the illegals think they are entitled to here. In addition, I would bet that if you flew their flag disrespectfully and under the US flag while living there, you might not live to see another day. The reverse has happened here in the states. The Mexicans flew the US flag upside down and under the Mexican flag and nothing happened to them! What message does that send to others? Go ahead and step on the US, they are weak and will just bend over and take what ever you do. If the illegals want to work here, that is fine, do it in a legal manner and in a respectful manner. Otherwise they need to go home and stay there, working to make their country better, not raping ours.

If feeling this way makes me a racism so be it. However, I work as a nurse, I treat every patient that walks in through the door the same. I understand some of the cultual differences and how they react in different situations. I was once married (and then widowed) to a Mexican citizen with dual citizenship. I do not like supporting criminals, not even those that are US citzens and in jail, but that is another topic.

BTW: Mexico is Part of Central America and then we have South America... so the illegals from those areas are technically Americans, just not US Americans.

The eccentric value of something is always positive, from my understanding. We all know that if a polar equation has eccentricity of e=1, the conic section is a parabola, if e>1, it is a hyperbola, and if e<1, it is an ellipse. The closest you can get to giving the eccentric value a negative value is in the case of e=0, and since e=0<1, the graph is an ellipse, but this is a special ellipse, and the result is a circle.

Yes i am sick of it too. I'm an American but i have experienced the life of an illegal immigrant. they only want to survive like anyone else in this world. just as our ancestors immigrated to this land of the free. it is just what is taught in other countries, go to America to work to help support ones own family. it's just a way of life. i agree that racists are dirty, but they are just afraid that what they have will be taken away. so have pity on the ignorant. I'm a white girl and often i get called a Mexican or Mexican lover. But my husband is from El Salvador! it really doesn't matter we are all HUMAN!

Meanwhile you dont seem to have a problem with the pro illegal crowd making racist comments about, black people, white people, and asians? The hypocrisy coming from you is sickening! Racism is general is wrong buddy!

Sorry your story doesn't wash with me either.

If you are illegal in the US then you ARE a criminal, end of story, bottom line!!

Yes, I know Americans break laws too, but the Majority of Americans don't break laws my friend!! So you will have to come up with another lame excuse to try and justify illegals.

Yes blacks were treated as slaves, but that was in the past and now they are treated as equals in most parts of the US. I know there are still racists in America but majority of Americans are not. Again, you will have to come up with another lame excuse to try and justify illegals in the US.

The US and Mexico border is not a "political border" They are two different countries!! If they want to come to the US to work and support their families then they need to 1) learn to speak English, 2) adapt to the American way of life, and 3) become US Citizens like all the millions of other immigrants who came to the US!!!!!!

Chill out! Really..the issue is that we've got tooooo many illegals here that are working/living/stripping the benefits financially in USA. We all pay taxes to take care of the ones that immigrated here from day one legally. We need to take care of ourselves first! That is the issue. Because of that issue, hatred has risen to all Nationalities that are robbing & hating USA the most. Keep that in mind. Love your country - otherwise leave. If there's a DRAFT in USA -- will you go, or will you DEFECT? That is what you should be asking yourself. Will you die for this country? Illegals don't respect the young that die for all that are here. Always remember that because without them fighting for our freedom here, you wouldn't be sitting at a computer having the pleasure of FREEDOM OF SPEECH. Change the way you think .. then your perception of life will be better.

Yes, I am tired of people like YOU not using the CORRECT TERM for ILLEGAL ALIENS as stated in the US Code which is the Law of the Land.

The correct term for what is happening at the US-MEXICAN border is INVASION by a foreign power. That meant WAR back in 1939.

When you plant a foreign flag on a nation's soil, that is an act of WAR. I don't care what you MUSH-HEADS think.

The Swift Packing plant closures are just the beginning of sanity around here.

Nice try, Hugo, but I just browsed the Spanish-language Q&A, and you're not fooling anyone! Not that I have to delve that far- all I have to do is look here, and I'll see a reference to "gringo", "redneck", or "white" this or "white" that in (surprise!) a derogatory tone!

My advice to you is to grow some "thick" skin. If you think things are bad now, wait a couple of more years. The sad thing is that you have only yourself to blame- What do most Whites do when faced with White racists? They denounce them! What do you do when faced with illegal aliens CRIMINALS (that's what they are, amigo, no matter how you try to spin it...)? You defend and justify their actions, lump yourself in with them because they're your "raza", and then have the audacity to blame US for speaking out! No mas, amigo...

Yeah, right, Hugo- you're just sticking up for Mexicans, period. When I see you berating your "people" when they start with the anti-White BS, then come talk to me.Until then, go talk to your Company commander and arrange some remedial classes where they teach you the difference between "legal" and "illegal". Oh, and if I choose to break the laws IN MY COUNTRY, that's my perogative, and I'll take my lumps, but for you to suggest that some illegal alien should have the same opportunity shows where your loyalties lie (I'm sure some of your relatives are Mexican illegals...)

Well if they are here illegally be they Mexican, or from some other country then they are indeed criminals.

After all they have broken the law by coming here illegally have they not?