21 Sep 2004 @ 22:26, by Owen Thomas
This writing is copied from my wife, Nancy who wrote to a cousin who had forwarded a letter decrying the Mexican immigrants to the US.
I am going to make some comments, rather in answer to the forwarded
message you sent.
I do understand there are lots of troubles that come from the illegal
immigrants..particularly on the Arizona/California borders. Most of the
troubles are to the ranchers and Indian Reservations that are having their
properties innundated with people who are often in dire need. Time Mag had
an article on this last week. To my view, it is important to realize WHAT
IS and not fight it. People who simply to not have an economy that creates
enough jobs at a living wage are going to go where they believe they can
earn enough to live and support their families. These are very hard
working people and by far most of them do not want to live outside of Mexico
or their own countries. It is really a tragic situation.
Making it hard for them is not a solution. Yes, the demographics (is that
the word?) of the US is changing. The US realy stole more than half of
Mexico from those people after our very, in my opinion, unnecessary and
wrong invasion of Mexico. So, in a way, it is being reclaimed..at least in
California. However, not to become Mexico, but to have an enormous
opportunkity for good for present residents and the incoming Mexician and
other nationalisties.
Owen and I have coined a two word phrase..Resident Associates. If, nstead
of calling those who come aliens, we called them associates and worked with
them to creatie what are definitely win-win situations for present residents
and those who 1. just want to work and 2. those who would like to
immigrate, then the illegal and dangerous to all situation would not be.
Prohibtion did not work. The War on Drugs won't work. Isolating he US
from the people of the world when a world is becoming totally interconnected
won't work either.
These people can be assets, not dangers to what we call "The American Way".
I think of that in two ways. A place of free Speech (rapidy being
threatened) and ability to vote and an openness to those who would come to
work and contribute. Our country is a melting pot, or salad bowl, if you
like, of people who came here from other lands. The unfortunate part was
the outrageous and immoral treatment of the natives who lived here. (I put
the conquest of Mexico into this too..though there the natives were enslaved
but incorporated and their culture almost ruined..in the US they were wiped
out or isolated and their livlihood destroyed)
When people come from fear and separation nothing but more trouble ensues.
This is totally against the Principle of God as a Unity..which It is.
We are rapidly, as a people, appraoching a time when we must learn to live
in cooperation with each other and see our differences are unique values,
not threats.
Owen and I feel it is esential to look for the unity in the diversity.
That is why we now have a center in San Miguel called Unity in Diversity.
Of course theire are problems, or challenges, or opportunities (pick your
word) when people of different cultures and economic status come together
and only LOVE, only respect, only a willingness to discover how to preserve
the best of what has been while including the best of what is coming in new
can lead to a greater life for all.
Hardy, I dearly love the very basic work our founding fathers did and I
think our constitution is still an excellent vehicle for government.
However, people have to be 1. interested and involved and 2. not full of
personal ambiton and single minded narrowness for there to be really
successful governed/governors.
I am at the point where I think we need more than a third party...we need a
whole new system based on the Spiritual Principle of Unity..of Oneness in
God..of respect for each individual in the world and a working together for
the Principles we can agree upon and an end to the idea of enemies and the
fear that creates. Idealistic? You bet!
NEVER DOUBT THAT A SMALL GROUP OF COMMITTED, THOUGHTFUL PEOPLE CAN CHANGE
THE WORLD. INDEED IT IS ALL THAT EVER HAS. That is approximately what
Margaret Mead wrote.
WHAT CAN WE KNOW AND DO THAT IS NEW TO REALLY BRING FORTH A WORLD THAT
WORKS. WHAT IS OUR INNER WORK TO DO? WHAT CAN FOLLOW THAT INNER WORK?
I may send my message to you to others..and I'd love your response. Much
love from your cousin who is a resident associate in Mexico and does love it
and the United States. Nancy
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