Immigration in Latin AmericaOmar Gutierrez and Ross Valikhani

CH S 245

Similarly, racism is the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics, abilities, or qualities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races (Oxford English Dictionary). David Cole, a Georgetown University Law Center professor who has studied the issue in depth states, "People don't wear signs saying that they are illegal immigrants, nor do illegal immigrants engage in any particular behavior that distinguishes them from legal immigrants and citizens. So police officers will not stop white people, and will stop Latinos, especially poor Latinos.

Proposition 187 was issued by the state of California in an effort to combat California's undocumented immigration troubles under the assumption that undocumented works come to the U,S for benefits. So, Proposition 187 sought to curtail the influx of undocumented workers by denying them public social services, publicly funded health care and public education. Despite these assumptions, undocumented workers have greatly benefited the economy. This is shown by the increase in farm productivity that resulted from the Bracero Program, a program which allowed farmers in southern California to hire Mexican workers on a temporary basis. Undocumented immigrants were paid lower wages than documented workers and thereby reduced costs to producers.

The Harvest of Empire has been a long-term process, but the secret efficency of capitalism is that it rules on slavery and a draconian market. Through this wage slavery, the price of everything is pushed down which has allowed ordinary American's to enjoy incredible wealth, but the maintenance of this harvest requires a lot of hands. Those in power continue to want all the perks but no responsibility in using other people to benefit a system that makes them rich. We must realize that nothing separates us from Mexico and a free flow of goods and people are essential in stabilizing both Mexico and the United States.

1. What effect did proposition 187 have on undocumented workers?

2. What does racism really mean?

3. Why did the media make it seem as if Zimmerman was white?