Legal discrimination

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Monday, September 28, 2009

News Legal discrimination

Posted By Rhiannon Fionn-Bowman on Mon, Sep 28, 2009 at 11:50 AM

You'd think we'd have evolved past discrimination by now, but no. We're too busy picking at each other's faults and failing to find ways to better our collective lot in life.

We -- meaning the white majority -- are always looking for some minority group to repress because we're scared of losing our number one spot in, well, damn near everything.

The news that undocumented immigrants would be allowed to enroll at community colleges throughout the state came as a relief for some advocates. However, now that they've examined the big picture they're pointing to faults in the government's new plan, which really only boils down to legal discrimination.

These students aren't asking for a free ride, they're asking for a chance. Instead of allowing them opportunity, our government -- with its long history of repressive laws -- feels it's OK to dangle college just out of their reach then moan and groan about how we -- the taxpayers -- are being taken advantage of.

I'm calling bull shit on that nonsense. Immigrants pay taxes, too.

Moreover, it's well known, the more education someone has the more they're able to take care of themselves, their families and give back to society. Now, why wouldn't we want that?

Well, dear readers, because we're perpetually scared of "others," that's why. What if they're smarter or more skilled in some way than we are? What if we have to get off our lazy asses and work harder so they won't take our jobs? What if all people, every where, realize no one is actually better than anyone else? *gasp*

You can "what if" yourself into a mental hospital, if you like, or you can accept the truth: There are no "others," dig? We're all human beings and, brothers and sisters, that means we're all pink underneath.

The decision from the State Board of Community Colleges allows undocumented students to enroll in degree programs at all of the state's 58 campuses, but it won't take effect until at least next fall because of a slow-moving administrative rules review process. And if enough people object, the rule could face a vote by the legislature, which has the power to kill it.

If the rule is approved, undocumented students will get last priority for classes at a time when surging enrollments have filled classrooms to capacity. And out-of-state tuition of $7,700 per year will be out of reach for many of the children of low-wage workers.

"We cannot call this a victory," said Andrea Bazan, a long-time activist who has pushed for in-state tuition for illegal immigrants.