July 4, 1882: A child was born. Born on the 4th of July. Independence Day in the United States of America.
This child was not born in the USA. She drew her first breath on an ocean steamer, the daughter of Irish emigrants en route to a new life of freedom in America. So, in addition to her Christian first name, "Sarah," her parents made her middle name the same as the ship on which they sailed, "Arizona."
What dreams did Sarah Arizona's parents harbor in their bosoms as they traversed the mighty ocean? What hopes? What aspirations for their infant daughter who would live her entire life in the land of the free? Could they have fathomed that their baby girl would become the matriarch of a pioneering family making its own legacy in the state that also bore her middle name? Could they imagine that their child would become a living example of the American dream, where hard work, perseverance, and ingenuity reap rewards for oneself and those who follow?
Like most European immigrants, Sarah's parents entered the American melting pot legally through Ellis Island. They did not sneak across its borders under cover of darkness. Did not hire a coyote to smuggle them in. Did not bring illicit drugs or contraband to sell on a black market. Did not bear arms. Did not kill anyone.
They came with whatever possessions they could bring, and with their hopes and dreams, and their determination to labor as hard and as long as it may take to carve out a life for themselves and their children in the land of freedom.
Some ten years earlier, a twenty year old man named Julius Ignatius had emigrated to the USA from Alsace-Lorraine. He also entered the country legally, and settled in St. Louis, MO, where he became established in the meat industry. He had three sons, with whom he eventually moved to Arizona as meat industry pioneers. One of those sons, Frank Ignatius, married Sarah Arizona on October 9, 1904. Together they had 12 children, nine of whom survived to adulthood. One of those nine was my dad. And his nephew, my cousin, was murdered last month on his own land, apparently by an illegal alien.
Frank and Sarah founded a ranching business that has endured for over 100 years. In every respect it epitomizes the actualization of the American dream: A son and daughter of immigrants make a free and profitable life for themselves. Their offspring and the offspring of their offspring reap the rewards. But those rewards were earned, through hard work, perseverance, and committment to a legal business that produces food to keep Americans healthy. Those rewards were not stolen, not connived; not procured through illicit trade in mind-altering substances that destroy the health not only of individuals, but ultimately of a whole society. No, theirs were just rewards spawned from and nurtured by honest labor.
This family's legacy is just one example of the rugged pioneer spirit that built my home state of Arizona. Growing up there, I learned the value and necessity of being both fiercely self-reliant yet generous to my neighbors, to both protect and share, defend and give away. So I fully understand why - in the face of armed invasion by illegal traffickers in substances of destruction - this state would adopt rigid and aggressive protections to preserve that freedom so hardly won by those early pioneers.
I consider it extremely offensive that the leader of the free world - who should be quite familiar with the evils of organized crime and the extraordinary struggle to control it - would patronizingly use the word "misguided" in reference to this state's latest effort to protect its citizens...especially in light of the long history of rhetoric-only federal engagement.
Make no mistake. I love Mexico. I love Mexican people. I happily spent 3 1/2 formative childhood years living in that fine country. I fondly recall my parents' enthusiasm and warm memories of our sojourn into to the heart of its rich culture. And I never hesitate to return to Mexico when the opportunity arises. But I do so legally with passport in hand. This issue is not about Mexico or its people. It is not about the millions of legal Mexican-Americans whose contributions to this nation have been so deeply powerful. It is not even about those who wish to legalize their current questionable presence in this country, to be afforded the same opportunity as any other citizen to labor in pursuit of the American dream.
No, this is only about those who would steal that freedom from others, by taking their goods, their property, their land, or worse, their lives. It is about those who capitalize on our generosity and egalitarian nature to violate our citizens and their freedoms. They are the worst sort of criminals, and as a society we must not allow them to prey upon innocent Americans of any ethnic background. How can it be any more misguided to adopt strong measures to fight organized crime across our southern borders today than it was to aggressively fight back when similar criminals owned the streets of Chicago?
We correctly tout that freedom is not free. We could also avow that the long, winding road to freedom cannot be circumvented. There are no shortcuts to the American dream, least of all at the expense of our law-abiding citizens. For states to put obstacles in the way of modern bandits and thugs who would steal freedom from legal travelers is not misguided. It is prudent. It is right. And absent honestly genuine effort from national leadership, it is inevitable.
2 comments:
What strong measures has Arizona proposed that you find so appealing? I have not read the bill yet but I have heard the Archbishop opposes it. Do you find him patronizing as well?
Debate is healthy, especially with an emotionally charged topic. Supporters and opposers have their valid points. But condescending characterizations ad hominem, regardless of who utters them, simply detract from honest debate and forestall closure.
Post a Comment