Dear Editor,
As an American of Mexican descent, I’m compelled to respond to Ceasar Montoya’s version of the Aztlan movement. To really understand the Aztlan movement, just look at its Web site, www.aztlan.net. They’re a group of racial-supremacist radicals seeking to get back at white America for her oppressive history. Don’t be fooled. They care no more about human rights than skinheads do.
A few years back, during the California immigration issue headed up by Ron Unz, they referred to him as “a Jew.” Since then, they’ve cleverly disguised the race-identifying rhetoric, but if you read between the lines of any of their “articles,” you’ll get the gist of what they’re all about.
What they’re really about is to get back at white people. Turn the tables if you will. This way of thinking comes from an inferiority and an identity complex. They cannot let go of the past and are still resentful of the fact that at a point in U.S. history, their predecessors were treated as second-class citizens – as were MANY groups of all colors, including the “white” Irish. They focus on the wrongs that history has dealt them, and they still resent the conquistadors. They live in denial that they are a race that is half-European, have European names, speak a European language(s), practice a European religion, adopted European culture, exist within and envy the American living standards. They are constantly frustrated that their cultural home, Mexico, can’t and chooses not to out-perform or at least, keep up with the United States, or the modern world.
So they are left to using U.S. law and weak-minded government leaders to get their agenda implemented. They use the word racist frequently. That’s their silver bullet to get at “White-America” – because communication with the word “racist” in it will usually get attention – however unwarranted it may be.
I find Aztlan disingenuous, dishonest, and disgraceful, and they do not speak for me. Groups like Aztlan who try to reverse social roles and rewrite history only perpetuate the dark side of humanity. My father came to this country at age 17. He took every opportunity he saw and never took “no” for an answer, especially when his fellow immigrants tried to discourage him. Now he’s a very rich man. My mother was born here and was a migrant farm worker. She completed all levels of higher education, held many leadership positions and had a successful career. They did all that plus more in this “oppressive country” without the Aztlan mentality.
As for the current immigration issue, I don’t care who comes to my country. All I ask is that it is done honorably AND legally. Follow the example early immigrants have set and show respect for our country and our laws. To do so would demonstrate you have the character and desire to become part of the American fabric.
Joe Sierra, Gilroy
