¡ask a mexican!

Dare to DREAM

By GUSTAVO ARELLANO

Dear Mexican: Let me start by telling you that, like yourself, I’m a proud Mexicana, and how glad I am that someone educated like yourself is trying to educate Know Nothings about things they think they know. My concern is this: I am a DREAMer, and I have come across so many people who think they know what’s best for us. I have heard that it’s never gonna pass, that we’re just wasting our time, blah blah blah! What can I say to these Know Nothings, to make them understand that all we’re asking for is a chance at what many of them have refused: a chance to go to college and have a good paying job, and/or a chance to serve in the military. After all, is not this the land of opportunities? Land of the free home of the brave?

An Orgullosa DREAMer Mexicana

Dear Proud Mexican DREAMER: Actually, I’m a Mexicano, not a Mexicana- not that there’s anything wrong with that! As for what you can tell Know Nothings to make them understand your situation: they never will. Instead, tell them, “I told you so,” by showing all the accomplishments undocumented youth have notched – college degrees, businesses, making your plight a national issue, one so big that President Barack Obama has issued a stay on any deportations for ustedes (an imperfect gesture, for sure, but at least a start) – while supposedly powerless. Are these not the types of Americans we want, people who can stare into the abyss of hopelessness and emerge not only positive but productive? If you’re supposed to make lemonade when life throws you lemons, DREAMers have created a taquiza out of nothing – and if Know Nothings want to ignore and demonize that, then they deserve the beautiful half-Mexican grandchild that’s coming their way pronto.

Gustavo Arellano

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