Choosing Sides in the Immigration Debate

In the ‘60s, many moronic, guilt-stricken white intellectuals identified with, supported and romanticized angry black people who were demanding civil rights, political power and other goals (“Just a Quick Word on the Hot Topic of the Day,” by Rick Wartzman, From First and Spring, June 25). Remember the notorious dinner party thrown by Leonard Bernstein in his Park Avenue apartment to raise money for the Black Panthers?

Now it seems all the rage for white liberals to take the side of the illegal aliens. To say that both sides need to pay heed to the message of the protest marchers--”We’re here, and we’re going to stay. And if you kick us out, we’ll return”--is to give legitimacy to their campaign. Their campaign is a campaign demanding the right to violate American sovereignty and the rule of law.

Mike Burns

Bakersfield

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Wartzman’s soul-searching about the use of the word mojado was misplaced. Its use is a clear in-group versus out-group issue. Just as African American rap stars and comedians are allowed to use the N-word, undocumented immigrants may call themselves mojados if they choose.

That Ruben Martinez thought the subject of his article was a mojado and then turned him over to la migra demonstrates that he is not of the same people, and not entitled to use the term in polite society. He should congratulate himself. That he would use a racist slur against someone who could have been a cousin, and then have him deported, shows that he is fully assimilated into white American society.

Marina Stern

North Hills

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Okies were not illegal immigrants. My grandparents were incredibly hard-working, US of A citizens. They would not be pleased with what is occurring along our borders today.

There is no honor for lawbreakers. We are a country of laws and should not make an exception for people who have entered our country illegally. Please do not glorify this situation.

Beckie Sullivan

Long Beach