So a few days ago I picked up an old grad school book of my mom’s titled “The Disuniting of America: Reflections on a Multicultural Society” written by Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr. It was published in 1991 and definitely must be reflected upon with consideration to the post cold war context within which it was written. Certainly there is a vast amount much more recent research into the fields of cultural and ethnic studies since its publication. Either way, it has made me consider the themes of race and ethnicity in a way relevant to the work I am doing at AI Justice – two themes I might add that continue to hold a pungent taboo within our society, thus hampering further discussion in solving many problems facing our country
Schlesinger’s main argument is that as an era of “ideological conflict subsides,” humanity will enter/re-enter a more dangerous era of “racial and ethnic animosity.” Despite my objection to his idea of “ideological conflict”, which should really be interpreted as political conflict, I think it is an interesting idea to discuss or bring up in general given the nation’s current political climate and immigration issues. I think most people would object to this idea on a person-to-person basis, weather for political/social correctness or sincere sentiments. However, could it be more systemic in a larger legal or immigration framework? I don’t know.
In relation to my own work, there is a new law or database in play called Secure Communities. What this does is link the criminal database of local law enforcement to not only that of the FBI, but also ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement – the chief entity responsible for detaining and deporting people from the U.S.). At first it was up to the state and specific city whether or not they wanted to integrate into this system, but congress quickly rescinded this option and Secure Communities will be installed nation wide by 2013. Another program allows police officers to act of behalf of ICE, when ordered to do so, upon initially running the names of criminal perpetrators through the database and then taking appropriate measures (often detention). One problem that activist have with Secure Communities is that is ultimately leads to racial profiling as local law enforcement official believe their own jurisdiction has widened into issues with immigration (civil infractions I might add). Even though this nationwide database is supposed to be used only for running the names of suspected criminals, it undoubtedly also affects victims of crimes as local police often unjustly widen their purview of enforcement into immigration issues.
The question that I propose it that, do you think the rates of unjust immigration detentions due to Secure Communities and other relevant programs differs in cities like Miami where the population is majority of Lantin@ and ethnic (not white) descent compared to more northern and whiter cities? I don’t have any figures or data in front of me but I would like to know the answer.
I also recently read the convocation address from my college President Grant Cornwell. In his speech he summarizes the work of Orlando Patterson and his essay “Ecumenical America: Global Culture and the American Cosmos.” Cornwell laid out Patterson argument that the U.S. can best be understood sociologically, culturally, and economically as a network of regional “cosmoses, each of which extends beyond the U.S. border.” He paraphrases Patterson stating that Miami is thus the capital of the West Atlantic regional cosmos, “but whose reach extend throughout the Carribbean, Central, and South America.” Would Miami being the center of this regional cosmos then affect its social and cultural dynamic of immigration arrests connected to the newest laws such as Secure Communities now in place?
In his summation, Cornwell doesn’t mention race, however I think it has to be considered a factor at play within the larger scope of this idea. How will multiculturalism and regional differentiation in the U.S possibly affect immigration issues in differing cities? It would be my guess that Secure Communities may have a negative impact in cities less racially and culturally diverse than Miami. But that is just a hunch. Either way, I think leaving the taboo of race and ethnicity behind can only further the development of well-reasoned opinions. It is an intricate part of a global-historical context that I believe to be vital in our human progression.
Cheers,
Anthony
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