Are we all responsible in some way by contributing or allowing by not speaking out against the angry tone and atmosphere with vitriolic rhetoric. '...freedom of speach; peaceable assembly and a right to petition the Government for the redress of grievances', our first amendment allows anyone to speak up either for or against any issue. The question arises as to what level of expressing oneself do words, intentionally manipulated, are used to incite reaction go beyond the pale creating an environment of potential active violence.
The Sheriff of Pima County Clarence Dupnik, yesterday immediately after the tragic incident of the wanton shooting by Jared Loughner of Representative Gabrielle Gifford, Judge John Roll, nine year old Christina Greene, Gabe Zimmerman, Dorwin Stoddard, Dorothy Morris, Phyllis Scheck and fourteen others, emotionally, stated that Arizona because of the elavated rhetoric on Immigration issues has become the mecca, the capital of 'bigotry and prejudice'. He referenced the tone and inflamatory level integrated into the public discourse on the issues that involve people of different cultures and race as becoming extremely toxic.
With this, I want to say that rhetoric such like 'in cross hair' references as stated and supported by Sarah Palin, the Tea Party and other right wing zealots during the last mid term campaigns should be held accountable. This word and pictorial reference, specifically, was called attention to by the now victim, Representtative Gabrielle Gifford in an interview. Words do have their consequences expecially for the use of these type of inciteful references when words fall onto the ears of unstable individuals. " Words must be carefully chosen because once said they echo throughout, heard by both the connected and the unhinged" President Bill Clinton.
I used to travel to Arizona both on business and travel, Tempe, Scotsdale, Phoenix, Tucson, but with recent media coverage of the militaristic, 'Gestapo" tactics being employed, I decline to make this state an option to travel and visit with my family. This environment has been recently constructed by way of Arizona's Governor, Jan Brewer's seemingly right wing position on 'illegal immigrants' and Senator John MaCain's most recent expediant political transition, 'build that wall' (Sarah Palin's chant), in order to get reelected. This 'wind' has blown through out. I've been profiled both in Iowa while driving to visi my wife's parents in Omaha, Nebraska and in Indiana while driving to visit friends in Elkhart, Indiana. Yes, my ancestry and myself were born in Mexico yet to the disdain of those wishing to employ previously mentioned tactics, I am a Naturalized citizen and now must carry proof of it whenever traveling.
I do choose to reside in this country and am grateful for it's manifest freedoms and liberties, still developing as a young nation and still understanding it's founding Constitution. It has Provided me and my family, though presently temporarily baffled 'dream', the opportunity of becoming one's aspirations, one's dreams.
On a personal note: I become emotional when I write about issues that are most salient to me, specifically, issues about opportunities for all no matter what race, color or nationality. I will make a concerted effort at speaking or writing about issues with less inciteful emotional words and more focussed on suggesting opposing options to debate the issues vs spending time on writing with an accusational tone.
I wouldn't visit Arizona if I was you either! I grew up in Phoenix and am completely disgusted with the political mood that continues to brew in that state. I do have one rhyme which touches on my feelings about it... Arpaio Anxiety.
ReplyDelete