By now, I'm sure you have heard about Arizona's new immigration law. If you haven't, what planet did you just get back from? (just kidding......maybe)
Kidding aside, the law is causing a huge uproar in the media and in particular the sports world. Calls are being made to Major League Baseball to pull the 2011 All-Star game currently scheduled for Phoenix next year, baseball players saying they won't play if it is played there, other sports are "threatening" to pull any future, proposed events there. Not to be outdone, city politicians in other states are "playing politics" and telling their employees to not do business within Arizona. Conferences are cancelling. It's beginning to snowball.
I was raised in Arizona; currently live in Washington state. My family lives down there. So I am biased when it comes to Arizona being attacked. Oh, and full disclosure here, I am Hispanic. I have listened to media types from all spectrums on this (political pundits, sports commentators, talk show hosts, opinionated columnists) and I've heard it all. And I get more and more frustrated because they are all pointing to the symptom as the problem instead of just looking at the problem itself. Illegal immigration and the federal governments unwillingness to address this HUGE issue.
I am not about to point fingers at this presidency or the one prior. If anyone thinks this is a recent issue, they are extremely ignorant or apathetic. But the federal government is responsible for America's borders are they not? Being unwilling to work together in Washington D.C., Republicans and Democrats--I'm talking to both of you, then this leaves state governments to fend for themselves. While the law is not perfect by any means, it should send a signal to Washington to get their act together and take care of their citizens. I strongly believe that if the events taking place in Arizona with the deaths, kidnappings, and drug running were happening in New York City, the federal government would take quicker action. But no, this is Arizona. A state in the west that does not have much to offer in terms of political power.
So Arizona took matters into it's own hands. It's similar to what any athlete, ceo or sports commissioner does for the their own good (or good of the business or sports league). These decisions are not always easy and in fact sometimes they are extremely difficult. But choices have to be made. Arizona did what they believe is for the good of the state and their citizens.
Protection is the name of this game.
Which is exactly why these sports people are so "misguided" (to quote President Obama). What exactly is boycotting Arizona going to prove? That they can take their ball and go home? That Arizona must succumb to the whim of outsiders in New York and California? The one thing boycotting will prove, or more accurately, reaffirm is that Arizona is heavily reliant on tourism dollars. Those tourism dollars go toward the citizens of Arizona. If these boycotts come to pass, how many people will be turned away from getting the help they need from the state/local governments? I could exaggerate and say how many people will be denied access to medical care from their local neighborhood clinic because that clinic had to close because the government could no longer subsidize them and help them stay open? Would they then be forced to drive miles and miles to get to the next available clinic only to find they are closed too? (Keep in mind there are other cities in Arizona besides Phoenix and Tucson.)
No, I'm sorry, boycotts are not the way to go. They only hurt the people in the long run. Anyone who says to boycott (Charles Barkley, Al Sharpton, et. al.), is ignorant and misguided. My suggestion to those wanting a boycott is to contact their Senator or Representative and tell them to get this issue solved now. Arizona can repeal the law, the rest of the country will be happy and pat Arizona on the head and say good job, but the problem will STILL BE THERE!!! Instead of bashing Arizona, how about everyone turn that energy toward the politicians in D.C. and say DO SOMETHING.
I love Arizona. It's a wonderful state and is still very much entwined in the fabric of my being. To see it being dragged through the mud of ignorant and apathetic people saddens me. Misguided was a term President Obama used to describe this law. I, in return, say President Obame, government's apathy is "misguided".
Until next time,
RSPS Sunny
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