SB 1070, The Supreme Court, and Racism Straight Outta Phoenix

Residence in Phoenix showed me just how fortunate I am to have had the opportunity to be born and raised in California. I am not going to act like California is absolutely perfect, but I never had to deal with constant blatant racism.

Racism runs rampant in Arizona and it was made even more clear as my husband, Jorge and I moved out of our apartment.

My father and best friend, Nelson were standing in our U-Haul that was parked right outside of my apartment, when they became victims of drive-by racism. Out of nowhere, a White driver shouts out, "Look at the Wetbacks move. They are running out of here now." Totally caught off guard, my father and Nelson were left frazzled.

Fifteen minutes later, Jorge and I found out and we were more than frazzled.

A friend once told me, "Why do you see everything as racial?" It is this very phrase that irks me to my core. Why do I see everything racially? Do I really have control over whether or not something is racial? I did not know that I could change my mentality and all of a sudden see less racism. I am sorry, but I do not practice colorblindness.

Colorblindness is dangerous and allows subtle, underhanded racism to thrive. The only way to conquer racism is to talk blatantly about it, rather than sweeping it under the rug. Obviously what happened to my father and Nelson was not subtle, and you would be a colorblind fool to say that what was shouted was not racist.

This was an important story to share because this it is reflective of what is going on in Arizona. Yes, maybe people are not getting tar and feathered yet, but it is there. Many Arizonans like to say that media over exaggerates the racial climate, but I beg to differ. Mexicans live in a state of constant fear.

This fear was just reinforced as a result of the recent decision that the Supreme Court has upheld. The worst part of SB 1070 is the section that states that police officers can check a person's residency status.  As a result of the Supreme Court's decision, this section is now deemed constitutional.

Until Governor Jan Brewer and her Tea Party Posse are overthrown, ignorance will continue to run rampant. How can I expect the man who called my father and friend "Wetbacks" to know better, when the leaders of Arizona pass legislation that is specifically aimed at Latinos?

My hope lies in the children of Arizona. Hopefully, they will grow up with a desire to change the political climate. My parting words with my seventh grade students were, "You are the only people who truly have the power to change this state."

With that being said, I'm leaving my Arizona students with the seed of change, while I return to my home state in order to create change in my hometown. After all, you cannot teach without a solid model.

Good Bye Arizona!

Captured as we drove out of Downtown Phoenix

Fruitful Fridays: I'm thankful for science fair and field day.

Outcast, social pariah, and loner only begin to describe what it feels like to be a liberal in Arizona. Conservatives can just smell the hippiness that radiates off of me and my best friend Sam, which is why we are typically by ourselves. I wouldn't even call us hippies, I would say that I am a moderate liberal, but that is even too hippy when you are surrounded by the tea party.

Friendly hellos and smiles over the past two years did not help us acquire more friends at work. There is an unspoken mutual understanding between us and our co-workers; since we have nothing in common, we do not bother to make small talk.  Our only options are talking to each other or our students.

The only positive that has come out of this extremely awkward working situation is the fact that we have been able to form a genuine bond with our students. Yes, there are times when they get on our nerves, but they can also be charming. Science fair and field day this week solidified these already tight bonds and it is hard not to get emotional this late in the year. My "little nuggets" are soon going to become eighth graders and I will not be able to guide them as their teacher any longer.

The last couple of weeks that I am able to spend with them are precious and I am thankful for the opportunity to have taught. I do not need anything for Teacher Appreciation week besides time to spend with my kids/students. 

Being Latina is knowing when to move on so that you can grow, even if it hurts.