09:11 AM CDT on Saturday, October 24, 2009
Dallas police wrongly ticketed at least 39 drivers for not speaking English over the last three years, Police Chief David Kunkle announced Friday while promising to investigate all officers involved in the cases for dereliction of duty.
Pending cases will be dismissed, and those who paid the $204 fine for the charge, which does not exist in the city, will be reimbursed, Kunkle said.
The sad part is that there are many in our city that would support this kind of discrimination. I have never been too involved in accusations and issues on race. Part of the reason it is that I grew up in the Rio Grande Valley where Hispanics comprise more than 85% of the population. When I moved to San Antonio, there was more diversity but Hispanics still comprised a large part of the population and always have. Since before the Alamo, San Antonio has had a large Hispanic presence there. Then I moved to Dallas in 1990.
Dallas has a history of racial division and Hispanics have stayed out of the White vs. Black struggle. But our city has seen a huge immigration of Hispanics to North Texas. An area that was vastly populated mostly by Anglos with a large minority of Blacks has changed drastically since the 90s. The demographics experts say there are now over 1.3 million Hispanics in North Texas. DISD is now over 60% Hispanic. The fast growth is making some people nervous.
I usually side with those that believe that racism is exaggerated and used by special interest groups to gain power in our culture. Part of my problem has been that I am an optimist and try to think the best of people unless they prove me otherwise. I'm Hispanic but I have lighter skin, am 6 foot 2 and only have a slight accent, not the typical immigrant look.
But my eyes are opening to an ugly reality that racism does not just strongly exists here in Dallas, it exists in our churches as well. I have made alot of new friends in the past year that are either black or Hispanic. For some of them, their experience has been very different than mine. Some of my black friends have continually been under served at restaurants, ignored or looked at strangely. (I know some of you are going to say, "They are just too sensitive". Maybe some are but as I get to hear more and more stories, the picture become clearer).
The issue at hand for me is the treatment of undocumented workers. Somehow their "Illegal" status justifies the treatment they receive. I have had family members that are undocumented and have been deported. I myself had to go through citizenship court and become an American Citizen. I am very proud of my America. I am proud of the fact that millions come to find opportunity and a new life. If it wasn't for America, would I have ever heard about the saving Jesus? Would I have found my wonderful "white" wife? Adopted "white" children?
I will be writing on this subject. I will be stating my beliefs on what the Bible says on treatment of foreigners. I will also debunk some myths. Human life is sacred, a gift from God. We treat all people with dignity, compassion and respect.
Here are some myths:
Myth: Immigrants don’t pay taxes.
Fact: All immigrants pay taxes. Even undocumented immigrants pay sales taxes and real estate taxes
(either directly as homeowners or indirectly through rent). The Social Security Administration
estimates that three-quarters of undocumented immigrants contribute payroll taxes, including
$6–7 billion in Social Security taxes that will never benefit them.
Myth: Immigrants are a drain on the economy.
Fact: Approximately 26 million immigrants currently residing in the United States arrived after the age of 18 and are in prime working age. They represent roughly $2.8 trillion to U.S. taxpayers, who receive the benefit of their labor without the cost of their education.
