As I have searched through multiple websites outlining the issues of illegal immigration, I have uncovered numerous aspects of my own personality and style of thinking. The realization of the complexity behind the issue of illegal immigration is overwhelming. It has become a challenge to pin point resolutions to the dilemma that don’t negatively affect another aspect of society. I have had to come to the realization that making decisions about complex problems gets down to deciding which solution affects the most in a positive way and minimizes the negative affects. The overwhelming nature of illegal immigration has taught me that in order to be successful at an argument I must narrow my focus. My choice was to narrow the topic to focus on the affects on public schools. This decision was based on my personal connections with the topic. Having gone to a public high school with a growing Hispanic population, I experienced the tremendous growth of the population and it’s affects on class size, support, communication and programs.
I have grown throughout this project to be a more confrontational thinker by examining the binary arguments that lie within the issue. I have not had strong opinions in the past regarding the issue of illegal immigration. As I have read other’s postings, web sites and research, I have become stronger in my awareness and convictions. I’ve improved on critical analysis skills and become more discerning in my use of web sites. I have found numerous websites that are against illegal immigrants and fewer sites with a liberal stance. The conservative view has a higher level of organization and group advocacy that sponsors the websites and research. The liberal websites are narrative in nature and lack statistical evidence. By reading the accounts of immigrants and researching immigration since its beginnings, I have expanded my compassion for immigrants. Both types of websites have been important and crucial parts in my quest to gain more knowledge about my issue. The Center for Immigration Studies and The Federation for American Immigration Reform have been excellent sites in my investigation.
According to Kohlberg’s stages of moral development, I have reached stage 5 of Postconventional Morality. I have begun to understand societal ethics and not just the black and white of whether something is right or wrong. I recognize that different social groups within a society will have different values, but I believe that all rational people agree on two points. First, that we all want certain basic rights, such as liberty and life and to be protected. Second, that we want democratic procedures for changing unfair law and for improving society.
Furthermore, I have learned to question my own beliefs through reflection about the topic. My ability to look at issues from multiple perspectives has increased tremendously. By researching an issue from many different viewpoints, I have had to establish my own opinions more firmly. Recognizing the need for evidence to back your conclusions prior to judgment has been part of the process. Kohlberg states, “We can reach just decisions by looking at a situation through one another’s eyes. Any good argument can be resolved by examining both sides of the issue. Through interaction with my classmates, I have expanded my ability to take on others perspectives and have empathy for different group’s views.
Before this project, I had no idea what magnitude this issue held within our society. I hadn’t really thought about what the issue of illegal immigration meant to me or how it affects my own life. I have come to recognize the need for fluency in a second language, specifically Spanish. Half of the population of the Western hemisphere speaks Spanish. The Spanish language has become the dominant second language and culture as evidenced by numerous articles. For example, a Denver public school classroom displayed the Mexican flag beside the United States flag. The action sparked controversy among the community when a picture was displayed in the town's newspaper. The article gained naitonal public interest and was covered by CNN. This story demonstrates the influence of Hispanic culture on our society. The importance of being able to communicate with Hispanic people has grown significantly due to the large population of Hispanics. I have considered minoring in spanish. Effective communication in the workplace will help me become successful in any field.
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3 comments:
When I read the part of your blog where you said that a Denver school had a Mexican flag next to the American flag in a classroom I was kind of outraged. I think that is disrespectful towards our country. All of the hispanic people of our nation chose to live here and become US citizens so they should live under the same flag we do. Our flag doesnt have anything to do with religion or ethnicity, it unites all people of our nation together. The US is made up of immigrants from all over the world, that is how our country started and what the American flag represents. They should not get special treatment over any other ethnicities in this country, we are all US citizens and all should look up to the same flag.
I identify with your emotions towards hanging the Mexican flag beside the American flag. I think I have a guess as to why this occurred. According to the Denver Public School System (http://www.dpsk12.org/aboutdps/facts/), the total enrollment as of October 1, 2006, was 73,399 students. Astonishingly, 57.3% of the total enrolled students were Hispanic. Caucasians only accounted for 20.39%. Based on the percentages, it is clear that the community has a significantly large population of Hispanics. Being the majority allowed them to promote their own culture without any reluctance or fear of being victimized. A similar example to this theory is the homosexual population in Chapel Hill. This group is able to present their views and display their flag because there is a large population here. It is unlikely that this presentation occurs at say NC State because there is not a large population of homosexuals living there.
Another thought to consider… Is the presentation of the Mexican flag similar to the idea behind hanging the Confederate flag?
I agree with Brooke. The hanging of the Mexican flag is just a way that they are representing themselves. Since it is composed of so many Hispanics this is a way for them to express themselves and also a way to hold pride in their native country while becoming a part of a new society. I think the symbolism of the Mexican Flag beside the American Flag is great. I would guess that many pf the Hispanics in that community have string ties to Mexico, yet are living here in the United Sates. The hanging of this flag may serve as a reminder to many of them of their identity. In my opinion there is nothing wrong with expressing who you are. Many of the people in this community are from Mexico or have family from Mexico so this flag represent a part of their identity. Just like the rebel flag may be part of some people’s heritage in the South.
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