One issue perhaps ignored by many citizens observing the
California recall is that of race ““ specifically, the diverse
sentiments about immigration policy and California’s changing
demographics. Republican gubernatorial hopefuls Tom McClintock and
Arnold Schwarzenegger have emphasized their support for Proposition
187, while Cruz Bustamante has been attacked for his affiliations
with MEChA, a Latino/a youth organization present on many campuses,
including UCLA.
McClintock’s and Schwarzenegger’s views on
immigration policy and racial identity ““ views shared by many
conservatives ““ reveal an increasing anxiety over the
continuing demographic shifts within California. These leaders
should seek to encourage dialogue and understanding rather than
supporting divisive initiatives that will only harm us in the
future. These leaders must remember that the political fallout from
this election could affect race relations for decades to come.
Prop. 187 alone has cast a long shadow over California. I can
still remember the ominous commercials urging the passage of Prop.
187, asking voters to severely limit services for illegal
immigrants and their families. A foreboding male voice warned
“They keep coming”. One would think voters were being
warned of an invasion by hostile extraterrestrial beings, with Pete
Wilson acting the part of Will Smith in “Independence
Day” and defeating the evil-doing aliens (although the irony
of comparing Pete Wilson with any person of color will not be lost
on any with even a marginal understanding of politics).
Prop 187 reflected both anxiety towards the changes that
immigration was bringing, and misplaced resentment against the
illegal immigrants who were supposedly draining California’s
economy. The fact that California Latino and Asian-American
populations had been increasing dramatically apparently was
upsetting the status quo.
Soon after Prop 187 came Proposition 209 and SP-1 and SP-2,
which banned affirmative action and helped University of California
regents and voters assert their commitment to an environment devoid
of compassion and saved from the scourge of racial diversity in
education. However, as the economy improved and Wilson’s
terms in office ended, many hoped that this dark chapter in
California’s history would pass.
But hard economic times have again come to California, along
with an increasing fear of terrorism, immigration and demographic
change. Politicians like McClintock, along with millions of
ordinary citizens, have called for a revival of the many portions
of Proposition 187 that were struck down nearly a decade ago.
Rarely do these conservatives acknowledge the role that
traditionally Republican big businesses have played in helping the
flow of destitute, suffering individuals into our nation due to
those businesses’ desperate need for undocumented
workers.
Nor do these conservatives acknowledge the role that initiatives
like Proposition 13 have played in cutting funding for public
schools, thus aggravating overcrowding and other maladies.
Certainly, immigration and overcrowding are real issues that must
be discussed. However, inflammatory propositions that marginalize
people and don’t provide realistic solutions do not help
anyone in our society.
Still, the real demographic change cannot be ignored and is
likely to blame for the renewed anxieties over immigration. In
2000, the U.S. Census reported that whites were no longer the
majority of the state population, and in the next several decades,
Latinos will become the largest ethnic group in the United States.
Just as the immigration of Italian-Americans and Irish-Americans
several generations ago created considerable anxiety and even
violence, it appears that the current demographic shifts are also
going to be a source of similar tension.
There is a feeling that growing minority populations will lead
to a desire among members of these ethnic groups for separation.
The attacks leveled against Bustamante for his youthful involvement
with MEChA is a good example of this. Opponents of MEChA allege the
organization is separatist and racist ““ for example,
McClintock has compared MEChA to the Ku Klux Klan. While the
reality of MEChA at UCLA and most other campuses ““ where it
serves as an educational and community development organization
““ is far from McClintock’s description, his claims
nevertheless make the type of inflammatory newsbytes that help
ethnically divisive politicians win elections.
How California now deals with the demographic shifts that have
dramatically increased the state’s Asian and Latino
populations will certainly shape the course of future race
relations and societal realities. We can either revisit the
xenophobia of the past, best embodied by the Chinese Exclusion Act
and violence against Irish-Americans, or we can work to build
understanding by recognizing this is a society in transition, and
we must all think outside of traditionally prejudiced confines to
embrace fully the new realities of California’s
population.
I do not claim to have all the answers on this dilemma, but I do
believe that through dialogue and education we can cure many social
ills and overcome racial tensions. The role that immigration and
racial issues are playing in the current election cannot be
ignored, but rather must be seen as a fork in the road. We must ask
ourselves, “Which way will we go?”
Our future depends on the answer to this question.
Bhaskar is a third-year political science student.