Dropping the “I” word!

    It is no secret that for years now, the immigrant community has been in the eye of the storm for many reasons. While reading and watching the news about all that happens around the immigration debate and even just regular issues concerning our community, there is a word that always makes me cringe, the word “Illegal”.

    When you think of the word “illegal” what comes to your mind? I can think of things like arms, substances, running a red light. Items or actions that are dimmed negative to society. I certainly don’t refer to my brother, my neighbor or my co-worker with such a term and I don’t understand how the word “illegal” can be use to describe human beings.

    “Illegal” is a term racially charged that is often used to dehumanize and discriminate against immigrants, who happen to be Hispanic in their majority.

    In general, the term “illegal” to describe a person dehumanizes the creation of God that is the human being, and makes undocumented immigrants sound like criminals. Everyone needs to see undocumented immigrants as real people first, with real lives and concrete realities, not the faceless accumulation of beings that the term “illegal” turns them into.

We are at a pivotal point in the history of Hispanics in the United States. We are at an age where technology can be effectively used to promote causes and promote positive change. So the challenge today is for you and I and those around us to “DROP THE I-WORD”.

We can contribute our two cents by respectfully correcting those around us who use the
 i-word, making “Drop the i-word” your status update on facebook to spread the word or just talking about what makes it wrong.

    Not too long ago, the Latina American Coalition from Charlotte launched a campaign specifically focused on dropping the i-word, and Hispanic youth, among others, were at the center of the promotion of this cause, with their dynamism and creativity. The campaign was just a kick off of change. Our challenge is to keep the momentum going, and changing the view on undocumented people, one person at a time.

    The message from the campaign was simple: “Don’t say ‘illegal’ and don’t let your friends and family say it either. Start having conversations about what the word implies an ask others to use the term undocumented or unauthorized immigrant”.

    The challenge is clear. Can you stand against discrimination by promoting and advocating for the dropping of the i-word? Do you agree with this campaign or do you think this is not a issue worth raising? Where do you see the term “illegal” used and how do you react to it?