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Even Today Racism Exists
Closer to home there was the recent issue of immigration. Many people do not want immigrants coming across the border, " It’s part of American culture to appear that you have a different standard of living, that you’re better and superior" (Barsamian). This is said by Cathi Tactaquin, founder and director of the Oakland-based National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, she feels that immigration and racism are interrelated. People feel that it will weaken the economy, when in fact immigrants take most of the minimum wage jobs, so really without immigrants many of the lower paying jobs wouldn’t be around. Some people claim that they are not racist, just that they believe immigrants should enter America on legal terms, which is reasonable, but should people be able to take matters into their own hands and protect our borders? The Minutemen took matters into their own hands to try to protect California’s borders without the help of the proper authorities.

When asked about California's immigration "problem" many people fail to actually support their answers with facts, "it seems that each time the United States has an economic problem that they can blame on immigrants, they do" (Vela). This is said by Ruth Vela who believes that America tries to pass off its problems by blaming them on immigrants. Many will say that immigrants ruin our society, but this statement can always be followed up with, "How?" Those who watch television and get caught up in the news will believe anything they are told if it’s to strengthen their means of resentment. Many use the news they hear to cover up the fact that they are racists by saying things such as, “ I heard on the news that…” People never own up to being a racist because they never believe that the way they think is wrong.

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