Well it happened. And I'm not happy about it. I was profiled today. Yep, that's right. I was targeted because I am obviously of European descent. I have white skin, green eyes, and I speak fluent English. Can you believe this? I'm an official victim of racial profiling.
I had to get a new driver's license.
For this to take place, I was told to provide the following:
-current driver's license from my prior state of residence
-birth certificate (with a watermark..NO photocopies allowed)
-original marriage license because obviously my married name doesn't match my birth certificate
-a utility bill dated within the past 30 days
-Social Security card
PROFILING! And it doesn't matter if you think the DMV is justified in requiring so many documents. It doesn't matter if you don't think I was profiled. Because I say I was! And it made me feel less than, as if no one inherently trusts me. And that hurts people, it just hurts. I'm pretty sure the who held the fate of my driving in her hands, as she pondered over my stack of documents, was a racist. She must be! The nerve of her, asking me to prove my identity. It's a driver's license, and I'm entitled to it! After all, this is America!
Too bad I'm not Latina/Hispanic in Arizona. I wouldn't have to prove who I am or from where I originated. Sucks to be me, white girl of European descent, just trying to get a driver's license. I was surprised I didn't have to give a DNA sample.
If I were in Arizona, I could have skipped across the unsecured border, and made my home here ILLEGALLY (that's key word). All the while law-abiding taxpayers of EVERY RACE (including my own) could pay my way. My food, housing, healthcare, everything provided for me because I think it should be and you wouldn't be able to tell me no. If you are opposed to ILLEGAL immigration, that means you hate all immigrants and you're ethnocentric! And if a cop even breaths air in a way I find offensive, I could just call Shakira (because well, she's a classy lady who cares about my country...my country meaning Mexico), or La Raza, or the ACLU.
And hell hath no fury like what I would unleash if some cop, who pulled me over for speeding/wreckless driving, etc., dared ask for my identification. Because I would have rights, you know?! I would be an illegal immigrant. I would be entitled. Why? Because I said so. And when my grandmother looked me in the eyes to tell her story of coming to this country legally...well, I could just laugh. Silly grandmother. Rules? Order? Respect for those who came before me? That's so old school. Lame.
But alas, I am a white girl. So I have to prove my identity to get a driver's license, or enroll my kids in school, or fly on an airplane, or pay for something with my own damn credit card. Plain and simple folks, I'm profiled on a daily basis. But I've decided it hurts. I don't like it. And who's got my back? Who's coming to stand up for the white girl of European descent. That's right. NOBODY!
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24 comments:
It's interesting to hear you explode on this issue, since I live here in good ole AZ. I don't get the hoopla, the boycotts, the hate mail. We are attempting to enforce laws that the federal government passed and refuses to enforce themselves. Snarky Belle, if you really want to make a stand, come visit AZ, spend some tourism dollars here and see for yourself that Arizonans aren't the devil-like, ignorant racists we've been portrayed to be.
And I've got a free place for you to stay.
I lived in AZ for 12 years and now live in Texas (another border state) where they are looking to change the law here. Big thumbs up on this one!
p.s. it sure is nice seeing you around again! :)
Jen, I know you aren't racists. Lanie, I lived in Dallas for 4 yrs, El Paso for 1 yr. I guess I just can't stand the people who rant about things, while living in places that are unaffected. I can't stomach the pictures painted of good people living in border states..as if you're all racists and evil. Jen, I'd love to come visit and spend some tourism dollars. WooHoo!
heehee
I'm with Jen. I don't see why AZ is getting so much flack. The PC police are strangely powerful, aren't they?
What on earth is so objectionable about enforcing the law? And why are pundits and politicians so determined to link being against illegal immigration to being against immigration in general?...or to being a racist?
I hope other states follow Arizona's lead and set (and enforce!) some boundaries.
=)
Preaching to the chior, sister! As an immigrant Canadian, I carry my green card with me at all times! I really don't get why people are so worried about stepping on the toes of people that are breaking the law? Being married to a law enforcment officer colors that a wee bit too, I suppose.
Loved your post. Made me remember my first days in Augusta: first time I was ever (blatantly) discriminated against. I have no problem with someone coming to our country to make a better life for themselves and their families---just do it LEGALLY! Another border state, California, is totally broke. Why? One BIG reason is illegal immigrants. Teachers are being pink slipped because of budget cuts (what budget?) partly because of having to provide free and reduced lunches (and breakfast in some areas) to illegals' kids. No, I don't want an innocent child to go hungry, but what about the husband and wife teachers who no longer have a job? Who's feeding their kids? Not the illegals!
What really kills me is the protest signs in Spanish....really!
I live in AZ and can't stand this law that was just passed. There are so many reasons, but my comment was waaaay to long, yes, this *is* the short version!
This law paints all people with brown skin with the same brush. We're not talking about showing ID when you get on a plane, or when you want to register to vote. We're talking about a police officer deciding you "look like" an illegal immigrant, and demanding you prove you aren't. How is that ok? How would you feel if your child was driving to the mall and the police pulled her over, and ask not just for her license, but where she was born, where her parents were born, and then demands that she proves it. That's not the America I want to live in. Since when are any Americans expected to carry documentation like that? If we want people with brown skin to carry those documents why aren't we requiring people with white skin, pink skin, black skin, and whatever else is out there to do it?
We're assured our police officers won't become gestapo-esque, but I've seen Sheriff Joe ranting and raving too many times to believe it. It makes me ill.
While there are some criminals and those with questionable reasons for being here, the majority of immigrants who come here illegally want to work and provide a better life for their family, the same things my ancestors came here seeking. They pay taxes, they buy homes, they honor and uphold the law. If they could be here legally they would be, but our immigration system has become an maze with no end. That's what really needs to be fixed.
And to those who say these immigrants are taking jobs the out of work white folks would like-I call you on your bull-crap! The jobs most of these immigrants are doing white people WON'T do, they won't even apply for. It's sad but true. Even out of work, hand-out taking, legal Americans still have standards they say! And that standard is too high to do manual labor, or work cleaning the hotels and yards of rich people.
Just wanted to share a different view. Still love your blog, still glad you're back to posting! (I found you through Jen's blog many moons ago, and blog stalked ever since!)
I was going to say something smart....but couldn't find the words.
You go white girl.
I'll probably be in trouble for calling you "white girl".
Jamie, I like you! THANK YOU for proving that people can have different opinions, but still be civil and share without being downright mean.
You asked if my child were driving to the mall...If my child was mistreated I would be extremely unhappy. If my child was simply questioned, I wouldn't care. Unless we had something to hide. Kind of like when the white preteen boys in my neighborhood get stopped by the officer on patrol. He says hello, asks what they're up to, no problem. Well except for the time they were hiding weed in the trees, I think they were pretty aggravated about getting stopped and being questioned. Interesting how they only got mad about being stopped and questioned on the day they had the weed.
If my child were mistreated, I would feel hurt, disappointed, angry, and sad. It's exactly how I felt when my son was not allowed to participate in an awards program for gifted children because he is white, and the awards ceremony was only open to African-Americans. He and several other children had also received the award, but only the African-American recipients were allowed to be recognized. He sat politely as he watched others receive the same award he had earned. It wasn't easy explaining to my 10 year old son that he was being excluded because of his skin color. I imagine it's how my mother-in-law felt when her son was told he wouldn't be able to start med school for another year because he was white, and even though his scores were amazing, and his grades superb, and his interview was rock solid...his spot would have to be given to an African-American female to fill the quota dictated by affirmative action.
I guess what I'm trying to share is that my family has suffered at the hands of discrimination. It's too long a story to tell, and entirely too private actually, but the short of it is this...my husband is currently risking his life in Iraq because of choices we had to make due to affirmative action. And yes, it makes me feel angry...I just can't think on it too long.
I know it is hard for many to believe, but those who know me, the real me, know that I am not a racist. I love people. Shocking, isn't it? It saddens me that because of my skin color, I am painted with the same brush as members of the KKK...strictly because I'm white and from Mississippi. It makes me sick to my stomach.
As far as the jobs others won't take? I don't come from a family that looks down upon any type of work, so I can't speak to that. All I have is my own experience. My husband worked through Chiropractic school throwing a paper route. And he was no young whipper-snapper at the time. He did odd jobs getting through Medical school. My father worked as a convenience store clerk when I was a kid, when he wasn't going to school. I could go on & on, but I won't. Honestly, I would love to clean a rich woman's home. In fact I've checked into starting my own cleaning business. But, I am white and therefore can not secure an SBA loan (or any loan) to start a kind of business. This would be no problem if I weren't white.
Because I come from a family of hard workers, who value labor and an honest day's work, it doesn't cross my mind that people would actually turn down a job, or think they are above a particular job. I've mainly lived in areas where people are thankful for any job that will put food on the table. Jamie, you've given me something to think about on this point.
I want people to understand that I've been discriminated against my entire life, my oldest son has been, my husband has been, and many other family members. I know the feeling. It's terrible, but it happens. And it is especially terrible when, because you are white, you have NO choice but to take the abuse because no one cares that you've been discriminated against. If anything, it is assumed that you somehow deserved the abuse...because of that darn paint brush I mentioned earlier.
Belle- I love your last comment and can relate. My hubby nearly didn't get into grad school for the same reason - he's a white boy and they needed to fill the spots with minorities. Same thing for scholarships- he wasn't eligible because he wasn't a minority. It didn't matter that his test scores and grades were better than the minority people in his program - they got the money.
I am all for immigration. That is exactly what made/makes our country great. However, I feel strongly that it needs to be legal. I agree with all your points about the illigals sucking our system dry just because we are too afraid to tell them no. The immigration system needs to be fixed to allow those looking for an honest, better life to find it here while cracking down on those bringing crime and drugs into our communities.
I tire at times of the attitude our country has developed of "total acceptance". I'm not saying we shouldn't accept others. I mean the "I'm too afraid of hurting someone else by voicing my opinion" kind of acceptance. We ought to stand up for what we believe instead of trying to appease everyone.
LOL I love you Natalie, and I love your snarkiness. So glad to see you back again, and LOVE the post!! So glad you're back in full swing!
Great post! I can't stop hearing how having to show papers is so "Nazi Germany". Give me a break. I liked your key word "illegally" the best. Doesn't that mean against the law. Heaven forbid we ask to see proof that they can be here legally.
I am a native Arizonan and I have lived here all my life. I am not ashamed be an Arizonan today. I want to earn my money and not be taxed to pay for welfare programs that illegal aliens can benefit from. If I have to pay taxes (and I don't like that I do), I would rather that money be spent on legal resident. I work for a landscaping company and most of the field workers are Hispanic. I have no problem with who they are or the color of their skin. I give them major kuddos for working outside in our AZ heat during the summer. So no, I'm not racist either. The law should not override probable cause. I'm pretty sure that if a police officer pulls over anyone to check their citizenship, they better have good reason to do so. I'm not positive, but I think the only ID that needs to be provided is a drivers license, a work permit card/green card, or an Arizona State ID card. You'd have to provide something like this to apply for work at my landscape company, so it doesn't seem like that much trouble to carry it in a purse or wallet. I don't know, it just seems like a whole lot of hoopla over something that should have been passed years ago.
Well, I would totally have your back, but I'm a white girl of European descent as well, and you know how riled up the cops get when they see us in a group!
(I'm just kidding, please don't send me hate-mail telling me what it's like to really be discriminated against. I've been told to "F--ing go home" because of my religion).
Oh Carly, we could spend another year on religious discrimination couldn't we. For a while, I was the only Mormon at a private Southern Baptist college. Good times I tell ya, good times. And currently my oldest son (the one who has already been discriminated against for being white) is being bullied and ridiculed at school because we're Mormon. Yep, more good times.
I was appauled to read this. Being white sucks. We don't get any benefits--no history months, no television stations, nada. If we did, we'd be called "racist." Those who keep pulling the racist card are the ones who are racist themselves.
Did you hear about the rancher who was killed by an illegal immigrant in AZ? You mentioning AZ made me think of that. Some ILLEGAL immigrant came over to this man's land and MURDERED him, and then went back to Mexico. Where is my wall?
I've been meaning to make my own blog post but haven't. So here are my thoughts.
I'm a native Arizonan
#1 The law makes it a misdemeanor if you are caught here illegally. So law enforcement CANNOT stop you without some other probable cause. They can't approach you on the street, they can't just pull you over because they suspect your illegal. If you get pulled over (in ANY state) you are required to show identification. If you show a valid I.D. card they have to assume that it is legit and charge you for whatever your offense is (speeding etc.). They cannot, under the new law, question your immigration status if you provided I.D. That does not show up on any of the media. So just carry I.D.--problem solved. If you don't have I.D. then they can question you up and down--like they do already.
#2 Where is the line of racial profiling? If I am in a line at a grocery store and I hear the man in front of me speaking fluent German and is struggling to speak to the clerk--I think I can ASSSUME that he is German and not American. Am I crazy on that one?? Anyone? Anyone? Why is that so wrong? I haven't figured that out yet.
#3 When I traveled Europe I kept my passport on me at all times. Was I ever questioned?--NO. But I was ready in case I was. Do I think we need to all carry our I.D. at all times? No. But if I'm doing something that requires it by law (driving) then Yes.
#4 The assumption that all cops are out there to "getcha" is just absurd. Most cops don't want to enforce misdemeanors--then they have to appear in court for the offense. Are there jerk cops. YES. Are they the majority? I don't think so.
#5 The majority of these illegal immigrants are here to escape a corrupt country of little opportunity. They are a hardworking people. I do think that there should be some sort of work to citizenship program more readily available. The system is screwed. But just ignoring the fact that they are here by an illegal act of unlawfully entering a country does not solve problems, it creates them.
#6 Amnesty is not the answer. If amnesty for all illegal immigrants already in the country is suggested--our border is going to be like Wal Mart on Black Friday--know what I'm saying?
#7 Arizona did not CREATE illegal status of immigrants. It's been on the FEDERAL law books since I believe 1940's. This new law was written by a constitutional law professor in Missouri. I heard a talk radio show on it. It will stand up in court. It was meticulously worded and set on other court cases precedent (does that make sense?). I would like to hear your mother's opinion on that.
#8 And as for all of these celebrities speaking out--YOU ARE ANNOYING. I didn't listen to you during the elections, I don't listen to you when you endorse products. Just go away.
#9 All of the people who are illegal and say that the U.S. Constitution guarantees them rights drives me bonkers. I'm pretty sure that it only guarantees the rights of U.S. Citizens. I don't think I can go to ANY OTHER COUNTRY and protest at their political offices demanding MY RIGHTS as a non-citizen of their country. That confuses me. They are guaranteed basic human rights--not constitutional rights. It's different.
#10 What irks me the most is the people who are protesting this law with a Mexican Flag draped on their backs. REALLY? Carry an American Flag on a pole (the flag should be respected), say the pledge of allegiance, do everything in your power to learn English (there are a million FREE English classes locally), abide by the laws, swear to be an American without hyphenating. Then and only then, I will listen to what you have to say.
Jill, AMEN! You rocked that. Just copy what you posted here for your blog. It's terrific! #9 is one of my favorites!!
dang it. white mormon girl in utah. i'm screwed. in california, that is, lol. too bad i don't still have blonde hair. that would REALLY top the cake. loved this post:-)
Amen, sister!
Glad to see you again!
Oh how I've missed you!
Your post and all the comments are great - thanks to all for the information. I have a feeling Texas is next - we shall see.
(by the way, this is Em from Life, Liberty and the Pursuit - things have changed a little in your abscence :-)
oh it's good to have you back!!!!
if blogger had a "like" button like on facebook, i would "like" your post! :-)
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