A little hope goes a long way

By now, most people have expressed their relief that some of the most egregious provisions of AZ 1070 were struck down. While it’s hard to call this a victory, there is still a bit of room for some cautious optimism as the nation tries to move toward the goal of comprehensive immigration reform.
Importantly, Judge Bolton’s ruling places the work of immigration reform in the hands of the federal government. The tension between states versus federal rights has been a central debate for centuries that dates back to post-Revolutionary America and the Civil War. That being said, it’s not unusual to see states jockey for greater control of their sociopolitical destiny. What is unusual is the extent to which this battle has been marked by hatred and vitriol. Sheriff Arpaio’s ‘offer’ to house detained immigrants in tent jails is just one of the latest absurdities in the struggle for the future of Arizona (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/02/arizona-sheriff-joe-arpai_n_667844.html). Now is the time for the current administration to put rhetoric into action and craft a sensible reform agenda. Doing so won’t be an easy task, especially considering a recent report on deportation rates, but there is still time for us to work for the type of change we want to see (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/25/AR2010072501790.html).
The will of the people has been at the heart of this struggle. Images from immigration protests in Arizona and throughout the nation serve as reminders that activism and social protest are alive and well in the nation. Just as there are a number of states considering ‘Arizona-style’ reform, there should also be a number of activists preparing for ‘Arizona-style’ protest. This may indeed be the Civil Rights movement for a new generation. The lessons learned then and now can serve as a reminder that sometimes we have to protest in order to progress.
As everyone calls for a ‘national conversation on race,’ let’s instead opt for a local chat about immigration. Let’s talk to our friends and neighbors about race, difference, and immigration. We can use the time between now and November to talk about Ohio immigration legislation and our capacity to vote our way to a comprehensive plan. During our respective chats, we also have to talk about the wave of violence facing some members of the immigrant population (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/31/nyregion/31staten.html?_r=1&ref=nyregion).
The time for change is upon us and the time to act is now.