Reflection After Latino Lobby: February 2007

I really enjoyed my trip to Richmond with La Escuela Bolivia on Latino Lobby Day (Feb. 6) because I not only had the opportunity to speak to like-minded individuals, but also had the chance to listen to opposing arguments.

Although I was not in agreement with the several of the VA delegate aids my group spoke with, it was enlightening to listen to their viewpoints. I still do not agree with many of the points they made because they seemed to be based on emotional responses rather than logical responses to the increasing Latin American immigrant population in this country. It was interesting to hear the aids' reasoning for advocating certain anti-immigrant bills, even if at times their beliefs came off as ignorant. At least now I better understand from their perspective why they support these bills. Listening to their reasoning further cemented my wish for them to overcome any of their prejudices and learn to examine facts rather than pressuring bills to be passed based on their biases alone.

I was also thankful to meet the Attorney General of Virginia, Bob McDonnell. His comment that granting VA police the same power as Feds in being allowed to deport undocumented immigrants for committing misdemeanors would not lead to racial profiling confirmed my belief that there will always be men and women who lack compassion and common sense. While it made me angry to hear him say this, it later made me somewhat sympathetic for him. How can I not have pity on a person who sees the world purely in black and white?

On a more optimistic note, I also thank Eddie and Israel (the two chaperones) for the never-ending supply of M&Ms.