Posted on 04/13/2006 11:46:06 AM PDT by Rebelbase
A walkout by a group of Latino students at North Mecklenburg High School on Wednesday highlighted heightened tensions in the Charlotte area over the national illegal immigration debate.
More than 50 students encircled the school and marched a mile toward W.T. Harris Boulevard, holding signs and chanting "Latinos, united, will never be defeated."
The group said it was marching in support of fellow Latino student Tracy Vargas, 14, who says she was called offensive names by other students.
Ethnic insults have increased in recent weeks, students said, as hundreds of thousands of immigrants have gained national attention marching against what they consider anti-immigrant legislation in Congress..
"This has happened before, and the school didn't listen," said Flor Ramirez, a 19-year-old senior. "So, sometimes you have to take other actions so people do listen."
Immigration reform bills under congressional debate, have drawn scrutiny in Charlotte. The region has one of the country's fastest-growing immigrant communities, mostly due to illegal immigration.
Two weeks ago, more than 5,000 immigrants and supporters rallied in uptown Charlotte for immigrant rights. On Monday, hundreds boycotted work, shopping and school. The demonstrations have also been criticized by those wanting stricter enforcement of existing immigration laws.
"People on both sides are very angry and resentful, and they're going to vent their anger in some way," said Ricardo Mata, a Latino activist. "All it takes is one word and tempers flare."
The answering machine at the Latin American Coalition filled with angry messages over the weekend, said Raquel Lynch, the nonprofit's operations and programs director.
"They're awful. Awful," she said.
Wayne Cooper, the state's honorary consul of Mexico, said anger against the Latino community is the most heated he has seen in 25 years.
Americans are increasingly worried about immigration, polls show.
According to the Pew Hispanic Center, a growing number of Americans say they believe immigrants are "a burden to the country, taking jobs and housing and creating strains on the health care system."
Yet the public remains split on what to do about the estimated 11.5 million to 12 million unauthorized migrants. One poll reports that 53 percent say people in the U.S. illegally should be required to go home, while 40 percent say they should be granted some kind of legal status that allows them to stay here.
Such a wide spectrum of opinions can be found at Mr. G's, a Monroe restaurant.
Diners often discuss their views on national policy, said co-owner Tina Stamos.
"I've heard all sides," she said. "It's on the news a lot, so everybody is talking about it. They talk among the tables. They ask the servers. Everyone wants to give their opinion."
At North Mecklenburg High School in Huntersville, school officials wouldn't discuss details about the alleged insults. But students and Maria Hernandez, Vargas' mother, said her daughter was told Tuesday by other students that she should return to Mexico.
Students learned about the insults later that day and planned the walkout for Wednesday morning.
After the demonstration, Principal Joseph Burch said the school will begin holding regular meetings with administrators and students to improve communication. Five percent of North Meck's students are Hispanic.
Agreed. My daughter was out of high school at 17 and should graduate from college by 20.
I'm guessing the chant was a construct of their Marxist handlers, A.N.S.W.E.R.
Go to any popular restaurant in a major metropolitan area, poke your head into the kitchen, and yell, "Federales!"
That's an "alleged remark" that will prompt a "Latino walkout."
I'm sorry, I thought they were all very devout Catholics. Whatever happened to turn the other cheek?
susie
That's the real truth.
susie
According to my high school Spanish teacher, who taught us traditional Castilian Spanish, the word you're looking for is mejicano.
I wouldn't doubt that he never forgave them for what they'd done to the Spanish language. He proposed that they should rename it Mexican since it's clearly not Spanish as is spoken in Spain.
And, yes, what little Spanish I still use, I speak it with the Castilian 'lisp'. You need to be careful about that near SF. :=)
You're correct, many of them are illiterate in spanish as well!
I would translate "Si, se puede" as "Yes, it is possible" or "Yes, it can be done."
If you examine these immigration stories you will see that the ones placing the estimate of illegals at 11 million are pro-immigration and the ones using the figure 12 million are anti-immigration; I guess this story marks some meeting of the minds:
"Yet the public remains split on what to do about the estimated 11.5 million to 12 million unauthorized migrants. One poll reports that 53 percent say people in the U.S. illegally should be required to go home, while 40 percent say they should be granted some kind of legal status that allows them to stay here."
Sir Gawain is/was banned/suspended on the last thread that PD was on. He'll just go whine to the mods like he usually does, and you or someone else will end up banned/suspended. If he ever tells you not to post to him again, and you do, you will get banned. He loves that abuse button. That's what happened to F16 Fighter too.
He's on the five-year plan.
I graduated in June 1976 and turned 20 in August 1976. High school graduation was June 1973. It was good to be a 16 year old high school senior with a driver's license for a car. I rode my Honda CB175 to school starting at age 15 1/2 with a permit. Graduating early from high school and college just requires the tenacity to attend every summer school session offered and reap the maximum number of credits allowable.
I don't understand the big deal, there is a large drop out rate amoung them anyway from what I have read.
I hadn't even thought of Santa Fe. As far as 'lisping', San Francisco just immediately comes to mind. Besides, it's only 60 or so miles from me.
BTW. Local Hispanics in Northern NM (where I grew up), who still trace their origins back to the Conquistadors, speak an old form of Castilian Spanish. Their geographical isolation kept it relatively pure, aside from their Pueblo Indian linguistic influences.
I can easily imagine that the isolation would limit the 'mongrelization' of the language, as my Spanish teacher used to describe it.
BTWA. They really don't like the "Mojados" much either. They'll tell you that the only reason they let them in is "so the fat chicas can get married too".
LOL. That's cold. Funny, but cold nontheless. :=)
I think the students who walked out just wanted a hooky day from school.
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