States is glamorized on television and in movies would make people want to try to obtain the American dream. But the way that some people go about it is not right and it’s not fair.”
Theo shook his head in disbelief. “How can you say it’s not right or fair?
“You want to be real with this, Theo?” I asked in a high pitched voice.
“Who’s Theo?” the teacher asked.
“That’s what she calls Teodoro,” Sonya answered.
The teacher nodded and looked back at the two of us to see who was going to say something next.
“Please, be my guest,” Theo responded.
“The government puts laws and processes into effect for a reason. You out of all people should know that. In the democracy that we live in, the people in office are elected to do that and it’s not for any of us to pick and choose which laws suit us well or not or else chaos and anarchy could erupt. But let’s start with the not right part. It’s not right that people come over here and pop out an anchor baby and then feel entitled to take advantage of all that government assistance provides funded by the hard working people in the country, and for the record it’s not just Mexicans who do it either. My mother and father didn’t work as hard as they have in order for their tax dollars to pay for other people to live off of that aren’t taking the necessary steps to become citizens. The citizens are the ones who are entitled to that assistance but it seems like its gotten all twisted up. That’s not right. Now let me get to the fair part. It’s not fair that people from all over the world who want to be an American come here and work their butts off to become citizens and have to contribute towards paying for those same people who don’t want to go through the legal steps.”
“So are you saying these people should just suffer where they are?” Theo asked.
I distorted my face as I answered, “Don’t twist my words, Theo. They are welcomed to come so long as they do things the right and fair way. The legal way. No sneaking. No cheating. No running. If you’re going to do it, then do it right. That’s it.”
“To do all of that the right and fair way would take time and money which a lot of these people don’t have,” Theo replied.
“Then maybe the process is broken and that’s something politicians should be looking at fixing, don’t you think?” I asked. I sat back and pursed my lips because I was done and had nothing else to say.
My internal prayer for relief was answered by the sound of the bell as I looked at Theo, waiting for him to say something, but he didn’t.
“Thank you all for a nice discussion,” the teacher said before he yelled out a reminder of the homework assignment over the sounds of students trying to rush out of the class.
I hurriedly got my things and walked out of the class with Sonya telling me that she agreed with my views, admitting that she wasn't an anchor baby herself but a third generation Mexican American.
Next thing I knew, I felt an arm around my shoulder. I instantly recognized who it belonged to by looking at the hand. I turned my head to face Theo. “Does this mean you don’t hate me or my opinions?”
A smirk crossed his lips, but I couldn’t see his eyes since he had on his reflective sunglasses. “I could never hate you. And I respect your opinions even if I don’t agree with all of them. Not to mention I love seeing that side of you. I had to egg you on.” He removed his arm and took my hand and kissed it before taking off to walk in the other direction.
I spent the rest of the walk to
Theo shook his head in disbelief. “How can you say it’s not right or fair?
“You want to be real with this, Theo?” I asked in a high pitched voice.
“Who’s Theo?” the teacher asked.
“That’s what she calls Teodoro,” Sonya answered.
The teacher nodded and looked back at the two of us to see who was going to say something next.
“Please, be my guest,” Theo responded.
“The government puts laws and processes into effect for a reason. You out of all people should know that. In the democracy that we live in, the people in office are elected to do that and it’s not for any of us to pick and choose which laws suit us well or not or else chaos and anarchy could erupt. But let’s start with the not right part. It’s not right that people come over here and pop out an anchor baby and then feel entitled to take advantage of all that government assistance provides funded by the hard working people in the country, and for the record it’s not just Mexicans who do it either. My mother and father didn’t work as hard as they have in order for their tax dollars to pay for other people to live off of that aren’t taking the necessary steps to become citizens. The citizens are the ones who are entitled to that assistance but it seems like its gotten all twisted up. That’s not right. Now let me get to the fair part. It’s not fair that people from all over the world who want to be an American come here and work their butts off to become citizens and have to contribute towards paying for those same people who don’t want to go through the legal steps.”
“So are you saying these people should just suffer where they are?” Theo asked.
I distorted my face as I answered, “Don’t twist my words, Theo. They are welcomed to come so long as they do things the right and fair way. The legal way. No sneaking. No cheating. No running. If you’re going to do it, then do it right. That’s it.”
“To do all of that the right and fair way would take time and money which a lot of these people don’t have,” Theo replied.
“Then maybe the process is broken and that’s something politicians should be looking at fixing, don’t you think?” I asked. I sat back and pursed my lips because I was done and had nothing else to say.
My internal prayer for relief was answered by the sound of the bell as I looked at Theo, waiting for him to say something, but he didn’t.
“Thank you all for a nice discussion,” the teacher said before he yelled out a reminder of the homework assignment over the sounds of students trying to rush out of the class.
I hurriedly got my things and walked out of the class with Sonya telling me that she agreed with my views, admitting that she wasn't an anchor baby herself but a third generation Mexican American.
Next thing I knew, I felt an arm around my shoulder. I instantly recognized who it belonged to by looking at the hand. I turned my head to face Theo. “Does this mean you don’t hate me or my opinions?”
A smirk crossed his lips, but I couldn’t see his eyes since he had on his reflective sunglasses. “I could never hate you. And I respect your opinions even if I don’t agree with all of them. Not to mention I love seeing that side of you. I had to egg you on.” He removed his arm and took my hand and kissed it before taking off to walk in the other direction.
I spent the rest of the walk to
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