Mexicans, Indians, Jews,
and Group Identity
Tuesday, May 9, 2006
By David Yeagley
The Mexican problem is an identity problem. It is a labor issue, an economic issue, and a race issue, but the at the root, it is simply an identity crisis.
Mexicans are not the only people to face such a crisis. American Indians have been dealing with it a long time now. "Federal Recognition," it's called. Being Indian is the most important thing to an Indian, but today, being Indian is also important to non-Indians, because through claiming to be Indian, these non-Indians gain access to land and casino enterprises. Of course, syndicate operators, casino developers, and crooked politicians are all in on that Indian "identity crisis." Being Indian exempts you from certain federal tax laws, so it means big, fast money. The official Indian dentity is critical only as it serves to procure those exemptions.
Mexicans are being manipulated in the same way. Of course they're Mexican, by ethnicity. But, what are they nationally? It all makes a huge difference in terms of the socio-economic status. American social suppport is given to the tresspassing Mexican--because he is Mexican, because his is alien. So far, it is to his advantage to be a tresspassing, illegal alien Mexican, and not an American citizen. But, this is all manipulated by American politicians and businessmen. This is a legal, national identity crisis, not a racial question.
Historical Tunisian Jewish couple. They didn't try to offend the
culture in which they lived. They sincerely 'assimilated,' but they never
sacrificed their ethnicity, religion, or their own essential culture. They
never challenged or defied the countries in which they lived. Yet, they
were able to preserve their own idenity within their host cultures. At
the same time, they contributed to the health of that host culture. They
were never a drain, but a contributor.
The Jews once faced similar crises within their own nation. In ancient times, the most privileged class in the Jewish nation was the priestly class. This was within the tribe of Levi, and particularly the family of Aaron (brother of Moses). One time, around 537 BCE, during a new enrollment census of the people reestablishing the nation of Israel, a group claimed to be part of the priestly line. (See Ezra 2:62). They were not on the priestly rolls, however, and were simply denied such a privilege. They could not demonstrate their family genealogy. Another group claimed to be Jewish but could not prove it by record. (Ezra 2:59). They were apparently allowed to participate in the reconstruction, as their numbers were needed, but they were clearly not Jewish.
The Jewish people were never hesitant to cut anyone off. False claims were refused. The identity of Israel was precious, and not to be manipulated.
I think modern America, indeed all nations today, stand to learn from the experience of ancient Israel. (Even modern Israel should give due heed.) Identity is important. It takes effort and sometimes sacrifice to preserve it. Yes, America is a special case in history, with the preeminence of ideology as the national identity, and therefore open to all religions, ethnicities and nationalities. However, America was created by White, Anglo-Saxon Protestants, who fought Indians, England, France, and anyone else who was in the way of their vision, like the Spanish.
The Mexican invasion of America today, non-violent up until this point, is a manipulation of the American national identity. It is, essentially, a threat. Americans have done radical things in the past to protect the country. There is such a thing as internment and/or deportation. In the case of the Indian, America fought wars, made treaties and reservations, and then finally declared Indians to be American citizens. Indians were not consulted. This citizenship was a strategem, not an act of generosity.
America in the past has done what needed to be done, what had to be done. But, that's when American government was concerned about preserving the nation, and the national identity. The concern today seems focused on international business. The world is a market, not a collection of independent nations with separate interests. Why, everyone will make more money, and be better off, if national differences are put in the background. That is the trend.
But the Jews are still with us, today. They are still Jewish. This didn't happen because of world market craze. This isn't the result of sloppy enforcement of laws, or negligence regarding the Jewish identity. I'd say, from a historical perspective, we need to consider the Jews on this point. You don't preserve yourself by giving yourself away, by blending in with a trendy ideology, or by being afraid to offend some prentender.
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