An Odd Call for an Odd Boycott…

THERE IS A COALITION asking the undocumented to “boycott” the census, even though doing so is clearly not in the community’s best interest.

Local Latino politicians, pastors and activists are denouncing the efforts of a national group of ministers calling for illegal immigrants to boycott the 2010 census until Congress passes immigration reform.

The National Coalition of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders say they launched the movement to protect the undocumented population, which they said accounts for about 30 percent of the members of their churches.

“If the 12 million of our brothers and sisters are good enough to be counted, then they are good enough to be legalized,” said the Rev. Miguel Rivera, president of the coalition.

—Latino leaders reject boycotting illegal immigrant census

It’s rhetoric. And it’s true. But in no way does admitting the truth of this phrase negate the truth that if “our brothers and sisters are good enough to be counted” well, then—they should be counted!

The group contends that information gathered during the census — used to calculate federal funding and assign congressional representation – would likely be used against the undocumented community. He said it would highlight areas with large Latino concentrations, which could be used for such actions as immigration sweeps.

However, some Orange County Latino movers and shakers condemned the movement, saying that while Rivera and his group may have good intentions, the effort will only hurt the very population they seek to help.

“I’m absolutely elated that there are pastors more radical than me but I think the target is misplaced,” said Nativo Lopez, executive director of Hermandad Mexicana Latinoamericana, an immigrant rights organization.

—Latino leaders reject boycotting illegal immigrant census

I don’t mind if you call me Cynical or even Overly Suspicious. “Paranoid” doesn’t work when you consider the history of oppression and lies leveled against mi gente over time by mainstream US News and Literature sources. But I think this idea was born somewhere to the Right of me. (Not saying that all who are voicing this idea are GOP, I said born.) I bet anything this began as some clever idea by a GOP paster (or friend, etc) who is seizing on the honored tradition of BOYCOTT amongst Latin@s as well as trying to tap into an already latent fear that is tying ICE raids to the Census people’s approach in some minds. I think its sneaky, and completely wrongheaded. And honestly, it’s unfair of us to assume these people aren’t intelligent enough to know why avoiding the census is a bad idea—not just for history’s sake, and not just for Latino US people’s sake, but for the sake of Truth. Remember that thing?

Lopez said the national group should instead encourage the undocumented to participate and be counted. If not, he warned that immigrant communities will not get their fair share or resources and representation, which is based on population data.

“Just for the very reason that a sizable percentage of our population hides in the shadows,” he said. “Their goal is politically counterproductive. It would be disastrous for us to do that.”

If nothing else, we need to ask ourselves who really benefits from the undercounting of Latinos and immigrants? Right. We know who has been shrieking about the census. And lately…they are quiet? But who else is talking? This “coalition.” Yeah.

Oye, if some in this coalition mean well and are in this same struggle, then I salute them. But I also advise you disregard them if you are undocumented, and if you are Mexican@. I say stand and be counted, gente. As we always have.