The Stakes are Too High To Keep Silent: Standing Up for Migrant Rights

On Thursday, February 1, 2007, members of the San Diego Branch NAACP voted unanimously to join forces with other local organizations to denounce vandalism and other acts of inhumanity directed at migrant camps dwellers in the Rancho Penasquitos area of San Diego. Members also voted to undertake a variety of activities, including participating in clothing drives and other forms of outreach to migrant camp dwellers, taking part in community forums to educate the public about the plight of migrant camp dwellers, and collaborating with migrant rights groups to advocate for the humane treatment of migrant workers who are forced to create makeshift shelters in the County’s canyons and surrounding areas.

The NAACP and other groups are responding to news reports that a number of migrant campsites were vandalized during the weekend of January 29th. In one news story, immigrant rights advocate Claudia Smith is pictured standing among shredded boxes, torn articles of clothing and the scattered remnants of what a migrant family had called home the night before. Reportedly hundreds of migrant camp dwellers spend their days working in local agricultural fields, landscaping companies, area restaurants, and construction sites. At night, they gather together in camps around McGonigle Canyon and other areas, protecting themselves against low temperatures and inclement weather in makeshift tents and enclosures that offer minimal protection against the elements. The camps, which are reputed to have been around for decades, have recently come under intense scrutiny because expensive housing developments are now being built near the encampments, and the owners want the migrants out. Ironically, the very people who don’t pose any kind of threat to the wealthy during the day—as they prune bushes, harvest crops, and perform other low-wage labor that fuels the San Diego economy—somehow morph into dangerous, disease ridden, fire prone criminals as they lie sleeping at night.

It should come as no surprise that the San Diego Branch NAACP takes up the cause of migrant workers targeted by vandals. Black Americans across the United States support the equitable treatment of immigrants. Despite the much-publicized and cynically manipulated tensions among Blacks and immigrants, a sizeable population of Black Americans support justice for all, including migrant workers. Indeed, recent polls show that many Blacks support legislation that helps illegal immigrants, and several major Black organizations, including the NAACP, have voiced strong support for humane immigration policies and procedures.

The San Diego Branch NAACP could not be silent in the wake of this most recent manifestation of violence against migrant workers. The NAACP believes that all workers should be earning a living wage that affords at least the bare minimum for survival—food, shelter and clothing. The NAACP also recognizes that the negative stereotypes that are used to justify discrimination against migrants are similar to the ones used to excuse criminal behaviors against Black women and men who are simply trying to feed their families and educate their children.

Like Black Americans in other areas of the country, many Black San Diegans recognize that we cannot place the blame for many of the social and political challenges confronting our Black families and communities on the backs of immigrants who share similar disparities in housing, education, healthcare, and employment. Rather than scapegoat each other, a better course of action is for Blacks and immigrants to come together and to speak with one voice against immigrant bashing and victimization. The well-being of the families and communities of both our groups is at stake. The San Diego Branch NAACP understands that.

I hope others in San Diego will speak out against vigilante justice against migrants and others. When we stand up for the rights and protections of the least among us, we are truly living up to our democratic ideals and our human potential.

-- Pat Washington