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La Gran Marcha: Does America Care? Do Latino Values Matter?

This Unity Corps web site has been created to commemorate the significance of La Gran Marcha which occurred in the streets of downtown Los Angeles on March 25th, 2006. While for the most part, the majority of all mainstream American media was wholly absent, arrantly disconnected, insignificant, and uncharacteristically reticent in its overall reportage of this major historic American event; the American public at large took serious notice on the significance of this unprecedented display of human and civil rights assemblage. Never before in the history of the United States had any civil or human rights gathering brought together so many people at any one time and place. Even the low crowd estimates, such as those tabulated by L.A.P.D. helicopters in air which calculated the number of participants at more than 500 thousand, would be more than double any other type of similar public event in  American

history. In comparison, the celebrated August 28th, 1963, March on Washington, D.C., during which Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, drew only 200,000 civil rights supporters. That period of time, which is often considered to be the height of the Civil Rights Movement, now appears to have been somewhat lacking in the potential of what it could have also represented. There are reasons La Gran Marcha was and continues to be larger in size than the March on Washington. The reason is Latinos. Latins, like any other group, must have representation.

Certainly, very few would undermine the importance of what that day in 1963 meant to the history of this country and the Civil Rights Movement in general. Yet, when considering the accounts of that day and the abundance of media support it had received both prior to and during the event, its smaller size in comparison to La Gran Marcha is quite remarkable. It is a testament to the fact that many Latinos both then and now have not felt fully and universally included in the discussion of civil rights in America. According to the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Information Programs (usinfo.state.gov), during the time of the March on Washington they state, "Press coverage was more extensive than for any previous political demonstration in American history."  Similarly, according to Taylor Branch, author of "Pillar of Fire," a bestselling history of the Civil Rights Movement, "millions of television viewers, including President Kennedy, heard the complete King speech. All three U.S. networks carried it live." to its conclusion. Reflect. Why not La Gran Marcha? Was this assembly of one half to one million peacefully demonstrating people not good enough to be heard? Can America get beyond the myopic opinions and representations of only a few groups?   

Despite the great amounts of media exposure and support that the March on Washington did receive and La Gran Marcha did not, it now appears quite evident that many in the Mexican-American community, other Latinos, and immigrant groups, are feeling that they have a different experience that needs to be fully included in the discussion of civil rights and the oppression of people living in America. So too, it is easy to know from the conversations heard in the homes to the shouts seen in the streets that many from the Latino-American community are "not feeling" that they have received fully from the benefits derived of the 60's civil rights era to the extent that African-Americans have in society already. Is this not a question of adequate representation? Is this not the same plea to have one's own unique perspective seen in the media and represented in politics? Is it not a matter of public visibility which gives rise to power? Certainly, with the display of La Gran Marcha it is evident that there continues to be  (in the least - in the mind of the Latino community) a major struggle that still persists in America today. It is a struggle that is defined not merely around the basic desires for recognition of one's dignity and civil rights in a society, although this is still certainly and undeniably true - but it is also an urgent plea for recognition of the need for a national dialogue on the very issue of "human rights" for all living in America. In many respects, it is specifically this great event, La Gran Marcha, which has now propelled our American psyche to re-examine what we truly believe is fair and just in a modern society of this millennium.  This is a question for all Americans that is neither merely black nor white. America as a nation must continue to mature in its recognition of the importance for increasing the levels of diversity seen in the media, politics, the board rooms, and every aspect of its society even further than what has been accomplished to date. It must additionally further evolve in the discussion of what is truly descent and moral in a democratic society beyond the recognition of civil rights for only a few select groups living in America - to the rights of all human beings living within her reach and shores. Truly we should be celebrating the addition of any input from all cultures thus adding to our repertoire of knowledge on all cultures of the world. Would this not be what would "win the hearts and minds" of others to our American way of life? Is this not what we should be seeking? How else could any modern nation proclaim to be civilized in a modern world without knowing how to dialogue and behave with all of those living as human equals in any part of the world?  To the singular issue of La Gran Marcha and what it has represented, America should at minimum be listening to the masses of its largest so-called minority group living within its own borders. Can we not see that this isn't merely a plea? It's a proclamation. Was this singular demonstration not loud enough for us to recognize that America must become more culturally aware? A major reason that La Gran Marcha was so grand is that it was a display of values.  It was the Latino community stating that a legislative body which would threaten to break up their families, that entity which is most valued, for the crossing of an invisible, unenforced border, a misdemeanor violation, is wrong. This was a display of the masses of heart, soul, and conscience being right over Congress. In the best interest of America and our shared world, all of us as Americans must learn to know and understand more about all cultures of the world, and most certainly those within our own borders. This is more than what is expected of any nation which would proclaim to lead the world. It is intelligence and an ability to understand the fullness of our own social dynamics. It is our calling. It is the only way that we as an American people can truly be considered "great".           

For both the opponents and supporters of the proposed legislation Sensenbrenner / King H.R. 4437 this demonstration was seen as a wake up call. For many in the community of people who abhor the current rates of immigration (both legal and illegal), they see it as direct evidence of an imminent threat to our nation. Many of these type who will readily refer to the undocumented worker as an "illegal alien", an "enemy invader", or often times worse, continue to see this newest influx of immigrants as a threat to their "American way of life", their jobs, and occasionally even their safety. Unfortunately, this has been a common occurrence within our country. With many a new immigrant groups' arrival, some other group has always been threatened. Usually, the connotation here is one ripe with being a threat to the culture or general health of America. What is most particularly disturbing about this current new furor is that it has taken on tones of being a threat to the "whiteness" of America. Interestingly enough, many in the African-American community have also expressed similar fears about the current large influx of immigrants from Mexico and other parts of Latin America and Asia; this, despite the fact they too are a minority group that is also very often "not perceived" as being wholly beneficial to the overall health of so-called white America. With respect to the black community, there is an additional factor in that it's silence, lack-luster support of and general opposition to this current Latino-American and other minority groups struggle is being perceived as an unfortunate occurrence if not a slight betrayal. Traditionally, the African American community has been very pronounced in its opposition to the dominant forces of so-called white America and the immoral behavior of such legislators who would choose (whether consciously or not) to continually push further hardships on the oppressed. In any respect, Latinos who are actively being seen as the spearhead on this continuation/furtherance of the Civil Rights Movement for the most part have not and do not see this issue in the same manner as either whites or blacks. For, they are neither. They are a cultura. It is a culture based primarily on the importance of family, spirituality, and community over the perceived hatreds of any detached legislators in Washington, the jingo patriot, white supremacist, black fears, motivations of money, or any of the perceived injustices based on immoralities or unethical laws.

The main significance of La Gran Marcha is that Latinos have now empowered themselves. With this historic event, they not only showed the largest mass demonstration in the history of the United States which consisted primarily of only one cultural group; they showed an ability to assemble with one mindset. The implications here are many and will be felt for many generations from now whether or not the Sensenbrenner / King H.R. 4437 legislation passes or not. As the story of the Latino Civil Rights/Human Rights Movements continue to evolve, many organizations are now coming together, forming alliances, and stressing the importance of having a commitment to a concerted message of unity. The way to peace for all humanity is a mindset of unity amongst the various factions of all humanity. While there will always be many sides to any issue, we should always remember that we are human beings first and the citizen of any government second. One should never leave their sense of humanity or conscience to the disposal of a legislator alone. If there is but one lesson history continually shows, it is that when there is a lack of diversity in the composition of any one ruling body, such as a monarchy, a house or a senate, the opinions are swayed to the interests of only a few. We should all be united in the effort of creating a more humane and peaceful world. It is not merely the media nor the halls of Congress that need more of an enlightened understanding, it is every faction of society and with every inhabitant of our world. It may be that at our present evolutionary state it is too much to expect heightened understandings of all and everywhere. Nevertheless, for the simplicity of our American legislators alone let it be said. Any legislation that would criminalize an undocumented worker but lay blameless the American employers who actively seek them is neither fair nor justifiable. Any government that would seek to shoulder the burden of blame for its own lack of national security on the poorest of the poor of our nation, on a body of people who are "the most" unempowered of all, the undocumented immigrant, does not see clearly who it is that is truly to blame for the overt and rampant lack of security and respect the United States suffers around the world today. To this American government, know that the attempts to felonize the simplest of human beings for crossing an invisible border out of a love for family and desperation - is neither in the best interests of peace for our society nor morally correct. Our government could learn much from the undocumented worker. When it is a choice between the love of one's family and their well-being, and what is obedient in the face of an unethical, unenforced, or inhumane law, the choice is quite simple. It is a love and respect for humanity that should always rule above any government's laws.

It is the responsibility of the United States to secure its own borders and not the burden of any other nation or people. It is the incessant lack of diversity and knowledge of other cultures (and more) in our current legislative bodies and other places of power that are most threatening to the stability of America now. It is the extreme reprehensible ignorance and blind hatreds, the compassionless hearts of too many Americans that claim to be shedding false tears for the loss of a job, a benefit, or an advancement in society at the expense of a so-called "illegal" human being. Rarely do these same self-proclaimed displaced individuals question their own inefficiencies, work ethic, or the reasons any employer, boss, or corporation just might be favoring any individual over them. More than just being senseless in the absence of a critical examination of one's own lackings in ambition or abilities, far too many Americans are also remiss in even considering the most current information presented as facts. It is all in the statistics we currently have. They are all too revealing of the real truth and extremely relevant to all of what is now occurring. This is a time when both the growth of American jobs and personal income is up. This is a time when both the unemployment and national crime statistics are at record lows. So what does this say about the arguments of jobs that are being lost and American societal health hurt? Is there more or less being revealed in the hearts of these hostile voices that are commonly being heard in popular media?

The United States must learn to solve its own problems without the subterfuge of blame on the innocent. Further oppression of the poor undocumented workers who have been actively courted by our country is not the answer. Whether it has been the selfish interests of big or little business or the privileged of this country, society has clearly proven that this immigrant population has been wanted. If anything they should be commended for their courage and loyalty to family and community even in the face of extreme discrimination, hatreds, hostility and oppression. The verbal and physical abuse of these good and decent people must stop. Unity Corps encourages all Americans to join in the struggle for creating greater widespread recognition on the need for respect of the basic rights and dignities of all human beings. The solution for this current dilemma and all of our concerns lies with one solution. It is in the expression and implementation of true caring concern and representations for the rights of all human beings as equals - despite any dissensions that may be created by our own government or any special interests that favor only a few. (4-6-06)

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La Gran Marcha Commemorative Web Site

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American history · civil rights · H.R. 4437 · human rights · illegal immigration ·immigration reform · La Gran Marcha · politics

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