John R. Houk
© May 6, 2012
Leslie J. Sacks has sent a post lauding the traditional Family Values that most recent Latino immigrants bring with them to America. Sacks is absolutely correct in this assessment. Many Latinos come to America with that old fashioned work ethic that once was a norm.
What Sacks fails to mention is that too often the Latino immigrants come to America illegally. This is unlike many of the immigrants from Europe even from the mid-1800s through the early 1900s.
I don’t have a problem with Latino immigrants to America as long as the immigration is legal. If legal immigration is maintained it would be a fantastic way to help screen out the few Latinos that are drug dealers or Latino gang members. The drug dealing and gang member Latinos are giving the hard working family value Latinos a bad image in America.
I am a huge proponent of finding a way to shut off the border between the USA and Mexico in able to make immigration a more legal rather than an illegal proposition. I also am a proponent that Latinos that desire to work in America should be given easier access to the job market in America. Definite immigration reform needs to occur for Latinos that view America as a job opportunity to cross the border legally along with the ability to travel freely back to Mexico.
The Latinos that desire to become citizens of America need to have an expectation to learn the English language. English is the language of America and the UK is considered the Mother Country not Spain. Our culture is Anglo-Saxon not Hispanic. The earlier immigrants to America rather Italian, German, Swedish or other non-English speaking people all learned English by their second generation. Latinos that desire citizenship should also learn English.
Well that is my two-cents. Below is Leslie J. Sacks’ thoughts on Latinos. Sacks’ thoughts are accurate; however I believe he leaves out the other side of the coin.
JRH 5/6/12
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What we can all learn from our Latino community
By Leslie J. Sacks
Sent: May 4, 2012 at 7:05 PM
Website: Strength and Tolerance
Latinos in the US are fiercely familial and loyal. Ironically, many Americans (most likely from non-recent immigration) find it strangely meaningful to separate themselves (and their spouses) from their respective families (and often childhood friends) and forge an independent albeit somewhat alienated existence. As a result many Americans evolve sophisticated business and financial lifestyles yet retain a certain emotional and spiritual immaturity. By contrast, a strong family unit is often visible in new immigrant groups, whether they are Vietnamese, Honduran, Korean or Indian.
The Latino community seems passionate about Latino America. Not necessarily a bad thing (La Raza excluded) as this energy will translate over time into strong support for the US as well. Witness the many members of the US military being respected and honored in strongly immigrant suburbs - being part of the US military is not usually disparaged in the local "barrios" as it is on the Berkeley campus.
In the area of recycling, Spanish speakers are past masters: Nothing much is thrown out; most of the second-hand cars, appliances, TVs and furniture live long and productive lives. In their way, these are very "green" communities. In Malibu and Beverly Hills, cars have a 3 year life expectancy - Nissans and Toyotas regularly reach 200,000 miles in East LA amongst construction workers and pool cleaners. America's enormous disinterest in recycling, in maintaining existing electronics, distances our country from the rest of the world in a seemingly never-ending banquet of consumerism, with most happy to waste resources and expand garbage dumps with a frivolity absent in the Latino community.
Many see immigrants as outsiders who dilute the American tradition and culture. To the contrary, many immigrants may retain more family values (values that we seem to have lost), and may indeed be closer to the founding principles of this nation.
We have much to learn as a country, not only to teach; we are consumed in protecting our rights and largely ignorant of our responsibilities.
Immigrants tend to prioritize family and community over materialism and influence. Perhaps they are the splash of cold water we need to jolt us out of our complacency and away from a fragmented culture, an alienated, technological, iPad and iPhone existence.
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Leslie Sacks on Latino Immigrants
John R. Houk
© May 6, 2012
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What we can all learn from our Latino community
Born in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1952. My family and I have lived in Los Angeles since 1991. Active in fundraising and promotion of charitable organizations and causes in particular areas promoting moderate Islam (women’s rights and the reinterpretation of the Koran from a moderate and tolerant perspective) combating terrorism, extremism and radicalism in both North America and the Middle East whilst strengthening the tolerance and individual free expression. Conceived, initiated and funds “Women’s Voices Now”, a human rights organization and film festival for women in the Muslim World.
Academic background includes both psychology and computer science at the Univ. of Witwaterstrand, South Africa. Worked in various capacities in opposition to apartheid and in support of the Black and Jewish South African communities in the early 70s – at that time was Chairman of the South African Union of Jewish Students and was on the Executive of the World Union of Jewish Students as well as publisher of various student art and culture magazines.
International art dealer since the 70s; Publisher of various art books and catalogue raisonnes, curator of international, gallery, and art exhibitions. Has two modern and contemporary master galleries in Los Angeles. Family office of general investments focusing on private equity and hedge funds.
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