so, there's apparently an "illegal alien" costume out on the market. here are my thoughts on this...the term "illegal alien" is a socially constructed term that has a history of discrimination associated with it. Referring to a human being as "alien" is ridiculous. The treatment (of hatred) associated with this status is something that has brought families and individuals of many backgrounds lots of pain and hurt. Many comments regarding this incident suggest that people need to "lighten up" and learn to "joke" about it. Opposing this costume, however, has nothing to do with being able to lighten up and "joke" about it. It has to do with respect to the millions of people that have been persecuted, ridiculed, and even killed over this "joke." This is especially disturbing because it's something that people are dealing with today, right now. It's like (and i know that there are worlds of difference in this example) allowing people to sell Nazi costumes in light of the Holocaust-it's insensitive. I understand that the point of entry for undocumented individuals was/is at the expense of "the law," but how "American" is it to ridicule the unfortunate treatment of others? We should be above this. I mean, the UNITED STATES was the catalyst that created the very conditions that have pushed immigrants to leave their countries and migrate to the US in the first place (don't believe me? research the history of all major migrations to the U.S.). Who knows, maybe 10-20 years down the line when we "fix" immigration we'll be able to look back and "laugh it off," but not today. Not when there are families and children so negatively affected by it.
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