Close Encounter of the Liberal Kind...

My desktop background at work features a beautiful night shot of the Texas Capitol. I chose it because it is something non-partisan that conveys my interests. I try to keep my political side out of the office as it is not really work appropriate.

The other day I was approached by a girl I work with who commented on my photo. She is an adamant Hillary supporter and life-long democrat. We talked about our parties state conventions coming up. She looked at me and said "You're hispanic and Republican? Are you sure your not just a closet democrat?" My response was: "I've been a Republican for 22 years and nine-months. Are you sure you're not a closet Republican?"

She later asked me about the John Cornyn v. Rick Noriega race. We both agreed that Noriega has little to no chance. I made a comparission, to give her some hope, to the Bonilla v. Rodriguez race in 2006. She asked: "We're you a Bonilla supporter??" I replied with: "He wasn't in my Congressional district, but I met him a few times and worked with him...he's a nice guy."

"But he's a wetback" she responded. Keep in mind this young woman is hispanic, with family in Mexico, and a fairly common Mexican last name.

"So am I" I answered her, in complete shock that she would even say that. "We all are. I'm fairly certain we all crossed the river at one point in time to get here (historically speaking), so by your standards I guess we all are" I informed her. She went on to explain that I (me) wasn't a wetback because although I was born in Mexico I was educated here (an arguement that still baffles me as it makes no sense).

Now, I've been discussing the immigration issue with a few other bloggers on a couple different blogs and I've been told that I need to "open my eyes" to all the "racism" and "hatred" that occurs in the south against "our people".

Here is my response so I can make this clear once and for all...

I've been to other states besides Texas and traveled to the East Coast and the only time I've ever experienced racism in my life is at the hands of fellow hispanics, INCLUDING the young woman in my office. I think anyone can find examples of racism if they go looking for it. When you consider yourself a Mexican and categorize others by their race or ethnicity you will forever live in the world of racial divisivness. My advice, start looking at eachother as Americans. To most Latino democrats they view the issue of immigration in one narrow way...anything but amnesty is racism...ladies and gentleman that is not the case. We are not excluding or attempting to stop ANYONE from any ethnicity from coming to this country as long as they do so legally.

I am proud of my heritage and where I came from...I speak Spanish, but my parents made sure that my primary language was English. I think that people who chose to live in that life, always complaining about race and ethnicity will never be satisfied with the status-quo and will always find themselves the victim of some political drama.

So yes, I am hispanic, I am an America, I am an immigrant, I am a Republican and I am proud.

Sorry liberals, we do exist, deal with it.