Mexican Immigration Law Protest
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| Wed, 03-29-2006 - 1:12pm |
You all know I live in California, so this is a big issue with us over here. But on Monday, several Mexicans at my ds16's school walked out in protest over the new law that has passed where illegal aliens will actually be deported, many of them here Mexicans. My ds was sick that day, although with the tensions that occur over whites vs. Mexicans around here, he would not have walked out in support even though he has many Mexican friends.
However, my rebellious dd14 took it upon herself to "join the cause" yesterday after lunch when several Mexican kids stood outside the school yard, waiving Mexican flags in protest and not returning for the last two periods of school. Now, I know my dd, and she looked upon this as a chance to simply get out of class for a seemingly "noble" reason. Of course I didn't fall for it. Even though her History teacher had gone over the points in support of allowing illegal immigrants to stay and work in our country by making the tired argument of how we might actually have to pay minimum wage to legal immigrants which would translate into higher prices at the grocery store (an argument for slavery imo, i.e. 'gee, who will pick the cotton when we no longer have any slaves?') I presented the "other side" of the argument when I picked her up after school. I'm dissapointed in dd, as I am so much these days - her grades are horrible, and she has alot of work to make up because she was sick last week. But one thing, which she was quick to point out to me, isn't dissapointing: she actually talked to me about it and did not lie, instead of waiting until she faced no choice in the matter (when I got the recorded message that she was not in two classes yesterday). I have been working so hard at having a better relationship with her, one if which she is not afraid to tell me stuff because I will "punish her". For instance, I didn't freak out over the note I found a couple of days ago. I just wanted to open up the lines of communication. I do think she was surprised.
At this point I think I am going to let the school deal with my dd and apply whatever consequences they see fit for her "ditching". I'm not going to add any of my own - it would be different if she had ditched for another reason. What do you all think?

I think you're right to not add anything to whatever consequences the school hands down to dd.
I'd also give her the benefit of the doubt that part of her really and truly felt righteous in joining the protest. I only say this because, as you pointed out, she didn't try to cover it up - she eagerly admitted she was a part of it and that speaks volumes, IMO, that she is maturing a little.
Perhaps you don't agree with why she decided to choose this particular issue to take a stand, but you have to at least hand it to her that she had the guts to do it. I'd be torn on whether to be disappointed in my dd or congratulate her on her moxy. But, that's me, a liberal to the end. LOL
Even though I'm pretty conservative, I do agree with you on that. It's hard to know whether to be proud or upset.
If it was a cause my dd truly believed in I would immediately back her up. I would also discuss other ways to show support than just joining in on the crowd. Or ways to make a bad situation better, ways to make it better for all involved rather than putting her academic standing at risk. I'll be honest, I don't know much about the new Immigration Law. I know my dd at one point wanted to sell everything she owned and send it to a poor country where children were starving. We discussed other ways she could contribute.
Regardless, I think taking a stand on what you believe in is important in this world where so much gets taken for granted. I also wouldn't impose any punishment as this really isn't your battle - she owned up to it right away and could be a major stepping stone to bigger and better things!
Good luck!