So-Called Satirical Article Points To Real Fear Where Illegal Immigrants And Swine Flu Are Concerned
27 April 2009, 4:45 PM. By Alex Alvarez
A self-described satirical article entitled “Illegal Aliens: Do NOT Let Swine Flu Ruin Your Cinco de Mayo!” drew on the current panic surrounding swine flu and how this might be affecting illegal immigrants who hail from Mexico. The problem, of course, is that, for a work to truly be called satire, it must deride certain prejudices and vices through wit and sarcasm, not simply echo them.
Statements like:
Why not “stimulate” the U.S. economy by hiring unemployed American citizens to load infected aliens into buses, cabs, cars, and other means of transport, and to drive said vehicles back to the Mexican border, where they will be unloaded to the care and attention of Felipe Calderon?
That would be a grand way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo Day while working to stimulate the economy and protect the health of American citizens!
And who knows, by May 5th President Obama may have stopped bad-mouthing America long enough to appoint a Surgeon General. One who pays his or her taxes and is capable of understanding the swine flu!
aren’t necessarily satirical in that they don’t offer anything beyond a presentation of (silly? misguided? xenophobic?) ideas, regardless of the author’s intent. It’s the presence of a punchline that differentiates, say, racist jokes from jokes about racism. If it’s just a reiteration of stereotypes, then, you know, you’re just spewing racist speech with the aim of getting a laugh without commenting on racism itself.
Anyway. The article does bring up a concern that some have regarding the spread of swine flu into the United States. Could illegal immigrants be transmitting the virus under the radar of doctors because they often refuse medical care? Seeing how illegal immigrants usually don’t risk traveling back and forth over the border and most cases of the virus have been brought into this country by American tourists to Mexico, we think it’s important to view this illness as a health issue and not a political one. This cannot be allowed to become another talking point for xenophobes. Which is why, when Israel deems the term swine flu “offensive” and opts to call it “Mexican flu” instead, it’s up to individuals to call this out as adding to the ire aimed at Latino immigrants, illegal or otherwise, Mexican or not.
Illegal Aliens: Do NOT Let Swine Flu Ruin Your Cinco de Mayo! [News Blaze]
Related:
Chicago Health Officials Warn People - Even Guanabee Commenters - Not To “Stereotype” Against Latino Students With Swine Flu
Japanese Company Sells Swine Flu-Resistant Suit. Ideal For Dates With Eddie Cibrian.
Survey Says Latino Parents Most Likely To Get Their Kids Vaccinated For Swine Flu
President Of Colombia Alvaro Uribe Has Swine Flu
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If you expect non-Latinos to “call this out as adding to the ire aimed at Latino immigrants,” you have to return the favor. Latinos are some of the most racist people I’ve ever encountered. I remember when everyone was terrified of the Asian-originated bird flu and heard a constant stream of racist jokes and comments from Latinos about the “chinos” and Chinese food and Chinese people, etc.
Take care of your own house first, amigo.
So, you want higher standards when the satire is from the right? Sure - just as soon as all you lefties want to take back the absolutely toxic rubbish that you’ve spewed over the last eight years.
Why is it that when we question the value of what we get from South of the Border it gets turned into a race thing? It’s not. It might be a “culture thing”: after all, the evidence is pretty much there that a significant percentage of our current Mexican “guest” population have no interest in adopting the US culture or language and send a significant portion of their earnings “home”.
Unfortunately for our politicians - on both sides, but particularly the Democrats - all that they’re interested in IS “trolling for the Hispanic vote.” Why else continue to allow what amounts to an invasion?
Wow, did us cranky folk on the left really sound as bad as this dude here during the last eight years? Man, I kinda hope not.