NYSYLC Don't Just Dream, Act!

On the "A" Word

Even if you have not been called the “a” word, you know it is up there. It is in the protest signs made by the self-denominated “patriots;” it is often accompanied by the word “illegal.” Its mere definition does not mean much: it only refers to a foreign born individual. However, the way it has been used throughout history implies that the meaning of the “a” word is much more profound than what it appears. It is related to the word “alienated” which refers to a person who is isolated from the mainstream society. This means that the person who is labeled under the “a” word is thought to not belong with what the others may think as normal.

This is what the “a” word is; this is what it means; this is what it implies. We the aliens are not part of this society. We are alienated. It is as if we come from other planet; it is as if we are not human. This is the way a society isolates the group they discriminate against. If you want to eradicate a certain group, you first need to set yourself apart from such group. A way to do this is by calling a group a name that will alienate them. This is essential in order for the isolation process to work. Just imagine if instead of some immigrants being called “illegal aliens” they were called “illegal humans.” As you can see, this would not do the trick because the objective is to set yourself apart from the group you are discriminating against to the point there are virtually no similarities between you and them. You are the “human” while they are the “aliens.”

My dear sisters and brothers, we need to fight back. Now, do not misinterpret me. I am not asking you to advocate for the authorities to ban the word “alien,” for two reasons. One is that words are means of expression, and one of the amendments of the Constitutions guarantees us freedom of expression. Whether we like it or not, this word is protected by this law. My second reason is that a ban on a word is impractical. Words are just that, words. The DREAM (Development, Relief and Educations for Alien Minors) Act even uses the word to define itself. Plus, words in themselves are nothing more than vibrations floating to our ears. The way we use these vibrations is when problems arise.

We are not alone. In the mid-twentieth century, the “n” word was popular to alienate the African American population. However, instead of fighting the discrimination by avoiding the word, some African Americans began to use the “n” word to address each other in a friendly way. Little by little, the meaning of the word began to be disrupted by the new meaning the population subject of the discrimination was giving the word. Nowadays, the word's power as a discriminatory tool has almost lost its value. No longer people fear it, though some people still prefer to avoid it.

Let's learn from them, and start shifting this tool of the aggressor upside down. My dear aliens, this is the only way not to be affected by discrimination. What the aggressor intends is to use the word as a way to make us feel inferior, less worthy of the things this society offers. How will he do this when he realizes we are not affected by words anymore? How will he do this if instead of feeing discriminate, we feel empowered? I can see discrimination crumbling down when they see that we, the aliens, are tougher than insignificant five lettered words.

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