Dear Editor,

Immigration, the Myth of the “Melting Pot” and Race

It is indisputable that today over 95% of U.S. residents are either immigrants or descended from immigrants, the exceptions being Native American Indians. Almost without exception, our ancestors came for improved quality of life with financial opportunity for advancement the foremost reason. Most succeeded in making a better life here than they had had previously. Chinese built the railroads to the west, Germans and Irish staffed the factories and industries that helped America grow in the 19th century into an industrial powerhouse, etc.

Our nation was, and remains today, essentially a Christian nation with all peace-loving religions welcome.

I grew up in Waco in the 1950’s within a white Norman Rockwall America; there was also sadly Jim Crow, now mostly consigned to history. Ethnic groups were strictly and often legally segregated then. Races did not seem to mix, and the term melting pot had yet to be invented. When the term had been coined, it was not accurately representative of the population and remains a false term today. Ethnic groups still tend overwhelmingly to stay within in their own group or subgroup for the most part.

Today we have the phenomenon of what I call the Quebec, Canada, [English and French] syndrome: many states, including Texas, California, Arizona, e.g., routinely see billboards, commercials, and newspaper advertisements in both English and Spanish. The percentage of Hispanics to the general population is now multiples of what it was 40 years ago, and the fabric of society is changing dramatically. This may not be all bad, but it is a change many are reluctant to embrace. People who choose to live here should learn/speak English and become Americans. To have American ballots printed in a foreign language (true) is to deny who we are as a nation.

This brings me to the point of my letter: there is currently an official policy of very strict enforcement of immigration laws now on the books. I support this but with a caveat: I hope the feds charged with enforcing the law concentrate on the lawless, criminal, parasitic element of undocumented residents and leave the law-abiding, working, tax-paying, decent Mexican and Central American immigrants to live in peace. Most of us know some of them personally. I hope the local authorities will be judicious in choosing their priorities as to whom they arrest for deportation. There are a great many other residents who deserve deportation or worse. Many of us also know many of these. I do not wish to see the “browning” of Texas and to become a minority here, but I cannot condemn a man for wanting to live in what Sam Houston called God’s blessed place either.

El Sellers
Fairfield, Texas

 

 

Dear Editor,

Thanks to all of our Chamber Board members & Ambassadors that helped make our Easter event successful.

–Keith Daniel – Good Neighbors Laundry & Cleaners.
–Kris Simmons – Fairfield Lake State Park
–Josh Bayless – Bayless NAPA Auto Supply
–Amy Freeman – Navarro SBDC
–Lea Anne Somerville – Fairfield Homes and Land
–Chloe Sifford – Miss Freestone County
–Gina Martin – FISD & Origami Owl Gina Martin Independent Designer
–Mary Small – Accessories, Etc.
–Patty Pratt – Freestone County Historical Museum
–Riley Ralstin and Amy Sanders Ralstin – Kennedy’s Korner
–Gail Farish – Creations Flowers & Gifts for providing our bunny picture scene.
–Melissa Chappell Grissett

From the bottom of our hearts… we love you.

Thanks also for the assistance of Miss Freestone County – Chloe Sifford, McDonald’s for the special visit with their spokesman, Ronald McDonald, and to Sonic Drive In (Manager Rachal Glander) for providing water for the event.

Fairfield Chamber of Commerce
Brenda Pate – Executive Director
Lisa Schick – Asst. Administrator