Each Tuesday we’ll be running a guest post, featuring the great and the near-great, writing gods and demigods, and basically anyone with an Internet connection. We’ve got some big names scheduled in the coming weeks, and some not-so-big names. And one completely fictional person who exists only in cartoon form. If you would like to be worked into the schedule, send your pitch to Rickchand@gmail.com. All are welcome! All are welcome!
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By Greg Esposito
Dear Internets,
My name is Greg Esposito and I’m a citizen of Arizona.
Let that sink in. I’m a citizen of Arizona. Yes, that Arizona. Home of the most unpopular immigration law this side of the 1940s — SB1070.
Admitting that right now is about as popular as screaming at the top of your lungs in the middle of Yankee Stadium that you are a Red Sox fan and you think Dustin Pedroia is wicked pissah.
While the political world criticizes the state I’ve called home for the better part of my life, the sports world has begun to take notice. National columnists from Mike Lupica to Kevin Blackistone and even New York Congressman Jose Serrano, are calling for the commissioner of Major League Baseball, Bud Selig, to revoke the 2011 All-Star Game from the Grand Canyon State. I say just let it end in a tie, that would be worse and more upsetting than a boycott.
The question is why?
Professional sports has the power to bring people of every race, color, creed and city together as fans. Why use it as a divisive force that hurts the people in Arizona, people who just love their sports teams and leagues? Punishing all of the state because of the local government’s stance on immigration is like punishing every NHL player for the commissioner’s stance on hockey in the southwest. It’s just not fair. Well, maybe it is for that one.
Like myself, not everyone in the state agrees with the law. Despite popular national opinion, Arizonans aren’t all crazy. Citizens in the state didn’t get the opportunity to actually vote on the law. As a matter of fact, we didn’t even vote for the Governor that signed it. She got the job after the Democrat we voted into office took a job in the Obama administration. (Smart on her part to get out before things got bad.)
Instead of exacting retribution on everyone in the state, sports leagues such as Major League Baseball should use major events in the state as a chance for discussion and education. The only way to ensure a lasting impact on the state of Arizona and make sure the future is brighter is by educating younger generations about racial equality and racial tolerance. If things are ever going to change, it will occur by reaching the future leaders at a young age. What better way to do that than through sports?
MLB has been a prime example of racial equality since Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier (once they gave players free agency rather than keeping them as indentured servants). Baseball is the most global professional sport in America (I, like most in the country, don’t count soccer). On any given night, in any ballpark, you can see men of all colors and ethnicity joining together proudly as a team to fight for one goal. Why not use such a powerful example to educate during the 2011 MLB All-Star game?
For one year, change the traditional midsummer classic from its typical American League vs. National League format to a format that can help change the discourse in Arizona. Change it to Latin America versus the World. If you don’t want to separate the Hispanic players or don’t want to mess with tradition, simply let every player wear hats representing their home country, a la the World Baseball Classic, and show that no matter the color or creed of a person, they’re all equal and talented, especially on the baseball diamond. Even a diamond located in Phoenix. Show in a state that has many people questioning its racial sensitivity, that every man has the same value regardless of home country.
Along with that, run ads directed at Arizonans that feature some of the game’s best Hispanic players and their stories. Let these ads highlight reasons for their desire to play professional ball and their hopes by immigrating to America. The All-Star Game and other major sporting events offer a platform unlike any other. That platform can be used to make an impact and send a very carefully calculated message to the people who need to hear it most. This point and these messages can be sent without taking away an amazing sporting experience from young people and those that disagree with the law in principle.
A boycott just upsets and angers people. Education could have a lasting impact.
If boycotting and pressure is what it requires for change to occur, especially if you view the issue not as a racial one but a legal one, let it come from the federal government who can pull funding and support for political projects that hit those creating the legislation and signing it into law the hardest. Let the Federal Government push the law through the judicial system in an effort to find out if it is legal. Using boycotts in sports doesn’t hurt the law makers, it hurts the general public and the fans.
We need a separation of sport and state. Sports has a chance to impact the world around us but only by the actions of those on the field and the words they share. The diversity on the field in professional baseball does as much talking as any boycott ever could do.
In the end, my friends of the world wide web, as an Arizona sports fan, I’m saying please don’t rob myself and other fans in this state the chance to see an event we’ve been looking forward to experiencing for thirteen years. We, the taxpayers of the state, funded the stadium and feel we’ve earned this great American experience. Hopefully, if given the chance, we can learn something from it as well.
Sincerely,
The poor schmuck stuck living in Arizona.
P.S.; Isn’t having to watching the Diamondbacks’ bullpen more punishment than any boycott the sporting world could dole out?
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Greg Esposito is the Senior Content Director at Fanster.com.
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- jen - May 4, 2010 at 3:29 PM
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As a fellow citizen of Arizona, I do not support the immigration bill. I do however second everything said in this post. Boycotts hurt all of us: the legal immigrants, the illegal immigrants, the idiots who signed the bill into law, and those of us who were stunned when it happened. We didn’t ask for this, we want the law repealed, we want the illegitimate Governor out and the chance to elect someone worthy into office. And we don’t want to be compared to Nazis just because we chose to live in Arizona (for the record I’m only here for the sunshine, not the politics). You say the immigration bill is unfair- well I say a boycott of all things Arizona is unfair. Please don’t punish the people of Arizona for something that is simply not our choice. The end doesn’t always justify the means.
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- Jim Pace - May 4, 2010 at 3:42 PM
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I dont understand at all why people think it is Bud Seligs/MLB job to deal with this law, whether you agree or disagree with the way it was written. Has anyone suggested that the NBA move the playoffs out of Phoenix? Has anyone suggested the NFL move the Cardinals out of Arizona and let them play in LA until this is resolved? Any of those ideas would be ridiculous and I don’t see why this is getting dumped on Bud.
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- Bill - May 4, 2010 at 5:10 PM
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I am an AMERICAN and I think it is shame people want these ILLEGAL immigrants in this country to take jobs and/or use health care from the legal immigrants or American citizens, of which to the do not deserve! You should not punish Arizona or their sports teams for a good law that is simply to weed out the illegal immigrants.
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- TKS - May 4, 2010 at 5:17 PM
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I know I’m probably going to get crucified for this, but I have a question. Now, I readily admit I don’t know everything about the law in question, but, since when did enforcing the law become such an issue? I mean, it IS a crime to be in this country illegally, right? So why are we so up in arms that one state, who seemingly has a large percentage of illegals (they’re not undocumenteds, they’re here illegally), has stopped waiting for the federal government to get off its arse. It seems like the state of Arizona has taken it upon itself to enforce a law. What a concept. To be clear, I have no problem with immigration or immigrants. I have a problem with people who come to this country illegally and make no attempt to become citizens.
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- TKS - May 4, 2010 at 5:18 PM
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I know I’m probably going to get crucified for this, but I have a question. Now, I readily admit I don’t know everything about the law in question, but, since when did enforcing the law become such an issue? I mean, it IS a crime to be in this country illegally, right? So why are we so up in arms that one state, who seemingly has a large percentage of illegals (they’re not undocumenteds, they’re here illegally), has stopped waiting for the federal government to get off its arse. It seems like the state of Arizona has taken it upon itself to enforce a law. What a concept. To be clear, I have no problem with immigration or immigrants. I have a problem with people who come to this country illegally and make no attempt to become citizens.
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- dave - May 4, 2010 at 6:17 PM
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Doesn’t anyone remember what happened in Nazi Germany? Jews had to carry papers at all times to prove their status. If white Americans had to carry their birth certificates and show them to minority cops they would probably be a little upset too. The law doesn’t discriminate based on citizenship – it discriminates based on the color of your skin and your primary lanugage. I think Arizona needs to be made aware how deplorable the rest of the country feels about their laws. Lets be honest, the only way they are going to change the law is if you hit them where it hurts – in their wallets…
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- American and Proud - May 4, 2010 at 6:53 PM
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everyone is missing the point. we have immigration laws that seem to be worthless! therefore we have illegals flooding our country. we are not “against immigration”, we are against “illegal immigration”! the immigration laws were set up for a reason. there needs to be some type of order and control to our borders. all AZ wants is to have control of their own domain. I am in complete agreement with you.
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- AGREE - May 4, 2010 at 6:57 PM
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you are absolutely correct! a law is created to protect Americans and for some illegal to get more than the born and raised American gets that is not only criminal but I question why our government continues to help them! does our congress want this country to be like Mexico and have uncontrolled crime and poverty? that is where we are headed unless more states along the border especially start have more ability to enforce the laws we already have, not to mention any new ones!!
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- DGinTN - May 4, 2010 at 7:19 PM
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Hi to all you geniuses out there.
So here’s the deal. You can be against illegal immigration and against this law too.
The problem is, the law says the police have got to stop people they suspect of being illegal immigrants (not they can if they want to, they have to) and demand papers.
OK, let’s see. Whom do we suspect of being an illegal immigrant? Hmmmm…. Who?
How about that blonde over there who speaks English with a New York accent? Think maybe she is? Gosh, what do you think?
How about that tall redheaded guy with the freckles and the Midwest accent? Maybe he is an illegal alien?
Gee, I’m having a tough time here trying to figure out whom to suspect. Help me out!
Oh, that black-haired guy over there speaking Spanish? Thanks for the tip!
Anybody still having trouble figuring out what’s wrong with this law?
Ooops! He’s a citizen. Been here longer than I have. Geez!
Good thing he was carrying his papers or I’d have had to run him down to the lock up. All people who look like that and speak Spanish better carry their papers. Rest of you blonds and redheads don’t need to.
Got it now?
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- greg - May 4, 2010 at 7:24 PM
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Sorry, but if you failed to take action to stop that racist legislation from being enacted, you truly are part of the problem.
Besides, depending upon who is selected for the all star teams, many of them may be harassed because of their skin tones. Arizona is no longer safe enough for baseball or any other civilized sport.
Now, if you want to hold an extreme fighting competition with your pathetic governor vs: Sheriff Joe “I’m a racist scumbag” then that might be more palatable.
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- Espo - May 4, 2010 at 8:09 PM
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I agree that there needs to be action taken and in none sports areas have voiced my displeasure with the legislation and the politicians that have enacted it. The pressure needs to come from the federal government and political activist groups not professional sports. If it is going to come from professional sports than they need to contract the team’s in Arizona and not let any team play here, not just All-Star team’s. If it’s truly that dire of a situation and players are in danger they shouldn’t be here on a mid May evening in 2010 any more than they should be here on a mid July evening in 2011.
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- UgottaBkiddn - May 4, 2010 at 10:24 PM
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Perhaps everyone playing in the All-Star Game can get MS-13 tattoos, or they could have a drawing to raffle off a few more million in taxpayers’ money to non-paying illegals.
Race issue? Since when is Hispanic a race? Security issue? Yes. Cost issue to the health care system and government entitlements? Yes.
Maybe MLB and the imbeciles here and elsewhere (Lupica, Feinstein, et al.) can donate their salaries to California and Arizona communities who are deep in the red because revenues can’t cover illegals.
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- UrResponsible - May 5, 2010 at 8:43 PM
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The citizens of AZ voted the legislators in the passed the law. Since this is a representative democracy those legislators represent you. Therefore the citizens of AZ are ultimately responsible for the law and the citizens of AZ should be punished for the actions of their legislators. Of course the citizens can punish their legislators by voting them out of office. Are you willing to do that?
Ultimately the problem of illegal immigrants is one of misdirected enforcement.
If you want to stop illegal immigration you don’t go after the immigrants. You go after the people and companies that employ them. If a farmer who employs illegals has to pay a huge fine (maybe $100,000 per illegal hire) if they get caught then they’re a lot less likely to hire illegals. 100 people picking fields would result in a $10,000,000 fine for the people who hired them. That farmer could hire 100 LEGAL people for a lot less than that.
Once employers stop hiring illegals then the illegals will stop coming here because they have nothing to gain from it.
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- benny - May 13, 2010 at 10:17 PM
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You all don’t understand, the issue is much larger than that… Out of those 12 million and up… illegal aliens… there is an off spring of at at least 4 million ” American Citizen Children “. I know because I am a teacher at one of the schools in Arizona, and one of my children lost her father, and mother to Arpaio. Now what kind of beast are we… these children are American Citizens…. This is why… not only am I boycotting Arizona… I’m boycotting everything that has to do with this state. Futher more I am leaving, I have asked for a job in another state. I can not believe nobody has addressed the needs of these american children… shame on all of us…
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- benny - May 13, 2010 at 10:20 PM
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you tell em buddy… could not have said it better myself.
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- Shawn's wifey - May 18, 2010 at 9:30 PM
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I say to all of you who think it is easy for immigrants to come to this country legally,that it is not, it takes money (lots of it) oh and DON’T forget that when the first immigrants arrived here from Europe they were here ILLEGALLY. Hmm, I wish the Native Americans would have been as hard on them.
