Dear Editor,

The most recent submission by Mr. Jim Garvey of Rio Dell prompted me to respond.

In reading Mr. Garvey’s letters, it is easy for one to realize the he does not like brown people, particularly brown people that speak Spanish. He appears to assume that all brown people that speak Spanish are Mexican, so I will just use that generalization in this letter.

I have to wonder if it is only Spanish that is so offensive to Mr. Garvey. I have lived here in Humboldt County my entire life and, apart from English, I have heard Portuguese, German and Spanish spoken locally. I find it astounding that someone would find it offensive to hear other languages because, “this is America!”

Yes. This is America. Many people have said it and it applies here, again: America is the land of immigrants. We are made up of many different ethnicities and colors.

To be so exclusive and deny people their heritage and traditions of speaking their own language is not only offensive, but arrogant.

It isn’t only the most recent immigrants that speak their native language among friends and family. Many second- and third-generation Mexicans speak Spanish in the home and among familiars. It is comforting, and it is a tie to our heritage. No one has the right to take that away.

I have heard it said several times, and perhaps it is a cliché: We didn’t cross the border, the border crossed us.

I hate to break it to you, sir, but Mexicans have always been here and Mexicans are not going away. You can blame the immigration problem on whomever you wish: Democrats, Republicans, Mexican Government — it doesn’t matter.

Blaming isn’t going to get immigration policies reformed in a fashion that will ever make someone like you happy.

Elizabeth Godoy Hall
Rio Dell