Today in the NYTimes, Linda Greenhouse writes a compelling article against an economic boycott of Arizona saying, “a boycott is a blunt instrument that can hurt innocent business owners and their employees,” (Opinionator). What she does not acknowledge is the fact that many of these “innocent” business owners are themselves supporters of SB1070. She does offer an alternative:
So what to do in the meantime? Here’s a modest proposal. Everyone remembers the wartime Danish king who drove through Copenhagen wearing a Star of David in support of his Jewish subjects. It’s an apocryphal story, actually, but an inspiring one. Let the good people of Arizona — and anyone passing through — walk the streets of Tucson and Phoenix wearing buttons that say: I Could Be Illegal.
While I still believe a boycott of Arizona is the best measure of protest, I think that her suggestion is a great way to build support for the movement among those less militant than I. In fact, it is already gaining support. I just received this email from the Western Literature Association email list:
Greetings from Arizona,
As you may know, last Friday the Arizona State legislature passed an extreme anti-immigrant law. The law, promptly signed by Governor Jan Brewer, allows for drastic measures to be taken against suspected illegal immigrants. This law will lead to racial profiling and is racist, intolerant, and stridently anti-humanitarian. Many in the state, in the west, and indeed in the nation are shocked by what the Arizona governor calls a “tough” attitude toward “border security.”
There has been some talk among WLA members about the ethical implications of our 2010 conference in Prescott. As WLA president, I believe that there is no more urgent moment for us to come together to counter the oppressive politics of Arizona and other like-minded states who legislate the denial of human and civil rights. I am in this business because I believe in the transformative power of literature; I am certain many of you do, too. In addition to the topics suggested in this year’s call for papers, and the usual rich diversity of topics our members inevitably present on, there is certainly room for papers and panels on the literature of immigration, the globalization of the American West, the contemporary or historical literature of racial discord, of labor, of land and territory. And what better year to honor our Distinguished Achievement Award recipient Luis Valdez, who began his career writing and producing agitprop theater to demonstrate the humanity of Mexican American farm workers? His work on behalf of civil rights in the face of those who seek to deny these rights should be a reminder to us: artistic expression is a powerful force against oppression.
In today’s New York Times, op-ed columnist Linda Greenhouse presents a good alternative to boycotting, which may actually hurt innocent small business owners and divest us of our political voice: “Here’s a modest proposal. Everyone remembers the wartime Danish king who drove through Copenhagen wearing a Star of David in support of his Jewish subjects. It’s an apocryphal story, actually, but an inspiring one. Let the good people of Arizona — and anyone passing through — walk the streets of Tucson and Phoenix wearing buttons that say: I Could Be Illegal.”
I look forward, more than ever, to seeing you in Prescott in October.
Sincerely,
Gioia
Gioia Woods, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Humanities
President, Western Literature Association
Department of Comparative Cultural Studies
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, Arizona 86011
I was not planning to attend this conference, but if I were, I would definitely consider canceling my reservations.
Chronicle of Higher Education