Is Madera challenged by prejudice?
By John Rieping
MaderaTribuneRedLine.com
The short video below was posted online about the city of Madera this summer as part of the “Not In Our Town” media campaign supported by PBS (click here for more information).
Official statistics on hate crimes in Madera County report only less than a handful each year. In fact only one hate crime was filed in 2006, and one other crime was “referred” as a hate crime in that same year. At least one alleged hate crime took place in 2007 as well. Yet, despite such reassuring statistics, hate crimes have been considered enough of a problem by authorities to warrant concern in the past (click here for an article about a 2006 hate crime forum in Madera).
Meanwhile some have complained in, and about, anonymous Red Line opinions about migrant workers, illegal immigrants and the rising usage of the Spanish language in the city. One caller said the Red Line only causes fights and that the Red Line should be done away with. Does the Red Line encourage tension, reveal it or both? Or is the whole issue overblown?
A letter to the editor published earlier this month asserted that a young man was rejected for a job interview because of race. How well did that letter represent the experience of job seekers in Madera County?
As Martin Luther King Jr. day approaches, the issue of prejudice seems an especially relevant one to consider. What do you think has been Madera’s victories in this area and what challenges remain?
Just because hate crimes have been low does not mean that Madera is taking a step foward in going against racism/prejudice. Just think about all the people that constantly complain about Mexicans/Mexican Americans like they’re worthless. I think Madera is going backwards. As soon as this problem is cleared up Madera should be going fowards or at least actually improving.
Also, the Red Line may eventually cause fights being as a certain group of people may get mad by what an anonymous caller or writer has said. They may feel the need to take it a step further and that may result in violence or worse. I suggest that the Red Line do some kind of censorship regarding issues about illegal immigrants and related issues. Maybe not publish so many. But that is just one opinion.
JENA 6 BRINGS DISGRACE TO MARTIN LUTHER KING
I have been reading several articles on here about discrimination and prejudice. I would like to call back to attention Jena 6, an improper march lead by parents of the African-American boys that were put in jail after they brutally beat a white boy, after his racist actions and attitude. The march was to justify the release of these kids out of jail. I believe they marched in ignorance, and let their pain and frustration get the best of them. By supporting the march, you also support them in taking the law into their own hands. Martin Luther King believed in non violent protest, and no matter how hard things seem, you never react in violence, nor can you take the law into your own hands. To march in their honor gives just to their actions, which brings more inequality and indifference.
It’s not those who live in ignorance that are to blame, its those of us who forget even the ignorant are entitled to their own opinions and beliefs, by accepting this, we could all manage to come together and support everyone in hard times like these.
As an avid reader of The Madera Tribune, I would like to say that the Red Line is an excellent way of communicating thoughts, ideas, and opinions, and sometimes even venting, for Madera residents. It’s a positive atmosphere for healthy debates.