Immigration forums begin

Writer and journalist Richard Rodr iguez put a new spin on the debate over immigration in his keynote address before the Cal State Long Beach Symposium on Immigration and California Tuesday in the University Student Union.

In front of more than 400 people, Rodriguez, a California n ative and author of the critically acclaimed books, "Days of Obligation" and "Hunger of Memory," touched on many aspects of what is perhaps the most controversial issue in this fall's state election.

Rodriguez said that Mexican workers who retu rned to Mexico after a stint in the U.S. "revolutionized Mexico" with their desire to emulate the U.S.

"It changed everything," Rodriguez said. "The Mexicans want to be more like you than you want to be you.''

The writer also voiced his opinio n on Proposition 187, the so- called "Save Our State" referendum.

"There are an enormous number of Latinos living in this state, and a man can run [for office] in California with the goal to stop Latino immigration here, and most Hispanics won't vot e!"

He added that many Latinos who are native Californians are uncomfortable with the influx of illegal immigrants into the state.

"Many of us Latinos who don't speak Spanish are afraid of those new illegals who run through our backyard," Rodrig uez said.

The "protection" provided by the border guards, who patrol the American-Mexican border in order to prevent a mass migration to the north, was also a subject of Rodriguez's speech.

"The majority of guards in Texas, who are praised for h olding up the wall, are Latinos; we might be the new "Irish cop" walking the beat," he said.

Rodriguez concluded his speech by telling the audience about an experience he had with a young skinhead who accompanied him when he was on assignment for Geo (a German magazine), traveling to the border.

"When we were looking for a place to eat, I thought, Ôwhat does a skinhead eat for lunch? Will he eat me?'" I asked him if he wanted to eat hamburgers, but he surprised me when he said that he liked Mexican food. I asked him if that wouldn't go against his beliefs, and he said that it was just food. But I told him that was not true, ÔYou open your mouth and Mexico goes right in.'"

In addition to writing novels, Rodriguez is also a contributi ng editor for the Los Angeles Times, Harpers magazine and U.S. News and World Report.

The symposium continues through Nov. 1 in USU multipurpose rooms A, B and C. A panel on "Historical Perspectives on Immigration in California," convened by Colle ge of Liberal Arts Associate Dean Federico Sanchez, is scheduled for Oct. 12.

For more information, call the Office of Student Life and Development at (310) 985-4181.