I don't mind admitting that this comment on the Huffington Post from someone called "biznesschic" was a punch in the gut:
You left out one glaring detail Bob. my ancestors were dragged here in chains, kicking and screaming, worked for NO pay, families were separated against their will. America had no rights to ask for papers, because my ancestors had no free choice about becoming "Americans", therefore, should have been granted equal opportunity under the law. I for one, am insulted that you are equating the struggles of African Americans, to those from foreign soils who choose to break our laws.
I replied with the following:
I'm not defending illegal immigrants or comparing them to the struggles of African Americans. I'm comparing the flimsy laws that were designed to corral and subjugate minorities. The Arizona law, while aimed at illegal immigrants, will harm U.S. citizens who happen to be Hispanic. In other words, American CITIZENS will be unconstitutionally targeted simply because they're brown -- in the same way African Americans were during the era of neo-slavery and the black codes.
Maybe I wasn't clear enough in my column. In no way was I comparing illegal immigrants to African American slaves or descendants of slaves.