Group seeks to ban use of the word "illegal" to spare feelings

Just when it seemed that political correctness couldn't get any more absurd, there is a movement out now to ban the word "illegal" when describing immigrants who are in this country, well, illegally.

The movement, officially known as the "Drop the I-Word" campaign, is spearheaded by ColorLines.com, a group that claims using the word "illegal" to describe immigrants here illegally is disrespectful, prejudiced and unfair.

Here's how their website describes it:

"The i-word in any form ('illegals', 'illegal alien' and 'illegal immigrant') is packed with ideas about who immigrants are and what their role is in society and in this nation. Whether used by a reader in a newspaper’s comment section, or in the Supreme Court as it was...in Arizona v. the United States, the i-word is the furthest from neutral language and communicates anti-immigrant animus that has over time become deeply embedded and accepted throughout media and government institutions."

However, the website leaves out one key fact: The immigrants in question are those in America illegally. There is zero "anti-immigrant animus" toward immigrants here legally. It's precisely this diversity that makes America the Great Melting Pot that she is. To add a protective status to those here illegally insults those immigrants who followed the rules, often waiting years for their turn to come to America legitimately. But the politically correct have taken nonsense to a new level by trying to turn a basic factual description into a slur, as if doing so will make the problem of illegal immigration go away.

ColorLines.com goes on to say, "Drop the I-Word is a public education campaign powered by immigrants and diverse communities across the country that value human dignity and are working to eradicate the dehumanizing slur 'illegals' from everyday use and public discourse. The i-word opens the door to racial profiling and violence and prevents truthful, respectful debate on immigration. No human being is 'illegal.'"

To this date, there is no precedent of anyone ever being considered illegal on the grounds of being human. Of course it can never be illegal to be a human, but it is illegal to be in this country without the proper authorization. But leftist p.c. groups don't want us to hurt the illegals' feelings by calling them what they are - which is a comment on their actions, it is not name-calling.

As for human dignity, illegal immigrants are shown incredible dignity every time an American taxpayer pays for their education, healthcare and groceries. But as thanks for that generosity, those who protest crackdowns on illegal immigration have shown a terrible disregard for America, such as those who recently protested Arizona's immigration bill by spray-painting the American Flag with graffiti, laying it on the ground and standing on it.

Also from the website is the following: "The i-word is biased because people conflate 'illegal' with criminal. So if a journalist or anyone uses the term 'illegal', they are taking one side of the issue by labeling the person whom they are describing as a 'criminal'...and it promotes bias against Latinos and people with brown skin regardless of migratory status."

The bottom line is, something is considered illegal when a crime is committed, no matter how big or small the crime is. If someone doesn't want the illegal moniker attached to them, then the solution is quite simple: Don't come to this country illegally. As for the Latino reference, illegal immigrants are not only Latino. There are people here illegally from all over - such as Ireland, Russia, the Middle East, even Canada. Calling them "illegals" is a comment on their behavior, not a comment on their inherent dignity as human beings.

Once again, the liberal socialist mindset doesn't want us to take a rational, reasonable look at a real problem and therefore must attempt to control the way we talk about it. But trying to manipulate reality so those breaking the law will feel better about themselves is political correctness gone mad. Try as they might to direct our speech, the p.c. crowd can't change the fact that words mean something for a reason, and attempting to ban a word does not erase the crime. And yes, being in this country illegally is against the law. That's why they call it illegal.

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