The other day, I wrote about Arizona’s polygamists and it got me to thinking about how undocumented immigrants aren’t the only underdogs in the Grand Canyon state.
So-called “sister wives” in some Arizona polygamist enclaves are married off as teens to old men and then reassigned to other old men, all for the glory of God and, critics say, the political well being of whoever happens to be prophet at the time. The women go along with the degradation because they choose to believe it is their only route to eternal salvation.
Sister wives are American citizens. They could enjoy all sorts of rights and liberties if they wanted them.
But they don’t.
Undocumented immigrants, on the other hand, aren’t American citizens. In Arizona, they can’t legally drive or work. College is out of the question for most, because they’re barred from paying in-state tuition, even though many undocumented kids have lived here for most of their lives. They pay taxes, but enjoy few of the benefits afforded to taxpayers. You’d think these people would want to go back to their homelands after they get arrested for jaywalking or working or having broken tail lights, but many choose to spend the equivalent of a whole year’s salary to hire a lawyer to fight deportation. They don’t want to leave, despite the hardships.
So who has the most American spirit?
The sister wives?
Or the undocumented immigrants?
I think the immigrants reflect more the American Spirit.
They are independent minded, hard workers who seek a better future for their families. They look at the future with hope.
I sympathize with the sister wives but they are co-participants of their own slavery. They help to preserve the status quo and do not seek to rock the boat.
The obvious exception are the brave women who defect the fundamentalist and fight for a better life for them and their children.
These defectors and the immigrant mothers have a lot in common and risk it all for a better future.
Can’t wait for the book!