Tanning Memberships Plummet in Arizona

Location: Aryanzona, US

Now, don’t correct me if I’m wrong, but this new law would be a lot like carrying your ID with you at all times, right?  From what I can tell, I would liken it to a bartender carding someone at the bar when they’ve already been carded at the door.  Yes, it’s a hassle, but at the end of the day it should take just a few additional moments. The reason the bartender is carding you a second time is because you look like you are breaking a law (buying alcohol under 21 years of age.) Just don’t be caught without your papers.  “I left my green card in my other wallet” won’t really cover your ass in this situation.

Now, I for one am fine with this law in this context.  However, the problem is that this matter is not as simple as “you look too young.”   It’s a matter of “you look like a wetback.”  There really is no nice way to put it because that’s the sort of door this opens.  It’s a lot like the “at-random” bag searches at the airports after 9/11.  Anytime they were called in, Citizens of Middle-Eastern descent felt that they were being targeted for acts of violence done by people of their same ethnic background… and in some ways, they were.

I am American.  I come from a family of Mexican descent … and have never even actually been to Mexico.  I would have no qualms about being asked for my papers if they were trying to target Illegal Mexicans in a Border State.  I just think that seems like more work for them than it’s worth.

What worries me personally is that there are those out there that hate just to hate.  These people are called racists, sexists, homophobes, etc., and I can think of a few other things to call them.  I have experienced my share of racism and profiling:  from having to sneak around with a girl I was dating back in high school because her parents didn’t want her to date me because I’m “Mexican” to surprising people who don’t know me with my ability to read and write big words… in English.

I just don’t want to be out walking down a street with a bag of oranges and suddenly get pulled up alongside by a pick-up truck full of rednecks who have decided that this is a good day to have gotten boozed up and “Help Our Country” by beating the crap out of me.  If this can be avoided… that would be awesome.  Yay for not bleeding!

To those who may be flirting with this idea, to assist you in spotting Me and other Mexicans, I’ve provided the following checklist:

• We will most likely be wearing a sombrero, a poncho, chanclas (sandals), and denim shorts… that used to be denim jeans.
• We will also have tattoos of any combination of a teardrop, the Virgin Guadalupe, or the colors Red White & Green.
• Around our necks, you’ll find Selena concert tickets that we’ve had bronzed and attached to a chain.
• We will have brown skin, smell of fajitas, be carrying a bag of oranges or gum, and be surrounded by at least 11 children that are dressed in a similar fashion.

I hope this helps!