Christmas has always been about providing children with presents under the Christmas tree beside the warm, lit fireplace. Recently, however, Santa Clause has been considering immigration status and birth certificates to the list of qualifications concerning the distribution of his presents instead of just being naughty or nice. Several programs that receive donations and distribute them to families now require at least one member of the family to be a U.S. citizen in order to be eligible to apply to be recipients of those donations.
Discriminatory acts such as this truly taint the true essence of giving that comes with Christmas. Programs such as the Salvation Army and the firefighters of Houston, along with the Outreach program have required some sort of documentation proving residential status such as photo identification, birth certificates, and/or Social Security cards. Lorugene Young, the director of Outreach Inc., states that “it's not [their] desire to turn anyone down” and that “[the] kids are not responsible if they are here illegally…it is the parents' responsibility.” This statement indicates that their intention is not to harm the children but their parents for being irresponsible, non-citizens. Despite their round-about justification, in the end they are still denying children that do not have the proper documentation and the kids are still the ones that suffer the consequences.
In my opinion background checks are just too much trouble and they are just creating a pandemonium that they don’t need. They are fusing the issue of immigration with Christmas and the children of the impoverished. Organizations such as Blue Santa do not discriminate when it comes to the distribution of gifts to children by stating that “when you distribute toys to 10,000 to 12,000 kids, it's impossible to background [check] every child” realizing the problem with the proposed new code of conduct.
I always thought that this country was based on equality and strongly enforces the act of brotherhood on which we were built upon. So where is the equality in this discriminatory act that strips equality and opportunity for impoverished children and their family? I believe that if America has tainted any traditions and beliefs that we have placed upon ourselves, this would definitely be decorating the cake. This act just shows that just like everything else that we’ve ever believed is nothing now but history, and that America is down a road unrecognizable even to itself.
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I think it depends on where the gifts are coming from; what organization and depending on the associations to the children, like is it a government organization, charity, or religious organization? I can understand the firefighters or a government organization scrutinizing who the gifts go to, due to lack resources or funding and using citizenship as a 'filter.' What I do not understand why/how an international, charitable, and also strongly christian organization like the Salvation Army would turn anyone down, especially the children. Regardless of who is at fault.
ReplyDeleteI am commenting on Gershwin's blog on the denying illegal children of donations for Christmas. I agree with him on that the children shouldn't be punished and not have a Christmas because they don't have the proper paper work. Christmas is a time for giving and to spread holiday cheer. Many kids now won't have any holiday cheer because of they immigration status. Christmas isn't based on background checks, it's about helping others who are in need of assistance. They wouldn't be asking if they didn't need help. It is impossible to do over 10,000 background checks and unneccessary. Now many children are going without a Christmas because they are illegal. There is a reason they are illegal and it probably has to do with the reason of being impoverished. Many people come to the United States to try and make a better life for themselves and their families. Many people cannot afford to just move here and start a life. People come here with the help of others and this is a situation where they need help again. Punishing children for the problem of being illegal should be put on the parents, not them. They don't know any better. Blue Santa, in my opinion now, is the best way to go for getting donations for Christmas. They are just willing to help no matter what situation. They are willing to donate to anyone and for that I respect this organization a lot more. They are helping kids not suffer and deal with the consequences of their parents.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more with Gershwin. It is outrageous to think that someone has to be a citizen of this country to enjoy the Christmas holiday. They may not be legal citizens of the U.S. but when did they stop being human beings? The "Don't Got a Green Card? Don't Get a Toy" blog really spoke to me and says everything I truly believe. I couldn't have written it better myself. Children are the foundation of our society and for organizations to deny Christmas to anyone based on their legal status is a crime to humanity. It pains me to see how our country has turned its back on those that helped build it. In addition, the same fringe of the right wing that are pushing policies such as this, are the same "holier than thou" Christian conservatives. There is nothing less Christian than caring for the needy, especially children. Who are we to pick and choose who Santa delivers to and who he doesn't?
ReplyDeleteim commenting on dont got a green card, dont get a toy. i think that that is really bad that its come down to if your not a citizen then you dont qualify for gifts. i mean when it comes down to kids there souldnt be any descrimnation like that at all because christmas is mostly for the kids than it is adults. besides if christmas is suppose to be a comeing together and happy time where does that fall into place with the whole green card thing?
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