February 21, 2007
"Illegal Immigrant Hunt" Game - and Protest - at NYU
What happens when the NYU College Republicans plan a questionable game? Hundreds of NYU students are planning to protest! The College Republicans had planned a "mock illegal immigrant" hunt in Washington Square Park - they were going to put a tag reading "illegal immigrant" on a member and have others, playing "INS" agents, to find him/her. The reward would be $50-100, plus knowing that you can find someone in 9.75 acre mostly-paved park.
NYU College Republicans president Sarah Chambers tells the Daily News, "It's not a racist event, first and foremost. Just because we don't want illegal immigrant being able to completely disregard the laws of our country doesn't make us racist." And she emphasized that the person playing the role of illegal immigrant will not be an actual illegal immigrant (too real?).
The protest - and game - will take place tomorrow at Washington Square Park, 11AM to 2PM. The students organizing the protest aren't from one group; according to a letter we got, they were "rallied together through the website Facebook.com by what some students have labeled a 'troubling','“racist' and 'dehumanizing' publicity stunt."
Last week, NYU had the whole "band whose name sounds a lot like a Chinese slur" thing going on.
Photograph of the Washington Square Park arch by lyndsey matthews on Flickr
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republicans who try to make "points" like this are just as annoying as the people who protest them. seriously, I liken this to the columbia anti-war protest.
kids these days. sheesh.
I would sue the college republican's instructors, beginning with their kindergarten teachers, because obviously, they taught them nothing.
NYU needs to do some damage control, and fast.
How is the phrase "illegal immigrant" "racist?"
Illegal immigrants can be of any ethnicity.
How is the phrase "illegal immigrant" "racist?"
Illegal immigrants can be of any ethnicity.
Isn't it obvious that an "illegal immigrant" can be of any "race?"
The prejudice lay in the fact that people equate illegal immigration with certain ethnicities, not that people oppose illegal immigration itself.
i hate to say it, but i play the opposite of that game every day on my commute home. it's a lot stranger being the one white dude on the 1 train at 191st street, and way tougher to be inconspicuous.
Not to say that these trustafarian NYU kids aren't going to hell or anything--they'll be saving us all a few seats there--but racism has (and unfortunately always will be) a pernicious two-way street.
Brilliant! Bravo! Can I play too?
The problem is the individual who is so full of hatred that he/she needs to lash out at another human being like this. I don't think this is even remotely like the protests at Columbia. This "illegal immigrant hunt" at NYU is a public relations nightmare for the university, and NYU should sue the college republicans for damages.
why play the game when you can use real life situations within nyc. ;P
"I would sue the college republican's instructors, beginning with their kindergarten teachers, because obviously, they taught them nothing. "
Especially the teachers responsible for social studies and civics education. Sheesh.
Someone should start a "parasite on society hunt" game.
they have time for this 4 hour game?
I thought republicans want people to "work"? Just goes to show you this country is in the crapper where rich white kids can play this dumb game.
This is as dumb as the Mock Running of the Bulls a wall street guy did in Tribeca.
Now go learn some originality like Improv everywhere with their operations.
While I have no feeling one way or the other about the game, I'm happy no one is trying to stop it. Those protesting should do so with the knowledge that the College Republicans are simply exercising their right to free expression. As long as no one is getting hurt in the game, there is no difference between the actions of those organizing the game and those protesting it. Besides, if they weren't allowed to continue with their game, what would spoiled, overwhelmingly uninformed college students have to complain about?
these rich NYU republicans probably don't want to pay minimum wage to the people who clean their pool, or their house, but they don't want illegals around
While I have no feeling one way or the other about the game, I'm happy no one is trying to stop it. Those protesting should do so with the knowledge that the College Republicans are simply exercising their right to free expression. As long as no one is getting hurt in the game, there is no difference between the actions of those organizing the game and those protesting it. Besides, if they weren't allowed to continue with their game, what would spoiled, overwhelmingly uninformed college students have to complain about?
While I have no feeling one way or the other about the game, I'm happy no one is trying to stop it. Those protesting should do so with the knowledge that the College Republicans are simply exercising their right to free expression. As long as no one is getting hurt in the game, there is no difference between the actions of those organizing the game and those protesting it.
it's not about preventing them from doing it, it's about EDUCATING them as to why it's something that is about hatred and, yes, racism. If they realize that this game is about hatred and alienation, and then they STILL decide to go through with it, then that's their choice. But let's be clear about what this is: HATE.
The best protest they can do is to get hundreds (or thousands) of people to show up wearing "Illegal Immigrant" signs and just completely blow the stupid game out of the water.
What a ridiculous concept. Their time would be much better spent working for policy change and productively working towards a solution.
A often used defintion of racism, in a very basic form is . This group has both--the very much have prejudice, a tremendous amount of power andI imagine some privilege added in there. The event is promoting racist beliefs and perpetuating falsities about immigration and immigrants. It does everyone a disservice.
bo; You (or anyone) feeling uncomfortable in a particular situation does not mean others are racist. The situation is what you make of it. I think this is really more of a class issue, not a race issue.
Yet Another stunt for cheap publicity. Remember the Berkeley College Republicans cookie sale, with prices based on race?
I love it when really well off (possibly spoiled) kids can trivialize real world issues with such BS...
1) they're really just playing hide and seek or sardines, calm down. It's not like they're going to be using fake guns or burning the "illegal" in effigy.
2) the word illegal is used for a reason. Now, I don't agree with our current immigration laws, but there are tons of other laws I don't agree with as well. So I try to get the laws changed, rather than blame the people who enforce the laws (or the people who insist that we should enforce a law if we're going to have it on the books).
1) they're really just playing hide and seek or sardines, calm down. It's not like they're going to be using fake guns or burning the "illegal" in effigy.
2) the word illegal is used for a reason. Now, I don't agree with our current immigration laws, but there are tons of other laws I don't agree with as well. So I try to get the laws changed, rather than blame the people who enforce the laws (or the people who insist that we should enforce a law if we're going to have it on the books).
To bo: it's a lot stranger being the one white dude on the 1 train at 191st street, and way tougher to be inconspicuous.
Maybe that's true now. But given the way the gentrification cookie crumbles, I don't think you'll be keeping your 'minority' status for that much longer.
As for the College Republicans issue, I think it's a stupid event, and I'd protest if I could, but unlike the 'trustafarians' that bo referred to, I'm an NYU student who isn't rich, and so I'll be at work when everything goes down.
THROW THE JEW DOWN THE WELL!
Glad to see these committed non-racists aren't dehumanizing poor immigrants--so many of whom aren't white--who come here and do the most backbreaking work.
Yep, it's comforting to see these committed non-racists suggesting we should these non-white folks like we treat animals.
Of course, I'm sure most of these charming (and thoroughly non-racist) College Republicans already do treat them like something less than human...
Ugh, what awful kids. Lucky enough to be born into the richest nation on earth, lucky enough to be born into a family that can afford NYU's outrageous tuition, and it's still not enough for them. Other people have to stay beat down, so they can live even easier by exploiting them as nannies, cleaning ladies, and day laborers.
Let's have a College Republican Hunt. We can catch them and whack 'em over the head with rolled-up copies of the Declaration of Independence. You know, there's this crazy idea this nation was founded on the principle that all men are created equal...
To bo: it's a lot stranger being the one white dude on the 1 train at 191st street, and way tougher to be inconspicuous.
Maybe that's true now. But given the way the gentrification cookie crumbles, I don't think you'll be keeping your 'minority' status for that much longer.
As for the College Republicans issue, I think it's a stupid event, and even if I do belief in their right to express themselves, I think that it's a gross means of provoking controversy rather than a meaningful attempt at anything approaching intelligent discourse.
I'd protest if I could, but unlike the 'trustafarians' that bo referred to, I'm an NYU student who isn't living in the lap of my parents' luxury, and so I'll be at work when everything goes down.
To bo: it's a lot stranger being the one white dude on the 1 train at 191st street, and way tougher to be inconspicuous.
Maybe that's true now. But given the way the gentrification cookie crumbles, I don't think you'll be keeping your 'minority' status for that much longer.
As for the College Republicans issue, I think it's a stupid event, and even if I do belief in their right to express themselves, I think that it's a gross means of provoking controversy rather than a meaningful attempt at anything approaching intelligent discourse.
I'd protest if I could, but unlike the 'trustafarians' that bo referred to, I'm an NYU student who isn't living in the lap of my parents' luxury, and so I'll be at work when everything goes down.
"You (or anyone) feeling uncomfortable in a particular situation does not mean others are racist. The situation is what you make of it."
Indeed! When something seems racist, just realize that the problem is really in your head. If you ignore it, it will go away.
Why is it the College Republicans are always trying to push the limits to get their point across, but always push it to the point of being racist and uneducated, and downright CRUEL in their ways of making points?
Last year at my university, (DePaul University of Chicago), the Young Republicans staged an "Affirmative Action Bakesale", where brownies and cookies were differently priced for the races of the students. For example, cookies were 20cents for Asian females but $5 for white males, or something of the sort.
this stuff is ridiculous, and always proves that these Young Repub's are so oblivious and ignorant to actual world issues.
I'd suggest a Rich Soulless Schmuck Hunt, but at NYU that'd be like shooting fish in a barrel.
If you check out the facebook groups, you'll notice that the protest has about 6 times as many people, last time I looked.
And, the only reason that the "find the illegal alien" event has so many members is that arbitrarily outraged liberal arts students across the east coast are joining so they can uselessly post their opinions in a FACEBOOK EVENT.
Now, I'm not a conservative person, nor do I really think there's a definite answer to immigration, so I won't be attending on either side, but...
Way to go all you hyperactivists for shining a nice bright light on this event and making sure that it gets tons of publicity. The sad thing is that people on both sides of this whole thing are just pathetic. The weak attempts at being poignant from the right, and the "we'll go wherever we can find a liberal cause, even if we really don't understand it," kids on the right.
I have an idea for the 530 student "activists" planning on protesting what is really an insignificant action by about 40 conservative dolts... Spend your time actually working for a cause! Maybe if you donated your time to helping people, as opposed to whining to each other... SOMETHING MIGHT GET DONE!
or, cara (post 29), it possibly means that they disagree with you on the issue of affirmative action, and view a bakesale of sorts as a simple way to get their opinion/message across.
Most people - including most people in favor of affirmative action - mistakenly see it as being solely a means of making up for the past, as opposed to a way of correcting the future. For most people, it's about (white man's) guilt, instead of potential, and if it were just about guilt, yeah, this white girl would totally be against it (sorry, but my family didn't come over until the 20th century), too.
maybe the protesters will get creative and attack the "INS agents" with supersoakers...these guys are just turds.
diogenes: "Indeed! When something seems racist, just realize that the problem is really in your head. If you ignore it, it will go away."
In the context of this particular situation, I think this true. A white male, privileged on many levels. Many would argue that reverse racism is not entirely possible. Another name might be more appropriate for this situation. It is very possible his mindset adds to the perception of feeling uncomfortable around people who aren't like him. Out of context, of course that is not true. Racism is very much well and alive in America. Ignoring it will not make it go away. I think talking about it is very important.
I lost part of my comment. It read:
"A often used defintion of racism, in a very basic form is prejudice+power. This group has both--the very much have prejudice, a tremendous amount of power andI imagine some privilege added in there. The event is promoting racist beliefs and perpetuating falsities about immigration and immigrants. It does everyone a disservice."
If you check out the facebook groups, you'll notice that the protest has about 6 times as many people, last time I looked.
And, the only reason that the "find the illegal alien" event has so many members is that arbitrarily outraged liberal arts students across the east coast are joining so they can uselessly post their opinions in a FACEBOOK EVENT.
Now, I'm not a conservative person, nor do I really think there's a definite answer to immigration, so I won't be attending on either side, but...
Way to go all you hyperactivists for shining a nice bright light on this event and making sure that it gets tons of publicity. The sad thing is that people on both sides of this whole thing are just pathetic. The weak attempts at being poignant from the right, and the "we'll go wherever we can find a liberal cause, even if we really don't understand it," kids on the right.
I have an idea for the 530 student "activists" planning on protesting what is really an insignificant action by about 40 conservative dolts... Spend your time actually working for a cause! Maybe if you donated your time to helping people, as opposed to whining to each other... SOMETHING MIGHT GET DONE!
It's a shame that in their rush to be self-righteous, the NYU College Republicans forgot to realize that the INS hasn't existed for nearly four years. It was replaced by ICE and CBP, and a number of other acronyms. But hey, who needs "facts" and "accuracy" when you're a group of punks trying to make a "point"? Hasn't the Administration taught us that much?
"A often used defintion of racism, in a very basic form is prejudice+power."
That's a convenient definition promulgated by those who seek to deny their own racism by claim of being the oppressed class. It's bullshit.
This is all an incredible waste of time. But what is interesting is that protests like this will be illegal without a permit starting Sunday.
FYI, the band with the racist name was not an NYU band. They were visiting NYU from somewhere else. And after they saw the protest, they claimed they hadn't known it was offensive (yeah, right). But they did change their name immediately.
Or said:
Actually, the thought behind Affirmative action was to help counter an existing bias against minorities.Yes, in a perfect world, our ethnicity would never matter, but the reality is that people are discriminated by race.
If "Affirmative Action" was to be eliminated, should we just pretend the problem doesn't exist? As a solution, it isn't perfect, but I've yet to hear an alternative that addresses the actual discrimination.
S.D.: it was both to counter the existing bias in admissions/hiring, and through this diversity, to alter the bias itself. It was very good for the first goal, slightly more murky on the second (because of the alienation qualified non-minorities felt when passed over in favor of seemingly less qualified minorities).
That was my point with the idea of potential: they were (supposed to be) choosing people, ideally, who could excel, but because of bias at all different levels had not been able to. Affirmative action doesn't (or at least, isn't supposed to) mean that you choose someone simply because they are African-American, or Asian, or female, or whatever, but because they haven't had an opportunity to succeed because of those factors.
I'm surprised by the lack of "you're racist" parroting that has gone on in this thread by the activist Red Guard. Perhaps the ad hom attack trend has died down among the left and we can actually have a conversation now. Or, maybe they just learned their lesson by attacking the pro-Isreal lobby last week at Columbia and getting beat down by a flurry of "You're anti-Semitic!" One day, white people will come up with their own PC "You're _________!" instant ad-hom squelcher and this whole mess will take up less of other people's time.
That's interesting an interesting opinion, eyeroll. But that does not mean it's valid. That definition, as a very basic one, is quite valid. A POC does not have the power that a white person has. That is a fact.
What ever happened to respect for the rule of law?
I feel like I am taking crazy pills.
If activists are so hell bent on making every human qualify for US citizenship they should write their congressmen. Illegal immigration is not civil disobedience. Some of the anti-immigration people are racists. But, then again, so was the black guy on the subway and called me cracker.
Further, most college kids these days have minds as soft as their hands. this country needs a good depression. Reality might seep back in when dad can't send you coke/bottle service money.
"A POC does not have the power that a white person has. That is a fact."
This is a good example of why so few people take activistos seriously. Your statement is not a fact, IT IS YOUR OPINION. Which individual has more power than another will always be a subjective distinction because the contributing factors and possible metrics one could employ to prove such a point as a fact are innumerable. I'm not suggesting you change your opinion on the issue, I could care less, just stop running around telling everyone that your opinion is fact. It's seriously f**king arrogant.
I really hope race privileges ("Affirmative Action") are terminated once and for all. Duke social disaster is an example what happens when University hires low IQ race quota professors for Angry Studies department.
Anyway, nice point and shows that fanatic left's only answer is prevent the free speech of those who disagree. Republicans want to uphold the immigration law!!! Awful!!! What next??
Don't you mean White Privileges?
Illegal immigrant hunt game, how bout do the real thing and stand guard at the borders, Northern and Southern.
The schizophrenia of the modern day Republican party never ceases to amaze. What do you stand for: nativist demagoguery or free markets? You can't have both.
Jen Chung are you a red communist?
I'm chinese and I hate red communists.
We need to round up all the illegals and put their heads on pikes.
I'm Chinese, too and I love Mao Tse Tung.
I hate Taiwanese people. We're coming to reunite you guys next. Hong Kong was the beginning.
So, get your Orange county ass ready to learn the little Red Book.
Free markets don't mean you are supposed to break the law. The law of the land is in place for a reason, and if it is too much work for a potential immigrant to go through the process LEGALLY, then they are ILLEGAL. Funny how liberals use the Law in their favor when talking about abortion, but when it is not in their convieniance, those who oppose it are demonized. Don't like our immigration laws, then change them properly. Kudos to the NYU College Republicans... its time we put an end to these ILLEGALS. It is also a security issue, many of the 19 9/11 hijackers had overstayed their visas (which they shouldn't have gotten anyway, but since Barney Frank lightened the threshhold for visa acceptance, it was simple.) They were ILLEGAL. Kick 'em out, or Jail 'em up!
#51: We have illegals because businesses love the cheap labor. You know these companies are lobbying their Republican congressmen to keep the borders porous or create some kind of "guest worker" program. I mean, why waste money employing legal American citizens and give them benefits when you've got all these illegals for cheap? The ability of Repubs to wrap themselves in the flag (and fool the gullible population) always amazes...
#43
What's valid is the logical conclusion: under the newspeak definition of racism, what's forbidden for some is permissible for others with a claim of victimhood. In the looking-glass world of Marxists and IMCistas, victimhood trumps all.
Making good Points, Or said:
I could be wrong (Wouldn't that be a 1st?? ;) )but I don't think "Affirmative Action" works in that fashion. For the most part, I've read that in some cases, people get "points" for being part of one ethnicity, gender, handicap that goes toward selection.Serious question: Does Affirmative Action really exist in the private sector? In Financial IT, I've not seen it.
I actually like illegal immigrants because they're to scared to report to anyone how poorly I pay them! As far as I'm concerned, inequality is not growing fast enough!
I actually like illegal immigrants because they're too scared to report to anyone how poorly I pay them! As far as I'm concerned, inequality is not growing fast enough!
Doesn't every student activities office have a code of conduct for its various clubs? Like don't be racist? Seriously. I'd want to know what NYU Student Activities has to say about this display, considering the Young Republicans must get some sort of funding from this office.
here's the Student activities office email in case any of you want to ask too.
diana.lugo@nyu.edu
Here's a novel idea: why don't you actually talk to an illegal immigrant? Being an illegal immigrant is not like jogging through a park. They make huge sacrifices to even get the chance to come over here, they take enormous risks crossing the desert with coyotes, who are free to take advantage of them, and the measly paychecks they get here can be enough to feed their impoverished families back home. A stunt like this tells us nothing, absolutely nothing at all, about who these people are or why they come to America.
Immigrants come to America for a reason--all sorts of reasons, I imagine. They are obviously making sacrifices far greater than most college-aged republicans or "liberals". Why?
I really don't understand how this activity is racist. Especially in New York, where anything that doesn't literally mug you or cause you to explode only deserves a shrug of the shoulder. As a student at NYU, I can say that there is no difference in mannerism between "conservatives" and "liberals", because underexperienced idealists comprise both student groups. But people have a point to make and the university so happens to facilitate that right. This isn't any worse than when liberals park themselves on street corners and yell obscenities at political leaders or brand uninterested passerbys as "sheep". This is a mere exercise with no power to become precedent and therefore does not deserve thoughtful protest, but I guess people are too sensitive.
I really don't understand how this activity is racist. Especially in New York, where anything that doesn't literally mug you or cause you to explode only deserves a shrug of the shoulder. As a student at NYU, I can say that there is no difference in mannerism between "conservatives" and "liberals", because underexperienced idealists comprise both student groups. But people have a point to make and the university so happens to facilitate that right. This isn't any worse than when liberals park themselves on street corners and yell obscenities at political leaders or brand uninterested passerbys as "sheep". This is a mere exercise with no power to become precedent and therefore does not deserve thoughtful protest, but I guess people are too sensitive.