L.I., Really?

January 15, 2010 7:00 PM

Illegal to "Wave While Latino" in Long Island. Additionally, from the Gothamist: "In an attempt to punish day laborers and those who employ them, the town of Oyster Bay had implemented a controversial law that immigrant rights activists say makes it illegal to "Wave While Latino." [...] - I suppose incarceration and deportation is easier than immigration reform?
posted by terrirodriguez (17 comments total)

Always the hate on for other.
posted by caddis at 7:11 PM on January 15, 2010

As Oyster Bay waves goodbye to sanity...
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:13 PM on January 15, 2010

I suppose incarceration and deportation is easier than immigration reform?

Huh?
posted by phaedon at 7:14 PM on January 15, 2010

That legislation reads so much like an anti-prostitution ordinance. "solicitation for employment" indeed.
posted by idiopath at 7:16 PM on January 15, 2010

"Maybe I’m living in a fool’s paradise, but I believe the day will come when people say, ‘Son of a gun, he was right about this.’" - might be a little ways off there.
posted by Artw at 7:24 PM on January 15, 2010 [1 favorite]

You want to solve the "immigrant problem"? Arrest and incarcerate EMPLOYERS that hire them. Bust the businesses, fine the hell of those racketeers, and let the workers walk.

This doesn't happen because illegals drive down the price of labor. Abusing them throws red meat to the lumpen, and conveniently undercuts unions and workers everywhere. It's a win-win for everyone too rich to bother reading these threads.
posted by clarknova at 7:30 PM on January 15, 2010 [2 favorites]

Ya know, I hate to break it to them (I don't really), but I'm thinking that waving is a form of expression.
posted by MrLint at 7:34 PM on January 15, 2010 [4 favorites]

The area where I live is equally hostile toward Latin immigrants. One County Commissioner refused to waive a fee or allow some minor variance to a domestic abuse shelter, on the grounds that "Mexicans might need it," and his tax dollars and those of his (extremely wealthy, it might be worth noting) constituents were not going to be used to "encourage illegal immigration or help illegals in any way."

Which is funny, because legal status never seems to enter the picture when their dishes are being washed in a restaurant, or their produce is being picked, or their trees and shrubs are being trimmed, or their cars are being washed and buffed by hand, or any other number of low paying and thankless jobs are being performed for a puny fraction of what a person with legal status would be able to demand.
posted by contessa at 7:38 PM on January 15, 2010 [4 favorites]

We all have a right to wave until we all waive our rights.
posted by twoleftfeet at 7:40 PM on January 15, 2010 [3 favorites]

But there's lots of friendly folks that say "good morning"
But somehow you know I don't believe their smiles
I could be New York City bound where I could be among my friends
But the road back home it seems a million miles

-- Billy Joel, Oyster Bay
posted by swift at 7:40 PM on January 15, 2010 [1 favorite]

For about three seconds I got kind of excited thinking that an article about a town near my new home might be interesting and novel. Then I read it and noticed it was more LI douchebaggery. Not so novel.
posted by Shutter at 7:41 PM on January 15, 2010

Sorry, Shutter. Didn't mean to be a downer.
posted by terrirodriguez at 7:45 PM on January 15, 2010

What highway to immigration is he talking about?

One of the things that frustrates me so much about immigration debates is the persistent (and wrong) belief that immigrating legally is easy.
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 8:05 PM on January 15, 2010

Yep,...douchebags.
posted by bonobothegreat at 8:05 PM on January 15, 2010

And yet the same people would complain about the price to get their lawn mowed if not for the labour of the people they want to arrest. I'm guessing it's the same all over though.
posted by kellyblah at 8:06 PM on January 15, 2010

One elderly protester, Stan Spiegelman, said he had lived in the hamlet of Oyster Bay since 1993. “It’s my job to fire up the menorah every night,” he said, leaning heavily on his walker. “But I’m here now for a different reason; in a democracy we need to protect the minority and the have-nots.”

Stan, you are a good man.
posted by Edward L at 8:36 PM on January 15, 2010

"Waving While Latino" is a catchphrase to make this seem more horrific than it is. The actual ordinance is against soliciting employment. Latinos - and anyone else - can wave all they want, just not to solicit employment.

I'm not against day laborers or Latinos, and I'm not familiar with the situation in Oyster Bay, but I do recognize spin when I see it...and that's what "Waving While Latino" is.
posted by etoile at 8:38 PM on January 15, 2010 [1 favorite]