I was most impressed by the Times article on the plight of the Mexicans and our immigration problem. That was the best human interest reporting I have read in a very long time. That reminds me of what my great grandparents endured during the late 1800s. That story should open a lot of hearts and minds to our Mexican neighbors.
You should do a parallel column, bilingual, on a weekly basis in your paper. You cover the Canadians all the time and there aren't 20,000 of them living in Clearwater. Shed more light on our Mexican neighbors.
-- Fred Thomas, Clearwater
Don't discourage the learning of English
I disagree with printing an article in Spanish. I think this encourages Hispanics not to learn English. This country was built on many different cultures melting together to become Americans. Too many Hispanics want to take the best of this country, but their hearts and minds do not want to blend into the American culture.
My grandparents came from Germany and had to learn English. When my father and uncles were born here, they spoke English in the home, not German. They wanted to be Americans. I don't think the Hispanics want to become Americans.
-- Joan Mills, Safety Harbor
Offering human dignity
I want to congratulate you about your excellent article on April 25, Following Francisco - and not only about that one but, in general terms, your newspaper.
The pictures were beautiful; the article was redacted very well. The article dignified us as human beings. We exist. We have faces, names, voices, years and years of history, culture, traditions and different languages behind us. Unfortunately, some people deny us our human rights. If somebody has the blame that we are here, it is the government in Mexico and the government here in the United States. We are the victims of wrong political administrations. We are here to work.
I want to say thanks to most of the people who give us a smile when we visit their businesses, who give us employment, and especially to the police. I trust them. Thanks to this country for receiving us, and thanks to Doonesbury for making us think.
-- Miguel Martinez, Clearwater
Another side of immigration story
Re: Following Francisco.
David Adams and Adrienne Samuels did an admirable job of reporting on the 20,000 Mexicans from the state of Hidalgo that have migrated to Clearwater since 1983. As a prior resident of Clearwater, I often wondered how so many Mexicans came to be in the area in such a short period of time. However, as is the norm with the St. Petersburg Times and its journalists, only half the story was told.
When the Mexicans started coming, I lived in a subdivision that backed up to the apartment complex mentioned in the article. I knew there were a lot of people living in some of the apartments, but had no idea that at one time there were 36 men living in one two-bedroom apartment. Funny thing, but at about the same time my brother and his son moved to Clearwater and were turned down when they tried to rent a one-bedroom apartment. My brother was told because there were two of them of the same sex, they would have to rent a two-bedroom place.
In 1996 I sold my home of 23 years because I was concerned that if I didn't, I would see property values decline. I was also concerned about crime.
What this article completely glosses over is the fact that these 20,000 Mexicans came to this country illegally. They broke the law the minute they stepped foot on American soil. Further, the hotels and restaurants that knowingly hired them also broke the law.
The article states that the majority of the money they make in Clearwater is sent back to Mexico. I'm sure this is tax free money because without Social Security numbers they can't file tax returns. And even if they filed using bogus SSNs, it is doubtful they would have had a tax liability due to their low wages. No wonder Mexican President Vincente Fox wants open borders. Not only are we taking care of his social problems, but we are propping up his economy as well!
We should also not forget that any children born to these illegal immigrants while in America automatically become U.S. citizens, meaning they are entitled to welfare. Why was the article silent on this fact? Some of the original illegal aliens from Hidalgo have become U.S. citizens, per the article. Good for them. At least they will now pay taxes.
Most Americans have no idea what illegal immigration is costing American taxpayers. Overcrowded schools, urban sprawl, environmental problems, and the list goes on and on. If that isn't enough, how can any American feel safer after 9/11 when anyone who wants can just walk across our porous borders?
We simply must bring illegal immigration to a halt and scale back legal immigration, because even this great country of ours has only so many resources to go around and we just can't afford to take care of the entire world.
-- Donald Lam, Hudson
Creating a sense of belonging
Re: Following Francisco, and your Spanish-language publication.
A basic sense of community, this is what was missing from the last 26 years of my grandfather's life. Language was the barrier, like the fence in his back yard. This was my first thought after learning about the St. Petersburg Times Spanish-language project.
As a Clearwater native, I have seen much growth and change over the last three decades and I can only think how a Spanish-language newspaper will enhance our area. With this first effort the Times recognizes Clearwater's growing Hispanic influence, and I applaud the newspaper's courage for taking this step in growing along with its community.
Transplanted from Cuba and unable to become fluent in English so late in his life, my grandfather often relied on a Hispanic periodical for news. It told him all about the happenings in Miami, but nothing about what was going on in his own back yard.
Like my grandfather, many Hispanics work hard for their families and have little time to devote to learning English. They must rely on word-of-mouth to inform them of local opportunities. The newspaper is a powerful tool that benefits many of us every day, as confirmed by the circulation numbers. Should an important segment of our population be devoid of these benefits simply because its people cannot readily learn English?
If continued, a Spanish-language newspaper will be a vehicle for tens of thousands in our area, not only for advertising their businesses and collecting local information, but more importantly it will be a vehicle for community involvement and acceptance. The St. Petersburg Times has an opportunity to provide so many like my grandfather with a sense of belonging, beyond their back yards.
-- Carrie Granato, Safety Harbor
Beware of going bilingual
I was very dismayed to see a section of the paper in Spanish. I can't understand why America has to be a bilingual country. Everything from whipped cream to toilet paper has Spanish printed on it. We moved here from Miami to escape the Hispanic influence. Our total life was changed by the rudeness and hatred that prevails there. As a three-generation resident of Miami, I was so sick of people telling me, "We are here now, do it our way." I certainly don't want to see this area become the same.
The schools in Miami are so overcrowded with immigrants and many of the classes are being taught in Spanish while the American children sit there and are neglected. When this started happening to our children, we knew it was time to get out. Immigrants come here and they should be absorbed into our culture. Printing a Spanish section only prevents assimilation and fosters isolation. Please do not do this again. Immigrants in Clearwater can learn English by reading English in the paper.
-- J. Schaefer, Safety Harbor
Tap into Hispanic energy
Publishing a Spanish language version of the Times can only help your newspaper. Look at the Miami Herald. It has a successful Spanish language paper. The Spanish-speaking population is underserved here. This is a very highly entrepreneurial, ambitious and motivated group. Their energies serve to make the Tampa Bay area far more vibrant and creative. Your paper should tap into these energies and this market. Just look at what the City Times version of your paper has done in South Tampa. The outcome of a Spanish language paper would be far more dramatic.
-- Mark Gowans, Tampa
An affront to legal immigrants
Re: Following Francisco.
To write this story and make these people sound heroic for crossing our borders illegally is an affront to all of the people - Jews, Italians, Poles and Irish, to name a few - who had to wait years to come to this country legally. This article upset me greatly, as it seemed to say that to enter this country illegally was right, since their country was poor and they had no future there.
The fact that their country is poor does not give them the right to illegally enter this country. This is a criminal act. Period. It is no more commendable than if I broke into your house and moved in, expecting all the benefits of living in your house, simply because you were rich and I was poor. As for the dual language, all the above-named groups assimilated. Why can't the Mexicans?
-- Frances Orlando Hill, Safety Harbor
No need for Spanish in the paper
You asked for response to your first venture into a Spanish version of a story on April 25.
When I first skimmed through my Sunday paper, I thought a section had been duplicated. When I realized one was in Spanish, I thought "Why?" I see no need for Spanish to be integrated into my paper! This is an English-speaking country (or is supposed to be) and I am sure there are other newspapers in other languages available.
-- Dorothy E. Karkheck, Dunedin
A brightness of spirit
As a retiree who was born in Pinellas County, I have seen many changes in this area - not all for the better. I am also convinced that the nation should address more vigorously the problems of illegal immigration.
That said, I believe that the positive aspects of legal immigration here from Mexico deserve more attention than they have received. From time to time there has been good coverage of this local story by your paper, but I was surprised and impressed by the ambitious scope of the April 25 Spanish/English supplement. I hope it will become a solid monthly feature comparable to Seniority. Don't overlook the value of such a bilingual publication to individuals or groups studying Spanish.
The material is there all around. We can see these sturdy figures moving across our landscape. Look more closely and you can glimpse a brightness of spirit that is a welcome addition to our world.
-- Patricia Alice Mckenzie, Clearwater
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