Deseret News | Utahns proclaim Hispanic Day

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Utahns proclaim Hispanic Day

minority equality | 7:34 a.m. Feb. 19, 2009

All the minorities scream for equality, but if we held a caucasian day we'd be racist.

STB | 8:24 a.m. Feb. 19, 2009

I proclaim it White Day. To celebrate this day lets eat Jello and Mayonnaise sandwiches. Later we can act like the crazy zoobies down at BYU.

A Hispanic that is not for this! | 8:32 a.m. Feb. 19, 2009

My father is a Spanish immigrant. I was born in Texas. I have always been taught that America is a place of unity and a place to contribute to the well-being of all members of this country, not just Hispanics, or even especially Hispanics. We are all equal. We are all Americans.

I absolutely hate it when fellow Hispanics groups are recognized as something special, because they are Hispanic. All this does is divide and segregate. It also feeds into stereotypes. What's the deal with Utah jumping in on this mentality? Shouldn't we help all if needed and recognize all when warranted? I absolutely hate this type of un-American agenda that try to make it some type of "honor" to be born into some cultural group. I find it divisive and really offensive.

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 9:16 a.m. Feb. 19, 2009

We all knew this was coming. Gay day is not far away.

E.Z. | 9:55 a.m. Feb. 19, 2009

I proclaim a holiday for the fine Mexican patriot, Pancho Villa. Viva la revolucion!

White Day | 11:19 a.m. Feb. 19, 2009

When will we have a White Day to celebrate the States ethnic majority or White History Month?

Utahn | 11:31 a.m. Feb. 19, 2009

Pobre Tony Yapias

I've read all of the bills and can't find one that is "anti-immigrant". There are a few that crack down on illegal aliens, who have no rights to be here. Perhaps Tony hasn't learned to distinguish between real law-abiding immigrants and illegal criminals.

BigPoet | 12:09 p.m. Feb. 19, 2009

This is a big mistake. Before you know it, someone will be fired from a job for not being able to speak Spanish. Which country is this?

This also encourages illegal aliens to stay and continue breaking the law and draining our state of services meant for legal residents. This cost comes out of our wallets, and it hurts, and I'm sick of it!

Rights..hummm | 12:50 p.m. Feb. 19, 2009

this is taken from Hispanics, and I agree with this Statement.
I absolutely hate it when fellow Hispanics groups are recognized as something special, because they are Hispanic. All this does is divide and segregate. It also feeds into stereotypes

In fact here in America we do to much of it, we have become a racist nation, although some say we are not, we are. If born raised and came with legal papers, then we have the right to Just like if you want to get customer service you have to choose English or Spanish, what about others, immigrants, they do let us speak to someone such as Danish, Polish, Even the native Indains on the phone, do they have "please press 3 for Indian" to much given to Hispanics, and the rest are tied together as one...HUMMMM??????

Doing the Same... Others | 1:05 p.m. Feb. 19, 2009

It may have been Father Francisco Atanasio Dominguez and Father Silvestre Velez de Escalante who kept a journal map, etc., but other Pioneers need to be recognized not just because of Hispanic origin, but, because OTHERS set the past in coming into Utah and setting up maps, Cities, Homes, Food, and making this a State, not just LDS, but, Lewis & Clark, and others to many to list that made it possible for Utah as a Territory, and then a State...

HEY GOV. | 2:16 p.m. Feb. 19, 2009

Does this mean that all the illegal hispanic/drug dealers/rapist can stay in UTAH with complete protection from you?if so then you sure can count on their vote if you ever decide to run for the presidency!!!

Silly | 2:56 p.m. Feb. 19, 2009

Really who cares. All this is doing is driving a bigger wedge between races. The "white" race is slowing but surely being driven out. We need to stop putting different races up on a pedestal (even if for one day). Lets celebrate being AMERICANS and stop dissecting each of us into races. I am of Mexican decent and I too hate when the Mexicans (or Spanish decent) try to put themselves above other persons.

Just a white guy | 4:09 p.m. Feb. 19, 2009

In 20 years when whites are the minority, will the legislature have "white day" to help remind us of the whites who contributed to the making of Utah? Doubt it. Rembember, we are all created equal, just some are more equal than others.

So is there any thing we can do? | 4:33 p.m. Feb. 19, 2009

I'd wish we could have voted or done something to stop this? Who asked if we wanted this for our state. I am Hispanic, and I don't support this. I can support some other programs to help all with jobs and learning English, but not this.

What are we supposed to do as fellow Utahns collectively? Is there anything?

Anonymous | 4:52 p.m. Feb. 19, 2009

HAHAHA though it was May 5th...

Latino | 5:25 p.m. Feb. 19, 2009

I am a latino, from latin-america meaning I not from Mexico, we are descendent of course from Spanish,natives amerindians,or like me not descended at all from spanish but Italians ancestors.
This an old problem for this nation,since most of all this lands in the west,southwest and southeast were Spain conquest, but the Conquistadores couldn't do the right things either making all this vast regions forgotten for their Empire. When the Mexican-American war started,Mexico was a young country full of dictators like the rest of the latin american countries,it was easy for the U.S. to annex this lands because the Mexican army was not match on those days. The mexican people who was left on this territories were treat not very well,but with the time many of them had proof to be of great value for their new nation. Many of them has became great US citizens,now we have a new generation of latinos in this country but they are here some with great dreams,willing to learn from this great country. God Bless America.

Pretorius | 5:51 p.m. Feb. 19, 2009

Europe is very much more agresive with inmigration, foreign, pour, people is not allowed there, so their rank may look better.

Bill of Rights? Constitution? | 5:58 p.m. Feb. 19, 2009

Where does it say that we must recognize each ethnic group separately and officially for the duration of our country? What is the purpose of this? Is there any benefit other than feeding prejudice and hate?

White Day is everyday! | 6:03 p.m. Feb. 19, 2009

So since there is a day for every other race but White's, I guess that means every day that isn't a specific race day is a "White Day"....So I guess tomorrow is...oh and the next day...
Wait that was rude let's not leave people out...So we'll have a 1/2 White/1/2 Black day...1/2 Hispanic/1/2 Black Day....1/4chinese/3/4 Whatever Day!....HOW STUPID!!!

Common Sense - Thank you!!!! | 6:43 p.m. Feb. 19, 2009

"Yapias singled out two bills currently moving through the Legislature that would make it harder for immigrants to get drivers licenses and force them to pay higher, non-resident tuition rates at the state's colleges and universities."

Driver's License = National Security
Non-resident Tuition Rate = in lieu of taxes

He feels the bills are harming immigrants...

Is he saying they are above regular, tax-paying Utahns, who want a more secure country? Kinda selfish and greedy perspective, if you ask me!

Left Out and Ignored | 6:58 p.m. Feb. 19, 2009

Gov: Can we have a Danish day next. We have a lot of decendants from Denmark here in Utah. Perhaps we can have pastries as the official state food for the official state day.

Reynaldo Jorquera | 8:20 p.m. Feb. 19, 2009

I still don't get what some individuals are whining about. Some of them talk as if they support us with their taxes. There are many decent Hispanic people who work hard here in Utah, who contribute to enrich this state and this country, who pays taxes as much as anybody. I would like to know who are they complaining about? Because this kind of individuals do not see the difference. Anyone with skin of color darker than theirs is treated by them as intruders, delinquents, but they can be citizens just like them with the same rights they claim so much about. So, where do you mark the difference? In any case, what makes you think people deserve to be treated with so much hate and prejudice. Is that the heritage you received from your West-European ancestors? I s that what you feel proud of?

knizst | 9:12 p.m. Feb. 19, 2009

Boy there is a lot of hate expressed here! How does honoring a specific group of people harm anyone? Has St. Patrick's Day, honoring Irish-Americans harmed anybody? How about Martin Luther King day, anybody harmed by that? The greatest danger we face as a society is the type of hatred seen here. In 1492 Spain kicked out the Jews. Several years later they kicked out Muslims. The economic and social problems these intolerant acts caused put Spain behind the rest of Europe for centuries. Why can't we learn from history instead of stupidly repeating mistakes made by others. Why not have a Danish day? I say lets celebrate contributions of all. Finally, just what is the "white race" anyway? A little geneological research reveals that everybody is a mixture. I thought that the idea of "racial purity" went away with Adolph.

re: knizst | 3:55 a.m. Feb. 20, 2009

You have a point with St. Patricks day, but then you identify honoring a man with honoring a race?

The greatest danger we face TODAY is uncontrolled growth and not having control over our borders. Politicians willing to hurt the workers in this country to get a few votes.

No one is kicking out Hispanics, people just want the immigraion laws enforced to protect the American workers. It's against the law even in Mexico.

FYI, Hispanics are an ethnic group, not a separate race.

Yapias complaining of 2 bills??? | 7:46 a.m. Feb. 20, 2009

>

Exactly, so why single out specific cultural groups? This is divisive and separates by physical characteristics and culture, instead of uniting as Americans.

No one is complaining about Hispanic-Americans. They are part of this great country. They do pay their taxes, like everyone else. If anything, it is most unfair to them, as illegals take advantage of our medical system, education system, and frequent our prisons. The taxes that Utahns pay must go to these non-taxing paying residents.

So the Utah legislature is making sure they pay out-of-state tuition, like everyone else who doesn't pay UT taxes. Legislature is verifying they are citizens, in order to get a driver's license, for security and for insurance coverage. This is fair and reasonable. Why should Utahns pay the taxes/wrecks for non-residents???

Also, about the Irish...they don't seem to be taking advantage of our medical facilities and using our prisons. (They also didn't go "home" abandoning three houses/loans on my street.)

All Americans - African Americans, Mexican Americans, Irish Americans, Asian Americans - we are tired of footing their bill!

JimBob | 8:17 a.m. Feb. 20, 2009

so when is white anglo saxon euro day??? we can have BET on cable but not WET. we can have (name your color, creed, race) month but you cannot have white awareness month. so what gives here? is this a "free" speak your mind country or not? i guess not.

Re:Reynaldo Jorquera | 8:36 a.m. Feb. 20, 2009

"Anyone with skin of color darker than theirs is treated by them as intruders, delinquents..."

No one talked about skin color, but you! We are talking about freeloading off the regular American citizens.

"Is that the heritage you received from your West-European ancestors?"

If you read the comments above, several are made by legal hispanics who also don't support this "hispanic day." It's an issue of being a tax-abiding full-blooded US citizen - whatever the heritage of the individual - not the color of skin.

This is not about discrimination. It's about being united and PREVENTING segregation.

"Utahns proclaim Hispanic Day" | 9:18 a.m. Feb. 20, 2009

The headline is misleading. It sounds like everyone voted and agreed to this. Obviously, it was forced upon many.

Juan | 9:50 a.m. Feb. 20, 2009

How stupid. Latino day in America. I have never heard of a white day in latino land. Either a person is an American or they are a Latino. If they want to be known as Latino then they need to go back to Latino land. Goodbye and adios!

Just lost | 10:03 a.m. Feb. 20, 2009

a little more respect for Huntsman!!

Oh please | 12:21 p.m. Feb. 20, 2009

Don't you folks know that EVERY day is "White Day" in Utah???

El Chupacabras | 1:15 p.m. Feb. 20, 2009

Fitting, especially since when the Mormon pioneers arrived in Utah, they came to MEXICO. Utah was part of the Mexican territory that was unjustly robbed by the gabachos in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Many of us didn't cross the border, the border CROSSED US!

The fact is | 1:43 p.m. Feb. 20, 2009

that we are all Americans, except for the illegal immigrants that come here and expect the systems (paid by American taxes)to take care of them. Just about every country has a history of some type of brutality or conquering.

I believe in the fact that America stands for equality and freedom to all of its citizens. Having an official "Hispanic Day" feeds cultural differences. It blatantly points them out.

I like to think we are getting beyond the days where skin and family heritage matter. But with the legislature blatantly pointing out the differences for no common purpose, well....maybe some aren't seeing the movement away from this.

We need to look upon ourselves as citizens of Utah - all nationalities as one.

We need to support programs to help all that are weak, not just those of a cultural group. We need to support programs that recognize accomplishments of people that are making a difference, not because of their culture. We need to work together to make Utah the way we want it to stay and become, not divide us up into our separate ethnic groups and point to each other's differences.

knizst | 2:22 p.m. Feb. 20, 2009

The commentor of 7:46 wrote "why single out specific cultural groups? This is divisive and separates by physical characteristics and culture, instead of uniting as Americans." To this I ask what is American culture but a mixture of many different cultures? It seems that the only constituant cultures that many wish to acknowledge trace back to western europe. How is celebrating various cultures divisive? Is celebrating the cultural heritage of the largest minority group in the United States destroying American unity? Many of my ancestors are from europe and yet I enjoy and celebrate Hispanic, Asian, African and other cultures. Does that make me less an American? I believe that America is enriched by the wide variety of languages and cultures found within its population.

You guys need to Chill Out | 2:01 p.m. Feb. 22, 2009

I am a white, middle class, mormon (the typical Utahn) regular kind of guy. So what do I think about all of this talk? Most of it is nonsense. I think it is great for people who are similar to have a day to get together and do cultural things. I love it when I hear spanish (which I do a lot here at BYU) and think back on the days in the mission (which by the way in my mission in S. America they were mostly white). I think it is good that people can unite and do things together. It does not mean that everyone has to get all upset and racist about it. Come on, chill out guys, its just a day to celebrate some heritage. We (as typical Utah mormons) do that all the time. What is your problem with others doing the same thing? I dont have a problem with it.

Reverse Racism | 7:58 a.m. April 14, 2009

I think it's called projection. Do unto others, then accuse them of that very thing. Repeat incessantly until it is perceived reality. Write some fictional history. Repeat incessantly until it is perceived reality. It's fairly easy with the media and gutless PC state government doing all the work for you.

andy | 12:25 p.m. April 14, 2009

North America, South America. It's all America. Lets knock down the fence, and become one country. Stop fighting, and work things out. Theres too many illeagals here now. Theres no way to stop it. Just except the fact that theres nothing we can do. They want to be Americans. Lets concure their country and make this whole continent America.

missy r | 7:15 p.m. April 16, 2009

I think that if the other countries dont want to make there country as good as the United States. So that the illegals dont want to come here illegally. I think that the United States should take control of there country and make it part of America so there wont be any more illegal issues.

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