As someone who lived in New England for two-thirds of my life, I am well aware of the point-and-laugh attitude of much of the country toward the state of Texas. The backward thinking, the crazy cults and the racial injustice. Texas is notorious for its “shoot first, ask questions later” approach to life, which leaves many appalled and disgruntled.
Some of the anti-immigration bills filed at the Texas Legislature are the embodiment of Texas’ hard-line approach and in-your-face tactics. Some of them are not just hateful, they also attempt to defy the U.S. Constitution. These bills have drawn national attention, which of course was the exact intention of their sponsors. The ACLU saw it as a national opportunity as well.
We, here at the ACLU of Texas, were thrilled to read yesterday’s editorial opinion by Lawrence Downes in The New York Times. The piece demonstrates that not all legislators or conservatives in Texas are as unreasonable as they could be. The ACLU is part of a broad coalition of business, education, minority and civil rights groups that have joined together to find practical and reasonable solutions to immigration. Some of our Republican leadership have picked up on this as well, which is why some of the crazier bills will never see the light of day.
The ACLU is proud to play a role in the shifting paradigm in Texas, and we’re proud that Mr. Downes shed light on some of the good that happens here in the Lonestar State.
