A Letter to the Editor of ‘TIME’ Magazine

I had something to say to the author and editor of a recent 'TIME' article. Read, reflect and review.

Dear Editor,

After reading your cover story on amnesty and immigration in the June 18th issue, I am left with the feeling that your writers don’t fully grasp the appropriate current rhetoric of the field. Throughout the majority of the article the author, Mr. Nathan Thornburgh, refers to the affected individuals with the outdated and appalling terms, “illegals” and “illegal immigrants.” This slander contradicts the position that the author claims to support. For several years in educational and pro-social circles, we have used the more acceptable and upright phrases, ‘undocumented resident’ and ‘undocumented worker.’ I noticed two citations of the ‘undocumented worker’ referent, but never one pertaining to those and reside yet do not work in the United States.

By referring to this population with the inhumane denomination, ‘illegals’, you are automatically criminalizing and demonizing any person who may not be fortunate enough to gain citizenship. This includes those who were born outside of the United States and relocated with parents at a young age. Are those who did not have a choice in relocating, yet were educated entirely in American public schools still ‘illegals?’ At what point does one become an American? Is it not when they placed their right hand over their heart and pledged their allegiance, as they did throughout elementary school?

This is a plea to recognize the importance and valence of semantics. I am not a politician, merely a social servant who recognizes that we should be fair and just in our discussion of people who deserve equal human rights. We can begin this dialogue by ousting the outmoded terminology and replacing it with something befitting civility and respect. In slowly overthrowing the norm that has been unfairly established, we can make deliberate progress in the march towards equality.


Respectfully,


Ryan Mooney