Really, A Boycott?

(Cliche alert.) In a case of life imitating art, the president of the National Association of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders has called for a boycott of hispanics of the 2010 decennial census. Reverend Miguel Rivera of New Jersey, who promotes the boycott on his daily Spanish radio show broadcast in 11 markets, argues, implausibly, "We are getting nothing at all. ... Why not fix this issue, have legalization for every undocumented immigrant, no more undocumented people in this country, and everybody can be counted and everybody will have a fair share." He declares "Before being counted, we need to be legalized."

Such an action (sarcasm alert) would be sensible were it not counter-intuitive, counter-productive, and illegal (punishable by fine). A common rallying cry for advocates of illegal immigrants is, roughly, "There are 12 million (note: really a lot more, but that's another issue) of us. They can't deport everyone. Therefore, there has to be a comprehensive solution" (read: legalization). Instead, this organization wants to provide statistical evidence that there are fewer hispanics in this country than there are.

The ramifications for funding are just as severe. As Arturo Vargas, head of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational, noted "The communities that these immigrants live in are the ones that most need funds for health clinics, schools, social services,” Vargas said. “We’re going to live with the results of the census for 10 years.”

But there was a parallel, albeit apolitical, situation in "The Invitations," the 134th episode of NBC's Seinfeld sitcom. The hapless George Costanza (Jason Alexander) is engaged to Susan, who holds down what appears to be a mid-level management position at NBC. But George wants to end the engagement, though he doesn't want to confront Susan directly. One of the other characters, Cosmo Kramer (Michael Richards) suggests that George tell his fiancee that he wants a pre-nuptial agreement. Knowing little about a "pre-nup" and not being relieved of his ignorance, the financially bereft Costanza haltingly requests Susan sign the agreement. Financially secure and member of a wealthy family, Susan laughs in his face and predictably agrees to sign the pre-nuptial.

If you're non-hispanic and a conservative Republican, you hear this news and, recalling Clint Eastwood's Harry Callahan, think "go ahead, make my day." And if in fact, you smell a rat, you're on to something. It seems that most of the boycott's organizers are conservative and the NALCCL endorsed the Republican nominee for President over Democrat Barack Obama in 2008. In this, as in most cases, it's hard to determine motive, but here some healthy suspicion is unavoidable.