Los Suns

As humans we make a big deal out of who belongs and who doesn't, whether it is a matter of race, or nationality, or sport team affiliation, or religion. It seems to help us develop a sense of pride and place. I suppose we are still very tribal, even in the Global Village.

A sense of belonging can be powerful and positive. Exclusion can be negative and destructive. We have done a lot of harm in the name of religion, and somehow it has been easy for Christians to forget that Jesus was a Jew who told stories about surprising examples of acceptance and crossing racial and religious boundaries.

A couple of nights ago the Phoenix Suns basketball team wore jerseys during their playoff game with the monikor Los Suns. Although the team is located in Arizona the star player pictured above is Canada's own Steve Nash. The team wore these jerseys as a quiet but very visible protest against new laws in the state of Arizona allowing the police to stop anyone looking Hispanic to ask for valid immigration papers. The proximity to Mexico means that there are many immigrants in Arizona, legal and otherwise. It is a form of racial profiling, a "driving while Latino" law that has disturbed many in the States but has been passed just the same. It is now possible that persons with a Hispanic background who may be second or third generation Americans will be stopped regularly to prove their nationality.

Have you followed this story at all? Does this legislation disturb you? Do you approve of what the Suns did? Do you know much about immigration policy in Canada?