Use the paper’s platform for more proactive debate

A FEW days ago, New Mexicans had to face xenophobic, racist rhetoric when the Albuquerque Journal, the state’s largest newspaper, published a political cartoon by Sean Delonas — well known for his brutally racist “political” drawings.

In it, a white couple is shown being mugged by two “criminals,” one of which is wearing a jacket that reads “MS 13” on the back, and what appears to be a terrorist. The only text in the drawing comes from the white male character and reads, “Now, honey… I believe they prefer to be called ‘Dreamers’ … or future Democrats … ”

This false and racist rhetoric can not be tolerated in our state, which has a long history of opening its doors and welcoming the immigrant and refugee community.

In a statement on its website, the paper’s editor-in-chief states the cartoon was only “poking at President Trump’s rhetoric … painting Dreamers with a broad, totally false, brush.” Clearly this was not the message received by the majority of New Mexicans, and a better judgment call needed to be made.

Painting all Dreamers as criminal gang bangers is clearly an attack on the more than 800,000 undocumented youth living in this country. The reality is the majority of young immigrants living in this country strive to become productive and responsible members of our communities.

The Journal should use its journalistic platform to spark proactive debate, and not racist, potentially dangerous ideals that intend to pit communities of color against each other and fuel white supremacists to further mislead the immigration debate.

GABRIELA HERNANDEZ A DACA recipient, executive director NM Dream Team, southwest regional organizer United We Dream