Azle,Texas is a small town, about 10 miles northwest of Fort Worth, with a population of about 12,000—about 93 percent white and 4 percent Hispanic.
It is suddenly in the national news.
The reason: one of its residents has posted a “Hispanics Keep Out” sign on the front of his or her home.
Reportedly the sign has been up for months.
According to khou.com, “Many residents said they would like to see the sign, which has been up for months, taken down.”
When asked by a TV reporter knocking on the door, the woman who answered said “Well, you know, I don’t care…I’m upset about them coming over here illegally, too.”
And, “We think this is our privilege as an American to protect our property…This is our property.”
When the reporter asked her if it would be better to post a sign that simply said “Keep Out,” the homeowner said, “I don’t want to keep out everybody, okay?”
Azle police say that the sign does not violate any laws and is an expression of freedom of speech, “However, it’s an expression the mayor said is not shared by most in town.”
I respect the right of the Azle resident to display the sign on her home.
I respect the resident’s freedom of speech, freedom of expression.
And I also know, and respect, the fact that the Azle resident does not have to explain to me or to anyone why she has posted the sign, or what she means with the sign
As a Hispanic, however, I would like to have the opportunity to ask her whether she includes every Hispanic in her “Keep Out” message.
Including those Hispanics who have served in our military services.
Including those Hispanics who are right now serving in Iraq and Afghanistan to protect Americans, including the Azle resident.
And, if it were possible for them to visit her home, including those Hispanics who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country—a country that includes, Azle, Texas.
Perhaps she is concerned about her personal safety, and wants to protect her property.
Perhaps she means to keep out only “illegal” Hispanics.
Perhaps we are making a mountain out of a molehill.
Perhaps all these questions are irrelevant.
Perhaps it’s none of my business.
Perhaps all of the above.
What are your thoughts?
