On Point Vincent Carroll, editor of the editorial pages, writes his On Point column most weekdays. He is also an author and freelance writer. Reach Vincent Carroll at carrollv@RockyMountainNews.com.

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Juvenal Cervantes was short on time Wednesday when I caught up with him on his cell phone. “Two minutes,” he said. But the activist and co-chair of Realizing Our Community, a Greeley-sponsored group formed to help integrate immigrants into society and ease an ethnic divide, had time enough to insist that his organization was not considering asking white officials to apologize to minorities on behalf of the “European-American community.”

Which is interesting, since Cervantes did send an e-mail this month suggesting such an approach to an impressive array of public officials in the Greeley area. Why, he even offered a model for the apology. To wit:

“On behalf of [the] European-American community of Greeley, Colorado, I want to apologize to the Hispanic-American community and other non-European-American communities of Greeley, Colorado, for decades of silence, distance and oppression perpetrated towards you. We acknowledge and recognize the Hispanic-American and other non-European-American voices in our community as essential and vital constituencies of our community. Yet we have excluded, ignored, and dismissed these important groups of people. As we unveil the ROC Plan, we want to make a commitment to respecting, valuing, and integrating each and every individual irrespective of ethnicity, nationality, language, and or sexual orientation. Furthermore .. . . .”

The apology prattles on in this vein, after which Cervantes relates such wisdom as “reconciliation is a three-legged stool: remorse, restitution, and reconciliation.”

Restitution? Now there’s an idea sure to excite the enthusiasm of many long-time white residents who’ve never uttered an angry word regarding Hispanics, let alone actively sought to keep anyone down.

The idea of an apology, Cervantes told me, is “a point of dialogue that is right now not active. It may be a conversation that could take place.”

But where have such apologies helped, I wondered, noting his e-mail’s claim that “communities from other parts of the country” have “incorporated” such a statement. He said he’d look into it, but meanwhile couldn’t cite a single town.

Greeley might well need a group such as Realizing Our Community to promote intercultural understanding. But apologies of the sort contemplated by Cervantes do not foster reconciliation; they stoke anger and division. They scatter blame and censure upon the deserving and undeserving alike, as well as their ancestors. They caricature social relations rather than illuminate them.

Who has the standing to apologize for “European-Americans” anyway? The very notion of someone claiming such authority is offensive — or at least it is to anyone who still believes that being an American trumps a specific ethnicity and that we should be defined, even if we sometimes aren’t, first and foremost as individuals and independent moral agents.

“I believe that labels are for cans,” Cervantes said at a ROC meeting last week. “The moment we label someone, we’ve negated them.”

Curious advice from a man apparently comfortable with labeling people based on race as complict in “oppression.”

Vincent Carroll is editor of the editorial pages. Reach him at Carrollv@RockyMountainNews.com.

READER COMMENTS

Restitution? Now there’s an idea sure to excite the enthusiasm of many long-time white residents who’ve never uttered an angry word regarding Hispanics, let alone actively sought to keep anyone down.

Are there any people in Greeley who fit this mold?

european-american? is this the new p.c. phrase for caucasian?

This race business is getting old. If ROC wants to be listened to, then say something interesting. Cervantes' character "tilting at windmills" 400 years ago was interesting. This Cervantes is just a caritcature.

When did Spain leave Europe? Are not race based organizations racist? What do you call someone who advocates for a foreign land at the expense of his/her own people? Illegal aliens have been living off of us for years...like a tapeworm. Should the host apologize to the tapeworm?
One question for Mr. Cervantes: How many more American lives have to be shattered by or lost to illegal aliens, to satisfy you?

I believe the key word here is "suggesting" as in one of many options. As in no one ever said ROC has decided to ask for an apology or an apology is ROC's only recommendation.

I would also add that as a white citizen I think an official recognition of the oppression that is palpable in Greeley and an apology would be a great first step forward to being able to really work together as a community.

I believe the key word here is "suggesting" as in one of many options. As in no one ever said ROC has decided to ask for an apology or an apology is ROC's only recommendation.

I would also add that as a white citizen I think an official recognition of the oppression that is palpable in Greeley and an apology would be a great first step forward to being able to really work together as a community.

Excuse me, Who is this pompous activist? I am a Hispanic whose ancestors came from SPAIN, which last I heard was a EUROPEAN country and most of whose citizens are CAUCASIAN.

If he is referring to people from South America and Mexico, then he needs to use another term.

The ROC can help ease an ethnic divide by focusing on assistance to legal immigrants only.

Crying race discrimination and oppression repeatedly certainly diminishes the credence given to possible legitimate instances of such activity.

By casting a spotlight on race, the ROC simply perpetuates a widening divide along ethnic lines.

Golly Vincent...I think I might have actually heard you hit rock bottom after reading you trying to imply that european-americans have never "opressed" anyone.

Well done...had to happen sooner or later...at least you got it out of the way.

Perhaps it is time for ROC to issue an apology? Maybe something like, "we, the members of the the ROC would to apologize to the citizens for this great country for supporting the destruction of your social structions, for race baiting, and adding in the commision of many crimes through our support of illegal aliens simply because we speak spanish .

Aye jon, ye be true, but include the italians, irish and chinamen

Piper - you can bend over all you want; I have NOTHING to apologize for!!!!!!!!!!!

In Denver, Colorado, Mayor John Hickenlooper supports sanctuary policy. When you aid, abet and assist illegal aliens, what do you get for your efforts? Quick answer: more illegal aliens! A recent report in the Rocky Mountain News showed that 12,200 Mexican gang members ply their trade in the Denver area.
Results: two years ago, illegal alien Garcia Gomez executed Denver Police Officer Don Young just like Carranza shot the three Newark kids -- in the back of the head.
What did Gomez enjoy? The same sanctuary policy in Denver as in Phoenix and Newark! Gomez had been stopped three times, but let go.
Fast forward to Denver on September 6, 2007. Illegal criminals operate “chop shops.” A car carrying five illegal aliens followed a Denver cop. Here is the report:
Police arrested car theft suspects Thursday morning after a police chase that started with an undercover Denver officer calling for help while being followed by the alleged criminals. The officer recorded videotape of the suspects and a stolen truck before they spotted him.
The officer called for backup just after 2:00 a.m. while heading east on Interstate 70. He reported his speed at 105 miles per hour while suspects followed in hot pursuit. He reported being rammed by the suspects near Colfax Avenue.
Suspects crashed near 65th and York. They ran from the scene. One was quickly taken into custody. Police nabbed four other suspects a short time later. Police caught another suspect when a homeowner called 911 to report someone hiding in his yard.
What is so brazen about these illegal alien criminals? Their immunity from arrest via sanctuary policy in cities like Newark, Phoenix and Denver gave them the arrogance to race 105 miles per hour to chase and ram a police cruiser. Is this right out of a dime third world novel or what?
What if those illegals killed another police officer? What if they executed the man in the house who called the cops about one of the illegals hiding in the homeowner’s yard? What if the high-speed chase caused a multi-car crash killing half-dozen Denver citizens?
Arrested after the chase: Illegal Juan Hernandez Banuelos with five other aliases and 12 previous arrests; Francisco Delacruze with four other aliases and 11 previous arrests; Manuel Fernandez with three aliases and 18 previous arrests; Carlos Armando Galeano with three aliases and 13 previous arrests; and Eric Robles with two aliases and three arrests.
Police arrested these criminal aliens a total of 47 times without doing anything about their illegally living, working and criminal activities in the Colorado. None suffered deportation!
With more cities condoning the loss of the rule of law, we can expect more crime against Americans. You must ask yourself: when will my loved ones or I become a victim of illegal aliens in my own community because someone elected to represent the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law abdicates in favor of illegal alien criminals?
Where will the next Newark Massacre or police execution occur because of the sanctuary policy that allows criminal illegal aliens free access to kill American citizens? Where will the next 9/11 occur because of the sanctuary policy? Stay tuned: you’ll read about it or you’ll be one of the victims.

In Denver, Colorado, Mayor John Hickenlooper supports sanctuary policy. When you aid, abet and assist illegal aliens, what do you get for your efforts? Quick answer: more illegal aliens! A recent report in the Rocky Mountain News showed that 12,200 Mexican gang members ply their trade in the Denver area.
Results: two years ago, illegal alien Garcia Gomez executed Denver Police Officer Don Young just like Carranza shot the three Newark kids -- in the back of the head.
What did Gomez enjoy? The same sanctuary policy in Denver as in Phoenix and Newark! Gomez had been stopped three times, but let go.
Fast forward to Denver on September 6, 2007. Illegal criminals operate “chop shops.” A car carrying five illegal aliens followed a Denver cop. Here is the report:
Police arrested car theft suspects Thursday morning after a police chase that started with an undercover Denver officer calling for help while being followed by the alleged criminals. The officer recorded videotape of the suspects and a stolen truck before they spotted him.
The officer called for backup just after 2:00 a.m. while heading east on Interstate 70. He reported his speed at 105 miles per hour while suspects followed in hot pursuit. He reported being rammed by the suspects near Colfax Avenue.
Suspects crashed near 65th and York. They ran from the scene. One was quickly taken into custody. Police nabbed four other suspects a short time later. Police caught another suspect when a homeowner called 911 to report someone hiding in his yard.
What is so brazen about these illegal alien criminals? Their immunity from arrest via sanctuary policy in cities like Newark, Phoenix and Denver gave them the arrogance to race 105 miles per hour to chase and ram a police cruiser. Is this right out of a dime third world novel or what?
What if those illegals killed another police officer? What if they executed the man in the house who called the cops about one of the illegals hiding in the homeowner’s yard? What if the high-speed chase caused a multi-car crash killing half-dozen Denver citizens?
Arrested after the chase: Illegal Juan Hernandez Banuelos with five other aliases and 12 previous arrests; Francisco Delacruze with four other aliases and 11 previous arrests; Manuel Fernandez with three aliases and 18 previous arrests; Carlos Armando Galeano with three aliases and 13 previous arrests; and Eric Robles with two aliases and three arrests.
Police arrested these criminal aliens a total of 47 times without doing anything about their illegally living, working and criminal activities in the Colorado. None suffered deportation!
With more cities condoning the loss of the rule of law, we can expect more crime against Americans. You must ask yourself: when will my loved ones or I become a victim of illegal aliens in my own community because someone elected to represent the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law abdicates in favor of illegal alien criminals?
Where will the next Newark Massacre or police execution occur because of the sanctuary policy that allows criminal illegal aliens free access to kill American citizens? Where will the next 9/11 occur because of the sanctuary policy? Stay tuned: you’ll read about it or you’ll be one of the victims.

In Denver, Colorado, Mayor John Hickenlooper supports sanctuary policy. When you aid, abet and assist illegal aliens, what do you get for your efforts? Quick answer: more illegal aliens! A recent report in the Rocky Mountain News showed that 12,200 Mexican gang members ply their trade in the Denver area.
Results: two years ago, illegal alien Garcia Gomez executed Denver Police Officer Don Young just like Carranza shot the three Newark kids -- in the back of the head.
What did Gomez enjoy? The same sanctuary policy in Denver as in Phoenix and Newark! Gomez had been stopped three times, but let go.
Fast forward to Denver on September 6, 2007. Illegal criminals operate “chop shops.” A car carrying five illegal aliens followed a Denver cop. Here is the report:
Police arrested car theft suspects Thursday morning after a police chase that started with an undercover Denver officer calling for help while being followed by the alleged criminals. The officer recorded videotape of the suspects and a stolen truck before they spotted him.
The officer called for backup just after 2:00 a.m. while heading east on Interstate 70. He reported his speed at 105 miles per hour while suspects followed in hot pursuit. He reported being rammed by the suspects near Colfax Avenue.
Suspects crashed near 65th and York. They ran from the scene. One was quickly taken into custody. Police nabbed four other suspects a short time later. Police caught another suspect when a homeowner called 911 to report someone hiding in his yard.
What is so brazen about these illegal alien criminals? Their immunity from arrest via sanctuary policy in cities like Newark, Phoenix and Denver gave them the arrogance to race 105 miles per hour to chase and ram a police cruiser. Is this right out of a dime third world novel or what?
What if those illegals killed another police officer? What if they executed the man in the house who called the cops about one of the illegals hiding in the homeowner’s yard? What if the high-speed chase caused a multi-car crash killing half-dozen Denver citizens?
Arrested after the chase: Illegal Juan Hernandez Banuelos with five other aliases and 12 previous arrests; Francisco Delacruze with four other aliases and 11 previous arrests; Manuel Fernandez with three aliases and 18 previous arrests; Carlos Armando Galeano with three aliases and 13 previous arrests; and Eric Robles with two aliases and three arrests.
Police arrested these criminal aliens a total of 47 times without doing anything about their illegally living, working and criminal activities in the Colorado. None suffered deportation!
With more cities condoning the loss of the rule of law, we can expect more crime against Americans. You must ask yourself: when will my loved ones or I become a victim of illegal aliens in my own community because someone elected to represent the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law abdicates in favor of illegal alien criminals?
Where will the next Newark Massacre or police execution occur because of the sanctuary policy that allows criminal illegal aliens free access to kill American citizens? Where will the next 9/11 occur because of the sanctuary policy? Stay tuned: you’ll read about it or you’ll be one of the victims.

marshall you're not keeping up with the latest far right wing talking points....the ones you're using have all been debunked many times over.

time it hit Rush and Rosen up for some new ones brother.

http://colorado.mediamatters.org/items/200708230003

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