A Symbol of Privilege

The state of California wrote to me about the status of one of my white privileges. No, my status is not at risk necessarily. But, a symbol of it is about to expire and needs to be renewed. For $28, a vision test, a thumbprint and photo I can renew this symbol, a privilege, not a right. Of course, I will also have to have a social security number, which will be collected at the time of my renewal.

At one time, I believe, until the1990s, everyone who would otherwise qualify by virtue of their age, visual acuity, ability to remain conscious, and pass a written and driving test would be issued a drivers license in the state of California. This convenience was remedied by then Governor Pete Wilson who thought is was somehow unwise to identify drivers, allowing them to carry identification, have a DMV record, and even buy insurance. Later, in 2003, Governor Gray Davis signed into law, legislation written by Assembly member Gil Cedillo that would have allowed drivers of any immigration status to apply for and if qualified receive a drivers license. This law was soon overturned with the help of a new governor Arnold Scharzeneger, an immigrant himself, who preferred to prevent the identification and record keeping of many drivers in California.

There are an estimated 2 million unlicensed and therefore uninsured drives in the State of California because of a restriction by our state legislature to prevent it. But, for $28 I’ll be able to renew mine, as long my social security number is collected as a unique intendifier for the record of the state.

In recent presidential debates, candidates where asked what they believed that unauthorized immigrants should allowed to apply for and receive drivers licenses. While this is the jurisdiction of state governments, not the federal government, the candidates answered. Hilary Clinton said that no they should not. This after initially supporting the governor of the state of New York in an effort to pass drivers license legislation in her state and then baking away from that when it was negatively received by very vocal nativists who were against it. Barrack Obama stated that people do not come to this country to drive, they come here to work. Since they have to drive to work in many cases, he said he is in favor of drivers’ licenses for those who do. I agree with Senator Obama.

It occurs to me that I might not renew my driver’s license as an act of civil disobedience of an unjust law. I was near the Mexican Consulate this week. I could have checked to see if I can get a matricular consular to use as identification. What do you think?