a serious question
 

and I ask specifically here because while there is much artificial strife and open hostility, there is also a wide range of intelligent people with differing views. and that is important.

what constitutes dignity? I ask simply because I wish to understand clearly others views. I came to wonder about this do to the immigration in California. in contrast to what many assert here at GFY I have a wide variety of associations, all positive, with many people. the hard and fast categories bandied about here at GFY lack any reality in my life. it is difficult to imagine anyone's intellect being so rigidly confided.

in conversation with an associate, Mexican guy I've been friends with for 15 years, graduate from the university of Mexico in horticulture, it was mentioned that the illegal alien situation, the border crossings, the arrest, all of it... is humiliating. that's my take on the situation. while I feel no responsibility to support the citizens of another country, I do however feel and understand their shame and humiliation. people should not be forced have this experience.

if an organization promoting human dignity were to exist, what would be the guidelines? what would be the ideals? what qualifies as dignity? what are the talking points? I'm thinking dignity is earned through opportunity. you may demand respect, however what is a demand for dignity, isn't that an opportunity to better yourself?

being forced by poor government to flee your home is certainly undignified. where is the dignity in the leaders that allows this condition to exist? I really want to see some conversation... or I could go to Quora?

Dunno much about the dignity aspect, but heres a bump for more opinions as this was about to fall off the front page.

As for my experience of the 'dignity' of being deported, all I can say is that most of the people in ICE that were directly interacting with us deportees were mexican themselves - Just 'lucky' to have been born in the US...

I didn't mind any animosity myself, as I had chosen to overstay my visa yet had not committed any other crimes. Most of the people I was locked up with (for 6 and a half months) HAD committed some kinda crime and tha was the reason they were picked up. I was just caught out in a random inspection of a location I was in, in San Diego.

great subject. what defines dignity, especially in a national sense?
it is built up by many factors. the decency of residents and expats coming from that country, as well as politics (which usually Never reflects the mindset of the average person). Also, we need to look at the perception of each country. Probably USA has a somewhat unfavorable opinion on Mexico because of immigration but there's a chance Guatemala has a favorable view on them.

if a country takes considerable measures to growth & maintaining intl. relations in a mutually effective way, they save face. Not easy for many.

A number of personal experiences kind of skews my ability to dignify the subject. One in particular sours the whole subject of Mexican illegals. Grant it, it doesn't even remotely compare to what many in Europe are going through. I think it has more to do with respect than dignity. I'm sure there's no dignity in being deported but if you're being deported you were most likely there illegally and in turn not respecting the laws.. If I do something illegal I go to jail. There's no dignity in that either but I didn't respect the laws. If you respect the laws of the country then you will see some dignity and respect. If you don't, it's no different than walking up into someones house you don't know and saying "I'm home." You can't have dignity without being respectful. Taking personal responsibility for your own actions in dignifying.

To add to that. What's happening in Europe is a prime example of disrespect for not only the laws of those countries but the people themselves. I think US folk seeing this going on over there played a HUGE part in this election. If some of the shit I've seen go on via various vids went on here in my town.. Oh hell no.. That's why we have guns and are going to keep them.

Well everyone says that dignity is respect - I disagree.
Dignity is our inherent value and worth as human beings.
Respect, on the other hand, is earned through one’s actions.

:thumbsup

yes being responsible for your actions certainly builds dignity, remember this, the Mexicans are being forced here by ineffective dishonest government. that is humiliating in itself.

yes I agree, I think health care, education and food and clean water, plus safety will allow people to build dignity. however it has been proven that giving these to people causes lack of respect and hostility.