I’ve written before about the entrepreneurial virtues of open immigration and its role in spurring innovation and ultimately job creation.
Accordingly, I was pleasantly surprised to learn of yesterday’s decision by Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver, General Manager Steve Kerr, and the entire Phoenix Suns basketball team to wear « Los Suns » jerseys for Game 2 of the NBA Western Conference final tonight.
The Phoenix Suns are wearing these jerseys in protest against Arizona Immigration bill SB 1070 which would require Arizona police to stop, question and detain people on simply the suspicion of being illegal immigrants to the USA. The Phoenix Suns owner, himself born and raised in Tucson, described his team’s decision to wear the controversial jerseys as also a way « to honor our Latino community and the diversity of our league, the state of Arizona, and our nation. »
Nearly 40% of U.S. technology company founders, and 52% of founders of companies in Silicon Valley are immigrants. The Phoenix Suns are competing for the playoffs thanks to the strength of star guard Steve Nash, a Canadian immigrant originally from South Africa, and with the support of a sold out crowd of a significantly latino fan base.
So whether on the basketball court or in the board room, diversity fostered by a policy of qualified immigration not only makes for good ethics, it makes for good business.
Phillip Baker wrote:
Looks like it makes for good karma too, because “Los Suns” beat the San Antonio Spurs last night 110-102. Good on ya mate!
Link | May 6th, 2010 at 10:06
Therese David wrote:
I read as well about the Suns. It was really touching what they decided to do.
There are all kinds of issues with this law. It’s one of those things that in theory may be somewhat justifiable, but in practice it’s likely to be a disaster. How do they know someone ‘looks’ like they don’t belong there? Let’s be honest…how, other than race, can they come to that conclusion?
You’re spot on about the immense contribution of immigrants to Silicon Valley. However, I’d argue that these immigrants are viewed in the eyes of many as ‘good immigrants’ – highly educated, of whom many are from Asian countries who are key to the US economy. But sadly, we tend as a society to underestimate the massive contribution of the ‘less desired’ immigrants (in the US from south of the border and in Europe from Middle East Africa). It’s sad to see the US, a country that was built through the incredible efforts of so many ‘less desirables’, slowly morph into a place where there’s so much fear of and anger towards these types of migrants (perhaps this sentiment has always been there though…).
I understand that immigration can’t be a free-for-all, but surely there must be a more effective and just way to deal with this situation?
Link | May 7th, 2010 at 20:44
Cedric wrote:
gonna have a hard tima against los lakers i’m afraid…
Good article on this in this week’s economist.
C
Link | May 18th, 2010 at 15:54