IN THIS “SECOND GOLD RUSH,” where it seems every store, site, and organization is moving forward quickly to access “The Latino Market,” and keeping in mind the arrival of Latino/Hispanic Heritage Month, it seems a good time to consider the question: What does it mean to be “Latino” today? Another chapter in the News With Nezua narrative.
THIS WEEK’S VINYL REMINDA comes atcha reminding us that passive existence may be calmer and less fraught with conflict, but there’s only one real way to confront injustices and that is confront them. I’ve been hearing this one since I was a boy. Can you name the artist who reminds us that we are able? Can you name la cancion upon the turntable?
ON SEPTEMBER ELEVEN, I cannot help but think of violence and tyranny for various reasons. Of course there is the obvious violence that tore apart Manhattan in 2001 and infected our reasoning and society with febrile veins of fear. But then, there are other tyrannies that found the date of September 11 a comfortable roost.
I CARRY THE HARD DARK WEIGHT of that day with me still. But it does not poison me, as the air of NYC did, sending me retching down the street with lungs seizing to expel the tainted air. Nor does it rest, or will it settle into muck, or septic sediment within my soul. That blast of toxin and heat has, instead, lit me on fire and blooms within like a tree of lightning.
GLENN BECK is a barrel of hate dressed up with dimples and a clown nose. And while he tugs the Left around by the nose with his outrageous and yet entertainment / media-savvy salvos, he shoots arrows into the heart of change.
ON ALL FRONTS, THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION VEERS away from making any meaningful or cohesive change for the undocumented community. Just last night in his speech for health care reform he made sure the people of the US know that the health of millions of people in our country is not worth consideration. And in many other ways, the US Government sends the message that this is one group the USA can safely think of as the unwelcome and unworthy Other.
THE CONCEPT OF NONVIOLENT RESISTANCE is a concept that makes the comfortable comfortable. But is armed struggle the proper form of resistance to an oppressive State? Is there a biodiversity of Resistance that needs happen? Arundhati Roy muses on Resistance.
WHAT IS 287(g)? Unless you are familiar with immigration legislation or follow the dialogue, you may not be entirely sure. I wanted to comment on the issue, as well as provide a basic introduction and so for this week’s News With Nezua, I tackled the 287(g) provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
I THOUGHT FOR LABOR DAY, I’d take a trip back through the jobs I’ve held and some of the memories around those jobs. It’s a long path, and long story, and a long post! Save it for when you’ve got a little while, and a cup of tea. Or a beer. Or a Chai. You know what? Let’s not get caught up in what you like to drink. Why does this always have to be about you? Jeez!
WELCOME ONCE AGAIN to your Weekly Vinyl Reminda! Last week we spun a moment or two of Jingo, by Santana. This week’s tune is so funktastic that you may just find yourself locked into the rhythm and put away in the house of Groove for a minnit. Who is responsible for this arresting beat and what’s it called?
AH, ONE DAY you’ll kick back on the porch and tell your great grandchildren how back in the day, music was encoded on huge black vinyl discs that spun around in one place, sodas cost only a buck, and “Snoop” was the Doggfather’s name.
WHAT DO WE DO when those who represent our causes or are elected to take action on our issues abdicate their duty? What do Latino/as do now, as immigration reform is stalled except for increasing punitive measure that serve no purpose but to further and deepen the Enforcement Agenda? We take it into our own hands.
I AND I BUILD THE CABIN
I and I plant the corn
Didn’t my people before me
Slave for this country?
Now you look me with that scorn
And you eat up all my corn…
House of Nezua
the XOLAGRAFIK theater!
