THIS STORM is unfolding as it will, and we are yet to see how it will end. The electricity feels threatening at times. But here is a chance, now, finally to talk about the things we need to talk about. Which means the chance to make real change.
MEXICO is instituting an “Open Arms” policy; if you want to be there and be part of things, then they want you, too.
THERE IS A HIDDEN COST to our delicious food. There is a hidden cost to Capitalism. There are vulnerable people suffering, and for their trouble, they are demonized.
BACK ONLINE and styling in the full nine, let’s get our Unapologetic Roundup on. Today we have news of Brad Will’s murder and the ongoing coverup, a brief regrettable whiff of the Anus of Fascism, Dream teaming and recording scenes in the desert, the real criminals at the border, and a little bit of NAFTA-dancing.
DE-BUG: They say being in debt is the American Way, but I found a way to get out of it by leaning on my Mexican community. Dicen que estando en deuda es parte de la vida americana, pero encontré una solución entre mi comunidad mexicana.
I NURTURE A SUDDEN AND UNREASONABLE HOPE that we can institute behavior incompatible with the larger and more destructive behaviors of our culture as well as cast off the illusion that makes so many give up before they might have a chance to start.
IN THE DAYS OF MY YOUTH it was common to hear the phrase “melting pot.” It was said that our nation’s greatest strength could be found in its multitude of cultures, languages and histories. This sentiment has been lost, as right-wing pundits and politicians increasingly espouse a dread of anything different and a fear of the Other. Yet, it remains true.
NATION OF IMMIGRANTS, MEET LAND OF OPPORTUNITY. It is a combination that has sometimes resulted in some amazing happenings. Behold the United States of America, itself! Although to tell the true story of “America,” we’d have to talk about a whole lot of exploitation of brown people, wouldn’t we?
THE WEINER FAMILY makes its monies from selling hate to the masses; hate pointed and aimed at immigrants, queers, Obama, liberals, and a host of others. It’s a savage and soulless way to make a living—especially when at the same time you are raking in cash from the same people you abuse thus.
WHEN CONSIDERING THE MURDER OF BRISENIA FLORES, it does not help us find any valuable truth or approach any larger societal problem to isolate the event and wall it off from the larger context of anti-immigrant and thus anti-Latino hate and hostility in this nation. We have a larger problem on our hands.
JUST AS A WALL that keeps the poor in place in our own cities and towns and marks the divide where law enforcement begins caring a whole lot more about property and people, so do the borders operate in our world. This entrenched and justified divide is a crime in and of itself. All the rest that follows is fallout.
WE KNEW THAT THERE WOULD BE a faction of people so wed to their own racist thought patterns they would be incapable of dealing with the fact that a non-white person was president of the US. I guess I thought they’d be a bit more honest about it.
THE NATIVIST LOBBY HAS INSINUATED ITSELF into the media dialogue on immigration to all our detriment. They create a false boogeyman of danger and parasitism, and promote the impression that the only response is a harsh, punitive one doled out in cuffs or a cell. The results of the February Bellingham raids are in, and put the lie to this screech of extremist thought.
THE DIALOGUE ON IMMIGRATION has, historically, been contentious and cyclical. There are times when hysteria peaks, and rational thought struggles to enter the national dialogue. And then, there are moments the truth breaches the surface and shines brightly. This week is one of those moments.
SOMETIMES I FIND IT DIFFICULT to advocate at length for things that seem common sense. I don’t know what to say to convince people that everyone should have air, or water, or love, or freedom of movement or a chance to give back to that which has nurtured them. I am never quite sure how to meet those who would oppose these things, either.
House of Nezua
the XOLAGRAFIK theater!
