thank you Blanca Salinas

my email is bsalinas@hotmail.com

I suggest that we join efforts with the port trucker L.A. Harbor demonstration since that will involve actually shutting down the Los Angeles Harbor.

The “marches and speeches and then go home” model of demonstrating is good but actually shutting down the Los Angles Harbor is a whole other dimension – it is a dimension that many cannot even conceptualize since it has been so long ago in American history that those tactics have been used.

The port truckers are virtually 100% Chicano and/or Latino and are a high percentage immigrants as well. Of course, they are also all workers. Will the middle class and “liberal” groups support the port truckers as they attempt to hold a General Strike and close the Los Angeles Harbor.

regarding your concern about latinos voting or not, i know at least we don’ have to wait for people to be able to vote or even to get an education. we find that the middle class very often forgetts about the working class. what i’m saying is that maybe we have to rethink this “national inclusion” and “i am also amerikan” project for one that is even beyond civil right. like the zapatistas suggest, we need to envision projects that do not rely on government recogniton and approval. we need to be aware that we are already sovereign and dignified human beings, we need to start asserting our sovereignty and create spaces that circumbent the u.s. of a. gov.
not to dismiss the need for education, we need to educate and agitate, but maybe we need to rely on institutions outside of the state. (i say this knowing that its easier said than done, but it is possible).

peace.

I think HR 4437 is just so scary. There’s a hunger strike going on this week in San Francisco to raise awareness about this. Check out the hungerstrikers blog
ImmigrantRights

That’s actually one of my goals this year to work on becoming a U.S. citizen. My Mother and Stepfather already did.

They beat me. Sad. LOL

I can relate to your story. There was a moment in my life about 5 years ago when I became so jaded with politics that I was detoured from participating in any social discourse. And to be honest, I was at the forefront of it my whole life. Then Rage broke up, I became a pacifist, and my “Raza” friends didn’t understand why I wanted to live in Spain: the “conquerers land.” It was quite a traumatic experience.

Anyhow, I get frustrated with people who walk the fine line. Honestly, my parents are in that position. They’ve managed to make a great life for themselves and their children; have been permanent residents for over 30 years, but are still just immigrants and not citizens. I’ve wondered why and I believe the financial gains and prosperity haven’t managed to define their acceptance in this country. There’s no need for trophies or a welcome party, but the Hispanic community hasn’t been entirely appreciated. With the likes of Lou Dobbs nightly thrashing and bashing of illegals, I don’t blame people for simply not knowing what to do. When you want to show devotion but aren’t accepted, what is left to do?

Education is always the key. Send more people to college; arouse the minds of children when they are young; abolish inferiority. The hardest part is making people realize that they may be “victims” of an unjust system, but they should not pity themselves. Republics were never created because people felt pity: they are created because people feel rage, passion, and a relentless desire to exist. Yesterday’s numbers epitomized that relentless desire, and I really believe that.

ciao senorita.

© Citoyen du Monde Inc. 2006™

as far as the marches go, its facinating to see the news and hear about the collective movement.

The next civil rights movement will find its foundation among Latinos. I hope it is sooner than later (but there is no guarantee). If HR 4437 (doesn’t it seem a bit Orwellian that it is being discussed as a code/number? It just goes to show how its content goes against many of the mythical philosophical cornerstones that the country is founded on – a land of immigrants, opportunity, etc. But I am digressing…)

If HR 4437 becomes a law, I can envision acts of civil disobedience: mass distribution of water and food to illegal immigrants – which would be a, GASP, FELONY!

Keep doing your part, Cindilu. Your research, your example, your kindness, your awareness, your voice (even if you don’t specifically speak to the issue of undocumented migration) all help the cause.

Si se puede!