9:32 am By la Macha · Family|Violence|youth · 5 Comments
9 Jul 2010As I’m sure most of you have heard by now, the man who killed Oscar Grant was convicted of involuntary manslaughter last night. Yeah, you read that correctly: involuntary manslaughter.
During the trial, prosecutors said the 28-year-old Mehserle became angry at the 22-year-old Grant for resisting arrest. He was shot in the back while he lay face-down. Mehserle claims he mistakenly drew his gun instead of his Taser.
The jury had a choice between second-degree murder and lesser charges of voluntary and involuntary manslaughter. The jury found that Mehserle didn’t mean to kill Grant, but that his behavior was still so negligent that it was criminal. Involuntary manslaughter convictions carry a sentence of two to four years.
I don’t have any eloquent words to say right now. People everywhere have their opinion on the verdict and on the subsequent protests that have sprung up throughout California. But after the several police shootings in Detroit, the constant ICE raids in Michigan–I’m worn down to the bone. There’s nothing left to say. They have to right to kill us, they have the right to disappear us, and we have no right at all to be outraged or even protest how we are treated.
That is that.
I pray for Oscar’s family–and for Aiyana Jones and Luqman Ameen Abdullah and Chonburi Xiong’s families. I pray for all those disappeared in the last week.
I pray that someday hope will return for us all.
3:05 pm By la Macha · Arts|Culture|Immigration · 4 Comments
8 Jul 2010Well, Mel Gibson just can’t seem to back his magnificent bully sized asshole out of the public spot light these days, can he? After telling us a while ago about his dislike of Teh Jews, and then eventually letting us know he hoped a “pack of N*ggers” raped his wife, and then sharing with us the extra special secret of how he slaps his wife while she holds a fucking child in his hands…we *now* find out that he apparently is not all that fond of Teh Beaner either.
Mel referred to one of his staffers as a “wetback,” Radaronline.com reports.
“I will report her to the f**king people that take f**king money from the wetbacks,” he said.
‘Wetbacks’ is a slur originally used to disparage Mexicans who swam across the Rio Grande to enter Texas illegally. It seems Mel was threatening to turn his staffer over to immigration authorities.
I honestly get kinda sick of the number of people in positions of power that have extra special names for the non-white, non-male, flaming queer amongst us, so usually I roll my eyes and move on. But…this case of extra special naming comes with a price: the threat to call ICE. Even if the woman he’s threatening this against is totally legal, just having ICE sniffing around can be traumatic and bring lots of expensive legal work that the woman may not have the money to deal with. I think it’s also important to point out that although this is *racism*–it is also sexism–the fact that he is threatening this against a woman when he already has a history of terrorizing women speaks to me of deeply held violent misogyny. It also makes me wonder in what other ways he’s threatened his wife (who is a Russian citizen living in the US). Unfortunatly, if you pay attention to most of the headlines–while Mel may be rightfully called a racist, the fact that he has beaten his wife and threatened to use the legal structure to terrorize another woman seems to be flying under the radar of “sexism” or “abusive.” Not sure why nobody has the guts to call him abusive, we didn’t seem to have much of a problem calling Chris Brown that did we?
Anyway. There isn’t much to do after being reminded of one’s wet back besides say, “Mel Gibson, you are a jackass.” And call it a day.
6:51 am By Maegan La Mala · arizona|Immigration|New York City|Sports · 1 Comment
8 Jul 2010Today, June 8th at noon (EST), advocacy organizations and members of la comunidad, like yours truly, will gather outside of Major League Baseball’s headquarters, 245 Park Ave (46th and Park), to protest against Arizona’s SB1070 and to demand that MLB respect the boycott of the state and move their 2011 All-Star Game.
Late last month, VivirLatino released a statement regarding our support of the Arizona boycott and demand that the All-Star Game happen somewhere else.
I will say what the Federal lawsuit will not say, that SB1070, in it’s entirety, threatens all Latinos and has taken it’s cue from Federal programs like 287(g), Secure Communities, and the unspoken triple D Federal immigration reform program. The struggle against SB1070 cannot be separated from the wider struggle to an end to the detentions, deportation, and disappearances under the guise of “homeland security”.
The 2011 MLB All Star Game is scheduled to take place in Phoenix at Chase Field.
9:05 am By la Macha · arizona|Arts|Immigration|Women · 2 Comments
7 Jul 2010As we’ve mentioned before here at VL, art is often a very effective way of mobilizing the people, making effective statements that help populations that may not all speak English or may not read, etc, learn what the issues are.
New poster by Ester Hernandez against SB 1070 in Arizona.
The particular work of art reminded me of the Garcia Marquez story, The Very Old Man With Enormous Wings. The very old man was a miracle not only not recognized, but actively mocked. This poster seems to argue that should a miracle present itself in the US, not only would it be not recognized and mocked–but it would be criminalized too.
Because nobody understands a miracle when they see it.
8:17 am By Maegan La Mala · Immigration|Phoenix|Politics · 26 Comments
7 Jul 2010Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit challenging Arizona’s SB1070 before it officially takes effect at the end of this month.
The lawsuit, filed in a U.S. District Court in Phoenix, including a request for a preliminary injunction, questioning the constitutionality of the law because it interferes with federal immigration policy and enforcement. The possibility of racial/ethnic profiling is mentioned but to be clear, the law is being challenged on the grounds that the state is overstepping it’s boundaries and not allowing the Feds to pursue their own enforcement heavy immigration policy. Read the language from the official release:
“Arizonans are understandably frustrated with illegal immigration, and the federal government has a responsibility to comprehensively address those concerns,” Attorney General Holder said. “But diverting federal resources away from dangerous aliens such as terrorism suspects and aliens with criminal records will impact the entire country’s safety. Setting immigration policy and enforcing immigration laws is a national responsibility. Seeking to address the issue through a patchwork of state laws will only create more problems than it solves.”
“With the strong support of state and local law enforcement, I vetoed several similar pieces of legislation as Governor of Arizona because they would have diverted critical law enforcement resources from the most serious threats to public safety and undermined the vital trust between local jurisdictions and the communities they serve,” Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said. “We are actively working with members of Congress from both parties to comprehensively reform our immigration system at the federal level because this challenge cannot be solved by a patchwork of inconsistent state laws, of which this is one. While this bipartisan effort to reform our immigration system progresses, the Department of Homeland Security will continue to enforce the laws on the books by enhancing border security and removing criminal aliens from this country.”
6:17 am By Maegan La Mala · Music|New York City · 1 Comment
7 Jul 2010If Mala can get off from work fast enough she’ll be at Central Park’s Summerstage tonite, where the LAMC free concert fun continues. Hopefully the actual temperature will have gone down enough to handle the hot line up of Bostich + Fussible, El Guincho, and Anita Tijoux, who has a song titled the year I was born.
10:43 am By Maegan La Mala · media justice|Women|Zines · Comments Off
6 Jul 2010Zines continue to confound me for some reason. As much as I love playing and working with paper and pen, the zine seems like a puzzle I cannot quite figure out.
This is why I am amazed in awe of dear amigas who make beautiful media, like Aaminah:
Cost: $10, includes shipping in U.S. and also includes Gems. Possible to trade, please contact us directly (thauradistro@gmail.com) to discuss trade options.
Title: Jewels for Survival Size: 54 pages, half page of 8 1/2 x 11
Description: these are lessons i have learned in my life, survival skills for this world & preparation for the next. the strugggle is for my own survival and to support all women of color around the world to do more than survive. i know that my survival is tied to the survival of my people, men and women.
Gems is a little “taste of the zine” that i am putting together. Everyone who purchases the zine will also get Gems thrown in. But you can purchase Gems as a stand-alone.
Gems – $2.50, includes shipping in U.S.
Title: Gems
Description: a small greeting card size that includes one poem from the Jewels for Survival zine (“when $50 is enough to save your life”) and four quotes pulled from the zine
We are currently having some issues with our PayPal account, so purchases will need to be paid directly to Aaminah. You can contact me at thauradistro@gmail.com, let me know what you want to order, and i will send you the total owed and the PayPal address to use to make your payment.
Thanks!
Please support Aaminah and other radical media maker mujeres of color. They have been jewels in my own survival.
8:43 am By la Macha · Puerto Rico · 1 Comment
6 Jul 2010I saw this image and was reminded of Mamita’s post about the follow up to university protests in Puerto Rico.
High school student demonstrator Elisa Ramos, left, hangs on to her mother Betty Pena, after tear gas was fired by anti-riot police in front of the Capitol building in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Wednesday, June 30, 2010. The police fired tear gas, pepper spray and wielded batons during clashes with students of the University of Puerto Rico who were prevented from entering the legislature to protest against budget cuts and other policies of Gov. Luis Fortuno. (AP Photo/Ricardo Arduengo)
6:23 am By Maegan La Mala · Music|New York City · 1 Comment
6 Jul 2010I’m actually looking forward to a break from all the heavy politics of life and this week I have to thank the Latin Alternative Music Conference, which kicks off today with panels and concerts all over NYC.
Tonight, at 7:30 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30 p.m) Broadcast Music, Inc (BMI) is holding its annual “Verano Alternativo” Showcase at S.O.B’s with featured performer Manhattan-bred Maluca. Put your rolos on ladies.
Other performers include Punto G NYC, Maria Isa, and Bachaco.
12:50 pm By Maegan La Mala · Education|Puerto Rico · 4 Comments
5 Jul 2010While the student strikes on Puerto Rico may be officially over, the budget problems that brought on the strike continue and student demands to be included in a legislative process that impacts their future have been met by state sponsored violence.
Last Wednesday, June 30th, students went to el Capitolio, Puerto Rico’s legislative building to observe and be a part of budget hearings, a right guaranteed by the island’s constitution. Instead of being welcomed to take part in the democratic process, island police attacked the students using batons, pepper spray, mace and tear gas. Some journalists were also attacked as they covered the story.
VivirLatino is a daily publication published by Mamita Mala Media, dedicated to featuring all the latest politics, culture, entertainment of interest to the diverse Latin@ diaspora.
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