Archive for August, 2010
The Carrot and Stick of U.S. Citizenship
9:20 am By Maegan La Mala · arizona|Immigration|Puerto Rico · 11 Comments
3 Aug 2010The last time I wrote about U.S. citizenship, I got beat down pretty hard by some peeps I admire for viewing it through the lens of “privilege”, that is how citizenship, held up as the end all and be all of life in the United States affords certain privileges that non-citizenship does not, mainly voting rights and a certain level of security that I will not/cannot expelled from the country (save a seditious conspiracy charge or something I guess). Even the “privileges” of U.S. citizenship are conditional however. You must actually live in the United States, not in one of it’s colonies in order to vote for President and have actual representation in Congress. Your right to vote can be and will be taken away if you are convicted of a felony. Thinking of who are the colonial U.S. citizens and who are the overwhelming number of felons (thanks in no small part to disparities in drug sentencing laws and racial profiling) U.S. citizenship as a carrot to prove loyalty and as a stick to beat communities of color with, isn’t a new concept. So now, with renewed threats of taking away the citizenship status of the U.S. born children of undocumented immigrants, I am reflecting again on the idea of “citizenship” and how that has been used specifically against people of color, immigrants mujeres, and our children.
Hate Crimes Against Mexicans Continue in Staten Island, NYC
12:24 pm By Maegan La Mala · Immigration|New York|race|Violence · 4 Comments
2 Aug 2010This past weekend, the 10th anti-Mexican attack in about four months happened in Port Richmond, Staten Island.
In this latest attack, a 17 year old coming home from work in the early morning hours was beaten, robbed of 10 dollars and called anti-Mexican slurs. NY1 News television is reporting that a suspect is in custody. That suspect a 15 year old African American teenager.
From DREAM Activist : Stop the August 8th Deportation of Arizona DREAMer Marlen Moreno
10:22 am By Maegan La Mala · arizona|Family|Immigration|Justice · 5 Comments
2 Aug 2010
Regardless of what parts of SB1070 are in effect or not, the lack of Congressional will to push Comprehensive Immigration Reform and/or the DREAM Act means that familias continue to be at risk. Take for example the latest struggle from the DREAM Activist peeps. Marlene, a mother of two small children in Arizona, woke up one night and was detained by 10 armed deputies. Marlene’s husband is a legal permanent resident and hew two children are U.S. citizens. Her situation highlights the struggles of so-called mixed status families.
It pains me to see these stories coming through and that we have to fight case by case, one by one, mujer by mujer, madre by madre instead of being able to take care of entire communities.
Porfa, sign the petition to keep Marlene’s family together. And consider the following actions as well :
1. Call Rep. Grijalva (202-225-2435) and ask that he introduce a private bill on behalf of Marlen. Ask that he contact DHS and ICE immediately urging them to stop Marlen’s deportation.
2. Call Rep. Gutierrez (202-225-8203) and ask that he also introduce a private bill on behalf of Marlen. Ask that he contact DHS and ICE immediately urging them to stop Marlen’s deportation. Script for members of congress:
“Hi, my name is ____. I am calling about Marlen Moreno. She is a bright and talented DREAMer from Arizona. She is married to a legal resident and has two U.S. citizen children, but yet still faces an August 8th deportation. I am calling to ask that the representative step up to the plate and introduce a private bill for Marlen, in addition to directly contacting John Morton and Janet Napolitano, urging the both of them to immediately halt Marlen’s deportation. Please do not allow for Marlen to be deported! Thank you.”
3. Call Janet Napolitano, Director of Department of Homeland Security, and leave comments of support for Marlen and also ask that DHS stop her deportation: 202-282-8495
**note this is an answering machine, once it is full it is out of commission for day. Fill it up now with Marlen calls.
4. Call Assistant Secretary to ICE, John Morton and leave a message urging him to take action and defer Marlen’s deportation: 202.732.3000 **Note this is a live comment line, i.e. a human being will pick up and take your message.
VL Libros: Lady Q: The Rise And Fall Of A Latin Queen
8:45 am By BiancaLaureano · Books|chicago|Drugs|Education|society|Violence|Women · 7 Comments
2 Aug 2010***Trigger Warning***
When my homegirl Nilki asked me if I’d like to review the book Lady Q: The Rise And Fall Of A Latin Queen, I said “of course!” It’s rare when our stories are told in general, especially in book form, and specifically as testimonio. What is also a rarity is hearing from Latinas who are involved or associated with gangs in the US. Often there is this idea that we should not hear such stories because it gives “us a bad name.” Or such narratives focus on such a negative aspect of our community. My opinion is that there is positive, there is negative, there is struggle and redemption and all of those stories must be shared, heard, and valued.
I received a free copy of the book for review through the Condor Book Tour, and I must say as a disclaimer that the opinions expressed in this review are mine alone.
Before I begin this review I must state my bias: I do not see all gangs as negative aspects or parts of communities. I have worked with youth for over two decades and in that time have worked directly with youth involved or associated with various gangs. In that work I’ve learned a lot about my own social justice agenda, ways to mentor youth, and how to help young people learn about self-determination without lecturing, bullying or judging them.
Read more…
Hasta Siempre Lolita : Puerto Rican Freedom Fighter Lolita Lebron Passes On
2:11 pm By Maegan La Mala · Puerto Rico|Women · 1 Comment
1 Aug 2010Lolita Lebron, former Puerto Rican political prisoner, madre y mami of an entire movement for Puerto Rican freedom passed away this morning at the age of 89.
Lolitia Lebron is perhaps most widely known for her participation in an attack in the U.S. Congress in March of 1954, for which she served time as and was released thanks to a large movement of Puerto Ricans on the island and in the U.S. Even after her release, Lolita Lebron was a loud defender of the struggle for Puerto Rican liberation. The media painted her as a fanatic, as crazy, as violent, pero for many Rican mujeres, myself included, she was an example of lucha and love for sovereignty. She is an example of the often downplayed role of women in the Puerto Rican struggle and in all struggles for Latin American liberation.
As a mujer and as a mami, I have never had an issue raising Lolita Lebron as an example of sacrifice and love to my hijas. That is not to justify violence (although I am in no way a pacifist). Colonial struggle is complicated and must be acknowledged as such. Lolita Lebron’s legacy is one thing that has always fed my own drive to move forward and it will continue to serve as a model that contrasts strongly with the image of colonized mujer as sitting idly by behind, waiting for men to act.
La lucha continua hermana Lolita.
No National Guard Troops to Arizona, For Now
11:59 am By Maegan La Mala · arizona|Immigration|military · Comments Off
1 Aug 2010National Guard troops were scheduled to go to the Mexico U.S border today, under order of President Obama in effort to put more “boots of the ground” against immigrants and essentially supporting SB1070. According to El Diario/La Prensa, this deployment, which would have sent over 500 National Guard officials to the Mexico-Arizona border, has been delayed.
Officially, according to National Guard spokesperson, the reason is because they are still looking through the applications for medical and other eligibility issues. Another possibility, that the National Guard would never admit to, is that they don’t have enough people applying for open positions.
Hola!
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