I understand Bush's reasoning for mercy. But I dare say that the only way you'll see two Chicanos set free so dramatically is if they shoot a Mexican national. And a note: the victim was not an immigrant, as implied with articles that call him an "illegal alien," but a smuggler. They are not the same thing. But never mind my cynical humor at a time like this. Let's take a lesson from a Salvadoran immigrant, whose words about the new administration sparkle with beauty and optimism in New America Media's Immigrant Worker at Latino Inaugural Ball Shares Hopes for Obama Era:
Maria Perez speaks little English. For more than 20 years now, she has worked as a cleaner at Union Station [in Washington, DC], six days a week, earning slightly more than the minimum wage. She is proud to be among the millions of Latinos who voted for Barack Obama and helped to make him the 44th U.S. president. [...] "I am a Latino. My soul is a Latino, and I am happy I am support Barack," Perez said in broken English. "Tonight I like it. All people here is happy and beautiful."
Maria goes on to talk about specific issues such as health and education for her children, both areas that President Obama has pledged to devote attention to. Many people are aware of how false the stereotypes concerning the undocumented population can be. But some might be surprised by the tenacity and work ethic of Maria, or the inspiring story of Prerna, a friend and colleague of mine whose recent organizing accomplishments are chronicled in New America Media's Undocumented Students Raise Voices Online for DREAM Act.
Welcome to Web 2.0 undocumented student activism. Youth in the usually-somber waiting rooms of history are bustling with renewed enthusiasm and energy. Trapped in marginal status, ignored by the mainstream media, with their backs to the wall and everything to loose, undocumented youth are emerging as leaders in their own movement for passage of the DREAM Act.
Let me emphasize that: Anyone interested in the power of online organizing ought really read this article. And if you are interested in learning more about the DREAM Act, Change.org is a good place to get the specifics. Jim Hightower serves up a spirited and informative rant on the "charm" of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in Why The Homeland Security Department is so Beloved. Hightower defines DHS's charm as "swaggering lunacy" and reveals plans for a 40 ft. high wall in the middle of a "unique 1,000-acre preserve along the Rio Grande."
The most critical part of the wildlife habitat, and even the home of the preserve's manager, would be cut off by the wall, effectively destroying the park, which is home to two kinds of endangered wildcats and a rare palm forest. Read on.
It gets worse. I think we can agree that a 40 ft. tall fence is not going to fix the strained relationship between the US and Mexico. The Economic Populist veers from its normal reporting, alarmed by news of violence down south. In Trouble at the Mexican Border, we read about the possibility of Mexico as a failed state: "The violence, corruption and drug cartels are now so out of control in Mexico, analysts are saying, not only is Mexico one of the world's security threats but Mexico itself might collapse." The drug cartels are, by and large, the focus of these types of discussions. But we have to examine how government oppression, corruption and laws that do not serve the greater population create systemic problems for a society.
The United States is completely ignoring what is going on in Mexico but if one compares the daily beheading stories, murder, kidnapping and corruption....if one didn't know the story was about Mexico one would swear they were reading something about Iraq in 2003/2004 time frame.
I've been following news from Mexico for a few years now, and I agree that most US media ignores Mexico to our detriment. This is baffling to me because our cultures, our land, our labor, and our peoples are so intertwined as to be two parts of one whole. It is easy to forget this in the midst of much rigid talk of maps, borders, and walls. But reality is knocking at our door. President Obama has put Bush on notice. Change is at hand and a sizable portion of Obama's constituency has made their needs clear, as New America Media reports in Immigrant Activists March on ICE on Day After Inauguration.
The post-inaugural march is only a beginning. [...] Across the country, advocates plan for more actions, coordinated through an increasingly sophisticated communications network, to build a groundswell in favor
of reform.
Good morning, America!
This post features links to the best independent, progressive reporting about immigration. Visit Immigration.NewsLadder.net for a complete list of articles on immigration, or follow us on Twitter. And for the best progressive reporting on critical economy and health issues, check out Economy.NewsLadder.net and Healthcare.NewsLadder.net. This is a project of The Media Consortium, a network of 50 leading independent media outlets, and was created by NewsLadder.
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