Racism Alive and Well in Spanish Football

Written by Stephen Piggott

In February 2009 the English national football team is slated to play Spain in a high-profile exhibition match. The match was originally to be played in Madrid at the Bernabeu Stadium home of Real Madrid. However, the last time England and Spain locked horns at the Bernabau stadium in 2005; the black players on England’s team were subjected to racist abuse by sections of the crowd. Because of this incident the governing body for football in England, the FA, is recommending that the game not be held there again.

At that game England’s players warmed up wearing anti-racist t-shirts but that did not stop the racist jeers. Every time a black English player touched the… Read more

Politics

Attention to Israeli Attacks Should be Examined for Anti-Semitic Undertones

Written by Jill Garvey

I’ve received several email alerts urging me to attend rallies protesting the recent Israeli attacks on Gaza, and while I do lend my voice to condemning Israel’s actions, I won’t attend any rallies.

Israel is ruled by a far right-winged government, much like our current administration, so it is unsurprising that they would emulate us and resort to unchecked violence. What is surprising is that so many American activists are deeply disturbed by a government behaving in the same manner as their own.

Politics

White Nationalists Prepare to Oppose Obama Administration

Written by Eric Ward

Since the weeks leading up to the most significant election to take place in the United States, federal law enforcement agencies, the media, and human rights organizations have paid close attention to threats, some of which are stemming from individuals tied to this country’s Neo-Nazi movement, being made against President-Elect Barack Obama,.

Stop Hunting Immigrants

Written by Jill Garvey

Jorge G. Castañeda wrote a powerfully truthful op-ed on immigration in Saturday’s New York Times. In it he spelled out the cruelty of our immigration system as it stands under the Bush administration, saying:

Since late 2006, the Bush administration has been carrying out the “tough love” side of immigration reform without the generous and open-arms side, which would mean legalization for those in the United States today, and a migrant worker program for those it will need tomorrow.

It has pursued a humiliating and hostile policy of persecution and harassment of illegal Mexicans, Guatemalans, Salvadorans, Hondurans and many others. It changed the rules of the game without any

… Read more

Spark the Love in Our Hearts

Written by Ana Turck

There is something about the season that always makes me nostalgic for Christmas back home. Especially Christmas Eve, which was the main event in my family. My sister and I would wake up early, excited about setting up the tree that day. We would wait impatiently for mom to finish her coffee. In true Bosnian fashion, the morning coffee was akin to a marathon. The pacing was precise and there was no hurry reaching the finish line. It was a process, rather than an event, and the spectators were left annoyed.

Joy and Gratitude

Written by Guest Blogger

I’m always thrown by the Holidays.  This year I said that I would not fall into that whole retail trap, that I would instead focus on spending time with my children and appreciating each moment with them, but I get stuck.  I start to feel sorry for myself for not having enough for them, for going over my tiny budget and paying bills late to make this happen.  I fell deeply into that trap I tried so hard to avoid.

Of Joy and Justice

Written by Rev. David L. Ostendorf

One of the most beautiful and powerful texts in Christian scriptures is the Magnificat recorded in the Gospel of Luke, the joyous and searing response to the birth of Jesus, reprised from the equally powerful Song of Hannah in the Hebrew scripture of Samuel.

This is not the more familiar image of the innocent babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, surrounded by angels singing in the night air. Nor is it the image of the innocent, sweet, loving Jesus heralded over the centuries by Christians across the globe, bringing simple peace. Perhaps that is why this Song of Mary is seldom lifted up, even though it precedes the familiar birth narrative by only a few verses.… Read more

Blog Highlight: AZ Sheriff Exercises Fascism

Written by Jill Garvey

David Neiwert at Crooks & Liars posted a video and article about the Sheriff Arpaio’s ever more oppressive activities in Maricopa County, AZ:

I’m spending my Christmas vacation in lovely Maricopa County, AZ, this week with my in-laws. And I have to tell you that, thanks to Sheriff Joe Arpaio and his gang of thugs deputies, I’ll be somewhat relieved when I leave.

After all, how would you like to live in a place where law enforcement actually arrests you for applauding briefly at a public county council meeting? Where they threaten and intimidate you just for showing up in the first place?

That’s what’s been happening

… Read more

Nollaig Shona Duit – Merry Christmas From Ireland

Written by Stephen Piggott

As mentioned in a previous blog I wrote on Imagine 2050, I moved to the USA from Ireland in 1997. My family have become well immersed in American society but we still hold onto many traditions and customs from Ireland. During the Christmas period, there are many customs that we still practice. In my house, the excitement of Christmas morning and receiving gifts from Santa has been revived.

My father remarried about 3 years ago to an Irish woman who brought her 3 kids all under the age of 10 with her to live in our house. Since then my sister and my stepmother both have had children bringing the total… Read more

Immigration

Dept. of Homeland Security Promotes Racist E-Verify on NPR

Written by Jill Garvey

National Public Radio airs ads for E-Verify and draws sharp criticism.

The ad spots were purchased by the Department of Homeland Security and promote their E-Verify program, a controversial employee verification system. The ads run at the end of a segment and say, “‘Support for NPR comes from NPR stations, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), offering E-Verify, confirming the legal working status of new hires. At DHS dot gov slash E-Verify.”