NumbersUSA Addicted to Bigotry

Written by Eric Ward

Anti-immigrant group NumbersUSA is continuing to solidify its ties to white nationalists despite Executive Director Roy Beck’s claims to the contrary. National civil rights organization Center for New Community recently made public a new video produced by NumbersUSA, “Immigration 103–American Trauma: Jobs and the Economy.” Its title aside, what their piece actually spotlights is NumbersUSA’s marrow-deep involvement with individuals affiliated with a network of groups created and maintained by white nationalist John Tanton.

According to Beck, their June 5th release serves as a “a soapbox to explain how elected leaders use high immigration to drive down the wages of — and throw out of work [sic] — many of the country’s… Read more

News

Back to Basics on Abortion

Written by Jill Garvey

I am conflicted on abortion. It has always made me uncomfortable to reconcile cherishing the miracle of conception and preserving the lives of women. Late-term abortions, especially, make me very sad. When I put myself in the shoes of women who make that choice, I cannot fathom their circumstances. As a woman who has lived all my life with opportunity and support from those around me, I will never come close to understanding a woman in that position.

So I stopped trying to understand and started working to change a system that forces women to make such desperate choices. It is not my place to judge a woman whose shoes I will never have to… Read more

On the Continuing Significance of Race: People’s Exhibit #373

Written by Guest Blogger

by Andrew Grant-Thomas

About six months ago I came across a study that found that people who are incarcerated, unemployed or poor are more likely to be seen as “black,” and to self-identify as “black,” regardless of past racial classification.

Correspondingly, they were less likely to be identified, and to self-identify, as “white.”

Stop. Wrap your mind around that for a moment.

The message here is not that black Americans are more likely to be poor, unemployed or incarcerated than other Americans, a statement that is undeniably true. The message is that poverty, unemployment and incarceration make you black. That’s the “social construction of race” with a vengeance.

Girl in a Coma leads San Antonio Music Revolution

Written by George Garza

I would like to inform you that there is a musical revolution underway in San Antonio, TX. I am not insinuating that San Antonio has the new market cornered, but I am certain more of you will begin to look to our big-city-with-a-small-town-attitude in coming years to satisfy your craving for genuine artistry.

It is only fitting then for me to begin this chronicle by introducing you all to Jen, Phanie, and Nina, better known as Girl in a Coma- three Chicanas who match their passion for music with an inspiring work ethic most would do well to take note of upon deciding to enter the music business as a performing musician/band.

Politics

National Town Hall Meeting: We Can’t Wait

Written by Jill Garvey

Among cheers of “Sí se puede!” and “Time is now!” hundreds packed into the Church of the Reformation for a National Town Hall meeting on Capitol Hill. Their calls were clear – we can’t wait, we need comprehensive immigration reform now.

Farmworkers certainly can’t wait. Last year a pregnant teenager, María Isabel Vásquez Jiménez, died after working in a California vineyard in blistering heat without access to water or shade. Her’s is just one of many deaths due to inadequate protections for undocumented workers. How many more farmworkers will die in the fields before our system is reformed?

Interviews with Rebel Diaz on Police Brutality

Written by Cloee Cooper

In summer of 2008, Hip Hop artists G1, Rodstarz and Lah Tere of Rebel Diaz were on the streets of New York.  They witnessed a street vendor being harassed by the police. Seeing that the street vendor did not reply, they decided to step in to translate for the vendor. Upon requesting the badge number of the police at the scene, the three members of Rebel Diaz were contained, arrested and taken to the local precinct.  They were held in a jail cell with over 30 other individuals for over 24 hours. Charged with unruly public conduct, the Hip Hop group have been on trial until this day.

As an active member of Western Mass… Read more

Immigration

Immigration Reform Naysayers Should Embrace Possibility

Written by Eric Ward

This morning I found myself at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. I was there to observe the public launch of a new campaign Reform Immigration for America. The campaign unites labor, faith, civil rights, pro-immigrant, business and law enforcement to help President Obama make good on his promise to pass immigration reform in 2009. The press conference is one of over 40 events taking place throughout the United States this week.

As I stood amongst the crowd of over 100 media and supporters one thing became crystal clear. This is our historic opportunity, our historic moment, our time to stand together as Americans to unite families, secure worker’s rights, and strengthen our… Read more

Unparalleled Push For Comprehensive Immigration Reform Begins

Written by Jill Garvey

It has begun. The most respected voices on immigration, civil rights, labor, business, and faith joined forces today in an unparalleled call for comprehensive immigration reform.

Their message? We need a common-sense solution to our broken immigration system in 2009. At a press conference this morning Benjamin Jealous of the NAACP, Janet Murguia of NCLR, and Ali Noorani of National Immigration Forum were just a few of the national leaders on hand to launch a push for immigration reform. They aren’t alone. Hundreds of organizations from around the nation are joining with them this week in Washington DC for three days of activities to… Read more

The Climate of Fear and the Illusion of Freedom

Written by Rev. David L. Ostendorf

Red lights flashing, the State Trooper pulls up behind the car with no front plate. License please. No license, just a passport. Let’s see it. It’s at home. Let’s go get it; I’ll follow you.

They drive to the trailer. The Trooper follows the driver inside. Others are there. The passport is found and handed over. The Trooper asks the others for their papers. Tells them he has to take the documents in and check them with Immigration. He leaves. The people flee. Call the church for help. Call others for help. They don’t return to the trailer. They flee. They leave everything behind. They flee.

Blue lights flashing, the Officers pull up beside the… Read more

Politics

Sotomayor is a Beacon of Opportunity for All Women

Written by Jill Garvey

To all the women out there who fight for women’s rights, let me introduce you to our new hero, Sonia Sotomayor. Maybe you’ve heard of her already.

If confirmed, Sonia will be only the third woman to ever sit on our nation’s highest court. And the first woman of color. One more thing, Sonia knows what it is like to be poor.

Sonia said something indicating that she might be a better judge because of these things – because she is a women, a child of immigrants, a minority, a person of moderate means she may be a better choice for our high court than just another white man.