A Continuing Education on Affecting Change

Written by Amy Spicer

Just a week ago this was a brand spanking New Year. Not a spot or tarnish on it unless of course it was self-induced by one too many champagne toasts the night before. Resolutions were made: promises to one’s self to be happier, healthier and hopefully wiser (i.e. perhaps one less champagne toast next time around).

I don’t necessarily do resolutions, however I do think about what I hope for in the coming year, where I would like to see myself and what I hope for my family and friends. This year I went bigger. I thought about what I want to see for people I don’t even know, won’t ever know. I started with… Read more

Immigration

Anti-immigrant Groups and Environmentalists at Odds

Written by Amy Mehta

Masked is the word that comes to mind when I think of anti-immigrant organizations that claim to be concerned about the environment. As we move into a new month, year, decade and closer to the 30th anniversary of Earth Day, we must be mindful of environmental issues and especially of who are considered legitimate environmental experts. Conscious and informed environmentalism is imperative to solve dire environmental problems.

However, politically extreme organizations that purport to prioritize environmental preservation/conservation are using this alarming issue to promote their anti-immigrant agendas. They are employing several aggressive tactics, some of which are outright attacks on mainstream environmental organizations for not taking an anti-immigrant stance. Other examples include TV and… Read more

Anti-Semitism at the Movies?

Written by Guest Blogger

by Glenn Hutchinson

Have you seen An Education yet? It’s a charming coming-of-age film with a great cast and an engaging story. It’s getting nominated for awards. But just one thing–well, it reeks of anti-Semitism.

Writer Nick Hornby (About a Boy) and director Lone Scherfig (Italian for Beginners) make a movie out of the memoir of British journalist Lynn Barber. Set in the early 1960’s, the film tells the story of Jenny (Carey Mulligan), a 16 year-old with dreams of studying English literature at Oxford. Jenny focuses on her studies in the British suburb of Twickenham until she meets David (Peter Sarsgaard), a 30-something in a nice car, and everything changes for her.

Immigration

Make Justice Happen in 2010

Written by Jill Garvey

2010 could be the year that our generation achieves its greatest civil rights victories. As with all things, the possibility of great success comes with the potential for crushing failure. Every activist, social worker, educator, and organizer will have to be at the top of their game to make this year historical and set the pace for years to come.  Here are five things to strive for in 2010:

First, pass immigration reform. Pulling millions of residents out of the shadows will do wonders for our nation. It is imperative that we seize on the opportunity to push for reform that legalizes as many immigrants as possible. The societal problems… Read more

Politics

Crosspost: Immigrants Face New Year With Old Fears

Written by Cloee Cooper

Valeria Fernandez, reporter for Feet in Two Worlds, aptly summarizes the concerns for undocumented immigrants in Arizona this coming year. Not only does she describe the saga of Sheriff Joe for Arizona’s undocumented, but she highlights the troubling legislative backing of anti-immigrant spokespeople. Arizona State Senator Russell Pearce (R), the state contact for John Tanton Network’s State Legislators for Legal Immigration, has been rigorously pushing a bill that would essentially re-enact 287(g), allowing for all local state law enforcement to arrest undocumented people.

By Valeria Fernández, FI2W contributor

Phoenix, Arizona – For Arizona immigrants 2009 was the year of raids in workplaces, traffic stops that led to deportations and reports of

… Read more

Politics

Students Walk from Florida to DC for Immigrant Rights

Written by Jill Garvey

Four Florida college students set out on New Year’s Day for a four month trek to Washington D.C. They plan to arrive in the Capitol on May 1st for an immigrant rights rally and raise a lot of support along the way. All four were brought to this country as children.

According to a Miami Herald article:

All are top students at local colleges and campus leaders. Some are now here legally, some are not. All say they are willing to take the risks that come with bringing attention to the plight of students who, like themselves, were brought to the U.S. as children and are now here illegally.

Politics

Joe Arpaio, Clueless or Cunning?

Written by Imagine 2050 Editors

In a new blog Stephen Lemons at Feathered Bastard looks into the psyche of Sheriff Joe and wonders if he is a master strategist or just plain stupid.

A cross between Ronald Reagan post-presidency and Sgt. Schultz from a Hogan’s Heroes rerun: That’s the impression Sheriff Joe Arpaio gave recently during a seven hour deposition under oath as part of the big Melendres vs. Arpaio racial-profiling lawsuit now working its way through federal court.

Under rigorous interrogation by David Bodney, attorney for the firm of Steptoe & Johnson, lead counsel for the plaintiffs, Arpaio admitted that he had never read the complaint in the case, was unfamiliar with the details of the allegations of

… Read more

White Power Music Groups Lure High Schoolers

Written by Stephen Piggott

Last week, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) released a report highlighting the exploits of neo-Nazis who are attempting to lure high school and college students into the white power music scene. According to the ADL one such scheme involves a website offering free music downloads in an ad published in school newspapers. Before the ads were published the website had free downloads of independent artists, but after the ads ran in the school newspapers the website changed to a strictly white power music site.

ADL Director Abraham Foxman described the increase in deceptive tactics by white nationalists and neo -Nazis by stating, “While the hatemongers have used stealth tactics before, now… Read more