Immigration

Chinese Labor and American Immigration

Written by Carlos Rich

Rumor has it the end of cheap labor is coming to China. I really doubt that is true, but at least it is looking better for some Chinese workers in terms of receiving something similar to fair wages.

We know that corporations are always ahead of the game when it comes to figuring out where to go when labor strengthens beyond their comfort zone.  What will most likely happen in China is that we will see some internal migration to fill vacant jobs and some companies will move inland to continue exploiting poor people.   China will probably attract foreign immigrants to fill low wage jobs as well.  Some companies will most likely leave… Read more

Politics

Even Bigots Have Sympathizers

Written by Jill Garvey

No matter how much controversy rains down on anti-immigrant groups like the Federation for American Immigration (founded by white nationalist John Tanton), some politicians and media pundits persistently give them the benefit of the doubt. Why? Because a lot of times human nature tells us to let our personal agendas override common sense. Even when we are in positions of influence.

I was reminded of this facet of human behavior over the weekend while listening to various talk radio hosts (all men) discuss Mel Gibson’s recent antics. One host inanely said “Gibson’s rants and actions are totally indefensible…” pause, “but what I want to know if he really said those things…I want to… Read more

Politics

Cross-post: Jobless People Suffer, While the GOP Helps the Rich

Written by Imagine 2050 Editors

By Jim Hightower, posted on AlterNet July 15, 2010:

As personal economies keep shriveling, politicians are more interested in comforting the comfortable. The good news is that America’s economy continues to grow. The bad news is that most people’s personal economies continue to shrivel.

The June report on jobs glows with the happy news that America’s unemployment rate has fallen to 9.5 percent — the best we’ve had in a year! “We are headed in the right direction,” trumpeted President Obama.

Great … if true. However, the ballyhooed jobs statistic is a mirage. It looks good only because 650,000 more Americans became so frustrated with their fruitless search for work last month that

… Read more

Politics

Cross-Post: NAACP Cites Tea Party Blog Post as Further Proof of Racism

Written by Imagine 2050 Editors

Posted by David Knowles, writer at AOL News Surge Desk:

(July 16) — The war of words between the NAACP and members of the tea party movement is not dying down.

After the venerable civil rights organization passed a formal resolution “to condemn extremist elements within the tea party, calling on tea party leaders to repudiate those in their ranks who use racist language in their signs and speeches,” a spokesman for the anti-taxation grass-roots group fired off a retaliatory, mocking blog post.

Conservative radio host Mark Williams, a frequent spokesman for the Tea Party Express, posted a satirical letter from NAACP President Benjamin Jealous to President

… Read more

Immigration

Tea Partiers Dispute Charges of Racism…With Racism

Written by MJ Olahafa

Editor’s note: In the original version of this article, we incorrectly stated that Republican candidate Jason Sager attended an event hosted by the Council for Conservative Citizens. A representative for Mr. Sager informed Imagine 2050 that he decided against attending the event after learning that CofCC was a white supremacist group, stating, “Once Jason was informed about who was hosting this event, he pulled out immediately.”
We regret the error.

The Tea Party has had a rough time controlling its message the past few years. It rapidly gained popularity in the media, but not always for the right reasons.

Rather than accounting for valid criticism, Tea Party activists continue to raise a lot of… Read more

Politics

Birth Control is for Everyone

Written by Jessica Acee

The government released a list of key preventative services Wednesday, which will be covered at no “out of pocket expense” when the new health care legislation takes effect. From counseling for kids who struggle with their weight, to cancer screenings for their parents, preventive health care will soon be available at no out-of-pocket cost under the new consumer rules.

Conspicuously absent is the promised list of women’s preventative services.  That list won’t come out until August of 2011.   And making sure that birth control is covered on this list is key for the health of all women.

“Avoiding unintended pregnancy is one of the most important medical issues for women,” said Cecile Richards, president… Read more

Politics

White Supremacists Rally After Racist Beating

Written by Chris Bober

The Rev. Al Sharpton paid a visit to Indianapolis on Sunday to shed light on the case of Brandon Johnson – a 15-year-old biracial teenager who was brutally beaten and subjected to racial slurs on May 16 by four white police officers.  According to Ken Kusmer of The Huffington Post,

“A police report said witnesses saw Johnson’s brother try to kick in the door of an abandoned building…Police say Johnson and others protested the arrest and that when an officer tried to arrest Johnson he resisted.”

It was at this point that an off-duty officer, Jerry Piland, joined the scene to assist the officers. According to Police Chief Paul Ciesielski via Mr. Kusmer,

“He

… Read more

Immigration

Despite Sullied Reputations, Anti-Immigrant Bigots Push Immigration & Oil Spill Argument

Written by Rebecca Poswolsky

Imagine 2050 has received yet another communication from anti-immigrant leaders asking that we provide a platform for their politically extreme viewpoints. This one came from Philip Cafaro, a professor who works with anti-immigrant groups like Center for Immigration Studies and Progressives for Immigration Reform, as a response to an article I recently wrote.

Let’s set the record straight for Cafaro.  Linking the BP oil spill to immigration and population growth – as he has done – is racist and bigoted. And the fact that he makes these arguments on behalf of controversial groups like Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) raises questions about his true agenda when it comes to the environment. Cafaro writes regularly… Read more

Politics

Anti-Immigrant Groups Forced to Address Ties to White Nationalists

Written by Stephen Piggott

It’s no secret that the anti-immigrant movement in the United States has long and deep connections to white nationalist individuals and organizations. The current anti-immigrant movement is tainted by these ties and they follow the anti-immigrant individuals and organizations into whatever area they go.  For years, civil rights organizations like the Center for New Community, the Anti-Defamation League and the Southern Poverty Law Center, to name a few, have exposed these ties for the world to see.

Since the summer began we have seen many examples of anti-immigrant organizations forced to act in defense of their ties to white nationalist individuals and organizations. Here are a few examples:

Kris Kobach, a lawyer… Read more

Politics

Ninety-Seven Years of Progress – Happy Birthday Grandma

Written by James E. Johnson Jr.

Going home is always wonderful.  But going home for special occasions is great.  Today, July 13th, is my grandmother’s 97th birthday. She will not make it into any history books, but she is the history of our nation.  While her life may not be extraordinary, her lifetime is an amazing tribute to those who are unwilling to give in or give up.

For my grandmother, education was separate and nowhere close to equal.  As with many Black girls and boys of the time, my grandmother never graduated from grammar school.  Before the sixth grade she had to leave school to help provide for her family.   However, in her lifetime she was able to see her… Read more