Comments for IMAGINE 2050

Comment on The Abraham Lincoln Brigades’ Biggest Victory by ara-la

ara-la — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:06:13 +0000

I have known and admired several of the “premature anti-fascists” of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade. It troubles me that there is no similar contemporary left response to the US invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan and the Israeli genocide in Gaza going on right now. In fact, I noted that most of the people who took your poll would not even attend a rally against the Israeli attacks on Gaza.

Incidentally, 1937 was 72 years ago, not nearly 60.

Comment on Attention to Israeli Attacks Should be Examined for Anti-Semitic Undertones by Jill Garvey

Jill Garvey — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:45:02 +0000

Kayse,
I appreciate your comments and mostly agree with you. However I must respectfully disagree with your statement that the protests against Israel have no anti-Semitic tones. It is not absurd; it is in my opinion an overlooked and long-entrenched aspect of liberal activism. Perhaps what I should have clarified was that I received requests to attend rallies from a few activists whom I trust and respect. These are not the rally organizers that concern me. I also had hoped to communicate that while I understand the attention paid by those who have a direct or indirect empathy for Palestinian civilians; it is confusing the investment made by activists who have very little to no understanding of the ramifications of war.

Human rights activists, like me, who have no clear population or cause with which to identify should address the issues that are most pressing or where we are most effective, regardless of the location, the history, the politics, or the race of the people involved. And we should be vigilant in examining ourselves for deeply rooted bigotry.

My article was not meant to imply that the people in Gaza do not deserve justice nor was it meant to defend the Israeli government in any way. As someone who is familiar with and an admirer of your work, I know that you fight injustice fairly. Unfortunately, there are too few activists like you. And I find it troubling when I encounter protesters who are fervent in their attention to Palestine while knowing or caring very little for the other human atrocities occurring around the world.

Comment on Attention to Israeli Attacks Should be Examined for Anti-Semitic Undertones by kaysejama

kaysejama — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 23:55:38 +0000

Hello Jill,
>I read this article and I am extremely disappointed how you framed this Israeli Palestine issue. To suggest that the protests against the Israeli atrocities in Gaza has anti-Semitic tone is disturbing and absurd. Israeli State is one of the most racist government in modern history understanding U.S is one of them too. I am a refugee and Somali activist and I absolutely agree with you that I there is level of racism within the progressive community when it comes to black issue both here in the U.S and abroad that needs to be addressed but we should not fragment ourselves because of ugly side of historical global racism against black people. We should address both fronts by that I mean we should not shy away social justice issue because progressive movement didn’t care enough issues that close to us and if we need to be true to ourselves as anti-racist movement then we should live and lead by example. People in Gaza deserve justice so the people in Somalia, Sudan and in the United States.

Comment on White Nationalists Prepare to Oppose Obama Administration by Eric Ward: White nationalists hope to create a third alternative to the current US two party system

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 20:08:37 +0000

[...] at Imagine 2050 The Republican Party is in disarray after its loss to Barack Obama, and on the sidelines white [...]

Comment on Dept. of Homeland Security Promotes Racist E-Verify on NPR by joan@newcomm.org

joan@newcomm.org — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 18:23:04 +0000

It is naive and ludicrous to depend on the typing and proofreading skills of some clerk to “verify” someone’s identity.
I personally took four years to get the geniuses at Cook County to correct my name from John to Joan on my property taxes. My doctor had to take a day off to get Social Security to correct her middle initial after multiple calls and letters.
I listen to NPR a lot and know they pride themselves on their competence and values. It is astonishing that NPR would take ads from a system riddled with incompetence and racism.

Joan Flanagan

Comment on Blog Highlight: Fox Reality Show glorifies “toughest” Racial Profiler by Paul

Paul — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 17:49:32 +0000

As if ‘Cops’ doesn’t sensationalize and narrow our definition of what a criminal is enough…..

The plight of immigrants being used as the latest, profitable reality show is despicable. Entertainment based on suffering simply should not be tolerated.

Comment on United States Charged with Human Rights Violations by Taylor Siluwe

Taylor Siluwe — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 00:51:30 +0000

Yes, its true all the horrors you mentioned about violence toward immigrants.

However, you fail to note that when José Sucuzhañay was attacked he had his arm around his brother and the attackers also hurls anti-gay slurs.

I was at the rally for José Sucuzhañay. A virtual rainbow of support came out to denounce this senseless attack.

Downplaying the anti-gay aspect doesn’t add weight to your point, as a matter of fact, mentioning the fact that ANY perceived difference can lead to this makes a greater one.

That’s what we are fighing. All of us.

Taylor Siluwe
Features Editor, Out IN Jersey Magazine

Comment on Racism Rears Its Ugly Head In British Football by Es Brennt

Es Brennt — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 21:57:02 +0000

Good article, it’s important to keep a spotlight on this sort of behavior in order to one day iradicate it.

Comment on Surviving War Trauma by Ken

Ken — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:32:22 +0000

Ana: thank you so much for this incredibly honest and powerful piece! Your vulnerability in sharing this shows, in actuality, your strength—and your desire not only to help people heal but to change the systems of oppression.

Comment on Racism Rears Its Ugly Head In British Football by Ken

Ken — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:25:17 +0000

Good article, Stephen! Your alert concerning the continued racist, sexist and homophobic behavior in sports is a call for increased action against such. Conscious sports writer Dave Zirin ( http://www.edgeofsports.com )has commented on a variety of ill matters in the soccer world, including, for example, the read deal behind the head butting incident of Zidane (a player of Algerian heritage who has suffered degrading comments). By the way, isn’t it ironic that Harry Redknapp became Tottenham’s manager? I wonder if he’s done anything since being there to curb such ill behavior on the part of fans.

Comment on Obama & the Ghost of Clinton’s Past by Jamie Holts

Jamie Holts — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:02:19 +0000

I’ve been reading along for a while now. I just wanted to drop you a comment to say keep up the good work.

Comment on Americans = Anglos: The Depth of Perception by Rev. Donna

Rev. Donna — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 16:54:56 +0000

OUT-STANDING WRITING!!! KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!! Most people still just look at anothers skin color. If they look alittle deeper in to their own family history, they could find some “surpries” I look forward to the day that we call one another “by our names”, not by the color of the skin.

Comment on Sustainability: Thinking Beyond Borders Part Three by Peter

Peter — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 21:59:04 +0000

Great article. I liked the explanation of how the plastic can end up in humans, after poisoning fish along the way.

Comment on Murder in Brooklyn Latest Hate Crime Against Immigrants by Dr. Richard Moreno (Ret.)

Dr. Richard Moreno (Ret.) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:36:51 +0000

The hate that is spewed by crazy polititions and the know nothing
radio blabbers are as responsible for
the crimes against us migrants.
In the end, the lower intellectual
peasants will pick up the pieces,
as the war-mongers kill themselves
off. But thanks for helping us
to continue to rise our counsciousness
about the real world carpet-baggers
who think we’re still as dumb as they are now. There is hope, great hope—
lets never give this up!

Comment on Murder in Brooklyn Latest Hate Crime Against Immigrants by Becca

Becca — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:44:47 +0000

What wonderful work you do, Ken! Thank you for getting this story out there. This is a tragic reminder that we still have a lot of work to do. Also, I appreciate the “file under Foolishness” tag. Amen.

Comment on NumbersUSA, Don’t Treat Me like a Fool by Mittu

Mittu — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:28:35 +0000

Blogwalking ..
nice posting i found here,.. thanks for the info

Comment on 1492 - and the Xenophobia of 2008 by Christian Rubio

Christian Rubio — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:27:22 +0000

I did resent the author’s bringing up of the whole over-used white priviledge idea, though. I do agree that many of the arguments are usually associated with the left but that doesn’t necessarily make them wrong.

Comment on 1492 - and the Xenophobia of 2008 by Christian Rubio

Christian Rubio — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:05:53 +0000

Actually Andy, I felt this post hit the nail right on the head. I did not feel he was being an “America basher” by stating a few truths that many Americans today don’t want to hear. If you were implying that this poster was being self righteous, you’re a bit confused. That native Americans (Mexicans) are being considered foreigners on lands that they have been inhabiting for thousands of years is just due to the bad memory and willful ignorance of people.

Comment on Today We Stand for Human Rights by Ken

Ken — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:50:05 +0000

Jill: thanks for lifting up in particular the issue of human trafficking. Many, I believe, do not realize that slavery is alive and well. May we be able to increasingly mobilize against such.

Comment on Reader Poll: White Nationalism by Ana

Ana — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 02:30:07 +0000

White Nationalism is one of those “common knowledge” concepts,that a society deems not worthy of further examination. That is, its fundamentals are taken for granted and are considered to be already understood at large. In this environment, discourse about White Nationalism begins with and most often stops with those who bear the brunt of its attacks. Speaking strictly in terms of power dynamics, by focusing solely on the victims, we create them as a problematic category thus, further rendering the ideology itself invisible. This kind of a discourse helps normalize the White Nationalism, so I say: “Yes, let’s render them visible and problematic.”