Last year, Augsburg Day Student Government passed a resolution supporting Comprehensive Immigration Reform and the DREAM Act.
Today, as Student Body President of Augsburg College, I reaffirm that support. We have been waiting for this for years and today is the day. Whatever happens though we must remember that students of all walks of life have come together to support one another.
Today we demonstrate our support for our students throughout the nation. Today we, together, have achieved to bring this proposal all the way to the Senate, just closer to the President's desk for approval. Today we create a way for young people to fulfill their dreams, to be able to serve the country.
Ale, an Augsburg student and who has been in a hunger strike along other young people since last week, has put herself at peril for the rest of us. As another Augsburg student, all I can say is, "Go Auggies!." As a friend, Ale makes me and all those around her proud. As a young person, students like Ale energize us to keep going. As another human being, Ale and the other students driving to DC right now for the DREAM vote, only makes me think that we can all be better.
We need the DREAM Act. We need all beneficiaries here. Not are only students will benefit; the rest of the nation will benefit greatly as well. It must pass today.
In solidarity.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
DREAM Act passes House, Moves to Senate - Action Needed
from friends (don't have time to weight in; gotta work for Summit for undocumented students' allies in MN at Augsburg College):
YESTERDAY A LIGHT SHOWN IN THE DARKNESS -- the House passed the DREAM Act --- YOU did it. Thank you.
1. 216-198 roll call Wednesday, A "yes" vote is a vote to pass the bill. Voting yes were 208 Democrats and 8 Republicans. Voting no were 38 Democrats and 160 Republicans.
MINNESOTA - Democrats — Ellison, Y; McCollum, Y; Oberstar, Y; Peterson, N; Walz, Y. /// Republicans — Bachmann, N; Kline, N; Paulsen, N
NORTH DAKOTA - Democrats — Pomeroy, Y
SOUTH DAKOTA - Democrats — Herseth Sandlin, Y.
* * * * *NO TIME TO REST* * * * *
2. …now the hard part: passing DREAM in the SENATE! The Senate is scheduled to vote on the DREAM Act TODAY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, AT 11am EASTERN TIME (10am Central). IT'S TIGHT. We know many of you are receiving multiple messages urging you to take action! On behalf of the AFFIRM Coalition, we urge you to call using the Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121.
LOCAL SITUATION -
North Dakota: Senator Byron Dorgan - WE ARE TOLD HE IS VOTING 'YES' - calls of thank you and support encouraged.
Senator Kent Conrad
South Dakota: Senators Tim Johnson and John Thune.
Minnesota - BOTH Senator Franken and Klobuchar are cosponsors and are 'Yes' votes. Thanks are needed.
Even if you do not live in their districts, call – and please FORWARD this to colleagues, church and denominational leaders, friends and family who do live, work in, etc. their districts.
3. NATIONAL 'TARGET LIST' BELOW - THIS IS THE FINAL CHANCE - VOTES ARE INCREDIBLY TIGHT! PLEASE, call and pass this information on to everyone you know! Thank you again!
MISSOURI
McCaskill: (202) 224-6154
LOUISIANA
Landrieu: (202) 224-5824
NORTH CAROLINA
Hagan: (202) 224-6342
INDIANA
Lugar: (202) 224-4814
UTAH
Bennett: (202) 224-5444
Hatch: (202) 224-5251
OHIO
Voinovich: (202) 224-3353
MAINE
Collins: (202) 224-2523
Snowe: (202) 224-5344
FLORIDA
LeMieux: (202) 224-3041
TEXAS
Hutchison: (202) 224-5922
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Gregg: (202) 224-3324
MASSACHUSETTS
Brown: (202) 224-2315
KANSAS
Brownback: (202) 224-6521
SOUTH CAROLINA
Graham: (202) 224-5972
MICHIGAN
Stabenow: (202) 224-4822
VIRGINIA
Warner: (202) 224-2023
Webb: (202) 224-4024
WEST VIRGINIA
Manchin: (202) 224-3954
ALASKA
Murkowski: (202) 224-6665
Thursday, December 2, 2010
DREAM Act now!
Alright, I don't have much time to write today, but thought I would post a message from an org here about the DREAM Act and the timing.
----------
Hi everyone - so there's a lot of frantic activity on the DREAM Act and it's been hard to keep up. Here's an update and action items that I hope are helpful:
The House will now likely vote first on the DREAM Act, as early as tomorrow (Thursday) or Friday. See article below for more info.
So PLEASE CALL YOUR MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NOW and every day until they vote: Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and they'll connect you. The earliest vote will be tomorrow, the latest sometime next week.
It's been an extremely tough go in the senate, given the letter that Senate Republican sent pledging to block anything that comes up (see http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/30/AR2010113007532.html for info on the letter). A vote will still happen in the Senate, as early as Saturday (or even Friday, but that's doubtful), and as late as next week. SO KEEP THE CALLS UP TO YOUR SENATORS TOO every day until they vote. You can find their contact info at www.senate.gov or call 202-224-3121 as well.
If you want to go a step further, ask to speak with the "immigration staffer" when you call each office. You can also write a letter to the editor of your local paper (great resource for that at http://supportimmigrationreform.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/lettertoeditortoolkit.pdf ), show up for an impromptu prayer vigil in front of your members' offices, and/or have a press conference to get the word out!
In terms of versions of the bill, there have been many versions filed, but it's still unclear which version will be voted on in either the House or Senate. Once we know we'll send more info.
Please let me or your other national contacts know if you have questions or need anything - additional DREAM resources also listed and linked below.
THANK YOU for all your hard work on this - the message is getting out - we just have to keep up the pressure to push DREAM to the finish line! Please pass on this information to your networks -
these next few days will be critical to getting as many calls in as possible and making it just a bad idea for anyone to vote against DREAM!
Immigration & Refugee Policy Church World Service
--------
----------
Hi everyone - so there's a lot of frantic activity on the DREAM Act and it's been hard to keep up. Here's an update and action items that I hope are helpful:
The House will now likely vote first on the DREAM Act, as early as tomorrow (Thursday) or Friday. See article below for more info.
So PLEASE CALL YOUR MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NOW and every day until they vote: Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and they'll connect you. The earliest vote will be tomorrow, the latest sometime next week.
It's been an extremely tough go in the senate, given the letter that Senate Republican sent pledging to block anything that comes up (see http://www.
If you want to go a step further, ask to speak with the "immigration staffer" when you call each office. You can also write a letter to the editor of your local paper (great resource for that at http://
In terms of versions of the bill, there have been many versions filed, but it's still unclear which version will be voted on in either the House or Senate. Once we know we'll send more info.
Please let me or your other national contacts know if you have questions or need anything - additional DREAM resources also listed and linked below.
THANK YOU for all your hard work on this - the message is getting out - we just have to keep up the pressure to push DREAM to the finish line! Please pass on this information to your networks -
these next few days will be critical to getting as many calls in as possible and making it just a bad idea for anyone to vote against DREAM!
Immigration & Refugee Policy Church World Service
--------
DREAM Act Resources
General Resources
Background on the DREAM Act: Short introductory memo on the DREAM Act
http://americasvoiceonline.
DREAM Act Talking Points: Five reasons to support the DREAM Act
http://americasvoiceonline.
DREAM Act Resources by State: A state-by-state guide to the DREAM Act
http://americasvoiceonline.
DREAM Act Editorials: Newspapers from around the country voice their support for the DREAM Act
http://americasvoiceonline.
Analysis of Potential DREAM Act Beneficiaries: MPI report on the numbers of DREAM Act eligible people
http://www.migrationpolicy.
Let Us Serve: Stories of DREAM Act eligible youth who are ready to serve in the Armed Forces
http://www.letusserve2010.org/
The DREAM Act and the Economy: IPC says the DREAM Act creates economic opportunities
http://www.immigrationpolicy.
The Economic Potential of DREAM Act Beneficiaries: A report from UCLA NAID on the economic potential of DREAM Act beneficiaries
http://naid.ucla.edu/uploads/
Diversity of Support for the DREAM Act
Senator Durbin Supports the DREAM Act: Senator Durbin voices his support of the DREAM Act
http://durbin.senate.gov/
Senator Lugar Supports the DREAM Act: Senator Lugar voices his support for the DREAM Act
http://lugar.senate.gov/
Education Secretary Supports the DREAM Act: A letter from the Education Secretary, Arne Duncan, in support of the DREAM Act
http://amvoice.3cdn.net/
Defense Secretary Supports the DREAM Act: A letter from the Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates, in support of the DREAM Act
http://www.letusserve2010.org/
Military and National Security Leaders Support the DREAM Act: Leaders in the military voice their support for the DREAM Act
http://americasvoiceonline.
Passing the DREAM Act Would Benefit the Military: Members of military explain the importance of passing the DREAM Act
http://www.
Conservatives Support the DREAM Act: Former IL Governor, President of Regent University, and others express support for the DREAM Act
Polling on the DREAM Act
Majority of Americans Support the DREAM Act: Poll finds that 70 percent of Americans support the DREAM Act
http://americasvoiceonline.
DREAM Act Enjoys Strong Support Across Party Lines: Majorities of Democrats, Republicans and Independents support the DREAM Act http://
Majority of Latino Voters Say Congress Must Pass the DREAM Act: Latino voters say it is important that Congress passes the DREAM Act soon http://
Spanish-Language Resources
DREAM Act Editorials and Articles: Spanish-language content on the DREAM Act
DREAM Act Talking Points in Spanish: 5 reasons to support the DREAM Act
http://americasvoiceespanol.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
The DREAM Act, MN's Focus
The DREAM Act, an important piece of legislation that would allow immigrant students brought here as children or younger than 16 years of age to gain access to legal status through a robust process.
Well, such an important bill might come up in DC during the current lame duck session. It is time to get to work. There are certain things we need to know of course.
One if that there are people opposed to the DREAM at it, of course. One of them is Mr. Session, Republican of AL. That is expected of course.
Both of our MN Senaotrs are co-sponsors of the DREAM Act. Here's Sen. Franken's remarks about the DREAM Act a couple of months ago. Please thank them and ask them to continue their support.
Of the 134 co-sponsors in the House, the only MN cosponsor is Keith Ellison (please thank him as well). We need more Minnesotans to vote for it! The National Immigrant Law Center has a target list for the nation. In MN, these are their targets:
Betty McCollum D 202-225-6631
James Oberstar D 202-225-6211
Tim Walz D 202-225-2472
Though, I think that we also need to target some of the other representatives of the state:
John Kline (R) 202-225-2271
Collin Peterson (D) 202-225-2165
Erik Paulsen (R) 202-225-2871
For more info about the DREAM, here.
Well, such an important bill might come up in DC during the current lame duck session. It is time to get to work. There are certain things we need to know of course.
One if that there are people opposed to the DREAM at it, of course. One of them is Mr. Session, Republican of AL. That is expected of course.
Both of our MN Senaotrs are co-sponsors of the DREAM Act. Here's Sen. Franken's remarks about the DREAM Act a couple of months ago. Please thank them and ask them to continue their support.
Of the 134 co-sponsors in the House, the only MN cosponsor is Keith Ellison (please thank him as well). We need more Minnesotans to vote for it! The National Immigrant Law Center has a target list for the nation. In MN, these are their targets:
Betty McCollum D 202-225-6631
James Oberstar D 202-225-6211
Tim Walz D 202-225-2472
Though, I think that we also need to target some of the other representatives of the state:
John Kline (R) 202-225-2271
Collin Peterson (D) 202-225-2165
Erik Paulsen (R) 202-225-2871
For more info about the DREAM, here.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Augsburg Supoprts the DREAM Act - Let's show it!
It has been some years now that myself and other students have been working in getting the DREAM Act passed. It has been an arduous kind of work, but definitely important since it is about us as students, us as universities and colleges, about us as people who understand the value of freedom and education.
Last year some of us at Augsburg took it to another level and created a student group, MN Students for Equal Rights (MN-SER). Our mission is to solely support comprehensive immigration reform and the DREAM Act.
Last year too we came to our Student Government and received the blessing from the college to support our mission through a resolution (Resolution I: Support Comprehensive Immigration Reform and the DREAM Act). Augsburg, a college that supports the DREAM Act, is not up for the challenge to make a difference.
Here are some facts. The DREAM Act will be attached to a military spending bill. The vote is to come as soon as Tuesday. There are various targets, but our target in MN should be North Dakota Senators, as the Immigrant Law center of MN has advised. They are convinsible votes, but we must bust their phones. Here's their info (just give the zip-code and your message):
Sen. Conrad of North Dakota (58504 – Bismarck) - (202)224-2043
Sen. Dorgan of North Dakota (58504 – Bismarck) - (701)250-4618
Your message:
"Hi, I'm calling to ask the senator to support the DREAM Act when it comes to vote next week."
It's that easy to call, but you should do it various times a day! Now, get to it!
Last year some of us at Augsburg took it to another level and created a student group, MN Students for Equal Rights (MN-SER). Our mission is to solely support comprehensive immigration reform and the DREAM Act.
Last year too we came to our Student Government and received the blessing from the college to support our mission through a resolution (Resolution I: Support Comprehensive Immigration Reform and the DREAM Act). Augsburg, a college that supports the DREAM Act, is not up for the challenge to make a difference.
Here are some facts. The DREAM Act will be attached to a military spending bill. The vote is to come as soon as Tuesday. There are various targets, but our target in MN should be North Dakota Senators, as the Immigrant Law center of MN has advised. They are convinsible votes, but we must bust their phones. Here's their info (just give the zip-code and your message):
Sen. Conrad of North Dakota (58504 – Bismarck) - (202)224-2043
Sen. Dorgan of North Dakota (58504 – Bismarck) - (701)250-4618
Your message:
"Hi, I'm calling to ask the senator to support the DREAM Act when it comes to vote next week."
It's that easy to call, but you should do it various times a day! Now, get to it!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
My Dilemma
So, this year I will be taking courses that interest me. That means that I am taking courses in no specific discipline nor required for a major. Yes, surprisingly, I only need to get 8 credits and I get to choose what to take. A great and rare opportunity for a senior.
Now I am questioning whether or not I want to take a course at 7am. Usually classes start later but for some reason it is offered this early. The other thing is that it is 3 hrs longer than any other course I have taken. Now that is the thing. Do I really want to spend that much time in a class? We'll see what I decide in the next hours.
Now I am questioning whether or not I want to take a course at 7am. Usually classes start later but for some reason it is offered this early. The other thing is that it is 3 hrs longer than any other course I have taken. Now that is the thing. Do I really want to spend that much time in a class? We'll see what I decide in the next hours.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
The Wrong Decision: English-Only @ LIno Lakes
Yesterday the Lino Lakes, MN council voted to enact a law banning the city from translating any documents or certain services to languages other than English. This is what we call the "English-only resolution." They have been floating around the country for sometime.
What is interesting here is that most measures, if not all, have been enacted by mostly all-white communities. Lino Lakes is 92% white. And they passed the resolution in "preparation" to the demographics changes coming in the nation and state to save the city some money. They passed the resolution as a "getting ready" for the changes that will drain the funds from the city. I don't buy that.
What I see here is that, as someone else said during an interview somewhere, this is more about politics at the national level and have nothing to do with demographic changes happening today or Lino Lakes. This also shows the hateful sentiment of fear of the changes that will occur at Lino Lakes in not too far a future. Of course, some of the Lino Lakes leaders voted for this only to score some points with the anti-immigrant people in our communities that have hijacked the conversation over immigration and what it means to be an "American."
What they are missing though is that in fact, the demographics of the city will change. And even though this measure has been passed, it can be banished. And that is the power of people in the future. And the future of Lino Lakes is going to be made up of different people than today (just as it is today with whites being different than the natives of the first nations). I just hope that mean-spirited measures such as this, fueled by fear, are banned before doing more damage. I wish had never been enacted. The social fabric of Lino Lakes has been torn through the enactment of hateful measures disguised as a "money-saving" gauge.
The college student mentioned in the MPR story should be ashamed of Lino Lakes just as much as all of us who do not live there are ashamed of Lino Lakes and its leaders today. Soon it will be time to turn the page and allow a new one to be written where every human is valued, no matter the language that person speaks.
Lino Lakes made a big mistake.
Food for thought:
I wonder if indigenous people ever thought about making their communities their-language only in order for the whites coming at that point assimilate to their new home...... Life would be very different huh?
What is interesting here is that most measures, if not all, have been enacted by mostly all-white communities. Lino Lakes is 92% white. And they passed the resolution in "preparation" to the demographics changes coming in the nation and state to save the city some money. They passed the resolution as a "getting ready" for the changes that will drain the funds from the city. I don't buy that.
What I see here is that, as someone else said during an interview somewhere, this is more about politics at the national level and have nothing to do with demographic changes happening today or Lino Lakes. This also shows the hateful sentiment of fear of the changes that will occur at Lino Lakes in not too far a future. Of course, some of the Lino Lakes leaders voted for this only to score some points with the anti-immigrant people in our communities that have hijacked the conversation over immigration and what it means to be an "American."
What they are missing though is that in fact, the demographics of the city will change. And even though this measure has been passed, it can be banished. And that is the power of people in the future. And the future of Lino Lakes is going to be made up of different people than today (just as it is today with whites being different than the natives of the first nations). I just hope that mean-spirited measures such as this, fueled by fear, are banned before doing more damage. I wish had never been enacted. The social fabric of Lino Lakes has been torn through the enactment of hateful measures disguised as a "money-saving" gauge.
The college student mentioned in the MPR story should be ashamed of Lino Lakes just as much as all of us who do not live there are ashamed of Lino Lakes and its leaders today. Soon it will be time to turn the page and allow a new one to be written where every human is valued, no matter the language that person speaks.
Lino Lakes made a big mistake.
Food for thought:
I wonder if indigenous people ever thought about making their communities their-language only in order for the whites coming at that point assimilate to their new home...... Life would be very different huh?
Sunday, May 2, 2010
An Amazing Week(end)
I have had a great week or couple of weeks.
First of all, graduation is over, which means we have many Auggies off to the "real world"! Congratulations to everyone.
Okay, now I would like to go over my last week in order to demonstrate why it was such a great week/end.
Last weekend (April 23-25) was exceptional. I was at the DFL State Convention in Duluth, which was new to me. I learned a ton about how conventions work and how things are done. I also saw and heard all kinds of things about what was going on before Margaret Anderson-Kelliher was endorsed by the DFL after all other candidates dropped or conceded defeat. It was a total emotional process, but totally worth it.
Then on Sunday after coming back from that long weekend in Duluth, I was at the Honors Banquet. Bob Groven, Director of the program, had asked me if I was there and I had said yes. I knew I had to leave at some point before the banquet ended. I did enjoy a really good vegetarian meal with awesome friends and new people. Then I left for a presentation that I was going to help about immigration and students with an awesome lawyer.
When the lawyer and I were getting ready for the presentation at this church in the suburbs, I got a text saying: 'Juve you won the Hesser House Award...!' I was like...'I just left....' Anyhow, we had to go on with the presentation and in the middle of the presentation, we figured there was this person who disagreed much with me. I didn't have to answer much because the comments were not directed to me, but it was an uneasy moment for sure (in an unsafe way). The lawyer was great at keeping the cool and not letting emotions dominate the conversations. It was kind of scary really. But I think, as I continue to promote and talk about students, college access, and immigration, I will have these kind of encounters. And I need to know what to do.
Then finals week came. Since I could not do much over that weekend, I was planning in finishing this final project for a class all morning until class that Monday. Then everything went wrong. The next day things were not that great, but was able to at least finish the project I had to have done the day before. On Tuesday I received my award from Sunday, which was really cool: a beautiful glass with the inscription of the award name (the Garry Hesser House Award for Leadership in Service to the Community) and my name. I also saw the movie, 'Caw,' which I really liked and my friend really enjoyed it as well, so that was good. On Wednesday we had our last Privacy Taskforce meeting and we had our first senate meeting of our administration, which was really exciting!
Thursday I spent all day reading and watching videos of Martin Luther King Jr., which gave me the chills of course. Friday it was hang out day since most people were all done with classes and I really enjoyed it.
This last Saturday it was commencement and I really enjoyed it. Despite the meaningless speech Gov. Pawlenty gave, I thought everything else was done phenomenally. Everything went smoothly. Father Fernando was very inspirational. It was also great seeing people I knew walk and then be announced as official graduates of Augsburg.
After commencement I headed to an immigration rally in downtown Mpls. Thousands of people there and it was a great time. I did get really tired, which caused me to crash and sleep like 10 hrs for the first time in months!
Today I went to the May Day Parade/Festival for the first time, which was excellent. Then I had a great time biking around the lake and just laying there for a bit. It did get a bit cold, but it was still a beautiful time. Finally, I went to see friends who had graduated at their grad-party and that was good too.
Overall, it was a wonderful week really. I am looking forward to whatever is next.
First of all, graduation is over, which means we have many Auggies off to the "real world"! Congratulations to everyone.
Okay, now I would like to go over my last week in order to demonstrate why it was such a great week/end.
Last weekend (April 23-25) was exceptional. I was at the DFL State Convention in Duluth, which was new to me. I learned a ton about how conventions work and how things are done. I also saw and heard all kinds of things about what was going on before Margaret Anderson-Kelliher was endorsed by the DFL after all other candidates dropped or conceded defeat. It was a total emotional process, but totally worth it.
Then on Sunday after coming back from that long weekend in Duluth, I was at the Honors Banquet. Bob Groven, Director of the program, had asked me if I was there and I had said yes. I knew I had to leave at some point before the banquet ended. I did enjoy a really good vegetarian meal with awesome friends and new people. Then I left for a presentation that I was going to help about immigration and students with an awesome lawyer.
When the lawyer and I were getting ready for the presentation at this church in the suburbs, I got a text saying: 'Juve you won the Hesser House Award...!' I was like...'I just left....' Anyhow, we had to go on with the presentation and in the middle of the presentation, we figured there was this person who disagreed much with me. I didn't have to answer much because the comments were not directed to me, but it was an uneasy moment for sure (in an unsafe way). The lawyer was great at keeping the cool and not letting emotions dominate the conversations. It was kind of scary really. But I think, as I continue to promote and talk about students, college access, and immigration, I will have these kind of encounters. And I need to know what to do.
Then finals week came. Since I could not do much over that weekend, I was planning in finishing this final project for a class all morning until class that Monday. Then everything went wrong. The next day things were not that great, but was able to at least finish the project I had to have done the day before. On Tuesday I received my award from Sunday, which was really cool: a beautiful glass with the inscription of the award name (the Garry Hesser House Award for Leadership in Service to the Community) and my name. I also saw the movie, 'Caw,' which I really liked and my friend really enjoyed it as well, so that was good. On Wednesday we had our last Privacy Taskforce meeting and we had our first senate meeting of our administration, which was really exciting!
Thursday I spent all day reading and watching videos of Martin Luther King Jr., which gave me the chills of course. Friday it was hang out day since most people were all done with classes and I really enjoyed it.
This last Saturday it was commencement and I really enjoyed it. Despite the meaningless speech Gov. Pawlenty gave, I thought everything else was done phenomenally. Everything went smoothly. Father Fernando was very inspirational. It was also great seeing people I knew walk and then be announced as official graduates of Augsburg.
After commencement I headed to an immigration rally in downtown Mpls. Thousands of people there and it was a great time. I did get really tired, which caused me to crash and sleep like 10 hrs for the first time in months!
Today I went to the May Day Parade/Festival for the first time, which was excellent. Then I had a great time biking around the lake and just laying there for a bit. It did get a bit cold, but it was still a beautiful time. Finally, I went to see friends who had graduated at their grad-party and that was good too.
Overall, it was a wonderful week really. I am looking forward to whatever is next.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Crime, Stereotypes and the complex world
My mom just called me to tell me that my brother and sister-in-law were mugged last night at gun-point while their children watched.
I was at work with TakeAction MN today talking with our reNEW MN Campaign about the DFL State Convention today and we also talked to the candidates about appointments and priorities to communities of color. For this reason I was not at the gathering my family had at the park. Supposedly my bother showed up and he did not look right. At the end he told my family about what happened.
This is what occurred: they were getting to their home and when they were taking the kids out of the car, two men approached them pointing at them with guns and asking for their wallets. Both my sister-in-law and brother gave them their purse and wallet respectively. My sister-in-law fainted and one of the kids got really scared. The police then showed up after my brother called to report the crime. The police took the testimonies of my family and then advice they go cancels their credit cards. By the time they got to do that, supposedly the cards had been already used. And at least one cell phone was taken, which was well used before it got canceled.
I bet this was such a scary moment for all of them -- nothing like this has ever happened to a member of my family and we had never known someone to have gone through this. At least one of the kids is very traumatized and has not been eating well.
Here I want to recognize that there is a lot of stereotypes many Latin@ immigrants (the community I am a part of) hold about different ethnic communities. Sometimes even academics, especially Chican@ ones, dismiss this fact and only focus in stereotypes whites hold (which is important, but very impartial). I grew up hearing that blacks are bad and lazy, whites are good, especially when they try to speak in Spanish, and other Latin@s are so so. Asians are short and have many kids and Native Americans live off the government because they get so much money for being Native, so they don't have to work. Ever.
Now, what is very interesting to me is to see the language being used to describe what happened. Apparently the two males who mugged my sibling and family were black. The first time I heard it, it made me really uncomfortable. I think it was because these two black males meet the stereotype many in my community hold. Granted, we don't interact much with other communities, so every interaction we have with a member of an "other" community is going to live a mark. Definitely this one will leave a huge mark in my family's experience and how they think of blacks now.
Now that I am in college, I live in a very different world than my family. I interact with people from many walks of life and that shapes the way I think about race/ethnicity. I think I was also uncomfortable when I first heard it was two black males who mugged my sibling and family because for sometime I have been trying to speak about race/ethnicity not being the cause to why people act a certain way and what happened last night seems to be working against that. There was anything I could say to explain that the two males did commit this crime, but it wasn't just because they were black. It now appears that the belief is that all blacks are criminals for being black and yesterday's occurrence only enforced that, unfortunately.
I am not trying to excuse these thugs to any degree, but race/ethnicity is only secondary to what happened. And it is tough to convey this message, I feel.
This world of crime and race/ethnicity is complex. And occurrences that "prove" stereotypes we hold only reinforce what many think to be true even if it is not.
I am glad my family is fine and I sure hope this episode does not tarnish their love for humanity, all humanity.
I was at work with TakeAction MN today talking with our reNEW MN Campaign about the DFL State Convention today and we also talked to the candidates about appointments and priorities to communities of color. For this reason I was not at the gathering my family had at the park. Supposedly my bother showed up and he did not look right. At the end he told my family about what happened.
This is what occurred: they were getting to their home and when they were taking the kids out of the car, two men approached them pointing at them with guns and asking for their wallets. Both my sister-in-law and brother gave them their purse and wallet respectively. My sister-in-law fainted and one of the kids got really scared. The police then showed up after my brother called to report the crime. The police took the testimonies of my family and then advice they go cancels their credit cards. By the time they got to do that, supposedly the cards had been already used. And at least one cell phone was taken, which was well used before it got canceled.
I bet this was such a scary moment for all of them -- nothing like this has ever happened to a member of my family and we had never known someone to have gone through this. At least one of the kids is very traumatized and has not been eating well.
Here I want to recognize that there is a lot of stereotypes many Latin@ immigrants (the community I am a part of) hold about different ethnic communities. Sometimes even academics, especially Chican@ ones, dismiss this fact and only focus in stereotypes whites hold (which is important, but very impartial). I grew up hearing that blacks are bad and lazy, whites are good, especially when they try to speak in Spanish, and other Latin@s are so so. Asians are short and have many kids and Native Americans live off the government because they get so much money for being Native, so they don't have to work. Ever.
Now, what is very interesting to me is to see the language being used to describe what happened. Apparently the two males who mugged my sibling and family were black. The first time I heard it, it made me really uncomfortable. I think it was because these two black males meet the stereotype many in my community hold. Granted, we don't interact much with other communities, so every interaction we have with a member of an "other" community is going to live a mark. Definitely this one will leave a huge mark in my family's experience and how they think of blacks now.
Now that I am in college, I live in a very different world than my family. I interact with people from many walks of life and that shapes the way I think about race/ethnicity. I think I was also uncomfortable when I first heard it was two black males who mugged my sibling and family because for sometime I have been trying to speak about race/ethnicity not being the cause to why people act a certain way and what happened last night seems to be working against that. There was anything I could say to explain that the two males did commit this crime, but it wasn't just because they were black. It now appears that the belief is that all blacks are criminals for being black and yesterday's occurrence only enforced that, unfortunately.
I am not trying to excuse these thugs to any degree, but race/ethnicity is only secondary to what happened. And it is tough to convey this message, I feel.
This world of crime and race/ethnicity is complex. And occurrences that "prove" stereotypes we hold only reinforce what many think to be true even if it is not.
I am glad my family is fine and I sure hope this episode does not tarnish their love for humanity, all humanity.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Valeria Silva, a National Dissapointment
It was today that I heard Arlington High School will be closed if the Budget by St. Paul Public Schools Superintendent, Valeria Silva, is approved. I sure hope it is not. While she cites budget issues forcing her to make these decisions, she has yet to explain how this draconian acts of hers will actually do any good. While it might be true that Arlington, which I attended as a high school student for four years, has not been able to meet federal test requirements, it is important that we understand what Arlington is [I cannot speak about other programs in the city because I do not know them].
Arlington has a long history of being innovative. Arlington is the newest high school in the district. Since its inception, Arlington has been a hub for immigrant students and their families, something very unique about this school. Its ELL program was one of the best in the nation (I can attest to that). It was the pilot school where Admission Possible, a program for low-income students preparing for college (and that I was a part of), took flight and now is all over the twin cities and in Milwaukee, WI, getting hundreds of students to college [I have my reservation about AP too]. Arlington, in 2007, was restructured and became a BioSMART school, providing high quality education to its students in certain areas.
Now that I gave a couple examples about the innovative Arlington, let me list why closing it is the wrong decision. First of all, Silva is not giving the bioSMART program play out its part. The program was implemented in the fall of 2007, after I graduated. Research shows that it takes about 7 years for a program to give results that are measurable. Hardly three years is not enough. Maybe Silva does not understand how research works. Even without research, the new Arlington structure under bioSMART is working and one can hear it from students and teachers. They are the experts, not Silva or the Principal.
Two, Silva keeps citing the stupid rhetoric that Arlington is not meeting Federal Testing Standards. No Child Left Behind is doing more harm than good, and we all knew this. Also, as it is my understanding that Silva worked in ELL programming, won't she then understand the challenges of having a diverse community when it comes to immigration and how long one has been here? An ELL student who has resided in the U.S. for one year is going to do worst than an African American student. This is simple to understand. It would make sense for Silva to move and shake the system and try to implement policies that address these kind of thing: language, cultural, and geographical differences. Putting a bandage on a bleeding wound will not stop the bleeding.
Three, Silva also keeps talking about the low-enrolling number of students projected for the future. While that is a real concern, Silva is ignoring that this is a national trend. However, Silva is also, wrongly, ignoring the fact that it is the immigrant community the only community growing in the state of MN, especially in the cities. It is ironic that Silva, an immigrant herself, would ignore her own community for solutions. But then again, I should not racialize or expect from someone who looks 'like me' to think like me.
Valeria Silva, here are some good things to actually do. If you want to reduce the budget problems, stop traveling to DC with your staff because that is where I met you personally. And I am sure some funding from your budget was spent there. What about cutting your pay? Some smart organizations pay their employees based on need. I am sure you do not need more than a hundred thousand dollars to live well in MN. Do this for everyone and you will see that the budget problems will be solved. Of course I cannot expect this -- too radical for you I am sure.
Here are some more easy-to-handle proposals. Arlington, with its history to well-serving immigrant students like myself, should become, once again, a hub for immigrant students and their families. Its ELL program should be revitalized, which will not only live up to its legacy to bring people from all over the world together but it will also attract many more students and increase the total number of matriculated students (in order to address the number question). Testing should be based on many aspects about students, and not just how they are done today. Making Arlington also a center where college students and high school students come together will also increase the number of student graduating. Arlington should continue its bioSMART program -- I wonder if you are planning in using the funding left over for something else...I hope not or I hope you can't.
When Silva was elected Superintendent, many of us who work around the education realm were looking up to her because she has been here for a long time and knew the district. However, from what I see, I really question if she really knows our district, if she knows anything about Arlington. Her actions are not addressing roots causes of what is going on -- poverty, language problems, immigration status of St. Paul Public School students, violence, etc -- and that is why I wonder what she is doing besides cutting and cutting. Our governor is no friend to education, would she challenge him? I doubt it. The problem really lies outside of these schools and programs, but Silva is ignoring much of that at this point and seems to have learned a lot from our current governor: just cut, no matter who is affected or no matter if people don't want you to this. I wish she would have learned form someone else...........
Silva has no heart and compassion, integral ingredients for making a great superintendent and integral to good policy making. She is playing politics as usual. Valeria Silva is a total disappointment thus far.
Arlington has a long history of being innovative. Arlington is the newest high school in the district. Since its inception, Arlington has been a hub for immigrant students and their families, something very unique about this school. Its ELL program was one of the best in the nation (I can attest to that). It was the pilot school where Admission Possible, a program for low-income students preparing for college (and that I was a part of), took flight and now is all over the twin cities and in Milwaukee, WI, getting hundreds of students to college [I have my reservation about AP too]. Arlington, in 2007, was restructured and became a BioSMART school, providing high quality education to its students in certain areas.
Now that I gave a couple examples about the innovative Arlington, let me list why closing it is the wrong decision. First of all, Silva is not giving the bioSMART program play out its part. The program was implemented in the fall of 2007, after I graduated. Research shows that it takes about 7 years for a program to give results that are measurable. Hardly three years is not enough. Maybe Silva does not understand how research works. Even without research, the new Arlington structure under bioSMART is working and one can hear it from students and teachers. They are the experts, not Silva or the Principal.
Two, Silva keeps citing the stupid rhetoric that Arlington is not meeting Federal Testing Standards. No Child Left Behind is doing more harm than good, and we all knew this. Also, as it is my understanding that Silva worked in ELL programming, won't she then understand the challenges of having a diverse community when it comes to immigration and how long one has been here? An ELL student who has resided in the U.S. for one year is going to do worst than an African American student. This is simple to understand. It would make sense for Silva to move and shake the system and try to implement policies that address these kind of thing: language, cultural, and geographical differences. Putting a bandage on a bleeding wound will not stop the bleeding.
Three, Silva also keeps talking about the low-enrolling number of students projected for the future. While that is a real concern, Silva is ignoring that this is a national trend. However, Silva is also, wrongly, ignoring the fact that it is the immigrant community the only community growing in the state of MN, especially in the cities. It is ironic that Silva, an immigrant herself, would ignore her own community for solutions. But then again, I should not racialize or expect from someone who looks 'like me' to think like me.
Valeria Silva, here are some good things to actually do. If you want to reduce the budget problems, stop traveling to DC with your staff because that is where I met you personally. And I am sure some funding from your budget was spent there. What about cutting your pay? Some smart organizations pay their employees based on need. I am sure you do not need more than a hundred thousand dollars to live well in MN. Do this for everyone and you will see that the budget problems will be solved. Of course I cannot expect this -- too radical for you I am sure.
Here are some more easy-to-handle proposals. Arlington, with its history to well-serving immigrant students like myself, should become, once again, a hub for immigrant students and their families. Its ELL program should be revitalized, which will not only live up to its legacy to bring people from all over the world together but it will also attract many more students and increase the total number of matriculated students (in order to address the number question). Testing should be based on many aspects about students, and not just how they are done today. Making Arlington also a center where college students and high school students come together will also increase the number of student graduating. Arlington should continue its bioSMART program -- I wonder if you are planning in using the funding left over for something else...I hope not or I hope you can't.
When Silva was elected Superintendent, many of us who work around the education realm were looking up to her because she has been here for a long time and knew the district. However, from what I see, I really question if she really knows our district, if she knows anything about Arlington. Her actions are not addressing roots causes of what is going on -- poverty, language problems, immigration status of St. Paul Public School students, violence, etc -- and that is why I wonder what she is doing besides cutting and cutting. Our governor is no friend to education, would she challenge him? I doubt it. The problem really lies outside of these schools and programs, but Silva is ignoring much of that at this point and seems to have learned a lot from our current governor: just cut, no matter who is affected or no matter if people don't want you to this. I wish she would have learned form someone else...........
Silva has no heart and compassion, integral ingredients for making a great superintendent and integral to good policy making. She is playing politics as usual. Valeria Silva is a total disappointment thus far.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
It's one of those days
Today I came back from spending the day with the family in St. Paul. It was a nice break, especially being around my siblings (who have way too much energy). I also got some homework done while there when everyone was sleeping.
Once on campus, when most things are shut down, I went to do some ol' homework at Murphy Park and then took a nice nap on the grass (hoping no one would come and molest me...). I brought some good food my mami made too, so ate some after homework and napping.
Then my awesome roommate came back - hadn't seen him for over a week!
I had to go back to do homework later, so I took my personal computer since the library was close and the Urness lab gets a little warm sometimes. Plus, I had written a few pages for my classes, so really it made sense I would use my computer - maybe continue writing.
I turn on my computer, and I find out it asks me to log in... bad sign.... Then when I log in, the screen is blank other than what is on my desktop... really a bad sign.... I knew I had left a couple of documents open before I left my computer last night. Then I remembered my sister had said something was going with it and I was like, 'Oh just hit 'ok'.' I did not pay attention.
So now I find out all the writing I did over the weekend is gone! And maybe now I should get to writing it, again (I'm a day behind homework now for the coming week....)
So yeah, it is one of those days when everything is going well, and then, something stupid happens. Maybe this time my writing is better now that I have been thinking a lot about it while I was writing it all. Blah blah bla I don't want to do it though................
Once on campus, when most things are shut down, I went to do some ol' homework at Murphy Park and then took a nice nap on the grass (hoping no one would come and molest me...). I brought some good food my mami made too, so ate some after homework and napping.
Then my awesome roommate came back - hadn't seen him for over a week!
I had to go back to do homework later, so I took my personal computer since the library was close and the Urness lab gets a little warm sometimes. Plus, I had written a few pages for my classes, so really it made sense I would use my computer - maybe continue writing.
I turn on my computer, and I find out it asks me to log in... bad sign.... Then when I log in, the screen is blank other than what is on my desktop... really a bad sign.... I knew I had left a couple of documents open before I left my computer last night. Then I remembered my sister had said something was going with it and I was like, 'Oh just hit 'ok'.' I did not pay attention.
So now I find out all the writing I did over the weekend is gone! And maybe now I should get to writing it, again (I'm a day behind homework now for the coming week....)
So yeah, it is one of those days when everything is going well, and then, something stupid happens. Maybe this time my writing is better now that I have been thinking a lot about it while I was writing it all. Blah blah bla I don't want to do it though................
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Uphold the Veto of the Repealing of DREAM Act resolution
On Wednesday February 24, Arianna Genis, First Year President, and I,Incumbent Senator, brought Resolution 01 Regarding The Comprehensive Immigration Reform & DREAM Act (Development, Relief & Education for Alien Minors Act)
on behalf of the student organization Minnesota Students for Equal Rights.
On Wednesday March 24, Augsburg Day Student Government (ADSG) overwhelmingly voted in favor of the resolution. It was the first resolution brought up this school year.
These are some of the reasons we brought it up. One, our student group, Minnesota Students for Equal Rights, is dedicated to supporting comprehensive immigration reform and the DREAM Act. As students we are organizing at Augsburg to do what we can to correct the many issues with the current immigration system. Two, we are asking people to support our mission and we know that there are some groups that cannot take any direct action (i.e. make phone calls, emails, etc), and we thought it would be appropriate to ask Augsburg Day Students Government to support our missions as well. Three, as Augsburg students we have every right to ask ADSG for what we believe will help our cause. Four, we support Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR), which is why we have language around that, but mostly, we hope to at least pass the DREAM Act this year if CIR does not pass.
Sadly, on Wednesday March 3, a senator moved to repeal Resolution 01. Some of the reasons are such as that as that we have not defined what is the role of ADSG when it comes to "Federal Law." Another reason is that as ADSG we did not communicate with the Student Body about the resolution. And three, some of the 'conservative' or 'moderate conservative' senators' friend would not support passing this resolution.
Here is what I, Juve, have to say then. One, ADSG supports all student organizations some way or another, especially by providing them legitimacy as organizations and funding. Many of these organizations work around laws or legislation. If we were to limit ADSG to not work or make a statement about a 'Federal Law,'then many of this organizations will have to do something else. In reality, many of the things we do are related to Federal Law, so if we were to put the precedent that we do not get involved with Federal Law, we will be going towards a slippery slope and limit what our students are able to do with the support of ADSG.
Two, those of us who brought the resolution used the system in place to bring up a resolution: Bring it up one week, let senators speak with their constituents and/or ask questions about it, and then vote on it the following week, with the expectation that everyone voting is informed. So, to say that 'we' did not communicate with the student body might be true, but that is the senators' job. That is why they are elected: to represent their constituents. Apparently some senators did not do their job in seeking their constituents' opinion (or ask us questions about it) and now want to blame their lack of communication to the overwhelmingly-in-favor passage of the resolution. Not I fair call I believe.
Three, to have politicized the resolution by some of our conservative ADSG members was wrong and not called for. To say that immigration is a liberal thing is wrong. Or should I say that anti-immigration is conservative? That is wrong too. Our resolution was not liberal nor conservative. Our resolution is about human beings, about lives, about the well-being of our communities, about the well of our student population, about the well-being of our friends, about the well-being our families, about the well-being of our democracy; it is about the well-being of our nation.
My biggest problem with the repealing of the resolution is that why single out our resolution? Why not single out anything else we have done as ADSG before? If we wanted to be fair and repeal everything we have not communicated with the student body, we must then repeal everything we have done so far this school year. If we were to repeal every 'liberal' or 'conservative' thing we have done, we would have no record that we have done much as ADSG this year. I would very much like someone to move and do that.
I am really disappointed that this asking from Minnesota Students for Equal Rights was singled out. Why single out this act of solidarity? I really have a bad feeling about it to be honest. Overall, it was an inappropriate decision.
On Thursday March 4, Sam Smith, Augsburg Day Student Body President, moved to veto the repealing of Resolution 01. One, he said via email to ADSG, the repealing was "incredibly hasty and disrespectful to the authors of the resolution." We did what we were supposed to do in order to pass the resolution. Two, Sam continued, "recognize the role we play as representatives of the student body." As stated before, some senators failed at doing their job in representing their students, liberals, conservatives, independents, or just Auggies. "If we repeal this resolution, we set a very dangerous precedent on a very slippery slope, where from now on our decisions are constantly subject to criticism by a loud and intentionally inflammatory minority," Sam said in his email explaining the veto.
The day when we voted to pass the resolution, we had about a dozen students outside of ADSG show up to the meeting in support of the Resolution. It is time that we uphold what was done right and move away from trying to politicize and singling-out this one thing.
Take action to email your student senator or show up on Wednesday at 7:30pm in the Century Room in Christensen Center to show support for Resolution 01 Regarding The Comprehensive Immigration Reform & DREAM Act (Development, Relief & Education for Alien Minors Act)
Uphold the veto!
Here is info about the DREAM Act.
Brief explanation about DREAM Act:
The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act is bipartisan legislation that addresses the situation faced by young people who were brought to the United States years ago as undocumented immigrant children, and who have since grown up here, stayed in school, and kept out of trouble.
Find more information here.
on behalf of the student organization Minnesota Students for Equal Rights.
On Wednesday March 24, Augsburg Day Student Government (ADSG) overwhelmingly voted in favor of the resolution. It was the first resolution brought up this school year.
These are some of the reasons we brought it up. One, our student group, Minnesota Students for Equal Rights, is dedicated to supporting comprehensive immigration reform and the DREAM Act. As students we are organizing at Augsburg to do what we can to correct the many issues with the current immigration system. Two, we are asking people to support our mission and we know that there are some groups that cannot take any direct action (i.e. make phone calls, emails, etc), and we thought it would be appropriate to ask Augsburg Day Students Government to support our missions as well. Three, as Augsburg students we have every right to ask ADSG for what we believe will help our cause. Four, we support Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR), which is why we have language around that, but mostly, we hope to at least pass the DREAM Act this year if CIR does not pass.
Sadly, on Wednesday March 3, a senator moved to repeal Resolution 01. Some of the reasons are such as that as that we have not defined what is the role of ADSG when it comes to "Federal Law." Another reason is that as ADSG we did not communicate with the Student Body about the resolution. And three, some of the 'conservative' or 'moderate conservative' senators' friend would not support passing this resolution.
Here is what I, Juve, have to say then. One, ADSG supports all student organizations some way or another, especially by providing them legitimacy as organizations and funding. Many of these organizations work around laws or legislation. If we were to limit ADSG to not work or make a statement about a 'Federal Law,'then many of this organizations will have to do something else. In reality, many of the things we do are related to Federal Law, so if we were to put the precedent that we do not get involved with Federal Law, we will be going towards a slippery slope and limit what our students are able to do with the support of ADSG.
Two, those of us who brought the resolution used the system in place to bring up a resolution: Bring it up one week, let senators speak with their constituents and/or ask questions about it, and then vote on it the following week, with the expectation that everyone voting is informed. So, to say that 'we' did not communicate with the student body might be true, but that is the senators' job. That is why they are elected: to represent their constituents. Apparently some senators did not do their job in seeking their constituents' opinion (or ask us questions about it) and now want to blame their lack of communication to the overwhelmingly-in-favor passage of the resolution. Not I fair call I believe.
Three, to have politicized the resolution by some of our conservative ADSG members was wrong and not called for. To say that immigration is a liberal thing is wrong. Or should I say that anti-immigration is conservative? That is wrong too. Our resolution was not liberal nor conservative. Our resolution is about human beings, about lives, about the well-being of our communities, about the well of our student population, about the well-being of our friends, about the well-being our families, about the well-being of our democracy; it is about the well-being of our nation.
My biggest problem with the repealing of the resolution is that why single out our resolution? Why not single out anything else we have done as ADSG before? If we wanted to be fair and repeal everything we have not communicated with the student body, we must then repeal everything we have done so far this school year. If we were to repeal every 'liberal' or 'conservative' thing we have done, we would have no record that we have done much as ADSG this year. I would very much like someone to move and do that.
I am really disappointed that this asking from Minnesota Students for Equal Rights was singled out. Why single out this act of solidarity? I really have a bad feeling about it to be honest. Overall, it was an inappropriate decision.
On Thursday March 4, Sam Smith, Augsburg Day Student Body President, moved to veto the repealing of Resolution 01. One, he said via email to ADSG, the repealing was "incredibly hasty and disrespectful to the authors of the resolution." We did what we were supposed to do in order to pass the resolution. Two, Sam continued, "recognize the role we play as representatives of the student body." As stated before, some senators failed at doing their job in representing their students, liberals, conservatives, independents, or just Auggies. "If we repeal this resolution, we set a very dangerous precedent on a very slippery slope, where from now on our decisions are constantly subject to criticism by a loud and intentionally inflammatory minority," Sam said in his email explaining the veto.
The day when we voted to pass the resolution, we had about a dozen students outside of ADSG show up to the meeting in support of the Resolution. It is time that we uphold what was done right and move away from trying to politicize and singling-out this one thing.
Take action to email your student senator or show up on Wednesday at 7:30pm in the Century Room in Christensen Center to show support for Resolution 01 Regarding The Comprehensive Immigration Reform & DREAM Act (Development, Relief & Education for Alien Minors Act)
Uphold the veto!
Here is info about the DREAM Act.
Brief explanation about DREAM Act:
The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act is bipartisan legislation that addresses the situation faced by young people who were brought to the United States years ago as undocumented immigrant children, and who have since grown up here, stayed in school, and kept out of trouble.
Find more information here.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Suppression? Nope. It's Worst
I was reading the New York Times when I came across this article about a play regarding gays in the 50s in London. This reminded me of something I have been thinking about for a couple of years now, which I describe in a bit.
If you know anything about the Honors Program at Augsburg, you would know that students in the program are required to take certain interesting classes. One of those classes is this one called The Scholar Citizen, which was about pragmatism and the cultural genocide if it takes over (at least that's what I wrote about in my last paper for that class).
Now, during class, we read a biased book about Freud and Lewis, which talked about both men and their views about life, religion, love, etc. Along with the class, we had to take this Theatre Lab where students more or less came up with vignettes concerning the book about these two men. Well, Freud talked about suppression of feelings. And my group decided that we will go with that (vignette on suppression of feelings).
[vignette members]
So, in the vignette I was a gay brother of this dude with this friend and I had a girlfriend. And somehow at the end I came out because my character was suppressing his feelings of being gay. But, after reading this article, I realized what I had thought all along: the problem was not 'suppressing feelings'; the problem was society not allowing people to be who they are!
The whole idea of 'suppression' is nothing else than a sinister societal evil. And that was the big revelation of the day for me.
If you know anything about the Honors Program at Augsburg, you would know that students in the program are required to take certain interesting classes. One of those classes is this one called The Scholar Citizen, which was about pragmatism and the cultural genocide if it takes over (at least that's what I wrote about in my last paper for that class).
Now, during class, we read a biased book about Freud and Lewis, which talked about both men and their views about life, religion, love, etc. Along with the class, we had to take this Theatre Lab where students more or less came up with vignettes concerning the book about these two men. Well, Freud talked about suppression of feelings. And my group decided that we will go with that (vignette on suppression of feelings).
[vignette members]
So, in the vignette I was a gay brother of this dude with this friend and I had a girlfriend. And somehow at the end I came out because my character was suppressing his feelings of being gay. But, after reading this article, I realized what I had thought all along: the problem was not 'suppressing feelings'; the problem was society not allowing people to be who they are!
The whole idea of 'suppression' is nothing else than a sinister societal evil. And that was the big revelation of the day for me.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
My take on the 2010 DFL Gubernatorial Cadidates
So, I have been involved in politics for sometime now. I am familiar with some of the contestants running for governor this year - DFL, GOP, Independent. But due to the fact that the issues I care most about are not welcome in the GOP - so I will not bother to cover those here. The only independent who showed good intentions towards immigrants was Peter Hutchinson in 2006. This year I predict, just as GOPers and Marty Seifert being the worst of all, the Independent candidates will go after immigrants, for example, as Pawlenty and even Hatch, DFL candidate, did in 2006. I do wish I am wrong about the Independent and that he (predicting it will be a white male this year again) does no go after immigrants.
As you might already know, I am working with TakeAction MN with their reNEW MN Campaign to elect a progressive governor this year. Through that I have gotten to know a lot about the candidates - three of which we have endorsed: R.T. Rybak, Margaret Anderson-Kelliher, & Paul Thissen.
With that said, here is my take on the candidates - all 10 of them (all white males, but two white females):
Steve Kelley - He is a professor at the U of M and at one point said he would have failed T-Paw in his economics class because T-Paw does not have the necessary background in economics (yet he runs the state....). He is the only candidate who has spoken to the interconnectedness of systems (edu, transportation, workforce, etc) and how they affect communities. He speaks from the heart, and I like that.
Susan Geartner - Oh Susan... I do not think she is getting anywhere this year. I notice she is not winning the DFL nomination, especially after saying in a forum that she will win the Independents, but never really talked about how she was to win the democrats. What I did like about her is that she called T-Paw and his policies racist during the kick-off of the reNEW MN Campaign at my beloved Arlington High School in St. Paul.
Mark Dayton - He's loud and has a lot of money. He does support an expansion to gambling, which is against state and tribal governments agreement from the 80s where the casino monopoly is governed by tribes and not state government - such expansion will take a away resources from tribes. And we all know we don't have the highest respect for tribes (historically). Dayton's stance on this should be abhorrent especially because tribes struggle more than cities economically. This is a no no. Tribes should not pay for the rest of the state - they have paid enough already.
John Marty - What is surprising here is that even though he is the most progressive candidate, he did not get the endorsement from this progressive organization (decisions made by members only). This is definitely a blow to his campaign. He lost the 3rd spot by 11 votes. Some had cited whether or not he was "electable" since he was so progressive - call this an irony.
Tom Bakk - very nice dude. Not getting far this time.
Margaret Anderson-Kelliher - Oh what to say about Margaret.... Well, I want to say I like her and that I support her. BUT at the same time, I just don't feel it for her. When she speaks she doesn't sound genuine; it almost feels like she is reading off a script every time she speaks. There is no real connection anymore. I did hear someone say she has been good with affordable housing, but at the same time, like she has done with other issues, I wonder if she will be willing to risk it for the right thing or if she would give up to not jeopardize her career. She did come 2nd yesterday with the precinct caucus.
Matt Entenza - Oh Entenza. Well first of all, he has some good record in working for people, but he has lost it for me. I was at this Latin@ Forum last year and how he started his introduction was how he has been singled out because his last name is "Hispanic." He even called himself "Mateo." Like everyone speaks Spanish. Who in the world would do that to try to "connect" to people? Only Matt Entenza. However, in reality, he came off very arrogantly, and even offensive. I am also surprised that Carlos Mariani and Kith Ellison are supporting this dude - it almost seems that their support is a loyalty vote and nothing else. Both men have been supported by Entenza some way or another, in their campaigns or nonprofit. I love Carlos, but I was disappointed in his decision to endorse this highly arrogant individual. Lets move on.
Tom Rukavina - He's so funny! But that's not going to get him elected of course. Maybe it can help him. He did make the best first ad for what seems to be a highly contested political season though. I really like how he speaks and how he connects to people at many levels. He has been always there for people of color, at least from my experience with him. He has also been willing to call on the governor, which is brave to do. More importantly, when he knows something is not going to pass in the legislature, he will do what he can to create compromises to pass something at least. The concern is whether or not he has the support this year, which is unfortunate.
R.T. Rybak - He is probably my favorite candidate, with some flaws of course. But he has really done a lot for all communities in Minneapolis. He also likes Augsburg a ton and has been present when we invite him. He also believes in the potential of all kids and supports rights for all people. He also passed the law in Minneapolis that separates local police from Immigration agents - which is not only a smart decision economically, but it is also important for the immigrant communities in Minneapolis. We need such a policy state-wide. He has also done much for education and small businesses. He was the one who got the most votes at the reNEW MN Campaign annual meeting and got more people to caucus for him than any other DFL candidate. He also has the blue catching eyes.
Paul Thissen - I think Paul is the only candidate who has so far spoken to my principles. That is, he says his campaign is about hope for the future. At one forum he talked about seeing the world like a child, which yeah it sounds naive and whatever, but he said that a child sees the world where success in life was based on the potential of people and not where people from from - so, under a child's views, before being corrupted by society, there is no discrimination of any sort, everyone has the same opportunities, everyone gets a fair advantage in life. I do not think he is going far this time, but hopefully one day he has a chance. Everyone likes his hair! Including me :)
Well, there you have it. While I still remain skeptic on some of the candidates described above, I do know candidates for the other major party do not represent my values whatsoever this time.
Cheers to an exciting political season this year! LOL
As you might already know, I am working with TakeAction MN with their reNEW MN Campaign to elect a progressive governor this year. Through that I have gotten to know a lot about the candidates - three of which we have endorsed: R.T. Rybak, Margaret Anderson-Kelliher, & Paul Thissen.
With that said, here is my take on the candidates - all 10 of them (all white males, but two white females):
Steve Kelley - He is a professor at the U of M and at one point said he would have failed T-Paw in his economics class because T-Paw does not have the necessary background in economics (yet he runs the state....). He is the only candidate who has spoken to the interconnectedness of systems (edu, transportation, workforce, etc) and how they affect communities. He speaks from the heart, and I like that.
Susan Geartner - Oh Susan... I do not think she is getting anywhere this year. I notice she is not winning the DFL nomination, especially after saying in a forum that she will win the Independents, but never really talked about how she was to win the democrats. What I did like about her is that she called T-Paw and his policies racist during the kick-off of the reNEW MN Campaign at my beloved Arlington High School in St. Paul.
Mark Dayton - He's loud and has a lot of money. He does support an expansion to gambling, which is against state and tribal governments agreement from the 80s where the casino monopoly is governed by tribes and not state government - such expansion will take a away resources from tribes. And we all know we don't have the highest respect for tribes (historically). Dayton's stance on this should be abhorrent especially because tribes struggle more than cities economically. This is a no no. Tribes should not pay for the rest of the state - they have paid enough already.
John Marty - What is surprising here is that even though he is the most progressive candidate, he did not get the endorsement from this progressive organization (decisions made by members only). This is definitely a blow to his campaign. He lost the 3rd spot by 11 votes. Some had cited whether or not he was "electable" since he was so progressive - call this an irony.
Tom Bakk - very nice dude. Not getting far this time.
Margaret Anderson-Kelliher - Oh what to say about Margaret.... Well, I want to say I like her and that I support her. BUT at the same time, I just don't feel it for her. When she speaks she doesn't sound genuine; it almost feels like she is reading off a script every time she speaks. There is no real connection anymore. I did hear someone say she has been good with affordable housing, but at the same time, like she has done with other issues, I wonder if she will be willing to risk it for the right thing or if she would give up to not jeopardize her career. She did come 2nd yesterday with the precinct caucus.
Matt Entenza - Oh Entenza. Well first of all, he has some good record in working for people, but he has lost it for me. I was at this Latin@ Forum last year and how he started his introduction was how he has been singled out because his last name is "Hispanic." He even called himself "Mateo." Like everyone speaks Spanish. Who in the world would do that to try to "connect" to people? Only Matt Entenza. However, in reality, he came off very arrogantly, and even offensive. I am also surprised that Carlos Mariani and Kith Ellison are supporting this dude - it almost seems that their support is a loyalty vote and nothing else. Both men have been supported by Entenza some way or another, in their campaigns or nonprofit. I love Carlos, but I was disappointed in his decision to endorse this highly arrogant individual. Lets move on.
Tom Rukavina - He's so funny! But that's not going to get him elected of course. Maybe it can help him. He did make the best first ad for what seems to be a highly contested political season though. I really like how he speaks and how he connects to people at many levels. He has been always there for people of color, at least from my experience with him. He has also been willing to call on the governor, which is brave to do. More importantly, when he knows something is not going to pass in the legislature, he will do what he can to create compromises to pass something at least. The concern is whether or not he has the support this year, which is unfortunate.
R.T. Rybak - He is probably my favorite candidate, with some flaws of course. But he has really done a lot for all communities in Minneapolis. He also likes Augsburg a ton and has been present when we invite him. He also believes in the potential of all kids and supports rights for all people. He also passed the law in Minneapolis that separates local police from Immigration agents - which is not only a smart decision economically, but it is also important for the immigrant communities in Minneapolis. We need such a policy state-wide. He has also done much for education and small businesses. He was the one who got the most votes at the reNEW MN Campaign annual meeting and got more people to caucus for him than any other DFL candidate. He also has the blue catching eyes.
Paul Thissen - I think Paul is the only candidate who has so far spoken to my principles. That is, he says his campaign is about hope for the future. At one forum he talked about seeing the world like a child, which yeah it sounds naive and whatever, but he said that a child sees the world where success in life was based on the potential of people and not where people from from - so, under a child's views, before being corrupted by society, there is no discrimination of any sort, everyone has the same opportunities, everyone gets a fair advantage in life. I do not think he is going far this time, but hopefully one day he has a chance. Everyone likes his hair! Including me :)
Well, there you have it. While I still remain skeptic on some of the candidates described above, I do know candidates for the other major party do not represent my values whatsoever this time.
Cheers to an exciting political season this year! LOL
Sunday, January 31, 2010
I wish many things did not exist
Today I spent my morning at this reNEW MN event where we as members endorsed three preferred progressive candidates for governor of MN this year.
After quite a long day, I came back to campus. Then Peter Miller, student leader here at Augsburg, invited me to come assist with Campus Kitchens to bring food to a homeless shelter in Downtown Mnpls. I said yes when I could have chosen to go to sleep or really do nothing meaningful (I knew I wasn't going to do homework for the day anymore).
We got on the new beast (older van really was an interesting automobile) and headed to downtown. I had done this shift before, but it had been a while now. I have chosen to do other things with my time. But I did remember how hopeless I felt every time I helped with giving food at the homeless shelter.
So, we got there and unloaded the beast. We got some plates ready for those who came late, so that they would still have something to eat. Peter made sure what we were serving plates that contained all kinds of proteins and the sort, so that meals were actually meals and not just fillers for the night. Then to start serving the food, a door-like window opened, and there again I saw what I saw the last time I was there: human beings laying on mats all across the floor, some standing, waiting for food for the night. It is a sad sight, from my side. I cannot imagine what it is to be on the other side.
Today I went to serve the food donated from our cafeteria and other places. I went only knowing that I was going to be back home by around 9pm. I went there knowing that I was really tired and that I was going to be back to my cozy bed pretty soon. I went there knowing that my roommates and I have not bothered to clean our apartment. I went there knowing where I get the next meals for the week, month even. My privileges are really exposed.
As we were serving the food, we made sure everyone got a good meal, at least a good meal out of what we had to offer. But as we were doing that, I tried to look at the people taking each plate. In a way, I felt that act was degrading. How would I feel if I were on the other side of the window? How would I feel if I were the one taking the place, staying in one of the mats for the night, getting kicked out the next morning?
Trying to glance at the people receiving the food was hard because of the multitasking required. But I did get to see a couple of people. Many of the men there were adults in their +30s, but there was this one person who looked so much like me, so young like me, so full of life, so discouraged by life. His eyes were sad. He did not smile. No one should live like this! [That brought me back to hearing from leaders trying to end homelessness who have said that younger people are very vulnerable in the streets for many reasons, one of them being young.]
Many of the men gave us the thanks for the food and the work. There were some who did not want this or that, but generally everyone gave us a smile. That is rewarding, but at the same time, it made me angry! In a state where we have thousands of foreclosed homes, we have many homeless - how does that make sense?
Really, while at the shelter, it was a sight of desolation, a situation in our society that should make each of us ashamed. It was a reminder that human beings are falling victims of policies that do not value humanity. Basic example is the budget cut Gov. Pawlenty made to the General Assistance Medical Care(GAMC)for really vulnerable Minnesotans, which runs out in April (initially it was ending on March, but after seeing the reaction of thousand of Minnesotans, Pawlenty somehow found funding for the program for one more month. Delaying the issue is not a solution - not now, not ever). He wants GAMC members, to join MN CARE, but that is not a viable solution for many. We must take action against that immoral act by the governor because we can choose to do so.
I wish homeless shelters did not exist because they are only needed because we are inadequate at ensuring everyone a decent life, or having permanent housing. We are not willing to address the systemic issues, often times just because of politics and not because the belief that every human being deserves to live a dignified life. While it is great that programs like Campus Kitchens exist, they are an underliner to the real problems.
At the same time, for example, I wish Admission Possible (AP) did not exist. AP assists low-income students prepare for the ACT and gain access to college. Mind you, I am a beneficiary of this program, but if the education system was just and actually ensuring students naturally went to college, then AP would not be needed. I was dissapointed when President Obama said AP was a great program (it is believe me) and that it should even be in more cities, 50 even! Instead, he should have said that programs like AP should not be needed because he was actually going to address the systemic issues, unlike past politicians, including Bush and Tim Pawlenty (MN has the worst numbers when it comes to students of color and white students, and it has only gotten worse since these two came to power). Now AP is expanding! I am sure it is going to expand where it is needed, where education is lagging at doing its job. AP should be a sign of failure for districts, something that exposes inequality in those cities, inequality that has not been addressed (and that AP is not going to solve - it only accepts a number of students, promising students only).
It is not until we address those underlining issues that we will not need programs like homeless shelters or Admission Possible (we should not need them). These programs are picking up the lagging of such systems. They are generally privately funded, so the public does not say much. But if that money came directly from taxes, probably people would pay more attention. What a shame.
In the mean time, we have the moral responsibility to care for each other - whether that is providing a meal one night or working with students in using their full potential. I just hope this is not a permanent situation - I want homeless shelters gone and Admission Possible as just a great memory because then everyone will have a home and all students having the same opportunities to attending college. But we all have the moral responsibility to act in order to see the change we wish to see in the world. Whether we take that responsibility or not is a question all those of us who have the means to do so is another thing.
After quite a long day, I came back to campus. Then Peter Miller, student leader here at Augsburg, invited me to come assist with Campus Kitchens to bring food to a homeless shelter in Downtown Mnpls. I said yes when I could have chosen to go to sleep or really do nothing meaningful (I knew I wasn't going to do homework for the day anymore).
We got on the new beast (older van really was an interesting automobile) and headed to downtown. I had done this shift before, but it had been a while now. I have chosen to do other things with my time. But I did remember how hopeless I felt every time I helped with giving food at the homeless shelter.
So, we got there and unloaded the beast. We got some plates ready for those who came late, so that they would still have something to eat. Peter made sure what we were serving plates that contained all kinds of proteins and the sort, so that meals were actually meals and not just fillers for the night. Then to start serving the food, a door-like window opened, and there again I saw what I saw the last time I was there: human beings laying on mats all across the floor, some standing, waiting for food for the night. It is a sad sight, from my side. I cannot imagine what it is to be on the other side.
Today I went to serve the food donated from our cafeteria and other places. I went only knowing that I was going to be back home by around 9pm. I went there knowing that I was really tired and that I was going to be back to my cozy bed pretty soon. I went there knowing that my roommates and I have not bothered to clean our apartment. I went there knowing where I get the next meals for the week, month even. My privileges are really exposed.
As we were serving the food, we made sure everyone got a good meal, at least a good meal out of what we had to offer. But as we were doing that, I tried to look at the people taking each plate. In a way, I felt that act was degrading. How would I feel if I were on the other side of the window? How would I feel if I were the one taking the place, staying in one of the mats for the night, getting kicked out the next morning?
Trying to glance at the people receiving the food was hard because of the multitasking required. But I did get to see a couple of people. Many of the men there were adults in their +30s, but there was this one person who looked so much like me, so young like me, so full of life, so discouraged by life. His eyes were sad. He did not smile. No one should live like this! [That brought me back to hearing from leaders trying to end homelessness who have said that younger people are very vulnerable in the streets for many reasons, one of them being young.]
Many of the men gave us the thanks for the food and the work. There were some who did not want this or that, but generally everyone gave us a smile. That is rewarding, but at the same time, it made me angry! In a state where we have thousands of foreclosed homes, we have many homeless - how does that make sense?
Really, while at the shelter, it was a sight of desolation, a situation in our society that should make each of us ashamed. It was a reminder that human beings are falling victims of policies that do not value humanity. Basic example is the budget cut Gov. Pawlenty made to the General Assistance Medical Care(GAMC)for really vulnerable Minnesotans, which runs out in April (initially it was ending on March, but after seeing the reaction of thousand of Minnesotans, Pawlenty somehow found funding for the program for one more month. Delaying the issue is not a solution - not now, not ever). He wants GAMC members, to join MN CARE, but that is not a viable solution for many. We must take action against that immoral act by the governor because we can choose to do so.
I wish homeless shelters did not exist because they are only needed because we are inadequate at ensuring everyone a decent life, or having permanent housing. We are not willing to address the systemic issues, often times just because of politics and not because the belief that every human being deserves to live a dignified life. While it is great that programs like Campus Kitchens exist, they are an underliner to the real problems.
At the same time, for example, I wish Admission Possible (AP) did not exist. AP assists low-income students prepare for the ACT and gain access to college. Mind you, I am a beneficiary of this program, but if the education system was just and actually ensuring students naturally went to college, then AP would not be needed. I was dissapointed when President Obama said AP was a great program (it is believe me) and that it should even be in more cities, 50 even! Instead, he should have said that programs like AP should not be needed because he was actually going to address the systemic issues, unlike past politicians, including Bush and Tim Pawlenty (MN has the worst numbers when it comes to students of color and white students, and it has only gotten worse since these two came to power). Now AP is expanding! I am sure it is going to expand where it is needed, where education is lagging at doing its job. AP should be a sign of failure for districts, something that exposes inequality in those cities, inequality that has not been addressed (and that AP is not going to solve - it only accepts a number of students, promising students only).
It is not until we address those underlining issues that we will not need programs like homeless shelters or Admission Possible (we should not need them). These programs are picking up the lagging of such systems. They are generally privately funded, so the public does not say much. But if that money came directly from taxes, probably people would pay more attention. What a shame.
In the mean time, we have the moral responsibility to care for each other - whether that is providing a meal one night or working with students in using their full potential. I just hope this is not a permanent situation - I want homeless shelters gone and Admission Possible as just a great memory because then everyone will have a home and all students having the same opportunities to attending college. But we all have the moral responsibility to act in order to see the change we wish to see in the world. Whether we take that responsibility or not is a question all those of us who have the means to do so is another thing.
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