Category Archives: Civil Rights

Featured Blog: “The Alabama Immigrant” Part 2

Earlier this week we wrote about The Alabama Immigrant  in Part 1 of our feature.  We heard from a lot of our visitors who had the chance to check out this great blog.  We hope you enjoy the concluding feature on “The Alabama Immigrant”.  Make sure to show them some love.

 Through your eyes what do people need to understand about what is happening in Alabama?
People need to understand that although what we are seeing is disturbing, our hope can not be left in the hands of elected officials. People tend to elect reflections of themselves. We as individuals need to decide that we are going to treat other people with dignity, regardless of where they were born.
 How has life changed in Alabama?
I can see things changing little by little in Alabama. For example, sometimes I overhear people’s conversations about immigration issues. The things they say are so horrible. I hear stories about how bad things were in the 50s, but I never thought Alabama would be like that again. When they are saying such hateful things about non-americans, I wonder what they would say if they knew I was married to a Mexican. I wonder if they could say those things if they spent even 5 minutes with my beautiful nieces and nephews. I know that they couldn’t. The only reason they are acting like that is because they are grossly misinformed. The girls my wife and I are friends with tell us shocking stories about life in school as well. The kids use racial name calling, and make violent threats. It’s very sad, and it misrepresents the feelings of the masses.
 Are there any groups down in Alabama that you support or have been able to work with?
I am in contact with a girl named Jessica Ordenana who is helping children with deported parents. She is starting a non-profit organization “to have a place young children & adolescents can do their homework, talk to other kids in the same situation and communicate with their parents. In addition offer services to help these children with social, financial, employment, education, legal and mental health. We want to keep the families as close together as possible.” her site is http://jesscares.tumblr.com/

Please check out their site HERE and Follow them on Twitter. 

Lag Time of Immigration Policy

In

the United States there exists a lag time between public opinion and policy action. The lag time may be a good thing or it may be a bad thing. For example the current sentiment in Alabama is to repeal many of the parts to the immigration policy which has been so harsh. The lag time has made it so the legislation is still in effect even if people have decided it should go. In other cases the lag time has created such a disconnect between the legislation creation or changes and what the current attitudes of the public are. The time which currently does exist does however protect the states from continually having sweeping changes in legislation. I do wonder though if people simply accept the status quo in regards to having legislation policies that seem outdated or if they will continue to push to make our law makers more in tune with those whom they are making laws for.

Post of the Week: Friday Documentary "Never Forgotten"

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/juanpasalagua/never-forgotten

The Story:

The detention of migrants is a multi-billion dollar industry in America, one in which immigrants are traded like products and are for sale to the highest bidder. The Private Correctional facilities are the ones benefiting with profits close to $5 billion dollars annually… Continue reading

Thursday Thought

While watching the RockCenter piece Monday night I saw a woman fueled by hate. The woman was a lobbyist who played a big role in Alabama’s immigration law. She became involved after her brother in law was killed by a drunk driver who was undocumented. I do not fault the woman for having anger and pain but I do question her hate. To take action to get involved and lobby for a cause when only fueled by your hate it is very scary. If we as US Citizens continue to promote or pursue causes because of hate we will end of destroying life’s and this country we love.

RockCenter on Immigration

This is a great interview that aired last night on RockCenter with Brian Williams on NBC

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Message from Anonymous to Cartels, Mexico, and the world

Anonymous message to Zeta cartel
To los Zetas and other drug cartels and criminal organizations:

THIS IS NOW INTERNATIONAL. THIS IS GLOBAL. YOU CAN TRY TO STOP ANONS IN MEXICO, CENTRAL AMERICA, AND PERHAPS THE UNITED STATES, BUT YOU CAN’T STOP ANONYMOUS AS IT IS A WORLDWIDE IDEA, A GLOBAL SPIRIT IMPOSSIBLE TO SHOT, IMPOSSIBLE TO BURN IN ACID. STOP YOUR REGIME OF TERROR.WE KNOW WE ARE RISKING OUR LIVES, BUT WE PREFER TO DIE STANDING THAN TO LIVE A WHOLE LIFE ON OUR KNEES. WE DON’T KNOW WHO OR WHAT IS REALLY BEHIND YOU. BUT BELIEVE US, WE WILL FIND OUT. WE RARELY FAIL.

To our fellow citizens of the world, and especially the Mexican People:

THIS IS THE TIME WHEN YOU CAN TAKE THE CHANCE TO ACT ON YOUR OWN BEHALF. THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW THE WORLD HOW CORRUPT YOUR GOVERNMENT IS, HOW IT IS NOT JUST UNABLE TO PROVIDE SAFETY FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES, BUT ALSO IS AN ALLY OF THE CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT THREATEN EVERY SINGLE ASPECT OF YOUR LIFE. AREN’T YOU TIRED? AREN’T YOU FED UP OF ALL THESE DEATHS? THIS IS THE CHANCE TO SHOW BOTH CRIMINALS AND GOVERNMENT WHO IS REALLY IN CHARGE. PEOPLE OF THE WORLD, THIS IS A CALL TO GLOBAL REVOLUTION. THE TIME IS NOW. THE INFORMATION IS YOUR WEAPON. THE RESISTANCE IS YOUR MOTIVATION. YOU CAN COUNT ON US, WE’LL NEVER LEAVE YOU ALONE. AND WE ARE COUNTING ON YOU. WE KNOW SOME OF YOU KNOW THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN YOUR COMMUNITY. SHARE THESE THINGS WITH US AND HELP STOP THE CORRUPTION.

To the Mexican Government:

WE HAVE WATCHED PATIENTLY HOW SOME OF YOUR MEMBERS OPENLY MAKE DEALS WITH THE CRIMINAL GROUPS INSTEAD OF PROSECUTING THEM. WE HAVE WATCHED HOW YOU’VE BEEN LYING TO YOUR PEOPLE, MANTAINING A WAR ON DRUGS ACTING AS IF YOU WERE REALLY INTERESTED IN PUBLIC HEALTH. THIS IS AN HIPOCRISY FROM YOU. YOU DON’T CARE ABOUT YOUR PEOPLE. YOU ONLY WANT TO KEEP MAKING MONEY FROM THE BIG DRUG BUSINESS. YOU HAVE GIVEN THEM MORE POWER THAN PABLO ESCOBAR COULD ONLY HAVE DREAMED OF. AND THIS IS THE TIME WHEN YOU SHOULD START DOING SOME CLEANING UP IN YOUR HOUSE. YOU MUST STOP LYING TO YOUR PEOPLE, OR ELSE YOUR LIES WILL BE EXPOSED IN THE MOST DISHONORABLE MANNER. MR. FELIPE CALDERÓN, PLEASE RECONSIDER THIS WAR ON DRUGS. DON’T ATTACK THE SYMPTOMS; ATTACK THE CAUSE. YOU ARE BEING DENOUNCED TO THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT, LONG BEFORE YOUR OFFICE TERM EXPIRES. DOESN’T IT RING ANY BELLS? DOESN’T IT TELL YOU HOW TIRED IS YOUR PEOPLE OF THIS BLOODBATH? WE WOULDN’T TARGET CRIMINAL GROUPS, BUT, UNFORTUNATELY, YOUR PEOPLE IS CRYING FOR HELP AND IT ONLY FALLS ON DEAF EARS. DOESN’T IT HURT YOU? DO YOU FEEL GOOD ABOUT IT? WE DON’T, AND WE WILL DEFEND THE PEOPLE WHO, SADLY, YOU SHOULD BE DEFENDING INSTEAD OF SPENDING YOUR TIME TRYING TO SELL THE WORLD THE BIG LIE THAT MEXICO IS A PARADISE. A LIE THAT NO ONE, BY THE WAY, BELIEVES ANYMORE. AND ONE LAST THING: DON’T BOTHER YOURSELF TRYING TO DELETE THIS BLOG AS YOU DID WITH THE LAST ONE ON SEPTEMBER 15TH, 2011. IT’S BACKED UP AND WE CAN REUPLOAD IT IN 20 MINUTES. STOP CORRUPTION AND CENSORSHIP. WE STILL WANT TO BELIEVE THAT YOU THINK AT LEAST 5 MINUTES A DAY IN THE WELFARE OF YOUR FELLOW CITIZENS. THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION.