Also check out the Korematsu Institute: http://korematsuinstitute.org/
Posts Tagged ‘immigration’
Happy Fred Korematsu Day!
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged america, anti-racism, asian american, children, Civil liberties, contrition, denial, education, family, federal government, grief, history, immigration, politics, stereotypes on January 30, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Show me your papers
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged anti-racism, christians, education, entitlement, federal government, history, immigration, latino/hispanic, politics, prejudice, race, racism, white allies on October 12, 2011| Leave a Comment »
From Catholic Archbishop of Mobile, Rev. Thomas Rodi (excerpt, full-text at link, emphasis all mine):
This is our right as Americans and as citizens of Alabama. Sometimes people will say that the U.S. Constitution gives us the freedom to worship. Actually, the Constitution gives us the right to the free exercise of our religion. “Freedom to Worship” means that we can come together on Sunday to worship. “Free Exercise” means that, when we leave church on Sunday, we have the right to exercise our faith in our daily lives. This new law prevents us as believers from exercising our life of faith as commanded by the Lord Jesus.
I did not wish to enter into a legal action against the government of Alabama. It is not my temperament to look for an argument. I prayed fervently about this matter, and my prayer kept bringing me back to the motto I chose ten years ago for my bishop’s coat of arms: “The love of Christ impels us” (2 Cor 5:14) Indeed, the love of Christ impels us to “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit…” (Matthew 28:19). No law is just which prevents the proclamation of the Gospel, the baptizing of believers, or love shown to neighbor in need. I do not wish to stand before God and, when God asks me if I fed him when he was hungry or gave him to drink when he was thirsty, to reply: yes, Lord, as long as you had the proper documents.
Throughout our history we have been a nation of immigrants. The words of Moses to the Hebrew people should resonate in our own hearts: “You shall not oppress or afflict the alien among you, for you were once aliens residing in the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 22:20) As citizens we have the right to live our Christian faith. As Christians, we have an obligation to do so.
Colorlines: Five Comedians of Color to Watch
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged Colorlines, comedy, Elon James, Elon James White, immigration, Katt Williams, media, race, racism, video, Wanda Sykes on September 1, 2011| 2 Comments »
In response to Katt Williams’ recent anti-Mexican, anti-Latino “comedic” tirade, Colorlines has posted a great roundup of five comedians of color whose commentary on race is more constructive – including one of my long-time favorite comedians, Wanda Sykes, and a new favorite of mine, Elon James White of the smart and hilarious Blacking it Up podcast (which you should all check out!). I’ve posted the clips Colorlines shared from Sykes and Elon James below; the latter has some swearing in it, so probably NSFW.
Wanda Sykes on the i-word:
Elon James White on what to do if you’re stopped by the cops or ICE.
Georgia: It’s the new Arizona
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged denial, entitlement, federal government, immigration, latino/hispanic, prejudice, race, racism, stereotypes on April 15, 2011| Leave a Comment »
The LA Times reported on a new Georgia law that parallels Arizona’s anti-immigrant legislation from last year.
The heart of the article gets straight to the problem:
In a provision with rough similarities to the most contentious part of the Arizona law, the Georgia bill gives police the authority to check a suspect’s immigration status if the suspect is unable to produce a valid ID and if the officer has probable cause to believe the suspect has committed a “criminal offense.” If the person is verified as an illegal immigrant, police can detain that person or notify federal authorities.
Charles Kuck, a prominent Atlanta immigration attorney, said the way the bill is written, “criminal offenses” could be as minor as traffic violations.
Kuck, a Republican and outspoken critic of the legislation, said there was some question as to whether this provision gave police any more power than they already have. But the bigger problem, he said, was with “the message that it sends — this bill says, ‘Immigrants, do not come to Georgia…. You’re gonna have to show us your papers when you come.’ ”
He scoffed at another section prohibiting police from considering “race, color or national origin” when enforcing the bill.
“Let me ask you a question,” Kuck said. “Do you think any white people are going be taken in for an immigration background check if they forgot their wallet at home?”