Ride on the Peace Train

Check it. Word up, bitches.

A letter from Gitmo

Reading this today made me so sad and angry.

Did you know?

While California has one lawyer for every 240 people, there is only one legal aid attorney for every 8,373 poor people.

Damn.

Grrrl Power

This is a great month for women. Britney and Whitney each filed for divorce from their good-for-nothing husbands. Representive Nancy Pelosi was chosen to be the next Speaker of the House. The janitors, particularly female janitors, in Houston prevailed in their month-long struggle for a better wages and health care. My good friend Khanum beat a penis-shaped pinata with a cricket bat at her bachelorette party.

There is still so much to do in pursuit of social and economic justice for women and girls... but for today, I feel so blessed to be a woman.

Vote No on Prop. 83 & 85

Tomorrow (well, today) is Election Day. Please remember to vote. And let's pray that the Democrats will take back both the House and the Senate. I think it may be possible.

Also, if you reside in California, please vote NO on Propositions 83 & 85. Prop. 85 requires parental notification for a minor to terminate a pregnancy. Of course, we all know how wrong that is, so there is no need to discuss it (I hope).

Many liberal and progressive organizations and unions, however, are silent (likely due to political reasons) on Prop 83, which prohibits registered sex offenders from residing within 2,000 feet of any school or park and expands monitoring of such offenders to include lifelong global positioning system tracking. That is so fucked up. Why must sex offenders continue to be punished for their crime, even when they have already served their time and paid their debt to society? We as a society already have a website to monitor the residences of sex offenders, but now we're going to tell them where they can or cannot live? Don't we all know by now that most sex offenses are committed by people we know, rather than random strangers on the streets?

I know I am a minority when it comes to this view, but I feel very strongly about it. There are better ways to reduce recidivism.

Read this LA Times article about how Prop 83 can negatively impact our communities. The article is actually quite neutral, but it does a great job outlining the arguments for both sides.

Minutemen need to die

...or at least be spitted on.

Here's another Call to Action... Minutemen are intending to protest in Maywood, CA, the first and only Sanctuary city in the US for undocumented immigrants, on November 11th, 2006 @ 9am in front of Maywood City Hall - 4319 E. Slauson Ave, Maywood CA 90270. E-mail Sisepuedeamnistia@ yahoo.com or call 626-375-2873.

Apparently, the Minutemen/SOS came to Maywood before, on August 26, 2006, to protest against the city's policies, including Maywood's decision to disband it's traffic division because traffic checkpoints were used to tow away cars of undocumented residents. However, hundreds of counter protesters (up to 1000) confronted them. This included seasoned anti-minutemen activist, community members, and Maywood organizers. The community and activists stood united and peacefully in spite of countless Minutemen/SOS who tried to pass forcefully through the crowd.

Now the Minutemen are returning for another ass-whooping. Is it me or have you noticed that xenophobes never stop? Although I hate their guts, I must say I admire their endurance.

Tonkhero gets busted!

Here he is in the center of the picture, getting accosted by the Pigs during a Janitors' Strike in Houston yesterday (btw, you should check out the link, my boy made the New York Times!). Tonk and 11 other union reps were arrested for blocking traffic after handcuffing themselves to trash cans and sitting in the middle of the street.

I think Tonk used my handcuffs...

Although I have my own personal opinions about the overall effectiveness of traditional types of civil disobedience, especially in this day and age (a discussion for another time), I am so proud of these folks, especially the low wage workers who have so much to risk when they put their lives and limbs on the line. It is very brave and admirable. I look to them for courage and strength.

Here's Vu giving his sexy eyes to the cops. He's such a flirt!

Call to Action

(This Call to Action follows a recent racial incident that occurred at
UCLA Law School.  Oh how I love my alma mater... it hasn't changed one
bit since I left!)

Friends, Alumni, Colleagues and Allies,

SHARE JD (Students Helping to Assure Racial Equity, Justice and
Diversity), an organization at UCLA Law school, is planning a direct
action to mark the 10-year anniversary of the passage of Proposition
209 which ended any participation in Affirmative Action programs on
behalf of public institutions.

Since Prop 209, the number of students of color at public
universities across California has dwindled such that at UCLA, only
96 black students enrolled at the undergraduate level for the school
year of 2006-2007 out of an incoming class of 3,000.

At the law school, we have ONE black woman in the class of 2008 which
has about 350 students. We had more black students in 1969 at the law
school than we do in 2006.

These numbers are outrageous and similar stats can be found at almost
every public higher education institution across California.

On the morning of Thursday November 2, SHARE JD is coordinating
students of color to "walk-in" to law school classes at UCLA. We want
students to see what our classrooms SHOULD look like if it was
representative of the people of Los Angeles and California.  We also
want students of color to feel empowered to take their space and their
place.

To accomplish this we need YOU to contact as many people of color as
possible and have them e-mail claudlbc@yahoo.com if they are
interested in 'walking-in.'

There are 11 classes we are trying to fill. The idea is to walk-in to
classes beginning at 10:50am and 11:00am. Each group will have a
representative speaker who will address the class and professor.
Afterwards, we will head to the courtyard to hear a speaker.

In justice,

SHARE JD

How I commemorated 9/11

Let's see. In the morning, I turned off NPR because all the topics revolved around the anniversary of 9/11. Yeah, it was a quiet morning.

When I perused the paper, I skipped all the headlines about 9/11. So I had a quick read.

As I searched the internet, I grew so tired of banal images intended to put people in hysteria:


Thankfully, by the evening, I was saved. The Los Angeles and Valley area campaign for a Department of Peace and Nonviolence hosted a screening of the 1982 film classic, Gandhi, in celebration of 100 years of non-violence and the birth of the non-violence movement in 1906. When I learned about the screening through the LA Weekly, I really felt it was appropos to attend... and I am really glad I went. Gandhi is my new hero.
If you haven't seen this movie yet, you must. Put it on your Netflicks queue. Buy and own it.

The movie was long, like 3 1/2 hours, and even had an actual intermission, but the story was so captivating that my ADD brain didn't mind. The movie fortunately helped fill in many blanks of my limited knowledge of the Indian Independence Movement and the subsequent partition of India and Pakistan.

The performers were excellent, and so was the art direction/cinematography. The scenes of non-violent civil disobedience were so powerful. Gandhi was right when he said non-violent resistance is not passive.

“You can chain me, you can torture me, you can even destroy this body, but you will never imprison my mind.”

Dude, I can go on and on why I love this movie. But most importantly, I learned more about Gandhi. This man is awesome!

After the screening, I felt so inspired. The belief that one person can make a difference rekindled in me. Considering humankind's barbaric history and current hyperactive culture toward violence, it seems impossible, almost mythical, that a movement of non-violence gained Indian independence from the almighty British Empire. It's crazy.

“The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world's problems”


In addition to Mahatma Gandhi's acute strategic and organizing skills, as well as being a saavy lawyer, I admire him for his commitment to live his life the way he thought was right. It's so hard to do. It really is. I struggled for many years to live in a way that was more aligned with my politics and beliefs (particulary with regards to consumerism), but found myself defeated each time.

“The Roots of Violence: Wealth without work, Pleasure without conscience, Knowledge without character, Commerce without morality, Science without humanity, Worship without sacrifice, Politics without principles”

Gandhi chose to live a simple, self-sustaining life and practiced for many years to make himself into the person he wanted to be. I'm sure he failed at times, because he's human. Just the fact he made an effort everyday of his adult life to live consciously and deliberately resonates deep value within me.

"Be the change you want to see in the world."

I think DYY is ready for her own personal transformation. Don't laugh, I'm serious. In fact, the first thing I did when I got home was purchase The Essential Gandhi: An Anthology of his Writings on His Life, Work, and Ideas over Amazon. I guess I want Gandhi to continue to inspire and motivate me as I revive my long-abandoned pursuits to live life consciously and deliberately.

“Men often become what they believe themselves to be. If I believe I cannot do something, it makes me incapable of doing it. But when I believe I can, then I acquire the ability to do it even if I didn't have it in the beginning.”

Making changes in a consumer culture

"Every time we pull out our wallet to buy something, we are casting a vote for the kind of society and economy we want. Whether we fully realize it or not, we vote with our dollars every single day, either for or against sustainability, for or against health, for or against justice," asserts Ronnie Cummins, National Director of the Organic Consumers Association.

"There's only one reason for buying organic food, clothing, and other products; for supporting Fair Trade; and giving preference to independently owned local and regional businesses - because it's the best way to live."

-- excerpt from GREEN LIVING, the E Magazine's Handbook for Living Lightly on the Earth.

ps. you like my clip art? It's raining benji's, baby!

Excerpts so true

"For a long time I thought I'd go into politics," he says now. "But who really has more influence: a congressman or Rupert Murdoch?" As much as anything, it is a comment on his generation—ambivalent about Democrats and Republicans, but likely to volunteer, buy socially responsible goods and be steeped in media.

"I didn't want to work in government, but I wanted to effect change. The cultural arena provides just as good an opportunity."

"There's an emerging culture of giving a damn among young people," he says. "We just want to offer a platform for that."

-- From an article about Ben Goldhirsh in the West Magazine.

No love for Condi

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice received an honorary degree and addressed graduates at Boston College today. Faculty and students stood with their backs toward the stage as Rice was introduced to give her commencement speech.

A letter written by two theology professors, and signed by more than 10 percent of the faculty, kicked off the opposition to Rice. "On the levels of both moral principle and practical moral judgment, Secretary Rice's approach to international affairs is in fundamental conflict with Boston College's commitment to the values of the Catholic and Jesuit traditions and is inconsistent with the humanistic values that inspire the university's work," the letter said.

"We are very concerned as Catholics that Boston College has invited Condoleezza Rice, who is an architect of this foreign policy and war. ... That is hardly something to honor," said Brayton Shanley, a BC alumnus and co-founder of Agape, a lay Catholic organization that has been working with students to organize the protests.

A Day without Immigrants

May Day March at corner of Wilshire and La Brea
Photos by DYY

More than one million immigrants and supporters skipped work today and marched from MacArther Park to Mid-Wilshire in support of immigrant rights, as part of a nationwide boycott that succeeded in slowing or shutting down businesses all across America.

From my own personal experience, it was amazing to see most of the businesses on Wilshire closed. It feels so rewarding to show the nation that immigrants truly contribute to the economic viability of our country.

I cannot even tell you the excitement I felt when I walked toward the enormous group, who were mostly wearing white in solidarity.
It was incredible and powerful.

Besides little man's poster pictured here, my favorite slogans of the afternoon were, "Legalize LA", and "March Today, Vote Tomorrow".

Here we are representin'. We're so fuckin cute, huh?
We received many compliments on our dual sided US/China flags (handmade by Blu-Tooth) and matching United Farmworkers
"Si Se Puede" shirts!

Funny and poignant

Read this opinion piece by this chick named Rosa Brooks. She writes about how Americans don't protest anymore... yet another job we leave for immigrants...

The Sleeping Giant awakes...

On Saturday, over 1 million protested against federal legistlation that would crack down undocumented immigrants, penalize those who help them and build a security wall along U.S.' southern border. This was the largest demonstration in the history of California. March organizers announced that the crowd was over 1 million. Univision and other Spanish-language television reported that up to 2 million people marched. The Los Angeles Times, reflecting police estimates, gave the march 500,000 - police estimates have been trying to minimize pro-immigrant rights demonstration for the last few weeks.

"Paradise Now" Petition

(Let's cross our fingers that this movie wins for Best Foreign Film!)

To: The World

"Paradise Now" is a movie that attempts to explain the other side of the story. It is a story about the suffering of Palestinians and how an a life of desperation can lead to an act of desperation. The movie outlines the struggle Palestinians face under the Israeli occupation and how the use of their bodies has become the only form of resistance made available to them. Paradise Now does not attempt to "legitimize" the bombings, it simply presents the audience with the other side of the story, the Palestinian side, and allows those watching to draw their own conclusions.

"Paradise Now" has been nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Foreign Film Category.

This petition was started in response to on-line petitions that are attempting to collect signatures to revoke the film's nomination. Another petition was also started to pressure the Academy into changing it's origin name from "Palestine" to "Palestinian Authority" under the argument that Palestine does not exist.

To deny the existance of Palestine is to deny the existance of Palestinians both historically and today.

Paradise Now is a film that deserves to be shown to the world regardless of people's political views. Its nomination should not be revoked and its name should not be changed.

Remember, there are always two sides to every story. It is only fair to hear the other side as well. The side that does not get any press coverage. The side you will never see on the evening news.

Whether you feel Paradise Now should retain its nomination or keep the name of "Palestine", whether you feel it deserves to win an Oscar or even if you feel that art should not be censored in any shape or form: please show your support and sign this petition.

Thank you kindly.

Sincerely,
The Undersigned <--click for petition

The War on T-shirts

Cindy Sheehan (that soccer mom/anti-war activist who stalks Bush) was arrested and dragged out of the House chambers right before Bush's State of the Union speech last Tuesday... because she wore a t-shirt that said: "2245 Dead. How many more?" I've been reading various reports about it, but I found her own story to be most compelling. You should read it, cuz it almost made me cry.

I feel deep consternation for obvious reasons... violation of the first amendment... threatened freedom of speech... yes, all of that and a bag of chips. But now I must ask myself, "Hmm, I wonder what would happen if I wore this t-shirt today?", and that really sucks.

I happen to be a proprietor of several provocative (and, I would like to think, subversive) t-shirts, and I intend to purchase and/or make more.

Shortly after 9/11, my girl Retu warned me not to wear this shirt to the airport. I responded, "They ain't profiling me." I felt if I could make a statement and still be safe, I should. But times have changed... if they're going to tackle some housewife for her rather innocuous shirt, they would shoot me for wearing this. "Intifada" means "Uprising" in Arabic.

My pal KimCheeFarmer got me this shirt during the Presidential elections in 2004. I wore it to each Kerry/Bush debate party that my nerdy friends and I held... even to the Edwards/Cheney debate. Can you believe I am admitting this?

I wear this shirt to all the anti-war rallies and protests, at least ones I used to go to...

There is nothing particularly striking about this shirt but whenever I wear it, people notice. And they always ask, "Is that you?" I usually respond, "Yes." Suckas.

This shirt is a recent acquisition. I think it's HILarious... and witty.

When I first saw this shirt, I knew I must have it... but was concerned that people wouldn't get it. It turns out, many didn't, not even folks who knew and understood me! For them, I am disappointed. But the ones who did get it, LOVES IT. And that makes the $13.99 plus some uncertain stares and snickers... priceless.

A middle finger to Gonzales

Members of the audience, some wearing black hoods, stand up and turn their backs on Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, rear center, as he speaks at Georgetown University Law School Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2006. Answering the Bush administration's critics, Gonzales said Tuesday that warrantless surveillance is critical to prevent another terrorist attack within the United States.

The Abu Ghraib outfits are so good. They should be the anti-torture demonstration uniforms for 2006. Such a Fashion Do... especially if you're trying to fuck with Gonzales!

Fur as Foe

PETA demonstration in Barcelona, Spain

I'm not really into PETA, like I'm not into vegans or anarchists, but this demonstration is pretty good and quite artful... however, I think they did bite off the anti-smoking campaigns of recent years. Still admirable.

I'm sure some are thinking, "Thank god I'm still warm from the Big Breakfast I had at McDonald's this morning."

*One question though: Where's Pamela Anderson? That would have drew a bigger crowd. Organizers need to know how to utilize their resources! Si Se Puede!

Tego v. Diddy

My boy, Tego Calderon, the Godfather of Reggaetone, turned down an offer by Puffy to appear in Sean John's spring collection campaign after Tego learned that Comb's company is involved with sweatshops in Central America.

Photo by DYY

My boy got some principles, man. When I was at his concert at the Hollywood Park Casino last summer, Tego spoke frequently about Puerto Rican and Latino pride and unity. He made me wish I was Puerto Rican. Well, actually, I didn't understand a word that mofo said... but unity (and love) speaks a universal language.

Thanks to that big tattooed cholo at the Arco gas station in Pacoima who introduced me to Tego in 2003. If you didn't deafen me with those Tego beats blaring from your El Dorado, I would have never knew of this man's greatness.