Responding to the Immigration Debate: Us vs. Them mentality

Today is May 1. This doesn’t mean find a maypole and dance a jig.

Today is a historical day signifying the organization of workers, often manifested by labor unions, to fight for workers rights. It is an internationally recognized movement. In this country, we benefit from the labor movement through the creation of a minimum wage standard, an eight-hour work day, weekends and holidays off, and laws against child labor. More recently, May Day events advocate for a living wage policy and immigration reform.

The immigration debate is emotionally heated and often gives way to us vs them language. However, on this day last year, thousands of immigrants—documented & undocumented, Central & South American, Asian and European—gathered to protest the unfair, racist immigration policies in the United States.

This debate really isn’t about foreign workers taking jobs from Americans. This is about a racist ideology that the US is a nation of English-speaking, freedom-loving, truck-driving, flag-waving, gun-toting, white patriots. To be truly “American” one must do all the above and then some. The face of closed-borders, guest-workers ideologues is a white face. And often a male face. In contrast, the face of the immigrant is stereotyped as a brown face. Often a Spanish-speaking face. The fallicy of this belief is evidenced in the multicultural, multiracial, united front present at immigrant rights rallies across the nation.

Immigrant rights should not characterized by brown vs white arguments. Go back to your history books folks. We are all immigrants.

Thus immigration laws, essentially labor laws, should be the concern of all citizens. Immigration rights are not a brown struggle, a black struggle, or a white struggle. It is a working class struggle. It is a struggle that is above and beyond tiffs characterized in the slogan, “Stop immigration and keep Americans working”. Amazingly enough, is anyone doing the $*# jobs that so many immigrants are willing to work? The irony behind the “us vs them mentality” is that we are “them” and they are us.

Slogans like “Let’s get rid of the Mexicans” or “Immigrants bring crime” are indicative of the racist attitudes aimed at keeping hierarchical social order. If you want to talk about immigrant crime, then let’s talk about the atrocities done to the Native Americans by the British settlers.

Behind the disparity in jobs and wages is the capitalist machine, the hand of the corporate greed. It’s to the benefit of Big Business to keep the worker pool low-skilled and low-paid. In a way, it’s out-sourcing on home soil. Our solution isn’t to send anyone anywhere—we’d all be gone if that was the policy. We should be working to for the benefit of all workers. What would it look like for workers to actually make what it takes to live, for families to have healthcare, and for CEOs to receive a pay cut?

We should all be concerned with issues of justice for every member in society. And to the fellow holding the "I didn't ask for diversity" sign I say, why don't you go home. Or better yet, dig a hole, climb in, and bury yourself. You can't avoid diversity.

On Branding...Part I

Logos, labels and brands serve two main purposes.

1. To assign a name, ideal, or value.

2. To declare ownership.

While the two purposes often work concurrently, the former covertly hides the power of the latter. But before we get ahead of ourselves…

Historically, the Middle Ages utilized livestock branding to demonstrate property ownership. Industrialization and the mass production of goods created the need for branding (naming and declaring ownership) of products. Today branding extends beyond livestock, to include logo placement on products, territorial art on human canvases, and categories by which we organize and understand our relationships.

As it pertains to products…

When we see a product with a particular label you now have an idea of who is staking territory and what values this company represents. As stated by Naomi Klein in her book No Logo,

Logos, by the force of ubiquity, have become the closest thing we have to an international language, recognized and understood in many more places than English.

This universal language has cultivated a “happy family” mentality and empowered the “one-world” airline motto as the world becomes smaller and smaller through technology and globalization. In fact, we are one big, loving community. We can smile and nod as we sip a latte at Starbucks in Hong Kong. We can exhale with a sigh of relief when we see the comforting Colonel Sanders as we hike up The Great Wall. We can pretend we speak the same language and hold the same values by bribing our native hosts with a Value meal because McDonald’s golden arches denote family fun around the world. McDonald’s emulates American ingenuity as its menu changes to reflect culture—including items like fried chicken & rice in the Philippines, vegetable & seafood soup in China, the McGreek in Greece and of course the McTurk in Turkey (which looks and tastes just like the McGreek). Thus, through corporate symbols the citizens of a global economy appear to get along.

Logos, brands, and labels thrive on appearances. As communicated in a brainstorm with my students, brands like Nike symbolized quality and speed, while Sean John and Phat Farm are deemed symbols of urban, hip-hop lifestyles. Appearances are manufactured through seductive ads that promote partial (if not completely false) truths.

While some may think of brands as a form of advertising, Klein puts it this way,

Think of the brand as the core meaning of the modern corporation, and of the advertisement as one vehicle used to convey that meaning to the world.

The meanings conveyed to the world inaccurately reflect the ethical, political, or fiscal values of these companies. In fact, the flying Jordan effectively detracts from the sweatshop conditions and the abhorrent wages paid to under-aged workers in Indonesia, China, and Vietnam.

Some companies like The Gap try to soften the image of the eight-year old child sewing a the label onto a pair of jeans by announcing a code of ethics that coincides with a respect for human life. Only time will tell whether or not these companies have repented of their wicked ways. Alas, skepticism is a virtue when it comes to trusting the self-serving corporate world. However, it is with a glimmer of hope that I read such news.

End Part I.

Playing for Keeps

In the U.S., we live in an extremely cutthroat society founded on the beliefs that property and possessions define one’s sense of identity and worth. The need to accumulate began with our “founding fathers” who decided it would be nice to have more land, especially the land that was being “wasted” by the Natives. What started as selfishness has snowballed into an economic and political ideology that says we can acquire what we want if we work hard enough. Those who do not have are lazy and ridiculous because they are missing out on the joys of ownership. Never mind, that valuing community over individualism has served many societies well for centuries. Today, we are confronted with the concept of a global community. I like the sound of a neighborhood of diverse languages, cultures, perspectives, and religious beliefs. In fact, I spend my life pursuing this kind of community as I live, travel, and study with amazing people from around the globe.

I now reside in a nation that has one of the loudest voices, backed by the most powerful military in the world. As a forerunner for democratic values, it would seem logical that the U.S. would consider it’s role in the world significant enough to weigh each decision with care and precision. I won’t feign expertise, but it doesn’t take a genius to recognize the areas our nation has fallen short.

I have been accused of absorbing information as is from both the politically and socially defined Left and the Right. Even those who know me well, have forgotten that I am a questioner. I like to suspend my opinions in attempt to gain understanding and perspective (that I may not actually believe). I enjoy getting to the root of issues because the foundation of ones belief system reveals whether or not the rest of the structure will be faulty; whether the construction workers veered from the plans. While I am enrolled in a “liberal” graduate program, I attended this school because of its emphasis on democracy and social justice in the teaching profession. Every day, I decipher how much of this is b.s. and how much of it resonates with the convictions of my soul. More often than not, the bells are ringing as my heart does a little leap and shouts yes, yes, this is what community should look like.

Community is not based on the deficit model. You don’t have therefore you are incomplete. No, community looks at the benefits of each for the benefit of all. When my feet hurt, the rest of my body is affected. Likewise, when six year old children work fifteen hour days in a factory to make a pair of Nikes that sell for $145 in the U.S. but walk home with 1.50 a day to help support their starving families, I am affected. I can pretend that it doesn’t matter when a company patents a yellow bean from Mexico but eventually, I will feel the pain of this. It is merely a matter of time.

The purpose of corporations and businessmen/women is to make money for their shareholders. Why should they be concerned with little Juanita? She is expendable. There are thousands of other young women that need jobs and are willing to work horrific circumstances for anything that will keep them alive. When we reach a point in where people are treated like recyclables, or obstacles in our path to success and personal fulfillment, we have lost it!!!!!!!!!

When we can sit back and sip our lattes in our SUVs and pat ourselves on the back for making more than ends meet, while ignoring the fact that people have become a commodity (ranging from young people as free advertisement for GAP to the rush of proving our workers will give you more for your investment), we have forgotten principles of compassion, kindness, love, and justice.

My uncle recently told me that it was inevitable for small farmers to be eaten by larger corporation because that’s the way it is in a globalized economy. When are we going to pause and say, hey, this is NOT okay! It doesn’t have to be this way. Why do I settle for the mediocre, to be pleased by half-assed effort to improve our way of life? I reiterate that we are connected to one another, across the world. Our selfish greed will eventually bite us in the butt and we’ll have screwed ourselves over because we forgot to remember our neighbors. I’m a firm believer in reciprocity. You may call it karma, but I say God will enact His divine justice to redistribute what has been co-opted by the undeserving. Read your Bible. The heart of God is for the widow, the homeless, the orphans, and the powerless. He will have his way, and I’m pretty sure I don’t want to piss him off. We are playing for keeps here, boys and girls. We’d better get a move on it.

Happy Holidays!!

Yes, a sweet, grey-haired shopper reminded me, that “holidays” really means holy days. I know she was boycotting the O’Reilly Merry Christmas drama.

It’s that time of year again. Instead of running around hating on drivers and imbecilic customer service representatives, I am busing working and reading! I barely know it is Christmas except for the masses that push through the turn style looking for a beginner guitar or a special deal on drumsticks. My meager paycheck does little to alleviate my urge to give. I debate the value of running up credit in order to bless my family and friends.

Besides monetary concerns, I love giving gifts. I like to give things that are both practical and slightly whimsical—the things that might not be given, but inspire creativity and risk-taking.

As I ponder the meaning of Christmas and determine how I can share that with a none-existent budget, I am disturbed by the messages of Christmas that permeate our culture. If I was a visiting foreigner, I might listen to the lyrics of a few songs to help me get accustomed to this new country.Perhaps one of the following:

How’d you like to spend Christmas on Christmas Island?
**Sounds kinda nice.

Bring me some figgy pudding, and bring it right here
**Selfish aren't we?

Backdoor Santa. “I’m better than Santa cuz I come more than once a year”
**Enough said.

Last Christmas I gave you my heart, the very next day you gave it away.
**Get over it.

God came down to the world and said Oi, Oi, Oi, Oi. **Thanks, Gwen.

I’m sorry, but I’d rather not believe that Christmas is about getting laid, revenge on an ex, and acquiring the most extravagant things. I also don’t think it is about a sweet, baby in a manger that doesn’t cry.

Sure, in Christian tradition Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ--the birth of a Messiah, a king, and a savior for the world. Images of innocence are nostalgic but the beauty of Christmas day comes with the recognition of the gift of life. We bless one another with presents because the Divine has blessed us. You may not have much to give, but it’s easy to smile at someone. It takes seconds to say hello, open a door, give an apple to the homeless veteran on the corner of 19th and Sprague, or jump in a puddle with an eight year old.

Instead of begrudgingly coughing up hard earned cash, flipping off a rude shopper, or grumbling about materialistic consumerism and how Christmas perpetuates capitalist greed, try to think about the good things in your life. Thank God for life and breath, and the chance to enjoy a creation or two. Give out of your abundance. Give out of your need. Love on people.

Merry Christmas and God bless us, everyone!

The Difficulty of Love

**Disclaimer: The following is written by a twenty-something who by no means claims to know what she is talking about. Also, the term “we” is used as a sweeping generalization of the American populace. Statements therein are not absolute truths nor are they indicative of everyone.

Even the most low-maintenance, self-aware person can be difficult to love. Perhaps it is a matter of time. Over time, all is revealed. This person is not as self-sustaining as once thought. And maybe that’s why it’s called “the honeymoon phase”. Things get rough. No one is entirely self-sufficient, nor can they meet our every need. Perhaps the issue lies within those of us who are asked to love. Despite our claims of process, our product is still weak because of our own need to be loved well.

I work at a renowned instrument store staffed predominately by musicians. This environment is conducive to philosophical conversations about the meaning of life and the role of music, not to mention load of stories about drunken orgy performances in dodgy venues across America. A recent conversation reminded me that a scattered few (in this case, men) are downcast because genuine romance is no longer written and sung about. I argued that this authenticity of emotion is due to a misunderstanding of true love.

I mean, sure it’s nice to know you miss me cuz my booty and $%#$^ ain’t available at your beck and call. It tears me up to hear that your friends can no longer be jealous of your arm candy or that your life is incomplete without me since you don’t have all three--money, sex, and power. In fact, your every beat and ungh stir burning passion deep in my soul. Just hold up a minute while I feed Kevin, bathe Danny, and send Shandra to school. Btw, you’ve missed three months of child support.

I would argue we do not love well, because we do not know how to love well. The divorce rate in America is ridiculous. What’s the point of getting married, except for taxation benefits? We all hear it’s not for the “lovin’ early in the morning” (ah, if we could all have partners like Ray Charles’ woman!). Living together is an option some choose, but I still it think skirts the heart of the issue.

My parents have been married for thirty-three years. That’s a crap-load of hard work, determination, and compromise. They still “discuss” to this day. Egalitarian dispersal of power is only possible through love--love that is characterized by selflessness, forgiveness, and grace.

Such love is nearly impossible to find. It is almost the unattainable goal. We get a glimpse of such love in a book or a moment captured on film, or even demonstrated by such couples as my parents. In the fleeting moment, we know both what love is and how love is manifested.

I’m not one of those cheesy romantic idealists, but I do have my lapse into philosophies declared by the likes of Shelley and Blake (yes, they are both dead white guys). At heart, I am this strange mix of idealist and realist. We ought to strive for this elusive ideal, yet realize that agape love is almost too perfect for flawed humanity. Idealistic romantic notions are sweet thoughts but have no value if they cannot be practically implemented. In other words, profess love that will move mountains but please demonstrate your love in action. I can say I have love for the poor and marginalized but if I stay locked in my tower of comfort and convenience, what kind of love is that? I can adamantly declare that I love my sister, but if I’m never around to listen to her stories, give her money when she needs it, and provide a shoulder to cry on, then do I truly love her?

If I don’t understand what love is and don’t know how to love, then I will never be able to love anyone properly. I will perpetuate the cycle of imperfection and selfishness. On the other hand, I can take my abstract understanding of this profound concept, and try to put it into practice.

Here’s a passage that describes what love is, and how it is employed.

If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate…If I have faith that says to a mountain, “jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing. If I give everything to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say; what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.
Eugene Peterson paraphrase of I Corinthians 13.

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
Does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
Does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails.
Apostle Paul, 1 Corinthians 13.

Unnamed poetry

I usually hate sharing my poetry with the public. I often write to process an emotional or psychological response to something. I wrote this after watching the film, Crash. I wish I could do justice to the themes presented by creating a forum. This will have to do for now. **On a side note, the I can't get the formatting on this thing to work for me. Therefore, my poem is not spaced correctly! argh!

Hatred, resentment, and bitterness,
Years of unresolve and unforgiveness,
All justifiable and
Irrational.

Who shall removes us from these earthly chains
Out of grasp, beyond the reach of kindness and love?

A weak foundation can never be made sturdy.
Complete demolishment, and then
Fresh plans, restructured ideas to establish new infrastructure.

Buried past, hidden wounds
--for now.
Brushed, opened again
As skeletons pound their way out of the closet.

Who shall removes us from these earthly chains
Out of grasp, beyond the reach of kindness and love?

We each have a chapter in the story, a character to play
And a purpose to fulfill
In effort to further the cause
Or offer balms of healing.

To begin the process, one step
Yet the hardest.
Claiming responsibility,
And accepting fault.

To seek the good of others and all,
Above your own,
With no guarantee of success or
Restoration

O God,
We cry out for the Divine
To sweep it all away
In a tide of forgiveness.

California Likes to Party

Yeah, I know it's been a while.

A majority of my faithful readers are well-aware that I am taking a much-needed vaca to lovely So Cal.

It's been good. It's brought healing--and it's only my second day.

I'm over-fed, loved-on and happy. I'm trying to push aside concerns about the future, insteading living in the moment.Hopefully, I will be refreshed and rejuvenated, ready to take on the challenges that await!

I shall be posting my contemplations and epiphanies later this week.