Even if you have not been called the “a” word, you know it is up there. It is in the protest signs made by the self-denominated “patriots;” it is often accompanied by the word “illegal.” Its mere definition does not mean much: it only refers to a foreign born individual. However, the way it has been used throughout history implies that the meaning of the “a” word is much more profound than what it appears. It is related to the word “alienated” which refers to a person who is isolated from the mainstream society. This means that the person who is labeled under the “a” word is thought to not belong with what the others may think as normal.
This is what the “a” word is; this is what it means; this is what it implies. We the aliens are not part of this society. We are alienated. It is as if we come from other planet; it is as if we are not human. This is the way a society isolates the group they discriminate against. If you want to eradicate a certain group, you first need to set yourself apart from such group. A way to do this is by calling a group a name that will alienate them. This is essential in order for the isolation process to work. Just imagine if instead of some immigrants being called “illegal aliens” they were called “illegal humans.” As you can see, this would not do the trick because the objective is to set yourself apart from the group you are discriminating against to the point there are virtually no similarities between you and them. You are the “human” while they are the “aliens.”
My dear sisters and brothers, we need to fight back. Now, do not misinterpret me. I am not asking you to advocate for the authorities to ban the word “alien,” for two reasons. One is that words are means of expression, and one of the amendments of the Constitutions guarantees us freedom of expression. Whether we like it or not, this word is protected by this law. My second reason is that a ban on a word is impractical. Words are just that, words. The DREAM (Development, Relief and Educations for Alien Minors) Act even uses the word to define itself. Plus, words in themselves are nothing more than vibrations floating to our ears. The way we use these vibrations is when problems arise.
We are not alone. In the mid-twentieth century, the “n” word was popular to alienate the African American population. However, instead of fighting the discrimination by avoiding the word, some African Americans began to use the “n” word to address each other in a friendly way. Little by little, the meaning of the word began to be disrupted by the new meaning the population subject of the discrimination was giving the word. Nowadays, the word's power as a discriminatory tool has almost lost its value. No longer people fear it, though some people still prefer to avoid it.
Let's learn from them, and start shifting this tool of the aggressor upside down. My dear aliens, this is the only way not to be affected by discrimination. What the aggressor intends is to use the word as a way to make us feel inferior, less worthy of the things this society offers. How will he do this when he realizes we are not affected by words anymore? How will he do this if instead of feeing discriminate, we feel empowered? I can see discrimination crumbling down when they see that we, the aliens, are tougher than insignificant five lettered words.
Reposted from DreamActivist.org
Who is Walter Lara?
Walter Lara, age 23, came to the United States from Argentina 20 years ago. Unless Congress or the Department of Homeland Security intervenes in his case, he will be required to leave the U.S. by July 6th.
Walter, having lived in the U.S. since he was three, speaks English without any trace of an accent. Miami is the only home he knows. Growing up in Florida, Walter graduated from high school as an honors student, fourth in his class. He dedicated over 1,000 hours of service to his community.
After high school, Walter attended the Honors College of Miami Dade Wolfson Campus. Earning an associates degree, he was trained in computer graphics and used this education to do freelance web design. On the side, he has found time to be involved in sports and teach himself many aspects of computing. Walter Lara has never broken the law and continues to be an active and important member of his community. He aspires to work for Pixar as a graphic designer, but without a Social Security number or visa, and therefore unable to attend a 4-year college, he has worked instead as a cable installer for Direct-TV.
On February 17, 2009, he was on his way to Fisher Island for an install when he was stopped by I.C.E. officials. When he admitted to them that he is undocumented, Walter was arrested and jailed for 20 days. He now faces deportation within days to a country he has never known.
Update:
WALTER LARA INDEPENDENCE DAY VICTORY!
Homeland Security Defers Deportation of Honor Student for One Year
Victory Opens Next Leg in Fight to Pass the Dream Act
Washington, DC—Today, after 48 hours of intense activism by Congressional Leaders, bloggers, and thousands of grassroots activists who made calls and sent letters on Walter Lara’s behalf, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) moved to defer 23-year old Lara’s scheduled deportation back one year until July 3, 2010. In response to DHS’s deferment, Walter Lara issued the following statement:
“Today, words cannot express my gratitude to Secretary Janet Napolitano, Senator Bill Nelson, Representatives Corrine Brown, Lincoln Diaz-Balart, and the thousands of grassroots activists whose unified efforts have given me a second chance to live out my American Dream.
“As I look to celebrate Independence Day with family and friends this weekend, I have once again seen what makes America the best country in the world. Americans are fair, just, and kind. When we unite our strength to defend our shared values -opening rather than shutting the doors of opportunity - we can achieve anything. As I have said before, America is the only country I have known and I am an American. I have never been more proud to say that than I am today.
“But even as the dust settles on this tremendous personal victory, my sights are clearly set on the struggle ahead to build a long-term future for me and the more than 2 million like me whose lives may be cut short and dreams deferred.
“The action taken by the leaders in Congress and the Department of Homeland Security is an acknowledgment that our immigration laws are broken. The DREAM Act, if passed, would help people like myself, who came here through no fault of their own, stay in this country, be put on a path to citizenship and contribute to our nation.”
Reposted from: Women of Color Policy Network Blog
Pomp and Circumstance played over the loud speaker as more than 500 young people from across the country walked down the aisle in the Lower Senate Park overlooking the nation's Capitol- however, this was not your typical graduation. It was a call to legislators and the Administration to pass the DREAM Act, which would allow young undocumented immigrants to adjust their status after meeting certain requirements and attending either 2 years of college or military service.
The National Dream Graduation organized by the United We Dream Coalition celebrated the accomplishments of undocumented youth despite the enormous barriers to higher education they face because of their status. At the same time it symbolized the unfulfilled possibilities of 65,000 immigrant high school students that graduate each year but are not able to continue their studies and pursue their dreams. Among those present, Paula, dressed in her purple Hunter College gown from her own graduation this June, listened to the speeches of fellow DREAMers who are now facing deportation proceedings. Born in Peru and a New York resident since the age of 2, Paula is only one of the many students, advocates and allies who visited their representatives, urging them to pass the DREAM Act this year.
First introduced in 2001, the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act would address the situation that Paula and tens of thousands young immigrants face. These young people, who arrived to the U.S.at an early age, stayed in school and kept out of trouble, would have the opportunity to adjust their immigration status after completing 2 years of college or military service. Currently, children account for 1.8 million, or 15 percent, of undocumented immigrants living in the U.S.Like their citizen peers, immigrant youth are fully integrated into American culture and include valedictorians, Model UN delegates and like Paula, fervent Mets fans and excellent cooks. However, because they lack legal status, as students they cannot obtain financial aid or scholarships for college, cannot work here legally, and live with the constant threat of deportation and being separated from their families.
A recent College Board report estimates that, with the DREAM Act, 360,000 undocumented
high school graduates would be able to pursue their collegiate and professional goals. Another 715,000 immigrant youth ages 5-17 would have an incentive to finish high school and go on to college.
While critics claim the DREAM Act is a form of amnesty and rewards the undocumented, they fail to realize that its passage would benefit the nation socially and economically as a whole, reducing high school dropout rates and even increasing revenue from taxes paid by a more educated immigrant population.
A 1999 RAND study found that a 30-year-old Mexican immigrant woman with a college
degree will pay $5,300 more in taxes and require $3,900 less in government expenses each year than if she had dropped out of high school.
Immigrant youth and supporters have done everything but stand on the sidelines to ensure that the DREAM Act passes this year. Across the country, online social networks such as DreamActivist and pro-migrant bloggers have coupled with youth organizing efforts on the ground in Florida, Texas, California, and New York, just to name a few, under the United We Dream Coalition to spread awareness, mobilize and advocate for the DREAM Act. The graduation ceremony this week was a product of their efforts and allied support from NILC, SEIU, USSA and NCLR, among others. The (often) volunteer hours and sacrifices of these youth organizations have catapulted DREAM onto a national stage and enable students like Paula to share their stories and urge their representatives to co-sponsor the DREAM Act. So far, the bill has 79 co-sponsors in the House and 22 in the Senate- about a third of those needed to ensure its passage this year.
Sitting in the ample conference room of NY Senator and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Immigration in the Judiciary, Charles Schumer, Paula described her current state of limbo having graduated as a Film Studies and Latin American Studies double major, and yet unable to work or continue on to grad school in the country she considers home. Since graduation she has been working an over-night babysitting job and lives with her parents and younger brother, who is a citizen. Although at times it gets overwhelming, Paula continues to march ahead despite her circumstances. For Paula and thousands like her, the DREAM Act would ensure her life, liberty & pursuit of happiness; to the nation, it would be a testament to our commitment to these ideals and the first step in reforming our immigration policy.
You can support the DREAM Act by signing the official petition and contacting your representatives to co-sponsor it today.
Cross-posted from Racewire.org
Today, June 23rd, 2009 youth around the nation are taking part in the National Graduation Day Ceremony in Washington, D.C. More than 500 students from all around the country are being mobilized to Capitol Hill, where they will take part in a Mock Graduation ceremony to celebrate their graduations from high school. People will then head into legislative meetings with Congress members and Representatives.
Not only are youth and Dream Act supporters taking part in this action in D.C., but different groups around the country are simultaneously hosting their own mock graduation ceremony and events in support of the Dream Act.
A picture perfect journey was painted to me when I was young. I was told, “Nothin’ is impossible. Dream and work towards getting it accomplished.” That’s how I grew up, believing that my dreams counted as much any other kid. I was born in Ecuador, but raised in Harlem. All I knew was this country. My understanding of things was that I was as much a part of this country as any other person.
I took my education very seriously. As a high school student, I took AP courses, got involved in extra curricular activities, ran and got elected in student government and graduated I was in the top of my graduation class. Yet as the date got closer, I stopped looking forward to it.
dreamactphoto.jpgIt was bittersweet; I would be the first in my family to graduate from college, yet the chance of attending college became slim. Because of my immigration status, my grades, resume, SAT scores where all out the window. It didn’t matter, all that mattered was those 9 digits numbers I lacked.
I remember sitting in my college advising room helping my fellow classmates fill out their college applications and FAFSA papers while hearing my college adviser telling me that, "College is not an option for you.”
I share with you this story because it is a common story. Youth around the nation pursue an education, they have goals and dreams and yet because of their immigration status they are prohibited from even getting close to it. Every year 65,000 undocumented students graduate from high school. Because of their status, they are denied state and federal grants and scholarships. But with the Dream Act, these students will have an opportunity to pursue their education and dreams.
I still have my dreams of becoming a lawyer or a politician someday.
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Check out : http://www.nysylc.org/.
Sign the petition for the Dream Act here: http://www.dreamact2009.com/
Learn more on the Dream Act and the events that youth are coordinating around the nation on : http://www.dreamactivist.org/. For video clips regarding the Dream Act, go to Youtube: Dream Act 2009.