Archive for the ‘immigration’ Category
Links 15 feb 2008
Posted on: February 15, 2008
- TRADE: Individual EPAs ”Do Not” Undermine Regional Integration [IPS]
A little divide and conquer might get African nations to sign deals with the EU - USCIS: Backlog in Naturalization Applications Will Take Nearly Three Years to Clear [MIS]
Meanwhile bureaucracy gone mad is keeping immigrants from becoming Americans. Oh just let them try the “go back to your country” nonsense now. - Who says Latinos and Asians hate blacks? [Racialicious]
Throw three minority women together in a chat and what happens? An intelligent (and funny) discussion of demographics, voting and the usual mass media oversimplification and drama, that’s what!
Links 11 feb 2008
Posted on: February 11, 2008
- DEVELOPMENT: MDGs Yardstick Too Generic, Critics Say [IPS]
This article highlights the importance of context and scale. The MDG’s were established on a global scale but when applied locally they don’t make sense and are hurting nations, African ones especially. One size does not fit all. - Material Support to Terrorism — Consequences for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in the United States [Migration Information Source]
Since 9-11 new counterterrorism laws and policies have made asylum and refugee resettlement to the U.S. more difficult. This is another example of one-size-fit-all policy damaging the world’s weakest and most vulnerable inhabitants. - Meanwhile the French sentenced far-right Le Pen for hate speech but the Dutch delay prosecution of far-right member of parliament Geert Wilders (in Dutch sorry, can’t find an English story on this). Wilders heads a right-wing party, has called the Koran a fascist book and demands it be banned. He is about to release a documentary about the Koran and Islam. Wilders lives under guard having received numerous death threats.
- In Bronx School, Culture Shock, Then Revival [NYT]
Here’s an example of what happens when you address the specific needs of a community (a school in this case) rather than applying a one-size-fits-all policy. Not to mention that it breaks down stereotypes and assumptions, which generic policies often rely on. - Yesterday’s march in Washington [CIPCOL]
An eye-witness account of the anti-FARC march in my hometown.
Links 4 feb 2008
Posted on: February 4, 2008
- Racism Hits Formula One in Spain [NY Times]
- RIGHTS: Ignoring Girls’ Welfare Carries High Price [IPS]
- A Tiny Staff, Tracking People Across the Globe [NY Times]
- “Hate speech” over immigration must stop, says La Raza [Latin Americanist]
- POLITICS: A COLOR-BY-NUMBERS STUDY [Racialicious]
Just when I was thinking I was headed toward an actual decision and would focus on technology and society for my future, I get double reminders about why immigration needs my attention.
Latina Viva posted a touching story about an illegal immigrant who saved the life of a young American boy and was immediately deported. The other night I found a great channel on youtube, an interactive documentary on the Prince Williams County, VA immigration debate.
Heartbreaking! And no I’m not just a bleeding heart liberal. I do know from experience what it feels like to feel unwanted, unwelcome, no matter how hard you try. “It’s a tough world”, people say. “Toughen up and don’t take everything so personal.” I’m tough when I need to be. But why should I be tough all the time? Why should anyone?
“Toughen up” is what people did in WWII as the Jews were dragged away. That’s what people do as Palestinians and Iraqis die everyday. That’s why Bosnia, Rwanda and Darfur can happen despite all “our progress”.
“Toughen up” indeed. Seems a little less tough and a little more empathy is in order. Tough hasn’t worked in No Child Left Behind, Iraq, the War on Terror, the War on Drugs, the prison system…should I go on? I’m no peace-and-love-hippy kinda girl, but certainly empathy, understanding and respect will bring us further than tough.
- In: immigration | politics | racism
- 1 Comment
Right-wing party in Switzerland wants to pass a law reminiscent of Nazi times, deporting criminals AND the innocent family of the convicted person.
From The Guardian:
- In: activism | immigration
- 1 Comment
The New York Times/AP headline is nice: Immigration Activist Deported. Well it’s sad and frustrating that she’s been deported, but I mean, it’s nice that they are highlighting her work. Gone are the “illegal” and “alien” that were so often used and now the focus is on the key word: ACTIVIST.
Anybody know how we can support and help her now that this battle has been lost?
- In: immigration | nationalism | racism
- 1 Comment
Recently I was reading an article in the Washington Post on immigrant assimilation and whether the government should offer encouragement. While there is certainly a lot to be said about the topic what really caught my eye was how the article ended:
“If you live in America,” Orellana said, “you have to be American.”
latin american princesa {LAP} 