Monday, May 29, 2006

Immigration, Duh


18 Days Of April Revolution: Victory
Democracy Spreading Mechanism
The Demosphere Manifesto
5 Steps To Democracy

Immigration is what America is all about. Immigration makes sense. Immigration is not something you try to stop, it is something you manage.

A great idea would be to issue diversity visas to a few hundred thousand people in every country that is not yet a democracy. They will buy their own plane tickets. And they will work some of the low paying jobs in the American economy like crazy. And you have to help them to get organized and stay organized. They could become the vanguard for the democracy movements in their respective countries. And America did not spend in terms of defense or foreign policy the entire time. They could also be sources of economic and social reforms in their respective countries. They could end up the primary source of Foreign Direct Investment in their respective countries. You want the pie to grow in America. You want the pie to grow in the other countries. And immigration does it big time.

But instead the tax cut and spend conservatives would like to spend money on fences, spend money on wars that are supposed to spread democracy. The anti immigration sentiment is largely based on irrational xenophobia. It is cultural conservatism. It shoots for the lowest possible denominator. Otherwise immigration makes American sense. It makes economic sense. It makes political sense. It just makes a bundle of sense. Those who oppose immigration on ideological grounds defy logic.

Spreading democracy is America's number one foreign policy goal, always has been. All big wars America has fought have been about spreading democracy. World War II, the Cold War.

This is the era of globalization and the internet. Immigration has taken a whole new meaning today. People all over the world just have become more migratory.

The immigrants spread democracy and prosperity across the world like no formal tool of US power ever could. That is why.

Immigrant Power
May 1 Immigrants Rally: Great American Boycott With Jesse Jackson 3
May 1 Immigrants Rally: Great American Boycott With Jesse Jackson 2
May 1 Immigrants Rally: Great American Boycott With Jesse Jackson
Immigration Makes Economy Sense, Democracy, Justice, Family Sense
Bill Frist's Ancestors Came From The Moon
"I've Been To Europe Once, And That's Enough"

Google Video: President Bush Impersonation - 2006 White House Correspondents Dinner
Google Video: Colbert Roasts President Bush - 2006 White House Correspondents Dinner

In The News

Minister to study Canadian immigration system Expatica, Netherlands
Verdonk's catch phrase 'coined by far right' Expatica
Wash. GOP Issues Resolution on Immigration Washington Post, United States
State GOP toughens stance on immigration The Olympian
Tough stance on immigration Seattle Times
State GOP opposes citizenship for illegal immigrants' children Seattle Post Intelligencer
An immigration victory
International Herald Tribune, France
Citizenship clause may doom bill on immigration Houston Chronicle
US Immigration Bill: Stage set for showdown in Congress NewKerala.com
Immigration policy divides GOP Monsters and Critics.com
Immigration Bill Hailed as "Critical First Step"
Zenit News Agency, Italy
Try again rather than pass a flawed immigration bill DesMoinesRegister.com
IT industry lauds US Senate nod to immigration Bill Hindu Business Line
Salazar: Support Senate immigration reform Monsters and Critics.com
The immigration rollover policy
Cayman Net News, Cayman Islands
Rules Collide With Reality in the Immigration Debate
New York Times, United States
Americans' search for answers on immigration must begin with the ... Houston Chronicle
US irresistible for Mexicans Los Angeles Daily News
Mexico campaigns on immigration issue
United Press International
Fox thanks Bush for immigration efforts Chicago Tribune
Not Everyone Happy with Mexican President's US Visit The Common Voice
Mexico to sustain easy flow over border World Peace Herald
LA mayor opposes English provision of immigration bill
San Jose Mercury News, USA
Mayor Opposes Immigration Bill’s English Provision CBS 2
LA Mayor Dislikes English Edict Los Angeles Times
LA mayor criticizes Senate on English provision Boston Globe
Illegal immigration opponents rally in Vegas, plot strategy
KRNV, NV
Illegal immigration opponents rally in Vegas, plot strategy Las Vegas Sun
Activists fighting illegal immigration meeting in Las Vegas KVBC
Illegal immigration opponents rally in Vegas, plot strategy
KRNV, NV
Illegal immigration opponents rally in Vegas, plot strategy Las Vegas Sun
Activists fighting illegal immigration meeting in Las Vegas KVBC
Immigration Rights Protest In Butler County
WCPO, OH
Immigrants' rights groups decry sheriff's detentions Akron Beacon Journal
Immigrant detentions irk some Cincinnati Enquirer
Program identifies illegal immigrants booked into jails Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
For immigration reform, consider law of nature
Indianapolis Star, United States
Immigration bill far from settled
Buffalo News, United States
Will House Republicans Kill the Bush Immigration Plan? WEBCommentary
Make or break on immigration Washington Times
Spotlight's on Bush on immigration Newsday
Immigration debate reveals rift
Sun-Sentinel.com, FL
Both sides on immigration need to be taken seriously Houston Chronicle
Race sparks border debate Dickson Herald
Immigration: The Point of Debate
Global Services, NY
Locals discuss immigration Times Herald-Record
Immigration crackdown would hurt farmers, Farm Bureau says
Battle Creek Enquirer, MI
Immigration crackdown may threaten state's farms Lansing State Journal
Immigration Forum applauds Senate immigration bill Arab American News
Legal immigrants feel shunned DetNews.com
Growers fear worst in immigration reform debate
Charlotte Observer, NC
Farmers voice concerns on immigration reform Contra Costa Times
US Not Alone In Dealing With Wave of Immigration
CBS2 Chicago, IL
Senate-House Bill -- Will it Stop Illegal Immigration?
Opinion Editorials, VA
Pastor, Conference speaker, Professor, Talk Show Host, and ... Crosswalk.com
Europe promise Spain to sort out immigration crisis in Canary ...
Pravda, Russia
Europe pledges to help Spain with immigration crisis in Canary ... San Diego Union Tribune
Nine EU countries agree joint patrols for African coast Monsters and Critics.com
Election may hinge on immigration
Miami Herald, FL
Immigration debate impacts Mexican race Seattle Post Intelligencer
US immigration debate could be a factor in Mexican campaign KVOA.com
Mexican presidential hopeful sidesteps US immigration reform Brownsville Herald
Eight countries join Spain to stem illegal immigration tide
Think Spain, Spain
Immigration problems -- I'm confused
The News Journal, DE
Highlights of the immigration and border security bill passed by ... Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
AUSTRALIA: Immigration Defends Offshore Processing
Pacific Magazine, HI
Carwash Centres Targeted In Immigration Raid
Bru Direct, Brunei Darussalam
A defining moment on immigration
Town Hall, DC
Immigration's cost
Patriot-News, PA
Sikhs and Immigration Reform
SikhSangat News, Canada
Lansing Latinos Speak Out on Immigration Bills in Congress
WILX-TV, MI

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Sunday, May 28, 2006

Race, A Few Different Angles


I Got No Race

Among Nepalis, I am Indian. Among Indians, I am Nepali. I am not Chinese. I am not Arab, although some people think otherwise. The day 9/11 happened, I was in this small town in Kentucky. The locals called the cops on me! I am not black, not white, not Hispanic. So for me to say race is the number one issue in my personal life is more like saying race is a rather huge social reality, and I notice it.

But then white is no country, white is no culture, white is no religion. White is no language. White is an artificial construct. That is where blac comes in.

Desis who hit the glass walls and ceilings on Wall Street want to get into activism on the police brutality issue in Queens. Identity never goes away.

Pan American Desi Caucus: Brown Is Beautiful
Your Many Identities

Even so it is not a blac, white issue. There are progressive whites, and there are internalized racism blac folks. And there are people in the so called progressive camp who are anti Bush alright, but they do want to be making their racist comments. Shun them. They do need that space to nurse their sick hearts.

Race As Work

For a political worker, it is just another issue. The rich details can feel fascinating. It does not take much to realize the goal is to expand the social space. As in, it is not one group versus another really, or how do you explain the self hate! It is more like both groups struggle with the same group identity. Race can feel like Physics 201 to many people, all that homework they are reluctant to do.

The Race Jujutsu

Some blac folks waste time thinking world history and national politics when they encounter a racist comment. It might be more effective to localize the hurt, see it is coming from one isolated person, and realize every person is at the receiving end of one or more ism, and to give back just as good.

Big World, Small World

Video blogging can make feel like feeding the search engines cuts through the fog. It can be put in the same category as shaking hands. The internet is a powerful medium for its democratizing element.

One example. Girija Koirala became Prime Minister of Nepal after the April Revolution. Google his name. The first two results are my blog.

I think there is a lesson right there for all the component ethnic groups in the blac community. The internet has to be the backbone of the organizing effort. All the internal fermentations have to be kept transparent. That is empowering. Let the other side know all that we are thinking, discussing, going through. It is good marketing. Collaboration also becomes easier, it becomes easier to build coalitions.

Video Blogging For 2006, 2008

"I am working to launch an online talk show, pay per view." That has been my standard reply when I work the political events in town. I prefer to reach my target audiences online because there are no geographical boundaries. I have to feel global. Otherwise there is a feeling of disconnect.

Also that way my message is broader, and it is about Democratic victory as well as blac empowerment.

Plus, I smell money!

The Personal, The Political

The FBI's attacks on Martin Luther King's marriage is the more famous example of institutional racism disrespecting the private life of someone fighting racism. Less talked about are things like the impact of racism on things like family breakdowns in general. Some of it is about self hate, some about dimmer economic prospects, some about frustrated ambitions, some about overt racial attacks.

Ethnic Complexities

When you look at the ethnic grievances in a country like Nepal, race in America can feel like a piece of cake sometimes. But that is hardly an excuse to put up with racism.

Personal Responsibility

Race is a larger, social reality, it is a macro issue, and hence a collective challenge. But it still can be tackled through a stronger exercise of personal responsibility. Infighting among the ethnic "warlords" can complicate things a little starting out, but they usually come around to it.

Cultural Diversity

Racism is the ugly cousin of cultural diversity. Diversity is beautiful. Listen to world music. Look at all those festivals, different kinds of food, the clothes people wear, the languages they speak, their religions.

The progressive challenge is to expand the public space so as to suggest there really is room for everybody.

On The Web

Race Relations - Exploring Group Relations and the Dynamics of Race
Online NewsHour -- Race Relations Reports
Perspectives on Race Relations -- US Dept. of State
Institute of Race Relations news network
SpeakOut.com - Race
Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000
SAGE Race Relations Abstracts
The RACE RELATIONS PAGE
Race During the Great Depression
Race Relations Day - 21 March 2005
How the Blues Affected Race Relations in the United States
Amazon.com Books: Sociology / Race Relations : General, America ...
Fisk University Race Relations Institute
Open Directory - Society: Issues: Race-Ethnic-Religious Relations
Race Relations
Welcome to the Commission for Racial Equality
Race relations - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Committee on Campus Race Relations
Cultures & Community, Issues and Causes, Race Relations,
US Commission on Civil Rights - Publications
South African Institute of Race Relations
Race Relations: 14 to 18 years
Issues and Causes > Race and Racism in the Yahoo! Directory
On Race Relations
The Race Relations Act 1976 (Amendment) Regulations 2003
Center for Race Relations
Race Relations - For Faith & Family
Eberron Under the Glass -- Race Relations and Prejudice
The Sociology of Race and Ethnicity
SSRN-Race Relations and Modern Church-State Relations by Thomas Berg
Matters of Race: Bridging the Divide In Greater Cincinnati
Lesson Plan no. 39 | Wartime and Race Relations | AskAsia.org
Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Education Trust
Race Relations Progress Report
The Princeton Prize in Race Relations - Home
The Race Relations Act
Townhall.com :: Columns :: "Crash," the movie vs. race relations ...
IRR: HomeBeats: Struggles for Racial Justice CDROM
Canadian Race Relations Foundation
Civil Rights and Race Relations
Home Office | Race relations
FrontPage magazine.com :: Race Relations at Bucknell by Kyle McNeel
Race Relations

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